Does anyone else empty the contents of their car before taking it to a garage for servicing? Although we use a legit. VW Main Dealers, we still take everything out of the car before delivering it to the garage and although we keep our car fairly clean, it's amazing the amount of "stuff" we carry in it.
Should we bother to empty it? Are we paranoid?
Randa

Have you thought of doing your own servicing? I hate paying people to do jobs that I can easily do myself.

Most of the time it's just a simple oil and filter change and visual check for fluid leaks. Air and pollen filters are easy to replace too as are spark plugs, for those who have them, which now only need changing every 60,000 miles or so. You may have to buy the odd special tool but you'll still be quids in.

If you are not mechanically minded, you don't have to take your car to the franchised dealer for servicing. Look for a local independent specialist who won't rip you off to the same extent with his labour charges yet will still use the manufacturer's approved spare parts. Your service book will still be stamped and your warranty won't be affected.

I must be hallucinating. I thought I read that Mr "we're touring Nevada in a bleeding great motorhome" Frantone can't afford to have his car and caravan serviced. I must be going down with late-onset dyslexia.

Quote: Aaron Calder wrote in post #9

---

Have you thought of doing your own servicing? I hate paying people to do jobs that I can easily do myself.

Most of the time it's just a simple oil and filter change and visual check for fluid leaks. Air and pollen filters are easy to replace too as are spark plugs, for those who have them, which now only need changing every 60,000 miles or so. You may have to buy the odd special tool but you'll still be quids in.

If you are not mechanically minded, you don't have to take your car to the franchised dealer for servicing. Look for a local independent specialist who won't rip you off to the same extent with his labour charges yet will still use the manufacturer's approved spare parts. Your service book will still be stamped and your warranty won't be affected.

I must be hallucinating. I thought I read that Mr "we're touring Nevada in a bleeding great motorhome" Frantone can't afford to have his car and caravan serviced. I must be going down with late-onset dyslexia.

---

We didn't 'arf pick a great day to have the car serviced.
Having been given one of those pre-planned Treasure Trails for Porthcawl by one of the kids for Xmas, we decided to do it today as the garage was on the way there. This is a glimpse of some of the weather we experienced......

Porthcawl.jpg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

....and one of the clues was on the end of that pier. Needless to say we didn't get that clue.

Back to the service. Two new rear tyres and a geometry check and adjustment. The rear tyres had done 40,000 miles and still looked good on the outside. Couldn't see the inside tread however as the mudflaps etc obscured the view. They were down to 1.6mm and the uneven wear was put down to the load we carry when touring plus the weight of the van on the back.

A strange set of circumstances with the fuel filter. At the last service (32,000 miles) I was told that the fuel filter would need changing at or before 40,000 miles. The end of last year however, VW have changed their policy and now say that they don't need changing until the vehicle has done 60,000 miles.

Next expense, Cam belt. What are others views on this? VAG say 95,000miles or 5 years, whichever comes first.
Randa