I am now only two weeks into my 12/13 week wait for my car.

I have seen on various threads people talking about the 'option' between variable and fixed serviicng.

Is there any thread already about this, so that I can work out what is best.

I currently drive about 35k a year. probably 60-70% of this is motorway. I dont have too heavy a foot, although moving over to the DSG 2.0PD, who knows?

Variable service uses a higher quality oil, so that you can extend the intervals between services from the 10_000 to 12_000 miles (dependant on model) "inspection/oil service" to the 20 to 24k "intermediate service" without increased engine wear.

For - saves labour and loss of car for oil services.

Against - some dealers have failed to reset the service indicator properly using VCDS, so the car has reset to fixed service. By the time this shows up to the owner it's 10_000 miles later (say 3 months in your case).

The cost saving is less than you might think anyway, because the oil is about twice the price of that used in fixed servicing schedules.

The use of variable service has been suggested to allow/cause higher oil consumption.

I prefer variable service as I do 25K per year.

The difference in cost?

Variable services for my Skoda were £180

Fixed, 10k Services for my Ibiza were £200+ sometimes £250.

I know which I prefer

My car is set to variable servicing even though I don't put a lot of mileage on it, but I bring it in for service once a year, before the winter. I like having the oil condition monitoring in the engine working in the background in case something does happen the oil though...

My car is set to variable servicing even though I don't put a lot of mileage on it, but I bring it in for service once a year, before the winter. I like having the oil condition monitoring in the engine working in the background in case something does happen the oil though...

Huh?

Why not just do yearly services then with normal oil if you do it every 12 months with low mileage?

Am taking my scout in for servicing very soon. Have done 14k in the last 12 months, maybe I should stick with fixed.

I am now only two weeks into my 12/13 week wait for my car.

I have seen on various threads people talking about the 'option' between variable and fixed serviicng.

Is there any thread already about this, so that I can work out what is best.

I currently drive about 35k a year. probably 60-70% of this is motorway. I dont have too heavy a foot, although moving over to the DSG 2.0PD, who knows?

The DSG car has to have variable servicing NOT fixed

Because for my engine IIRC the fixed service oil is pretty much as expensive as the variable service stuff (Or may be the same grade). The intention of the variable service seems to be that you end up in a garage at least once a year anyway, since other systems deteriorate over time rather than with a certain mileage. I plan on holding on to my current car for the next 4 or 5 years (It got it's first timing belt and water pump this year) and I had it remapped once this service was done, so I'm making sure that the engine has as good a chance as possible of lasting without problems, while still being fun to drive of course - matched the full acceleration of a friend's Clio 182 last week from 20 mph to about 75 (Irish motorway limit), but did 20 mpg better on the trip for example.

When the oil gets contaminated either from the outside or from something internal to the engine ending up in it, with the variable service monitoring in action there's a better chance the engine will flag this and recommend a service before damage is done rather than blindly waiting until a calendar year has passed before the indicator comes on.

Because for my engine IIRC the fixed service oil is pretty much as expensive as the variable service stuff (Or may be the same grade). The intention of the variable service seems to be that you end up in a garage at least once a year anyway, since other systems deteriorate over time rather than with a certain mileage. I plan on holding on to my current car for the next 4 or 5 years (It got it's first timing belt and water pump this year) and I had it remapped once this service was done, so I'm making sure that the engine has as good a chance as possible of lasting without problems, while still being fun to drive of course - matched the full acceleration of a friend's Clio 182 last week from 20 mph to about 75 (Irish motorway limit), but did 20 mpg better on the trip for example.

When the oil gets contaminated either from the outside or from something internal to the engine ending up in it, with the variable service monitoring in action there's a better chance the engine will flag this and recommend a service before damage is done rather than blindly waiting until a calendar year has passed before the indicator comes on.

The Variable service stuff doesnt monitor the actual condition of the oil, just indicators to the condition of it like mileage, speeds, number of cold starts, time on open throttle, etc to work out when you're likely to need the next service. All you're doing is wasting cash on the more expensive oil. A normal 12 month service would give you exactly the same peace of mind

If I were you and if you're that paranoid i'd learn to change an oil filter ( its dead easy ) and just do an oil and filter change yourself every 5 thousand miles, would only cost a few quid.

The DSG car has to have variable servicing NOT fixed

my DSG is on fixed service.

The DSG car has to have variable servicing NOT fixed

Since when? I was offered the choice on mine...

I thought the engine monitored the oil for metal fragments... If this is not the case then it boils down to the cost difference between the fixed and variable oil. I've done a bit of googling and been unable to find anything on what exactly is used to monitor the oil though. If this monitoring exists I'd have thought this would be something VAG would be proud of, so the internet would be full of info on it... I hope it's not just a marketing gimmick :(...

