Petrol engine · Repairs · Oil change · All makes
Petrol car servicing by Shiftech
A neglected petrol engine means a coil that fails at the worst possible moment, fouled spark plugs that cause a drop in power, and injectors that become carbonised. At Shiftech, we take careof the full maintenance of your petrol vehicle, whatever the make: oil changes using Motul oils – our partner and world leader in this sector – selected according to the exact specifications of your engine, full servicing, spark plug replacement, brake checks and the fitting of performance parts.
Since 2008, our technicians have been working on TSI, TFSI, THP, GDI and EcoBoost engines with the same rigour we apply to our power bench tuning.
Petrol engine servicing
Why you can’t just wing it when it comes to maintaining a modern petrol engine
Modern direct-injection petrol engines (TSI, TFSI, THP, GDI, EcoBoost) bear no resemblance to the naturally aspirated engines of previous generations. They operate with turbochargers, high fuel pressures and injection systems that place far greater demands on the oil than an indirect-injection engine.
In these engines, using unsuitable oil or exceeding the recommended oil change interval leads to premature wear of the camshafts, deposits on the intake valves (a common occurrence in GDI engines) and accelerated deterioration of the timing chain. In Volkswagen’s EA888 TSI engines, for example, an oil change carried out too late is directly linked to wear on the timing chain tensioner.
Petrol engines require specific oil specifications: ACEA A3/B4 with a 5W-40 viscosity grade for the majority of European engines, VW 504.00 for direct-injection TSI engines, and BMW Longlife-01 for the N52 and N55 engines. Using oil that does not meet these specifications, even if it is synthetic, does not provide the expected protection.
Our services
Diesel maintenance services at Shiftech
Engine oil change
Every oil change is carried out using Motul oils that comply with the exact specifications for the engine: grade, ACEA standard and manufacturer’s approval. The oil filter is replaced as a matter of course. For sports cars or re-tuned vehicles, the service interval is adjusted to reflect the engine’s actual operating conditions.
Full service
The service covers all routine maintenance tasks: replacement of the air filter, fuel filter, cabin air filter and spark plugs (depending on mileage and condition); inspection of the timing belt or chain; and checking of all fluid levels. A general inspection is carried out at every service: tyres, shock absorbers, brakes and lights. A service report is provided to each customer.
Spark plugs
Spark plugs are a critical component in modern petrol engines, particularly in high-compression or remapped engines. Excessive wear on the electrodes impairs combustion, increases fuel consumption and can cause misfires. We select the correct spark plugs for each engine, favouring iridium or platinum types for tuned engines.
Braking
Brake pads and discs are checked at every service. Where specific work is required, replacement is carried out on one axle or both axles, depending on the condition found. For vehicles whose power output has been increased through remapping, we recommend brake pads suited to higher loads.
Our commitments regarding petrol servicing
1A high-quality oil, with no compromises
2Service intervals tailored to actual usage
3Tighter monitoring of modified vehicles
1. The right oil, no compromises
We use only Motul oils that meet the exact specifications of your engine. No ‘universal’ oils that are suitable for everything but optimise nothing.
2. Service intervals tailored to actual usage
A petrol engine used on the track or for sporty driving runs hotter, breaks down the oil more quickly and requires closer monitoring than one used for standard mixed driving. We adjust the service intervals based on your actual usage, not on a theoretical figure.
3. Enhanced monitoring for tuned vehicles
A Stage 1 or Stage 2 remapped petrol engine develops up to 30 per cent more power. The strain on the oil, turbocharger, spark plugs and fuel injectors increases proportionally. We factor this usage into the maintenance schedule.
Servicing of rescheduled vehicles
Fuel and remapping: the service that follows the tuning
It is in this regard that Shiftech offers something that a generalist centre cannot.
A Stage 1 remapped petrol engine has its ignition timing optimised, its turbo pressure increased and its combustion cycles intensified. In this configuration, adhering to the service intervals of a standard vehicle means underestimating what the engine is actually capable of.
At Shiftech, remapping and servicing are treated as two parts of the same maintenance programme. We know the vehicle’s mapping, we know how it’s used, and we adapt the maintenance protocol accordingly. Carrying out maintenance before a track session or before a remapping on a dynamometer ensures that the engine is in peak condition at the time of tuning.
How much does it cost and how long does it take?
Find your service centre for petrol car servicing
Find your Shiftech centre
Petrol servicing is available at all Shiftech centres in France, Belgium and Luxembourg.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, and it’s even recommended. Servicing first ensures that the engine is in the best possible condition before tuning on the dynamometer. This also minimises the vehicle’s downtime.
No. European regulations (EC Regulation No.1400/2002) permits servicing at an independent workshop without loss of the manufacturer’s warranty, provided that the work is carried out using parts and fluids that comply with the specifications. This is precisely what we do at Shiftech.
On a remapped EA888 TSI (Golf GTI, Tiguan, A3, Leon Cupra), a fully synthetic oil compliant with the VW 504.00 specification in 5W-40 grade is used. This specification performs well under the operating conditions of an engine with increased boost pressure. Check the exact compatibility for the specific engine model before each oil change.
On a standard engine, iridium spark plugs generally last between 30,000 and 60,000 km, depending on the engine type. On a remapped vehicle used for intensive driving, it is recommended that this interval be shortened by 20 to 30 per cent to maintain optimum combustion and protect the engine.
Our additional services
Servicing your petrol-powered vehicle is often an opportunity to optimise your engine’s performance more broadly. Discover our other services available at all our centres:
→ Stage 1 engine remapping: Increased power and torque, optimised fuel consumption on a Rotronics dynamometer. Map files developed in-house for over 15 years, covering all TSI, TFSI, THP, PureTech and EcoBoost petrol engines. → Optimise my petrol engine
→ E85 Flex-Fuel conversion: Designed specifically for petrol engines, this allows you to run on E85 superethanol – a more economical and environmentally friendly fuel – without compromising performance. → Conversion to E85 superethanol
→ Diesel car servicing: Do you also have a diesel car? Oil change using oil that meets the exact specifications, full service and enhanced monitoring for TDI, HDi, dCi, CDI and BlueHDi engines. → Servicing a diesel vehicle
→ Automatic gearbox fluid change: As well as the engine, your gearbox deserves the same level of care. Shiftech carries out a complete fluid change for DSG, PDK, EDC, EAT, Tiptronic and Xtronic gearboxes using the MotulEvo system. → MotulEvo automatic gearbox maintenance
