Garage can’t reset the service indicator on 2008 Audi A4 1.9
Discussion
Back in October I had my Audi A4 serviced at the same time as some suspension work.
Got it back, all ok it seemed, for the first three weeks or so. Then the “Service Due in 300 miles” warning started coming up every time I started the engine. Took it back and they were very apologetic, re-set it there and then, said the re-set must have been omitted during the service. That didn’t quite add up, as it was saying “service due in XXX miles” when I took it in, but when I picked it up it didn’t say that anymore. But anyway, thought it maybe that is was re-set, but not correctly. I know on my Mk4 Golf previously, you had to set the mileage to next service depending on type of oil used. So, thought maybe Audi was the same and they’d just put the wrong figure in. Anyway, I left relatively happy and thought no more of it.
Until about maybe three weeks later when once again, “Service Due in 300 miles” warning started coming up every time I started the engine. Similar story again Took it back and they were very apologetic, re-set it there and then, said they did not know why it hadn’t worked last time but that should have fixed it this time. This was repeated four times in all, so with the initial reset as part of the service, they have now tried to re-set the service indicator 5 times!!!
It is currently saying it wants a service, but I’m loathed to go back to repeat the same process again.
I was just wondering if any of you good people may have any ideas why the “service due” warning is only lasting about 300 miles after they re-set it?
Garage is a small independent local garage I have used for a few years. Always seemed a good place with a good local reputation. (Although, about three years ago, it changed ownership from the old, very long term (35+ years) owner who retired. And was bought by one of the existing employees).
They have previously serviced car and/or changed oil without any issues re-setting the service warning. Also, each time I have been back, a different technician has re-set it, so don’t think it a case of one person not knowing how to use the kit. Of Couse it could be that none of them know how to use the kit!!!
I know the engine has a sensor in the sump that, not only measures level, but oil quality/condition too. This is for the variable service schedule. One underlying concern I have is that the oil was not actually changed, and it’s this sensor, detecting that the oil is old and worn-out, that is bringing the service warning back on???
I think I trust this garage, but I do have this as niggling doubt, maybe not intentionally missed, but because they were busy with the suspension work they forgot the service (although “service” is on the invoice and they charged me for it!!!)
Any thoughts gratefully received.
Thanks
James
Got it back, all ok it seemed, for the first three weeks or so. Then the “Service Due in 300 miles” warning started coming up every time I started the engine. Took it back and they were very apologetic, re-set it there and then, said the re-set must have been omitted during the service. That didn’t quite add up, as it was saying “service due in XXX miles” when I took it in, but when I picked it up it didn’t say that anymore. But anyway, thought it maybe that is was re-set, but not correctly. I know on my Mk4 Golf previously, you had to set the mileage to next service depending on type of oil used. So, thought maybe Audi was the same and they’d just put the wrong figure in. Anyway, I left relatively happy and thought no more of it.
Until about maybe three weeks later when once again, “Service Due in 300 miles” warning started coming up every time I started the engine. Similar story again Took it back and they were very apologetic, re-set it there and then, said they did not know why it hadn’t worked last time but that should have fixed it this time. This was repeated four times in all, so with the initial reset as part of the service, they have now tried to re-set the service indicator 5 times!!!
It is currently saying it wants a service, but I’m loathed to go back to repeat the same process again.
I was just wondering if any of you good people may have any ideas why the “service due” warning is only lasting about 300 miles after they re-set it?
Garage is a small independent local garage I have used for a few years. Always seemed a good place with a good local reputation. (Although, about three years ago, it changed ownership from the old, very long term (35+ years) owner who retired. And was bought by one of the existing employees).
They have previously serviced car and/or changed oil without any issues re-setting the service warning. Also, each time I have been back, a different technician has re-set it, so don’t think it a case of one person not knowing how to use the kit. Of Couse it could be that none of them know how to use the kit!!!
I know the engine has a sensor in the sump that, not only measures level, but oil quality/condition too. This is for the variable service schedule. One underlying concern I have is that the oil was not actually changed, and it’s this sensor, detecting that the oil is old and worn-out, that is bringing the service warning back on???
I think I trust this garage, but I do have this as niggling doubt, maybe not intentionally missed, but because they were busy with the suspension work they forgot the service (although “service” is on the invoice and they charged me for it!!!)
Any thoughts gratefully received.
Thanks
James
Cotswold Jim said:
One underlying concern I have is that the oil was not actually changed, and it’s this sensor, detecting that the oil is old and worn-out, that is bringing the service warning back on???
