Can a dealer detect an oil change?

[amk]

Hello. My Skoda has a maintenance schedule that requires an oil change every two years or 30,000 km (about 18,000 miles), whichever comes first. The car’s control unit can shorten the interval if it detects that the vehicle has been used under demanding conditions.
I'm currently at 8,000 km and the first scheduled service is still due at 30,000 km.

I have an extended warranty that would be voided if a vehicle defect was caused by the fact that:
"the vehicle had previously been repaired improperly by the customer or by a third party who is not a Škoda Service Partner, or had been subjected to unsuitable or inappropriate maintenance work;
the customer failed to comply with the instructions regarding the use, maintenance, and care of the vehicle (as set out, for example, in the Owner’s Manual and the Digital Service Schedule / Service Schedule Booklet)"

I will definitely have all scheduled services carried out at an authorized dealer, but I am considering changing the oil early (without resetting the service interval) by extracting it with a pump. I would use an oil that meets the manufacturer’s specifications (VW 508/509) and I am even thinking of not changing the oil filter to minimize any risks.

However, I have read that the phantom oil change could still be detected because the control unit supposedly records the drop in oil pressure during the first start-up after the oil has been replaced.

What do you think?

I am pretty sure that changing the oil early is unlikely to be the cause of any vehicle defect, but I would like to avoid any potential issues.

 

[Bkdc]

The computer will not detect the transient drop in oil pressure that lasts 2 or 3 seconds at engine start.

This is the same drop in oil pressure that lasts 2 or 3 seconds on any cold start. Maybe there is a 1 second difference if you don’t prefill your oil filter (if this is even possible depending on the orientation of the filter).

On my scanner, the oil pressure actually goes UP at a cold start. There is a sudden increase to 80+ for about 3 seconds before it drops down to a more reasonable idle pressure after about 3 seconds. I always wonder whether this is some mis-read by the sensor when there is no oil for a second or whether this is an accurate measurement reflecting the oil pump deciding to go maximum flow/pressure for several seconds to get the oil flowing immediately on engine start.

I totally agree that car manufacturers do not care about making a long lasting product. The cheap quality of simple bolts, fasteners, coolant pipes used for the savings of a handful of dollars is upsetting. Which is why in my age, I favor cars with drivetrains proven to go a long time without major headaches. That usually means a Toyota hybrid.

 

[CKN]

Well, it says mostly two things:
1. Car dealers are one of the biggest scammers since the 50s-60s and didn't change much.
2. Manufacturers no longer care about creating a long lasting product, but using the cheapest materials possible and making the highest profit possible.

Whoever has read the book "Wheels" by Arthur Hailey knows that was valid in the 60's too.

Dealers are still in business to take your money-no doubt-and at it's core-the car buying process is still adversarial in nature.. However-the car buying experience, the show room, etc, have changed dramatically. And that not even mentioning the new FTC rules. If you visited a dealer's showroom-and bought anywhere fairly recently you would know this-but it appears you haven't so you would know what has changed.

 

[robbobster]

Now people are worried the dealer is going to void their warranty for changing earlier than the computer tells them to? This has to be the most ridiculous thread ever posted on BITOG and that’s saying a lot.

One of the things that caused me to swear-off Reddit, was getting downvoted into oblivion by people saying exactly this.

 

[CleanSump]

One of the things that caused me to swear-off Reddit, was getting downvoted into oblivion by people saying exactly this.

Reddit: Where the ignorant, teenagers, and rednecks go to hear themselves cuss.

 

[Urshurak776]

One of the things that caused me to swear-off Reddit, was getting downvoted into oblivion by people saying exactly this.

I have read stuff on reddit, but never gotten an account. Seems too wild! Lol

 

[GRjdm]

While performing DIY oil change in both my Toyotas, i noticed torque check paint seal over the oil drain plug from previous dealership services. So, it is easy to dealers to tell if someone else had change the oil.

 

[Japanese]

While performing DIY oil change in both my Toyotas, i noticed torque check paint seal over the oil drain plug from previous dealership services. So, it is easy to dealers to tell if someone else had change the oil.

O.K. But the OP said that he will use a vacuum pump to extract the used oil. So, he won't touch the drain plug/bolt.
The question is should he replace the oil filter too or not.

 

[robbobster]

Reddit: Where the ignorant, teenagers, and rednecks go to hear themselves cuss.

All that + bots…lots and lots of bots