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When it comes to family vehicles, safety and practicality often come first, and that’s exactly why parents in Gaithersburg should be excited. Cars.com has named the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas one of the Best Cars for Car Seats, while the all-electric 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz earned recognition as a Top Finisher in the outlet’s highly respected Car Seat Check program. The all-electric 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz takes family driving in a playful new direction. Its retro-inspired design may turn heads, but inside, it’s all about modern convenience and comfort. Parents will love the removable head restraints and wide, flat seats that make car seat installation stress-free, while kids will be wowed by the customizable ambient lighting and futuristic ID. Light display. Features like Climatronic dual-zone automatic climate control keep everyone comfortable, and advanced keyless access makes loading up hassle-free. With up to 206 miles of range, the ID. Buzz gives families the confidence to take on daily routines or spontaneous adventures, without leaving the electric lifestyle behind. The brand new Volkswagen Atlas isn’t just a family SUV, it’s a command center for every adventure. With a turbocharged engine delivering 269 horsepower and a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, it has the muscle to carry your crew and their gear anywhere, whether that’s a mountain getaway, a soccer tournament, or a beach weekend. Inside, parents will appreciate the practical touches: wireless charging to keep everyone’s devices alive, VW Wi-Fi Hotspot to keep kids entertained on long drives, and Wireless App-Connect so your navigation and playlists are always within easy reach. Add in the confidence of 4MOTION® all-wheel drive and intuitive touchscreen controls, and the Atlas proves why it’s not just safe, it’s built for real family life. Car Seat Installs Made Easy The Atlas continues to prove itself as a family favorite, thanks to its spacious three-row layout, easy-to-find Latch anchors, and flexibility that makes fitting multiple car seats a breeze. Whether you choose a bench or captain’s chairs in the second row, the Atlas delivers comfort and confidence every time you buckle your kids in. On the electric side, the ID. Buzz is turning heads not just for its retro-cool looks but also for its family-first design. Wide, flat seats with exposed anchors and easy third-row entry make installing car seats refreshingly simple, showing parents that practicality and playfulness can go hand in hand. At King Volkswagen in Gaithersburg, we know your family’s needs don’t stop at the driveway. That’s why we’re proud to offer vehicles like the new Atlas and ID. Buzz that are recognized for making daily life easier, safer, and more enjoyable. Ready to see why these award-winning models are perfect for parents? Stop by our dealership at 979 N Frederick Ave or browse our inventory online today.

Blind spots are dangerous for pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users because these area of the road are outside the driver’s field of vision. Although many new vehicles have safety features such as Blind Spot Monitor that help alert drivers that someone or something is in your blind spot. However, this helpful feature is not in every trim level of your favorite vehicle. Also if you have an older vehicle you will probably not have the helpful safety feature. But it is important to make sure that even without this technology we are taking the right precautions to prevent blind spot accidents. In this week’s blog, we wanted to help out any driver that might struggle with blinds spots and doesn’t have this technology. Even if your vehicle has this technology it is important to always check yourself, so we suggest taking a look at the tips below the top. For more information on how to approach pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists in your blind spot check out these helpful tips and be sure to extra cautious around them. King Volkswagen's Tips To Avoid Blind Spots: Pedestrians and Blind Spots: Avoid being in a vehicle's blind spot, especially trucks and buses. Make eye contact with the driver. Otherwise, assume the driver cannot see you. Be alert at intersections, even when you have the right of way, e.g. on a green light or pedestrian crossing signal. Pay attention to the turn signal lights used by vehicles at intersections. Do not cross behind a vehicle as it could back up without noticing you. Be visible: wear bright clothing, reflective strips, etc. If you are trying to make your presence known, keep in mind that the driver cannot hear you. Walk on the sidewalk, or, if there isn’t one, on the side of the road, facing traffic. Cyclists and Blind Spot Avoid being in a vehicle's blind spot, especially trucks and buses. Make eye contact with the driver. Otherwise, assume the driver cannot see you. Pay attention to the turn signal lights used by vehicles at intersections. Be visible: wear bright clothing, reflective strips, etc. Never pass on the right near an intersection. Motorists, Motorcyclist and Blind Spots: Avoid being in a large vehicle's blind spot Do not cut off a heavy vehicle Never pass a heavy vehicle on the right at an intersection Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the heavy vehicle in front of you Pay attention to the turn signal lights used by vehicles at intersections.

