pearce_jj said:

The DPF makes all the difference, since it burns oil additives into ash, which are then recirculated by downstream EGR valve, if fitted to the MJ?, and this then polutes the oil. (Here's some info: http://www.fleetguard.com/pdfs/training/lube_training.pdf)

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Actually, the main issue with the DPF system used by Fiat and many other manufacturers, is that the filter is purged by injecting extra fuel into the combustion chamber which increases the temperature of the gases flowing through the exhaust and burns the particulates out.

By injecting the extra fuel into the cylinder, a small amount will bypass the rings and make it's way into the sump and dilute the oil. Once the ECU calculates the number and duration of regens is at risk of degrading the oil too much, it illuminates the oil change lamp/message.

JamesL said:

Just got the car back. The oil on the invoice is Selenia WR Pure Energy which I think is a 5W-30 (although not specified on the invoice the p/n is 'P L5/30' so I assume this is correct).

In terms of the oil change, the printout states the following:

Proced. num. 'Oil Change' 1
Oil degradation indicator 0%
Last 'Oil change' odometer 13135km
Dist. to next 'Oil change' 0km

If anyone could clarify this I would be really grateful. Why does it say proceeding number of oil change: 1 - does that mean it needs 1 oil change? Proceeding would mean the next oil change, as opposed to preceeding which would be the number of oil changes before this one?

Last oil change odometer: 13135km, or 8,144 miles. I assume this means this was the odometer reading at the last reset? Rather than the mileage done since the last oil change? If this is the odometer reading at the time of the last oil change, that means the counter wasnt reset at the service back in November, which means that I've just spent £90 on an oil change that potentially didnt need doing? Assuming the car calculates the need for an oil change based on the mileage since the last reset and the number of regenerations?

If anyone could clarify/offer their opinion I would be really grateful - at the moment it looks like I should go and have a word with the garage that last serviced the car.

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Firstly, if your car has a DPF, the oil change is never "part of the service"- it's a seperate area which should be monitored by the Tech during the normal service, and only changed after a conversation with yourself about the level of degradation, miles left 'til the next change, and whether you want it done there and then or return at a later date when the ECU decides it will be required.

"Proceding num. oil changes 1" means that the counter has only been reset once from new (ie, the ECU believes you have only had one oil change since it left the factory). So the other 3 you've had may not have been necessary, or the Tech has read the same (old) data each time and forgotten to reset the counter. :bang:

"Oil degradation counter 0%"- the ECU counts down with 100% being fresh oil, and 0% being oil which must be changed. If it wasn't reset, the ECU will decide to stop regenerating the DPF to prevent further damage, which will cause it to clog (and potentially reduce engine power by strangling the exhaust, and in serious cases kill the DPF).

"Last oil change odometer"- will be the mileage at which the counter was last reset (at 8144 miles like you say).

"Distance to next oil change"- self-explanitory really, and the most important part when relaying the info to the customer about when the oil change will be due in the future,

eg, if the counter says 3,000miles a customer doing 18k a year will do that in no time, so an early change now may save inconveniencing them further. A customer doing only 5k a year will probably prefer to wait for 6 months and have it done then.

As always, very succinctly explained. This is the type of info that could be incorporated into the useful info thread for posterity however I feel that more people will notice it when listed as a forum post.

Thanks again.

As grimwau said, a great explanation. Thank you Danny.

I appreciate what you have said about the oil changes not necessarily being 'part of the service' - although in my case I have asked for them to be done. I will double check my service book and invoices to make sure I paid for them, but I am pretty sure I have!

I will take this up with the service director then. Not particularly impressed at having to shell out £90 for an unneeded oil change, but at least this issue was picked up and the counter (finally) reset. New oil is hardly a bad thing though.

Thanks for all your help guys, I will let you know how well the conversation goes about getting some money back!

rallycinq said:

Doubt it, more like an incorrect buying decision.

Cheers

D

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Believe me that would be unfit for purpose if it was 1 week

Original dealer have offered me a cheque to cover the amount of the additional service I had done, and have also offered to redo the original service I had done with them for peace of mind.

JamesL said:

Original dealer have offered me a cheque to cover the amount of the additional service I had done, and have also offered to redo the original service I had done with them for peace of mind.

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Sounds reasonable, really.

Cheers

D

That seems like a very good response from the dealer. Especially offering to redo the original service as well as refund the extra you paid.

They are obviously keen to keep customers by doing the right thing.

Yeah I agree. He originally just offered the cheque but then offered to redo the service after that.

The garage in question has had new management etc I think so hopefully things are on the up.

Particularly impressed he was so keen to make a good impression even after I told him I was looking to get rid of the car.

Thanks to all you guys for your help and responses!