Winter issues

[toni8b]

Is the folding part of the door mirrors heated? 

 

Is it possible for them to get frozen in winter so you cant unfold them?

 

Also, if your front lights popup washer is frozen and cant open, does it hurt running the windscreen washer for the mechanism itself if it cant open in the first place?

[FluffyEyeball]

I wouldn't have thought the motor(s) in the mirrors are heated, just the glass. At what temperature they would freeze and be unable to move, I don't know; I suppose it would depend how much moisture can get into the mechanism and where it can get to. If it can't really get to any moving parts, it should be ok.

 

Not sure about damage to the headlight washers, I'd be interested to find out too.

[Gabbo]

I doubt the mechanism is heated.

The problem I have found with folding mirrors is not the mechanism itself but the fact when the are folded they provide a much better surface for snow & ice to build up.

 It then blocks the back of the mechanism so it is difficult to open without first cleaning them.

 

For the popup jet washer I'd imagine that the pressure generated by the pump is designed such even if it cannot popup it wont damage the system.

My last 4 cars have had these kinds of washer jets & I haven't had any fail in the winter.

 

 

All cars sold in Europe are tested in extreme winter, summer & altitude conditions so I'd be suprised if these kind of things are not already concidered during the design process.

[JPH0091]

I personnally cancel the automatic folding during winter.

[themanwithnoaim]

Errrr. does it frezze in winter ? and what is winter ? only seen frost once so far this year

[Gromle]

Ive had temperaturs below -10 for some days now, and Ive had no problems with either mirrors or washers.

Not even when driving through the inland with temp below -20 was there any issues. Although the air was very dry.

I also find that the Octavia has a quite good climate control compared to the Mondeo I used to have.

[JPH0091]

I personnally cancel the automatic folding during winter, because when it is frosty the motor seems to have difficulties to unfold the mirror... and because the car is parked in a private area.

[themanwithnoaim]

Hmmmmmmmmm. Private areas of Paris.......

 

Last time I visited one of them it was 150 euros an hour, bit pricey for parking but, fun all the same.

 

Now as a both married and middle aged man I think I'd rather save a few quid and just wing mirrors flicked instead

 

Regards

T

[toni8b]

I didnt know you can cancel mirror folding, I will give this a try.

 

Meanwhile, I am missing heated:

 

seats, steering wheel, arm rest, front windscreen, washing nozzles, headlight washers.

[Gromle]

Heated steeringwheel would be very nice!

Although the Webasto helps alot.

[Grap]

Its getting little cold here. -31'C

Everything is working great. Starting the engine is sounding like old tractor.   

Damn skoda don't have heated steeringwheel option..

I hope it starts tomorrow morning.

 

Edited 17 January, 2016 by Grap

[andyvee]

Wow! -31 degrees and your diesel is still liquid!

[Gromle]

Wow! -31 degrees and your diesel is still liquid!

Winterdiesel. The Norwegian standardversion of it doesnt start to wax untill -32.

[andyvee]

Winterdiesel. The Norwegian standardversion of it doesnt start to wax untill -32.

I doubt if UK winter diesel would be happy at -32

[M12MKD]

Yes the mirrors do freeze as I found out when I was up north. Lucky it did do anything to them buy I heard the ice cracking.

Probably best to disable that function or check them before you unlock the car.

[Gromle]

I doubt if UK winter diesel would be happy at -32

You probably have we call summerdiesel? It good down to -12.

[Grap]

Our winter diesel is good to -35 or -44. Depends on brand..

Edited 18 January, 2016 by Grap

[mork23]

I noticed this morning (at a mere 1 degree) that my main washers did not work but the headlight washers did.  Which was quite useful as I was on the motorway losing visibility fast and the projection effectively went on the windscreen anyway!  I doubt it did much for the lights.

 

Surely heated washers would come as part of the Winter Pack which I have...?  Or did I miss that and they do...?

[AlleyCat`]

Whilst not on the Octy, I've previously had "heated" washers and found them to be ineffective (VW Passat and a Seat Leon).

The only real cure I've found is some screenwash that Aldi sold that was from Germany and was good down to -20C.

Foamed a lot and smelled utterly rank though.

 

As to UK diesel and waxing.

I've had a VW touran (older 1.9TDI PD engine) start first time at an indicated -19C.

The biggest challenge was getting into the car on that particular day as the doors were solid.

[Black_Sheep]

I noticed this morning (at a mere 1 degree) that my main washers did not work but the headlight washers did. Which was quite useful as I was on the motorway losing visibility fast and the projection effectively went on the windscreen anyway! I doubt it did much for the lights.

Surely heated washers would come as part of the Winter Pack which I have...? Or did I miss that and they do...?

Nozzles are heated, but pipe work and reservoir are not - this freezes and blocks. It took a week for my windscreen washers to thaw in the garage after -20 deg C in Germany a few years ago.

Always use neat VAG washer fluid (down to -70 deg C) in extreme winter. Quantum stuff is good too. Both much cheaper at local Trade Part Specialist than the dealer.

[GAFF]

Not sure how it compares to other products but maybe consider https://eshop.wurth.co.uk/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/3108-B1-Site/en_GB/-/GBP/ViewCatalog-Browse?CatalogCategoryRef=31083007050401%40WuerthGroup-Wuerth-3108&SelectedFilterAttribut=%5B%5D&CatalogCategoryID=0XYKD92eHm4AAAFR.r4HbzVF

[HeBeGeeBee]

I've used Sonax windscreen washer stuff as I've found it to be very good, admitedly that's the summer stuff.

They do a winter xtreme version that I've ordered so waiting to try it out. It's good from -10 down to -30, which we won't need over here, depending on dilution.

Have tried Aldi stuff but didn't find it great at cleaning.