How to Clean Leather Seats
Leather seating is a popular choice for car buyers. It’s luxurious, stylish, comfortable, and even a better option for those who have allergies. Like your Volkswagen model’s other parts, your seating needs to be maintained. Over time, your leather seats might become grimy or stained through food and drink spills or from simple wear and tear. With a little upkeep, you can get the upholstery in your VW looking as good as new again!
How Glendale Area VW Drivers Can Take Care of Their Leather Seats
Here are four tips from our Glendale area VW dealership on how to clean leather seats:
1. Vacuum dirt and dust
Since it’s easy for dirt to get stuck in the crevices, you should use a vacuum with a suction hose to clean your seats. Always be careful as to not scratch the leather with the end of the vacuum.
2. Gently scrub the leather to banish grime
If you don’t clean your leather seats often, grunge can build up and tarnish the look of the leather. Using a microfiber cloth or toothbrush, gently scrub the seats with a liquid cleaner formulated for leather.
When scrubbing perforated leather, make sure you apply only a light amount of liquid cleaner when scrubbing. If you use a heavy amount, moisture can get absorbed into the seats and cause problems like mold.
Grab another dry, clean microfiber cloth and wipe your seats down to remove any cleaning agent that’s left on them.
3. Clean your seats regularly
The longer you allow buildup to accumulate on your car’s leather, the more difficult it is to remove. With regular cleaning, you can prevent severe buildup from compromising the appearance of your upholstery. It’s a good idea to clean your leather seats at least once a month.
4. Prevent cracks by conditioning your leather
With time, leather can lose some of its natural oils, causing it to become dry and cracked. Regular conditioning can prevent this from happening.
Select a leather conditioner that uses natural ingredients, and is free of silicones, waxes, and petroleum distillates that can build up over time and dull your leather’s finish. Pour a small amount of the conditioner onto a microfiber cloth and gently work it into the seats. Let it soak for an hour before putting anything in contact with the leather, then use a clean cloth to buff the seats.
Your vehicle’s leather should be conditioned two or three times a year.
For more maintenance tips and tricks, please don’t hesitate to contact the team at Lunde’s Peoria VW serving Glendale area drivers!
How Does My Power Steering Work?
Power steering is a system that reduces the effort required to turn the steering wheel, allowing for a smooth, seamless feel. Without power steering, the maneuvering of most vehicles would be extremely heavy and take a considerable amount of effort, especially at low speeds. This system has constantly evolved to keep up with technological advancements, and although it started as a hydraulic system, it has slowly turned into an electronic system today.
To help you get a better understanding of how your power steering works, the team at Lunde’s Peoria Volkswagen is here to give you the details of each system.
Hydraulic
The hydraulic power steering system uses fluid moved by a pump controlled with a pulley. As you turn the steering wheel, a valve releases fluid into the system to turn the wheels. The speed of the valve opening coincides with the momentum of the vehicle to ensure the driver always receives the right amount of input from this system.
Like most of the fluids in your car, power steering fluid breaks down from constant use. It’s important for VW drivers to always get their power steering fluid levels checked out according to their vehicle’s maintenance schedule.
Hybrid
As vehicles moved toward using full electronic systems, it was necessary that the power steering system received an upgrade that combined hydraulic and electric controls. Fortunately, with the exception of the pump, the hybrid system works largely the same as the hydraulic components.
In the hybrid system, the pump utilizes an electric motor for power rather than using a pulley connected to the engine. The largest benefit is the ability to still utilize the power steering system with the engine off to assist drivers maneuvering a stalled vehicle. The development of the hybrid system also led to the creation of a fully electric steering system.
Electric
Electric power steering has become the norm on many new cars. This system continually watches the function of the gear and column to determine if the driver requires assistance. Sensors detect the torque, or effort, that the driver is applying at the steering wheel, and a computer decides how much assist needs to be added.
In most electric systems, the computer changes the steering effort based on the car’s speed. On many cars, drivers are able to adjust the amount of input provided by the system by activating a button on the dash.
