Oil change...shall I wait?

[PowerDragon]

Hi all, this may sound like a repeated question, though I've had a look through cannot find an answer.
But before that, can someone clear up my dumb mind.
On the internet, my car a 2011 1.4 6R1 is classed as a MK5, but in these forums is classified under a MK8/MK9, why so?

Ok, main question. My car is ordinarly due a basic service, oil/filter change but due to covid/working from home and lesser driving from last service, its only done 4k miles.
it's been 14 months and although the booklet says, whichever comes first, 1 year or 10k I dont see the point at 4K miles, if 7-8k, I'd do it.

I'm sure such a situation has been expericed by others before at some point, what would you advise?
Shall I wait further or does the oil deteriote that much even if not used?

I had put in Fuchs Titan GT1 Pro C-3 5W30 Fully Synthetic.

Thanks

[amer6R]

Me personally would say no, you dont have to. Someone else will say its hydropic and attracts moisture...
If you dont drive hard ur ok

[wolfie]

I did exactly as you're suggesting last year. Because of the Covid restriction I'd only done a tiny bit over 2K miles in the previous 12 months so I just skipped a year. Fully synthetic is designed not to degrade even with extended service intervals. You'll be fine.

Yours is a MK5. But on here all the minor facelifts between "new models" get counted as there can be significant differences. So early Mk5's are 6R later ones 6C. Just look at polo versions listed on the forum and it sort of explains itself.

[RUM4MO]

I would not leave more than an extra year though, I think that over longer periods the oil "package" could break down.

I just stick with the 12 months or close to that for our cars, when you do your own servicing, you are (hopefully) doing a lot more than just a quick oil+filter change, and with older cars, that extra work needs looking at/doing on a regular basic - and not just when you feel that the oil is due to get changed.

[PowerDragon]

I did exactly as you're suggesting last year. Because of the Covid restriction I'd only done a tiny bit over 2K miles in the previous 12 months so I just skipped a year. Fully synthetic is designed not to degrade even with extended service intervals. You'll be fine.

Yours is a MK5. But on here all the minor facelifts between "new models" get counted as there can be significant differences. So early Mk5's are 6R later ones 6C. Just look at polo versions listed on the forum and it sort of explains itself.

I was thinking the same, good modern oils cannot break down that much just sitting, else they'd break down in the container they come in.
I was thinking of waiting a further 6-7 months, as I dont push this car hard so I reckon should be ok.

Thanks, the facelift designations make sense.

[/quote]

I would not leave more than an extra year though, I think that over longer periods the oil "package" could break down.

I just stick with the 12 months or close to that for our cars, when you do your own servicing, you are (hopefully) doing a lot more than just a quick oil+filter change, and with older cars, that extra work needs looking at/doing on a regular basic - and not just when you feel that the oil is due to get changed.

I'm thinking around 6 -7 months extra before I service, plus I dont drive this car hard, I have something else for that.
Oh yes absolutely, the oil+filter just the basics, I do most of the filters if needed, fuel filter if needed, needs some new front bushes which I need to determine, front new shocks, brake pads, brake oil needs changing. I also need to figure a slight whining noise from rear, by passenger seat area. I just hope the fuel pump isn't going and simply a fuel filter clogged thing. I aim for longevity and safety. Thanks for your input

[/quote]

Me personally would say no, you dont have to. Someone else will say its hydropic and attracts moisture...
If you dont drive hard ur ok

Yeah, this car is driven sensibly so reckon I should get away with another 6-7 months. I'll just change other things that need doing. Thanks for you reply.

[RUM4MO]

These high pressure electric petrol pumps can make "a bit" of a noise, maybe more if the fuel level in the tank is low, and/or the ambient temperature is lower.

Fuel filter, normally, well at least in UK and similar places, the fuel station fuels will be mainly free from any "stuff" that could end up clogging the filter, so, in my experience, these fuel filters can be "for life" - though maybe 0.1% of people have ended up with needing to replace them.

I found in the past, that when you walk into a VW dealership parts department, if you ask for this type of fuel filter, it will not be a normally stocked item, so will need to be ordered in, so that, to me says something. For what it is worth, I did plan to replace the fuel filter on my wife's previous 2002 Polo at roughly 8 years 80K miles, I bought one - but we ran that car until 13 years and 135K miles and it left us without the fuel filter being replaced.

There is a lot more to check, sort out, service on a car than the engine and the lights by the way.