I usually get the garage to do this filthy job but I'm going to do it myself this time as pennys are a bit tight.

What oil should I get off the shelf? The Halfords lookup thingy said Magnatec 10W/40... which ridiculously came in 4L bottles when I think I need 4.5L. Seemed quite pricey too.

Can I just bung in any 10W/40 or are these engines picky?

Needs to meet the VW spec. If your on fixed servicing then 505.00 should be fine, or you could go for 505.01 or the newest 507.00 but that will cost more.

Needs to meet the VW spec. If your on fixed servicing then 505.00 should be fine, or you could go for 505.01 or the newest 507.00 but that will cost more.

Will it normally say on the bottle or do I need to go to a dealer?

Go to the General maintenance section, second question down the list,should help.

It may say on the bottle. You could try TPS, if there is one near you, and see what sort of price.

The last couple of services of mine I have got the oil from GSF, only about £16 for 5 Litres, I think it is Carlube Triple R, but I don't have a bottle to hand.

Thanks for the tips - I'll see what I can turn up tomorrow.

Don't forget a new sump plug.

Dealer quantum platignum 5w40 cheap and very good. and is 505.01 too. Best I've used so far. Done 6 oil changes so far and still have same sump plug, why the necessity to change it?

Dealer quantum platignum 5w40 cheap and very good. and is 505.01 too. Best I've used so far. Done 6 oil changes so far and still have same sump plug, why the necessity to change it?

Because Skoda recommend it and it only costs 90 odd pence for a new one. Your actually supposed to replace the washer, but it is captive on the bolt. Also any problems with the thread and steel bolt beats aluminium sump every time.

If its a pd motor it needs 505.01 or better

505.00 is no good

Skoda sell the proper oil for about £25 and it ****es all over magnatec

If its a pd motor it needs 505.01 or better

505.00 is no good

Not a PD so 505.00 will be fine.

Skoda sell the proper oil for about £25 and it ****es all over magnatec

how many litres for £25?

5 litres

how many litres for £25?

Or if you get discount like me

5l oil

Oem oil filter

Oem sump plug

= £22.93

Well Skoda in Winchester was £36 for oil, filter and plug. Thanks for the heads up - much cheaper than Halfords or ECP!

Yes you paid full retail but you'd be lucky to get the oil itself for £36 from halfrauds!

Well since getting this super-duper VW spec oil from the dealer the fuel economy on both cars has taken a dive! Is this normal? I'm down by up to 20%.

The drop in economy may be related to the change in the weather, the economy will drop as the temperature drops, though 20% sounds a bit much.

I've noticed the cold weather make a small difference in the past but this is most definitely related to the oil change. The Mrs used to be getting close to 60mpg on the way home from work, now struggling to make 50. It's dropped on my car too - by about 5mpg. The initial mpg figures from cold look particularly bad compared to what they used to be.

I've noticed the cold weather make a small difference in the past but this is most definitely related to the oil change. The Mrs used to be getting close to 60mpg on the way home from work, now struggling to make 50. It's dropped on my car too - by about 5mpg. The initial mpg figures from cold look particularly bad compared to what they used to be.

As these readings based on the trip computer or actual consumption?

As these readings based on the trip computer or actual consumption?

Trip computer, but comparing to old trip computer readings - so I'd have thought a fair comparison?

Oil wont effect mpg!

Vag uses this oil in every single car coming off the production line

Be it platinum or longlife dependant on engine spec, so its not the problem. As said probably weather change my cars got worse over the past week or so

Oil wont effect mpg!

Vag uses this oil in every single car coming off the production line

Be it platinum or longlife dependant on engine spec, so its not the problem. As said probably weather change my cars got worse over the past week or so

This was first noticed a few weeks ago when the oil change was done. There wasn't a significant weather change at the time. The mpg wasn't anywhere near that bad last winter. This is definitely related to the oil change. It should be said that it is quite possible that neither vehicle had VW spec oil in it before - the oil was changed by different garages, not by me, and I've never been picky about what oil went in before. I know various oils have been used in the past and I've never seen such a dramatic change in mpg. The Mrs has noticed it too - we watch the mpg reading like hawks - it's the reason we bought the cars in the first place. Cost matters with the mileage we do.

Winter diesel? Or is it still on the same tank of fuel?