No free first service? Taking care of a new car

[stewarthou]

I just paid the deposit for a Golf 2.0 TDI today, and when I asked the time/kms of first free service, the salesperson said there is no free first service, and the first service can be done at 10,000kms. Thus I am confused, because in my experience all cars need the first service done at around 1000-2000kms. Perhaps because of my poor English listening, I misunderstood the salesperson.

Another question is how to take care of a new car, can I drive it on the Freewa,y which speed limit is above 100kms?
The salesperson said I can do it, just do not accelerate and brake too hard.

[gregozedobe]

Welcome to the VWWC forums. Lots of useful information and some helpful people (although some do like to "stir" a bit for amusement).

If you do some searches you will find some threads about running in a new engine, like these :

http://vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=1236

http://vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=12575

http://vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=12842

These will answer your question about freeway driving (just vary the engine rpm).

Your owners manual will give the VW recommended service intervals (IIRC they are every 15,000Km for "normal" driving). If you do lots of short trips you may want to change the engine oil every 7,500Km, as short trips are hard on the oil.

Some people also prefer to change the engine oil at 1,000Km on a new engine in case there are any metal particles left over from manufacture or created by initial running in, but this isn't required by VW.

When you get your new car it is worth spending some time reading the owner's manual, as it has much useful information about your car.

[brad]

When you get your new car it is worth spending some time reading the owner's manual, as it has much useful information about your car.

+1

The first service is at 15,000km/12 months - whichever occurs first. If you drive your car under harsh or severe conditions as described in the owners manual then you might want to get it done earlier. You should discuss this with your dealership service advisor (that's what it says in the owners manual).

The traditional first service at 1000km is just a checkover of the car. In the old days the oil was changed because the first fill was running-in oil. I can't think of any manufacturers that offer a free oil change at the first service (and they'd allways bill you for a filter).

The running-in procedure is in the manual.
Drive "normally". Don't over-rev or lug the engine. Vary the revs, don't use cruise control. Check the oil every 500km until you're sure it isn't using oil.

[domo]

Renault used to offer a free 1000k service, but from memory only the labour was free, you had to pay for consumables (oil, filter, etc)

I expected VW to be the same but I didn't think to ask, will do when I pick up the car

[Greg Roles]

Cool, another diesel on the roads! Hooray!

My Golf came with a 1000km free checkup, but it was more just a quick checkover that nothing was wrong or coming loose. Go talk to the service department next time you are there, I'm sure it's usually done for new VW's.

Wouldn't be the first time a sales person was wrong....

[stewarthou]

thanks guys, I've leant a lot via those links. But I'm a little bit confused about next chapter.

Rules that apply for the life of the car
-When the engine is cold rev the engine to at least 2,500 rpms.
-When the engine is warmed up rev the engine to no less than 3,000 rpms.
The reason for this is to keep the turbo on boost, clear the VNT guide vanes and apply firm pressure to the rings for optimal sealing against blow-by gasses. The rings need the boost to seal since it’s a turbo charged engine, babying the engine is detrimental and will lead to issues with compression if done so for very long.

Should these steps be done after every engine starting?
Does it means next procedure.
1. Start the engine
2. rev engine to 2500 rpms
3. After engine is hot, rev engine to 3000 rpms
4. Then drive the car

[Greg Roles]

It just means drive the car to about 2500rpm when it's still cold, and once warm, do what you want! Just don't baby the car from new, make the engine work a bit. It's pretty hard to get it wrong really!

[gregozedobe]

thanks guys, I've leant a lot via those links. But I'm a little bit confused about next chapter.

I'll phrase it differently for you :

Always start the engine up and drive off gently straight away, don't sit there idling (and definitely don't sit there revving in a stationary car ). This applies regardless of whether the engine is cold or warm.

When driving with a cold engine, take the revs to 2,500 as you go through the gears (but don't lug it below 1,800 revs and preferably don't ask the engine to work hard until it has warmed up).

When driving with a warm engine, take the engine revs to at least 3,000 rpm at regular intervals (with at least half accelerator pedal). This is good for helping piston rings seal and keeping turbo vanes from sticking.

Is that easier to understand ?

[Greg Roles]

Mate do what you are comfortable with, it's just a car, and you can get all too caught up in this stuff. I'm sure 95% of all the golfs sold are driven by people with absolutely NO idea, and I'm sure the cars do just fine.

Just drive it, you'll get a feel for it!