Few questions.

1. I think this car has Canbus wiring.

2. If so, I am of the opinion that if a by-pass electric pack is fitted the dealer will not be able to programme the car to perform correctly in the matter of ESP etc with the caravan on, if so will a 'dedicated' electric kit (admittedly much more expensive!) be the way to go for said programming?

3. Will any additional cooling be required to either the engine and/or transmission?

4. As I will not have access to the handbook until the test drive tomorrow, I cannot see if it recommends not to tow with a space saver fitted. Anyone able to check their handbook and advise?

Grateful for any information re any of the above!

Pete

1 yes

2 yes

3 no

4 I wouldn't even drive a car with a space saver, never mind tow!

1 yes

Thanks - I was right to think so then

2 yes

Thanks - I also thought this.....

3 no

MANY thanks (nearly 3 years ago I went off the idea of an Audi A4 when someone told me there was an additional engine fan needed at over £100 - dealer job...)

4 I wouldn't even drive a car with a space saver, never mind tow!

A big LOL and I will be looking for a full size wheel before March which is when we start our towing

Very grateful

Pete

Andyvee is correct, you have to have a vehicle specific wiring kit to have access to the towing features such as trailer ESP, fog light and rear parking sensor disable along with indicator bulb out warning.

I wouldn't go to a dealer to do that work anyway as most of them will farm out the work, much better to go to an independant towbar fitting specialist, you should be able to find one locally though be careful to find one that advertises that they can do the coding on the car as it needs a specialist piece of equipment.

I tow a 1300kg caravan with my Octavia, it has the same engine and gearbox and it works hard but pulls it no trouble.

Ian

Andyvee is correct, you have to have a vehicle specific wiring kit to have access to the towing features such as trailer ESP, fog light and rear parking sensor disable along with indicator bulb out warning.

I wouldn't go to a dealer to do that work anyway as most of them will farm out the work, much better to go to an independant towbar fitting specialist, you should be able to find one locally though be careful to find one that advertises that they can do the coding on the car as it needs a specialist piece of equipment.

I tow a 1300kg caravan with my Octavia, it has the same engine and gearbox and it works hard but pulls it no trouble.

Ian

Many thanks Ian. I will be fitting the towbar myself; I am not worried over the look of the car with a 'bar on, therefore it will be a fixed swan neck (hitch head stabiliser!) to keep the cost down, as the dedicated electric kits look a bit dear. The Saab parking sensors work OK with the towbar on, and I have checked by removing the swan neck once to try the sensors; with it off, the bleeping goes continuous with the rear of the car approx 4-5 inches from any obstacle, and with the bar refitted it adjusts so the bar will not foul anything 4-5 inches away. Perfect. Hoping that the programming will be the same for the Octavia!

I am considering getting the towbar from P F Jones over on the VW Audi forum - they seem to know their stuff and a towbar and electrics will be under £300 inc VAT & delivery, unless this forum has a recommended better supplier? I also have a mate in the village who does towbars for a living who I can get to programme the car.

Pete

Edited 26 November, 201213 yr by Petemate

Hi, I just read your thread, I have a 'righmoves' dedicated wiring kit for the 13 pin socket for sale. I had it fitted to my 2008 Octy Lauren & klement, it was on my car for about 6 weeks before i discovered that the main agent from whom i bought the car had sold me not only a car with outstanding finance on it, after i paid cash i might add. they also sold me a car that had been clocked to the tune of 30,000 miles. Needless to say they were eventually very helpfull in resolving the matter. I had the kit removed proffesionally and it hangs in my garage now. It is programmable to the canbus for TSR, kill the reverse sensor warning etc. It cost me £200 from MTS in Beighton Sheffield. If you are interested them make me an offer and we can solve part of your prob.

regards

Ray

Hi, I just read your thread, I have a 'righmoves' dedicated wiring kit for the 13 pin socket for sale. I had it fitted to my 2008 Octy Lauren & klement, it was on my car for about 6 weeks before i discovered that the main agent from whom i bought the car had sold me not only a car with outstanding finance on it, after i paid cash i might add. they also sold me a car that had been clocked to the tune of 30,000 miles. Needless to say they were eventually very helpfull in resolving the matter. I had the kit removed proffesionally and it hangs in my garage now. It is programmable to the canbus for TSR, kill the reverse sensor warning etc. It cost me £200 from MTS in Beighton Sheffield. If you are interested them make me an offer and we can solve part of your prob.

regards

Ray

Thanks Ray - at this time, we are poised to test drive the car tomorrow, and I will get back on this.

Pete

Hi Petemate, I also have the fixed swanneck fitted to my Octavia to allow for an ALKO stabiliser hitch, it also gives no problems with the sensors picking it up. If you are doing the fitting yourself then that kit from Blackray sounds perfect for what you need.

Many thanks to all for your comments and offer of the wiring! However, all in vain as I have gone for another Saab - a no-brainer, as the same model as ours but in auto came up, at £500 less than the Octy we were looking at and same year and miles. It also has a towbar so win-win - also I can transfer 1) my xenon kit 2) my DTUK box and 3) my Parrot kit.

I'll still be on here though, as it seems to be a great forum.

Pete