Im looking into doing my first oil change soon in my Fabia 1.2 TSI.

It is on variable service and has soon done 2500miles, the first real service should be somewhere around 12500miles according to the maxidot.

But since the car soon is supposed to be "run in" i want to change the oil earlier than after 12500miles.

According to the manual i should use 5W-30 VW 504.00 / 507.00 specced oil.

My local dealership uses Castrol Edge professional 5W-30.

Im looking at buying Shell Helix Ultra extra 5W-30 instead. It has the same VW 504.00 / 507.00 spec as the Castrol oil.

The main reason that im looking at the Shell oil is that i can get it fairly easy and cheap.

Would there be any real differences between these two oil brands?

According to the spareparts guy at my dealership all 5W-30 504.00 / 507.00 should be mixable so they should all be the same considering quality and so on.

So what would you recommend me to do? Should i go for the Shell oil or the more expensive Castrol oil?

All you need to worry about is the VW504.00 / 507.00 specs, if you can get the Shell stuff at a good price then go with that.

All you need to worry about is the VW504.00 / 507.00 specs, if you can get the Shell stuff at a good price then go with that.

As with Gizmo. The two important things you are looking for is first the VW classification which in your case needs to be either 504 or 507. Next up is the viscosity grading of which the 5W/30 is fine. The 'W' part refers to the low temperature grade of the oil and the 30 the high temperature grade.

The next differences you may possibly find is in the ACEA and API ratings of the oil, but I am getting a little rusty on these now. However, provided you have the VW approval, then no problem really.

Why would you want to change the oil before the car wants??

Variable servicing and the oil used (Longlife) is there to try and cut on maintenance costs.

The ECU learns your driving and recommends when the oil is changed by.

You really wont gain anything by changing early.

And despite the variable counter on the fabia, i believe they work on the basic rule or 1year or 10,000 miles(which ever is soonist)

Why would you want to change the oil before the car wants??

Variable servicing and the oil used (Longlife) is there to try and cut on maintenance costs.

The ECU learns your driving and recommends when the oil is changed by.

You really wont gain anything by changing early.

And despite the variable counter on the fabia, i believe they work on the basic rule or 1year or 10,000 miles(which ever is soonist)

Simply because ive seen what the long life service can do to the inside of a engine..

Another reason is also that i dont like the fact that i will be running the same oil since the car was new for 18750miles.. Motorbikes usually change the oil after just 625miles when they are brand new, then they proceed with the regular maintenance schedule.

Just the oil change doesnt cost me much either. With filter, oil plug and 4liters of oil it would cost me about 35GBP plus work using only VW parts.

No one has told me that my cars was on fixed. The service manager and my dealer told me that my car is on variable and it will alert me when it will need service.

Since the oil change is such a minor cost i will continue doing it once in between the variable services.

They say it will flash as a reminder but you will find that it will be in area of 10,000 or 1 year.

Varible services can last up to 25000miles or two years.

Ive seen vehicles use variable service and long life oil and hit 250,000 with very little oil/wear related issues.

I personally feel your choice (whilst up to you of course) is a little OTT.

VW/skoda spend god knows how much deveoping the engines id say they recomend service intervals are ok to stand by unless the engine is heavily midified

http://www.skoda.co.uk/GBR/Pages/servicing-a-skoda.aspx

This confirms my point (i used to work at Skoda)

Roomster and fabia are fixed, but some have a reminder system,

Octavias and superbs on a truely varible service

http://www.skoda.co....ng-a-skoda.aspx

This confirms my point (i used to work at Skoda)

Roomster and fabia are fixed, but some have a reminder system,

Octavias and superbs on a truely varible service

im sure you used to work at skoda. But my car is still on variable. Please have a look at the attached images.. Its in Swedish but i hope you still can understand it.

Skickat från min GT-I9100 via Tapatalk 2

Even your link states this "Further information may be found in the Service Schedule contained within the vehicle document wallet or by contacting your local retailer."

Edited 2 March, 201313 yr by Snowman89

They say it will flash as a reminder but you will find that it will be in area of 10,000 or 1 year.

Varible services can last up to 25000miles or two years.

Ive seen vehicles use variable service and long life oil and hit 250,000 with very little oil/wear related issues.