My driveway is quite sloped, making activities like draining oil difficult. Using a vacuum pump seems to be the recommended way to empty the oil for most VAG cars, meaning either the threads on the sump plugs are cheese or they really don't want home mechanics at their engines ...

Edited 17 May, 201016 yr by psycholist

Variable Servicing was introduced to make life easier for fleet managers who rotate out the vehicles to the trade every three years. It was not designed for Joe Public who generally holds onto his or her vehicle for much longer.

I had mine switched to fixed servicing a week after I bought it as I'd reather put nice clean oil in the thing once every 12K without fail. This thing cost >me< not a company real money so I'd like to have the vehicle regularly serviced for my peace of mind.

Call me old fashioned but I'd rather pay a little more in the knowledge that the engine has the benefit of fresh oil and filters every 12months / 12K.

Edited 17 May, 201016 yr by wardth

Variable Servicing was introduced to make life easier for fleet managers who rotate out the vehicles to the trade every three years. It was not designed for Joe Public who generally holds onto his or her vehicle for much longer.

I had mine switched to fixed servicing a week after I bought it as I'd reather put nice clean oil in the thing once every 12K without fail. This thing cost >me< not a company real money so I'd like to have the vehicle regularly serviced for my peace of mind.

Call me old fashioned but I'd rather pay a little more in the knowledge that the engine has the benefit of fresh oil and filters every 12months / 12K.

I am on variable, but do an extra oil change every 10k.

Means you have a full service history and only one/two expensive services a year rather than 2/4 marginally less expensive services per year.

Oil price difference is about £10-£15 for a service.

So the fixed servicing uses normal oil? I was told because I have a DPF on my VRS CR they had to use long life oil regardless of fixed or variable servicing to protect the DPF......

I'm currently on variable but if it is indeed the case that it can use normal oil then I'll change as I only do about 12k a year and I only got 12k out of my first service interval.

EDIT - Just called a different dealer to check and they too said that cos I have a DPF it's the same oil either way - long life.

Edited 17 May, 201016 yr by Chrispy

Oh yeah, if you're really worried about metal in the oil, get a decent ( not a cheapy ebay special ) magnetic sump plug. I'll post up a link later if anyone wants. I've run them on my older cars with huge visible deposits collected!

Supply you own oil making sure its correct type for the of service ie Longlife for varible, and save a bit on the dealers mark-up and you will know hopefully , what goes in

Since when? I was offered the choice on mine...

Just what my Service department manager told me.

I assumed it was on ALL DSG Octavias

BTW...ALL Octavia DSG's have longlife oil too

Edited 17 May, 201016 yr by ChrisRs

I was told at my last variable service that my Scout required the long life oil whatever the service regime. I seem to remember something about this in the manual but can't be bothered to go out the the car and get it our of the glove box to check

I actually only got 12,000 out of my Scout on this varaible service, but will probably leave it on this as it seems there is no realy differance in cost for me.

Just what my Service department manager told me.

I assumed it was on ALL DSG Octavias

BTW...ALL Octavia DSG's have longlife oil too

I don't understand this. My DSG Octavia has been on fixed service since day 1 because I don't do a very high annual mileage. And what has it being a DSG got to do with the engine oil - long life or not? I thought the oil in the 6 speed DSG box was special, seperate from the engine oil, and has its own dedicated oil service regime?

my octavia has been on vari-service since day one .... 113000 miles and engine still good as new ... im just planning to change my clutch (first time) as im gonna need an uprated one for the extra power mods

the better oil does make a difference

my octavia has been on vari-service since day one .... 113000 miles and engine still good as new ... im just planning to change my clutch (first time) as im gonna need an uprated one for the extra power mods

the better oil does make a difference

The oil is only 'better' in so far as its exactly the same spec and lubricating qualities of the normal oil only it lasts for more heat cycles and time. So variable servicing is not giving you anything extra over the normal oil on a fixed service shedule apart from cheaper cost through less frequent servicing if it works for you. Mechanically there is no 'extra' protection etc

The oil is only 'better' in so far as its exactly the same spec and lubricating qualities of the normal oil only it lasts for more heat cycles and time. So variable servicing is not giving you anything extra over the normal oil on a fixed service shedule apart from cheaper cost through less frequent servicing if it works for you. Mechanically there is no 'extra' protection etc

Remember my statement about the fact that variable servicing was designed to keep fleet managers happy.............

Use the recommended oil and change it every 12K. Simples

Edited 17 May, 201016 yr by wardth

I think if your new car has a DPF you have to use the long life (expensive) oil whether you opt for fixed or variable servicing.

Bob

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Remember my statement about the fact that variable servicing was designed to keep fleet managers happy.............

Use the recommended oil and change it every 12K. Simples

My point exactly.....