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Car Servicing

in We've got it down to a T Mon Jan 04, 2016 11:59 am
by Randa france •

| 13.283 Posts

When we were both in employment we used to run two cars and each would clock up 20,000 miles + per year. Therefore we would usually not keep a car for longer than three years and had them regularly serviced by a local guy.

However, we now only have one car on the road and we are doing < 10,000 miles a year. We have it annually serviced by a VW main dealership.

Question:- Apart from this car we have never before had an Aircon service or a brake fluid change. VW recommend this is done every two years. Does anyone think this is just to earn a quick buck or would you say it's essential so that the car is always in tip top condition?

One reason for my scepticism is that VW used to recommend a diesel fuel filter change at 40,000 miles and the price of the new filter was built into the service plan. That is until our car reached 40,000 miles at which point the goalposts were moved and it is now 60,000 miles. Also a timing belt change at 5 years whereas Ford recommend 10 years.

Randa

1999 Eriba Troll 530 pushing a VW Touran 2L TDi Match

Last edited Thu Jul 13, 2017 4:53 pm | Scroll up

RE: Car Servicing

in We've got it down to a T Mon Jan 04, 2016 12:40 pm
by Pepé Le Pew •

| 2.752 Posts

I would have the brake fluid changed every couple of years. It's a bit of a no-brainer really - brake fluid absorbs water over time and the more water it absorbs the less effective it is at its primary job, not to mention increasing the likelihood of caliper piston corrosion.

It's an age rather than mileage-dependent thing, and shouldn't cost any more than about fifty notes at the most depending where you have it done.

A far as the air conditioning is concerned, I'd get it tested and regassed if you think it isn't as effective as it used to be, or if you suspect a leak anywhere. It wouldn't apply to you because you go to hot places, but if you've got aircon it will pay to turn it on regularly - using it keeps all the internal seals supple and helps prevent leaks.

I wouldn't get it regassed as a matter of routine, and certainly not every two years. I think that's a waste of money. As far as I'm aware the refrigerant itself doesn't degrade significantly.

VW cam belt intervals are a vexatious issue for sure, but I'd probably put the fuel filter change in the same category as a brake fluid change. It won't be that expensive if done at an independent (below), and a filter change is an insurance policy. It's a hell of a lot cheaper than replacing injectors.

A hell of a lot...

I'd change it every couple of years.

If you want to save yourself some dosh, find a good independent garage to service your car. You can tell them to use OEM parts and consumables, all of which are warranted. There's bound to be one near you, and if you can't find one, have a rummage around on the VW Audi forum (VWAF) for suggestions.

Every hour your car spends at your local main dealer will be costing you the thick end of £110 or so. A good independent will probably charge rather less than half that, so the first hour's savings would pay for the brake fluid change. The second hour's would knock a big chunk out of the fuel filter replacement, too.

I imagine you can live without free WiFi, a big colour telly, dolly birds on reception, leather sofas, a selection of today's papers and a cup of poncy coffee.

.

sf-T 33/7r

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Last edited Mon Jan 04, 2016 1:18 pm | Scroll up

RE: Car Servicing

in We've got it down to a T Mon Jan 04, 2016 1:31 pm
by T & C (deleted)

Hi Randa, I think you're right to be sceptical about recommendations for 'extras'. I seem to recall that regular 'skimming' of brake discs and 'engine flushes' were flavour of the month recommendations in years past. I remember when I had a dealer contract car, it had its regular dealer services but never any of the extras on the basis I suspect that they weren't going to give you something that wasn't really needed! The only caveat (perversely) is that low milage cars probably benefit from filter changes, flushes and fluid changes more because they stand around unused for longer periods and its this that can create problems - just my thoughts

Many years ago when I had a young family and very little money I used to service our car myself - plugs, points (remember those) oil filter and brake shoes and
pads. Now, when I look under the bonnet, the only thing I recognise is the 'dip-stick' and I'm not talking about my reflection in the shiny bits - or am I!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

T & C

ERIBA Puck L 230 pushing a Citroen C4 Picasso

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Last edited Mon Jan 04, 2016 1:32 pm | Scroll up

RE: Car Servicing

in We've got it down to a T Mon Jan 04, 2016 2:36 pm
by Deeps (deleted)

Quote: Randa france wrote in post #1
We have it annually serviced by a VW main dealership.

