Oct 10, 2024

Weather changes can impact the performance and handling of your car. Not only will you need to adjust your driving style to meet seasonal weather changes, but you may also need to pay closer attention to your engine, tires, and other systems for ideal road safety. Check out the key VW maintenance you need to schedule at your VW dealer to prepare for the new season.

Preparing Your Volkswagen for Seasonal Changes: A Comprehensive Guide

To prepare your car for the summer and winter, you will need to schedule routine services for your AC unit, your brake system, and your engine. In the summer, you may want to pay special attention to the coolant level to prevent engine overheating in hot weather. In the fall and winter months, you should top up all car fluids to make sure motor oil and other lubricants have ideal viscosity for good performance. 

Weatherizing your VW also means replacing common wear-and-tear parts, such as your windshield wipers, oil filters, and air filters. It’s convenient to replace these parts during seasonal changes to ensure your vehicle is ready for heavy rain. It would be best to replace headlight bulbs and clean headlight lenses to optimize your view of the road.  

Seasonal Detailing

When the weather changes, you may want to put a little more elbow grease into your routine vehicle cleaning. Detailing your car before major weather changes allows you to spot damage, such as scratched paint, that can be repaired at your local dealership. 

What About Seasonal VW Maintenance at Your VW Dealer?

While Florida temperatures are unlikely to fall below freezing, it’s still a good idea to schedule maintenance for your vehicle in the fall to ensure your ride is ready for seasonal rain and cooler temperatures. You will want to assess the condition of your tire tread and air pressure. Tire air pressure is known to drop in colder weather, so keeping an eye on your air pressure is a great way to be proactive about your vehicle maintenance. 

You may want to test your vehicle’s battery to see how well the battery is holding a charge as the weather cools, and it usually takes more energy from the battery to start your car in colder weather. Seasonal maintenance is also a good opportunity to rotate your tires since the recommended maintenance interval is about every 5,000 miles, depending on how often you drive your car.

Whether you’re anticipating cooler winter weather or summer heat, you should always schedule seasonal maintenance at your local dealer to make sure your vehicle is ready for seasonal weather. You can book your next oil change, tire rotation, or battery health check at Tom Bush Volkswagen in Jacksonville, FL.