Anyway to check if variable service interval is enabled

1800Turbo · May 1, 2005

I took delivery of my GT TDI on Thursday and am not sure if the variable service interval is enabled. Is there anyway of checking this without going back to the dealer? If so, is there also a way of checking to see how long before it will need servicing?

Thanks

kenl · May 1, 2005

Yes.

Turn on the ignition till the lights come on. Press and hold the trip reset button for a few seconds. It will come up with "service in X miles" and then after a few seconds change to "or Y days"

X should be about 18k miles.

Y should be about 2 years.

If it comes up in 365 days you are on fixed.

Stevoraith · May 2, 2005

Does this work on mkIV's too?

My mates is telling him he needs a service about 10k after his last variable one which sounds suspiciously like he's been put onto fixed by mistake.

Ricardo · May 2, 2005

Does this work on mkIV's too?

My mates is telling him he needs a service about 10k after his last variable one which sounds suspiciously like he's been put onto fixed by mistake.

Only way to do it is with VAG-COM on a mk4. If the service comes on at 9300 ish then most likely its on the 10K service intervals (15000 km conversion figure)

HTH

VWMichael · May 2, 2005

When I take delivery of my mk5, can I demand variable service intervals (if it comes with fixed that is)?

kenl · May 3, 2005

When I take delivery of my mk5, can I demand variable service intervals (if it comes with fixed that is)?

Since the car should come from the factory like that then I don't see why not.

Just tell your dealer that you want variable service.

-s12lvo- · May 4, 2005

I am starting to ponder if it matters about variable or fixed, if the car has don't 10000k or 18000k miles it need a service no matter what "mode" its on. The oil, engine etc etc as done that same amount of work.

Is this me being stupid or do I have a point?

My car was reg in April 04 and I bought it in Feb @ 10200 on the clock, I checked it at 12000 and its saying I should service it now, I asked VW and they said all 04 plate cars are on variable (lazy bams). I am not going to service it till it its 18000.

Milkfloat · May 25, 2005

Yes.

Turn on the ignition till the lights come on. Press and hold the trip reset button for a few seconds. It will come up with "service in X miles" and then after a few seconds change to "or Y days"

X should be about 18k miles.

Y should be about 2 years.

If it comes up in 365 days you are on fixed.

This does not work for me, so either I am stupid or something is wrong. Do you need to have done a minimum number of miles before this displays? I have done 491

benster · May 25, 2005

Mine didn't come up to start with just got lots of dashes but after about 1k when i checked again, it then appeared not sure at mileage it appears though

radox · May 26, 2005

How often your car needs an oil change is dependent upon useage. If you do lots of long motorway cruises, a new car's oil after 18,000 miles might be in the same state as a car with only 5,000 miles on the clock if its only been used for short trips around town.

Fixed service intervals are always an estimate interval based on average use. VW's variable service intervals is an attempt to be more accurate by detecting the quality of your car's oil and indicating when a service is required based upon that.

In your case, it is possible that the previous owner did do a lot of motorway miles and so the car got to 10,000 miles without needing a service. Your car might or might not have been saying it needed a service when you bought it but the fact that it says so now suggests it thinks the oil needs changing now. I'd recommend you get it serviced .

Stuart
http://www.stuartdalby.co.uk/vwgolfmk5

124joanmount · May 26, 2005

I Have just over 5000 miles on my GT TDI, and since I found out how to check when the service was due, aproxx 2000 miles, it tells me to SERVICE NOW

what is the problem?

My Car has a service sticker on the side of the daskboard, visable when you open the drivers door tell me that I am on the long life service.

radox · May 26, 2005

5000 miles sounds low. Get it checked by a dealer. I believe there's a fault in some Mk V's variable service indicators.

Stuart
http://www.stuartdalby.co.uk/vwgolfmk5

Milkfloat · May 26, 2005

Can I just check?

You turn on the ignition but not the engine, then hold down the trip reset (not the reset on the stalk but the one on the instrument cluster) for a couple of seconds?

The bloody thing does not work for me.

radox · May 26, 2005

You sound to be doing everything right. It sounds broken.

Stuart
http://www.stuartdalby.co.uk/vwgolfmk5

Oversized Al · May 26, 2005

............then hold down the trip reset (not the reset on the stalk but the one on the instrument cluster) for a couple of seconds?.....

Try holding it down for a few more seconds - mine seems to take about 5 seconds to appear.

bbdivo · May 27, 2005

The fasten seatbelt sign wont go away when you do this, so the solution....Fasten your seatbelt when doing this!

1800Turbo · May 27, 2005

I did have this problem also. As mentioned above, you need to put your seatbelt on first.

MrE · May 27, 2005

Just phone a dealer with your reg number and they will tell you if its fixed or variable.

Anyway to check if variable service interval is enabled

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