It’s no question that all parents understand the importance of a car seat. But as car seats become more and more advanced the harder they are to understand, which leads to improper installations and other potentially harmful mistakes. This week we want to make sure that your little bundles of joys are safely secured in their seats to help give you the peace of mind you need to get from point A to point B! So this week are focusing on the DOs when dealing with a car seat. So take a look at our tips below and if you have any questions we will do our best to help answer them. And when installing or turning your child to front-facing, be sure to check out your seat’s instructions and your vehicle’s owners manual to see what they suggest. King Volkswagen's Car Seat Do’s: Make sure the harness-retainer clip is level with your child’s armpits. If they are in the wrong place, the straps could end up sliding off. Take your car-seat to a local inspection site so a professional can ensure the installation is correct. Choose a car-seat with a five-point harness. If you have a forward-facing seat, place the harness straps on your child’s shoulders to ensure the most protection in the event of a collision. If your child has outgrown a car-seat, try using a high-back booster seat. Studies have shown these are safer than backless ones in the event of side-impact collisions. Tighten the harness straps so they are tight enough for you to only fit one finger underneath. Safety-belts should be tightened enough so the seat is only able to wiggle less than one inch from side to side.

If you regularly drive with a child in the car, you understand the importance of a car seat and most likely the basics of how to install it. But, as car seats become more and more advanced, it may become trickier to set them up, which leads to improper installations and other potentially harmful mistakes. This week we want to make sure that your little bundles of joys are safely secured in their seats to help give you the peace of mind you need to get from point A to point B! So, below we’ve compiled a checklist of steps to take to make sure your car seat is safe and properly installed! King Volkswagen’s Car Seat Checklist: Make sure the harness-retainer clip is level with your child’s armpits. If they are in the wrong place, the straps could end up sliding off. Take your car-seat to a local inspection site so a professional can ensure the installation is correct. Choose a car-seat with a five-point harness. If you have a forward-facing seat, place the harness straps on your child’s shoulders to ensure the most protection in the event of a collision. If your child has outgrown a car-seat, try using a high-back booster seat. Studies have shown these are safer than backless ones in the event of side-impact collisions. Tighten the harness straps so they are tight enough for you to only fit one finger underneath. Safety belts should be tightened enough so the seat is only able to wiggle less than one inch from side to side

King VW knows how hard it can be to concentrate on the road, especially during long trips. But, we want to remind our community to stay safe and remember not to drive distracted. There are three main types of distractions while on the road: manual, visual, and cognitive. Manual distractions are any distractions where you remove one or both hands from the wheel. Visual distractions are when you are looking elsewhere than the road. And finally cognitive distractions are when your mind wanders away from the task of driving. It is important to stow electronics away where they can not tempt you and continuously check your mentality when driving. It is okay to pull over to take breaks if you are having trouble keeping your mind on the roads. Keep your community safe and drive distraction free so everyone can reach their next destination. The Facts About Distracted Driving: 7% of all fatal crashes in 2019 were distraction-related resulting in 3,142 lives lost, an increase of 9.9% over 2018 when 2,858 lives were lost due to distracted driving. NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts 2019 (released December 2020) Eight percent of fatal crashes, 15 percent of injury crashes, and 14 percent of all police-reported motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2018 were reported as distraction-affected crashes. About 400,000 were injured and 2,841 killed as a result of distraction-affected crashes. Traffic Safety facts April 2020, NHTSA About 1 of every 5 people killed by distracted drivers in 2018 were not in vehicles-they were walking, riding bikes, or otherwise outside of vehicles. NHTSA Distracted driving crashes are under-reported and the NSC estimates that cell phone use alone accounted for 27%  of 2015 car crashes. NSC Research conducted by telematics and behavioral analytics company Cambridge Mobile Telematics shows distracted driving occurring in more than 36 percent of trips across the United States. The fatal crash rate for teens is 3 times greater than for drivers age 20 and over (IIHS) Driver distraction is responsible for more than 58% of teen crashes.  AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety According to the CDC drivers aged 15-19 were more likely to be distracted than drivers aged 20 and older, among drivers in crashes where a death occurred. Nine percent of all teens who died in crashes were killed in distraction-affected crashes. For more information about Distracted Driving visit EndDD.org.