Learn More About Your Car’s Power Steering From Lunde’s Peoria VW
For more information on your vehicle’s power steering, please don’t hesitate to contact the team at Lunde’s Peoria VW today!
Signs Your Water Pump Is Failing
Your water pump is an integral part of your vehicle’s machinery. The water pump requires a gasket and a tight seal to function properly. Without a gasket to create a tight seal, the water pump leaks coolant from its engine mating surfaces. When your water pump begins to fail, there are a few things you can watch out for. Our Phoenix area Volkswagen dealership is here to inform you on signs that your water pump is failing.
Why Do Water Pump Gaskets Fail?
Gaskets wear out under typical driving conditions due to oxidation and heat. If your water pump has a paper gasket, it needs to be replaced whenever the water pump is removed. If your vehicle needs a new water pump, it’s important that you pick up a gasket and some sealant to go with it.
What Are The Symptoms of Water Pump Gasket Failure
Here are some of the symptoms to keep an eye out for:
- The cooling system may fail to reach the correct pressure, causing coolant to boil. Steam may be visible through the gaps along the edges of the fender and hood.
- The engine may overheat. Do not continue to operate your vehicle for any length of time over one minute if the engine is overheating.
- If your vehicle leaks coolant, pop the hood and attempt to trace the leak back to its source. A failing water pump gasket may be the cause of the leak.
Have Your Water Pump Checked At Our Phoenix Area Service Center
If left unchecked, a coolant leak may cause your engine to overheat and put it on the fast track to major damage. If your engine starts overheating while you’re driving, pull over and call for help. If you find your water pump is having issues, be sure to schedule a service appointment at our Phoenix area Volkswagen service center.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to contact us at our Volkswagen dealership today. We’ll get you back on the road as soon as possible!
What’s Included In A Multi-Point Inspection?
When it’s time to bring your vehicle in for a multi-point inspection, you may be asking yourself what exactly you’re bringing your vehicle in for. A multi-point inspection is typically done to ensure that all parts of your vehicle are working correctly and well. Our Glendale area Volkswagen dealership is here to tell you exactly what’s included in a multi-point inspection.
Bring Your Volkswagen In For A Multi-Point Inspection
When you bring your vehicle to our Volkswagen dealership between your factory-recommended service intervals, a Volkswagen Certified Technician will perform the following multi-point inspection. This is designed to catch potential issues before they arise:
- Tire wear inspection
- Tire pressure check
- Brake pad wear
- Battery condition check
- Engine, fluid and filters check on:
- Windshield washer fluid level
- Engine oil level and condition
- Brake fluid level and condition
- Coolant reservoir levels
- Hoses for heating, AC and coolant
- Air filter inspection
- Air conditioning and pollen filter check
- Engine drive belts
- AdBlue® fluid level (on some diesel models)
- Exterior and drive components inspection on items such as:
- Windshield condition
- Wiper wear and spray nozzles
- Electrical inspection (horns, signals, lights)
- Condition of wheels/alloys
- Paint and body condition
- Suspension and drive components examination on:
- Shocks/struts and suspension components
- Steering and steering linkages
- Exhaust system (leaks, damage, loose parts)
- Transmission/clutch operation and linkages
Schedule Service At Our Glendale Area Volkswagen Dealership
If you’re noticing unfamiliar service indicators appear on your dashboard, bring your Volkswagen to our multi-point inspection during your next visit to our service center. Our certified Volkswagen technicians will be more than happy to get you back on the road as soon as possible.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a service appointment, don’t hesitate to contact us at our Glendale area Volkswagen dealership today. We’re more than happy to help!
Why Do I Need To Balance My Tires?
Balancing your tires is an important part of your VW vehicle’s routine maintenance schedule, and is something that drivers are encouraged to do several times throughout the year. This is also a job that should be left to the automotive professionals. Tire balancing provides a smoother ride, allowing you to drive with less vibrations. Additionally, it helps prevent premature wear, letting you get more use out of your set of tires than you would otherwise.
