Caravan_man

It's fun that some contributors think the ASG is good and others don't think much of it at all! To some extent I suppose it depends on your driving styles, but it could also be that there are differences between individual cars - tolerances and assembly perhaps. I personally am very happy to change gears myself, but definitely prefer to not have a clutch and also prefer pressing/pulling little switches on the steering wheel (both hands on the wheel), instead of waving my left arm about. I am now told the auto version of the new Smart is just about now being issued to some dealers as demonstrators, for some version of the car to be on general sale in June 2015, so I haven't too long to wait for a trial and then make a decision. Brian

Thanks for all your replies and opinions. I got to try a S/Hand auto citigo today, with a few thousand miles on the clock and found the auto upward changes slightly better than the Up demonstrator last week. Again these were smoothed by manual upward changes, but as said before on this forum, the slight easing of the throttle helps more. Both cars should have been exactly the same but perhaps there were very slight differences. This second drive also established for me that left in manual, and slowing down, the gears will change down as well without any driver action, though the selection of the correct gear if one is slowing then speeding up again takes place once the throttle starts to be depressed - a slight hesitation again. All these are issues that the much more expensive and heavier Volkswagen/Skoda group DSG box doesn't have, but thats one of the penalties of small cars - it can't be fitted! As I said before, the Hyundi i10 auto box feels best but regretfully is very inefficient and has serious effects on fuel consumption and CO2 output compared to the manual box car. So I've decided that the ASG box cars are acceptable but I will wait to test the new Smart Fortwo with a 6 speed twin clutch box which in principle should be better. Unfortunately this doesn' t come out until the summer - no firm release date and the versions arriving at the dealers now have the manual box - I really don't think existing Smart owners will upgrade to a car with a manual box, when all previous versions have been auto. Buying a car is never easy.

My wife and I have owned Smart Fortwo's for 12 years but due to the increasing potholes want to move to a more compliant riding very small car such as Citigo/Up/i10/2015 Smart Fortwo - but it must be the automatic box option - I have long ago given up using a clutch in all my cars. Our first drive in an Up seemed to show the upward gear change in fully auto mode as very hesitant and slightly head nodding - the same as the Smart. This can be eliminated by operating the gear lever (switch!) manually, which is the same as in the Smart, though the latter is easier to use as I have paddles on the steering wheel. The Smart changes down automatically even in non-fully automatic mode so I only need to change up. I wasn't able to check whether the Up/Citigo was the same - or does the box remain in high gear if one doesn't manually drop it down when stitched to manual gear changing? Can any owner advise please? There don't seem to be paddle options on any of the ranges. Also driven the Hyundi i10, where the auto box performs very well, except the fuel consumption and CO2 figures (hence tax class) are awful compared to the UP/Citigo and new Smart and the steering is vague at sped though the ride is very compliant. My wife also finds that with the seat back upright, the non-adjustable headrests in all but the Smart are too far forward to be entirely comfortable. My big Skoda Superb estate has deg - a perfect box! Thanks for any help Brian

Such a model isn't in the 'real' brochure either. It is an even better tow car with DSG! Brian

Now seen one with the help of this forum - thanks so much Zee - like it so order now confirmed. Thanks for all your help. Brian

Thanks Zee very much - have PM'd you re a visit this week.

Ordering a new L&K Estate but nearby dealers can't show me a real car with our favourite colour - amethyst purple with ivory leather. If anyone has such a beast within reasonable travelling distance of Basildon, Essex, even a different model, please advise via a PM I can look. Would hate to order the wrong combination after several years with my loved Red Rosso/Ivory Elegance. Thanks. Brian

Thank you for such a detailed comment Brian

Skoda Superb 2, 2009, 170CR, DSG, 40k - occasionally I have some vibration lasting about half a second on the up change, probably from 2nd to 3rd. Could be a small amount of clutch slip. Only occasional, not consistent, perhaps more prone when engine cold; can be when towing or not towing (caravan) and the amount of throttle doesn't seem to matter either, though generally I am a very light user of the right foot. Is this likely to be the start of a significant problem in due course? Anyone with any experience of this please? Before I talk with my Skoda servicing garage, are they likely to be able to diagnose accurately? Could it just be gearbox fluid needs changing/filling (Porshe auto boxes can sometimes be cured this way)? I really want a 100% reliable car so I am keen to find out whether it's time to sell especially as very soon it will need some new boots, cam belt and water pump changed as well. Thanks for any advice /comments Brian

