Do you need an oil change or routine maintenance on your Volkswagen car or SUV? Enjoy the convenience of Service Xpress at Thelen Volkswagen in Bay City! Our factory-certified VW technicians will complete your maintenance in our state-of-the-art facility, quickly and efficiently, to get you back on the road. The best part is that no appointment is necessary for Service Xpress services! Just bring your Volkswagen to our Thelen VW service department weekdays during normal service hours or between 8:00 am or 2:00 pm on Saturday.
Check out the many services available with our convenient Service Xpress lane:
Oil Change – Important for keeping your VW engine running smoothly
Exterior Bulb Replacement – Essential for the safety of you and your passengers
Tire Rotation – Extend the life of your tires when you have them rotated regularly
Air & Cabin Filter Replacement – Make sure you and your VW are breathing the cleanest air
Wiper Blade Replacement – Good wiper blades are essential in adverse weather conditions
Battery Diagnostic & Replacement – We will diagnose your battery strength and replace if necessary to ensure your Volkswagen starts on those cold mornings
We invite you to try out our convenient Service Xpress lane at Thelen Volkswagen in Bay City for routine service on your VW today!
Now is the time to make your way to Thelen VW in Bay City! We currently have only three of our 2018 models left in stock and are passing on super savings to our customers! All three of these popular SUVs feature Volkswagen’s capable 4Motion all-wheel drive system. The 4Motion system automatically distributes power to whichever set of wheels require it, depending on the terrain and road conditions. Perfect for winter driving in Michigan! Check out these amazing, feature-filled VW sport utility vehicles.
* 2018 VW Atlas SE -This stunning Pure White VW Atlas features a roomy cabin with three rows of seating. Enjoy heated 10-way front bucket seats, handy backup camera, Piano Black interior accents, blind spot monitor, SiriusXM satellite radio, 4Motion full-time all-wheel drive, and much more! Save over $1,680 dollars with our Thelen Family Discount!
* 2018 VW Tiguan 2.0T SE – This Metallic Cardinal Red crossover is a true head-turner. The beautiful Storm Gray interior is spacious and comfortable. Features a large 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink integration. Keep all your devices charged with three 12V DC outlets. Enjoy top of the line safety features including forward collision emergency brake assist, blind spot monitor, backup camera, low tire pressure warning, and much more! Drive our last 2018 VW Tiguan home today for only $29,920!
* 2018 VW Atlas SE – Seat seven adults comfortably in this Deep Black VW Atlas! The 3.6L V6 engine is both powerful and fuel efficient, earning an estimated 17 MPG in the city and 23 MPG on the highway. Enjoy best-in-class comfort, safety and technology features including the popular 4Motion all-wheel drive functionality. Drive home today for only $38,671, over $1,500 below MSRP!
Visit Thelen Volkswagen at 1112 N. Euclid Avenue to purchase your brand new 2018 VW with 4Motion technology before your next wintry commute!
2020 Volkswagen Passat Debuts at NAIAS
The Volkswagen Passat has long been a popular part of the VW line-up. That popularity is sure to continue with the 2020 VW Passat which just made its global debut at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). The Passat has been completely restyled with an emphasis on sleek and powerful styling, including slim LED headlights and taillights, dominant front grille, and a coupe-like roofline for a sleek appearance. The sophisticated new interior design features exciting upgraded technologies that will make each drive a great one. Standard features include full LED lighting, Front Assist with Pedestrian Monitoring, Blind Spot Monitor, App-Connect, and Rear Traffic Alert. Performance is not an issue for the 2020 Passat thanks to the efficient 2.0-liter TSI® engine. You know a vehicle is quality-built when the manufacturer backs it with America’s Best Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty of 6-years / 72,000-miles (whichever comes first) like the Passat is.
If you are ready for a midsize sedan with a focus on comfort, reliability, and German driving dynamics at an affordable price, the 2020 Volkswagen Passat will be perfect for you! But you don’t have to wait for the 2020, because the 2019 VW Passat is equally feature-filled, fun-to-drive, and available for you to drive home today from Thelen Volkswagen in Bay City, Michigan.
Planning Your Perfect Michigan Road Trip!
It’s starting to get warmer out and you know what that means…it’s time to start planning your perfect Michigan summer road trip! No matter which way you turn you are bound to run in to some beautiful nature here in Michigan! Here are some tips and tricks to make your road trip a little sweeter-
- Have your vehicle inspected before you leave. It’s everyone’s worst nightmare….you’re in-between towns on a long trip and all of a sudden you start having vehicle problems. Prevent this nightmare from occurring by bring your vehicle in for an oil change and complimentary inspection the week before you leave. Already up to date on your oil change? Stop by for a FREE inspection to make sure that everything is good to go!
