BearT

Thanks for the reply. The dash I have found out is due to the outside lighting; I think it’s being picked up by the light sensor in the dash - so that’s normal. No issues. The fan - good no issues there either. Just the bong mistery to sort out. Interestingly; over the last couple of weeks, I got in the car at +2 and i got a “bong” then a couple of days later at -0.5 and no bong. Very odd.

All; My car is a 2009 vRS Tdi CR170 which I have a strange electrical gremlin with that I hope someone may have experienced, or able to help with. For information the car is equipped with maxidot; and bolero unit of which could or could not be linked. Before I have the car investigated, I just wanted to check if this was common and or a quick fix. I noted on a couple of occasions that the maxidot display including the dials; the brightness has been “self-adjusting” so it will light up and dim down of its own accord. When it is doing this its usually for a couple of minutes only – and I cannot adjust the brightness. Then it returns to normal. Again on occasion, I have noted that the climate control display displays on the bolero unit, even when I have not adjusted anything, its almost like it’s a reminder of what the setting is and makes no adjustment at all. Even when the climate is not set to auto (I use it in manual control) if I adjust the temperature it will adjust the fan (is this normal) I have noted that when the temperature drops to below 4 degrees I get the snowflake and flashing maxidot, but I get no “bong” I know the bong works, as I get this for low fuel warning etc (Is this normal? for low temperature) I did some time ago, get a “bong” when I was starting the ignition, and it was found that the boot wasn’t shut properly and had caused a battery drain, now I know the car has had a new battery, and there is no other warning, no battery light – starts fine etc. I know they are all quite different problems, but I’m not sure if they could all be linked. Any suggestions thoughts, would be appreciated. Thank you.

From a manufacturer point of view; I believe the idea was to offer as little distraction to the driver as possible; needless to say the use of those systems doesn't make it "lawful" as such. Even the adjustment of the radio volume in the car could be classed as driving without due care; if it can be proven of course. For section 3 RTA 1988; all it states is that the driver was driving "without due care" so eating an apple etc "could" fall into this; again if it could be proven in a court of law. The actual application of that section would be down to whether or not it passes the threshold test; point of which would be to prove that the driving of the person concerned fell below that of a careful and competent motorist. Each instance would have to be taken on its own merit I would think!

Correct; for the purposes of driving whilst using a mobile telephone; the act of communication must be proven (Held case, but can't remember the RV off the top of my head) It coukd however fall into the realms of DWDCA, should you not be in control of the vehicle. In short - what you describe above would "technically" be an offence but it wouldn't be driving whilst using a mobile telephone for the reasons above, and unless the action you described above inconvenienced another road user it would be very harsh!

The offences themselves have not changed; its the guidance which has recently been released which is causing confusion. For the offence of using a mobile telephone whilst driving; the device must be being used during to the act of communication (Phone call, text message etc) DWDCA - covers everything else; including "touching" a sat nav whilst on the move. Under the road traffic act; you are "in control" of the vehicle, when you have direct access to the propulsion of the vehicle, this INCLUDES the vehicle running with the handbrake set; as you still have the engine available. Easiest way to avoid any issues is to stop and shut off the engine. The overriding test will be regardless of the outcome was the act that of a motorist below that of a careful and competent motorist.

Yep; I'm an advanced driver, and observer for the IAM.

So I thought I would do an introduction. Prior to this; I have mainly driven BMW's in various guises for numerous years. At the beginning of July I was on the hunt for a new car; and I had decided on a Octavia vRS. I'd always wanted one; and I was fed up with BMW parts prices. I'd been lucky enough to drive numerous vRS's at work, which pushed me in this direction. I looked at many vRS's which didn't fit the bill and then in short I found a phase 2 limited edition cr170 number 101, and after doing a bit of research, I decided to take a look and eventually purchase the vehicle. Images from the original ad. It was clear that the car has been looked after, and had wanted for nothing; but it was the little details which I wanted to address, so new bonnet and bootlid badges were installed; as well as wheel cap centres, along with a polo stubby aerial to make it look less like a dodgem! (Which I won't bore you with pictures of) Then it spent the day in the cleaning booth using numerous products from WXD Detailing, the paint cut really well, and took the seal well also. Proper jack; Finished; in the fading light. Plans; Well, a few things I want to do; is mainly retrofit as much as I can whilst keeping it cost effective, auto lights, wipers etc, something which I am still working out at this stage. I've got a four poster booked for the end of September and I'll paint the underside, and tidy that up, at this point I'll get the wheels refurbished. Just a stage one Remap and aid the breathing. (Of course) I'll upgrade mechanicals as they fail. But apart from just looking after it; nothing major; I won't add anything that does not need to be there. I'm not in a rush to complete the above (apart from the wheels!) so it will be a slow burner!

As above; I've just found this thread, and I simply adore retrofit; which I'm looking at options on my FL LE. If you could retrofit photobucket; that would be great. Ta.

Sounds odd; but check the earth connections. Generally underneath the car and can get covered in all sorts of road grime which could lead to intermittent electrical gremlins. Quick fix if it is - but make sure you disconnect the battery first!

First time Skoda owner. Previously driven numerous BMW's; and before that generally VW. I've just purchased a phase 2 Octavia vRS Limited edition, number 101. Very impressed; but not surprised as I have driven vRS's at work for some time; hence the reason for purchasing my own; no better endorsement! I look forward to speaking with you in turn.

101 - BearT - CR TDi - Hatch - Grey gables garage.