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Sunset tonight just outside Kelso

Sorry, my usual poor photography of a great sky tonight over Forfar.

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-truth-about-electric-cars-dispatches channel 4 tonight 8.30pm i wonder if they will tell us the truth

Changing a battery isnt rocket science. Its well known that spurious error lights will often come on after a battery change and simply driving around in the car park will extinguish them. Alternatively even a basic obd reader can reset them straight away. Virtually all cars of recent vintage with stop/start (aka micro hybrid) requires battery recoding after changing to reset the battery management system. Any auto mechanic/technician should know this and should have a piece of kit to do this. Recoding with an advanced OBD reader is simple, quick and shouldn't cost you anything above the cost of battery replacement though no doubt many will try to bamboozle you into paying. Some mechanics will use a battery maintainer typically plugged into the 12v socket to avoid triggering errors. But it doesn't alleviate the fact that the battery management system needs to know a new battery has been fitted, only possible by recoding. Neglecting to recode leads to shorter service life for the new battery particularly if its a different type like the Ah rating, EFB v AGM type etc. Make sure you don't get a standard (cheap) old school battery to replace an EFB or AGM battery as it won't last long and you will end up struggling with stop/start

I wouldn't trust halfrauds to pump up a push bike tyre

Hi! Couldn't find a topic about inspection reminders reset without diagnostic interface, and earlier today I was sitting in one of the new MK4 Octavias. So, here's a tutorial about the instrument cluster hidden menu and how to use it to reset oil and inspection service reminders:

Just caught a 5 min fragment where they took a newish MG and a 9yr old 1st gen Leaf for a run down the motorway at 70mph. An expert university of Warwick battery scientist explains the importance of keeping charge levels within a window of 80% max to 20% min to prevent accelerated battery degradation. It was backed up by advice printed in the MG user manual. So they started at 80% and tested how far it would take them to get to 20% The MG managed 72 miles using 80% to 15%. The Leaf went 17 miles before the presenter chickened out thinking it would run out completely. Maybe the Leaf had done over 200,000 miles as many EV fans seem to claim they often do. Never mind, it can be repurposed to power someone's house for an hour or two, or be sent to one of those yet to exist battery recycling centres along with our blue bin rubbish that go to a mythical place where it gets put in a container bound for Malaysia

That's why we own Skoda's not Audi's in here #thrifty

Cheap VED is music to my ears... being a bit of a tightwad and all

I like the idea of electric cars, the instant torque, but cars are fast becoming just mobile infotainment centres. Many years ago Ford and others were think the younger generation wouldn't want car ownership but rather leasing or renting, which makes much more sense. Most vehicles are unused for most hours of a day and have one occupant at many or most times which is a ridiculous waste of resources. Electric has to be generated and distributed unless cars become mobiles batteries, energy stores, that can be use yo transfer electric when its not needed and when and where it is needed they will be relatively short term. Hydrogen or perhaps ammonia may turn out to be better or something not considered yet. For switchover it'd make sense to use the existing infrastructures, sites, tanks, pipes, etc. There are still about 8,000+ petrol stations in the UK (around 40,000 in the mid-1960s according to Wiki) I've no idea the average number of pumps they have but their locations on travel routes would be useful to convert to whatever.

I bet it's along lines of "charging experience sucks, cars are great"

Doubt they ever will....... ...its too shocking!!!!..... TAXI....!!!...🤣

If the battery is exactly the same spec as before just alter ther "serial number" section by one digit. This is what tells the BCM to forget all the previous learnt values.... If its a different battery AH rating or construction then those need altering also.. I did a "how to guide" way back in 2015 when I swapped my factory EFB for a bigger AGM on my MQB Mk7 Golf..basically it shares most of the same electrics/mechanicals with the Mk3 Octavia....all info in the first post.. How to retro-fit a bigger capacity battery to a Mk7 Golf | GOLFMK7 - VW GTI MKVII Forum / VW Golf R Forum / VW Golf MKVII Forum

I have 2 or 3 more from O4. Stay tuned!

. Neither this car nor any of the others I've been fortunate enough to own have ever had a complimentary wash at a dealership even though they could have. Not on your nelly. I've looked over the fence and seen the staff playing footy with the sponge. .

508 spec oil is the wrong oil for a 63 plate 1.4tsi. It should be 504 spec 5w30, or can use 502 spec 5/10w30/40 if on annual fixed regime. 508 spec was not introduced until 2017 and intended only for new designs after that date. It is not backward compatible with 504. The oil is too thin and may/will damage your engine and thats why its using so much.

