3 hours ago, sussamb said:

Correct, checked and it's fine, cars only done 35K

 

35k?   Brake fluid is changed because it's hygroscopic, mileage isn't a factor.  Are you sure you're not getting this mixed up with something else?

 

I can't imagine a qualified mechanic wouldn't recommend brake fluid be changed every two years, three years tops. I've never come across anyone who doesn't recommend it be changed every 2yr.   As i say, whether the customer has it changed or not is another matter, but for them to say that the brake fluid is OK after 5yrs 😲 

 

What garage is telling you that?

 

VW group cars are sort of unique in that say it can go the 1st 3yr without it being changed. ( every 2yr thereafter ). I think all other manufacturer recommends it be changed every 2yr.

Edited 22 October, 20232 yr by kodiaqsportline

Not mixed up at all and aware it's hygroscopic, thanks. Brake fluid is checked by my garage every service and is fine. No need to change it. Car brakes perfectly. 

7 hours ago, kodiaqsportline said:

VW group cars are sort of unique in that say it can go the 1st 3yr without it being changed. ( every 2yr thereafter ). I think all other manufacturer recommends it be changed every 2yr.

I have no idea how the science behind this works

 

First 3 years (and possibly few months between build and sale date) so 3-4 years

Then magically the same fluid only subsequently lasts 2 years

 

I know it is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture), but why does rate of absorption apparently change.

7 hours ago, kodiaqsportline said:

 

35k?   Brake fluid is changed because it's hygroscopic, mileage isn't a factor.  Are you sure you're not getting this mixed up with something else?

 

I can't imagine a qualified mechanic wouldn't recommend brake fluid be changed every two years, three years tops. I've never come across anyone who doesn't recommend it be changed every 2yr.   As i say, whether the customer has it changed or not is another matter, but for them to say that the brake fluid is OK after 5yrs 😲 

 

What garage is telling you that?

 

VW group cars are sort of unique in that say it can go the 1st 3yr without it being changed. ( every 2yr thereafter ). I think all other manufacturer recommends it be changed every 2yr.

 

I think it's another of those UK, maybe European, things that's a bit of a scam - in the US it's routine to test it and change when needed.   If it was vital then it would be part of the schedule and the service packages - when I''ve asked why it's not included I've been told its a "customer option".

 

I asked the Honda specialist who looks after our Jazz to change the BF - he looked a bit offended and said they test it and change if needed.  Mind you, he also refused to change the front discs and pads as he said they weren't worn enough - I just wanted them doing as they looked heavily lipped and I could put them out of my mind.

Brake Fluid change with Skoda in the UK since 2010 was first at 3 years and then each 2 years.  Previously it was at 2 years then each 2 years.

Until last years when with new Models. Mk4 Fabia and others it started showing first at 2 years then each 2 years.

 

There are still Mechanics, technicians, fitters & DIY,ers that check for Brake fluid with a tester. 

 

PS

What changes is that the factory fill is into a new system, pipes, hoses, seals etc.

& then the Manufacturers Warranty in the UK is 3 years.

2 Years in other countries and World Regions, but also 5 in some like Australia. 

Edited 23 October, 20232 yr by Rooted

10 minutes ago, Rory said:

 

I think it's another of those UK, maybe European, things that's a bit of a scam - in the US it's routine to test it and change when needed.   If it was vital then it would be part of the schedule and the service packages - when I''ve asked why it's not included I've been told its a "customer option".

 

I asked the Honda specialist who looks after our Jazz to change the BF - he looked a bit offended and said they test it and change if needed.  Mind you, he also refused to change the front discs and pads as he said they weren't worn enough - I just wanted them doing as they looked heavily lipped and I could put them out of my mind.

 

Exactly, easy way for some garages to make more money, if as you say it was vital it would be part of the service schedule. Bit like saying you should change your tyres every 2 years regardless of condition!

Edited 23 October, 20232 yr by sussamb
Spelling error

@J.R.Air filters can get wet and can get very dirty and very clogged up.  And so can air filter boxes.

Rural areas with STOOR,  Cities with Dirty Busses / Taxis as Edinburgh was and the reek coming out of their tail pipes.

 

The Air Filter Replacement was at the 2nd Major Service,  4 years / 40,000 miles in the UK. Included in the Fixed Price, not always checked let alone replaced.

 

5 minutes of the Service to check.  Except now some are epic to get too.   Location location location.    Easy to look see, give the filter a shake, vaccum, blow through, or just stick in a new one or not. 

On 21/10/2023 at 20:58, J.R. said:

They will last well beyond 60K miles without becoming restrictive unless you are driving in the Sahara.

 

Mine get replaced when they start  falling apart which usually happens before they become restrictive.

 

Its been that way on vehicles since around 1995 when the filter housings and elements became much more voluminous to keep within emissions limits on extended service regimes, it took many years before VAG were the first manufacturer to recognise that filter replacement was not actually needed at every service, mind you if changing it was just a couple of spring clips they would still insist on doing it every service and stick up the retail price of the filters!

