Bought a new car today

leroyjr1

Kex wrote: »

I bet if you check the service schedule booklet carefully you'll find there is a first "intermediate" change. I think it was 5,000 miles on our 2003 Golf. After that, we just changed the oil at 10,000 and every other 10,000 as specified in the service schedule. These intervals are only good if you're using OEM filters, probably Bosch 2 year 20,000km filters, not the junk they use at Jiffy and elsewhere. I believe the dealer uses synthetic oil on our modest (115hp) vehicle. We like the handling and quality of the interior finish, including height adjustment on both front seats. We always get exactly the MPG as advertised, city (heavy L.A. traffic) or highway (up to 70mph).

I also owned a 1995 Passat GLX VR6. Excellent car. I sold it in 2004 at 115,000 miles and it was still running like the day I bought it. The dealer certainly used synthetic in this car.

In any case, congratulations on your purchase, and remember to go easy for the first 1,000 miles (I know it's hard sometimes)!

10,000 miles

ben62670

The oil that the non turbos come with from the factory are Dino oil. This is good for the many reasons that have been posted. Newer engines are built much cleaner than older engines. The first change will get rid of nearly all impurities. After that run syn. Remember there is a filter that catches the particles(next to none after 500 miles). A lot of stuff is still held over from when engines ran regular iron rings from the days of old. When rings really needed time to seat. New engines break in real quick.

pmckeealaska

OK, so it seems as if there are lots of different opinions on when I should get the first oil change. So, I hear 500 miles, 1000 miles, 3000 miles and, yikes....10,000 miles. What does everyone think? I'm at about 550 miles right now.

ben62670

pmckeealaska wrote: »

OK, so it seems as if there are lots of different opinions on when I should get the first oil change. So, I hear 500 miles, 1000 miles, 3000 miles and, yikes....10,000 miles. What does everyone think? I'm at about 550 miles right now.

Just get it done by 1,000;) 3,000-5,000 is a standard normal maintenance interval. 10,000 first oil change is **** It had to be a typo.
Ben

pmckeealaska

OK. Thanks. Never had a brand new car before so all of this initial maintanence stuff is new to me.

Kex

pmckeealaska wrote: »

OK, so it seems as if there are lots of different opinions on when I should get the first oil change. So, I hear 500 miles, 1000 miles, 3000 miles and, yikes....10,000 miles. What does everyone think? I'm at about 550 miles right now.

I would stick to the manual if I were you, and stay away from places using non OEM filters. Those engines are run in on the bench before they are delivered IIRC, so that may be why they have done away with the first 5,000 mile oil change. That car will go for 100,000 miles and more by just doing what it says in the service schedule.

Check the oil filter, and you'll see what I'm saying about the Bosch long life filter (it's usually marked on the outside). This is true for Mercedes-Benz too, by the way (oil change every 13,000 miles). If you're worried about it, your dealer will still do a 5,000 mile oil change for about $40, including cleaning the car, between services.

Servicing a VW is not like servicing a Ford or GM. They are built different IMO.

pmckeealaska

Oil changes are covered for the first 36K miles, so I guess it doesnt matter when I take it in first in terms of cost to me.

Kex

pmckeealaska wrote: »

Oil changes are covered for the first 36K miles, so I guess it doesnt matter when I take it in first in terms of cost to me.

If they are convering the oil changes (which is new, they didn't before), then they will probably only cover what is in the service schedule. Any extra changes will (or early changes) will be up to you.

The 10,000 mile limit is not a typo. I believe it also has a twelve month maximum recommended interval limit though.

Kex

pmckeealaska wrote: »

Oil changes are covered for the first 36K miles, so I guess it doesnt matter when I take it in first in terms of cost to me.

That's actually pretty smart! The first expensive service is the one where they first change the spark plugs, at about 40K usually on these cars, and then 60K, when they check the timing belt, and replace it if necessary. Those first three services probably don't even cost them $250.

Joe08867

pmckeealaska wrote: »

Oil changes are covered for the first 36K miles, so I guess it doesnt matter when I take it in first in terms of cost to me.

Alot of dealers by me are doing this to get people in the door.

If it were my car I would get it changed at 1000 and 3000 and then go by the book. Just my opinion as a former ASE certified mechanic.

KEX, I agree and disagree with you on the Ford GM thing. Both are making great strives to build better motors. My 2000 Impala has 115,000 with no real maintenance besides oil, antifreeze, and plugs. MY 1993 GMC Sierra has over 160,000 and it is in the same boat except for an alternator added to the mix.

