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Easy maintenance tips to prevent car problems Sometimes accidents happen. But it’s important to do all that you can to prevent them from happening to your car. A lot of car problems with your vehicle can be solved with proper maintenance. By following these easy maintenance tips, we hope to help with preventing common problems. One of the more common problems car owners run into is their engine misfiring. This occurs when one of the engine’s spark plugs fires at the wrong time or not at all. Each spark plug is timed to fire at a specific time and a misfire can be caused by a number of things. Some causes of this problem are bad wiring, bad fuel delivery, a vacuum leak or a mechanical breakdown. The best way to avoid problems with your spark plugs is by having regular maintenance performed on your vehicle and ensuring that your vehicle is properly tuned. Another issue you may run into is an evaporative emissions leak. The evaporative emissions system control system is designed to trap the gas tank fumes. Problems with this system can occur when a leak is caused by corrosion in the vapor lines or a comprised canister. To fix this, the leak must be located and the part should be fixed or replaced. You can prevent this issue by making sure you gas cap is closed properly after refueling and rust does not build up on the system line. Catalytic converter failure is another preventable problem that drivers that drivers often run into that can lead to some expensive repair. It can result from rust and corrosion causing a leak or internal plugging caused by a carbon buildup. If this happens, the only way to fix it is to replace the converter. Keeping your engine maintained is the easiest way to avoid this problem. Be sure to keep up with regular scheduled tune ups and system maintenance. Maintenance at Speedcraft Volkswagen A lot of problems with cars are preventable with regular maintenance, but when they’re unavoidable, we’re there for you. Our expert staff would be happy to help you with any auto problems you might come across. If you run into any of these problems and are in need of a service or maintenance, be sure to contact us here at Speedcraft Volkswagen through our website or by phone. For more information about maintaining your vehicle, be sure to take a look at the rest of our blog entries.

How to tell when a car needs a tune up Can you remember the last time you took your car in for a tune up? If the answer is no, odds are it’s probably due for one. While your vehicle may appear to be running normally, there could still be issues going unnoticed. With new models particularly, it’s important to pay close attention to the slightest change in your engine. The current technology in cars often covers up what would normally be a sign of problems with your car. Looking for these common signs a vehicle needs a tune up can save you in the long run. If you find yourself wondering when to get a tune up, there are a few signs you can look for to give you an idea of what's happening under the hood. Some signs of problems are obvious, while others are more subtle. If you notice that your vehicle makes a knocking noise while accelerating or driving uphill, this is often a sign that your engine needs attention. While this could just be caused your car having a tank full of inferior gas, it could also be a carbon build-up inside the engine. Difficulty starting your vehicle is also a sign that your engine could use some work. This is a common issue in cars, and it is usually solved with some maintenance. Stalling or losing power are more signs that your car needs a tune up. These issues can be  caused by several factors, so it’s difficult to identify the source without a thorough inspection. If you notice your vehicle has either of these problems, even just in certain conditions, chances are there is something wrong in your engine. Subtle signs your vehicle needs a tune up Certain signs of problems require you pay a little closer attention to your vehicle. It’s common for engine issues to lead to less fuel efficiency in your vehicle. If you notice that your vehicle’s gas mileage is not what it used to be, the cause could be an issue with its engine. Keeping track of your MPG is a good way to ensure your vehicle is running properly. In addition to strange sounds, odors are also signs of problems. If you notice the smell of rotten eggs, this is usually a sign of issues with your engine or catalytic converter. Both issues can be resolved with some maintenance. Without a healthy engine, your vehicle is a ticking time bomb. Engine maintenance is a vital part of having a well-kept vehicle, so knowing when it needs a tune up is essential for car owners. If you notice your vehicle is running differently or showing any of the above signs, be sure to contact us to set up an appointment for a tune up. If you know what you're looking for and want faster service, we can get you rolling faster with our Service Xpress.

