This morning I had the message appear saying that the car is due a service in 19days / 2500 miles time. (variable service schedule) Im going to get my local garage to carry out the service but just wanted to check a couple of things. (car is a 2008 tfsi VRS)

I read that the brake fluid needs changing. In view of all the ABS/ESP failures is there a special procedure that the garage needs to follow and could they damage the ABS system if not?

Other than oil and filter, what else needs doing on a 4 year service? (timing belt and water pump have already been changed, as have plugs)

Can anyone other than the Dealer reset the service indicator afterwards?

Is it better to be on fixed if Im doing mainly short journeys?

thanks in advance,

Dan

Don't bother changing brake fluid, iv seen it years in cars and still fine.

Hi,

I changed my own brake fluid without incident. The following may be helpful to consider:

The brake fluid bleeding should include the clutch slave cylinder. VAG garages use pressure to pump fluid from the master and the pressure of brake fluid = 0.2 Mpa. (I used a Gunson EasyBleed)

"Sequence: slave cylinder, brake calipers.

Slave cylinder 0,1 litres

Rear right 0,3 litres

Rear left 0,3 litres

Front right 0.2 litres

Front left 0.2 litres

Total amount of brake fluid discharged: approx. 1.15 ltre, incl. the amount drained from the brake fluid reservoir."

I think you will find VAG/Skoda recommends a fixed service "Time and distance" regime for those who do short stop start driving. If you go that way, then you can reset the service indicator yourself. It's a matter of pushing the trip meter button in a particular way. I don't remember exactly but it's detailed in the manual. If not, and you want to stay on Variable servicing then you need to plug the car into something to reset it properly. It doesn't have to be a dealer, but it needs to be VCDS or some sort of fault reader (50 quid job).

I think you should also need a pollen filter change every two years.

HTH

Thanks for the quick, extremely helpful answer, Friendly Fire. Im guessing its just normal DOT4 that I require.

Thanks for the quick, extremely helpful answer, Friendly Fire. Im guessing its just normal DOT4 that I require.

Yes it is DOT4 but is very awkward to fill and see the level that is in the reservoir. Dont forget to disconnect the battery or ABS modulator incase it activates.

Edited 2 April, 201214 yr by 07 vRS Taxi

Thanks for the replies. On the subject of the brake fluid change I found this the other day. Sounds complicated.....

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,20499