LongLife Servicing and Castrol SLX Professional Powerflow Longlife III

LongLife Service regimes

The LongLife Service regime is so called because there are no set service intervals and, depending on how you drive your vehicle, and the conditions of use, a service will be required anywhere between 9,000 miles or 12 months (whichever occurs first), up to a maximum of 20,000* miles or 24 months (whichever occurs first).

This LongLife service regime has been made possible due to the development of new Volkswagen engines with the latest technically advanced LongLife oil. These engines use built-in sensors that continually monitor the oil quality, making it possible to enjoy reliable and confident motoring for up to a maximum of 20,000* miles or 24 months (whichever occurs first).

*Please consult your Volkswagen Retailer or repairer for full information.

It’s your choice

All new Volkswagen cars (except Fox) are now manufactured with the LongLife Service regime activated and the engine filled with Castrol LongLife oil. However, your car is also capable of being serviced at a more traditional time of 12 months or 10,000 miles (which ever occurs first), this regime is known as Time and Distance. Your Retailer will explain both systems and can reset your car to the Time and Distance regime at the Pre Delivery Inspection if you wish. Whichever regime you choose, the vehicle dashboard service indicator will remind you when the service is due. With the LongLife service regime it could be anywhere between 9,000 miles or 12 months up to a maximum of 20,000* miles or 24 months, depending on the way the car is driven and/or its operating environment. The Time and Distance regime will be around 10,000 miles or 12 months (which ever occurs first).

What LongLife Servicing can mean to you

• Fewer visits to your Retailers or repairer’s workshop.

• Lower lifetime service costs.

• Less oil to dispose of, an environmental benefit.

• Fuel saving.

Your Retailer will have a calculation available that can illustrate the likely savings you will make on both the maintenance of your vehicle and the fuel bill using either the LongLife or Time and Distance regimes.

Castrol SLX Professional Powerflow LongLife III engine oil

Castrol SLX Professional Powerflow LongLife III top up kits

In the event that you need to top up the engine oil between services Castrol have a Check It Kit containing:

• 1 litre of Castrol SLX Professional Powerflow LongLife III.

• Dip stick wipe.

• Disposable gloves.

• Disposable funnel.

• Contained in a black vinyl case attachable to the luggage compartment lining.

So now you can easily check your oil level and ensure that the correct oil is used

Answers to the most frequently asked questions

Is the LongLife regime more expensive than the more traditional Time and Distance regime?

No, the basic service cost hasn’t changed, but because you need fewer services, you will save money. However, LongLife oil is more expensive than conventional oil. So, if you choose the LongLife regime, there will be a corresponding increase in the cost of the oil replaced during a service. Importantly this increased cost must be seen in context. Over a period, the reduced number of services means that the cost of ownership nearly always comes down. Your Retailer has a calculation that can illustrate the likely savings you will make on both the maintenance of your vehicle and the fuel bill.

What is LongLife III oil?

*All diesel vehicles fitted with R5 (5 cylinder) and 5.0ltr V10 engines and manufactured prior to 1 January 2006, cannot use oils meeting Volkswagen standard 507 00 even if equipped with a DPF. These engines should use oils meeting Volkswagen standard 506 01 (eg. Castrol Professional Longtec LongLife II 0W-30) for both LongLife and Time and Distance servicing regimes.

Important note

In order to maximise the life of the DPF, all DPF equipped Volkswagen vehicles (except pre 2006 R5 and V10 engines) must use an engine oil meeting the new 507 00 specification even when on Time and Distance servicing regime.

Do I have to use LongLife oil all the time?

Yes. If you want to take advantage of the LongLife service regime. Please note that if the engine is topped up with more than ½ litre of non-LongLife oil between services, the service indicator will come on earlier and the time or distance between services will be reduced.

Can I really save money on my fuel bill?

Yes. Extensive tests carried out by Volkswagen have demonstrated that Castrol SLX Professional Powerflow LongLife III provides improved fuel economy - equivalent to 10 miles extra per tank on the Volkswagen Passat 2.0 FSI (UK spec) compared to a 15W-40 viscosity oil.

If I am on the LongLife service regime, I might not have my car serviced for up to 2 years; will this affect my warranty?

No. The warranty covers against defects of manufacture. However, if a component fails due to your car not being serviced to the Volkswagen recommendations, then this is not covered by the warranty.

I am concerned that my car can be used on the road for 2 years without any safety checks.

Many components are far longer lasting than they used to be. The front brake pads are electronically monitored, as is the engine oil level. The battery is maintenance free. Tyres are the most vulnerable item and you have an obligation to check these on a regular basis.