Volkswagen Maintenance During and After COVID-19

July 28, 2021

Volkswagen Maintenance Guidelines

What You’ll Learn

As you read this article about maintaining a Volkswagen during and after Covid, you’ll learn:

• Whether you’ve been driving more or less than usual, your changing habits will impact the type of Covid-19 Volkswagen maintenance you require.
• Even though these vehicles have a reputation for being some of the most reliable in the world, you have to keep up with your maintenance schedule if you want the vehicle to last.
• Find a specialty car repair shop to ensure that your vehicle receives the best Volkswagen maintenance and premium parts that match the car’s original quality.

About Volkswagen Maintenance

Here at Paddock Imports, we earned our reputation by working almost exclusively with imported vehicles like Volkswagens. We learned what makes these vehicles special throughout the years and what it takes to keep them in peak condition. If you drive a Volkswagen car, you probably already know that it was built to last for a long time and function efficiently well into its old age. To make the most of that quality, drivers need to know what their vehicles need when unusual circumstances like Covid arise.

Over the last year or so, many drivers in the Denver area began to stay home, letting their vehicles sit around unused for long periods. Of course, other Denver residents saw this as an opportunity to explore Colorado and beyond, putting an unusually high number of miles on their vehicles in the process. In either case, your vehicle likely needs a tune-up.

Most people know that preventative maintenance becomes even more important after periods of heavy use for a vehicle. All of that driving translates to wear and tear. What many don’t realize is that long periods of inactivity can be just as damaging to a vehicle. When a car doesn’t get at least some activity over weeks or months, problems like the following may arise:

• The environment might start to take a toll on the vehicle. Even if you park in a garage, there is some risk that animals may take shelter in there and damage your vehicle. The problems are more severe when you park on the street, though. Since Denver occasionally gets heavy snowfalls, your vehicle is likely to get exposed to both moisture and salt. The paint might also get holes burned if acidic bird droppings are allowed to sit for too long.
• Speaking of moisture problems, the brakes are often some of the first components that could rust. If you notice any unusual noises when you apply the brakes after a long period of inactivity (or at any other time), take your vehicle in for maintenance as soon as possible. Driving around with compromised brakes is extremely dangerous.
• Fuel typically goes bad within months, which could cause big problems for your fuel pump, among other things. You may even need to get the old gas professionally removed if you leave fuel in your car for too long.
• Your battery recharges as you drive around, which means it might die when you let your car sit around for too long.
• Temperature swings cause tire pressure to change, and we’re all well aware of Denver’s ability to go from warm and sunny to cold and snowy in a matter of days. Along with regular driving, it’s important to keep the tires inflated to the appropriate temperature. Letting pressure stay too high or too low for a long time can lead to problems that cause a blowout on the road.

Most Important Maintenance Checks for Volkswagens

No matter how often you’ve been driving your vehicle, Volkswagen has some clear guidelines about maintenance checks. Even such reliable machines as these demand some care and attention if they’re going to remain dependable for the road ahead. Whether you’re planning a big summer road trip or just starting your daily commute to the office, a multi-point inspection can give you peace of mind that every critical component of your vehicle is in working order, including the following: 

• Air and Cabin Filters
• Fuel Filters
• Oil Changes and Oil Filters
• Coolant
• Brake Pads and Brake Fluid
• Spark Plugs
• Car Battery
• Transmission
• Belts
• Tires
  

What Can Be DIY and What Needs an Expert?

When it comes to checking tire pressure and putting more air in the tires, that’s something you can easily do by yourself. Just make sure you know which level of pressure is best for your tires. Taking care of any other tasks from the list above, however, can become more challenging. You might be tempted to save a few dollars by working on your imported vehicle yourself, but the best thing you can do for it, in the long run, is get it the professional care it deserves.

Paddock Imports Volkswagen Maintenance in Denver

At Paddock Imports, our team specializes in Volkswagen repair and service in Denver. We’re intimately familiar with the guidelines and best practices, which makes us uniquely qualified to perform the appropriate types of maintenance. We’ll also ensure that we only use parts of the highest quality because that’s what imported vehicles like these are made with in the first place. Contact us today to schedule anything from serious repairs and modifications to a simple vehicle tune-up.

Featured Image: Alan Budman/Shutterstock