I checked mine yesterday and it was remarkably clean. In fact the only evidence of soiling I could find on it were grubby paw prints left by the mechanic who fitted it.

I removed it, tapped out any accumulated particles that it had trapped, vacuumed out the bottom of the air filter box (what a weird slatted set-up that is) and replaced it.

Quick and easy job, and I don't know why something so cheap and quick would be omitted from a service plan.

EDIT: Come to think of it, I probably need to add some more silicone spray to the torx bolt heads to ensure they don't rust.

Edited 23 October, 20232 yr by EnterName

39 minutes ago, Rooted said:

 

The Air Filter Replacement was at the 2nd Major Service,  4 years / 40,000 miles in the UK. Included in the Fixed Price, not always checked let alone replaced.

 

 

The VW Group interval for air filter change has long been 6yrs/60K miles (as on the charts on the previous page) but no idea how dealers are supposed to know whether it's been done or not, unless maybe it's recorded as separate item on the service record.   I had this argument over the fuel filter being every 4yrs and the service advisor assured me they changed it every major service for that reason - looking at the car afterwards there's no way it'd been changed.

@Rory  So how long do you think since it became 6 years / 60,000 miles?

 

Not been long.  Since 2020.   

 

You do not even need a long memory to know this stuff.

 

2018 & then 2019.  Before the change to Oil & Inspection & Extended Scope and pay for additional parts started.

Edited 23 October, 20232 yr by Rooted

I'm looking at the replies above re: brake fluid.

 

I agree with everything people say, but you're missing my point. I'll say it again...

 

Whether brake fluid gets tested and it passes OK or not,  I've never heard of any qualified mechanic who'd not recommend the brake fluid be changed after 2yr. Then again mperhaps they're all wrong and it's just a fad?

 

As for the USA - the USA is a big place, there's a hell of a difference  between Death Valley and Hawaii when it comes to moisture content.

 

1 hour ago, sussamb said:

 

Exactly, easy way for some garages to make more money, if as you say it was vital it would be part of the service schedule. Bit like saying you should change your tyres every 2 years regardless of condition!

 

What garage said 5yr old brake fluid is OK ?

 

It's not in anyway like tyres or anything that wears.   Your tyres may pass the MOT but 6 months later you can see if they're worn passed the limit. Do we check the hygroscopicity of our brake fluid every few months?  NOBODY does !  The only time it'll be tested is the following year. And as I said above, the problem isn';t just with the brake fluid or it's boiling point, it's the moisture affecting the brake lines over time.

 

A fad?  FFS  people.  Think abut what you're saying! I hope anyone coming along and reading these comments don't treat brake fluid changes as a fad !

21 minutes ago, kodiaqsportline said:

Do we check the hygroscopicity of our brake fluid every few months?  NOBODY does !  The only time it'll be tested is the following year. And as I said above, the problem isn';t just with the brake fluid or it's boiling point, it's the moisture affecting the brake lines over time.

 

I do as I have a tester checked back to back with a calibrated garage one, I'm only doing so to see if there is even the slightest measurable degradation which based on my previous experience of multiple vehicles I dont expect.

 

To explain I was a teaching assistant and benevole at a Lycée pro for motor vehicle technicians, every winter for the Téléthon we would open up the workshops to recieve the publics cars for a multi-point checkover plus wash and valet.

 

I because of my age was tasked with driving the vehicles through the various stations manned and womanned by the students, retired people were less anxious with me driving their pride and joy than a student even though many were training to be HGV drivers.

 

Out of the hundreds if not thousands of the vehicles I drove through only one failed the brake fluid test done on a very expensive fixed test bench, it was a poor area with very few new and well maintained vehicles.

 

My vehicle went through as well so I could contribute so over a decade I kept a close eye on my brake fluid, after 12 years in my ownership (15 years old)  it was moisture content wise slightly down on the day it left the factory still at the top of the scale but had become very dark so I flushed the system and replaced it, otherwise it would have gone to the scrapyard with the original fluid like most vehicles do.

 

The only risk these days with the well sealed master cylinders is leaving a top up tin open on the shed shelfor to owners of MK1 Ford Galaxies (RHD only) which had not been recalled where water would drain from the scuttle onto the faulty master cylinder reservour caps, enter the brake system and sink to the front calipers.

 

21 minutes ago, kodiaqsportline said:

And as I said above, the problem isn';t just with the brake fluid or it's boiling point, it's the moisture affecting the brake lines over time.

 

The problem were any water to be present which is only through wilfull or negligant contamination is absolutely with the fluid boiling under heavy braking having experienced it myself first hand, in the bad old days brake lines were frequently replaced after MOT failure through external rust but that also thankfully is a thing of the past. I have never ever heard of anyone replacing a brake line through internal corrosion unless it had been left open for years during a rebuild, fuel lines yes as ethanol fuels are highly hygroscopic and the tank venting and filler cap sealing not to the same degree but even that will change.

 

Garages and mechanics will continue to replace perfectly serviceable brake fluid because its a money earner and they can play to peoples emotions.

Edited 23 October, 20232 yr by J.R.

