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As Rhode Island VW Jetta drivers, you know how vital your tires are to your car's safety on the road, and ensuring that they are in top condition becomes important. Choosing the right tires and keeping them well maintained is critical to safeguard your driving experience and keeping your Jetta running smoothly. Speedcraft VW is the foremost expert on all things Volkswagen, including the best tires and tire maintenance for your Jetta. Read on to discover everything you need to know about VW Jetta tires from Speedcraft VW. Components of a Quality Tire There are many essential attributes that constitute a high-quality tire. Some of these essential components include safety, longevity, handling, and low noise. Safety is an essential aspect because incorrect tire choice can cause accidents. Longevity is critical for cost-effectiveness, and getting a good set of tires that last for years. Handling and low noise are two key elements that improve driving performance and comfort. What Tires are Recommended for Your Jetta? Your Jetta came with a specific size tire, wheel, and tire speed rating. It's important to stick to these guidelines to ensure that your Jetta drives safely and smoothly. If you live in a colder area with significant snowfall, you may want to invest in snow tires. Visit Speedcraft VW for advice on the best tires for your vehicle that ensures maximum safety and comfort. Maintaining Your Jetta Tires Tire maintenance is crucial to ensure that your tires are functioning correctly, save you money, and extend their life. Regular tire checks can point out issues such as tread wear, misalignment, and under/over-inflation. You should check your tires at least once a month for any signs of wear and tear and have them balanced and rotated every six months. If you detect any issues, hampering your car's safety or performance – bring your Jetta in for inspection and needed services. When to Replace Your Tires Even with proper maintenance, there is going to be a time when you need a new set of tires. You must detect when to replace your tires early as it could save you from a nasty road mishap. Some signs you need new tires include a visible decline beyond the treads, worn out sidewalls, or loss of air pressure. Keep an eye on any changes in ride maneuverability, noise level, or gas mileage also signifies it's time to replace. Why Choose Speedcraft VW? With Speedcraft VW, you can expect more than tire replacement services. Our team of expert technicians uses specialized equipment to deliver precision alignments, rotations, and balancing. With our top-notch tire services and unparalleled service, we ensure each tire is in top condition and fitted to the specification to guarantee the optimum performance of your Jetta. Volkswagen Jetta Tires Ensure a safer and smoother driving experience with Speedcraft VW, your local expert in all things Volkswagen and tire-related. From choosing the best tires to providing top-notch tire services, Speedcraft VW is your go-to source for all your Jetta's tire needs. Visit our location or contact us to schedule a tire or vehicle inspection and experience the Speedcraft difference today.

Keeping your Volkswagen at its peak performance is essential for a safe and enjoyable driving experience. One important part of this is ensuring that you rotate your tires regularly. Tire rotation helps to even out the wear on each tire, which helps extend their lifespan and keep your car running smoothly. But how often should you rotate your Volkswagen tires? How Often Should I Rotate My Tires? Experts recommend rotating your tires every 5,000-7,500 miles (8,000-12,000 km). This varies depending on driving conditions – if you drive mostly on gravel or other rough surfaces, it is recommended that you rotate them more frequently. You should also check the tread depth of all four tires before rotating them; if one or more of the tires have significantly less tread than the others, it is best to replace them before rotating them. If your vehicle has an all-wheel drive system or an uneven tire size/diameter combination (e.g., different front vs rear tire sizes), then it is important to consult your owner’s manual for specific instructions about how often and how to properly rotate them. It may also be necessary to have a professional mechanic do this for you in order to ensure that it is done correctly. Benefits of Tire Rotation Regularly rotating your tires can save you money in the long run by extending the life of each tire and helping maintain even wear across all four. Additionally, rotating your tires can help improve traction and fuel efficiency by reducing resistance as you drive. It can also help improve handling and steering response because each wheel will be distributing weight evenly across all four corners of the vehicle. Finally, regularly rotating your tires ensures that they are always performing at their best so that you can enjoy a safe driving experience each time you get behind the wheel! Volkswagen Tire Rotation Rotating your Volkswagen tires regularly helps extend their lifespan, improve traction and fuel efficiency, enhance handling and steering response, and improve overall safety when driving. Experts recommend that you rotate your tires every 5,000-7,500 miles (8,000-12,000 km) depending on driving conditions; however, if there are any special considerations due to an all-wheel drive system or uneven tire size/diameter combination (e.g., different front vs rear tire sizes), then it is important to consult with a professional mechanic before attempting any DIY tire rotations! Taking care of these small maintenance tasks now will save you money in the long run while keeping both yourself and other drivers safe on the road! Contact Speedcraft Volkswagen today to schedule your Volkswagen tire rotation. We hope this article has helped answer your question about how often you should rotate your Volkswagen tires. If you have any further questions, or if you would like to book an appointment for service at Speedcraft Volkswagen, please do not hesitate to contact us!

