Hello there!

I've been reading here alot, and finally I've "joined the club" :-)

A short intro:

I've been driving a Citroen C4 (5-dr 1.6 auto) as a company car for the last 3.5 years. Great car, but had its downs, and

it was time to change (company leases the cars for 3 years).

I was so glad I could choose the Octavia (either 1.2 TSI Ambient or Elegegance, or the 1.4 TSI Ambient trim), seemed like a nice car, especially the Elegance trim.

The car was ordered mid Jan. this year, and after about 5 and a half months, finally received it!

Its a 1.2 TSI DSG Hatch\Estate in the Cappucino Beige color, Elegance trim as mentioned. I think its a 2012 model, since it has a few differences than some other models i've seen (like wider and bigger 16 inch tyres)

It has:

- Maxidot

- MFSW (without phone button)

- Front fog lights

- Swing Radio/CD unit with AUX input

- 16 inch "Crateris" alloys, with 205/55 Bridgestone Turanza Tyres (any good??)

- Electronicly folding mirrors.

- Dual zone Climatronic AC.

- Standard lighting (no "AUTO" option)

- Aftermarket parking sensors (kinda cheap but seem to work OK)

All of the above (except the aftermarket parking sensors) is considered standard equipment

for the Elegance model here in the Middle-East.

My company doesn't want the cars to cost a lot so they don't allow us to order them with additional accessories.

First Impressions:

WOW! - I think it says it all

Great engine - smooth and very quiet. The DSG takes a while to get used to, but all-in-all i'm pretty impressed.

One thing that bothers me is that it doesn't downshift soon enough when braking. Sometimes it stays in 7th gear even when braking to about 60 km/h. I'm used to the C4 downshifting when braking which helped achieving a shorter braking distance.

Pretty comfortable car, and very roomy (especially the boot!)

Planned Improvments

Well I don't really have any major improvements planned, since its a company car and not my own.

I do plan to install some accessories:

1) Privacy/Sun Shades - ordered them from Vanstyle.co.uk and they arrived before the Octy did

Haven't had the time to install them yet, but they look like good quality shades.

Shipping and local customs cost me alot, but think it was worth it.

2) Connecting Bury CC9040 BT Handsfree kit - This is the HF unit my company installed in my prev. car

so it will be installed in the new one too (don't have the money to buy the OEM BT or some pricey aftermarket unit, eventhough the original Skoda unit is cool).

I've ordered some direct-input leads from fitbluetooth.co.uk and planning to connect it myself to the Swing HU so that it will auto-mute the Swing, and sound wil be directed to car speakers. I hope the autoleads I ordered are the right ones (ordered 06-116B and 06-400B) and that I'll be able to connect the unit.

3) Retro-fit Cruise Control

I hope i'll find some time to stop by the dealer so that they will give me a quote for installing the CC stalk.

I've driven about 500 km just this weekend,and my foot is numb

Since it involves VAG coding and stuff, i'm not even thinking of installing it myself. Hopefully

dealer will give me a good price (company won't pay for it, and thats why the CC and factory BT weren't ordered with the car).

While I'm at the dealer I'll ask them to enable the cornering fog lights, DRLs, and anti-hijack, since I can't sem to change these using the Maxidot - please correct me if I'm wrong.

4) Front parking sensors - Not for really for parking, but more for helping my not scratch the car when going in/out

of our underground parking, which is very tight, and has some sharp curves.

For now its just a thought...

Thats about it for now. My wife is expecting soon, so we are on a tight budget and have to save some money for an infant car seat.

Some Questions:

1) Activating cornering fogs, DRLs and anti-hijack - Is there a way to activate them using the maxidot or the stalk, if

they don't appear in the maxidot menu or do I have to go to the dealer?

2) After I lock the Octy with the remote key fob, I press the lock button again, holding it pressed, and it then

folds the mirrors, and closes the windows. Is there a way to close the windows with the key fob without it folding the mirrors?

Also, is there a way (maybe dealer VAG coding) to make the windows close without having to keep the button pressed untill all

of them go up? (Kinda like "fire and forget...")

3) Do you think that the direct input of my HF kit will work with the Swing unit?

As I said, i ordered the 06-116B autolead for direct input and auto-mute, which is supposed to connect to the Swing

using quadlock, and then has a Nokia lead. The 06-400B lead is supposed to connect the Bury Kit on one side, and to the nokia connector on the other.