How to tell when a car needs a tune up Can you remember the last time you took your car in for a tune up? If the answer is no, odds are it’s probably due for one. While your vehicle may appear to be running normally, there could still be issues going unnoticed. With new models particularly, it’s important to pay close attention to the slightest change in your engine. The current technology in cars often covers up what would normally be a sign of problems with your car. Looking for these common signs a vehicle needs a tune up can save you in the long run. If you find yourself wondering when to get a tune up, there are a few signs you can look for to give you an idea of what's happening under the hood. Some signs of problems are obvious, while others are more subtle. If you notice that your vehicle makes a knocking noise while accelerating or driving uphill, this is often a sign that your engine needs attention. While this could just be caused your car having a tank full of inferior gas, it could also be a carbon build-up inside the engine. Difficulty starting your vehicle is also a sign that your engine could use some work. This is a common issue in cars, and it is usually solved with some maintenance. Stalling or losing power are more signs that your car needs a tune up. These issues can be  caused by several factors, so it’s difficult to identify the source without a thorough inspection. If you notice your vehicle has either of these problems, even just in certain conditions, chances are there is something wrong in your engine. Subtle signs your vehicle needs a tune up Certain signs of problems require you pay a little closer attention to your vehicle. It’s common for engine issues to lead to less fuel efficiency in your vehicle. If you notice that your vehicle’s gas mileage is not what it used to be, the cause could be an issue with its engine. Keeping track of your MPG is a good way to ensure your vehicle is running properly. In addition to strange sounds, odors are also signs of problems. If you notice the smell of rotten eggs, this is usually a sign of issues with your engine or catalytic converter. Both issues can be resolved with some maintenance. Without a healthy engine, your vehicle is a ticking time bomb. Engine maintenance is a vital part of having a well-kept vehicle, so knowing when it needs a tune up is essential for car owners. If you notice your vehicle is running differently or showing any of the above signs, be sure to contact us to set up an appointment for a tune up. If you know what you're looking for and want faster service, we can get you rolling faster with our Service Xpress.

How to know when your tires need to be rotated Every car driver knows that tire rotation is an essential part of car maintenance. When done properly and consistently,  tire rotation can extend the life of your tires, improve your vehicle’s handling and even improve gas mileage. You may be asking: when should tires be rotated? Simply follow these easy tips to gauge when your next rotation should be. Your tires are an essential part of the running of your vehicle and as such, they should be maintained properly. When rotating your tires, the process requires each tire to be moved to a different corner of the vehicle in order to distribute the vehicle’s weight and, as a result, wear evenly. By doing this, you ensure that your tires wear out evenly and at the same rate, rather than a part of one tire wearing out faster than the rest. That way, you can buy your tires all at once rather than getting one after another. Your vehicle’s owner manual should give you the exact time when to rotate your tires. Recommended times can range between every 3,000-7,000 miles, depending on your specific vehicle. If you’re not sure and don’t have access to your owner’s manual, a good estimate is to get your tires rotated every other time you go in for an oil change. How tires should be rotated Most vehicles have a specific rotation pattern that should be employed in order to optimize your rotation. Again, these should be found in your owner’s manual, but if you don’t have that, the standard rotation pattern should work just fine. The pattern doesn't matter as much as long as you’re consistent with it. For the standard pattern, just move the front tires to their opposite back corner. For certain vehicles, tires can’t be crossed as they are in the standard pattern. This includes vehicles with unidirectional tires, older bias ply tires and different sized tires, for obvious reasons. In these cases, just switch the tires to the left and right instead. If it’s time for your vehicle to come in for a rotation and you don’t want to do it yourself, feel free to schedule an appointment for a rotation and oil change. We also have a selection of other services available here at Speedcraft Volkswagen if you’re in need of any other maintenance.

