My SM is due to go in for it's 2nd (variable) service in the next couple of weeks (26,000 miles) and I've heard that a firmware update is available that takes about an hour - if I insist!

Is this likely to relate to an update to the car's own computer system, or just to the Columbus system?

The dealer is reluctant to do it as "some people don't like the changes that are introduced, and once updated, it can't be undone, so Skoda dissuade us from doing it".

Has anyone else had this done (to their knowledge) and if so was it offered willingly by the dealer or were they reluctant to do it? What difference does it make?

Apologies for all the questions. If it's an update to Columbus, then I understand the implications, but if it's something more to do with engine management etc then I could do with knowing whether I should get it done or stay with what I've got.

All recommendations gratefully received, as always.

John H

I've not heard of any update.

Which model? etc etc.

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No mention of this when mine was serviced by Rainworth a couple of weeks ago.

Bolero not Columbus here though?

My Yeti is due in on Thurs for first (vari) service.....dealer has just phoned (to wife) to say "allow another hour, making 3 hours, to do computer updates to the

vehicle".

If anybody knows anything I'd appreciate before Thursday 7th.

Thanks

Which model? etc etc.

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Since I'm talking about my Yeti, it's the one in my profile: 2010 Yeti 1.8TSi Elegance 4x4 :think:

I am surprised they are dissuading dealers from doing it - often updates include safety, efficiency and durability measures, as well as some updated or new user features. Cars have been being updated for yonks, so it's not even as if they are scared of some new-fangled computamabob as they have been a fixture in workshops for years. Furthermore, I would wonder at the warranty support you might receive in the future if your car has not been updated as recommended by the manufacturer...?

If they are dissuading dealers from doing the update, one wonders why they have issued it...?!

I am surprised they are dissuading dealers from doing it - often updates include safety, efficiency and durability measures, as well as some updated or new user features. Cars have been being updated for yonks, so it's not even as if they are scared of some new-fangled computamabob as they have been a fixture in workshops for years. Furthermore, I would wonder at the warranty support you might receive in the future if your car has not been updated as recommended by the manufacturer...?

If they are dissuading dealers from doing the update, one wonders why they have issued it...?!

I agree, BUT...... it could be the dealer who is reluctant for cars to take up space in the workshop.

So, in this particular update is it the car's on board computer that's being updated (via the port under the steering wheel) or is it Columbus, or......?

He did say a firmware update. That's different from a software update surely. I'd have thought safety, efficiency etc updates were software or is tech-speak different in the automotive industry?

Edited 5 February, 201313 yr by speedsport

Can somebody just ask the dealer please?

I cannot see SUK/SCZ issueing an update/firmware and then not encouraging their dealers to include it when the car is being serviced. This sounds much more the dealer not wanting a car hooked up to their system for 3 hours.

He did say a firmware update. That's different from a software update surely.

You can't draw that conclusion. Firmware is software stored on a non-volatile medium. An update of this kind is software while it is still on the dealer's machine (where it resides either in RAM or on external storage) but becomes firmware when it is uploaded to the car. So firmware and software are in this case alternative terms for the same thing. In any case, most people use the terms loosely.

BMW/ USA came in for a lot of criticism, and lawsuits I think, some years ago,when their software updates detuned 530 turbo engines .Seriously decreasing low rev boost and performance.

Despite many customer complaints it was not reversible by dealers.

If my car was going to be hooked up for an hour I'd want to know what they were going to be "Updating". :wonder:

Since I'm talking about my Yeti, it's the one in my profile: 2010 Yeti 1.8TSi Elegance 4x4 :think:

99% of the time I browse the forum on the iPhone or iPad and you can't see signatures or profiles......... I think it is the same for anybody who uses Tapatalk, regardless of device. Like we can't see videos generally that are embedded.

Back on topic.

Need to ask the dealer what it is that they would be updating as mentioned above.

Columbus firmware updates I have not heard about being done by the dealers ever before, but they do take about 1 hour.

If it was the engine ECU, would I lose my remap etc.....

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Just looked again at the SERVICING section of my dealers website (and text appears to be provided by Skoda and is common to the websites of all Skoda Dealers)

It shows Skoda standard servicing for cars 3 - 10 years old:-

• Oil & filter change (fully synthetic oil)
  
• Vehicle inspection test and report**
  
• Full vehicle road test***
  
• Vehicle and software enhancements from ŠKODA's database
  
• Replace pollen filter (where required)
  
• Diagnostic check including report
  
• Re-set service interval display
  
• Wash and vacuum
  
• ŠKODA stamp in service book
  

So I'm guessing that this refers to the firmware updates that I was originally referring to.

There's no mention of what they do for a younger car, but I assume that they do the same for cars still under 3 years old - or at least they are supposed to!

BUT how on earth you'd know if it had been done, I haven't a clue.

Edited 5 February, 201313 yr by speedsport

It's probably more like," Only we can do this sort of stuff so don't think for a minute about going elsewhere for your service."

So what you get for your money is 2 filters, some oil and a load of checks--oh and a wash----call me cynical---hello cynical!

Well to be fair, if the salesman at the garage where I bought my car can be believed? they make next to nowt on the cars, so they need to make a bit to keep the glass and stainless steel emporia going---blimey is that me being cynical again!

I'm not sure I get your point, yetiscot.

The service John is booked in for is the standard second variable service, so obviously will include oil and filters, just like any other car, plus it includes a computer link and up-date. Again increasingly common on modern cars. The wash and vac are insisted on by SUK and is a good service, that many other places don't bother to do. The cost will probably be around £150, much much less than other makes. A friend with a Pug 207 says his services never cost less than £200!! Even my local independent says he would have to charge nearly as much as the dealer to service my car, especially if I insist on him using Skoda parts.

