CJJE

Presumably the SE trim (and hopefully 2.0TSI engine) will be added some time after the launch? Skoda UK may be thinking that they can't cope with the demand at present, and the eager beavers wanting the new model will take the most popular trims and engines. The loss of the Edition trim is odd too, as that was very popular in the UK. Chris

Skoda UK have now announced details of the facelifted Karoq, with the order book opening on 17th February and first deliveries expected by late Spring. The headlines are just 3 trim levels - SE Drive, SE L and Sportline, with 4 engines - the 1.0 TSI (110 PS), 1.5 TSI (150 PS), 2.0 TDI (116 PS), and 2.0TDI (150 PS). A 7 speed DSG box is available with the 1.5TSI (150 PS) and 2.0 TDI (150 PS). Only the 2.0TDI (150 PS) can have 4x4 drive. Prices seem to have increased by around £1500 from September 21. Details at: https://skodamedia.com/en-gb/releases/1293 Chris

I think our Karoqs come with Western Europe maps? But the online updates are only triggered when there is a change in your 'country'. I'm not sure if that means England or the UK for us. If you look on the Skoda Update website that will probably tell you what maps have been issued for Australia. Chris

The only time I see these messages is when there are some minor changes to the software, and on inspecting the 'notification' area on the infotainment system they always seem to be connected to the 'shop' area on the system. It's interesting that your software version is 0278 as this is yet another level being installed in the factory but not by dealers! Your maps seem to be updating correctly, but again from my experience this happens in the background without any notifications to the driver unless you actually go to check in the system settings. Chris

From another thread on this forum I see that the latest cars being delivered come with software 0302. Don't know how this has changed from 0276 but it'll be interesting to see which level you get.

My Karoq was on 0270 when it went in for its first service last November, but the map database had been updated several times during 2021. As I'd heard on the forum that the general software had been updated to 0276, I asked for it to be updated during the service, and also mentioned a couple of intermittent faults - traffic assist not available, lane assist not available & dynamic road signs not available. The dealer serviced the car and booked it back in for a new steering wheel/controller unit to cure the intermittent faults, but said the software was up to date. While I was waiting for the new steering wheel to be delivered, I suffered the SOS Not Available fault and reported this to the dealer. When I returned to get the new steering wheel fitted, they also updated the software to 0276! So it seemed to me that the software update was only installed if you reported a fault which it would cure! (I understand from my dealer that it takes several hours to download and install the software update.) Since then the navigation database has updated itself again... to 21.9 last December, and again to 21.11 in January. This is all completely in the background and I see no messages about it being updated - unlike the updates to the shop etc. I also have problems with Skoda Connect and the My Skoda app sending destinations to the car. Sometimes it works, while other times it might not arrive until I'm actually on the journey, but I'm putting this down to excess demands on the Skoda cloud software and the data messages getting delayed. Chris

Just checked mine... the navigation database is now at 21.11 too!

Interesting that you're on software level 0302, as mine was updated by my dealer to 0276 (as the latest available) last December. But your navigation database seems seriously out of date from the factory! My car was delivered with 19.11 in November 2020, then updated itself to 20.9 in March 2021, 21.2 in April 2021, and 21.9 in November 2021! (It should update itself as it realises there's an update available, and will presumably just jump up to 21.9 at least once you start driving it.)

I have seen reports recently saying that many cars are being 'clocked' before resale - i.e. the mileage reading you can see on their instrument panel is nothing like their actual mileage. So any graphical record showing how the car's present mileage has been created will be very helpful to the new owner.

I must confess I find the idea of talking to my car so ridiculous that I've never even tried it! Chris

Autocar are talking about it being in showrooms in April 2022.

As far as I can see, the driver personalisation is part of the user id/account and doesn't appear to be part of the Connect services. Also, in checking this, I've realised that the Voice Assist feature also seems to be part of the Infotainment Online package. Chris

Note: Infotainment online also includes Online Voice Assist I think!

