Your car displays "Service due in 0 km" or the little spanner symbol lights up on the dashboard. Look online and you'll find someone telling you that two button presses will make it disappear. And they're right. The message is gone. But the engine oil is still old, the filters haven't been changed, and nobody has carried out the necessary checks. That's where the trouble starts. And I'm telling you this because I don't want you paying for a problem you could easily have avoided.
What does the service interval actually tell you?
The service reminder counts the kilometres and days since it was last reset. On VAG cars, there are two settings. One is LongLife, a flexible service interval where the car calculates when servicing is due. The other is a fixed interval, based on a set mileage or once a year. Which one your car uses depends on its coding and the engine oil that's been put in. That's exactly why getting the settings right matters.
How do you perform a VAG service interval reset?
- On newer models, you can reset it through the instrument cluster menu or the service section in the MMI.
- On older models, you use the trip counter button while switching on the ignition.
- With a diagnostic tool – this is the proper way to do it, especially if we need to change the service mode or the interval itself.
Why don't I recommend resetting it yourself?
Because resetting the reminder doesn't mean your car has been serviced. If you simply clear the message without changing the oil and filters, the car stops reminding you. But your engine is still running on old oil. And after a while, you might not even remember when the last service was carried out. Then, my friend, you're the one left paying the bill.
- You lose the reminder just when you need it most.
- When you decide to sell the car, its service history is no longer clear.
- If the settings are wrong, your car could be counting down a LongLife interval while you're driving with oil intended for a fixed service interval.
- You also miss the other important service checks – brakes, leaks and suspension.
Never reset the service interval before changing the engine oil. You're gaining nothing. All you're doing is hiding the fact that your service is overdue from the dashboard.
How do we do it at Das Auto Service?
We keep things simple. First, we change the engine oil and filters, carry out all the necessary checks, and only then reset the service interval using a diagnostic tool. For cars driven in Bulgaria, I recommend a fixed interval of every 10,000 km or once a year, whichever comes first, instead of LongLife, regardless of which engine oil you use. We record everything on your invoice, so you know exactly what we've done to your car and when. No guessing later.
A tip from Kris Mladenov: Make a note of your mileage every time you change the engine oil. It takes seconds and could save you a lot of headaches. If someone accidentally resets the service interval, you'll still know exactly when the last service was carried out.
If you can't remember when your car was last serviced, don't rush to reset anything. Bring it to Das Auto Service. We'll check it over, do whatever needs doing, and only then reset the interval. Because I don't just want that message to disappear from your dashboard. I want you to know your car has been serviced properly.
The solution in our shop
Genuine LongLife III FE 0W-30 engine oil, 5 litres
Genuine LongLife III 0W-30 engine oil, which we change at every service, every 10,000 km or once a year.
View in our shop
Genuine LongLife IV 0W-20 engine oil, G S60577M2, 1 litre
Genuine LongLife IV 0W-20 engine oil for newer engines that specifically require this oil specification.
View in our shopRead more
- Routine servicing at Das Auto Service
- Diagnostics at Das Auto Service
- How can I check the genuine service history of a VAG car?
- VW 504/507 and LongLife: what the label on the bottle means
- VW 508/509 0W-20 oil: can you use it in an older engine?
Frequently asked questions
Can I reset the service interval myself after changing the oil?
Yes, you can. But only if the engine oil and oil filter have actually been changed and the service interval is set correctly. I'd recommend letting us do it with a diagnostic tool. That way, we can check the coding too, rather than just clearing the message from the dashboard.
How do I know if my car is set to LongLife servicing?
Check your service book, or bring the car in and we'll check it with a diagnostic tool. If your dashboard shows a service interval of around 30,000 km, your car is most likely set to LongLife.
Can I switch from LongLife to a fixed service interval?
Yes, of course. We can change the setting with a diagnostic tool and then fill the engine with oil that meets the correct specification. The important thing is that the oil and service interval are right for each other. Otherwise, there's no point.