7500K service - who's getting it done?

[prise]

When I picked the car up, my dealer tried to talk me into getting the car serviced at 7500km, telling me that it was a good idea to get rid of any 'bits of metal' floating around in the engine from manufacture and run-in. He did say quickly that not having it done wouldn't affect the warranty although that hasn't stopped them writing it on the oil change due sticker and into the service book as a service due reminder.

The official VW info says nothing about additional oil change intervals other than in the context of adverse operating conditions. Also the vehicle service interval calculator is also saying 14700 km and 360+ days at this stage.

IMO the bit about swarf and wear particles sounds like BS. Why would you leave it as late as 7500km rather than at the end of the break in period and isn't it the job of the filter to catch particles large enough to cause damage. My feeling at this stage is that its a money making grab from a dealer working on a new owners insecurity.

Other cars I've owned that have had an intermediate inspection at 1500km, but it was complimentary, not a $265 charge to the owner.

Any comments?

[thewafflecaust]

When i picked up my TSI the dealer said not to bother with a service until 15000KM and to just check the oil/fluid levels at every few thousand.

Sounds like they just want some more of your money.

[iBoost]

I don't get my GTI till around June, but when talking to the dealer he said that the service interval was 15000 kms or every one year, which ever comes first.

I have thought about changing the oil myself after 1000 kms or so. However in the latest MOTOR magazine Dave Morley bought a 118 TSI and changed the oil after 1000 kms and was told by the dealer that he should not have done so and it was an integral part of the run in process.

I'm not mechanic but I'd be happy to hear people's thoughts on this.

[Servo]

When I got my car I was told that the first service is 15000km. I was a bit worried as I've heard in the past people were getting theirs done after the first run in milage. However I've spoken to some independant VW mechanics and they've told me to do it every 7500km and I probably will. Technology just gets better and better. But if anything happens the car it's under warranty so I'm not fussed.

[Diesel_vert]

I often use this link to show how wasteful frequent oil changes can be.

Assuming the factory fill oil is 504.00/507.00, there's no reason oil of that calibre in this application needs to changed every 7,500 km/6 months unless you've modified the engine or something. The only proviso with these extended drain intervals is that you keep an eye on the oil level and top up if necessary.

Of course, being a fellow enthusiast, you might feel tempted to change it every 7.5k purely for peace of mind, no matter how misguided it is. In which case, for goodness sake don't go to the dealer! Learn how to change the oil & filter (if you don't already know) and do it yourself. You will gain much satisfaction from knowing how to take care of your car yourself, not to mention saving three crates worth of beer!

[zach]

was also told 15,000kms. dealer stated that from factory the engine comes with a thicker 'run in' oil which doens't need changing until 15,000kms

[iBoost]

Thanks for the info Zach, that is probably what the writer in MOTOR magazine was referring to then. Good to know!

[Tux]

Things have definitely changed over the years and with my current MINI Cooper S the oil could go unchanged up to 25,000Km depending on how it's driven! I don't know how many have let it stretch that far however.

Obviously the oil technology has gotten better with the lower viscosities and other properties which allow longer periods between changes these days.

HOWEVER, I've been advised a few times by different mechanics that oil is cheap and changing it regularly is great preventative maintenance. I wouldn't think that it's a 'waste' to change the oil every 7,500 km if that's what you want to do.

One last thing- A mate of mine reckons that car makers put millions into R & D so who are we to go against their recommendations?

Mick

[NickZ]

Personal decision. I change the oil every 7500km / 6 months because I intend to keep the car for over 5 years and it gives me greater piece of mind. However, less than this and I would stick with what VW would recommend.

[Diesel_vert]

Changing the oil and oil filter isn't hard and sure it's gratifying to do it all yourself but I'd rather have a history that my car was getting serviced just for warranty sake.

Just to clarify, I meant doing the 7.5k oil change yourself, whilst leaving the 15k service to the workshop.

I've been advised a few times by different mechanics that oil is cheap and changing it regularly is great preventative maintenance. I wouldn't think that it's a 'waste' to change the oil every 7,500 km if that's what you want to do.

It all depends on what sort of oil you're using. Changing 504/507 oils more often than is necessary is not cheap, nor particularly useful in his case. Changing Castrol Edge Sport 5W-30 (502/505) every 7.5k is certainly cheaper, at $33 a bottle, but then you'd have to change it every 7.5k because of the performance difference.