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Volkswagen driver assistance Safety has always been a top priority for the Volkswagen brand. That’s why new Volkswagen models offer new driver assistance safety features designed to help the driver not only maintain control of their vehicle, but avoid accidents as well. The Volkswagen driver assistance system comes with seven innovative technologies that function using an integrated camera and radar. The world’s full of twists and turns so it can be difficult for drivers to be prepared for everything. To give them a hand and a little more confidence on the road, new Volkswagen vehicles will feature driver assistance features to help prepare for the unexpected. The features included with the Volkswagen Driver Assistance package Forward Collision Warning w/ Autonomous Emergency Braking Your vehicle uses front sensors to monitor traffic ahead of it and alert you to the possibility of a collision. If a collision is unavoidable, the system will automatically apply brakes. Adaptive Cruise Control This system helps you keep your distance from the cars ahead of you using front radar to detect the distance between you and the car ahead of you and adjust your cruise control set speed accordingly. Park Assist Never struggle with parallel parking again with VW’s new Parking Assist feature which assists the driver in judging if a spot is large enough for your vehicle and assist in maneuvering into the space. Lane Departure Warning Your vehicle will sense when your vehicle deviates from its lane by using its camera and radar to detect lane lines. So if you leave a lane without signaling, the system will alert you and take corrective action. Blind Spot Monitor A sensor on the side of your vehicle is able to detect nearby vehicles that you might miss in your blind spot. This system assists with merging and changing lanes. Rear Traffic Alert Avoid the risk of backing into another vehicle in parking lots with your Volkswagen’s available rear sensors that will alert you if a vehicle is crossing your path while in reverse and apply brakes if needed. Parking Pilot Shown on the right, we touched on this briefly when discussing Park Assist, but the Parking Pilot will help you back out or drive into a parking spot by giving you audio and visual alerts when your vehicle becomes too close to cars around it. Get new Volkswagen vehicles at Speedcraft Volkswagen If you’re interested in getting behind the wheel of a Volkswagen vehicle that comes with these innovative, advanced features, contact us here at Speedcraft Volkswagen. We have a selection of models available for you to choose from, so we’re confident that you’ll have no trouble finding one that suits you. To begin your search, you can view our current inventory right here on our website as well as schedule an appointment for a test drive. What do you think of the Volkswagen Driver Assistance system? Let us know in the comments!

2016 Volkswagen Passat Top Safety Pick + Safety is a top concern for drivers and automakers alike. That’s why Volkswagen works hard to provide customers with safe, quality vehicles. After receiving much attention during its release, the newly designed 2016 Volkswagen Passat has even more to celebrate. It’s been recently announced that the 2016 VW Passat, when it’s been equipped with its optional Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking system, has been awarded a 2016 TOP SAFETY PICK + rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Perhaps the most impressive part of its new title as a TOP SAFETY PICK + is its outstanding performance during the ever-challenging Small Overlap Front Car Crash, which simulates a collision between the front left corners of two oncoming vehicles. This test, showing a common and devastating type of collision, always proves difficult for vehicles. This is because much of a vehicle’s crash safety features and absorbers are located in the front center of the vehicle and are therefore not utilized in this type of crash. However, the 2016 Volkswagen Passat passed this test with flying colors, achieving the highest possible rating of “good”. This is largely due to the new Passat’s fully reinforced structure. In addition to its sturdy construction, the 2016 Passat comes with a winning combination of passive and active safety features designed to keep you out of harm’s way, and protect you when it’s unavoidable. Some of the safety features available with the Passat include: Automatic Post-Collision Braking System Adaptive Cruise Control Forward Collision Warning Autonomous Emergency Braking Lane Departure Warning System Blind Spot Monitor Park Assist Much more! With great features such as these, families and commuters alike can rest easy knowing that they’re in good hands every time they’re on the road. 2016 VW Passat at Speedcraft Volkswagen If you’re interested in the new 2016 Volkswagen Passat, you’re in luck! We currently have multiple models in stock. Whether you’re looking for the base trim level or want all of the bells and whistles and, of course, its innovative safety technology, we've got it here for you. Simply take a look at the models available in our inventory, and let us know if you see one that you like. From there, we’ll be happy to work with you to schedule an appointment for a test drive, so you can experience the smooth, versatile drive of the Passat for yourself. We must say though, once you get behind the wheel of the newly redesigned Passat, it will be difficult to settle for anything else!

