I know the fixed / variable servicing of the favia vRS has been long talked about, and I seem to remember Denis kindly asking Skoda CS and they responded with "fixed only - due to the signalling in the dashboard" iirc.

Now, I originally asked Jacksons in Basingstoke (where I work) some time ago (before Skoda CS came back with the "official" answer) whether the fab could be on variable. The response was a categoric "no" - GQ0 (or whatever) means fixed only.

The dealer I bought the car from (Whitequay in Reading) said after confirming with Ashmore Green in Newbury a fabia vrs could be put on variable servicing. They'd keep long life oil, change the oil analyser bits in the engine, etc...

Now that I need to get it serviced, I phoned up Jacksons.

The first question was "the cost depends on what oil you use with the fabia vrs - we can switch it to variable servicing if you want, but cost will increase" :eek:

I was quoted

:eek:

My 10k service cost

:eek:

My 10k service cost

Xavier,

as something to compare with my first variable service, done at 21.5k, was approx

Don't know if the oil if different but it cost

my 10k sevice cost me

those servicing costs sound reasonable to me.... used to cost between 99 and 120 for my focus

my previous rovers cost me an arm and a leg...much more than ford

my Tavia vRs is on variable and in theory wont need a service till september (I only do 8-10k a year anyway)

so a couple of hundred quid every 2 years sounds reasonable to me after 170 notes a year for a rover 200 vi

My first service should cost me about

how about changing to a K&N air filter, for around 35 squid, will do 1 million miles ( yes thats what Scotts confirmed, my wife and son each have one fitted to their Smart), 10 squid for the cleaning fluid for the filter. Needs to be cleaned every 50k miles .

Fit 1 @ first service.

Any non rude comments.

Andy Laws contacted Skoda UK about variable service for the Fabia Vrs. This was the reply:

Just recieved this email back from skoda UK reference variable servicing for the Fabia VRS.

It verifies Skodas stance on variable servicing for the fabia' date=' and the cars ability to have variable servicing.

If you've had it done, reconfirm with your dealer that the ECUs are capable of it.....

Ref 108728

Dear Mr. Laws,

Thank you for your patience while I investigated the possibility of a variable servicing set up for the Skoda Fabia.

I can confirm that the appropriate service regime is indicated on the vehicle data sticker, which can be found on the front page of the service schedule. Data stickers containing the code QG0 can only be operated in line with traditional fixed service intervals. Vehicles identified with the code QG1 are manufactured to a different technical specification, which allows them to operate a variable-servicing regime.

Regrettably, it is not feasible to upgrade vehicles designated QG0 to conform to this specification.

In order to operate a vehicle on a variable regime the ECU ( Engine Control Unit) requires four variables: the distance driven, engine load, engine speed and oil temperature. In order to measure the fourth variable, vehicles equipped with variable servicing capabilities are supplied with an additional sensor within the vehicle's sump that measures oil temperature. However, simply fitting this sensor to a vehicle designated GQ0 will not allow the vehicle to operate on variable servicing as the ECU will not be able to interpret the information.

In a vehicle designated QG1, the four variables are compared against electronic maps within the engine ECU which calculates the "S Wear" (a comparison of the oil temperature and engine speed) and "S Soot (a comparison of the engine speed and load). These maps are not found within ECU's fitted to vehicles designated QG0.

In addition to the above, in order to interpret and display variable servicing information, vehicles designated QG1 are fitted with a different dash insert.

Finally, in order to allow the vehicle to operate safely for up to 2 years without inspection, the vehicles are supplied with low maintenance lead-calcium batteries (with visual status) and brake pad wear indicators.

I trust this clarifies our position on the matter. Should you wish to discuss the matter with me, please contact me on telephone number 0845 7745 745.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs Rachel Court

> Skoda Customer Services Specialist

> ................................................................................................

> SkodaAuto Customer Service Centre Telephone 0845 7745 745

> Freepost CN2774

> Wallington

> Surrey

> SM6 7BR Fax 020 8288 2440

> [email protected]

> http://www.skoda.co.uk

>

Given that the Fabia Vrs is on fixed servicing and its PD engine needs spec VW 505 01 oil, there shouldn't be much variation in servicing costs between garages other than those due to differences in labour charges.

A very comprehensive answer id say Denis, well done mate.

OK, I think I've understood things.

All PD engines require at least 505.01 oil.

The PD engines on variable service require the long-life oil which is more expensive and is 506.01 spec.

I assume the Octavias with PD engines all come out of the factory set on variable and hence have 506.01 oil.

Now, for the Fabia vRS, I think no one can say for sure if it comes from the factory with 505.01 or 506.01 oil. The case would be for 505.01 oil because the fabia isn't set up for variable. However, the engine is the same as the one used in the octy set on variable, so it could be 506.01.

However, I guess the above paragraph is irrelevant because there are the other parts a variable servicing car should require such as dash electronics, brake sensors, oil filter sensor, battery level indicator... - and the Fabia vRS does not have these.

So even though the engine of the Fabia vRS is capable of variable (if fitted with the oil sensors), the rest of the car isn't hence it falls back to GQ0 - fixed servicing. Therefore, even if the motor came with 506.01 oil from factory and even if you did opt to use the more expensive 506.01 oil, there wouldn't be any benefit, at least from the servicing interval point of view because the rest of the car isn't geared up for it.

So going back to the two options Jacksons offered - keep on fixed and cost is

I agree 100% with you, Xavier. Logic would indicate that 506 01 oil should be entirely suitable, but I think that Skoda UK should be invited to confirm that since there could be warranty issues.

OK. Thanks for the heads-up Denis.

I can feel an email to CS brewing up