Suggestions for 15000km service in WA

[Diesel_vert]

I would consider anything less than nominal operating temperatures a "cold start".

Granted, starting an engine at 30°C is less stressful than starting up at 0°C, but you're still more than 60°C away from nominal operating temperatures - when the engine is designed to be most efficient.

Similarly, I would also consider any trip, where nominal operating temperatures are not reached before stopping the engine, a short journey.


Regarding service regimes, here is some information from VW's 504/507 oil brochure;

LongLife Regime - variable, up to 30 000 km or 24 months

To obtain the most benefit from the LongLife service regime, the car should to be generally driven
in a style/condition of use listed below:

• Mainly longer distance journeys
• Limited number of cold starts, engine is kept at operating temperature over a longer period of time
• Daily mileage above approx. 25 miles (40 km)
• Constant speed
• Vehicle used regularly


Do I have to use LongLife oil all the time? (i.e. 504/507 oil)

Yes. If you want to take advantage of the LongLife service regime. Please note that if the engine
is topped up with more than 0.5 litre of non-LongLife oil (i.e. 502/505 oil) between services, the
service indicator will come on earlier and the time or distance between services will be reduced.


Time/Distance Regime - fixed, at 15 000 km or 12 months

If your car is driven in a style if listed below, it may be more appropriate to opt for the Time and
Distance regime:

• Extremely uneconomical driving style i.e. continual maximum acceleration i.e. ‘foot to floor’
• Vehicle fully loaded
• Mainly short journeys
• Frequent cold starts
• Frequent hill climbs
• Frequent towing
• City centre driving

(Click here for full document)

I believe all Australian delivered vehicles are setup to use the Time/Distance Regime, so don't worry about LongLife Regimes and 30k service intervals. BTW, unleaded 95 and 98 petrol in Australia is allowed to contain up to 5 times the amount of sulphur than is currently allowed in Europe (50 ppm vs 10 ppm) so no one will be able to achieve 30k here in any case.

Instead, use the above information to help you determine whether it would be beneficial to change the oil more frequently. If you drive your vehicle according to the conditions listed under "LongLife Regime", consider a 15k/12m service interval more than sufficient.

On the other hand, if you more fit the profile according to the conditions listed under "Time/Distance Regime", then you may consider a 7.5k/6m oil change interval, which is again more than sufficient (just ask the dealer/workshop for an oil & filter change - not a service).

As always, I recommend using 504/507 oils whenever possible, even on a 7.5k/6m OCI.


But it is a marvel of engineering that under the right conditions, these engines, when used with correct lubricants, are capable of very long drain intervals indeed.

[Corey_R]

I would consider anything less than nominal operating temperatures a "cold start".

Granted, starting an engine at 30°C is less stressful than starting up at 0°C, but you're still more than 60°C away from nominal operating temperatures - when the engine is designed to be most efficient.

I completely disagree. If only because, from that description everyone would fall into the severe category and therefore there would be no such thing as the 15,000km/1 year service intervals! hehe

(unless there are some countries where the average temp is 60°C that I'm unaware of)

[dieterbohlen]

(unless there are some countries where the average temp is 60°C that I'm unaware of)

Probably one of those countries on Mercury...

[Diesel_vert]

I completely disagree. If only because, from that description everyone would fall into the severe category and therefore there would be no such thing as the 15,000km/1 year service intervals! hehe

To expand on what I said earlier, it's not the cold start itself which determines your service intervals, it's how many there are in a given interval.

Consider the following points:

LongLife Regime
• Mainly longer distance journeys
• Limited number of cold starts, engine is kept at operating temperature over a longer period of time

Time/Distance Regime
• Mainly short journeys
• Frequent cold starts

Obviously, one doesn't normally keep the engine of a motor vehicle running 24/7, so a cold start is unavoidable - that's not the issue. The issue is how many cold cycles the engine must go through in relation to the distance covered.

