Hi All, I am a new owner of a Skoda Octavia 2.10tdi DSG 06 plate ... had it for 6 months now.

I read that this car has a flexible service interval ... if I use a private garage is there something I need to set or reset this interval ? How do I know that it is currently active ? hence it will tell me it needs the next service ? the last service was done last April so normally I would do one this April.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks in Advance

There are two types of service settings on the Octavia, variable or fixed.

By flexible I assume you or your dealer is referring to the variable version.

Variable means your car monitors your driving style and quality of the oil and flags up its need for a service when certain conditions are met. This can be as much as 20,000+ miles or two years.

On the fixed regime your service light will illuminate at either 10,000 miles or 12 months whichever is met first.

The general concensus is that the variable setting is better suited to those who cover larger mileages as servicing costs are reduced, which also suits fleet managers.

My Octavia is on fixed as I only cover around 10-12,000 miles per year and I like to know my car is getting fresh oil every year.

Don't quote me but I think they come from the factory set to variable. The only way to change it is a visit to a dealer or from a friendly member with VCDS.

Maybe you could check your cars service history, has it been serviced around the same time each year (fixed) or randomly (variable), other than that I'm not sure how you can determine which one your car is on...

Hope this helps, welcome to Briskoda too

Edited 7 March, 201115 yr by silver1011

Thanks Silver appreciated.

There are two types of service settings on the Octavia, variable or fixed.

By flexible I assume you or your dealer is referring to the variable version.

Variable means your car monitors your driving style and quality of the oil and flags up its need for a service when certain conditions are met. This can be as much as 20,000+ miles or two years.

On the fixed regime your service light will illuminate at either 10,000 miles or 12 months whichever is met first.

The general concensus is that the variable setting is better suited to those who cover larger mileages as servicing costs are reduced, which also suits fleet managers.

My Octavia is on fixed as I only cover around 10-12,000 miles per year and I like to know my car is getting fresh oil every year.

Don't quote me but I think they come from the factory set to variable. The only way to change it is a visit to a dealer or from a friendly member with VCDS.

Maybe you could check your cars service history, has it been serviced around the same time each year (fixed) or randomly (variable), other than that I'm not sure how you can determine which one your car is on...

Hope this helps, welcome to Briskoda too

Mine was on variable, like you I wanted to be on fixed as I don't cover many miles per annum. If you reset the service indicator using the clock/odometer knob in the dash then it will put you on fixed. Handy as you can then use Indy mechanics, knowing that you can reset the indicator yourself.

Maybe you could check your cars service history, has it been serviced around the same time each year (fixed) or randomly (variable), other than that I'm not sure how you can determine which one your car is on...

You can also tell from the codes on the sticker in the boot/on the service schedule. QG1 is variable, QG2 is fixed (time & distance).

Mine was on variable, like you I wanted to be on fixed as I don't cover many miles per annum. If you reset the service indicator using the clock/odometer knob in the dash then it will put you on fixed. Handy as you can then use Indy mechanics, knowing that you can reset the indicator yourself.

Is this published anywhere ? the steps to do this ?

Is this published anywhere ? the steps to do this ?

Its in the instruction manual.

Its in the instruction manual.

Which if you can't be bothered to go outside to the car ( ) can be downloaded here...

http://new.skoda-auto.com/com/service/documentation/octavia/pages/11-2010.aspx

Thanks Guys I will check it out in the manual. On a side not do you know how much it costs to reprogram a key ? The spare key i was given opens the doors but does not start the engine ?

I think its around £40 for a dealer to re programme. I think someone with VCDS can do it for you, but not sure on that one.