scratchman

Thanks goneoffSKi for your input - you appear to be saying that it is safe to mix VW 502 00 oil with VW 504 00 oil - if that's the case, no problemo. Might as well top up with the VW 504 00, i.e. the better oil, regardless.

Just purchased a new Skoda Rapid Spaceback 1.4TSi SE Sport DSG Petrol in Corrida Red - delighted! However, need some help on the question of engine oil: Skoda Customer Service tell me that the factory would have filled the engine with Quantum 5W-40 VW 502 00/ 505 00 fully synthetic oil. The Service Schedule indicates Q16 (Flexible Service Interval) in which case the correct grade of oil should be 5W-30 VW 504 00 / 507 00. So who's right - the factory or Skoda Customer Service - how do I find out? I instructed the Skoda dealer to program the car for Fixed Interval Services, and the Maxi-dot display confirms that this has been done. Can't imagine they would have replaced the engine oil though. I need to know for certain which oil to use for top-up purposes because, as I understand it, Fixed Service Interval grade oil should not be mixed with Flexible Service Interval grade oil. Would appreciate any suggestions as to how I should clarify this issue.

Have managed to obtain a quote: £390 for 12 mts or £595 for 24 mths, which includes RAC breakdown cover. As I only do about 7,000 miles/year, :S not sure whether or not extending the warranty is being unecessarily cautious.

My Octavia's Skoda Warranty expires shortly. Any advice as to whether or not taking out an extended warranty is worthwhile. Can't get any sense out of Skoda - as far as I can make out they don't offer an extended warranty or aren't interested.

Can report Michelin Primacy HP's fitted today by EVENT TYRES - mobile fitting service - fantastic! Arrived at 07:30 prompt this morning - tyres fitted in no time - no damage to alloys - terrific deal on price. Can't praise this outfit enough.

Many thanks for all you thoughts. Have decided to get Event Tyres mobile fitting service to fit Michelin Primacy HP's.

Uniroyal - hadn't considered these - thanks for the tip. Incidentally, did the fitter manage to avoid any damage to your alloys ?

Many thanks for your helpful input. Have decided to abandon Bridgestone, and now need to decide between Continental Premium Contact 2's or, alternatively, Michelin Pilot Primacy HP's.

Need to replace all four tyres on my Octavia Elegance presently shod with Bridgestone Turanza ER300's - they seem O.K., but I've only had the Octavia a short while, and wonder if I should replace with similar or switch to, say, Continental or Dunlop. Any views would be appreciated. Also, can anyone recommend a fitter guaranteed not to damage my alloys - I've heard that a mobile fitting service called Event-Tyres (who use Hofmann tyre fitting equipment) are a good bet ?

New A/C compressor @ 24,000 miles.

My Owners Handbook recommends an "all year round" setting on Auto @ 22 degrees. As a new owner of my 2008 Octavia Elegance 1.9 TDI PD DSG I would be interested to know if other owners have adopted this setting.

Have decided to slip into Neutral and hold on footbrake with left foot.

Skoda Customer Services say "when coming to a temporary stop in traffic and driving away again the vehicle should be in Drive and with the footbrake on". I'm concerned, though, that this procedure will put unecesary wear on the clutch. Any other views on this ?

The rear washer on my wife's Fabia 1.9 Tdi hatchback has suddenly stopped working. Have checked water bottle & nozzle - both O.K. Presumably the tube to the rear washer nozzle has come off. Anyone know how to get at the tube to fix problem ?:confused:

How much to retrofit cruise control on a Fabia vRS ?

Have just got quotes from 8 Approved Skoda dealer/repairers in my area for 20,000 miles service on my Fabia vRS - Highest:

Exactly my thoughts - the way that modern synthetic oils are advertised I'm amazed the oil change interval isn't 100, 000 miles !

The Service Schedule specifies a 1 year (or 10,000 miles) oil change frequency. All my acquaintances who claim to "know about cars" reckon the oil should be changed every 3,500 miles. Who's correct, SkodaAuto or my know it all buddies ?:confused:

Sonic 1980 - where do you get you VRS serviced ? I've been quoted

You can obtain this gold dust equivalent from Emo Oils tel: 0800 685685 - £8.81 per litre inc. VAT. Only snag is you need to buy a min. of 12 litres. I have no more to say on this topic.

Have now confirmed beyond all doubt that the correct Shell oil for the Fabia vRS is SHELL HELIX DIESEL PLUS VA 5W-40 VW 505.01

I think I'm going round the bend. I've just been in touch with SkodaAuto Customer Service Centre in Wallington, Surrey and they say the correct oil for the Fabia VRS TDI PD 130 96Kw engine is either VAG spec. 505.00 or 505.01. Both are fine. I've tried getting some sense out of Shell, but they are a waste of time ! As a matter of interest, SkodaAuto reckon the correct oil of my wife's Fabia 1.9 TDI 74Kw engine is VAG 505.01 - 505.00 should not be used. Talk about confusion ! N.B.Pete - I'm in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire.:eek:

Thanks. I thought I'd bought the wrong stuff, even though my local Shell garage assured me it was the correct oil.