My Car: The definitive guide to Volkswagen MK7 Scheduled Maintenance

Before we begin, thanks ShopDap for posting the Golf R and GTI Service Schedules. Check those links out before continuing. I wanted to do a service to the community by posting a guide on each service interval and what you’ll need to do it yourself.

Here are links to parts you’ll need for every single service interval:

• Oil Funnel: http://amzn.to/2eKKWHN
• Mityvac 7201 Fluid Evacuator Plus: http://amzn.to/2eKpnXP (not needed if you use a jack stand or ramps)
• Shop Towels: http://amzn.to/2uTXjHF
• Quality 3/8″ drive w/ Torx Set & Wrench (these links are what I use and they’ve never failed me and you can do almost everything to your car with this set short of suspension / brake jobs)
• Oil Filter Housing Socket: http://amzn.to/2uxh0Cv
• Jack Stands: http://amzn.to/2tWwVZu OR Ramp: http://amzn.to/2uubW3E
• Aluminum Floor Jack: http://amzn.to/2uxdb05
• Oil: https://amzn.to/2ECvrvU (just make sure it meets 502 spec)

You need these every 10K miles because that’s when you change the oil

Before we get started, if you’re maintaining your own vehicle, join MyCarFax. Dealers will update your CarFax with maintenance performed. You’ll have to do this yourself and you can enter the mileage, work performed and be as basic or extensive as you’d like. I have an account. It’s great and helps me keep track of service as well with reminders on when things are due.

10,000 Miles:

• Oil Change. Easy, right? Here’s a video link to get you started: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubXTwZipFD4
• Oil Change Kit: https://shopdap.com/store/catalog/product/view/id/603476/s/vw-mk7-gti-golfr-motul-oil-change-kit/category/37848/ ($60-$70)

20,000 Miles:

• Oil Change Kit: https://shopdap.com/store/catalog/product/view/id/603476/s/vw-mk7-gti-golfr-motul-oil-change-kit/category/37848/ ($60-$70)
• Cabin Air Filter: https://shopdap.com/store/mk7-cabin-pollen-filter.html (>$20)
• Here’s a video on how to change your Cabin Air Filter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SAzCKybnQ4

30,000 Miles: 

• Oil Change Kit: https://shopdap.com/store/catalog/product/view/id/603476/s/vw-mk7-gti-golfr-motul-oil-change-kit/category/37848/ ($60-$70)
• Flush and Swap your Haldex Fluid (Golf R Only): https://shopdap.com/store/g-060-175-a2.html
• You’re going to need 3 of these bottles for the full job. I have not produced a video on this but it is doable with a simple set of auto metric tools and the Haldex Fluid

40,000 Miles

• Oil Change Kit: https://shopdap.com/store/catalog/product/view/id/603476/s/vw-mk7-gti-golfr-motul-oil-change-kit/category/37848/ ($60-$70)
• Cabin Air Filter: https://shopdap.com/store/mk7-cabin-pollen-filter.html (>$20)
• DSG Fluid Change (Automatic transmission Only): https://shopdap.com/store/02e-198-102.html ($140)
• In subsequent DSG services, you can buy this kit instead that forgoes the tool since you’ll already own it by then
• How to video on DSG Transmission Fluid Flush is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ink6ZpYqPQk

50,000 Miles: 

• Oil Change Kit: https://shopdap.com/store/catalog/product/view/id/603476/s/vw-mk7-gti-golfr-motul-oil-change-kit/category/37848/ ($60-$70)

60,000 Miles:

• Oil Change Kit: https://shopdap.com/store/catalog/product/view/id/603476/s/vw-mk7-gti-golfr-motul-oil-change-kit/category/37848/ ($60-$70)
• Cabin Air Filter: https://shopdap.com/store/mk7-cabin-pollen-filter.html (>$20)
• Flush and Swap your Haldex Fluid (Golf R Only): https://shopdap.com/store/g-060-175-a2.html
• Swap your Spark Plugs:
  • Buy Here: https://shopdap.com/store/06k-905-601-b.html (Price each so buy 4 of these) ($15)
  • You can also buy these more performance oriented plugs: https://shopdap.com/store/rs7-spark-plugs-for-mk7-20t.html (Price as a set of 4)
  • How To Video Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXaBW2A2j54
• Engine Air Filter:
  • Buy Here: https://shopdap.com/store/5q0-129-620-b.html ($20)
  • Video Guide here: https://youtu.be/qAb7QvnODKE?t=2m46s

70,000 Miles:

• Oil Change Kit: https://shopdap.com/store/catalog/product/view/id/603476/s/vw-mk7-gti-golfr-motul-oil-change-kit/category/37848/ ($60-$70)

80,000 Miles: 

• Oil Change Kit: https://shopdap.com/store/catalog/product/view/id/603476/s/vw-mk7-gti-golfr-motul-oil-change-kit/category/37848/ ($60-$70)
• Cabin Air Filter: https://shopdap.com/store/mk7-cabin-pollen-filter.html (>$20)
• DSG Fluid Change (Automatic transmission Only): https://shopdap.com/store/02e-198-102.html ($140)
• In subsequent DSG services, you can buy this kit instead that forgoes the tool since you’ll already own it by then

90,000 Miles:

• Oil Change Kit: https://shopdap.com/store/catalog/product/view/id/603476/s/vw-mk7-gti-golfr-motul-oil-change-kit/category/37848/ ($60-$70)
• Flush and Swap your Haldex Fluid (Golf R Only): https://shopdap.com/store/g-060-175-a2.html

100,000 Miles:

• Oil Change Kit: https://shopdap.com/store/catalog/product/view/id/603476/s/vw-mk7-gti-golfr-motul-oil-change-kit/category/37848/ ($60-$70)
• Cabin Air Filter: https://shopdap.com/store/mk7-cabin-pollen-filter.html (>$20)

Brake Fluid Flush: First after 3 years then every 2 years after that.

• Buy Brake Fluid Here: https://shopdap.com/store/b-000-750-m3.html ($10 a can, buy 3-4 of these)
• Power Bleeder here: https://shopdap.com/store/vw-audi-brake-bleeder-tool.html
• I made a video on how to do this here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBawXsNQy0M
• ShopDAP Also made one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6awspTQmq0

Completely change your Brake Pads & Rotors on Front & Rear: (as needed)

• Front: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6QvqDfywUc (link to tools and parts in description of YT Video)
• Rear: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THZj7NBcOr0 (description has every tool / part you’re going to need)

Keep in mind, if you plan on driving your GTI or Golf R spiritedly, these service intervals will shift. It’s not a bad idea to even half these intervals if you drive like a maniac with lots of track days. I did my 40K mile maintenance at 20K miles which adds to my total cost of ownership. If you use this as a commuter car, follow the maintenance intervals and you’ll have a great experience and long time ownership of the car.