As I wait the many months for the recently ordered VRS TSi to arrive I have too much time on my hands...and I'm focusing thoughts on how to care for the car when it arrives, particularly as I expect to have this one for some time.

 

Having never run in a brand new car, and having never had a turbo fitted car before I'm wondering about the run in and first oil change.  Ok, cars don't need the extended run ins they used to, and manufacturers don't seem to require we do an early oil change anymore, but it won't do any harm.  With halfords having engine oil cheap at the moment (a tenner for 4l) the oil and filter won't cost much and I have the ramps etc so don't mind doing it.

 

I'm thinking first 1000 miles, avoid labouring the engine, avoid long spells at constant revs (so vary speed and vary gear a bit on motorway runs), avoid high revs (red line) but use the rest of the rev range.  Then an oil change, and after that, not worry too much.

 

Am I being over cautious?  what are the rest of you doing?

Just let it warm properly and take it easy for 1k miles but don't molly coddle it.  Changing oil early is a waste of money imo on an everyday family car.

Did no run mine in at all, first oil change was 18500 miles. Its now on 70k never missed a beat and uses no oil.

Putting in cheap oil could invalidate warranty and i believe any work has to be by a vat registered garage?

I have had about 8 brand new company cars and never had to run in.

 I presume you mean VAG registered.  I believe manufacturers warranties are valid so long as the correct parts are used, so any independent garage can be used but I wouldn't expect skoda to accept a diy mechanincs work, however I would use the correct spec oil, which isn't any of the stuff on offer at halfords currently, but the correct castrol magnetech is only about £30.  I'd get the filter from a skoda dealer, they will then have no idea of the change surely...the filter they will remove 9000 miles later, and the oil will not look any different to they expect.

 I presume you mean VAG registered.  I believe manufacturers warranties are valid so long as the correct parts are used, so any independent garage can be used

 

No, he means VAT registered.  But this is only for keeping to the service schedule for warranty purposes.

 

Doing an oil change yourself in between services won't affect warranty, it's just a waste of money unless your doing mega mileage and plan on keeping the car until it dies.....

??  not sure how a company's fiscal situation has a bearing on its competence.

??  not sure how a company's fiscal situation has a bearing on its competence.

 

It's nothing about being competent, it's about them actually being a proper business and not just some random guy doing the service himself on his drive having bought approved parts. 

 

That's what EU law says.

I wasn't aware that was in the EU law.  OFT makes no reference

http://www.oft.gov.uk/news-and-updates/press/2004/85-04#notes

A copy of the Skoda New Car Warranty can be downloaded via the link below. Servicing is covered on page 5.

http://www.skoda.co.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/Brochures/Warranty-Booklet-single.pdf

No, he means VAT registered.  But this is only for keeping to the service schedule for warranty purposes.

 

Doing an oil change yourself in between services won't affect warranty, it's just a waste of money unless your doing mega mileage and plan on keeping the car until it dies.....

its not a waste at all.

 

especially if the oil is subjected to town/stop/start driving without getting warm regularly.

As I wait the many months for the recently ordered VRS TSi to arrive I have too much time on my hands...and I'm focusing thoughts on how to care for the car when it arrives, particularly as I expect to have this one for some time.

 

Having never run in a brand new car, and having never had a turbo fitted car before I'm wondering about the run in and first oil change.  Ok, cars don't need the extended run ins they used to, and manufacturers don't seem to require we do an early oil change anymore, but it won't do any harm.  With halfords having engine oil cheap at the moment (a tenner for 4l) the oil and filter won't cost much and I have the ramps etc so don't mind doing it.

 

I'm thinking first 1000 miles, avoid labouring the engine, avoid long spells at constant revs (so vary speed and vary gear a bit on motorway runs), avoid high revs (red line) but use the rest of the rev range.  Then an oil change, and after that, not worry too much.

 

Am I being over cautious?  what are the rest of you doing?

 

Not sure why you'd want to do more maintenance than the manufacturers stipulate as they are over cautious anyway for commercial reasons. However, if you did want an oil change have you tried asking Skoda or a local independent what they would charge? You may be pleasantly surprised. I must admit, I thought the days that doing this yourself saved enough money to justify the effort weren't long gone. I've not heard of anyone doing it themselves for years.  Good luck to you though.

I wasn't aware that was in the EU law. OFT makes no reference

http://www.oft.gov.uk/news-and-updates/press/2004/85-04#notes

I think it is the wording reputable garage that suggests the company should be vat registered. A garage turning over less than £77k, the vat threshold, is unlikely to be a reputable company.

