Makefish

The dreaded 'spanner' lit up on the dashboard this morning telling me that it's 1,300 miles before the first service is due, but considering there is only 11,500 miles on the clock that means it will be having a first service at under 13k . I thought that was a bit early for a variable service interval!.

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WW_VRS

Sounds like it's set properly though. If it's doing a fair few shorter runs and/or has been 'magic tree'd' it may require a more frequent oil change.

Count yourself lucky though, we Fabia owners don't even get that option and I do 10k every quarter - hard work fitting in the servicing

Would imagine the second 'stint' will be a tad longer though

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katkins

Same thing happened to me. Have you topped up the oil recently? Did you use Shell Helix or Castrol as directed in the handbook? I gave my first Octy1 (PD130)Castrol as advised in the book and it ran happily to 22K before asking to be serviced. It only used half the can, so 18 months later when I came to fill my Octy2 (PD140) at 10K miles, I used the same Castrol as it was still in spec according to the new handbook. The warning came up about 500 miles later. I queried this with Skoda Cust Services who just advised to carry on until 21K! (not sure who would pick up the tab if the engine failed, but thankfully it didn't!)

One day a few weeks later I noticed a Shell Helix sticker under the bonnet! Now the Castrol was green but the Shell is gold in colour. I'm guessing the oil quality sensor thought the oil had 'changed' so much in opacity that it decided to call the service sooner.

This might be an explanation, let us know if you HAVE topped your oil with a brand other than Shell helix.

Makefish

I have as it happens, I've been topping up using this stuff.

Edit: I've added between 1 and 1.5 litres!.

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Johnnyc

I thought my car would have used some oil by now but i've got 5,400 miles up now and the oil level on the dipstick hasn't budged at all. I expected to have used in a litre by now. Not complaining of course.

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JohnMorr

2,650 miles on our L&K 2.0 TDi, and the oil is still showing at the maximum mark. Most surprised, since our Octy1 used a litre in its first 750 miles.

Incidentally, why the $%£"*&! is there a stupid black base to the oil dipstick? You have to clean it over and over to ensure it's matt, and even then it's a pig to see the level. Why not a nice bright orange end to contrast with the nice black oil? There's plenty of other bits of orange plastic around the engine compartment - surely they could spare a bit for the dipstick?

Organist

Tippex it white?

cheezemonkhai

lol tippex

While it makes dirty oil more difficult to see, at least you can see where the clean stuff is.

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SkodiRS

Whilst variable servicng advises that services are done at 20k intervals or every 2 years...which ever is sooner.....the indicator can come on before 20k...it all depends on how you drive.

IIRC the service sensor detects the viscosity of the oil so the harder you drive, the "dirtier" the oil will be and hence the indicator will come up.

Edited: forgot to add that a lot of town driving will also bring up the indicator sooner than expected.

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Adrian.

octav.ed

my 130 tdi mk1 light came on around 15000, 1yr. i was told 30 000 or 2yrs on variable now jus getting it done every 10 000. like i always have.more expensive but wtf. i know when 2 do it.

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uncle bulgaria

Most interesting this service thing! I had a Bora 150TDI a couple of years ago and it used to come on at about 15k, however most of my mileage was motorway.

Have opted to go with 10k service scheme on my vRS, as most of the driving I now do is around towns and cities with the odd long distance blast. Also I am sure that when I was reading the Skoda service book, it noted that on the variable scheme it was "still recommended" that the vehicle was inspected anually, as the variable factor is only based on the deterioration of the oil (the maximum life of which is 20k) and not other mechanical components ! Wonder if not having the car "inspected" is a proble for warranty?

I have just checked with my mate and he says this is the same for his mkV Golf 140TDI.

So guess it's swings and roundabouts, as prior to the Bora I had a Golf TDI on 10k services & when I compaired the running cost for each over 3 years, there was very little difference.

Biggest problem was cost of 17" tyres on the Bora, so not not looking forwards to the cost of tyres on 18s" (especially as the tread depth is going down like mad on the fronts)! (only done 4k so far )