Can someone offer me some guidance on what Plan suits what mileage and type of driving. I know the dealers set them up for Fixed but this obviously doesn't suit all. Thinking ahead on whether I should request the dealer to change the Plan on delivery of my SM our Golf is also nearing its first service in around 100 odd days/1000miles should I be getting this changed,it does very little motorway driving, 9-10k miles per year made up of 20-30 mile journeys(the car is on a VW service plan).

Thanks.

I would say fixed/yearly

Variable best for vehicles that do higher mileages and oraimly motorway miles.

I do above average miles, but drive around South London, so changed mine to fixed.

Varable. It figures out when service is needed all by itself. Mine asked for 60,000 km service at 58,500. Probably due to a loy´t of short trips lately.

I would change the oil once a year anyway, but not go through the whole service before it is due. There is really no need for it.

Ok, two different answers, so does this infer its a personal preference?

The Elsawin service manual states the following;

Oil change

About 15 000 km (7 500 km for diesel operation with high sulphur content <a id="IDAHVJBB">→ Chapter) or 1 year: Vehicles with variable service intervals and extreme operating conditions.

Every 15 000 km (7 500 km for diesel operation with high sulphur content → Chapter) or 1 year: Vehicles with fixed service intervals for changing the oil. In countries with high sulphur content in diesel fuel, an engine oil change service must be carried out every 7 500 km → Chapter.

Which sort of undermines the idea of running to 18,000 miles on rural roads as It also states the following regard extreme conditions (note the mention re road salt & poor roads; lots of pot holes like we have maybe :wonder: );

Additional customer information regarding inspection and maintenance Information regarding the use of vehicles under „severe conditions“: – The service advisor should always point out to the customer that the inspection intervals are based on normal operating conditions. – Under „severe conditions“ the inspection intervals must be shortened.

„Severe conditions“ exist, for instance, if the vehicle is operated continuously under one or several of the conditions stated below:

t Towing a trailer or when fitted with a roof rack.

t Operated on dusty, poor, muddy roads or roads treated with road salt.

t Driven for short distances and at ambient temperatures below freezing point.

– If one or several of these „severe conditions“ exists, please advise your customer whether it is necessary to have work carried out between the normal service intervals, such as:

t Changing the engine oil before the normal specified interval.

t Cleaning or replacing the air filter element in the air filter housing.

General information:

– Inform your customer about this so that he has each inspection carried out at the right time and none are forgetten.

– Draw the attention of your customer to the sticker affixed to the side of the dash panel (driver's side) indicating when the next service event is due. – In addition, enter in the boxes provided in the pages of the Service Schedule when the next service or other additional operations should be carried out. – An oil change service should be undertaken at the prescribed interval <a id="IDAY0PPE">→ Chapter.

– Advise your customer that to maintain the vehicle in a safe and roadworthy condition and also to ensure that the warranty terms are complied with, it is essential to have the additional following operations carried out in addition to the annual inspections:

t Change the brake fluid (have this done if possible during an inspection service):

Vehicles up to MY 2010: every 2 years.

Vehicles as of MY 2011: after 3 years, then every 2 years.

Personally I've opted for one of those two year service plans that covers an oil change at 10,000 or one year and a inspection service at 20,000 or two years. Do quite a bit of hill climbing round here and being an ex aircraft engine fitter I'm not happy with prelonged oil use, particularly in a diesel engine.

Regards,

TP

There has been many a heated debate on the pro's and cons of fixed and variable servicing.

Both have their merits for different reasons.

I spent (for me) a lot of money on my car, it also covers low mileage and I tend to keep my cars for longer than most.

Changing the oil and having some one give it a check over once periodically (fixed) makes more sense to me.

I too have the service plan, £200 for two years worth of servicing was a no brainer.

I still think variable service plans are to attract fleet buyers with its reduced service intervals and therefore lower running costs.

The Elsawin service manual states the following;

Oil change

About 15 000 km (7 500 km for diesel operation with high sulphur content <a id="IDAHVJBB">→ Chapter) or 1 year: Vehicles with variable service intervals and extreme operating conditions.

Every 15 000 km (7 500 km for diesel operation with high sulphur content → Chapter) or 1 year: Vehicles with fixed service intervals for changing the oil. In countries with high sulphur content in diesel fuel, an engine oil change service must be carried out every 7 500 km → Chapter.

