For the past four years of ownership I have changed the oil and filter myself on my 2009 Skoda Octavia 2 and have followed YouTube owners instructions to successfully reset the dashboard service message. However, now, I am finding it impossible to clear the message. I have tried every procedure mentioned on YouTube - to no avail. Please can someone tell me how to get around this situation ?

Hopefully someone can.

?

So was your car on Variable / Flexible servicing counting down from the last reset, or was it on fixed so 372 days / 9,400 miles when lat set?

Thank you for replying to me and the 'hint' that there may be some explanation between the differences in the service setting - I hadn't thought of that. So far as I am aware, the setting has always been for a "fixed" schedule. But, because of Covid lockdown and now the cost of fuel the car has only covered approximately 3000 miles in each of the past three years. Therefore, this begs the question - why has this issue only cropped-up now (total mileage 146,000) and not in 2020, '21 when the distance covered has been similar. If there is some special re-set procedure that I am not aware of, please let me know.

Strange. 

I do not know the procedure for your car if on fixed service regime and can be reset with the buttons on the dash or the stalk or using the hazard light way but i could watch the same as you have. .

 

 

On other VAG models the oil service can often be easily reset by button/stalk/info screen etc but the main service interval needs the correct diagnostic kit 

@nige8021

There is Fixed Service intervals which you can reset or Variable that needs the intervals reset with it plugged in.

 

What is this 'Main Service' you speak of?

9 minutes ago, roottoot said:

@nige8021

There is Fixed Service intervals which you can reset or Variable that needs the intervals reset with it plugged in.

 

What is this 'Main Service' you speak of?

On my Treg the oil is on a variable service and that can be reset via the info screen but the yearly main service that includes the likes of brake fluids and general service checks that needs me to use VCDS to clear that service due warning from the speedo screen warnings 

Unless someone did a sneaky & plugged in and put it on Variable then the OP's car is on fixed servicing and has been getting reset without. 

I may be able to borrow an OBD2 connector and download the Ross-Tech VCDS software. Nige, is it necessary to purchase for $199 the key to be able to use the programme - my friend has never got it to work and can't advise me; and, says he got stuck on the interface to the PC port download.

Depending on the software version of the communication system, the terms "Oil change service", "Interval service", "Inspection" or "Inspection service" are displayed.

 

It's the oil service or interval service that I can reset via the info screen but the inspection service (max 2 years or 30K km) needs VCDS or similar 

2 minutes ago, ADOKS13 said:

I may be able to borrow an OBD2 connector and download the Ross-Tech VCDS software. Nige, is it necessary to purchase for $199 the key to be able to use the programme - my friend has never got it to work and can't advise me; and, says he got stuck on the interface to the PC port download.

The VCDS-lite will not work on your car as it's CANbus based so you need a full setup according to the Ross-Tech site https://www.ross-tech.com/vcds/tour/sri-reset.php 

@ADOKS13

 

I will have a look in my manual asap.

I do not think you need anything special. I have a 55 plate which has been on variable for ages. 

 

I can reset mine but iirc I have on occasion, had to try it a few times before it worked. Possibly due to old switches, who knows.

I've had mine nearly 12 years now and done it myself a good few times in between garage visits.

 

Maybe assuming you have maxidot ??????

Edited 25 September, 20223 yr by Tilt

@ADOKS13

If you have sorted it already, then cool ......... but this is what my manual says, for if you haven't.

 

1 : Switch off the ignition (obv's this has to have been on in the first place)

2 : Press the reset button of the trip counter for distance driven AND hold it down

3 : Switch the ignition ON and release the reset button

4 : Now turn the reset button to the RIGHT.......

 

The service interval displays are reset ................... (or should be).

 

IF this doesn't work, try the same immediately AFTER you have driven somewhere / finished your journey home maybe. I guess all actions need to be done reasonably quickly after each other.

 

Hope this helps. 

Hello - 'Tilt'. Thank you for going to the lengths of checking your manual and publishing the information for me. Strangely, these are exactly the steps I have gone through (as learned from YouTube owners) in years 1; 2 and 3 of ownership, and they worked. Now, they have no effect !! I think maybe the reply from 'Nige8021' may have come into play i.e. the car has gone past 30,000 since the dashboard was reset by a pukka Skoda dealership.

I am going to give your instructions another go because, in the past, I have done the procedure when the car had not been on a journey - but just parked unused on the driveway in the morning.

"Fingers crossed" - many thanks.   

@ADOKS13

Good luck.

What model (SPEC) do you have ie Ambiente / Elegance ?????

And is yours Facelift ????

 

I am guessing that you have a basic service reminder and that you should be able to reset it yourself.

I base this guess on the assumption that, if what you say regarding Nige's information is correct, then surely this would be mentioned in the manual......

And if it is a more complicated system then the notification would TELL YOU to take it to a dealer for resetting, no?

 

I work on logic and common sense, and it works most of the time ......... (no offence to Nige)

 

Again, good luck with it bud.

Edited 26 September, 20223 yr by Tilt

Hello again Tilt. You asked me to identify the model of my car.

It is an:- "09" Skoda Octavia Series II (facelift model) Elegance TDI - 1.9PD.

The owners handbook gives no mention of resetting the "Service" light when it comes on the dashboard; nor, for that matter, does the Haynes Workshop Manual. I don't know if you have any other source for your beliefs on how to carry out the procedure. But, I hope so.

Note that on some models the action described by Tilt will also change the car from variable to fixed service and can only be changed back by Skoda and perhaps by VCDS or similar.

 

In the handbook for my facelift model it states:

"Resetting Service Interval Display
It is only possible to reset the Service Interval Display, if a service message or at
least a pre-warning is shown in the instrument cluster display."

 

Resetting is the last menu action provided by the stalk/knob inside the speedo

If you have the optional multi function display, you can use that.

 

Hi - PikPilot - Thank you for your information.

I have already tried the method suggested by Tilt both before, and after, a journey. Neither made any difference - the Service indicator is still showing. Similarly, I only began trying to clear it in the first place after it came on the display (and not merely because I had just changed the oil). My car does not have the optional multi-function display. I really am in a quandary !!

How long in days and miles does it say it is before the next service?

Deleted by me.

Edited 27 September, 20223 yr by Tilt

Thank you PikPilot for your followup.

I do not have notification of the days and miles until the next service !!

Instead, after switching on the ignition and waiting for the glow plug light to go off, a 'spanner' is lit on the screen followed by the hard message 'SERVICE.' That's it.

I had assumed you had used the speedo knob mentioned above to go through the menu after my last post. It gives you time and miles info to next service. 

A pic of your instrument cluster (dash)  may help.......

 

 

Thank you PikPilot and Tilt for your continued assistance.

My car is an '09' reg. The dashboard display is very elementary i.e. there is the main screen that shows the spanner and the message 'service.' In addition, there are three other screens that show fuel/distance capabilities; etc. These function whether accessed from the knurned knob on the speedo screen; or, the push button on the right hand stalk - show all that can be seen.

I am well aware from watching YouTube videos of cars with say a '16' registration that have a mult-function line display and a list of tasks that can be completed by pushing buttons, it is possible to clear the service message.

With the best will in the world - my car does not have these features, nor, capabilities. I am stuck with what I have and as stated previously, no combination of switching on the ignition while holding down the button; turning it one step to the right; etc., etc - make any difference.

Hence my problem.

Have you tried to locate someone with VCDS that can perform this quick service reset?

You did talk about borrowing one, but was too basic for the task.