Blog

Holiday Events in Providence RI 2014 Have you noticed that, in our haste to cover almost everything winter or holiday-related, our Speedcraft VW blog has covered mostly things that only cause more stress? Driving in snow? Buying gifts for people? Enough! Let’s party! Here are some of our favorite holiday events in the Providence area, each of which promises to ease any burden you might have accumulated over the past eleven months. Enjoy! Christmas in Newport -- Newport, RI -- Runs through December 31st Now entering its 44th year, Christmas in Newport has been an area holiday staple for generations. Its candlelit charm highlights the area’s rich history and iconic architecture, with special attention to the sense of community that has helped to make the area so noteworthy. Additionally, this event helps to raise thousands of dollars for charity every year, making it an event that truly captures the spirit of the season. A Christmas Carol -- Chace Theater, Providence -- Runs through December 31st Here’s a little-known fact: Christmas as we know it wouldn’t be possible were it not for A Christmas Carol, which is widely credited with making community, forgiveness and generosity commonly-held themes of the season. Go ahead, look it up. So, why not see a terrific take on the classic tale, as told by the Trinity Repertory Company? Christmas at Blithewood -- Bristol, RI -- Runs through January 4th At the Blithewood Mansion, located in Bristol, all are welcome this Christmas. As the centerpiece of many yearly events, it’s little surprise that the Blithewood mansion and gardens factors into the Christmas season as well. Enjoy the enormous Colonial Revival-style home in all its holiday splendor with this years theme, “All Are Welcome.” Rooms are outfitted to reflect both the design of the time and the spirit of the season, and will be a great escape for those of all ages. A Very Special Christmas WaterFire -- Waterplace Park, Providence -- December 19th This amazing event now enters its fourth year, with proceeds benefiting the work of the Providence Rescue Mission. There will be a Santa's Village display, a toy and food drive and, of course, the lighting of the awesome spectacle in the heart of Providence. This one is not to be missed. 4th Annual Dam Good Toy Drive -- Comedy Connection, East Providence -- December 18th Okay, we’ve waded through high culture, why not enjoy some giggles for a great cause? For the fourth year, Comedy Connection is collecting toys for local children. For one night only--Thursday, December 18th--bring a toy to receive a free ticket to the night’s show, and laugh all while knowing that you’re giving back to the area’s needy. And hurry, because tickets are going fast! Well, there you have it. Five terrific ideas to help make this holiday season your most memorable yet. And, if you’d like to share some of your Christmas cheer with us, we’d love to see you. Come pay us a visit at Speedcraft VW!

Holiday Events in Providence RI 2014 Have you noticed that, in our haste to cover almost everything winter or holiday-related, our Speedcraft VW blog has covered mostly things that only cause more stress? Driving in snow? Buying gifts for people? Enough! Let’s party! Here are some of our favorite holiday events in the Providence area, each of which promises to ease any burden you might have accumulated over the past eleven months. Enjoy! Christmas in Newport -- Newport, RI -- Runs through December 31st Now entering its 44th year, Christmas in Newport has been an area holiday staple for generations. Its candlelit charm highlights the area’s rich history and iconic architecture, with special attention to the sense of community that has helped to make the area so noteworthy. Additionally, this event helps to raise thousands of dollars for charity every year, making it an event that truly captures the spirit of the season. A Christmas Carol -- Chace Theater, Providence -- Runs through December 31st Here’s a little-known fact: Christmas as we know it wouldn’t be possible were it not for A Christmas Carol, which is widely credited with making community, forgiveness and generosity commonly-held themes of the season. Go ahead, look it up. So, why not see a terrific take on the classic tale, as told by the Trinity Repertory Company? Christmas at Blithewood -- Bristol, RI -- Runs through January 4th At the Blithewood Mansion, located in Bristol, all are welcome this Christmas. As the centerpiece of many yearly events, it’s little surprise that the Blithewood mansion and gardens factors into the Christmas season as well. Enjoy the enormous Colonial Revival-style home in all its holiday splendor with this years theme, “All Are Welcome.” Rooms are outfitted to reflect both the design of the time and the spirit of the season, and will be a great escape for those of all ages. A Very Special Christmas WaterFire -- Waterplace Park, Providence -- December 19th This amazing event now enters its fourth year, with proceeds benefiting the work of the Providence Rescue Mission. There will be a Santa's Village display, a toy and food drive and, of course, the lighting of the awesome spectacle in the heart of Providence. This one is not to be missed. 4th Annual Dam Good Toy Drive -- Comedy Connection, East Providence -- December 18th Okay, we’ve waded through high culture, why not enjoy some giggles for a great cause? For the fourth year, Comedy Connection is collecting toys for local children. For one night only--Thursday, December 18th--bring a toy to receive a free ticket to the night’s show, and laugh all while knowing that you’re giving back to the area’s needy. And hurry, because tickets are going fast! Well, there you have it. Five terrific ideas to help make this holiday season your most memorable yet. And, if you’d like to share some of your Christmas cheer with us, we’d love to see you. Come pay us a visit at Speedcraft VW!

