2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: 10,000-mile Service

Is a car wash a standard thing now-a-days when having your car serviced? Because when my mom took her Honda in about a month ago, they didn't wash it. I think they should detail it everytime, consdering the hassle we went through to get the car.

$140 for a visual inspection, oil change, and tire rotation? Ouch- guess everything really does cost more out west.

Does Santa Monica VW know you work for Edmunds?
I just ask because I've had some lousy service there in the past, but that was about 6 years ago. So maybe things have changed.

@dragonflight

The service would costs $140 mainly because the the TDI uses a diesel specific full synthetic oil, and i'v been told that the oil filter location on these cars is not the easiest to get too. On the upside, you only have to come in ever 10k instead of 4-6k like most other cars. In the end it's a wash.

Wow, a good VW service department? Guard them with your LIFE!

That little glitch in the VW database about the model year of the car is serious. TSBs and recalls are linked with model year and production date. If a recall is done on 09 TDIs you will not be notified.

@redliner

Many, many cars are now using oil sensors and/or estimates that can put their oil changes at 10k miles+ (I'm thinking of the system on my 528xi, but I've seen and heard of it on many European makes). A system like that, combined with the lower cost of maintenance, makes it a bit more one sided.

Then again, I can't touch the TDI when it comes to the cost of fuel!

"Sweet, take free service away from the "Luxury" brand Audi and give it to VW... Makes... No... Sense..."

VW (2009 and later) free service for the comprehensive warranty period of 36K mi or 3 years, whichever comes first, so for most models you get a maximum of 3 services.

Audi provides one free service at 5K mi or 12 months, whichever comes first. If you purchase Audi Care (2007 and later) for $740, you get 15K, 25K, 35K, and 45K service up to 5 years, whichever comes first.

When I had my old TDI, It would cost me $80 (sometimes I talked them into giving me a discount) to do an oil change at the stealership. But then again, an oil change was done every 10K, so it's not really that big a deal.

The special syn oil that VW sells is not cheap, but I use to save money by using Mobil 5w40 or 0w40 which met the VW/Audi/Porche requirements on the older (including TDI) engines.

You can also save money by using a Pela Oil Extractor, which saves you from getting under the car to drain the old oil. just suck the oil out through the dip stick, change top mounted cartridge filter, and pour in new oil. BAM, you done in like 10-15min, and can be done wearing a suit, no mess no fuss.

dragonflight

the engine was designed around 10K oil changes. as long as you use oil that meets the vw spec (VW507.00), you can change it at 10K....maybe even 15K with no issues.

it's not uncommon for diesel engines to have extended oil changes.....the RPM are so low, and the engines are typically way overbuilt, that they wear very little. You just need good oil and filter to trap all the soot from the burning of diesel fuel. that's why the oil is always sooo black when you change it.