CJJE

If there are strong shadows, it sounds like the auto headlight function turning on the headlights to ensure that other cars will see you in the shadows?

STOP PRESS! Skoda have just announced the changes for the Karoq for MY21... New entry-level diesel for the ŠKODA KAROQ In the 2021 model year, the ŠKODA KAROQ is available with optional tri-zone Climatronic air conditioning for the first time and can now be equipped with Area View and Trailer Assist too – just like the KODIAQ. When switching its engine portfolio to the Euro 6d standard, ŠKODA is replacing the previous entry-level 115-PS (85-kW) 1.6 TDI diesel with an equally powerful 2.0 TDI from the new EVO generation. In terms of exhaust gas treatment, it uses the ‘twin dosing’ process – just like the 2.0 TDI delivering 150 PS (110 kW), which is replacing the previous 1.6 TDI and is available with all-wheel drive and a DSG as well as front-wheel drive and a manual gearbox. The entry-level 1.0 TSI petrol engine will generate 110 PS (81 kW). Full details for all Skoda cars at https://www.skoda-storyboard.com/en/press-releases/countless-new-features-introduced-to-skoda-portfolio-for-2021-model-year/ Chris

No all the indications are that there will be some minor changes for the MY21 cars from August or so, similar to the ones for MY19 and MY20. These were either cost-cutting changes - like deleting the IsoFix covers and removing one of the moveable hooks in the boot - or the improved KESSY key and wider coverage for the blind spot detector. The facelifted model is unlikely to appear before Spring 2021 in my opinion as Skoda will want to launch the facelifted Kodiaq first (and that seems to have been delayed by Covid from July to autumn.) Chris

Good research! So it's like I guessed??! Chris

Yes, if it is a front wheel drive car, you have the choice of a space-saver (emergencies only) narrow wheel or a full size spare - both at £150. Although they are not using 19 inch rims, they are still near enough the same rolling circumference to not bother the transmission. A 4x4 has a higher boot floor panel so can only rake the narrow space saver. The boot cover floor is obviously lifted more by the full size spare. Chris

Or to pay for stone chip repairs and wheel worm problems??

To guard against Botox going wrong??

I ordered my new Karoq on the 2nd of June, with the dealer forecasting a build in August and delivery for the 1st of September. But so far although the order has been accepted by Skoda UK, we've had no reply yet from the factory with an estimated build date. I was hoping that as the factory has been running again since late April I'd be beating the sudden rush of new orders (at least from the UK) but perhaps sales in the rest of Europe have filled the void and the factory is not running to its normal capacity. Once Skoda HQ come back with an estimated build date, we'll know better where we are, but we both should be getting MY21 cars I'd have thought. Chris

This is baffling... There are only two reasons I can think of: 1) Is the car being used enough to keep the battery fully charged? Or could the voltage be dropping enough for it to wipe the memories?? 2) The memories can be reset by holding in the knurled rotating thingy on the right of the steering wheel. Is this permanently depressed for some reason? (If not perhaps there's a fault in the contacts behind it?? Chris

The changes introduced for MY19 are detailed here: https://www.briskoda.net/forums/applications/core/interface/file/attachment.php?id=133430 and the MY20 changes here: https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/465966-week-22-updates/?tab=comments#comment-5256123 Chris

The SEAT Ateca has just been updated, and now the Karoq is following suit! I'd guess it's due mid to late 2021 (so MY22) as the Kodiaq will be getting its facelift version late-2020 to early 2021. According to Carscoops.com: "An updated version of the Skoda Karoq is being readied for the market, although it certainly won’t be radically overhauled from the exiting model. The Skoda Karoq hit the market back in 2017 as a replacement to the beloved Yeti and while it hasn’t garnered quite the same cult-like following of the Yeti, it has proven itself to be a good crossover. As these spy images reveal, the car manufacturer will largely stick with its winning formula in updating the Karoq. Visually, alterations made to this prototype are minor. Despite camouflage covering up the front and rear fascias, we can see that the Skoda will benefit from a newly-designed grille and may also sport different headlights with new graphics. The camouflage at the rear does a good job at hiding what Skoda’s designers have been up to but when the facelifted Karoq does land, we expect it to feature new taillights and a new rear bumper. If the carmaker sticks with the typical mid-cycle facelift formula, a series of small updates can be expected for the cabin of the 2021 Skoda Karoq as well. This will likely include a new-and-improved infotainment system while the same overall layout of the current model will likely be maintained. We can’t yet say with certainty what engines the updated Karoq will be available with. However, many of the engines from the current model, including 1.0-liter TSI and 1.5-liter TSI petrol engines with 113 hp (115 PS) and 148 hp (150 PS) respectively, could be maintained. A selection of diesel engines can also be expected, including at least two different 2.0-liter options. Skoda may tweak the available engines to lower their CO2 emissions." So nothing to get too excited about, I'm just waiting to see what changes are coming for the MY21 car!

