Wustefest

Maintenance Tip : Coolant

Coolant Flush – How Often is Needed?

Real coolant flush entails removing all the fluid that is in the cooling system and replacing it with fresh one. The best method of removing all the fluid is hooking the car to the machine that will remove it while at the same time, it puts in fresh fluid. The coolant flush machine puts in the right amount of fluid.

 

The machines circulate the fluid in the vehicle cooling system for a number of times. This removes any kind of debris that could have accumulated for a long time. This is the only way that one can consider to have received the service that has been done in the right way.

 

Refills and Drainage

 

Coolant flush is usually confusing to many people as many think that it involves just draining and then refilling cooling system. There are others who assume that it is done by hooking it up to the flush machine and back flushing the system.

 

The difference between refill or drain and engine coolant flush is big. Draining and refilling is straight forward and has no difficulties while a flush needs one to have a coolant flush kit, draining and refilling just includes the drainage of a radiator and the reservoir.

 

It is then refilled with the some new fluid.  Before draining and refilling it is important to make arrangements on how the fluid should be drained as the old fluid cannot be poured down a drain or on the street.

 

Coolant Flushes and Solvents

 

Clearing contamination in the engine coolant system might be necessary  but  using a flush solvent  or any element  that  is used to clean  the cooling  system  will do more damage than  good. Getting the cooling system flushed using the flushing machine might be the right way but it is important to first ask is coolant flush necessary?

 

This depends on the reasons that have prompted the car owner to consider it but at times it might not be necessary and the cost can be saved. However there could be reasons why someone feels that it is necessary to have a it done and not just because there is coolant flush coupon that would cater for part of the cost.

 

If the PH of the cooling fluid is not the right one, there is a need to for flushing. It is also important to do a flush if it is noted that the coolant has been discolored. When carrying out such service the BMW and Toyota coolant flush cost might be different depending on where it is done but it is necessary to use a flush machine.

 

The advantage of using the flush machine is that there is an assurance that almost all the old coolant will be flushed out. Draining and refilling just removes only 50 to 60 percent of old fluid.

 

Frequency of Coolant Flushes

 

When it comes to maintenance of the cooling system that involves coolant flush how often should it be done? This is something that does not need to carry out frequently. There are mechanics who advise their clients to do it every year but it is not necessary and will only increase servicing cost for nothing.

 

Most of the cars that were built after the early year of 1990s have coolant that can last for at least five years or even longer. For all this period, no maintenance is required. Although this is a good service when there is a necessity to have it done, coolant flushing can be imposed on the customers who do not understand about the time when it should be done by mechanics who want to make extra cash.

 

The best thing to do after being informed by mechanic that there is a need for coolant flushing is to find out the exact reason why it should be done. Check your car manual; it is about 50,000 miles interval before it is needed for such thorough cleaning service.

 

Coolant Test Strips

 

It is possible to establish if there is a need for coolant flush even without the help of a mechanic. This is done by using by using testing strips that can be bought from most of the stores that sell auto spares. These strips make it possible to determine whether the coolant has the right PH.

 

By using the test strips one can establish the level of freeze protection and if there is a need for more additives. If it is necessary for such service the coolant flush kit instructions should be followed. Ensure that everything is needed and ready before starting the exercise.

 

Courtesy of CoolantFlush.net

Maintenance Tip: Coolant Flush

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Coolant Flush – How Often is Needed?

Real coolant flush entails removing all the fluid that is in the cooling system and replacing it with fresh one. The best method of removing all the fluid is hooking the car to the machine that will remove it while at the same time, it puts in fresh fluid. The coolant flush machine puts in the right amount of fluid.

 

The machines circulate the fluid in the vehicle cooling system for a number of times. This removes any kind of debris that could have accumulated for a long time. This is the only way that one can consider to have received the service that has been done in the right way.

 

Refills and Drainage

 

Coolant flush is usually confusing to many people as many think that it involves just draining and then refilling cooling system. There are others who assume that it is done by hooking it up to the flush machine and back flushing the system.

 

The difference between refill or drain and engine coolant flush is big. Draining and refilling is straight forward and has no difficulties while a flush needs one to have a coolant flush kit, draining and refilling just includes the drainage of a radiator and the reservoir.

 

It is then refilled with the some new fluid.  Before draining and refilling it is important to make arrangements on how the fluid should be drained as the old fluid cannot be poured down a drain or on the street.

