S3 servicing questions

[paulwakinshaw]

Hi Guys

The servicing of S3's is a little confusing, lost of talk about AVS (does this mean advanced servicing schedule?) Haldex service, longlife oils etc.

Here are my questions, I hope that I’m being clear here so that you understand what I’m getting at.

1: Based on my annual mileage of 10K, will the car require a yearly engine oil change even if it is run on special long life oil?
2: Haldex service, what does this consist of? Is it just change the Haldex oil or is there a filter too?
3: Is there a service indicator located in the DIS display? Does it count down to the next service or just flash when a service is required?
4: Yearly service, does the car require a yearly service as per usual cars (i.e. excluding the oil change)
5: What are the service intervals, do they go Basic – Intermediate – Major?
6: When does the cam belt require changing?

Cheers for looking and TIA

Paul

 

[madvw]

1. Debatable, many people have different views on this one.
2. oil cartridge and filter.
3. yes, on facelift models briefly press the button below the left clock on the instrument cluster (when stationary). It'll show the miles till next service in the DIS.
4. not if on AVS. However, AVS only cover basic service. Milage based service items still apply (20k for haldex, fluids etc)
5. not really, it all depends on the milage.
6. depends on the day of the week. Generally people change between 60-80k.

The main problem is that AVS schedules tend not to fit in with milage based service items. So take for example, your third AVS is at 35k miles... do you go the whole hog and have a fluid and haldex service for an extra £300? or do you wait until its at 40k?

 

[god_thats_quick]

for 3... that also applies to those of us with ye olde S3's before that facelift you talk of!

That said I think you might have to pull it out not push it, can't remember though.

 

[dickys3]

I believe you have to press the button when the ignition is on (but not started)... I don't think it works when the engine is running...

The Haldex service depends on the mileage. Every 20K the oil needs changing, every 40K the filter needs changing (along with the oil)

 

[paulwakinshaw]

[ QUOTE ]
I believe you have to press the button when the ignition is on (but not started)... I don't think it works when the engine is running...

The Haldex service depends on the mileage. Every 20K the oil needs changing, every 40K the filter needs changing (along with the oil)

[/ QUOTE ]

ok well dropping the haldex oil every year along with the engine oil would be my plan. can you pick up the haldex oil anywhere or just from VAG dealers? does it come in a push-on cartridge or do you replace it just like engine oil, drop the old stuff and top up with the new stuff?

 

[Paul-RS6]

haldex oil is "injected" out of a cartridge with a gun like the ones you put tubes of silicone in.

there isnt a filler as such, its injected up the drain hole. as you cant get to the top.

mines on AVS, i just get the haldex done every service as its so close and saves a trip.


Haldex is serviced as such..

20k oil
40k oil and filter
60k oil
80k oil and filter etc


so mines now had two services and its not yet hit 40k.

ok in long term it will be serviced more than it needs, but im happy with that.

 

[paulwakinshaw]

cool, that explains that one well.

Been speaking to the dealer today as the have a S3 in, but its imola yellow, not my top choice and its expensive!

If I get the car from the dealer the warrenty is for 12 months so I would be checking carefully the ARB's and other niggles the cars seem to have.

The servicing can be done by a local specialist, oil changes are easy but the haldex one might be a dealer specific service I think. I have changed the oil on my Elise at least every 3000 miles if not sooner when I did my track day. I will probably not stick to the AVS if this is the case as I only do 10k per year and the cost of oil and a filter is small.

How much oil does the car need during a change including the filter - 4 litres?

 

[god_thats_quick]

Haldex isn't as hard as it's made out it's a normal bathroom sealer type caridge and you just need to make sure the car is not cold etc. when you drain the old oil and the filter can be done too, not sure I'd trust a local monkey to do it though.

Needs more than four litres, think it's something like 4.6 off the top of my head.

Good plan on sticking to the 10k service intervals!

 

[Paul-RS6]

4.5 litres at circa £11 quid a litre for castrol .

so atleast £50 in oil.