My VW on the other hand had many issues. Distributor that went poof at 50,000, a computer that got wiped out the first week I owned the car while I was driving down the highway??? and other stuff that makes little sense to me or my brother in-law that is a VW tech. But from about 60,000 on it ran like a dream. So no manufacturer is perfect.

Kex

Joe08867 wrote: »

... KEX, I agree and disagree with you on the Ford GM thing. Both are making great strives to build better motors. My 2000 Impala has 115,000 with no real maintenance besides oil, antifreeze, and plugs. MY 1993 GMC Sierra has over 160,000 and it is in the same boat except for an alternator added to the mix. ...

Joe, I wasn't trying to say one was better than the other, just different. We have a 1994 Chevrolet K1500 with 190,000 miles. It has had some issues at times, but with those miles, I don't call that bad reliability.

What I meant was the technology used in a VW is different, mostly because no European manufacturer that tried to sell a car to Europeans with oil changes every 3,000 miles, or even 5,000 miles these days would ever succeed. Long service intervals are the norm over there, so all the manufacturers adjusted their technology accordingly.

I don't believe European, or even Japanese cars for that matter, are necessarily more reliable than American cars. The interior finish, road handling, and financial consequences of depreciation are why we bought our Golf, not because we don't like American cars.

pmckeealaska

just got off the phone with the dealership and they said the jetta doesnt need a oil change until 10K. Any thoughts?

Joe08867

Kex wrote: »

Joe, I wasn't trying to say one was better than the other, just different. We have a 1994 Chevrolet K1500 with 190,000 miles. It has had some issues at times, but with those miles, I don't call that bad reliability.

What I meant was the technology used in a VW is different, mostly because no European manufacturer that tried to sell a car to Europeans with oil changes every 3,000 miles, or even 5,000 miles these days would ever succeed. Long service intervals are the norm over there, so all the manufacturers adjusted their technology accordingly.

I don't believe European, or even Japanese cars for that matter, are necessarily more reliable than American cars. The interior finish, road handling, and financial consequences of depreciation are why we bought our Golf, not because we don't like American cars.

That is why I agreed and disagreed. I will admit that VW, Audi, BMW and Mercedes have amazing engineering. And most other manufacturers are playing catch up. As far as fit and finish, I wouldn't dream of putting an American car up against a European or Japanese vehicle but maybe against Korean car though.:D

I bought my Golf for those reasons and that is was a fun car to drive. And sturdy. Heck I went head on into that guardrail at 50mph and besides a bruised rib I was unharmed. I didn't even break a nail.:p

ntculenuff

congrats just my opinion on the oil but we have an Audi A6 and it has to have synthetic when we bought it (used little over 2 yrs ago) the car lot had put regular oil in it and the engine light had came on a few weeks later once the weather had cooled down and the mornings were cold. took it to our mechanic who only works on vw's and Audi's said it had mis fired a few times usually on the start up. he noticed that the oil was changed and done with the regular oil. he told us the the they only use synthetic on them now with the way the motors are running at higher rpm's, hotter and such. He drain motor and trans and filled with synthetic. we have not had the problem since

ben62670

ntculenuff wrote: »

congrats just my opinion on the oil but we have an Audi A6 and it has to have synthetic when we bought it (used little over 2 yrs ago) the car lot had put regular oil in it and the engine light had came on a few weeks later once the weather had cooled down and the mornings were cold. took it to our mechanic who only works on vw's and Audi's said it had mis fired a few times usually on the start up. he noticed that the oil was changed and done with the regular oil. he told us the the they only use synthetic on them now with the way the motors are running at higher rpm's, hotter and such. He drain motor and trans and filled with synthetic. we have not had the problem since

Thank you:)

pmckeealaska wrote: »

just got off the phone with the dealership and they said the jetta doesnt need a oil change until 10K. Any thoughts?

They may be running them at the factory, and draining them. Then fill them knowing many people(most) don't make it in for the first oil change? It is smart on VW if they do this. Again Extreme climates only use syn. Even if I were wrong(which I know I am not) it certainly wouldn't hurt a thing. Look for a VW forum instead of asking well meaning audio guys;)
Ben

Kex

pmckeealaska wrote: »

just got off the phone with the dealership and they said the jetta doesnt need a oil change until 10K. Any thoughts?

