by Chek Digital | Aug 20, 2015 | air conditioning, Car Maintenance
The winter weather has arrived, and the last thing you want to think about is your car. But being mindful of the overall condition of your car could save a lot of heartache – and cash – in the long run.
Wipers
Often overlooked are the windscreen wipers; when it’s sunny and the sky is blue, you may not need to think about them, but on dark stormy days they’re of the utmost importance for safe driving and clear visibility. Deteriorated blades or malfunctioning wipers can leave grubby streaks on the windscreen that will interfere with the driver’s vision, not to mention leaf debris and other nasties that can land on your windshield when you least expect it. The team at Volks Affair will always check and replace, if necessary, your wipers to ensure they are working correctly. Then, when you come to use them for the first time after a really dry spell, you can be sure that the wipers are problem-free.
Headlights
With cooler temperatures come foggy mornings and rainfall. The winter days are shorter, and the likelihood of having to drive in the dark is higher. Dark mornings are a hazard, that’s why it’s necessary to have your headlights checked. Has a bulb blown? Is the headlight glass in need of a good clean? Could the wattage be a little higher? For all of these reasons, it’s imperative to have the car’s headlights checked and aimed properly for best visibility when you’re driving on those cold and misty mornings and evenings.
Demisters
Need to make a quick getaway? Misted up windows often take an age to clear, unless you have a rapid demister as one of your car’s features. On any service, Volks Affair will check and repair your car’s demister, so you don’t get caught out when you hop into the car on a freezing day and have to wait for the windows to clear, or worse, have to wipe them down so you can actually see through them. An efficient demister is the only way to ensure optimum visibility, and to watch for slippery conditions.
by Chek Digital | Aug 20, 2015 | air conditioning, Audi, BMW, Car Maintenance, car service, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen
When the cold weather starts moving in, you can come to Volks Affair to get prepared. We’ll take care of every aspect of your vehicle – from cleaning the windows to assessing your tyres and checking the suspension and steering. Our services will give you the peace of mind you need to drive confidently throughout the winter.
Optimising vision
Rain, sleet and grey skies can seriously reduce visibility. For maximum safety and comfort while driving, it’s important to do everything you can to see better. Driving through terrible weather is bad enough – adding dirty windows to the mix is even worse. Here at Volks Affair, we’ll give your windows a clean to end all cleans. Both the inside and outside of the glass will be washed, with meticulous attention to detail.
Assessing your tyres
Driving with bald or worn-out tyres is incredibly dangerous at any time of year. But it’s even more treacherous when winter rolls around, making the roads icy and slippery. The good news is that if you bring your vehicle into Volks Affair before the cold weather hits, we’ll assess your tyres accurately and let you know exactly what state they’re in. If it turns your tyres are ready for changing, we can organise an excellent deal on new ones.
Checking suspension and steering
Responsive steering and optimum suspension levels are also crucial to safety during inclement weather. When there’s a risk of ice, rain or snow, you must feel 100% confident that you’re in control of your vehicle at all times. We’ll give your suspension a thorough and accurate assessment and fix up any problems. We’ll also make sure that your steering column is in good working order.
Questions?
Would you like to know more about how to best prepare your vehicle for winter? Please get in touch at a time that’s convenient to you.
by Chek Digital | Aug 20, 2015 | air conditioning, Car Maintenance
Volks Affair cares about the importance of having your car ready for winter, and can provide a winter check list to ensure that all your cold-proof features are working correctly. It’s vital that heaters, internal electronics and connections work well, so you can be confident that your car will perform at its best under any hazardous condition.
Wipers
If your car’s windscreen wipers have been idle during the dry weather, they could have deteriorated. As winter approaches, replacing wiper blades will keep your vision crystal clear on cold rainy days when they get a real workout. Volks Affair will check and, if necessary, replace your wipers to ensure they are working correctly.
Drainage points
Autumn leaves and decaying leaf debris can block the drainage points in your car. During a service, Volks Affair guarantees to clear and clean all drainage points – including sun roof runners. Nobody wants a damp car after the first winter rain.
Heaters
Being in a lovely warm car on a cold winter’s day is one of the nicest feelings, so how would you feel if your heaters weren’t working at all? Pretty icy. That’s why Volks Affair will always check that your heaters are working properly, so your feet will stay dry and warm.
ABS braking
Out of control vehicles on wet and icy roads can cause dangerous accidents. Volks Affair will check that your ABS braking system is working correctly, so that when stopping suddenly on roads in wintry conditions, your car’s brakes will maintain your safety. It’s also a reminder to watch for other vehicles when driving on slippery wet roads. Even though a service by Volks Affair has ensured the safety of your car’s brakes in the winter weather, other cars with faulty brakes can still cause havoc.
by Chek Digital | Aug 20, 2015 | car service
Independent car servicing
When you buy a new car you want to keep it looking and running like new for as long as possible. Thankfully, all new cars will come with some form of manufacturer’s warranty to cover you for any problems with the vehicle for a set period or mileage. However, you do not have to complete your log book servicing at the dealer where you purchased your vehicle.
So are there any downsides to using an independent business to service your vehicle? You may already be taking your car back to the dealer because you believe they are the only ones who can keep your warranty valid. This is completely untrue. You only have to make sure your independent automotive repair shop offers full manufacturers scheduled servicing for your make and model.
by Chek Digital | Aug 20, 2015 | Audi, BMW, Car Maintenance, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen
If you have purchased a German car brand, then chances are you did so because of the reputation for superior engineering and reliability. However, with the superb engineering and in-car systems in a new German car come very specialised servicing. This is why it is essential that you bring your new vehicle to a specialist.
A brand new car will also require log book servicing in order to maintain your warranty. Make sure your vehicle is taken to a mechanic that will follow the manufacturer’s servicing schedule, otherwise you could void your warranty. This also applies to parts that are used on your car – if your mechanic uses unapproved parts then you might not be covered by your warranty should problems arise.
Using a specialised service means that the correct diagnostic equipment is used on your car – making sure that even minor problems are diagnosed and fixed. Log book servicing doesn’t have to be done at the dealer where you purchased the vehicle; simply make sure that your mechanic is an authorised service centre for your particular model.
If you have just purchased a new Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz or Audi then you will have to make sure you are following the correct servicing schedule. This is so you keep your new vehicle running perfectly and to make sure you are covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. There are different types of servicing available from different mechanics for your vehicle, which range from a basic service through to a full service, including changing oil and performing checks on much of the vehicle and engine.
However, a full manufacturers scheduled service is very different for each type of car. A full scheduled service for a BMW will not be the same as a Volkswagen, and so with a specialist working on your car you know that you are getting the best service possible for your German car – no matter what make and model it is.
