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Areas we cover and why
Air conditioning refresh
Essential for both the summer and winter months, it’s important to keep your air conditioning fresh and flowing freely. If your air conditioning has become ineffective or smells a bit musty, you could be due an air conditioning refresh, which is generally required every 12 months.
Over time, your air conditioning can build up with bacterial and fungal contamination, so this refresh removes any bacteria and bad smells from the system, keeping he air flowing through your Volkswagen cabin clean and fresh by disinfecting the evaporator and air ducts safely and effectively.
If you don’t get your Volkswagen’s air conditioning cleaned, this bacteria will continue to build up causing both a bad smell and poor airflow – and this means that you could be breathing in the bacteria and allergens, which can irritate your eyes and nose.
Here at Johnsons Volkswagen in Birmingham, Liverpool, Redditch, Solihull, Stafford, Stoke, Stourbridge, Sutton Coldfield, Tamworth, Warrington & Wolverhampton, our experts can give your car’s air conditioning system an ultrasonic antibacterial and odour treatment to eliminate microbial, fungal and bacterial contamination – get in touch today to book your Volkswagen in with a member of the team.
Air conditioning service
Keeping you cool in summer and warm in winter, air conditioning is an often-overlooked necessity, and to keep your air conditioning in tip-top condition, it ideally needs to be serviced every two years.
Here at Johnsons Volkswagen, our fixed-price air conditioning service includes a system refresh, so as well as keeping you cool, alert and fresh, it’ll keep those bad odours away. An air conditioning service maintains the mechanical integrity of the system and as your air conditioning system can lose up to 10% of its gas each year, unless it’s replaced, you’ll notice your air conditioning becoming ineffective.
If your air conditioning system isn’t serviced, it will continue to lose gas and become less efficient, and this will ultimately lead to increased fuel consumption. Eventually, the system will fail and will probably need parts replacing.
The service involves draining and recharging the system, which means checking the hoses, filters, belts and connections, and our experts here at Johnsons Volkswagen also make sure that the compressor and condenser are working well.
Book your vehicle in today at Johnsons Volkswagen in Birmingham, Liverpool, Redditch, Solihull, Stafford, Stoke, Stourbridge, Sutton Coldfield, Tamworth, Warrington & Wolverhampton and stay fresh in your Volkswagen throughout the year.
Air filter replacement
Did you know that your air filter is replaced as part of a major service? An air filter replacement at Johnsons Volkswagen involves removing the old filter, checking and cleaning the housing and hoses, then fitting a new filter – we do this to optimise engine performance and fuel economy and to maintain the mechanical integrity of the engine.
As your air filter stops dirt and dust particles from entering the engine, just like a vacuum cleaner does, it needs to be kept clean to work properly. Not changing the air filter can make it difficult for your car to start, as fresh air is vital for your car’s engine to perform well. If the air filter isn’t replaced when needed, it can lead to a drop in your Volkswagen’s performance as the engine tries to take air in through a dirty filter.
To find out more or to book your Volkswagen in for a major service, contact the team at Johnsons Volkswagen today – you’ll find us in Birmingham, Liverpool, Redditch, Solihull, Stafford, Stoke, Stourbridge, Sutton Coldfield, Tamworth, Warrington & Wolverhampton.
Battery replacement
At every service your Volkswagen receives here at Johnsons, we’ll check your battery’s ability to hold its charge – if it’s not able to do this, we may need to replace your battery or look at why it’s not charging when you drive.
Your battery may need to be changed to make sure your car can start; a fully charged battery supplies roughly 12.6 volts, but if this falls to 12.0 volts, the state of charge drops from 100% all the way down to 25%. Conductivity is worse in cold weather, so it may be that you struggle to start up when the outside temperature is low. If you don’t change your battery and sludge starts to build up in the bottom of the cell, it can short the cell out – deep discharges, heat, vibration, overcharging, undercharging or lack of use can all speed up the ageing process and one day, your battery’s condition will become so bad that your car just won’t start.
Ensure that this doesn’t happen to your Volkswagen by getting your battery regularly checked, especially if your car is struggling to start. We can take care of this check at Johnsons Volkswagen – why don’t you give us a call today?
Brake fluid change
When your Volkswagen reaches three years of age and then every two years thereafter, its brake fluid should be changed – with new brake fluid, you can be confident in your ability to stop effectively and it’ll prevent contamination that could lead to a more expensive repair. And by coming to Johnsons Volkswagen, you’ll get an official Volkswagen stamp in your service book!