Legally, your dealer is responsible for supplying you with a satisfactory car, and they then have a similar contract with Skoda UK. But an opening rear door is a serious safety issue as it will allow exhaust gases to enter the vehicle as well as possibly dumping your luggage in the path of a following vehicle! I'd insist on your dealer soring it out while it's still under warranty, and providing you with a roadworthy car while they do so. If you need help enforcing your legal rights, can you speak to your local Citizens Advice Bureau, or Trading Standards? Chris

Infotainment Online Provides: Parking Space availability and prices, Online Route Import, Petrol Station prices, Online Map Update, Online Traffic Information, Online Route Calculation. Remote Access Provides: Parking Position, Honk & Flash, Speed Notification, Vehicle Status, Online Anti-Theft Alarm, Area Notification, Driving Data, Lock & Unlock, Digital Certificate. So if you don't renew, these are the features you lose. However there is talk about being able to update the maps manually via a USB memory stick and a downloaded update file. Chris

If cleaning the windscreen camera doesn't help, and especially if you get other warnings that Lane Assist and Dynamic Roadsigns aren't available (if fitted to your car) then it could mean the controller in the steering wheel needs to be replaced under warranty. Lane Assist and Travel Assist have capacitive sensors in the steering wheel to detect whether or not your hands are on the steering wheel, and the electronic controller is in the steering wheel too. Several of us in the UK have had faults like this, and dealers are used to replacing the steering wheel to cure it. I had the fault every few months, but only got round to telling my dealer at the annual service, but he ordered up a new steering wheel for me straight away. Some owners think it is also linked to having a heated steering wheel, and whether or not you're keeping your hands warm Chris

The legal requirement is only for one rear fog light, on the offside. So the nearside one is often missing, with the reflector etc being there for righthand drive cars where the one fog light would be on that side instead. Chris

Like you I understand that UK law does not require you to carry a warning triangle, high-viz jacket, or first aid kit in your car, unlike European countries and regardless of the fact that it is obviously sensible to have them in your car. However there are several apparently respectable UK websites saying that they ARE legally required! For example: Briteangle Warning Triangle review: breakdown safety 2.0 | Parkers "All cars registered from the 1st July 2006 are required to carry a warning triangle by law," And: Compulsory Equipment For Driving In The UK | PowerBulbs UK "This won't come as a surprise to drivers from other European nations, but in the UK, drivers are required to have certain safety equipment in their vehicle at all times. Drivers must have a spare set of headlight bulbs, ensuring you can easily replace any unexpected burn-outs. Vehicles on the road in the UK must also contain a first-aid kit, warning triangle, and fire extinguisher." And: Emergency Car Breakdown | Highway Code Warning Triangle (theukrules.co.uk) "Is a warning triangle a legal requirement in the United Kingdom? All motor cars first registered from the 1st of July 2006 must carry at least one emergency reflective warning triangle by law." And most worryingly a solicitor's website: https://www.bannerjones.co.uk/resources/winter-driving-tips-for-motorists-in-sheffield "By law, all cars first registered from the 1st of July 2006, must carry an emergency warning triangle." I have emailed Banner-Jones to ask them to provide me with details of the UK regulations to back up their statement, but have not yet had a reply. And I have searched government websites for any regulations confirming their statement, but without success. Clearly if warning triangles WERE legally required, there would be many drivers immediately breaking the law as they drive their new cars off a forecourt. And I would also expect the MOT test to check that they are present (it doesn't of course). (When I emailed Parkers, they merely gave the links to two of the websites above as their source.) I'm not sure where this statement has come from, and other websites like the AA and RAC etc still state that warning triangles are recommended but not compulsory, but be aware that there are some people out there trying to mislead drivers about warning triangles etc being legally required!! Chris

Skoda have coincidentally published an article today at This is your car, can you hear me? - ŠKODA Storyboard (skoda-storyboard.com) about radio reception which may be of interest. Chris

Sounds like a problem connecting to the aerial - which I think is part of the rear window? Have you added a rear dashcam as these can interfere with the radio reception?

There's a menu setting that will adjust how quickly the ACC will accelerate the car, which think will override the Eco drive mode.

The latter fault also affects Karoqs with the MIB3 infotainment system. I was getting speed limits displayed in KPH intermittently until my first service, and twice my headlights were reset for driving on the right (I very seldom use cruise control so haven;t seen the undertaking error). But after commenting on it my car was updated to 0276 software, and the fault hasn't reappeared to date. Chris

Or if it's just to overtake safely (if temporarily illegally) flick the control stalk several times as that lifts the speed set by 5 mph for each flick.

I agree there's no way to have the speed limiter set by default rather than the cruise control - unless there's a way of reprogramming the software somehow. As I find it very convenient to use the speed control rather than the cruise control on most roads I just have a routine of leaving the cruise control / speed limiter enabled, then selecting the speed limiter on the assist menu as soon as I start the engine, and set the required speed as soon as I reach 30 mph. On my car, I have a second lefthand stalk below the indicator stalk to control the CC/SL, but at times I still flick the indicators by mistake when I'm changing the speed limit.

If you're an Apple family then my comments may not be appropriate. but with my Samsung Galaxy S8 Android phone I have a 'Data Sharing' function that lets other connections use the data allowance on my phone. Chris