How to Maintain Your VW This Summer in the Midwest

Information About Your Volkswagen Service Schedule and Priority Items to Be Mindful Of

If you’ve lived in the Kansas City area for even a little bit, then you’re already aware this neck of the woods knows how to bring heat. No, we’re not talking about a rack of piping hot ribs. We’re talking literal heat. That sweltering, humid summer heat that makes the air feel thick.

Considering how hot it can get in this area, it’s all the more important that you stick to your Volkswagen maintenance schedule to ensure your vehicle remains reliable all summer long. The following breaks down some of the high priority Volkswagen service items you should consider before summer ramps up. Once we cover those, we’ll provide some information on where to get professional VW service from a certified mechanic.

First Things First – Your Volkswagen Service Might Be Covered

All late model Volkswagen vehicles include the Carefree Coverage warranty package, so if you bought your VW recently, it’s likely your basic maintenance services coverage is still active. Volkswagen carefree maintenance is active for the first two years or 20,000 miles (whichever comes first) of ownership, and covers many of the basic maintenance services, like filter and oil changes.

If your carefree maintenance has lapsed, the best course of action is to refer to your Volkswagen maintenance schedule or to contact the VW service center to find out which routine items should be addressed. The same way drivers “winterize” their vehicles, there’s a summer equivalent to that.

Typical Summer Problems That Can Impact a Vehicle

Summer weather comes with its own unique set of challenges for a vehicle. Fortunately, there are several warning signs to look for that will tip drivers off that a vehicle problem is on the horizon. The following breaks down the main parts of the car to keep an eye on:

Tires: Every driver is one flat tire away from being completely immobilized. The last thing you want is to be stranded in the Midwestern heat on the side of the road. Do yourself a favor and check the tread of your tires. You can do this yourself using a penny.

Simply insert the coin into the groove of your tire tread head-first. If all or most of President Lincoln’s head is obscured by tire tread, then your tires are in adequate condition. If you can see all or most of Lincoln’s head, that means your tires are low on tread and need to be replaced.

While you’re checking out your tires, it’s also worth confirming they are at the right PSI. Driving on underinflated or overinflated tires can lead to excessive wear and negatively impact how the vehicle handles. You can easily find out the correct PSI for your specific Volkswagen and your driver’s manual or by performing a Google search on your year, make, and model of VW.

Engine: It probably comes as no surprise that overheating engines are a common problem during the summer. To ensure your vehicle performs well during hot conditions, it’s advised that you flush or top off the power steering fluid, transmission fluid, and coolant. The Volkswagen service center can easily do this.

Further, there are warning signs to look for that will indicate your engine is in need of service. Be mindful of:

• Ticking noises emanating from under the hood.
• A lag when attempting to accelerate.
• A burning smell or other odd odors.
• Smoke or steam coming from under the hood.
• A hood that’s excessively hot to the touch.
• A temperature gauge that reads much higher than normal.

If you notice any of these signs, the best course of action is to contact the VW service center to schedule an inspection.

Air Conditioning Unit: Midwestern summer weather is like a decathlon to your AC unit. It’s going to have to work much harder than normal to keep the interior cabin cool, so it’s best to be prepared. At minimum, drivers should top off the Freon levels to ensure they don’t run out of cool air. If you really want to have your bases covered, have the AC unit inspected by a Volkswagen service technician.

Oil and Filter Changes: Oil is one of the most important fluids that pumps through your engine, and it can lead to a disaster if left unaddressed for too long. If it’s been a while since your last oil and filter change, we can’t recommend this service enough. Although best practices vary from vehicle to vehicle, drivers should consider having their oil changed once every 3,000 miles or three months (whichever comes first).

Other Miscellaneous Items: Once you’ve addressed the big stuff, it’s a good idea to work your way down to smaller items that ensure prolonged vehicle integrity. Consider the following VW services:

• Have the battery checked.
• Check the brake pads and rotors.
• Check the wiper blades for wear.
• Have the suspension checked.
• Have all belts and hoses inspected for wear.

Scheduling Volkswagen Service at Your Local VW Service Center

Owners of Volkswagen vehicles are highly encouraged to get service exclusively through Volkswagen mechanics. Since VW mechanics are specifically trained on Volkswagen products, they will be way more knowledgeable and skilled in servicing your vehicle than a generic mechanic. This also mitigates the chance they may potentially miss something, which is a problem that often happens with other mechanics who aren’t familiar with German engineered vehicles.

Volkswagen Lee’s Summit is the #1 VW dealer in the entire Midwest!. Contact the Volkswagen service department at your nearest VW dealership in Lee’s Summit to make an appointment. This can be done using the online form or by calling (816) 841-7253.

Posted in Volkswagen, Volkswagen News | No Comments »