Jocko

I might not bother trying to fix it then. It might be safer not to. After all, heated seats not working is a bit of a first-world problem.

My heated seats have stopped working altogether. The two-stage indicator lights work for both driver and passenger but neither seat heats. Now, I have a burnt bit at the back edge of my seat (it has been there for ages) so I assumed it had possibly taken the fuse out. My initial thought was that I'd replace the fuse, which would get the wife's seat working, but the fuse is good. I suspect the relay. My Haynes manual doesn't give a cct diagram for the heated seats and I found the one above less than helpful. Can someone point me to a useful diagram for a 2009 Fabia?

My son-in-law, a mechanic for over 40 years, adjusted my handbrake (drums) for me today. It took him 5 minutes a side. He removed a wheel bolt, jacked up the wheel, lined the bolt hole up with the wedge and using a homemade tool pushed the wedge down to lock the brake on. He then eased the wedge back until the drum turned freely, lowered the car and replaced the bolt. The same the other side. My handbrake is now on after a few clicks instead of having to be pulled up between the seats. It didn't even cost me a coffee!

I think you require VCDS for this. OBD II scanners normally only give engine-related info.

Do your audio then spend time tarting up the inside to make it a more pleasant space. Do your light mods. Maybe get the existing wheels to a restorer and get them colour-coordinated with your body colour. I got my Volvo wheels restored, mainly to stop the tyres from losing pressure, and it picked the car up no end.

The "Nut" behind the steering wheel is the driver! You don't have to notify your insurance of audio upgrades but you do for changing wheels, modifying suspension etc. Some companies are okay with some mods. My daughter had a SEAT and her husband (a mechanic) asked their insurance permission to lower the suspension. They said fine. They then asked about fitting a sports spoiler from the Cupra. They increased the premium by a few pounds. However, when they asked to fit Cupra wheels they said they would rescind their insurance. They ended up buying this instead.

I come from the era of drum brakes, front and rear. I never had an issue, though I must admit I have never tackled VAG brakes. I just feel why disturb the hub and bearings when you don't have to? In my day you had drive shafts to contend with as well.

As a new driver, some of what you are considering could bump up your insurance. As you are probably paying an arm, a leg and a kidney at the moment, you don't want to get too ambitious. Wheels can make a difference to your insurance (if you tell them - if you don't they could refuse a claim). I'd stick with your lights and sound system until you have a bit more NCB.

Why do you want to disturb the hub? Virtually any solvent will clean up the drums, even soap and water if you have nothing else. https://youtu.be/Qt_OsOAclco?si=DcrOp0Rg9vGpJ5Nn

How do I remove the central armrest from my 2009 Fabia Elegance? I saw a video on YouTube where the guy just lifted it up and out, but mine will not budge. Nor was I able to pry it up from the base. I take it there are more than one version out there.

That picture is different to my unit. I would just try them in turn to see what initiates the reset sequence.

Turn on the ignition, press and hold both the AC and Front Vent buttons until both lights start to flash then you'll hear the flaps calibrating and the lights will stop flashing after 10-20 seconds.

Is it cold on a cold day? Have you measured the temperature at one of the vents?

From the manual: You can set the interior temperature between +18°C and +29 °C. The interior temperature is regulated automatically within this range. If you select a temperature of less than +18 °C, “LO” is shown on the display. If you select a temperature above +29 °C, “HI” is shown on the display. In both limit positions the Climatronic operates at maximum cooling or heating capacity, respectively. The temperature is not controlled in this case.

My Climatronic mixes the air to give the temperature set so if I have it set to 22 (normal for me) that is the temperature of the air coming out. I often set it to low but have never tried it on Hi.

How does the pedal feel if you try to depress it by hand?

Check a hose hasn't popped off.

The front subframe should only affect the front wheel camber and castor angles. If they are correct the front subframe position should be correct.

I am certainly not advocating moving the steering wheel. It appears the correction to the tracking has all been carried out on one side and the other garages have just checked the alignment. The tracking adjustment has to be balanced on either side to correct the steering wheel issue.

If the tracking is out you need to adjust each side to keep the wheel central. If you only adjust one side the tracking comes in but the wheel is off-true. I once had that so I knocked the wheel off and moved it around a couple of splines, but that was years ago when there were no airbags or such. It was just a two-minute job on my old Ford Prefect.

You are obviously just careless but a garage has a duty of care to the customer and their car. If it had come off on the motorway at 70 mph and people had been killed or injured, do you think the court would say. "have neither of you ever made a mistake working on your own vehicle or doing your employed job?". I don't think so, as the judge hands out a £40,000 fine.

I agree. An independent inspection by a Skoda dealer or a Skoda specialist and then speak to trading standards or even consider taking legal action.

Might I suggest you start to take it to an independent VAG specialist and not the dealer? I get the impression they see you as an easy mark.

I drilled a hole in the malleable plug at the lowest part of the wheel well and I have had no problems since. The car is bone dry inside.

I do not know the procedure for resetting the Fabia TPMS but the ABS-driven system in the Honda Jazz depended on driving for a spell. Confirm in your owner's manual if something similar needs to be done. The Jazz TPMS triggered on just a few PSI loss of pressure but was sensitive to tread depth. It was lost if you had a worn tyre on one side and a new one on the other.