Citigo (May 2013 reg.) had first service two weeks ago and I was told that they would do a full software update also. On my return, I was told that Skoda wanted a "new unit" fitted (presumably ECU) and it would be available in a fortnight. Today, had phonecall asking me to book in to have the "new part" fitted...that'll be next Wednesday and they need the car for "a morning" or "an afternoon"...courtesy car supplied.  I'm assuming it doesn't take too long to replace, but the time is needed for programming the unit from scratch?

Anybody else had this experience...and how did it go?

Why do they need to change the whole ECU that's what I would be asking. Seems very strange.

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My (May 3rd 2013 registered Citigo) had its first service on Friday May 2nd and it took over three hours.  I know because I was sitting like a melon in the showroom waiting for it, expecting to be ready about 30 minutes.  They didn't have much to do because I'd asked that they didn't valet the car or check the tyre pressures.  Surely an oil/filter change can't have taken 3 hours!!  I didn't actually ask what was done and because it was a free service I didn't receive an itemised bill.  Maybe I'll ask them for details just to see exactly what they did and what if anything might have been replaced.

It is a little strange having a 3 hour wait :(

My 1st service was about 1 hour including 2 warranty items to sort. Previous to that my ECU update took less than 20 mins to do.

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I'd booked a 'while-you-wait' service and arrived on time i.e. before 1pm.  The only warranty/extra item was that I'd noticed that one of the headlamp adjusters had never been tightened at the factory with the result that the headlight was loose.  I asked them to rectify this because I obviously wanted them to check the alignment after they'd done it.  However, this would have taken 10 minutes at the most.  I did have the update done too or at least I think they did that!

They mentioned a "software update" on my second service, not sure if they did it though.

Why do people not ask,  what are you doing 'to my car ?',    What parts are you fitting and why?    

 

If the Service Desk Staff or Service Manager can not give a full and truthful answer, ask them to get on the phone or computer to Skoda UK Customer Services 

and get the correct information.

 

Then ask them to put in writing what they are doing to 'your vehicle'.

 

Skoda & VWG Manufacturers are too good at doing 'Silent Service Campaigns'  & committing nothing to paper.

You buy a car & they treat you like they are doing you a favour being sure they fix their Design and Manufacturing faults.

Give Goodwill Gestures etc.

Then like with the DQ200 DSG they make out there are no instances of faulty boxes in the UK, or reports of issues are blown out of proportion online.

Dealers are acting as Agents for the Manufacturers & Skoda & VWG get away with Service Campaigns where other Manufacturers have Recalls.

 

It is like a Skoda Secret Service with things on a 'Need to know basis'.

 

george

Why do people not ask,  what are you doing 'to my car ?',    What parts are you fitting and why?    

 

If the Service Desk Staff or Service Manager can not give a full and truthful answer, ask them to get on the phone or computer to Skoda UK Customer Services 

and get the correct information.

 

Then ask them to put in writing what they are doing to 'your vehicle'.

 

Skoda & VWG Manufacturers are too good at doing 'Silent Service Campaigns'  & committing nothing to paper.

You buy a car & they treat you like they are doing you a favour being sure they fix their Design and Manufacturing faults.

Give Goodwill Gestures etc.

Then like with the DQ200 DSG they make out there are no instances of faulty boxes in the UK, or reports of issues are blown out of proportion online.

Dealers are acting as Agents for the Manufacturers & Skoda & VWG get away with Service Campaigns where other Manufacturers have Recalls.

 

It is like a Skoda Secret Service with things on a 'Need to know basis'.

 

george

Well, george, I DID ask why a new ECU was needed and the answer was.." when doing the software update, it was flagged up that it needed replacement. Skoda just tell us what to do, not why it needs doing". Odd, eh? And, when I asked what would happen if I refused to let them fit it, they replied..."that's your choice, but you would have to sign something to that effect so that Skoda knew why we hadn't fitted it". So, I took the easy option and agreed. Will update when it's fitted on Wednesday the 2nd.

Cheers.

 They really are not prepared to publicaly admit where failures and manufacturing or material failures occur with VWG Vehicles,

VW, Audi, Skoda, Seat.

 

If they were more open then there would be less distrust among Owners,

Buyers & those that will never buy a VWG vehicle again.

