SteveTheElder

This thread might help...

Back in 2020 there was only 1.0 eTec DSG or 1.5 manual. I think in 2021 the 1.5 eTec DSGs became available as well. Don’t be too reluctant of the eTec mild hybrids; I had a loan 1.0 eTec SE FE DSG estate (2020 model) for five months, it was faultless over 8500 miles. Performed well enough and returned mid-50s mpg; I imagine a 1.5 eTec would be equally good for economy and that bit quicker & more capable with a full load. Overall I would rather my manual 1.5 were an eTec DSG. Next time… 😉

I got a similar email too, it supports all Mk4 Octavia models so it seems, though naturally differing levels of functionality across the range. As you say, seems a bit quicker than the My Škoda ‘essentials’ app I’ve been using for a while.

Another one from yesterday’s trip, stopped off at Wisley for an hour or two en route to Canary Wharf. This little chap (or chap-ess) joined us for lunch 😊

A 30cm cable is long enough to reach round from the port to a dashcam on the passenger side - best try to get one with a 90 degree usb c plug (or a suitable adapter which may give an extra bit of length). It does, of course, depend to some extent on you dashcam and where its connector is.

From a visit to the Canary Wharf Winter Lights event (on until 27th January) IMG_9367.mov

I had a trip to ol’ London Town (Canary Wharf) this afternoon/evening. As it was fairly late decided to drive through London to get back to Winchester rather than out on the A20 and round the M25 (my route there). Was surprised that from Canary Wharf to Hammersmith it was all 20mph limit. Thankfully my car is ULEZ compliant and was after the congestion zone timeframe.

That’s exactly what I’ve done pretty much I’ve started mine for the last three years.

Finally, managed to get this one: 35353 😊

We are also paying in to the pot for repairs to super car crashes like the £8.5m Pagani Zonda 760 LH in North Wales last summer. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-66538428 Interesting the in the BBC report it states "The car lost control..." Call me pedantic but a car, by itself, cannot lose control. It is the driver that loses control of his or her car of their car. BTW, I have driven through that tunnel many a time at 70mph - there is no reason why anyone should lose control. The article goes on to say "People with fast cars go down there and they want to show off in the tunnels and get it heard. Then the unexpected happens." - which can be heard in this dash cam footage https://uk.motor1.com/news/682679/lewis-hamilton-zonda-crash-dashcam-video/

I've just created a topic which gives a summary of the issues, to the best of my knowledge, which affect my, and other, early build SE L First `editions.

In response to a suggestion by @Oli3000 here's a list of the issues I have experienced with my early build (registers Sept 2020) Mk4 SE L First Edition estate. I have listed the ones that I am aware that others have also experienced, and I am aware that other early models had problems I haven't (mainly 'cos my car doesn't have some options/features). Many of these have been the subject of much debate in one of more threads of this forum, details will be found in there by using the search function. I have NOT included the Infotainment Reboot issue as it is common to later build cars too, albeit fixed with software updates. If you too have an early build SE L First Edition please add any recurrent/common SEL FE issues that I have missed. KPH/MPH Speedometer could not display KPH. Selection made in settings but no change to display and not saved. SatNav could not display miles. Selection made in settings but no change to display and not saved. Eventually a solution was developed, in my case a change of Virtual Cockpit (VC) hardware and software updates. To my knowledge not all cases need a VC change; the original in my car did not have a clock at top centre, the replacement does. The speedometer being unable to display KPH is in contravention of UK regulations. Adaptive Cruise Control In general worked OK, except it would intermittently, yet often, prevent overtaking in stead of undertaking. Basically the car thought it was in driving on the right side of the road, not left; it worked absolutely fine in mainland Europe. Fixed through software updates. Note however, that the Owner Manual warns of occasions when the ACC can be confused, I’ve noticed it several times on long right hand bends - the car sees a vehicle in the nearside lane and prevents overtaking. Easily overcome by a tap go the accelerator pedal. SOS errors and false calls Several issues around this; in my case I’d get a loud ‘pop pop’ sound followed by a corruption of any [built in] SatNav directions active at the time and an alert to say an SOS call was placed - when it wasn’t! After several diagnostics visits and software updates the SOS module was replaced and it’s been fine since. ‘Favourites’ Initially neither SatNav nor Radio favourites were saved. Fixed through software updates. Auto-reconnect CarPlay For many months CarPlay would not automatically reconnect to my iPhone. Fixed through one of the many software updates Škoda Connect App Early build Mk4 cars don’t have full functionality. Cannot create a route in the phone App and send it to the car Cannot remotely Lock & Unlock the car, but can see if it is locked and windows closed. Fuel & Temperature Gauges Flickering Intermittent flickering of both gauges regardless of whether headlights are on or not. Fixed through software update.