Brakes making noise in your Volkswagen The brakes in your Volkswagen are integral to the safety of your vehicle. That being said, it’s important to recognize signs of problems arising in your vehicle’s brakes. One of the tell-tale signs of brake problems is hearing your brakes making noise. There are three particular noises for you to listen for in your brakes that could be signs that your brakes need repair or replacement. It’s a good idea to make a habit of occasionally turning down your radio and listening to your brakes, though if you don’t hear noises coming from your brakes, it’s pretty safe to assume that they’re in fine working order. However, if you do notice one of the types of noises listed below it’s important that you bring your vehicle in to have it checked out. Car making a squealing noise When you’re driving, you might hear a high-pitched squealing noise that goes away when braking. This noise isn’t a problem itself, but is actually a warning noise used to indicate the potential for a brake problem. Manufacturers like Volkswagen build this warning into their vehicles to notify drivers before your vehicle’s brakes begin to wear down into the rotors. At that point, it’s a good idea to bring your vehicle in to our excellent service department here at Speedcraft Volkswagen. Catching problems with your brakes at this point is going to save you the most money as the more your brakes grind into the rotor, the more the cost of repair go up. Grinding noise in your brakes If you miss the squealing noise, unfortunately the next noise you’ll hear is a grinding or growling noise when you brake and it’s quite a bit more serious of a problem. The grinding noise is caused by your vehicle’s brake pads being worn through and the brakes beginning to grind into the rotor. This noise is usually much louder and harder to miss. You’ll likely know it when you hear it. When your Volkswagen reaches this point, unfortunately the cost of repair can rise quickly. The longer you drive your vehicle while it’s experiencing this problem, the more damage is done. If you don’t fix this problem as soon as possible, it can lead to further problems with the caliper in the hydraulics which can lead to another costly repair. Squeaking brakes Another noise you may hear coming from your brakes is a squeaking noise that occurs when you stop. Luckily, this isn’t a very serious problem and doesn’t usually call for a replacement of your brakes. Rather, it’s a sign that your brakes were not installed correctly when they were changed. A possible cause is weak pads or unlubricated caliper. Usually this isn’t a cause for a problem in your vehicle, aside from being annoying, but it is a relatively easy repair. If you’re experiencing any of these problems in your Volkswagen vehicle, we encourage you to stop by our service department here at Speedcraft Volkswagen. Simply contact us here to schedule an appointment.

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.

Anti-lock braking system in your car When you’re driving in snowy, icy or otherwise slippery road conditions, you might notice a symbol in yellow light up on your dash that says “ ABS”. This stands for anti-lock braking system and it’s designed to make steering and braking easier in poor road conditions. Essentially all vehicles on the market today feature ABS and you may find yourself wondering: how do ABS brakes work? With the Anti-lock braking system, drivers are able to better control their vehicles when braking hard on a slippery road surface. The system does this by preventing the wheels from locking. When the wheels of your vehicle lock up, the can no longer transmit cornering forces, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of accident. To keep this from happening, ABS the wheel sensors to monitor the rotational speed of each wheel. When the system senses that a one of the wheels may be about to lock, it reduces the brake pressure applied at the wheel until it starts to rotate freely again. This process is repeated several times per second to ensure driver’s safety. With the vehicle’s wheels rotating freely, the driver stays in control and is able to steer the vehicle while braking more easily. How to tell when the ABS at work You can tell when the anti-lock braking system is at work in your car by feeling a slight shuddering from the brake pedal. The light will also appear on your dash when one of your wheels is at risk of locking, warning you of potential ABS braking. When the system is in action, vehicles remain stable in poor road conditions and drivers are able to control their vehicle’s direction during braking with ease. This makes it significantly easier for drivers to avoid accidents. ABS is available in all Volkswagen vehicle models. If you’re having problems with your brakes, contact our expert service staff as soon as possible. We’ll be happy to take a look and make any necessary repairs to your vehicle. Those interested in getting behind the wheel of one of our vehicles can take a look at our available inventory. If any of our Volkswagen models catch your eye, be sure to contact us here at Speedcraft Volkswagen. We’ll be happy to set you up with a test drive.

