PMS

I've found this to be a problem with my new Fabia SE L 1ltr . In D it changes up to soon and then when you stabilize speed it labours (lugs) and doesn't change down soon enough. So, to compensate I'm either driving in S unless I'm over 40mph and on a dual carriageway or motorway then move into D and it's OK. However as soon as I down speed I have to drop back into S. Would my Skoda service department be able to/ agree to remap the box so that it holds the gears for slightly longer or change the default from D to S ? My previous 1.5 ltr Scala wasn't a problem presumably because it was a higher powered engine and had more torque. Many of you will know of my issues with excessive road noise. Skoda and the dealership pulled out of a solution so I'm stuck with it and it's getting worse just 3000 miles on the clock and the tyres wearing ! I've also confirmed that it's not all down to the tyres, it's the lack of sound deadening in the car and use of brittle plastic inside the cabin.

Yeah, I had considered doing this, however the insurance company I'm with won't cover it as they class it as a modification. I told them it was a rectification by Skoda ! Their underwriters state that the car must not be modified/changed in any way even cosmetically. It states that 'the vehicle must be as it came from the factory and was supplied and invoiced to me'. Crazy I know and they wouldn't even cover the Skoda 15" wheels swap even though these are standard Skoda Fabia and my wheels are an option on the SE Comfort. It's complete madness, but if the insurance won't cover it then you take the risk and hope you don't have to claim !

Yes the KUMHO tyres are very good. These were fitted to the SE Comfort that I test drove when I was trying to resolve the road noise issue with mine. They were a deeper profile (65 not 55) and 15" wheels and completely silent. I haven't got anywhere with Skoda or the dealership who I bought the car through and who eventually pulled out of their original offer to swap my wheels/tyres for the smaller 15" ones off their SE Comfort demo. car. So, my only option now is to either drop the car and find something that isn't noisy or change the tyres for lower db ones, which is at my expense. Also, I was advised by Skoda that as the Fabia doesn't have the 'll me sound insulation as my Scala did, plus the dash/door cards etc. are now made from hard plastic not the soft touch material, that this is a contributing factor. Looks like Il have to live with it for a while until I can get a deal to change it. After 6 new Skoda over 15 years, it'll be my last !

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They've come back with 'gold'. There isn't any issues with fitting 15" to any of the Fabia range. In fact all European models come with 15" ! They have suggested I quote the COC (Certificate of Conformity) relating to wheel sizes and have given me a size chart. Mucho brillianté. Now for some fun with the all knowledgeable Skoda executive services department 🤔

👍 I've messaged @Carlston and asked my question. Thanks for the contact. Will let you know what they come back with !

Hi Rooted Thanks for this. It's roughly what I thought re the warranty. If the 15" and the same 16" as mine are OK on the Comfort then why shouldn't they be on the SE L ! I think I'm just going to go with it, sod it, at least I get a quieter ride and also marginally better MPG according to the spec. on the 15" ones !

Hello Rooted Yeah, this is still all related to the noise issue. Not quite resolved yet but it was escalated to the highest executive level at Skoda and I've got agreement to swap the wheels/tyres but at my risk ! What they are now saying is, they will swap the 16" for the 15" but they will not/ can't confirm that it won't make any difference to the characteristics or mechanical workings of the car. They are saying that if the 15" wheels caused any mechanical failures in the suspension, brakes, steering etc. the warranty would be invalidated. Obviously they don't want responsibility for agreeing the swap. I've pointed out that the SE Comfort can have my 16" wheels as an option so they shouldn't make any difference mechanically. So, that's why I'm trying to speak to a technician at Skoda as the dealership tech. doesn't know the answer or doesn't want to ! I've looked on a wheel calculator and the differences are minimal and would also depend on tyre manufacturers. PMS

Is there a current qualified Skoda Technician out there that can answer a question I have about Fabia (MK4) series wheels, suspension, steering, weight distribution, loadings etc. Thanks PMS

I am aware of how VW group (and other manufacturers) operate regarding contracts. Can't say how though ! Re. my complaint. I am also aware of what you say re. complaints and yes my complaint was escalated to a Senior Resolutions Manager immediately, who I am in direct contact with, which, is why it has all been resolved.

It's all interesting stuff. You'd think that Skoda would be aware of tyre noise problems and just simply fit tyres that are proven to be quiet. It makes sense to make sure customers recommend their cars not slag them off. Maybe they either need new technical people or maybe they don't care enough for these issues to make a difference to sales. I was told by Skoda Customer Services that they were 'working through a backlog of complaints in general' ? I've been a good loyal customer for many many years (6 new cars on 3 year PCP's) and have an excellent relationship with my dealership, so it's in their interest to look after me if they want me to stay !

