BazzY

When working on cooling system recently on 1.4 tsi Golf and 1.6 tdi Octavia I found this tool very useful. saved a lot of bother with clips at awkward angles. https://www.screwfix.com/p/silverline-flexible-ratchet-hose-clamp-pliers/404fu . Still not perfect or easy though. As for the original question - ref. vacuum kit - I wouldn't bother. I'd only drain the system as far as necessary for the job in hand and refill "old school" with G12 Evo. Run up to temperature with filler cap off, then cap on and several short runs with a close eye on temperature and coolant level checks after. Note some dealers have quoted 4 hours labour for a simple drain and refill using the vacuum kit several times over. In my experience it's almost impossible to get more than half of the coolant out without disconnecting every hose in the system. If enough vacuum were applied to really do the job it would risk damaging some part of the system. Either way you cross your fingers and say a small prayer.

Yes but which relay ??

So it depends on whether it's manual or DSG transmission ! And possibly also on trim level and year of manufacture, - Very reassuring for those who have to jump from car to car and just drive off I don't think !!! Well done VAG !

I think you will find that this is exactly how the ACC is designed to work, even though it seems stupid. We have a Golf with the same system and the Owners Manual clearly states that the ACC will not bring the car to a complete stop but will disengage at 20 km/h or below. The "Front Assist" however does operate at below 20 km/h and will apply emergency braking to avoid collision - though I would seriously avoid relying on it. The two systems are separate and switch over at about 20 km/h. I agree it's crazy but that's the way VAG designed it. I doubt that you will be able to do anything about it with VCDS and remember if you try to you are interfering with the cars so-called safety systems which may be dangerous !

But does anyone know where to find and identify the headlight washer relay - my VCDS says it's dead !

I've seen the boot problem on 2016 Fabia before - in our case we managed to open it by pushing down/in on the boot lid while pressing release button. A spray of 3 in 1 oil in the nooks and crannies stopped it from happening again. Hope you are lucky and find an easy solution. Could also just be low battery if it's stood idle for anything over a couple of weeks.