Just clocked up my first 1000 miles and was wondering if its worthwhile doing an early oil change ?

Or are modern cars so well engineered and fitted with better filters these days that it is unnecessary??

Worried Mum, Surrey.

These days, most manufacturers will say a "first service" is unnecessary. I say that as long as you use OEM standard oils and filter it can't do any harm and if it stops you worrying that's reason enough to do it.

Thanks for posting. I was getting around to asking the same question. I will be doing an annual service once a year, because my typical mileage is only about 6000 miles annually. However, I come from the era when the first service was at about 600 miles I have in mind to change the engine oil and filter, together with the gearbox oil. I have only 1,740 miles done since beginning of November last year, so possibly even less than 6,000 a year now.

I have always done it halfway through the first service interval on my new cars and it has stood them well over the years. I will be giving my better halfs Citigo a change at the 6 months point as she does less than 4K a year.

My diesel Mondeo gets it's oil and filter changed every 3000 miles, simply because I have access to a ramp and parts at trade cost. I also believe it is the best thing you can do for an engine. My Citigo came with 3 years free servicing but I will do an oil change at 500 miles (not filter). Then it is a case of seeing what the annual mileage is. If it looks to be 10K a year then it will get a change by me every 5K between the Skoda service. It will be doing 90% town driving/ short journeys and that knocks the hell out of any oil.

I got the "always change the oil at 500 to 1_000 miles" thing from the chief Police mechanic for Dunbartonshire back in the day (and yes that does date me).

Well reckon I'll change the engine oil soon then. Anybody any views on changing the gearbox oil at the same time?

Other than for Haldex 4WD units and plate type limitted slip differentials, neither of which apply, the only "road car" advice on transmission oil changes I've got is from ZF Transmissions, and they recommend every 50_000 miles for automatics. I'd save my money (oh and this is one job I'd get a garage to do; if you've ever smelt used transmission oil, you'll know why).

Gosh no I'm not equipped to do any of this, nor do I have the inclination. Warranty questions might be raised too perhaps if there was a future issue. No I just had in mind that if there were metal particles from the running in period, that draining the gearbox oil might eliminate that possibility. Don't know if that is a reasonable consideration or not.

Gear oil :no: not needed, engine oil, yes if you really want to but should be ok until your 1st service comes around.

Gear/diff oil, yes it does pong a bit. Done it on my previous cars but the Citigo hasn't got enough miles on it yet.

I went to get an oil filter for our Citigo to change the oil after the first 6 months of use. However, I was told by the dealer that the filters have been on back order and they are not expecting theme to be in stock for 4 to 5 weeks?

I went to get an oil filter for our Citigo to change the oil after the first 6 months of use. However, I was told by the dealer that the filters have been on back order and they are not expecting theme to be in stock for 4 to 5 weeks?

Could be interesting as the first ones are about to hit their first 12 month service.  I wondered why there was a guy booking his Citigo in at the Halfords Autocentre a week ago....