Confusion over servicing requirements

[peterhardy]

It's worth mentioning that Motability follow the manufacturer's recommendations in this regard.  If they say 2 years or 20K then that is what Motability will pay for.  In other words, the car is handed back at 3 years old having had one service and oil change, in nearly every such case, I would think.  The car will then be sold as having a full Skoda service history but I wouldn't be keen on spending my cash on buying a car which has had only one oil change in three years.

[Guest]

1 hour ago, peterhardy said:

The car will then be sold as having a full Skoda service history but I wouldn't be keen on spending my cash on buying a car which has had only one oil change in three years.

 

Why?

 

In all the years I've paid an interest in cars, not once have I seen any evidence of cars on variable servicing being any less reliable than those on fixed intervals - if anyone does have the evidence then show it.

 

Some will say the engine requires an oil change each year, others will argue every six months - again never been able to work out why one interval is better than the other. Every six months? Well why not every 3 months? Who's the person that determines this figure?

 

Personally I've always thought fixed intervals is a rather crazy idea - car requires an oil change every 12mth or 10k miles regardless if it's driven every day or once a month, regardless if it's driven by a boy racer or Ms Daisy, regardless if it's driven in Southern Spain or Norway, regardless if it's life is spent on the motorway or in rush hour traffic. If you really think about it, fixed oil change intervals make no logical sense.

 

Of course the best example of all is EV's. Take the service interval of a Nissan Leaf in North America is every 6 mth or 7500 miles and there's not a quart of engine oil in sight. In the UK it's every year or 18,000 miles - again not an ounce of engine oil in sight.

 

It'll soon be 2020. We own cars that park themselves, keep in lane, read traffic signs, can overtake by themselves and can alert us when the coolant is low, the brake pads are low, when the battery in our keyfobs is low but for some inexplicable reason, people don't trust the car when it says it doen't require an oil change.  How crazy is that?

Edited 20 October, 2019 by Guest

[Ootohere]

@peterhardy

Correct.

& the Brake Fluid change gets done.

My car has been MOT'd 2 months before due not just a month early.

Advisory on the Windscreen wipers torn, Skoda / Seat dealership staff that did the MOT & brake fluid change but no service said they had no wiper blades, come back in sometime.

The worn front tyres that were just an advisory will still be on when the car goes back in mid November unless Kwikfit approve replacing.

The car will have done 3,000 miles since the MOT before getting to BCA.

 

2 Major / Flexible service intervals, but at the first one even though it used oil over the 19,000 plus miles & had 2 litres of topping up it was clarty, not just diesel / TDI dirty.  Like Clotted cream and by the time the SEAT / Skoda dealer could have it in for the service it was over 20,000 miles on the factory oil and top ups.

Never raced or rallied, just some spirited driving.

Personally i would not want to touch it out of warranty with someone elses barge pole.

Needs the DSG Service doing, Discs and Pads, Tyres, wiper blades & 3 years old.

& It will be a British Car Auctions in a month with FMDSH.

Edited 20 October, 2019 by Roottootemoot

[Alex-W]

The only way to really avoid the risk of that with any car though is to buy brand new, or at least nearly new.

 

And that's not really possible for most people.  

 

So to a certain extent, you have to take some kind of risk and hope it's been looked after before you buy it, accepting that fsh doesn't really mean much.

Edited 20 October, 2019 by Alex-W

[Rodge]

I think the servicing schedule commonly recommended here can be summarised as every 12 months / up to* 19000 miles, whichever comes first.

 

*as required by the car.

[Alex-W]

On 18/10/2019 at 19:28, silver1011 said:

 

Pay top dollar for the branded oils if you prefer, or use VAG's own branded oil used by numerous franchised Skoda dealers.

 

This Skoda dealer in Scotland even sells it online, 5 litres for less than £24 delivered to your door...

 

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Quantum-Longlife-5W-30-Fully-Synthetic-Engine-Oil-5-Litres/223613948218?hash=item34106e113a:g:ubgAAOSwk75dSZyD

 

Been looking into this, send that's it's thought it be Castrol oil anyway.

 

That aside, looking on the manual it lists different oil for fixed and variable servicing.

502 for fixed, 504 for variable.

Is there any down side to using 504?  Assuming changing every year, fairly low miles.

Just before I order some, just want to make sure that 502 isn't better in some way.

[nicknorman]

On 18/10/2019 at 10:43, Scot5 said:

 

Sounds like you're confused. What SurreyJohn said ( Variable not suitable for town driving, lots of short journeys, towing, hilly areas ) is spot on.

 

1: Absolutely not. Variable does not monitor the type of driving. What happens is a degregation sensor monitors the quality of oil and requests a service when the oil falls below a set parameter. Servicing is also more than an oil change.

 

 

Sorry but you are painting the wrong picture. There is no sensor monitoring the quality of the oil. The quality of the oil is estimated indirectly using, primarily, the oil temperature sensor, plus probably the power profile (way in which the car is driven).

