5 Tips to Make Your Volkswagen Last

For the past few years, our VW mechanics have built a solid relationship with some of the local New Jersey members of TDIClub (www.TDIclub.com). We have learned that most members commute more than 100 miles per day and prefer to keep their vehicle on the road up to and over the 200,000-mile mark.  JA Autowerks understands that quality repairs , performed in a timely manner within the given budget, is a must.  We have helped New Jersey TDI owners keep their cars on the road up to the half-million-mile mark.  Since, becoming a recognized NJ Volkswagen TDI expert, we have learned that most of our Volkswagen customers have similar needs: a trustworthy repair shop, that understands that their vehicleis their lifeline.

From Volkswagen Beetle, Jetta, Golf, Passat to the Tiguan, Touareg, and Phaeton, JA Autowerks has been helping VW owners keep their vehicles running at their best for over a decade.

Here are a few tips to keep your Volkswagen running at its best:

1.       Fill up with the recommended fuel type.  Most Volkswagens on the road today are turbocharged; in fact, Volkswagen has more turbocharged vehicles on the road today than any other auto manufacture.  Turbocharged Volkswagens require PREMIUM Fuel or 93 OCTANE, if you fuel up with anything less, you are robbing your Volkswagen of performance, fuel economy, and wearing out spark plugs prematurely.  

2.       Check air pressure in your tires at least once per month.  Every Volkswagen comes with a Cold Tire Inflation Pressure stick the lets you know what tire pressures are best for your vehicle.

3.       Don’t Race to Red Lights. By coasting to a red light at an intersection, you will extend the life of your Volkswagen’sbrakes, tires, suspension parts and save money on fuel.

4.       Address vehicle warning lights.  When your vehicle has a Check Engine Light on, the engine’s computer is telling you that your vehicle is not running at 100 percent.

5.       Keep up with the recommended Volkswagen Scheduled Maintenance for your model. Our highest mileage customers follow their maintenance schedule religiously, and get into the habit of checking their fluid levels about once a month.

Have questions about the tips listed above? Contact the JA Autowerks team at (732) 268-7381 to set up a free multi-point inspection for your Volkswagen.

When do you know to replace your vehicle’s Battery?

Signs that say a new battery is needed:

1.       Check engine light came on after start up.

2.       Vehicle seems to crank slow or cranks longer than normal at start up.

3.       Vehicle does crank over but does not start.

4.       Visual corrosion (white power) on top of battery and on positive and negative terminals.

5.       Age, a high quality battery’s life span is 5 to 6 years.  A low quality battery’s life span is 2 to 3 years.

Are all car batteries built the same?

Winter is one of those times when your vehicle’s battery love to give up. Freezing temperatures, the extra use of lights, defrosters and wiper all reduce your battery’s engine cranking power.  These scenarios combined with older batteries (over 3 years of age) can leave you stuck.     

In today’s world, European-engineered vehicles require a battery to work harder than they did 20 years ago.  Most vehicles on the road today include features like key-less entry, key-less start, lane-assist, adaptive cruise control, and multi-media interface systems which create high-demand energy situations.  Then, consider that late model Euros have more advance fuel-systems and integrated, networked computer and control systems that require a battery to maintain reserve power during extreme temperatures and other high electrical load situations.

You should take the above referenced factors into consideration when purchasing a battery for your vehicle.  While they tend to look the same, not all batteries are created equal; it’s what is on the inside that sets apart the generic auto parts store and big box store batteries from the batteries the Bosch batteries sold at JA Autowerks. Our team knows and understands the needs of modern European vehicles and wants you and your family to be safe and not have a vehicle that leaves you stranded. That is why our team offers Bosch S5 and S6 Premium Power Batteries with a 3 Year 100% Replacement Warranty included with a free emergency Jump-Start Assistance for three years from the date of purchase.

If you would like to know if your vehicle’s battery is ready and able for the last six weeks of winter, contact our service advisor Erin and request a complimentary inspection of your vehicle’s battery, starting and charging systems.

 JA Autowerks will keep you running down the road, problem free!