Reading through your post the above is what I kept thinking, until I came to the above; that's my own guess. But only that; a guess.Ask them to change the oil, to confirm your thoughts or not.
If they play up saying that it doesn't make sense, say if it doesn't fix it and the alert still appears then you'll pay for the oil.
If on the other hand the alert stops, then you'll know for sure the oil wasn't changed and they will have to accept their error previously and they'd already charged you for the oil and now you are just getting the goods you'd been charged at the time of the service.
Maybe it'd be cheaper to source your own oil and get them to change it, saves the mark up they might have on oil. I'm sure the labour can be ignored of you are on good terms with the garage as the time you have spent getting the alert re-set is greater than the time to change the oil once.
If they play up saying that it doesn't make sense, say if it doesn't fix it and the alert still appears then you'll pay for the oil.
If on the other hand the alert stops, then you'll know for sure the oil wasn't changed and they will have to accept their error previously and they'd already charged you for the oil and now you are just getting the goods you'd been charged at the time of the service.
Maybe it'd be cheaper to source your own oil and get them to change it, saves the mark up they might have on oil. I'm sure the labour can be ignored of you are on good terms with the garage as the time you have spent getting the alert re-set is greater than the time to change the oil once.
The service sensor doesn't measure the quality of the oil. How can it? It's a clock and counter - nothing more.
You trust your workshop to change the oil, so it's almost inconceivable they have not done so.
The reset function has the ability to set the service interval to anything the tech wants. Imagine if the reset had told the car it needs serving every 1000 miles - every 700 miles, it would come up with a service reminder.
I would hazard a guess, someone has cocked up somewhere,and told the car it needs an oil change every 500miles or something stupid.
And I say this with a great deal of experience on (re) setting the service indicators on these bloody things. It doesn't always go well.
You trust your workshop to change the oil, so it's almost inconceivable they have not done so.
The reset function has the ability to set the service interval to anything the tech wants. Imagine if the reset had told the car it needs serving every 1000 miles - every 700 miles, it would come up with a service reminder.
I would hazard a guess, someone has cocked up somewhere,and told the car it needs an oil change every 500miles or something stupid.
And I say this with a great deal of experience on (re) setting the service indicators on these bloody things. It doesn't always go well.
You can do it yourself, worth a try. The other possibility is that it's not the oil service but brake fluid or similar, my last Golf popped up a service warning for oil change and a separate one every 2 years for brake fluid. Might be a different reset for that hence it keeps popping up.
2008-2015
Start the engine
Press the CAR button to get to the service menu
From there use the bottom left button on the MMI Controller to CAR SYSTEMS
Scroll to and select SERVICE & CHECKS from the CAR SYSTEMS menu
Select SERVICE INTERVALS
Select RESET OIL CHANGE INTERVAL and confirm
Turn off the ignition and restart to confirm reset is completed
2002-2007
With the vehicle in the OFF position, press and hold the SERVICE button (button with wrench icon) and turn the ignition to the ON position without starting engine
When the display reads “SERVICE IN ??? MILES” or “Service!”, release the SERVICE button and press and hold the ODOMETER reset button (0.0) until “SERVICE IN — MILES –DAYS” or “SERVICE!” is shown
Turn the ignition to the OFF position and the reset is complete
2008-2015
Start the engine
Press the CAR button to get to the service menu
From there use the bottom left button on the MMI Controller to CAR SYSTEMS
Scroll to and select SERVICE & CHECKS from the CAR SYSTEMS menu
Select SERVICE INTERVALS
Select RESET OIL CHANGE INTERVAL and confirm
Turn off the ignition and restart to confirm reset is completed
2002-2007
With the vehicle in the OFF position, press and hold the SERVICE button (button with wrench icon) and turn the ignition to the ON position without starting engine
When the display reads “SERVICE IN ??? MILES” or “Service!”, release the SERVICE button and press and hold the ODOMETER reset button (0.0) until “SERVICE IN — MILES –DAYS” or “SERVICE!” is shown
Turn the ignition to the OFF position and the reset is complete
Thanks for all the reply’s,
So the last time I took it in, they showed me them setting the service duration to 10 000 Km (their tool only showed Km, not miles) to be sure they also reset it “manually” by instrument cluster button presses (I assume the method Blaster72 mentions above) no difference.