VW will ALWAYS do what the service plan dictates unless you specifically tell them otherwise and it's written down upon handing the vehicle over. This is a specific condition that VW place on the handler and could no doubt be used should goodwill issues arise. I take it that you are now out of manufacturers and/or extended warranty?

Apart from this car we have never before had an Aircon service or a brake fluid change.

As for my answer above really. Replacing/repairing a defective air-con unit is mightily expensive and in my experience VW will normally go a long way in meeting a percentage of any possible costs ON THE PROVISO that you have played your part by having ALL recommended service items completed. The question of whether or not brake fluid etc should be changed every 2 years is really non-negotiable irrespective of whether you as an individual think it is necessary or not (I do by the way) to meet the above.

Also a timing belt change at 5 years whereas Ford recommend 10 years.

The reason for the change in mileage is, I believe, as a result of earlier belt failures the problems of which have now been addressed with better quality belts being used. Once again, skip this and suffer a broken engine as a result of a broken belt and the costs will all be down to you. Filters are ten a penny compared to other costs so why skip this part of the service?

Am I correct in thinking that VW in the UK offer the same deal as over here i.e. following any specified service the breakdown service is automatically extended? If so then you risk losing this.

Edit: T & C is partly correct in the views stated imho. However, materials including oils have progressed enormously over the years and what was once recommended is often now no longer necessary.

2013 Triton 430, Mazda CX-5 D-150, AWD AT, Walker Touring Plus awning, Isabella Shadow sun shade.

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Last edited Mon Jan 04, 2016 2:39 pm | Scroll up

RE: Car Servicing

in We've got it down to a T Mon Jan 04, 2016 3:24 pm
by Taffy (deleted)

I always had good service from my ford dealer but alas it is no more. It seems that as the dealership has improved so they are robotic like and assertive at grabbing money it's made me look elsewhere. I give an example of a water ingress in the boot coming from the light housing. I can see it as it was a drip line running into the boot. Phone for it to be booked in and told them what seal has gone and they say it will be £90 diagnostic would that be ok. I say no as I have found the drip line and know the problem BUT the computer says £90 diagnostics before they start anything. I said forget it's will look elsewhere! I can even do it myself and as it is only a little in the amount if rain we have had will hope to rake it on the next dry day and strip it down and reseal.

Last edited Mon Jan 04, 2016 3:24 pm | Scroll up

RE: Car Servicing

in We've got it down to a T Mon Jan 04, 2016 5:52 pm
by Ribski •

| 1.468 Posts

I.M.H.O. and several years in the 'car trade' I can only advise that the Cam Belt change is an essential,and do so even before due mileage/date ! Air-con re-gas is a precaution, and if you use the a/c throughout the year, this keeps the seals in good condition, and it may be prudent to only re-gas if the system becomes less efficient, which may be because of loss of gas due to a leak ! - which of course needs to be fixed too !

Fuel filter needs to be in perfect condition in high pressure injection systems, especially if your engine is a VW pdi system (ie prior to the current HDI Direct Injection). So I advise change the filter as advised

I'm sceptical about brake fluid changes, although I go along with the recommendation to do so ! Brake fluid can and does absorb moisture, which if it boils/vaporises due to braking heat the brakes can fail . Is it worth the chance ?

RE: Car Servicing

in We've got it down to a T Mon Feb 08, 2016 7:58 pm
by Eric (deleted)

As an X VW owner, the cam belt needed changing every four years or 40000 miles, along with water pump, aux belt, ect ect it does not come cheap. All this because someone had a belt fail at 8000 miles, but the car was four years old so they halved the service time, now I am led to believe it is the belt tensioner that usually fails taking the belt with it. Do not use pattern parts only VW bits it might seem cheaper but not worth it, now I add it done three times... And it always 450 to 350 quid by an independent garage, oh the other thing if you have an auto..... Well the gear box oil needs changing at you guessed it four years or 40000 so at a golf auto at four years old might cost you a grand in costs😡

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