Week 30 starts 20th July I believe, so you're right on the boundary... but I thought the factory normally closed down production for a few weeks just before the changeover, so you could be just at the restart??

The purpose of lights on a car are both to see at night and to be seen! Why make it more difficult for yourself and everyone else?? I drove down the M1 a few months back in a hailstorm at dusk, and was passed by a BMW and Audi racing each other through the mist and realised they were completely invisible once they were a few yards away from me despite having their lights on !

I did that with my Golf Plus, and kept them to use with my Golf SV. (They're too small of course for the Karoq). But I switched to all-season last year after I did my back in changing them over, and the Conti winter tyres became time-expired rather than worn out.

I really wish that more manufacturers would fit all-season tyres to their cars now... or at least let you choose them! It's just too expensive to buy a new car and immediately get rid of the new summer tyres!!

That's good to know, so I shouldn't be too concerned then about moving from my Golf SV FWD car to my new Karoq then? As I only do around 9,000 miles a year now, I was thinking I could afford a bigger fuel bill for the added safety factor, and the 4x4 Karoq on summer tyres should be comparable with my FWD Golf on All-Season tyres in winter. (And after the factory provided tyres have worn out in 3 years or so, then I can switch back onto Michelin Cross-Climates again!) Chris

So having read the SSPs, it looks like the Haldex clutch only sends power to the rear wheels when it senses the need to stop the front wheels spinning. If you accelerate hard enough in any driving mode to start the front wheels spinning, then milliseconds later the Haldex will transfer up to 50% of the torque to the rear wheels to help out. And if you drive gently in any mode (and the front wheels aren't on ice), then the Haldex will be disengaged with no drive going to the rear wheels. Presumably the increased fuel consumption for 4x4 cars is down to the need to spin the central shaft from the gearbox back to the Haldex regardless of the need to send drive to the rear wheels, and the consequential inertia losses (unless the DSG is coasting). Chris

Good thought. I have the SSP515 (Golf 2013 running gear and four wheel drive) which is the SSP the Tiguan's SSP refers to. But while that describes the sensors activating the Haldex clutch, it only mentions the wheel speed sensors and accelerometers, so it would seem there is no input from the Mode switch.

An interesting question. I have also been wondering if Eco mode keeps a 4x4 Karoq in FWD. Wouldn't it be helpful if there was a light on the dashboard to show when 4x4 is engaged? Chris

Reviews normally say that the SEAT cars have harsher suspension settings to match their 'sporty' market profile while Skodas are more comfortable. I was keen on the Kodiaq L&K rather than the Edition since once I'd added the options I wanted there was very little difference in their prices. But now the L&K has breached the £40k barrier, and I've decided I can't justify a seven seater just to get a big boot! Chris

Now that the Kodiaq facelift seems to have been pushed back from this summer to early 2021, the Karoq might have been pushed back to 2022? But as recent facelifted VAG cars have been removing physical buttons in favour of unergonomic touchscreens, I'm buying a Karoq while I can still get a car that I believe to be a better designed car for a driver (as opposed to a phone user!) Chris

As Tasape says, there are threads in the Kodiaq section which say this can be mitigated by changing a setting in the Infotainment menu Car/Settings/Driver Assist/Emergency Braking to a lower level. Chris

Just a pointer to show which road the name relates to?? Chris

Well the rigid one wouldn't cope with the reclining and sliding VarioFlex seats I suppose - without leaving gaps behind the seats at least. And I prefer the rigid one to the retractable one as you can lie coats on it so I'm glad they have supplied it on the Sportline! It opens automatically as you open the tailgate, so although it might take up more room when removed I don't carry dogs so it isn't a problem for me. Chris

The Skoda UK website says that you have free updates to the satnav maps for three years. But what happens after that? Can you still update the maps? Do you have to pay to download the updates? And if so, what does it cost? Different manufacturers seem to vary enormously, from Audi who charge 100 to 250 euro for every update(!) to VW who give you free updates until they stop supplying the satnav hardware in new cars! Chris