- Map out your trip. We don’t just mean on your phone either! This is a great way to involve all of the members of your family- pick up a paper map and choose your beginning and end points. Take a look at your route and let everyone pick out one thing on the way that they find interesting. This is a great way to make sure that everyone has a fun time!
- Make a plan for food and sleeping accommodations. Now that you have your route and points of interest it’s time to plan out food and sleeping accommodations. Eating out for every meal can get tiring (and expensive!). Is one of your points of interest a good spot for a picnic? Place a cooler in your trunk with sandwich supplies and some fresh fruit. Don’t forget about the car snacks either!
- Pack up the car. The time has finally come…it’s time to pack up the car and get on the road! Make sure that everyone has enough space to be comfortable and that there are car-friendly activities to keep little ones occupied. Drinks and snacks should be readily available as well as a small trash bag to keep the car tidy.
- Have fun! Take this time to enjoy being with your family and take in all that Michigan has to offer!
From all of us here at Thelen Auto Group we hope that you have an amazing Michigan road trip this summer! Whether your checking out the Cherry Festival in Traverse City or if you’re enjoying the cool waves of Lake Superior we are sure that you will make memories that last a lifetime.
2017 Volkswagen Atlas
Have you heard the buzz about the all-new 3rd row crossover SUV that is set to roll into dealers next week? That’s right- we’re talking about the highly anticipated Volkswagen Atlas! The Atlas is the 7 passenger vehicle that we’ve all been dreaming of- and it was definitely worth the wait! Here are some of our top 5 favorite features:
- The Warranty. We all want to ensure that our large purchases are protected, and Volkswagen is standing by the engineering of the Atlas by offering a 7 year, 72,000 mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty. If you should choose to sell your Atlas before the warranty expires (which we don’t think you will) your warranty will be transferred to the new owner at no cost to you!
- The Panoramic Sunroof. This sunroof runs almost the entire length of all three rows! If you really want to let the nature in you can open the sunroof for a convertible-like feel. Talk about the best of both worlds- lots of space AND the fresh wind in your hair!
- The Legroom. While we’re on the subject of talking about having lots of space, you definitely won’t be disappointed in the legroom that the Atlas has to offer. The second row seats 3 people, and is large enough to sit 3 car seats side by side! The third row seats two 2 people and has an unprecedented 33.7″ of space between it and the 2nd row!
- The Cargo Area. Don’t need the 3rd row seating? No problem! Both the 3rd row and 2nd row fold completely flat to give you a cargo area as big as 96.8 cubic feet. That’s a lot of space to store your camping gear!
- The Technology. The technology on the Atlas could warrant its own blog post. Some of the highlights include high resolution digital display that replaces the traditional instrument cluster and the 6.5″ infotainment screen that comes standard on all models. Have multiple drivers in your household? The Atlas stores up to 4 driver profiles and will remember your personalized settings to a number of different vehicle settings.
Want to check one out for yourself? Send us a message to schedule a test drive!
5 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day in Bay City!
Our friends over at MLive have put together a great article detailing different ways to celebrate Earth Day here in Bay City- here’s the low down:
1- Dispose of your unwanted items during the Clean Up Bay City event! Bring your items that are too big or simply can’t be thrown out with the trash to the Bay City Department of Public Works building located at 900 S. Water Street. Acceptable items include: electronic waste, polystyrene foam, household goods, furniture, clothing, building materials, eye glasses, hearing aids, books, cellphones, concrete, bricks, smoke detectors, yarn, pill-form drugs and scrap metal.
2- Support Bay City Little League teams and get some free compost! It’s time to get our gardens ready! Bring your truck or trailer to Veterans Memorial Park and get some compost! Volunteers from the Bay City Little Leagues will be available to help load the free compost and will be accepting donations from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
3- Help clean the river walk and rail trail! Beginning at 8:30 a.m. you can go to the Bay County Community Center to get trash bags and lawn equipment (provided for free) to help clean up our gorgeous river walk and rail trail. Make sure to wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Refreshments will be provided.
4- Join the Discovery Preserve clean up crew! The Saginaw Bay Basin Land Conservatory members will be out cleaning up the Discovery Preserve Center! Haven’t been out to the Discovery Preserve yet? It is a hidden gem in our city. Bring your children and check it out- 1701 S. Euclid Ave.
5- Run (or walk) the Eagle By The Bay 5K! The annual race kicks of at 10 a.m. and costs $25 if you sign up on the day of the race. Go to Finn Road Park to sign up- 2300 N. Finn Road. Proceeds benefit the Kiwanis club.
We hope that you’ll find a great way to spend Earth Day with your family!