From old fast food wrappers and stinky gym shoes to farmer’s market flowers and pine air fresheners; King VW knows your car can house many smells. Unfortunately, some of those smells aren’t just unpleasant, they can be downright dangerous! To make sure our community is as safe as possible when on the roads, the King VW team here in Gaithersburg, MD has compiled a list of 5 car smells that may indicate that your car needs maintenance. If you notice that your car has any of these smells, or just want to stay on top of your car care, schedule an appointment with a member of the King VW service team and let us get you back on the road! 5 Dangerous Car Smells To Watch Out For: ANY type of burning smell. A burning rubber smell could indicate a loose hose or belt under the hood while other burning smells could point to burnt-out electrical fuses, worn brake pads, or an overheating A/C compressor. Musty or sour smell coming from the A/C. This smell could mean that moisture has accumulated in your car’s A/C system and allowed for mold growth. Rotten egg smell coming from your vents. Sulfur gas can leak out of worn out or damaged fuel pressure sensors, fuel filters, or the catalytic converter. Gasoline smell inside the car. If you notice a persistent gasoline smell from inside your vehicle, this could be an indication that you have a leaky fuel tank or fuel injector. Exhaust smell inside the car. This most likely means that there is a leak in your car’s exhaust system or that your window/doors aren’t sealing closed properly.

Hitting the road for your next adventure is priority #1 for VW drivers. However, the winter season isn’t gone yet, and if you find yourself driving in a winter storm, it could be quite stressful. Lucky for you, we have listed out some helpful tips and tricks for hitting the road in the snow. We also suggest stopping into King Volkswagen to service your vehicle so you can hit the road with peace of mind for the remainder of the winter season. And if you’re looking to upgrade to a new VW, we invite you to head over to our website to shop online or schedule an appointment for service or a test drive! If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us today! Tips For Driving In The Snow: Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for gaining traction and avoiding skids. Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning – nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly. The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold braking. Don’t stop if you can avoid it. Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Make it know what kind of driving assistance you have (AAA, Roadside Assistance, etc.) Shop Online For A New VW!

Snow is falling and it’s starting to look like a winter wonderland outside, so we thought it was the perfect time to refresh you all on some winter driving tips! Driving in the snow can be stressful, scary, and overall not a good time. We do want to urge all readers to avoid travel if they can during snowstorms, however, we understand this isn’t always possible. So, if you have to hit the road during a winter storm, we’ve got you covered! Below you can find winter driving tips for snowy drives, long drives, and everyday drives! I know what you’re thinking, you are no stranger to the snow, but it never hurts to refresh your memory on the best practices for winter driving! And if you’re looking to start your search for a new Nissan, simply head over to our website to view our entire inventory and schedule a test drive today! Tips For Driving In The Snow: Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for gaining traction and avoiding skids. Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning – nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly. The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold braking. Don’t stop if you can avoid it. Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Make it know what kind of driving assistance you have (AAA, Roadside Assistance, etc.) Everyday Driving Tips: Avoid driving while you’re fatigued. Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage. Make certain your tires are properly inflated. Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up. If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy, and snowy weather. Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand). Always look and steer where you want to go. Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle. Long-Distance Driving Tips: Watch Weather Reports Service your vehicle before hitting the road Keep at least half a tank at all times If you become snow-bound, stay with your vehicle. It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or place a cloth at the top of a rolled-up window to signal distress, if needed. Make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t clogged with snow, ice, or mud if you slide off the road Shop For A New VW Here!

