service on 4 wheel drive

[peterposh]

mines coming up for a 40 k service , it's the 2 litre manual 140 4 x 4 , I asked would it cover the haldex oil and they said it doesn't come up as a 4x4 on the records :-/.

So much for their electronic service database

So I asked what the service includes , the air filter isn't due until 60 k, neither is the fuel filter nor the brake fluid , the pollen filter was done at 20 k  . So for £240 basically I get an oil and filter change !!

 

If I want the haldex done that's another £160 ! They're having a laugh

Edited 21 December, 2015 by peterposh

[silver1011]

This has been covered a few times before.

 

Anyone who pays Skoda the £259 for their major service is having their trousers pulled down.

 

Pay the £139 for the minor service (oil and oil filter) if you can't be bothered to climb under the car or don't have a PELA pump, buy the air and fuel filters online and do the rest yourself.

• Pollen filter under the glovebox - no tools required, £10 delivered, 5 minutes.
• Air filter infront of the battery, Torx 20 screwdriver required, £15 delivered, 5 minutes.
• Fuel filter opposite side to the air filter, Torx 20 screwdriver again and a flat ended screwdriver, £10 delivered, 15 minutes (including allowing the old filter to drain back into the housing).

 

Brake fluid is 3 years from new and then every 2 years.

Edited 21 December, 2015 by silver1011

[peterposh]

It's just turned 12 months old and has only got another 20 k on the warranty ,I anticipate it will hit 60k in 6 months time. So it's a gamble between doing it myself and risking it

Edited 21 December, 2015 by peterposh

[Bristolf2b]

Isn't the warranty for unlimited mileage in the first two years? The third year is restricted to 60000 miles

Edited 21 December, 2015 by Bristolf2b

[peterposh]

I don't know .the woman at skoda didn't have a clue, no one at dealers could give me a definitive answer on how often the haldex oil should be changed , they just said it'll be in your handbook ( which is just a generic skoda hand book) and the service record is held on line , the same service record that didn't show it as a 4 x 4

[peterposh]

no one seemed to have a clue about anything , just mumbled on about variable servicing etc, doesn't fill me with confidence

[silver1011]

Yes, the Skoda UK new car warranty is as follows:

 

2 year unlimited mileage (Skoda UK), plus...

1 year / 60,000 miles (franchised dealer network).

 

http://www.skoda.co.uk/owners/warranty

 

I've always found Skoda UK to be pretty good, much better than their dealer network.

 

I often shoot them a quick message direct from their website, they are usually pretty responsive. I asked them for the cambelt interval on my Superb and they came back to me within 24 hours.

 

I now have an email from Skoda UK with the exact time and distance requirements should I need any backup!

 

http://www.skoda.co.uk/about-us/contact-us

[peterposh]

Cheers, I've just asked them :-)

[peterposh]

The dealer doesn't know if and when the haldex needs servicing, whether it's a sealed unit or not . So there we have it , a definitive maybe. it's had a normal second service and that's that , they will ring me if and when they find anything out

Edited 29 December, 2015 by peterposh

[Ootohere]

Do you mean the Dealer Principal, or some Employee on the Service Reception Desk at a Skoda Main Dealership does not know rather than a 

Qualified Technician or Master Technician?

Unable to actually use a computer and check the Manufacturers Schedule or TPI's etc.

 

You are not going to let them touch your pride and joy are you?

[silver1011]

I meant to ask Skoda UK, not the dealer, my experience of dealers is also equally disappointing.

 

Use the second link in my post above (#7) and go straight to Skoda UK.

 

Be sure to include your VIN in the email (the number on the bottom of the windscreen where the tax disc usually sits).

 

They usually get back to you within 24 hours.

[peterposh]

They said they'd asked the master tech. I did contact skoda UK as you suggested, I've had no response as yet. I wouldn't let them near it if it wasn't for guarantee

Edited 29 December, 2015 by peterposh

[peterposh]

I've had the official notice that it's changed on a time factor I.e. 3 years irrespective of mileage

Edited 4 January, 2016 by peterposh

[JamboDave]

I have some questions/queries (or rants if you prefer) regarding servicing.

 

My car is 3.5 years old and has 29055 miles on the clock.

