First service at 7,500 km?

[Flighter]

Wow, this is a confusing topic. At the risk of making it more so, here's my experience.

I collected my new car recently, and noticed that it had a service sticker stating 7,500kms. When I asked about why it didn't say 15,000, the dealer said that it wasn't mandatory to change the oil that early, but was recommended. As I expect to only do about 10,000kms a year, I figured I'd just go the whole year between changes (keeping it topped up of course), so he suggested using VW 504 rated oil (e.g. Castrol SLX Long Life III) instead of the more usual VW 502 grade (e.g. Castrol Edge Sport 5W-30).

I've no idea what's in the crankcase now, but I sure wish I did!

Flighter

Hi Guys,

I know coming from a dealer this will get shrugged off as unsubstantiated dribble but i can assure you that the recommended servicing schedule is and always has been 15,000km/12 months from VGA. There is an option of doing a 7,500km service for those who are adammant the car needs it but in reality it is a waste of good money and the oil is designed to be in there for 15,000km/12 months without any fear of damage or developing issues under normal operating conditions (which would be 80% of owners in OZ). Irrespective of the views given on OS websites, the warranty is honoured by VGA and therefore you should be going by what they deem to be the parameters and that is a minimum of 15,000km or 12 months whichever comes first.

The occassional top up is not uncommon but the car will let you know when it and if it is required.

For a dealer to say that VGA recommend the 7,500km service this is wrong and misleading.

[Mk6 GTI]

I'd sit in the middle of Maverick and the dealer and the owners manual.

I'd say just get the thing serviced every 15,000km/12 months, but change the oil and the filter yourself every 7,500km/6 months. The spares/service dept will be happy to order you a few spare filters and bottles of oil. Or you could source them somewhere else if you wanted.

This way you still have the log book stamped appropriately for your warranty and resale, plus the piece of mind of having fresh oil and filter

Wont doing it yourself void the warranty??

[MurphyTheElf]

Aww, chin up Mav.

Hahahahahahaha...This is rich coming from you...Maybe you should consider your own advice sometimes too.

As usual, more pointless drivel from you in an otherwise informative thread. I see your "Moderator" title has promptly vanished after the rubbish you've posted in the past few days. I call that a good start....

Thanks to everybody else's input - it shows people really care about their cars. It also provides me with some tips on what I should be paying attention to when dealing with the service centre in the not too distant future. As long as each post has some form of constructive discussion (or a fun comment), then I'm rapt to be a part of this forum. Others just do their best to f@ck it up for everybody.

[Deano]

[QUOTE=Maverick;430051]Based on what?QUOTE]

A customer that had to pay the bill even though the vehicle was still in full waranty, (not goodwill) due to the service book having been stamped with service @ 7,500km's.

[Maverick]

[QUOTE=Deano;430292]

Based on what?QUOTE]

A customer that had to pay the bill even though the vehicle was still in full waranty, (not goodwill) due to the service book having been stamped with service @ 7,500km's.

I really doubt that it's as clear cut as you're suggesting and there would have to be more to it. What sort of repair was it?

Many VW dealers perform services every 7500kms. The manual itself says that is ok. And there are plenty of people all around the world that service their car early.

In the US all cars up until MY09 had a 5000mile oil change followed by a 10000mile service and 10000mile intervals thereafter.

If the oil wasn't VW approved on the other hand I can see them refusing warranty.

[pologti18t]

As usual, more pointless drivel from you in an otherwise informative thread. I see your "Moderator" title has promptly vanished after the rubbish you've posted in the past few days. I call that a good start....
then I'm rapt to be a part of this forum. Others just do their best to f@ck it up for everybody.

Your first entry for someone else's thread and you have a go at someone - lol

[MurphyTheElf]

Your first entry for someone else's thread and you have a go at someone - lol

Yeah, that's a fair cop. But I avidly read all threads on this forum, and petty narky comments don't bring anything to the table. This clown has a very poor recent track record and I'd like him to pull his head in. I've mentioned it twice already but his behaviour hasn't changed. The fact that his moderator status has been revoked may indicate that somebody agrees with me.

[Blitzen]

Your first entry for someone else's thread and you have a go at someone - lol

x2

Yeah, that's a fair cop. But I avidly read all threads on this forum, and petty narky comments don't bring anything to the table. This clown has a very poor recent track record and I'd like him to pull his head in. I've mentioned it twice already but his behaviour hasn't changed. The fact that his moderator status has been revoked may indicate that somebody agrees with me.