Happy almost turkey day! Thanksgiving is just days away, and for many people, this Thanksgiving is going to look a little different. With rising COVID19 numbers, many people have decided to opt out of the traditional large family gathering events. However, just because you might be stuck at home this holiday, doesn’t mean you can’t get into the holiday spirit! Below you will find alternative ways to connect with your family this Thanksgiving, and you’ll even find some new traditions that might stick around for next year! So take a peek below and be sure to have a safe and fun Thanksgiving! Alternative Ways To Celebrate This Thanksgiving: Host A Virtual Thanksgiving Meal With Friends & Family Livestream your festivities with friends and family. This is a good way to see and talk with your loved ones without the risk of exposure. You can start with appetizers - have each party explain what appetizer they “brought” and rate who’s was the best Once dinner is served, set the camera up to the table and feast with your family and friends. Feel free to share recipes or even watch the big game together. TV & Games With Household Members It’s no secret there’s a lot to watch on TV during Thanksgiving. If your staying home this year, watching TV together or playing games as a family can be a great way to connect. Watch Thanksgiving Day parades, sports, and Christmas movies at home. Find a fun game to play - pull out all your favorite board games and have a family board game night! Black Friday Online Shopping Shop online sales the day of Thanksgiving and the days leading up to the winter holidays. Use contactless services for purchased items, like curbside pick-up. Shop in open air markets staying 6 feet away from others and wear a mask Other Ideas Safely prepare traditional dishes and deliver them to family and neighbors in a way that does not involve contact with others (for example, leave them on the porch). Participate in a gratitude activity, like writing down things you are grateful for and sharing with your friends and family. Clean out your basement of gently used or new toys, clothes, etc and donate them this holiday season Look up family-friendly Thanksgiving crafts Have a bake-off! Have the kids help bake or see who can come up with the best dessert for Thanksgiving. Hitting the road this Thanksgiving? We want to remind you to check out the CDC guidelines to ensure you and your loved ones stay safe this Thanksgiving. And if you find your current ride isn't up for the long drive, browse our available inventory now and schedule your test drive today to start your process of upgrading to a new Volkswagen! Find Your Dream VW Here!

It’s no secret that you’re in for a fun time when you slip behind the wheel of a new Volkswagen vehicle! And now that summer is in full swing, we know you’ll be hitting the road to soak up that fun with friends and family. However, we want to remind you that you and your passenger’s safety is a huge priority for us. This is why we want to dedicate this week’s blog to reminding/ refreshing you of important summertime driving safety tips. Below you find information and tips on how to prepare your vehicle for your road trip and what to avoid to prevent any danger on the road. We also want to remind you that regular maintenance is crucial for safe driving. So if you have not serviced your vehicle recently, feel free to schedule a service appointment online now! Be sure to check out our service specials page to save big on the service you need this summer! Before You Hit The Road: Check for recalls on your vehicle Service your vehicle to avoid a breakdown down the road Review your owner’s manual to really know your vehicle Plan your travel route, this includes research for rest areas, food, or even hotels Vehicle Maintenance Checklist: Battery Lights Cooling system Fluid levels Belt and hoses Wiper blades A/C unit Floor mats Tire pressure and tread levels Update What’s Inside Your Vehicle: First aid kit Flashlight Flares and a white flag Jumper cables Tire pressure gauge Jack (and ground mat) for changing a tire Work gloves and a change of clothes Basic repair tools and some duct tape (for temporarily repairing a hose leak) Water and paper towels for cleaning up Nonperishable food, drinking water, and medicines Extra windshield washer fluid Maps Emergency blankets, towels, and coats Cell phone and charger Once On The Road: Stay Alert: keep your gas tank close to full,  plan enough time to stop to stretch, get something to eat, return calls or text messages, and change drivers or rest if you feel drowsy. Avoid risky behavior: Do not text or drive distracted, obey speed limits, ALWAYS drive sober *Information provided by https://www.nhtsa.gov/summer-driving-tips Service Your VW To Stay Safe This Summer!

