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Just because it's winter, it doesn't mean you have to hibernate. Annapolis drivers have too much to do to stay home. You can keep going even when the weather's bad by doing a little winter maintenance on your car. The service professionals at Fitzgerald Volkswagen Annapolis are happy to provide our Baltimore customers with some helpful winter car care tips. We can also help you save money on auto service with our VW parts and service specials. Oil Changes and Antifreeze Refills As the mercury drops in Washington, DC, your oil can thicken, making it harder for your Volkswagen's engine to turn over. The service center at Fitzgerald Volkswagen Annapolis can change your oil and make sure to replace it with multi-viscosity oil that's formulated for winter use. Another critical fluid to check is your antifreeze. Your radiator needs at least a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water to protect it from freezing in temperatures that are well below zero. Our factory-trained technicians can also check your radiator and heater hoses for cracks, leaks, or contamination from oil or grease. Battery Inspections and Replacements A weak or defective battery can also make your car hard to start on frigid days in Pasadena, MD. To check a conventional battery, remove the plastic caps on the top and check the fluid level. If the fluid is low, add distilled water. On maintenance-free batteries, check that the window at the top of the battery shows a full charge. If your battery is more than five years old or showing signs of weakness, Fitzgerald Volkswagen Annapolis can replace your battery with a newer one that has more cold-cranking amps. Tire and Brake Service, Windshield Wiper Changeouts Balding tires or weak brakes can be dangerous on icy roads in Laurel, MD. Fitzgerald Volkswagen Annapolis has a huge selection of winter tires on special that'll give you better traction when streets are slick. If your brakes are getting weak, you may not be able to stop quickly enough at an intersection. To prevent accidents, we're also offering specials on brake pad replacements. Last, but not least, check to see that your windshield wiper blades are good. If they're worn out, you could have poor visibility in snow or ice storms. Schedule Service with Fitzgerald Volkswagen Annapolis Today These are just some of the things to look for when getting your car ready to go this winter. Schedule a service appointment with Fitzgerald Volkswagen Annapolis and save on crucial winter auto maintenance with our specials.

As the winter season draws near, many of us will need to have our vehicles serviced and maintained. As the roads get slicked with snow and ice, it helps to have all the necessary preparations on your car to ensure your safety. Your VW might need new tires, fresh antifreeze, or a new battery to get in shape for the winter. Please schedule an appointment with our service center at Fitzgerald Volkswagen Annapolis for all of your winter service needs. You will find our dealership and on-site service center less than 40 minutes outside of Laurel, MD. Winter Car Care Tips Check Tires/Replace if Needed: The tires of your car can be the difference between safety and a serious accident near Pasadena, MD, so they should get inspected and rotated to ensure optimal traction. You can order new all-season or winter tires as needed online through our tire center. Replace/Top-Off Fluids: Many of your car's fluids help prevent winter damage, especially the oil and antifreeze/coolant. You should inspect all fluids and make sure they remain fresh. Inspect Brakes: Even with a healthy set of tires, your car should have proper stopping power should you run into snowdrifts in Baltimore, MD. Check Fuel System: Your car consumes more fuel in the winters as the engine works overtime, so your fuel system should get inspected to ensure proper efficiency. The injectors and filters should receive special attention. Get Battery Tested: Nobody wants to end up stranded on the side of the road in a snowstorm without power. Getting your battery tested, charged, and, if necessary, replaced is an essential way to ensure your car continues to perform its best throughout the summer. Save on Winter Service When you visit Fitzgerald Volkswagen Annapolis, you can enjoy all of our latest special offers on winter service. Right now, we have coupons on oil changes, filter replacements, batter service, brakes, and so much more. Getting your car prepared for the cold months should not break the bank! Schedule a Service Appointment Today Our VW service department at Fitzgerald Volkswagen Annapolis is at your disposal for all of your winter maintenance needs. Please schedule an appointment and visit us at 34 Hudson St in Annapolis, MD, for expert service from certified VW technicians. You will find us less than a 30-mile drive outside of Washington DC. We hope to see you soon!

As we fully move into spring here in Annapolis, there are some important parts of your car you'll want to make sure are in working condition. Winter driving can be hard on our vehicles, and we want to make sure you know all the things that should get some attention next time you come into our service center. High Tire Pressure This one can be blamed on thermodynamics. Don't worry! All you need to know is that the cold lowers your tire pressure, so you probably put some extra air in during the colder months. Unfortunately, the opposite is also true. Now that the temperature's rising again, your tire pressure will also climb. We can make sure all your tires are at the manufacturer-specified pressures so that they can keep you driving through Baltimore as long as possible. Damaged Wiper Blades Wiper blades are durable, but the cold makes them more brittle, and wiping away ice can crack the blades. You can tell they need replacing by either doing a visual inspection or paying attention to them next time it rains around Laurel, MD. If they're hitching or not wiping away all the water, we'll be happy to replace them with fresh blades. Brittle and Worn-Out Engine Parts Wiper blades aren't the only thing that becomes more brittle in the cold. The belts and hoses under your hood can also become worn down and tattered from the repeated cold-hot-cold cycle of starting and stopping your car. You can check some of these yourself by just lifting the hood, but we'll be more than happy to check that everything is working and in good condition. Get the Service You Need Near Washington, DC Before It Becomes an Issue We don't want you to get stranded outside Pasadena, MD because a tire blew or a belt snapped. Our expert technicians are ready and willing to take care of your SUV or car, so feel free to schedule a service appointment with us at Fitzgerald Volkswagen Annapolis.

