'Service Now' message (consolidated discussions)

[kippvisual]

I have 2000 miles on my Phaeton V8 I notice in the display "service now" does anyone know what this means? I can not find anything in the owners manual.

[PanEuropean]

Wow, that's a new one on me. I know that the Phaetons sold in Europe have a flexible service interval (rather than scheduled service), but even then, 2,000 miles is a bit early for anything.

Does it display any other messages explaining what it wants serviced? For example, references to suspension, emissions, ABS, etc? Do any annunciator lights on the face of the speedometer or tachometer (that are not green in colour) remain on after you start the car?

I think the only way to find out what the car is complaining about is to take it to a VW dealer and have them do a complete self-diagnostic scan, using the VAS 5051 or 5052 scan tool. It takes about 30 minutes (gross time, including bringing the car inside, etc.) to do this.

Here are some related threads that might be of interest:

VAS 5051 Diagnostic and Programming Tool

North American Phaeton Service Schedule

Michael

Example of a 'Service Due' Message

[Phaeton Phan]

Ours did the same thing at about 3500 miles and I thought it must have been an unexpected flexible maintenance scedule, but the dealer said know and merely reset the warning. We had no issues or problems then, I just waited to do the oil change at 5K as required.

[PanEuropean]

Phan:

It is not a flexible maintenance reminder, that is for sure. All North American Phaetons are shipped with the vehicle production code QG2 (this can be found on the build sticker, either in the owner manual or in the spare tire well), and QG2 means "No possibility of activating service interval prolongation".

It is possible that we might get scheduled (hard times) maintenance reminders, in accordance with the service schedule published in the owner manual (copy below), but there is no way we can get flexible maintenance intervals, as the that function cannot be activated on our vehicles.

Michael

North American Phaeton Fixed Interval ('Hard Time') Maintenance Schedule

[kippvisual]

On Monday I have an appointment with the dealer. No annunciator lights show up just the me message.

[bobschneider]

Not exactly what my dealer told me. I started seeing the "Service Now" message at 2400 miles. My dealer (Autobarn of Evanston, IL) told me to have them look at it. They came, picked it up, and gave me a Toureg V8 loaner.

The service manager told me that the car was telling me it needed an oil change (covered under the service plan), and that the message came up based upon mileage or time. While I've only had the car since October, it's a 2004 model, and may have been sitting on the dealer's lot for a while.

My wife's BMW has a indicator which says how many miles to the next service (apparently based on gas used). But even if the indicator doesn't say you're due, you still should get the (synthetic) oil changed at least once a year. My BMW dealer covered the cost of a 1st birthday oil change under their service plan, even though normally their plan goes by the indicator in the car (which said she had a few 1000 miles to go).

Maybe the Phaeton's sensor is set to require a change of the (mineral) oil every 6 months, even if the mileage hasn't hit the target in the owner's manual. BTW, that would make it more sophisticated that the one BMW uses.

[PanEuropean]

Bob:

That's interesting information, thanks a lot for posting it. Perhaps you could ask your dealer to check and see if your Phaeton has the production code QG2 (Fixed Service Interval with Oil Level Sensor) embodied. If so, then your dealer has identified a capability of our cars that none of us were aware of before.

At the same time, you might want to ask the parts specialist at your dealership to check the EKTA computer and find out what the build date of your car was. It is possible that your car noted that one year had passed since the car was built in Dresden - that being the maximum time interval allowed between oil changes, regardless of distance traveled - and thus popped up the "change the oil" message.

My Phaeton was built September 29, 2003, and I took delivery in the middle of October, 2004, so I guess the message for my car must have come up during the PDI process, and the staff at my dealership did the oil change before delivering the car to me.

Michael

[mkla2000]

when I purchased my car, the dealer told me that the service interval should be every 5,000 miles, but the chart that you posted seems to indicated that after the first 5,000, the service interval should be yearly or every 10,000 miles.... hmmm..

I have around 7,600 on my car, but I just recently started to notice that when I first turn on the engine, a brief message appears on the center display saying something like "Next Maintenance in xxxx miles" (this morning, it said 1800 - which would put the next service at around 9400 miles).