Not saying one man bands are at all bad but for a warranty claim a vat registered reputable non franchised garage would look better in court.

As I wait the many months for the recently ordered VRS TSi to arrive I have too much time on my hands...and I'm focusing thoughts on how to care for the car when it arrives, particularly as I expect to have this one for some time.

 

Having never run in a brand new car, and having never had a turbo fitted car before I'm wondering about the run in and first oil change.  Ok, cars don't need the extended run ins they used to, and manufacturers don't seem to require we do an early oil change anymore, but it won't do any harm.  With halfords having engine oil cheap at the moment (a tenner for 4l) the oil and filter won't cost much and I have the ramps etc so don't mind doing it.

 

I'm thinking first 1000 miles, avoid labouring the engine, avoid long spells at constant revs (so vary speed and vary gear a bit on motorway runs), avoid high revs (red line) but use the rest of the rev range.  Then an oil change, and after that, not worry too much.

 

Am I being over cautious?  what are the rest of you doing?

Never ever put cheap oil in your new car. You're paying well over £20k for the car and you'd save twenty quid putting in cheap oil?!! Better to leave the original oil in there and go by the manufacturers recommended intervals. Modern synthetic oils are designed for long intervals between services anyway. You'll save even more money! I wouldn't even top the oil up with anything other than the proper stuff - not that in £10k miles I've needed to put a drop in.

+1. (Sorry, can't get the Quote button to do anything useful!). Modern synthetic oils will keep your engine internals as good as new - i.e. once things have bedded down - for as long as the engine lives. By all means change the oil at low mileage (and why not do it yourself? I still do sometimes) but don't get tempted by non- or semi-synthetics. You'll spend more on oil but won't be worrying about the engine's condition, especially during those first few minutes on a winter's morning when all the wear is taking place.

as you say, once the engine is bedded down, modern oils are capable of keeping the engine in fine fettle.  The first and early oil change is, or always was, about getting the metal particles and rubbish out, from the initial run and bedding in,  its not about a change due to oil decomposition.  I would only put the correct oil in the engine  (my mention of the cheap oil at halfords has probably misled people, I mentioned that before I'd actually looked to see what was in the offer, and the suitable oil isn't).

I'd say if it makes you feel better then do it, but if there was any need whatsoever then the manufacturers would make it a requirement in order to maintain the warranty. The fact that they don't speaks volumes to me. 

 

I understand that you're trying to save a few quid by doing it yourself but why not save even more by just sticking to the prescribed service intervals which are absolutely fine and if anything, still over cautious?

as you say, once the engine is bedded down, modern oils are capable of keeping the engine in fine fettle.  The first and early oil change is, or always was, about getting the metal particles and rubbish out, from the initial run and bedding in <snip>

My (independent) dealer always uses Forte Engine Flush when he changes the oil in my car.  I can't say that I am convinced of the benefits but he swears by it.  He is reasonably priced, very accommodating and has never let me down in any way.  Perhaps it would make sense to use it on your first oil change?

Edited 5 January, 201412 yr by Tramell

I would never use an engine flush oil in an engine which uses LongLife oil - including my 1.8TSI - because the new oil will be degraded by any engine flush remaining in the engine. JMTPW.

I would never use an engine flush oil in an engine which uses LongLife oil - including my 1.8TSI - because the new oil will be degraded by any engine flush remaining in the engine. JMTPW.

 

Exactly.  Manufacturers spend millions researching the most appropriate service requirements and then they put them into a clearly defined schedule telling dealers what to do, how and when.  It saves customers the hassle of working out the most suitable servicing arrangements.  Stick with the prescribed routine and you'll be fine. If you're not, make use of your warranty.  Deviate from the recommendations and there's just the possibility that things could go horribly pear shaped. 

With halfords having engine oil cheap at the moment (a tenner for 4l) the oil and filter won't cost much....

But a new engine does! Have a read of the thread below to see the cost of a new TSI engine as fitted to the Octavia II, ie around £6,500. If you want to look after your new car's engine then use a quality oil which is approved as meeting spec VW 504.00 if on variable service intervals (which is what the car comes set for from the factory), or VW 502 00 if you opt for fixed service intervals. The cost of such an oil is peanuts compared with the cost of fuel used between service intervals. Stay clear of oils which are claimed to meet the requirements of a particular VW spec, or to be especially suitable for vehicles requiring a particular VW spec. If they don't have VW approval then don't use them. As for saving money by having servicing done outside the dealer network, this could have adverse implications as you will see from the thread below, in the event of a claim outside the warranty period.