How to know when your tires need to be rotated Every car driver knows that tire rotation is an essential part of car maintenance. When done properly and consistently,  tire rotation can extend the life of your tires, improve your vehicle’s handling and even improve gas mileage. You may be asking: when should tires be rotated? Simply follow these easy tips to gauge when your next rotation should be. Your tires are an essential part of the running of your vehicle and as such, they should be maintained properly. When rotating your tires, the process requires each tire to be moved to a different corner of the vehicle in order to distribute the vehicle’s weight and, as a result, wear evenly. By doing this, you ensure that your tires wear out evenly and at the same rate, rather than a part of one tire wearing out faster than the rest. That way, you can buy your tires all at once rather than getting one after another. Your vehicle’s owner manual should give you the exact time when to rotate your tires. Recommended times can range between every 3,000-7,000 miles, depending on your specific vehicle. If you’re not sure and don’t have access to your owner’s manual, a good estimate is to get your tires rotated every other time you go in for an oil change. How tires should be rotated Most vehicles have a specific rotation pattern that should be employed in order to optimize your rotation. Again, these should be found in your owner’s manual, but if you don’t have that, the standard rotation pattern should work just fine. The pattern doesn't matter as much as long as you’re consistent with it. For the standard pattern, just move the front tires to their opposite back corner. For certain vehicles, tires can’t be crossed as they are in the standard pattern. This includes vehicles with unidirectional tires, older bias ply tires and different sized tires, for obvious reasons. In these cases, just switch the tires to the left and right instead. If it’s time for your vehicle to come in for a rotation and you don’t want to do it yourself, feel free to schedule an appointment for a rotation and oil change. We also have a selection of other services available here at Speedcraft Volkswagen if you’re in need of any other maintenance.

Rhode Island Potholes are wreaking havoc around the state. Avoidance Tips and Easy pothole Inspections. It’s that time of year again. As the snow and ice recede after another brutal winter (we hope the worst is behind us), we see the damage that months of freezing, thawing, and plowing have done to our Rhode Island roads. We don’t have Spring here, we have Pothole Season. And it’s wicked this year. Rhode Island Pothole Problems have been especially brutal to cars throughout the state. We encourage all drivers to read our Pothole Avoidance Tips, and to bring their car in for a quick Pothole Inspection if it’s been jostled a bit too much this season. Pothole Avoidance Tips You’re not going to be able to stop mother nature from wreaking havoc on Rhode Island roads in winter, leaving us with so many dips, divots and holes that they become impossible to safely dodge. But we have a few Pothole Avoidance Tips, so you stand your best chance against, and your car can get through this season in one piece. Tire Pressure - Make sure your tires are properly inflated this time of year. The right amount of tire pressure is crucial to having a good buffer between your rim and the broken pavement. Not too firm or too soft. Leave Room - Tailgating is a primary reason why you didn’t see that big pothole coming. You will spot the big ones before its too late if you just leave a reasonable amount of room between yourself and the car in front of you. Steer Clear of Puddles - Rhode Islanders know that often those tiny little puddles are potholes in disguise. This time of year, there’s no telling how deep a little bit of water really is. If possible, avoid them if you can, or proceed through them with greater caution. Rhode Island Pothole Inspection Rhode Island Potholes are no laughing matter. We might be the smallest state, but we unquestionably have the biggest divots in our roads. When you hit ‘the big one’ you know it. You wait for your tires to deflate, or your car to start pulling to one side, or any number of other symptoms that let you know your car is hurting. If you hit the big one, or just too many to count, you need some peace of mind and assurance that your car is ok. We recommend you stop in for a quick Pothole Inspection. In Rhode Island especially, it’s important to stay ahead of the small problems before they balloon into something catastrophic. A Pothole Inspection is quick and easy. We will get you in and out as quickly as possible. We quickly check the following: - Tire puncture or damage - Wheel rim damage - Premature wear on shocks and struts - Suspension damage - Steering system misalignment - Exhaust system damage - Engine damage NOTE: If your car was damaged by a pothole in Rhode Island, and your vehicle is registered in Rhode Island, you are probably eligible for reimbursement of up to $300. You can learn more about being reimbursed for pothole damage here.