Volkswagen Intelligent Crash Response System For Volkswagen, nothings more important than the safety of its drivers. Volkswagen’s already seen a selection of its vehicles named IIHS Top Safety Picks, and are still making further safety advancements. That’s why they’ve developed a safety system designed to offer maximum protection to all of its passengers. The Volkswagen Intelligent Crash Response System is designed to provide optimal protection in the event of a crash. Volkswagen knows that even for the most cautious drivers, sometimes accidents are unavoidable. That’s why the Volkswagen Intelligent Crash Response System is available in all Volkswagen models. This advanced system uses a selection of features to immediately assist drivers and first responders in the event of an accident. How the system works The system is activated when an airbag deployment or safety belt tensioners are activated due to the vehicle crash sensor. Thanks to this system, it should be easier for passengers to exit the vehicle, or first responders to reach the vehicle, in the event of a crash. It does this firstly by unlocking all of the doors to the cabin, saving passengers and first responders a lot of time. The interior lights of the vehicle are also automatically lit, making it easier for passengers to find door handles and emergency personnel to assess the situation easily and quickly. Next, the high-voltage electronics are disengaged and the fuel pump is disabled, stopping the engine and preventing any unwanted movement from the car. This step also ensures that all of the vehicle’s fuel stays in the tank. This is essential to reducing the risk of a fire. Another automated feature of the ICRS is turning on the hazard lights of your vehicle, ensuring that your vehicle is visible to other vehicles as well as the first-responders, which is extra helpful in situations where visibility is limited. Other safety features Along with the ICRS, Volkswagen vehicles features a selection of other advanced safety features, all designed to work together to protect you and your passengers. This includes an advanced airbag system, a laser-seam welded body construction and an impact-absorbing front construction. Volkswagen also has a variety of different technologies designed to help you avoid crashes completely such as the Volkswagen Electronic Stability Control and advanced Anti-lock Brakes that feature Electronic Brakeforce Distribution. With hands-free features like Bluetooth and the MIB II infotainment system, drivers can also pay closer attention to the road, making it easier to avoid accidents. If you’re interested in getting behind the wheel of a vehicle with this great safety system, contact us here at Speedcraft Volkswagen. We have a selection of models available with this advanced feature, simply let us know and we’ll schedule a test drive, getting you one step closer to being as safe as possible on the road.

Volkswagen winter driving It would appear that we’re in for another harsh winter this year, and as we learned last year, a big part of winter driving is being prepared. Since we never know when we could experience a sudden early winter, we thought it’d be a good idea to give you an idea of how handle winter driving in your Volkswagen early so that you can be ready when the time comes. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, New England is once again due for a snowy, unseasonably cold winter. As most drivers know, a lot of care and planning goes into winter driving, which is why we here at Speedcraft Volkswagen want to give you a heads up on ways to prepare for the coming winter months. For the best driving experience, we recommend you try out one of our models featuring all-wheel-drive. AWD significantly improves your vehicle’s stability and increase your control over the vehicle. If you’re on the market for a new vehicle, we highly recommend considering one with AWD. Here on our lot, we have a selection of new models, both 2015 and 2016, which feature AWD and are proficient at handling snowy roads. If you’re interested, be sure to check out the Tiguan and Touareg models available in our inventory. You can also feel free to schedule an appointment for a test drive. While AWD is only available in certain vehicles, that doesn't mean our other models can’t hold their own on snowy roads.  All of our new Volkswagen models come with Traction Control, which helps drivers keep and gain traction when roads conditions are poor. Prepare for winter with Speedcraft A great way to ensure that whatever Volkswagen model you drive will be up to whatever this winter throws at us is to switch to winter tires. Winter tires perform more favorably in winter conditions than traditional all-season tires. If you’re interested in getting your Volkswagen outfitted with winter tires, visit our Tire Store here on our site to learn more. If you’re interested in learning more about Volkswagen winter driving, AWD or other tips and tricks, be sure to check out the rest of our blog and be sure to visit later, when we’ll have even more information updates. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us, and we’ll be happy to help! How do you prepare for winter driving? Let us know in the comments below!

