Service

[turnip]

Hi

 

I purchased my Sharan 11 months ago just after it had been serviced. They informed me that it had been put on the 2 year service plan or (I think) 20,000 miles.

 

I have done about 13,000 miles (total 23,000) and am off to France in a few weeks. Now my dilema is do I leave it until I have done the 20,000 or should I really get it serviced every 12 months regardless. I am inclined to get it serviced as it seems a lot of miles to cover before anyone looks under the bonnet! However if there is no need I can keep my moths enclosed for a bit longer.

 

Thanks

 

Mrs Turnip

[turnip]

Can anyone give me some advice? Please.

[Guest marcusheawood]

I'd change the oil and filter and forget the service until later, get the dealer to do it tho'

[Ivor_E_Tower]

You are not seriously comtemplating a long journey when the car hasn't been serviced for nearly a year are you ? At the very least, get the oil changed and the brake pad level checked.

[turnip]

That's why I asked Ivor....lol!

 

I guess you have answered my question and I will book the car in for a service before I go.

 

It seems daft to me to have service intervals that are obviously too far apart. Why not just leave it at every 12 months or x no of miles?

[Masked Marauder]

More like they did a service 2. Thats a two year service.

[Ivor_E_Tower]

It seems daft to me to have service intervals that are obviously too far apart. Why not just leave it at every 12 months or x no of miles?

...because long service intervals appeal to the accountants who decide what cars their company will buy for their workforce; it makes the cars look cheap to run.

 

If you look at the USA, stories of up to 100,000 mile service intervals are common. What they don't tell you is that this is dependent on oil changes (and a safety inspection) every 6,000 to 10,000 miles. Apparently most Americans do not trust oil change intervals of over 6,000 miles.

[edwardoplunkett]

100k service intervals are a marketing point for some manufacturers. On many front drive large V-6 engines, the intake manifold has to be removed to get to the rear bank of spark plugs for a change. Customer complaints led to better plugs (platinum) with longer life (hence 100k). I can't inmagine trying to get a plug out of an aluminium head that has been in place for 100k though.

 

Regarding oil, it is very common to change oil every 5k or so in the US. It's not simply a matter of distrust, it's just that the oil breaks down and looks downright nasty. Further, with many, many oil change franchises charging only 25 usd for decent oil and filter, it's a no brainer. Plus you sit in the car while they do it (30 minutes - tops). Down side is all the horror stories of all the kids working for minimum wage doing this job, overfilling/underfilling and forgetting to tighten sump plugs, etc. Even with the outrageous price of everything here (As we are paid in USD), I still plan on a DIY oil change every 6-7k. Mind you, I have never had my oil sampled after 6-7k, but old habits are hard to break are they not?

 

In my opinion, the annual service requirement is a big ripoff racket here. 100 plus pounds for oil/filter and some checks...Give me a break