I've read quite a few posts here about connecting\installing HF kits on the Octy, but haven't seen anyone use these exact leads.

Thanks in adavance.

I plan to post some pictures of the Octy, and maybe some pics when I'll try to connect my Bury HF kit (waiting for the autoleads ordered to arrive).

Great forum buy the way, and enjoy reading. See ya' soon!

Edited 26 June, 201114 yr by meetyg

Hello there!

I've been reading here alot, and finally I've "joined the club" :-)

A short intro:

I've been driving a Citroen C4 (5-dr 1.6 auto) as a company car for the last 3.5 years. Great car, but had its downs, and

it was time to change (company leases the cars for 3 years).

I was so glad I could choose the Octavia (either 1.2 TSI Ambient or Elegegance, or the 1.4 TSI Ambient trim), seemed like a nice car, especially the Elegance trim.

The car was ordered mid Jan. this year, and after about 5 and a half months, finally received it!

Its a 1.2 TSI DSG Hatch\Estate in the Cappucino Beige color, Elegance trim as mentioned. I think its a 2012 model, since it has a few differences than some other models i've seen (like wider and bigger 16 inch tyres)

It has:

- Maxidot

- MFSW (without phone button)

- Front fog lights

- Swing Radio/CD unit with AUX input

- 16 inch "Crateris" alloys, with 205/55 Bridgestone Turanza Tyres (any good??)

- Electronicly folding mirrors.

- Dual zone Climatronic AC.

- Standard lighting (no "AUTO" option)

- Aftermarket parking sensors (kinda cheap but seem to work OK)

All of the above (except the aftermarket parking sensors) is considered standard equipment

for the Elegance model here in the Middle-East.

My company doesn't want the cars to cost a lot so they don't allow us to order them with additional accessories.

First Impressions:

WOW! - I think it says it all

Great engine - smooth and very quiet. The DSG takes a while to get used to, but all-in-all i'm pretty impressed.

One thing that bothers me is that it doesn't downshift soon enough when braking. Sometimes it stays in 7th gear even when braking to about 60 km/h. I'm used to the C4 downshifting when braking which helped achieving a shorter braking distance.

Pretty comfortable car, and very roomy (especially the boot!)

Planned Improvments

Well I don't really have any major improvements planned, since its a company car and not my own.

I do plan to install some accessories:

1) Privacy/Sun Shades - ordered them from Vanstyle.co.uk and they arrived before the Octy did

Haven't had the time to install them yet, but they look like good quality shades.

Shipping and local customs cost me alot, but think it was worth it.

2) Connecting Bury CC9040 BT Handsfree kit - This is the HF unit my company installed in my prev. car

so it will be installed in the new one too (don't have the money to buy the OEM BT or some pricey aftermarket unit, eventhough the original Skoda unit is cool).

I've ordered some direct-input leads from fitbluetooth.co.uk and planning to connect it myself to the Swing HU so that it will auto-mute the Swing, and sound wil be directed to car speakers. I hope the autoleads I ordered are the right ones (ordered 06-116B and 06-400B) and that I'll be able to connect the unit.

3) Retro-fit Cruise Control

I hope i'll find some time to stop by the dealer so that they will give me a quote for installing the CC stalk.

I've driven about 500 km just this weekend,and my foot is numb

Since it involves VAG coding and stuff, i'm not even thinking of installing it myself. Hopefully

dealer will give me a good price (company won't pay for it, and thats why the CC and factory BT weren't ordered with the car).

While I'm at the dealer I'll ask them to enable the cornering fog lights, DRLs, and anti-hijack, since I can't sem to change these using the Maxidot - please correct me if I'm wrong.

4) Front parking sensors - Not for really for parking, but more for helping my not scratch the car when going in/out

of our underground parking, which is very tight, and has some sharp curves.

For now its just a thought...

Thats about it for now. My wife is expecting soon, so we are on a tight budget and have to save some money for an infant car seat.

Some Questions:

1) Activating cornering fogs, DRLs and anti-hijack - Is there a way to activate them using the maxidot or the stalk, if

they don't appear in the maxidot menu or do I have to go to the dealer?

2) After I lock the Octy with the remote key fob, I press the lock button again, holding it pressed, and it then

folds the mirrors, and closes the windows. Is there a way to close the windows with the key fob without it folding the mirrors?

