Nope. Anyone can do the work, just keep the receipts.

Around me, it's actually cheaper to have the dealer do it than go to a quick-lube place (which you couldn't pay me to go to anyway, but that's another story).

My $0.02? You spent a pretty penny on that car - take it to the dealer for your services, build a relationship with one of the service managers. It works out in the end with discounts, moving appointments up for you in tight times, etc. Plus, you'll know it's VW working on your car. Much easier to say "you guys have always serviced my car" if something goes wrong and it's their fault.

 

How about if I just do it myslef? It's no big deal to remove the undercarriage cover, oil filter and drain plug and replace. The problem with this is what receipts do I keep?

 

You know, if you get a good mechanic who does alot of Euro cars, of just Audi/VW then he should know what oil to use.

My mechanic uses Castrol, and I am very happy with it!

It pays to shop around when finding a mechanic, I was fortunate to find one the first time, he is amazing!!

I would tell you to go to him, but you live on the east coast, and I live on the west coast!!

 

I finally lost some belly pan and wheel lining screws at the dealer during an oil change and said never again. I'm going independent from now on.

 

Nope. Anyone can do the work, just keep the receipts.

Around me, it's actually cheaper to have the dealer do it than go to a quick-lube place (which you couldn't pay me to go to anyway, but that's another story).

My $0.02? You spent a pretty penny on that car - take it to the dealer for your services, build a relationship with one of the service managers. It works out in the end with discounts, moving appointments up for you in tight times, etc. Plus, you'll know it's VW working on your car. Much easier to say "you guys have always serviced my car" if something goes wrong and it's their fault.

Same theory here. Been taking my Passat to the same dealer for close to 7 years. The techs know me and my car [mods included] and been known to do some stuff for free since I use them for all maintenance. Always has a nice loaner car for me, even for oil changes.

 

I use my dealer for oil changes. I bring my own synth oil in the 5w-40 flavor. The dealer supplies the OEM filter and changes about $13.00 to install it. $40 bucks total cost, and I'm good with the warranty stamp in my manual.

 

I do my own oil changes. Save a lot of $$$$ :thumbup:

keep the receipts !

 

I want to do my own too but I am trying to find out if that will void my 50,000 48 month warranty? If something happens down the road to my engine and VW comes back that they have no service record for oil chnages, you think they will will believe me when I tell them I did my own oil changes every 5,000 miles?

 

I'm quickly approaching my first 5K mile oil change and was debating the same thing. My decision was made for me, however, when I called and they told me that the earliest they could get me in was May 27th! I told the service advisor that I'd just do it myself, and he told me (like everyone will on here) to just keep the receipts in case there's any question in the future. It will not void your warranty.

Abe

 

I want to do my own too but I am trying to find out if that will void my 50,000 48 month warranty? If something happens down the road to my engine and VW comes back that they have no service record for oil chnages, you think they will will believe me when I tell them I did my own oil changes every 5,000 miles?

Rad, you won't void you warrenty changing your own oil, and I personally recomend it. However, if push comes to shove (and we've seen it here before), you'll want to be able to document that you did them when you were supposed to. this means keeping the recipts for the oil and filter you put in, and the date/milage the work was done. you'll need that whether you do it yourself, or if you let someone else do it.

I suggest looking into the oil extractor if you have a 1.8t, as the oil and filters are easy to change without removing the belly pan, which is a PITA.

I gave my dealer three strikes, once they didn't use the synthetic oil in the passenger seat I provided, twice they over-filled the engine oil. I can change my oil in about 10 minutes now.

 

I want to do my own too but I am trying to find out if that will void my 50,000 48 month warranty? If something happens down the road to my engine and VW comes back that they have no service record for oil chnages, you think they will will believe me when I tell them I did my own oil changes every 5,000 miles?

Rad, you won't void you warrenty changing your own oil, and I personally recomend it. However, if push comes to shove (and we've seen it here before), you'll want to be able to document that you did them when you were supposed to. this means keeping the recipts for the oil and filter you put in, and the date/milage the work was done. you'll need that whether you do it yourself, or if you let someone else do it.

I suggest looking into the oil extractor if you have a 1.8t, as the oil and filters are easy to change without removing the belly pan, which is a PITA.

I gave my dealer three strikes, once they didn't use the synthetic oil in the passenger seat I provided, twice they over-filled the engine oil. I can change my oil in about 10 minutes now.

Does the oil extractor really get out all the oil? How do you change the filter without the oil dripping all over the belly pan and what not?

 

Just picked me up a Pela for my birthday....Can't wait to use it. Only 1800 miles left till next oil change!!

YEEHAA!!!

:thumbup:

 

Does the oil extractor really get out all the oil? How do you change the filter without the oil dripping all over the belly pan and what not?

I believe it gets enough of it out, I usually flush some clean oil through.

Plastic bag to get to the oil filter. Stick a paper towel in it and catch the filter in the plastic bag. works like a charm. :thumbup:

 

I went to the dealer for my first 4 oil changes. They overfilled my engine with oil every single time! Now I do my own oil changes. I still take my car in to the dealer for the major services but I just do not let them do the oil changes.

As long as you keep receipts and mileage records when you changed it, you will be fine.

I also I'm still under warrenty so I felt the same way you did until I figured out that I can take better care of my car then the dealer can. It's pathetic but true.

 

Thanks guys for your responses. From now on I'll be doing my own oil changes.

 

Thanks guys for your responses. From now on I'll be doing my own oil changes.

Side note, I use Fairfield VW for mine. They charge $36, but I don't have a level place to do it myself. They say they are using 5w40 Castrol and sell it there as well. Can get an appt. withing 2-3 days at worst. They have done some warranty work for me and good about that as well. I live closer to Danbury, but it is at least 3 weeks for an appointment.

 

Do it yourself, i know i do, you cannot be more satisfied if you do the work yourself :thumbup: , easy and cheaper. I buy a 5 quart 5W30 Full Syntec at wall mart for $22 and the filter, and do it myself. It leave me with an extra quart. After 4 purchase, you don't have to buy oil, you got 4 quarts :thumbup: . Good luck

 

Do I have to buy a VW oil filter or can it be any manufacturer? I've heard that if something happens to your engine and they see a non-VW oil filter installed, your warranty will be void?

 

I never heard that :???: , i used for the first 2 oil changes the VW oil filter, but at $10 a pop, i went and got the Fram brand for $4. I guess it's up to you. My B5 has 69.000 miles on it, and i have been using the Fram without a problem, and the Full syntetic oil on it, still running great :wink:

 

go to ECS tunning.com and get your OEM oil filters $5.50 each.