OIL Service Light

[donnadiablo]

Hello...

I've got a 1996 Audi A4 Avant. He's done 163,000 and is going strong. The OIL Service light has just come on and the local Audi Dealer reckons it'll cost £200 (including the 20% diescount they're giving me) to carry out an Oil Service.

They're trying to spank my bum aren't they??

How much roughly should it cost to be done?

Thank you.

Donna x

[mluton]

Audi are expensive. Try a local garage or Audi specialist.

Where are you located ?

Im having a full service for £200 at Awesome GTI

[donnadiablo]

I'm in Poole in Dorset.

If you know of anyone local to me, let me know and i'll book my car in.

Ooh... one thing... will leaving the OIL Service for a few days kill the car? Could i leave it until after christmas? It's a diesel engine and i know that they can be funny with oil.

Cheers!

Donna x

[AutoTDI]

Your oil service light is telling you that an oil & filter change is due. You don't have to do this as a matter of urgency; if the warning has just appeared, you can leave it until after Xmas (unless you are planning to clock up lots of miles over the holiday). The cost should just be for oil + filter and no more than 1 hour labour. The fuel filter will also need draining of any water. £200 seems a lot for this, but then you are talking about an Audi dealer. Any competent garage should be able to perform this service, but make sure that they will use oil which meets the correct VW spec for the car.

[RickT]

Due to the age of the car i would recommend you take it to a local garage, You will be looking @ £150 MAX for a full service at a local garage..

ie.. Oil, Filter, Air filter,

In regards to still driving it... yes it will be fine for at least another 1k-2k.. (How many miles ago was it serviced??)

Rick

[avantiblue]

i have just done mine at a local garage, oil cost me 45, air filter and oil filter, 28 and labour was 35. Though i am based in manchester. Hope this helps.

[Goughy]

Hi,

If you just want to reset the service light the following procedure should work. It worked fine on my '98 S4 after having had it serviced and the warning wasn't reset.

1. Insert your key into the ignition.
2. Push in the odometer reset button, hold it in, and turn the key to the first click.
3. The display should read either "oil" or "service" if it does not, repeat steps 1 and 2.
4. To reset, pull out your instrument light dimmer button at the bottom of the tachometer.
5. Turn the ignition to the off position. When the ignition is turned back on, the display
should be back to the trip odometer.

Cheers

Goughy

[AutoTDI]

That reset procedure won't work on a 96 Model.

[trickyfocus]

Does anyone Know what will work on a 97 avant tdi ?

[pug-n-polo]

I have autodata at work....ill have a look tomorrow

[BrandonA4]

Hi there I have a 1997 A4 2.6 v6 and the service light or reminder comes on in the speedometer space for about 30 seconds when I start the car it has been like that for the last 15k so don't panic about getting it reset it will not effect the car at all.:approve:

[mike ryan]

Oil service light will need vag.com to reset but it does not affect the car as long as the oil service is done. Have a go yourself all you need to do is go on euro car parts website to get the right parts. Jack the car up drop the tray off the bottom with a few bayonet screws. Best to do it when the engine is warm, take the plug out and let it drain out fully. Whilst waiting drop the oil filter off and put the new one on firstly putting a smear of oil on the seal and if possible fill it up with oil first. Cant always do this due to the orientation of the filter. Once empty put the plug back in and refill to the top mark on the dip stick. Put the car back together and start up. An hours work at most and loads of money saved.

[green A8]

Oil service light will need vag.com to reset but it does not affect the car as long as the oil service is done. Have a go yourself all you need to do is go on euro car parts website to get the right parts. Jack the car up drop the tray off the bottom with a few bayonet screws. Best to do it when the engine is warm, take the plug out and let it drain out fully. Whilst waiting drop the oil filter off and put the new one on firstly putting a smear of oil on the seal and if possible fill it up with oil first. Cant always do this due to the orientation of the filter. Once empty put the plug back in and refill to the top mark on the dip stick. Put the car back together and start up. An hours work at most and loads of money saved.

I couldn't agree more with the above. Don't forget to take care with any spillage of oil onto the ground, maybe use a tarp or a plastic sheet. Also remember to avoid skin contact. Wear gloves! I learned this lesson the hard way, one very sore rash on the back of my hands, and a ticking off from my Doctor later, I now always use gloves whenever working on the car.

Kind Regards.

Paul

[mike ryan]

I couldn't agree more with the above. Don't forget to take care with any spillage of oil onto the ground, maybe use a tarp or a plastic sheet. Also remember to avoid skin contact. Wear gloves! I learned this lesson the hard way, one very sore rash on the back of my hands, and a ticking off from my Doctor later, I now always use gloves whenever working on the car.

Kind Regards.

Paul


Forgot to put the health and safety disclaimer in. I am so used to working with fuels and oils it seems natural to me now but a very valid point.

[mikeybutch]

Gloves are a good idea and spares ready if you get oil on them or they melt if the engine is too hot.I always leave the oil to drain as long as poss because the gunge comes out last if the oil not very hot and I dont risk that.I am sure that a garage would only star t up and drain for a few mins cos time is money thats another good reason toDIY.Never heard of putting oil in the filter though

[mike ryan]

Gloves are a good idea and spares ready if you get oil on them or they melt if the engine is too hot.I always leave the oil to drain as long as poss because the gunge comes out last if the oil not very hot and I dont risk that.I am sure that a garage would only star t up and drain for a few mins cos time is money thats another good reason toDIY.Never heard of putting oil in the filter though

The idea of filling the filter is so you can get pressure up quickly to minimise damage. If you dont prime the filter it takes longer to get oil pressure up and there fore more wear on the engine. As i say it can only really be done if the filter is screwed up to the housing otherwise it all runs out before you can screw it on.