24 minutes ago, kodiaqsportline said:

A fad?  FFS  people.  Think abut what you're saying! I hope anyone coming along and reading these comments don't treat brake fluid changes as a fad !

 

Did anyone other than yourself say it was a fad? I've gone back through many posts and not seen the word used other than:

 

24 minutes ago, kodiaqsportline said:

Whether brake fluid gets tested and it passes OK or not,  I've never heard of any qualified mechanic who'd not recommend the brake fluid be changed after 2yr. Then again mperhaps they're all wrong and it's just a fad?

 

Are you expressing "FFS" to yourself?

2 hours ago, Rooted said:

@Rory  So how long do you think since it became 6 years / 60,000 miles?

 

Not been long.  Since 2020.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don;t know how Skoda did it in the past as I'm new to the marque but with VW the major service was towards £400 but those little ^ next to air filter (and spark plugs / diesel fuel filter) meant "if required".   It used to be very annoying that they charged for a major service but were doing little more than the minor service plus pollen filter.   The interval on air filters has been 6yrs for many years. 

 

Incidentally, it was the same on my 2005 Mercedes, and they "forgot" to change it at 6yrs.  I have to say that even when it was changed it didn't make any difference to the car, and I spreadsheeted the MPG on that car as I used it for work.

If Required, was not at the First Major Service and people were being ripped off right left and centre.

Not required is not 'Because the Tech / Fitter could not be bothered looking.  Not looking at 4 years and then the next might be at 6 years and not at the next Minor Service.

 

@Rory2018 & a VW Major Service was £299 including a Air Filter, Pollen Filter and Spark plugs 3 or 4 on engines under 2.0litre.

 

My local VW Dealership would not do a Major Service or any services on a Skoda @ that price for me and i asked if there was some Cartel in operation and i would get the local media onto it.

When i spoke to the Dealer Principal she apologised for the misunderstanding of the Service Desk staff.

I thanked her and pointed out that they did it regularly and best set out their T&C,s.   After that they did a few Skoda,s as i told people about the deal being better than at Skoda / SEAT.

Edited 23 October, 20232 yr by Rooted

On 23/10/2023 at 11:32, J.R. said:

 

I do as I have a tester checked back to back with a calibrated garage one, I'm only doing so to see if there is even the slightest measurable degradation which based on my previous experience of multiple vehicles I dont expect.

 

To explain I was a teaching assistant and benevole at a Lycée pro for motor vehicle technicians, every winter for the Téléthon we would open up the workshops to recieve the publics cars for a multi-point checkover plus wash and valet.

 

I because of my age was tasked with driving the vehicles through the various stations manned and womanned by the students, retired people were less anxious with me driving their pride and joy than a student even though many were training to be HGV drivers.

 

Out of the hundreds if not thousands of the vehicles I drove through only one failed the brake fluid test done on a very expensive fixed test bench, it was a poor area with very few new and well maintained vehicles.

 

My vehicle went through as well so I could contribute so over a decade I kept a close eye on my brake fluid, after 12 years in my ownership (15 years old)  it was moisture content wise slightly down on the day it left the factory still at the top of the scale but had become very dark so I flushed the system and replaced it, otherwise it would have gone to the scrapyard with the original fluid like most vehicles do.

 

The only risk these days with the well sealed master cylinders is leaving a top up tin open on the shed shelfor to owners of MK1 Ford Galaxies (RHD only) which had not been recalled where water would drain from the scuttle onto the faulty master cylinder reservour caps, enter the brake system and sink to the front calipers.

 

 

The problem were any water to be present which is only through wilfull or negligant contamination is absolutely with the fluid boiling under heavy braking having experienced it myself first hand, in the bad old days brake lines were frequently replaced after MOT failure through external rust but that also thankfully is a thing of the past. I have never ever heard of anyone replacing a brake line through internal corrosion unless it had been left open for years during a rebuild, fuel lines yes as ethanol fuels are highly hygroscopic and the tank venting and filler cap sealing not to the same degree but even that will change.

 

Garages and mechanics will continue to replace perfectly serviceable brake fluid because its a money earner and they can play to peoples emotions.

 

Couldn't have said it better myself 😁

I have just had my 5 year old 30,000 miles petrol SEL serviced at the local main Skoda Dealers.

I asked the Service Manager  why their prices do not tally with the service charges advertised by Skoda UK as they are more expensive.

I was told that dealers have the option to opt out of the recommended prices and that the family owned business did just that as sticking to Skoda's prices would lose them money.

 

@Karoq  What prices did they charge for the servicing and parts?

I have just had my 5 year old 30,000 miles petrol SEL serviced at the local main Skoda Dealers.

I asked the Service Manager  why their prices do not tally with the service charges advertised by Skoda UK as they are more expensive.

I was told that dealers have the option to opt out of the recommended prices and that the family owned business did just that as sticking to Skoda's prices would lose them money.

 

£475 to include oil change, spark plugs, pollen filter, air filter. Inspection etc. AsI am  on the yearly schedule this is the first major service I have had.