 

1. Brake fluid change: This should be first carried out when the car is 3 years old, then every 2 years after that. Yet from the Skoda website it says: "Please note - If your vehicle requires brake fluid as part of a minor service this will be charged for separately at a cost of £45.00." So basically they should charge an extra £45 every minor service, as due to the service schedule it will always fall on a minor service. (Mine should have been changed at the service I have just had done but wasn't, even though the receptionist had booked it in for it. I will be on the phone on Monday)

2. Firmware: Is this a service item? As again from the Website: "Vehicle & software enhancements from ŠKODA’s database" The firmware on my car is version HW-Version H70, SW-Version 4120, now to me they haven't updated the vehicle software in either of the past 2 times I have had the car serviced.

3. Diagnostic check including report: I guess this entails going into the ECU via the OBD port and looking for fault codes, has anyone ever had a copy of the report given to them?

Also my service book doesn't reflect the work that they have done, they changed the pollen filter in 2015, it is on the paperwork they provided but in the service book they have ticked no, I didn't notice this until I have had a good look at it all today, so that will also be getting mentioned.

They were quick enough to say that my water pump might have a leak and they need to investigate it and possibly change it, also do the timing belt at the same time.. I would have thought a water pump should last more that 3.5 years / 30,000. Also at what Milage/age do the timing belts require changing?

 

I am starting to be a little wary about my local dealership and the work they may/may not be doing.

Edited 23 April, 2016 by JamboDave

[silver1011]

A minor service is 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever is reached first, so the brake fluid won't need doing at every minor service, it'll be every other minor service.

 

Software is only changed if needed, which is rare.

 

They simply plug the car in and read any fault codes. If the fault codes require additional work outside of what is included in the service they should contact you for permission to do further investigative work (if chargeable).

 

If the water pump is leaking then you should be eligible for some goodwill towards the cost from Skoda UK, as you say it should be lasting longer than 30,000 miles / 3.5 years. If they do swap it out you'll also get a new cambelt too so I'm sure Skoda will be looking at a substantial contribution from you too.

Edited 23 April, 2016 by silver1011

[JamboDave]

A minor service is 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever is reached first, so the brake fluid won't need doing at every minor service, it'll be every other minor service.

You are correct a minor service is 10,000 miles or 12 months which ever is reached first, so therefore

10,000 miles/12 months: minor service.

20,000 miles/24 months: major service.

30,000 miles/36 months: minor service, brake fluid change. (Three years so fluid change according to handbook.)

40,000 miles/48 months: major service.

50,000 miles/60 months: minor service, brake fluid change according to Skoda/VW as it's been 24 months since last change.

Assuming less than 10,000 per annum which is the category I fall into.

And so on, so every minor service as I said.

Software is only changed if needed, which is rare.

It doesn't imply that on the website, there is no marker next to that item unlike filters or spark plugs.

They simply plug the car in and read any fault codes. If the fault codes require additional work outside of what is included in the service they should contact you for permission to do further investigative work (if chargeable).

If the water pump is leaking then you should be eligible for some goodwill towards the cost from Skoda UK, as you say it should be lasting longer than 30,000 miles / 3.5 years. If they do swap it out you'll also get a new cambelt too so I'm sure Skoda will be looking at a substantial contribution from you too.

They have quote £459 for all of the work, but as you say I will ask Skoda for a good will gesture considering they still haven't remedied the emissions saga yet.

Edited 23 April, 2016 by JamboDave

[silver1011]

The major service is a myth on a car set to fixed service intervals.

 

A minor service is oil and oil filter, nothing more.

 

A major adds pollen, fuel and air filter - but only if required. On the vast majority of diesel Skoda's these extra filters aren't required until and least 60,000 miles or three years.

 

Therefore it is advisable to always go for a minor service unless you can be sure the other filters are required.

 

It's all about making money, I don't know how they sleep at night charging £259 for a major service when they know all they are changing is the oil and oil filter.

 

If I was you it would be:

 

10,000 miles / 12 months - minor @ £139

20,000 miles / 24 months - minor @ £139

30,000 miles / 36 months - minor @ £139, plus any extra filters specified in the service book (priced off their menu price list) and brake fluid @ £45.

40,000 miles / 48 months - minor @ £139

50,000 miles / 60 months - minor @ £139, plus brake fluid @ £45

 

I now change my own oil (£20 for the oil and £8 for the filter) every 10,000 to 15,000 miles and do the fuel, air and pollen filters (£30) every other service.

 

I appreciate opinions vary but changing the brake fluid every two years is overkill in my opinion.

[Danny 57]

Our local garage just used to "wet" test the oil as we used to to transformer oil, If it crackled when burning it contains water if it does not crackle then no moisture.

I know it is not scientific but as a rule of thumb it works.

