I will add that I am currently abroad working in 30 degree heat. I can announce my doors opened freely despite the possible warpage caused by extreme heat.........its a Chevrolet something or other.

You lucky devil!

Didn't say anything in the manual about having to "service" or "lubricate" the door seals.........

There's a paragraph about it in the Superb manual. I would have thought the same stuff would be in all the Skoda manuals.

" The rubber seals on the doors, boot lid, bonnet and windows, remain supple and last longer if you treat them from time to time with a rubber care product ( e.g. with a spray with silicone-free oil ). You also avoid premature wear of the seals and prevent leakages in this way. It is also easier to open the doors. Rubber seals which are well cared for also do not stick together in cold winter weather. "

It's in " Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle "

There's a paragraph about it in the Superb manual. I would have thought the same stuff would be in all the Skoda manuals.

" The rubber seals on the doors, boot lid, bonnet and windows, remain supple and last longer if you treat them from time to time with a rubber care product ( e.g. with a spray with silicone-free oil ). You also avoid premature wear of the seals and prevent leakages in this way. It is also easier to open the doors. Rubber seals which are well cared for also do not stick together in cold winter weather. "

It's in " Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle "

You are not wrong mate. Page 164 of the manual The wording is exactly the same. so come on guys treat your door seals and enjoy your Skoda!

Oh go on......

I will say one thing. I prefer the look of the Mk 1. I have had two of them (we still have the 1.4 mpi).

It just looks better to me. I like the fact also that the dash doesnt reflect in the windscreen and the petrol gauge has a needle !!!

I bought the Mk II as you cant buy a new mk 1 anymore. I really liked my old 1.2 HTP and it got 48-50 mpg every day. Sadly the engine was giving me grief and I jumped at the no VAT offer along with a PD diesel that actually does make book figures.

To me my mk II is just a car. I like the practicality and cheap running costs. The Mk II is a change, not an improvement.

I am currently abroad working in 30 degree heat. I can announce my doors opened freely despite the possible warpage caused by extreme heat.........its a Chevrolet something or other.

It shows how we all differ in what we like. Makes life interesting I loved the Mk1 but came back to Skoda as I like the Mk 2 HATCH shape better. The issue of the flawed body on the Mk1 (water ingress :'( ) has also been addressed. I agree entirely the needle Fuel Gauge is better on the Mk1. Although it feels more lightweight in many areas, the Mk2 for me is modern and more fun. It's the old saying I suppose, "one man's meat..." and all that

It shows how we all differ in what we like. Makes life interesting I loved the Mk1 but came back to Skoda as I like the Mk 2 HATCH shape better. The issue of the flawed body on the Mk1 (water ingress :'( ) has also been addressed. I agree entirely the needle Fuel Gauge is better on the Mk1. Although it feels more lightweight in many areas, the Mk2 for me is modern and more fun. It's the old saying I suppose, "one man's meat..." and all that

Flawed body ? Mine never leaked a drop......ever. Nor does our old MPI. both had the door seal mod early in life and were dry as a bone.

Oh well , each to their own I suppose

If anyone is daft enough to try licking a frozen metal pole for instance (representing the relatively warm moist rubber against the frozen metal surface of the car door,) you'll find that your tongue ends up being as good as welded solid to the pole with separation being nigh on impossible. Is this a design flaw? I think not.

Well, no...unless the metal pole is designed to be licked, which most of them are not...

Well, no...unless the metal pole is designed to be licked, which most of them are not...

They most definitely aren't... but it illustrates my point. Modern cars are much more well-insulated than cars of old and as such have more rubber and other materials between the door and the car body. This may go some way to explaining why more modern cars have problems with opening frozen doors and windows?

wd-40 is this any good,vasaline ?

wd-40 is this any good,vasaline ?

Lots use WD 40 but I have always thought oil can perish rubber so I prefer to use something made for the job. Autoglym do Vinyl and Rubber care and Einsett do Gummi Pflege Both great products for this purpose and I have also used Autoglym Bumper Care, the green gel stuff which works well. Not sure about vaseline which is petroleum jelly and may dry out the rubber as oil tends to do.

You can use 'pure' silicone which is totally inert and doesn't dry, stain, or harm rubber. It is colourless and odourless too. It must be 'PURE' and not be mixed with any oil products as this would cause it to harm the rubber. It can be purchased from most light engineering shops or maybe even Halfords or some other car accessory shops.

I use " Poorboys Natural Look ". Good for Leather, vinyl, rubber etc. Smells of bubblegum!

Starting to sound like a fetish site......

I use " Poorboys Natural Look ". Good for Leather, vinyl, rubber etc. Smells of bubblegum!

Great product for the dash and other iterior trim. I use it all the time but must admit I never thought of using it on the seals. I'm sure as you say ,..it will do the job.

Starting to sound like a fetish site......

Must admit I haven't a clue what one of those sounds like...

Must admit I haven't a clue what one of those sounds like...

What's a fetish, is it an alien fish?

What's a fetish, is it an alien fish?

A cross between a fish and a yeti

A cross between a fish and a yeti

So it's a big hairy fish !!!!!!!

So it's a big hairy fish !!!!!!!

Steady

Edited 2 December, 201015 yr by Fatbloke

I mentioned the door icing problem to my dealer and he says this is a common problem with the Fabia. A cup of warm (not too hot) water around the top of the door will open it immediately. .

I mentioned the door icing problem to my dealer and he says this is a common problem with the Fabia. A cup of warm (not too hot) water around the top of the door will open it immediately. .

I squirted my seals with Autoglym Vinyl and Rubber protector. Last night the min temp recorded on my greenhouse thermometer was -11 deg and the Fabia is outside covered in Jack frost. Doors were as free as they would be middle of summer. Water will indeed free a frozen door but really, you need to make sure the seals are PROTECTED as you don't really want to be putting water anywhere near them if possible as this will only freeze and further compound the problem. I have seen my neighbours ( Astra) and (Citroen C5) having to thaw theirs with warm water though!! Remember...more squirt, less hurt.. where door seals are concerned

I squirted my seals with Autoglym Vinyl and Rubber protector. Remember...more squirt, less hurt.. where door seals are concerned

I'm out of the Silicon I normally use so I'll try some of the Autoglym...so I ask for..."some of that more squirt, less hurt stuff!". Is that right? :yes:

I'm out of the Silicon I normally use so I'll try some of the Autoglym...so I ask for..."some of that more squirt, less hurt stuff!". Is that right? :yes:

Yep!! but I can't guarantee what they'll sell you if you do!! Just make sure you are in an Auto shop when you ask and not a chemist and I reckon you'll be okay.

What a morning terrible black ice,door handle frozen outwards,so had to throw hot water on lock mechanism to release,ok after but never had this on any car before the fabia:wonder:

I'm sure Estateman and Horkin will soon point out what youre doing wrong...

I'm sure Estateman and Horkin will soon point out what youre doing wrong...

:p :p :p