Volkswagen Cabrio Parts & Accessories

Volkswagen is one of the most reliable brands of automobiles. The vehicles that come out of its manufacturing line, like your Volkswagen Cabrio, are sure to give the best performance possible. However, every vehicle is not made to last. All you can do is prolongs its economic life. You can do this by regular maintenance. Just follow the basics and you are good to go.

• See to it that your A/C system is keeping you cool on hot summer days and warm on cold winter days.

Your Volkswagen Cabrio's air-conditioning system is made up of the compressor, condenser, accumulator, expansion valve and evaporator. When one of them fails, the entire system fails. Always make sure that your air-conditioning system and its parts are checked periodically. Also, don't forget that there's always enough Freon. Otherwise, your a/c won't be able to keep you cool during summer or warm on winter. Also ensure that the hoses are not brittle and that the connections are tight to avoid leaks.

• Make sure that your engine is performing efficiently all the time.

Your car is useless without your engine so it is always best if you have the engine and its parts in check regularly. Make sure that it is properly lubricated with engine oil to ensure smooth performance all the time. Keep in mind that engine oils don't last forever, and they need to be replaced from time to time. If the engine oil becomes too viscous and heavy, it needs to be changed as soon as possible. Check your owner's manual for the right oil replacement intervals.

• Replace the coolant regularly, and check the radiator and its hose connections.

Your Volkswagen Cabrio's engine generates tremendous amount of heat. To keep it from overheating, it is equipped with a cooling system to keep it at the right temperature. Because of its important function in your car, it should be maintained regularly too. Maintenance of the engine cooling system should include replacing the coolant regularly. When replacing the coolant, make sure that you use 50% distilled water and 50% antifreeze. Check the radiator if it's rusty or has leaks. You don't want the coolant to run out; otherwise it will be bad for your engine. Check the connections of the hose to the radiator as well as its condition. The heat in the engine bay will make the hose brittle over time.

• Always keep your brake system components in check.

Your Volkswagen Cabrio's brake system is its primary safety feature. Because of its function in your vehicle, it wears out faster than any other vehicle parts. Subsequently, of all the brake system parts, the brake pads are usually the first to go; so if they become too thin, make sure you have them replaced. Also don't forget to check the level of brake fluid in your brakes. The brake fluid is crucial to the performance of the brakes. It amplifies the stopping power of your brakes as it turns the fluid into hydraulic pressure.

There’s nothing quite like driving a convertible. Driving a convertible is the very definition of riding in style. After all, driving with the wind blowing on the face is simply cool—in more ways than one. Plus, a convertible is guaranteed to turn heads no matter where it goes. Now, there have been numerous convertibles released in the past. Despite that, Volkswagen’s convertibles have always managed to stand out from the rest. Volkswagen automobiles have always sported a rather distinct design, and its brand of convertibles isn’t any different. With those said, the Volkswagen Cabrio is one of the more unique convertibles that were released in the modern era.

The Volkswagen Cabrio was derived from the Volkswagen Golf, the brand’s long-running small family car series that was established way back in 1974. The Golf’s convertible version was released in 1979, although the Cabrio designation wouldn’t be used until the ‘90s. Back then, the Golf convertible was known as the Cabriolet.

The Volkswagen Cabriolet was conceptualized by German firm Karmann, the independent automotive company that also designed the Volkswagen Beetle convertible. The Cabriolet featured the trademark basket handle roll bar, which boosted the frame’s strength and provided passengers with protection in case the car rolls over. While the Cabriolet is aesthetically different from the Golf, their mechanisms share a lot of similarities. Under the Cabriolet’s hood sat a 1.6-L engine (one of the engines used by the Golf) that was capable of 76hp.

Several upgrades went the way of the Cabriolet all throughout the ‘80s. For instance, the original 1.6 engine was eventually upgraded to 1.7-L and 1.8-L. Some old optional features became standardized while entirely new ones were added. There were also slight modifications in the exterior, the interior, and the vehicle’s various systems (brakes, suspension, and transmission).

The Cabrio name was finally used when the latest generation of Volkswagen Golf convertibles arrived in 1993. The change wasn’t just limited to the name though as the Cabrio featured new exterior and elements such as updated fenders, bumpers, headlights, blinker. The interior received the same treatment as the steering wheel, the shift lever, and the seats were also upgraded. A new set of engines and a wide assortment of features were also available.

The Cabrio or the Cabriolet became Volkswagen’s top-selling of convertibles. Despite that, the Cabrio was discontinued in 2001. The Volkswagen Eos convertible took its place.