DonkeyKong

Hi bigade1 Just to say a massive 'thanks' for the update, much appreciated. Need to test it but looks fine from the screen icons. Happy Xmas to everyone on the forum!

Since 1998 all UK towbars now fitted & sold have to be EU type approved, and fit onto the same manufacturer's mounting points. So I'm confused...the issue as far as I understand it, and certainly as far as my own issue is concerned, is that the standard car (without any towbar prep) is not fully ready to accept a towbar (whether Skoda's own brand or not) without significant additional modifications. Therefore, it doesn't conform to what is suggested in the standard brochure, as it won't tow the weights (or tow at all in some cases) without extra fans, grills, etc which rubbishes the data, and is misleading. This is unusual, especially since many SUV's (and more still of the larger ones such as the Kodiaq) will be used for towing. Certainly mine is. If this argument is taken to its extreme, in theory you could claim in the brochure the car could be used for space travel (but only if encapsulated within a space rocket) which would be clearly ridiculous and misleading. Which is my (and others) point about the data in the brochure and handbook - it simply is not correct.

Hi bigadel Many thanks indeed for posting these camera updates, and amending the post. Fantastic, your work here is very much appreciated by myself and I'm sure is also from many others on the forum. Thank you once again.

Fantastic, worked a treat for me! I can't wait to try it. All my local cameras are visible on the screen so I assume there will be audible warning. I had messed about with this for ages getting nowhere going round in circles, using the Skoda update, POIBase etc, with various formats and error messages. Nothing worked, either forced a massive re-start on the head unit or gave the usual 'No files found'. A thousand thanks, I'm very grateful. Why can't Skoda fix the bugs in their programme...

Mine came with a set of genuine Skoda carpet mats from the dealer, OK but not outstanding quality. I've since bought a full set of genuine Skoda rubber mats off eBay, which are great. They clip into the standard floor spaces using the location pegs. They don't make the car look like a van, and don't need vacuuming all the time like the carpet mats did, to keep looking good. You can also get the extra mat that goes over the top of rear transmission tunnel, perfect for deterring muddy or snowy feet for Winter.

I believe you can code out the Stop/Start using VCDS, or you might be able to persuade your dealer to do it for you at the next service or visit if they are helpful.

I've hit a brick wall with attempting to add Speed Cameras as POI's to my late 2018 Kodiaq with the widescreen Columbus 2. I've downloaded the files from PocketGPS and zipped up together with the BMP files using the Skoda online app which is straightforward. However (and it might matter), I had to select a 'Other GPX' file format which the app says it will accept, as if I try to use CSV the Skoda online app just crashes with a string error. The files it creates look fine, with a complex file/folder structure and locations that can be seen on the online map, with over 18,000 cameras showing. However, the car won't accept the files on an SD card or USB, no matter what I do. It ponders then comes back with an error. I've tried downloading the files (containing 2 sets of CSV or GPX files) and using without any modification, and also manually combining them into one large CSV using Excel. I've also tried using just one file with no BMP just to see if it works with minimal data but the same structure. I've removed the first zipped folder and tried with just the contents that were inside it. I've also tried updating using the online option (the car has a large SIM card/data allowance of its own), but it says there are no updates available. The various Skoda Android/IOS apps don't seem to allow direct updating via the app, as far as I can see. Mind you, getting a structured data folder onto a IOS or Android device is a challenge in itself. I also tried another set of data files (with another subscription) from POI Base, but the advice (albeit in German) says it won't work with more than 10 lines/groups of data, and that source presents each type of camera type separately, so you end up missing off ones you would want), but that doesn't work either. So I'm stuck. Am I missing something? I don't seem to be able to 'save on the portal' as mentioned above, because there is no option to log on and enter the VIN, account details or similar, that would allow reconciliation of the file(s) I've created and the vehicle. The Skoda webpage gives lots of detail, but the POI files can only be saved onto a file location or SD card, there is no 'OTA' option to update online. Any ideas?

There are some reported issues with rattling noises with the DSG, admittedly with the TDI's - mine is one of them. See other post. Apart from the noise, the box is quite smooth but not any better than many other auto's I've had and significantly worse than my last BMW. Mine is slow to change down sometimes at slow speed, and I find the excessive auto downchange/engine braking irritating when going downhill (although I could shift mode into ECO which would get round that) and I often manually intervene to nudge it up a gear.

Could be a weight or stability issue, in just the wrong place. To quote from the owner's handbook, 'But even with OFF ROAD mode activated, your vehicle is never a true SUV' (page 216). Which from our experiences includes towing it seems...strangely they never mention that when selling the car or mention it in the marketing material..

Sorry to hear yours has dragged on to this. I'm not minded to do that, I haven't got the time or appetite for it. I'll put up with it until I can get rid of it and chalk it up to experience. Unless it breaks in which case I won't have any choice and the dealer will be getting it back. Any car can have problems, what defines a dealer and brand is what gets done about it. Which is very little in this case....