 

Coolant Flushes and Solvents

 

Clearing contamination in the engine coolant system might be necessary  but  using a flush solvent  or any element  that  is used to clean  the cooling  system  will do more damage than  good. Getting the cooling system flushed using the flushing machine might be the right way but it is important to first ask is coolant flush necessary?

 

This depends on the reasons that have prompted the car owner to consider it but at times it might not be necessary and the cost can be saved. However there could be reasons why someone feels that it is necessary to have a it done and not just because there is coolant flush coupon that would cater for part of the cost.

 

If the PH of the cooling fluid is not the right one, there is a need to for flushing. It is also important to do a flush if it is noted that the coolant has been discolored. When carrying out such service the BMW and Toyota coolant flush cost might be different depending on where it is done but it is necessary to use a flush machine.

 

The advantage of using the flush machine is that there is an assurance that almost all the old coolant will be flushed out. Draining and refilling just removes only 50 to 60 percent of old fluid.

 

Frequency of Coolant Flushes

 

When it comes to maintenance of the cooling system that involves coolant flush how often should it be done? This is something that does not need to carry out frequently. There are mechanics who advise their clients to do it every year but it is not necessary and will only increase servicing cost for nothing.

 

Most of the cars that were built after the early year of 1990s have coolant that can last for at least five years or even longer. For all this period, no maintenance is required. Although this is a good service when there is a necessity to have it done, coolant flushing can be imposed on the customers who do not understand about the time when it should be done by mechanics who want to make extra cash.

 

The best thing to do after being informed by mechanic that there is a need for coolant flushing is to find out the exact reason why it should be done. Check your car manual; it is about 50,000 miles interval before it is needed for such thorough cleaning service.

 

Coolant Test Strips

 

It is possible to establish if there is a need for coolant flush even without the help of a mechanic. This is done by using by using testing strips that can be bought from most of the stores that sell auto spares. These strips make it possible to determine whether the coolant has the right PH.

 

By using the test strips one can establish the level of freeze protection and if there is a need for more additives. If it is necessary for such service the coolant flush kit instructions should be followed. Ensure that everything is needed and ready before starting the exercise.

 

Courtesy of CoolantFlush.net

Untitled

When Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com posted its 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000, we scanned the names faster than a Volkswagen Turbo on the Autobahn. Imagine our joy when we saw that the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta made the cut for the second year in a row.

On Wednesday, June 20, 2012, Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com released its annual picks for 2012. Their expert editors shared these kind words: “Priced and sized for American tastes, the Jetta is also wrapped in clean, tasteful styling that will look sharp for years to come.”

We’ll admit that we’re somewhat biased, but we think the Jetta is cool in lots of ways. We upped the cool factor with standard features like power locks with keyless access and power heated exterior mirrors. And because nothing’s cooler than arriving at your destination in one piece, the Jetta has a whole host of standard safety features, including Electronic Stability Control, six airbags, ABS braking and Volkswagen’s Intelligent Crash Response System. And the Jetta is not only safe and stylish—it’s also comfy, so stretch out and enjoy the spacious front and rear legroom. Like all Volkswagen models, the Jetta is covered under the no-charge Carefree Maintenance Program. Now that’s cool.

 

 

Get all the details on this awesome honor in KBB’s 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000 – 2012.

Tell us: what do you think makes the 2012 Jetta cool?

Driving Safely in Reduced Visibility Conditions

 

Driving is always more difficult in reduced-visibility conditions.It’s hard to see your route clear.Reduced visibility conditions include twilight, darkness, rain, snow, fog, smoke, and bright sunshine.

• Use moderation in judging a safe speed. Drive slow enough to maintain a safe stopping distance.
• Don’t slow down so much that you become a risk to other drivers.
• Be aware that in reduced visibility conditions, drivers tend to follow the tail lights of vehicles in front of them.
• If you must pull off of the road, pull as far off of the road as possible, turn off your headlights, take your foot off of the brake pedal, and turn on your hazard lights.
• Make sure you have a pair of sunglasses in your vehicle in case of bright sunlight.

Courtesy of Car-Use.net

Start Exploring in Your Volkswagen

<p>The Mountain from TSO Photography on Vimeo.</p>

This summer is finally the year to take that road-trip you've been planning all these years. Check out some of the beautiful sites our planet has to offer, then start exploring some on your own!

Did You Know Volkswagen Sells Ketchup And Sausage?