Also, is there a way (maybe dealer VAG coding) to make the windows close without having to keep the button pressed untill all

of them go up? (Kinda like "fire and forget...")

3) Do you think that the direct input of my HF kit will work with the Swing unit?

As I said, i ordered the 06-116B autolead for direct input and auto-mute, which is supposed to connect to the Swing

using quadlock, and then has a Nokia lead. The 06-400B lead is supposed to connect the Bury Kit on one side, and to the nokia connector on the other.

I've read quite a few posts here about connecting\installing HF kits on the Octy, but haven't seen anyone use these exact leads.

Thanks in adavance.

I plan to post some pictures of the Octy, and maybe some pics when I'll try to connect my Bury HF kit (waiting for the autoleads ordered to arrive).

Great forum buy the way, and enjoy reading. See ya' soon!

Well come to the TSI DSG clan!

You can do a lot with the 7 speed DSG and I do change mode quite a lot. Often change down to Sports mode when coming up to junctions, occasionally use tiptonic to both ie do push the gears to higher ones and sometimes lower as computer cannot predict what you can see with your eyes for the road ahead.

I will look out for the answers on your questions as they sound useful things to do! Be interested to hear your MPGs when you get some miles under your belt although you probably pay more for water than fuel in the Middle East!

Edited 26 June, 201114 yr by lol

Some Questions:

1) Activating cornering fogs, DRLs and anti-hijack - Is there a way to activate them using the maxidot or the stalk, if

they don't appear in the maxidot menu or do I have to go to the dealer?

You should be able to activate cornering foglights and anti-hijack yourself through maxidot. Someone will be along soon to tell you how.

If the car wasn't delivered from the factory with the DRL's activated then your dealer (or someone with VDS) will first need to activate them. The procedure in the manual on how to turn them on and off will then work

You should be able to activate cornering foglights and anti-hijack yourself through maxidot. Someone will be along soon to tell you how.

If the car wasn't delivered from the factory with the DRL's activated then your dealer (or someone with VDS) will first need to activate them. The procedure in the manual on how to turn them on and off will then work

on UK spec maxidot you can turn on and off DRL threw maxidot I saw it on mine so it must have been fairly obvious I think with key on and stationary it was hold reset on wiper stalk to enter menu then scroll with rocker switch on end of stalk to set up, single press on reset to enter then scroll to lights and its in there. If its the same or similar to UK thats how I get to it.

ps How much are you paying for a litre of petrol just to make us all cry????

on UK spec maxidot you can turn on and off DRL threw maxidot I saw it on mine so it must have been fairly obvious I think with key on and stationary it was hold reset on wiper stalk to enter menu then scroll with rocker switch on end of stalk to set up, single press on reset to enter then scroll to lights and its in there. If its the same or similar to UK thats how I get to it.

ps How much are you paying for a litre of petrol just to make us all cry????

Nope, its not there on my maxidot :(

About the petrol prices, well not everyone in the Middle-East has a petrol plant in his backyard, if you know what I mean...

Currently we are paying the equivilent of 1.35 British pounds for 1 liter. I don't know how this compares to prices in the UK, but

here this price is a peak price! We used to pay an average of 1.09 British pounds for a liter, just about a year or two ago...

Fuel consuption is important to me for a few reasons:

1) Pollution, Global warming etc...

2) I'm on a fuel budget, as its a company car - if I use more fuel than on my budget, I need to pay for it myself. So the more fuel efficient to car, the more I can use it for my personal trips.

So far, after about 550 KM driven, the average consumption that the maxidot showed was 14.2 km/L and at the gas pump I calculated

about 14.06 km/L which is about 33 mpg. Not bad I think, since my previous car did an average of 10.5 km/L

which is almost 25 mpg.

I'm hoping that when I'll retrofit cruise control, the mpg will be even better, cause it will help me drive on a steady speed on the long trips.

BTW - Just fitted the privacy shades - They are great! Perfect fit and make the Octy look even better. Pics will be up soon.

The car is kinda dirty now, so I'm waiting for a chance to wash it and then I'll post some pics.

Thanks for the info.

33mpg? factory combine is 48mpg? that is a long way out

I thought that..... After 3 fill ups using fuelly.com my mpg is showing at 34mpg with my 2.0 petrol vRS, and most of mine is 50/50 town and motorway.

