chills

I assume it is a photo of it parked on your drive?

Quite likely the battery or similar, causing the system to reset or go into "safe" mode and phone home. It didn't occur to me that it would have its own battery, (I am getting old and forgetful) but that makes sense these days with small long life rechargeable batteries and that it may need to work after an accident where the main battery has been forcefully disconnected from it. I had an airbag problem on my 15+ year old Nissan, when anyone knocked the wires under the front seat intermittently it gave airbag warning. The problem is these things that are intermittent is that they are difficult to find and therefore expensive on a per-hour basis at a garage. Personally, I would put a can bus monitor on the input to the SOS control box... Easy for R&D to do, less easy on a production car where you need to start plugging on to the right wires on the loom. There can be more than one CAN bus on a car these days... Then you have to be able to read and understand the CAN messages, easy for R&D not so much for an ordinary owner. Have you tried replacing the aerial? :-)

If the car is sending an alarm, that will have noting to do with the Arial. It will be something in the firmware or a sensor in the car sending an SOS signal to the control box. As it is automatic if the airbags go off, I would look for something there or between the airbag circuits and the SOS control box

mine is registered in April 24 but the vin says mfr 23. It was a dealer demo for 6 months so it had the varioflex seats. I have found them very useful.

I must remember that for mine....

The heated steering wheel goes with the heated front seats I don't't have the wireless charging, but then I connect the phone by USB anyway. I do have the front and rear parking sensors I find the varioflex seats great, as I have had them out of the car 2 or 3 times in 9 months. Though I made a cover to go between the outer seats that means when the middle one is down there it covers the gap to the boot.

So you aren't getting a painted one then? I got a 2024 SE-l 1.5 manual in Red about 9 months ago, and I am still very happy with it. Just noticed I have the same wheels. Aerodynamic without the plastic bits. DO you have the vario-flex seats?

Very good question to which I have no answer. I note that in the Karoq specs after a certain date it says there is a firmware upgrade for 4G. No idea about the earlier ones. I assume (silly I know) that going forward the sim modules will be easily dealer replaceable. I think the unit is just behind the glove box for that reason. I know many owners could replace their own if they could get the parts but... I think that the general plan is that when then next G spec is announced, it is phased in about 5 years later. So you can start to get devices (cars) compatible before it is launched. However, I have seen it mentioned in several places that cars don't need 5G at all, and it would make sense to stay on 4G. Especially as all new cars (millions) in the last decade have this feature one way or another. Also as mentioned, cars have a 15 ish year lifespan not 6 years like phones. I used to be a member of this https://aesin.org.uk/ but haven't been keeping up since I retired 3 years ago.

3G, (G3 Gulfstream? You obviously more in different circles to me. :-) ) Looking at the industry stuff, 3G was the start of this sort of thing in cars but as soon as 4G was specified the car manufacturers made 3/4G compatible stuff. However, it really took off and the number of 4G systems out there rocketed. So it is intended to keep 4G running a lot longer than if it had just been for phones that get replaced on a 3-6 year cycle. Cars are on a 15-year life cycle. Also, they don't and won't need 5G bandwidth. I have seen suggestions that 4G will be retained for cars and other devices with 5G phones/tablets/laptops and the like. However, I don't expect 4G to go in less than 10–15 years.

I think (not certain) that EU regs require the SOS button to work if the airbags go off. So that function has to work regardless. Though what happens if it has a G3 system when the G3 networks go I have no idea. AFAIK some Skoda G3 systems can be upgraded to G4 but not all. AFAIK the G4 network is likley to remain in service a LOT longer than originally thought . Whilst there were 10's of thousands of cars using G3 there are 100's of thousands using G4. Also it is not just cars using G4, so the problem is a lot bigger especially as cars and most of other "things" using G4 (not the phones, tablets and laptops) don't need G5 at all. They don't need the bandwidth.

as one of my sergeants said all you need is a half brick in a long sock (sea boot sock) neither of which are ever illegal and find a numpty with a gun. Having got one gun you find some one with a basement full of kit and use one bullet... But then he was trained and good strategic thinker. Though as you say when WW3 or a zombie apocalypse start it is probably best to go in a blinding flash at the start. What happens if you press the SOS and say "I am locked in the car surrounded by zombies"? :-) Back to the SOS. I think at a minimum, assuming you are in your home country, they can read a lot more on the state of the car and advise. Also arrange recovery (at a cost) if you need it or let you call your own.

well not when they are open..... :-) I know what you mean. It is one thing to have few bits of kit but completley different to have a years supply of tined goods and ammunition in the boot of the car and the same in the bunker, I mean basement,

At least it has you in the UK. (al be it in German) mine seems to think England is in Deutschland. When I get rid of this car I will really have to find a Brexiteer or Reform supporter to sell it to. :-)

Absolutely... AFAIK if the airbags go of it automatically calls home and a human will come on the line. If they don't get a response they call the emergency services. If they do get a response then, depending on the information they can see about the car, and how you sound/what you say they will call emergency services or not.

