Golf Mk7 displaying more km on odometer than it should

**maaachine** · 07-07-2019, 11:04 PM

So I jumped in my wife’s car tonight Golf 103tsi Highline Mk7 and as per normal I check how many kilometres it is at and when service is due. I nearly fell out the door when I read the speedo was at 47,000 km when last service at 30,000 was done in December 2018. This just can’t be right. I then checked the service indicator on the system and it said 7,500 km until next oil service. How do I get this verified? It appears it is showing at 47,000 when it should actually be 37,000.

**Hillbilly** · 08-07-2019, 08:14 AM

Changes are at 15k intervals Your post is confusing

**DV52** · 08-07-2019, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by maaachine

So I jumped in my wife’s car tonight Golf 103tsi Highline Mk7 and as per normal I check how many kilometres it is at and when service is due. I nearly fell out the door when I read the speedo was at 47,000 km when last service at 30,000 was done in December 2018. This just can’t be right. I then checked the service indicator on the system and it said 7,500 km until next oil service. How do I get this verified? It appears it is showing at 47,000 when it should actually be 37,000.

Interesting hypothesis! Of course anything is possible, but your observation about the display arbitrarily adding 10K onto the distance reading is mighty improbable (IMHO).

Go back to the paperwork from the company that did the last routine service and confirm the distance reading on the report (check it against the reading on the sticker on the windshield -it might be wrong). And just for clarity - distance numbers for serving don't normally use fixed intervals 15K, 30K, 45K etc. The number that is used normally adds 15K to the actual distance reading at the time of the service (so there is no fixed sequence).

You are correct about 15,000Kms being the standard interval - but this number can be easily changed using a diagnostic cable (which the service company would have). It's not in the commercial interest of the service agent to increase this distance - but as I say, anything is possible.

The other possible answer is that your car has "flexible" service interval -rather than the more normal "fixed" interval. Some (many?) MQB platform vehicles have the capability to extend the service interval based on driver behavior. These cars have sensors and measuring capabilities that can calculate actual oil degregation and the service interval is modulated by this calculation. Whilst lots of mk7's have this - the facility is normally switched-off. Perhaps yours is not?

So, lots of other possible answers - it's unlikely (albeit, not impossible) that your car has a +10,000Km gremlin - IMHO

Don

**maaachine** · 08-07-2019, 10:30 AM

It’s not the servicing interval that is the problem as that was just a check I did. It is the fact the car is showing 17,000 km driven in 6 months. This is just not possible for this car, she is lucky to do 10,000 km in 12 months. Confirmed with shop that it was at 30,000 in December.

I guess it will be a visit to put some diagnostics on it. Unfortunately is a 4 week wait to get in.

**DV52** · 08-07-2019, 05:18 PM

^^^^ yes, I'm aware that the servicing interval is not the problem - my servicing interval discussion was because of your reference to same as corroboration of your hypothesis (i.e. the fact that there was 7.5K kms remaining on the service interval - therefore 47K Kms should be 37K Kms)

Nevertheless - you do have an interesting problem and I'm most intrigued! Keep us informed of developments -please

Don
PS: Of course there is another possible answer: as much as it might seem incredulous -the distance reading might actually be true?

**gregozedobe** · 08-07-2019, 08:04 PM

Do you have any other records in the last 12 months that have the odometer reading or indication of travel locations (eg at fuel fill ups, tyre changes, toll fees etc) ? That might help supply some objective info on what has happened.

I understand it is quite difficult to change odometer readings on modern VWs (and requires special software).

**maaachine** · 08-07-2019, 08:14 PM

No unfortunately as we don’t use fuel cards etc and log book isn’t required on this car.

Interestingly we just did a small drive test, set my car to 0 and the golf to 0, wife followed me exactly the same route. When we returned my car said 7.5km and the Golf was 7.9km.

Definitely a problem.

**gregozedobe** · 09-07-2019, 06:26 PM

Is it possible that the car has been calibrated for a much larger rolling diameter tyre than what is actually fitted ? That would make the odometer (and trip meter and speedo) record a higher distance than was actually travelled. Maybe check with a GPS reading for distance travelled on a longer trip and compare that with the odometer.