Hedgehurst

A very late reply to this thread, with apologies for getting distracted by stuff. Thanks again for the helpful comments here - the car worked beautifully on our 500 mile Northumbrian trip, and then went to our local friendly garage for a check over. They reckon it drives as nicely as any of its more expensively named relatives, and can't see any warranty issues we'll need to report - the warranty 6 months runs out soon so I'm trusting they're right! There are bound to be further future questions coming up....

Thanks. Fingers crossed this one'll get us to Northumberland and back, it's now booked in for a check next week. It's only been one occasion for the Error Message, and the stop/start worked a couple of times yesterday, so I'm hoping it's not that near a sudden cliff of failure.

A quick extra query - I phoned our usual garage this afternoon. (We had family staying so couldn't get to this earlier) It's a two-man back-street place with a long history and we trust them. They say they only have a "drop test" for batteries rather than more complex equipment, and couldn't fit me in tomorrow. But suggested that Halfords do a free test with a print-out which would at least inform me. I could probably fit one of those in the available time before Thursday's funeral trip. I wonder if Halford's battery checks are like a certain other cheap Fix MOT was said to be, that even with a perfect car the only thing guaranteed was that they'd find something needing replacing, or if they're genuinely useful?

I can't claim to carry all that, but do have jump leads, and would hate to have a car without a spare wheel. Either I'm seriously weaker than I used to be or wheel nuts are a lot tighter than they used to be - I changed wheels on a couple of our cars 40 years ago, but these days would have to wait for professional help. Having roadside tools implies knowing how to use them - with most things under the bonnet I'd be afraid of making things worse, despite having taken a car maintenance evening class course many years ago! Meanwhile the auto stop/start system was working fine yesterday. I'm just hoping it's not that dreaded matter, an intermittent fault in the electrics.

Thanks, that's reassuring again, I will indeed - and I'll not hold you personally responsible if it does fail on the journey! 😃

Thanks all. As I said, I've got used to it deciding for itself, due to other load I presume, when to work or not, to either switch off at junctions or to show the "A" in a circle with a line through symbol. Yesterday was the first time it's actually produced an error message. I will indeed get the battery checked as advised. This week's busy with family visiting here followed by a 500m round trip to Northumberland for a funeral. Would it be foolish not to get the battery tested first, to wait until next week? I'd hate it to fail completely during that important journey, regardless of the auto-stop/start, but it would be hard to fit a check into the first part of the week too.

Thanks, that's useful information and makes good sense to me.

We bought our Octavia 1.5 petrol estate, 2018 reg, in July this year with just under 50k miles on the clock, the first we've owned. (And generally very pleased with it too.) I've learned that the auto-stop/start system works when the moment feels right for it, and that usually that's when I've been driving a little way to get the battery a bit topped up, but today it brought up an "Auto Stop System Error" (or words to that effect) message on the small display screen as soon as the key turned. After driving a couple of miles, pressing the button by the gear shift which switches off/on that system still simply brought a repeat of the message. This is the first time I've seen this message. I also felt the engine wasn't idling as smoothly as usual during stops at junctions. When I re-started about 20 minutes later, it worked perfectly, idling smooth and quiet and stop/starting as nice as anything. Because it's got a 6 month warranty I phoned the dealer to report, so if it happens again within our 6 months they've been notified; the salesman (he's young and very inclined to be airily reassuring whether he knows the answer or not!) assured me it's to do with the battery and happens frequently, even though I mentioned it being the first time I've seen that message. I'm wondering if I should be concerned, or if it is likely just to be a battery issue. (In which case selling me a car with a battery that near end of life isn't impressing me too much!) Thanks for any informed comments.

Hmmm - so how did you know that the one I kept from the previous car is one of those cheap nasty ones with t strip of sponge on the back?! Though I'm sure mine must be a very superior model, as I think it cost at least £2....!

That's nice to know too, thanks! I transferred the scraper from the old car, but if it gets lost that's a great reserve... as long as one doesn't then break the tyre info plastic in the process, of course !! 😁

Thanks - that seems logical to me, but it seemed best to check!

I'm still very new to our 2018 Octavia petrol 1.5 Estate, so still asking daft questions - please be kind 🙂 The car has R16 tyres. The green tyre pressure chart in the fuel filler cover has two columns each under Normal, Eco, and Fully Laden. It shows 2,2 bar in both under normal conditions, 2,5 in both for Eco running, but gives 2,5 and 3,2 under the loaded columns, the 2,5 under the image of 5 people, the 3,2 under the image of many sacks. I can't decide if the pairs of columns refer to front and back tyres or variations in loading. If I'm towing our small caravan, ( max loaded weight 950kg, nose weight 75kg), should I go for 2,5 at the front and 3,2 rear, or 3,2 all round? 3,2 appears to convert to 46.4psi. I'm double-checking because our previous Volvo Estate wanted 38psi all round with the caravan on. With thanks for any help here.

Hi from Northampton, UK. After 15 years with a faithful 04 reg Volvo V70 2.5 diesel we're just moving to a 2018 Octavia petrol estate. The Volvo claims sentimental attachment after all that time, its engine is still running wonderfully at nearly 273k miles, and it tows our little caravan (under 1000kg) up hills with no botherm but we've been reluctantly thinking for a couple of years it was getting time to switch to petrol rather than emitting all those diesel fumes in towns, while not entering ULEZ zones here or an increasing number of areas when we go to France with our black Crit'Air 4 sticker; then the car recently forced our decision by needing an expensive replacement steering rack. While the Octavia's 1.5 petrol engine won't have that amazing power, hopefully it'll still pull the 'van about, carry lots of stuff, and last well. In the few miles I've already driven I've realised it's certainly a lot quieter and lighter to drive, and very comfortable. I'm still learning how to work its newer technology, I certainly haven't got to grips with the infotainment screen yet, and doubtless I'll be asking cringe-worthily naive questions about it, especially once the tow-hook's fitted with its associated electrics, but for now, hi and thanks for having me.