Hi,

 

I live in Sweden and recently bought a used Skoda Octavia Mk3 (year model: 2020) with 50,000km on it (this should be about 31k UK miles?). Engine: 1.5 TSI (petrol).

 

I will be using this approx. 70-80% of the time to drive short distances (errands, groceries etc.) so there will be a lot of cold starts moving forward (no idea how the previous owner used the car, but it was on lease).

 

I'm aware that due to this I will need to do oil changes more frequently and I contacted my nearest authorised service shop about it. They said that the oil is using some kind of "long-life" model and that the service interval is set to "variable". They further said the ordinary service interval for oil change is every 2 years (!) but that it may be lowered due to my driving style. I honestly find even 1 year to be almost too long for an oil change due to my planned driving style.

 

So my question is, should I go for something like an oil change every 6-8 months instead and perhaps ask the service shop to change my settings from variable to fixed interval? Is that even possible? To add I have a one year car warranty due to buying a "Skoda approved" used car.

Edited 20 August, 20241 yr by Zeltak

3 minutes ago, Zeltak said:

I will be using this approx. 70-80% of the time to drive short distances (errands, groceries etc.)

I hope it's a TSI (petrol) as that driving pattern won't suit a TDI due to DPF issues.

 

I would definitely change the service interval to annual, and even consider a 6 monthly oil change.

Yeah, I bought a 1.5 TSI (petrol). I would be fine with 1.0 TSI but the 1.5 TSI had a good deal.

 

Thanks for the advice!

Edited 20 August, 20241 yr by Zeltak

I do quiet alot of short runs in my 2.0tsi vrs daily to work and i change my oil and filter every 12 months ,just peace of mind for the sake of 60 pounds .

This is some guidance for a Fixed Service. Oil & Filter regime.

 

Cambelt change incorrect, DSG incorrect for some DSG,s, misses VAQ Diff Servicing.

Air Filter schedule crazy time not to be checking annually. 

 

Bottom GREEN Chart, is how it was pre 2020 from Skoda UK Fixed Price Servicing. 

Edited 20 August, 20241 yr by Ootohere

5 hours ago, PetrolDave said:

I hope it's a TSI (petrol) as that driving pattern won't suit a TDI due to DPF issues.

 

I would definitely change the service interval to annual, and even consider a 6 monthly oil change.

Hey again,

 

I just received word from my car dealer that the service interval can't be changed from variabel to fixed and that this setting came from the factory. What do I do now?

@Zeltak   Who at the car dealers?  Tell them to go speak to a technician or just the cleaner?

 

They who ever they were know nothing.

They all leave the Factory for the UK on Variable / Flexible Servicing other than PHEV,s.

 

Dealers change them to Fixed Servicing regularly without asking the New Owner or because of a service plan.

 

It is very easy to change the Service Indicator to Fixed rather than Variable / Flexible.

Or leave on Variable and service Annually or at 9,400 miles or sooner if you want to. 

2 minutes ago, Ootohere said:

@Zeltak   Who at the car dealers?  Tell them to go speak to a technician or just the cleaner?

 

They who ever they were know nothing.

They all leave the Factory for the UK on Variable / Flexible Servicing other than PHEV,s.

 

Dealers change them to Fixed Servicing regularly without asking the New Owner or because of a service plan.

 

It is very easy to change the Service Indicator to Fixed rather than Variable / Flexible.

Or leave on Variable and service Annually or at 9,400 miles or sooner if you want to. 

Well it was the salesman so I guess he's just trying to get rid of my "problem". I'm asking an authorised service shop if they can help me instead, hopefully they can.

 

I'm just a bit worried now that I have unknowingly entered into a service agreement with the car dealer based on variable service interval. Not sure whether that agreement covers a change to fixed.

A Skoda Approved Used Car. 

 

Read stuff before signing.  Read now as you can be mis-sold.     As it is what have you agreed to?

 

Did you get the Warranty Policy & T&C,s.     A Salesperson is the least likely to know anything.  Be sure to tell the Dealer Principal they need o get their Management sorted out, 

sales and dealership staff trained properly.

 

In up-selling even, because the muppet you spoke with never took the Up-selling opportunity.    Crap Servicing Plans, 2 Inspection Services etc, Fixed.

Or just getting your car in annually giving a New Car Sales opportunity. 

Edited 20 August, 20241 yr by Ootohere

39 minutes ago, Zeltak said:

Hey again,

 

I just received word from my car dealer that the service interval can't be changed from variabel to fixed and that this setting came from the factory. What do I do now?

That is incorrect - seriously consider using a service provider that knows these vehicles!

Having read all the OPs posts in the thread and think this is a conversation at cross purposes.

 

1.How often a manufacturer recommend services and what they entail is one thing. (minimum to maintain warranty)

 

2. How often you do it and what you do is another, it's your car you can do it when you want as long as it meets or improves on any warranty conditions if you have one.

 

3. A dealership sells service plans and that will have stipulations about what is done and when and what is included for the money.

 

So from that i think it is the 3 that the OPs garage is saying cannot be changed.

 

The message about when the next service interval is  due that appears on the dashboard can be reset anytime.

 

 

9 minutes ago, Stonekeeper said:

Having read all the OPs posts in the thread and think this is a conversation at cross purposes.

 

1.How often a manufacturer recommend services and what they entail is one thing. (minimum to maintain warranty)

 

2. How often you do it and what you do is another, it's your car you can do it when you want as long as it meets or improves on any warranty conditions if you have one.

 

3. A dealership sells service plans and that will have stipulations about what is done and when and what is included for the money.

 

So from that i think it is the 3 that the OPs garage is saying cannot be changed.

 

The message about when the next service interval is  due that appears on the dashboard can be reset anytime.

 

 

 

You are correct, the authorised service shop confirmed that it is no problem to change from variable to fixed. However, they also said that if I do have a service agreement then the service interval is required to be set at variable. They didn't say whether this is unique to Sweden, this dealership or my car model (I didn't ask) but this appears to be tied to a contractual clause.

 

I guess based on this, the most financially sound decision is to stick to variable for 3 years (my contract period) so that I can still take advantage of the service agreement but manually keep an eye on things such as oil changes and filters that are affected the most by my driving style and perhaps be willing to pay for those out-of-pocket for more frequent services.

16 minutes ago, Zeltak said:

 

You are correct, the authorised service shop confirmed that it is no problem to change from variable to fixed. However, they also said that if I do have a service agreement then the service interval is required to be set at variable. They didn't say whether this is unique to Sweden, this dealership or my car model (I didn't ask) but this appears to be tied to a contractual clause.

 

I guess based on this, the most financially sound decision is to stick to variable for 3 years (my contract period) so that I can still take advantage of the service agreement but manually keep an eye on things such as oil changes and filters that are affected the most by my driving style and perhaps be willing to pay for those out-of-pocket for more frequent services.

 

Maybe you could get an independent garage just to change the oil and filter in between but using genuine skoda parts?

@Zeltak   It is simply clever to mention your Country when discussing Dealerships and their advice, or their employees. 

?

Have you a service agreement where the Servicing with be each 24 months, & up to 32,000 km apart?

 

How many services are you getting, after 2 years and 4 years on an already 4 year old car? 

?

Has it already had the spark plugs replaced, the pollen filter twice, the brake fluid at least once?

?

Are they doing the pollen filter at the next 2 services,& the Brake Fluid, the Spark Plugs at the the 2nd service and the air filter at the next one?