Hello guys,

 

I am new to this forum. Just bought a s-h 11/2014 skoda octavia 3 VRS TDI manual. I have a few questions and i hope you guys can help me.

 

1) Car specs says that my columbus infotainment comes with apple conectivity and as far as i know that is called smartlink. The problem is that i do not have the smartlink button on columbus menu. Can it be added ? I tried updating the software from update-portal skoda with my VIN, but only updated the maps 2017 and bluetooth 0373. My actual software version is 0370. Is this the latest ? If not, can it be updated ?

 

2) Car specs says that Driving mode selection comes with the sound generator. Mine does not have the sound generator. Cat it be added ?

 

Help please!

 

i wrote wrong about the buetooth version update. After update is 3.73.0.

The infotainment software version is now 0370.

You want the sound generator? Many owners seem to want to remove it!

Smartlink is only needed for Apple Carplay, Android Auto or Mirrorlink and was an option from May 2015 onwards. Before then Iphones needed a "Mitsumi Apple device connection", which "Allows Apple music devices to be controlled through the car's touchscreen system. This replaces the USB and aux-in port. Additional connection cable is required, available through your retailer."

The January 2015 brochure says: "All Octavias come with a USB and aux-in socket so you can play music from your mp3 player through the car’s speakers. With many players, the USB will allow you to control the device through the car’s touchscreen system and also to charge. Should you wish to control an Apple device through the touchscreen, you can either use Bluetooth® to stream or swap the USB and aux-in for an optional Mitsumi Apple connectivity socket."

Edited 3 September, 20169 yr by Rodge

If you are on software 0370 then it is a MIB1 unit that does not support smartlink. Only cars equipped with MIB2 units support Smartlink.

 

The latest software is 0390 and doesn't add anything that I am aware of.

You want the sound generator? Many owners seem to want to remove it!

Sincerely, i want de sound generator, ever though many people does not want it because seems fake or is it loud. I just driven a petrol vrs with SG and liked it. So i think it would be nice to activate it on my tdi vrs. If the car was equipped with it, i just want to activate it but seems that i do not have the function.

If you are on software 0370 then it is a MIB1 unit that does not support smartlink. Only cars equipped with MIB2 units support Smartlink.

The latest software is 0390 and doesn't add anything that I am aware of.

I was afraid that this would be the answer that i do not want to hear so my apple conectivity is just bluetooth conection and usb conection? Just so i can play and control my music and answer my phone? Too bad. It would have been nice to have smartlink. I played with it in a 2015 skoda with mib2 and lived it.

So is it no other way to install it? Can't i make an software upgrade on my columbus mib1 to mib2? Looks the same. just asking

If you are on software 0370 then it is a MIB1 unit that does not support smartlink. Only cars equipped with MIB2 units support Smartlink.

The latest software is 0390 and doesn't add anything that I am aware of.

I was afraid that this would be the answer that i do not want to hear so my apple conectivity is just bluetooth conection and usb conection? Just so i can play and control my music and answer my phone? Too bad. It would have been nice to have smartlink. I played with it in a 2015 skoda with mib2 and lived it.

So is it no other way to install it? Can't i make an software upgrade on my columbus mib1 to mib2? Looks the same. just asking

Can't i make an software upgrade on my columbus mib1 to mib2? Looks the same. just asking

 

Nope - either live with it or upgrade the system. A MIB2 retrofit is over 2k, so.... a bit too much.

There are some upcoming aftermarket solutions from Pioneer and Alpine (Pioneer one is looking like a better option and cheaper, at €1200) but it will add loads of functionality +  a better sound.

 

Pioneer should be launched somewhere during this month.

Just one bit of extra info, The Mitsumi Apple connectivity socket is not required for a Columbus. It interfaces with an iPhone and gives control of some features with a standard lead.

 

Garnett