Maybe yes, maybe no...We shall never know...(Humms circus music...), I always wanted to be a circus clown, but I don't have the prerequisite big feet, or nose...Or rosey red cheeks...I do however have the baggy pants...And novelty hanky...

We should go back OT...Up to the OP whether he wants to get the 7,500km service done or not. If you feel that your car is driven under tough conditions, then go for it...At the end of the day its your hard earned cash and your piece of mind.

[MurphyTheElf]

We should go back OT...Up to the OP whether he wants to get the 7,500km service done or not. If you feel that your car is driven under tough conditions, then go for it...At the end of the day its your hard earned cash and your piece of mind.

Well said, sir.

[Golf Mark 6]

Hi Guys,

I know coming from a dealer this will get shrugged off as unsubstantiated dribble but i can assure you that the recommended servicing schedule is and always has been 15,000km/12 months from VGA. There is an option of doing a 7,500km service for those who are adammant the car needs it but in reality it is a waste of good money and the oil is designed to be in there for 15,000km/12 months without any fear of damage or developing issues under normal operating conditions (which would be 80% of owners in OZ). Irrespective of the views given on OS websites, the warranty is honoured by VGA and therefore you should be going by what they deem to be the parameters and that is a minimum of 15,000km or 12 months whichever comes first.

The occassional top up is not uncommon but the car will let you know when it and if it is required.

For a dealer to say that VGA recommend the 7,500km service this is wrong and misleading.

Sorry for dredging up an old thread, but I've just moved and have only been reconnected with the internet today. I just had to thank you so much for the information and your honesty. To all the other posters thank you too for your views.

I'll be servicing at 15,000 as per VGA and the logbook.

[Guest]

For the benefit of everyone - taken from the Volkswagen UK website;



In summary, 15,000 km intervals should be a doddle, ON THE CONDITION that you use an officially approved and certified 504 00/507 00 oil, (click here for a list of suitable oils).

DO NOT use any oil that is not on that list except for emergency top up purposes and/or to maintain mobility (at least during the warranty period).

That is all well and good what you are saying and is correct but not here but we dont have longlife service intervals in Australia. We go off what is called QG1 15,000km 1 year in other countries they have it set up for QG2 extended service intervals 30,000km 2 years

[brad]

In regards to the first service, has anyone had a look at the service section in the MFD??

I've had my car a few months now, but the MFD says the service is due at 17,800kms or 444 days

I'm pretty sure last time I checked it, it showed 16,000 odd km, so it seems to be going up....

I had a look through & didn't see a reply to this.

Your services appear to be set for QG1 (variable services). If you can reset the display manually it will default back to QG0/QG2 (fixed) services but will be wrong for your current service period.

Personally, I'd live with it until the next service & get the dealer to reset it properly.

[Diesel_vert]

That is all well and good what you are saying and is correct but not here but we dont have longlife service intervals in Australia. We go off what is called QG1 15,000km 1 year in other countries they have it set up for QG2 extended service intervals 30,000km 2 years

Yeah, I know. And for the record I have never advocated the "LongLife Regime" in Australia.

The reason why I copy and pasted that document was to highlight the quality and robustness of 504 00/507 00 oils. The fact that it can last up to 30,000 km under normal conditions or 15,000 km under severe conditions (i.e. "FOOT TO FLOOR" driving - VW ain't messing about!) is testament to the amount of research and engineering Volkswagen has poured into their engines and lubricants.

It is one of my main arguments why 15,000 km/1 year oil changes should be fine, even if driven in severe conditions - as long as you use 504 00/507 00 oils - that is a big proviso. Even though 502 00 oils can be used, I wouldn't expect it to perform as admirably under the same conditions, especially in the more recent VAG engines (direct injection, etc).

[mfl]

Just to relate what I was told.
When I collected my Golf a couple of weeks ago, the sales rep. said that the car should be serviced every 15,000kms or 12 mths. She also suggested that I check the oil on a regular basis if I felt that way inclined.

The recommended oils for topping up, where Mobil 1 ESP 5w30 or Castrol SW30

[Corey_R]

If you're doing oil top ups, shouldn't you have the exact same oil that is already in there?

Or doesn't it matter if you have Castol SW30 in there and then top it up with Mobile 1 ESP 5w30 for example?