... if i'm on variable servicing and when a service is due?

I've just bought a (new) Octavia vRS. The service book implies that it's on variable servicing (it has the appropriate code in the appropriate place one the sticker).

Is there a way to confirm this?

Also, how do I know when a service is due? The only experience of variable servicing I'v had have been on BMW and Audi. The BMW told you when you turned on the ignition how many miles to a service and the Audi did the same as well as telling you when you pressed a button on the dash. Is there a Skoda equivilient, or do i just drive until a light comes on?

(ps please don't tell me to RTFM - i did, and i still don't understand :confused: )

Car will tell you when you need a service.....that or once you reach 20k mies...whichever is first.

You should see GQ1 in your service book however that will not necessarily mean it's been set.

Go to your dealer and ask them to check it for you...shoould take no more than 5 minutes and will be free.

All RS' should be on variable unless you have specified you want fixed.

Which brings me to my (embarrassingly noob) question:

My new VRS is on variable servicing, I was informed. What oil should I be using. Yes I know it's probably somewhere buried in the archives, and I'll accept my punishment for asking again, but I couldn't find it. Surely it wouldn't be beyond the wit of man to devise a simple table ....

Model / engine       Servicing regime     Oil
Octavia VRS          variable             ??

Apologies for the hijack, sdenny

Apologies for the hijack, sdenny

No problem. Especially as you've just reminded me i wanted to check my oil!

Which brings me to my (embarrassingly noob) question:

My new VRS is on variable servicing' date=' I was informed. What oil should I be using. Yes I know it's probably somewhere buried in the archives, and I'll accept my punishment for asking again, but I couldn't find it. Surely it wouldn't be beyond the wit of man to devise a simple table ....

Model / engine       Servicing regime     Oil
Octavia VRS          variable             ??

Apologies for the hijack, sdenny [/quote']

A quick search brings up one of Denis,s oft posted replies..http://www.briskoda.net/forums/article.php?a=79

HTH

Hi. I would go for any of the 503 00/506 00/506 01 oils, eg Castrol SLX Longlife II, Fuchs Titan Supersyn SL Longlife Plus (available by post from oilman), Shell Helix Ultra X or BP Visco 7000 LongLife II. They aren't as easy to find as one might think so get some in soonest - and prepare for a shock when you ae told the price! Your dealer should be able to sell you a litre of Castrol SLX II in a very nice pouch with a few extras. The kit PN is ZGB 00K 506 011 K.

You can check if your 1.8T is set for variable servicing if you have access to a VAG-COM. Go to Control Module 17 -Instruments, then select Adaptation - 10. Channel 43 should read 30 (ie 30000 km to next oil service), Channel 44 should read 730 (ie days to next service) and Channel 45 should read 2 (ie used oil quality 503 00 - Longlife oil)

Thanks Denis.

@Andy - see that's the problem really - too much information. Now I've got 3 standards and 5 oils, I don't know why I should look for any one standard more than another, and apparently none of them are easily available. And those 3 standards apparently apply to one model, on one servicing regime. Hence my desire to simplify things for people like me who just want to remember one number.

Denis, why would I want oil in a pouch? I thought it normally came in plastic bottles. Aren't pouches a bit hard to pour from? :P

Denis, why would I want oil in a pouch? I thought it normally came in plastic bottles. Aren't pouches a bit hard to pour from? :P

Oh dear. :( Castrol do a Longlife II top-up kit consisting of a black vinyl case containing 1 litre of oil (I'll leave you to guess what sort it is and what the container is), a dipstick wipe (no comment!), disposable gloves and a disposable funnel. The case has velcro on the outside making it attachable to the luggage compartment lining. HTH.

Thanks Denis.

@Andy - see that's the problem really - too much information. Now I've got 3 standards and 5 oils' date=' I don't know why I should look for any one standard more than another, and apparently none of them are easily available. And those 3 standards apparently apply to one model, on one servicing regime. Hence my desire to simplify things for people like me who just want to remember one number.

Denis, why would I want oil in a pouch? I thought it normally came in plastic bottles. Aren't pouches a bit hard to pour from? :P[/quote']

Had a similar prob with my new PD OCTY on variable , what oil to buy , eventualy after checking prices at the likes of petrol stations and Halfords , it was cheaper to buy from the dealer who sold me the HELIX ULTRA X LONG LIFE FOR

Thanks Denis.

@Andy - see that's the problem really - too much information. Now I've got 3 standards and 5 oils' date=' I don't know why I should look for any one standard more than another, and apparently none of them are easily available. And those 3 standards apparently apply to one model, on one servicing regime. Hence my desire to simplify things for people like me who just want to remember one number.

Denis, why would I want oil in a pouch? I thought it normally came in plastic bottles. Aren't pouches a bit hard to pour from? :P[/quote']

Had a similar prob with my new PD OCTY on variable , what oil to buy , eventualy after checking prices at the likes of petrol stations and Halfords , it was cheaper to buy from the dealer who sold me the HELIX ULTRA X LONG LIFE FOR

@Andy - see that's the problem really - too much information. Now I've got 3 standards and 5 oils' date=' I don't know why I should look for any one standard more than another, and apparently none of them are easily available. And those 3 standards apparently apply to one model, on one servicing regime. Hence my desire to simplify things for people like me who just want to remember one number.

[/quote']

Maybe its too much information, but the link has been posted before to other peoples questions...

I find Castrol SLX Longlife II easily available at Halfords, thats where I buy mine.

Yes, and I thank you for the link. TBH this was the part of VRS ownership I was looking forward to least - the expensive oil, and the endless debate about standards.

Does anyone know why there are 3 standards, and which one is the most significant?

Thanks Denis.

@Andy - see that's the problem really - too much information. Now I've got 3 standards and 5 oils' date=' I don't know why I should look for any one standard more than another, and apparently none of them are easily available. And those 3 standards apparently apply to one model, on one servicing regime. Hence my desire to simplify things for people like me who just want to remember one number.

Denis, why would I want oil in a pouch? I thought it normally came in plastic bottles. Aren't pouches a bit hard to pour from? :P[/quote']A classic case of so much choice I can't make my mind up! I suggest you adopt the KISS approach. Buy a bottle of Castrol SLX Longlife II and have done with. Or order some Fuchs oil from oilman - like I have just done. Ooops, that involves a choice again. :slap:

Skoda UK have produced a 'Check it Kit' in collaboration with Castrol. This consists of a black vinyl case containing 1 litre of Castrol SLX Longlife II, a dipstick wipe, disposable gloves and a disposable funnel. The PN is ZGB 00K 506 011 K and, IIR, the price is only a squid or so more than the cost of a litre of oil. HTH.