Knowing Your VW App Say you’re driving your Volkswagen, when all of a sudden a light appears on the dashboard? In years past, you might have had to find an alternate route so that you could get to the nearest VW dealership, worrying the whole time about what the light might have meant. But now, with the announcement of the updated Knowing Your VW app available for all iOS devices, this is no longer the case. The purpose of the Knowing Your Volkswagen app is to make the customer experience for VW drivers by offering an easy tool to help operate all of the features of their vehicle easily and without using a paper owner’s manual. Additionally, the Knowing Your VW app now offers updated digital owners manuals for all models from 2013 to 2015, all available right on your mobile device. The Know Your VW App offers a variety of tools for savvy Volkswagen drivers. While the addition of 2015 model year owners manuals is certainly likely to get the most press, this certainly isn’t all that users of the Knowing Your VW app now have available to them. There are also video tutorials to help with potential user issues, while access to quick start guides and live chats with Volkswagen Customer Care is available as well. Want more? Well, you’ve got it, because users may also access virtual tours of all Volkswagen vehicles for the 2015 model year. Care to see the key differences between the VW Golf and the GTI? Or want to know the fuel economy of the 2015 Jetta, or learn the key features of the upcoming 2015 VW Touareg? It’s now easier than ever, with the help of the Knowing Your VW app. But why take our word for it? You can now download the app free of charge by clicking on the button below! And, for all the latest news and vehicles from Volkswagen, stop by and pay us a visit at Speedcraft VW today!

Knowing Your VW App Say you’re driving your Volkswagen, when all of a sudden a light appears on the dashboard? In years past, you might have had to find an alternate route so that you could get to the nearest VW dealership, worrying the whole time about what the light might have meant. But now, with the announcement of the updated Knowing Your VW app available for all iOS devices, this is no longer the case. The purpose of the Knowing Your Volkswagen app is to make the customer experience for VW drivers by offering an easy tool to help operate all of the features of their vehicle easily and without using a paper owner’s manual. Additionally, the Knowing Your VW app now offers updated digital owners manuals for all models from 2013 to 2015, all available right on your mobile device. The Know Your VW App offers a variety of tools for savvy Volkswagen drivers. While the addition of 2015 model year owners manuals is certainly likely to get the most press, this certainly isn’t all that users of the Knowing Your VW app now have available to them. There are also video tutorials to help with potential user issues, while access to quick start guides and live chats with Volkswagen Customer Care is available as well. Want more? Well, you’ve got it, because users may also access virtual tours of all Volkswagen vehicles for the 2015 model year. Care to see the key differences between the VW Golf and the GTI? Or want to know the fuel economy of the 2015 Jetta, or learn the key features of the upcoming 2015 VW Touareg? It’s now easier than ever, with the help of the Knowing Your VW app. But why take our word for it? You can now download the app free of charge by clicking on the button below! And, for all the latest news and vehicles from Volkswagen, stop by and pay us a visit at Speedcraft VW today!