I think that the KUMHO seem to be the quietest of them all but that might only be the 185/65 ones !

All looking good hopefully. I wonder if Skoda will see the light and offer 15" on all Fabia models as standard with the bigger sizes as options. I suspect that most people buying Fabia would give up trendy looking wheels and low profile tyres for ride comfort ? PMS

Yes, although the noise wasn't helping 🤣 I think I've solved the problem. Yesterday I drove two new Fabia's, one with 15" KUMHO tyres and one with 17" Bridgestone tyres. The 15" were completely quiet, no noise at all ! The 17" Bridgestone were as noisy as my 16" Goodyear's. So, the solution is to swap my 16" wheels and tyres for the 15" ones off the demonstrator. Just awaiting Skoda OK. PMS

Surrey John Yeah got all of this and yes not Goodyear's fault, it's fully down to Skoda fitting inappropriate tyres to UK cars and assuming that we all drive up and down the motorways all day on smooth surfaces, which as we know here in the UK 90% + of our roads are rough to say the least ! Interestingly, no difference between the last week of hot temperatures and the lower temps we've now got. Anyhow I'm waiting for the dealership to locate an identical car with a different tyre type to try. Skoda have agreed that if we find a suitable quiet tyre they will replace the ones on the car. It'll just be a time thing now to get it sorted. Thanks for your thoughts. PMS

Re. tyre noise issue. Now waiting for the dealership to get hold of a like for like car with a different brand of tyres on so we can test drive to establish if it's the Goodyear's that's the problem. Might take a while 🤔

No removal tool in my 'full' tool kit and full size steel spare. Eventually got them off (as the dealership suggested they might be part of the road/tyre noise issue. They're not) with a pry bar. Couldn't get my fingers in the gap and really sharp edges so a few cuts ! But, try getting them back on again 🥵

Not yet. I've chased Skoda customer services 4 times now and the person I spoke to last week is always on another line. So, waiting for them to respond back to me. I've escalated my complaint and waiting for a Senior Manager to call me. Not holding my breath though 🥱 I'm just about to call them again and will do this every day until I get an answer !

Quick update on my Fabia noise issue. Dealership technician says it's definitely the tyres. Goodyear factory fitted are a hard compound and will give a high road noise. So, they are trying to get an identical car with different tyres so that we can test drive it to establish if it's the Goodyear's and not a characteristic of the new Fabia. If proven it is certainly the tyres then they will speak to Skoda to see if they will change all tyres at no cost. If it's proven to be a characteristic and not a 'mechanical fault' they advise that Skoda might not agree to tyres being changed. I'm speaking to Skoda customer to services this afternoon to get their fix on it. More later. Thanks for that. Yeah looks like they've changed tyre contract to Goodyear. Mine is recent released stock from the factory so I guess second quarter build 2023 ish.

That's interesting. What build/delivery date is yours and is it a 1 ltr. ? My Scala had Bridgestones and was very quiet 🤔 I'm taking it in on Thursday for the technician test drive it so will know more after then. I suspect it's not going to be an easy fix as Skoda will say there's nothing wrong ! Will post what they say.

I can answer that for you as it's my first post. I wanted to put a pic of my new car and then go on to my rant about it, but before I could put the text in it posted just the pic ? Anyhow maybe I didn't give the system enough time 🤣

Has reducing the tyre pressure made any difference to the noise ? If so what pressure are you running at now ?

I've just picked up my new Fabia SE L 1 ltr 110 DSG ( my sixth new Skoda) and have the same problem. Not only bad tyre road noise but there's a humming/droning/sound all the time which gets worse on rough road surfaces and at all speeds and is concentrated in the cabin to the point that it builds up in my head like when you are defending from height and need to clear your ears, but you can't. I've got 16" wheels and Goodyear factory fitted tyres. My previous Scala SE Tech had exactly the same size wheels and I think Firestone or Bridgestone tyres. No noises at all ! Even when I needed two new fronts and I put on Chinese budget tyres it was still quiet. I've taken the Fabia back to the dealership who have driven it on all surfaces/speeds and agreed there is an unknown noise. They think it's tyres and are having their technician look at it next week. I think it could be partly tyres (the Goodyear's don't have a great rating) plus air circulation interacting with the plastic under tray plus lack of sound insulation in the cabin. We took the 'aero dynamic' wheel covers off in case it was air being trapped behind them but it's made no difference. The only issue with them is that brake dust now doesn't get away and after only 40 miles the alloys were black ! ! ! I've been told that Skoda are economising in a number of areas, like not using the 'soft' feel plastic for the dash and door trims and replacing it with hard brittle plastic, which they claim is down to recycling. All in all what should have been a better car than the Scala isn't ? Watch this space 🤔

New Fabia SE L