Car servicing regime:
in We've got it down to a T Tue Dec 31, 2013 1:32 pmby Randa france • | 13.271 Posts
Car Servicing Regime:
For a number of reasons we have decided to have our VW Touran serviced by a local VW dealership instead of using that nice reliable little bloke down the road.
We’ve just arranged for it to have its annual service and we were faced with a few decisions we’ve not had to make before.
a) VW state that the first diesel fuel filter change is 40,000 miles which will just about see us OK until next year. However, on previous diesel cars I’ve always elected to have the filter changed at every service although our annual mileage was far greater. Any opinions?
b) VW insist that the brake fluid needs replacing after three years and every two years thereafter. Does anyone know why this is measured in time and not distance?
d) Same goes for the air conditioning. Every two years?
e) MOT. I understand that all towing equipment including towing electrics is now scrutinised during the MOT. Is that correct?
Randa
1999 Eriba Troll 530 pushing a VW Touran 2L TDi Match
RE: Car servicing regime:
in We've got it down to a T Tue Dec 31, 2013 1:44 pmby Steamdrivenandy (deleted)
a. No opinion
b. I believe it's because brake fluid can absorb moisture from the atmosphere which can lead to internal corrosion in the braking system. Presumably it laps up moisture at a steady level, no matter how many miles are covered. The period may be shorter after the initial stint because they can't guarantee all moisture would have been removed when changing.
c. Presume aircon is the same as b., but not so safety critical.
d. Correct
Amber a Lunar Quasar 464 Sussex Amberley Sussex Caravans dealer special pushing a '59 reg. Kia Cee'd 3 SW 1.6 CRDi Automatic, a rough towing ratio of 86%.
RE: Car servicing regime:
in We've got it down to a T Tue Dec 31, 2013 4:12 pmby Aaron Calder • | 3.834 Posts
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, i.e. it absorbs water from the atmosphere. As the fluid acts as a lubricant for the mechanical components with which it comes into contact in the braking system, any water it contains can cause corrosion.
Also, brake fluid becomes hot due to the friction involved in braking and its boiling point reduces significantly when it contains water making it far less efficient and consequently less safe.
I use a non-franchised VAG specialist. They only use genuine Audi parts and lubricants (Castrol Edge oil) but their labour charges are much lower than those of the dealer due to their lower overheads.
I wouldn't replace the air con fluid so regularly. Are you confusing this with the air con pollen filter? They replace these when servicing as they can become smelly due to bacterial growth. I seldom use the air con but all the air entering the car through the heater and dashboard vents passes through the pollen filter irrespective of air con usage.
Forum Administrator
2003 Triton 420 and Audi A4 2.0Tfsi S-line SE Cabriolet
RE: Car servicing regime:
in We've got it down to a T Tue Dec 31, 2013 4:29 pmby Deeps (deleted)
(a) If most of your refuelling is done at one of the big chains e.g. high turnover, fresh fuel in tanks, I'd tend to go with the manufacturers recommendations. Little station down the road who has a delivery twice a year allowing for a longer standing period in which to pick up sediment and moisture, I'd go with the more frequent option.
(b) Although you don't see it unless really looking for it on a car (on a motorcycle it's more obvious cos everything is open) the first fill of brake fluid removes a fine layer of internal rubber from the brake pipes. It's this dirt basically that gives the discolouration to the fluid early on in the cars/bikes life. Once this old fluid is flushed out - and a good garage will flush the system not simply refill with fresh oil - the oil maintains a lighter colour for much longer. That's not to say, however, that it shouldn't be changed due to moisture absorption etc. For the reasons stated, I myself have never understood why the first change is after 3yrs and bi-annually thereafter. I often think they've got it the wrong way round. It might of course be related to the fact that during the 4th year the pads are considered worn to the extent that fresher oil is required to maintain the same braking efficiency as when the car was newer.
(c) what happened to this question?
(d) no idea although I must say that when I had a pre-winter check last year (car 2 yrs old), the test on my air con system returned a "what's presently in here is rubbish - change it asap" which of course I did.
(e) also no idea although it's always been the case over here.
Edit: I've added this as a result of the post before mine......both typing a response at the same time. Everything I've either read or heard in connection with car a/c systems i.e. from the ADAC, VW dealer and local garage who in fact changed my a/c fluid last time around all advise using the a/c system regularly, if not all the time, that the car is being driven. This ensures that certain valves in the system are lubricated and function as intended. If the system is not regularly used there is a risk of these valves sticking necessitating expensive repairs to the entire system.
