Phoenixboy

I'd have to disagree with you there, I've had many dealings with vauxhall main dealers over many years, there's now still plenty of engine failures which Vauxhall/Stellantis have no interest in resolving, including the infamous 1.4t (150), GDI, self destructing engine due to lspi and end float issues. Stellantis' new 1.2t engine which has also destroyed it's self due to the internal timing belt shredding, causing catastrophic engine failure. These are only the recent engine failures. So as I've previously stated, their reliability has took a big hit over the last 10 years or so. I've made many previous successful claims over the years under Vauxhalls manufacturers and extended warranties. Regarding my dash warning light that came on, it was the engine management warning symbol in yellow, was flashing for 5-10 seconds after starting the car, then went off. Not seen it again, since. It only came on briefly whilst my car was static from a cold start.

I'm averaging 48 mpg long term, mainly on e10. Also mine is an dsg, as I prefer autos now. I've not noticed an improvement within mpg with e5, just slightly more responsive & a little better from a cold start. Mine has not had the ECU update, as far as I know & my local Skoda garage said there was not one available for mine. My car is an early 19 reg, on a 68 plate. It's now covered 25k from new & I'm the second owner, first being mobility. I also like the Superbs. I'm not going to use e5 all year round, only during the very colder months, then it'll be straight back to e10. I've owned mainly Vauxhalls from the 80's on, but had a lot of trouble with them, especially over the last 10 years or so, so decided to jump ship & I'm not disappointed.

Well I've owned my car for around 7 months now & the engine management light had only come on briefly the once on start up, not whilst driving. So I'm putting it down to a spurious fault. I've not had the s/s light ever eliminate yet. Although it is hit & miss when it works or not, but to be fair I've owned loads of cars within the past with s/s, none have ever worked 100% of the time, on average I'd say around half of the time, if I was lucky. You are right about the cheap code reader, just thought I'd give it a go to see if any codes were logged. The car has been excellent so far, massive boot, it's my first Skoda, too. I can be slightly jerky when driven from a cold start at zero degrees or below. This has vastly improved after using some higher octane rated petrol. To be honest it's not something that massively bothers me now, more a character trait of this engine. My car is also very good on fuel, partly to do with the two cylinders dropping out when not needed. I'd certainly consider buying this engine again within the future, possibly within a Scala. Thanks for your reply.

After a cold start this morning my yellow ECU light was flashing on my dash for around 5 to 10 seconds during idle, then went off. I've stopped and started my car 4 times since, all good with no light. When I arrived back home I checked my engine with my cheap plug and play code reader, no codes stored. My car is running well. Has anyone experienced anything similar? I'm hoping it was a one off, spurious fault. Time will tell.

I own an 2019, 1.5t dsg. I'll be taking mine to a trusted independent garage to have my cam belt replaced when the time comes. I've owned my car for 6 months now & took a years extended warranty out on it when I bought it, but at least it'll be out of warranty when the time comes to change the cam belt kit, so I can use my own garage of choice. I've also dropped my oil changes to yearly, instead of the extended service intervals it was on, prior to me buying it.

I suppose manufacturers state that their engines can run on e10, but not necessarily well. At least I've now resolved my issue. I might have a go with Sansburys posh stuff next, as it's a bit cheaper. Over the summer months my car seems to run OK on e10. I really notice the difference when temperatures drop under zero degrees. Although it's smoother all the time now with better power delivery. I suppose with a lower powered naturally aspirated engine you probably wouldn't notice the difference. I also wonder if E10 fuels extra water content does not help the engine, either.

Well it was -4 this morning and traveled my usual route to work having previously filled up with 99 ron momentum and my car is running very smoothly at lower speeds whilst cold. So on conclusion my car runs better at all temperatures using higher octane fuel. I'd advise anyone whom is having cold running issues with the 1.5t engine to try some higher octane fuel.

I definitely noticed the difference between Momentum & the previous e10 I'd been using, whether it be supermarket E10 or Shell E10. Hopefully it'll work just as well from a very cold start.

