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Fixed v Variable Services

AndyCYM

Passed Driver's Ed
Hi. I'm running a Style Hybrid on a 3 year lease, 12k miles per year.

Set to variable service interval I might get away with one service at 19k over the 3 years, but with fixed intervals the car would be in the garage 3 times.

I'm guessing variable would save money, is that right? As it's going back after 3 years I'm not fussed about what's best for the engine over the lifetime of the car.

Thanks.
 

SRGTD

Autocross Newbie
I think that VW’s flexible / variable service regime was originally introduced to help businesses with fleets of vehicles covering higher than average mileages manage their vehicle servicing costs. As I own my car and these days my annual mileage is below 5k miles, my car is on the fixed (time and distance) service regime. However, if I leased my car, I’d go with the flexible (variable longlife) service regime, unless there was anything in the small print of the lease agreement that required the car to be serviced annually / every10k miles.

VW’s recommendations on which service regime to go for (depending on how the vehicle is used / the annual mileage driven) are at the link below;

https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/en/own...MInJ-11aiv-QIVhIBQBh0aswbHEAAYAyAAEgJXHfD_BwE
 

Wheaty

New member
I also have a Style eTSI Auto leased from VW and was surprised when they confirmed that the vehicle is on a flexible rather than fixed interval service schedule. Incidentally, I checked my oil level today and after almost 10K miles the level was just above the minimum. Looks like I need might need some specialist oil for the top up so off to dealers tomorrow to find out precisely what I need. As ever, the manual is lacking in specifics.
 

MattyST

New member
I also have a Style eTSI Auto leased from VW and was surprised when they confirmed that the vehicle is on a flexible rather than fixed interval service schedule. Incidentally, I checked my oil level today and after almost 10K miles the level was just above the minimum. Looks like I need might need some specialist oil for the top up so off to dealers tomorrow to find out precisely what I need. As ever, the manual is lacking in specifics.
I just checked my manual and says the "Vehicles with stickers - The sticker showing the prescribed standard is located in the engine compartment". I just checked my car and I have an oil grade sticker in this location. Does yours not have this sticker?
 

MattyST

New member
Thanks, @MattyST - I have not seen this in the manual or a sticker in the engine compartment. However, I will go and check this morning.
No problem, I just realised though that I missed off a key part... where in the engine bay! If you didn't get around to checking this morning, the sticker is next to the bonnet release.

Just for reference it is in my Digital Manual under the section 'Checking and refilling' -> 'Engine oil' -> 'Engine oil standards'.
 

Wheaty

New member
I checked my Mk8 1.5 eTSI car this morning and only saw 2 stickers in the engine compartment apart from those on the 12v battery - see photo. It may be that I have to cross reference the code on the left hand sticker with the manual but as I was going close to my VW dealer this morning, I nipped in. The recommended oil is SAE 0W-20 per photo below and 1 litre cost me £23.52. It is really thin oil (I’ve seen thicker cordial drinks) and the technician told me that not too many places stock it - which is consistent with my experience locally over the last days - very glad I did not rely on the duff advice from my local Halfords.
Thanks for your advice @MattyST.
 

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MattyST

New member
I checked my Mk8 1.5 eTSI car this morning and only saw 2 stickers in the engine compartment apart from those on the 12v battery - see photo. It may be that I have to cross reference the code on the left hand sticker with the manual but as I was going close to my VW dealer this morning, I nipped in. The recommended oil is SAE 0W-20 per photo below and 1 litre cost me £23.52. It is really thin oil (I’ve seen thicker cordial drinks) and the technician told me that not too many places stock it - which is consistent with my experience locally over the last days - very glad I did not rely on the duff advice from my local Halfords.
Thanks for your advice @MattyST.
Glad you got it sorted. Strange that you don't have a sticker, VW works in mysterious ways. I can only imagine what terrible things would have happened if you'd have stuck some random oil in on Halfords recommendation. I think I'll check what mine needs (1.5 TSI) and get hold of it ready for a top up. It might be that the 1.5 TSI oil is more easily obtained than the 1.5 eTSI oil.

I believe the left hand sticker is to do with the air conditioning system (refrigerant type and refrigerant oil).
 
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