Volkswagen is still the largest automaker in the world. And in maintaining that crown, they have invested the maximum amount of effort in engineering ultra-refined vehicles. You can almost say that a Volkswagen operates as an extension of the body and mind and has some kind of telepathic link with its driver.
This is because Volkswagen focuses heavily on the details and the full driving experience. For many years, Volkswagen refused to install cupholders in their vehicles even though they’ve been standard equipment in other brands for decades. To this day, they are still reluctant to install classic cupholders because they detract from the driving experience.
“This isn’t a coffee shop; get out of my car!” a Volkswagen executive might say. Indeed, Volkswagen has produced some of the finest vehicles in the world. Their engines and handling designs have been incorporated into Audi and Porsche vehicles. They incorporate a great deal of electronics and Bosch engineering into their autos.
The key difference, however, with all Volkswagen models is the need for expert maintenance and repairs. Many non-specialists have ruined Volkswagen’s by working on them without investment in special tools and expert technical training.
Volkswagen’s require very specific service intervals, calibrations, and parts and rely on sophisticated diagnostic equipment to carry out most repairs. You don’t necessarily need a mechanic to work on a Volkswagen because most of the work is technical. A trained Volkswagen technician understands the complex engineering of the vehicles and has the delicate touch needed to carry out mechanical repairs as well.
Some would argue that a Volkswagen is overengineered. Too many parts and systems that are overly complex can compromise the reliability of a vehicle and make it more difficult to repair. In truth, Volkswagen’s probably are overengineered when compared with other brands. But they are engineered with a unique quality that gives them superior handling, performance, and features that are often found in luxury class cars.
You can’t fix a Volkswagen using basic mechanic skills and common sense, however. A lot of other vehicles involve bear work to repair them. Hours are spent hammering off rusted brake drums and pounding out ball joint rivets. By contrast, a Volkswagen is a delicate machine that requires wisdom to repair it, not just an instruction manual.
For example, Volkswagen, for many years, had two leading types of coolant, one purple, and the other fluorescent green. And if you inadvertently had confused the two, the coolant would turn to gel and clog up the whole system. Volkswagen has always demanded that mechanics pay careful attention to details.
You run a grave risk of doing more damage to your vehicle than good when you take it for service to a general repair shop. You certainly have to know a lot of specifics about each Volkswagen model before you can fix it. They have a lot of quirks that only dedicated specialists are privy to and know how to solve.
For example, many of the early 1.8T models had serious issues with sludge and coking. This was because Volkswagen had engineered the engine with oil pans that were too small for the volume of oil that needed to be cooled. As a result, when owners used the wrong oil, the fine screen in the oil pickup tube would quickly coke up and kill the engine.
Only Volkswagen technicians in the know had insight into the problem and knowledge of what types of additives and oils safely flushed out the sludge and prevented build-up. There were also specific oil cooler lines that were known to suffer from coking that needed to be changed at the same time as the oil pumps.
Because the parts are very specialized, they can run a bit pricey. If you don’t have an expert who knows exactly which parts to replace, you can quickly drain your budget. And because these vehicles are such grand investments, it always makes sense to carry out the maximum level of preventative maintenance possible.
While Volkswagen’s are known for their fickle engineering, they are really intelligent in design and built to be repaired more so than American cars, for example. So, the next time that you need VW servicing in Brisbane, be sure to schedule your appointment with Brisbane Euro Specialists, the pros who know how to keep your VW running like Das Auto.
Autobiography
Eric Reyes is a passionate thought leader having been featured in 50 distinguished online and offline platforms. His passion and knowledge in Finance and Business made him a sought after contributor providing valuable insights to his readers. You can find him reading a book and discussing current events in his spare time.