MK5 & MK6 VW Service Guide

The what, how and when to service on your MK5 and MK6!

Oil Changes

For all models, routine oil changes should be made every 3,000 to 4,000 miles or every 3 months depending on how often you drive. A routine oil change consists of draining the old oil, replacing the oil filter and adding new oil. It is recommended that you use 5W-30 or 5W-40 Synthetic oil

Brakes

The easiest way to tell if you are in need of new brakes pads or rotors is your car will squeaking noise when you apply the brakes. You should inspect your brake pads every 12,000, if they get below 1/8 inch of pad left, then they need to be replaced. It is recommended that you replace your pads every 25,000 but it really all depends on how much you drive and the wear on them.

With your brake rotors, depending on how much you drive and where you keep your car, your brakes rotors will either need replacing from too much wear or because they have rusted. It is recommended you replace the rotors with the pads because if you just replace the pads and the rotors are rusted, they will eat up the new pads and they will not last you as long.

Brake fluid should be check during every oil change, if the fluid is dirty, then you should replace it.

Tires

This one should be pretty straightforward – when you have little to no tread left you need to replace your tires. If you are seeing cords then you definitely need to replace your tires.

Ways to avoid excessive tire wear, get an alignment. An alignment will help avoid any unnecessary camber and toe wear and keep the wear even across the entire tire and not just on one side. Even if you are running an excess amount of camber to fit your wheels, having an alignment and getting the toe to 0, your tires will not be ruined in a month from camber wear.

Timing Belt

Your timing belt will need to be replaced every 80,000. The average cost of this is around $1,100 as it is a big job.

Timing Chain

Timing chains can last anywhere from 40,000 to 100,000. Just like every other mechanical part, it is subject to wear and it needs to be properly lubricated by engine oil in order to function properly. Lack of oil changes, low oil level or poor quality oil can cause the timing chain to wear faster.

Carbon Build Up

Carbon build up should be checked and cleaned every 50,000-60,000 miles. You can check it however often you’d like to see how much is getting caught on the valves. To learn more about this refer to the blog that is all about carbon build up.

Battery

You can expect your battery life to last you 3 to 5 years.

Automatic/DSG Transmission

Trans fluid level should be check and topped off when needed. And every 40,000 miles the trans fluid should be drained and replaced.

Manual Transmission

Just like the automatic transmission should have its fluids levels checked and topped off when needed. However, every 20,000 miles the trans fluid should be drained and replaced.