You are correct on one point; no independent garage is going to have access to the up-date programme, but again that is common with everyone else. I know of no manufacturer who releases "code" until a model is quite old, and even then it often is incomplete. But so what, the car is under 3 years old so there will be no problems if something goes wrong and a warranty claim is needed.

BMW/ USA came in for a lot of criticism, and lawsuits I think, some years ago,when their software updates detuned 530 turbo engines .Seriously decreasing low rev boost and performance.

Despite many customer complaints it was not reversible by dealers.

If my car was going to be hooked up for an hour I'd want to know what they were going to be "Updating". :wonder:

And more importantly, WHO will the update benefit, the customer, the dealer or SUK.???

...but we still don't know what this 'firmware' update involves do we, and which variants it applies to?

For people with remaps this is worth knowing in advance as the map may need to be re-applied?

John (OP) would it be too much for you to ask the service department involved, please? ( not that I'm expecting them to know...)

It must be very recent for Rainworth not to mention it.

I'm not sure I get your point, yetiscot.

The service John is booked in for is the standard second variable service, so obviously will include oil and filters, just like any other car, plus it includes a computer link and up-date. Again increasingly common on modern cars. The wash and vac are insisted on by SUK and is a good service, that many other places don't bother to do. The cost will probably be around £150, much much less than other makes. A friend with a Pug 207 says his services never cost less than £200!! Even my local independent says he would have to charge nearly as much as the dealer to service my car, especially if I insist on him using Skoda parts.

You are correct on one point; no independent garage is going to have access to the up-date programme, but again that is common with everyone else. I know of no manufacturer who releases "code" until a model is quite old, and even then it often is incomplete. But so what, the car is under 3 years old so there will be no problems if something goes wrong and a warranty claim is needed.

My point is, there may not even be a firmware upgrade ---the garage may be inferring, as they do, that if there are any to do, they will do them--- you don't have to get your 1 year old car serviced by Skoda any more, as I'm sure you are aware--anyone who is vat registered can do it and preserve your warranty--

I'm not advocating this approach by the way!

Oh and I believe I am correct in all my points: the cost of the filters and oil is no more than £50 [£33 for 507 oil, about £8 each for the filters] so the rest after labour on top, is profit. Don't get me wrong I don't begrudge the garage their bit--they have to run the place and we need to support them .

I do think this software/firmware thing may be a red herring to suggest you get the service done at the dealership

OK.

There may not be a firmware up-date, BUT, if there is I would want to know that it has been done. We know that in the past there have been up-dates for the Bolero SD card system, and I belive for the Columbus sat-nav. Who's to say there might not be something with a safety aspect?

At present i'll carry on taking mine to a dealer, even if it is 2 hours away. It gives us a chance of some shopping in "the big city"

(Well Swansea to be exact!!)

OK.

There may not be a firmware up-date, BUT, if there is I would want to know that it has been done. We know that in the past there have been up-dates for the Bolero SD card system, and I belive for the Columbus sat-nav. Who's to say there might not be something with a safety aspect?

At present i'll carry on taking mine to a dealer, even if it is 2 hours away. It gives us a chance of some shopping in "the big city"

(Well Swansea to be exact!!)

Graham I'm not saying you shouldn't use the main dealer==I'll be using the main dealer come service time even though it's 25 miles to the nearest one! It's also in an out of town location so what do I do while they do the service--I hate shopping.!

My point is the dealer will use the update thing as a lever to get you to get the service done there and they and you and I, do have a point!

It's OK I knew what you were saying. I suppose it comes down to how much you trust your dealer. There are two dealers closer to me, one I no longer trust at all, and the other I'm not sure about, plus it is on the outskirts of a dump of a town. The 2 hour trip to Sinclairs of Swansea is probably more than a lot of others would do, but even after two visits there, and the recommendation of many here, means I do trust them. In fact I am about to book the car in for the end of the month for it's first MOT plus replace the rear discs.

It is also interesting to note that the garage in Llani I've used since we moved here doesn't reckon he could service it for a lot less than the main dealer, mainly because of the difficulty of getting the Skoda parts required delivered to him.

I'm not sure I get your point, yetiscot.

The wash and vac are insisted on by SUK and is a good service, that many other places don't bother to do.

Hmm, my local dealer didn't wash and vac mine when it had it's service last May! Mind you the place is very similar to Bernie Skripps establishment in Heartbeat although I think the workmanship is okay :wonder:

If the dealer cannot provide details of the update from a Technical Service Bulletin, why not pay for an hour's access to erWin and see whatever is there? https://erwin.skoda-auto.cz/erwin/showHome.do

Ok, I've been back on to the dealer & the service receptionist (who I've found pretty knowledgeable so far) said that when they plug the car into the diagnostic system as part of the service (looking for error codes), the system will flag up any "software" updates necessary. He's not aware of any firmware updates, other than to Columbus but those are not "routine" so would normally be extra cost, and will return the head unit to factory settings. They don't offer this option unless a customer is having issues with the satnav, as it can erase all the owner's navigation settings and audio memory, which customers don't appreciate.

Does this sound more like it?

And, my second service (on variable interval) at 26,000 miles will be £225 (and £10 off the MOT) which sounds rather pricy, but I suppose is still less than three fixed annual services according to Skoda's fixed price servicing guide.

1st Variable was £199 + 2nd Variable at £225 = £424 .

2 standard services at £129 + 1 major at £249 = £507

As a consolation, I've phoned two other less local dealers, and their prices are within £15 (1 higher & 1 lower). So perhaps it's better the devil you know. And neither of the others can guarantee a courtesy car being available which I do need.

Can I just say I feel vindicated