Volkswagen Car Maintenance Mistakes That You Should Avoid at All Costs
Are you a proud Volkswagen car owner that's looking to extend the life of your vehicle? Do you want to make sure the VW's issues aren't self-inflicted? If so, you need to learn about the biggest mistakes to avoid with Volkswagen car maintenance. Doing so can help you avoid a serious catastrophe with your vehicle.
The most common car repairs go south when car owners try to DIY with improper information. Here is an in-depth guide on the biggest mistakes you should avoid to help extend the life of your car. Trust us, they will make a big difference!
1. Not Changing Your Oil Frequently
There are two common mistakes within this point. First, as the header reads, most car owners don't change their oil frequently enough. Second, some Volkswagen owners aren't putting the right type of oil into their cars.
Generally speaking, most experts would recommend that you change your car's oil once every 6,000 to 7,000 miles. But take notice: that's the longest you should go without changing it. Those numbers aren't a measure for when to start considering changing the oil.
For those of you that want to be efficient, have a goal of changing out your oil once every 5,000 miles. This can benefit your car in several ways:
- Better mileage for your Volkswagen
- Easy and quick emissions tests
- More protection for the engine
- Ensures a longer lifespan for the car's engine
- Results in less engine-related repairs down the line
Now, let's address the second part of this point. You have to make sure you're putting synthetic oil inside your Volkswagen. This isn't suggested, it's required.
If your Volkswagen's model was built any time after 2004, as most on the road are these days, VW requires synthetic oil to prevent clogs in the engine valves. It's the best choice for the unique design of Volkswagen parts in the engine.
2. Ignoring the Check Engine Light
Granted, this isn't partial to Volkswagen owners; all car owners are guilty of this. Most people see the check engine light come on in their car and either shrug it off or tell themselves, "Eh, I'll get to it eventually."
Here's the hard truth: depending on the reason for the light, you might not have time to check on it later. That said, the check engine light isn't always a pressing expensive emergency either, so just get it to your trusted auto shop as soon as you can to get it diagnosed.
There are many different reasons the check engine light can come on, some of which have very little (if anything) to do with the engine itself. Your car might be trying to tell you:
- Your battery is about to die
- Your gas cap is disconnected or loose
- The spark plugs on your engine are worn out and need replacing
- Your oxygen sensor is either dirty or faulty, which is causing a bad reading
- Your engine is overheating
That last one, as you might assume, is an emergency. Pullover and check the thermostat on your dash before turning the car off. Very carefully pop the hood of your car, then reach out to a trusted mechanic for advice. Don't ignore this, as an overheating engine can catch on fire.
3. Unfamiliar Sounds
We've all been there. That moment when we start driving our car and notice an unfamiliar sound and think to ourselves, "has it always made that noise?"
Spoiler alert: no, it hasn't. If you hear some strange and concerning sounds from your Volkswagen, don't worry, it isn't just your vehicle. Unusual sounds, especially clunking sounds, are a common issue for Volkswagen car maintenance.
If the sound is coming from the front of the car, it's probably a sign that the strut mount is wearing out, which is responsible for attaching your suspension strut to the vehicle. That's nothing that a quick fix can't handle. You can order Volkswagen parts and DIY or you can hire a professional to do it.
4. Not Purchasing Volkswagen Performance Parts
Fun fact: did you know that Volkswagen is in talks to joining Formula 1? That's not a joke. Formula 1 wants in on their 4 cylinder engines for their race cars.
Volkswagen performance parts have built quite a reputation for themselves. You need to make sure that you're investing in VW performance parts whenever you need to repair or replace a part in your VW vehicle.
The inner design of Volkswagen engines is unique to that brand. By investing in VW parts, you're buying a car part that was made with that exact car in mind.
5. Driving Through Regressing MPG
Most car owners think that if their Volkswagen Jetta gets 41 mpg in the city when they buy it, it will be the case for the entire time they drive it. That couldn't be further from the truth.
Many different things can cause your car's MPG to regress if you aren't paying attention. Be sure to monitor it consistently.
One of the most common reasons Volkswagen's fuel efficiency drops is due to coil failure. If left neglected, this can cause engine failure shortly after.
Avoid These Volkswagen Car Maintenance Mistakes at All Costs
Now that you have seen an in-depth guide on European cars and the Volkswagen car maintenance mistakes you should avoid, be sure to use this information to your advantage.
You can also read more on the 7 DIY repairs that all Porsche owners should know about too. For any questions you may have, please feel free to call us at 813-444-7021 and we will be happy to assist you further.