Which sort of undermines the idea of running to 18,000 miles on rural roads as It also states the following regard extreme conditions (note the mention re road salt & poor roads; lots of pot holes like we have maybe :wonder: );

Additional customer information regarding inspection and maintenance Information regarding the use of vehicles under „severe conditions“: – The service advisor should always point out to the customer that the inspection intervals are based on normal operating conditions. – Under „severe conditions“ the inspection intervals must be shortened.

„Severe conditions“ exist, for instance, if the vehicle is operated continuously under one or several of the conditions stated below:

t Towing a trailer or when fitted with a roof rack.

t Operated on dusty, poor, muddy roads or roads treated with road salt.

t Driven for short distances and at ambient temperatures below freezing point.

– If one or several of these „severe conditions“ exists, please advise your customer whether it is necessary to have work carried out between the normal service intervals, such as:

t Changing the engine oil before the normal specified interval.

t Cleaning or replacing the air filter element in the air filter housing.

General information:

– Inform your customer about this so that he has each inspection carried out at the right time and none are forgetten.

– Draw the attention of your customer to the sticker affixed to the side of the dash panel (driver's side) indicating when the next service event is due. – In addition, enter in the boxes provided in the pages of the Service Schedule when the next service or other additional operations should be carried out. – An oil change service should be undertaken at the prescribed interval <a id="IDAY0PPE">→ Chapter.

– Advise your customer that to maintain the vehicle in a safe and roadworthy condition and also to ensure that the warranty terms are complied with, it is essential to have the additional following operations carried out in addition to the annual inspections:

t Change the brake fluid (have this done if possible during an inspection service):

Vehicles up to MY 2010: every 2 years.

Vehicles as of MY 2011: after 3 years, then every 2 years.

Personally I've opted for one of those two year service plans that covers an oil change at 10,000 or one year and a inspection service at 20,000 or two years. Do quite a bit of hill climbing round here and being an ex aircraft engine fitter I'm not happy with prelonged oil use, particularly in a diesel engine.

Regards,

TP

Could someone explain the brake fluid changes, if the same spec fluid is being used how come you can go three years but then once it gets changed it reverts to two year intervals.

As far as oil is concerned, I have always changed mine every year and the filter. A good look at the air filter and pollen filter should tell you if they need changing, much the same as checking disc pads and tyres. My handbook also says it's recommended to change wiper blades twice a year,if they are wiping without smearing why would you do that.

The Yeti is my third new Skoda. For the first time, lulled by the promise of "long life" oil and relatively high mileage use (and not driven toohard), I accepted the variable service routine. I patiently awaited the service indicator message and had the service at 18500 miles.

After the service, the engine ran noticably quieter. I don't think I'll let it go that far next time!

I have owned a Passat, and Audi and now a Yeti, all have been on long life service with intervals of around 19,000 miles observed (Yeti has only done three but is estimating 18,00 for service).

Each time my cars have been serviced the dealer has always reset the service interval to fixed, they make more money this way! I always check before I leave the dealer and if changed have it changed back to long life/ variable, just to add the Passat did 140,000 miles in three years and was as good when it went as when I got it, the A4 has done 120,000 in three years and also drives very well, both were on variable service, both were well used driving loaded up and also towing 1500 kilos on a regular basis, so if I were you I would save a few quid and double the time between servicing.

Our Yeti came set up for variable serving by the dealer.

After a year (next week) it's done 4,400 miles. So I think variable will suit it as it only gets used three or four times a week.

That way it'll get a service every two years or 9000 miles aprox.

http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/owners/servicing/regimes

The Passat did 140,000 miles in three years and was as good when it went as when I got it, the A4 has done 120,000 in three years and also drives very well, both were on variable service, both were well used driving loaded up and also towing 1500 kilos on a regular basis, so if I were you I would save a few quid and double the time between servicing.

High mileage but only over three years.

I would be interested to see the real long term affects (if any) of long life servicing as I tend to keep my cars for life.

I have an old Peugeot 306 diesel, only 150,000 miles but 12 years old. Oil and filter changed every 10,000 miles, cambelt and rollers done at 60,000 and 120,000.

So far its needed a heater matrix, radiator, sump and a rear shock.

As other have mentioned I also notice how much quieter the engine sounds after an oil change. Over three years old oil may not make much of a difference, 5+ years then I think you'll see problems sooner that if you went with fixed.

It's not an exact science and the debate will rumble on in motoring forums for years to come.