["You're too young to be driving around in a Skoda estate.........."]

You're not the only one, my grey combi is nicknamed The Titanic because it's a "big old boat".

I got it when I was 31. Love it.

[Greenline MPG challenge! Can you beat the record...]

I've got a TDI CR 170 estate and have seen an indicated 73mpg after my 17 mile drive home from work. It's a mix if motorway and A roads. Air con was on, but did stick to 55mph max and 1500rpm rev limit

[New car collected today - minor issues]

This feature was added for the Chinese market where the Superb is very popular and considered as a rival to the long wheel base versions of the Audi A6 and BMW 5 series. Cars with lots of rear legroom are popular in China because people like to be driven rather than drive. In fact, BMW even do a long wheelbase 3 series just for the China market.

This feature is commonly seen on high end luxury limos, such as the Mercedes S-class and Jaguar XJL.

[Advice please]

2.0 TSI only ever available as front wheel drive DSG in the UK. Shame. 4x4 manual would have been nice.

[tow bar help please]

Tow bar prep just means that they run the wires from the dashboard fuse box to the back of the car for the wiring to connect into, which just means that whoever fits the electrics doesn't have to take lots of interior trims off to run cables. General opinion is that it's a waste of money.

When I did mine I bought the OEM detachable towbar and the full wiring kit, fitted it all myself and just got my friend (a VAG technician) to connect into the fuse box under the dash and do the coding with the diagnostic computer.

Depends if you are handy with spanners but fitting the towbar is pretty straight forward. Alternatively just get a local towbar fitter to do it all for you. Main dealers are best avoided as they generally charge you the earth but farm the job out to a local towbar specialist anyway.

[Just notice something weird in my Superb!]

Probably just a mis-build, it's not uncommon but should have been spotted at PDI. Warranty should cover it as technically it's a manufacturing defect

[Dunlop sport fast response tyres due replacement]

I've got an SE on 17"s and have just gone onto Michelin Primacy. Bought from Costco for £390 for 4 fitted. They are excellent - very quiet.

As others have said, the Dunlops were disappointing - terrible saw-toothing and poor wear rates. Grip ok, bit noisy though.

[Does your Car use oil between services ?]

My CR170 doesn't use a drop. Done 21k now (had 1 service).

[Knob Cream]

Gliptone. Have rubbed it into my knob many times and it keeps it clean and soft.

[Skoda Superb - Winter Tyres and Rims]

Just ordered my winter wheels and tyres from Bickerton Skoda. 4 x OEM 16" steels with 205/55 Conti TS850's on a 94 load rating. They were advertising a full set for £599.99 + delivery but I paid a touch extra to get the Conti's instead of a budget tyre. I did look at getting a set of Michelin Alpin from Costco but even with the deal they are currently doing they were going to be £494 just for the tyres. It seems the higher load rating is quite a bit more expensive.

However, Costco did come up trumps with winter tyres for my wife's car - 4 x 185/65 R15 88T Michelin Aplin A4's for £209 fitted! Bargain.

[Removing door sill trim for wiring]

I've done it to fit towbar wiring. The sill trims that go under the doors inside the car just pop off. I recommend you buy a trim removal tool to avoid damaging the trim or clips.

Be warned, the b pillar trim is a b&stard to get back on thanks to the rear seat air vent in the upper trim.

Good luck.

[Removing tar]

Autosmart Tardis is available from eBay and is the most effective tar remover I have found.

Make sure the surface is cool, don't let the product dry on the car, and rinse it off really really well.....and wear gloves!

[Leather seat care]

Yep, Gliptone is great stuff for conditioning the leather.

If you just want to clean it though, a soft cloth with some warm soapy water will do the trick.

[Recommend a quick detailer.]

Megs Last Touch, used neat, is very very good indeed.

Recently been using Zaino Z8 which is slightly better but costs a fortune.

[What's this then?]

It attaches the boot floor to something above it, to hold it out of the way whilst you lift out the spare wheel etc. Useful!

[Boot protector - Superb 11 Estate]

I've got the Genuine Skoda rubber one in my estate. Brilliant quality, really heavy and thick rubber. £38 plus delivery off eBay. No brainier.

[Knob worn out after just one year...]

Not replaced yet but I did treat the leather on the steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake with Gliptone yesterday and it looks and feels much better.

My plan is to get the gear knob replaced shortly before the warranty expires.

[Knob worn out after just one year...]

Out of interest is it possible to change just the knob or does it come as one part with the gaitor attached?

[does this need a cover?]

Done this mod and it works a treat. Cost less than a tenner so well worth it

[Bargain aluminium lockable roof bars for Superb Estate -]

They do whistle a bit but well chuffed for the price as I only intend to use a few times a year

[Knob worn out after just one year...]

Hoped to provoke a few well worded replies!

Next time I am at the dealer I will get them to take a look at my knob. Hopefully the warranty will cover a new one, and hopefully the new one will last a bit longer.

I do wear a wedding ring so maybe that has been scratching the leather?

[Knob worn out after just one year...]

Got my 170 Manual Combi a year ago brand new, have done 15k miles in it. I'm incredibly careful with the car, also do mainly motorway miles so not too many gear changes.

