Choclab

I bought my 2023 Karoq as a pre reg (March) in August 2023, and had irregular “over air” updates. Never joined anything, until I wanted to pay off HP (not on PCP), when I registered and got the final figure, and all paid. Not sure if I am entitled to full three years, or just the two, but it has not shown any updates since February. Never been asked to subscribe to anything. Never bothered with any of it, with the Octavia. The HP came with two free services, but only deal offered, by dealer, is discount on third service, but may sell before then (to help fund house move)!

I picked up my Karoq in August, two years ago and, showing it off to a friend, opened the bonnet to show him the engine. Blast of hot air, which concerned me. He, being a (non VAG) tech/mech, said nothing wrong with it, as his franchise brands were all like it! Didn’t think my Octavia got as hot, but rarely open the bonnet of any car, these days, when hot. Might check it again, tomorrow, out of interest.

Did it again today, but it was a quick exit, from a side road with either way zero visibility, due to curve of main road. Definitely front offside tyre (windows and roof open), so parked up and walked back. Again, road surface looked polished, and very smooth tarmac (no potholes, filled or otherwise). My tyres are factory fit Slovenian Goodyear Eagle 215R18 (I have the short lived 18inch fitted wheels, on 23 plate). No sign of early wear, but only 6000 odd miles, since new. One thing about roof and windows open - driving into garage, I think I can hear a loose baffle, in the exhaust. If it is, I might give insurers a heart attack, and fit a sports exhaust 😂

Strangely, I have heard this noise, twice last week. Once left turning, leaving a shopping centre, onto a busy, but urban A road. The second was turning right, at a set of traffic lights (4th in queue, so rolling already). I just assumed it was the hot road surface, as very hot on both days, and tarmac “polished”, rather than melting. Yes, it was like the old slipping fanbelt sound. Couldn’t replicate today, although another very hot day.

When I went to Halfords (dealer recommended I should, as “Škoda ones are rubbish”), the Halfords touch screen threw up the wrong blades, in a twin pack. I took pack to till, asked for them to be fitted. Fitter took one look at car, went back in, and came out with two totally different single blades, and fitted them. Often happens, apparently! Nice to know the Halfords staff are on the ball.

When I bought my last Subaru (where have those 10 years gone?), they must have used “shop bought” locking nuts, as I got a plastic box with 4 standard (used) nuts, and the “key” nut. Code on the box label. I know it needed one extra nut, as spare could not accept the locking nut.

If it stops working again, in a short time, then you may have a fault that the warranty may cover. Otherwise, they may put a slow loss of gas down to fair wear and tear. Not sure if the modern gas is more prone to leakage, but all my old, with the old gas, cars never needed two yearly “service” - more like a once in five years top up.

Insurers are getting really tight with specifications, these days. My policy, deep in the small print, says I have to tell them if I change my exhaust system, or part system. In conversation, at renewal, I mentioned that I wasn’t intending to fit a sports exhaust, and was told I could not even fit a Kwik Fit exhaust - it has to be a Skoda part. supplied, fitted and warranted, by a Skoda dealer! Any other exhaust is permitted, but they have to be informed, and will be listed on my policy record as a modification over original spec, (and would have to pay higher premiums for the pleasure). Another insurer rip off.

My 68 reg Octavia did this, as does my 23 Karoq, both using USB drives. Seems to be a continuing problem with Skoda. Recent traffic in Karoq site shows Skoda know of it, but may not know how to fix it (or don’t care). Mine reverts to America and A Horse with no name!!

If you are looking at 22/23 year models, check the fitted wheel sizes. For a short period, the Sportline, at least, was supplied with 18 inch wheels. Mine was first registered March 2023, and has them.

Had the full a/c service, at two year service. Drain/recover gas, check pipework, etc, refill gas/oil/dye, set off freshener bomb. That is not cheap, so would not get much other than a look over in the health check. As only serviced in March, can’t see what a health check would gain me, but different circumstances for different people.

I moved from an Octavia SE L 1.5 DSG, estate, 68 plate to a Karoq Sportline with same engine and gearbox, on 23 plate. Octavia load space was much bigger (no surprise), and low, so ideal for Labrador. Eventually proved to low for elderly mother (how often do drivers, who get out on road, forget that passengers have to get out on kerb side). Karoq was OK for mother, but dog struggles (she is elderly, too). Apart from virtual dash, everything is about the same for driving. Can’t comment on noise, because I have music volume on high!

Mine rarely operates, but when it does, it is always when it really needs to. Last week, in fact, a car cut me up, moving from right hand lane into my lane, leaving no room, and the system kicked in. It is an “emergency stop” device, so I don’t expect it to operate as you slowly approach a brick wall.

Have seen these on a few local dealer’s forecourts, on the cars that don’t seem to sell quickly. Which probably means they have poor batteries - worth getting a new battery in the deal!

Must say, I was amazed. Did fill up with super grade, by accident, as if that would make any difference to mpg.

I had a run, from Mansfield to Woking, mainly M1, M25, then local roads. Managed 65mpg, but only 60mpg on return (Friday afternoon traffic). My usual usage is short local trips, and only 5000 miles in two years, with 35mpg since new. Had it set on Eco, but a bit sluggish responding when lane changing, so left in normal. Plenty of seventh gear indicated. 1.5 DSG petrol.

Ha, will quote the girlfriend on this (nothing to do with me, squire!). She says that the black inserts match the other black highlights of the Sportline trim, and if I remove the inserts, the shiny wheels look wrong. By the way, I do take the trims off, when I wash the car, so wheels stay clean.

I believe that Skoda have deleted the inserts, on recent cars, probably due to owners removing them and buying the wheel nut and centre caps. I have kept mine on, just to be awkward!😂

I had my licence suspended (health reasons), and that was me off the road for 3months. My diesel Citroen C4 started first time, when I got my licence back. Had not touched it, in those 3 months.

Had mine done last month, during annual service. Whole job of drain/recovering, recharge, including dye and oils, check all hoses, belts, connections, and then ZACBOMB freshener, total £139 inc vat. And, as dealer job, fully guaranteed if any problems later, like leakage.

Sorry, missed the earlier posts for some reason. Just driven up from Guildford to Mansfield and should have gone to bed, but brain still fizzing!!☹️

I have no problem putting mine into sport mode - just flick gear lever back past D, to the stop. No need to use the mode button and tap the screen. It’s just one fluid motion of the gear lever.

Check the tyres/wheels fitted to any two year old Sportline, as a few (mine included) have smaller wheels. Mine was first registered March 2023.

See if you can get a long test drive, where you can get an idea of what a 1.5 goes like. They can be quick off the line, up to 30mph, but about 10 seconds to 62 - not slow, but not quick either.

If I had the choice again, I would have gone for the 2.0 4x4 Karoq. The 2.0 performance is, unsurprisingly, much more sporty. The 1.5 is average on 0-60 Traffic light Grand Prix, slightly slower than my 1.5 Octavia, and notably less than your Superb. Also, Sportline is only a trim level, not a sporty performance version of the 1.5.