VAQ Haldex On 2016 PFL 230vrs - Does it have one and service interval?

[Turnipfarmer84]

My 2016 230vrs PFL is in for its 3rd year service today, only had car since May. I enquired about the VAQ Haldex Diff service and they said it doesn't need servicing. They checked on their computer and said it's not an item that needs checking. I believe these PFL 230 vrs have the VAQ Haldex Diff which would be serviced. Anyone had there's done or can shed any light on this confusion if it has one and when it should be serviced?

 

Don't want this going wrong. Don't have what's meant to be included in services as don't have service book anymore as it's all electronic.

 

I still feel the guy who checked looked at the wrong 230vrs edition as I know the new ones don't have it.

[Auric Goldfinger]

 In the 230 model only the Pre Facelift has the VAQ diff. I'd be asking Skoda CC for the correct answer to your question and ask for it in Writing ( ie:- e-mail ). Any future problems in the future you will have evidence as what was said. 

[shyVRS245]

Think you are getting confused between electronic VAQ diff which needs NO servicing and Haldex oil changes on 4 x 4 models. Your front wheel drive 230 does not have Haldex. If you have a DSG gearbox then the oil needs changing at around 40,000 miles (£180-200). The manual gearbox has no oil change or servicing requirements.

[Turnipfarmer84]

10 minutes ago, shyVRS245 said:

Think you are getting confused between electronic VAQ diff which needs NO servicing and Haldex oil changes on 4 x 4 models. Your front wheel drive 230 does not have Haldex. If you have a DSG gearbox then the oil needs changing at around 40,000 miles (£180-200). The manual gearbox has no oil change or servicing requirements.

 

Are you sure? This website says different. I know it's not an official Skoda or VW site.

 

https://www.awesomegti.com/blog/haldex-servicing/

11 minutes ago, Auric Goldfinger said:

 In the 230 model only the Pre Facelift has the VAQ diff. I'd be asking Skoda CC for the correct answer to your question and ask for it in Writing ( ie:- e-mail ). Any future problems in the future you will have evidence as what was said. 

 

I think I will, what's the best email to contact them?

[Turnipfarmer84]

48 minutes ago, shyVRS245 said:

Think you are getting confused between electronic VAQ diff which needs NO servicing and Haldex oil changes on 4 x 4 models. Your front wheel drive 230 does not have Haldex. If you have a DSG gearbox then the oil needs changing at around 40,000 miles (£180-200). The manual gearbox has no oil change or servicing requirements.

 

I believe it's electronically controlled but in essence still hydraulic system from what I've read. The pump doesn't look like a cheap part to replace if it goes wrong.

[juan27]

59 minutes ago, shyVRS245 said:

Think you are getting confused between electronic VAQ diff which needs NO servicing and Haldex oil changes on 4 x 4 models. Your front wheel drive 230 does not have Haldex. If you have a DSG gearbox then the oil needs changing at around 40,000 miles (£180-200). The manual gearbox has no oil change or servicing requirements.

 

VAQ diff is pretty much the same thing as Haldex.  I see Awesome GTI are suggesting 10K  servicing, which seems a bit excessive. I've done 24K in my 245 and never given it a thought. 

[Turnipfarmer84]

Just now, juan27 said:

 

VAQ diff is pretty much the same thing as Haldex.  I see Awesome GTI are suggesting 10K  servicing, which seems a bit excessive. I've done 24K in my 245 and never given it a thought. 

 

Awesome I'm glad someone else can verify this. I'm right in saying your vaq Haldex on your 245 is same as mine on my 230vrs PFL black edition? The dealer wasn't having any of it! How much did you pay if you don't mind me asking?

[Kenai]

14 minutes ago, juan27 said:

I see Awesome GTI are suggesting 10K  servicing

Funny how an establishment who make money from working on your car would suggest such regular servicing of an item VW/Skoda deem to not have a service requirement at all 

[Kenai]

13 minutes ago, Turnipfarmer84 said:

 

Awesome I'm glad someone else can verify this. I'm right in saying your vaq Haldex on your 245 is same as mine on my 230vrs PFL black edition? The dealer wasn't having any of it! How much did you pay if you don't mind me asking?

VAQ is VAQ is VAQ at the moment.

 

It's similar to Haldex (maybe even the exact same) tech but by calling it Haldex you'll just confuse people because people only really use that name for the 4x4 systems. 

 

If you want the official stance from Skoda UK, fill out the form on here 

 

https://www.skoda.co.uk/discover/contact-us

 

Simply ask what the servicing requirements are for the VAQ diff on your car and add your registration number. 

 

This is how I recently got Skoda to confirm the new 7 speed DQ380 DSG has a different service schedule to the old 6 speed. They reply fairly quickly. 

