Albervin

As we say here in Australia RTFM. A friend bought a new Jag and for 3 weeks he was under the impression it locked itself when he walked away. He was almost physically ill when I told him this was not the case. For 3 weeks it had been parked in London or Croydon unlocked. I have programmed mine so only the driver's door unlocks when I grab the handle.

I bought my car knowing full well the figures published (here in Australia) for fuel consumption are calculated using bull droppings. I just know I get 440Km from a tank around town before I need to fill up and in excess of 750Km out in the country or on highways. The V6 is old fashioned but almost perfect for the car. Same goes for the R36 Passat. All the local owners of R36s just do not give a rat's about fuel consumption; it is the smooth glide from 0-160 we all want, or the ability to fill the wagon to the gunwales and hardly notice any loss of power.

As a motorcyclist I am in the habit of doing visual checks as well as physical checks on the tyres of all my vehicles. The visual is done very time I use them and the physical (tyre pressure check) is done once a month. My BMW bike has a real time pressure monitor so I can see the pressures as I ride. This alerted me to a slow puncture a few months ago before I could even feel it in the saddle. The Skoda system is less precise but still alerted me to a puncture last year. I always use the same tyre gauge, a Michelin Vigil, even though it doesn't agree with my BMW read out. All of these systems are just aids for the driver/rider and not a substitute for vigilance.

Not in Europe...

The law in Australia says you must have 1m clearance to the front and rear when parallel parking. The Skoda system seems to be able to do that . I use it when desperate for a space and unsure if I will fit.

My V6 Skoda Superb combi does not and never has pulled to the left. If steering wheel is not straight when car is driving straight then there is a major alignment problem. If wheels are unmarked then it is not a kerbing problem. Had a similar issue with my previous Audi quattro and the bottom line was it was a warranty problem. I assume it has original fitment tyres so the car is as sent out from factory. Dig in your heels and tell'em to fix it.

I like the way my satnav tells me to "... stay on this road for quite a long time.."

Once I had my keys in my jacket pocket instead of trousers. Put jacket into boot because it was wet (raining). The doors were already unlocked but when I tried to start the car (KESSY) I was informed the key was not found. Maybe the signal can be shielded or lost if the key is wrapped up and far enough away was the sensor. Then again I may be talking rubbish because I know very little about eletrickery and even less about canbuses and cancars.

Chronologically 60 but psychologically 30. Currently own a V6 Combi and Riley 2 1/2 Litre saloon. When I look back at cars I have owned I realise the Skoda is my first sensible car. Started with a Hillman Minx then a Holden Gemini. For 2 years I had a Dino Ferrari then did the big overseas trip. A couple of Fiat X1/9s plus a Fiat 130 then a Fiat Regatta (half sensible) saw the end of my Italian love affair. A German period of big engined BMW 3 Series and Audi A4s followed. They would have been sensible if I had not have had the those big engines and had chosen wagons instead of sedans. The Skoda is the biggest car I have owned since the Fiat 130; both V6s and exceedingly comfortable. My first station wagon and now I realise what I should have done all those years ago. We won't even go near the motorbikes that have slipped through my shed.....

Having driven an RS4 and RS6 Avant I reckon my Superb V6 wagon is amazing value. True, it can't compete in absolute handling as standard but a couple of thousand $$$$ makes it a weapon in long distance point to point times. We have very few tight roads in Australia so on the open road I can hold almost any speed I choose. Good tyres, upgraded anti roll bars and a bit of skill is all it takes. Forget the large diameter, low profile tyres. They should be labelled "low performance".

OK Kiwi, which map? That is exactly what I want. It just better be available near Sydney.

That may explain why all my computer settings re-set yesterday. It was only a coincidence it happened at the same time my "up" paddle shifter refused to work. It is about time I RTFM again.

On the trip from Canberra to Wollongong today I experienced an annoying fault. The up change paddle on my steering wheel refused to work but the down change paddle continued to function normally. I resorted to using the floor change and started to think I was going to have to spend more time sorting this out with the dealer; this made me even more annoyed. My wife suggested I stop the car, turn everything off and wait a few minutes before starting up again to see if it would re-boot the system. Smart girl. Before I had a chance to pull over all of a sudden the paddle started working BUT there was a strange after effect: all the MFD readings were re-set! I haven't yet checked to see if all my settings for mirror, seats, lights etc. have been re-set to factory settings yet but if that is the case then all the more annoying. Has anyone else had any similar experiences?

I fitted these 2 months ago. Look great (on and off). No errors (so far). Not the cheapest but hopefully worry free for a long time. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/140740833875?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

The floor in the luggage space is amazing. Flat with the rails to attach the load dividers, hooks for tie down straps, cargo net.. My first wagon and I never realised just how useful and luxurious it could be for the money paid. Fuel consumption? Best not talk about that with the V6.