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/266114-18tsi-and-20tsi-engine-failures/

P.S. With apologies for repeating what others have already said.

Copied from the forte website,

 

 

Forté Advanced Formula Motor Flush will provide the following benefits:

• Clean engines internally and provide anti-wear protection
• Free sticking piston rings, hydraulic valve lifters and variable valve timing systems
• Remove lacquer, varnish and sludge deposits from the crankcase
• Neutralise crankcase acids, keeping new oil cleaner, for longer

Advanced Formula Motor Flush has been specifically formulated to combat the effects that extended oil drain periods and modern driving habits have on today's technically sophisticated engines. Urban cycle and start/stop driving patterns increase the rate at which acid builds up; leading to accelerated and premature engine wear. Excessive lacquer and varnish formation reduces the efficiency of oil system components, such as VVT systems, piston rings and Hydraulic Valve Lifters.

Forté Advanced Formula Motor Flush is fully compatible with all engine components and engine oils which are formulated to meet API and ACEA Service Classifications and international motor manufacturers' specifications.

It is essential that engines are flushed with Forté Advanced Formula Motor Flush at each service.

Forté Advanced Formula Motor Flush is fully compatible with and will not affect wet clutches.

 

 

So it may be a good product, or may not be, but what it seems to be designed for is breaking down sludge/coke/sticky deposits.  The purpose of an early oil change is to remove the small metal particles that will be in the oil as a result of the bedding in, the oil should, chemically at least, be fine.  So I don't think the flush would add anything.

 

Okay, I see the consensus on here is to drive the car, let the dealer service it, do noting more than recommended.

As I said above, I would only put the correct oil in to the car.  If my mention of cheap oil at halfords has misled people I'm sorry a bout that.  Returning to the subject of running in, I have found the advice is very conflicting, I've linked a few examples, there are many many more.

 

Don't use synthetic oil for the first few miles...do use synthetic oil.  Don't do engine breaking...do do engine breaking.  run the car on the first fill of oil for 10k, but change it early after that (wasn't expectng that one...although I know honest john is a fan of regular oil changes  http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/running-in-a-petrol-engine/)

change the oil at 50 miles, 150 miles and 1500 miles  http://www.examiner.com/article/how-to-break-a-new-engine

 

break it in gently, no full throttle,  limit peak revs to 3/4 max (prefacing the skoda manual greatly!)....full throttle in short bursts are essential to seat piston rings  http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

Just follow the advice about running in which is in the Octavia III Owner's Manual. I am older than Honest John and find a lot of his advice both dated and dubious. (I also have no time at all for Jeremy Clarkson.) :(

http://ws.skoda-auto.com/OwnersManualService/Data/en/Octavia_5E/03-2013/Manual/Octavia/A7_Octavia_OwnersManual.pdf

Just follow the advice about running in which is in the Octavia III Owner's Manual. <snip>

http://ws.skoda-auto.com/OwnersManualService/Data/en/Octavia_5E/03-2013/Manual/Octavia/A7_Octavia_OwnersManual.pdf

This man speaks sense!  So much so that I consulted the linked manual (page 126 of 259).  Essentially it suggests that for the first 1,000 kilometres you should not allow the revs to go above ¾ of the maximum permissible engine speed and not use full throttle and then gradually increase the revs used for the next 500 kilometres.  It also offers the warning:

During the first operating hours the engine has higher internal friction than later until all of the moving parts have harmonised.  The driving style which you adopt during the first 1500 kilometres plays a decisive part in the success of running in your car.

 

Personally I would ALWAYS get the oil completely drained and refilled and the filter changed after the first 1,000 kilometres tops - but then I do tend to keep my car beyond the warranty period

 

 

I have seen people suggest that you should thrash your engine from day one (this may well already have been done on your behalf by some thoughtless delivery muppet).  I simply can't believe that this is a good idea.

Just follow the advice about running in which is in the Octavia III Owner's Manual. I am older than Honest John and find a lot of his advice both dated and dubious. (I also have no time at all for Jeremy Clarkson.) :(

http://ws.skoda-auto.com/OwnersManualService/Data/en/Octavia_5E/03-2013/Manual/Octavia/A7_Octavia_OwnersManual.pdf

I really had no idea why people are always going on about Honest John, for a start with a name like he's doesn't sound very trust worthy, what I have read of his is questionable at best.....