Service Intervals

[lollysmum]

So would the auto wipe be done under warranty then-hadn't even given that a thought. I thought that only applied to first owner. I'm the second

[andywills]

in my opion, the warranty is on the car, not the owner....if you have a look on parkers forum, there are some guys on there that know a lot about the legal sides of this sort of stuff

heres the link...

http://www.parkers.co.uk/advice/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9577&whichpage=67

and the guy that'll probably help you is AntMat...he helped me when i had an arguement with a dealership and I won

[lollysmum]

Thanks for the advice-have now posted on Parkers

[AlexB]

lollysmum,

No, supplying oil does not invalidate warranty as long as they either do not record anything (as in my case with Benfield) or record the oil grade. This is a clear indication that you are using a wrong garage -- walk away. Legally, you can use any Renault dealer or any VAT registered garage with a catch -- the garage must use only the OEM parts and there should be an evidence of using correct oil. According to your Book, the oil must be 0-5-10w30-40 and ACEA A3. This is all related to anti-monopoly laws. If they are unhappy with anything -- ask them to put it in writing and sign with the manager. If they do it, consider yourself a lottery winner! Full stop.

Use Google to find a reputable garage in your area or just go to Bosch web site and locate one of their accredited garages by postcode.

BTW, what oil are we talking about?

[lollysmum]

Fuchs Titan Supersyn SL 5W-40. Recommended for low mileage short journeys. Car sits in a station car park everyday. Daily mileage-4 miles. GSF recommended this one.

[AlexB]

lollysmum,
They sold you a product of much lower quality than you expected.

The opieoils web site lists TITAN SUPERSYN 5W-40 (without SL) which is MB229.3. The oil you bought is TITAN SUPERSYN SL 5W-40, which is MB229.1.

Reading the specs from Fuchs:
TITAN SUPERSYN SL
SAE 5W-40

Kraftstoff sparendes Leichtlaufmotorenöl auf Basis modernster Synthese-Technologie für PKW-Benzin- und Dieselmotoren.

ACEA A3/B3
API CF/SL
MB 229.1
VW 502 00 / 505 00
BMW Spezialöl
PORSCHE

ACEA A3 is what your book specifies, but MB229.1 points at its borderline quality (according to Mercedes). It is NOT a long life oil, which rises a question regarding warranty implications. Nobody understands it anyway, so it might be OK and still better than what the dealers use. if used for short journeys this oil should be changer once or twice a year and I would not risk doing more than 6k miles on it.

Please check the volume of the bottle -- your engine takes just under 5L.

[lollysmum]

Thanks Alex
I planned to change the oil every 4 months for the time being just to be on the safe side as I'm not sure how well the car has been looked after prior to me owning it. I'm a former engineer so I just want to check the condition of the oil after its been in the car for a while.

Runs well & no major problems just minor niggles like lightbulbs, no auto wipe & a rear screen wipe where the blade won't stay on the screen! boot catch adjustment etc which I am now sorting out. Good to drive though not as good as my last megane 1 facelift 1.4 16v Sport (now owned by my son-in-law )

[chevin]

Local independents can do servicing - but they must use official parts. VW got fined a few years ago over this as its a restriction on trade.

As for hire cars, Renault Manchester provide them foc - as a dealer too they are slightly cheaper than the surrounding dealers, some insurance companys recognise the use of courtesy cars and will have a clause on the certificates which says you can use such a car on their uinsurance without phoning/checking with them

[AlexB]

lollysmum,
I have no experience of such mode of use of a car and I have no idea how often the oil must be changed in this situation. Daily journeys of 4 miles each way give us (4+4)*365=2920 annual mileage. I suggest to ask Oilman here or Guy/Simon at www.opieoils.co.uk -- they may know a similar example.