eribaMotters

If you are talking all electric, what about the Volvo EX30. Volvo EX30 | Small electric SUV | Volvo Cars Colin

If the Duster had more bhp and torque I would be interested as I need to tow a caravan. If I did not tow it would definitely be on my list. The next model up, the forthcoming Bigster, just looks to big, a bit like a block of flats. Shame. Colin

Back to the title of the thread. I replaced my Diesel Yeti 5 years ago in March. I could not find anything that was near a direct replacement, so did a sideways step and bought a Petrol Audi A3. It has the 1.5 tfsi petrol engine that is common across the VAG group and is an absolute gem. It is refined, pulls well and extremely economical. It is even a better tow car than my Yeti was. This year I'll start looking to replace it. I do not jump quickly, so 12-24 months is a probable time frame. As much as I like the engine I cannot see me getting a Karoq, it just does not float my boat. At present I can see two contenders, a Volvo XC40, but that is EXPENSIVE and a Mazda CX5. Nothing will have the style of the Yeti but this car does have a presence. It is extremely well put together, a very nice interior and excellent reliability record. It even handles well and come in the correct side of £30K. Colin

For those of us who are less well informed, how does it work then. If the lubricant is in suspension of the air-con gas/liquid, then when the compressor is on the lubricant would be moved around the system and come into contact with any of the seals. Colin

I believe the following is true and contradicts some of the comments above :- - The gas includes the addition of a lubricant, whose job helps preserve the seals. - The more frequently you use the AC the better as the lubricant gets pumped around and keep the seals protected. - AC is not just for summer cooling but for year round use, clearing the screen in winter. - Regular use also keeps at bay any moisture that can be trapped in the ducts that feed the car and filter, eventually the cause of foul smells. - The AC gas will leak out, some tests say 10% per year is to be expected. - Year on year you may not notice a loss in performance but it will definitely decline. - Don't bother with the main dealer, go to an air-con company or good independent garage. probably about £70. - A re-gas if done correctly purges the system. Everything is sucked out and the volumn checked. The extra required to bring it up to full volumn is then added along with the correct lubricant. - A re-gas every two to three years should keep the system in good order if you leave the switch set to on. Finally, you have a nice car with functions that make it an enjoyable place to be in. Why not look after them and enjoy it, Look on the bright side, the gas used in newer vehicles is costing about twice as much to keep on top of. Just my point of view - Colin

Back in 2015? I sourced a set of 16" steel rims and winter tyres. I then looked for some wheel covers, but got fed up when seeing the price of the genuine Skoda Yeti model. Unfortunately the 3rd party generic trims where terrible in quality so I ended up buying genuine Skoda. I did manage to get the price down though as I think I bought those for the Superb. My advice would be buy Skoda but consider those from other models as only a total anorak would notice the difference. Colin

Getting back to the original post. I had a similar problem some years ago with a VW Touran. I called my recovery breakdown company who duly turned up and used a can of compressed air to clean out the lock. The mechanic said it was not uncommon for the barrel to get gummed up with dust and crud. This had been carried into the lock barrel on the key. It had been picked up from what was in your jacket, trousers pocket. Colin

Merseyside to Devon with my 2014 Yeti 2.0L 110bhp used to return about 60mpg. My current Audi A3 1.5 tfsi 150bhp has seen 76mpg on the same run. It does not however have the aerodynamics of a brick. The Audi has also towed a 1200kg low profile caravan at 40mpg. Modern vehicles are more economical. Colin

I would not attempt a repair on that wheel on grounds of both safety and cost. I would also not be concerned about a local collection of a replacement rim. If you book a courier service/royal mail on line a 20kg parcel at 60 x 60 x 25 cm comes out at £8/10. Colin

Have you thought about getting a supply and fit quote from PF Jones. It may not be as much as you think? Colin

I thought I'd update a very old post. I sold my 2014 Yeti in 2019. After selling the car I signed up with Millberg and yesterday had notification that I have had a settlement fee and may even get it before X-Mas. For legal reasons, blah, blah, I cannot disclose the sum. Has anybody else followed this through and had a payout? Colin

Check what the towing capacity is of your Yeti. You should have this on the door pillar [from memory] and also in the owners manual. On the continent owners of lightweight caravans towed with the 1.4 and 1.2 petrol engines. I would have thought the low weight and height should be fine. I'd advise contacting PF Jones ,who will fit a wide choice of tow bars at your home address at a good price and have a good reputation. Colin

