Over the last 900 miles I've watched the spanner indicator come on at ignition time in my VRS. First with 900 miles, then 700, then 500, then 300 and now it's just flashing!

Surely this is a bit premature? I understand that there is a sensor that detects the quality of the oil when the car is set to variable servicing. My driving has been mostly lengthy motorway journeys plus a 40 minute journey to and from work each day which includes a small amount of start stop driving. I always wait about 10-15 mins before giving it some beans - enough time for her to warm up. Considering my driving style this seems a bit odd.

I've checked the dip stick and the oil is bang on the max and doesn't look particularly dirty.

Is there anyother reason this should come on?

I think that you need to get the car checked by a dealer or with VAG-COM to see what type of service it has been set for. I see from earlier posts that your car was imported from Malta. I wonder if it is set for fixed servicing with a short oil change interval as applies to some hot weather markets. The variable service interval for a Mk 1 Octavia vRS can be anywhere between 15,000km and 30,000km (9320 to 18642 miles).

Yep youre right - it is from Malta. Called the dealer at lunch and they'll look at it once the cars registered with Skoda UK as it's possibly a warranty claim. Will drop my details in with them tomorrow and we'll see from there.

I also quizzed them about my daylight running lights and they said they would turn them off. Interestingly they said that it will be UK law next year that all new cars will require day light running lights! This is news to me!

Yep youre right - it is from Malta. Called the dealer at lunch and they'll look at it once the cars registered with Skoda UK as it's possibly a warranty claim. Will drop my details in with them tomorrow and we'll see from there.

I also quizzed them about my daylight running lights and they said they would turn them off. Interestingly they said that it will be UK law next year that all new cars will require day light running lights! This is news to me!

I doubt the daylight lights will become law. Its only some european commission trying to push it in for 2010. Unless the government has a new tax on car light bulbs?

My RS is imported from malta from Frank boarda, and mine is set to the variable service so roughtly every 20K......

I had my daylight lights turned off but they charged me for 1/2 hour labour.

I think it may well become regulations for the car to have the ability for daytime lights to be 'programmed'.

I had the daylight running lights turned off yesterday - also had the service light reset. Apparently it's common for the service light to come on early - something to do with the car not being setup correctly at PDC!

Charged £32 which ain't too bad.

VAG-COM query-

I also have an Octavia 2 from Malta, which demanded an oil change at 5000 miles. I did it because it cant be bad to change the oil after running in. I have a question that maybe someone can help with - after changing the oil I had a look with VAG-COM, I am using long life oil and variable service intervals and read that you have to set the oil quality type to 4 - however I could only set it to between 0 and 2. I set it to 2 - but is this right ?

Thanks in advance.

My Maltese vRS is also showing service needed at c4500 miles.

Per the vehicle data it is configured as variable service interval QG1 and the pre delivery inspection report has the "service interval display reset" box ticked off.

So do I just need to ignore this inspection and have the indicator reset? If I do this will it come on again after another 4500 miles or not for the expected 2 years and is this dependent on the oil settings per the previous vag com post?

Bit confused here, thanks.