LLCC1975

I have used both these garages for the past 20 years. They are independent VAG garages & I have found them to be honest, trustworthy & very knowledgeable. Philip Lunds - MOT Tests, Car & Motorbike Repairs | Car Sales | Philip Lund Steeton (cargaragesteeton.co.uk) Savvi Autocare - SAVI Auto Care

I'm also new to Android Auto. Had it about 2 weeks. The speed limits only seem to come on screen when in navigation mode. I will also try Waze. Would anyone know if there is a way of changing the default app that opens when Android Auto starts up? I've looked in the settings in both the app and onscreen and cannot see anything obvious. Would be nice for Google Maps not to open every time.

Thank you, for clarifying. I thought £490 seemed steep!

On a standard cam belt change, which of the pumps are changed? Or is it all of them?

Thank you @varaderoguy - I'll be sure to ring around!

I was wondering of the good folk of Briskoda use private/secure email accounts. I'm trying to wake to privacy issues, and seemingly Gmail is good for scraping emails, and directing adverts etc. I am not a teccie nor understand how private email providers work - curious as to a reputable provider that easy to use and not too expensive. I have just signed up to a couple of trials - Proton Mail and Mailbox.org. I'm more interested in the lack of tracking by tech companies, rather than full encryption etc. Many thanks.

I have a 2016 Octavia with 48k miles on the clock. Called my local indy Skoda garage and was told it is definitly every 5 years. Advised that the 2016 model has an electric water pump {no idea}, thus, more expensive - quoted £490 for the cambelt & pump replacement. I will ring around for a couple of more quotes.

I have been experiencing the same issue in a 2016 Octavia. New pollen filter made no difference. Prior to losing sleep over a big job - today I emailed a local garage that specialisies in air-con servicing and auto electrics. Used them for years, and trust what they suggest. Hoping that they have experienced this before as its really annoying!

I've had a similar issue with Dunlop SportMaxx tyres. I had a response from their customer services team which suggested it was cosmetic and not a structural thing. Long story short, I'm changing the tyres this next week or so. Funnily enough I was going to Bridgestone. I found an article on another forum which suggested some modern tyres are prone to cracking. Not sure of that is correct.

The updated app is getting a beating on the Android Play Store. Some belting reviews.

Agreed. Something is going wrong at Firefox. They are losing ground on rivals. I've deleted that app, and stopped using the web browser. Moved over to Edge which is very quick and slick to use. If you are concerned about privacy - The Duck Duck Go mobile browser is very good. This is an interesting watch.

We are currently in need of a second car. I have owned a diesel Octavia for a number of years, and would prefer another Skoda. The car will be for the school runs, supermaket trips and taking the dog out and about. Fabia's and Roomsters seem ideal. However, I've never owned one of the smaller petrol engines. There are loads on Autotrader etc. Part of my brain tells me to get another diesel - but will probably not be needed for the amount of miles that will be covered. Have a budget of around £2.5k, so a car around 10 years of age seems to fit that. Just wondered if the smaller 1.2 petrols are a decent engine for small cars covering small amounts of mileage. Any advice would be appreciated. Many thanks.

In all honesty, I have been really pleased with the performance of the Sportmaxx RT tyres. Like many have commented, the cracks are not ideal. Out of curiosity thought I would email Dunlop with some photos to see if they have any thoughts. Let's see if they reply or come back with any comments.

The tyres were manufactured in the 48th week of 2018. The small cracks appear to work out from the centre grip to the outer edge of the tyre. I bought the car a year ago, and saw a receipt stating that the Dunlop's were fit in February 2019. The rears are the same model of Sportmaxx, manufacturered late 2015. This would mean that they are the original tyres. Having just gone over 46k, I don't think they have done too badly. They have the same small cracks as the front. I assumed it was a Dunlop thing as I've not had this brand of tyre before. The rears from 2015 will be changed in the next couple of months. Based on the fact that they have lasted 5 years, tempted to get more Dunlop's. However, if the cracking is a manufacturing thing will go for a different brand. Have historically used Hankook, tempted to go back to them. Will change the rears, and if the cracking impacts upon the tyres per se, will get all 4 swapped.

Whilst cleaning the car last night I noticed small cracks in these tyres that run from the tread to the edge of the tyre. There isn't any noise from the tyres - just wondered if these cracks are normal for Dunlop's?

Thank you @Carlston for your clear explanation. The options have just opened up!

Hello all, Apologies if this is a silly question, I know very little about tyres. My 2016 Octavia requires a couple of tyres for the rear. They are 225/45/r17 91w. Doing the ususal searches: Blackcircles etc. Hoping for some guidance whether it is safe and not too reckless to choose tyres that are not 91w? I've noticed that there can be variance in price and performance say between a 91w and a 91y tyre. Is it ok to change a w rating for y tyre etc, or is it best just to stick with a like for like rating? Many thanks.

Interesting thread. Liewise, I bought a 2016 Octavia and it had 4 Dunlop Sportmaxx tyres. The rear, I asssume are the original. Dated the 50th week of 2015. To be fair they seem reasonable tyres. Need to change the rears and were considering buying 2 more. Having said that, ASDA tyres have some good prices for Bridgestone and Goodyears.

Fantastic bargain. Don't suppose it mentions that's it's ok with fan jet systems?

My car is in the garage next week for the rear nozzle unblocking for the second time. The mechamic said it needs Skoda screenwash to avoid it happening again. This is new to me. I see on ebay that VAG screenwash is available - all good for fan jets. Just wondered if there is any real difference between the VAG stuff and the Quantum? Many thanks.

I'm in a similar position as to you were - I would like one email client for multiple accounts. How are you finding Thunderbird? Can you have 1 inbox for all accounts? I've never used it before, and there seems to be a lot of love for it. Although it appears to have a dated interface from the screen shots I've seen.

Aside from the obvious Internet Security software, and the settings like you have in the link - always good to think about which browser you are going to use. I have a big thing about trackers and the like. I mainly use Brave, and occasionally Firefox. Both have extensions on to help reduce ads, trackers and other sneaky things. I'm sure it could spark a whole new discussion on which browser to use. Aside from security - important to consider your privacy too. This is video gives a decent overview of such issues.

I'm in a similar position to yourself + a similar budget. I have been mooching around Laptops Direct at their refurbished. sadly, other than Amazon, Argos and Currys I've struggled to find anything exciting. I'm starting to look at Chromebooks. No experience of them. It would be a second computer, and I can just about live with Chrome as a browser. There does seem to be decent reviews of Office products via the Android and Chrome stores - should you need word.

Brilliant - thank you for your response!