Understanding the Tire Balancing Process
When a tire is first mounted onto the wheel, it’s almost impossible for this assemblage to have perfectly even weight distribution. Even just a half ounce of unevenness in the weight distribution can allow for vibrations as you drive.
To reduce vibrations, mechanics will apply counterweights to achieve something close to a perfect weight distribution. This process allows you to enjoy a smooth, vibration-free ride!
Unfortunately, your tires can’t stay perfectly balanced forever. When you make sharp turns, drive over rocks, and hit potholes, your car will feel the effects over time, leading to vibrations that disrupt your smooth, seamless drive.
It’s smart to get your tires balanced periodically, or every time you go in for an oil change. If you wait until the vibrations are extremely noticeable, your tires and wheels are likely going to experience serious damage.
Drivers Can Get Their Tires Balanced at Our VW Service Center Near Glendale
When it’s time for your car to receive routine maintenance, such as tire balancing, visit our VW service center near Glendale! Our VW-trained technicians have the tools and expertise to get your vehicle back on the road quickly.
For more information on maintaining your Volkswagen model, please don’t hesitate to contact the team at our Glendale area dealership!
How to Fix a Volkswagen Jetta Headlight
The headlights in your Volkswagen Jetta are designed to provide you with the best visibility, while also contributing to your model’s stylish appearance. Unfortunately, there might be a time when one or both headlights have suddenly stopped working, therefore putting your safety at risk. This occurrence is likely caused by an electrical problem or a physical issue with the bulbs themselves. In order to get to the bottom of the situation as quickly as possible, you should take note of exactly what type of failure you have experienced.
Based on which bulbs have stopped working, and under what circumstances, the team at our VW service center near Glendale encourages you to use the following information to find a solution:
1. One headlight doesn’t work
- The cause: Likely a burned out bulb.
- The fix: Replace the bulb. If it still doesn’t work, suspect a wiring or fuse problem.
2. Neither of the headlights work
- The cause: Burned out bulbs, or an issue with power or ground.
- The fix: Check for power and ground, and fix if necessary. Otherwise, replace the bulbs.
3. High beam headlights don’t work or low beams don’t work
- The cause: A burned out bulb, or a problem with the high beam switch or relay.
- The fix: Replace the bulb, switch, or relay.
4. Headlights work but seem dim
- The cause: Foggy lenses, worn out bulbs, or a charging system issue.
- The fix: Clean the lenses, replace the bulbs, or repair the charging system.
Other headlight problems can also be caused by a combination of bad bulbs, wiring or relay problems, and bad switches.
Schedule Service For Your VW Jetta at Our Glendale Area Service Center
If you’re having trouble with your Volkswagen Jetta model’s headlights, the technicians in our service center will gladly discover the root of the problem and get the issue resolved. It’s incredibly important to have well-functioning lights to ensure a safe ride!
For more information, or to schedule a service appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact the team at Lunde’s Peoria VW serving Glendale area drivers.
Does My Volkswagen Have Bluetooth?
All new Volkswagen models are equipped with Bluetooth technology, allowing you to wirelessly connect your phone to your car. Whether you drive the Jetta or the Beetle, you’ll be able to answer or make phone calls as well as stream music from your phone through your VW vehicle’s sound system.
How Do I Use Bluetooth to Stream Audio in my VW?
If you’re unsure how to stream audio via Bluetooth in your car, our Volkswagen dealership near Glendale is here to give you some assistance. First of all, you need to make sure that your phone is compatible with your vehicle. Once you pair your phone to your car, you’ll be able to follow the below steps:
- To start, enable Bluetooth streaming. Press the “Phone” hard key on your infotainment system.
- Next, select “Set Up” on the touchscreen and press “Bluetooth”
- Once you’ve selected “Bluetooth,” make sure the setting is checked. (If it’s not, select “Bluetooth audio” to switch it on.)