Example we just changed the brake fluid in the wife's Yaris last year, that oil was nine years old and the car 11 years old. The oil was still clear and no crackle when burning.

Edited 23 April, 2016 by Danny 57

[JamboDave]

The major service is a myth on a car set to fixed service intervals.

 

A minor service is oil and oil filter, nothing more.

 

A major adds pollen, fuel and air filter - but only if required. On the vast majority of diesel Skoda's these extra filters aren't required until and least 60,000 miles or three years.

 

Therefore it is advisable to always go for a minor service unless you can be sure the other filters are required.

 

It's all about making money, I don't know how they sleep at night charging £259 for a major service when they know all they are changing is the oil and oil filter.

 

If I was you it would be:

 

10,000 miles / 12 months - minor @ £139

20,000 miles / 24 months - minor @ £139

30,000 miles / 36 months - minor @ £139, plus any extra filters specified in the service book (priced off their menu price list) and brake fluid @ £45.

40,000 miles / 48 months - minor @ £139

50,000 miles / 60 months - minor @ £139, plus brake fluid @ £45

 

I now change my own oil (£20 for the oil and £8 for the filter) every 10,000 to 15,000 miles and do the fuel, air and pollen filters (£30) every other service.

 

I appreciate opinions vary but changing the brake fluid every two years is overkill in my opinion.

I see your point regarding the major service, I used to do my own servicing up until a few years ago as the engine compartment on my Suzuki Grand Vitara was to tight for my big mitts, plus you don't get the dealer stamp.

And you are right about the brake fluid, why does it go from 3 years down to 2 years als,it surely should be every 3 years given that's when they first change it.

I have went 4+ years without changing it before and it's never had any adverse effects on the braking capacity of that car.

I think it may be time to clear the rust off the spanners and socket set.

[silver1011]

I suspect the first interval being 3 years is to ensure it doesn't have to be included on the bulk of the service plans, or at least one less thing to worry about within the 3 year warranty.

 

I don't think £139 is too unreasonable for a main dealer oil change. If your weekends are busy or you have a bad back (or can think of 1001 reasons not to crawl under a car!) then I'd happily pay the money. There is a value to the dealers stamp and it is reassuring to know the car is potentially being updated if needed, plus a wash and a vac.

 

If you use the free coffee and wifi too then even better value!

[Wile7]

Servicing costs can be a bit of a joke whichever country you are in...it's where dealers make their money nowadays....not on selling cars as such (margins so small...).

 

I wanted to change my engine oil/filter after 10,000 kms just for peace of mind. Its a personal thing.  

 

So....off to dealer....Oil and filter on my 3.6 is 366 swiss francs (£260!!) so I told them to take a long walk etc (politely of course...) and bought the filter from Skoda online (UK was cheapest even with shipping), oil from supermarket in France (Mobil 1 at around £40 for what I needed for the 3.6....so cheap) and did the job myself.  

 

For the major service I will pop over to France to get it done at the dealer (I'm on a leasing deal so need to keep it at a franchise dealer). It will be half the cost of Switzerland but will update on Briskoda once I have had it done early next year.

 

The point about the Haldex servicing above - servicing (fluids/filter) is every 40,000 miles to be safe on the 6sp dsg despite what the dealer might/might not know  :think: 

 

Dave

[philpix]

I had my Haldex oil changed at 50k miles. Not by a Skoda dealer.

[wokwon]

Here in 'straya Haldex is done every 3 years.  The service sheet actually has different intervals for the "up to MY09" and "MY10 onwards"  The MY09 and earlier had renew every 60,000k's (40,000 miles?).

 

 

[zar]

I don't know .the woman at skoda didn't have a clue, no one at dealers could give me a definitive answer on how often the haldex oil should be changed , they just said it'll be in your handbook ( which is just a generic skoda hand book) and the service record is held on line , the same service record that didn't show it as a 4 x 4

Replacement of the oils:

Transfer Box Oil: every 60000 miles.

Rear differential: same as above

Manual Transmission Gear Box: same as above

Haldex coupling + filter(include Haldex 4 generation):same as above

Note that all oil grades (except rear diff. and transfer box) ,are different!Also Haldex 4 gen. filter service kit is not among the genuine spare parts offered by VAG!

[wokwon]

 

Note that all oil grades (except rear diff. and transfer box) ,are different!Also Haldex 4 gen. filter service kit is not among the genuine spare parts offered by VAG!

 

Does the Haldex 4 even have a filter?  Didn't they drop that?  Or am I thinking about Haldex 5 where it doesn't even have a separate pump?