When should I service my VW Golf VI?
No matter which engine the Golf VI has, the recommended service schedule is the same, though there are two distinct regimes. The first is called ‘fixed interval servicing’ and is for cars without service indicators. For those, there should be an ‘oil service’ at least every 15,000 kilometres or every year (whichever comes first); an ‘interval service’ every 30,000 kilometres or every two years; and an ‘inspection service’ after 60,000 kilometres or three years - and then every two years after that. Cars with service indicators are on what’s called the ‘long life’ service schedule and, while they must be given the same inspection service as described above, otherwise the owner goes by either the service indicator or has the car serviced every two years.
If fitted, the DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission must also be serviced every 60,000 kilometres, which means an oil and filter changed.
It’s worth bearing in mind that those recommendations were released when the Golf VI was new and we’d highly recommend that owners of older cars service them at least once a year, regardless of how low mileage they are doing.
Does the VW Golf VI have a timing belt?
It depends on the specific engine under the bonnet. The 1.2 TSI, 1.4 TSI and 1.8 TSI turbocharged petrol engines all use timing chains and the rest have timing belts. The recommended change interval varies from engine to engine, however, though there are no time limits, just mileages. So, the naturally aspirated 1.4 and 1.6-litre petrol engines must have their timing belts changed at 90,000km and then checked every 30,000km after. The timing belt in the 1.6 TDI diesel engine must be changed at least every 210,000km regardless of time, and the same applies to newer versions of the 2.0 TDI. Some early batches of the 2.0 TDI came with a recommended interval of 180,000km, while the timing belt in the Golf GTI and Golf R should also be changed at least every 180,000km.
Next section: Can I fit child seats and a buggy in the VW Golf VI?