The Danger in Leaving Your Windows Down
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.
Dad and the Eco Drive
Some people when they drive, they put the metal to the pedal and hit the ground running. That’s my dad. He has such a heavy foot, that his gas tank probably lasts only a week if that. Mind you he rarely drives.
His car isn’t a gas guzzler by any means, he just wastes so much gas when he puts his foot down. I recently told him about “Eco” drive mode which his car has. Since not all cars have that mode, he was unsure how to even use it. I let him know that it is even recommended that people drive on “Eco” mode to use up the most gas as possible.
The “Eco” mode shuts off parts of the engine in order to reserve most of the gas. It’s completely okay, really! The “Eco” driving mode comes on to let you know that you are getting the most out of your fuel tank.
Having your “Eco” driving mode is not only good for your gas but also good for the environment. I know my dad loves that it helps the environment so that was my selling point! He used to tell my brother who would rev his engine towards his plants, that he would kill them. He’d get so upset my brother would say he loves his plants more than him.
I told him how much money he would save since he wouldn’t need to refill his tank every week. Saving money on gas means that he can spend more money on his garden, on traveling, or even on me, but saving that green is what is important.
I told him since some vehicles don’t have this mode, that he should take full advantage of the fact that he did. I told him how some people don’t have the luxury of saving money for other things.
He loves it now, after months of teaching him how to use it. Mind you, teaching him how to drive and just pushing one small button to access the “Eco” drive mode. He is so much happier now knowing that his heavy foot won’t be causing him more money and more stopping for gas.
Cates, Spencer. “What Does the ECO Driving Indicator Light Mean?” YourMechanic Advice. N.p., 09 Sept. 2016. Web. 21 July 2017.
What Noise Are You Hearing?
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!
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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.
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Car Idle is rough- Engine shaking feeling is also a reaction to the oil becoming dirty. This causes an increase in friction.
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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.
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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.
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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!
Losing a Sock, Sure; Losing Keys, No
We’ve been there, stop stressing. You go mentally insane, feel like your heart is about to pop right out of your chest, right? You break out in a sweat, oh don’t forget the shakes, the shakes are the crazy part. Losing your keys is such a pain in the rear.
It happens! I actually lost mine yesterday, and boy I was not happy. I asked around to see if anyone else has this constant issue- yes, they do! You’re no lone wolf on this subject.
I asked if there were any hacks that they might have in order to try to keep your keys where you will see them. Here is what I got!
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Buy a key hanger for by the door- this will help you when you walk in at night to just place your keys on the wall directly where you need to pass by to go in and out of your home
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Get a keychain to pop your keys on- this will be easier to spot no matter where you place them
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Get a front door organizer- like the key hanger, the organizer will make it harder to just throw your stuff on the floor when you walk in the house!
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Get a magnetic pocket keychain- this keychain attached to a belt buckle and extends when needed to use the actual key.
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Color Code Keys- Although this might not prevent you from misplacing them, color coding your keys will make it easier to keep your keys in order and know which key is used for what.
These are simple changes that can be made in order to make it a bit more organized so losing your keys won’t be as easy. We all do it, so no need to fret! Let us know which hack helped you!
License, Title, and Headlights Please
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!
The Mom Arm
The Mom Arm
The mom arm. The original seatbelt. We all know it well. The arm that shoots out in front of you when you need to stop fast in the car, walking across the street, or even when you’re about to step on something you really don’t want to. My mother, grandmother, and even aunts have implemented the mom arm on myself and my brother through our entire childhood. These are all arms that I could count on to keep me safe and sound. Hug me when I was sad, protect me from making foolish choices, keeping me safe. Now Volkswagen has developed a safety feature called “Pedestrian Monitoring” which acts as the vehicle edition of the mom arm.
This feature, much like your mom, has eyes everywhere and is always watching for potential safety hazards. Pedestrian Monitoring is an extension of the “Front Assist” area monitoring system featuring the City Emergency Brake. The system uses two sensors at the front of the vehicle, a radar in the radiator grille, and a camera in the mirror base. These sensors are able to monitor the area in front of the vehicle and, within the limits of the system, register certain safety situations like a pedestrian stepping onto the road suddenly. The driver is then warned using visual and audio means, and if the driver does not brake, the system initiates a jolt of the brake as a warning about the critical situation, while at the same time preparing for hard braking. If the driver fails to react, the system automatically performs emergency braking, within system limits. Ideally, this will prevent a collision, or at least reduce its severity.
