12,000 Service Interval

[HJT]

I do about 12,000 miles a year and would like to have the service as an annual thing. Now the car is out of warranty is there any major reason why I couldn't change from a 10,000 to a 12,000 mile interval? Would that extra 2000 miles make all that much difference?

 

Howard

[Ivor_E_Tower]

It's all about taking risks and keeping your fingers crossed.

[gazza007]

Getting a colleague at work to do my Annual Service this time. Refuse to pay

[seatkid]

Use a quality oil - preferrably fully synthetic (why? because good quality full synthetics don't break down as quickly as cheaper mineral oils, stand greater extremes of operation and generally have greater reserves of additives which guard against acids and aid soot dispersal)

 

Use a genuine OEM filter i.e. not Halfords (why? because other filters are shit - the list is too long to type here...)

 

Don't drive full bore everywhere. (why? the more fuel you burn, the more soot you produce, and this is generally the limiting factor on Diesel motor oil - how much soot it can hold without losing its properties - so if you average 25 mpg expect your oil to last at best only half as long as someone who averages 50mpg)

 

Avoid frequent cold starts and short jorneys where the engine never reaches working temp.(why? because water is the other engine killer - it allows acids to form - above 100 deg c water boils and disappears......)

 

Car manufacturers base their servicing limits on a considerably "worse than average" scenario, otherwise they'd never make it through the warranty period.

 

If you understand what I'm getting at, you'll appreciate my view that 12,000 miles is quite a reasonable interval.....but only if you are sensible...

[_dg]

I do less than 5000 a year.

 

Is there any reason why I should keep to 12 month intervals as opposed to 12,000 mile intervals?

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Yes - things deteriorate with time too, and I don't think that oil is best left that long especially when used on low-mileage cars; I also do a low annual mileage, maybe nearer to 6,000 per year rather than your 5,000. A year is a long time in the life of a car, many other things can start to "go off" and it is best to make sure that important things are checked. This is one reason why I have used Nationwide Autocentres (formerly Lex) to service my cars for the last x years - the wheels are taken off and the brakes checked. Main dealers don't do that - they rely on brake pad warning lights. Spend at Tesco and send your clubcard vouchers off for servicing at one-quarter of the "rack rates" at Nationwide. I have no association with them other than as a satisifed customer. I am sure that many local garages will do just as good a job too.

[gazza007]

Since my major service & Cambelt change last year, I've done about 11,000 miles mixed. I've never thrashed it. I find Diesel driving very relaxed. Dealer used Helix 2 Diesel oil & I've only topped up about 500ml during the year. I'm going to use my 4.3 litres of millers xfe pd this time.

[HJT]

If you understand what I'm getting at, you'll appreciate my view that 12,000 miles is quite a reasonable interval.....but only if you are sensible...

Thanks guys. I'm not a local leadfoot so treat my engine with respect and don't ever redline it. I will still get my servicing done at my small local main dealer in Herne Bay as they seem to know what they are doing (no crushed sills, wheels off at service, right oil used and not overfilled etc), so the proper parts will be used. So it seems that a 12,000 mile interval is not unreasonable.

 

Howard

[tim-spam]

"Dealer used Helix 2 Diesel oil"

Does this oil meet the VW 505.01 standard? The oil used in a 115 PD diesel engine MUST meet this standard.

Tim

[gazza007]

Yep 505.01. Good dealership

 

Shell Helix Diesel Plus VA 5W-40