BATVANVRS

Get a code reader or if you know someone who has one to scan the car for any fault codes? There is a VCDS map on the forum that you can enter your postcode & it will see if anyone is near you with a code reader. https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/224376-vcds-owners-map/ https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1Td73_uUUqscV3nRm5br_o89PmBU&msa=0&ll=53.40542973485576%2C-1.4756958092343109&z=8

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Cheers guys Yep 540N apparently is the correct extension force & from looking around today, it seems the original struts are made by Stabilus (285866) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/173937508394 Considering my car is approaching 7 years old & for the sake of £40 with them on the originals, I might just replace them.

The only thing I've noticed more so in the cold weather is a slight noise when opening & closing the estate boot (from a quarter way up & down) coming from the struts? It's like a squeal/squeak noise, I even sprayed them clean with GT85 lubricant which does help but the squeal or squeak only ends up returning. The boot opens fully no problems there but the squeal/squeak is really annoying. Out of curiosity what struts (make/brand/rated NM) did people change them over to (Febi?)

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Ok a little bit further from me but take a look at this thread, I recommend unit18 but they are in Milton Keynes, takes me an hour to get there. https://www.unit18.co.uk/ Milton Keynes. https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/374527-feedback-independent-garages-in-outside-london-area/ You could try these places. https://www.rac-london.co.uk/ NW London (used them once, check my review within the thread-link above) https://audivwsc.co.uk/ NW London https://quattro-tech.co.uk/ Cambridge area Don't know of any independent specialists within your exact location! Maybe try a Google search & see what comes up but definitely check reviews, recommendations etc & make sure they use genuine parts.

Forget those guys (Trans city Skoda Walthamstow) What part of London are you based?

Or frequent use of too much hand sanitiser

Superskoda? http://www.kopacek.com/Skoda/OCTAVIA-III/Octavia-III-original-Skoda-RED-leather-handbrake-lever-grip Do you mean that piece or the actual handbrake leather gaiter? http://www.kopacek.com/scripts/hledej.php?rz=1&retezec=hand+brake&x=0&y=0 Worst case send Superskoda a message or email & ask them if they do the part for your car that you require. Or https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BLACK-STITCH-TOP-GRAIN-LEATHER-HANDBRAKE-GAITER-FITS-SKODA-OCTAVIA-MK3-13-18/352479894863?fits=Car+Make%3ASkoda|Model%3AOctavia&hash=item5211705d4f:g:hfMAAOSwDcZbuz~R https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RED-STITCH-TOP-GRAIN-LEATHER-HANDBRAKE-GAITER-FITS-SKODA-OCTAVIA-MK3-13-18/232957605205?fits=Car+Make%3ASkoda|Model%3AOctavia|Plat_Gen%3AMK+III&hash=item363d5af555:g:gz8AAOSw0Rlbu0Ib https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WHITE-STITCH-TOP-GRAIN-LEATHER-HANDBRAKE-GAITER-FITS-SKODA-OCTAVIA-MK3-13-18/392142937306?fits=Car+Make%3ASkoda|Model%3AOctavia|Plat_Gen%3AMK+III&hash=item5b4d8a5cda:g:ys8AAOSwcbRbu0JI

Have a look at the small writing at the bottom, says petrol & diesel but petrol has a timing chain? Me personally would not change the cambelt at 140,000 miles but rather much sooner especially as this official Skoda document says at 50,000 miles & wouldn't it be better to be safe than sorry I would change it between the 50,000 - 70,000 mile range or every 5-6 years.

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Well as much as the factory alarm is category 1 with the features listed above, I ended up adding an additional alarm (Clifford 330x3) with exterior shock proof sensor (so if any vehicle or someone hits the car) the Clifford siren will sound along with a duel zone proximity sensor (which if you try the door handles or look through the glass) the Clifford siren will emit a couple of chirps to warn you away (but if you smash the glass or reach inside the interior the Clifford siren will sound along with the factory alarm if the factory interior ultrasonics or factory interior microwave picks you up) It still works along side the factory alarm with door, boot & bonnet protection & I left the interior ultrasonics working on the factory alarm along with the anti-jacking on the factory alarm only! But I also had the horn aux output added to the Clifford alarm so every time the Clifford siren will sound (on alarm only) the horn goes off too which is mega loud & no one will be hanging around especially as I find the factory alarm siren not that loud, it has the right pitch sound but not loud in-terms of the DB. Factory red Led by drivers door still works & flashes but now with a bright blue Led that is clearly visible. The Clifford alarm was purely added for protection & more so peace of mind (tools or even impact/accident/thief's etc) & with the additional features the Clifford alarm has & supports over the factory alarm it definitely was a no-brainer for me, especially as I have acquired certain tools over the years that have sentimental value to me from being passed down (like certain screwdrivers, cutters etc just not made like they was) an investment to protect my livelihood, even though that is facing hard times at the moment along side most of us that are self-employed due to this pandemic but made me think this is even more of a reason to do it as there is potential for crime to rise. Don't get me wrong if they steel the car, then it's gone (that's what insurance is for) but I would prefer to take precautions to protect my vehicle or equipment that might deter or even install a little bit doubt into a thief's mind which might make them think twice & then they come to the conclusion that it just ain't worth the hassle. Well so far so good, no false alarms as the alarm fitter did a fantastic, neat & tidy job, showed me everything I needed to know & he spent time setting it up to how I wanted it along with his knowledge to make sure that the alarm will not give any false alarms so when I hear my alarm it should be for a reason.