I had a problem with the rear courtesy lights, they would randomly turn on and off whilst I was driving, as though Casper was in the back fiddling with them😉. Following diagnostics the dealer swapped the light unit and been ok since. IIRC, it was worse in sub-zero temperatures.

I'm fairly confident that the voice control for car based functions (aircon, heated seat, ...) will still work OK, I has done when I've used it at times when my mobile has been out of range of mobile signal - no guarantees though as there is always the chance that the car may have been connected to a different network! I've always assumed that the online voice control was for POI or destination look up.

Further thoughts on roof carriers... Make sure the roof bars are long enough to get four bike carriers on (you'll need the ones that extend beyond the roof fitting 'legs'. You may have to twist the handlebars through 90 degrees to avoid them getting in the way of the adjacent bike I had to load mine in alternate directions (forwards facing, backward facing, ..., ...) Be careful with low trees and car parks with height restrictions!

Alloy wheels and brake dust 😡 They're always the first part of the car to look dirty and are the hardest part to clean! Thanks to @TheUltraRunner and @Mario_Delgado for recommended products to make the job easier 👍

I used to carry four bikes on the roof using Thule bars and bike carriers - that was on my mk2 Octavia estate. The challenge was the max load limit (IIRC, 100kg). Became a harder as the kids grew and needed bigger/heavier bikes! Plus points are you can get into the boot easily and they can all be locked on. Downside was the wind noise and drag - massive impact on fuel economy. Having seen a tailgate mounted carrier come adrift at speed on the M6, along with three bikes, put me off the idea of that sort. I think towball mounted carriers may have a similar weight limit as roof carriers. Check the nose weight limit for your model, typically 75 or maybe 100kg. Those weights include the carriers & bars too.

Yep this ^^^ some good old fashioned discipline - it will help them learn a skill for life.

I'm beginning to get the feeling this thread may have been better as a simple "yes" / "no" poll.

@benterrier the mk4 cabin is a much nicer place to be than the mk3, the plastics and other materials feel a big step up in my opinion. As others have said it’ll now be a 1.5tsi ACT that has 150ps. I have a manual estate 2020 model. @SouthernComfort is right to have alluded to the many s/ware issues in earlier models; there are fixes available which ought to be applied to any used examples bought through official Škoda channels - but sadly there are some reports on these forums where it’s not the case. If you buy used ensure all the fixes are applied. Cabin noise is pretty well muted in mine other than tyre noise - but that is perhaps more to do with the Michelins on mine as factory fitted. They are lasting well though, about 4.5mm left after 35k miles. Not sure I know what I’d be looking for regards the rear axle, sorry. Hopefully others know more than I do! Fuel economy is very good in the mk4s too, it has better aero efficiency than the mk3. I’m surprised to be averaging mid-50s mpg since I bought it (that’s brim to brim calculations) and on a long motorway run it’s usually 62mpg or better.

I managed to get a video of the flickering but the dealer didn't ask. As you say, it'll vary from dealer to dealer, and I have managed to build a good working relationship with my dealer which I am sure helps a lot.

I had that in my 2020 SE L FE. The dealer fixed it a while back, s/ware I think. Will have a dig through my notes to see if I recorded the fix and add comment here. Found my notes from Feb 2023… ”The gauge lights continue to flicker, apparently there is a TPI (whatever that is) to fix this. ” Then April 2023… ” Update for flickering gauges. Update applied to remedy this (Škoda TPI).” That fixed the flickering gauges.

Try turning off the vibration; it will be a lot less intrusive. Then maybe the perceived negatives become tolerable providing benefit of the positives.

Welcome... Short answer: yes, nearly all of the time. Longer answer: it will depend on the journeys and load you carry. Mine is a 1.5TSI, had a loan 1.0 e-tec for 5 months a couple of years back. The 1.0 was fine for the vast majority of the time, long motorways were a surprise, it managed them well and with good economy - but that was with two up a weekend luggage. However I reckon I would have felt it on those long runs were there four of us and a boot fully loaded. The 1.0 is surprisingly flexible too so should be OK on the hilly roads of the South West. Definitely worth a test drive...

IIRC you can import backgrounds of your choice from a USB-C stick. I started to have a look in to it nigh on three years ago when I first got mine. Seemed too much faff for little/no benefit so gave up.