Volkswagen was doing a surprising amount of R&D in the 1970s. They developed one of the first computerized driving simulators, they introduced their first unibody cars, and they were preparing the complex migration of their product line from rear-engine, air-cooled cars to modern FWD water-cooled ones. Oh, and they developed their own currywurst and special ketchup.

Yes, VW makes its own sausage and ketchup, and not just for internal use, though they are mostly sold in Volkswagen's factories. They're also sold in supermarkets, and it's not exactly a little niche market— in 2011, they sold 4.84 million currywursts. To compare, in the first half of 2011, they sold 2.89 million vehicles. So are they a sausage company with a lucrative vehicle sideline?

Ketchup-wise, the Volkswagen formulation is slightly more viscous than conventional ketchups to better pair with the Volkswagen currywurst. Think of it like using thick, creamery 20-50 oil in an old air-cooled Beetle. It's been bottled since 1997, and is also a strong seller— 425,000 bottles in 2009.

Our new editor Matt Hardigree will be in Germany very soon, so someone please serve this man some VW sausage and ketchup. And get some for yourself. His treat!

Monday Maintenance : Avoiding Potholes

Potholes destroy tires, and the price of tires is rising sharply due to a supply shortage of natural rubber (yes, it still comes from trees, mostly in southeast Asia) and increasing demand from China, where car ownership is undergoing double-digit growth. Petroleum is also used in tire manufacturing, adding further to cost volatility. Blow out just one tire on one pothole and expect to pay out more – one major tire manufacturer increased prices three times in 2011 alone.

Damage from potholes doesn’t stop at tires. In a blink of the eye, you can experience $1000 of damage, possibly more, when your car hits a pothole – it’s possible to impair your car’s shock absorbers, suspension system, struts, rims and alignment as well. According to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the average additional vehicle operating costs due to rough roads in 2007 was $400, with higher costs experienced in places including Baltimore ($589), Concord, NH ($656), Dallas-Fort Worth ($512), Los Angeles ($746), New Orleans ($622), New York-Newark ($638), Oklahoma City ($631), San Francisco-Oakland ($705) and Tulsa ($703). Deteriorating roads and general inflation since 2007 likely pushed these costs higher.

But there are things you can do before, during and after hitting a pothole. A preventive strategy is more about preparation, driving skills and reacting appropriately when a pothole sneaks up to surprise you. We suggest you approach it on three fronts, as follows.

Adopt smarter driving practices

You can reduce damage with vehicle preparation and driving with good sense:

• Check your tire pressure to keep it at the tire manufacturer’s recommendation. If a tire is too soft, it handles poorly and in a sudden bump may rupture if the wheel rims pinch it against the jagged edge of a pothole. Over-inflated tires are more susceptible to damage as well.
• Have a clean windshield! Your field of vision is critical.
• Observe the traffic ahead of you – if other cars are swerving and stopping, it’s because of a problem in the road.
• Beware of puddles – what might look like a little surface water might have a nasty, deep and sharp-edged pothole lurking below.
• Reduce your speed on roads that are prone to potholes. Slower hits generally involve less damage, a simple matter of physics.
• Stay focused and pay attention to the amount of traffic in front, behind and alongside you. You might be able to avoid potholes but do not want to cause an accident while doing so.

React quickly, intelligently when a pothole is upon you

Assuming you drive defensively – and do not tailgate, which restricts your ability to anticipate potholes or sudden braking by the vehicle in front of you – here is what to do if you are just about to hit a pothole:

• Brake only lightly, if at all. And do something counterintuitive by letting off on the brakes entirely the moment before impact. Clamping down on your brakes at higher speeds not only tempts rear-end collisions but also compresses the front-end suspension system, increasing the damage.
• Hard braking can actually cause greater contact between the tire and the pothole where it might otherwise glide over it.
• Do not swerve in a last ditch attempt to avoid the pothole. Aside from creating a hazard for vehicles immediately behind and beside you, you risk hitting the pothole on an oblique angle, which can cause more damage to the tire, wheel rim and alignment than if you hit it perpendicularly.

Reduce the damage in the aftermath

Post-impact, the right moves can at least limit the extent of the damage:

• Immediately pay attention to whether or not you have a flat tire. If so, minimize how much you drive on it, pull off the road as soon as you can do so safely where you can change the tire to your spare. This will minimize the damage to your wheel rim.
• Even without a flat, there may be preliminary damage. At your next stop, check tire rims to see if they were bent, if there is visible cord material or bulging. This could fail later while driving.
• Note if your car pulls to one side without corrective steering. This suggests the wheels are out of alignment and need mechanical attention.