The above points go hand in hand. You generally can't get up to nominal operating temperatures in a short distance (unless you thrash it from the get go, or idle for lengthy periods - both detrimental!) - this is why the time it takes to get up to temperature is related to the distance travelled.

It's about minimising the time an engine is kept below operating temperature - just one of many factors to consider when determining the oil change interval.

[darkfriend]

Hi All,

This thread has mutated somewhat.....

Anyway, back on topic: Had my car serviced yesterday at Golfwagen (Wangara). They did it as an afternoon job and had it done in about 1 hour while I waited.
Oil used: Castrol SLX Professional Powerflow Longlife III 5W-30
changed oil filter
computer interrogation printout attached to receipt
cost $265
They have moved and have a very clean looking garage
The guys were great. They were quick, have VAG equipment and are a lot cheaper than any dealer in Perth

I will go there again.

[reimondo]

Curious if other ppl have experienced the same service cost differences between the different dealers. About to have my 30K service for my 2008 Golf GTI and have just rung all the dealers in WA and got the following quotes: Wangara 610, Osb Park 590, Vic Park 510 and Melville 430.

Am very tempted to go to Melville due to the sheer price difference but curious to know what people's thoughts are on the massive differences in price. Was thinking one reason could be because Melville is so new, they are lowering their prices to try and build up a customer base since not many people know there is a VW dealer in melville.

[Maverick]

Curious if other ppl have experienced the same service cost differences between the different dealers. About to have my 30K service for my 2008 Golf GTI and have just rung all the dealers in WA and got the following quotes: Wangara 610, Osb Park 590, Vic Park 510 and Melville 430.

Am very tempted to go to Melville due to the sheer price difference but curious to know what people's thoughts are on the massive differences in price. Was thinking one reason could be because Melville is so new, they are lowering their prices to try and build up a customer base since not many people know there is a VW dealer in melville.

It's possible that Melville doesn't include the brake fluid change and the others do, this is a requirement at 2 years irrespective of kilometres. Ask them all their hourly rate as this will differ and there around 3 hours labour in that service so a $30 difference will be $90 on the total price. Melville may not offer a free loan car either and so on and so forth.

[FJ Steve]

what 'cuzzy-bro' said ^^^

Ask each of the delaers what it is that they are going to do for the amount quoted.

At OP...you will at least get a decent conversation from the Courtesy Bus driver (if you use the service)

[shakespeare]

Hi All,

This thread has mutated somewhat.....

Anyway, back on topic: Had my car serviced yesterday at Golfwagen (Wangara). They did it as an afternoon job and had it done in about 1 hour while I waited.
Oil used: Castrol SLX Professional Powerflow Longlife III 5W-30
changed oil filter
computer interrogation printout attached to receipt
cost $265
They have moved and have a very clean looking garage
The guys were great. They were quick, have VAG equipment and are a lot cheaper than any dealer in Perth

I will go there again.

Great to hear mate

I had a 7,500km at Wangara, and whilst I felt the price was a little high ($390) their service was excellent and Tash is a very good service consultant, happy, friendly, competent etc etc. I indicated as much in the after service survey they send you.

So for me, the service was a pleasant, painless experience, they appear to know what they are doing, the provision of a loan car added additional convenience as I dropped off in the morning and picked up in the afternoon and still had a car to visit clients etc. I will continue to get servicing done there unless the cost differences far outweigh the service provided!

[FJ Steve]

Great to hear mate

I had a 7,500km at Wangara, and whilst I felt the price was a little high ($390) their service was excellent and Tash is a very good service consultant, happy, friendly, competent etc etc. I indicated as much in the after service survey they send you.

So for me, the service was a pleasant, painless experience, they appear to know what they are doing, the provision of a loan car added additional convenience as I dropped off in the morning and picked up in the afternoon and still had a car to visit clients etc. I will continue to get servicing done there unless the cost differences far outweigh the service provided!

Good on you... Ray & Natasha run a good operation