Because the EV6 is a hatchback, so you can't fit boxy things like dog crates in the boot as easily. Same reason why a lot of us aren't interested in Ionic 5, Model Y etc. There may be more reasons for choosing a model of car than you might first think of.

On the Octavia 3 you need to follow the section titled 19-CAN Gateway using CAN

@AnnoyingPentium has given you an excellent suggestion. The MAP sensor is fine just clipped in, screws will not change anything. When were the spark plugs last inspected or changed?

Had fun with the garden incinerator this evening🔥

Maybe completely wrong but worth checking anyway, what's the pipework like (e.g. the hose between the brake servo and the engine)? Is there any breaks in the pipework, particularly at the ends where it connects.

If Halfrauds don't automatically do this simple change then they really shouldn't be fitting batteries to any vehicle with stop/start (AFAIK they all have some form of Battery Management System).

@ScottyNS As you have found, the full lock turns will have cleared the DASH lights but if they have not coded the new battery to the car, then it will not charge correctly (it won't go dead though so not to worry for now). There is an adaption that needs to be carried out using diagnostic software that tells the car its got a new battery and this works out the charging characteristics of the battery installed. VCDS, OBD11 can do this easily but Halfords do not have the capability to do this from what I understand but they will certainly flog you a battery and charge you to bung it in. Also you might need to check your one touch window operation, to reset, put window up and hold for 10 seconds.

Latest Updated Speedcams - November, 2021. Here's the latest update of my customised version of EUR Speedcams ( November, 2021). They consist of the full EUROPE speed cameras which I've split up into four consolidated poi categories i.e. Fixed Speedcams, Average Speedcams, Variable Speedcams and Redlight Speedcams. They come supplied with my own preferred personal choice of icons, shown below, to match each of the categories. Remember to Install them as I explained in the first post in this thread i.e. after extracting the zip file remember to open the newly extracted folder and place only the PersonalPOI folder and metainfo2.txt file onto your sd card ( Please Note: a usb stick will not work! ). Also, please remember to select/tick the relevant newly added poi categories and the poi audible warning alert in your infotainment map menu settings after performing the update or they will not display on your map or audibly alert you. Hope you all enjoy them! EUR Speedcams November, 2021.zip

Shooting myself in the foot and all that... oops. Good choice with Pete Townshend however. I was always quite partial to The Who and saw them live nearly a decade ago now.

Been off work over a week now and and doing as little as possible, I have both cars on the drive threatening to turn high mileage, the Ford in 0.3miles and the Skoda in 0.8 miles But still amuses me to have them both on the edge at the same time!

If you want to go aftermarket, then I recommend Kenwood Bluetooth units. I have a single DIN KDC-BT640U, but there's double DIN versions.

Try https://www.iceboxauto.com/filterSearch?q=Skoda+&cid=0&mid=0&pf=&pt=&adv=false&isc=false&sid=false

Heated and electrically movable, yes.

Thanks , As per my experience of two cars, used so far - Skoda and Ford Fiesta - Skoda is winner even though always scares me with engine lights issues but at the end need to shell out few bucks for only for broken sensors i.e engine cooling sensor. (don't remember cost) / o2 señsor ( approx 80/100 GBP),abs fuse strip ( 1-2 GBP). the mileage is 120K and car engine is strong and healthy like new, having very good pickup and power. If one knows little bit of electronics system of skoda then it is worth buying car. The Ford Fiesta had very low pickup and engine was struggling on very low hills, the mileage of car was aprox 80k. This is good forum hope everyone shares info about fault found and their solution & experience so that cars can be repaired cheaply to save the lovely planet. I think future is electric car higher petrol cost will encourage all to buy electric cars and it would be good for planet and humans as well. Hope govt provides big incentives to encourage electric cars. Thanks & regards raky

Hi everyone, just bought my first Skoda, a 2012 1.6 diesel saloon . I am 75 years old and have owned many makes of car in the past including my current classic, a 1972 Triumph 1500 FWD. On the classics I perform all tasks, on the every day cars, I tend to have the dealers do the work. I have to say, I have owned the Octavia for one week, and am very impressed with the performance and comfort in this 73,000 mile example , as a precaution, I am having the timing belt and water pump replaced later this week, as there is no record of this being done in the service book. Looking forward to many more miles in this car.

Thank you for your video. 👍 Very interesting! I'm following you on Youtube. Keep the good work. Can we expect more videos of the new Octavia mk4 tips and tricks in the future? 😁

Agreed. Especially when you consider that it's an Elegance with a TDI engine. It probably has a good few years in it yet.

