Oil change intervals - Golf R

[Zoza]

Hi all,

my R has done just over 4000kms and its about 4 months old.

My question is whether I should be looking at changing the oil around the 5k mark or wait and do it at first service interval ~ 12 months.

Another question is whether I should book it in for service to do the oil change or do it myself? (I am quite capable of doing it myself just not sure warranty issues and such).

[Diesel_vert]

Hi all,

my R has done just over 4000kms and its about 4 months old.

My question is whether I should be looking at changing the oil around the 5k mark or wait and do it at first service interval ~ 12 months.

Should you wish to change it early, every 6 months or 7,500 km (whichever you reach first) will be sufficient. No need to change it every 5,000 km.

Otherwise, oil change intervals are normally every 12 months or 15k.

Another question is whether I should book it in for service to do the oil change or do it myself? (I am quite capable of doing it myself just not sure warranty issues and such).

Definitely DIY if possible.

Regarding warranty, as long you use genuine parts and any VW approved 502.00 oil (minimum) or 504.00 oil (preferred), you should be fine.

[dave_r]

It is interesting that a lot of VW dealers tell customers to piss off when asking about the oil change before 15k. I'm just past half way and have driven it hard and done a track day, the oil must be rubbish by now let alone at 15k.

Audi do the same fwiw, a mate with an RS after doing multiple track days was told they wouldn't do it otherwise it would effect warranty...wtf?

[zbeasty]

Check out the last couple of pages of the run in thread in the MK6 forum. There appears to be fresh information from a VW Service person that indicates that they use a different oil for the run in period up to 15,000km and that it can affect warranty if this is changed early.

[brad]

Another question is whether I should book it in for service to do the oil change or do it myself? (I am quite capable of doing it myself just not sure warranty issues and such).

Any work needs to be undertaken by "suitably qualified personell". If you fit that description (eg: have an MVRIC ticket in mechanics), then go for it.

[Transporter]

Check out the last couple of pages of the run in thread in the MK6 forum. There appears to be fresh information from a VW Service person that indicates that they use a difference oil for the run in period up to 15,000km and that it can affect warranty if this is changed early.

If only one could trust it!

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[brad]

If only one could trust it!

True but unfortunately a poor technician with suitable pieces of wallpaper will trump a good backyarder if you are arguing warranty items in the small claims tribunal.

[Transporter]

True but unfortunately a poor technician with suitable pieces of wallpaper will trump a good backyarder if you are arguing warranty items in the small claims tribunal.

Oh brad, I thought that you know me better than that. That was response to zbesty's post. Somehow my phone didn't insert the quote, despite I saw it on the screen. All fixed now.

[Zoza]

Check out the last couple of pages of the run in thread in the MK6 forum. There appears to be fresh information from a VW Service person that indicates that they use a different oil for the run in period up to 15,000km and that it can affect warranty if this is changed early.

Yeah, I don't know about this... I've heard this claim before (when the missus bought an '02 Beetle).

Lets look at it this way... If this were true, then why is it that when you ask for top up oil within the first 15k, any VW dealer would recommend the standard 504.00/507.00 compliant oils.

If they used a special oil, then surely any top up in the first 15k should be done only with this special oil?

[Diesel_vert]

Any work needs to be undertaken by "suitably qualified personell". If you fit that description (eg: have an MVRIC ticket in mechanics), then go for it.

One should be sufficiently competent to ensure that any work done to the car by the owner during the warranty period should be inconspicuous to the dealer or VW or whoever.

In the instance that a warranty claim is denied due to incompetent work done by the owner, well clearly, what else should one expect?

Yeah, I don't know about this... I've heard this claim before (when the missus bought an '02 Beetle).

Lets look at it this way... If this were true, then why is it that when you ask for top up oil within the first 15k, any VW dealer would recommend the standard 504.00/507.00 compliant oils.

If they used a special oil, then surely any top up in the first 15k should be done only with this special oil?

Heh, the mystery continues...

[johnw]

Just out of interest, for voiding warranty, how on earth would VW tell if the oil was changed and by who if you used genuine VW filter and oil (ie bought from dealer). Unless they used a different "marked" filters in the workshop?!

Worse comes to worse and you can't get the same filter, change just the oil.

Never had this problem as I only buy secondhand :-P

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[Transporter]

Heh, the mystery continues...

...or, he could be an ideal candidate to have a proper UOA done, not the $36 one.

Shame really that he is not in SA, I would make a trip and get the oil tested but at 15,000km, since the VW persist with 15k km oil change.

But really, I mean, ... the man or women you talk to at the service desk and who is giving you an expert advice, doesn't even have to be a trained mechanic?

[Diesel_vert]

Just out of interest, for voiding warranty, how on earth would VW tell if the oil was changed and by who if you used genuine VW filter and oil (ie bought from dealer). Unless they used a different "marked" filters in the workshop?!

Precisely.

In any case, the warranty won't be void changing the oil prior - such an absurd idea.

[Transporter]

Just out of interest, for voiding warranty, how on earth would VW tell if the oil was changed and by who if you used genuine VW filter and oil (ie bought from dealer). Unless they used a different "marked" filters in the workshop?!

Worse comes to worse and you can't get the same filter, change just the oil.

Never had this problem as I only buy secondhand :-P

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Yep, and use the oil extractor to suck the oil out, so they can't tell from the drain plug that the oil was drained, and since they put it in writing to us and to whole world to see that the engine can use up to 1L per 1500km, I hate their chances to prove that the oil was changed earlier.

[Corey_R]

Those oil extractors are cool