I personally feel your choice (whilst up to you of course) is a little OTT.

VW/skoda spend god knows how much deveoping the engines id say they recomend service intervals are ok to stand by unless the engine is heavily midified

I dont know what variable service means in the UK but in Sweden variable service is maximum 30000km (18750miles) OR 24months. Probably less depending on driving style and the sort of trips you make.

Not 25000miles which is 40000km :S

In the link you posted they even write like this which makes total sense to me.

"On variable servicing, intervals are determined by driving styles and conditions of use. The on-board computer will indicate when a service is required which could be up to approx. 20,000 miles for petrol engines"

Edited 2 March, 201313 yr by Snowman89

It must must be different for european vehicles,

As the same link

The service requirements will vary depending upon the model and engine. Fabia and Roomster models require a lubrication service at 10,000 miles and an inspection at 20,000 miles or 12 months whichever is sooner.

Generally fabias in uk are done yearly or every 10,000 i have a service interval display/reminder and it comes on every 10,000 miles

Generally fabias in uk are done yearly or every 10,000 i have a service interval display/reminder and it comes on every 10,000 miles

Unfortunately we are being done over by Skoda/VAG. It is very surprising that both my Fabia's are on fixed servicing, but a VW Polo GTi is on variable. So, considering the minimum work that is done on the intermediate service why do I need to service my vehicle but the corresponding Polo doesn't? And if it is all about the oil, I would happily change to the long life. Interestingly though some of the latest Fabia's are being released with variable servicing, and I believe those in Europe are already on variable servicing so again, why are we different?

As to VAG's extensive development programme, please explain why my 1.4 TFSI went south, along with a whole host of others?

Unfortunately we are being done over by Skoda/VAG. It is very surprising that both my Fabia's are on fixed servicing, but a VW Polo GTi is on variable. So, considering the minimum work that is done on the intermediate service why do I need to service my vehicle but the corresponding Polo doesn't? And if it is all about the oil, I would happily change to the long life. Interestingly though some of the latest Fabia's are being released with variable servicing, and I believe those in Europe are already on variable servicing so again, why are we different?

As to VAG's extensive development programme, please explain why my 1.4 TFSI went south, along with a whole host of others?

Teething problems happen in everybrand ask anyone who had an early Merc CDI engine lol

Well my fabia is serviced every 10,000 yet needs the longlife 3 oil too

Twincharger Engines available from 2009-2013 can hardly be described as still having 'teething problems'.

the first 12 months of engine failures and repairs surely were enough notice of action being required at their Engine Building plant.

If the Faults are now gone from late 2012 and changed engines, that might be something good.

Variable servicing (oil/filter changes) was on the Twin charger engine before the newest coded engines were being delivered.

george

Generally fabias in uk are done yearly or every 10,000 i have a service interval display/reminder and it comes on every 10,000 miles

No, this is not correct! According to my service schedule booklet dated 11/2012 for my december reg Fabia Scout, the service interval is detailed as Q16 which is variable servicing for the Fabia and Roomster. This means the service indicator will be 'as display' and is generally 30000kms (18600mls) or 2 years maximum provided longlife oil is used. The service sticker in my booklet and on the door pillar is 'as display'.

No, this is not correct! According to my service schedule booklet dated 11/2012 for my december reg Fabia Scout, the service interval is detailed as Q16 which is variable servicing for the Fabia and Roomster. This means the service indicator will be 'as display' and is generally 30000kms (18600mls) or 2 years maximum provided longlife oil is used. The service sticker in my booklet and on the door pillar is 'as display'.

My 1.2TSI is every 10,000 or 1 year

Skodas site states Yearly or 10,000 miles

The dealer i used to work for said yearly or 10,000 miles,

But i guess theres clearly some on Variable.

But regardless or when a vehicle being serviced.

Im more trying to understand why anyone would want to service a vehicle before its due. I honestly see it as pointless

'Oil & Filter change Service'.& a look around it maybe more but not guaranteed.

Not 'Service' as in proper Inspect the vehicle. 'Inspection Service and Oil Change.

