Warrior193

Around 14.7 volts is normal for either type, which is a little higher than normally used for standard lead-acid batteries - my Ring smart charger just lumps EFB and AGM types together for charging. Both can be used for stop-start

Hi Ords, when you want to go to a new position, the navigation always requires you to enter the country first - rather than default to a location (or postcode) in the country you are already in.

Really dislike the way the GPS works - why does it always default to assuming that you want to depart country you are presently located when you search a new destination?

Hi, more likely that the valve core didn't seat properly after letting some air out. Surprised that you could not feel the flat tyre, possibly it didn't go flat until almost at end of trip. Are the tyres you have fitted run flats? Some valve caps do have an O ring fitted and so can form a secondary seal - but their main purpose is to keep dirt out of the valve. A good quick check for valve stem leakage is to wipe a film of spit over the top of the valve and watching it for a short time before replacing the cap - leakage is indicated if a film will not form.

Take a look at Amazon or another online supplier to get a price comparison, also useful for user reviews. There are also several references on this forum for suitable chargers.

Hi C, welcome to the forum. An 8 or 10 amp smart charger will do the job - Amp hour rating of battery not particularly important in selecting a suitable charger, but do get one with the correct charging mode for your type of battery. You should have EFB or AGM battery fitted to your Octavia - all relevant information will be marked on top or side of battery. Important - always use the tag on the engine bulkhead for the negative charger connection. I use a Ring RSC 608 (8 amp) on my Octavia, which gets me from around 50-60% to 90-100% charged in 12 hours.

A4 is the minimum grade required for corrosion resistance in marine applications, especially if submerged in salt water.

Hi Sharon, welcome to the forum - that's hardly fair, he wouldn't let you drive his Chelsea tractor, but now wants to drive your Yeti

Also a good idea to rotate use between any keys you have.

Hi Dave, I'm afraid so! Happened to my wifes Fabia only a few weeks ago.

+1 for the gunmetal

It may seem a little conterintuitive, but with low annual mileage, servicing should be annual - the reason for this is that most of the miles will have been on short trips, with the engine only getting up to temperature towards the end of the trip.

Hi Bill, service intervals really depend on your annual mileage and the service schedule being correctly set by the dealer during your PDI before handover to you. If your annual mileage is significantly less than 10 000 miles, service interval should be on 'Fixed' annual servicing, otherwise schedule can be 'variable' - which is up to two years.

^^^^ 2nd this.

Although the difference in efficiency was pretty pronounced in the past - I believe that the latest generations of TQ boxes are now much closer. I have driven TQs pretty often with hire cars in the States and Canada - and I particularly liked the CV box on a hired Legacy (with paddles) a few years back, but I have always preferred the engine-braking of a manual when setting up for a corner - although I have noticed that this effect appears to be less noticeable in my Octavia - even with energy recuperation.

Hi Gerrycan, have you tried a test of the Aisin TQ box? I drove a Canadian version belonging to a friend in Ontario - and I quite liked it, although I'm a pretty much a die-hard shift it yourself driver.

Hi Rum, thanks for that - I will have to check, but if that is the case the muppets who carried out my last service (plus cambelt change) have replaced the wrong belt! - I requested them to replace the water pump belt at the same time as the cambelt! Another reason to not use them next time as they also didn't use the Fuchs engine oil I provided for the service.

The auxillary belt (drives coolant pump) on my MY16 2015 1.4TSI was a multi V-grooved one - not toothed.

Exactly this happened to my wife's Jazz - as she was walking up to it!

+++^^ Imagine that you have an egg under your right foot.

Tend to agree with you - although I 'chickened out' and had my belt and tensioner replaced at 6 years/21000 miles - the old belt and tensioner still looked like new. The garage who carried out this work also didn't appear to know that EA211 water pump is not driven off the cambelt! Shan't be using them again.

Hi Frank, just be aware that the silica 'tea bag' is there to extend the service life of the coolant. A good idea to at least stick to recommended coolant change intervals with bag removed.

Very lucky to get it down in one piece if transmission issues.

+ this, just seems to be wrong length - or in wrong position to fall to hand without looking.

I have found very little to dislike with my Octavia - apart from the air-pressure drumming with rear windows open.