If you’re a parent you know how fast time moves, but can you believe that your little one is already old enough to take a seat behind the wheel of your Volkswagen? Whether this is your first teen driver or you’ve been through it before, it never gets easier. So this week we are here to lend you some helpful tips on how to help your teen conquer the road and help give you some peace of mind knowing they’ll be behind the wheel alone. So take a peek below and stop into King today to find the right Volkswagen for your new driver! Demonstrate good driving behavior early: Kids pick up on a lot and whether you notice or not, they started copying you when they were babies. So it’s no surprise they mimic your behavior behind the wheel. Be more conscious when you’re driving, keep both hands on the wheel, try not to fidget with the radio too much and definitely don’t use your phone AT ALL!! Think of yourself as a road role model and act exactly as you would want them to behind the wheel. It’s okay to let a pro teach them: Let’s face it some of us just can’t do it and that doesn’t make you a bad parent, if anything thing, realizing you don’t have the patience to teach your child the proper way to drive but giving them an opportunity where they can learn, makes you an awesome parent! And taking part in Driver’s Ed could actually save you some money on auto insurance! SCORE! Set realistic boundaries: It might seem like it sometimes but kids actually crave boundaries and rules. I know you’re thinking I'm crazy right? Well wrong. Kids don’t know the right and wrong thing to do in certain situations, that’s why it is important you set rules for them so they know. So it’s important to set rules and boundaries for the new driver, whether it be no more than two friends in the car, or not going more than 20 miles at least for the first couple of months. Be realistic, but lay the rules down early on. This could help avoid a fight later down the road, which ends with them saying “Well you never said that wasn’t okay!” And they wouldn’t be wrong because you didn't’! Talk to them about the risks of driving… not just drinking and driving: You’ve probably been talking to your kids about the risk of drinking and driving since forever because that’s what you were taught. Yes, that is very important to talk about but don’t forget about the risk of distracted driving. Today's kids are consumed with technology now we’re in a world of Smartphones, tablets, Smartwatches, satellite radio, and who knows what else technology is on the horizon! That means countless new distractions for drivers, young and old. So let them know exactly how dangerous it can be to drive distracted, not just drunk. Share driving responsibilities Every new drive needs practice, so give it to them! Split the driving responsibility, whether that means running to the grocery store, Picking up their little brother from practice, or even going to a friends house. It might be a little at first but the only way they will get better is by practicing. Plus it takes some responsibility off your plate which is always a good thing! Being a parent to a new driver can be a rough time, but I promise you will get through it! It can be an exciting, sad, and scary time, but remember you watched them grow up and conquer everything else that was thrown at them, they can do this and so can you! Find The Perfect Volkswagen For Your New Driver!

The sun is rising and the birds are chirping... yup, spring has sprung and there is no better time than now to get your vehicle ready to hit the road and go! The winter was probably harsh to your vehicle, so giving it the TLC it deserves is important to make sure that it runs properly the spring/summer! Whether your vehicle needs major or minor work, our service professionals are here to help you get your ride back on the road in no time! We don’t want you to break the bank on servicing your vehicle, so this week we are bringing you our April service specials! We have a wide range of offer to offer you from minor maintenance like oil changes and wiper blade specials to more serious like timing belt specials and tire specials. So take a few minutes and check out our offers below, but be sure to head over to our service specials page to see ALL of our offers and be sure to print out the offer that works best for you! Economy Battery & Installation - Get $20 off* Brake Pad Special - Get $20 off* VW Driver Gear Purchase - Get 20% Off* More is Better Bonus - $10/$15/$20. Spend $50 or more get $10 off* any service Spend $100 or more get $15 off* any service Spend $150 or more get $20 off* any service VW Synthetic Oil Change Offer - Get for only $74.95* Timing Belt Special - Get $50 off* Wiper Blade Installation - Complimentary* Tire Special - Buy 3 tires, get the 4th for $1* *All offers expire 4/30/2019. For more information check out our service specials page! Don’t Miss Out On Service Specials Here!