One common theme for all German cars is the importance of maintenance. If you're diligent with your maintenance on your Volkswagen, you'll save money on costly repairs and your vehicle will run reliably for a long time to come. Ignore your maintenance and you'll quickly watch the repair costs add up.
Our team of VW experts is here to keep your vehicle running with the precision and high performance you expect from this German 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 sure your Volkswagen starts, stops and corners during your daily commute. 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 Volkswagens:
Brake Fluid Flush
The air in Chicago is laden with moisture and humidity, and this excessive moisture can cause a lot of problems with your car’s braking system. We recommend having your Volkswagen brake fluid flushed every 10,000 miles or 2 years (regardless of mileage) to prevent a mushy brake pedal and to keep the brake system from corroding from the inside out. If you don’t flush the brake fluid, your caliper, brake lines, and even the ABS module are susceptible to corrosion.
Cabin Air Filter
We recommend changing the cabin air filter every 12 to 16 months on your VW. The filter is located inside the vehicle, but the way the air intake is designed, a lot of air is being funneled in—and with it, a lot of dirt. Keeping the cabin air filter clean ensures you and your passengers are breathing clean air when you’re in the vehicle with the windows up.
Engine Air Filter
We recommend a new engine air filter every year because of the way the vehicle is designed. And depending on availability, we’ll upgrade you to a cold weather or severe duty filter. 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. We don’t recommend doing that, especially if you park the vehicle 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.
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 VW engines. This is critical because the engine seals in Volkswagens 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. As a result, Volkswagens are prone to valve cover leaks and failed vacuum pumps, which is what provides additional vacuum to the brake booster.
Transmission Service
We typically don’t recommend a transmission fluid change on Volkswagens. 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.
Does your Volkswagen need a straightforward oil change or a more complex repair? We invite you to give us a try and experience first-hand what it's like to work with VW experts who have an unmatched level of attention to detail.
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