In most municipalities, you can and should report potholes to the streets department – use a smartphone app such as SeeClickFix or SaveMyTire.com, or the local 3-1-1 or other call-in line. You might also be compensated for your loses if that pothole was reported previously and left unfixed, however rules for this are determined on a city, township or county level.

 

Courtesy of Pothole.info

Coachella Valley Volkswagen Advantage

It rocks, it rolls: Volkswagen debuts the Beetle Fender Edition

The Volkswagen Beetle has always had fans, but now, it might gain a few groupies, as well. On May 31^st at the Leipzig International Auto Show, Volkswagen unveiled the production version of the Beetle Fender Edition, a limited-edition iconic Bug that features the award-winning Fender© sound system as well as visual nods to the legendary guitar manufacturer.

The Beetle Fender Edition is unique inside and out. All models are painted in Deep Black Metallic and feature brushed chrome mirrors, 18-inch disc aluminum alloy wheels, Bi-Xenon headlights and, of course, the timeless Fender logo on the dash and rear deck lid. And it’s every bit as fast as it looks: under that glimmering hood, it boasts the 200-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder TSI© engine.

Take a peek inside for more rockin’ goodness, like seats with exclusive fabric inserts and color-contrasting seams to complement the dashboard, which was inspired by the iconic Fender sunburst design. Best of all, this Beetle features the high-performance Fender Premium Audio System, winner of CNET.com’s “Best-Sounding Car Stereo Award.” One crank of the volume knob and you’ll see why. The concert-quality audio is the result of proprietary Panasonic© speaker technology, which cuts through noise, and dual-voice coil speakers that faithfully reproduce the sound of a live performance. The sound system is comprised of a 10-channel amplifier that provides a whopping 400 watts of system power to four Fender Deluxe™ tweeters, two Fender Twin™ speakers, two Fender rear speakers, and one Fender Bassman™ subwoofer.

The Beetle Fender Edition first goes on sale in Europe and will be available in America in the fall of 2012. At this time, we have no plans to sell Teen Spirit air fresheners, but you never know, so stay tuned.

 

Monday Maintenance : Windshield Cracks

Windshield cracks and dings affect the integrity of your car’s infrastructure and can evolve into more serious problems. Don’t leave your car in foul territory – Take these cautionary measures until you can get your windshield properly repaired.

Checking your windshield is important because a ding that occurs in spring or summer can cause a break in the winter. Most people drive more in warm weather and more driving means more vibration, which can cause a ding to expand into a cracked windshield.

Warmer weather also means running the air conditioning. "The shock of quickly going from hot to cold stresses a windshield and causing that ding to suddenly become a cracked windshield," says Jim Olson, director of national accounts and brand awareness for NOVUS® Windshield Repair.

Here are some tips if you have a ding or star on your windshield:

    Inspect the ding. If it has a cone shape, a circle deep in the glass or looks like a small star with points spreading out, have the ding repaired promptly. These are serious dings that can grow into a cracked windshield.

    Don't touch a ding or attempt to repair it yourself. Without special equipment and training, you will only contaminate the damaged area, making repairs hard to complete.

    As a temporary measure, put a piece of clear tape, like packing tape, over the ding. This won't keep the ding from spreading, but will help prevent contamination.

    Don't wash the vehicle-especially through the car wash.  Soap and water can contaminate the spot and a high-pressure wash can cause the ding to expand.

    Driving a vehicle with a windshield ding causes vibration and exposure to the elements cause the ding to spread.

    Avoid slamming the car doors and don't close the doors with the windows rolled all the way up. The vibration or buildup of air pressure inside the car can cause the ding to spread.

    Don't run the defroster, heater or air conditioning on high settings.  Don't park the vehicle in the sun. Rapid changes in interior temperature or prolonged exposure to sunlight can stress and weaken the windshield.

 

Source: NOVUS via Road & Travel Magazine

Travel writer Lisa Trottier explores the sporty side San Francisco in the fun-to-drive 2012 VW Touareg

2012 Volkswagen Passat Review - Vroomgirls.com

By Tara Weingarten

"It drives every bit like a meticulously crafted German car but the Volkswagen Passat is American where it counts, being built largely of American parts – by American workers – and assembled in Chattanooga, Tennessee."

