You can only run fixed 10k servicing on the Fabia.

Really, all the manufacturers need out of the engine is 60k (when the warranty runs out), so 3 oil changes will suffice for that. If you want more than 80k out of your engine, then it's worth changing the oil more frequently.

Hmm, I've seen specs for components in cars that aren't even engine related, and they are designed for a 10 year/150k mile lifespan. This is for the US market, I doubt the likes of VW are much different, if at all. Certainly not if they wish to compete in the US anyway!

Jules,

I'm of the same opinion as you - interim changes. I've done it on my fabia vRS and plan to do the same on our new Octy 1.9 which was supplied set up for variable servicing.

To switch to fixed just book it in for a service at 10k and tell the dealer to change it to fixed intervals JD.

You can do other things to help the turbo, mainly leaving the engine running for a couple of minutes especially after a hard or long run, to let the turbo cool down. Stopping at the motorway services is a good example of when to do this!

Ian

I change the oil every 6K miles in my 2.0T RS.

I changed my oil at 9K in the end.I shall get it serviced at 18K. And then consider moving to fixed servicing.

Changing the oil is a PIA. Don't forget that the long-life oil is a fully synthetic oil of better quality than the stuff recommended for 10K service intervals.

My 1.9 needed it's first variable service at just under 20K so I just set the service interval indicator to fixed and changed the oil myself every 15K but used long-life oil. Seemed like a good compromise to me. It meant I wasn't spending my life changing the stuff, the car was getting it's lub changed more often than it otherwise would (but only just) and I wasn't paying through the nose for the privilige. Do bear in mind that a bucket of long-life oil is damned expensive and whilst it does not harm to change the oil more often than necessary, I genuinely believe all you're doing is wearing out the thread on your sump plug more quickly - nothing more and nothing less fellas!!

I change the oil every 6K miles in my 2.0T RS.

Going through the tdiclub.com forums they claim that oil analysis from cars that have early oil changes show more metal content in the oil hence more wear. They reckon oil has to be "broke in" and doesn't have it's full protective qualities until a couple of k so changing too early gives less protection overall. I don't know if it's the same scenario for petrol's though. I change mine at 10k with longlife.

I know it says every 20K between changes but i think its too long.Yes the oil is much better now buti still don,t trust it.I think every 10K is max for oil really.My Primera TDi was changed every 6K and was a very healthy engine upto 339,000 miles.I will get my MK2 oil changes to every 10K just like i did my Mk1 TDi.

I change mine every 10k as well, with a liter top up in-between:(I just wonder if the valve stem oil seals have gone hard and are letting oil out to be burnt off

yet my old superb never used a drop between 10K services

Don't forget that the long-life oil is a fully synthetic oil of better quality than the stuff recommended for 10K service intervals.

All oils used in turbos are fully synthetic, surely. You wouldn't want non-synthetic oil anywhere near your turbo!

Also, who says that long-life oil is "better quality"? It's a different spec, that doesn't mean it's "better", just that it's designed for a different set of engine parameters.

I would be wary of using long-life oil in place of the oil recommended for fixed servicing, if you're doing fixed servicing. I'm sure it will probably be fine (in fact I think I read somewhere that VAG dealers might even do this routinely), but unless you're an oil chemist or something, don't just assume that long-life oil is "better". The only thing you can say for sure is it's "different"!

Doesn't the OCI depend on the driving style? VW state on their site that variable servicing is for use on, for exanmple, longer runs (>25 miles). WOT, and/or short runs means fixed interval annual OC.

Doesn't the OCI depend on the driving style? VW state on their site that variable servicing is for use on, for exanmple, longer runs (>25 miles). WOT, and/or short runs means fixed interval annual OC.

You're correct, although I'm not sure what WOT means?!

All oils used in turbos are fully synthetic, surely. You wouldn't want non-synthetic oil anywhere near your turbo!

Also, who says that long-life oil is "better quality"? It's a different spec, that doesn't mean it's "better", just that it's designed for a different set of engine parameters.

I would be wary of using long-life oil in place of the oil recommended for fixed servicing, if you're doing fixed servicing. I'm sure it will probably be fine (in fact I think I read somewhere that VAG dealers might even do this routinely), but unless you're an oil chemist or something, don't just assume that long-life oil is "better". The only thing you can say for sure is it's "different"!

