Just done the following to check when next service is due:

Ignition on

Engine off

press and hold 'trip counter reset' 'clock adjust' button for >2 secs to show interval to next service

The display showed 16600 miles with a spanner symbol and when the button was released it showed 646 with a spanner and clock symbol. Is the second display the number of driving hours to the next service or what?

Probably 16600 miles or 646 days I would think

Stu: Thanks - days makes more sense as the variable service interval states a maximum of 2 years (i.e. 730 days). So I've had the car for about 84 days (730-646), which is about right.

Eureka - I've done it.

I'd been trying for weeks to work out how this worked and despite reading and re-reading the handbook, plus a couple of posts on here, all I would manage to do was to reset my 'trip'. Doh! :eek: I thought it was perhaps something that didn't work with maxidot.

I now have the knack; and with maxidot the message is: "Servicing in 13500 miles or 648 days" I've done 5200 miles so far in 3 months so this ties to servicing at 18500 miles/2 years. On it.

Another question about this display. Does it show the theoretical mileage to the next service or the actual mileage taking into account driving style etc? It's strange that the total mileage (i.e. miles the car's done already plus the projected mileage to the next service) adds up to 18,500 - the maximum allowed variable service mileage.

I'm told by a dealer that it shows the 'theoretical' mileage calculated from driving style, speed/distance, stop/starts etc and that a TDI can go up to 25,000 or more before a service is due if drive gently on Motorawys all the time.

It is a real time value. It doesn't mean that you will get that amount of distance/time but based on the current calculations at that time it is a true value.

It cant be anything but theoretical as you havent covered the distance yet.