Variable Servicing - bad?

[kprm77]

I've heard several comments on here now that Variable Servicing isn't necessarily the best maintenance routine for your car.

Is it better to switch to fixed servicing (every 10,000 miles?), or just get the car serviced when it needs it? But how do you know when if you're not mechanically minded (i.e. me)?

Must admit I think the variable servicing intervals can be too long especially with the brakes - my last rear set wore down to the metal and ended up needing new disks as there were no sensors.

What's people's opinions on this?

I've not done a search so apologies if this has been done to death already!

[Supurbia]

Personally rear pads wearing out doesn't mean new discs as well, as long as you get them out as soon as you hear the graunch you shouldn't damage them too much, as for servicing I'm a follower of 10k max regardless of which oil, for every combustion stroke there is carbon residue in the pots, the scraper rings will recover this with the oil and into the oil, ok it then goes through the filter but all the time the oil is being polluted with carbons which break down the oil viscosity.

[Bluefox]

I switched to fixed servicing, for two reasons - mainly because I like to have control over my servicing, not relying on a box of electronics which was, er, programmed by the manufacturer (of course your car needs a service sir!), but also because the 5w40 oil my car needs on fixed is a lot cheaper than the 0w30 or 5w30 it needs on variable.

(Please not I'm not 100% sure off the top of my head of the oil spec for a 1.9 TDI AWX on variable, so don't quote me on that!)

[Supurbia]

The importance of correct oil - Vectra C / Signum Owners' Club Forums

This guy is a diesel engineer btw.

[johannapam1]

I have an oil and filter change every 6 months and an annual service on the other 6 months. I believe in perhaps over doing the service rather than this variable service.

[Babs]

Wow... I never thought there was this much support for the thought that Variable is the servicing regime of Satan and Hitler...

I hate it

[Fred Bloggs]

I firmly believe that the variable servicing has a lot more to do with getting high scores in the running costs blobs contest in magazines. It has nothing or little to do with what's best for the vehicle. I run with the 506.01 long life oil in my 2.5TDi Superb and in my VRs Furby, but I have the cars serviced annually. The Superb does about 11k a year and the Furby about 4k a year miles.

[Supurbia]

Originally Posted by Fred Bloggs

I firmly believe that the variable servicing has a lot more to do with getting high scores in the running costs blobs contest in magazines. It has nothing or little to do with what's best for the vehicle. I run with the 506.01 long life oil in my 2.5TDi Superb and in my VRs Furby, but I have the cars serviced annually. The Superb does about 11k a year and the Furby about 4k a year miles.

Agreed

[THE KICK INSIDE]

i have to say i am now of the opinion that the variable servicing regime lead to the untimely death (34k miles!) of my v6 engine....i have no evidence for this but am pretty convinced! (note at 34 k it had had one service at 7.5 k when i bought it and another at 17k, then onto variable.....)

just my gut feeling....

[johannapam1]

I have never believed in this variable or two year servicing that some cars have. My wife had a Clio on two years servicing - the problems we had with that on the every second year until we went on to an annual service.

That's why I have an oil and filter change at 6 months (approx 5K) and then an annual service on the 12 months at 10k approx.

[mikes]

I thought I'd put the other side of variable servicing:

2.5 Tdi that was serviced at 19K and 42K. Currently on 44K - no problems whatsoever. Just keep all the fluids regularly topped up with the Skoda-approved materials (OK you pay through the nose, but then you have it so infrequently serviced).

The oil and vehicle manufacturers spend unquantified billions on R&D - might as well take advantage of it and follow their instructions to the letter. One result is that warranty claims will be honoured. Thankfully I've had none - other than a blown fuse that the dealer replaced for free.

Wasn't an engine produced a few years ago that was sealed for its life - 100K miles as I recall?

[Captain Sisko]

Not sure about "variable" servicing myself as my cars are older and dont have any fancy computer on board.

once a year or 10k miles for my current vehicles.
Doing around 15k per year in my Felly
My sister was doing 4500 per year but we've put on 9k in the 12 months she's left it at home

How does the Variable service thing work then?

[mikes]

You service it when a light comes up on the dashboard or a fixed time (I think 2 years since the last service) elapses.

"Service due in 1000 miles" appears in the dash.

[mannyo]

Another vote FOR variable servicing.

I have done more than 100K miles in skodas that have been on variable servicing and never had any problems at all. As an added bonus, I haved saved a lot of money. My remapped mk1 vRS was on 60K miles when I sold it, having had 3 services and was in tiptop form. She passed her MOTs wich comments about how good the emissions were. The mk2 TDi I drive now, has more than 50K miles on the clock and has been to the dealer for servicing twice. The next service is due in about 6K miles time.

A lot of R&D has gone into both the engines and the oils. Engine oil of today, is nothing like it used to be back in the 70s. Modern engines last longer, because they are made to tighter tolerances and better oil. Back in the 70s it was not uncommon to need a new engine at 60K miles, and this was with a 6K or less service regime. Cars equiped for variable servicing are chocked full of sensors that monitor the oil quality, and when it starts to degrade then the service light is brought on.

Another thing to think about. Would Skoda offer a 2 year unlimited mileage warranty (which it is, only the 3rd year is limited to 60K) on every model including those that hardly see the workshop, if they thought there would be a rush of warranty claims during this time. I think the answer to that would be NO, if they didnt trust their own service regimes.

[jollyjohn]

Rather interested in this topic having just bought the superb. However at the rate its using oil (about 500mpp) I wont need to change it!!!!!

[johannapam1]

What engine do you have and age of vehicle - as this seems excessive to me. My 2.5 V6 (2005-55 plate) has an oil and filter change every 6 months (approx 5k miles) and i dont need to top up at all.

[mannyo]

if its a new car I would expect it to use oil, most diesels do. My 2.0tdi octy used quiet a bit initially, but now uses hardly any.

[smstext]

mine is on variable servicing. fuel consumption has gone up. Car sounds a bit rough ticking over on 13k miles. I have put a new air filter in, topped up with quarter litre of oil and put a big dose of redex through which has made the engine sound less rough, not so jumpy pulling away and fuel consumption gone down. car sounds a bit more healthier and the exhaust sounds sporty again (guessing redex leaving the engine through exhaust has done that).

I guess if you doing 20k a year its good but personally im having second thoughts about variable servicing.

[mikes]

Can anyone shed any light on the sealed for life engines that were touted around a few years ago?

They had neither fixed nor variable servicing ..... instead, no servicing at all!

[mdk1]

Originally Posted by mikes

Can anyone shed any light on the sealed for life engines that were touted around a few years ago?

They had neither fixed nor variable servicing ..... instead, no servicing at all!

Are you thinking of the Northstar V8 from Caddilac, which had an oil change every 100.000miles