[WISVW]

I'm a little over 8500 miles and the mfi says service now every time we start the car. Up until a few miles ago it was reading sevice in 1800 miles and slowly counting down, which seamed pretty accurate for the 10,000 mile. When the cold weather hit and the service now popped up!
I guess I will have my wife call and make an appt (it's her car!). I don't want to get to far ahead tho. I don't want to do the 20,000 at 17,000 etc., etc!

[rmg2]

Quote, originally posted by WISVW »

I'm a little over 8500 miles and the mfi says service now every time we start the car. Up until a few miles ago it was reading sevice in 1800 miles and slowly counting down, which seamed pretty accurate for the 10,000 mile. When the cold weather hit and the service now popped up! I guess I will have my wife call and make an appt (it's her car!). I don't want to get to far ahead tho. I don't want to do the 20,000 at 17,000 etc., etc!

First Service is due at 5k. Second service is due at 10K, Third service and beyond is every 10K thereafter.

Get it in now!

[WISVW]

That's the funny thing. We already did the 5000 mile, but the mfi never read anything for that. I wonder if the dealer needed to reset something at that service and forgot?

Glen

[rmg2]

Quote, originally posted by WISVW »

That's the funny thing. We already did the 5000 mile, but the mfi never read anything for that. I wonder if the dealer needed to reset something at that service and forgot? Glen

Dealer should have reset the computer. Or, you have a malfunctioning computer. Probably the former. I'd have them reset then just go in at 10k.

I took my car in for the 15K service. The dealer performed the service then when I came to pick up the Phaeton informed me that there was no 15K service. They comped me but I did offer to pay. They refused.

I just assumed that the services were scheduled every 5K as I had only looked at the first few pages of the service book.

[dcowan699]

What if you want to perform your own oil changes? Would this cause a warranty issue? I'm taking mine in, but I just wondered what are the VW issues if someone were to do his own routine service?

[PanEuropean]

This topic came up once before.

The North American Phaetons use a 'hard time' service interval (fixed service interval), rather than relying on analysis of temperature and engine load cycles for 'on condition' oil changes, as the European Phaetons do.

The 'hard times' for the North American Phaetons are set to certain mileage interval (can't remember what it is, and don't have my owner manual with me), OR one calendar year, whichever comes first.

My guess is that your Phaeton was built exactly one year ago, and now the calendar time limit is up, so the car wants an oil change. There's no great urgency to do it, you don't have to mess up your own personal schedule to attend to the warning. Plus - the oil change is free, all that kind of stuff is included in the purchase price of the car.

My dealer change the oil as part of the PDI process on my car, he knew the calender time warning would appear soon after I picked up the car, so he just did the work as part of the pre-delivery (or, 'perfect delivery', as VW likes to call it) process.

When the oil is changed, the technician resets the car, and it will then watch for the calender time or mileage interval to come up again. But, if you prefer to get the car back on the 'book schedule', just bring it in for another oil change when it is due according to the mileage intervals published in the owner manual.

Michael

[PanEuropean]

PS: If you want to confirm this, phone the parts manager at your VW dealer, and give him or her the VIN of your Phaeton. The parts person will enter this into the EKTA computer, which will then show the exact date that your Phaeton was first filled with oil in Dresden (meaning, the build date of your car).

Michael

[WISVW]

Thanks, Michael

We made an appt for next week to take care of a few other things anyway. I 'll run your info by the service manager (assuming he dosen't know).
I have a few tim pieces getting replaced that were worn prematurely, and I want to find out whats up with my rear headrests!

Glen

[rmg2]

Hi Michael,

My understanding is that the service lights work both as "hard time" and temp & engine load and oil condition.

Which ever comes first (milage or lights) is when you take the car in.

That could explain why when it turned cold the lights came on. Probably the oil viscosity was not where it should be for the colder temp and therefore the light came on for service.

The BMW system works this way, at least back in the late 80's and early 90's when I worked for them.

The system is not full proof and has a wide margin to work in. It is just a friendly reminder.

[PanEuropean]

Hi Rick:

Would be nice if it did work like that, but it's an either/or choice - the car gets programmed for either hard times (miles and months), or on condition (thermal cycles and engine loads). The North American cars get the former, the European ones the latter. The only 'deductive' warning we get concerning oil is if the quantity is low. All Phaetons have an oil quantity monitoring system, if for some reason the car is low on oil, a message will appear on the MFI indicating that the oil level needs to be checked.

