Sponge Posted January 25, 2006 Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 I'm on variable servicing and was wondering what would happen, if anything, were I to change the oil myself before it was due? Say, at 6000 miles. Would it confuse the sensors/computer? Computer says first service due in 11200miles/444 days. Car collected 14/10/05 and done 2637miles so far. Mainly short journeys around town <5 miles. Although I've made a couple of trips Liverpool to Birmingham in that time too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soapsuds Posted January 25, 2006 Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 if you are doing that mileage, get it off Variable servicing That figure will drop off rapidly with short journeys. It looks like mine will go 20-22k before the next (2nd) variable service - i do long runs. Non variable is cheaper and probably better for your engine (IMO) if you do short spurts.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenjaminTDI Posted January 25, 2006 Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 I wouldn't change the oil at 6k if it's the 'break in oil' I think the oil will be slightly more coarse as it's the first lot that's been through the engine so leaving it in for longer will help break your TDI in better, and since the cylinders haven't reached their max pressure until 60k, I'd say you'll need all the help you need breaking it in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sponge Posted January 25, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 Will taking it off variable servicing require a trip to the dealer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milo Posted January 25, 2006 Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 [ QUOTE ] if you are doing that mileage, get it off Variable servicing That figure will drop off rapidly with short journeys. It looks like mine will go 20-22k before the next (2nd) variable service - i do long runs. Non variable is cheaper and probably better for your engine (IMO) if you do short spurts.... [/ QUOTE ] Not sure if I'd agree. I've done an average of 8700 miles a year in mine since new (700 a month which is less than Sponge) and it's been 70% urban pootling = stop/start and short duration. My service counter fell sharply at first to around 11,000 to next service and then sat there for months. In the end it went 16,000 miles (and a month short of 2 years) before it needed to be done. When it was serviced, it did the same thing. Assuming the same driving pattern, it's now looking like it'll go 17,000 i.e. to 33,000 before needing the 2nd service which if I'd kept it, would be 4 years old in my case As I'm chopping it in at 3 years old, my low mileage/short duration journeys have meant I only had to pay £278 for 1 service over 3 years. That is cheaper than getting a Micra serviced over the same length of time edit - so I'd recommend sticking with the variable servicing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durrsaku Posted January 25, 2006 Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 I am sure you get a choice based on the miles you do. I would say that if you do less than 10K miles a years than your car should not be on AVS! Changing the oil at 6K miles would be fine if all you are doing is renewing the oil and change the filter. Just make sure you put the right kind of oil in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soapsuds Posted January 25, 2006 Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 [ QUOTE ] edit - so I'd recommend sticking with the variable servicing [/ QUOTE ] faid do's mate! I was kind of getting at the fact that the longlife oild isnt suited to that sort of motoring really and it will be better for your engine to go on fixed servicing IMO, not just down to the mileage you can ween out of it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milo Posted January 25, 2006 Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 Modern day synthetic oils should not degrade over 2 years. That's why Audi say 2 years maximum or whenever indicated. I had a long chat with a techy when I picked mine up as I could see it could be 2 years between services and that a lot of miles were going to be urban pootling. I had no experience of long life servicing before as every other car I've owned was serviced religiously every 12 months or sooner if the mileage dictated. Leaving a new car for 2 years before changing the oil seemed horrific to me. He went to great lengths to explain how the oils work and how engine damage occurs etc. The result was I have got every confidence that I have done no damage whatsoever to my engine by sticking to variable servicing while doing the low mileage I have Each to their own really but I think Audi would be putting in conditions if they thought variable servicing wasn't suitable for people doing less than 10k miles a year. Afterall, they have to pick up any warranty bills for at least the first 3 years. I believe I got a fair and unbiased opinion though which has pleased me no end; £278 for 3 years of motoring Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avus_Bub Posted January 25, 2006 Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 Sponge, I think Milo's got it pretty well spot on BUT I'm old school motor trade and even with the latest synthetic oil technology I’m sceptical about running the same oil for two years. As I said I'm in the trade and have freinds who work for VAG. So I dropped my oil at 1000 miles and then just before I had the Re-Map (7.5k) I dropped it again.... I reset the servive indcator on Sept 1st '05 so in theory it will show the next service due on Sept 1st this year (When car is 2).I reckon to have done about 16k miles by then. I don’t really want to take my car to Audi once a year if I can help it and if I just get a minor service every time it’s bound to be cheaper for me in the long term. I can do all the non servicing maintenance myself and keep the book stamped. Having a FOAF who's an Audi master tech so that helps too Also I use the LongLife oil (SLX II 503.00) - why? Well because it's the best oil you can buy and if they say it can last 2 years then lasting just a year isn't going to be a problem for it, is it? Wasteful? Maybe, but I don't pay £16 a litre I can tell you!! BUB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soapsuds Posted January 25, 2006 Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 well, that put me in my place then - ignore me.