If you don’t have your brake fluid changed at the recommended intervals, you won’t be able to brake as efficiently – this is because brake fluid must be able to withstand operating temperatures up to 230°C but over time, water is absorbed into the water, which of course has a boiling temperature of 100°C. This water then boils when you’re driving from braking and turns into compressible vapour, which can give your brakes a spongy feel – have you experienced this? If too much of this moisture builds up in your brake fluid, the fluid can actually boil when you’re braking, which seriously affects performance and can even cause your brakes to fail.
If your brakes feel spongy or if you have any queries regarding your Volkswagen’s next brake fluid change, get in touch with the team here at Johnsons Volkswagen.
Brake pads and discs
To keep you, your passengers and other road users safe, it’s important to have your brake pads and discs checked at least once a year – when’s the last time you had yours looked at? When you have your brake pads and discs changed, it gives you complete peace of mind in your stopping power.
When you brake, your brake pads grip your brake discs, which turn with your wheel, and this slows your car down – both of these components can become worn and corroded. If your brake pads and discs become worn, you pose a risk to yourself and other road users, as you won’t be able to brake efficiently. You’ll suffer from reduced stopping power and maybe even vibration and noise from the components.
When you bring your Volkswagen to the team at Johnsons, we’ll measure the brake pad wear level and if the pads or discs are worn, corroded or warped, we’ll advise you to replace them.
Bulb replacement
If you come and see the team at your nearest Johnsons Volkswagen, be it in Birmingham, Liverpool, Redditch, Solihull, Stafford, Stoke, Stourbridge, Sutton Coldfield, Tamworth, Warrington & Wolverhampton, we’ll check you Volkswagen’s bulbs completely free of charge.
Your lights must be in working order so you can see and be seen – it’s important to maintain the best possible vision, especially in dark and foggy conditions. If you have any bulbs that aren’t working, you could be stopped by the police and issued with a fixed penalty or a vehicle defect rectification notice.
Bulbs increase your visibility and means other drivers can see when you’re signalling, so it’s incredibly important to make sure your lights and indicators are all working. Come and see us at Johnsons Volkswagen soon to make sure that you’re driving as safely as possible with a complete set of working bulbs.
Cambelt change
Depending on the mileage you do, your Volkswagen will need a new cam belt. As one of the hardest-working parts in your engine, your cam belt drives major parts of the engine and keeps everything synchronised. If you don’t change your cam belt at the recommended interval, it could become cracked and tear or go slack and snap, potentially causing major engine damage in the process. It’ll also make your car break down.
Here at Johnsons Volkswagen, we carefully strip down the relevant parts of the engine and put in a new cam belt and tensioner, then we reassemble the engine and take your car out for a road test to check it’s running correctly.
By having your cam belt replaced, you can enjoy peace of mind that the chance of something going wrong with this element of the engine has been minimised, prolonging your engine life, and you’ll also benefit from a two-year parts and labour warranty here at Johnsons Volkswagen.
Constant velocity boot replacement
At every service and MOT test here at Johnsons Volkswagen, we’ll check your constant velocity boot. Your CV boot protects your CV joint, which transmits gearbox speed evenly to the wheels. It needs to be well lubricated to keep lubricating grease inside and dirt and moisture out as otherwise, if the CV boot is damaged or worn, it will become noisy and less effective.
Our team will check that your CV boot is in good condition and if it needs replacing, we’ll access and re-grease the CV joint then refit a new CV boot. This is because if the CV boot is damaged and moisture and dirt get into the CV joint, lubricating grease is lost the joint will corrode – this could make the whole joint fall apart, making your car incredibly dangerous to drive.
Your CV boot must be in good condition to pass your MOT test, so if you think yours may need checking, get in touch with Johnsons Volkswagen today and we can take a look for you. Diesel fuel replacement
If you drive a diesel-powered Volkswagen, when you bring it to Johnsons Volkswagen for a major service, we’ll check your diesel fuel filter in order to maintain the mechanical integrity of the engine and also to optimise engine performance and fuel economy.
As your engine’s fuel filter removes dirt, rust, water and other contaminants from the fuel entering the engine, it could become blocked if not replaced at the recommended interval. If you don’t replace it, the filter won’t be able to completely clean the fuel entering the engine and therefore, your car won’t be able to perform efficiently and would lead to a drop in performance, and maybe even stopping your car from starting.
DSG transmission oil and filter change
If your Volkswagen is fitted with a DSG transmission, your DSG transmission oil and filter will need to be changed around every 40,000 miles that you drive. As it’s such a sophisticated piece of engineering in question here, it needs regular oil changes, as the smooth two-clutch system is computer-controlled and has very fine engineering tolerances.
If your DSG oil isn’t changed, the oil will become dirty and this can damage other parts, affect your Volkswagen’s performance, even causing the gearbox to overheat or the clutches to burn out, which will lead to poor gear selection, loss of power and transmission failure.
