My 1.2 htp (12 valve) is due for a service.it's coming up to 5 years old so is there anything to replace at this age whilst the car is in the garage

I'm going to buy:

oil

oil filter

that metal ring thing (can't remember the name of it)

spark plugs (skoda recommend every 4 years but I get mine changed mine anyway)

pollen filter

are these really neccessary?

air con regas (never regased since new, what are the chances of it breaking down?)

brake fluid (I know skoda recommend every 2 years but we've had cars 10+ years never had a brake fluid change)

anything else I've missed?

Air filter maybe? Possibly fuel filter as well?

If the A/C blows cold, I'd just leave it alone.

Better to look at the service book to see what has already been done, and what is due.

Edited 12 February, 201313 yr by FAB59

5 years but how many miles?

Look at the Air Filter to see if it needs changed.

Check the Front Brake Pads.

Have the Rear Drums ever been off and checked the brake shoes?

Is it on the original Anti Freeze?

Can you check the strength?

george

Thanks for the advice.

My air con is still blowing cold. So a regas is recommended when it's not so cold?

Brake pads were changed last year thanks.

Anti freeze...good point, I'll ask for that to be checked...but i'm not sure if there's any specific brand to get or type or even if it should be to skoda spec.....

Mileage is currently about 38,000 miles.

How about the battery.

brake fluid (I know skoda recommend every 2 years but we've had cars 10+ years never had a brake fluid change)

YES, change the brake fluid but is not as straight forward as changing Engine oil. Sorry if you know how to do this, but your brakes are a safety device and should not be toyed with.

Brake fluid, by its very nature will absorb moisture from the environment which will reduce its boiling point. As such it is necessary to periodically change the fluid, typically every two to three years.

It is generally accepted that over a two year period brake fluid will adsorb approximately 3% water, which will reduce its boiling point from about 270/280 deg C in some cases to around the minimum permitted of 155 deg C (see SAE J300). Now 155 is still quite a high temperature but you must consider how much heat is generated whilst breaking which is then lost to the surrounding area, but more specifically the brake fluid itself.

I suppose, the chances are that you will never exceed the boiling point of the fluid, but you never know, especially as its boiling point will further degrade the more water you adsorb. Worst I have ever seen, 10% water and a boiling point of 104 deg C.

thanks for the advice, my brake fluid was changed about two years ago so I'll look at changing it no more than in a years time...safety first.

JerryT, a question regarding brake fluid renewal. As the system is not in any way circulatory, once filled with fresh fluid and bled, how is it possible to get moisture in the system other than at the reservoir? Obviously, as pads and shoes wear, some of this exposed fluid will enter the system but it won't ever displace the dry fluid down at the wheels.

Hoses do actually breathe (not excessively but they do), and when you consider that the fluid will expand and contract (so causing the hose to flex) dependent on system temperature you will draw moisture in from the surroundings. Further you should consider that the braking system is fully exposed and you will get a degree of moisture adsorbtion past seals when the brakes are operated in a wet environment. As to the reservoir, there is a phenomenon called Brownian motion (sorry if you already know this). So if you adsorb moisture here over a period of time it will pass through the entire system, there being no way to stop this process.

Ultimately, moisture is our enemy, and I have seen some pretty nasty examples with not only losts of water but also bugs growing as well. Fortunately the worst examples were on trailers, not a vehicle but would have presented a problem if the brakes had failed. It did though cause a change in operating policy.

Thanks for the advice.

My air con is still blowing cold. So a regas is recommended when it's not so cold?

Brake pads were changed last year thanks.

Anti freeze...good point, I'll ask for that to be checked...but i'm not sure if there's any specific brand to get or type or even if it should be to skoda spec.....

Mileage is currently about 38,000 miles.

How about the battery.

If your A/C is not blowing cold, it means there is a leak somewhere and the A/C gas has escaped. That's when it needs to be looked at and re-gassed when everything is back in order. I believe you can also have an A/C service carried out, which I think basically cleans out the system of any bacteria that cause smells, but I don't know much about that. I'm sure someone else can shed some light on this.

If your anti-freeze needs renewing, it has to be of a certain spec. I think either G12 or G12+? I'm not sure which. I'd be interested to know about that myself, if anyone on here knows.

You can check the battery with a multimeter, it should give at least 12V when the engine's not running.

Thanks for the advice Fab59.

I have a multimeter/voltmeter which reads about 12.8-12.9v engine off and about 13.8-14v engine on.

You're more than welcome. Your battery is in very good health.