[juan27]

32 minutes ago, Turnipfarmer84 said:

 

Awesome I'm glad someone else can verify this. I'm right in saying your vaq Haldex on your 245 is same as mine on my 230vrs PFL black edition? The dealer wasn't having any of it! How much did you pay if you don't mind me asking?

 

Yes I believe the VAQ diff on the PFL 230 and on the FL 245 is one and the same thing and is similar to Haldex 5.  I have not had mine serviced, but the link to Awesome GTi has a price:

 

 Haldex 'VAQ' Front Differential - Haldex Oil Change and Pump Strainer Clean - £99.00
- Haldex Front Differential is seen on the Mk7 GTI PP and Clubsport as well as the Leon Mk3 Cupra

 

 

 

[juan27]

23 minutes ago, Kenai said:

Funny how an establishment who make money from working on your car would suggest such regular servicing of an item VW/Skoda deem to not have a service requirement at all 

 

Yes I take your point but I am pleased to see somewhere offering the service. I intend to get mine done around 30K which seems to be the service interval for 4WD applications. I am minded to go to a specialist rather than Skoda.  

[juan27]

Here's some servicing info for the Glof GTi PP which I believe has the same diff:

 

[Auric Goldfinger]

1 hour ago, Turnipfarmer84 said:

 

I believe it's electronically controlled but in essence still hydraulic system from what I've read. The pump doesn't look like a cheap part to replace if it goes wrong.

 

I had the VAQ replaced on my Ex PFL 230 due to a fault.  The workings of the VAQ was explained. ( True or not ) by the master tech. The VAQ sabot the same size as a biscuit tin and the pump pressurises the Clutch type plates with oil so the VAQ can work its magic.  He told me it didn't need servicing.  Things might have changed though in the last 2 to 3 years.

[Auric Goldfinger]

2 minutes ago, juan27 said:

Here's some servicing info for the Glof GTi PP which I believe has the same diff:

 

 

I assume Skoda will have the same sheet as above but with " Skoda "on it and not VW

 

 

[shyVRS245]

Every day a school day on Briskoda will get mine done with 2nd service around 36,000 miles.

[juan27]

here's an earlier thread @jagdad had his done apparently

 

[juan27]

10 minutes ago, Auric Goldfinger said:

 

I assume Skoda will have the same sheet as above but with " Skoda "on it and not VW

 

 

 

I've seen the same thing for the SEAT Leon Cupra, but not a Skoda version. The Golf/Leon info came from their respective forums.

 

Skoda have a menu price of £79 for changing 4x4 transmission oil which is probably the service needed.  Ideally though the strainer/filter needs removal and cleaning according to the Yeti guys, which isn't part of the standard service.   

Edited 11 September, 2019 by juan27

[Turnipfarmer84]

Hey everyone, thought I'd update you all. Didn't get time yesterday. Basically when I went back to pick up the car, the dealership went to master technician and asked my query to him and he confirmed I was right! They said it was unusual to have a PFL with the VAQ Haldex, I'll dig out the price is it's on the invoice. It should be done every 3 years btw so I'm getting mine booked in shortly. So if yours hasn't been done it after 3 years then it needs doing. Thank you everyone for all your help and advice. 

[Ootohere]

As long as not like the rear Haldex where Skoda might say 4 years if anything, then 30,000 miles, then as VW 3 years and even at 3 years on low miles the filters can be a mess.

 

By now Master Techs if doing them at 3 years or 30,000- miles should know how things look.

 

3 years could be 60,000 miles plus for some drivers, if the DSG gets a service at 40,000 miles / 2 years sense would say, do the Haldex at the Rear or Front as well.

[Alex-W]

Interesting read as it'll affect me as have a pfl 230.

I remember reading something about this before so knew it needed servicing but I have to say I'm a little confused by the 3 years...  My car is in variable serving and isn't due another service until 40k or about 3years 8 months.  

 

Kinda why I don't like variable serving, it starts more and more to look like they're picking time intervals out of thin air tbh.

[Ootohere]

VW Group just bother about Manufacturers Warranty Periods and Lease / Fleet with Service Schedules and Recommendations.

 

Sometimes they start low miles / time, and then increase as no claims come in, and then as they are paying out on failures schedules / recommendations come down.

 

Often worth looking what the Schedule is for an Audi in the US with the same components, engine, gearbox, etc.

They play safer there than they do for Europe / Ho,e Markets where nobody takes a class action if the co-ck up.

 

[flybynite]

21 minutes ago, Alex-W said:

Kinda why I don't like variable serving, it starts more and more to look like they're picking time intervals out of thin air tbh.

