1st service for the Octavia

Rtech · 6th July 2004, 18:41

The first service for my Octavia 1.9 TDi is recommended at 7,500Km or within 6 months from the delivery date.

I have put on 4300km in the 4 months of ownership, the last being a mumbai-nashik-mumbai drive last weekend. The car is otherwise used for, on average, 30-45 minute commutes within the city, with the occasional blast upto Pune and back.

The question now is, should I stick to what is recommended in the manual? Personally, I would prefer doing the first service now, as IMO, 7,500 Km is just too long an interval for the first oil change, as we all know that a new engine sheds microspoic metal flakes which may cause damage. This damage however may only show up after 4 years of use, well outside the warranty period.

Hence, I have already booked the Skoda in for a service on Thursday, a full 2 months and 3,000Km earlier than specified.

Part of me wanted to wait till the monsoon was over to get this done. Still not sure that to do...

What say T-BHPians....service now or later.

Rtech

GTO · 6th July 2004, 19:20

Hey Rtech,

My suggestion - Just get the engine oil changed. If you get the entire service done (for which there is no need right now) you will have a longer gap between the first and second service.

You are right about all that breaking-in crap adulterating the engine oil. Though the oil filter and modern oils will take care of that, its still a hazard and 7500 runnin-in kms is a lot on the original oil - Especially for a diesel.

Also remember, its not only your engine that may need the new oil - Your turbo does too.

GTO

Shan2nu · 6th July 2004, 19:24

I suggest you stick to what the manual says. After all, they must have decided on these figures only after testing the vehicles.

Regards...
Shan2nu

shravan316 · 6th July 2004, 22:18

I would always suggest earlier than suggested first service....coz its during the first few km's(the run in period) that the max wear and tear of the engine takes place...and hence it is vital to change the engine oil..as early as possible.

Tom · 6th July 2004, 22:31

Going early wont hurt in any way will it? Better do a preventive check-up every 3.5k kms and a full service every 5k kms.
BUt how expensive is a full service?

SLK · 6th July 2004, 23:17

I'd suggest .... to go by the book... unless u have a firm reason to believe that you have made the engine shed more microscopic metal flakes, than normal....lol

Maruti says... 1k... tata says 1.5k..... and Skoda says 7.5k.. there must be some reason behind that.

Rehaan · 6th July 2004, 23:57

Hey Rtech,

I know the feeling... I changed my car's oil much earlier than reccomended as well for the same reason.
However, dont change the oil way too early as the tiny metal flakes are also good for the engine bedding in! After all that is what the whole break-in process is about.
4,300 (instead of 7,500) is the absolute earliest IMO. So quick... try and go for a >700km drive before ur service!

R

RJK · 7th July 2004, 01:43

Even I'd suggest you stick to the book..or may be change between 6500-7500kms. But 4300kms is way to early.

ravi_28_8 · 7th July 2004, 11:40

stick to the book. may be 500 kms this side or that side its ok but better this side

. they do so much of testing on the car and come up with these service intervals, and what ever so u can blindly follow the manual

Shan2nu · 7th July 2004, 12:18

If i remember correctly, Honda reccomends it's first service 1000kms after buying the car. Then on it's every 5K kms or 3 months (which ever comes first).

Y don't you consult Skoda and see what they have to say about it. Trust me, in this case, the company knows whats best for the car.

Regards...
Shan2nu

kakx · 7th July 2004, 13:39

Rtech,

I think you should call your service engg and ask him,Probably take it to the workshop and ask him to test and see if there is any need for the service so early.

All the Best.

Regds
kakx

Rtech · 7th July 2004, 14:28

thanks for the inputs guys. what I'm gonna do is this...

Take it to the shop on Thursday as planned. As i need to check out the gearbox as well (reverse is hard to get into after a long drive). I'll speak to the service advisor at that time and take his opinion and decide on the spot.

I'l keep you'll informed.

Rtech

P.s. Fixed charge for the first service is Rs.5,800/-.

Shan2nu · 7th July 2004, 18:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (rtech @ July 07 2004,22:58)]P.s. Fixed charge for the first service is Rs.5,800/-.

What??? 5.8K for the first service. Doesn't Skoda offer any free services?

My, my, that's a lot isn't it?

Regards...
Shan2nu

Rtech · 7th July 2004, 19:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Shan2nu @ July 07 2004,16:43)]

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (rtech @ July 07 2004,22:58)]P.s. Fixed charge for the first service is Rs.5,800/-.

What??? 5.8K for the first service. Doesn't Skoda offer any free services?

My, my, that's a lot isn't it?

Regards...
Shan2nu

yup, that is a little on the high side. Although, the petrol version has a lower service charge, a couple of thousand less I think.

I feel its pretty cheap of them not to include any free services though! Although, they claim that the service is "free" as they don't charge for labour!

Rt

GTO · 7th July 2004, 19:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]I feel its pretty cheap of them not to include any free services though!

Ditto Mercedes. And they do charge for the labour!

