Miikey63

Is there some source from which I can buy a full pdf manual? I must VPN into the USA not to be blocked. Haynes seems to have quit with printed manuals. I don't want my roadside repair on the side of the M82 in the rain to be based upon my VPN working and my mobile connection and data limit. Thx, M.

@SuperbTWM There's so many posts about VCDS that it's difficult to get a clear answer on any specific question. Is there a Wiki? If there is, point me to that and I won't bug people on here. Please correct as required. So far I have: * VCDS is a 3rd party tool from Ross-Tech with a full version that needs uses the cable / dongle for permission to run. o I see some say you need German, so maybe that's 'VCDS from VW?' o So maybe VCDS is an edited version of VAG-COM? * Cheapest option is Hex-V2 wired at 'only' $199. So I'll just bin full VCDS as $199. It says one CAN and two k-line. o I got that wrong. Ross-Tech want a further $96 to ship to UK. Now buying Hex-V2 from Cornwall looks good value * Does a 2018MY SE really have only one CAN bus? I'll assume it goes to a gateway module that routes to the other CAN buses, hence VCDS can both change setting for the powertrain control module and revise the central locking operation. * Am I right that, before it connects to a car, there's no ability to see what VCDS can do? Or does it have a 'demo' mode? Thanks in advance, Mike

Wow! You experts are really delivering VCDS isn't a full ECU flash tool but a modifier of EEPROM calibration settings: interesting approach for the ECU. From @JoePeddos, the target switch stalk is on a 2015 fabia. Backtrack from @nta16. I will investigate and report; many thanks!

Jim, that looks just the job! Please can you check that they haven't removed the print function? I've tried firefox, edge and chrome and even the temporary html files don't have a copy of the manual itself. Thanks in advance Mike

Thanks Nigel. No-one ever accused me of babying a car 🤣. Many passengers have expressed a desire that I move in that direction. I'm more of the school that 'a happy tyre is a squeeling tyre', or, as I express it, if it never slides then you don't know where the limit is. I commuted in my Traveller to Glasgow from Essex monthly for about a decade, and then we drove it to Cornwall as my Wedding car. Before that, I'd pepped the 1098 up to about 70hp so it would top at about true 85mph and I didn't have to fight with lorrys, oil dampers instead of friction dampers, alternator, electronic ignition, comfortable, adjustable leather seats in matching colour from a montego turbo (sounds bad but it worked), that remote Lucas brake servo from mini Cooper, alarm, proper 3.5kW heater core from a modern mini, 5-speed gearbox from a sierra... My goal was Classic looks and reliable modern traffic capability. Handbook downloaded. That's going to be useful when I get calls from the other drivers who may not have paid the requisite attention to my wise words. I expected the Handbook to apply to all models so I must experiment to discover whether my lowly SE can do as it claims. I was pleased to discover a full-sized spare in the boot That's one 'space saver' hunt task off the list. Cheers, Mike

Thanks @HeavyMetalRich I'm not worried about reflashing as I work in Powertrain Controls for Ford. I'm more concerned about finding exactly the right image for the engine at the same EU-6 emissions calibration level, plus cruise control. Ideally, I'd have both the existing image so I can revert the car to factory standard: and the target image with cruise. Car build was in 2018, so it's potentially at Euro 6b 1-sept-2015 as a facelift only with carry over powertrain; or a Euro 6c 1-sept-2018 if qualified for that; or Euro 6d TEMP, same date, effectively Euro 6b + lower particulates and RDE Real world Driving Emissions introduced due to Dieselgate. Where do the images come from? Can VCDS suck an image out? Cheers, Mike

Toot, that's part of the problem. I have no idea what might fail on a 2018 Fabia, it's a new car to me, hence the desire for a manual in the car. I've already found that no Cruise is a feature, despite all the hardware being present for Adaptive Cruise. If I put it into reverse, the rear wiper turns on to intermittant. Not one wipe like my Fiesta did, but until I turn it off. I have 35 years Auto industry experience, two Auto degrees, and am a petrol head; so you'd be quite surprised at the roadside repairs I can do. An example would be a head gasket replacement on my 1968 Morris Traveller, with creative use of passenger beverages for coolant to get me to a garage. OBD dongle is a great idea, thanks! I have 4, so I'll pick one that talks to the phone properly. <M>

Hi All, New to me, Fabia 2018 1.0 SE. As per all my cars last 30 years, I buy the Haynes Manual to keep in the car. It's in the garage or car whilst I effect repairs. Not so, this car! Online only! Listed by Haynes as "2018-2009" (in error) as it's a Mk III, 2015+ at a later emissions standard, but Mk III 2015+ is only online. I'm sure I don't want to be fishing around on my phone whilst I attempt a roadside repair, especially at the £25 that a printed manual might cost. Haynes has clearly quit with the expense of print and gone for the 'marginal cost of zero' online subscription option to maximise profits. So disappointed. All my family drives this car and I'm the only one with Auto experience, so they're stuffed if it stops. I checked Autodata, but they're worse. Online only and ~£10/month. Has anyone else stepped in to fill the gap? Other than here, of course Cheers, Mike

You are 100% correct HeavyMetalRich. For what can only be marketing reasons, Skoda fitted the stalk for speed limiter minus the toggle button for cruise control. It's an EU-6 emissions so Drive by wire, so all the hardware is there for cruise save for the toggle button. Moreover, or worse for me, is that a 77GHz front radar exists: additional and more expensive hardware with two functions: emergency brake assist (current relative speed vs distance) and adaptive cruise control (current relative speed versus distance). I have all the hardware not just for cruise, but for adaptive cruise! On older models it seems there was a dealer upgrade to cruise. Is this available on a 2019? If not, has a 3rd party figured this out? I work for an OEM and I suspect the looms are common so switch replacement is straight forward. ECU s/w reflash is a much more hazardous step. Thanks, M63

Hello All, I've just become owner on the above car, and have a 400-mile mostly motorway trip on Tuesday. I'd like to use cruise control, and the right stalk indicates this is a feature. However, it's stuck in Speed Limiter mode with no set speed, which causes it to interfere at nearly any speed and clip the throttle. There is *no* button 'D' on the underside of the stalk. I haven't missed it and it's not recessed. The handbook indicates that mode is a selection via the RH steering wheel thumbwheel and buttons. Under the 'Driver Assistance' menue, the only option is 'Front parking aids': which the car does not have, only 3 sensors at the rear. See pictures. Is there something I've missed, or does the cluster have the wrong software version for the car? Thanks in advance Mike