Did Samster solve the problem of BT audio only coming from right hand side? I have the same problem. Brian

iPhone 4 which works perfectly for phone calls/ phone directory etc but when I use BT media and play music on iPhone it is only transferred on one channel - right hand side of car. Not sure if this is just the RH channel or both channels mixed into one and sent to RH channel in car. Car HD music/radio is of course stereo out and both sides. ANy ideas anyone please?

Mostly very relaxed driving, low revs, and mainly town driving at moment. No different really since the car was new and I just remember that as I bought it new in a February (2009), I am sure it warmed up very much quicker . I'm not looking for the gauge to get to a normal position that quickly but I would like it to move significantly and the car to even warm up quicker inside. Now I am relying more on the heated seats! I haven't looked closely as to what distance the gauge reaches normal but will do so tomorrow morning as have an early start 140 mile journey , with full load. Brian

My 2009, CR170 at 36,000miles is much slower to warm up than I remember it when new. At todays fairly low temperatures (4c) the temp gauge has barely moved after 5 miles, though some heat is beginning to warm up the interior. Is this probably a thermostat issue and is it an easy job for the local garage rather than my main dealer? 20 years ago this used to be a very common problem and changing stats after 3 years was 'usual' I think. Brian

Columbus mapping/firmware upgrade - just had my Feb 2009 supplied Superb’s electronics upgraded by Motorline Skoda of Dartford. Everything works wonderfully, 7 digit post codes, better display including speed limits and no loss of installed media (MP3 files) though I did have to update phone box and reassign speed dials. As the job took longer than I was told, (so my waiting time was two and half hours), they very kindly compensated me by waiving the £50 previously agreed fee. Their senior technician Chris is clearly an expert so those of you who want this job done and don’t want to risk bricking their Columbus better get an appointment! I usually go there for the rarely required service (nothing has gone wrong on my CR170), and can definitely recommend them. Even their reception coffee machine and toilets are excellent. I didn’t get fast or the ‘right‘ response to my initial e-mail enquiries from other garages within 50miles. Well done the staff of MotorLine Skoda Dartford!! Yes I know there are other threads on this subject but wanted this to stand out.

I suggest this is not possible as a Skoda factory fit, nor possibly even as an aftermarket fit. I also suggest you don't need it. I tow with CR170 DSG hatchback ad caravan is 7.8m Bailey Limousin (one of their largest) and it has only a slight effect on the cars horizontal alignment. We set van with hitch weight at around 80kg, and though the car is usually only two people, there is always a big load in the boot and rear seat area when towing. Never had a problem with this configuration. Brian

With my CR170 dsg (front wheel drive only), I tow a twin axle, 7.8m o/a large Bailey touring caravan, probably only about 1750 miles a year. A perfect towing vehicle. I try to avoid placing the van on sloping grass sites, as when wet and starting to pull off, the front grip sometimes will struggle, where perhaps a 4x4 wouldn't have a problem. I retain two specialist plastic grip strips that can be laid down to form a short road to get going if there is a problem - once the whole train is moving, it will keep going. In a real problem, there is usually another way off any site (even backwards!) and over many years I have never been stuck requiring a tractor pull. However I am a fair weather camper and don't usually use the van in the heart of winter. I certainly don't expect to get stuck in solo mode with either mud/snow or ice. I might invest in the Autosock though - this seems a great idea for winter emergency. Brian

I suggest if you keep to normal roads, as against driving in soggy fields, just front wheel drive is perfectly adequate. Maintaining progress in poor conditions like today in the south east is 90% the driver and 10% the car. Gentle on all controls, keep moving, plan ahead. I scraped 9" of snow off my CR170 dsg yesterday and once I had got off the drive, had no problems driving at all, even though the side roads hadn't been cleared at all and consisted of compacted snow. OK I agree I would have trouble towing the caravan in these conditions! The DSG box simply works well and removes yet another job and effort from the driver. I certainly recommend dsg so have a good test drive - even if you can't get a Superb to do this, try the Octavia or the VW equivalents. Brian

