I have read the posts but am not sure, can my brand new fabia be serviced on a variable regime?

No!

The easy way to confirm servicing from new is the bottom left hand code on the data sticker. On fabia rs it reads QG0 as the instrument panel on the fabia doesnt have the displays or software for predictive servicing (next years car will!!)

Stick to maximum 10k oil changes and make sure u use an oil designed for pd engines (not just turbo diesel oil)

I was told you can have it on variable servicing. It comes from factory with the longlife oil (like all pd130 engines)

Needs to have the ecu reprogrammed, and I believe a new sump plug with analyser or something so it can check the state of the oil.

I asked my dealer about it, and he said he'd be prepared to change it to variable servicing at the first 10000 mile service, even though according to the books, I'm on fixed with GQ0. However, if you don't switch to variable at the first service, then I think you can't do it at a later stage.

Edit: the_ape has had his fabia vrs changed to variable. See here

I was told you can have it on variable servicing. It comes from factory with the longlife oil (like all pd130 engines)

Hmm' date=' all interesting stuff.

I was told by my dealer that my new Fabia vRS was variable (and paid them 11 quid for a fancy bottle of Esso Oil top-up stuff and all) but I've just looked through all the manuals tonight & the code shown there is for 'standard' - QG0.

From the manual there's QG0 Standard service, QG1 which is "extended service with variable length of the service intervals" and QG2 - "extended service with fixed length of the service intervals" [you can tell Skoda aren't an English firm can't you :-) ']

I assume from reading threads elsewhere on here tonight (but will ask my dealer for clarification) that by default the 'standard' - QG0 code - is 10,000 with longlife oil fitted to the engine, and then it's up to the dealer to set it to variable when the car is handed over at purchase if desired, or set the variable up later at the first service based on how far/how long you've driven when you call in for the 1st service. Does that make sense?

Oh it's all too confusing, makes me wish for my old MkI Fiesta when any old oil would do and servicing was carried out by the RAC on the hard shoulder of the motorway. Er, then perhaps not :-)

Think salespeople are getting confused with the way variable servicing works and makeing claims based on the engine not on the system.

Would be interesting to find out exactly what oil the factory uses. If it is Slx2 then it could be considered safe to run to maybe 20000 miles but would you want to take that risk to save a gallon of oil.

Theres a lot of claims been made in the press recently about engine failures (not on skoda to my knowledge) on longlife regimes, since a lot of people presumably don`t check there oil and run untill the light comes on. The level light on a tdi doesnt come on untill its lost about a litre which can easily happen in its first 5k. Lifting the bonnet so iv heard is noted by the software as it assumes uv checked the levels while ur under there. Think its triggered by the switch on the bonnet catch.

Still think knowing ur oil is fresh every 10k is the best bet, especially if its ur own car!!!!

varible servcing is not avaible on fabia even tho the pd enigine do come with long life oil from factory.

ade

VAG have tested Longlife oils and are happy to set the service interval at a maximim of 50,000km for PD engines and 30,000km for petrol engines when it is used. It offers improved fuel consumption, better protection for the engine, and there are environmental benefits in less oil being discarded over the life of a car. The term Longlife doesn't mean that the oil level needs checking less often - rather that the oil has an extended in-service life. As you can guess, I am one of the converted!

On the issue of extended service for the Fabia Vrs, I understand that the car's dashboard cannot be coded for QG1 - variable service. However if a dealer has successfully recoded the dashboard, perhaps the owner of that car could get the self-diagnosis settings used by the dealer and post them here for ade and K to check out.

I'm really very very very confused now.

Ade (and you're a Skoda mechanic, aren't you?) says "no"

My skoda dealer says "yes" after checking with another Skoda garage

It's one a piece! Can anyone in the know (not saying Ade or the two skoda dealers are right or wrong) shed some more light please??? :confused:

xavier try and find out at you dealer what they have recoded and changed to make fabia varible intervals.

as far as i know we have no info on fabia beeing made varible servcing but if other dealers say it can i need to find out what they have done and i will also phone skoda technical monday to ask them if possible and should be done if asked by customer

ade

ooh blimey, the plot/confusion thickens!

IMHO I think ade's straight 'can't be done' answer is not right, else why bother printing loads about servicing options and what the dashboard does for QG0, QG1 and QG2 in all the manuals that come with the car?

Of course this would also imply that the dash can be set up to suit as well. The manual has pictures of spanners and whatnot appearing when servicing is due, which is different to my old Y reg Fabia. Maybe there's been a lead in time of new dash displays/electronics to accomodate all this variable lark, where the old ones being phased out couldn't be set up (hence the 'can't' which is now turining into 'er, well now you can' if you see what I mean).

All I want to know is what oil to put in the thing should it need some before service (whenever it is!) - I was sold some Exxon/Esso Ultron (Long Drain) 0W-30 as being the stuff for my Fabia vRS set on variable according to the dealer, but on 'standard' by the code in the service book/on the car.