GTO

View Poll Results: 1st service for the Octavia - Now or later???
Service strictly as per the service manual	19	63.33%
Service earlier than recommended	9	30.00%
No difference either way!	2	6.67%
Voters: 30. You may not vote on this poll

6th July 2004, 18:41	#1
Rtech Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,770 Thanked: 359 Times View My Garage	The first service for my Octavia 1.9 TDi is recommended at 7,500Km or within 6 months from the delivery date. I have put on 4300km in the 4 months of ownership, the last being a mumbai-nashik-mumbai drive last weekend. The car is otherwise used for, on average, 30-45 minute commutes within the city, with the occasional blast upto Pune and back. The question now is, should I stick to what is recommended in the manual? Personally, I would prefer doing the first service now, as IMO, 7,500 Km is just too long an interval for the first oil change, as we all know that a new engine sheds microspoic metal flakes which may cause damage. This damage however may only show up after 4 years of use, well outside the warranty period. Hence, I have already booked the Skoda in for a service on Thursday, a full 2 months and 3,000Km earlier than specified. Part of me wanted to wait till the monsoon was over to get this done. Still not sure that to do... What say T-BHPians....service now or later. Rtech
	() Thanks

6th July 2004, 19:20	#2
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,491 Thanked: 300,279 Times View My Garage	Hey Rtech, My suggestion - Just get the engine oil changed. If you get the entire service done (for which there is no need right now) you will have a longer gap between the first and second service. You are right about all that breaking-in crap adulterating the engine oil. Though the oil filter and modern oils will take care of that, its still a hazard and 7500 runnin-in kms is a lot on the original oil - Especially for a diesel. Also remember, its not only your engine that may need the new oil - Your turbo does too. GTO
	() Thanks

6th July 2004, 19:24	#3
Shan2nu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hubli - Karnata Posts: 5,533 Thanked: 125 Times View My Garage	I suggest you stick to what the manual says. After all, they must have decided on these figures only after testing the vehicles. Regards... Shan2nu
	() Thanks

6th July 2004, 22:18	#4
shravan316 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,029 Thanked: 9 Times	I would always suggest earlier than suggested first service....coz its during the first few km's(the run in period) that the max wear and tear of the engine takes place...and hence it is vital to change the engine oil..as early as possible.
	() Thanks

6th July 2004, 22:31	#5
Tom BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore, India. Posts: 401 Thanked: 0 Times	Going early wont hurt in any way will it? Better do a preventive check-up every 3.5k kms and a full service every 5k kms. BUt how expensive is a full service?
	() Thanks

6th July 2004, 23:17	#6
SLK Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: DL XX XX XXXX Posts: 1,634 Thanked: 1,011 Times	I'd suggest .... to go by the book... unless u have a firm reason to believe that you have made the engine shed more microscopic metal flakes, than normal....lol Maruti says... 1k... tata says 1.5k..... and Skoda says 7.5k.. there must be some reason behind that.
	() Thanks

6th July 2004, 23:57	#7
Rehaan Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 24,037 Thanked: 34,069 Times	Hey Rtech, I know the feeling... I changed my car's oil much earlier than reccomended as well for the same reason. However, dont change the oil way too early as the tiny metal flakes are also good for the engine bedding in! After all that is what the whole break-in process is about. 4,300 (instead of 7,500) is the absolute earliest IMO. So quick... try and go for a >700km drive before ur service! R
	() Thanks

7th July 2004, 01:43	#8
RJK Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,139 Thanked: 697 Times	Even I'd suggest you stick to the book..or may be change between 6500-7500kms. But 4300kms is way to early.
	() Thanks

7th July 2004, 11:40	#9
ravi_28_8 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 77 Thanked: 2 Times View My Garage	stick to the book. may be 500 kms this side or that side its ok but better this side . they do so much of testing on the car and come up with these service intervals, and what ever so u can blindly follow the manual
	() Thanks

7th July 2004, 12:18	#10
Shan2nu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hubli - Karnata Posts: 5,533 Thanked: 125 Times View My Garage	If i remember correctly, Honda reccomends it's first service 1000kms after buying the car. Then on it's every 5K kms or 3 months (which ever comes first). Y don't you consult Skoda and see what they have to say about it. Trust me, in this case, the company knows whats best for the car. Regards... Shan2nu
	() Thanks

7th July 2004, 13:39	#11
kakx BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 41 Thanked: 0 Times	Rtech, I think you should call your service engg and ask him,Probably take it to the workshop and ask him to test and see if there is any need for the service so early. All the Best. Regds kakx
	() Thanks

7th July 2004, 14:28	#12
Rtech Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,770 Thanked: 359 Times View My Garage	thanks for the inputs guys. what I'm gonna do is this... Take it to the shop on Thursday as planned. As i need to check out the gearbox as well (reverse is hard to get into after a long drive). I'll speak to the service advisor at that time and take his opinion and decide on the spot. I'l keep you'll informed. Rtech P.s. Fixed charge for the first service is Rs.5,800/-.
	() Thanks