IainC

Such a minor question: With the Amundsen Infotainment Centre, is there a way of changing the default screen for the 'Car' setting? I don't often use it, but my recollection was that the default was the picture of an Octavia and a Petrol Pump - i.e. 'Driving Data'. On my 2014 Elegance, the default screen currently shows 'Conv Consumers', which is a singularly dull image. It can be changed each time by hovering and pressing the lower left options, but I would prefer to see the little car and pump picture! Ah - as I write this, I have a thought that the car is currently set on Eco Mode, and perhaps this has a bearing, and that Normal Mode may show the Driving Data . . .

I asked my local VW Dealer for a Scirocco wheel-nut-recess-cap to try on my Terons, but it had a wider diameter and it wasn't significantly longer (or deeper) than the Skoda caps. We've just replaced our 1998 Polo with a newer model, which has similar caps to the Scirroco (with the star pattern cut-out), but the Polo nuts are not deeply recessed, so there is nowhere for brake dust to accumulate. I'll do some more googling of 'extended wheel nut covers' ... (how did I ever find time to go out to work?)

Kent Noodle Mitt http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/85241/kent-2-1-noodle-wash-mitt Not as warm on the hand as Sheepskin, but machine-washable. eBay or Amazon for a few ££.

OK - I'll admit this is pretty obsessive: I use Wheel Woollies to clean the alloys (treated with ArmorAll Wheel Protectant), but the recessed wheel nuts in my 17" Terons make it impossible to clean those recesses properly. Does anybody have a sensible suggestion about filling them? Padding out with blue-tac or covering with cling-film will not be classed as sensible. I don't suppose there any after-market 'plug-ins'??

I use the Cruise Control generally only on M-Roads - mostly in speed-restricted/average-speed stretches. My subjective impression agrees with your wife's: I reckon I can treat the accelerator pedal more gently than the software, particularly when on hillier terrain . . . I don't do a huge amount of town driving: we live in a small Market Town, so minimum journey is ~13miles on A-roads before we hit conurbations; this undoubtedly helps. I haven't used the ECO mode.

I've covered 4,600 miles in my DSG 1.4 Estate. The Maxidot is quoting 51mpg as its 'overall' figure (I haven't zeroed it since new in March). It will return ~55-60mpg on A-ish roads, driven fairly carefully (i.e. with anticipation, no acceleration up to junctions, for example). Recent trip to Angus from Cumbria (approx 270 miles) with 2 adults and quite a bit of self-catering clobber + cases returned 55mpg going north, but 46mpg coming south. The difference? A very strong SW headwind. Overall, considering the power output of this engine, this is pretty good for a petrol automatic. Flicking the DSG lever back into Sport Mode provides an uplifting surge of joyful power that previous, bigger-engined automatics failed to deliver. Only DSG niggle = that elusive first gear (I will often choose to pull away in Sport in order to hold that first notch longer). Ideally I would have liked the ratios spread out more so that 7th gear is triggered at 60mph rather than at 50mph.

Somebody clipped my n/s wing mirror in a carpark last week. No serious damage, fortunately: the cap was dislodged but clipped back in; however the transparent plastic indicator insert has fractured where it projects. A replacement costs about £20+. Does anybody know if it can be 'popped' out and easily replaced, or does the mirror and cap need to be removed first?

Just an update about these Superskoda strips: 1. SS describe them as made from polyurethane, and say that they need to be painted. 2. I quoted the part number to my dealer. They told me that it isn't listed anywhere on any of their systems as an assessory for them to order, but the part number does exsist on the ordering system (sic). SUK stated that 'because this is not a UK part this could also effect the warranty on the vehicle, and as this is unable to be advised on by Skoda Uk parts it can't be advised to be fitted'. Helpful and accommodating, huh?

Better even than I had expected - and I have had sunroofs on almost every car since my Austin 1300 at uni in the 1970s. With that area of glass, I was slightly worried by internal temps, but, even without the blind, the tinted glass is v good at reflecting the rays, and enough light gets through the closed roof to lighten what would otherwise be a v dark (black Alcantara) interior. One feature of the roof's operation is its 'comfort' setting (a bit less than fully open) giving optimal (i.e. minimal) buffeting from the wind. I particularly like the functionality that allows you to close the roof or blind after you have removed the key from the ignition. At almost £1k it is certainly expensive and won't greatly enhance 2nd-hand value, but the open-air experience is well worth it for me. I can't imagine anybody regretting it.

Thanks, SJ - those are the ones that I've seen in the standard Skoda brochure. It was the lower position that was unexpected. Frallan: those are they! Thank you very much. I had looked at Superskoda in the past, but not under the 'bodykit' section. The image that Superskoda has used is taken from the Skoda brochure that I found on line (and which I showed to SUK and my dealer (to no avail)). For ~£80, they look comparable value to the UK offering, but reassuringly chunky. Thanks again.

What is the part number, SJ? Are they the standard side protection strips, but just fitted lower down on the doors?

Thought I would reply to my original post (2nd June - above) just to ask if any users on mainland Europe could provide any information about this part number?

Re the SuperSkoda Link from SmegHead: I think these are the Decals, not the Rubbing Strips. They feature on the same page in the on-line brochure that I located, but they are just flat foils. The 'normal' side protection strips are set approx half-way up the side of the doors. They are not very 'chunky'. But I think that my dealer told me that these were available for the Saloon but not the Estate - slightly different door profiles/sizes? The lower ones, for which I am searching the part number, should also act as spray deflectors, reducing the raod spray on the lower door panels.

Does anybody know the part number for the side protection strips shown in the image I'm hoping I've uploaded? The original pic came from an on-line brochure (in English) 'for Europe', where Europe seems to exclude the UK - at least SUK tell me that it isn't available for the British Market. I don't think these are the same as the side strips that are designed for half-way up the doors (for which a part number is listed). The ones in the pic look chunkier.

Another recommendation for Rearguards. Cheaper than Skoda's own, plus comes with a decent lip. Different finishes available. 3M tape to secure. Excellent customer service in my experience. They also tell me that they will produce door sill protectors . . . eventually.