A3 Service Indicator - Premature?

I have a 2000 A3 1.6 and the service computer has recently started
saying 'Service in 800 miles' on startup, but I think this is premature.
It had its second variable service in July 04 and has done less than
8000 miles since then (27000 total), so the next service shouldn't be
due for another 8 months. Am I right? Is there any way the service
computer could be confused? This could be a coincidence, but this
started happening after I put the clock back on Sunday. If I take it to
an Audi dealar will they be able to check if it really does need a
service, or will they just tell me to get it done anyway?

TIA

Phil

Phil Devaney > wrote:

> I have a 2000 A3 1.6 and the service computer has recently started
> saying 'Service in 800 miles' on startup, but I think this is premature.
> It had its second variable service in July 04 and has done less than
> 8000 miles since then (27000 total), so the next service shouldn't be
> due for another 8 months. Am I right? Is there any way the service
> computer could be confused? This could be a coincidence, but this
> started happening after I put the clock back on Sunday. If I take it to
> an Audi dealar will they be able to check if it really does need a
> service, or will they just tell me to get it done anyway?

Isn't it a variable interval on those?

If so, it's determined by the kind of driving you do, given that you
obviously do lots of very short runs, then the interval will be shorter
than those for a car that does lots of motorway miles.

--
Steve H 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
http://www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - MZ ETZ300 - Alfa 75 TSpark
Alfa 156 2.0 TSpark Lusso - Passat 1.8 Turbo SE - COSOC KOTL
BoTAFOT #87 - BoTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #

Yup, this comes within the Audi "Longlife" service regime for variable
servicing intervals so figures out when it needs attention depending on
how your driving.

I believe it bases it on sensors in the engine/ oil viscosity etc so
more short journeys=service more frequently and so on.

Even so: it's not too far out from the traditional audi servicing
system. My book for my A3 1.8T says it needs service every 10k.

dan_xtc wrote:
> Yup, this comes within the Audi "Longlife" service regime for variable
> servicing intervals so figures out when it needs attention depending on
> how your driving.
>
> I believe it bases it on sensors in the engine/ oil viscosity etc so
> more short journeys=service more frequently and so on.
>
> Even so: it's not too far out from the traditional audi servicing
> system. My book for my A3 1.8T says it needs service every 10k.
>
It checks othe oil, and driving style, and apparently how often the
bonnet is opened. My TDi did about 24k on the last service, but I don't
do short trips, and do a fair bit of motorway driving.

I think it should never be less than a traditional 10K mile service
interval, and it can be up to 2 years/30000 miles.

Chris Bartram wrote:
> dan_xtc wrote:
>
>> Yup, this comes within the Audi "Longlife" service regime for variable
>> servicing intervals so figures out when it needs attention depending on
>> how your driving.
>>
>> I believe it bases it on sensors in the engine/ oil viscosity etc so
>> more short journeys=service more frequently and so on.
>>
>> Even so: it's not too far out from the traditional audi servicing
>> system. My book for my A3 1.8T says it needs service every 10k.
>>
> It checks othe oil, and driving style, and apparently how often the
> bonnet is opened. My TDi did about 24k on the last service, but I don't
> do short trips, and do a fair bit of motorway driving.
>
> I think it should never be less than a traditional 10K mile service
> interval, and it can be up to 2 years/30000 miles.

I do mainly short trips to work & back every day, about 4 miles, and the
occasional longer trip up the motorway every couple of months, so I
guess that is what has affected it.

Thanks for everyone's help

If your still having problems have a look at the below. I posted a reply
to a chap who was after reseting the service intervals on a A3 - try
search the below..

http://www.audi-forums.com/t3433-service.htm

Thanks