I ended up getting a Volkswagen Atlas for myself. One day I was on my way to the grocery store with my mother and a person stepped out in front of our car and when I didn’t stop fast enough the car applied the brake assist to help me slow down until I was able to apply the brakes myself. In all the commotion I didn’t even realize that I threw my arm out in front of my mother. She just looked at me and laughed at the situation. Clearly, I learned from the best. Sometimes the mom arm is just a natural reaction, and now in the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, your car has a bit of that maternal instinct too! Stop by King Volkswagen today for a test drive in your own!
Making New Memories With VW
Making New Memories With VW
Since I was 10 years old my parents have driven the same VW Beetle. I have loved this car my whole life, so when my parents got their new car and passed the Beetle on to me, I was so excited! We’ve shared about 25 years together and now that I’ve got a family of my own and we need a slightly bigger vehicle it’s time for me to say goodbye to my old Beetle. As much as I don’t want to, it’s time.
She served me well for as long as I can remember, so it’s not easy to let her go. How could I? She drove me to every field hockey practice in high school, got me to classes on time when I thought I was going to be late, drove me to my graduation in senior year. We went to college together, went on my first road trip with my college roommates who are now the godparents to my children. Got me to the hospital to deliver my children. My Beetle is one of the only things that could get my kids to sleep when we couldn’t. She has become a part of my family, but it is time to get an upgrade. Hopefully, she will find a new loving home to drive her around and take care of her.
As for us, we decided to get the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, and while it is definitely my Volkswagen Beetle, it is a much better choice for my family. There is a plenty of space for my whole family to fit comfortably along with lots of cargo space for all of the luggage and kids things we will undoubtedly need for our next family trip.
Naturally, the kids were skeptical at first. This was not their car. This is not what they had grown up with, so they were a bit hesitant to accept change. As soon as they got in the car, however, it seems that their tune had changed. They loved having all that room, there was even a third row of seating which is apparently a luxury when you are 6, 3 and 2 years old. They loved they can listen to all of their favorite music and have a bit more control over the temperature, with our help of course! And the “SHE’S TOUCHING ME!!!!” fight among siblings is no longer an issue.
While the 2018 VW Atlas isn’t out Beetle filled with memories, now we have the opportunity to make brand new memories with this vehicle. Hopefully, my kids have fond memories of the Atlas as I did of the Beetle! It’s shaping up to be a beautiful new beginning!
Allergy Season is A Battlefield: Strategic Maneuvers
Ok, fam, it’s time for a little real talk. Allergy season is upon us and with it comes dust, pollen, and generalized misery. My face has started doing this super cool thing where it puffs up and stops my ability to breath. All around, my favorite time of the year other than LITERALLY any other time of the year. Even Benadryl and Claritin have let me down. These are some dark days. Unfortunately, because I am also a chronic slob my vehicle is basically an allergy death trap. Every day I get in my car I wonder if this is it. If this drive in my car will be the one to end me. Every time it has been close, but ultimately I’ve made it out alive.
As it seems that all of nature is trying to kill me I thought it might be a good time to clean out my car and take some defensive measures so that I’m not at all out war with this season. I have collected a few tips on how to allergy-proof your vehicle so that I can live to see another day, and perhaps if allergies are your enemy, they’ll help you too.
According to the news wheel there are three main step to ridding your vehicle of all of those dust and pollen particles that are upsetting the carefully balanced homeostasis of your car. You’ve got to clean, contain, and replace. These three words will be my mantra for the next 2 hours and I THOROUGHLY clean out my car.
Phase 1: Clean. Clean out any messes or spills that may have worked their way into your seats and are causing mold to develop. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have time to deal with mold on top of everything mother nature is throwing at me. Do a regular check to make sure nothing has wedged itself in between the seats, take those preventative measures! Next vacuum, wipe down and rinse off the carpets, dashboard and steering wheel as often as you can. The dust and pollen will cover every surface of your car, mocking you and your inability to breathe without wheezing. With an old rag and a vacuum you can surely fix their wagon!
Phase 2: Contain. I don’t mean to get extreme, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Outerwear is typically how pollen and dust get in your car, so if you’re looking for a particularly crisp and clean environment, you can ask that anyone entering your car remove their shoes and coats, keeping them in a plastic bin to minimize the infiltration of the pollen. I also recommend checking that the weather stripping is intact and every window/door shuts properly so allergens don’t break into your car like the sneaky villains that they are.
Phase 3: Replace. Check and replace your air filter regularly. Your friends at King Volkswagen would be more than happy to help you with this if you’re unsure how to do it yourself. Also be sure to replace your cloth floor mats with plastic or rubber ones which don’t hold moisture and are easier to clean. The cloth ones have served you well, but ultimately will betray you and make your life more difficult. Having leather seats rather than the cloth ones makes a huge difference too, so if that’s a feature on a car you’re looking at and you’re not interested in puffy eyes with limited vision and breathing abilities, go with the leather.