Bearman68, not sure if my 10 year old Audi would have this or no, and more I think about it, I’m erring towards not, but a good friend of mine works for JLR in their diesel engine management dept, he was telling me how their oil quality sensors work, they monitor multiple parameters. Obviously, the basics such as oil level and temperature, but also viscosity and cleanliness. They have LED lights that shine though the oil at a light photo sensor which measures the received light levels to establish how dirty the oil is. All these parameters are used to establish when an oil change is needed along with the traditional clock and counter data, all passed thought a software Kalman filter – google it, it’s crazy the levels of stuff going on modern ECUs – although I acknowledge possibly (probably) not in mine!!!
Regarding the comment “You trust your workshop to change the oil, so it's almost inconceivable they have not done so. ” That’s really what I want to think, I want to trust them. And that why I’m asking for other explanations… but I have seen the display of their diag. tool say reset successful with a time of 12 months and a distance of 10000km, only for the warning to come back on a few hundred miles later.
I don’t wan to keep going in, and repeating the same re-set, time and time again, that’s wasting everyone’s time. I/they need to do something different.
Pericoloso, I have looked at the oil colour, and yes it’s pretty black when wiped on a clean cloth, but to be honest I think its too late to determine anything meaningful from that. As you say, with Diesel it pretty black within a few miles, I had done couple of hundred before the warning came back, too late to tell really.
I don’t want to appear too accusational without good reason, as (I think) I have a good relationship with the garage (from a number of conversations, they know I’m quite technically minded, which is why I don’t think I they would try and pull the wool over my eyes,)
I think what I will do is go back in and talk to them, I will say, rather than rush out to re-set it again, what can they offer that is different. If I don’t get any joy with that, I will reset it myself manually using Blaster72’s method. If it comes back I will change the oil myself, and reset again to see it still comes back with fresh oil. If it doesn’t I guess I will vote with my feet, but if it does who knows…
So the last time I took it in, they showed me them setting the service duration to 10 000 Km (their tool only showed Km, not miles) to be sure they also reset it “manually” by instrument cluster button presses (I assume the method Blaster72 mentions above) no difference.
Bearman68, not sure if my 10 year old Audi would have this or no, and more I think about it, I’m erring towards not, but a good friend of mine works for JLR in their diesel engine management dept, he was telling me how their oil quality sensors work, they monitor multiple parameters. Obviously, the basics such as oil level and temperature, but also viscosity and cleanliness. They have LED lights that shine though the oil at a light photo sensor which measures the received light levels to establish how dirty the oil is. All these parameters are used to establish when an oil change is needed along with the traditional clock and counter data, all passed thought a software Kalman filter – google it, it’s crazy the levels of stuff going on modern ECUs – although I acknowledge possibly (probably) not in mine!!!
Regarding the comment “You trust your workshop to change the oil, so it's almost inconceivable they have not done so. ” That’s really what I want to think, I want to trust them. And that why I’m asking for other explanations… but I have seen the display of their diag. tool say reset successful with a time of 12 months and a distance of 10000km, only for the warning to come back on a few hundred miles later.
I don’t wan to keep going in, and repeating the same re-set, time and time again, that’s wasting everyone’s time. I/they need to do something different.
Pericoloso, I have looked at the oil colour, and yes it’s pretty black when wiped on a clean cloth, but to be honest I think its too late to determine anything meaningful from that. As you say, with Diesel it pretty black within a few miles, I had done couple of hundred before the warning came back, too late to tell really.
I don’t want to appear too accusational without good reason, as (I think) I have a good relationship with the garage (from a number of conversations, they know I’m quite technically minded, which is why I don’t think I they would try and pull the wool over my eyes,)
I think what I will do is go back in and talk to them, I will say, rather than rush out to re-set it again, what can they offer that is different. If I don’t get any joy with that, I will reset it myself manually using Blaster72’s method. If it comes back I will change the oil myself, and reset again to see it still comes back with fresh oil. If it doesn’t I guess I will vote with my feet, but if it does who knows…
Cotswold Jim said:
Thanks for all the reply’s,
So the last time I took it in, they showed me them setting the service duration to 10 000 Km (their tool only showed Km, not miles) to be sure they also reset it “manually” by instrument cluster button presses (I assume the method Blaster72 mentions above) no difference.
All tools will reset it in KM. Certainly VAS and VCDS do. So the last time I took it in, they showed me them setting the service duration to 10 000 Km (their tool only showed Km, not miles) to be sure they also reset it “manually” by instrument cluster button presses (I assume the method Blaster72 mentions above) no difference.
There are a couple of places to set the service interval, it could be that they have reset the car to having 300ml service intervals.
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