Corsadad
19-07-2008, 07:19 AM
Where should you go to get this advice?
I have been a Vauxhall driver most of my days. Bought my first VW (2004 Passat TDi) last year. It was ex lease and had had its belt changed at 60K by VW dealer. Advice on here suggested 4 years or 60k so all looked straight forward.
I just bought a 2005 Polo 1.4 TDi with 71k on the clock and no belt change listed. I read the owners literature and in an addendum to the service literature it appeared to be recommending an 80k change. Confused I dropped into local VW service (Arnold Clark, Crow Road, Glasgow) and asked. Pleasant girl at reception began asking the question (for both my cars) of "those in the know". The "expert" appeared to be on holiday and she was best advised to phone through to someone else who quickly replied 40k off the top of his head in a fashion that inspired no confidence. I was particularly concerned about the Polo with no change to date if 40k was correct it was well overdue. The Polo's supplying dealer was Hawco in Inverness so I called their service department. Extremely helpful. Took the reg.no. for both cars as she pointed out this information is very much engine specific. She checked on VW dealer software and advised that both vehicles should have belts changed at 4 years or 60k.
Now the 4 years or 60k is coming very much to the fore but I have VW advice now of 40k (Arnold Clark), 60k (Hawco - plus this forum) and 80k (Polo handbook addendum).
Suitably confused :confused: and a little perturbed at the variations in advice from knowledgable/trusted sources I decided to phone VW customer care (freephone on 0800 711 811) to verify manufacturer's advice and query the differences. They took reg.no. for each car as he advice is engine specific (deja vu) and, after several minutes, confirmed 4 years or 80k. Asked about the differences I was told this was only available on VW software - as used at Hawco? - and she couldn't say anything about the inconsistant advice offered.
Personally it will be an age consideration due to the mileages that my cars do. I just find it incredible that so many urban myths surround this very important data. I'll probably put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard) and put this to VW as hard copy correspondance is generally the only way to have such anomalies resolved by large companies.
Anyway - if you are wondering what the recommendations specific to your vehicle are you can use the freephone number and get the VW approved answer.
I have been a Vauxhall driver most of my days. Bought my first VW (2004 Passat TDi) last year. It was ex lease and had had its belt changed at 60K by VW dealer. Advice on here suggested 4 years or 60k so all looked straight forward.
I just bought a 2005 Polo 1.4 TDi with 71k on the clock and no belt change listed. I read the owners literature and in an addendum to the service literature it appeared to be recommending an 80k change. Confused I dropped into local VW service (Arnold Clark, Crow Road, Glasgow) and asked. Pleasant girl at reception began asking the question (for both my cars) of "those in the know". The "expert" appeared to be on holiday and she was best advised to phone through to someone else who quickly replied 40k off the top of his head in a fashion that inspired no confidence. I was particularly concerned about the Polo with no change to date if 40k was correct it was well overdue. The Polo's supplying dealer was Hawco in Inverness so I called their service department. Extremely helpful. Took the reg.no. for both cars as she pointed out this information is very much engine specific. She checked on VW dealer software and advised that both vehicles should have belts changed at 4 years or 60k.
Now the 4 years or 60k is coming very much to the fore but I have VW advice now of 40k (Arnold Clark), 60k (Hawco - plus this forum) and 80k (Polo handbook addendum).
Suitably confused :confused: and a little perturbed at the variations in advice from knowledgable/trusted sources I decided to phone VW customer care (freephone on 0800 711 811) to verify manufacturer's advice and query the differences. They took reg.no. for each car as he advice is engine specific (deja vu) and, after several minutes, confirmed 4 years or 80k. Asked about the differences I was told this was only available on VW software - as used at Hawco? - and she couldn't say anything about the inconsistant advice offered.
Personally it will be an age consideration due to the mileages that my cars do. I just find it incredible that so many urban myths surround this very important data. I'll probably put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard) and put this to VW as hard copy correspondance is generally the only way to have such anomalies resolved by large companies.
Anyway - if you are wondering what the recommendations specific to your vehicle are you can use the freephone number and get the VW approved answer.