- At this point, music can be streamed through your vehicle. To do so, press the “Media” hard key on the infotainment system.
- Tap the “source” option on the touchscreen and select “BT audio.” Now, you’ll be able to select which device you want to play music through.
- Playing music from your device is as easy as pressing the “Selection” key on the touchscreen and choosing “My Music,” which will then reveal all of your artists, albums, songs, and playlists.
Learn More About Your VW Model’s Tech From Our Glendale Area Dealership
Besides Bluetooth, Volkswagen has plenty of innovative technology features available across its new vehicle lineup that we encourage our shoppers to learn more about. When you get behind the wheel, you can take advantage of the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, VW Car-Net® Security & Service, and more!
Feel free to contact our VW dealership near Glendale for more information on your vehicle’s Bluetooth and other tech features!
Drive Bigger With Volkswagen
The Volkswagen brand’s new direction in the U.S. is in full swing. Built around responsibility and innovation, “Drive Bigger” focuses on the bigger picture and how a major automaker can contribute to the greater good.
By launching two TV spots, titled “Something Big” and “Inspire,” during the first U.S. Women’s National Team Soccer match of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, VW has demonstrated how “Drive Bigger” will become a major touchstone for the company. The overall goal is to showcase the work of people and organizations who positively impact their communities.
This message is more than just a slogan on a web-site or a poster in a VW dealership—it is a long-term objective for the brand.
“Drive Bigger goes well beyond a traditional ad campaign,” said Jim Zabel, senior vice president of marketing, Volkswagen of America. “It’s a public declaration of a long-term vision for Volkswagen that calls to a higher purpose, and challenges us all, Volkswagen very much included, to move beyond just self-interest and to consider something bigger.”
Volkswagen is demonstrating its dedication to the “Drive Bigger” message by donating a portion of its ad time during the World Cup to America SCORES, a nationwide soccer and language-arts nonprofit that inspires urban youth to lead healthy lives, be engaged students, and have the confidence and character to help create a better world.
Phoenix Area VW Shoppers Can Drive Bigger
At our Phoenix area VW dealership, we encourage our drivers to follow the Volkswagen brand’s footsteps by being constructive, active members of the community. When you drive bigger, you drive better!
To learn more about the “Drive Bigger” vision and how you can contribute to this commitment, please don’t hesitate to contact the team at Lunde’s Peoria VW serving Phoenix area drivers.
Warm Weather Driving Tips
The Phoenix area is known for its warm to hot temperatures all year round, with nearly every day in the summer topping 99°F. While driving, it’s important to be cautious about the effects extreme heat can have on your vehicle. For a safe drive, our Phoenix area Volkswagen dealership encourages you to follow these six warm weather driving tips:
1. Check Your Battery
In the hot weather, car batteries are more susceptible to damage. Constant heat and vibration can cause the battery to suffer an internal breakdown, eventually leading to failure. You can protect your battery by making sure it is securely attached to prevent vibration.
If your battery is three or more years old, get it tested by a technician in our VW service center to determine how much longer it will last!
2. Maintain Your Car’s Cooling System
When temperatures rise, extra pressure is put on your vehicle’s engine. Additionally, the rubber cooling system parts can also deteriorate when exposed to extreme heat. Have a technician inspect your cooling system to make sure it can properly protect your engine from overheating.
3. Inspect All Fluids
Your car requires a few essential fluids to keep it running. High temperatures will evaporate your vehicle’s fluid levels and reduce their cooling effect, which leads to overheating.
You should inspect all of your car’s fluids, including:
- Motor oil
- Transmission fluid
- Power steering fluid
- Brake fluid
4. Check Tire Pressure
Always make sure your tires are properly inflated, as under-inflated tires can overheat and increase the likelihood of a dangerous blowout. Maintaining the correct tire pressure is also very important for getting the best gas mileage and a long life out of your tires.
