Warrior193

Hi Kev, take a look at Fuchs Titan range of 5W30s

It is critical that you should only exert any insertion force against the OUTER part of the ball-race when installing - a good tip is to use an old, discarded ball-race of the same size as a mandrel. Hammering- n a bearing on the inner race will almost certainly result in "dimpling" the bearing faces - or destroying the bearing completely.

A note - "dry charged" means that the battery was originally filled with electrolyte (dilute sulphuric acid), fully charged, then drained. A normal, wet cell lead-acid battery cannot be charged dry. The battery is then drained to reduce the risk of spillage during transport/storage - and to reduce the rate of self-discharge while stored. It is correct that the battery should again be fully charged before being put into service.

Hi, that's a very nice looking car with a lot more power-to-weight than most big-engined cars not all that long ago, as Bigeater says why give all those improvements free to the next owner? It has probably got the legs on most vehicles its size and unless you want to attempt the lap record at the 'Ring, why change? An uprate in the shocks may be all you need.

Hi, welcome to the forum, important to know that because of the energy recuperation system under "coasting" conditions, the battery monitoring module will normally allow the battery to charge to approx. 75% with the alternator - allowing spare capacity in the battery for charging under energy recuperation mode. Combine this with relatively low mileages and you can soon reach the point where engine idle auto-stop will cease to operate. Investing in a smart charger can be a good idea to keep the battery in better condition.

Hi Gav, welcome to the forum - I'd dispense with the Air con service if they try pushing it - consensus has it in the dealer money spinning section. I'd also say that your plugs would probably be fine for another year, My 2015 / MY16 is still on the factory plugs at 18000 miles and still seem fine. I've had my servicing (fixed, annual) done at an independent specialist since the vehicle came out of warranty, you could make some savings here if you can find a good reliable one. I had some issues with two separate main dealers during the warranty period !

Assuming the service reminder is genuine, I'd take a guess that they mean 2nd service. Isn't your annual mileage a bit low for variable servicing?

Hi Abo, unless your Octavia had a LSD fitted (almost certainly not in a TDI unless fitted later) you shouldn't get any drive at all if drive was lost to one side. Is the place that checked your alignment well known?

Hi Peter, there is quite a number of things that will prevent the engine from shutting down at idle - cabin temperature or A/c not at commanded temperature, Too high electrical load/ low battery voltage, etc. I think there is a fuller list elsewhere on this forum.

Hi Peter, the point I was trying to make is the GPS reading, providing you have a continuous track on the satellites, is likely to be much more accurate than the one the speedo gives you.

I have tested the standard 205/55/R16s - and they do in fact under-read on the GPS, in fact the manufacturers normally go for this option as they are allowed a percentage for over-reading on the speedo - but it is not permitted to under-read - I.e. speedo is not permitted to indicate the vehicle is travelling slower than it actually is.

I run 215/60/R16s as my winter tyre option - yes this does calculate out as making the speedo under-read by a fraction under 5%, but on standard 55 profiles the speedo will almost always over-read. On my winter profiles the speedo reads exactly right on GPS when tested on a straight run.

Ditto my 2015, MY16 Octavia came standard with 16s - 17 inch was an option.

Rather underwhelmed with my first experience with CKI! My Octavia insurance is up for renewal at the end of the month, I first attempted to get a quotation from CKI by phone - which was poor as the person I was talking to kept fading-out and I was constantly having to ask him to repeat questions - yes, I've damaged my hearing a little with a misspent youth in motorsport and shooting - but still able to hear OK with a little effort from the speaker! I then requested a form for completion online which I completed and Emailed back - one week later, after not having received a reply, I phoned CKI again to ask what had happened - only to be asked a lot of questions I had already answered on the proposal form! Not satisfactory at all. I ended up taking out a new policy with Hastings Premier through 'Meercats', which easily beat CKI's premium and with much less grief.

Hi Diljit, I had a quick look online and the only silver I see for a 2020 Octavia is 'Brilliant Silver' - a metallic finish. The paint code for this is LA7W. But check on the sticker.

Hi Diljit, there should be a paint code reference on the ID sticker in the trunk wheel well. Inputting that code online should then tell you what VAG call it.

Yeah, sods law.

They probably never bother checking pressures - or even know why they should. Wonder how the oil and water levels are?

I hope the stealer has fitted OEM, not some cheap copy.

With that prompt from Fireman I've ordered a new, upgraded expansion tank which I will fit when it arrives. Will also change coolant if possible (G13)

Hi Slice, as you say, read the small print very carefully! My wife once bought a car from a nation-wide used vehicle retailer, their name starts with a W! We somewhat reluctantly allowed ourselves to be convinced that a 3rd party warranty would be a good idea. Very soon started having overheating issues/coolant loss, which, after independent inspection, turned out to warped cylinder head! The original seller claimed another cause and refused cover! Eventually got reimbursed an extremely hard-fought 50% of repair costs after starting legal action.

Just be aware that there is a weight limit on the floor in the raised position - I think <> 80 KG, However I've never had a problem with mine, which I keep permanently raised (roof bars, shovel, ropes etc. stored underneath. If a concern, I have seen other members recommend placing blocks of wood underneath as additional support.

Hi, welcome to the forum - pretty certain the Golf 7 variant is identical.

Hi Mfizz, the brakes will not operate in full ABS mode (front assist) if you are only crawling along in a line of traffic - they will do so however if you are travelling in excess of about 15-20 mph. Automatic brake application is pretty fierce!

Would have loved to see that GT2 lap with less traffic - and no speed-limited section.