Car Servicing!

Steerpike_2

Hello,

I bought a used Seat Leon Diesel (04) a year ago at 43627 miles. I'm not sure on the recommended timespans between minor and major services? It's now got 56000 on the clock a year later. I think the last full service was when I bought it 1 year ago. Does this indicate a full service is required? Sorry to be a bit thick! I will only book a minor service if I can as funds are a bit tight. (What is the approx damage for a full service anyhow?)

Cheers!

aqueoushumour01

if you don't get any responses here, the following forum will definitely know I imagine http://www.seat-forum.co.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=713

neilmcl

The service intervals are every 12mths or 10,000 miles if I remember correctly, your service book should tell you what's required.

Young_Pretender

If it's a diesel you should certainly get the oil changed at regular intervals - 10-12 thousand miles is normal. The soot from the diesel contaminates the oil and eventually wears turbos, causing early failure.
It's very easy to do yourself - £30 on oil, £5 on filter and perhaps £5 on tools provided you can lift the car safely. When you see how easy a basic oil change is, you'll wonder why you paid someone to do it.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

Soot has nothing to do with the degeneration of an engine. Oil loses its lubricating properties with use.

A good synthetic oil (ie Mobil 1) can easily do 15,000 - 20,000. Mineral oil I wouldn't trust past 5,000 miles.

plane_boy2000

The other half's VW is on variable servicing - it comes in at 18K between services on the clever long life stuff - I know many on here will shiver at the thought of 18K between changes, but reality is that oil technology has moved on a long way.

I am sure that the FIL's Leon is 10K / 12 months so yours is already passed its next service, but something else you need to factor in is the cambelt. Most 1.9 TDi's from VW are 60K / 4 year changes - if yours has not been done then you should really think about it as you are nearly there on mileage and past it on age. Some VW's of that age had the change reduced to 40K due to failing plastic tensioners. Check the book to see if its been done.

frankie

[QUOTE=Young Pretender;31358701.
It's very easy to do yourself - £30 on oil, £5 on filter and perhaps £5 on tools provided you can lift the car safely. When you see how easy a basic oil change is, you'll wonder why you paid someone to do it.[/QUOTE]

I'm all for DIY for simple oil changes. Used to do it all the time in the old days!

BUT, a lot of cars now need an ECU reset after an oil change. How can that be overcome if you want to DIY?:question:

Young_Pretender

Any owners club will be able to direct you through simple 'fault code' diagnostics and clearing. With the VAG diesels I believe you use a programme called VAG-COM on a laptop connected via the OBD2 port, usually in the dash/footwell somewhere.

Nothing is impossible with a little know-how!

red_eye

frankie wrote: »

I'm all for DIY for simple oil changes. Used to do it all the time in the old days!

BUT, a lot of cars now need an ECU reset after an oil change. How can that be overcome if you want to DIY?:question:

not vw you just push and hold the buttons on the clocks while turning the ignition on.

op your cars an 04 so it should have a service indecater, right lcd when you first turn the igniton on