5. Make Sure Your Air Conditioning Works
When a heat wave hits, a cool environment is crucial to keep you safe and protected. Make sure your air conditioning system is maintained to sufficiently cool down your car’s interior. If your air conditioning isn’t working as well as it should, it could be due to a blocked or broken condenser, low refrigerant, or electrical faults.
6. Be Prepared For a Breakdown
Even if you properly maintain your vehicle, there is still a chance it could breakdown on a hot day. Stay prepared for this possibility by storing an emergency kit in your car with these items:
- Water
- Non-perishable food items
- Jumper cables
- A flashlight with extra batteries
- Road flares
- Emergency beacon
- Basic hand tools
- First aid kit
Maintain Your VW Model For Phoenix Area Weather
You should always make sure your vehicle can handle the weather conditions you live in. Stay on top of your car’s recommended maintenance schedule, and get repairs fixed immediately. Face it, the last thing you want is to be stranded somewhere in the heat!
For more warm weather driving tips, please don’t hesitate to contact the team at our VW dealership near Phoenix today!
Best Scenic Drives in Phoenix, Arizona
From stunning saguaros to eye-catching vistas, there’s no doubt that Phoenix, Arizona’s gorgeous desert scenery sets it apart from other cosmopolitan cities in the United States. At Lunde’s Peoria Volkswagen, we encourage you to take a break from the busyness of life and wander down one of the many majestic roads this mesmerizing city has to offer. Here are our three favorite scenic drives in Phoenix that are sure to awe and amaze.
The Apache Trail
A road trip on the Apache Trail is one of the greatest scenic drives in the Phoenix area. This legendary trail was once considered the most treacherous stretch of highway in the country, and today the well-traveled road offers visitors an incredible view of canyons, geological formations, dense desert flora, and sparkling blue lakes. The trail covers just less than 50 miles, and starts at the intersection of Arizona State Route 88 and Idaho Road in Apache Junction, about 35 miles east of downtown Phoenix.
Along the way, there are many scenic spots. First, you’ll encounter Goldfield Ghost Town, a former mining town. As you travel past Lost Dutchman State Park and the Superstition Mountains, you can make a pitstop for kayaking or paddle boarding in Canyon Lake, Saguaro Lake, or Apache Lake. You can also visit cliff dwellings before ending in Globe, an old copper and silver boom town where historical buildings remain.
Dobbins Lookout
This day trip destination provides an easy escape for residents or visitors who want to take in an amazing view of Phoenix. First, start on Central Avenue —the road that serves as the city’s east-west dividing line—and head south. Pass through South Mountain Park’s main entrance gate and take Summit Road to Dobbins Lookout.
The short drive from the base of the mountain to the lookout is filled with winding roads that offer incredible views of the city. Once you reach the top, you can park your car and appreciate the beauty. Sitting at 2,339 feet, Dobbins Lookout makes you feel like you’re up as high as the clouds. Not only does the scenery include the Valley floor below, but a panoramic view of the Estrella Mountains in the west and the Superstition Mountains in the east.
Wrigley Mansion
Wrigley Mansion, a breathtaking landmark originally built in 1932 by chewing-gum magnate William Wrigley Jr., was thoughtfully designed as a 50th anniversary gift to his beloved wife, Ada. To get there, take Arizona State Route 51, which is a scenic drive showcasing elevated views of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve’s rugged desert topography. Take exit SR 51 at Lincoln Avenue and follow 24th Street south toward Wrigley Mansion.
Situated at the top of a hill, the mansion commands stunning views of Phoenix, showcasing the mountains and the city below. Although the Wrigley Mansion is a private club that charges a fee to dine and tour the property, it doesn’t cost anything to take a short drive through the gates and up the driveway to the mansion’s front door to enjoy the spectacular scenery.
With more land designated for parks and preserves than any other major city, Phoenix has plenty of natural beauty to offer. No matter where you go, you’re sure to discover sprawling stretches of nature and captivating panoramic views that remind you just how serene life can be.
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