A few issues with new car, normal or faulty?

[Quattrodaveuk]

Afternoon all,

 

Picked up my new car 3 days ago, 2010 Octavia PD140 L&K 29k miles.   I'd just like to ask if these issues are normal for this car or if it needs looking at?

 

1.  Brakes feel really snatchy, to the point I don't want to drive it in the wet?

 

2.  It sometimes feels like its running on 3 cylinders for 20 seconds after starting?

 

3.  DSG gear box sometimes can't decide what gear it wants to be in, change up... change down, up, down, up down, etc... Stick it in manual mode, all's fine again...

 

4.  From 40ish MPH upwards it kind of sounds like it has a wheel bearing drone...  I do admit this may be down to lowish profile tyres and

     resonant frequency of the estate body...?

 

5.  The rear wiper is appalling, it doesn't wipe, it smears...?

 

Thanks

 

Dave

Edited 11 September, 2014 by Quattrodaveuk

[Danvrs09]

The wheel bearing noise Is probably sawtooth a common problem

Is the car losing any coolant ?

My dsg gearbox don't like traffic it just keeps changing up and down from first and second

Rear wiper probably needs a new blade

If you bought the car from Skoda take it back with your concerns

[Quattrodaveuk]

Thanks for your reply.

 

I've just looked up 'sawtooth', doesn't appear to be any uneven wear but I will try and get dealer to get alignment done properly.

 

It doesn't appear to be loosing any coolant, I'll keep a close eye on it for a few days.  Would that point at anything? Head gasket?

 

DSG isn't too bad in slow traffic, I first noticed it whilst following a wagon up a slight incline, 25ish mph and it went 3rd, 4th, 3rd 4th, 3rd, 4th until I put it in manual mode.

 

Yup rear wiper probably just needs a new blade, just don't see why I should do it!

 

Nope not a Skoda dealer but by all accounts the dealer is very reputable....  Have just sent them an email, will see what happens...

 

Thanks

 

Dave

Edited 11 September, 2014 by Quattrodaveuk

[Aspman]

Alignment won't fix a sawtoothed tyre.

[davidwhite]

Alignment won't fix a sawtoothed tyre.

 

I recently test drove an Octavia estate and picked up on what sounded like a rear wheel bearing and asked for that to be checked, in all fairness to the selling dealer, the noise was found to be the rear tyres and both were changed for new, noise gone and gave me confidence in the seller too be fair

[Quattrodaveuk]

Alignment won't fix a sawtoothed tyre.

 

Apologies, my reply was badly worded, no your quite right that alignment won't fix a sawtoothed tyre, but before I think about new tyres I want to get the alignment checked / sorted.

 

Thanks

 

Dave

Edited 11 September, 2014 by Quattrodaveuk

[Phil-E]

The shift point for the DSG gearbox into 4th is around 25mph on a light throttle.

 

So it's possible that you were right on the cusp of this shift point and with a light throttle it was shifting up but then because of the incline is was shifting back down.

 

If all other shifts etc are fine I'd say this isn't an issue... more just learning to deal with it's characteristics and shift points.

 

Phil

[Quattrodaveuk]

The shift point for the DSG gearbox into 4th is around 25mph on a light throttle.

 

So it's possible that you were right on the cusp of this shift point and with a light throttle it was shifting up but then because of the incline is was shifting back down.

 

If all other shifts etc are fine I'd say this isn't an issue... more just learning to deal with it's characteristics and shift points.

 

Phil

 

Fair point, in that case it's probably is nothing to worry about.  Thanks for your input.

Edited 11 September, 2014 by Quattrodaveuk

[Bishman]

Get Bosch Aero wipers, they are the best

[Bcc212]

Agreed. £6 eurocarparts.

[nickguzzi]

There are a range of problems which could be the cause of the initial rough running.

Could be the glowplug system not functioning correctly. Either a glowplug or the control module or wiring.

Although direct injection Diesels, like ours, start much more readily than older precombustion chamber ones, a pre/post heat helps them start more smoothly and also reduces start up emissions.

A VCDS/dealer diagnostic should tell if its all functioning correctly. If so then the problem is elsewhere.

If the rear tyres are howling due to sawtoothing, they will eventually, if not already, show the characteristic wear pattern. This seems to not go away even after the geometry is adjusted (VAG came up with revised settings for the rear suspension because of this problem).

I swopped tyres front to rear, so as not to waste not very worn tyres. New to the rear, then asap get the alignment done.

Apparently not many main dealers have the specialist equipment on site and sub contract the work out. Done well it can transform the car, a mediocre effort will make little difference. "tracking" is pointless. The operator is critical here, because it takes time and experience to get right.

High street tyre places are not renown for having highly skilled, motivated and trained staff.

WheelsInMotion are highly thought of, and are in your part of the world.

I replaced my rear wiper with a skoda one. Suprisingly cheap, and no postage. The occasional Rainex application seems to reduce the amount of muck which sticks to the rear glass too.

As to the brakes, it could be a bit of glazing, the comparatively low mileage could be a clue. A series of heavy stops may get rid of it. Empty road, mirror check required.

Mine work pretty well now, but the whole genre of single piston brakes are a bit clumsy.

[Quattrodaveuk]

Perfect, thanks guys.  I'm dropping the car back to the dealers tomorrow so we will see what he says.  Had a good look over it today, none of the tyres 'look' or 'feel' sawtoothed but they are winter tyres (IIRC Avon Ice Touring) which may explain the noise.  As for the brake disks, offside is fine, nearside has a hell of a step towards the outer edge, really going to push to replace front disks & pads!!

 

Just a quick one, the folding electric mirrors, I can get them to fold from the remote but can't get them to work from the knob?  Am I missing something, doing something wrong...?  It would be really handy to do this whilst in motion as a friends drive way is *really* tight...!

 

Thanks

 

Dave

[Phil-E]

Have you twisted the knob all the way round to the folding mirror symbol on it?

 

Phil

[Quattrodaveuk]

Yes, although (stupidly) I haven't tried it when in park...  Should I able to fold the mirrors when moving slowly?

 

Thanks

 

Dave