"severe operating conditions" - service indicator at 7500km

[nutttr]

My tdi has had its service in xxxx km come up, which will be a 7500km interval. The manual says that it could be just an air filter change indicator. Apparently the dealer 'can tell' why the car thinks it needs its service so soon.... Is there a way to check this with vagcom?

It is remapped but I wouldn't say I drive under severe conditions. We did just take a long country drive and it was quite dusty and stacks of locusts were stuck everywhere.

Any ideas?

[99_FGT]

We did just take a long country drive and it was quite dusty and stacks of locusts were stuck everywhere.

Any ideas?

That might do it - the dust may be clogging the air filter, had that happen on another car before.
Sorry can't help you with the VAGCOM qn.
Al..

[shauno]

Likely the service indicator was set to 7,500kms - just get the dealer to reset it to 15,000kms.

Or get your oil & air filter replaced anyway

[Idle]

I'd certainly take a look at the filter and its intake — locusts are much bigger than dust, also are squashable and contain liquids.

The filter can be cleared of loose matter by a reverse blast with an air gun, which may extend its life.

[Rob Burns]

Likely the service indicator was set to 7,500kms - just get the dealer to reset it to 15,000kms.

This.

Or get your oil & air filter replaced anyway

Don't do this. Replacing your engine oil before the 1year/15k mark will void your warranty on the engine. I guess you can get the air filter checked but I'd be surprised if it requires replacing.

[Transporter]

The filter can be cleared of loose matter by a reverse blast with an air gun, which may extend its life.

That would be a bad idea, you can easily damage the paper element and create the passage for the dust. You gently tap the air filter, but that's about it, replacing it is a better option.

[Transporter]

This.



Don't do this. Replacing your engine oil before the 1year/15k mark will void your warranty on the engine. I guess you can get the air filter checked but I'd be surprised if it requires replacing.

I'm not sure about that. I always changed oil earlier and never had any warranty issues. In our Tiguan I changed oil at 1,053km and have no problem with that, even noted it in the owner's manual.

[nutttr]

Where's the setting in vagcom for the service interval setting? I can just change it myself

[Rob Burns]

I'm not sure about that. I always changed oil earlier and never had any warranty issues. In our Tiguan I changed oil at 1,053km and have no problem with that, even noted it in the owner's manual.

I'll amend it then.

If you change your oil before the 1 year/15k mark and VW Australia find out about it then you will void your warranty on the engine.

[ope126]

I'll amend it then.

If you change your oil before the 1 year/15k mark and VW Australia find out about it then you will void your warranty on the engine.

Are you sure about this?!
I highly doubt it...

I have changed oil / filter on previous VW's and have never had an issue with servicing or warranty.

Maybe if you put a non approved / wrong grade of oil in that does not meet manufacturers specs, that might contribute to engine damage, fair enough. For example, by not using a 507.00 in the newer engines (such as TDI's with DPF).

I would like to know where you have sourced this info from Rob.

[barrenjoey owl]

This.



Don't do this. Replacing your engine oil before the 1year/15k mark will void your warranty on the engine. I guess you can get the air filter checked but I'd be surprised if it requires replacing.

Please advise where in the warrenty document where it says that changing oil before the 1 year/15,000km period will void your warranty...

[hooba]

Please advise where in the warrenty document where it says that changing oil before the 1 year/15,000km period will void your warranty...

There are a number of posts on this forum where owners have been advised as such verbally by their dealer that this is case.

Whether it holds water or not is another matter, however at my service department when he was selling me on the benefit of hitting me up for $99 for a 7500km service that doesn't include the oil change, he said that they didn't recommend changing the factory oil until the 12 months mark.

[barrenjoey owl]

There are a number of posts on this forum where owners have been advised as such verbally by their dealer that this is case.

Whether it holds water or not is another matter, however at my service department when he was selling me on the benefit of hitting me up for $99 for a 7500km service that doesn't include the oil change, he said that they didn't recommend changing the factory oil until the 12 months mark.

Thank you for your post which doesn't answer the question I asked. You posted information about your own experience which seems to me if accurate that you got ripped for $99.00.

May I suggest you take a look at the Fuel and Lubricants section of this forum which has a wealth of information about oil changes which will indicate that a 7500km oil change is of GREAT benefit to TDIs in particular.

[Transporter]

Well, I rather go by my own experience and common sense, than later have an engine sludge and varnish related problems. This is just not going away, it was the problem in '90 and even before and so well VW experts scheduled servicing intervals even developed special oils for the engines that... VW Audi Oil Sludge Class Action Settlement
Maybe you should ask VW about that.

And don't get fooled by used oil analysis either, they will not detect sludge/varnish formations till it's too late and to fix the problem you have to dismantle the engine.

[Rob Burns]

Maybe if you put a non approved / wrong grade of oil in that does not meet manufacturers specs, that might contribute to engine damage, fair enough. For example, by not using a 507.00 in the newer engines (such as TDI's with DPF).

The engines are filled with a special running in oil that is not the 504/507 oil that is recommended for oil changes. This oil is suppose to stay in the engine for the first 15,000km.

I would like to know where you have sourced this info from Rob.

VW technican training.

Better yet, go here and ask.

http://volkswagenaustralia.com.au/contactus/

Please advise where in the warrenty document where it says that changing oil before the 1 year/15,000km period will void your warranty...

Your service book tells you that your first oil change is 1 year/15,000km.