I've just bought a 2011 Octavia 1.8TSI estate (elegance), 14k miles, from Preston Motors.

I'm slowly going through the handbook and trying to identify what's what.

Can anyone help with the following quesitons:

- Does this car have a dual-mass flywheel (Honest John says it does?)

- Should the estate come with some kind of net in the back to hold stuff down?

- Is this engine chain-cam and, if so, what's the service inerval on tensioners etc?

- when I set the display to cumulative mpg, and leave the car overnight, it seems to reset to zero? Is this right?

- would other owners recommend fixed or variable service intervals?

The speedometer seems to read about 5mph fast at an indicated 80mph (i.e. satnav says 75-76). I guess this is normal.

John

Good purchase and welcome to the 1.8 club

I can answer a few!

Definitely chain but not aware of any service interval on that - you'll need to check the service schedule.

My L&K has net programme for the boot - think its for the L&K level

If it has maxidot then there are 2 memories - one resets after 2 hours I think and the other is cumulative.

I'm running variable but think fixed might be better for the mileage I do - its going in soon at 26500 miles for the second service . First one was done early at 13500 miles.

1.8 engine likes to drink oil so keep an eye on it!!!

Edited 7 April, 201214 yr by krob2

The estate should have a selection of nets for the boot. Check in the side compartments in the boot for a pack that the previous owner didn't open.

Mine came with none( second hand dealer bought), I have been sourcing some on ebay for a couple quid, just need the big floor one now but dont really see me using that one as much as the vertical ones to catch all my grocery shopping bags falling over

Variable is great for high mileage and regular long runs, it saves some money on the cost of servicing too.

If you are doing low mileage with frequent short journey's (which is harder on the engine) I'd go fixed.

Saying that I do approx. 25 - 30,000 miles per year and am still fixed. I like the idea of regular fresh oil.

Skoda often do deals on servicing, the current one is two years / 20,000 miles (so two services) for £299 which includes two MOT's and MOT protection ( covers the cost of any neccessary repairs to get it through the MOT). Assuming an MOT is approx £40 then that's £110 per service.

You'd struggle to get a service outside of the Skoda network for that so add the bonus of the Skoda stamp and the protection it'll offer outside of the warranty and its a no brainer.

As for the nets I'd echo the above, check the covered compartments on either side of the boot, they are often stashed in these.

Also try the spare wheel well too.

If they aren't there I'd be pressing the dealer to provide them for you.

If you would rather avoid the hassle there are loads on eBay (genuine too) for very little cost, here is the one at the top of the search I just did:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Skoda-Cargo-Net-Octavia-/330712562599?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4d00013ba7

The others have covered the rest, the mpg reset is because its on number "1" setting (you should see a little "1" at the top right area of the display).This resets after the ignition has been off for 2 hours.

If you briefly press the button on the underside of the wiper stalk, it should switch to "2" and that will show overall av mpg until 19 hours 59 mins, or 1999km (maybe 1999 miles over here ?) or you reset yourself.

My new estate only came with the large cargo net.

Edited 7 April, 201214 yr by Mr Grump

Thanks for all the feedback: really useful.

check the covered compartments on either side of the boot

I've got "wells" either side of the main boot section, but they're not covered: should they be? I do know that the emergency kit is missing from behind the side-panel :(

A few threads on this recently, the cover on the left side of the hatch was removed on the facelift as a bit of a cost saving exercise.

Saying that I'm sure the facelift estate still gets both covers on both sides.

My 2008 estate certainly does.

What do you mean 'emergency kit'? Things like the warning triangle and first aid kit etc. are all cost options.

Things like the warning triangle and first aid kit etc. are all cost options

OK: sorry, I'm having trouble decoding the handbook. I thought the triangle was a legal requirment?

Virtually everything is "starred", but no key to link options to models. I've now realised that "Combi" means "Estate" !!

John