North American buyers get 4 years of scheduled service included free, I don't think the European buyers get that. Plus, I think VW of NA wants to be able to keep a close eye on the cars to catch any little problems that might be building, before they turn into big problems - hence their desire to have the car brought back to the dealer once a year for a thorough going-over, at the same time as the complimentary oil change.

The European owners get free wheel changes twice a year (from summer to winter tires), and everyone in Europe - north of the Alps or Pyrenees, anyway - runs winter tires, so that looks after the routine checkups for the European cars.

Michael


Modified by PanEuropean at 2:09 PM 12-30-2004

[PanEuropean]

Quote, originally posted by dcowan699 »

What if you want to perform your own oil changes? Would this cause a warranty issue?

I doubt it would cause a warranty issue, but considering how defensive your dealer has been (not turning off your seat belt chime, etc.), they might get a little miffed about it.

Just come on up to Toronto, and I'll introduce you to my dealer. Heck, when I told them I was planning on putting the start button in, they offered me a service bay to work in, and full use of all their tools. If you just want to change the oil, I am sure they will offer you a freshly pressed set of overalls, and a cup of coffee... plus, of course, the oil that you will need.

I do know that the W12 needs a special type of oil, as do all the new VW turbodiesel engines in the 2004 and 2005 Golfs and Jettas. So do read the owner manual specifications for the oil very carefully before you go out and purchase the stuff. It is probable that the V8 also needs the new specification special oil as well. It is quite expensive, about 2 or 3 times the cost of normal oil.

Michael

[diesel king]

My Phaeton V8 is at 5600 trouble free miles. Today, in four degree weather, the amber "service now" light came on. Is this light just to remind me that te 5,000 mile oil change is due???? (Oil was changed at 4,800... by VW.....but the damn BMW techs regularly forgot to reset service intervals on computer on my M3 and my gut tells me VW did the same.)

Any opinions?

[jmdpjd1]

My guess is your assumption is correct. Had to have them do reset mine too. Right after service complete.

Mine only came on at start-up then disappeared.


Modified by jmdpjd1 at 5:27 PM 1-3-2005

[PanEuropean]

Hi Chris:

I think your guess is correct also. The service interval reminder on the North American Phaetons is based on two things: distance traveled and elapsed time. It is possible that your service technician reset the distance traveled so that the distance reminder will be correct next time, but perhaps forgot to reset the calender time reminder - and your car just celebrated it's first birthday since rolling out of the plant in Dresden.

Just a guess.

Michael

[aircooled]

Is this a message in the MFI or an icon in one of the clusters?

[PanEuropean]

Both. The MFI in the Phaeton is actually a TFT type screen, exactly the same as a laptop computer. When the car wants to give you a message, it displays it in text, and also draws its own little icon (a tire, a shock absorber, an oil can, whatever) in the middle of the text message.

There are a few 'conventional' icons imbedded in the speedometer and tachometer of the Phaeton, for example, high beams, ABS, brake, those type of things, but most of the icons displayed are custom-drawn on the TFT display as needed.

Michael

[Zymol1]

It is an error on the part of the service tech. I am a tech at a vw dealer in Tampa and the service now indicator is to be reset at the service visit. It resets both the time and distance timers at the same time. Needs a VAS 5051/5052 scan tool to be done.

[PanEuropean]

Hi Brian!

Welcome to our forum! It's great to have you on board. Thanks for confirming the information about resetting the service interval reminder.

If you ever have any questions we (as owners) might be able help you out with, please don't hesitate to ask. Many of us have done quite a bit of disassembly. We can also put you in touch with the really excellent Phaeton techs at the dealership where we bought our Phaetons.

Michael

[Zymol1]

Actually, I am a Touareg/Phaeton specialist at the dealer I work for. I must commend you all on a phenominal purchase. The Phaeton is an excellent vehicle and I hopefully will be able to purchase one in the future.

