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Owning a vehicle can sometimes be a pain, especially when it comes to smells that you might not realize are clear indications that things are going wrong. This week, we are bringing you seven important smells that you’ll want to do something about. Take a look at our guide below and if something smells a little funky currently, hurry on in to see our team today, and let’s get your vehicle in-check and ready to hit the road for one last summer road trip! You Smell: Rotten eggs What It Is: This could mean that your catalytic converter is having issues. And hydrogen sulfide could be making its way into your exhaust. This could simply be a fuel injection issue, or your cat is failing. Unfortunately, this could end up being a pretty expensive repair and lastly, if you smell the rotten eggs when your vehicle is turned off, that funky smell could just be some old food stuck under your seat or an old gym bag! You Smell: Hot oil What It Is: The easiest smell of all to diagnose is hot oil. This happens when oil leaks onto your exhaust manifold which is hot due to your engine running. This smell is not pleasant so you’ll probably notice it right away! Take a look around your engine and vehicle to look for leaks. Also, keep an eye out for any smoke. If you can find the leak, try to stem it, then bring your car to the shop as soon as possible. You Smell: Sulfur What It Is: When you smell sulfur in your car, it’s safe to assume that it is gear lubricant leaking from either the manual transmission, transfer case, or differential housing. Sulfur compounds in the oil are used as extreme pressure lubricants for gears and after being in use for a while, these substances can get smelly and gross. Check for those oily puddles under your vehicle and if you notice any, bring your ride in for a check-up! You Smell: Maple syrup What It Is: While this one might sound delicious, it’s most definitely toxic! The coolant has ethylene glycol in it, which makes this smell a bit concerning. If you’re smell maple syrup, that means there’s a leak somewhere and you’ll want to stop in for our technicians to take a look! This can be a simple fix but it’s best to have a certified technician treat this. You Smell: A gas station What It Is: If you’re not sitting next to a gas station, this is an issue. If your car is on the older side (i.e. before 1980) then you could be smelling gas when you turn your vehicle off and have no issue. But, if your vehicle is newer, the smell of gasoline could mean a leak from your fuel injection line or fuel tank vent hose. Either way, it’s best to play this safe and stop in to see our team for a service check-up. Got Smells? Schedule With Us Today!

Are you looking to service your VW this May and were hoping to score big savings? Well, you’ve come to the right place because this month we are dishing out more than a handful, more than two handfuls of service specials and savings for our customers to take advantage of! And it all starts right here on this week’s blog! All you have to do is find the right service specials that work for you, your VW, and your budget, print that coupon out and come see your favorite service team right here at King VW! Seriously, it’s that simple! And of course, we want to remind you that social distancing guidelines are currently in place. Alright, let’s talk about some service savings! More Is Better Bonus! $10 OFF Service $50 or More* $15 OFF Service $100 or More* $20 OFF Service $150 or More* VW Synthetic Oil Change - Only $79.95* VW Tire Store Price Match Guarantee* Complimentary Tire Rotation* Complimentary Wiper Blade Installation* Genuine VW Set must be purchase at King VW Scheduled Maintenance Service - Take $15 OFF* Economy Battery & Installation - $20 OFF* Battery Test, Installation & Limited Warranty Included But it doesn’t end there! There are many more service offers waiting for you over on our specials page so we encourage you to head on over for more offers and full details! We look forward to assisting you with your Volkswagen this spring, give us a call to schedule an appointment! *All offers expire 5/31/2020. See the specials page for full details. Click Inside For Service Offers!

Have you heard? Our service and parts departments are open and we’re ready to help you service your vehicle this April! Whether your vehicle is in need of extensive service or something a little more minor, our team is here and ready to help you with any and all vehicle needs or repairs your VW needs! Take a look at our new April service offers below and if you don’t see what you were looking for, don’t stress! Just head on over to our service specials page for a full list of current service incentives! And don’t forget to give us a call or schedule a service appointment online today! We hope to hear from you soon! More is Better Bonus! $10 OFF* any service of $50 or more $15 OFF* any service of $100 or more $20 OFF* any service of $150 or more VW Synthetic Oil Change - $79.95* Oil Change & Tire Rotation Using VW Approved Oil VW Tire Store Price Match Guarantee Complimentary Tire Rotation* Complimentary Wiper Blade Installation* Scheduled Maintenance Special - $15 OFF* Get a $150 Visa® Prepaid Card* Monster Mats & Muddy Buddy’s - Starting at $84.95* Economy Battery & Installation - $20 OFF* Battery Test, Installation, Limited Warranty Included** *All offers expire 4/30/2020. See specials page for more information. Get Those Offers Here!

