2008 Rabbit - 40k-ish service advice

[chiamdream]

I bought an '08 5-door Rabbit automatic in April with 38k miles on it w/ the Certified warranty (which kicks in after the factory warranty expires in September). The buying experience wasn't great and I felt a bit hustled at the end - I was almost off the lot when I realized there was no manual; the salesman said it was lost and gave me one from another car on the lot. After owning the car for a month ago I read some threads that about how Certified cars are supposed to come with all three keys - I only got two, but after complaining to VWoA, the dealer's going to cut me another one free of charge.

Anyway, when I bought the car, on the advice of the salesman I scheduled my first service appointment (which he described as "just an oil change"), which is coming up next week, with my mileage right around 42.5k. Unfortunately, I didn't get any maintenance records when I bought it - they sold the car to the previous two owners (and presumably serviced it as well), so, at least in theory, they should have records, or at least have known when this car was due for an oil change. I had assumed (probably incorrectly) when I was buying the car that it had been given an oil change and had various filters replaced as part of the "certification" process.

Anyway, I'm at a bit of a loss as to how I should begin my maintenance of this car (which I really like and hope to have for a long time). I'll keep my appointment at the dealer because I've got to pick up my new key and want them to activate the remote-controlled windows, which they said they'd do. I also had the car stall out on me once at a stoplight, so maybe they need to replace the charcoal canister. I've read a lot about what a rip-off most of the 40k service is and can do most of the inspections myself, but my question is: If I bought the car with 38k and get a dealer oil change at 43k (and maybe get them to replace the spark plugs), will I be good until 50k? (By that point, I plan to have found a trustworthy independent garage and not bother with the dealer for anything but warranty repairs.) Do you think the dealer will cough up whatever service records they have for my car?

Thanks for your input!

[kiserhd]

They should have done the 40K service before you bought it or during the purchase process. Seems odd to me that they didn't.

FYI the car will tell you when it needs an oil change. Normal service interval set in the computer is 5k miles. Unless altered by the dealership or someone with vagcom (VCDS).

9/10 the previous owner never bothered to find out how to reset the service interval. Depending on which display you have for a gauge cluster would will see a wrench or a wrench with a miles until service message.

[le0n]

welcome to the VWOC...

for less than 150 dollars, you can remove all doubt and learn a little bit about your rabbit if you do the 40k service yourself. the kit can be purchased here: the 40k kit and any questions you have related to the service can be answered by members on this site. and depending on what your driving habits are like, you can be service-free until ~53k miles (oil/filter change will need to be done).

9/10 the previous owner never bothered to find out how to reset the service interval.

hah hah, so true. i know how to reset it, however, i don't care to reset it. the little noisy wrench doesn't bother me

[Luki13]

Don't forget the brake flush too.

[le0n]

^^ like i did...

still haven't done mine...

[Sinan]

To help you out;

Antifreeze is supposed to be for the LIFETIME of a vehicle. Just went to the dealer yesterday and wanted to change mine, he told me it's special AF that isn't meant to be changed, but he recommends the change at 80k if I really want to. I have 52k on Rabbit.

Brake fluid is every TWO years. Not sure about mileage.
Fuel filter is every 35k or so miles.
Transmission oil is also LIFETIME. Although they can change it if you demand it I guess. I did mine at 35k when mechatronic(?) part failed.

I would say to just go with the manual on this one. It's better to give $100 for brake flush than $6000 for repairs after they failed to stop you. Ie. accident.