[aircooled]

Yeah, I have a Touareg with Air Suspension and NAV, so it has the TFT screen as well. I've been trying to recode the Touareg instrument cluster to give me a service interval reminder, but to no avail. I also believe that the NA spec T's are missing the physical component to do it. Do any of you have a picture of the reminder message and icon?

[martingie]

Two days ago a message saying service now appeard in my info center
and scared me. I caled the dealer and they did not know how series that is, and said I should bring the car in. This morning my car was picked up at my work,and I already have it back. The Technician found out that this message is only a reminder for the upcoming first service. My car has know 3600 miles and he said he deleted it but it will reapeare after some miles. I thought it had something to do that my car is latley ideling rough, but no fault code was found for that. I think the choise of words "service now" are a little strong for just a reminder. Has anybody received this message too ? Or has ideling problems ?

[geowben]

Yes. Mine needed both oxygen sensors replaced. Luckily, there was a company rep at the dealer who really knew what he was doing. I was treated well by the dealer (Surburban VW in Troy, Mi) after being told I had to wait a week to get into Bill Cook VW. The rep said it was running too lean and could have caused serious problems if not attended to immediately. Bill Cook said to wait a week and see what happens. This happened at about the same milege as yours.

[PanEuropean]

Martin:

The "Service Now" message is nothing more than a reminder that the car needs an oil change. Phaetons sold in North America will prompt the owner to take the car in for an oil change at fixed intervals, either after so many miles have been driven, or after one year has elapsed since the last oil change, whichever comes up first.

If the message was more serious, it would include the word 'workshop' in the message, or, an old-fashioned 'idiot light' in the speedometer or tachometer would illuminate, showing the message 'MIL' (Malfunction Indicator Light).

It is possible that your Phaeton was built one year ago, or had its last oil change one year ago. Have a look at this thread, it will help you determine what the situation is. In any case, don't worry about it, it is an oil change reminder, nothing more.

Phaeton VIN Numbers by month and year of production (will allow you to determine when your Phaeton was built, to find out if this is a 'first birthday' message).

Michael



Modified by PanEuropean at 5:15 AM 8-28-2005

[PanEuropean]

Martin:

It is also possible that the last technician who worked on your Phaeton forgot to reset the service interval reminder back to zero again when he or she did the oil change. If this is the case, read this thread - or, have your technician read this thread: 'Service Now' message - how to reset it (In case the dealership forgets to do it when the oil is changed)

Michael

[PanEuropean]

Here are some examples of what a serious fault message looks like. By 'serious', I mean a fault that could affect safety of the vehicle. Notice that they are displayed in red, not orange. Orange messages are caution or advisory messages.

There is a complete list of all the possible visual messages that the Phaeton can give you on this thread: Phaeton accessibility features for drivers with physical impairments.

Michael

Serious Fault Messages on Instrument Cluster
I invoked these with a diagnostic tool, I don't have a sick Phaeton...

[martingie]

You where right Michael, the car is 1 Year old in March ,and the oil needs to be changed , but the Dealer said we can wait til 5000 miles inspection. Now 3700 miles. I don't know the Oil looks good to me ,at least on my dipstick ?

My other issue with rough ideling, when the oxygen sensors needet to be replaced, was there a fault report ? because my car does not show any. But it realy sounds like running to lean

[PanEuropean]

Hi Martin:

I kind of doubt that a few months extra will make much of a difference so far as the oil change is concerned. If you stretch the interval out to 14 months, no big deal. However, why bother stretching it out? My guess is that you are not going to put high miles on the car each year (it's not as if you can go for a 500 mile drive, unless you want to circle the island half a dozen times), so, you might as well take it in at your earliest convenience and get the oil changed, then you can expect that the next oil change will be due in 10,000 miles or 1 year, whatever comes first. The car will track it for you, and give you another 'service now' message when it is next due.

Respecting the rough idle and oxygen sensor - I gotta admit, I don't know much about engines and stuff. The only time I ever lift the hood on my Phaeton is when I have to add windshield washer fluid. My philosophy is 'if it has oil or grease on it, in it, or near it, leave it alone'. I'm strictly a trim, electrical, and electronics specialist. If there are any problems with the O² sensor in your Phaeton, the car will record a fault code, and your technician will see this when he or she retrieves the fault codes at the same time the oil is changed.

Michael