Volkswagen's Car Caring Tips

In order to maintain the good running condition of your Volkswagen it is important that you know how to properly take care of it. The cooling system of your VW vehicle is one of the parts that can easily deteriorate due to constant use and exposure to engine heat---In short this is the part that you would have to replace more often.

Here are some important things to remember on how to properly maintain your VW’s cooling system:

1. Try to keep your engine and engine compartment together with your Volkswagen radiator fins and grill as clean as possible. This is because a clean engine runs more smoothly and doesn’t overheat too quickly.

2. Always replace your VW car’s coolant on or before the factory recommended intervals with the proper mixture, tire, and volume of coolant. And remember to allow the coolant system to rid itself of air before putting on it the radiator cap.

3. Replace all of the cooling system hoses which include upper and lower radiator hoses, heater hoses, bypass hoses, manifold coolant hoses and any other hoses that your vehicle have ---- even before you suspect that there are problems with them. It is advisable that all hoses be replaced at least every two years.

4. Remember to replace the thermostat with the original temperature setting equivalent since the electronics in your Volkswagen may be using that same setting for other controls. Don’t substitute under any circumstances.

5. It is also very important to replace the radiator or expansion tank cap with only the original pressure setting and OE-type equivalent since some aftermarket substitutes often do not have the exact measurement and therefore fails to seal and hold securely which will result to the spilling of the coolant. Substitution is not advised for radiator or expansion tank cap.

6. Make sure to adjust or replace the water pump drive belt (external) either as frequently required or at the recommended intervals. Always check belts whenever you’re working on any coolant system components.

7. In replacing your Volkswagen water pump makes sure that you purchase an OEM/OES pump at the first signs of trouble or when your timing belt and tensioner are replaced. Always beware for signs of overheating.

8. Replace your VW’s fan clutch or fan blade if needed. Your VW’s temperature gauge is the best indicator as when to change your fan clutch.

9. In replacing temperature sensors you would need VW professionals to help you with the diagnosis since they have the proper equipment and diagrams required to properly troubleshoot your VW temperature sensors.

10. Always keep your VW’s vehicle properly maintained since the effect of timing, idle speed, exhaust and other systems also affect the engine’s temperature. All of VW’s cooling system is designed to function with all other systems which means that if one of the systems is not working properly then the entire operation of the vehicle if jeopardize.

List of Cooling system repair parts that you would need when repairing your VW’s cooling system:

• Coolant

• VW water pump

• VW thermostat

• VW water pump drive belt

• VW hoses

• VW radiator

• VW expansion tank

• VW heater core

• VW control valves

• VW temperature sensors (if applicable)

• VW radiator cap/ Expansion tank cap

• Radiator fan clutch