 

The sad fact is the VAQ is a recent concept and its wear characteristics out in the big wide world are probably not as well known as you would hope.

 

The VAQ is not Haldex but it works on the same principle and will have the same servicing questionmarks. Many (including Skoda) said the previous generations of haldex were non-servicible. They still do not care because failures happen out of warranty.  Other manufacturers had a service schedule. 

 

Any one with any sense applied the service schedule from those that did to the vehicles that did not. What comes out of the filter and the colour of the oil each time I service the older generations of Haldex (against manufacturers service schedule) leaves me in no doubt as to what is needed.

 

If it has oil and any kind of friction material I change the oil and change or clean the filter where possible. That is basic engineering.

 

If I had a VAQ I would change the oil, no question about it in my mind. For me however I would prefer the Wavetrac

[Turnipfarmer84]

51 minutes ago, Roottootemoot said:

As long as not like the rear Haldex where Skoda might say 4 years if anything, then 30,000 miles, then as VW 3 years and even at 3 years on low miles the filters can be a mess.

 

By now Master Techs if doing them at 3 years or 30,000- miles should know how things look.

 

3 years could be 60,000 miles plus for some drivers, if the DSG gets a service at 40,000 miles / 2 years sense would say, do the Haldex at the Rear or Front as well.

 

Oh that doesn't sound good. My Octavia only done 18000 miles so I'm hoping it isn't gonna be bad but from what your saying it could be. I hope that they clean the filter out at same time changing the oil as makes no sense to change oil and leave dirty filter in there. I'm in two minds not to take it to the dealer to do service on the VAQ even though they now admit it can be done. Got a VW independent specialist down in next town and looks like he's down Haldex from what his Facebook page shows.

 

Would you take it to indie rather than dealer if it were your car? I'm not sure that dealer would clean filter and got no way of checking that they do it.

[Turnipfarmer84]

16 minutes ago, flybynite said:

 

The sad fact is the VAQ is a recent concept and its wear characteristics out in the big wide world are probably not as well known as you would hope.

 

The VAQ is not Haldex but it works on the same principle and will have the same servicing questionmarks. Many (including Skoda) said the previous generations of haldex were non-servicible. They still do not care because failures happen out of warranty.  Other manufacturers had a service schedule. 

 

Any one with any sense applied the service schedule from those that did to the vehicles that did not. What comes out of the filter and the colour of the oil each time I service the older generations of Haldex (against manufacturers service schedule) leaves me in no doubt as to what is needed.

 

If it has oil and any kind of friction material I change the oil and change or clean the filter where possible. That is basic engineering.

 

If I had a VAQ I would change the oil, no question about it in my mind. For me however I would prefer the Wavetrac

Totally agree what your saying, they were clueless when I talked about it initially when I took it for service. Didn't know what VAQ was and said only 4 wheel drives have Haldex.

 

It's bad that we generally know more about our cars then dealers do sometimes.

 

Have you seen some bad oil come out of these? I'm hoping that I'll be ok at 18000 miles. Just annoys me there is no consistent service schedule from what I've read on here for the VAQ on PFL 230 and in some cases some owners are not even being advised that it needs doing at all.

[juan27]

On 13/09/2019 at 21:57, flybynite said:

The VAQ is not Haldex but it works on the same principle and will have the same servicing questionmarks.

 

Its not marketed as "Haldex" but:

 

"Volkswagen said that when it launched, the VAQ system was a first in a front-drive street car. It adds a multi-plate clutch between the differential and the right drive shaft. Basically a Haldex all-wheel-drive center diff. After all, there were probably lots of them on the shelf at VW HQ. But instead of sticking it in the center of the car, it’s in the front driveline"

 

https://www.vwvortex.com/features/vws-vaq-differential-work/

 

"People seem to have got very confused about VW's 'Vorderachsquersperre' or VAQ system as fitted to the Golf GTI Performance and SEAT Leon Cupra. It acts like an electronically controlled locking differential but is actually entirely independent of the diff cage and, rather, distributes torque across the front axle using a Haldex style electronically controlled clutch system"

 

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-eurocars/vws-vaq-diff-explained/30560

 

What about the front Haldex Diffs?
- Some Front wheel drive vehicles including the Golf GTI Mk7's with the Performance Pack and Leon Cupra Mk3 have a Haldex diff at the front of the vehicle.
- This 'VAQ' Haldex system actuates in the very same way as all of the four wheel drive Haldex systems, only it vectors the torque between the two front wheels increasing traction during performance driving conditions. 
- These should be given the same service attention as the Gen5 four wheel drive models.

 

https://www.awesomegti.com/blog/haldex-servicing/

 

Edited 16 September, 2019 by juan27