Summer is finally here and we know you can’t wait to hit the road for some summer fun! But before you do that it is best to get your ride in tip-top shape to avoid any breakdowns, overheating, or any other repair that might cost you more than you were hoping. The best way to avoid any of the above is to regularly service your Volkswagen and give it some well deserved TLC! That's why this week we have summer car care tips for you to help make sure you’ve checked off all the boxes! So if you’re a car owner that likes to roll up their sleeves and get a little dirty, you’ll like to hear that the below maintenances are all DIY friendly! If you’re too busy to do it yourself or just don’t know much about under the hood, no problem! Just head over to our site and schedule your service appointment now or stop in whenever works best for you! Make sure your battery is prepared for high temperatures: Just like freezing winter temperatures, the summer heat can have a negative effect on your car's battery. Actually, the Summer heat can be more damaging to your car's battery than winter temperatures. Heat and vibration are a battery’s worst enemy, leading to internal breakdown and eventual failure. But let's face it we’re not mother nature we can’t control the heat outside, but we can control the vibration. By making sure your battery is properly mounted, you can help minimize any vibration. Another potential problem is corrosion build up from evaporated battery fluid. A way to help combat this is to frequently clean any corrosive buildup from the battery. I f a battery is more than three years old, it’s a good idea to have it tested by a trained technician to determine how much longer it will last. Keep your engine cool: Cooling systems help keep the engine cool and should be flushed out periodically. Between flushes be sure that the coolant is filled to the proper levels by checking the overflow reservoir. If needed, fill the reservoir with 50/50 of water and the coolant recommended by the manufacturer. REALLY IMPORTANT! Never remove the radiator cap when the engine is still hot!! If this is the case, there is boiling coolant underneath and could cause serious burns! Keep your tires properly inflated: Driving around on under-inflated tires in the summer heat can lead to a greater risk of the tires overheating leading to a blowout, which is extremely dangerous for you and your passengers. It’s always a good idea to check your tire pressure (including the spare) at least once a month because tires typically lose about one pound of pressure per month through normal seepage. The best time to get an accurate reading when the tires are cool, so try early in the morning or later at night for the best reading! Not sure the recommended inflation pressure? No big deal, your owner’s manual will give all the information need to know! Make sure fluids are at appropriate levels: Most engine fluids lubricate and serve as a coolant by helping carry heat away from critical points. If these levels are low, the chances of these critical points getting hot are at a greater risk of overheating. Periodically check all vehicle fluids, including motor oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and brake fluid, to ensure they are at appropriate levels. Be prepared for summer breakdowns: By having a well-stocked emergency kit which includes water, food, jumper cables, a flashlight with extra batteries, road flares, basic hand tools, and a first aid kit. And if you have AAA or roadside assistance make sure you have the proper numbers to call. Summer is the season of having fun! You don’t want to derail that fun by breaking down or blowing out a tire on your road trip! Take the recommended steps to avoid having these issues, and be prepared in the case that it does happen. Let Us Service Your Ride!

So, it’s getting close to the time to replace your tires, and you don’t know what to do. Rest easy! Here are some tips and facts and tricks for replacing your tires. There’s no real way to know exactly how long a tire will last for. There are a lot of factors that go into the ageing of a tire, like the design of the tire itself, the habits of the driver, the climate, the condition of the roads, and the amount of care put into taking care of the tires. A good age to keep in mind is five years - that is, if the tires are cared for and inspected by a professional at least once a year. Ten years is the absolute maximum you should have the same set of tires on your car. Even if they look okay, they’re still too old to drive on and should really be replaced. Some things that can damage your tires include: Physical factors: Age Wear and damage Road conditions: Potholes, obstacles,curbs ,sharp objects, speed bumps Climate: Extreme temperatures Rain, snow and ice Oil, grease and other chemicals Strong sunlight and ozone Driving habits: Speeding Quick starts and emergency braking Driving on damaged roads Failure to notice a change in handling, noise or vibration Failure to consult a professional when something changes Neglecting basic tire maintenance: Air pressure Not routinely checking for wear or damage Alignment and rotation Neglecting to get a professional tire inspection in the event a tire has been impacted or sustained damage Not balancing tires after they are installed Improper tire storage Use of sealants that have not been approved Improper usage: Using summer tires on snow and ice Mixing tire types Using tires on damaged wheels Using wheel and rim sizes that are not compatible Fitting tires that do not have a speed capability and load index at least equal to or higher than those originally specified by the vehicle manufacturer Reinflating a tire that has been run flat or seriously under inflated Using a spare tire of a different size at speeds in excess of 50 mph Make sure your tires are healthy and you’ll be able to drive on them for longer. If you need your tires replaced, it is possible to do it yourself but you should stop into your dealer or local shop to get them looked at and replaced by a professional if possible. The technicians at King Volkswagen will be happy to help you with anything tire-related, including finding the best fit for your vehicle and your budget. Happy driving! King Volkswagen Keeps You Rolling