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.

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.

Buy 3 Tires, Get 4th for $1 While we certainly understand that you might have more on your plate with the impending holiday than you might usually--it’s almost Halloween, silly--that isn’t any excuse to avoid what is one of our favorite promotions at Speedcraft VW: Buy 3 tires, get the 4th for $1. There are only a few days until the promotion ends, and there isn’t any time to waste! The promotion will be available at Speedcraft VW until October 31st, so head down to our Providence-area dealership today! Here are the four best reasons--the first three will cost you, and the fourth one is yours to keep--to take advantage of this promotion while there’s still time! 1) It’s a terrific deal. No kidding, right? The cost of tires can often surprise buyers when it comes time for replacements, and this is a great time to help knock almost 25% off of the overall cost. And, as the #1 Online Rated VW dealership in Rhode Island, you can be certain that we’ll get your tires changed and get you back on the road in a hurry. At Speedcraft VW, we'll get your tires changed to get you back on the road in a hurry. 2) Consider the weather. If you’re feeling that crispness in the air, you can be certain that the show is getting ready to fly soon. For this reason, you’ll very likely be needing updated tires or all-weather versions in the coming weeks, so why not clear that off the docket this week? 3) It’s just the beginning of a great friendship. As we stated before, we are consistently rated as Rhode Island’s #1 Online Rated VW dealership, and we’re confident that once you’ve had the Speedcraft VW difference, you’ll be back many times over. We’ll work with you to schedule your regular maintenance, and you can be certain that you’ll be treated with honesty and integrity. 4) It’s part of getting your car ready for fall. As we wrote at the end of September, this is a crucial time to assess any issues you might be having with your vehicle, even those not related to your tires. We’ll work with you to make sure that all vehicle systems are running properly, getting you prepared for the seasons ahead. So visit us at Speedcraft VW soon, there isn’t any time to waste! We’ll get you on the road in no time, as part of our "Buy 3 Tires, Get the 4th for $1" promotion!

Tire Service in the Providence RI Area Now that winter has (finally) become spring, most of us are paying more attention than usual to updating the elements of our life that are requiring attention. For most of us, this involves cleaning the yard and gutters, straightening the garage, things of this nature. However, our cars also require attention during the spring, and one automotive issue that can’t be ignored is the health of our tires. At Speedcraft VW, we believe that our team is uniquely suited to pair your vehicle with the correct tires for your vehicle, so check these three criteria to see if now is the best time to visit our dealership for your next tire service in the Providence area. Check Your Tread Depth Put simply, tread depth is the measurement between the top of the tire rubber and the deepest groove on the tire, and is measured in 32nds of an inch. Most tires are between 10/32” and 12/32” when they are new, and a tire is legally considered worn-out when it has 2/32” of an inch or less. A simple way to measure tire depth is using what’s called the “Penny Test,” which is precisely what it sounds like: take an upside-down penny, and insert it between your tire’s grooves. If Abraham Lincoln’s head is completely visible from the side, it means that you’ve dipped beneath 2/32” of tread depth, and you should get new tires. If you can see all of President Lincoln's head when the penny is inserted into the grooves, it's time for new tires. Check for Wear and Tear There are several things to check on your tires that greatly increase the normal wear on your tires. These include items such as over- or under-inflation of tires, improper wheel alignment, damaged suspension, or feathering from improper toe setting, which refers to the direction that tires point at their home setting. These each are issues in themselves which can be addressed at Speedcraft VW, and can limit the lifespan of your tires. Check your Tire Pressure The easiest way to extend tire life is also the easiest to overlook. The additional wear from too much or too little tire pressure not only hurts your tires, it also affects gas mileage and your car’s maneuverability. Gas pressure can easily be checked using a manual tire-pressure gauge. For all your Volkswagen tire needs, Speedcraft VW in Wakefield, RI, located near Providence, is the area’s one-stop VW tire resource. We frequently offer specials to help area citizens keep their vehicles running at their highest level at a fair price, and appointments can be made easily. To learn more or to schedule a service appointment, visit our homepage for Speedcraft VW today.