Done at 10,000/12 months costing near £100 at some Dealerships & 20,000/24 months £175 ,

(the car might actually only have done 10,000 miles by 24.000 months old but has cost £275 in 'Servicing')

or on variable just at reaching 20,000/24 months for near £200 because of slightly more expensive oil is a very odd thing. IMO

From posts on here some people do not top up the washer fluid them self, check the tyre pressures them self unless a TPMS light shows.

If the car/engine is getting used then for near 20,000 mile before a professional runs an eye other from it being new and driving out after a PDI seems almost OK, but from experience i have seen some horrors.

Scary to think a new car can be driven for 24 months and never gets looked at that can be 2 winters.

** a very odd thing with Skoda/VAG is that there might be ECU upgrades that can effect the running and economy of a car.

You take your car in at 12 months old and the upgrade is done, but other need to wait untill 2 years and maybe waste fuel for that year. Skoda do not tell owners when Upgrades are availabe.

george

My 1.2TSI is every 10,000 or 1 year

Skodas site states Yearly or 10,000 miles

The dealer i used to work for said yearly or 10,000 miles,

But i guess theres clearly some on Variable.

But regardless or when a vehicle being serviced.

Im more trying to understand why anyone would want to service a vehicle before its due. I honestly see it as pointless

What year is your Fabia from?

So you are seriously saying that if you compare 3 cases of cars.

First one that only makes short runs which never really lets the engine get up to temperature, for 10000miles.

Second is a guy that revs the engine hard and drives about 70% of the 10000miles on track days.

Third is a guy who drives his car for longer journeys letting the engine and oil up to temperature every drive.

Would you actually say that all of theese three cases would have the same wear on the oil and possible the engine?

What i really cant understand is how Skoda wants me to drive up to 30000km untill my FIRST oil change..

If you buy a new motorbike theese days they would want you to return after 1000km for the first oil change..

I would forget Motorbikes because that is not the case with all.

3 decades ago we used to take new cars back for an oil change at 1000 miles, then diesels had oil changes at 3,000 mile intervals.

then that went to 6,000 miles.

You rebuilt an engine and changed the oil at 500 miles and re torqued the head.

Times change.

Lexus first got an oil change at 120,000 miles.

Subary introduced 20,000 mile oil changes then cars were not getting checked often enough.

The firstt brand new car i got in 2001 was a Punto and it never got looked at to 12 months old and this surprised me.

Do oil and filter changes as suits you if the cost is not a concern.

Like changing Air Filters or Inline Fuel filters, use, location and circumstances are what matters.

ie Non dusty areas and air Filters can stay clean.

Drive all the time in a city and it can be clocked with other vehicles emissions and soot.

If using a car hard i might still change oil at 3,000 miles and have been doing.

george

What year is your Fabia from?

So you are seriously saying that if you compare 3 cases of cars.

First one that only makes short runs which never really lets the engine get up to temperature, for 10000miles.

Second is a guy that revs the engine hard and drives about 70% of the 10000miles on track days.

Third is a guy who drives his car for longer journeys letting the engine and oil up to temperature every drive.

Would you actually say that all of theese three cases would have the same wear on the oil and possible the engine?

What i really cant understand is how Skoda wants me to drive up to 30000km untill my FIRST oil change..

If you buy a new motorbike theese days they would want you to return after 1000km for the first oil change..

Mines 2011 model.

Now amount of oil changes will help anyone who doesnt allow a car to warm up.

Anyone who uses there car for track days or hard running running should do more frequent oil changes. Anyone whos use their car and allows it to warm up etc on decent length journeys, i can see why you would do it sooner then needed???

I can see peoples issues with prehaps with waiting up to 2years the more i think about it.

But surely 10,000 miles or a year is suffient enough.

This my first car i had that ive even took any notice of its service routine.

All my cars have 10years old or more and were service yearly regardless.

Every year it they full set of filters plus spark plugs or glow plugs.

At least once aweek (if every other day depending on traveling distance) il check oil water screen wash tyres. All to make sure its ok

Ive run cars in excess or 125,000 with no issue.

With the Fabia, im running it to letter of what skoda say done my skoda dealer (despite the fact i can do it myself)

This is purely with warranty and resale value in mind, the only thing im doing id suppling oli and filters myself, as TPS will do me better prices on filters and my mate can supply me Castrol oil at a lot cheaper price then skoda will.

