Maintenance

Basic Tools	Intermediate Tools	Advanced Tools
Jack & jack stands (do not use the jack in your trunk & never, ever use just a jack to hold up the car when doing maintenance/repairs!) Lug wrench Flashlight & work light Screwdrivers (Phillips & flat-head) Ratchet handles 3/8" drive metric socket set (6mm-19mm) + a couple extensions Spark plug socket (13/16") Box/Open end combo wrenches (6mm - 22mm) Pocket knife Oil filter wrench & oil drain pan Allen wrenches Chisel & punch set Torque wrench Hacksaw and blades Silicone lubricant Electrical wire (12" piece of 14 gauge wire with a small spade connector on each end & a replaceable 8 amp fuse in the middle -- testing jumper wire) Wire crimper/cutter/stripper Magnet with an extendable handle Files Pliers & Vice grip pliers Adjustable crescent wrench Feeler gauges & plug gapper Filler hose (automatics) Fire extinguisher Rubber mallet Tire gauge Masking tape & duct tape Safety goggles Electrical tape Baggies Pen & notepad Carb cleaner Lithium grease BENTLEY SERVICE MANUAL	Basic Tools plus: Test light Timing light Dwell meter Tachometer Multi-meter or volt-ohm meter Compression tester Injector puller Vacuum pump/brake bleeder Fuel pressure gauge CV joint tool 1/2" drive metric sockets Socket adapter (1/2" to 3/8") Plastic hose (1.20mm piece of 4mm plastic hose) Bar (18" iron bar with a point on one end and a chisel on the other) Ball peen hammer Small plastic containers w/ lids Breaker bar (1/2" drive, 24" long) Cheater (3 foot piece of 2" pipe to slip over the end of the breaker bar)	Basic & Intermediate Tools plus: Electric drill & high-speed bits Deep socket set (8mm-19mm) 1/4" drive socket set Set of easy outs (for removing broken studs and bolts) Metric tap and die set (to restore bad threads or make new ones) Bar (24" wrecking bar) Butane torch set Circlip pliers Ring compressor Ridge reamer Spring compressor Hammers Big tool box with drawers
In-car Spare Parts	In-Your-Garage Spare Parts	Tips
Distributor cap and rotor Clutch cable (manual trans.) Spark plugs Fuses, bulbs & fuel pump relay V-Belts Oil Fuel injector O-rings Pre-mixed coolant Misc. metric tools, pliers, etc. Jumper cables Upper & lower radiator hoses Wiper blades Nylon tow strap	Heavy-duty brake fluid CV joint grease Clamps (13mm-50mm) Electrical wire (various lengths & gauges) Various push-on electrical connectors Injector and injector cleaner	Turn bolts, nuts, screws, etc., counterclockwise to loosen them; to tighten them, turn them clockwise. "Righty-tighty, lefty-loosey"
* * Remember, you are responsible for working on your car; this web site's creator, VAG, VWoA, or anyone else are not responsible if anything goes wrong while you are working on, in and under your car! * *

Maintenance Schedule

Weekly	Monthly	Every 7,500 miles or 6 months
Check and, if need be, adjust: Oil and coolant level (read the gauges: is the car still running at proper temps and pressures?) Battery (read the gauge & multi-meter: is the charging system working as it should?) Tires, tire pressure Lights ATF (automatic trans.) Belts (loose? too tight? cracked?) Wash car, inside and out, including wheels	Weekly maintenance plus: Brake fluid level Hoses (leaks? cracks? soft?) Windshield wiper blades, washer fluid level Spare tire air pressure Clean engine compartment and car's underbody	Oil & oil filter change* Check freeplay of clutch & adjust if necessary (excluding models w/ self-adjusting clutch) Check operation of automatic shiftlock ('90+ with auto trans.) Check for fluid leaks *If changing oil types (ex: mineral oil to synthetic oil), perform an engine oil flush before filling with new oil.
Every 15,000 miles or 12 months	Every 30,000 miles or 2 years	Every 60,000 miles or 4 years
ï plus: Replace/clean air filter Check valve clearance and adjust if necessary; replace cylinder head cover gaskets Check brake fluid level and add if necessary Check coolant level and add if necessary OBD I: check fault code memory, purge if necessary Check power steering fluid level and add if necessary Check power top pump (if equipped) fluid level and add if necessary Check ATF fluid and add if necessary (auto trans. only) Auto transaxle final drive: check for leaks and oil level Inspect brake hoses, brake pads, brake shoes, rotors for wear Lubricate door check rods Check CV joint boots for damage Check exhaust system for leaks and damage Inspect ball joint dust seals, drive axles, and CV joint boots Check aiming of headlights and adjust if necessary Check manual trans. for leaks and oil level Inspect steering rack, tie rod ends and tie rods Inspect wheels and tires Check idle speed and adjust if necessary	ï plus: Check engine compression Replace fuel filter Inspect distributor cap, rotor, spark plug wires and replace if necessary* Replace spark plugs* Replace oxygen sensor (up to '87) Drain and flush cooling system; replace with new coolant Check condition and tension of V-belts; adjust or replace as needed Drain and replace ATF and replace filter (auto trans. only) Replace brake fluid Check dust seals on ball joints, steering tie rod ends, and tie rods for wear and damage Check all vacuum hoses and connections for wear and leaks * It is advised that you use Bosch ignition components and W7DC or W7DTC spark plugs	ï plus: Replace cooling system hoses Replace camshaft timing belt Replace oxygen sensor ('88-'93) Replace V-belts

Please do not email the site administrator with personal questions to mechanical-related problems (they will not be answered); instead, please use one or all of the car forums listed on the links page. Thank you.

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