Rhode Island Potholes are wreaking havoc around the state. Avoidance Tips and Easy pothole Inspections. It’s that time of year again. As the snow and ice recede after another brutal winter (we hope the worst is behind us), we see the damage that months of freezing, thawing, and plowing have done to our Rhode Island roads. We don’t have Spring here, we have Pothole Season. And it’s wicked this year. Rhode Island Pothole Problems have been especially brutal to cars throughout the state. We encourage all drivers to read our Pothole Avoidance Tips, and to bring their car in for a quick Pothole Inspection if it’s been jostled a bit too much this season. Pothole Avoidance Tips You’re not going to be able to stop mother nature from wreaking havoc on Rhode Island roads in winter, leaving us with so many dips, divots and holes that they become impossible to safely dodge. But we have a few Pothole Avoidance Tips, so you stand your best chance against, and your car can get through this season in one piece. Tire Pressure - Make sure your tires are properly inflated this time of year. The right amount of tire pressure is crucial to having a good buffer between your rim and the broken pavement. Not too firm or too soft. Leave Room - Tailgating is a primary reason why you didn’t see that big pothole coming. You will spot the big ones before its too late if you just leave a reasonable amount of room between yourself and the car in front of you. Steer Clear of Puddles - Rhode Islanders know that often those tiny little puddles are potholes in disguise. This time of year, there’s no telling how deep a little bit of water really is. If possible, avoid them if you can, or proceed through them with greater caution. Rhode Island Pothole Inspection Rhode Island Potholes are no laughing matter. We might be the smallest state, but we unquestionably have the biggest divots in our roads. When you hit ‘the big one’ you know it. You wait for your tires to deflate, or your car to start pulling to one side, or any number of other symptoms that let you know your car is hurting. If you hit the big one, or just too many to count, you need some peace of mind and assurance that your car is ok. We recommend you stop in for a quick Pothole Inspection. In Rhode Island especially, it’s important to stay ahead of the small problems before they balloon into something catastrophic. A Pothole Inspection is quick and easy. We will get you in and out as quickly as possible. We quickly check the following: - Tire puncture or damage - Wheel rim damage - Premature wear on shocks and struts - Suspension damage - Steering system misalignment - Exhaust system damage - Engine damage NOTE: If your car was damaged by a pothole in Rhode Island, and your vehicle is registered in Rhode Island, you are probably eligible for reimbursement of up to $300. You can learn more about being reimbursed for pothole damage here.

A behind-the-scenes look at why we decided to completely redesign our website, making it better for mobile devices and real car shopping. Over the last few days, we have been spending quite a bit of time telling you about some of the more special features we’ve built into our completely redesigned website. Our goal with this new site was to simply make life easier for you. We listened to you and took to heart all the feedback we’ve been given over the years. The parts of car buying and ownership that you didn’t like, we put a lot of effort into making those areas as painless and as informative as possible. From showcasing our inventory, to making sure you can find our latest specials, to making it easier to take care of scheduling services and test drives online. It’s all a lot easier. Welcome to Our New Website! We want to let you in on a trade secret. A lot of car dealerships believe their website should do everything possible to get you to email, call, or stop in. These dealers mistakenly think selling you a car is an artform, and once you are on the line or in the lot, it’s all a matter of persuasion. We are not one of those dealerships. The truth is, a lot of people don’t buy cars that way anymore, because an entire generation of people have been conditioned by sites like Amazon to now expect a one-stop-shop when it comes to researching and purchasing a product. Cars are bigger, they are more expensive, but that doesn’t mean your expectations are any different when you’re shopping for one. Our new website reflects these values. We have done everything in our power to give you as much information as possible online. We wanted to answer the questions you didn’t even know you had. And we wanted you to be able to view our entire inventory, learn more about every model, schedule a test drive, view our specials, see manufacturer incentives, text yourself coupons, schedule regular maintenance, make a service appointment, safely fill out financial forms, calculate your payments, value your trade-in, and get in touch with us all from the comfort of your home. We even put together a page that uses How To Videos to answer some of the most common questions we get on a daily basis. More than all of that, we know that shopping for a car doesn’t just happen on our lot or behind your desk. It happens on your cell phone when you have 10 minutes in the middle of your day. It happens on your iPad or tablet while the kids are napping. It happens in the middle of the night when you can’t sleep worrying about your aging car. Computer, tablet, phone… we made our site responsive so that you can flip through from any device, anywhere. We hope you enjoy all the new features and tools on our new site. We would love to hear from you and get any feedback you have to offer. Is there something you wish was available here, or a feature you think would help you find exactly what you are looking for? We are all ears. Let us know.