Update of sorts. Just filled my tank for the first time ever with Tesco momentum 99 ron fuel, my car seems consistently smoother with better power delivery, compared to my usual E10 fuel. I've not used my car when the weather has dropped below zero yet, but when it does I'll update then.

I'm experiencing minor issues I suppose, sign of modern motoring I'm afraid, modern smaller turbo charged engines tuned to their emission limits. Something I can live with, as long as my car stays reliable, I'm happy. Thanks for the fuel info, my car is happy on e10, but I'll try some of the premium stuff when it gets colder to see if it makes a difference, if not I'll stick with e10, as I'm acheiving good mpg from it & my car usually runs very well. I've not owned a car yet without a minor niggle here or there.

I can certainly say I have no issues from a cold start above zero degrees. Even below zero degrees my car is still driveable, never cut out or anything like that. I'm hoping for colder weather so i can try some different fuel. Seems to be running well on Shell e10 at the moment. I always fill from empty. Yes cars on forecourts can stay there for months on end, usually running on empty. Then maybe the 1.4t would be your choice, lower mileage car. I'm relatively new to Skoda, but I'm not disappointed with my Octavia, very much like my dsg box, too. I also prefer the SE spec, not too many tech gizmos I don't want, I can turn my lights on & off when I like. I also prefer the 16" alloys more for practicality, rather than looks. Showing my age😂

Obviously I'm only talking from my own personal experience of owning the 1.5t engine with the dsg 7 speed box. Not trying to speculate on other owners experiences of this engine. Within my opinion the positives outway the negatives, only negitive I've experienced so far was slightly lumpy running issues for up to the first two miles from a zero or below cold start. This generally only occurs within speeds 40mph or below. It can be rectified by placing the car in sports mode until it fully warms up, not something I've done on a regular basis. I've always ran my car on E10, I'm awaiting a cold snap to see if using an higher octane petrol would help, too. I've not had any cold running issues once the outside temperature was above zero degrees, so probably over 90% of the time. The 1.5t is the most fuel efficient 4 cylinder 150bhp engine that I've ever owned so far and I've been driving for over 30 years. I'd consider either the 1.4t or the 1.5t petrol engine if you had the finances to do so, providing it had a fsh and had relatively low mileage. It may not help taking the 1.5t for a test drive from cold, as what's the chance of you taking one out below zero degrees.

I'd recommend the 1.5t engine within the Octavia with the dsg 7 speed box, as this replaced the 1.4t within the Octavia 3. My 1.5t engine within my experience is excellent on fuel. I've averaged 48 mpg long term with mine on e10, just done a round trip of 160 miles, b roads & town, averaged 52 mpg, ran on 2 cylinders for 35% of the time, not that I'd noticed apart from the dash light to inform me of the fact. Only downside with this engine I have found is that it can run slightly lumpy for the first 2 miles from 0 degrees or lower, only if you are covering this initial mileage around town, until the engine warms up. At any other temperatures It runs sweet as a nut. It's not enough to put me off from buying this engine again, though. The 7 speed dsg box has been 100% smooth, over the 6 months of ownership without any issues at all. I've ran diesels for around 6 years within the past (different manufacturer), I certainly wouldn't buy another now, especially one with adblue, diesel seems to be around 20% more expensive at the pumps, too.

My car is a 19 plate with the same engine as yours fitted (now covered 24k), it was initially on extended oil servicing with Skoda, up to two yearly intervals. I've now dropped it to yearly, for what oil costs, it was well worth it. Skoda also recommend that the timing belt should be replaced at 5 yearly intervals, not a cheap job if you use Skoda, I'll be using an trusted independent.

I wouldn't use an independent that couldn't do the job. It's not due for a year, yet. I've used a few decent independents over the years that I'd trust. If I do have it done before I sell my car, I'll post prices. Looking at your link, I think Skoda would of had my eyes out. Yet their servicing prices seem more competitive generally, compared to some other manufacturers.

