Zafira Insp light

[John]

I purchased a 2nd hand Zafira that was registered in June 2006. It has
covered 3800 miles (1700 when I purchased it). Yesterday the trip meter
area of the dash is showing "Insp" looking in the manual it tells me it is
service time! Is the on board computer programmed with the initial on the
road day as surely at 3800 miles it cannot be 'ready' for a sevice? Also
before I ring the main stealers what should I expect to pay for this
service, or if I use a local garage will they be able to reset the Insp
light?

Cheers

John

 

[Gio]

I purchased a 2nd hand Zafira that was registered in June 2006. It has
covered 3800 miles (1700 when I purchased it). Yesterday the trip meter
area of the dash is showing "Insp" looking in the manual it tells me it is
service time! Is the on board computer programmed with the initial on the
road day as surely at 3800 miles it cannot be 'ready' for a sevice? Also
before I ring the main stealers what should I expect to pay for this
service, or if I use a local garage will they be able to reset the Insp
light?

Cheers

John

To reset InSP on Vauxhall (well my 2002 Zafira

Ignition Off
Hold Trip Reset In
Turn on Ignition
Still Holding Trip Reset wait for four dashes
Turn off Ignition
Turn on Ignition



Should do the job.



Gio

 

[Brim]

Insp comes on just before 12 months is up since last service & reset.
It's a time thing not mileage. For the 3 year warranty's sake you need
to have it serviced but to reset the Insp follow this procedure:

Ignition Off
Hold Trip Reset In
Turn on Ignition
Still Holding Trip Reset wait for three dashes
Turn off Ignition
Turn on Ignition.

As first service is basically only an oil change & general inspection
I pay £80'ish for a Corsa service at an out of town VX main dealer so
expect (depending on dealer location) to pay about £100 I would have
thought. You can have a local garage service it but to maintain the
balance of the VX warranty they have to scrupulously follow main
dealer procedures & use genuine VX parts e.g. oil filter. You will
lose the 6 anti-corrosion warranty without a VX dealer stamping the
service book which they do for free if done at the same time as the
annual service.

 

[John]

Thanks for the quick replies chaps. I was resigned to the fact that it
would have to go in, Oh well there goes £100 I suppose! Why, (I ask
rhetorically), does it NEED an oil change after only 3800 miles, if
(theoretically) the same oil could last 10,000+ according to the service
intervals, it's money for old rope!

Cheers again

John

 

[Gio]

Thanks for the quick replies chaps. I was resigned to the fact that it
would have to go in, Oh well there goes £100 I suppose! Why, (I ask
rhetorically), does it NEED an oil change after only 3800 miles, if
(theoretically) the same oil could last 10,000+ according to the service
intervals, it's money for old rope!

Cheers again

John

Glad we could help. As for the oil change, I assume the manufacturer could
surmise that the car is used for frequent but very short journeys hence
suffer from oil contamination through fuel dilution, condensation /
corrosion forming, bearing wear etc. Getting the oil changed would remove
the contaminants and prolong the life of the engine.
We had ours serviced away from the main dealers because the cost did not add
up. Providing the correct parts were fitted then the warranty is intact.
Brim mentioned the corrosion warranty and faced the same problem, the
conditions that had to be met in order to make a successful claim more or
less rendered the guarantee worthless. How many Zafira's are like the old
Lada's of years ago with rust bubbling through the paint work after just 4
years.

Gio

 

[John Hearns]

road day as surely at 3800 miles it cannot be 'ready' for a sevice? Also
before I ring the main stealers what should I expect to pay for this
service,

£120 if I remember right.

 

[Peter]

Thanks for the quick replies chaps. I was resigned to the fact that it
would have to go in, Oh well there goes £100 I suppose! Why, (I ask
rhetorically), does it NEED an oil change after only 3800 miles, if
(theoretically) the same oil could last 10,000+ according to the service
intervals, it's money for old rope!

Cheers again

John

If its only done 3800 miles in a year its either been parked a lot or
done many short trips with a cold engine. Either way it needs a service,
even if it's only an oil&filter change and brake inspection

 

[John]

If its only done 3800 miles in a year its either been parked a lot or done
many short trips with a cold engine. Either way it needs a service, even
if it's only an oil&filter change and brake inspection

It is an ex motobility car, the ex owner had died. I bought it from as
dealer (not main) in late April and have done 2000 miles since then. I do
not commute as I work from home so it doesn't really get a lot of mileage
use. I take on board what you say and I will book it in immediately!

Thanks

John

 

[Alan]

I second this.

Low mileage cars can suffer more than high mileage ones.

The short journeys cause condensation in the oil which will make it
deteriorate further. You probably need an oil change more than a
20,000 mile car.

The service also checks underneath the car for damage and insecure
parts.

Alan

 

[Gio]

I second this.

Low mileage cars can suffer more than high mileage ones.

The short journeys cause condensation in the oil which will make it
deteriorate further. You probably need an oil change more than a
20,000 mile car.

The service also checks underneath the car for damage and insecure
parts.

Alan

You would hope Alan regarding insecure parts but suffice to say my air con
compressor just came loose last night on the way home from work, --bracket
to engine block. It looks like both top bolts very loose and a bottom bolt
fell out altogether and consequently threw off the aux belt on my Zafira
within 800 miles of cam belt, water pump and thermostat housing change.
Now I may be wrong but I would have thought the compressor assembly may have
been loose at the time the service and the work was carried out by a Vx
dealership especially as I had two cam belts fitted within quick succession
as a result of a coolant leak showing up after the 1st change but I cannot
help but wonder how come the compressor was free to move given work was done
in that area. I would not have thought the compressor would not have been
disturbed other than to slip the aux belt over the pulley but it does seem
strange given the car has done 34,000.


Gio

 

[John]

£120 if I remember right.

I called in at my local main stealer today on my way home. £155.00, for
that I get a gallon of oil and a new oil filter!! I also get lots of check
this, check that, etc. The charge rate for their labour is £75.00 (+ VAT)
per hour. Do they make these things up? As it is an 'easy' service I would
imagine one of the apprentices ( or are they junior motor technicians now ),
will be given the job so why not charge accordingly. I know they have
showrooms, cleaners, overheads etc, but come on that is just taking the
p**s. Also how can I be sure they have done all the check this, check that,
stuff and not just got the lad to tick the boxes? The lady on the service
reception had a parting comment "If your washer bottle is low they fill that
up aswell"! I think I will use my local independant and ask him to make
sure he uses a genuine Vauxhall oil filter, at least then I know ALL the
checks will be done as I trust him to do it!

Cheers

John

P.S. I asked about a 'main' service (as above but new spark plugs also)
£245.00, yeah right!