Driving Mistakes during Snowy Conditions We won’t sugarcoat it: we like the snowy season in Rhode Island. It brings out the Frank Capraesque nature of our many historic communities, and everything just looks so much more homey. Of course, it also comes with its share of hazards, several of which we’ve already outlined here. The most obvious of these is, of course, the snow and ice. But what mistakes do we make during snowy conditions that we can avoid in hopes of staying safe? Here are a few. 1) Driving too fast. This should be obvious. When there is ice cover on the roads, experts predict that stopping distances can increase by as much as ten times! Speeding only exacerbates this problem, and can cause all sorts of problems when traveling on curvy roads as well. Stay on the road this winter by avoiding these driving mistakes! 2) Slamming on the brakes. This ties into Mistake #1. When you must hit the brakes in a hurry, don’t panic and simply slam on them. This will send your vehicle into a slide, eliminating any control you might have over your vehicle. Simply apply firm pressure and let up gently every so often, helping you retain control. 3) Following too closely behind other vehicles. Experts estimate that you should double your following distance when traveling in snowy or icy conditions, estimating four car lengths for every 10 mph that you are driving. This would mean, for example, that if you’re traveling 30 mph, you’d want to give yourself 12 car lengths between cars, thus allowing for safe stopping in the event of traffic issues. 4) Not being prepared. Let’s be frank here: winter weather is no joke, and being unprepared is about the worst mistake you can make. Put snow tires on your car if necessary, make sure fluids are filled and that your defrost functions work properly. Additionally, make a kit with kitty litter, a shovel, a flashlight, a blanket and some foodstuffs is recommended as well. 5) Putting too much faith in your 4WD. This happens a lot. A driver will think that he or she is indestructible because they have four-wheel-drive, and then that overconfidence gets them in trouble. Even if you have 4WD, this is designed to make all your wheels go, but it doesn’t do anything to help all of your wheels stop. Therefore, still be careful even in 4WD. We hope that these mistakes will be avoided during the upcoming winter weather season. And, on behalf of all of us at Speedcraft VW, safe travels!

Driving Mistakes during Snowy Conditions We won’t sugarcoat it: we like the snowy season in Rhode Island. It brings out the Frank Capraesque nature of our many historic communities, and everything just looks so much more homey. Of course, it also comes with its share of hazards, several of which we’ve already outlined here. The most obvious of these is, of course, the snow and ice. But what mistakes do we make during snowy conditions that we can avoid in hopes of staying safe? Here are a few. 1) Driving too fast. This should be obvious. When there is ice cover on the roads, experts predict that stopping distances can increase by as much as ten times! Speeding only exacerbates this problem, and can cause all sorts of problems when traveling on curvy roads as well. Stay on the road this winter by avoiding these driving mistakes! 2) Slamming on the brakes. This ties into Mistake #1. When you must hit the brakes in a hurry, don’t panic and simply slam on them. This will send your vehicle into a slide, eliminating any control you might have over your vehicle. Simply apply firm pressure and let up gently every so often, helping you retain control. 3) Following too closely behind other vehicles. Experts estimate that you should double your following distance when traveling in snowy or icy conditions, estimating four car lengths for every 10 mph that you are driving. This would mean, for example, that if you’re traveling 30 mph, you’d want to give yourself 12 car lengths between cars, thus allowing for safe stopping in the event of traffic issues. 4) Not being prepared. Let’s be frank here: winter weather is no joke, and being unprepared is about the worst mistake you can make. Put snow tires on your car if necessary, make sure fluids are filled and that your defrost functions work properly. Additionally, make a kit with kitty litter, a shovel, a flashlight, a blanket and some foodstuffs is recommended as well. 5) Putting too much faith in your 4WD. This happens a lot. A driver will think that he or she is indestructible because they have four-wheel-drive, and then that overconfidence gets them in trouble. Even if you have 4WD, this is designed to make all your wheels go, but it doesn’t do anything to help all of your wheels stop. Therefore, still be careful even in 4WD. We hope that these mistakes will be avoided during the upcoming winter weather season. And, on behalf of all of us at Speedcraft VW, safe travels!

