After I picked up my new car on Tuesday I noticed that the wrong service schedule is setup on the car. It is supposed to be fixed but is set as variable (says 19k until next service). The booklet says I can change this myself but the dealer should really do it.

 

I need to see the dealer about a few bits and bobs anyway, is it best just letting them do it?

 

Will I lose the oil temperature setting on the car when I change over?

 

Thanks

 

Will I lose the oil temperature setting on the car when I change over?

 

Thanks

 

Nope.

It's a common problem TBH tnat was also present when I bought my mk2. Skoda set them to variable at the factory and if its still the same the dealer is supposed to talk to the new owner about their annual milage and type of driving and should change it to fixed as part of the PDI if appropriate, but many don't do it. Some owners have then had problems if their car was on tne free 3 years service plan by going over the 12 month/10,000 mile limit with SUK threatening not to pay so at least you've spotted the problem now. You should be able to do it via the maxidot if its fitted to your mk3.

Very common problem.

 

If you pay for your own servicing/repairs and want to keep your car 3 years+ go fixed.

 

Variable is only for 3 years or 60k miles ownership

Very common problem.

If you pay for your own servicing/repairs and want to keep your car 3 years+ go fixed.

Variable is only for 3 years or 60k miles ownership

Applogies for double post - not got the hang of quoting it seems!

I'll be getting my new Elegance 2.0 TDI DRG Estate in a fortnight's time. Since I'm paying for my own servicing and doing no more than 14000 miles per year, I had thought that variable servicing would be the best option. (I had that on my previous A6 and it worked out that it was only serviced twice in four years.) had no guidance from the dealer apart from "it's entirely up to you" so would value opinions on this from members.

Edited 13 June, 201411 yr by Djangozzz

I think the advice usually goes as follows... if you do a lot of "motorway miles" and > 10,000 miles year, then variable servicing.  If you do mostly "town miles" and < 10,000 miles a year, then fixed.  Also, if you drive like a loon, then fixed may be better, but if you drive conservatively then variable.

 

From experience, it's all down to how much stress you put on the car and the engine.  The first year I had my BMW, it went 19,000 miles before asking to be be serviced (on variable servicing, obviously).  In this second year, I've done about 13,000 and it reckons it'll need its second service in about 2,000 miles.  I've probably done less motorway miles and more b-road miles this year, and I've certainly had a little more fun in it!

Do both fixed and variable use the same oil? I might stay on variable since I will use quite a bit more than 10k

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

If on variable, it does monitor the oil quality (allegedly) in working out the time till the next service so you shouldn't get it wrong.

 

On a BMW I had briefly; It said 2000 miles until the next service.  Low oil warning the next day; topped it up at which point it decided it could go 4500 miles until the service now it had some cleaner oil in it!

 

Fixed and variable use different spec oils, I gather.  Cars come from the factory with the (higher spec, more expensive) variable oil in.

Think it's only petrols that use different oils for the different service regimes, diesels use the same.

CR diesels use the same oil fixed or variable but petrols can use an alternative for fixed servicing.

 

Likewise cover around 13 to 14k a year, mainly on rural A roads but use fixed servicing due to regular hill climbs, as I live on the edge of the Yorkshire Wolds and commute across it four days a week.

 

 

TP

Sorry for any confusion - Petrol only for me

Applogies for double post - not got the hang of quoting it seems!

I'll be getting my new Elegance 2.0 TDI DRG Estate in a fortnight's time. Since I'm paying for my own servicing and doing no more than 14000 miles per year, I had thought that variable servicing would be the best option. (I had that on my previous A6 and it worked out that it was only serviced twice in four years.) had no guidance from the dealer apart from "it's entirely up to you" so would value opinions on this from members.

If your 14k pa is mainly motorway then go for variable, as previously advised.

 

The 10k service is only an oil and filter change anyway.

 

You could leave it at variable but have an independent do you an oil and filter change at 10k using genuine parts and oil????

I've just checked my vrs tsi that I collected last week and it is saying ~19k to the next service so clearly its on variable.  I've got the 3 year service plan so i need to change the car over to fixed, couldn't see how to do it though, can anyone help?  Bolero and standard maxidot if it makes a difference.

 

oh and yes, manual has a different spec oil for petrols on fixed or variable.  So this begs a question....I assume the long life oil is slightly costlier....if at the end of my 3 years I take it for the service and say to the dealer, 'BTW, I'd like the car swapped to variable servicing please, so use the correct oil when you change it'  what will they do?  try and charge a few more quid?  (this is a hypothetical question, I intend to stay on fixed)

I believe (but may be wrong) that a variable service will cost you more as the oil is more expensive. If you are on the service plan, speak to your dealer and see what they say?

sounds reasonable.  I'll be staying on fixed though myself.  Also found an answer to my question on how to reset the service to fixed, manual p34.  Only...do I need to reset both the inspection interval as well as the oil change interval?  booklet tells you how, but advises not to do it as it could cause trouble...says best done by the dealer.