 

And servicing isn’t much more than an oil change. Well filters obviously. Otherwise it’s mostly checking stuff, topping up the screen wash, changing the pollen filter. If you want actual stuff done like Haldex, DSG or brake fluid change, that is specified separately.

Yes of course checking eg brake pad wear, is something worth doing - but not beyond the ability of anyone with a hint of technical ability.

[nicknorman]

20 minutes ago, Alex-W said:

 

Been looking into this, send that's it's thought it be Castrol oil anyway.

 

That aside, looking on the manual it lists different oil for fixed and variable servicing.

502 for fixed, 504 for variable.

Is there any down side to using 504?  Assuming changing every year, fairly low miles.

Just before I order some, just want to make sure that 502 isn't better in some way.

My car is now on fixed servicing, and it does seem to prefer the 502. Uses less oil, gives better mpg. As I said earlier, you can’t go wrong with VW’s own Quantum Platinum, dirt cheap from TPS.
Originally, like you, I presumed that 504 was a better oil but I now don’t think that is the case. There has to be some down side to an oil that is designed to run for nearly 20,000 miles.

[silver1011]

25 minutes ago, Alex-W said:

Is there any down side to using 504?  Assuming changing every year, fairly low miles.

 

Yes, all diesel MkIII Octavia's are fitted with a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter).

 

This means you can use VW 507.00 and only VW 507.00, regardless of service interval, it's the only low ash oil.

 

VW 502.00 or VW 504.00 aren't suitable.

 

Quantum is now manufactured by Fuch's.

[Alex-W]

Sorry, should have clarified....  In a petrol car.

[silver1011]

Yes, sorry, I was thinking back to the OP's car, this thread has moved on I see.

[VRS_White_Hatch]

Anyone who does their own oil changes (2.0 vRS) - do you need more than 5 ltrs of oil? I think the full capacity is 6.something IIRC. 

 

If I buy 3 x 5ltrs it will probably do 2 oil changes I guess, might as well buy it as I intend driving this car for yyeeeeaaaaaaarrssss

[shyVRS245]

6 minutes ago, VRS_White_Hatch said:

Anyone who does their own oil changes (2.0 vRS) - do you need more than 5 ltrs of oil? I think the full capacity is 6.something IIRC. 

 

If I buy 3 x 5ltrs it will probably do 2 oil changes I guess, might as well buy it as I intend driving this car for yyeeeeaaaaaaarrssss

It's 5.7 litres in the 245 engine.

[Alex-W]

Just trying to work out if I'm doing intermediate oil changes in between the variable services whether to use 502 or 504.

 

It transpires the oil I use for my Accord (and have done for 10+ years) conforms to 502 spec.  This would work out easier for me as i cab just buy in bulk and use for both.

 

As it'll likely be a change every 5-7k, that shouldn't be a problem I assume.

 

I know I could just switch to fixed intervals btw but seeing as I'm happy to do work myself, I'd rather have the longer interval periods where I have to pay a premium and do what I need between.  I generally do all brake, fluid, filter etc changes myself.

Edited 22 October, 2019 by Alex-W

[Alex-W]

Just had a read of this 

 

Think I'll just order this.  Always done me well and is to spec.  Plus decent price from Opie Oils and easier for me to have the cars running on the same.

 

https://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-877-motul-8100-x-cess-5w-40-fully-synthetic-car-engine-oil.aspx

[banksie]

Just had my Petrol, manual, 2017 VRS in for its second variable service at 37600. First service was a “minor” and this one was a “major”.

 

I asked for clarification on what work was to be carried out, as from the Skoda Uk website, as we know, it states “spark plugs, fuel/air filter as necessary”. Service manger went onto “the computer” to say it doesn’t need any of those but we’ll still be charging you the major service and a brake fluid change. I asked him to print out the screen he’s working from as regards what needs changing on my car when. Here it is attached.

 

Since studying it, it becomes apparent that it is a nonsense. My car on variable will next tell me it needs a service at approx 55000 miles, yet at 50000 miles it should have spark plugs etc.

 

If I’d had it on fixed 10000 miles, then I would take it to the dealer and they should say they’ll do nothing until 12500! The next service is due at 25000, which even basic maths tells me is not divisible by 10! So when would it be serviced.

 

As regards my current mileage 37600, I paid for a major, had none of the parts changed, the car thinks it can go to 55000, but should go to the garage at 50000 to have spark plugs and filters that I’ll have to pay for even though I didn’t get them at 37600!

 

Completely and utterly senseless!

 

Just waiting for a call from the service manager and I’ve spoken to Skoda Uk and waiting a call back from them!

 

[Alex-W]

And for that reason my car will never have a service at a Skoda dealer.

I'd rather either do it myself or at the very least give it to an independent garage who only charge for the work they do, and will do exactly what you ask.