A behind-the-scenes look at why we decided to completely redesign our website, making it better for mobile devices and real car shopping. Over the last few days, we have been spending quite a bit of time telling you about some of the more special features we’ve built into our completely redesigned website. Our goal with this new site was to simply make life easier for you. We listened to you and took to heart all the feedback we’ve been given over the years. The parts of car buying and ownership that you didn’t like, we put a lot of effort into making those areas as painless and as informative as possible. From showcasing our inventory, to making sure you can find our latest specials, to making it easier to take care of scheduling services and test drives online. It’s all a lot easier. Welcome to Our New Website! We want to let you in on a trade secret. A lot of car dealerships believe their website should do everything possible to get you to email, call, or stop in. These dealers mistakenly think selling you a car is an artform, and once you are on the line or in the lot, it’s all a matter of persuasion. We are not one of those dealerships. The truth is, a lot of people don’t buy cars that way anymore, because an entire generation of people have been conditioned by sites like Amazon to now expect a one-stop-shop when it comes to researching and purchasing a product. Cars are bigger, they are more expensive, but that doesn’t mean your expectations are any different when you’re shopping for one. Our new website reflects these values. We have done everything in our power to give you as much information as possible online. We wanted to answer the questions you didn’t even know you had. And we wanted you to be able to view our entire inventory, learn more about every model, schedule a test drive, view our specials, see manufacturer incentives, text yourself coupons, schedule regular maintenance, make a service appointment, safely fill out financial forms, calculate your payments, value your trade-in, and get in touch with us all from the comfort of your home. We even put together a page that uses How To Videos to answer some of the most common questions we get on a daily basis. More than all of that, we know that shopping for a car doesn’t just happen on our lot or behind your desk. It happens on your cell phone when you have 10 minutes in the middle of your day. It happens on your iPad or tablet while the kids are napping. It happens in the middle of the night when you can’t sleep worrying about your aging car. Computer, tablet, phone… we made our site responsive so that you can flip through from any device, anywhere. We hope you enjoy all the new features and tools on our new site. We would love to hear from you and get any feedback you have to offer. Is there something you wish was available here, or a feature you think would help you find exactly what you are looking for? We are all ears. Let us know.

Our new site makes it easier than ever to schedule a service appointment, order parts, and even shop for tires right online. If you have been keeping up with our recent blog posts, you already know that when we recently redesigned our all-new website that simplicity was our guide. The website is still just barely a week old. Here on the blog, we are taking a little time to give you a comprehensive tour of some of the key features we’ve added. We not only wanted to be sure to make your car shopping experience as easy as possible, but we also wanted to make sure we took the hassle out of servicing your car. Simplified Service Schedule and More is available with our convenient new online tools. If you’re in a hurry, click instead of call. The Speedcraft Volkswagen Service Department truly is a one-stop-shop for getting your vehicle in out, and you back to your life. Whether it’s a quick oil change, brake job, muffler repair, inspection, tire rotation or electrical service, we can handle it. Our skilled technicians aren’t just gifted when it comes to cars. They are also some of the best in the business when it comes to taking good care of customers. We might be biased, but our Service Department team can’t be beat. We know that the part of car ownership that is the least fun is the maintenance side of things. Between attempting to make an appointment in the middle of an already hectic schedule, and dealing with dishonest people trying to upsell you around every corner, it can really be a nightmare. We pride ourselves on making the service process smooth, easy, and dare we say, fun. You can Schedule Your Service directly from our site now. It’s a convenient feature, but more than anything we just wanted to make it as easy as possible for you. If you remember your oil needs changing in the middle of the night, feel free to hop online and schedule your next oil change. No need to wait for us to get into the office to make a call. You are encouraged to set up an account, but if you’re in a serious hurry or need some emergency work done, you can simply click to grab the next available appointment. What could be easier? Shopping for Tires and Ordering Car Parts is fun for a few, but a headache for many. You are always welcome to come in and talk with our Service Professionals about all of your concerns and needs for your vehicle. But if you want to shop for tires or parts on your own, we’ve added those features to the site for you. If you have any questions for our Service Department, or if you have any questions regarding our new site, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Our new site makes it easier than ever to schedule a service appointment, order parts, and even shop for tires right online. If you have been keeping up with our recent blog posts, you already know that when we recently redesigned our all-new website that simplicity was our guide. The website is still just barely a week old. Here on the blog, we are taking a little time to give you a comprehensive tour of some of the key features we’ve