One common theme for all German cars is: maintenance, maintenance, maintenance. If you're not diligent about maintaining your Audi, the repair costs will add up quickly. But when you do properly maintain your Audi, it will run reliably, will be more affordable and will last for a long, long time.
Our team of expert Audi technicians is here to keep your vehicle running with the precision and high performance you expect from this legendary automobile.
How? With a combination of fair pricing, a superior warranty and a practical maintenance schedule.
Why Should I Choose VFC Over the Dealer?
We build German race cars. We've won two championships. If we can make the brakes, suspension and engine cooling system perform under extreme racing conditions, then we can certainly make your Audi purr as it sails north on the Edens. If you want unquestionable talent, real-world experience and a commitment to perfection, you'll find all that at VFC.
In addition, our cost tends to be about 20 to 30 percent less than the dealer. (Keep in mind that the cost of a repair or maintenance service varies by procedure, vehicle age, mileage and general condition.)
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What Kind of Parts Do You Use?
We use only OEM, or original equipment, replacement parts on your vehicle. In many cases, the OEM parts makers have multiple lines for the same part—good quality, better and best. In some cases, the standard OEM part doesn't perform to our standards, and we will use the higher quality parts line.
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What is Your Repair Warranty?
We guarantee all repairs for 3 years or 36,000 miles. Our warranty is among the best in the business and reflects our confidence in the OEM parts and quality service we provide.
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Do You Offer an Auto Repair Financing Program?
Yes, we offer financing through Bosch Service. You can get 0 percent financing for 6 months on repairs of $299 or more. You can apply online for instant approval or ask us to email you a link.
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What Common Maintenance or Repairs Do You Recommend?
Here are the most common services or repairs we see on Audis:
Brake Fluid Flush
Have we mentioned that the air in Chicago is laden with moisture and humidity? This excessive moisture can cause a lot of problems with your car’s braking system. We recommend having your Audi brake fluid flushed every 2 years (regardless of mileage) or every 10,000 miles to prevent a soft, mushy pedal and corrosion of the brake system from the inside out—your caliper, brake lines, even the ABS module.
Cabin Air Filter
We recommend changing the cabin air filter once a year. This ensures you and your passengers are breathing clean air when you’re in the vehicle with the windows up. When possible, we use an activated charcoal-style filter that cleans the air and also prevents mold and mildew buildup.
Engine Air Filter
We recommend a new engine air filter every other year. And depending on availability, we’ll upgrade you to a cold weather or severe duty filter. (The filters they use in Arizona and California, for example, are thinner.) If you live in the city and don’t drive you car that often, you may think that you can wait longer before replacing your air filter. But we don’t recommend waiting if the vehicle is parked outside. Why? Because the air filter is still subjected to rain, cold and all the environmental elements, like high humidity. This takes its toll on your filter.
Front Suspension Inspection
Audis are prone to front suspension issues, especially the upper control arms. The original front suspension arms from the factory tend to have a life of 40,000 to 60,000 miles. The fact that we have poor roads and parallel park a lot in the city contributes to this premature wear. The replacement upper control arms we use are a higher-grade OEM part, and they typically last 60,000 to 80,000 miles.
Fuel Filter
If you have a diesel engine, we recommend replacing the fuel filter annually because the quality of diesel fuel in the Midwest is generally poor. If you have a gasoline engine, the fuel filter isn’t serviceable because it’s built into the fuel pump.
Induction Cleaning
Most modern engines have a direct-injected fuel system, which leads to a lot of carbon buildup on the valves and in the engine cylinders. This carbon needs to be cleaned or removed on a regular basis to ensure proper air flow and peak engine performance. We recommend an induction cleaning every 18 months or 10,000 miles to enhance performance, increase fuel efficiency, extend engine life and reduce harmful emissions.
Oil Changes
We recommend oil changes every 5,000 miles or 5 months, and we only use synthetic oil that includes additives specifically engineered for Audi engines. This is critical because the engine seals in Audis are made from natural rubber that ages quickly. If you wait too long between oil changes, use the wrong oil or or use cheap oil without the additives, the rubber will deteriorate and lead to oil leaks. We often see valve cover leaks in Audis or failed vacuum pumps, which provide additional vacuum to the brake booster.
Transmission Service
We typically don’t recommend a transmission fluid change on Audis. Because we can monitor internal fluid pressure through our scan tool, we can see at a glance if everything is functioning normally or if there’s any sign of a looming repair.
Do you have an Audi that needs a straightforward oil change or a more complex diagnostic? We invite you to give us a try and experience first-hand what it's like to work with Audi experts who have an unmatched level of attention to detail.
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