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Glad it worked for you mate.

I've been using unit18 since 2015, not just for servicing but add on's too, from retro fit cc, changed my steering wheel to the flat bottom version, remus exhaust, R600 intake, front grill change to the superskoda honeycomb version & servicing every year since 2015 & everything is always spot on from these guys, quality workmanship, service & most of all they are very honest & fair. Just say to Alistair that Richard with the blue Skoda vRS combi recommended you from the forum, you won't get a discount unfortunately but what you will get will be a reoccurring visit every year as you will be very happy with there service etc... I come all the way from London to travel to them (1 hour) there is plenty garage's in around the London area but I don't trust them. I've always received great service from unit18 so I've had no reason to go elsewhere & lets say even if they did do something wrong (which they haven't) I would always give them the benefit of the doubt purely for all of the good times outweighs. Also I believe in mistakes can sometimes happen but you know with a main dealer most of them try to cover this up.

Try https://www.unit18.co.uk/ Located in Milton Keynes, if not that far from you. Or https://www.vrsnorthampton.co.uk/ In Northampton.

There is 2 different sump plugs (Diesel) being 1 & (petrol) being the other...If I remember correctly, plastic for petrol & metal for diesel, can't remember to be honest which way round it is.

Google "VW or Skoda Independent garage" I've never used main dealer since having my vRS (6 years) or ask around on here for recommendations within your area! I use (unit18) for all my servicing & add-ons, plus you get that proper client satisfaction service from an independent garage.

As long as you have extracted the MIB1 file, followed the instructions! It really is simple, only thing I can suggest is make sure the USB key is inserted & hold down the power button on the stereo until it reboots & see if you can then do the update! do you need a set of instructions? PM me your email address.

0490 is the only latest one available that I have, which you already have!

It's more so the fact or point that I have tools in the boot for work etc...but also around my area the thief's are jacking up cars & taking the catalytic converter, knowing the factory skoda alarm has the anti theft system "inclination sensor" is peace of mind & I would of liked exterior shock proof but hey! it is what it is! so was just looking for a alternative of making the alarm siren sound with the horn so it's louder.

So the factory alarm does have the following: Anti-tilt motion/jacking up the car? (if you jack up the car off of the ground slightly) the siren will sound. Door, Boot, Bonnet, Trunk protection? (open any of these & the siren will sound) Interior ultrasonic/microwave (move around inside & the siren will sound) Battery Back-up siren (does the siren have a built in battery backup) Thatcham category 1 (for insurance purposes) So the factory alarm does NOT have the following: Exterior shock proof (If you bash the windows, windscreen, doors or even alloys the siren does not sound) Which is a shame! If anyone knows how I can enable the horn honk only when the siren is alarmed via OBD Eleven that would help out as I do find the siren on the low side of volume Thanks. Horn honk output (so the horn will sound along with the siren but only when the alarm siren is going off from an alarm trigger) If anyone can share with me the coding/settings via obd eleven, I'd appreciate that.

Thanks langers2k Useful information, I just checked in obd eleven & I have ticked "anti theft system inclination sensor" so I'm assuming this is the anti-jack feature & (M=microwave above what you posted) again I'm assuming this must be exterior protection or interior protection with or for the ultrasonic sensors? I will definitely try kicking, jacking & bashing the vehicle, glass (windscreen) (drivers) body-work/wheels & see what happens Will report my findings...

Hi-Ya Just a quick one really (hoping someone might know) I have the factory Skoda car alarm with the ultrasonic interior sensors by the interior lights & a red LED on the drivers door, along with the switch on the lower drivers door pillar to disable the interior ultrasonic sensors but what I would like to know is what other features comes with the factory Skoda alarm? does it have the following: Anti-tilt motion/jacking up the car? (if you jack up the car off of the ground slightly) the siren will sound. Exterior proximity sensor/protection? (so if you kick, bash the car/windows/body-work hard enough) the siren will sound. Door, Boot, Bonnet, Trunk protection? (open any of these & the siren will sound) Battery Back-up siren (does the siren have a built in battery backup) Thatcham category 1 or 2? (for insurance purposes) Also I would like to know if this is a setting on the infotainment screen or will it need coding with obd eleven? Horn honk output (so the horn will sound along with the siren but only when the alarm siren is going off from an alarm trigger) If anyone can share with me the coding/settings via obd eleven, I'd appreciate that. Because I'm sure my vRS has this from the factory Skoda alarm, I was looking at getting a (Clifford) canbus alarm installed/fitted 330x due to the features it has! but something is telling me that I don't need to or waste my money at a time like this (especially) as the factory alarm is good enough with those features above already enabled. Thanks