I'm a new owner of a 2006 Skoda Octavia 1.4 Petrol, 5 Speed Manual and am wondering

about the only lubrication level/condition that I can't check - the gearbox oil level, so,

I asked a mechanic today, what the oil change service intervals for the gearbox are,

and he said " you dont ever need to replace the oil " ! - surely this can't be for real.

Makes me wonder if regular service intervals ever include the gearbox oil replacement.

Seems to me like the only way to ensure that my oil has been replaced during the

Presale Service is to have it done asap.

Any comments ?

I'm a new owner of a 2006 Skoda Octavia 1.4 Petrol, 5 Speed Manual and am wondering

about the only lubrication level/condition that I can't check - the gearbox oil level, so,

I asked a mechanic today, what the oil change service intervals for the gearbox are,

and he said " you dont ever need to replace the oil " ! - surely this can't be for real.

Makes me wonder if regular service intervals ever include the gearbox oil replacement.

Seems to me like the only way to ensure that my oil has been replaced during the

Presale Service is to have it done asap.

Any comments ?

Another query - have heard of "longlife oil" - is this used in Skoda Manual gearboxes ?

Could this be the reason for lack of oil change intervals being defined ?

J

No, you don't need to change the gear box oil.

If, after 100k miles or 10 years or so, the gear box starts to get a bit notchy when cold it might be worth changing it then. Otherwise don't worry.

It's worth checking the level occasionally.

I would be very careful about checking the level. I understand the gearbox on newest VAG cars is tilted at a different angle from the original design angle for the gearbox. So the oil level when at the correct level when the box is on the car is actually above the fill hole. If required, VAG recommends draining the oil fully, measuring how much comes out then refilling the same amount (1.9l?) through the reverse light switch hole.

Edited 13 April, 201313 yr by FriendlyFire

My old BMW 320d SE automatic supposedly had lifelong oil in the gearbox.

The dealer at first refused to change the oil claiming it didn't need doing.

I persuaded them and it felt like new afterwards.

My wife's 2008 40,000 mile Scout is getting a little more difficult to get into first and sometimes baulks going from 1st to 2nd when it's cold.

I'll be getting the dealer to change the gearbox oil at it's next annual service.

Thanks for the replies fellas. Seems like this issue is a bit confusing as regards

oil changes. I have just read in the Haynes Manual for Octavia Diesel (up to 2004/2012)

that the method for replacement of the oil is as mentioned by FriendlyFire.

The level can't be checked but can only be drained and refilled with 1.9 ltr of oil

by removing the reverse switch and filling slowly through the opening.

I presume that the method is the same for the 1.4 Petrol engine.

The information I got from Halfords says that the VW Golf has the same 1.4 engine

covered in the VWGolf 4610 Manual. Must have a sneaky look at it in-store soon !!!

Looks like the only way to be sure, when buying a used Octavia, is to have the oil

replaced as a precaution.

Thanks again

It's sealed for life.

As to how long that "life" is, is IMHO open to debate.

The people that actually make some of the boxes, suggest 50k mile oil change intervals, so I know which I'd go with.