Engine run in and early oil change

[pra32]

THe first service for the R32 is supposed to be 12 months / 15,000ks or when it tells you. While I'm not thashing the car I'm certainly not babying it either.

What would people recommend in the way of changing the oil and filter before the first service? It's obviously going to cost me, but if I did it should I do it at 500, 1,000, 5,000?

[gtimk5]

I do a lot of the Mk5s at 7,500 kms

[pra32]

Thanks. On one of the engine run in sites it talks about metal filings in the oil. Is that something to be concerned about?

[mrx]

I changed mine at 7500km in the GTI, but then I'm "chipped" and don't want that turbo going pear shaped on me!

[Lima]

Changed our GTI just after 6000kms and there were lots of filings left in my oil catch tray. We've just done 20,000kms and I have the oil waiting for a change at about 22,000kms.

The GTI, more than any other car I've had, really drives a lot better (smoother) after an oil change.

[Mr R32]

Pretty sure the 1st service for the R32 is 6 months or 7,500km. There's no service required to change run in oil after 1000km or so. Apparently that is done at the factory.

[gregozedobe]

Pretty sure the 1st service for the R32 is 6 months or 7,500km. There's no service required to change run in oil after 1000km or so. Apparently that is done at the factory.

If you are worried about it change the oil at 1,000Km. After that it depends on where and how you drive. If you drive hard in heavy traffic you should change it much more often than if you just cruise on the freeway.

If you do lots of short trips where the engine doesn't get up to proper operating temperature (oil as well as coolant) then you should change sooner than if you mostly do longer journeys (where the engine is properly warm for nearly the whole trip). If you don't do many miles at all then you need to look at 6-12 month intervals, depending on the type of driving your car does.

Remember that manufacturers tend to recommend longer oil change intervals if they think it will help them sell more cars, and it doesn't worry them if an engine wears out at 180,000Km rather than 300,000Km it could do if looked after well. In Europe they say that VW Transporters with TDI motors can go up to 30,000Km between oil changes (on long life service), but there is no way mine is going over 15,000Km between changes, and if I did much driving in heavy traffic I would reduce that to 10,000Km.

[datracer99]

Pretty sure the 1st service for the R32 is 6 months or 7,500km. There's no service required to change run in oil after 1000km or so. Apparently that is done at the factory.

1st service on all the golfs is just an inspection. no oil change.

Remember that manufacturers tend to recommend longer oil change intervals if they think it will help them sell more cars, and it doesn't worry them if an engine wears out at 180,000Km rather than 300,000Km it could do if looked after well. .

Spot on. It's all about marketing, not about making the engine last longer.

I changed mine at 7500. There is no way i would want to run any turbo or high performance motor for 15000km without an oil change. I did it myself. As long as you can get the car up on stands or ramps it's not difficult to do.
Cheap insurance for $70 worth of oil

[mrx]

1st service on all the golfs is just an inspection. no oil change.

Actually, the first service is at 15,000km and does involve an oil change. There is no mention in the manual about anything prior to 15,000km, except it says you may want to do it more often if driven under extreme conditions. I have heard of some dealers telling people to come in at 7,500km, but it is not required to maintain your warranty.

However, like yourself, I changed mine myself at 7,500km - didn't want to wait 15,000km being "chipped" and all.

[Greg Roles]

The bottom line is so long as you use the correct APPROVED oil you can change it as often as you want. It simply costs money and time to do so.

I have always changed oil at least twice as frequently as manufacturers recommend in various past cars and bikes, and have always had hassle free well performing machinery. As tracer99 points out, it's cheap insurance for only $70 bucks odd. I'll be picking up oil and filter with my new car at the dealer till I find an alternate local source.

I'll be dropping the oil in my new car early, and if it isn't full of metal particles, I'll just put it back in. Simple really.

It has been very enlightening to see the sheer amount of metal particles that came out of my hand built FPV GT engine at 27kms straight home from the dealer. I'm sure VW does it better than Ford, but I'll probably drop it on getting home, just for a looky see.

[Mischa]

I'll be picking up oil and filter with my new car at the dealer till I find an alternate local source.

unfortunately the dealer is the only place you will be able to buy the proper oil for the most sensitive car of them all... the gt tdi (thats what your getting isnt it?)

[Dangerous]

Dealer or Owner Oil Change?

I am looking at changing the oil at 7,500 km's due to my driving being mainly short distances (2007 Golf GTI). The dealer where I got my GTI said it will void the warranty if I change the oil myself. Can anyone enlighten me on this, true or not?

As well what sort of oil should be used.

Sorry if this has been asked and answered, any help greatly appreciated

[h100vw]

They can't void your warranty based on you doing an oil change, providing that you use a VW filter and an oil that meets the spec that they recommend in the handbook.

They'll be telling you next that you can't use servo airlines, for blowing up your tyres.


If the engine seized after you fitted a ryco filter and used a $10 gallon of oil. they would have a case.

Gavin

[gregozedobe]

As well what sort of oil should be used.

Look in your owners manual. It will tell you the correct VW specification for your particular engine (IIRC probably VW 504.00 for newish GTIs ). For many people a VW dealer is the most convenient source for approved engine oil and oil filter (if not the cheapest )

Do not use the wrong oil in a modern VW, and especially in one with a TDI motor (getting this wrong could be a very expensive way to save tens of dollars by purchasing "cheaper" oil)

[Blitzen]

Thats what the magnets on the sump plugs and oil filters are for...Do you think a manufacturer will give you an engine that wont last and risk loosing a future customer, or having to re build the engine under warranty for no cost?
Do you think a manufacturer who has years or experience would recommend a high service interval on an engine if it wasn't up to it? Engines can be over serviced, and this can do as much damage as under servicing. I suggest that you do what the manufacturer recommends...after all, they have the experience building the things.