[4 year old car has failed evaporator]

Seems a lot of AC are breaking down recently, mine is a 2014 and vcds initially reported AC low pressure. Regas and reported the same thing, replaced the sensor and it then reported some valve error (technician says it keeps opening and closing).

 

Next day no AC again, suspect compressor is likely the problem, quoted £300 to fix next week. Hopefully that fixes it?

 

[Air conditioning not working]

No tips but to say I also have a AC issue. Mine is also a 2014 but 1.4 TSI.

 

VCDS initially reported AC system pressure too low, so went ahead and regassed but same error. Replaced pressure sensor which got rid of that error but then reports some other faults with the AC system, garage suspect faulty compressor. Car booked in next week for repair.

[Best wind deflectors]

I think the Climair deflectors are better, no clips are needed and they are TUV approved.

[Tyres]

If considering all season tyres, the new Bridgestone Weather Control A005 seems pretty good, cheaper than Crossclimate in general.

[DTUK TCU box for DSG cars WOW]

Is this for 6 speed DSG only?

[Limp Mode and Tuning Box]

My 1.4 TSI also suffered from "reduced performance" mode, due to manifold pressure / boost sensor signal too low. VCDS error below.

 

This happened several times during the recent heatwave, and the car has behaved itself since the weather has cooled down again, so I'm guessing hotter temp = thinner air may be the cause?

 

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the tuning box in simple terms lowers the boost reading, tricking the ECU to put out more boost. The map may be slightly too aggressive for the exceptional hot weather (thin air), so the box gives too low of a signal which the ECU then flags, and puts the car in "protected" mode.

 

20120 - Manifold Pressure / Boost Sensor (G31) 
          P0237 00 [036] - Signal too Low
          Intermittent - Not Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
             Freeze Frame:
                    Fault Status: 00000001
                    Fault Priority: 2
                    Fault Frequency: 3
                    Mileage: 67016 km
                    Date: 2018.08.02
                    Time: 11:42:31

                    Engine speed: 1005.50 /min
                    Normed load value: 23.5 %
                    Vehicle speed: 0 km/h
                    Coolant temperature: 81 °C
                    Intake air temperature: 47 °C
                    Ambient air pressure: 1010 mbar
                    Voltage terminal 30: 12.250 V
                    Unlearning counter according OBD: 40
                    Charge air pressure specified value: 449.92 hPa
                    Air filling: specified value: 26.81 %
                    Charge air pressure: actual value: 192.42 hPa
                    Engine torque: 11.9 Nm
                    Mass flow through throttle valve: 15.3 kg/h
                    Relative load value: 24.96 %
                    Charge press. ctrl.: spec. value: 0.0 %

 

 

[Front indicator bulbs]

Just to be clear I'm only saying you can easily grab the bulb to twist it in and out after you've done the cut out.

 

Take out the headlamp cover (round with a big handle on it) as if you are replacing the H7 bulb, you can reach the indicator bulb via there to twist it.

 

 

[Front indicator bulbs]

It really isn't that hard to twist and take the bulb out and in, you can get extra leverage by taking off the headlamp cover and put your hand in that way, that's what I did anyway.

[Front indicator bulbs]

Use a flexible extension for the screwdriver, makes it much easier!

[Front indicator bulbs]

Alternatively a 44mm drill bit fits nearly perfectly for cutting the cover, but then you need to turn it around many times manually to get the job done. Tiring but works even with my fat fingers 

[All season tyres to replace Primacy HPs??]

Plenty of discussion in the Tyres Zone, I also have the Crossclimate and IMHO they are pretty good. Also very good reviews at tyrereviews.co.uk

 

 

 

[Is it possible to retro fit Apple car play ?]

Sound quality wise it's doesn't do miracles, but for a built in 50W amp seems better than the factory system (I don't have Canton).

I use Android Auto most of the time and I'm pretty happy with the menu response, it's again not perfect all the time but no worse than the Amusden.

[Is it possible to retro fit Apple car play ?]

Yes I do have it installed by http://poollretrofits.com/. It's definitely better than the original Amusden, and bring the older car in-line with current car tech level, and as it's designed for the Octavia you have access to the car specific menu (won't get that with generic Android headset for example). It's not perfect but pretty much the only option viable available outside of retrofitting original kit, which is probably more expensive and more difficult to do.

[Is it possible to retro fit Apple car play ?]

One option is to go with the Pioneer Navgate Evo.

 

 

 

[First service 17,000 miles.]

Would someone be kind enough to point out what the VCDS changes are to delay the headlight washers from being deployed?

[Pioneer NAVGATE EVO navigation system- nice bit of kit]

I noticed on the product site that there is an accessory to reuse the OEM antenna, and also a windscreen type DAB antenna. Oddly the former is only listed on the EU site and not the UK one, is there a compatibility issue with UK car antenna? I certainly would prefer to use the OEM one compared to an inferior windscreen option.

[New Octavia owner - MY15 frustrations]

There is the Pioneer Navgate Evo.

 

 

[19 or 18's]

 

[Aircon service / Recharge]

If you go by Skoda's recommendation, air con service should be done every two years.

 

Doesn't stop by my dealer to claim it should be done every year, and when I point out the website recommends every 2, they say that's incorrect and the website needs updating 

[Retrofit projector headlights]

http://www.headlightretrofits.org.uk

 

An option to convert, not cheap but at least doable compared to retrofitting xenon.

[Are heavier wheels making difference in acceleration?]

The amount of movement, for short bumps, is inversely proportional to the weight - a lighter wheel which readily moves in response to road bumps will have more grip and more constant grip when tracking over an imperfect road. For this reason, lighter wheels are sought especially for high-performance applications.

 

Unsprung mass

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unsprung_mass

[Air FIlter]

Anyone else can shed any light on opening the air filter box on the 1.4? I too am struggling to open it to replace the filter.

[Pioneer NAVGATE EVO navigation system- nice bit of kit]

On 16/03/2017 at 11:24, Mikehaseler said:

Halfords definitely wont stock this product.
I presume from your profile, your still Northampton based? I'll check with the area rep to see what stores he recommends in the area.

Were still working on the discounts and selected distributors unfortunately

 

Any updates on this? I've tried ordering and getting it fitted via Professional Retrofits (http://poollretrofits.com/), listed as an authorised reseller on the website, but the shop owner tells me of Pioneer has none of the accessories available for OEM integration.

[How to tell if engine is mapped.]

Wouldn't a mapped engine throw up a TD1 flag when dealer runs diagnostic machine on car?

[Pioneer NAVGATE EVO navigation system- nice bit of kit]

No rush so if there is a discount to be had I'm happy to wait, but appreciate if you let me know what are the recommended Pioneer stores in or around Northampton for future reference.

 

Is there a list online somewhere of the accessories that are needed to get all the connected devices working? From what I gathered a new DVD/SD card reader is needed, maybe some adapter to connect to the existing USB port/aerial/parking sensors/reverse camera? I imagine all these will add quite a bit of cost to the base unit.

 

PS - Is Cartronics in Byfleet Surrey an approved Pioneer vendor? They seem to be advertising this unit on Amazon for a low price compared to European prices (+1000 euros).