From what the manual implies, as soon as NON longlife oil gets anywhere near the engine variable servicing is then not available (perhaps ever). It would also appear on implication that a lesser 'evil' is adding longlife to a 'standard' oiled engine.

Still all clear as mud innit, oh well, roll on Monday when we can all make phone calls and sort it out! :-)

Skoda UK's FAQs still have the same info, namely:

'How frequently should I get my car serviced?

The service requirements will vary depending upon the model and engine. Fabia Models require a lubrication service at 10,000 miles and an inspection at 20,000 miles or 12 months whichever is sooner. All Octavia and Superb Models can operate on either a fixed or a variable servicing regime. On Variable servicing, intervalls are determined by driving styles and conditions of use. The on-board computer will indicate when a service is required which could be up to approx. 20,000 miles for petrol engines, 30,000 miles for 4 cylinder diesel and 24,000 miles for V6 Diesel. Further information may be found in the Service Schedule contained within the vehicle document wallet or by contacting your local retailer. To find your local retailer please select the retailer locator tab from the home page of this site.'

ooh blimey' date=' the plot/confusion thickens!

IMHO I think ade's straight 'can't be done' answer is not right, else why bother printing loads about servicing options and what the dashboard does for QG0, QG1 and QG2 in all the manuals that come with the car? [/quote']But the issue of whether or not each car comes equipped for an extended service option, ie QG1 or QG2, is straightforward to find out from the optional equipment list inside the cover of the Service Manual or on the label on the boot floor. QG1 and QG2 denote a Longlife Service capability. A QG1 car (Longlife variable service) can be recoded to QG2 (Longlife fixed service) and back again if Longlife oil has been used exclusively, but a QG0 car can only be on fixed service since by definition it does not have the equipment (whatever that is) for variable servicing. But maybe things have changed since the Service Manuals were printed and it will be interesting to find out if the Fabia Vrs really can be put onto a variable servicing regime.

I am still glad I asked the question in the first place. Despite the fact that the answer is either 'yes you can' or 'no you cannot' depending on invididual viewpoint.

I collect my car from dealer on next Thurs 11th march. I hope ade gets a clear answer on monday so I know my options.

Good work anyhow guys - thanks.

Barrie

Id like to point out that all the service schedule book inc in you pack are all the same regardless of model.

Ad tbh id rather run mine on 10k servcing, makes it so much easier to read and understand a service history when it comes to sell the car on.

Maybe it would be worth asking one of briskoda's "preferred and popular mod friendly" dealers for their point of view (Horners ?) Considering the amount of Skodas and customers we send in their direction, a little return (on top of the discount) is due

Anyone who has a decent contact would be kind enough to ask politely?

If it comes set for fixed 10K intervals, i'd be inclined to leave it at that.

The Octy RS comes set for variable, so i have the option, but as its not quite standard, mine will go into dry dock every 12 months / 10000 or so. I'll be keeping the longlife oil too.

been on the case today and found out that fabia's can NOT be on varible servcing. there are a few sensors not fitted that are needed in order to program the car to varible (EG, brake pad sensor, oil condition sensor)also the dash panel has not got the softwear programed into the chips for varible caculation.

also phoned dealer that denis passed info on that someone had their fabiaVRS set to varible they replyed that they have not set any fabia car to varible but have spoken to custumer on the subject so they might have the wires crossed.

hope this sorts out the mix up with fabia's on varible servcing.

ade

Thanks for sorting that out, ade, and for getting a definitive answer.

Thanks for sorting that out, ade, and for getting a definitive answer.

Asked my dealer today and they said to me, "Ignore the QG0 code, your Fabia vRS is on variable, use the 11 quid Esso Ultron oil we sold you if a top-up is required later on"

I'll let you all know what happens on the dash in 9,900 miles time....

I'll let you all know what happens on the dash in 9,900 miles time....

More to the point, what about warranty claims if you don't follow the advice on servicing? :(

Well I phoned up Skoda UK up to ask about this and to date there is NO variable servicing available on the Fabia. If people have been told there is they have been incorrectly informed and could void their warranty should something relating to this go wrong.

Well I phoned up Skoda UK up to ask about this and to date there is NO variable servicing available on the Fabia. If people have been told there is they have been incorrectly informed and could void their warranty should something relating to this go wrong.

Hmmmm.

So I guess the dealers who offer it are bending the rules. And if so, would a dealer just take it on the chin from Skoda when they try and claim back costs for warranty work and Skoda say "we won't pay you back 'cos the car is on an unapproved servicing schedule" ?!?!?

It's all about as clear as a tin of WV501.00 oil :(

it a dealer does offer you varible servcing then the dealer just does not have a clue and i personaly woudnt take my car to that dealer.

there is more to varible sercing than just recoding dash on fabia. varible service cars have sensors in pads, bonnet, sump all these sensors calulate together with mileage and other info then tell you when the car needs servicing. fabia does not have alot of these sensors so can not calculate the info.

ade