Chris48

Yet another update. I've just been renewing Skoda Connect on my wife's Karoq and they are offering a month's free trial. For anyone who is unsure, that sounds like a very worthwhile deal. Already it's clear that the traffic information is more detailed than TMC.

Just reread this thread and realised that @joek666 already mentioned tethering so apologies! I haven't been idle though - I've written to the Highways Agency to see if they're aware of the issue and to enquire whether they can influence Inrix to reinstate the service previously provided by Trafficmaster. The Agency uses them for their own traffic information so they might be able to have a grown up chat with them. I've also emailed Inrix themselves but I doubt I'll hear anything as they seem geared up to businesses. Watch this space!

Not sure if this has been mentioned elsewhere but another way of getting data to the infotainment system is by tethering a mobile phone. I tried this on my wife's Karoq and the red globe turns white, confirming there's a data connection. You also get "wlan" alongside it, rather than 3g. It's a fairly straightforward process on Android phones where there's a section in the connection settings that allows tethering and Bluetooth linking. However, I didn't manage to get navigation updates... seems I managed to let the Skoda Connect subscription lapse. Yeah I'm in the doghouse!

Thanks @Tell - that's the plan! I had also (possibly naively) thought that the SIM that's built into the car for the emergency call facility and to inform the My Skoda app would also allow data downloads. However, from browsing other forum topics, that appears not to be the case. I'll definitely check the configuration though just in case I've missed something. As noted elsewhere, the Connect site and the people behind it aren't exactly the fount of all knowledge!

Thanks @joek666 I'll certainly give it a dummy run before I commit to another SIM, if only I can find one I haven't butchered to fit into a phone! It's also useful to know how much data the system uses, so that I can source an appropriate SIM. I found one on a well known online retail site that can access all the main networks so that should limit any interruptions of service and I'll post an update when I've given it a go.

Like others, I've been following the thread on the loss of TMC with great interest and I'm extremely impressed with the ability of members to come up with solutions. However, with so many vehicles affected, the various manufacturers could make life so much easier if they would just negotiate a contract with Inrex and give us all software updates... Be that as it may, my 2019 model year Superb 280 with a Columbus system is currently leading me straight into unwanted traffic queues, as is my wife's 2019 Karoq. We already subscribe to Skoda Connect but we're not getting traffic info, presumably because of the lack of a data connection. We're attracted to the elegant (and simple!) solution suggested above by @joek666 and for my wife's Karoq, we'll need a dongle. However, the Columbus unit in my car already has a slot for a SIM card, so presumably I can just plug a data SIM straight in. Just wondering if anyone has done this and, if so, are there any menu options I need to change? Grateful for any thoughts...

Phew that's a weight off my mind! It seems I changed my car at just the right time because my previous Superb will have been affected by the software problem.

Thanks nicknorman - that's useful to know if a cambelt change is recommended!

Might have been worth asking them to use their mystical powers to track down your missing spare...

It's the Skoda dealership in Maidstone and yes, the service manager has his qualifications proudly on display in the office. So I'm quietly confident that once I get past the front desk, all will be well.

Therein lies the rub, as W Shakespeare once wrote! There was a Skoda fixed price offer when I got the cambelt done on my previous Superb and the dealership reckons they made a £200 loss on the deal so they do indeed just pick a number. Having said that, the service desk staff where I now go will always have a chat with the service manager if it's a question they haven't come across before so I'm fortunate in that respect. And the service manager himself is pretty clued up, unlike some I've come across. I think I'd be OK with £275 for the job though... fingers crossed!

It was actually a chat with a friend who owns a Kodiaq that got me started on this mission in the first place. His is a 2019 Sportline with the 2 litre TSI engine and he had picked up the social media reports of DSG problems. He spoke to his usual Skoda service partner in Croydon and they couldn't even tell him which gearbox is fitted to his vehicle which is pretty scary. Needless to say, he won't be going back there. Bottom line for me is that I'm going with the general consensus and getting the job done sooner rather than later. I take the point that my dealer might well say the work isn't needed but I reckon they'll give in gracefully when I wave my credit card at them. And yes, I'll be asking for a detailed invoice and a photographic record that the job has actually been done! Isn't it sad that we can't trust anyone any more... the dodgy dealers of the 1960's seem to be having something of a renaissance.

Thanks dunc69. While I was trying to find information I checked on other VW group sites (specifically VW and SEAT). At the time I didn't know which model gearbox was fitted to my car but I found quite a bit of angst from owners that VW had extended the service interval on the DQ381 from 40,000 to 80,000 miles. I don't typically thrash my cars but I reckon it's sound advice not to leave the service till the last minute. I'll be asking for it to be done at the 4 year point... and then I can look forward to the cambelt at year 5... now where's that Lotto ticket?

Thanks Redboy. I found a table in the depths of another thread that suggested 4 years or 40,000 miles so it's good to get confirmation!

That's good to know - thank you! I'm finding that dealers in general just do the basics so it's sadly necessary to be proactive about additional service items.