6 Common Engine Repair Mistakes to Avoid for Volkswagen Owners
The average yearly cost of owning a car can amount to well over $1,000.
And while that may sound excessive, it can come to be quite a bit more if you neglect some common engine problems. There's no reason to spend more on car repairs than you need to—as long as you take a proactive approach.
So fasten your seatbelt and get ready for a ride. We're going to show you some common engine repair mistakes that every Volkswagen owner must avoid.
1. Not Changing the Oil
Forgetting to change a car's oil leads to many of the most common engine problems, but people still forget to do it.
Volkswagen recommends that you change the oil about once every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first. This isn't a very inconvenient oil-change regimen, so there should be no excuse not to do it.
Since engine oil degrades over time, it can form thick deposits that can damage a VW's engine over time. You can prevent this issue by scheduling regular oil changes at your nearest authorized VW auto repair shop.
2. Not Changing Air Filters
It's easy to forget about your car's air filters, but they're actually very important to the overall health of your Volkswagen's engine. Their role is to filter clean air into the engine to power combustion, but dirty filters overstrain your engine and lower your fuel economy.
It's a good idea to have your filters changed about once every 12,000 miles, or more often if the air is especially dirty where you drive.
3. Waiting Until Something Goes Wrong
It can be tempting to just hope that everything's working well in your Volkswagen, and not have your engine checked until something happens.
This is not the right stance to take. It could lead to serious engine issues, and it could make the repairs more costly than they would otherwise have been.
Routine maintenance can nip any engine problems in the bud, and ensure that your car is safe to drive.
4. Overlooking Safety Recalls
Safety recalls are issued either by the manufacturer itself or by the appropriate government safety agency.
Don't ignore these recalls when they happen. Even if it seems like it's not a very serious issue, it can lead to problems later on. Best of all, the manufacturer will often cover the cost of the fix - so why not take advantage of it?
5. Letting Unqualified Mechanics Work on Your Car
Not all auto repair shops are the same, so you should never take a gamble on one.
It's important to have your Volkswagen's engine serviced by certified and competent mechanics. You should always take your VW to a repair shop that specializes in that particular brand.
Volkswagen engines are complicated animals, and not every repair shop has the special VW parts needed to ensure proper functioning. A VW auto repair shop will have the Volkswagen performance parts and the technical know-how to repair your engine properly.
6. Ignoring the "Check Engine" Light
Ignoring the infamous "check engine" light could be one of the costliest engine repair mistakes any Volkswagen owner can make.
Many people are accustomed to ignoring this light for months, and the fact that nothing serious seems to happen is more of an incentive to do so. But this can lead to even greater issues down the road. To be on the safe side, always have that check engine light inspected at a certified VW repair shop.
Avoid These Costly Engine Repair Mistakes
As the proud owner of a Volkswagen, these are the common engine repair mistakes that you should avoid at all costs. It doesn't take much—just schedule regular maintenance, and address any engine issues as soon as they appear.
And if you're looking for the best Volkswagen performance parts for your VW engine, click here to see our inventory.
