Special Tips for Volkswagen Care
If you’ve never owned a Volkswagen before, you might not know what goes into maintaining the vehicle and keeping it working the way it’s supposed to work. In a lot of cases, owning a Volkswagen has a lot of similarities to American and Japanese automobiles, but there are a few subtle differences that might trip up owners that are new to German auto engineering. Here’s what you need to know to keep your VW on the road for years.
Count on Experience
One of the main things to know about European auto care is that you need to have someone who understands European vehicles working on your car to keep it in top shape. Oil changes, for example, require a specific kind of oil for maximum efficiency, and you’ll need someone who understands your Volkswagen and the kind of oil that works best for that model in order to get the most out of your car. German engineering is built to be functional, but it can also be confusing for a mechanic who has only seen American and Japanese automobiles. If you have someone who knows the engine and how it’s meant to function, you’ll be sure that the job is done right the first time and your VW is running the right way.
Use Genuine Parts
If you looked around at the service shop at a Volkswagen dealer, you might have noticed signs saying that Volkswagen vehicles love genuine Volkswagen parts. It’s more than just a saying; it’s also a great way to maximize the life of your Volkswagen. A Volkswagen might be expected to last on the road for many years, but that comes with one caveat: it needs the right parts to work together in order to make the vehicle operate at its maximum efficiency.
When you look for someone to work on your Volkswagen, you want to find a mechanic who uses genuine Volkswagen parts rather than simply using whatever is available, for two reasons. The first is the obvious benefit of genuine Volkswagen parts, but the second is that a mechanic who stocks and uses genuine Volkswagen parts probably knows what he or she is doing with the vehicle, meaning you’re going to get top service from such a mechanic.
Conduct Regular Maintenance
Some things never change no matter what make and model you own, and having regular maintenance is among those things. When you own a Volkswagen, it’s important to know and follow Volkswagen’s recommended maintenance schedule throughout your ownership of the vehicle. Not only will this help keep your vehicle running the way it should, but having a mechanic who can catch problems early will likely help prevent many serious issues from ever developing.
Owning a Volkswagen can be a bit of a change for owners who are used to Japanese or American cars, but once you know what you’re doing, it can be a great experience. If you take the time to keep your Volkswagen running smoothly, you might discover a newfound loyalty to European automobiles.