2013 Triton 430, VW Touran TDI BM
RE: Car servicing regime:
in We've got it down to a T Tue Dec 31, 2013 4:51 pmby Steamdrivenandy (deleted)
I'd heard that you should use the aircon for at least 10 minutes every week in order to circulate the gases, which include lubricants, that keep seals flexible and working properly. If the seals harden then gas leakage occurs and the aircon becomes less effective.
Amber a Lunar Quasar 464 Sussex Amberley Sussex Caravans dealer special pushing a '59 reg. Kia Cee'd 3 SW 1.6 CRDi Automatic, a rough towing ratio of 86%.
RE: Car servicing regime:
in We've got it down to a T Tue Dec 31, 2013 5:26 pmby Randa france • | 13.271 Posts
Thanks for your answers so far. Very interesting. I can't remember ever having the brake fluid changed before. Sounds like a tricky job.
I remember once having all sorts of problems with a changed fuel filter Rod because of an air lock. The reason we've put it off until next year is that we've bought into a VW two year service plan and for some reason, they only perform the major service which includes the fuel filter change, at the second service.
Regarding the missing question Deeps, I left it out to c) if you were paying attention...
...and the reason I suspect Brian (Mr Cauldron) doesn't use his air conditioning is because he's got a soft top (nothing personal Brian) so is more likely to need hair conditioning
Seriously though, the pollen filter has been changed at every service and the brake fluid and aircon servicing is done at an extra cost of £99.
1999 Eriba Troll 530 pushing a VW Touran 2L TDi Match
RE: Car servicing regime:
in We've got it down to a T Tue Dec 31, 2013 8:26 pmby Pop540 (deleted)
hi
Hi randa
if the brakes are done correctly every service you actually remove the fluid that has been heated and possible water, when the pads are changed, or any checking, de seizing, the fluid gets pushed out threw the bleed nipple some special clamps on the flexi brake pipe stop fluid going back the wrong way,..
fluid is then added to brake fluid bottle to replenish whats taken out and all bleed points are bled to remove any possible air
there is a possibility you guy may have done this is any pipes have been changed.
the vw suggested method of removal suggests total fluid change, which can be a nightmare to re bleed, some times the master seals can well cause further expense..
some dealers service the brakes without taking the wheels off, ie a visual check.. we have had fights with alloy to steel hubs to get wheel off after 3 years of dealer service, just to change the wheel for the spare on the motorway
fuel filter, I used to change every 10 000miles because the bio diesel can cause what look like slugs in the fuel system (giving the driver no power), the water content in diesel can also freeze in winter hence no start
the air con is a system that doesn't need re gassing unless the condenser, the pump, or any pipe work has developed a fault ie leaking
if its leaking the air con doesn't work any way,
I happen to know this after a stone was shot through the radiator on our car and caught the air con rad
the pollen filter may need changing, each year if it smells mouldy and there is a spray you can buy from a car place that require the air con on recirculation full blast you set the £11 aresol down behind the passenger seat and it kills and de ordour ies to stop is it Legionaires disease and other bugs.
if you have the 7 plug system no the plug doesn't get checked the 13 pin one does as there was extra equipment to buy for each testing station
the wiring is checked to ensure secured
and the towbar its self is check for security
you can read the mot class 4 manual on line good luck understanding it
the thing that is important and not part of the service, you have to ask, is the timing belt change, I am not sure if yours is a chain though, the recommended change is every 5 years or a specified certain milages which ever occurs first, change the altanator belt at same time
Hopefully all this info will help
((you may get a feeling I don't happen to trust dealers, this is because one near here whom (has now gone bust) we asked to plug computer into the ecu to see if everything was ok
decided a to mention my exhaust was rusty and needed changing asap
the original exhaust is still on the car some 6 years later and still doesn't blow
secondly riffled through my belongings that happened to have my meds in the boot, to look at the spare wheel
the computer plug is below the steering wheel not in the boot, is there no wonder why a 10 minute job turned into a delay of 3 hours, sadly I ended up being extremely upset, specially as id realised meds being disturbed... ))
RE: Car servicing regime:
in We've got it down to a T Tue Dec 31, 2013 9:50 pmby Aaron Calder • | 3.834 Posts
Quote: Steamdrivenandy wrote in post #6
I'd heard that you should use the aircon for at least 10 minutes every week in order to circulate the gases, which include lubricants, that keep seals flexible and working properly. If the seals harden then gas leakage occurs and the aircon becomes less effective.