At Johnson Volkswagen in Birmingham, Liverpool, Redditch, Solihull, Stafford, Stoke, Stourbridge, Sutton Coldfield, Tamworth, Warrington & Wolverhampton, we can take care of your DSG oil and filter change – we start by checking the gearbox for leaks and then we drain it and replace the oil filter depending on which Volkswagen you drive, then refill it with high-quality, Volkswagen-approved oil.
Ultimately, this will save you from costly gearbox repairs, it will improve your car’s performance and it will keep your warranty valid for any repairs or parts related to the gearbox. Why don’t you get in touch today to find out more? At Johnsons Volkswagen, we’d be more than happy to help.
Exhaust replacement
You may notice that your exhaust has failed by increased noise, reduced engine output or reduced fuel efficiency, and in some cases, exhaust fumes can even enter the vehicle cabin, making you and your passengers feel drowsy. That’s why it’s so important to make sure your exhaust is in tip-top condition.
As your exhaust system is designed to reduce harmful emissions, reduce engine noise and channel fumes away from the vehicle so that they don’t enter the cabin, it’s an incredibly important vehicle component. Exhaust systems can corrode under normal conditions and therefore, your exhaust experiences general wear and tear – this could result in excessive noise, leaking joints or broken hangers.
With an exhaust replacement at Johnsons Volkswagen, you’ll ensure optimal engine performance and fuel efficiency, it’ll keep engine noises to a minimum and it’ll also ensure that exhaust fumes are channelled away from the vehicle, meaning they won’t enter the cabin. Get your exhaust checked today at Johnsons Volkswagen Four-wheel alignment
If you have noticed that your tyres are wearing slightly unevenly, your steering wheel is vibrating or that your four-wheel drive Volkswagen pulls to one side when you’re driving in a straight line, you may need your wheels realigning.
Here at Johnsons Volkswagen, we perform an Express Visual Check (EVC) first of all for signs of general wear and tear, then we check your Volkswagen’s tracking, caster, camber and thrust angle of your wheels using a Four-Wheel Alignment machine, and we’ll adjust anything as required. We then retest your car, take it out on a road test and then provide you with an accurate diagnostic print-out for your complete peace of mind.
With perfectly-aligned wheels, you’ll find that bumps are more efficiently absorbed for a smoother ride, uneven tyre wear is reduced and your fuel economy and road handling are improved!
Four-wheel drive oil change
If a four-wheel drive Volkswagen is your car of choice, you may or may not be aware that every three years, you four-wheel drive oil needs to be changed. At Johnsons Volkswagen, we remove the oil from the system and replace it with fresh oil of the correct grade and to the correct level.
If this oil isn’t changed, it becomes dirty and worn out, which can eventually lead to system failure because of lack of clutch lubrication. As the multi-plate clutch wears the oil over time, clean oil is essential for keeping the components in the all-wheel drive system operating in peak condition.
To benefit from improved system response, the correct lubrication of system components and prolonger component life expectancy, make sure your four-wheel drive oil is changed every three years – get in touch with Johnsons Volkswagen today to find out more.
Petrol engine spark plug replacement
If you drive a petrol-powered Volkswagen, spark plugs ignite the mixture of fuel and air in your engine to start it up. As they operate in extremely high temperatures and pressures, they degrade over time and become less efficient, leading to an inefficient engine and lack of performance. This means that you use more fuel and can even cause potential engine damage.
When we replace your spark plugs at Johnsons Volkswagen, we remove the spark plugs from the engine and replace them with new ones. We also inspect the ones we remove, as they give away information about your engine’s performance.
With new spark plugs, your engine will continue to start reliably and you’ll benefit from optimised engine performance and fuel economy! Your spark plugs are replaced at every major service, so if you need to book your Volkswagen in or if you have a query about spark plugs, get in touch today.
Shock absorber replacement
At Johnsons Volkswagen, we check your shock absorbers at every MOT test and service, checking for worn and leaking shock absorbers in case they need replacing. This is because if your shock absorbers fail, your car will become difficult to drive and very unstable – your braking and handling will even be affected if you have a worn or leaking shock absorber.
When you have your shock absorbers replaced, you’ll benefit from comfort and safety as pressure is absorbed and stress on other mechanical parts will be reduced, which will help them last longer. It also prevents wear on the chassis and maintains your ability to stop safely in a straight line.
To book your Volkswagen in for an MOT test or a service, or if you would like your shock absorbers to be checked in isolation, contact Johnsons Volkswagen today to arrange an appointment.