added. We not only wanted to be sure to make your car shopping experience as easy as possible, but we also wanted to make sure we took the hassle out of servicing your car. Simplified Service Schedule and More is available with our convenient new online tools. If you’re in a hurry, click instead of call. The Speedcraft Volkswagen Service Department truly is a one-stop-shop for getting your vehicle in out, and you back to your life. Whether it’s a quick oil change, brake job, muffler repair, inspection, tire rotation or electrical service, we can handle it. Our skilled technicians aren’t just gifted when it comes to cars. They are also some of the best in the business when it comes to taking good care of customers. We might be biased, but our Service Department team can’t be beat. We know that the part of car ownership that is the least fun is the maintenance side of things. Between attempting to make an appointment in the middle of an already hectic schedule, and dealing with dishonest people trying to upsell you around every corner, it can really be a nightmare. We pride ourselves on making the service process smooth, easy, and dare we say, fun. You can Schedule Your Service directly from our site now. It’s a convenient feature, but more than anything we just wanted to make it as easy as possible for you. If you remember your oil needs changing in the middle of the night, feel free to hop online and schedule your next oil change. No need to wait for us to get into the office to make a call. You are encouraged to set up an account, but if you’re in a serious hurry or need some emergency work done, you can simply click to grab the next available appointment. What could be easier? Shopping for Tires and Ordering Car Parts is fun for a few, but a headache for many. You are always welcome to come in and talk with our Service Professionals about all of your concerns and needs for your vehicle. But if you want to shop for tires or parts on your own, we’ve added those features to the site for you. If you have any questions for our Service Department, or if you have any questions regarding our new site, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

With a new website comes new rewards, new deals, and more savings than ever before through SpeedcraftVW.com If you are a savvy car shopper, which you are or you wouldn’t be here reading this, then you are most likely looking for a real deal. Unlike those dealers who bury prices or make you give up your name and phone number before even telling you the best deal on the lot, we lay it all out for you. With our new website, we wanted to focus on transparency. We wanted to make specials a priority, and we wanted to make sure you knew when you were getting a good deal. There are More VW Specials Than Ever on Our New Site. So we thought we’d take a little time to highlight a few of the big ones. Volkswagen has always been better than most when it comes to keeping new car prices low. And yet, here at Speedcraft, we take it a step further with our New Car Special Offers, which are updated regularly. As of this writing, we have nine brand new models showcased here with easy to scan information. You can quickly see the best lease deals, the lowest imaginable price of a particular model, view that model’s inventory to see exactly which colors and trim levels we have in stock, and you can request a little more info about that specific car. We wanted to make shopping for new cars as easy as possible. We wanted to make shopping for our Certified Pre-Owned Volkswagen models a breeze, too. So we rounded up all our pre-owned VWs onto a single web page for easier browsing. On this one page, you can view the Kelley Blue Book Price Advisor report for every single pre-owned VW on our lot. It complies the entire history of the vehicle, the most recent inspection report, and details why the car is valued at the given price. Moreover, we are dedicated to getting our pre-owned Volkswagen models back out onto the roads as soon as possible. So if one of our used models piques your interest, get an E-Price right from this page. You can finally shop online with confidence knowing that this price can’t be beat. We also work closely with VW to keep national finance offers and lease options compiled in one central location. We want finding the best deal to be easy, and from time-to-time Volkswagen headquarters puts out absolutely unbelievable deals. The Current Incentives page from VW shows you some of the best deals in the country, and it’s a place where you can even read the fine print if you so choose. You can get a quote or ask a question about every model we carry, and beyond that you can also roll up your sleeves and research every feature of every model offered with an incentive. Our Service Specials page is the sort of thing dreams are made of. If you have a coupon clipper in your family, send them here. They can shop for all the best deals from our top-notch Service Department, print the coupon directly from the same page, or even send the coupon to their phone via text or email. We said we wanted to make things easier on you, and we are really proud of this feature. You will also see that right now we have a coupon there for our Oil Maintenance Plan, which saves you over $300 on oil changes. You can read more about that unbelievable deal here. Finally, we also know that starting out in life can be a daunting task. And while we put a lot of effort into making the car buying easier for everyone, we wanted to take a little pressure off recent and soon-to-be college graduates by making your first car payment for you. All of the details on our College Graduate Program are here. It is our hope that by putting all of our specials, incentives, coupons, and savings programs together in one place that you can shop with confidence, knowing we are doing everything we can to get you the best deal possible. We will continue to update our specials pages regularly, so be sure to check back from time-to-time.