My 06 Vrs is due a service. Approching 19,000miles. The car is on variable servicing just now and the computer is saying service due in 100 miles.

I phoned my local dealer for a quote to perform the 20k service.

£139 for the variable

£119 for fixed servicing.

I want to go to fixed. I had a look through the quote for the service and apart from checking a few things the majority of the work actualy done is the oil and filter change, which i'm sure I could easly do myself, at half the cost!

What I'm not sure of is the oil I require. The quote for the fixed service says they supply VW 501 01, VW502 00. So which oil is it I require 501 or 502?

I presume the dealer will supply oil in 5l cans?

I haven't had a look for the oil filter yet, is it a metal or paper type? Are any special tools required for it's replacement?

Finaly is it simple enough to reset the service indacator or is this dealer only?

Thanks in advance!

I'm pretty sure you have to plug into the car computer to change to fixed intervals. Service messages can be reset if you look it up in the car's manual. I think the filters are all paper.

The convention is to suck the old oil out through the dipstick hole rather than use the drain plug, but that may be why brand new oil is black within days after this type of oil change as there's nothing clearing silt out of the bottom if the engine.

Provided the oil meets either standard it should be fine for the engine - I had to read that section of my manual a few times to find the correct oil though. There are a bunch of different standards depending on whether you have a particle filter, what engine you have and a few other things and the manual tries to cover all of them, but isn't written desperately clearly.

I'll probably open the drain plug and replace with a magnetic one when I change the oil on mine unless there's a very good reason (That's not convenience related) for doing it the other way. There'll be oil in the oil filter housing that also needs to be sucked out even if you use the drain plug. I found a video showing a full oil change using a Pella vacuum pump here: TDIClub and CinciTDI.com "How To" Video Clips

Edited 11 June, 200917 yr by psycholist
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If you are under warranty, then you cannot DIY service without voiding your warranty with SUK. Only a dealer or VAT registered garage, who must use original or OEM parts is permittable.

Also the sucking oil from the dipstick? WTF? Never EVER heard of this rubbish, and always check the sump plug is changed or has been opened after a service as well as oil quality after almost getting scammed (what oil change) by a major Ford outlet that's big around london.

Remember as well that variable service covers slightly more, and covers the extra cost of the longlife oil. £20 difference is about right, and £139 is much better than many other dealers and manufacturers would cost you

EDIT just seen you've only done 19K. You shouldnt be on variable! http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/owners/servicing/plans

That interval is correct for a variable service, around 20,000 miles or 2 years. You can reset to fixed using the dash buttons and resetting a variable interval is only possible through the diagnostic port.

Hi,

Have a look at this weeks Honest John:

Honest John: will doing your own servicing invalidate a warranty? - Telegraph

Basically like it's been said pay your dealer some cash or say bye to warrantee... But would they know if all done right?? Not worth the risk my local Skoda outfit is too dear and VW one is a lot less than local Honda one use to cost me so no problem.

Now should I be on variable service or fixed - two Skoda dealers and SUK say yes to variable service and the local VW (rung up and said i had a Golf MK5) "oh no sir fixed with the milage you do" and VW web site. Are the same bits going into Skoda's better so how or are the VW outfits trying to pay for there better looking dealerships by seeing Golf owners more often?

James.

James.

Also the sucking oil from the dipstick? WTF? Never EVER heard of this rubbish, Servicing Plans : Owners : Volkswagen UK

I've heard of this to. Unbelievable isn't it!

Steve

Also the sucking oil from the dipstick? WTF? Never EVER heard of this rubbish, and always check the sump plug is changed or has been opened after a service as well as oil quality after almost getting scammed (what oil change) by a major Ford outlet that's big around london.

]

To be fair I suck the oil out of the sump and the oil filter/cooler housing using a pella pump when doing extra oil changes and it works a treat. I got pretty much the full oil capacity out of the engine and when I took the sump plug out after the first time I drained a car by this method there were a few drips of oil and certainly no more than you'd find doing the change by plug removal.

I admit there is something in me that says I like to take the plug out, so I get the main services done at a dealer as and when the car says and do a "suck the oil out" oil and filter change at half distance.

That way you keep your service history and you get the advantages of more changes but at a lower cost. Obvious statement is that I do use OEM oil filters and make sure the oil is the correct spec.

