Servicing is a fundamental aspect of car ownership. It keeps your vehicle in peak condition, ensuring top power output, fuel economy and resale value. On top of that, it’s usually a legal requirement to maintain your warranty.
Your VW must receive the best service possible. Critically, it must be a Volkswagen Group-approved service, as this type of service is specific to your vehicle and must be carried out for warranty reasons.
This blog addresses the ultimate VW service, explaining what happens and why it’s so important to understand. Let’s get into it.
Step 1: Researching to find the best VW garage
Before getting the ultimate VW service, you must find the garages that provide just that. Look for niche expertise and experience in Volkswagen models, especially yours. Consult testimonials and reviews, and ask your friends and family if they know of any trusted VW specialists. Once you have this established, it’s time for step 2: booking a servicing appointment.
Step 2: Booking an appointment
Booking your car in for a service is a relatively simple process. Most garages operate using receptionists (or technicians manning the desk). Call them and ask about availability on the day of your choice. Don’t be afraid to ask for estimates or quotes, too. Also, if you need to wait with your car, it’s best to inform them in advance if the waiting room is small.
You’ll likely need to provide a few personal details, such as your name and phone number, along with the make and model of your car and its registration plate.
Step 3: Arriving and checking in
When the day comes, hop into your car and head to the garage at which you’ve booked your VW service. Park up in the car park, noting that some service centres have dedicated parking spots for servicing. Park here, if applicable.
Lock your car and take your keys with you to the reception. Someone will check you in and take your keys. If necessary, remove the car key from the rest of your chain. That means you can still get into your house or workplace if you need to leave.
At this point, most people leave, taking a taxi, getting picked up by a friend or using a courtesy car. However, staying in the waiting room is usually an option, provided you discuss this in advance.
Step 4: What happens during a VW service
Next, the service starts. When the time rolls around, a technician will take your car keys and some VPE (vehicular protective equipment). These usually include disposable paper floor mats and seat covers, ensuring they don’t dirty your cabin. Before entering the car, expect them to take a few pictures for unavoidable legal reasons.
They’ll drive your car to a two- or four-post ramp and get out, turning the engine off and leaving the keys in an accessible place. Their jobs involve opening the bonnet and removing the oil cap, encouraging air flow, which helps with oil drainage (see below).
Lifting the car to drain the oil
Then, they’ll use the hydraulic lift to raise your VW into the air. Now, they’ll place a drip pan on the floor (or hold it) and use a spanner or ratchet to remove the oil drain plug. The oil flows and then drips into the pan. While the technician is underneath the car, they might inspect the relevant parts. For example, it’s a good place to check over the tyre tread, suspension, and exhaust pipe. They’ll look for cracks, damage, leaks and uneven wear in the case of tyres.
Lowering your VW to replace the oil filter
Next, with most of the oil drained out, they’ll lower the car to a working height. From here, they’ll remove and replace the oil filter. On most cars, this can be done through the engine bay, although sometimes a technician needs to access it from underneath or through the wheel well. At this point, they might also conduct an under-bonnet inspection, topping up your VW’s fluids as required. Before the car gets lifted back up, the technician may use the opportunity to conduct the rest of the inspection, checking items like the air filters, wheel bearings, windscreen wipers, seat belts, and lights and lubricating the latches and locks.
Replacing the oil in your VW
With your VW in the air for the final time, the mechanic replaces the drain plug and tightens it to the recommended torque level. They then lower the car back to the floor and use a funnel to pour in the recommended volume of the correct oil multigrade. They’ll start the engine to run the oil through for a few seconds before stopping it and using the dipstick to check the level. Finally, the oil cap goes back on, the bonnet comes down, and the ramp jack pads get lowered and moved out of the wheels’ way.
Step 5: Final inspection
After all that, it’s time for the final inspection. Every job gets ticked off, and any remaining service items can be addressed. This might include a quick diagnostics check and safety inspection, a check of the spare wheel and its tools, and the car’s documentation and locking wheel nut key. This might also be when a garage vacuums or cleans your vehicle if this is a service they offer.
To ensure your vehicle is safe for the road, the technician will also check the torque levels on the wheel nuts and the tyre pressures, pumping them up (or letting some air out) as needed.
A technician will also remove your service book (if applicable) to stamp it, returning it to your glove box afterwards. Otherwise, they’ll mark the service as completed in VW’s online service portal.
Step 6: All done
With that completed, everything is good to go. Your VW’s service is complete. The technician will drive it back outside to a secure parking spot, remove the key and the VPE, and lock it. They’ll hand the key over to the receptionist, who places it in a secure place – usually a safe – for safekeeping.
Next, you’ll receive a call telling you your car is all done and ready to pick up at your earliest convenience.
Sunset VW in Derby provides the ultimate VW service
Of course, this example service assumes that the inspections don’t find any problems or repairs that need carrying out. In those cases, it works slightly differently. They’ll still finish the service, but the receptionist or technician who calls you will mention the issues (or potential issues) they’ve uncovered and advise you on the next steps.
Regular servicing is vital for your car’s performance, fuel economy, and warranty. A full service history (FSH) also contributes to increased resale value. That’s where we at Sunset VW in Derby come in.
Our team of dedicated Volkswagen mechanics has been working with VWs since the 80s. We’ve seen it all. Nowadays, our facility contains top-of-the-range hi-tech equipment, including diagnostics tools and the latest ramps. Each team member, from our master technicians to our apprentices, is committed to providing a friendly, warm service with a smile without ever compromising on quality.
For more information about our VW services and oil changes, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Give us a call at 01332 346 688 or fill out the form below. We’d be delighted to answer any questions you might have and look forward to hearing from you.