Gift Ideas for Car Lovers We did it, everyone. We made it through the whole year, through the Thanksgiving holiday, and now we only have about a month until the more festive holidays make their way to the Providence area. This obviously means that you’ll be shopping, and if you’re anything like us, a few people on your list will be car lovers. So what do you get for your local gearhead that they might not think to get for themselves? Here are four gift ideas for car lovers, from your friends at Speedcraft VW! 1) A GoPro If you are someone who enjoys taking your car off-roading or simply going on scenic drives, then there isn’t any reason that you shouldn’t have a GoPro. This camera is easily mountable, and with its ability to take 1080p videos at 30 frames per second, the clips are crisp and clear. And, since it’s equipped with built-in WiFi and Bluetooth, they are easy to share and upload as well. 2) VW DriverGear What kid wouldn't love a VW Beetle power wheel? We’ve talked about this before, but Volkswagen has some of the most impressive swag of any automaker worldwide. Sweatshirts, watches, water bottles, remote controlled cars...the list goes on and on. And, since you can order from the comfort of your couch with our Parts and Accessories eStore, you avoid lines as well. 3) A VW Beetle Power Wheel Is your resident car lover...a child? If so, then why not get them a little Beetle of their own? Power wheels have come a long way since the rickety ones we remember, with spot-on design and a level of fun that your kids can’t find normally. May as well get their lifelong infatuation with Volkswagen off to a good start, right? 4) Racing Video Games Did you know that the average gamer is 30 years old? This means that the buddy you have who enjoys Formula One and working on his car on the weekends probably has an Xbox in his basement too. This year’s most popular titles include Forza Horizon 2 (Xbox only), as well as Grand Theft Auto: Rivals and Grand Theft Auto 5, available for both Xbox and Playstation consoles. For the more lighthearted crowd, meanwhile, Mario Kart 8 is now available on the Nintendo Wii U. (This one’s our favorite.) So, are you ready to do your shopping? If so, we hope that these ideas help in the process. And, if you’re looking for, say, something a little bigger, check out our outstanding lineup of new and used Volkswagen vehicles at Speedcraft VW! Happy holidays and happy shopping!

Gift Ideas for Car Lovers We did it, everyone. We made it through the whole year, through the Thanksgiving holiday, and now we only have about a month until the more festive holidays make their way to the Providence area. This obviously means that you’ll be shopping, and if you’re anything like us, a few people on your list will be car lovers. So what do you get for your local gearhead that they might not think to get for themselves? Here are four gift ideas for car lovers, from your friends at Speedcraft VW! 1) A GoPro If you are someone who enjoys taking your car off-roading or simply going on scenic drives, then there isn’t any reason that you shouldn’t have a GoPro. This camera is easily mountable, and with its ability to take 1080p videos at 30 frames per second, the clips are crisp and clear. And, since it’s equipped with built-in WiFi and Bluetooth, they are easy to share and upload as well. 2) VW DriverGear What kid wouldn't love a VW Beetle power wheel? We’ve talked about this before, but Volkswagen has some of the most impressive swag of any automaker worldwide. Sweatshirts, watches, water bottles, remote controlled cars...the list goes on and on. And, since you can order from the comfort of your couch with our Parts and Accessories eStore, you avoid lines as well. 3) A VW Beetle Power Wheel Is your resident car lover...a child? If so, then why not get them a little Beetle of their own? Power wheels have come a long way since the rickety ones we remember, with spot-on design and a level of fun that your kids can’t find normally. May as well get their lifelong infatuation with Volkswagen off to a good start, right? 4) Racing Video Games Did you know that the average gamer is 30 years old? This means that the buddy you have who enjoys Formula One and working on his car on the weekends probably has an Xbox in his basement too. This year’s most popular titles include Forza Horizon 2 (Xbox only), as well as Grand Theft Auto: Rivals and Grand Theft Auto 5, available for both Xbox and Playstation consoles. For the more lighthearted crowd, meanwhile, Mario Kart 8 is now available on the Nintendo Wii U. (This one’s our favorite.) So, are you ready to do your shopping? If so, we hope that these ideas help in the process. And, if you’re looking for, say, something a little bigger, check out our outstanding lineup of new and used Volkswagen vehicles at Speedcraft VW! Happy holidays and happy shopping!

