SKODA Octavia 1.9 TDI PD (servicing)

[mr_cool]

I have a SKODA Octavia 1.9 TDI PD (58 reg). It is coming up for its first service (near 20k miles and light on).

I willl be doing all my own servicing, but using VAG parts to maintain warranty. Whats the story with variable v fixed?

Is there a service schedule I can use to dermine at what mileages or times to do certain maintenance? Personally I think 20k is too long for changing oil.

The service handbook makes reference to brake fluid, oil and fuel at 20k or 2 years?

Thanks

Edited 9 February, 2010 by mr_cool

[soldatov]

Hi

We have same engine car is 2yrs old now, and we have a full service every 15,000km just under 10,000miles, We did that even with our old Nissan and that did 240,000km before we ,sold it. Might add that the 1st year we did 40,000km so we had 2 services by 30,000km, now we are doing far less km per yr in fact 15000km was last years sum. So then only one service was done just before the winter started. ,

Edited 9 February, 2010 by soldatov

[skippy41]

Change the oil every 10KI do, how are you going to get the book stamped

[mr_cool]

Change the oil every 10KI do, how are you going to get the book stamped

Im not going to get the book stampe, or will use my companys stamp. As far as im aware as long as its maintained in accordance with the service schedule and use the correct parts the dealer doesnt have to service it.

Edited 9 February, 2010 by mr_cool

[Gizmo]

I willl be doing all my own servicing, but using VAG parts to maintain warranty. Whats the story with variable v fixed?

To maintain the warranty you need the car serviced by a VAT registered garage.

Fixed servicing is every 10K miles and variable is ..... well variable, depending on the type of driving done this can be up to 2 years or IIRC 18K miles - whichever comes first.

[mr_cool]

To maintain the warranty you need the car serviced by a VAT registered garage.

Fixed servicing is every 10K miles and variable is ..... well variable, depending on the type of driving done this can be up to 2 years or IIRC 18K miles - whichever comes first.

Is there schedules downloadable for variable and fixed regimes? Fixed servicing sounds easier to keep on top of.

Also say I wanted to swap to fixed servicing, do I have to change this with the dealer?

Edited 9 February, 2010 by mr_cool

[Gizmo]

The only differance between fixed and variable service is the quality of the oil used, variable needs VW506.01 (only if the car has no DPF) or VW507.00 (can be used whether a DPF is fitted or not.

IIRC there is a list of the things included in the front of the service book?

One thing i would do is to change the air filter at EVERY service rather than the VAG recommended interval, which is far too long!

To change to fixed servicing reset the service reminder as described in the manual - to go from fixed to variable servicing (or even just resetting the reminder for every variable service) requires either VCDS or a trip to dealer to set the reminder.

[mr_cool]

The manual doesnt seem to list a full regime for fixed and variable. It mentions 20k inspection being oil, fuel and brake fluid.

So if I were to just change the oil, fuel and air filter yearly or @ 10k miles which ever comes first and brake fluid every 2 years. Must be other intervals eg. coolant, gearbox oils, pollen

The cars (theres a couple of them) don't have too hard a life, doing longer runs etc. so the variable would probely be OK, but I don't mind doing oil every year or 10k.

I just want to stick within the SKODA schedule for the warranty period, maybe I can ask them to fax me a copy of the full regime.

How do I know if they have the DPF filter?

What is the spec for fixed interval oil?

Thanks all

Edited 9 February, 2010 by mr_cool

[Avalon]

The majority of questions you've asked are covered in the owners handbook and reading that should be your first step.Before you do your own servicing you need to give it some careful thought.

1. As mentioned already you have to have the car serviced by a VAT registered company, block exemption does not apply to DIY servicing, while in main warranty you're wasting your time/money doing your own servicing. You're also killing your re-sale value, unless it's a 10 y/o car with an inch of paperwork self servicing is a big turn off for anyone buying a 2nd had car, the trade are also going to take a dim view if you want to part x in the future. You need a VAT registered company who can provide details to Skoda confirming what work they did and prove they used genuine VAG parts/consumables and the appropriate spec fluids and stuck like glue to the service schedule. In the event of any warranty claim expect a fight, not your usual 'oh that's wear n tear' or 'oh that's not been maintained to the required standard' but a genuine request for itemised invoice/VAT receipts for your service work and then the usual argument. If you have no tools and little to no experience etc. then i'd suggest doing simpler jobs yourself (brake/pad changes, air filter/glow plug changes, wiper/bulb changes etc). and buying tools as required for each job otherwise this will cost you a lot initially compared to just sticking with VTS and the dealer or an indy.

2. If you are going to self service/indy you will get zero good will as good will contribution is not covered by block exemption (and remember no VAT invoice/back up and you're not covered anyway). For example the VAG range has a known issue with the Teves MK60 ABS unit, ours went pop and with full MDSH (and the use of small claims court and trading standards) we got a 70% contribution on a 4.5y/o car, without full MDSH we'd have had to cough up a grand at retail. Now if we'd used the independent specialist on VTS we'd have saved £200 or so on service costs over 5 years. As it is we saved that anyway by using the price match policy and a further £700+ as a result of sticking with dealer, granted we won't be in future as at 5 y/o our good will is effectively useless . Now if you're still happy to do it yourself consider what you'll need.