It's not a specialist ferrari, it a normal bog standard car with normal servicing requirement.

 

To be honest, that list of servicing items looks quite short too.  Where's the coolant changes?  Brake fluid changes?  Clutch fluid changes?  

As a comparison, here's the service schedule for my Honda Accord.  Far clearer and comprehensive.  

 

[shyVRS245]

Also say 48 months for spark plugs which will put mt car around the 50,000 miles and like you my 2nd Inspection service is due at 3 years (next August 2020) and around 37,500 miles as well.Thanks for the print out I will use this to barter with them over future work.

[Ootohere]

@banksie

'Inspection Service with extended scope', More labour time than the next service where the spark plugs and filter will be changed.

?

What was the 'Extended Scope of the Inspection Service' actually?  

 

Recommended Service Schedule was and is,

Spark Plugs due at 2nd major service, and that does not mean 40,000 miles or 4 years. but for some that will be when due.

 

Robbing Barsteward should have your car back in and the spark plugs supplied and changed.

 

?

Has the Air Filter been looked at to see if it needs replaced.

That would be a basic part of a Major Service, eve a Minor / Inspection service. They are taking the pith.

 

PPS.

Do you have your Body Inspection Report & has the car had a Road Test?

Edited 1 November, 2019 by Roottootemoot

[classic]

I do my own services for this very reason, the Skoda dealer system is garbage. I use the official Skoda service schedule downloaded from Erwin.

From memory it’s Spark plugs every 4 years or 60000 km, which is about 37k miles.

Edited 1 November, 2019 by classic

[classic]

Just looked, 2.0 tsi is 4 years or 60000 km.

1.8 tsi is 6 years or 90000 km

[banksie]

1 hour ago, classic said:

Just looked, 2.0 tsi is 4 years or 60000 km.

1.8 tsi is 6 years or 90000 km

Where did you look and can you post the info please?

[classic]

33 minutes ago, banksie said:

Where did you look and can you post the info please?

 

You can access all the official workshop manuals, and service schedules here, I paid 7€ for 1 hour and downloaded everything for my particular car :

https://erwin.skoda-auto.cz/erwin/showOrderFlatrateAssistant.do
 

The servicing schedule  is actually very straightforward, somehow Skoda UK have over complicated it so nobody understands then charge a fortune to effectively do very little, and do things like invent a 5 year timing belt interval that isn’t in the workshop manual.

Edited 1 November, 2019 by classic

[Guest]

5 hours ago, Alex-W said:

And for that reason my car will never have a service at a Skoda dealer.

I'd rather either do it myself or at the very least give it to an independent garage who only charge for the work they do, and will do exactly what you ask.

 

 

Servicing the car yourself is fair enough if you intend to keep it long-term but you'll be penalised if you don't have a FSH. A dealer FSH is even better.  No matter what's best for the car, that's the way the market works. And to be honest, when looking for a car, the majority of Joe Public would be looking for a full main dealer service history.

 

I think it wrong to label all main dealers the same, equally I think it wrong to label all independents the same - like everything in life you'll get good 'uns and bad 'uns. Same with someone who says they service the car themselves - all you have is their word on it. At least if something goes 'titsup' with main dealer servicing then the manufacturer will look on you more favourably.

Totally agree with the detailing tho. That's always been VAG's problem - different people giving different information because they've interpreted the basic schedules differently.

As for the detail list from Honda...  Yeh it's defo much clearer but that in itself is about as much use as a chocolate teapot. I've heard stories of the service sheets being completed before work is started and it's no guaranee the work will be completed - it's back to good 'uns and bad 'uns again.  In my own case, the box for the Auto transmission inspection was ticked - on my manual car! 

 

Banksie - Regarding the servicing above - that's shocking. Spark plugs should be changed at 4yr or 80k miles ( again, that's open to interpretation depending on who you listen to), but the important words are "WHICHEVER COMES FIRST". If the car is only 2yr old and you haven't covered the miles then the garage is correct in not changing the spark plugs, but they're most definitely incorrect in charging you for it. But then again  that's another can of worms  - fixed price servicing      Here's an idea, why not go back to only a few years ago when you paid for the actual work done on your car.  That said who knows how they arrive at the 'fixed' price but just like when you buy in bulk, the 'fixed price' may be cheaper than if you added up the individual prices of the service therefore it's cheaper to pay the 'fixed' price than exclude the spark plug from the service. As I say, a can of worms.

 

Whatever the story, VAG servicing has always been, and I fear always will be, a total mess.

Edited 1 November, 2019 by Guest

[Kenai]

2 hours ago, classic said:

You can access all the official workshop manuals, and service schedules here, I paid 7€ for 1 hour and downloaded everything for my particular car :

https://erwin.skoda-auto.cz/erwin/showOrderFlatrateAssistant.do
 

How did you pay out of interest? Last time I tried it turned down all of my various credit and debit cards?