Newish Car - Service/Oil Change

[SpikyHatePotato]

(Posting in Chat for traffic, no pun intended)

I have a leased car, nearly 2 years old, first car I've ever owned.

Second service is due in October; about 2 weeks ago the dash display said Oil change service due in 800 miles.

I will drive about 1500 miles before the normal service is due in October. I tried the helpline of the manufacturer, they couldn't/ wouldn't tell me whether to book an oil change now and service later, or oil change and service together now, or both together in October. Tried contacting various service centres, eventually got a response that it would be best to book both for now. Which I did, but of course as places are busy, I couldn't get a booking till early September.

My actual question is, I will probably drive about 250 miles over what the dash is currently saying (400 miles) before the oil change happens - will the car stop working? Will it invalidate the warranty? Should I stop driving and try to commute on the bus till then?

It's a timed reminder by the computer, the car will be fine.

By the way I assume you check the oil levels every week or so?

I check every month or so, which for a new car is adequate. Although tbh, the damn thing would probably beep at me if the oil level fell 0.5ml below the appropriate level - it beeps about everything else!

Move towards the middle of the road to avoid a pothole or dead pheasant - beeep! - Please drive in the middle of the lane.

A leaf blows across the front bumper - beeep! - You have had a collision.

I will probably drive about 250 miles over what the dash is currently saying (400 miles) before the oil change happens - will the car stop working? Will it invalidate the warranty? Should I stop driving and try to commute on the bus till then

No, of course the car will not stop working. Unlikely to invalidate the warranty either, so I'd just drive it as normal.

But isn't an oil change going to be part of the service?

A lot of modern cars have a standard service which includes an oil change and a smaller oil change service, which is just the oil and filter and possibly one or two other bits. Then you have different things added on at different intervals, eg brake fluid change after 3 years.

Quite often (VAG at least) are on variable service, which means that they have long life oil and the car will tell you when it wants to be serviced. If your driving conditions, eg lots of short journeys, are hard on the car, then it might need servicing more often.

How many miles do you drive and is this the first time it's needed servicing?

Servicing isn't just on time it's also on mileage, whichever comes first. You must be doing higher mileage than the standard service schedule so forget October and go with the mileage.

Service is time or mileage. So if you go over the mileage you WILL void the warranty.

TAKE IT IN NOW.

As I said in my OP, the earliest booking I could get was September - there was literally nothing sooner within 100 mile radius of here. Would have been delighted to TAKE IT IN NOW.

Not if it’s only slightly overdue, most manufacturers won’t void a warranty if it’s less than 1k miles overdue but OP should check with her specific manufacturer and get it in writing. As the car is leased it may also breach the T&Cs if it’s serviced late.

Any VAT registered garage will do. Doesn't have to be original dealership. Halfords would be OK.

In terms of warranty it would be fine but may be in breach of the lease T&Cs.

Not necessarily. When I had a work lease car, they had a long list of garages that I could take my car to be serviced, that weren't main dealers. The OP needs to check her own contract.

Note my use of the word “may” 🤣

But that was a work leased car. Many companies have national agreements. This was why the only time I've ever used Kwikfit was when I had a company car because I didn't have a choice.

My last lease car I didn't sue manufacturer. My usual, local garage was more convenient, easier to book (and cheaper). As long s they are VTA registered and use proper manufacture parts/oils etc. there shouldn't't be any problems with warranty etc.

@SpikyHatePotato

What is your current mileage and what is the requirements for service? 10k/12 months???

Didn't use, not didn't sue

@BarbaraofSeville

Sorry, I slightly misread your post.

Yes. most nationals have agreements but in your case at least you had choice even if it needed to be on the list