They say don’t leave the windows down when it rains, but they never seem to explain why. I guess they think that it’s just self-explanatory. And unless you're me, I guess it is. I know what you’re thinking, “is she crazy?” I mean like only on the days that end in “day”. Kidding, relax! I forgot these things happen. As I was in a rush to get home and close all my windows that I completely forgot about my car windows. I almost feel like when you shut your car off, the windows should automatically close too. The rain came in, and let me tell you that the rain that night was not playing games. Trees, leaves, random grass pieces, toys were all flying all over the street. Our neighborhood looked like a snow globe with random things that could give you a concussion flying around. That is why I booked it inside. I wasn’t thinking about shutting every single window in my car. I paid for that though. The next day as I walked outside, I realized that there was a musty smell coming from my car. After a good minute thinking what it could be, I gasped. Great, I thought. Since it rained 90% of the night, my windows could no longer move up or down, my radio could barely work, my seats wouldn’t even move to adjust to my size. I wanted to cry and thing is, I had no one but myself to take it out on. I quickly called the dealership, they transferred me to their service department and got me an appointment for that same day! Took a couple of days to get it working again, and again, I could only blame myself. Water in your car can lead to mold, which means that you will need to spend more time replacing every little thing in your car, or you buy a new vehicle. Lucky for me, it didn’t get to that level. I had to replace my radio and the dashboard which was expensive by itself. It took me awhile to get my car back to how it was. That one night of forgetting to put my windows up sure ran me dry. Let’s just say that everytime I get out of my car after that, I make sure my windows are closed. You don’t get it, I literally sit in my car and keep pressing the buttons. I don’t want any surprises. Make your service appointment today!

With life so busy, I’m sure that even the most “in your face” signs are irrelevant to you. Like when you have a big client to prepare for, I’m sure lunch breaks are easy-come-easy-go kinda things. So when your car calls for an oil change, do you notice? Probably not. Oil changes let your car engine run smoothly, so it is important to check your oil every few weeks. Trouble with your engine could mean more money out of pocket for a new engine, new car, or other parts. These are some signs to look for to know when it is time to get your oil changed! Ticking Noises- The engine is known to pump oil throughout other parts of the vehicle, overtime, that oil becomes dirty. Dirty oil becomes thicker making it harder for the vehicle parts to move. This causes the noises. Car Idle is rough- Engine shaking feeling is also a reaction to the oil becoming dirty. This causes an increase in friction. Acceleration Problem- Your engine should be lubricated to operate smoothly, so when oil becomes dirty, it makes it more difficult to keep the engine lubricated. Knocking Noises- This noise comes from bad oil that has not been taken care of. One result from this could be worn out rod bearings. Oil Light On- This typically means your oil pressure has dropped far too low for your engine to properly work safely. It is important to get your car serviced and make sure that your oil is checked. A regular check-up is necessary in order to keep your vehicle running smoothly. An oil change should be requested! Make a Service appointment

I always loved road trips. Traveling has always given me a peace of mind and a sense of freedom. I would pack a few bags in my car, get all the important stuff packed, like extra junk food, extra water, extra clothes, and extra patience for the people driving on the road. I was off! With two hours already into the trip, half my playlist played, and the air so warm on my face- I was on top of the world. Well, on that list of extra things to bring, I should’ve written extra headlights. Yeah- you guessed it, my headlight decided to go out. All I saw were those red, white, and blue lights flashing behind me. You guessed it again folks, my trip was off to a great start. “I had no idea” was my first line to the officer, who proceeded to look at me like I had twenty-five heads. We small talked for a good ten minutes, then he ran my license for another 30 minutes, and then comes back and wanted to small talk again. All that I kept thinking about was how could I not have seen this? Is he giving me a ticket? When the heck am I going to get back on the road? I forgot to ask myself another very important question at this time, where is the nearest place to buy headlights? Don’t worry, the officer told me along with giving me a ticket. I was so furious but what was I going to say? So I didn’t, I thanked him and drove to the place to get a new headlight. Looks like this trip will take more than I thought. I kept thinking to myself how crazy I must’ve looked to the officer. He probably thinks I am so irresponsible. How did I not see that headlight was out? Truth is, I was mad at myself for not checking, but also who the heck checks their headlights daily? Not many people. We find out when it’s too late and you have a ticket in your front seat instead of that chipotle you saw on your way. Lesson of the day, the week, and even my month- check the darn headlight. Policemen really do give out tickets for those sorts of things as they are dangerous. If I was driving later in the evening when it was super dark and someone did not see my lights, there could’ve been an accident. Checking your headlights is always so important! Get Those Headlights Working!