How to Stay Awake and Alert During Long Road Trips

With one Nor’easter after another pounding the region, preventing storm damage is a top worry of Volkswagen owners looking to protect their investment. At Speedcraft VW in Wakefield, we hear your concerns. Here are some ideas to prevent damage that comes from snow, ice and the sand and salt mixture spread on roads. Take extra care in the winter to keep your car well maintained and clean – not easy with low temperatures – but important. Extensive damage can be caused by the sand and salt mixture used to speed ice melt on roadways and provide traction. The salt and water combine to create rust if not addressed immediately. Corrosion can ravage the undercarriage and body of your Volkswagen. Sometimes, a mixture of highly acidic water, salt and magnesium chloride is used, which can cause even greater damage. The longer the salt and grime sits on your car, the more likely you are to see rust form. Some tips: Avoid puddles and plow trucks – Puddles can hold more salt, and driving behind the plow means you will be the first to drive through fresh salt. Wash your vehicle after a snow storm – The best way to prevent corrosion is to wash any ice melt mixtures off your car as soon as possible. Make sure you spray under the vehicle to get the undercarriage clean. Dry your car thoroughly before it has a chance to freeze. And consider getting wax, which will add another layer of protection between the elements and your Volkswagen's paint job. Get an inspection and keep regular maintenance appointments – Concerns can be allayed by a quick trip to Speedcraft VW in Wakefield. Use Service Xpress, or schedule an online appointment today. Other considerations in cold weather: Rubber components can fail – Cold stiffens rubber, making it less pliable and more likely to tear or break. That’s why windshield wipers sometimes seem less effective in winter – the rubber isn’t conforming to the curve of the windshield. Batteries can die – An old battery that may have been functioning without problems can die overnight in the freezing cold. Ask your technician at Speedcraft VW to test your battery or replace it if needed. Gas can freeze – Keep your tank more than half full. Not only will this keep you running if you are trapped in slow-moving traffic in a storm, it will also help to prevent any freezing liquids from damaging your gas tank. Tire pressure drops – Tires can lose one pound per square inch (psi) for every 10 degrees of temperature drop. Ask your Speedcraft VW technician to check for under-inflated tires, which are subject to damage or failure especially in snow and icy conditions Fluids thicken – Cold weather makes it harder for fluids to flow quickly. Check oil, antifreeze, power steering, brake and transmission fluids. Schedule an online appointment Regular maintenance is key, and here at Speedcraft VW in Wakefield, we make it easy. Our service department offers a range of services and specials and we work with only certified Volkswagen parts. Stop in today.

The average lifespan for most Volkswagen brake pads is 50,000 miles, but that number can vary based on how often you drive, the quality of the pads, how well you maintain your VW and your driving style. For example, if you’re often stomping on the brakes on the highway, if your commute contains a lot of traffic lights, or if you ride your brakes downhill, your brake pads may last only 25,000 miles. There’s no definitive answer, but a few warning signs can indicate that it’s time to get your brakes checked, according to the experts at Speedcraft VW in Wakefield. They know how to service the sophisticated anti-lock braking system (ABS) on all Volkswagen models. Car Service and Maintenance Coupons If stopping takes longer than usual, or your VW vibrates when the brakes are applied, it may be time to replace your brake pads. Another warning sign is pulling to one side when the brakes are applied. This may mean that the brakes are worn unevenly or there may be an issue with the fluid. Get a feel for the brake pedal. If it feels soft or seems to travel too far to the floor, or if the pedal feels high and difficult to push down, get your brakes checked at Speedcraft VW. Schedule Your Service Online Sound is a big indicator of brake problems. Bring your VW in for brake repair when you hear: A high-pitched screech or squeal – This sound is actually a safety warning. It is caused by a small metal tip that comes in contact with the rotor once the brake pad has been worn down to a certain thinness. The sound could go away, however, if the indicator tip wears down as well. That could mean serious damage to the caliper and rotors. Clunking or grinding – This sound means the brake pads have worn down completely and the caliper is pushing onto the rotor, which can become warped in short order. Hissing – This sound could be due to a vacuum leak or a problem with the brake booster. Brake pads are fairly inexpensive to replace, but rotors and calipers are not. It’s best to replace brake pads before they’re completely worn down to prevent costlier problems. Use Genuine Volkswagen Parts Remember that not all brakes are created equal. Genuine Volkswagen brakes are designed and engineered specifically for your VW model’s size, weight and handling. Genuine Volkswagen Brake Pads and Rotors: Retain friction even in extreme temperatures. Withstand salt, brake fluid, fuel and much more without losing braking power. Are quiet and smooth, developing full performance at top speed and do not produce smoke or unpleasant burning smells. Offer a precise fit, meaning no need for remodeling or adjustment — saving you time and money. If your car is due for new brake pads or if you have questions about how often you should replace your brakes, contact us at Speedcraft VW in Wakefield. Our certified technicians can replace your brakes quickly and professionally.

2018 Volkswagen Atlas Body Construction and Safety Features When searching for a new vehicle, there are many factors to consider – such as style, cost, usability, efficiency, and safety. In Volkswagen's opinion, safety is the most important factor, and the German automaker strives to build the safest vehicles and utilize the latest innovations to keep you, your passengers, and other motorists protected. This is very apparent in the all-new 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, which comes with many standard and optional safety features. Solid Body Construction Of course, the higher safety grade starts with the skin and bones of the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. In certain exterior body panels of the large crossover, high-strength steel is utilized to add sturdiness and solidity. Underneath the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas model's skin, you will find a rigid safety cage that will help protect you and your passengers. The skeleton of the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas also features front and rear crumple zones. Safety Features of the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas comes with the following safety features: Extensive airbag system 3-point seat belts with LATCH anchors and Emergency Locking Retractors (ELR) Height-adjustable whiplash-optimized head restraints Available 4MOTION AWD Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) Electronic Stability Control (ESC), including Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD) Engine Braking Assist (EBA) Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA) Rollover sensor system Available Hill Descent Assist (HDA) Automatic Post-Collision Braking System Brake override system Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS) Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Rearview camera system And much more! What are the Safety Ratings for the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas? At this time, no safety ratings for the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas are available from government or independent safety and crash-testing organizations, but we can expect to see them soon. We promise that we will share them here on our blog once they are released. Find the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas at Speedcraft Volkswagen! To learn more about the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas – and to test drive it – please visit our dealership.