Mines 2011 model.

Now amount of oil changes will help anyone who doesnt allow a car to warm up.

Anyone who uses there car for track days or hard running running should do more frequent oil changes. Anyone whos use their car and allows it to warm up etc on decent length journeys, i can see why you would do it sooner then needed???

I can see peoples issues with prehaps with waiting up to 2years the more i think about it.

But surely 10,000 miles or a year is suffient enough.

This my first car i had that ive even took any notice of its service routine.

All my cars have 10years old or more and were service yearly regardless.

Every year it they full set of filters plus spark plugs or glow plugs.

At least once aweek (if every other day depending on traveling distance) il check oil water screen wash tyres. All to make sure its ok

Ive run cars in excess or 125,000 with no issue.

With the Fabia, im running it to letter of what skoda say done my skoda dealer (despite the fact i can do it myself)

This is purely with warranty and resale value in mind, the only thing im doing id suppling oli and filters myself, as TPS will do me better prices on filters and my mate can supply me Castrol oil at a lot cheaper price then skoda will.

Could be that they introduced the variable service at the late 2012 models.

True but when you change the oil you atleast get rid of all the humidity in the oil. Case 3 was supposed to be "normal" condition and as you say i wouldnt say it needed extra oil changes.

I totally agree with you. I will do my oil change a bit earlier now since it should have been run in by now.

In the future i will probably do a extra oil change after about 10000miles so i dont have to wait for 20000miles or 24months before i get the service done..

This is my first new car and ive always had the oil and filter changed every year on my previous cars. To change oil and filter just efter 24months doesnt feel right..

I will let my Skoda dealer perform the "real" service and then i will do the extra oil change in between services myself. Both Skoda and my dealer told me that you are allowed to perform extra oil changes within the warranty as long as you use VW parts and the correct oil.

Could be that they introduced the variable service at the late 2012 models.

True but when you change the oil you atleast get rid of all the humidity in the oil. Case 3 was supposed to be "normal" condition and as you say i wouldnt say it needed extra oil changes.

I totally agree with you. I will do my oil change a bit earlier now since it should have been run in by now.

In the future i will probably do a extra oil change after about 10000miles so i dont have to wait for 20000miles or 24months before i get the service done..

This is my first new car and ive always had the oil and filter changed every year on my previous cars. To change oil and filter just efter 24months doesnt feel right..

I will let my Skoda dealer perform the "real" service and then i will do the extra oil change in between services myself. Both Skoda and my dealer told me that you are allowed to perform extra oil changes within the warranty as long as you use VW parts and the correct oil.

Yeh i know techincally allowed to have car serviced where ever providing the right routine and servicing is carried out with correct oil etc.

Im just cautious if only skoda touch the car it can only be there fault lol.

Allowed by the 'EU open market' to have your vehicle serviced and not restricted to the original manufacturers recognised workshops.

Protecting a Warranty means in the UK that will be at a VAT Registered placed using the correct parts.

3 year Warranties in the UK, but maybe only 2 years in other Countries.

That does not mean the place doing Service Work knows of recalls, updates or can do any reports or claims for warranty parts/labour.

(Less than £10 for the correct Filter & £1.36 for the sump plug for oil changes between official services and Robert is your Mothers Brother.)

You pays your money or not and take your chances.

george

Allowed by the 'EU open market' to have your vehicle serviced and not restricted to the original manufacturers recognised workshops.

Protecting a Warranty means in the UK that will be at a VAT Registered placed using the correct parts.

3 year Warranties in the UK, but maybe only 2 years in other Countries.

That does not mean the place doing Service Work knows of recalls, updates or can do any reports or claims for warranty parts/labour.

(Less than £10 for the correct Filter & £1.36 for the sump plug for oil changes between official services and Robert is your Mothers Brother.)

You pays your money or not and take your chances.

george

Yeah we only have 2years of warranty in Sweden.

Im only going to do the extra oil change in between the real service myself. The real service will ofcourse be performed by a Skoda garage.

Hum here in Sweden the filter costs £19 and the plug £3, they also wants £85 for just the oil and the complete 24months service costs £360