john1952

The 2 USB ports are only “live” when the ignition is switched on. However, I’ve noticed that after the ignition is switched off, they remain live for about 90 seconds. Oddly though, when I unlock the driver’s door, the usb ports become “live” straightaway briefly. Also I’ve noticed that they become “live” if, after I’ve switched the ignition off, and waited for a few minutes in the car then opened the driver’s door, they become “live” briefly. Not an issue, but curious why this is happening.

When took my Fabia in for a service last year, I was told that this is normal. There is some sort of algorithm built into the system relating to the number of times that the start stop system activates and the number of times the vehicles is used. Not sure if this is true or not, but this garage I use for servicing are Volkswagen/Audi specialists so I'm inclined to believe that there is some truth in it. (Fabia engine is identical to Volkswagen Polo). I'm like you, I usually disable it every time so it doesn't really bother me.

I've got the 95bhp TSI engine in my 2022 Fabia and find it plenty powerful enough especially with the turbo. Avoid the MPI engine as it's a bit sluggish. The 115 bhp engine only gives you marginally more acceleration - a difference of about 1 second on 0-60mph. Hardly worth the extra money. Fuel consumption on my Fabia is excellent - mid 50's around town and on long journeys I get mid 60's

Just did a test - (Should have done this before I posted query!) Plugged my phone into the USB port using cable with the ignition switched off. Phone didn't start charging. Switched on ignition, phone started charging. Think this proves that power only available through the port and cable with the ignition on. Interestingly though, if I plug my phone back into the USB port after I've switched the ignition off, then it does start charging again, but only for a short time - about 15 secs. Looks like power is available for a short period after ignition is switched off.

I know this may seem a silly question, but here goes. I have a Fabia Mk4 Colour edition. It has 2 USB ports just in front of the gear lever which I use, (occasionally), to connect my phone for sat nav and music via a USB cable - (Android Auto). If I were to leave the cable inserted in the USB port, but just unplug the phone from the other end of the cable would there be any danger of battery drainage or other adverse issues ??

Does the Mk4 Fabia 1.0 TSI have a wet cam belt ??

I have a Mk4 Fabia 2022. Have just started using a recently acquired Dash Cam and was wondering if I leave the Dash Cam switched on and recording whilst my car is parked would it drain my Fabia's battery significantly? I guess if it's for only an hour or so it probably wouldn't be an issue? But what about overnight ??

With the trims on, the big groove is impossible to clean and you can't clean the spokes properly. Designed by someone who has never washed a car!

Inserted a very small piece of rubber in the tiny gap in between the vinyl dashboard and the windscreen glass near the left hand side A pillar.

There will be an issue with filth behind the wheel covers. Constantly removing and reattaching them might damage the wheel rims.

I maybe wrong, but I doubt even a Karcher washer would get rid of all the crap inbeween the trims and the spokes, let alone around the wheel rims and behind the trims. Over time the black brake dust crap would ooze through the holes in the trims.

Skoda claim that it improves aerodynamics. Frankly I can't see it would make that much difference to your fuel consumption.

My Fabia had a special tool that was part of the kit supplied with it. You have to use a fair bit of force to pull them off. They came off OK - I wasn't bothered about damaging them in the process as I had no intention of ever putting them back on again.

Wise decision to remove the wheel covers. As had been said, the person at Skoda who came up with the idea of these has never ever cleaned a car! My Fabia was only 6 months old with 250 miles on the clock when I bought it and there was shed loads of mucky brake dust around the rims when I took the covers off. Took about 4 buckets of water/car shampoo to get them clean. Bought the nut covers and wheel centres off eBay.

Never knew that !! Had my Fabia 18 months and I'm still finding out little useful things.

Taking it in turns to pull on the hook tool at four points on the rim did the trick for me. I haven't binned my trims - still got them and tried to sell them on eBay; no takers.

I wouldn't bother about damaging the trims. After all, I'd strongly advise not refitting them as they were designed by a Skoda person who has never cleaned a car's wheels properly. You can't clean around the rims and side of spokes with them on.

You have to be quite brutal when pulling them off as they are a very tight fit.

At your earliest opportunity I'd strongly recommend REMOVING the aero trims on your wheels. Whoever at Skoda invented those trims has never washed a car properly. With the trims it's impossible to clean your wheels properly and remove all the accumulated brake dust residue around the inner rim and the sides of the spokes. Over time it'll oose through and stain the outside of the wheels. My Fabia was only 6 months old when I bought it and when I removed the aero trims it took three buckets of car shampoo with warm water and ages to clean off all the crap that was behind the trims for each wheel !! You'll need to buy the Skoda centre caps and, if your wheels are black alloys, the black wheel nut covers. I got mine on eBay.

Lane assist automatically reactivates every time you switch on the ignition to start the car. You have to switch it off, (2 buttons on the steering wheel), if you don't want it. Skoda think it's a "safety feature" ?? I think it's the opposite !!! The tug on the steering wheel is, as you say, very disconcerting and catches you unawares if you are swapping lanes deliberately. I always turn it off as soon as I start my journeys. On my wife's Ford Puma, you can set if "off" as default, so you don't have to always turn it off every time you use the car which I think is a better option.

I've noticed that the Start/Stop system on my Colour Edition Fabia sometimes doesn't always activate. It's usually, but not always, during the first 15 minutes or so of my journeys. It's quite random, sometimes it activates after I've travelled only a short distance. When I stop at junctions the engine keeps on running and a small symbol pops up on the dashboard display, (bottom left) - "Start/Stop system not active" ?? Any ideas why this happens ?

Ask away - I've had a Colour edition for 18 months. Can't guarantee I'll know every little thing about it, but feel welcome to ask.

That sort of works, but only if you've got say the radio on the screen when you switch off the ignition and lock the doors. When you switch the ignition back on again, then OK the radio comes back on and not the "Data Protection" message. But I don't often have the radio on in my Fabia, and prefer just the clock and date display. As soon as you turn the radio off, then back comes the "Data Protection" message. I've now got used to tapping the "OK" on the message as soon as it appears and it doesn't really bother me now - along with all the other buttons I press to cancel things like "stop/start" and "lane assist". The later invented by some nerd !!

My 2022 Fabia has the virtual cockpit. One of the display options has "kW" at the bottom left of the display. What does this mean ?

Would suggest you go into "settings" and try a system reset. If that doesn't work a trip to your Skoda dealer to sort it out would seem the best plan. If it's a new car I would think the warranty should cover any defects ?