Volkswagen trying to keep more maintenance work with no-charge program

Volkswagen of America, Inc. now is offering a no-charge Carefree Maintenance Program on its entire 2009 model line.

With this program, the carmaker says there are no charges for the scheduled maintenance described in each vehicle's maintenance booklet for the length of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty -- three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first. The Carefree Maintenance Program will launch with the introduction of the Tiguan, Volkswagen's all-new crossover utility vehicle.

"Volkswagen's Carefree Maintenance Program is a great way to improve our owner loyalty for our brand, as well as increase consumer consideration," says Mark Barnes, chief operating officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "This program also differentiates us from our competition by allowing us to be the only automaker among our key competitors to offer a no-charge maintenance program.”

The maintenance intervals covered under this program and detailed in each vehicle's maintenance booklet are 10K, 20K and 30K miles for all 2009 model year Volkswagens. Because all current Volkswagens use synthetic oil, combined with state-of-the-art European engineering, a 5K oil change is no longer necessary.

This program also covers the forthcoming Routan, Volkswagen's all-new seven-passenger minivan, which arrives in dealer showrooms later this year. Maintenance intervals for the Routan are 6K, 12K, 18K, 24K, 30K and 36K.

The Carefree Maintenance Program also includes a courtesy vehicle check. This allows owners to return to the dealership from which they purchased their 2009 model year Volkswagen within 90 days or 6,000 miles, whichever occurs first, for a full review of the vehicle's benefits and features, and to have their vehicle checked at no charge.

For more information, visit www.vw.com.