Tyre replacement
As the only four points of contact your car has with the road, the condition of your tyres mustn’t be overlooked. By having your tyres replaced, you can improve your grip and stopping time, making every journey safer. You’ll also experience better handling and a more comfortable ride when your tyres are at the right pressure, and incorrect tyre pressures and uneven tyre wear can increase stopping distances in wet conditions.
Here at Johnsons Volkswagen, we have the right tyres to fit your car, stocking a wide choice of competitively-priced tyres including from brands such as Continental, Goodyear, Dunlop, Fulda, Uniroyal and Mabor. Which do you prefer?
Your tyres are checked by us at every MOT test and service, but you should check them regularly yourself too – if you spot that your tyres are worn or that they have any bubbles or bulges, bring your Volkswagen to Johnsons and we’ll take a look for you. We’ll check your tyre pressure, tread depth and wear of the pattern. If they need replacing then we’re sure to have something suitable in stock, depending on your car and driving style.
Legally, your tyre tread depth must be at least 1.6mm to pass its MOT test and if you don’t comply, you could be fined or have points on your licence. For safety reasons, we recommend changing them as soon as your tyre tread depth reaches 3mm.
Wiper blade replacement
Do you struggle to see in wet conditions because your wiper blades don’t clear your windscreen effectively? Then you may be due some new ones to ensure you stay safe when you’re behind the wheel – and at Johnsons Volkswagen, we stock genuine Volkswagen wiper blades that have been designed for your car and fit the curve of your windscreen, which avoids lifting and noise.
Better yet, at Johnsons Volkswagen, if you buy wiper blades from us, we promise to fit them free of charge – and just so you know, our average part price is less than £16.
Your wiper blades go through a lot and as they’re made of rubber, they wear over time and this makes them less effective. Until your visibility is affected, you may not even notice they’re worn, but getting the correct size of wiper blade for your windscreen is the only way to keep it clear.
If your wiper blades aren’t replaced and your worn ones don’t make proper contact with the windscreen, they won’t clear it properly and you’ll be left with streaky or unwiped areas, making it difficult to see the road ahead. Your MOT test also requires your wiper blades to be in good condition.
If you’re unsure about the condition of your wiper blades, simply bring your Volkswagen to your nearest Johnsons dealership and we’ll check the wiper blades for you, let you know if they’re worn or broken and say whether or not they need replacing.
Whatever your question or feedback we are here to help. So please feel free to contact us.
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Johnsons Cars Limited is an appointed representative of ITC Compliance Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (their registration number is 313486) and which is permitted to advise on and arrange general insurance contracts as an intermediary.
Johnsons Cars Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) (our registration number is 688450. Permitted activities include acting as a credit broker not a lender.
As an FCA regulated credit broker we can introduce you to a selected group of lenders / brokers (see below) who may be able to help you finance your purchase. This group of lenders / brokers provides us with a range of products which may be suitable for your purchase. We will explain the key features of those products to you.
Volkswagen Financial Services (UK) Limited, Evolution Funding Limited, Santander Consumer (UK) plc, Honda Finance Europe PLC, CA Auto Finance UK Ltd, Suzuki Financial Services Limited, Volkswagen Financial Services (UK) Limited, Hyundai Capital UK Limited, Stellantis Financial Services Uk Limited, Toyota Financial Services (UK) PLC, FCE Bank Plc,
We are a credit broker and not a lender. We can introduce you to a limited number of lenders and their finance products, we act as their agent for this introduction. We are not an independent financial advisor; we will provide details of products available. We may advise you on the products, subject to your personal circumstances, though you are not obliged to take our advice or recommendation.
We do not charge you a fee for our services. we will typically receive commission from whichever lender we introduce you to (either a fixed fee or a fixed percentage of the amount you borrow).
Unless we consider it to be inappropriate given your personal circumstances, for certain vehicles e.g. New, our approach is to introduce you to the lender who are usually able to offer the best available package for you, taking into account interest rates, residual valuations (where applicable) and other contributions. If they are unable to make you an offer of finance, or the vehicle is not one that we would normally place with them we will introduce you to other lenders on our panel. The lender we introduce you to and available rates will depend upon a number of factors including: the vehicle, your personal circumstances and the likelihood of a lender to accept an application based on information provided.
Lenders typically pay a commission to us for introducing you to them, calculated by reference to the vehicle model or amount you borrow. Different lenders may pay different commissions for such introductions; some lenders may also provide preferential rates to us for the funding of our vehicle stock and also provide financial support for our training and marketing. But any such amounts they and other lenders pay us will not affect the amounts you pay under your finance agreement, all of which are set by the lender concerned. If you would like to know the amount of any remuneration we have received from the finance provider, please ask us.
All finance applications are subject to status, terms and conditions apply, UK residents only, 18’s or over, Guarantees may be required. View our full finance disclosure.
