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1k oil change?
- Thread starter Maj.Woody
- Start date
OLD MEN RULE
Go Kart Champion
I did my first oil change at <1K miles. I did it myself and very easy also oil filter and checked for metal flakes.
IMHO I'd NEVER go 10K miles on an oil change.
IMHO I'd NEVER go 10K miles on an oil change.
In the UK, if you’re on VW’s time and distance service regime, the recommended service intervals during the first three years are 12 months or 9,300 miles, whichever occurs first.
https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/en/owners-and-drivers/servicing/service-plans/service-schedules.html
9,300 miles seems an unusual figure, but it’s roughly the equivalent of 15,000 kilometres, so ties in with the service intervals of countries that measure distance in kilometres where the time and distance service interval is 12 months / 15,000 kms, whichever occurs first.
For cars over 3 years old, recommended time and distance service intervals are 12 months / 10,000 miles
. Bizarre that it changes from 9,300 to 10,000 miles after 3 years.
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There’s no benefit to more frequent changes if you’re not tracking frequently. Blackstone analysis in countless cars shows the 10k mile interval is just fine.
I will also do my own change around 1k miles though. The early first change is just good for removing early debris. But after that, I’ll likely do 5k intervals if I’m tracking much and 10k if not. Plugs will be on a 10k mile interval once I’m tuned.
My car’s on VW’s annual time and distance servicing regime and my annual mileage these days is around 4,500 miles. Annual time and distance services alternate between a minor (oil and filter change) service and a major (oil and filter change and inspection) service. So yes, your oil should be changed.
Most car manufacturers will state in their owner’s manuals that it’s normal for cars to use oil. I’ve very rarely had to add any oil between services in any of the 5 VW’s I’ve owned. With my current car (Polo GTI+), I’ve not had to top up the oil at all between services and my previous car only required one oil top up in the first year and no other top ups after that. I do always treat my cars with mechanical sympathy which is probably a factor in low / no oil consumption.
Take a look at the link in the post above.
There are two types of service Fixed and Flexible. The link explains the difference.
Fixed is at 9,300 miles or 12 months.
Flexible which you, and I, have is based on the way the car is driven, and is a max of 18,600 or 24 months. The mileage to first service varies as you go along - it isn't just a linear reduction in miles. Drive harshly and you'll find you will need to take it for its first service before 18,600, drive differently and you may eke out the whole 18,600.
Reading your earlier posts: if you are in a flexible service regime with your dashboard saying service in 18,500 miles then you may have been missold a fixed 12 month service plan. You've bought an every 12 month plan but they've set your car up to report a flexible plan.
I bought my car in May 2022 and it's on track to get it's first service (paid for at the time) in February 2024 - on or about 18,500 miles.
A previous Golf mk6 (2011) had exactly the same service regime and is still going strong, now owned by my son, at 12 years old.
VW introduced the flexible servicing regime back in the mid 2000’s - from memory, the primary reason for doing so was to help businesses with fleets of vehicles ‘manage’ their servicing costs - fewer trips required back to the dealer for servicing, and reduction in overall servicing costs.
I personally don’t like the idea of a car’s engine oil and filter not being changed for up to two years. I know that oil technology has moved on over the years, but to me that still seems a very long time between oil and filter changes. As I tend to keep my car for at least 4-5 years (possibly longer), I prefer my car‘s engine to be treated to fresh engine oil and a new oil filter every year.
I might have a different view if I leased my car or returned it at the end of a three year PCP though - I’d be less concerned about not having annual oil / filter changes.
I personally don’t like the idea of a car’s engine oil and filter not being changed for up to two years. I know that oil technology has moved on over the years, but to me that still seems a very long time between oil and filter changes. As I tend to keep my car for at least 4-5 years (possibly longer), I prefer my car‘s engine to be treated to fresh engine oil and a new oil filter every year.
I might have a different view if I leased my car or returned it at the end of a three year PCP though - I’d be less concerned about not having annual oil / filter changes.
As I mentioned my current car is on a flexible service plan, and it is on a PCP - my first.
Previous VW Mk6, as mentioned, is still going strong at 12 years old, and has always been serviced in accordance with VW flexible regime - about every 18,000.
I always keep cars for about 8 - 9 years. It's only with VWs I used flexible servicing, others have been 12 month intervals.
Previous VW Mk6, as mentioned, is still going strong at 12 years old, and has always been serviced in accordance with VW flexible regime - about every 18,000.
I always keep cars for about 8 - 9 years. It's only with VWs I used flexible servicing, others have been 12 month intervals.