Pretty much. I still see a lot of Starlets and Avensis-es. Ours was a 2010 Auris. Many, many things. - Can't complain too much about our Dacias (14 Sandero 0.9 TCE, 19 Duster (pre-reg) 1.0 TCE), only had them just over a year however. Anyway, we really must remain on topic.

great looking car just needs a tickle with the lowering stick. that front grill would look great when they bring out the hex version

I also use the same tyre pressures on my present 235 width Michelin PS4S tyres as I did before on my old Michelin PS4S tyres on standard 225 width with no issues. One thing to be aware of when changing tyre width. Some tyre fitting garages will not put your new wider tyres on the car, when the tyres coming off are narrower. Elf and bloody safety!!! When I changed to the 235 tyres I ordered them via Blackcircles tyre sales. They sent them to my local tyre fitting garage that they deal with. I have used Blackcircles before and had no problem when the new tyre size matched the ones coming off the car. The garage refused to fit them. So I simply took the tyres to another tyre fitters who fitted them no problem, at a cost mind. I also contacted Blackcircles to get a refund on the cost of fitting, which is included in the initial cost of the tyres.

I think mods like SS changed to "last setting", or driving mode changed to "last setting" are just a matter of time. Let's not forget SFD was locked for OBDelleven until few days ago. Also, it's a bit confusing for some people (me included) the fact that OBD11 tweaks can now be found on no less than 3 separate topics on this mk4 forum. Those could be easily merged... @TheUltraRunner on a different forum, of my other car, we used to call the start-stop "the second button to push inside the car", first one being the engine start button. And yes, it used to be a dedicated physical button, no need to boot-up a computer for that... 🤕

The Skoda fixed price servicing chart does indeed only start after 3 years. But my first service a few weeks ago was the Oil & Inspection service and performed for £185 with a free courtesy car thrown in. I was on the fixed time regime, but I think the variable regime also just has an oil change as the first service. It includes: • Oil & filter change (premium synthetic oil) • Full car road test – which includes checking steering operation, clutch and braking operation, engine performance, suspension noise and driving controls • Inspection of all lights, instruments, bodywork, glass, locks, battery, drive belts, suspension, steering, fuel lines, brake pads/shoes/discs, hoses, wash/wipe system, exhaust system, engine components, fluid levels and tyres • Diagnostic check and visual health check including reports • Wash and vacuum Chris

@RudiI really do think we are, I think I have also had one cold non start - but 98% of the time the car has been used and has been at temp for a period of time when it has not started. We are unplugging the temp sensor tonight to see what happens - I will let you know how we get on

I have Cross Climate on our Octavia, Cross Climate+ on our Berlingo Van and Cross Climate 2 on the Yeti. The one area where I thought the Cross Climate and Cross Climate+ was just average was on snow and Ice. So much so I went with Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons on our other Octavia. (I live near to and drive through the Peak District. I was all set to buy another set of Goodyear's until I saw this years reviews and the Snow performance on the CC2's has been drastically improved, now beating the Vector 4 Season Gen3's and even the premium winter tyre on test for snow traction. Time will tell, I'll find out in the next few weeks.

Hi I am Mike's and have recently bought an ex work, high mileage 1.6 TDI 2016 Octavia Estate in white. Despite the high mileage (K133) it drives really well.

Expanding on this... Error codes can be helpful with certain issues. However, they're not always the most accurate all the time. Sometimes these things require the use of your head and its problem-solving skills.

Pretty sure you have a MK4 so map updates are over the air now I'll ask a mod to move your thread. edit: Sorry, MIB3 rather than MIB2/2.5. Still, maps are now OTA as I mentioned

My current e-tec is my 5th Skoda and the only one I have problems with --i get gash warning lights often and my screen locks up so that I have to get out the car, shut the doors and lock it so when I get back in it is ok again. I had one of the new golf mk 8s and again had that out for two weeks. We need some cars with knobs and buttons rather than driving round in computerized toys --what a joy my mk III Octavia was !

My mistake, I meant £1.60 per gallon, 16 mpg = 10p per mile.

Hi, As promised here are the pics of my light settings screens after I bought the extra colours from the store. They may or may not be the same as the standard light settings. If anyone see's any differences can you please point them out. Thanks. John

Interesting … 4 wheel alignment completed yesterday … bit of a saga & described here … All that is left is to get some decent wheel caps for the Audi wheels & sort out selling the very pretty 19” Trinity ones shod with almost new Falkens! The car rides wonderfully btw on the 7J rims & 225/55 profile Cross Climate 2 rubber @39psi all round.

Probably removing some options such as Canton as they’ve done on other models.

NZ spec. - some seals fitted after the car went upside down? Gaz

Had mine a couple of months now, have changed all the front and rear emblems from Chrome to Black, as think it fits better with all the other black trim on the car - Loving the bright colour as previous cars have been white and black!