Ive just got my first Octacy a 2002 TDI and I'm planning on doing all my own servicing, would the following be a good option for reading & resetting fault codes or should I be using something else? http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=281368553913&alt=web

What is the best oil to use, I mainly do short stop start journeys with a few motorway trips a month. I've always used euro car parts in the past, they have a good selection and are good on price or should I be looking to using OEM parts?

Is the car on fixed or variable servicing?  Fixed you can reset the service light yourself.

 

Stick to good OEM brands (Hengst/MANN/MAHLE/Bosch) or equivalents.  FRAM are pretty crap though.

For just reading and resetting codes that should do you, just be cautious near the air-bag module as some can cause issues if you aren't careful. I have one, and I never use it to read air-bag faults, but I also have VCDS, which may be more than what you want at this time.

 

Hope it helps,

 

Phil.

Assuming you don't have a PD engine any oil which meets 505.00 will be fine. You can also use oil which meets 505.01 or 507.00 just see what's cheapest at ECP.

The engine is ASV according to printout from local dealer

Quite a lot of people go for Quantum oil (try TPS if you have one near you)

There is a tps nearby, I've just read something on their site about non genuine oil filter so seeing as a genuine oil filter is only a couple of quid more I'll go for that, still unsure about oil though there's a £15 difference between quantum and ecp's vw approved

Edited 26 June, 201411 yr by Alastairh

There is a tps nearby, I've just read something on their site about non genuine oil filter so seeing as a genuine oil filter is only a couple of quid more I'll go for that, still unsure about oil though there's a £15 difference between quantum and ecp's vw approved

The quantum oil will meet 507.00 most likely. TPS often have offers on at the end of the month so it might be cheaper.

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I tend to buy my oil from Opie Oils, but that is only because TPS refused to sell to me :-(  As I am on variable (LL) servicing I use Vagcom to reset my service indicator).

I went to TPS Braford this afternoon, I'd looked on skoda parts website and they had a cheaper fuel filter, but the guy at TPS told me it was an outdated one, so i got quantum Platumin oil (recommended by TPS for age of car) and geneine VAG oil & fuel filters, I got Mann pollen & air filters from ECP's which is 4 miles from TPS. 

 

 

Now my question is weather to use some diesel oil cleaner which gets poured into to oil before dropping it???

 

Also what size is the sump plug, is it a socket or a allen head???

I wouldnt bother with the flush, just change at good intervals.

 

Sump plug is a socket

Did service today oil filter was a bugger to undo and after reading somewhere I've only hand tightened it, it always amazes me how tight some people do stuff up, I had to really swing on socket wrench to undo the sump plug. The old oil was in good nick, but the oil, air & fuel filters where all in poor condition, its noticeably quieter now and I reset the service indicator, so hopefully I will have an uneventful 10,000 miles which is I think the distance for fixed servicing.

All the pipework looks to be in good nick and I can't get over how much space there is in the engine bay, I've just got pollen filter too replace but I want to watch utube video again first...I don't think I've missed anything, im thinking of changing gearbox oil at next service. A friend of mine has offered to replace cam belt for me at his workshop (he has ramps and will do it at weekend for £50) which will be due by then. Not sure how often to change gearbox oil? Anyone know if your still reading this lol

So just got to fit new radio CD player, and I'm putting the CD changer in the glovebox for the short term as im not getting enough feedback from a post i put up in ICE section about how to run wires from boot to behind stereo. I'm getting very poor reception on radio atm if it continues should I fit a new aerial or just a inline aerial amplifier, has anyone had the same problem?

If yours is a screw on filter canister rather than a replaceable element you could get something like this that I use on my Octy - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Laser-Tools-Cup-Oil-Filter-Wrench-74mm-x-14-flutes-TC3801-/290917653473?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item43bc0b1be1

 

If you have not already found it here is a link for the cabin filter -

 

Bad reception could be a bad aerial base - amp is in the base - these are getting on a bit now and are getting affected by the elements.

That tool looks rather useful, that is the video I found thanks, changed the radio and reception problem gone however I'd already ordered new amplifier so will fit it when it turns up.

Is it worth taking the ae4ial apart and giving it a good clean? Or is it buying a replacement if needed

The trouble is if the aerial is ok when you have a look, you could compromise a good seal to the roof just by moving it and end up with a new problem. It is one of those "how much is this really annoying me " type jobs.

 

Sometimes the saying don't fix what isn't broke has meaning. Fitting a new one is the usual repair, but see how it is after you fit your in line amp ti the head unit.

Thanks for the good advice, its a new car to me and its almost perfect so I'm going over it with a fine tooth comb and probably nitpicking too much lol

My problem is I've traded up from a old escort estate that has required constant tinkering too keep going and was sooo slow,it will take a bit of time to get used to not being working on the car every other week.

I must say that the Skoda has made me smile every time I've driven it and it has great pulling power in all gears.

I think this topic has now been answered, thanks for all the contributions