Happy holidays from everyone at Fitzgerald Volkswagen of Annapolis! We want to help you ensure that your vehicle is ready for the winter months ahead in Washington, DC. Cold temperatures, precipitation, road salt, and much more can wreak havoc on your automobile. There are some simple tasks winter maintenance tasks that we recommend having done before the snow starts to fly. Continue reading to learn how you can save big on our next service event. Holiday Service Near Baltimore Oil Changes Having your oil changed every six months or so will keep your engine running efficiently and reliably. We recommend that you use a high-quality oil with an appropriate filter. Our technicians can help you develop a schedule for your oil changes based on the recommendation outlined in your owner’s manual. Battery Inspection and Service You’re going to need a functioning battery to get your vehicle running each cold morning in Pasadena, MD. Our technicians will inspect the connections on your battery, check its current charge, and check to see if your battery can hold a charge for a proper length of time. If it’s time to invest in a new battery, let us help you pick something that’s a smart investment. Fluid Levels Your vehicle needs to have certain amounts of transmission fluid, oil, coolant, and even windshield wiper fluid to run properly. We can check all of these fluid levels, and we’ll also take a look at the quality of the fluid to make sure it is clean. If you would like to schedule service for your Volkswagen, contact Fitzgerald Volkswagen of Annapolis near Laurel, MD, to schedule an appointment. We’ll make sure that your vehicle is running optimally all winter long. You can also inquire about our service specials that we have going on right now to save you a little bit of money around the holidays.

Another winter has passed, and many drivers are itching to be outside on the open road, but there are a few items you should check in your vehicle this spring. While not quite as harsh as winter, spring driving brings its own difficulties, but our auto service center near Washington, DC is here to help car owners! Many in the area are cooped up, but some are still putting a lot of miles on their car or preparing for better weather, and our clean service center is open for business. Read on for more details about spring vehicle maintenance around Baltimore! Common Spring Vehicle Maintenance for Pasadena Drivers As always, you should be mindful of the many different fluid levels for your vehicle, and spring is a great time to flush your oil and fill up on wiper fluid. Our team of technicians easily handle such fill-ups, so that you're sure you have lubrication for your engine and a way to clear dust and more from your windshield. If you put winter tires on your car, you'll want to switch back to all-season or summer tires so that you can improve your mileage, and our team is ready to mount and balance your tires as well as rotate them. Other important components to check on your vehicle this spring include wiper blades, batteries, and A/C, and we can even give it a quick clean! It's Easy to Schedule Service with Our Annapolis Service Center So, we're ready to help those drivers needing common vehicle maintenance as well as more specific tune-ups and repairs, and we do so in a cleanly manner. You can handle most of the process online with our schedule service form as well as the many specials we offer, many of which are for the spring-specific maintenance mentioned above. You can also call if you have any questions about our auto service center serving Laurel!

The winter season never skips Maryland. Whether you reside near Washington DC or the area of Baltimore, you know what it's like to get icy rain and snowfall starting in December. When you're in a part of the country that receives ample snow and ice during the wintertime, you need a type of transportation that has what it takes to keep you safe on the days that you commute to work, run errands, or visit family in the snow. For Maryland customers at Fitzgerald Volkswagen Annapolis, two SUVs come with safety features that protect against on-road winter risks. Five Snow-Ready Safety Features to Help with Winter Commuting Both SUV models are on sale in our Annapolis showroom, and they are the midsize VW Tiguan and full-size VW Atlas. You can research model-specific details in our new VW inventory before confirming a date for a VW test drive. To give you an overview of how both SUVs operate during the winter, our VW experts will point out five safety features: 4MOTION® All-Wheel Drive - Improves the traction and stability of your Volkswagen SUV by distributing equal power to the front and back wheels. High Beam Control/Light Assist - Helps increase visibility at nighttime or in foggy conditions by automatically activating your SUV's high beams when needed. Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Traffic Alert - Monitors any vehicle that appears in your blind spot and behind you when you're about to back up. Lane Keeping System/Lane Assist - Warns you if you're beginning to drift out of your lane at a time when you do not have a turn signal indicated. Snow Mode - Uses specific driving tactics to help your VW SUV adapt to snowy or icy roads - like not sending too much power to the wheels at once. You'll find these five winter-friendly options on the new VW Tiguan and VW Atlas models. While these features will benefit your safety during snowy conditions in nearby Laurel, they won't account for winter preparation. All Maryland drivers must schedule seasonal auto maintenance - especially before winter. You can get your Volkswagen SUV's battery tested, tires checked, and oil changed, bring it to our onsite service facility in Annapolis, MD. Don't fear traveling in the snow or ice again, buy or lease a new Volkswagen Tiguan or Volkswagen Atlas in Annapolis today.