There is nothing unusual about this in Europe these days. They've been doing that for about ten, maybe even twenty years now. I think you can safely stick to the service schedule as long as you do not use the wrong filters and/or oil. These cars get driven all over Germany, France, and Italy at 80-90mph and do just fine and regularly top 100,000 miles. Why do you want to add extra expense to your maintenance bill? That's certainly what I would do, and have been doing for as long as I've owned European cars.

But it's your car, so if you feel better getting an extra oil change in between, just go to the dealer, and pay for it if necessary, to make sure you are getting the OEM filter and the proper oil (probably synthetic).

Don't forget to enyoy your new toy!

avelanchefan

pmckeealaska wrote: »

just got off the phone with the dealership and they said the jetta doesnt need a oil change until 10K. Any thoughts?

They are correct. My wife has the New Beetle convertible with the 2.5L engine. We go 10,000 miles between changes. No problems at all.

VW uses their own Synthetic oil, so using any other type of oil will void the warranty. And if I am not mistaken the new 2009 VW's do not even have a dipstick to check the oil. I have never worried about it. Even when I had my 2007 GTI, I went 10,000 miles between changes.

disneyjoe7

leroyjr1 wrote: »

I was told by a friend of mine which happens to be a machanic that i should change my oil at 500 miles while the motor is first breaking in and 1000 miles after that. He stated that you don't want to run you motor over 1000 miles with all those very small metal shaving in the motor caused by break in.

I agree, remove the break in oil at 500 / 600 miles then change oil with Dino to 1800 / 2000 then convert to Synthetic oil. Put some in the transmission also, Amsoil love the stuff.

Kex

disneyjoe7 wrote: »

...Put some in the transmission also, Amsoil love the stuff.

The transmission is sealed IIRC, even the automatics, and his is a stick shift anyway so I think he can't!

disneyjoe7

There's oil... gear oil in a manual transmission also

They make gear oil. I just put 2.8q of Amsoil's 75w-90 in the rear end of my 4Runner.

ben62670

Kex wrote: »

The transmission is sealed IIRC, even the automatics, and his is a stick shift anyway so I think he can't!

Yeah that was something I loved about my Passat. Friggen sealed tranny It had to be "serviced" because for some reason the tranny fluid was low:rolleyes: No leaks.

wizzy

I thougth VW recommended synth for the turbos?

That said, lots of people buy the Rotella T 5w-40 synthetic from WalMart in the gallon containers for their VW turbos.

m00npie

wizzy wrote: »

lots of people buy the Rotella T 5w-40 synthetic from WalMart in the gallon containers for their VW turbos.

I'm one of them

brettw22

pmckeealaska wrote: »

just got off the phone with the dealership and they said the jetta doesnt need a oil change until 10K. Any thoughts?

You'll never void your warranty by doing what the dealer tells you to..........why are you doubting what the people that make/service the cars tell you to do to their machines?

sucks2beme

10k on synthetic I'd buy into to. Maybe. But real oil doesn't go that far.
I normally go for the more common 3-5k, even with synthetic. I do my own,
so it doesn't take long. In my older truck, I use synthetic blend. That
is due to leakage. I'm pushing 200k, so some leakage is normal.
if you start early with synthetic and stick with it, the leakage problem won't
be as likey to occur. The truck I bought used.

wizzy

brettw22 wrote: »

You'll never void your warranty by doing what the dealer tells you to..........why are you doubting what the people that make/service the cars tell you to do to their machines?

Well, it' is possible the dealer doesn't know. If I were this person asking the question, I would verify it in the manual that was delivered with the car.

I always consult the rec intervals in the service manual before believing the dealer service dept. -- though they usually err on the short side and not the long side.

W

fossy

beautiful car --- Congrats & enjoy--- Now ya need some polks in there

natehack

Nice ride, would love a wagon, excuse me sportwagen myself!
Instead of mulling over the oil change intervals, what kind of mileage are you getting with the 2.5L 5cyl manual?
I have a 2000 A4 Avant Quattro with a manual, 1.8T, 80,000 miles and pull 30-32mpg's on the hwy at speed limit. I would think the new 5 would be fairly fuel efficient in comparision! Good luck holding back during the break in period!

pmckeealaska

On first full tank of gas I averaged 29.8 mpg. I expect that to improve somewhat.

Joe08867

pmckeealaska wrote: »

On first full tank of gas I averaged 29.8 mpg. I expect that to improve somewhat.

You should probably get a few more miles but I wouldn't expect miracles.

The four cylinder gold I had got 31-33 on the average. I can't imagine the 5cylinder you have to be anymore effecient than that.