Hi,

Now should I be on variable service or fixed - two Skoda dealers and SUK say yes to variable service and the local VW (rung up and said i had a Golf MK5) "oh no sir fixed with the milage you do" and VW web site. Are the same bits going into Skoda's better so how or are the VW outfits trying to pay for there better looking dealerships by seeing Golf owners more often?

Have you read VW's online advice I posted earlier?

Guys,

My cars out of warranty so don't need to worry about that. I can get the book stamped too so I can keep a service record.

I don't have a pump and I'm not to sure about sucking the oil out so I'll drain it.

Take it no one knows about what oil I want, so I'll try the dealer for info... not sure how helpfull they'll be if there not getting the service out me!!

Have you read VW's online advice I posted earlier?

Yes! but two Skoda dealers have seen not too of have! I wondered if they know something VW UK don't or maybe VW UK are trying to rip people off?

James.

What is your annual mileage James?

About 6000 miles a year, don't live far from work

And about twice a week do about 30 miles, the rest of week it's 3 to 5 a day.

My years coming up soon and I don't want to chuck money away but at same time love my Skoda! The Skoda dealer said if go down fixed route you just using cheaper oil that's not ment to last

James

About 6000 miles a year, don't live far from work

And about twice a week do about 30 miles, the rest of week it's 3 to 5 a day.

My years coming up soon and I don't want to chuck money away but at same time love my Skoda! The Skoda dealer said if go down fixed route you just using cheaper oil that's not ment to last

James

Then you should be on a fixed service regime

Mine's on variable... full of 507 oil but from what I've read on here, with my car usage I should be on fixed service intervals.

It had a service done on the cheap (story of my life! ) at the time the turbo was replaced in Feb... £60 for Forte flush + 507 oil & filter change but they didn't reset the service light & every time I get in the car for the last cuppla weeks it BOINGS & says Service Now in the maxidot - the garage said it's OK to carry on driving, just next time I'm passing, call in for it resetting.... hope that's true?! :confused:

What's involved for it to be changed to fixed service intervals? Just a Vagcom tweak or will I need the oil/filter doing again?

Is there any issue with me sticking with the 507 oil, the car staying on variable & simply relying on me getting it serviced every 12 months as per fixed schedule?

Thanks,

Simeon

You could change via Vagcom or reset via the dash pod (as per manual) to reset counter, and change to fixed.

Did they stamp the book for your warranty?

Sucking the oil out via the dipstick tube has been a standard procedure for many years. The vacuum pump devices are known as a 'topsider' and can be manually operated (via a pump handle) or run from an airline. They were originally used for changing the oil in boat engines, but spread to automotive use a good few years ago. Many (most?) dealers now use this method, its quicker (cheaper) and cleaner than draining via the sump plug.

We always used an air-driven topsider.

The oil for an Octy II 2.0 TFSI will be VW504 spec.

Take it no one knows about what oil I want, so I'll try the dealer for info... not sure how helpfull they'll be if there not getting the service out me!!

If you have the petrol engine then any VW 502.00 approved oil is fine if you are on fixed service.

You can change from variable to fixed service yourself (but not back again).

Guys,

My cars out of warranty so don't need to worry about that. I can get the book stamped too so I can keep a service record.

I don't have a pump and I'm not to sure about sucking the oil out so I'll drain it.

Take it no one knows about what oil I want, so I'll try the dealer for info... not sure how helpfull they'll be if there not getting the service out me!!

I recently had some work done by Skoda on a fault, but had to pay for it myself because my car was out of warranty. Skoda UK agreed to pay me back roughly 50% of the cost of the part I needed (£106) as a good will gesture, however they did ask to see proof of servicing before they granted the payment. My car has always been serviced by Skoda so no problem, but I'm not so sure where I would have stood if it had not been.

My point is if you are in or out of warranty there may still be other potential advantages to getting your car serviced by Skoda. You can obviously argue the toss about how much extra it cost to get s Skoda service versus what you may potentially get back or save, but at £119 for the sevice you need I would personally just pay them to do it. Plus I live in a flat (er sorry luxury apartment) so it would be a pain in the **** to do the work myself in my allocated parking space!

Bottom line is it depends on what's right for you - you pay your money and take the choice. As with most things, what's right for one person may not be for another.