Hello fellow Fabia owners, this is my original post from the 'new members' forum, where some kind soul suggested I make the same post here.

Hello one and all. Recently bought a Fabia (1.4 16v 101bhp petrol)and am pretty well impressed thus far. It is an '02 model with 99k on the clock and was wondering what sort of mileage the car is likely to reach afore major surgery is required. Bought from a local (Falmouth) Skoda dealership, and part of the deal was that a new cambelt & tensioner was fitted and I was assured there was plenty of life left in the car. Any thoughts anyone? My old car, a Nissan Sunny 1.4 was an excellent car mechanically wise, (1995 ish, yet only a genuine 85k miles)but was starting to disintegrate afore my eyes, shame really as the engine ran like a Swiss watch!

One thing I just cannot get my head around with my Fabia though is this so called 'drive by wire' system.....if this is supposed to be automotive progress then I would strongly disagree. The delay I get from the throttle whilst pulling out of a junction, entering a roundabout etc has caused me a few panic moments on too many occasions! I was told I would get used to this, alas, two and a half months on I have still to be convinced that this is a positive aspect of the car.

Finally, when bought it had the original (Grundig MS502) radio/cassette player with multi cd changer beneath the passenger seat. Though everything worked perfectly, alas the cd player would not play 'copied' discs, so I had my old JVC radio/cd unit put in it's place. Am wondering, is there a market for the units I took out? All is in perfect working order, plus I have the original Skoda radio/casstee manual. Had a brief look on eBay but found none for sale or wanted, (in actual fact the cd changer is still beneath the passenger seat, I need to find some kind soul to take it out for me, am disabled so am not able to do the job myself). If anyone on here is able to advise on any of the above, then I would be most appreciative.

Regards,

Jay.

Don't go much on this"drive by wire" system myself, its a bit hit and miss.

I came across this on the Octavia forum, I have tried it but it doesnt seem to make much improvement:-

Calibrate the throttle pedal to the the throttle valve.

With the ignition "off" press the throttle to the floor.

Turn on the ignition and hold the throttle down for about 20 seconds.

Turn the ignition back off and then lift off the throttle.

Welcome, same car basically as mines a comfort, still going strong with 114k on her, only prblem has been the EGR valve getting coked up but thats an easy and cheap fix and just replaced the rear brake discs(which looked like they were the originals), so far thats it in 6 months of ownership and both are fair wear and tear items IMO

Thanks for the replies chaps. Hussarman, I wonder if you might pass on to me how to connect with the Octavia link where you got this info, I would be interested in finding out if anyone has actually tried the method you mentioned, and what success (or otherwise) they experienced.

Ideally, I would love to find a way to totally elliminate this drive by wire system, it really can be dangerous in my eyes!

Thanks for the replies chaps. Hussarman, I wonder if you might pass on to me how to connect with the Octavia link where you got this info, I would be interested in finding out if anyone has actually tried the method you mentioned, and what success (or otherwise) they experienced.

Ideally, I would love to find a way to totally elliminate this drive by wire system, it really can be dangerous in my eyes!

Enter "Calibrate Throttle" into the search box,.

There are many answers concerning the slow response time between pedal and throttle body on the Fabia.

Never had a problem with the throttle.......but that could be because of the way I drive it and look after it!

The 1.4 16v 74kW (100bhp) as either the AUB or BBZ engine will suffer if it has had just minimum servicing!

If yours is an 2002 model with 99,000miles it should of had the following (for best servicing)

Timing belts/pulleys/tensioners/aux belt changed every four years or at 40,000, 80,000

Waterpump changed at second belt service.

Spark plugs changed at 40,000, 80,000

Oil and oil filter changed every year or 10,000

Brake fluid changed every two years.

Coolant renewed every 5years

Fuel filter renewed every 4years/ 40,000

Air filter renewed evey 20,000???

Gearbox oil changed every 6years????

Just tried to do this of the top of my head....I do have my service list at home!!!..