I've also read that 30 minutes air con per month will do the trick.
Forum Administrator
2003 Triton 420 and Audi A4 2.0Tfsi S-line SE Cabriolet
RE: Car servicing regime:
in We've got it down to a T Wed Jan 01, 2014 4:45 pmby Deeps (deleted)
RE: Car servicing regime:
in We've got it down to a T Fri Jan 17, 2014 3:21 pmby Randa france • | 13.271 Posts
Today was the big day. The tow car's annual service and MOT. which we've had to bring forward because we're not in the country during May.
We decided to take the car to VW Sinclair's Port Talbot branch as we have not been happy with the attitude of the Bridgend branch were we bought the car. Also, as VW only offer a courtesy car that the borrower has to cover fully comprehensive ( 12 squids, I ask you?), we decided to take a walk around for four hours whilst the dastardly deeds were being done and there's more to see in the Port Talbot area (and it's nearer home). Dropped the car off at 8:30am sharp and expected THAT call to say "a few things have come up"......
Well, a clean bill of health and further more, this particular branch of Sinclairs was absolutely great to deal with. No complaints at all.
Anyway, we must have walked for about 10 miles and most of that along Aberavon beach in the direction of Swansea. The light was amazing and for a change, almost all the photos we took were successful.
I've included one of Aberavon beach looking towards Margam Steelworks. No fancy camera or filters used, just a straight forward Canon Pocket digital.
Aberavon Beach.jpg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)
Good innit!
1999 Eriba Troll 530 pushing a VW Touran 2L TDi Match
RE: Car servicing regime:
in We've got it down to a T Fri Jan 17, 2014 3:41 pmby Deeps (deleted)
Quote: Randa france wrote in post #11
No fancy camera or filters used, just a straight forward Canon Pocket digital. Good innit!
Yea, not bad for a little Canon Powershot A3100 IS although I'm guessing with values like ISO80, f/9 and a shutter speed of 1/100 you had the camera set to Auto mode. Naughty naughty.
Judging by the almost HDR effect you're still using an older version of Photoshop - I'd guess at version 7???
2013 Triton 430, VW Touran TDI BM and a Yellow Submarine of course.
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RE: Car servicing regime:
in We've got it down to a T Fri Jan 17, 2014 4:29 pmby Randa france • | 13.271 Posts
Quote: Deeps wrote in post #12
Yea, not bad for a little Canon Powershot A3100 IS although I'm guessing with values like ISO80, f/9 and a shutter speed of 1/100 you had the camera set to Auto mode. Naughty naughty.
Judging by the almost HDR effect you're still using an older version of Photoshop - I'd guess at version 7???
Yes it is a Canon Powershot and I can't even guess at all the other guff you are telling me about it except for yes, it was and is set to Auto Mode !! Is there any other way ??? !!! It's as much as I can do to point and click the bl**dy thing, let alone alter the settings as well.
And as for Photoshop. Yes, we have Version 7 but what's all the HDR effect your talking about? I've only used it to reduce the image size for posting on the web.
Only one question !!! How do you know all this? I've just picked a card out of a pack, a random card. Which one is it?
Hob. Margam Abbey Steelworks. Lovely place
1999 Eriba Troll 530 pushing a VW Touran 2L TDi Match
RE: Car servicing regime:
in We've got it down to a T Fri Jan 17, 2014 4:55 pmby Deeps (deleted)
Quote: Randa france wrote in post #14
Only one question !!! How do you know all this?
By the Exif - Exchangeable image file format - which is a standard that specifies the formats for images, sound, and ancillary tags used by digital cameras (including smartphones), scanners and other systems handling image and sound files recorded by digital cameras.
Or, in simpler terms:
When you take a shot with your camera, embedded within the image is a whole heap of data. All you need then is a method of extracting that information. So when someone tries to pull a fast one by saying the image was shot on such and such a date and had nothing done to it this tool will either confirm this or deny this claim.
Just for fun, try this little exercise.
(1) Download this small file (3.6MB) - the Windows Executable version - and save it to the desktop. http://www.sno.phy.queensu.ca/~phil/exiftool/
(2) It's a zip file so double-click on it to open. Just drag the resultant file to the desktop where it will appear as a shortcut icon.
(3) Now simply drag your jpg image on top of the shortcut icon and a DOS window will open. Now read everything it says about your image.
(4) Enjoy.
2013 Triton 430, VW Touran TDI BM and a Yellow Submarine of course.
мы прибываем невидимые
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