Hi,

I gather that the "standard" service interval is the variable programme. The alternative being fixed at ? 10,000 mile intervals.

At present there is an offer on new Octavias for 3 yrs free service, but you have to use the fixed intervals, not the variable programme, and it cannot then be changed back so must stay on fixed for ever.

What are the advantages/disadvantages of variable servicing?

Is this a good offer?

A variable program should be able to be changed to fixed providing you use the correct oil. This however due to cost may invalidate the free sevicng scheme.

Each service schedule is a good as the other really if someone else is paying for it.

Can you not go from fixed to variable then?

Can you not go from fixed to variable then?

Apparently not, only the other way round.

Variable servicing is better for high mileage, long distance use, with some people reporting between 20,000 and 30,000 miles before servicing is needed.

Fixed servicing is better for a lower mileage/shorter journey driver.

The variable service uses better quality and longer life oil, which is much more expensive (circa

I dont see why it would make a difference providing you use the correct oil

Variable servicing is better for high mileage, long distance use, with some people reporting between 20,000 and 30,000 miles before servicing is needed.

Fixed servicing is better for a lower mileage/shorter journey driver.

The variable service uses better quality and longer life oil, which is much more expensive (circa

I Have got my new Octy sept 1st and with 3 year free service and was told that at the end of the 3rd year I can have it changed to variable servicing.

I don't think it's a particularly good offer as (IIRC) you have to take up Skoda's PCP scheme to qualify for the free servicing offer, and this is > 2% higher APR than competing schemes.

I wasn't told I needed to use Skoda finance, but I was told that once on fixed interval you can't change back to variable.

Well after speaking with a couple of service managers who were unimpressed with what both the oil and engine looked like when changing the variable longlife stuff after 20-25K, I'm glad I'm on 10000 oil changes. I wouldn't do the variable on any car I actually owned outright and/or was intending to keep a reasonably long time.

After speaking about this with a well respected VAG guru on Friday, I am moving to fixed servicing for my Octy vRS.

Seems to make sense to me, especially if you've had a remap etc.

If you were buying a used car with 50K on the clock and it might well have only been serviced twice. Maybe I'm old fashioned but that seems a long long way for 2 oil changes. Give me the car with 5 stamps in the book any day.

I'm on fixed on the wife's 2.0 tdi Touran.

Is it OK to top up with "variable" oil ? Got a litre when new - car hardly burns any, but topped up before France trip last year with the variable stuff.

What would you feel is high mileage use? We do about 15,000 a year, mixed short and long journeys with quite a lot of short under 5 miles trips.

If there are quite a few short journeys, then I think you're probably better off on fixed. The point is (correct me someone if i'm wrong) that the quality of long life oil is reduced by continual short journeys and hence the service timescale is reduced accordingly.

Talking of free servicing, has anyone heard back from Volkswagen Finance? I filled in the form when I picked up my car in July but have heard nothing.

LeighB - If you're doing lots of short journeys, I think you should be on fixed interval servicing.

Munky - You have to use the PCP if you want 3 years free maintenance as well as free servicing.

Prof

I'm on fixed on the wife's 2.0 tdi Touran.

Is it OK to top up with "variable" oil ? Got a litre when new - car hardly burns any, but topped up before France trip last year with the variable stuff.

Expensive way to top up!!!

Hi,

Different car, same engine but I recently changed a fab VRS to a Passat with the 130PD engine. This had 51k on the clock and had variable servicing. It had averaged 16.5k between services so had only 3 oil changes. Other than prefering to change oil and filter regularly, I would say fixed is the better option as my car had only had 1 air filter and fuel filter the entire time. On checking the air filter and box it was very dirty indeed, half a dyson full of crud in the airbox alone. I think these items often get overlooked or delayed on variable servicing, depending on what mileage they come in at for service. Stick with fixed and change the oil and filter inbetween yourself, easy to do and not expensive, then you know you are covered. Whatever system you are on, only top up with the correct oil.

I think variable is fine.

The air filter etc will still only get changed at the same interval be it on fixed or variable I would have thought.

Personally I change the air filter far more regularly anyway.