Summer Car Care Tips For Your VW | Gaithersburg, MD

May 29, 2019 · 4 min read

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. If 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.

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Jul 12, 2023 in Service

Summer Service Savings Galore Here At King Volkswagen! | Gaithersburg, MD

King Volkswagen is serving up savings this month and in this week’s blog we are so excited to share our brand-new service specials with you! It’s no secret we love service here at King Volkswagen and we want to help you love it too! That’s why we have a pretty impressive lineup of service deals come at you. The best part? We are confident that we have something for everyone’s needs. That means whether you’re looking for something as simple as an oil change or maybe something a little more complex, we have some big ways for you to save! So before you hit the road for some summer fun, check out our offers below! Don’t see what you’re looking for? Don’t stress it, we have even more service specials right on our service specials page! So head over there to find the deal that works best for you and be sure to print out the coupon you plan to use. Once you’ve done that, be sure to schedule a service appointment so you can skip the line and get back to enjoying your day quicker! King Volkswagens July Service Specials: VW Synthetic Oil Change Offer For Only $99.95* Scheduled Maintenance Special $20 OFF* Tire Rotation For Only $10 (with any oil change service)* Four Wheel Alignment 10% OFF* And MANY MORE!!! * All Offers Expire 07/31/2023. See our Service Specials Page for full offer details.

Apr 07, 2022 in Service

King Volkswagen Has April Service Specials To Put A Spring In Your Ride | Gaithersburg, MD

Finding the right service center with a team you can trust with your vehicle can be difficult. But, King Volkswagen wants you to rest assured that when you choose to service your vehicle with our team, your vehicle is in great hands. In fact, we will treat your vehicle as if it were royalty! And now until the end of April, your car can get the royal treatment for less! Take a look at our Special Service Offers below and schedule your service appointment with the King VW Team today! King Volkswagen’s April Service Specials: VW Synthetic Oil Change For Only $89.95* Scheduled Maintenance $20.00 Off* Tire Rotation $10.00 Off (with any oil change service)* Four Wheel Alignment %10 Off* Wiper Blade Replacement $5.00 Off* Brake Special Receive $50.00 Instant Rebate* And MANY more! * All Offers Expire 4/30/2022. See our Service Specials Page for full offer details.

Jul 20, 2021 in Service

What’s That Smell? Don’t Ignore These 7 Smells | Gaithersburg, MD

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!

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