Purchasing a vehicle is a huge decision for most people. Customers spend hours of their time researching models and dealerships online before test driving and ultimately choosing a vehicle. Do you put that much thought into where you service your vehicle? You should!
There are many advantages of choosing a dealership for your service and maintenance needs.
Genuine OEM parts- Your local Volkswagen dealership uses genuine VW parts that are a perfect fit for your vehicle and perform like the original factory parts. These genuine parts also come with a limited warranty.
Experienced, certified technicians- Our factory trained technicians are experts when it comes to your VW. These technicians, along with our expert service staff, go through ongoing training with the manufacturer to keep up on the latest information and techniques to keep your VW running smoothly.
Facilities and amenities- Not only do we provide expert care for your Volkswagen, but we are also proud to offer these added benefits that set us apart from the rest:
- Free shuttle service
- Free Wi-Fi, television, and beverages in our comfortable lounge area
- Easy online appointment requests
- Complimentary car wash
- No-appointment oil change
Here at Thelen, we have been servicing vehicles for 40 years and have the knowledge and tools to keep your vehicle running in tip-top shape. If you haven’t tried out our service department yet, we invite you to see why our customers keep coming back!
Pros and Cons of Leasing a Vehicle
Should you buy or lease a vehicle? This is a decision which ultimately depends on your personal lifestyle and your preferences when it comes to vehicles. In general, leasing allows you to drive a better-equipped vehicle for less money, and you also have the option to drive a brand-new car every two to three years. However, there can be a few disadvantages that come with leasing that can make buying a more appealing option.
Listed below is a basic list of the Pros and Cons of leasing a vehicle to help you make a better decision on whether to lease or purchase.
PROS
- Usually there is little to no down payment required when leasing.
- Leasing enables you to potentially drive a higher-priced and better-equipped vehicle than you may otherwise be able to purchase.
- Monthly payments are typically lower when leasing compared to buying.
- Lower maintenance costs (With a three-year lease, most repairs are covered by the factory warranty.)
- You can more easily drive a new car every two or three years.
- At the end of the lease there are no trade-in hassles.
- You pay sales tax only on the portion of the car you finance.
- Leasing gives you the ability to “test-drive” a vehicle for an extended period of time if you are already thinking about purchasing a particular type.
CONS
- At the end of the lease, you don’t own the car.
- You aren’t allowed to make any permanent changes to the vehicle.
- Your mileage is limited to a set amount, typically 12,000-15,000 miles a year (any miles over the limit are paid for at the end of the lease).
- In the long run, leasing may be more expensive than buying.
- Wear-and-tear charges can add up, unless you regularly clean and maintain the vehicle (paid at lease termination).
- If you decide to terminate the lease early, you may be charged some fees and penalties.
Ultimately, the final decision of leasing or buying a vehicle comes down to what fits your needs and desires most. Ask your salesperson to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of leasing for your particular driving needs. At Thelen, we are here to help you make the best and most cost-effective decision to fit your lifestyle!
TDI Settlement Information
Have questions about the Volkswagen TDI Settlement? We can help!
Volkswagen has agreed to settlements regarding diesel emissions from Volkswagen 2.0 liter TDI vehicles. In addition to a buyback or approved emissions modification, some owners could receive $5,100-10,000. If you are eligible, you can start the process now and Thelen Volkswagen wants to be your preferred dealer to guide you through the process.
Contact us today with any questions. We have a Volkswagen Ambassador available at our dealership to help assist you every step of the way.
What to do if you are ever stranded
A few months ago, we wrote about packing an emergency kit for your car in case you ever find yourself stranded. You can read that post by clicking here.
It is important also to know what to do if you are ever in the situation described, such as stranded with a flat tire or in a blizzard. We have gathered a list of what to do if you are ever stranded.
- Move your car out of harm’s way the best you can. You want to make sure that you are protecting yourself from getting hit by other vehicles. Even if you can only get over to the shoulder, this helps prevent further damage to you or your vehicle.
- Make sure to call 911 and tell them where you are.
- Turn on your hazard flashers and set up reflective triangles to let other people know you are there. You want to be as visible as possible.
- Make sure your tailpipe is clear of snow in order to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning when you run your engine. You will have to check it often to make sure everything is clear.
- Do not keep the car running continuously. You will want to just run the car for a few minutes every hour to warm yourself up.
- Stay in your car as long as you can. You are safe in your car, it is warmer in there, and you have shelter. Also, when people come to help, they will be looking for your car, so you will want to stay in it to make it easier to find you. Only leave the car to clear the tailpipe and windshield.
By following these instructions, you can make sure you are still safe even if you are stuck on the side of the road. Stay safe out there!
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