(early days with fuelly, but my trip readings usually tell me around the 38mpg mark)

My wife has that engine in manual form in her Fabia, great little motor, but can't help but feel it would be working very hard to pull an Octy around, it is a big car for a little unit.

Is the Octy the biggest car that is supplied with that 1.2?

33mpg? factory combine is 48mpg? that is a long way out

I agree, but the the factory numbers are usually very optimistic (not only in Skoda).

I do think this will get better as the engine runs-in and I get used to the car.

The first 500KMs I've done are not my standard everyday drive, so that might be the cause also.

My drive to work is a bit hilly. The engine pulls up the hills very well, but i guess it has its price on the fuel consumption.

I'll keep you guys informed.

Hey guys, a few updates:

I've succesfully installed my HF kit (Bury cc9040) having it connected to the Swing unit!

This means that I get radio/CD mute when I receive a call, and the sound is through the car speakers (with volume control!). It work great!

The installation was somewhat nerve wrecking. I'm pretty busy lately so don't have the time to post a how-to guide, but here's the story in short:

I ordered the Autoleads 06-116B lead which is intended for direct input of HF kits. I also ordered an

adapter for this lead, so that it will connect to the Bury (lead 06-400B).

After having removed everything (was pretty easy after reading how-to's here on briskoda, and on octavia-vrs.com - thanks!) I understood that the 06-116B lead is not 100% compatible with the Swing unit: The auto-mute wire wasn't connected where it supposed to in the Swing unit (maybe for some older units its correct).

Another problem was that I thought that I would get ignition sense blue wite from the Swing, but after having read through the posts here, I understood that the Swing unit has constant power and is controlled by the CAN. Had to get the blue wire from the fuse box, but didn't have to "piggyback" since it was allready done for me (I think that it was done when they installed aftermarket parking sensors).

The third main problem I had was finding room for the autolead with the quadlock. It so snug in the HU compartment that I really couldn't find room for it! The original leads are also so very short, making it a nerve wrecking trying to reconnect.

After a few tries, I found a bit of room on the left side (was trying on the right side) and pushed the connector behind the plastic, enough to get the HU back in.

All in all it works great and it was worth the hard work, but now I'm smarter :-)

If I knew in advance that getting the power leads from the fuse-box wasn't so hard (again thanks to an existing piggy-back, and some ISO connector supplied with the car) and that i'd have to modify the 06-116B lead for automute, I'm not sure it was really necessary. I thinks that in the time I spent trying to find room for it, I could have done without it. The only really useful part that came with the lead, was the 12-pin phone-in connector with audio jack on the other side (connected directly to the Bury's audio-out/speaker). I had to re-wire the yellow auto-mute wire to this 12-pin (using a wire from a similar PC connector) to make the Swing work with the phone in.

So for now it works, but I have the aux-in connector disconnected, since its wires are so very short.

In the future I may re-connect the HF kit, removing the autoleads 06-116B as I stated, and then will be able to reconnect the aux-in too.

In order to place the HF unit in the central compartment (not behind th HU, but along-side of it, down by the passenger's legs) I had to remove the glovebox. Only after having removed the glovebox

and disconencting the Airbag switch harness, I read here that it would be a problem with the airbag light going on.

So now I have this annoying light. The dealer wan't to do a full scan on the car in order to turn it off, which is a waist of time and (my) money.

I'm trying to get my hands on a HEX-CAN interface (looking for people locally who have this) and trying to clear the fault by myself along with VCDS or some other software.

BTW I thought that I'd have to code (or go to dealer) to enable the anti-hijack option (auto doors locking), but after reading some posts here again, I found that it DOES exist on the Maxidot menu!

So now I've got anti-hijack too! If I get my hands on a proper HEX-CAN interface, I guess I'll enable

the DRLs and cornering fogs too.

After speaking to the dealer, I felt that they are not so updated about coding these features, or maybe they are but will take alot of money for it, making it seem like a hard and lengthy job.

Thats it for now. Pretty happy with the car so-far. As for MPG I will keep you posted, but have noticed that using the AirCon takes up alot of petrol, as its getting pretty hot here lately.

The Climatronic is great, but I guess it has its price.

Speeking of which, how much do you guys pay for a liter of petrol in the UK ?

I try to post some pics (mainly of the HF kit installation) soon, as I'm a bit busy lately as I said.

Thanks for this forum as it has helped my alot!