In an ideal world, we'd order a factory car with all the options we want so there is no problem. Many of us choose (and the industry dynamics lead us towards) buying a stock car and compromise on the specification. It is available there and then, and often the dealer makes it far more attractive to buy a built car, than one that may take months to arrive. Is this fitter a Skoda approved fitter working for a franchised dealer? If not, although using original parts the issue remains that it could still compromise the Skoda warranty. Still leaves the issue with grills and cooling, that this dealer claims are required. They want to keep the work in the network, which is more restrictive practice. I'm very dubious about the need for new grills anyway, is it really needed or was it an over cautious dealer covering their backsides getting their retaliation in early? As it's Skoda's warranty and it sits on top of the basic legal position (which they can't duck under Strict Liability), Skoda can decide whether they are going to honour it or make it difficult for an owner by either challenging that decision through a legal process, or leaving you to rely on the Sale of Goods Act or the Ombudsman. Their small print states that any non-approved parts fitted will invalidate it, they are at liberty to include such clauses but of course can't ignore the basic legal position. Skoda have not thought the addition of a credible SUV through. Dealers and owners seem to have discovered the hard way several models either can't legally tow at all, or need modifications in order to to do so. This must dent customer confidence in their new brand segment?

Thanks to all for your replies. The noise is not loud enough to be heard over the ambient noise, although the weird thing is now I'm aware and sensitised to it, I can sometimes hear it over the road noise and radio even on the motorway, where I suspect others would hear nothing unusual. I'll try and get another dealer to have a look (and listen) to it for a second opinion. A garage that sees it as an opportunity to solve a customer's problem, rather than just hassle and a troublesome customer, might have a different approach. The supplying dealer was clearly not going to get anywhere near a replacement option (as 'Kodiak' above), but I suspect that may be the only real solution. I complained to their head office about the poor service and aggressive and unhelpful service reception staff, but it just got referred back to the original supplying branch so I ended up back where I started. What sort of complaints procedure is that?

If you have a Kodiaq 2.0TDi 4x4 DSG and want to fit an aftermarket towbar, also beware. I was quoted £2200 from my local Skoda dealer for a genuine electric bar. I declined, not just because of the cost but I don't want the added complexity which is unnecessary and a potential cause of future failure. I had a Witter removeable towbar fitted professionally, with a single, coded dedicated electric pack to tow my tiny box trailer. The cost from the main dealer is partly to cover the additional cooling grills in the front bumper cover, which the dealer says is necessary for transmission cooling. They had had bad experience when doing the same work in the past, with the bumper splitting when attempting to prise off and fit the new grills (which are apparently about £120). It takes 2-3 days to carry out the work. Without these grills, or if an aftermarket towbar is fitted, any warranty claim for drivetrain related issues would be declined they said. The fact the trailer it's towing is (in my case) lighter than a boot of luggage would not matter. Smacks of opportunism to wriggle out of any claims to me. They'd have to prove the cause was towing rather than product failure (without their approved bar and with the mods), in order for the Sale of Goods Act not to apply, as they could decline to honour their own warranty and you'd be left having to dispute this or claim under the Sale of Goods Act as unfit for the (published) purpose. Ironically, the 'Towcar of the Year' that Skoda make a play on (see https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/whats-on/awards/towcar-of-the-year/SKODA/ ) shows one of the winning Kodiaqs with an aftermarket Brink towbar. Hope they don't get any transmission issues 'cos they might have problems getting it covered under warranty if my dealer is to be believed. As mine has a DSG transmission rattle from new (see my other post) I could have issues too. The real problem is that the Kodiaq will not tow the weights published in the Skoda literature without significant modification. This is not made clear in the sales brochure, or owner's handbook. I think this is a gross misrepresentation, as many owners will have the reasonable expectation that a pseudo SUV such as the Kodiaq, is likely to be suitable for towing duty, within the stated specification. Many will take the published weights into account when comparing to their caravan or horsebox. The reality is it won't do it without significant modification, certainly on the TDi's (the 1.4TSi towing situation is better known). If you took this argument to its extreme, you could claim it would accelerate 0-60 in 2 seconds (but only if fitted with the supplementary, genuine Skoda rocket pack), or carry 30 tonnes of luggage (but only if fitted with the genuine curtainsider trailer option) etc etc. Most owners would expect a standard car to conform to the stated and published specification, otherwise what is the point of publishing it? It's a mess and not fully thought through in my view.

Hi I have a 2018 Kodiaq 2.0TDi SEL DSG 4x4 with a similar noise coming from the gearbox, which was there from new but reported to the dealer at 800 miles. It is a strange one and closest to a 'rattle' and occurs when on the overrun and when the box is changing down, when hot (when it is at its worst) or cold. The dealer very reluctantly agreed it had a noise that seemed to be coming from the gearbox, after an argument with the service department who suggested I would have to pay for any further investigation time as in their opinion, there was no real fault. Presumably they only fix obvious faults where the customer can tell them what the problem is themselves, anything else will be chargeable. You can probably guess my reaction with a car a few days old. A test drive in another Kodiaq had the same noise, but not as bad. They advise 'see how you go', which is loudly!!! It spoils the car but I'm having to live with it. More worrying is that they said any future drivetrain claim would likely be declined by VAG as it had a non-Skoda branded towbar fitted (see my other post if you're interested in the towbar debacle). Add in the creaky driver's seat frame and it's not a peaceful drive. Shame 'cos apart from that it's a really nice car. Needless to say I won't be buying another Kodiaq (or any other model from that dealer) when the time for replacement comes round...shame 'cos my last Skoda was great and less than half the price. Guess that's progress!