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Do I need to service my car air conditioning this summer?
Do you ever get the feeling, on a hot summer day, that your car air conditioner isn’t as effective as you need it to be? This is likely because it needs a thorough service. Although a standard car service can sometimes include a basic check of the car air conditioning, it is recommended that you get a regular thorough air conditioning service.
Signs that mean your car air conditioning needs to be serviced
- Air that doesn’t seem to be cooling
- Musty odour (may be a sign of bacterial growth in the air vents)
- Banging and rattling sounds
Does the car service centre need to have licenced technicians?
Yes, if you want your air conditioning to be serviced properly then you should ensure your car service centre has licenced technicians. The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) ensures its licenced repairers meet strict government standards. Refrigerant gasses are damaging to the environment and qualified and experienced professionals are able to work safely with these gasses.
A car air conditioning system consists of 3 main parts:
- Compressor
- Condenser
- Evaporator
Electrical wires and other components allow these parts to operate and they all need to be maintained to operate optimally. Parts may need repairing or regassing every 1- 2 years. Even if your aircon doesn’t need regassing it is still advisable that you have it serviced to ensure the belt-driven compressions is transferring the refrigerant to the condenser effectively. A car aircon that isn’t operating effectively will work your engine harder leading to more fuel consumption.
Volks Affair
Volks Affair offers a thorough air conditioning service. A full air conditioning service will:
- Inspect drive belts and pulleys
- check the operation of valves and thermostats
- inspect hoses and components
- check your refrigerant oil
- charge the system with refrigerant (if required)
- check the evaporator temperature
- check the suction line temperature
- test for leaks in the lines and components
- run the vehicle to assess the in-car temperature
Should you wish to have your air conditioner serviced, contact us today!
How to Choose the Best Car Service Centre
Once your car warranty runs out, do you need to continue your service with the dealership or are you better off going with an independent service centre?
This is a common question – of course, you can continue servicing with your dealership service but establishing a relationship with a trusted independent service centre can be a great economical move. Specialist Independent Service centres will have fully trained mechanics who are experts in the field – they will get to know your car and understand your concerns. The trick is to choose your independent car service centre wisely.
What to Look for in a Car Service Centre
Knowledgeable mechanics
Are the technicians up-to-date with the latest models and technology? Are you satisfied that they are going to answer your questions and share their expertise? Furthermore, is their equipment up to date?
Clear quotations and pricing information
Will the service centre seek your approval before doing any extras and are they upfront about the work that will be done and the cost of labour? Transparency is a good sign.
Customer Service
Friendly and professional service is expected. In fact, these days you shouldn’t expect anything less.
Reviews
These days most established businesses will have customer feedback in the form of testimonials and reviews. This will give you a good idea of the quality of service and the level of customer satisfaction.
Volks Affair
If you’re the owner of a German vehicle – BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Skoda, Audi or VW– we have a team of experts who can service your car. We are the real deal – bringing your car to us won’t affect your warranty as we are a genuine alternative to dealer servicing. If you’d like to discuss an issue or book a service, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Are You Looking for Audi Mechanics in Melbourne?
Audi Quality Assurance
Audi is a luxury German brand with a strong focus on quality. It is a brand that is always listening to customer feedback and making improvements to meet the modern-day driver’s needs. On the Audi blog, Werner Zimmerman – head of quality assurance recently said that Audi looks at the driver’s overall experience with the car. In other words, how the senses react – what do they see, hear, feel and smell. All of these factors make for a superior driving experience. However, these days staying connected while driving is a sought-after feature of a luxury car and that’s taken into account too. Our Audi Mechanics in Melbourne need to stay up-to-date with all the latest advances in car technology to be able to service and repair your Audi.
Driving Pleasure for the Senses
Sound
Audi has a strong focus on sound design – the sound they’re after is described as ‘sporty and high quality’. Every component of the car is considered from windscreen wipers, doors and handles to the engine sound. The Audi ‘click’ is the unique and pleasing Audi sound you’ll hear when fiddling with the controls.
Sight
Our perception of reality is driven by our sight. Audi has a special aesthetic look and a team of designers and engineers who consider every detail of the car. Everything is considered and contributes to the luxury, ‘feel-good ‘atmosphere. All components of the car must match and flow easily. Carbon, wood, paint and leather all work together to ensure the pigments and light refraction cause no disturbance in the look.
Smell
Audi has a team who run chemical analysis of the vehicle parts and their role is to development fragrant and pleasing smells to enhance the driving experience. There shouldn’t be any strong odours – no musty or sharp smells. The new car fragrance is chemically added to the materials of the car, but the chemicals are not harmful to human health. The aim is to create a neutral and subtle new car smell.
Feel
All of these factors blend into the creation of a luxury driving experience that is Audi
Volks Affair
Owning and maintaining a luxury vehicle such as an Audi requires skilled and knowledgeable mechanics. At Volks Affair we understand the concepts behind each of the luxury brands we service, and we are able to ensure your car is maintained and serviced to keep it in top condition. If you’d like to book a service, call us today or make an online enquiry.
Volkswagen Golf: Through the Ages
The Volkswagen Service Team at Volks Affair takes a look at one of the most popular models of Volkswagen – the Golf.
1970s – The Volkswagen Golf is Born
Even the Pope owned a Golf – this was Volkswagen’s replacement for the Beetle. The Golf was the new generation of ‘people’s car’. It was meant as a classless, affordable car for everybody. And that’s what it became. Its popularity took off and Volkswagen again proved to know what people were looking for in a car. The small rectangular hatchback – Mark 1 model – was just the right combination of fun, affordability and utilitarianism. In 1976 they launched the GTI edition and a convertible version for those who could afford to spend a little bit extra.
1983 – Golf Mark 2 Hits the Market
This update saw the Volkswagen Golf get a little roomier. The look stayed similar – still rectangular but with some updated technology. By 1988 it had sold more than 10 million.
1991 – Golf Mark 3 Shape Shifts
Not so boxy anymore – Volkswagen gave this Model a rounder look and enhanced safety features. The 1990s were seeing a rise in car safety standards – the Golf introduced front airbags to its line and ABS become a standard feature by 1996. The Golf TDI or turbo diesel direct-injection Golf became popular and was the first compact car to have this feature.
1997 – Golf Mark 4 Makes a Slick Debut
Modern, up-to-date and still popular, the Golf 4 rounded their shape some more and future models still have this recognisable design.
2003 – Golf Mark 5 Modernised Further
Keeping its shape the Golf Mark 5 increased the cargo volume and slightly improved the size of the interior. Unfortunately, it faced criticism that the interior seemed cheap.
2008 – Golf Mark 6 Safety First
The Mark 6 improved safety technology and included 7 standard airbags. It received a 5-star safety rating from Euro NCAP. It also addressed the previous critiques of a cheap interior and improved the quality.
2012 – Golf Mark 7 Proving the Volkswagen Brand Stands the Test of Time
Still popular and still going strong. Our Volkswagen Service Team at Volks Affair in Melbourne are keen to service all types of this popular people’s car. Give us a call and book your service today.