Jul 23, 2024
Volkswagen Maintenance

When it comes to Volkswagen maintenance, a little goes a long way. Regular, consistent service appointments can add tens of thousands of miles to your vehicle—not to mention increase its resale value. Plus, when you get VW maintenance with factory-certified technicians, they can identify potential issues well in advance and potentially save you thousands of dollars. 

Read on for our comprehensive guide to Volkswagen maintenance. We’ll cover why it matters, what to expect, and a typical maintenance schedule.

Why Volkswagen maintenance matters

Amidst the hustle and bustle of life, it can be easy to let regular car maintenance fall by the wayside. But there are a number of reasons why you should prioritize regular routine maintenance on your Volkswagen: 

  • Regular tune-ups can keep your VW running longer—adding potentially thousands of miles over the life of the vehicle
  • Increase your resale value, as buyers love to see vehicles that have impeccable maintenance records
  • Save thousands of dollars (or more) by identifying small issues before they balloon into major problems
  • Increase gas mileage by keeping your engine and powertrain in prime condition
  • Ensure a safe driving experience—not to mention avoiding unnecessary delays and inconveniences—by reducing the likelihood of parts breaking while on the road

What does a typical VW maintenance appointment look like? 

We’ll take a look at the VW maintenance schedule below, but let’s quickly take a look at what to expect when you bring your Volkswagen in for routine maintenance. Typical work includes:

  • Oil changes
  • Oil filter replacement
  • Tire rotations
  • Air filter & cabin air filter replacement
  • Brake fluid replacement
  • Spark plug replacement
  • Comprehensive safety inspection

The best place to gain insights into anticipated Volkswagen maintenance is your owner’s manual. Volkswagen models from 2012 onward enable you to access your digital owner’s manual here. Just enter your VIN to pull up your manual. 

What’s more, for Model Year 2020 onward, Volkswagen offers your first two years or 20,000 miles of manufacturer-recommended maintenance at no charge. Learn more about VW carefree scheduled maintenance here. 

Prepaid Volkswagen Care plans

Managing your vehicle’s maintenance schedule can be a headache. For many VW owners, it’s worth it to plan ahead and buy a prepaid Volkswagen Care plan. These plans cover the cost of all factory-recommended scheduled maintenance services. 

Some benefits of prepaid plans include:

  • Automatic coverage for all recommended maintenance intervals
  • Protection from price inflation, as you lock in your rates at the time of purchase
  • Peace of mind, knowing your vehicle is cared for by VW-trained technicians and genuine VW parts 

You can learn more about the various options for prepaid Volkswagen plans here. 

Standard Volkswagen maintenance schedule

So let’s go ahead and take a look at the standard Volkswagen maintenance schedule. Keep in mind that we’re keeping things broad in this article. If you want specific advice for your vehicle, consult your owner’s manual or, better yet, talk to an expert at your local Rockford, IL, VW dealership

10,000 miles

Although it seems like a lot at first, 10,000 miles will creep up on you before you know it. This is the perfect time to get the oil changed, oil filter replaced, tires rotated, and a comprehensive safety inspection and fluid level check. 

20,000, 60,000, and 100,000 miles

After you log another 10,000 miles on your VW, the Volkswagen maintenance schedule recommends bringing it back in for the same services you got at 10,000 miles. The same goes for 60,000 and 100,000 miles. At one of these intervals, you’ll need to also have the following work done:

  • Battery inspection
  • Tire inspection (and replacement if necessary)
  • Brake system inspection
  • Fuel filter replacement
  • Dust and pollen filter replacement
  • Tire filler bottle expiration date check

30,000, 50,000, 70,000, 90,000, and 110,000 miles

These intervals require less care as your major milestones. You’ll receive the same routing maintenance as you got at 10,000 miles. Additionally, you’ll want to inspect the brake disc and change the fluids on your clutch unit. 

40,000, 80,000, & 120,000 miles

These intervals include your regular 10,000-mile services, in addition to a comprehensive range of inspections and maintenance tasks. Inspections include tires, brakes, battery, coolant, exhaust, engine, electrics, CV joints, and more. You’ll also want to replace your fuel filter, dust and pollen filter, and DSG transmission fluid and filter. 

Final thoughts on VW maintenance in Rockford, IL

At the end of the day, if you’re going to invest in a Volkswagen, you’ll want to keep it on the road as long as possible. And you can only do that through regular routine VW maintenance. Thankfully, Volkswagen has made it as easy as possible to keep your vehicle in top condition. But ultimately, this responsibility is up to you. 

If you’re in Rockford, IL, or the surrounding area, we’d love for you to trust us with your vehicle. Our award-winning, factory-trained VW technicians know not only how to identify and fix current issues, but spot them long before they become major problems. Plus, we pride ourselves on friendly service and an overall pleasant experience.

Ready to get the most out of your Volkswagen? Schedule service with Lou Bachrodt VW today.