Mine used to take about 5 minutes in the summer and 10 minutes in the winter to reach the 90c. It would stay happily at this figure, even on one extreme occasion of a 660 mile caravan tow in 30c temperatures. Colin

You mention the 1.4 petrol does not have the guts. I thought it had the same 150bhp and 250N/m torque of the current 1.5 petrol ran by VAG. My 2014 brochure has the 1.8 petrol as having 160bhp and 250N/m torque. Have I got this correct? Colin

Although the option was available it was not possible with optional Sport seats as the bolsters would not allow the fold flat. I tried to spec this combination for my 2014 factory build but it was not possible. I think this would also have been the case on the posher and more luxurious models with the beefed up leather seats. Colin

Something really is wrong with the mpg. I ran a 2.0L 110bhp for nearly five years. My normal mpg was in the 48-52mpg range, admittedly not in rush hour, but the run was only 5 miles each way to work so the engine never got hot. Post fix not a lot of change, but slightly higher revs needed to get same performance and regens did seem more frequent. 60+ on a run was the norm and not the exception. Near 40mpg towing a 1200kg low profile caravan was also possible. At present I am achieving similar figures with a 1.5L 150bhp 250N/m torque petrol in an Audi A3. Colin

In 5 years of Yeti ownership Skoda serviced my car 3 times. Twice it had to go back for a reset. On one of those occasions I witnessed the plug in under the dash and the reset being done. A short while later it hat to go back again. I was told at the time the issue was known about but obviously a fix has not been found. Even when I had the vehicle serviced elsewhere I had to return the car. Colin

I think you will be very happy with a Yeti. It is the car with the most character that I've owned. If mine had a higher output than the 110bhp it did then I think I'd still have it. The only thing it lacked, as mentioned earlier in this thread was volume, but then again you have a Superb Estate for this. If this was a deal breaker then take a look at the VW Touran, this is to me still the ultimate family vehicle and the car I've owned for longest. Colin

I think this has been covered before. It happened to me twice in my near 5 year ownership. Colin

I guess at the end of the day it is down to the individual. I am generally conservative and risk averse. If I can avoid a possible roadside situation with a PC or Gendarme then I'll do what I can. Colin

JR, things are obviously very different for you in France and the OP was regarding the UK. The rules you have to follow and the culture towards insurance and puncture repair are obviously at odds to what we have in the UK. Colin

JR, if the tyre/wheel combination of your choice was not at any time fitted as original equipment to your vehicle model then it is questionable as regards the legality of you using it and as such your insurance being void. This means a space-saver would be a no-no as I cannot recall one being supplied as original equipment or a listed optional spare. Regarding a full size/normal wheel/tyre combination being used this is a different matter. I previously ran a 2014 Yeti on 17" rims. The spare was a full size combination at 16", with the same rolling diameter as my 17" fitted. The load and speed rating of this tyre were the same as the 17" fitted but it had a 80kph/50mph yellow warning sticker. I questioned this at dealer level and at VAG customer service level. I was informed that with this wheel fitted my speed had to legally be limited to 50mph as I was not running same size tyre/wheel combinations across the same "axle". This did come as a surprise to me and I must admit to two years earlier towing my caravan nearly 700 miles back from The Dordogne in France with a similar wheel/tyre combination having suffered a puncture. I had towed at in excess of 80kph/50mph without any signs of stability, steering, braking issues. Colin

The owners manual says 4.3L, which I'm expecting also includes the oil filter content. Colin

I looked into the same situation some years ago. At the time I could find owners on the continent towing lightweight vans with the 1.2 engine. The conclusion was it would cope, but really you want more than that. If you want to stay with petrol I would advise you source the 1.4 engine as the 1.2 does not make the most of the Yeti's potential as a tow car. I ended up with the 110bhp 2.0L diesel and found it fine towing my 1200kg Eriba pop-top caravan. I sold this after nearly five years and now tow with a 1.5 petrol in an Audi A3. This engine is a development of the 1.4 used in the Yeti. This has 150bhp and is a wonderful engine for everyday and towing. It is very flexible with a wide torque range and near diesel economy. Colin

I gave up on the idea soon after buying my Yeti in 2014. I sourced a plastic lidded storage box with lid and velcro fixed it to the floor under the seat. It worked a treat and when I sold my Yeti in 2019 I moved it to my Audi A3 where I still use it. Colin