It has been our experience that most problems experienced with the VW Beetle are a reflection of improper or inadequate maintenance. The VW will keep going for a long time without good maintenance -- in fact, it might even be a "forever" car if the maintenance is kept up to scratch. Apart from the engine maintenance and normal tune-ups, etc., the car is about as bug-free as it's possible to be.
Rob Boardman writes -
I've been amazed that I could depend as much as I do and did on the reliability of my 1970 Bug. As one example, the ball joints on the car lasted 200,000 hard miles, but on the Falcon they lasted 120,000 easier miles. I'd jump in my ’68 Bug tomorrow and drive to Sydney (from Adelaide) with nothing more than a top up of oil and quick tune, and checking the tyre pressures. And I'd be sure of getting there, as much as I would in a GM or Ford or Honda.
My secret is "stock" everything, since I've always thought that they had probably worked out all the quirky stuff and it was all there for a reason.
Bob Hoover wrote -
The fabled durability of the VW is just that -- a myth. It is a 1930's design meant to deliver 100,000 km of service before overhaul, with one valve job along the way.
One thing you're going to discover real quick is that providing all of the required maintenance to an antique vehicle is a big job. On an annual basis of approximately 12,000 miles traveled, the VW will require approximately 30 hours of SKILLED preventative maintenance.
To this Rob responded -
I think Bob may be overstating the case just a little bit. I drove my 1970 Bug for 248,000 miles over 27 years and found that it required no more maintenance than other more modern cars I've had at the same time, and I used that car HARD -- pulling loads, long distance driving etc.
When I got my 1968 Bug I knew he needed sorting out, but now he's running just fine, and I'm putting 500 miles a week on him with nothing more than the 3000 mile checkups, and checking the oil once a week (he uses and drips a little).
~~~
VW Maintenance Schedule
Following are the minimum maintenance intervals recommended for Volkswagens that are driven daily. If you wish to keep your vehicle in peak condition at all times, you may wish to perform some of these procedures even more often. If you drive in dusty areas, idle or drive at low speeds for extended periods or drive for short distances (less than four miles) in below freezing temperatures, shorter maintenance intervals are also recommended.
Every 250 Miles or weekly -
Check engine oil level
Check windshield washer fluid level
Check brake fluid level
Check tires and tire pressures
Every 3000 Miles or 3 months -
Check engine oil level
Check windshield washer fluid level
Check brake fluid level
Check tires and tire pressures
Change engine oil
Lubricate the chassis
Check and adjust engine drive belt
Every 6000 Miles or 6 months -
Check engine oil level
Check windshield washer fluid level
Check brake fluid level
Check tires and tire pressures
Change engine oil
Lubricate the chassis
Check and adjust engine drive belt
Inspect/replace wiper blades
Check clutch freeplay
Inspect underhood hoses
Rotate the tires
Adjust valves
Inspect brakes
Every 12,000 Miles or 12 months -
Check engine oil level
Check windshield washer fluid level
Check brake fluid level
Check tires and tire pressures
Change engine oil
Lubricate the chassis
Check and adjust engine drive belt
Inspect/replace wiper blades
Check clutch freeplay
Inspect underhood hoses
Rotate the tires
Adjust valves
Inspect brakes
Service air filter
Service fuel filter
Inspect fuel system
Check compression
Replace spark plugs
Replace ignition points & condenser
Inspect spark plug wires, distributor cap and rotor
Disclaimer stuff: Rob and Dave have prepared this information from their own experiences. We have not assumed any specialised mechanical knowledge, but we DO assume that anyone using this information has at least some basic mechanical ability.
We hope you find this information useful, but we don't take any responsibility for anything which happens to you, other people, your VW or any other property or goods resulting from your use of this material.
Feel free to print off any of this information for your own use. If you intend to link this material to another site, reprint it, or in any other way redistribute it, please leave the information complete, including this disclaimer section, and provide a link to this Web site.
