MikeHig

Returning to this old topic, a replacement battery cured the problem in my case. The old one was getting weak to the point where stop/start rarely kicked in. All is well now (crossing fingers!). Also the mirror-fold using the lock button has returned!

Here you go. The Octavia stamp is just visible on the near edge.

Ivan8192: Thanks for that. I'd heard about those chains and seen a few around but never bothered to find out the make. They do seem to be the best effort so far to make chains that are easy to fit. I read the reviews on Amazon: mostly very favourable. Some folk had troubles fitting them, finding the process fiddly but I think that's a matter of a bit of practice first. The only adverse comment I heard while out in the Alps is that they are not as robust as conventional chains. One guy ran a wheel against a curb that was covered in snow and crunched one of the "arms". As you say, they are very pricey! I lean towards a full set of good quality winters on steelies. They may not give quite the traction in really deep stuff but should give better allround grip and no messing about in the snow! Also, by going to the small wheels and narrow tyres mandated by Skoda, I would be able to fit chains if absolutely necessary - such as a "Day after Tomorrow" scenario!! SkudMissile21: I've not tried snowsocks but I've talked to several folk who have and read a few reviews. They are easier to fit but they don't give as much grip as chains. They are also vulnerable to running on dry roads, in tunnels for example. They are a good option for occasional use for short distances such as getting out of snow-bound parking.

My Superb estate came with a liner which is clearly stamped "Octavia"! It seems to be a genuine Skda part from the stamp on the underside. Surprisingly. it fits exactly at the front with the chamfered corners, and down the sides. The rear edge is straighter than the boot lip profile of the Superb so there's a few cm gap in the middle. So it's a good make-do fix if you happen to see a cheap Octavia mat on Ebay or wherever.

That's been my argument a couple of times. The gendarmes just looked at the tread pattern which is very different to classic snow tyres - on Crossclimates, at least. The first time (in a previous car) they baulked and I had to put chains on which turned out to be a good call further up the road! The second time one of the cops had been briefed about these tyres and let me through. That was a relief because fitting chains on the Superb is a real faff - it's was a struggle doing a test-fit on a clean garage floor! You are right - clearances are very tight.

I'm looking at buying a Sportline with the 280 engine. In normal times (remember them?) I drive out to the Alps a couple of times over winter. When conditions are bad the gendarmerie often restrict access to cars fitted with full winter tyres or chains to avoid carnage. They can get sniffy about Crossclimates and the like, despite the "snowflake" marking. Looking at the online manual - if I am reading it correctly - Skoda only "allow" the use of chains on 17" wheels with 215/55 tyres. Presumably there is a clearance issue with anything bigger. Is this correct? Has anyone tried using chains on 18" or 19"? If it is correct I will have to factor a set of full winters into my budget rather than running Crossclimates or similar and carrying a set of chains. Thanks for any advice.

Thanks Roberto, that's good to know. It makes sense to me to do both because the power and torque curves are changed by the remap. It would be interesting to hear if anyone has done just the remap, or done them separately, and can comment on how the remap works with the stock DSG settings.

Seeing the endorsements for RevO, has anyone had their DSG upgrade as well as the remap? I'm wondering if it is worth doing alongside the remap (on a Sportline 280)

I've had the same experience. The first time was just after Christmas and it has happened maybe 6 times since - maybe one journey in 4 or 5. It happens in different ways, sometimes with a bang, sometimes with a thumping "heartbeat", sometimes no noise at all. In my case, when the noise comes it is from all of the speakers and it's pretty loud: once I thought someone was pounding a fence post into the ground until I realised it was coming from the car after unlocking. The screen flashes, goes dark, etc, as you describe, every time. I have tried turning the radio off before switching off the ignition. The next time I started the car the fault re-appeared a couple of minutes after I turned on the radio. Hopefully bumping this post will catch someone's eye who can offer some advice.

I've had the same notification. Tempted to ignore it and pretend I'm driving a BMW!

Thanks for the replies. Good to know it is a standard feature so my car has not been tweaked. Gav: yes, later VW cars fold their mirrors on locking, if my Golf is any example. It's a feature I like as it's an instant check that the car is locked.

I am slightly embarrassed to find that my car has folding door mirrors, having owned it for 3 years! It's a CR 170 Elegance estate on a 64 plate. A few weeks ago my son pointed out that I could lower the windows remotely - not a feature I had felt any need for. However, in the current heat, I decided to use it to try and keep the car a bit cooler. By mistake I pressed and held the lock button and was surprised to see the mirrors fold after a few seconds. Please can anyone advise whether this a standard feature for my model or does it mean it has been tweaked with VCDS or similar?

Afaik there's no similarity between this engine and the much more recent 3.6 used by Porsche, Audi, etc.. This one is a "VR6", meaning it is a very narrow-angle V6 - 15 degrees, I think - with a common cylinder head for the two banks: It's more of a wiggly staright 6! The current 3.6 is a normal V6.

Fiat are hooking up with Tesla to pool their "fleets" for emission regulations so that Fiat can avoid - or reduce - their liability for fines under the EU's tighter regs, due in 2021. Makes one wonder: > Are the other companies doing enough to avoid fines? > Which ones are going to be hit and how hard? > How much of the rapid expansion of the EV market is driven by the imminent new regs with their massive fines for shortfalls in compliance?

Success!! After some pressing and clicking it finally popped open and I'll keep it from closing fully until I can try some WD40 or whatever and see how I get on - after my trip. Thanks for all the helpful advice: much appreciated.