If you are a Volkswagen owner, especially one who lives in or near the vicinity of the Abbotsford, British Columbia area, there are some preventative car care measures you should take to keep your Volkswagen on the road. Learning these basic measures can help add years to the life of your car and help maintain its reliability.
Schedule Regular Oil and Filter Changes
Vehicle technology has advanced significantly in the past few years. Parts such as spark plugs and those operating your emissions and cooling systems are now designed to last you well over 160,000 kilometers. Even with these advances, it is still important to have your oil changed on a regular basis. In addition to regular oil changes, you should also look at having all of the filters (i.e. cabin air and oil) changed.
As an example, a 2014 VW Touareg Hybrid 4-door SUV driven 16,000 kilometers would require at this point the following maintenance : a change in the cabin air filter, oil change and new oil filter. Depending on where you live, this will cost you somewhere in the neighborhood of $190 CAD, more or less.
Check and Maintain Fluid Levels
The fluid levels for oil, windshield washer and cooling system should be checked also to ensure that they are being maintained at the proper levels. You would not want to be caught in a situation where you were unable to remove mud or rain from your windshield while driving due to low wiper fluid levels. A VW that overheats may have been prevented by ensuring that the cooling system was properly working and fluid levels were maintained at their proper amount.
When you stop to fuel your vehicle during the week, make it a point to open the hood and check the various fluid reservoirs in your VW. You should also monitor carefully your VW’s temperature gauges, taking proactive steps when a gauge is in a red or warning zone.
Brake System Inspection and Maintenance
When you take your vehicle in to have the oil and filters changed, it is also a good time to have the entire brake system on your VW inspected. Your brake system is a very important part of your car and can mean the difference between life and death if not properly working. Given the important of this safety component for your VW, have a professional check your brake lines, pads, shoes and other parts to ensure that they are working correctly. If you hear funny noises or suspect that your brakes are not working properly, it is better to have them immediately looked at than to run the risk of some calamity due to your failure to act.
Wheel and Tire Inspection and Maintenance
At least once a year you should have an inspection completed on your wheels and tires. A trained professional can check for cracks, rebalance your wheels and rotate your tires. This will give you the peace of mind in knowing that your tires are properly positioned and able to withstand the rigors of the road. If you suspect that your tires are not working properly, as with your brake system, take your VW in for an immediate inspection and diagnosis.
There are various preventative measures that you can take on your own that will help you avoid major repair bills later on. These include having your oil changed on a regularly scheduled basis along with your VW’s filters. All fluid levels should be checked periodically and maintained at their proper levels. An inspection of your brakes, wheels and tires will make sure that they are in proper working order and do not need to be replaced or repaired. Here are some tips on performing routine maintenance on your VW.
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