That's if a 1.5t owner were to use a Skoda dealership to change their belt on a 5 year old car, I certainly wouldn't, I'd use a good independent garage & save a considerable amount.

I asked my local dealer about the software update, they ran my reg through their system & said there was no update available for it. To be honest I can live with it, just a bit annoying at times, only effects my car when the outside temperature was zero degrees or lower. Other than that it runs very sweetly. I'm putting it down being a "quirk", of the car/engine. Although I will try some different fuels, higher octane ratings to see if it makes any difference. My car has not quite performed the full kangerooing act, more a bit jerky/choppy at lower speeds up to around 40mph, more if you are trying to hold it at a certain speed, say at around 30mph around town. Anything above freezing it performs perfectly well. Yours being an 04 registration, model, it'll be the 1.4t engine?

Probably mainly b roads & town, with some occasional motorway trips. So mixed, really.

The jerkiness was there prior to the new plugs being changed, not as bad, as it wasn't as cold then. I have a receipt for the new plugs, but just states- Additional work- spark pugs changed, then date, that's all. I'll see if the new fuel makes any difference, maybe something I have to live with, not at the point of cutting out, just slightly choppy for up to the first 2 miles of driving at zero degrees or below from a cold start, above that it's within the realms of acceptability. Maybe it's part of owning a fuel efficient gdi modern engine, as this issue seems well documented. Slightly too lean during cold running. The oil the other main dealer had used, have no idea, probably 5w 30, as it's cheaper than the 0w 20 stuff. Although as I'm now changing it yearly, I travel around 8k a year, I'm not too bothered about that. Have an invoice for all the servicing done during it's last service, but only just states- oil, one unit at £45. Was a Ford main dealer that I bought it from, but part of the same group as the Skoda garage. Hence the extended warranty. Then the plugs were changed a month later at the Skoda garage.

Have you used higher Octane fuel for a while? Up to now I've never had an issue with any supermarket fuel, e10 or other. That's if the issue would be improved with higher octane fuel, still it's worth a try. Cheaper than a visit to the dealers. I'd realised that the shell e10 stuff wasn't higher octane rated, just thought it would have more additives than reg supermarket fuel. Once I've ran a couple of tank fulls, I'll post my results.

Normal mode, that's it's default setting.

Yep first thing I checked myself when I took delivery of my car, now that was an easy check. Oil looked clean, too. Only when I checked the receipt I noticed no plugs, rang them up, service manager agreed to have them changed at another Skoda garage within the same group, as this is what we'd agreed on prior to purchase & a years warranty. I think I'll try a tank full of Shell e10 first, as it should have more additives than the usual supermarket e10 stuff I normally use, if no better, then I'll try a tank of e5. Maybe the easier cheapest option first.

Does make sense, as it feels as though it's running too lean when very cold. OK if I were to put my foot down hard (which I wouldn't want to do), especially bad at between 30-40 on a slight downhill incline within the first mile from starting cold. If you were straight onto motorway you'd have no issues at all, cold town driving it performs the most at around zero degrees from a cold start on e10 fuel. 7 speed dry box I have. I'm just making my mind up whether to stick it in the dealers or not or just live with it & maybe try some e5 first, then drop to e10 maybe over the summer. I think a lot of modern engines are now tuned to there emissions limits, which doesn't help. Made my mind up I'll try some e5 next & I'll post the results.

No I asked for a major service to be done prior to me taking delivery of it as it was 3.5 years old, didn't think it would harm. Yes it had an oil change at the end of year one, end of year two a pollen, year 3 brake and clutch fluid. Then I bought it from a none Skoda main dealer when it was 3.5 years old. Yes it was on a flexi service schedule.

I might try some higher octane fuel within my next tank to see if it actually helped or not. Although in theory my car should run OK on E10. I've never expperienced any issues with any petrol within the last 35 years plus of driving, but I suppose it's possible with this engine.