Beat the Winter Weather Now that winter is fully upon us, there are going to be some travel issues. Obviously, we can’t stop the snow or wish away the ice, but we can try to outsmart it with our wits. Here, from your friends at Speedcraft VW, are five easy ways to beat the winter weather. You can thank us later. When you are stuck in a snowdrift, don’t use sand or cardboard. Try using regular kitty litter, which is more granular and easier for your tires to catch hold of. An added bonus: it smells terrific. Kitty litter. It's a life-saver, in more ways than one. When you are facing frozen windshield wipers and iced-over mirrors, try this: lift the wipers off of the windshield, and cover them with regular socks. Yes, it looks ridiculous. It also works. As for your mirrors, put ziploc bags over them, and you’ll never face iced-over mirrors again. If you are shoveling sticky snow, and it seems like you can’t get it off of your shovel, take some cooking spray and apply it to your shovel. It will fly off of the shovel quicker than you realize, and it’s actually makes shoveling sort of fun. (Sort of.) If you’re slipping and sliding all over the ice and snow, try this: take some small screws, and twist them into the bottoms of your boots. Pretty quickly, you won’t be going anywhere you don’t want to go. However, remember to take them off before you go in the house. Trust us, they will do a number on your hardwood floors. And finally, if you live in an area where you have to park outside overnight, try to park your car facing east. This way, when the sun comes up, it will melt the ice and frost before you have to leave for work. Problem solved! There are numerous ways to beat the winter at its own game, even without spending any money. We hope that these help you in the coming months; come let us know your own weather-beating tips today at Speedcraft VW!

Beat the Winter Weather Now that winter is fully upon us, there are going to be some travel issues. Obviously, we can’t stop the snow or wish away the ice, but we can try to outsmart it with our wits. Here, from your friends at Speedcraft VW, are five easy ways to beat the winter weather. You can thank us later. When you are stuck in a snowdrift, don’t use sand or cardboard. Try using regular kitty litter, which is more granular and easier for your tires to catch hold of. An added bonus: it smells terrific. Kitty litter. It's a life-saver, in more ways than one. When you are facing frozen windshield wipers and iced-over mirrors, try this: lift the wipers off of the windshield, and cover them with regular socks. Yes, it looks ridiculous. It also works. As for your mirrors, put ziploc bags over them, and you’ll never face iced-over mirrors again. If you are shoveling sticky snow, and it seems like you can’t get it off of your shovel, take some cooking spray and apply it to your shovel. It will fly off of the shovel quicker than you realize, and it’s actually makes shoveling sort of fun. (Sort of.) If you’re slipping and sliding all over the ice and snow, try this: take some small screws, and twist them into the bottoms of your boots. Pretty quickly, you won’t be going anywhere you don’t want to go. However, remember to take them off before you go in the house. Trust us, they will do a number on your hardwood floors. And finally, if you live in an area where you have to park outside overnight, try to park your car facing east. This way, when the sun comes up, it will melt the ice and frost before you have to leave for work. Problem solved! There are numerous ways to beat the winter at its own game, even without spending any money. We hope that these help you in the coming months; come let us know your own weather-beating tips today at Speedcraft VW!