Signs that you need to change your brakes Your brakes are vital to the functioning of your vehicle. That’s why it’s important to know that they’re always working properly. As time goes on, your brakes begin to wear down and eventually don’t offer the same secure slowing or stopping as they used to. It’s warning signs like these that are vital to knowing when to get your brakes replaced. Here are a few signs that you need to have your brakes changed. A good sign that the years are starting to wear on your Volkswagen’s brakes is the sound of them.  If you hear a high-pitched screeching sound when you apply your brakes, that is an indicator designed to warn you that your brake pads need replacing. Don’t worry about missing the sound, as it’s loud enough to hear while the windows are up, though you may need to turn down your radio and air. If you hear this noise often, it’s definitely a time to schedule an appointment. A less obvious sign that your brakes are wearing is reduced responsiveness or fading. When you first get your car, you’ll notice how responsive the brakes are. If you notice that your brakes aren’t as responsive as they used to be, or if the pedal sinks to toward the floor, this might be caused by a leak in the braking system. Pulling is another sign of not only wearing brakes, but also that they’re wearing unevenly. Pulling causes your vehicle to move to one side when braking. For this fix, you may need a brake adjustment or to have the fluid replaced, both of which can be performed here by our expert staff here at Speedcraft Volkswagen. If nothing else, you’re sure to notice if your brakes begin grinding or making a growling noise. This means that you’ve worn down your brake pads completely. It’s possible that this problem will require your rotors to be replaced, so it’s important that you have your brake pads replaced before this becomes an issue. Get your brakes changed at Speedcraft VW If you experience any of these problems with your brakes, we strongly encourage you to stop by our dealership to have them looked at. Any of these problems with your Volkswagen’s brakes are no small matter and it’s better to be safe than sorry. Our expert staff will be happy to help you with any repairs necessary to your car’s brakes or other components. To make an appointment, you can contact us here on our website or call our service department at 855-216-4638. We’re happy to provide you with the best service possible and ensure that you’re always safe and in control while on the road.

2016 Golf SportWagen safety features One of the major draws to the 2016 Volkswagen SportWagen is its versatility and efficiency. Excelling in both categories, the SportWagen has made quite a name for itself as an adaptive family vehicle. But when you’re loading your kids into your SportWagen, advanced efficiency and a powerful drive don’t matter as much as its safety features. As your best line of defense on the road, the 2016 Golf SportWagen safety features are designed to help you prevent accidents and protect you when they can’t be avoided. And having recently been named a 2015 IIHS Top Safety Pick, you can rest easy behind the wheel of the 2016 SportWagen. Avoiding accidents The best way to keep you and your passengers safe in the 2016 Golf SportWagen is to be attentive while driving to avoid accidents. Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, an active Lane Departure Warning system and a Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert are just some of the safety features designed to help you avoid accidents on the road. As a Top Safety Pick, the 2016 SportWagen has met the criteria set by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This means it's achieved good ratings in the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests. It's also achieved at the very least acceptable ratings in more difficult tests such as the small overlap test. To get the title, vehicles such as the SportWagen must also achieved an advanced or superior grade for the performance of their frontal crash prevention system. Being a Top Safety Pick, the Golf SportWagen joins multiple other Volkswagen models in setting a high standard for safety. Maintaining our customers' high expectations for safety, the spacious and safe SportWagen excels as a family vehicle. Protecting you in an accident However, for even the most careful drivers, sometimes accidents are unavoidable. In that case, the SportWagen benefits from its protective airbag system. Another feature that’s sure to come in handy is the post-collision braking system. This automatically applies the brakes after an impact to lower the chances of a secondary crash. Another added benefit of the 2016 Golf SportWagen safety system is its Autonomous Emergency Braking System. This feature usues radar sensors combined with an integrated camera to help maintain distance between your vehicle and those around it. If a vehicle in front of your SportWagen runs the risk of a frontal collision, it will alert the driver. If necessary, this system will also automatically initiate braking to slow the vehicle and reduce the risk of an accident. With all of these great safety features, you and your family can rest easy behind the wheel of this extremely capable vehicle. Since it’s built by Volkswagen, you know that it was built to be durable. If you’re interested in getting behind the wheel of the 2016 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen for a test drive, feel free to check our inventory. We’re sure you’ll find a model that’ll fit in with your family perfectly. Once you find the SportWagen that’s right for you, contact us here at Speedcraft Volkswagen, and we’ll schedule an appointment for you to take it out on the road. What do you think of the 2016 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen safety features? Comment below!

