Fixed vs. Variable oil change intervals

[gazza57]

I read with some interest views on fixed vs Variable Service Intervals with regard to my newer A6.

I got my old A6 C5 changed over to 9300 mile fixed intervals but on this C6 model, it can only be done via the computer and the chap who services my car reset the service but was unable to change it over from Variable to Fixed, I spoke to my local dealer who wanted to change it over but would only do so if I had an oil change with them oil at £23.00 per litre so that's out firstly because of the astronomical mark up on oil and second I've only just got my indy to change both oil and filter in any case.
I have found another dealer who tells me it is a two minute while you wait job but minimum charge is £50 per half hour plus VAT so £66 to flip just one toggle on a PC is a bit steep.

Thought about buying VAG. com but to be honest I can't justify the cost of it for how much I'd actually use it.

If there's anyone out there who could toggle it for me? there would of course be the appropriate recompense in some pints of beer????


Regards:D

Gazza57

[AxeMurderer]

Just drive it 9300 miles, and then service it. How hard can it be?

As far as I can tell, long life servicing is fine on the C6 anyway. It was a problem for some on the C5 though.

[towcestervag]

i allways recommend 10k 1yr servicing
after all oil is the life blood of the engine and at least you get the car inspected more often to eliminate issues

[gazza57]

See your point Axe, it's not difficult I'll agree but the design for something as fundamental as this is so complex as to make it very difficult is poor design, good software is about clear concise display and easy operation, this is none of those.

Regards

Gazza57

[gazza57]

towcestervag,

Thanks for the advice, I decided to follow this after crashers experiences and stories of worn cams and blown turbos, I would rather spend a little more on oil and filter rather than run for 18 or 19k miles on the same oil.
And yes, the service history and inspection regime will show the extra work carried out, I just can't understand why something so fundamental as a switch from variable to fixed servicing on a display is such a complex issue, smacks of over elaborate software design with the intention of shutting out the diy'er.

Thanks again


Gazza57

[GRBspeedster]

Have to agree , i dont like the longlife service and pprefer the 12 mths regime. i think diesels seem to dirty up the oil very quickly

[towcestervag]

you need a vagcom to switch over the service reminder
you have to alter parameters manually in blocks 40=53

[Furion]

havent got an Audi yet, but do have a Touareg which also has the option of fixed and variable serviceing, VW call it Long Life, the rule of thumb is if you are driving more than 25 miles a day then Long Life (variable) is recomended.

The reason the dealer wanted to do an oil change is because fixed and variable oils are different, if you have wrong one in apparently it can cause problems long term.

My old A4 used be on variable and show up between 16 and 18k depending on how i had been driving it.

[GRBspeedster]

I still use the 5w 30 long life oil but prefer to change on annual basis.
Interestingly Porsche use long life on Boxsters etc (newer water cooled types) and it appears fro forums that some independant specilaists are advocating moving away from the long life service interval to yearly to help protect engine (some have had failure issues)

[Puresilk]

My A4 B7 tdi is now on 177k and been on LL regime since day 1 and I have never had any problems! Usually get 18k miles between services and I need to top up 1/2 litre every 6k! Still on original clutch and turbo!

[JimC64]

My A6 (07) tdi now on 90k and used longlife servicing for the first 3-4 years at around the 18k miles stage with no issues to report. I've now started to go with 10k miles servicing or every year whichever comes first using 05/30 long life oil.

Tbh I think I'm babying it as I've put 160k miles on cars in 3 years using this regime and never / ever had any issues!

[Issac Hunt]

The reason the dealer wanted to do an oil change is because fixed and variable oils are different, if you have wrong one in apparently it can cause problems long term.


Many models, especially TDI with DPF, use the same oil regardless.