So in short you're potentially damaging your resale value, voiding your warranty and removing any good will payment for known issues, if you're happy with that then read on....

You're going to need tools, basics would be a full set of spanners, socket set(s), extension bar(s), torque wrench, jack, axle stands, micrometer, basic hand tools, work lamp, calliper winder, a compressor is also handy (air ratchet, tyre inflation, air gun, spraying, air drill etc) oh and tea making facilities if you're that way inclined ;o) If not allow a minimum of £200 up for basic kit if you skip the compressor (you can spend that on just a decent socket set). VCDS is going to be needed for fault code reading, resetting service intervals if you stick to VTS (if you go fixed this can be done for the dash) clearing DTC's and various other service tasks it's down to £200ish on a group buy atm and is worth every penny, you can buy a generic cable and a licence for $99 but it's more agro and you get no support for the cable, pirated software/cables are also available however i'd avoid them as you're tied to a certain (older) version of the software. You'll also need a laptop (with USB) to run it on you won't need anything too flash, if you haven't got one budget another £150-200. A Golf MKV Haynes manual is handy for reference as the engine etc is basically identical. I'd also suggest getting yourself on a car maintenance course as your question about brake fluid suggests you're not aware of how to test it (it's hydroscopic and absorbs water resulting in poor brake performance/boiling). If you don't feel comfortable with this (it's easy) take the car to have a 'free' brake fluid check done at one of the known fitters, i'd never advise using them to do any work but that's your call. When it comes to the timing belt i'd suggest taking it to a professional, same with a clutch unless you have experience or skilled help to keep you right, wheel bearings require a bench press, don't even try to do it yourself, trust me it's an utter pita. At least get someone with a press to do the pressing!

If you haven't got most/all of the above then you're looking at £5-600 before you buy even basic consumables/lubricants etc. though you'll likely have some of the kit required if you're considering this. If you don't then you'll save more by finding a reputable indy and using them or getting the dealer to price match said indy. Oil is probably going to be your most expensive consumable, i'd suggest you consider using the long life oil irrespective of the service interval used, it's not that much more expensive. Air/oil/fuel filters are cheap so you end up doing them every service for the sake of argument, glow plugs are worth doing in set's of 4 and at only a tenner a pop they're cheap. Either way whatever you do sit down and work out the costs/savings, i've seen people spend a lot of money on kit then find out they couldn't use it part way through a major job and have to call for help as the car was in bits or worse pay a mechanic to come and put things back together

[mr_cool]

.

Edited 10 February, 2010 by mr_cool

[mr_cool]

Hi Avalon,

I already have a vehicle/engineeing workshop equiped with any tools required, compressor, ramp etc. Parts will be from Skoda. Yeah they told me oil is £11 per litre pumped out of their barrel. I told him I wanted 507.00. I am really just asking about the fixed/variable schedule which I am not fimilar with. I am aware how to test brake fluid but if Skoda specify 2 years, I will do it every 2 years to maintain the warranty.

If I were to reset the indicator from the car itself it would revert to fixed schedule? So the light comes on every 10k?

I have Launch diagnostic, I wonder if it does the variable reset.

Edited 10 February, 2010 by mr_cool

[Avalon]

Yep resetting the service indicator via the dash flips it over to time/distance rather than variable according to the manual. As for the BFC being every two years it's more to do with the potential for not seeing the car at the dealership for another two years, while at 2 years your BF should be fine 4 y/o brake fluid will be past it's best and if you're on variable it's not uncommon for two year intervals.

Edited 10 February, 2010 by Avalon

[mr_cool]

Picked up the parts from the dealer today. I asked for VW 507 00 spec oil and he supplied me with...

COMMA Diesel PD 5w-40 (Meets requirements of: VW 505 01, VW 505 00/VW 500 00)

http://www.commaoil.com/productsguide/view/6/177

I questioned the (rather helpful) chap as to wheter this is longlife oil and he said "good as you can get" I said that I thought it should be 5W-30 for the longlife oil he then tried to explain the only difference is the thickness and it was fine.

Commas website shows:

Products For Your SKODA Octavia 1.9 TDI PD, -Combi (QG2 - 77kW) (2005-) DieselT - Engine Oil: Diesel PD 5w-40

Products For Your SKODA Octavia 1.9 TDI PD, -Combi (QG1 - 77kW) (2005-) DieselT Engine Oil: Prolife 5w-30

"Models fitted with DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter), PROLIFE" .........so what they supplied is not suitable if I have a DPF then. Wonder if they do?

Profile is also noted as "Meets requirements of: VW 504 00/ 507 00 Long Life Service"

I went to the main dealer to get the proper parts but I feel he is not supplying me the correct oil. Shocking for a main dealer.

Edited 11 February, 2010 by mr_cool