Volkswagen IIHS Top Safety Pick Drivers know that Volkswagen puts the safety of its drivers first. That’s why it’s no surprise to see that multiple Volkswagen models have received recognition for their excellent safety features. Adding on to its ever-growing list of vehicles certified as Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Volkswagen 2016 Golf and Jetta families have received the highest safety rating. While being named a Top Safety Pick is becoming more and more common, it is still a great challenge for automakers due to the strict nature of the IIHS’s testing system. To achieve this rating, vehicles need to get “Good” ratings, which stand for the highest grade possible, in categories including the moderate overlap, front, side, roof and head restrain tests. Vehicles also need to get at least an “Acceptable” rating on the small-overlap test, which is considered an extremely difficult test. Finally, the vehicle’s automatic crash-prevention system needs to be rated as either “Advanced” or “Superior” by tests. Golf and Jetta safety systems The 2016 Jetta and Golf family performed well on the IIHS tests, achieving “Good” ratings across the board and an “Advanced” crash prevention rating. Much of its success is thanks to the new for 2016 Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking system. Other new additions to the Volkswagen models include Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Departure Warning. Take a look at the 2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI and its crash safety system in action in its IIHS safety test for crash testing in the video below: If you’re interested in getting behind the wheel of one of these great vehicles, take a look at our available inventory. We have a wide selection of 2015 Volkswagen Jetta and Golf vehicles to choose from. If you’d like to take one out for a test drive, contact us here at Speedcraft Volkswagen and we’ll be happy to schedule an appointment for you

Volkswagen Rollover Protection System Safety has always been a top priority of Volkswagen. We know this because they’re committed to giving drivers a driving experience that is as safe as it is enjoyable. Drivers in need of extra protection are those behind the wheel of convertible vehicles such as 2015 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. When driving with the top down, driver and passengers are exposed, increasing the risk of injury in the event of an accident. To protect passengers in the event of a rollover accident, Volkswagen has developed the active Roll-Over Bar System. This is the Volkswagen rollover protection system that activates in the event of an accident in order to prevent a rolling vehicle from crushing passengers. How does the Volkswagen rollover bar system work? The rollover bar system provides better support behind the vehicle, protecting passengers in the back from being crushed if the vehicle rolls over. Located behind the rear head rests, two housings open in the event of a rollover. Inside these housings are two bars. The bars have a sectional design, making them capable of absorbing high forces. When the airbag system senses a possible rollover or collision, it activates the Volkswagen rollover protection system. The activation triggers the supporting beams to shoot up out of the housing. Fast-acting beams extend 10.5 inches in 0.25 seconds. The beams lock into place and work with the rigid front windshield frame to support the vehicle during a roll. Between the beams and the windshield, all four seats are protected. If the beams are extended but the convertible doesn’t flip, the beams can be pushed back into their housings and the cover replaced. This design helps drivers keep repair costs down. If you find yourself in need of repairs, our expert service staff is there for you. Just contact us to set up an appointment. With the Volkswagen Rollover Protection System, drivers can enjoy the fun of driving their 2015 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible with the top down without risking their safety. If you’re interested in learning more about Volkswagen features, systems and news, take a look at the rest of our blog. Do you want to get behind the wheel of a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible? Be sure to take a look at our inventory. We have a selection of models available. If you like any, let us know and we’ll set an appointment for you to take a test drive.

Volkswagen recalls over 6,000 models due to faulty component Volkswagen has followed in BMW and Nissan's suit in recalling some of their vehicles due to problems with equipment supplied by Bosch engineering company. The parts in question are the nickel-plated fuel pumps. It has been discovered that the nickel plating has the potential to chip off the part and cause problems with the pump. The 2015 Volkswagen Golf is the most recent victim in a string of vehicle recalls caused by this problem. Along with the Volkswagen recall, other victims include the Audi A4 and GTI.  The total number of these models that need to be repaired add up to 6,204 units. Problems like this have been known to happen before. For this case, the pump’s nickel plating can possibly flake and fall off of the component. The nickel chips could end up causing friction in the pump and, if left unchecked, eventually lead to the component failing. No reports of accidents or injuries resulting from this issue in Volkswagen have been made, but this remains a serious problem. Even though these models don’t have the same exact component, all of them have feature the same nickel plating process. Because of this, all of them have the potential to be dangerous to drivers. Owners of recalled vehicles If you’re the owner of a model of the 2015 Volkswagen Golf, there is a good chance that it has been recalled. If you are the owner of a vehicle affected by the problems with the Bosch parts, you should be notified by mail soon if you haven’t been already. Unfortunately, Bosch does not currently have enough parts made to replace all of the defective components. Automakers are currently working with them in order to create more pumps to replace the defective ones. It is important to note that once parts become available, our service department will replace these components for affected customers free of charge. If you haven’t received notification of a recall, but still want to see if your vehicle is affected, you can do so easily on the Volkswagen website. The Volkswagen recall tool makes it easy to check up on your vehicle based on its VIN number. Your car’s VIN number should be located on the driver’s side dashboard, or on the sticker inside the driver doorjam. If you can’t find it in either of these places, the number can also be found on your registration form. With it, you can use the recall tool to view what recalls have been issued for you vehicle. If you have a used vehicle, you can also view if any recalls have been made on your vehicle in the past, and if the problem had been fixed.