If the long life oil is good enough for 20k then it's good enough for 10k.

What I will say is that any car with a DPF will be running the same oil (VW504/507) for fixed or variable as it's the only low ash oil, which is required for DPF equipped cars.

I think someone has already said this, but just because VW/Skoda say 2 years or 20k miles between services, it doesn't necessarily mean your car will go that distance/time between each service.

For example, mine was serviced at 18500 in November just before I purchased it. I checked yesterday and the dash says I've only got 8800 miles or 340 days till the next one :eek: So it really does depend on the car and the sort of journeys or driving that you do.

If the long life oil is good enough for 20k then it's good enough for 10k.

What I will say is that any car with a DPF will be running the same oil (VW504/507) for fixed or variable as it's the only low ash oil, which is required for DPF equipped cars.

Re: long life oil, I'm sure it's ok. I'm just saying it's good to be cautious about this kind of thing, when you aren't following manufacturer's guidelines to the letter... not just about oil, but everything. It's all too easy to assume the wrong thing, I've seen it done on a few topics recently, so I think I'm in "caution mode"!

Re: the DPF side of things, I did know about this, but didn't have the details to hand, so didn't want to say anything incase I got it wrong and muddied the waters further

I think someone has already said this, but just because VW/Skoda say 2 years or 20k miles between services, it doesn't necessarily mean your car will go that distance/time between each service.

For example, mine was serviced at 18500 in November just before I purchased it. I checked yesterday and the dash says I've only got 8800 miles or 340 days till the next one :eek: So it really does depend on the car and the sort of journeys or driving that you do.

True enough. Remind me how you check again? I'm curious to see how I'm doing... (I know it's in the manual, but it's easier to ask you!)

True enough. Remind me how you check again? I'm curious to see how I'm doing... (I know it's in the manual, but it's easier to ask you!)

Ignition on, then press and hold the trip reset button (the one in the dash) for approx 2 secs. It'll then flip between miles and days to go.

i used to change the oil at every 6k in my mk4 golf

You're correct, although I'm not sure what WOT means?!

Wide open throttle:)

After having used Valvoline 5w30 for 50,000 kilometres I've now switched to Mobil 1 esp 5w30.Do you guys think there's any benefit in an early oil change?Will it help rinse the engine of whatever is left of the Valvoline?I always have the oil changed at 15,000 kilometre intervals.What do you suggest?:)

PS.I have the TFSI motor.

After having used Valvoline 5w30 for 50,000 kilometres I've now switched to Mobil 1 esp 5w30.Do you guys think there's any benefit in an early oil change?Will it help rinse the engine of whatever is left of the Valvoline?I always have the oil changed at 15,000 kilometre intervals.What do you suggest?:)

PS.I have the TFSI motor.

Personally, I really wouldn't worry about it!

All I'd say is IF something goes wrong, and the dealer finds you've done a DIY home oil change, you could end up loosing warranty on any engine issues.

Both Mk1 and mk2 run on variable, and never had any issues. Modern engines can go 15-20k easily without issues.

No need to be so OCD about changing oil when not needed IMHO.

Change that damn oil as often as you like. All it can do for the engine is good

Change that damn oil as often as you like. All it can do for the engine is good

Offset of course by the needless damage to your wallet :P

Offset of course by the needless damage to your wallet :P

I'd say that every 10k is fine and wouldn't be doing it every 5k. At the same time having seen the oil that comes out after 18.5k and the oil that comes out at about 10-12k the latter is a lot lot less sooty. From that I'd suggest that it's the last 5-6k that really kills the oil and so I'd not be chancing it on a car that I'd like to keep running for a good while.

I'd say that every 10k is fine and wouldn't be doing it every 5k. At the same time having seen the oil that comes out after 18.5k and the oil that comes out at about 10-12k the latter is a lot lot less sooty. From that I'd suggest that it's the last 5-6k that really kills the oil and so I'd not be chancing it on a car that I'd like to keep running for a good while.

The question I'd ask though is, how much soot in the oil is "too much"? While I understand your caution (I'm only guessing here myself after all and am trying to make an educated decision to look after my own car), do you really know the answer to this? Or is it just a hunch?

I remember reading once that upto a point, oil can suspend a certain amount if dirt/soot with no adverse effects whatsoever. Perhaps what might look like oil that's "too dirty" is actually within tolerance?

I'll try and dig this info up if I find time...