This is why it is important to get a 2nd key and reprogram the car. Also doing the Škoda app on your phone with the new login as it then (should) block any previous users. Otherwise, the previous owner(s) can see where the car is and unlock it from the app.

If anyone does get a quote for a current Škoda key replacement, it would be helpful to give a guide price here. The cost from Škoda seems very high. OP said in 2023 "Dealer is quoting £393" YMMV

Good idea, but who does that? Also, who actually understands what the clauses actually mean in law? They are all carefully worded by (expensive) solicitors to give the advantage to the insurance company whilst looking "reasonable" to a non-lawyer. Insurance companies will do anything to avoid paying out. They will let something carry on for years taking your money, and you only realize it isn't going to work when you put in a claim. Then they will say, "Oh! You should have clarified this 10 years ago because you are not covered for xyz" Not that they will give you a refund for the last decade of paid for non-cover..

It calls the Škoda Call Centre for breakdowns/accidents etc AFAIK It does so automatically if the airbags are deployed. However, what happens once you get through is another matter. The emails says "the call is free" that's nice but what then? Has anyone used it? I can't see the recovery would be free. Unless Škoda have a deal with someone. STOP PRESS The Answer from Škoda Breakdown Call Service Overview 1. Free Service: The breakdown call is indeed free of charge. When you press the breakdown button in your vehicle, it connects you to the Skoda Roadside Assistance Call Centre. 2. What the Call Centre Does: - Vehicle Data Transmission: Your vehicle's location and diagnostic data are sent to the call centre, allowing agents to understand your situation better. - Assistance: The agents can provide specific recommendations based on the vehicle's condition and may arrange for towing if necessary. - Faster Response: By having your vehicle data, the call centre can offer more tailored assistance, potentially resolving issues more quickly than a standard mobile call. 3. Cost Considerations: - While the breakdown call itself is free, any services provided (like towing or repairs) may incur costs depending on your warranty or service agreements. - If you have a separate breakdown service (like Green Flag), you may want to check if they cover the same services or if there are any additional costs involved. 4. Why Use the Breakdown Button: - Convenience: It allows for immediate assistance without needing to manually provide your location or vehicle details. - Integrated Service: The service is designed to work seamlessly with your vehicle's systems, potentially leading to quicker resolutions. If you have further questions or need assistance, feel free to ask! Thank you and have a lovely day! So press the button, and they can see the exact problem with the car and advise. Assuming the electrics and diagnostics work :-) After I get their assessment, I would be inclined to phone my own breakdown service. You would have thought that Škoda would have done a deal with a national breakdown/recovery service so you get the breakdown/recovery cover for an additional annual charge like any other breakdown/recovery service. I am sure Škoda would get a good price and a commission out of it. A no-brainer for Škoda, as all accident repairs would then go through an Authorized Škoda dealer.

Why? Why not use the call button in the car?

Hi All Just had a marketing email from Škoda telling me to use the Breakdown button and "the call is entirely free" However, the call might be, but what happens next. We have breakdown with Britannia Rescue through LV Car Insurance. Am I better off calling Britannia Rescue from my mobile?

I don't watch Top Gear either. Though, I believe, it was scripted and not as spontaneous as people think. I have expertise is in electronics and software, so I know about voice activation and automotive systems.

It was so, not "maybe". However, as you say, there are still a lot of voice activation errors.

You do realize that was fake?

I find the built-in maps are great. I wouldn't use anything else. Though in my 2023 SE L the maps are Google. With all the up-to-the-minute traffic overlays. Speed limit signs etc.

You will get a better response If you start a topic specific thread, in the appropriate part of the forum. Mine is also set up for UK but occasionally thinks it is in the UK, Germany!!! It doesn't seem to affect the navigation, so I ignored it. I usually look at the route on Google on a computer with a nice big 24" screen and then set up the route on the Škoda App on my phone before going to the car and then "send to car" which is a LOT easier than trying to do it in the car or by voice command. However, I usually know where I am going before I go. If you need to input addresses on the fly whilst driving, you are going to have to practice with the voice system so you are, and it comes to a system that works for you.