VW Crossover SUV Providence RI A quick glance over our inventory at Speedcraft VW will reveal that two of our most popular vehicles, the Tiguan and the Touareg, are classified as “crossover SUVs.” For whatever reason, this term--”crossover SUV”--causes a fair bit of confusion for many shoppers. Does it mean half-car/half-truck? Does it mean anything at all? As it turns out, it does mean something. Here, in a brief rundown, is what is meant by the term, “Crossover SUV.” They use a unibody construction. The chief difference between a crossover SUV and a standard SUV is its construction. Where traditional SUVs used body-on-frame construction similar to that found in pickups, crossover SUVs use a unibody construction more akin to cars and vans. This makes it far lighter, which leads us to…. The 2015 VW Tiguan offer SUV capability in a more efficient package. They are much more efficient. When traditional SUVs were having their moment in the sun, it wasn’t uncommon to see an automaker brag about making 15 mpg on the highway. It isn’t a coincidence that gas prices were also far lower, and people generally didn’t care about such things. When the recession hit, however, drivers realized that, Hey, maybe we should pay attention to things like fuel economy. The result? Vehicles such as the Tiguan and Touareg, which routinely register 26 and 29 highway mpg, respectively. They are considered “On-Road” vehicles. Another takeaway from the recession was that, although body-on-frame SUVs were certainly capable of climbing small mountains and fording rivers, who was actually doing this? No one was. So automakers began to pay attention to the driving habits of the average person, which meant promoting sophisticated road performance and comfortable, accommodating interior cabins. They still boast towing capacities well-suited to pulling boats and trailers, but a fifth-wheel RV? Probably not. For proof of how firmly this automotive renaissance has taken hold, you really need look no further than the VW Tiguan and VW Touareg, both of which are available at Speedcraft VW. Are then intended to ramp over sand dunes or pull out stumps? No, they are not. They’re intended to offer world-beating comfort and efficiency at a price that isn’t intimidating. And, might we add, they are very, very good at it. See you soon at Speedcraft VW!

VW Crossover SUV Providence RI A quick glance over our inventory at Speedcraft VW will reveal that two of our most popular vehicles, the Tiguan and the Touareg, are classified as “crossover SUVs.” For whatever reason, this term--”crossover SUV”--causes a fair bit of confusion for many shoppers. Does it mean half-car/half-truck? Does it mean anything at all? As it turns out, it does mean something. Here, in a brief rundown, is what is meant by the term, “Crossover SUV.” They use a unibody construction. The chief difference between a crossover SUV and a standard SUV is its construction. Where traditional SUVs used body-on-frame construction similar to that found in pickups, crossover SUVs use a unibody construction more akin to cars and vans. This makes it far lighter, which leads us to…. The 2015 VW Tiguan offer SUV capability in a more efficient package. They are much more efficient. When traditional SUVs were having their moment in the sun, it wasn’t uncommon to see an automaker brag about making 15 mpg on the highway. It isn’t a coincidence that gas prices were also far lower, and people generally didn’t care about such things. When the recession hit, however, drivers realized that, Hey, maybe we should pay attention to things like fuel economy. The result? Vehicles such as the Tiguan and Touareg, which routinely register 26 and 29 highway mpg, respectively. They are considered “On-Road” vehicles. Another takeaway from the recession was that, although body-on-frame SUVs were certainly capable of climbing small mountains and fording rivers, who was actually doing this? No one was. So automakers began to pay attention to the driving habits of the average person, which meant promoting sophisticated road performance and comfortable, accommodating interior cabins. They still boast towing capacities well-suited to pulling boats and trailers, but a fifth-wheel RV? Probably not. For proof of how firmly this automotive renaissance has taken hold, you really need look no further than the VW Tiguan and VW Touareg, both of which are available at Speedcraft VW. Are then intended to ramp over sand dunes or pull out stumps? No, they are not. They’re intended to offer world-beating comfort and efficiency at a price that isn’t intimidating. And, might we add, they are very, very good at it. See you soon at Speedcraft VW!