SouthernComfort

Your screen image shows the 'Park Steering Assistant' symbol (P+steering wheel) suggesting that you do have it, but if the symbol doesn't illuminate when you press it, then it's probably inactive with the semiconductor having been omitted.

AFAIK Steering Assist as an element of Park Assist been around for several years on Mk3 & 4 vrs.

I was only offered the update after l mentioned it. I'm on 1896 too.

Seems pretty clear that updates are covered under warranty, but as I said, not sure if that's the case for every region in the world. Dealers used to charge for updates on my wife's Mazda while it was still under warranty, so the policy also differs between brands. Anyhow, enjoy the car mate, they're a great ride imo.

Just trying to establish some facts and consistencies. So you got the loan car and coffee, good. As for updates, I don't know if anyone is charging under warranty or not, can only assume not. From a few things I've read though, this may not be the case in all regions. The dealer (Peninsula Skoda) confirmed I have no outstanding recalls. BTW, which dealer are you using?

Maybe of more interest to owners in AU/NZ, but yesterday I booked the car in for its second service, to be done in November. I've stayed with the dealer I bought the car from, as I did for the first service. This time they offered me a free loan car for the day, a nice bonus, although it wasn't offered last year. I've had only a couple of very minor hiccups with the infotainment so wasn't going to bother with a software update, but when I mentioned it they told me an update to the current version would be completed under warranty, therefore no charge. Just curious to know if others in this part of the world have experienced similar dealer offerings re. the loan car and software updates?

I think we're in furious agreement really (including the car washing, no third party or machine gets to wash mine!) For the paint repairs I chose recommended on-site independents, I haven't used the franchises. I'd also never have a paint repair done outdoors, in fact one of the guys I used will only work in properly enclosed spaces, even then he insisted on taping up the garage door edges once inside my garage!

Are you speaking from experience? Finding a 'reputable' repairer of any kind is the key. I've had perfect results from mobiles on two occasions on two different cars, both repairs done in my own garage, both truly professional jobs. In years past I've twice had terrible results from panel shops attempting to match paint after minor accidents involving my company cars, so much so that I rejected the job each time an scolded my insurer for sending me to them. I've never been happy with brush on touch-up. Conclusion based on my experience is that mobile touch up can be a worthy option.

Brush on touch-up is never very successful. You can paint your scratches but the 'repair' lines always remain obvious, more so on a metallic finish. On a new car I'd get it done professionally. A reputable mobile paint repair guy won't be cheap, but still much less than a repair shop.

Nope, it's not an exclusive Skoda thing. If you were to randomly read forums relating to any brand (including other VAG marques), you'll find such gremlins beset many if not most current makes, they're all stacked with similar electronics.

I've rarely had to drive in rain with this car, but had noticed the same thing. My wipers have been set to Auto from new, so thanks for clearing that up!

As a somewhat unconscious habit, I've always carried the key fob in my trouser pocket, in and out of the car. Now I'm reading about this issue, I think I've probably mitigated the lock-out experience as a result.

My Mk4 is the only car I've owned with built in nav. Although I haven't experienced any problems with it, I would have been content not to have it. However, as my car was bought as a showroom 'demo' (with 140km on it) it came equipped with every factory option known to man. Prior to that I used TomTom exclusively and problem free for many years, it has lifetime free worldwide map updates and I still carry it to use in rental cars when I fly anywhere.

It sure is frightening, feels more like hitting a brick wall. I've had it happen maybe twice when reverse parking close up to bushes. I wouldn't want it disabled though, one day it may just pick up something or someone that my mirrors or camera fail to detect in time.

That's the conclusion I came to some time ago about lane assist. Having read claims from some owners that the wheel is 'wrenched' or 'pulled' from their control, I felt mine must be different. At most, I feel a fairly gentle nudge. That's it. Enough to be an alert, not a take over. So maybe the calibration varies by car / model / year, or just randomly - who knows?

I haven't owned a manual for about 20years, but FWIW, most (possibly all) of the manual cars I have ever owned had similar 'notchy' downshifts into the 1st & 2nd gears, but mostly into 1st gear. I'd always put it down to the synchromesh being less effective in the low gears, for whatever engineering reason that may be. I never really noticed it in the upshifts. Double declutching smooths it out, in fact many earlier cars didn't have synchro on 1st gear and even older ones had no synchro at all, so that method was a normal part of driving (showing my age now!). Not so easy in today's hurried times where everyone wants to arrive before they've even left, let alone exercise patience while you nurse your clutch and gearbox in front of them.

I guess a ton of alcohol will dissolve most stuff, but it is an overkill. And yes, distilled water for sure.

The OEM alcohol content is extremely high. Assuming there's a good reason, then your decision to stick with it is probably justified. Sometimes you don't know with OEM specs, are they a genuine necessity or an opportunity to empty your pocket? It's an ongoing conundrum! I wonder if those HL washers can be disabled?

This data sheet will tell you the fluid's composition, handy if you want to compare against the VW spec. https://tricoproducts.com.au/storage/files/efb72b09-cad8-442b-acfd-f1063c742b3a/SDS - Trico Windscreen Washer Additive - 20L, 5L, 500ml 1-11-19.pdf To be clear, I'm not advocating the use of Trico for your car specifically. Although I've used Trico in many cars over the years without any problems, I haven't used it with a VAG model. My last VAG vehicle was still under warranty when I sold it and my Skoda is still under warranty, in those circumstances I've only added water or OEM fluid (usually done at the services). It may be fine in our cars, but doing your due diligence in advance is wise.

PS. if you have HL washers and drive a lot at night in the rain, you might find that's draining the reservoir a little quicker.

In the Skoda I generally top up with water only until the next service, but I rarely even need to do that (fortunately I don't have headlight washers). Other than that, I've used Trico additive for many years in heaps of cars that I've serviced myself. Never had a problem with it, available at all the large auto stores.

I can't think why they would be set up to work with headlights off, but based on what you're experiencing I'm glad I don't have them. I've had them in the past on a different make and they only worked with lights on. NZ & AU regions are usually the same spec.

There's never a shortage of opinions on 'Assist' systems, undoubtedly well meant for the most part. Since you've paid extra to have Travel Assist, it's worth taking the time to try out the different elements of it for yourself. Determining the benefits is a subjective exercise, after trialling it you'll soon decide what works for you and in which environments.

Getting back to your question, yes if you have Travel Assist you should have Adaptive Lane Assist https://www.skoda.ie/models/octavia/octavia-old/octavia-travel-assist#page-not-found-sites/enie-v2-9a5ab887-4b7c-4632-92db-7f8598170030

Try to resist hating the tech from the outset or you may never allow yourself to get accustomed to it. The Mk4 Octavia is a very sophisticated machine and if you follow the sage advice from @SteveTheElder your car will become much more pleasurable to live with. If you need to disable or change certain features quickly, the shortcut buttons along the bottom of the screen are very useful in minimising the amount of 'touches' necessary on the screen itself.