May I humbly suggest that if you an afford a 2010, new Superb, you shouldn't risk messing it's looks and electric systems with a cheap but possibly dodgy non standard towbar/electrics. In any case you'l probably save the difference in dirty trousers and damaged shins by having a detachable instead of having that ball permanently sticking out and walking into it. A non-detachable may also degrade the selling price - would you buy one that had obviously been a tow car? Take care with your decision. Brian

What a shame that you are not enjoying it - mine is exactly the same but with ivory leather and looks wonderful - keeping it clean is a nuisance though, pity they haven't invented self cleaning cars yet.. Brian

I'm a bit late replying but having the Skoda standard detachable, I will say it works perfectly, and of course required no mods to the bumper etc. With it off, the car looks as standard and I don't hit my shins or dirty my trousers on it. Electrics/software should ensure that when towing, reverse gear will not activate sensors and show an 'A' frame on the columbus; reverse sensors will not be affected by the towball if left on in solo configuration; will activate alarm if tow electrics disconnected when alarm set; will charge caravan battery while towing, will operate van fridge while towing; and may change the car's stabilty control programme - no incidents so far that might show this - my caravan also has electronic stability control. A few other threads are on here about very similar issues. Brian

With DSG you don't even have to revert to manual shifting for downhill holds - leave the car in cruise control (adjust speed with buttons if required) and the software is clever enough to change down to hold back the speed. Of course the brakes are OK if you want to use them instead and in any case that's why caravan have over-run brakes themselves. I probably tow with cruise control on for at least 80% of my main road driving - it's very accurate, effortless and with slight adjustments of speed I don't get any hunting between 4th/5th/6th gears up slopes - 57 to 60mph is the best for motorways where 6th is held virtually all the time, while 55 to 57 seems more comfortable on humpy A dual carriageways. As I reported in another forum, the engineering of the detachable Skoda bar is superb except one has to kneel to put it on and so without remembering the pad, one can get dirty. Brian

Mine isn't on at the moment but next time I'll measure height of ball above ground (flat road), both unloaded and loaded state - mine's the standard Skoda detachable one, plugging into the underside of the boot. regards Brian

Feb 2009 CR170 dsg - I have been very pleased with it - no problems at all except ones associated with the Skoda electrical kit for Skoda detachable towbar and only rectified by new wiring loom for car - a problem well known by Skoda owners who tow and suffered the UK dealership recall.. I note you have specified something for a tow bar and if you tow a caravan beware to check that the loom supplied enables split charging - a special UK loom is required as this is usually not undertaken on the continent. Otherwise the van battery and fridge will not work whilst towing. regards Brian quote name='Fiskebeck' date='18 September 2010 - 20:11' timestamp='1284837078' post='2110074'] Hi all Superb drivers I have read this forum since June. My new Supberb is 2 weeks away from production but i am starting to suspect that there might be more problems with Skoda than i hoped for. We tested and considrerd the new E-class before ordering the Superb. At that time the Superb seemed like a much better deal. I would really appresiate some feedback from you that drives Superb regarding quality and overall feel of the car. Car spec 2011 Superb Estate 2,0 140 CR DSG Elegance Leather trim Org.towbar Bolero Parkassist Sunset Front seat isofix Etc.…

I suggest you have much too high a caravan nose weight, and/or heavily loaded boot. I tow a 1590 MTPLM, 7.8m shipping length van with my CR170 dsg, with the boot reasonably well loaded and the nose weight carefully set to 80kg. The car certainly isn't much lower at the rear and tows very stably at 60mph. Best with tyre pressures increased near to the higher recommended value - I use 3.0bar and then reduce to lower value for my usual 2 up day to day use (non-towing). To ensure the correct nose weight requires careful, consistent loading and occasional checking with a gauge. I forgot to ask of course is the tow bar the Skoda detachable one, or a proprietary device which may have been fitted at a different height - this might make a difference. regards Brian