 

Snagging Faults can be expected with new designs of vehicles and until several years have passed, there can be need for Updates, Enhancements etc.

If they just posted in the News Sections of Web sites like Skoda can in other World Regions, it would be very clear to one and all.

 

eg.

In New Zealand, they publish a Service Campaign & Explain,   in the UK nothing, if a Dealer does not tell you.

it is down to websites/forums and word of mouth because Skoda UK will not do Press Releases.

 

http://skoda.co.nz/news/dsg-service-campaign

Why do people not ask,  what are you doing 'to my car ?',    What parts are you fitting and why?    

 

george

 

In my case I was just expecting to have a very fast first service.  I'd already checked what sort of oil they'd be using (just in case they might be saving ££££s by putting in cheap stuff) and the only other part would have been a (presumably) VAG oil filter plus maybe a new sump plug washer.  It was only when I spotted oxonbon's post that I thought maybe they replaced the ECU.  It was never mentioned at the time and yes, to my shame, I still haven't posed the question.  I really must send them an email just to be sure.  Obviously, they'd have had to have had it in stock because the car was only booked in for the first service.

 

I left the following note with the car.

 

CANDY WHITE SKODA CITIGO ELEGANCE GREENTECH 75PS 5-DOOR

 

FIRST SERVICE

 

 

• PLEASE DO NOT WASH THE CAR OR VACUUM THE CARPETS/SEATS ETC      I'd heard all the tales on here about dropped sponges/gritty floors etc.  My car is immaculate in any case and one of the managers even remarked on this.  Must have been the spotless INSIDES of the wheels, especially the front ones with (almost) not a speck of brake dust on them.

 

• PLEASE DO NOT CHECK OR ADJUST THE TYRE PRESSURES INC SPARE      The tyre pressures were all around 38psi when I took delivery so I didn't want to have to lower them all again immediately after the service.

 

• PLEASE, DROP THE OPEN BONNET FROM SIX INCHES , TO CLOSE IT      I once had a new 3 litre Capri and the front of the bonnet was dented by a mechanic pushing it down too zealously.  Citigo bonnet seems very flimsy.

 

• ECU SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR COOLING FAN?      Just to remind them.

 

• SLIGHT CLONKING FROM NEARSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION?       Was informed that this was "OK!"  It's only when reversing out of the garage but I just wanted it to be noted for future reference.

 

• NEARSIDE HEADLAMP SECURING BOLT LOOSE – ALIGNMENT?      They fixed this and I 'think' they realigned the headlamps judging by what I can see on the road and on a wall.

 

• DO THEY ALL MAKE THAT WHEEZING NOISE CHANGING FROM 1^st TO 2^nd GEAR?      A manager came out with me and said it was because it was such a small engine and a lot of air was being sucked into it or something ridiculous like that!! :no:  I gave up then because rush hour was approaching.

 

• THANK YOU!

Edited 28 June, 201411 yr by JimmyR

Tyres 38psi?

Bit too much in there.

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Indeed there is too much in for a Citigo.

 

Which is why he did not want the Technician doing the service to touch the tyre pressures

and put them to something silly like 38 psi.

 

& why any customer needs to check over their car after a Service or on collection after the PDI,

some Service Technicians seem to not consider different vehicles and their needs.

You need to set what you like and is safe for the cars use.

 

(Tyre pressures need checked even where TPMS's are on cars, & TPMS need set as well,

and if you run the same pressure all year,

you still need to check and adjust through the seasons possibly,

Set by the ambient temperature.)

Yes, I have the 185/55 R15 tyres and according to the sticker inside the fuel filler cover, they should be 29psi front and 26psi rear because it's usually only little ol' me in the car.  Normally I have them a couple of psi above this figure but certainly not 38psi.

 

Have mine at 29/26 psi.

Mines at 28psi all round

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Back  (from tyre pressures) to the original topic....update and explanation. What was actually requested by Skoda, and done today..."carried out  campaign 24A1. Replaced control unit for engine cooling fan - as old unit being activated at every ignition cycle". Apparently, a software update normally solves the problem, but not in my case. When I left the car, I asked how many they had needed to change..."you're the first"...just what you want to hear!

i get the feeling they always say "you are the first" so as not to admit to a problem

Certainly won't be the last.

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