The plastic "chrome" on the gear knob started flaking away a few months ago and today I noticed that the leather top coat on the gear knob is worn away and looking really shabby. Very disappointed after only one year of light use. The quality of leather seems really poor.

Has anyone else had this issue? Hoping that I can get it sorted under warranty but it doesn't fill me with confidence. Leather on the steering wheel seems poor quality too - might need to give it some TLC with the Gliptone.

[Skoda tow bar help please with dealer.]

It looks more complicating than it is, in reality it takes a couple of minutes:

Trailer Hitch Retrofitting (1K)

Configuration

The following Activations are necessary to ensure that the newly fitted parts are properly recognized and are ready to use.

• Update the Installation List in the Gateway (J533 / #19).
  
  • Register the newly added 69 - Trailer Control Module.
    

  [*]Update the Trailer Control Module (J345 / #69) Coding.

  • Not all Retrofitting Kits contain Diagnostic capable Trailer Control Modules, some Aftermarket Modules may even be pre-coded. This Step can be ignored for Modules which are not Diagnostic capable.
    
  • Due to different Control Modules and Equipment in the Car the actual Coding Table is not shown here but will automatically be used by the Long Coding Assistant once you access the Function using VCDS. If an Aftermarket Module is installed, check the Retrofitting Kit for further Instructions.
    

  [*]Update the Brake Electronics (J104 / #03) Configuration.

  • Check which ABS or ABS/ESP System is installed. If a MK60EC1 is installed an Activation is not necessary (proceed to the next Step), this Step is only valid for MK60 (from June 6th 2005 / MY 2006+) and MK60-AT. MK70 and MK70M as well as MK60 (before June 6th 2005 / through MY 2005) do not support the Trailer Stabilization Function.
    
    • Enable the Adaptation Function by performing a Security Access. Additional Information will be shown by VCDS once you access the Security Access Function.
      
    • Via Adaptation select Channel 056 and activate the Trailer Stabilization. Additional Information will be shown by VCDS once you access the Adaptation Channel.
      
    • The Activation of the Trailer Stabilization can be tested using a Trailer Test Tool (e.g. VAG 1537/A) by performing an Output Test.
      

  [*]Update the Engine Control Module (J623 / #01) Coding.

  • Make sure that the Engine is NOT running, otherwise the new Coding will be rejected. Models equipped with Start/Stop System do have a Shutoff Switch/Button which will deactivate the Start/Stop Function.
    
  • As a Rule of Thumb, If the Engine uses conventional Short Coding (Coding is 7-digits like 0011312) the Long Codding Assistant does NOT apply. Modules using Short Coding typically do NOT support or require Trailer Configuration Coding. If the Engine Control Module uses a Long Coding the Activation is done in (Long) Coding itself through via Coding Assist. Please also note that there are different Coding Variants for Long Coding.
    
  • Due to different Control Modules and Equipment in the Car the actual Coding Table is not shown here but will automatically be used by the Long Coding Assistant once you access the Function using VCDS.
    

  [*]Update the Parking Aid (J446 / #76) OR Parking Aid 2 (J446 / #10) Configuration, if installed.

  • Depending the exact Model/Model Year either Coding or Adaptation can be used.
    
  • Due to different Control Modules and Equipment in the Car the actual Setting is not documented here but will automatically be shown once you access the Coding/Adaptation Function using VCDS. A Security Access may be necessary prior to Coding the Module.
    

  [*]Update the Rear View Camera (J772 / #6C) Coding, if installed.

  • Due to different Control Modules and Equipment in the Car the actual Coding Table is not shown here but will automatically be used by the Long Coding Assistant once you access the Function using VCDS.
    

Top man. Thank you!

[Skoda tow bar help please with dealer.]

Correct, the dealer has failed to code the car correctly.

I am having the same problem with the coding issue. Last year I had a detachable toward fitted with the 13pin electrics, both genuine Skoda parts. Trailer lights work fine but despite them attempting to code it when it was fitted the parking sensors do not turn off and I have no trailer symbol on the Bolero. Annoying, given the money spent.

Yesterday, the car went into my local main stealer for its first service. They had to flash some new PAS software for a recall so I twisted their arm to correct the towbar coding whilst it was plugged in (dealer who fitted the towbar is a long way from home). They obliged, and duly informed me that they had sorted the towbar coding but having tested it today it still does not work! Hopeless! Add to that the fact that it took them 3 hours to do the software flash due to it apparently failing (or more likely a technician that can't use the VAS machine correctly.....)

Gizmo - is it terribly complicated to do this coding? I am astounded that 2 main dealers have tried and failed to do this correctly. Is there more than one module that needs to be coded?

[OOOOhh Help! Dash dead]

^what he said!

Those lights might clear if you reset the steering angle sensor. With the engine running try turning the steering wheel from lock to lock and driving slowly for 20 yards or so.

In order for the ESP to work, the steering angle sensor needs to know the angle of the front wheels and it may have lost where it was when you disconnected the power. Normally wouldn't expect that unless you'd had the steering wheel off though. I had to do this on my MK5 Golf.

P.s. you try this at your own risk!