Polo GTI High Oil Usage - Discussion Thread

[brad]

Gavs
Mine is the same. came as QG1 (or QG0 or 2 or whatever it was) and even had the service computer set to long life/730days/30,000km but we simply don't do Long Life in Australia. ie: there is no difference in the basic construction of a QG1 engine compared to the other engines. QG1 has a couple of sensors to monitor oil quality. I think one measures viscosity by measuring the pressure difference across a restrictor (could be wrong on that one) & the other measures the colour (soot, suspended solids, etc), plus the other stuff such as number of starts, etc.

Why? Because
a) our Service Centres can't come to terms with such long periods between service.
b) the owners aren't any better
c) depending on what part of Australia you are in, our conditions are a fraction harsher than Europe - eg: dust plugging, excessive humidity over prolonged periods, extremes of heat over long periods, crappier fuel, etc.

[gavs]

Makes sense brad, it does. Not like one of these could last that long anyway

[Diesel_vert]

To confirm though, the GTi is a long-life service vehicle

That statement is incorrect (though you did correct yourself later on).

It would be more accurate to say that your particular vehicle can run on the LongLife service regime.


Because, not every vehicle that is capable of running the LongLife regime (i.e. most VAG models built from 2000 onwards) can actually run it (due to absent or different parts, sensors and whatnot) so these vehicles will be set up to run on the Time and Distance service regime.

Additionally, vehicles on the LongLife regime may also be reconfigured to be on the Time and Distance regime at the owner's request, but obviously not vice-versa.

Mine is the same. came as QG1 (or QG0 or 2 or whatever it was) and even had the service computer set to long life/730days/30,000km but we simply don't do Long Life in Australia. ie: there is no difference in the basic construction of a QG1 engine compared to the other engines. QG1 has a couple of sensors to monitor oil quality. I think one measures viscosity by measuring the pressure difference across a restrictor (could be wrong on that one) & the other measures the colour (soot, suspended solids, etc), plus the other stuff such as number of starts, etc.

Why? Because
a) our Service Centres can't come to terms with such long periods between service.
b) the owners aren't any better
c) depending on what part of Australia you are in, our conditions are a fraction harsher than Europe - eg: dust plugging, excessive humidity over prolonged periods, extremes of heat over long periods, crappier fuel, etc.

If your vehicle is set up to run on the LongLife regime, there's no technical reason preventing you from running it in Australia or whatever market (unless it is explicitly forbidden and/or unless LongLife oils aren't available). In fact, it would probably never go above the minimum interval of 15 000 km (maximum interval being 30 000 km), which basically ends up being the same as if one were on the Time and Distance regime.

As I keep on discovering, service personnel in Australia still haven't grasped the finer points of servicing for any European marque.

Fixed for you.

[Hooti3]

Took my car in yesterday for an oil consumption test and asked them to look at a couple of rattles I have been having, rattles are still present but I got a couple of free presents from them.

Nicely Trashed Right front rim



Broken front Drivers Side Power Window Control



Let's just say I was not impressed (expletives thrown around).

I have already contacted them about both issues. The Service manager will call me on Monday.

[Corey_R]

*sigh* Wow Hooti3, that's very disappointing. I would say that I can't believe this type of service, but I've had it happen to me whilst I was standing in front of the person... (not at a VW dealer though).

[Hooti3]

*sigh* Wow Hooti3, that's very disappointing. I would say that I can't believe this type of service, but I've had it happen to me whilst I was standing in front of the person... (not at a VW dealer though).

Brand new wheels as well.

I was gutted (much like the wheel).

[brad]

If your vehicle is set up to run on the LongLife regime, there's no technical reason preventing you from running it in Australia or whatever market (unless it is explicitly forbidden and/or unless LongLife oils aren't available). In fact, it would probably never go above the minimum interval of 15 000 km (maximum interval being 30 000 km), which basically ends up being the same as if one were on the Time and Distance regime.

I left mine on LL to see what would happen by the time I got to 15,000km (9 months in my case). I can't remember the exact figures but it was near enough 13,000km or 440 days. I'm the first to admit that I drive under almost ideal conditions for LL servicing.

I have also had the 504.00 oil analysed after 15,000km and it tested almost like it had just come out of the bottle. So that's a 2nd tick in the box if I wished to do LL service intervals.

The reason I don't is:

• My previous vehicles have been 5,000km service intervals, so psychologically, I'm doing pretty well to stretch to 15,000km
• I dont think the next purchaser could get their head around it. Therefore they'd say I hadn't maintained the vehicle properly.
• There's a definite increase in fuel usage beyond about 13,000km and it comes good once the service is done.
• I think LL/Variable is promoted by VW to attract the fleet buyers with a reduced service cost spend. Fleet buyers don't give a fig about vehicle longevity beyond the 3year lease period.
• Have heard enough on BriSkoda about LL/Variable service vehicles that are up to their 6th service / 180,000km and it doesn't sound pretty

[brad]

The wheel would have made me cry.

[Frostee]

Took my car in yesterday for an oil consumption test and asked them to look at a couple of rattles I have been having, rattles are still present but I got a couple of free presents from them.

Nicely Trashed Right front rim



Broken front Drivers Side Power Window Control



Let's just say I was not impressed (expletives thrown around).

I have already contacted them about both issues. The Service manager will call me on Monday.

So sorry to hear of your damage. My car is at the panel beaters at the moment thanks to a keying

I can understand how your wheel got damaged but how do you explain the window control?

[Hooti3]

So sorry to hear of your damage. My car is at the panel beaters at the moment thanks to a keying

I can understand how your whell got damaged but how do you explain the window control?

Well that's why I am trying to figure out why they were taking that off in the first place.

It definitely wasn't damaged when I left with them.

So whatever they were doing with it will be interesting to hear.

It's safe to say I will never be taking my car back there again for any type of service.