The Big Picture

OMG! Here’s the big news, the 2012 Volkswagen Passat is fantastic. As a mid-size sedan that seats five comfortably, it’s a triple threat to its competition, taking them on for comfort, handling and value (see: Toyota Camry, Nissan Maxima, Honda Accord.) It comes in several engine types and sizes, so families that want cheap and cheerful can buy the base 4-cylinder model, eco lovers can opt for the turbo-diesel engine (which is the only diesel offered among mid-size sedans in the U.S.) and sport fanatics can zip along in the very quick V6 version. All VWs get three years or 36,000 miles of no-cost maintenance, a feature usually offered only with luxury marques.

The Volkswagen Passat has been around for years, but the completely redesigned 2012 model is different. It’s assembled in Tennessee, and comprised of 85 percent American-built parts. But beyond the Passat’s workforce benefits, it’s luxurious beyond its price point, is fun to drive and feels roomy in both the cabin and in trunk space.

An Inside Job

Again, the 2012 VW Passat wins. Its interior is exemplary. It’s tarted up to the hilt with standard features like power up/down windows on all four doors, two 12V power outlets to recharge your phones, a touch-screen sound system, dual climate controls, and a leather multi-function steering wheel to control the audio and cruise control systems. No matter the trim level, the VW Passat has an upscale vibe.

The VW folks say the 2012 VW Passat has the quietest cabin in its class, thanks to a double-paned windshield and high-tech acoustic sound insulation in doors and roof support panels. I couldn’t tell if all that is true, but I didn’t notice any out-of-the-ordinary annoying wind or road noise.

The American Passat is four inches longer than its European cousin, and three-quarters of that is found in improved legroom. The interior is very comfortable and quiet, with a euro-chic minimalism to the design. Many of the touchable materials are soft-touch rubber and have a luxe, upmarket feel.

Some optional extras are taken directly from VW’s luxury badge: Audi. The optional ambient lighting floods the footwells and doors with a soft light, kind of like a theater. It’s the same posh lighting found on Audi’s flagship A7. There’s also an available remote start button, but I prefer a good old fashion key. A third sidelight window on rear doors gives added natural light inside the cabin.

Safety

The 2012 VW Passat was conceived and built especially for the American market. This means that safety features are key. It comes standard with six airbags (including front and backseat side curtain airbags), daytime running lights, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

Should the VW Passat be in a major accident, the Intelligent Crash Response System automatically unlocks all doors, disconnects the battery terminal from the alternator cable, shuts off the fuel supply and turns on the warning hazards and interior lights.

Driving Experience

I was able to test all the Volkswagen Passat models, from the base model on up to the VR6 engine SEL Premium. The ride quality is excellent, no matter the engine type or trim level. Handling is confidence-inspiring and fun. I like the tighter steering, which requires fewer turns of the wheel to corner, and feels more precise than other mid-size sedans.

The German-built 3.6L, VR6 engine on the Passat’s 3.6L SEL Premium model is so quick that it boosts the Passat into luxe Audi territory (VW’s luxury brand.) If there hadn’t been a VW badge slapped on the steering wheel, I wouldn’t have remembered that I was driving a VW instead of the pricier brand.

A turbo diesel version turns this ample mid-size family car into an eco-friendly gas sipper, getting a substantial 43 mpg on the highway, while still offering the drive quality of a Euro-built internal combustion engine rather than a softer, less spirited hybrid ride. Though we weren’t able to confirm it, VW states that the Passat TDI (turbo diesel model) can cruise up to 795 miles on a single tank.

All Volkswagens, including the Passat, come standard with no-cost maintenance, which includes oil changes, tire rotations, general tune-ups for three years or 36,000 miles.

Gizmos And Tech

An attractive large touch-screen sound system is standard, with a Fender Premium system offered as an option. A leather, multi-function steering wheel gives real-time fuel consumption and remaining mileage.

Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free phone usage is standard, as are dual climate controls, which the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry don’t have.

Monday Maintenance Tip : Keeping Your Car Healthy

Keep Your Engine Properly Tuned

Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent, though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done.

Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40 percent.

Keep Tires Properly Inflated

You can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.3 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tires. Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer.

The proper tire pressure for your vehicle is usually found on a sticker in the driver's side door jamb or the glove box and in your owner's manual. Do not use the maximum pressure printed on the tire's sidewall.

Use the Recommended Grade of Motor Oil

You can improve your gas mileage by 1–2 percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your gas mileage by 1–2 percent. Using 5W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage by 1–1.5 percent. Also, look for motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.

 

Courtesy of FuelEconomy.gov