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avus_Bub Posted January 25, 2006 Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 [ QUOTE ] well, that put me in my place then - ignore me.... [/ QUOTE ] Not at all Dude. I am a bit obsessive when it comes to looking after my cars and bikes. BUB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sponge Posted January 25, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 The last few years we've averaged under 10k a year. Sometimes we have a month where we visit friends a lot, ie we put the miles on; sometimes we don't. Most of our journeys tend to be short - the engine hasn't even warmed up by the time I get to work. As it stands, my first service will be due at just under 14k miles, which will probably be around the 18 month mark. I had my last car just under 2.5 years and had done under 18k miles. I had 2 annual services in that time. I can't remember how much they cost though and I don't know how much the 1st AVS will be. But if they're more expensive, it looks like it might be six of one, half a dozen of the other. I'd like to think the AVS knows what it's doing and will tell me to service the car when it needs it - so I guess I should feel confident in that. It's just that apart from this and my last car (both brand new and under warranty), I'm used to servicing cars myself on a regular basis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soapsuds Posted January 25, 2006 Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I'd like to think the AVS knows what it's doing and will tell me to service the car when it needs it - so I guess I should feel confident in that. It's just that apart from this and my last car (both brand new and under warranty), I'm used to servicing cars myself on a regular basis. [/ QUOTE ] im sure it does - you hit the nail on the head there My Starion is on fully synth with changes every 1000 miles.... i find it odd going over 20k without touching a car!!! Aint complain though.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durrsaku Posted January 25, 2006 Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 I think the key word here is how to take more advantage of the AVS. Now this is official from the VAG sources, make what you like of it and decide for yourself what suits you! [ QUOTE ] LongLife Service Regimes The LongLife Service Regime is so called because there are no set service intervals and, depending on how you drive your vehicle and the conditions of use, a service will be required anywhere between 9,000 miles or 12 months (whichever occurs first), up to a maximum of 30,000* miles or 24 months (whichever occurs first). This LongLife regime has been made possible due to the development of new Vag engines with the latest technically advanced longlife oil. These engines use built-in sensors that continually monitor the oil quality, making it possible to enjoy reliable and confident motoring for up to a maximum of 30,000* miles or 24 months (whichever occurs first). * The maximum of 30000 miles is for the 3 and 4 cylinder TDI diesel engine. All other diesel and petrol engines have a lower maximum mileage. Please consult your Volkswagen Retailer or repairer for full information. It’s your choice. All new Vag cars (except the Lupo) are now manufactured with the LongLife service regime activated and the engine filled with longlife oil. However, your car is also capable of being serviced at a more traditional time of 12 months or 10000 miles (which ever occurs first). This regime is known as Time/Distance or Fixed for the Lupo. Your Retailer will explain both systems and can reset your car to the Time/Distance regime at the Pre Delivery Inspection. Whichever regime you choose, the vehicle dashboard service indicator will remind you when the service is due. With the Time/Distance regime this will be around 10000 mile or 12 months (which ever occurs first). With the LongLife service regime it could be anywhere between 9,000 miles or 12 months up to a maximum of 30,000* miles or 24 months, depending on the engine. The choice or regime can be dependent on how the car is driven and the conditions of use and it is impossible to state any hard and fast rules. However, it you are not sure VAG recommends that your car be left set to the factories default of the LongLife regime. (After all you have paid for the technology and the longlife oil in the price of the car) Wait until the service indicator tells you that the 1st service is due. Then discuss with your Retailer or repairer the best regime to adopt. To help you identify which regime might be best for you, please refer to the following guidance. LongLife Regime. To obtain the most benefit from the LongLife service regime, the car should to be generally driven in a style/condition of use listed below: • Mainly longer distance journeys. • Limited number of cold starts, engine is kept at operating temperature over a longer period of time. • Daily mileage above approx. 25 miles. • Constant speed. • Vehicle used regularly. Time/Distance Regime. If your is driven in a style of use listed below, it may make sense to opt for the Time/Distance regime. • Extremely uneconomical driving style ie continual maximum acceleration ie "foot to floor" • Vehicle fully loaded • Mainly short journeys. • Frequent cold starts. • Frequent hill climbs. • Frequent towing. • City Centre driving [/ QUOTE ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sponge Posted January 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 Interesting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milo Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 It recommends the Time/Distance Regime if you do journeys that are putting a heavy load on the engine or do traditionally uneconomical journeys. Under these conditions your service indicator would usually fall through the floor. However by not having heavy right foot and generally taking my time wherever I go, I have proved it is possible to do a lot of urban driving and still get the maximum benefit out of LongLife (variable) servicing. I went 16,000 miles or nearly 2 years before needing the first service Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sponge Posted January 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 I think I'll stick with AVS. I'm too lazy to change it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soapsuds Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I think I'll stick with AVS. I'm too lazy to change it. [/ QUOTE ] blimey - after all that!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booster Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 Milo, Sounds like your daily driving is like mine. I used to get up to 19k out of my old 1.8TQ. In the new car I got 9700 miles before it needed a service. I think you will find the same when you get your new motor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milo Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 I'll see how it goes. I may be tempted to have a heavier right foot with this car - what's the point in paying for Quattro if you're not going to try it out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durrsaku Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 Does that mean you will be switching from AVS? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milo Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 Nah! I'll do what my service indicator tells me. I get 16k minimum between services in the Tdi even on my journeys so I would be disappointed to get less than say 12k in the new car (although I can't see why I shouldn't get 16k ). 12k still equals 18 months for me so I'll be sticking with AVS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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