skodapeter

Thank you to all posters on this subject. I have exactly the same problem on my superb with winter tyres on the original wheels (I have another set of narrower wheels for summer tyres). Original wheels are 225 45 17. I must say my first reaction when I saw the wear (after I'd recovered from the shock!) was that it was due to the tyre rubbing on something, as from experience, wear due to wrong alignment was usually spread over more distance across the tyre, and usually on the outside of the tyre. Strangely I did not have such wear on the original tyres supplied with the car. This, I suppose, could indicate the rubbing on something theory if the suspension has settled a bit over the 5 years and 65k miles on mostly A roads not M. Anyway, I am most greatful to the posters giving me things to investigate and would appreciate info from anyone who has discovered the cure for the problem and if it did turn out to be rubbing.

Just had the letter. On the web site it says "Skoda will cover the cost relating directly to this repair". My letter says "......the repair will be at no cost to you". I noted the word "directly" at the time and thought it suggested that no costs of getting the vehicle to the dealer would be considered (my nearest Skoda dealer is 20 miles away, and the one from whom I bought the car is 30 miles). The letter does not have such a condition. I am hoping that before and after figures for all important emissions and power/torque are given to help us decide whether or not to have the mods done. Oh yes, quite forgot the very important figure of MPG in my requirements above!

Thanks!

Many thanks to a7788 for this guide. Camberley_Chris may I ask where you got the 5270 firmware, and what difference it made? I have a 3T0035680E, HW: H70 and SW: 4120 and Maps 7920 that I intend to update. Any help is greatly appreciated.

I give up.

I've still got the 096 battery from my Passat (pity economics made me part with it). I did the upgrade from that to an enormous thing around 90 Ah, but it was a shoehorn job! On my Passat (MY04, 130PD) the battery was in the centre of the car between two bulkheads at the back of the engine. Must say that battery specification numbers can be very confusing looking at the table - the 100 and the smaller 096 share dimensions. Sounds like your battery cover is the same design as mine. Anyway, I hope we are managing to help "rocktheroad".

JakeBlade - Sorry, the 096 does come with both heights 175 and 190. I found a wonderful table of specs here:- http://www.lincon.co.uk/battery_specifications.html

Rocktheroad - the new cover part number is 1K0 915 411B and fits a 096 spec battery which is 278 long, 175 wide, and 190 high. The new cover is the same as yours except it fits the 096 battery (from your description of your existing cover). It does not require any other parts and is quite adequate for the job. I'll post a photo if you like. Strangely my 61Ah battery is 190 high x 175 x 242. I agree with your thoughts about playing by the book and that's why I bought the new cover JakeBlade - As far as I know there is only the above dimensions for the 096 battery.

I didn't know there was a "plastic" cover and it's not necessary anyway. But if you just want a larger battery and a new cover to fit it, the answers are in my previous posts. I recommend the 77Ah Bosch S5 096 size (same width and height as the 61Ah, but longer), and the new cover from Skoda (Part number quoted previously). Excepting the parts department, I have rarely had satisfaction with advice from the main dealer. They told me my 61Ah battery was adequate when I specifically asked them to upgrade it and was quite prepared to pay their price which would have been about twice what it cost me to do it myself. It is not a difficult job and the new cover is easily fitted during the battery replacement, not being fixed in place except by the battery cables.

Both old and new battery covers for my car are made from a stiff fibre material with padding that covers the sides and top of the battery. It can't possibly be just to prevent shorting of the terminals (the covers on the Bosch batteries mentioned above do that). If the terminal covers were not so good I would have fitted the new cover by now. What I suggested was that the cover from a 100 size battery which is the same dimensions as a 096 battery except for the height, would still fit the 096 but would have a gap of 15 mm all the way round the 4 sides at the bottom. The two covers I have do not have a bottom panel. I was trying to help dfsuperb, but he hasn't told us what physical size his existing battery is. I still think the best option is to get the Bosch 096 S5 battery and buy a new cover the part number of which I have quoted. I'd be happy if someone who knows definitely what the cover is for would let me know. I know that 3rd party covers are available that are intended as thermal insulation.

JakeBlade - if the cover fits a 100 battery, it will fit the 096 except for a slight gap of 15mm at the bottom. If I am correct in my thought that the cover is for thermal insulation, the gap will not matter. So you may as well get the highest capacity battery possible - the Bosch S5 77Ah 096.

The original battery in my car was 61Ah, 190 high, 175 wide, 240 long. I found I could not get a larger Ah capacity battery without it being longer. The one I got is just 275 long and the same height and width and 77Ah. There is a Bosch 74 Ah that is the same length and width but only 175 high (recommended by ukcruiser in a previous post). If you have the same original battery as I, you will have to have a longer battery to increase the Ah capacity. I was told by the main dealer (and I always believe everything they tell me - see my other posts) that it was just for mechanical protection. I could have fitted the smaller jacket to the new battery, but there would have been gaps that you may be able to fill in / put up with. I believe the jacket is there as thermal insulation to keep the battery less cold in winter and keep it for longer at its most efficient temperature, but my car has been starting perfectly well since I put the new battery on and I haven't fitted the new cover yet. The only reason I purchased the correct new battery cover was that my car is still under warranty and I didn't want the dealer to accuse me of duff DIY jobs. If you have no such worries I recommend you install a battery like mine and forget the cover (the new Bosch battery comes with very good terminal covers) - the seller I suggested does ship to Ireland. Hope this helps.

dfsuperb - the one I fitted is exactly the one in your link and it fits perfectly, except I thought I'd better get a new cover as the new battery was the same height as the original, but longer. My new battery came from cpw-group on ebay and cost £82.49 and free postage. Didn't notice whether they shipped to Ireland.

Sorry I've taken so long to post this - I've had the dreaded coughing virus since new year and the new battery cover has been in the hall waiting for me to fit it. The new cover I confirm will fit the new battery (dimensions above) and the part number is 1K0915411B and cost £20.36 (the old one has an A at the end instead of a B ). It is probably possible to fit it without disconnecting the battery, but it would be fiddly, so when I can motivate myself I will disconnect the battery to do it. Thanks again to everyone who's helped.

Thanks rabmurray121. A friend who has a Superb Elegance 2011 170 DSG has just confirmed his battery is 70 Ah, 340A DIN, 570A EN/SAE. For the information of anyone following this topic!