Summer in Western Australia is made for road trips — south to Margaret River and Albany, north to Kalbarri and beyond, or east to Esperance. Long, hot drives are also when cars are most likely to let you down. If you’re planning a summer getaway in your Polo, Golf, Passat, Tiguan, Touareg or Amarok, a little preparation now can save a ruined holiday later. Here’s how to prepare your Volkswagen for a summer road trip from Perth.
Why summer road trips are tough on cars
A WA road trip combines everything that strains a car at once: high temperatures, long stretches at highway speed, heavy loads of luggage and passengers, and sometimes a trailer or caravan. Margaret River is around 270km from Perth, Albany around 420km and Esperance around 700km — long distances where help can be a long way away. Small problems that go unnoticed around town tend to show up on these runs.
Your Volkswagen pre-trip checklist
1. Make sure your service is up to date
Fresh oil is the best protection for your engine on a long, hot drive. We recommend a Volkswagen service and oil change every 6 months or 10,000km, especially for diesel engines. If your service is due or close to due, have it done before you leave. Learn more about our Volkswagen servicing in Perth.
2. Check the cooling system
Overheating is one of the most common causes of summer breakdowns. Coolant level and condition, hoses, the radiator and the water pump should all be checked. Some VW engines use plastic water pump and thermostat housings that can weep with age, so it’s worth having them inspected before a long, hot drive. See our cooling system repairs.
3. Get the air conditioning ready
If your air conditioning isn’t as cold as it used to be, have it checked before you’re stuck in 40-degree heat for hours. Our ARC-certified technicians can regas and repair your air conditioning so everyone stays comfortable.
4. Inspect tyres — including the spare
Check tread depth, look for cracks and bulges, and set the pressures for a fully loaded car (the correct figures are usually on the placard inside the driver’s door or fuel flap). Don’t forget the spare: many Volkswagens carry a space-saver or a tyre repair kit, so know what you have and how to use it before you head off.
5. Check the brakes
A fully loaded car, hills and highway speeds all ask more of your brakes. We’ll check pads, discs and brake fluid, and we can fit quality ATE brake components. More on our brake service.
6. Test the battery
Heat is hard on batteries, and a weak battery often fails without warning. A quick test tells you whether it’s healthy. If it needs replacing, we fit Bosch batteries. See our auto electrical services.
7. Look after the DSG gearbox
Many Volkswagens use a DSG dual-clutch gearbox, which we recommend servicing every 60,000km. If yours is due — especially if you’ll be towing or carrying a heavy load — have it done before the trip.
8. Wipers, lights and fluids
Replace worn wiper blades, top up the washer fluid (summer bugs on country roads add up fast) and check all lights. If you drive a diesel that uses AdBlue, top it up before you leave, as it isn’t available everywhere in regional WA.
On the road: stay safe
- Plan rest stops every two hours to manage fatigue.
- Carry plenty of drinking water, a phone charger and a basic first-aid kit.
- Watch for kangaroos and other wildlife, especially around dawn and dusk.
- Keep an eye on your temperature gauge and pull over safely if it starts to climb.
- Don’t overload the car, and check your Volkswagen’s towing limits if you’re pulling a trailer or caravan.
Book a pre-trip check for your Volkswagen
Our team will check everything on the list above, and service your Volkswagen if it’s due, so you can head off with confidence. Book one to two weeks before you leave so there’s time to fix anything we find. Book online or call us on (08) 9227 9944.
Frequently asked questions
When should I book my Volkswagen in before a road trip?
Ideally one to two weeks before you leave. That gives time to order any parts and fix anything we find, rather than rushing the night before.
Does my Volkswagen need a full service before a long trip?
If a service is due or close to due, it makes sense to have it done before you go. If not, a pre-trip safety check covering tyres, brakes, cooling system, battery, fluids, lights and air conditioning is usually enough.
How does Perth's summer heat affect my Volkswagen?
Heat puts extra strain on the cooling system, battery, tyres and air conditioning. Long runs on hot days are when weak water pumps, ageing hoses and tired batteries are most likely to fail, so they are worth checking before a trip.
Should my DSG gearbox be serviced before a road trip?
If it's due or overdue, yes. We recommend servicing the DSG dual-clutch transmission every 60,000km. Long trips, especially towing or carrying heavy loads, work the transmission hard.
Do you check Volkswagen air conditioning before summer?
Yes. Our ARC-certified technicians can check, regas and repair your Volkswagen's air conditioning so it keeps you cool on long summer drives.
