Service schedule

[errol]

Hey guys,

I just wanted to get some general opinions on Volkswagen's servicing schedule. 12 months or 15,000km between services seems too long to me, especially since most Japanese cars have a 6 months or 10,000km service interval.

Does anybody get their vehicles privately serviced more often, if only just an oil and filter change?

I have a manual 2009 Polo Pacific and had the 15k service done at Denlo Parramatta for a whopping $388, which was literally just for an oil change. I nearly fell over when I was quoted the price. If prices are similar for subsequent services I don't think I will continue going to a dealer.

Can anybody recommend a licensed, knowledgable and trustworthy VW mechanic in western Sydney?

[blutopless2]

have had my cars serviced at the 15,000k intervals without issues. the only thing that my mechanic suggested when we had the polo gti was that we did the air cleaner at each service not the recommended 30,000k interval as it tends to clog up a little and you can notice it after about 20,000k's.
Our Jetta has been fine with the 15,000k interval.

[jesum]

i think it really depends on how hard you drive and how dirty the environment in which you drive is.

i tend to drive very hard so i do servicing every 5000km with fully synthethic oil. however, i only change the oil filter every other service. the air filter gets cleaned up too each time i do the oil change (I have a K&N unit).

[pologti18t]

If VW say that 15K/12month servicing is sufficient who are we to argue? There are alot of japanese cars sold in Europe with extended service periods.

I have to say that 5000km oil changes on synthetic oil seems over the top and in the end wasteful (money and resources)

[seangti]

I change oil and oil filter every 7500km, but I track the car so there may be 3 track days in that. In those conditions, the 7500 is about as far as I like to go and can feel the imrpovement with the new oil after it. Jmac does it for me and he has mentioned that my oil does still look in good condition at those intervals. Everything else is as per scheduled intervals. Did my brake fluid after 30k which is the scheduled time and was apparently fine with minimal degradation.

[Lomo]

If you use synthetic oil 15,000kms intervals are ok. Synthetic oil gets double the milage of mineral oil as it resists oxidization more. From memory the rate at which oil degrades (oxidizes/thickens) doubles every 3degC rise in oil temp, thus the more frequent oil changes needed in turbo and hard driving conditions. Personally I replace my oil every 10,000kms using semi-synthetic, replacing the oil filter at teh same time to keep the oil as clean as possible. Penrite HRP5 ~$45, filter ~$13, 30min job with beer in hand :)

For engine longevity replacing oil more frequenty is better as you also flush all the accumulated particulates which wear your cylinder/rings etc. So really the best bet would be to use a cheaper mineral oil and change every 7,500kms. Although I'm not sure if you'd get it in the right viscosity range for modern engines?? My last car a Ford Laser 1.6L was runnning strong with 380,000kms on the clock when I sold it. It had its oil changed religiously at 7,500kms intervals since new.

[pologti18t]

For engine longevity replacing oil more frequenty is better as you also flush all the accumulated particulates which wear your cylinder/rings etc. So really the best bet would be to use a cheaper mineral oil and change every 7,500kms. Although I'm not sure if you'd get it in the right viscosity range for modern engines?? My last car a Ford Laser 1.6L was runnning strong with 380,000kms on the clock when I sold it. It had its oil changed religiously at 7,500kms intervals since new.

That's the other issue... if you buy a new car (or lease) and don't plan to keep it for an extended period (100000km+) then
all the money you spend on extra oil/filter changes is unlikely benefit the original owner. I don't know about you but I am not overly fond of spending money on a car that benefits the subsequent owners and not me :)

[noone]

If it's stock, I would not worry. Once chipped, I think another oil change between makes sense. Filter is cheap, prob with every service