Allergy season is a battlefield and you need to be strategic if you want to make it out alive. These days, allergy medicine simply isn’t enough. You need to take strategic measures to protect yourself and your vehicle from allergens. You spend a good amount of time in your vehicle every day, so it’s better in the long run to take care of it. If you need anything replaced, feel free to drop by King Volkswagen and we’ll gladly help you out!
“12 Easy Ways to Allergy-Proof Your Car!” The News Wheel. N.p., 22 Dec. 2015. Web. 02 June 2017. <http://thenewswheel.com/12-easy-ways-allergy-proof-your-car/%C2%A0>.
My Blind Date with the 2017 VW Golf Alltrack
My Blind Date with the 2017 VW Golf Alltrack
So, today I went on a blind date, and I think he might be the one. We were introduced by a friend of mine at King Volkswagen. My friend had mentioned them to me before, and I was interested so I agreed to meet up. You never know, right? So we agreed to go for a bit of a drive to get to know each other better. It only took a few minutes for me to be completely smitten.
Where do I begin? Well, I immediately felt safe and secure. How could I not with the Intelligent Crash Response System and an overall 5-Star safety rating? He was even named as IIHS(Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) Top Safety pick when equipped with Front Assist. Like, how did I get so lucky? It felt like a dream! If that feeling of total security wasn’t enough, he’s outdoorsy! We were able to drive through the backroads and rocky routes as though he lived out there his whole life. It was incredible! I mean he has a 170-hp turbocharged engine, so it became apparent that he certainly isn’t lacking in the power department. He handled those back roads so smoothly, that I’m convinced he could handle anything.
It really felt like we connected. In fact, with his VW Car-Net, I was directly connected with my smartphone. It was a bold move on his part, and I was nervous but he was touched that I was willing to be vulnerable and connect with him. I mean, all of my apps were right there on his touchscreen, but with the VW Car-Net Security and Service, I knew that everything was secure and would be ok.
By the end of the night, he had really opened up to me. Like, 66.5 cubic feet of space, opened up. I’ve never known someone so willing to let down their barriers, or seats in this case, and really be open and honest. I was amazed that with all of that cargo space, he had no baggage, but he insisted that he’d be more than happy to carry all of mine. Can you believe that?? To make things better, I think it would all actually fit! It all seemed too good to be true.
He seemed to be just about perfect, but before I was able to fully commit, I needed to know that if I wanted a family down the road, he’d be willing accommodate. With his rugged and adventurous life, I wasn’t sure that was a sacrifice he’d be willing to make. But with his versatility and style, he is more than capable of accommodating a family. It was exactly what I needed to know to make my decision. I was sold.
Now, I know you think that this is all happening so fast, but when it’s right it’s right. The 2017 VW Golf Alltrack is the vehicle for me. He’s everything I need and more. So today I went to King Volkswagen, located at 979 N Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20879 and signed the paperwork to officially welcome him into my life. I can’t wait to see where we go together!
In Greek mythology, Atlas was a legendary Titan. He led the battle of the Titans against Zeus for ten years and when Zeus prevailed, Atlas was forced to hold up the heavens as punishment. The strength required to hold up all of the heavens is something only a Titan could do, so it seems appropriate that the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas bears the name of such a strong being. While the Atlas of legend didn’t succeed to take over Olympus, the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas will most definitely be taking over the roads. To properly welcome this titan SUV of the vehicle world, we at King Volkswagen will be hosting a legendary Atlas Launch Party on Saturday, May 20th!
The party goes from 2PM-6PM and unlike the titans, you won’t need to crash the party, as this invitation is open to anyone living in or near Gaithersburg, Rockville, Bethesda, or Germantown, MD. If you are interested in attending we just ask that you please RSVP by no later than Friday, May 19th, 2017.
Attending this event means that you will have the opportunity to get a closer look at the all new 2018 Volkswagen Atlas! So close in fact that you’ll be able to take a test drive in this incredible vehicle and see exactly what makes this SUV a titan! While you wait to experience the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas for yourself, you can mingle with the other Volkswagen fans and enjoy some refreshments. Staff will be on hand to answer any questions and help you plot the course to getting your own 2018 Volkswagen Atlas.
Click Here to RSVP to the event of the year and then be sure to head on over to 979 N Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20879 from 2PM-6PM on Saturday, May 20, 2017, to check out the legendary new 2018 Volkswagen Atlas!
“Atlas Launch Party.” King Volkswagen. N.p., 8 May 2017. Web. 08 May 2017. <https://www.vwking.com/atlas-launch-party.html>.
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