7500km TDI Service Opinions

[STV4SYT]

OK guys, im now at a point where i got to decide if i do it. I know it is recommended to do it at 7500 or 6 months according to the dealer but from what i have been seeing its not required by warranty and the synthetic oils used are sufficient to last the distance, esp when i have done that over 4 months. I guess it comes down to $280 to change oils and check the car over that would go half way to a PS3.

I realize i have probably opened a whole can of worms, as many peoples opinions will differ. When i had my R1 it had a 10,000km inteval, and i usually did at least 1 if not 2 changes myself in between times.

Is it better to take it to a local independant for a lot cheaper oil change or just sip it altogether.

My intention is to try and sel the car on after 12 months or so and get another one. so longevity isnt an issue, and im sure for most the fact that the optional service isnt stamped in the handbook isnt going to be a deterrent.

[Greg Roles]

If you're not keeping it, stick with the standard 15,000k servicing, just like 95% of everyone else out there. Even if you do it yourself, it's still a 100 clam proposition. That's a LOT of jelly babies.

[bmwrider]

I did mine my self got the oil from a VW dealer 5l for approx 75 dollars,
oil filter for $18, a set of car ramps I already had and away I went, to easy.

ps mine is a gt tdi

[cetane]

As the title says.... That's exactly what it is. I reckon you've been over quoted by heaps, Steve.

I had mine done by a local VW approved workshop and I feel more comfortable about having had the oil changed. Nobody yet has been able to tell me just exactly what "running in" is done to the engine in the factory, so I prefer to drop out the oil and change the filter in order to get rid of any swarf or contaminants created when the engine is super-tight. Do they do this in the factory after initial start-up and testing

I intend to keep my TDI at least until the warranty runs out so I want a trouble-free run. To me the $130 or so that I paid for the 7,500km service is well worth it as in the current economic climate I may be forced to keep it much longer than that.
Oh... and you'd have to do a lot of kms in a year to even start to feel the engine loosening up. Mine's done 30,000km in 2 years and it's still tight (but improving). But I ran it in properly

[vanDub]

My 2 cents worth as a result of quizzing my dealer about the service sticker on the windshield quoting "Oil change service due at 7500 Km or 6 months":

The Oil change debate – for those that insist on 15000 Km for the first oil change, read service schedule page 6:
“Diesel fuel in some markets has a high sulphur content. An oil change interval of 7,500 km applies for vehicles using this diesel fuel. This also may be required for vehicles operating under severe driving conditions.”

The emphasis above is VW’s and there is a similar comment on page 7.

Australian diesel is high sulphur at 50 ppm except for the BP Ultimate diesel on trial in Perth which, at 5ppm, matches the low sulphur diesel used in Europe. In VW speak Australian Diesel is High sulphur.

Service schedule page 13 What repairs must I pay for "You must pay the cost of repairs, replacements and adjustments that are neccessary due to:
(5th bullet item) Failure to have your vehicle serviced or repaired in strict accordance with Volkswagen's specifications and recommendations as set out in the Maintenance Schedule"

I am no lawyer but the above is enough to convince me that if a VW dealer puts a 7500 Km oil change requirement on the Service sticker, in accordance with the information that VW provides him, and you ignore it in favour of a 15000Km change and you subsequently have a warranty claim then don't expect any sympathy from me when their lawyers quote the above and lots more to deny your claim.

Note, I am not saying who must do the 7500 Km oil change, just that it should be done at 7500 Km and you must be able to prove it was done at 7500 Km, preferably with an official stamp in the service schedule.

[STV4SYT]

So if my sticker says 15000km (and it does) im all good.

I can do my own change if necessary, its just good to hear all the opinions out there.

[vanDub]

So if my sticker says 15000km (and it does) im all good.

But what does page 6 of your service schedule (section 1 of your manual) say?

It looks like TDI's in Golfs and the same TDI in a Passat are treated differently by different dealers when determining oil change intervals.

One would hope that VW Aust would have its $h!t in one pile regarding TDI oil change intervals.

Does anyone have an official position in writing from VW Aust?

[mr_walker]

Australian diesel is high sulphur at 50 ppm except for the BP Ultimate diesel on trial in Perth which, at 5ppm, matches the low sulphur diesel used in Europe.

According to the Australian Institute of Petroleum:

"Low Sulfur Diesel has been mandated in Western Australia and Queensland since 2000. It is now the standard diesel for all States."

however, they define low sulfur as anything less than 500ppm.

According to the Dept of Resources, Energy and Tourism's Fuel Standards page:

"The current sulfur standard for diesel is 50 ppm and has been in place since 1 January 2006."

I think the question is, what is VW's interpretation of "low sulfur" levels?

[OvaltoJetta]

$280 is definately toooo much. I had the car in at the dealership for a warranty problem with the rhf 1 touch electric window so decided to do an oil change while it was there ..... $185 - oil $69 labor $83.26.

[Greg Roles]

But what does page 6 of your service schedule (section 1 of your manual) say?

It looks like TDI's in Golfs and the same TDI in a Passat are treated differently by different dealers when determining oil change intervals.

One would hope that VW Aust would have its $h!t in one pile regarding TDI oil change intervals.

Does anyone have an official position in writing from VW Aust?

My GT TDI page six is the same, but it does also say

"the service department at your authorised VW dealership will advise you if this shorter interval is necessary" or words to that effect.

My service centre told me no different, and like Steve, I have the VW sticker saying 15000, so that's enough for me. I still do my own inbetween as diesel oil gets rather dirty, rather quickly, and it's cheap longevity insurance.


What are you guys getting slugged for the 15000 service? I'm already at 10k...