Service Schedule/Details..?

[janewalker55]

I am passing my Fabia III over to my better half (waiting on a new Karoq!!) and he is putting it in for a six year Service in November.. there is loads of conflicting information out there saying what you should have done and when - I so wish we still had the old style Service Handbooks!

 

I think he is slightly aggrieved as he has been told that he should have had a Cam Belt change last year at 5 years old (Skoda carried out service but never mentioned it) at a nice price of £500!! Also apparently air-con needs servicing.. again, this has never been done before.. I was lead to believe that the DSG gearbox oil needed sorting at 40k miles, but he was told, no - not needed.. With so much conflicting information I just need clarification.. Many thanks. 

[Ootohere]

Simply they whoever that is is trying to  lead up the garden park to their card reader.

 

Your DSG is a 7 Speed Twin Dry Clutch DSG.  No oil change at 40,000 miles or 4 years or anytime according to Skoda / VW Group. 

 

Others will comment on the AC and Cambelt change.

 

If the brake fluid was not changed at 3 years or again at 5 years, or anytime i would want it tested for H20.  For the sake of £65 i would let them do it, 

but actually i would avoid them like the plague and go to a good VW Independent Specialist with someone that speaks with customers and knows about the cars.

 

This is Skoda's recommendations, some would say guidelines and others schedule.

A right rip off for some work.

 

Ignore the DSG part as that is for wet clutch DSG's oil changes.

Edited 28 September, 2021 by e-Roottoot

[janewalker55]

25 minutes ago, e-Roottoot said:

Simply they whoever that is is trying to  lead up the garden park to their card reader.

 

Your DSG is a 7 Speed Twin Dry Clutch DSG.  No oil change at 40,000 miles or 4 years or anytime according to Skoda / VW Group. 

 

Others will comment on the AC and Cambelt change.

 

If the brake fluid was not changed at 3 years or again at 5 years, or anytime i would want it tested for H20.  For the sake of £65 i would let them do it, 

but actually i would avoid them like the plague and go to a good VW Independent Specialist with someone that speaks with customers and knows about the cars.

 

This is Skoda's recommendations, some would say guidelines and others schedule.

A right rip off for some work.

 

Ignore the DSG part as that is for wet clutch DSG's oil changes.

Thank you so much for that info.. that's really helpful.. There is a fine line between not wanting to compromise the integrity of your car and being an idiot and believing everything they tell you..  again, thank you. 

 

[TerFar]

I'm amongst those who believe that VAG are conning us. Outside Europe, there is a different set of guidelines. For example, the Cambelt manufacturer advises a 160,000 warranty and VAG America advise Inspection of the belt at 50,000 miles, not necessarily a replacement. 

 

I barely drive 5,000 miles a year and have no plans to even think of an inspection before the 10th annual service in 2026. I will have my first Aircon service done (independently) at the next (6th) service. I've had the break fluid changed at 3 years, so again next service. Brakes are a key life saving part! I'll probably change the spark plugs for the first time too. So next service will be a bit more comprehensive, but definitely done at an independent garage, not VAG. 

[FabiaGonzales]

9 hours ago, TerFar said:

I'm amongst those who believe that VAG are conning us. Outside Europe, there is a different set of guidelines. For example, the Cambelt manufacturer advises a 160,000 warranty and VAG America advise Inspection of the belt at 50,000 miles, not necessarily a replacement. 

 

I barely drive 5,000 miles a year and have no plans to even think of an inspection before the 10th annual service in 2026. I will have my first Aircon service done (independently) at the next (6th) service. I've had the break fluid changed at 3 years, so again next service. Brakes are a key life saving part! I'll probably change the spark plugs for the first time too. So next service will be a bit more comprehensive, but definitely done at an independent garage, not VAG. 

160,000 sounds like KM, equivalent to roughly 100,000 Miles. Beside being used, rubber does degrade slowly from disuse, 50,000 miles as a first point for inspection seems about normal (then check again every following service, then replace at any sign of wear) - i'd rather fork out a bit for a cambelt change and have my mind at peace, than risk it for a biscuit and potentially total the engine on the premise of "well some bloke on the internet says hes on his original cambelt after 200,000 miles, so mine must be fine for the same".

It's probably still a good idea to check it every now and again, it's easy enough to take the top part of the timing cover off.
 

As for spark plugs, if you're getting any sort of lumpiness at idle, it's time to change em. Instead of the usual OEM plugs (NGK), i went for the Denso IXU line, given i'm running hybrid turbo i went one stage colder (IXU24), but for a standard or stage 1 car, the IXU22 is the perfect replacement. Given that they're iridium tips, should last longer than the NGKs too. Avoid Bosch plugs.

 

Brake fluid is an essential thing to replace. A friends Rover 25 was suffering from awful brakes, one caliper was seized and the other side was bare metal! We replaced the seized caliper, and put in new pads and discs all round but the brakes were still pretty trash, figured we'd put the spare brake fluid to good use and flush the whole system, what came out was practically black! First test after a full flush and bleed, it went from having to stamp on the brakes to get any form of braking to stamping on the brakes and almost going through the windscreen!

[Eccles]

Certainly don't pay £500 for a cam belt change or anything like it. My very knowledgeable mobile mechanic is doing mine on Tuesday for £200 - about £80 for the kit and £120 for him. He reckons it would be good for another couple of years but I want to play it safe. The official VAG advice is check it at five years but changing it at that time is only a recommendation - I asked them. Got my aircon done last year for £45 at a local garage.

[JGrindel]

Air-Con service every 2 years... i feel this is a 'Con' 

 

Spark Plugs every 40k. (If you are handy with spanners, its easy to do them yourself) 

 

Cambelt... £500!! NOPE! The Fabia has a separate water pump on the opposite side of the engine, So only cambelt is needed. Most independents will charge MAX £350. Skoda UK told me that the cambelt doesn't have a mileage recommendation for change, just check / replace at 5 years depending on wear.

 

Brake fluid is worth having changed and its not expensive at £65. 

 

 

[Ootohere]

Brake fluid is worth checking with a tester to see what the H20 content is.

It would get done at services if the access was right in front of the tech / fitters nose.