No mention of 4x4 system in the owners manual (vRS 4x4 estate)

[kyber]

Hi,

 

Just bought (somewhat unplanned) a 6 month old "Skoda Octavia Estate vRS 2.0 TDI 184 PS 4x4 DSG" (to quote the invoice) to replace a more basic 2009 Octavia estate.

 

Thought I'd take a browse through the owner's manual to find out something about the 4x4 system (which I appreciate has no user selection options) but was surprised to find, well, nothing. The only references to 4x4 are in some of the schedules (weight, etc) in the rear of the manual.

 

What's the best source of information about how it works, under what conditions, what to expect, etc.

 

My other car is an Audi Quattro for which I have loads of information regarding the 4x4 workings. I'm guessing that Skoda didn't get to use the same system as the Audi from the VW parts bin.

 

Surprised there is no information about the system in the manual. (Admittedly, I always find car owner manuals incredibly frustrating to read as, despite manufacturing a specific model and configuration, they insist on providing a manual covering every option available and not really making it clear exactly what your model does have and doesn't have) - I generally download the PDF version as well, so I can a) read it using larger "type" and b)  search for stuff. Maybe I just haven't found the information required yet.

 

I'm still trying to figure out what's in the included "Winter Pack" - I was pleasantly surprised that it has wire filaments in the screen to melt snow/ice - I always thought this was a Ford only thing (and something I've missed since seeing the light and moving to VW products).

 

Hope someone can point me in the right direction regarding 4x4 information.

 

Hope my rather quick decision to buy the car wasn't a mistake as well for that matter - there do not seem to be that many of my specific model around, and you can't buy new versions now according to the local dealer. Says will be available once the facelifted version of the Octavia comes out later in the year. Hope there are no major changes coming to fix problems with what I've just bought. In the few hours I've had it though, I really like it (but not the Bridgestone tyres - but that could have more to do with collecting it at 5.30pm last night when the first of the snow for my region hit). I'm going to put Michelin Cross Climate tyres on it.

 

 

[thomas5265]

Hi, I don't know much about the 4x4 system other than it's a 'Fifth Generation' Haldex system. The same as fitted to current VW models.

I too bought the same vehicle as yourself 5 weeks ago and unfortunately have had a few issues.

It's currently in the dealership and has been since last Thursday. There was excessive groaning noise on motorway driving which was diagnosed as a faulty diff. This was replaced only for me to be told that on road test the technician noted there was now a different noise.

This was found to be yet another faulty diff!!

Fingers crossed I'm collecting the car at 5pm today having had another diff fitted, so that will be 3 diffs on a 16 plate car having covered 8000 miles!!! Not good!

[kyber]

Eek. The diff problem is not good news. Fingers crossed for your collection tomorrow.

My car was used by the dealership, not a demo model though. Hopefully they've spotted any problems.

Thanks for info about 4x4 system. Will do some research.

[kyber]

Now I find I am paranoid about every little noise  :notme:

 

I hope your fault diff made a very obvious noise.

[MediumDave]

I have the same configuration as you. I have had it for two months and haven't had any issues. We had some snow yesterday along with freezing rain. The 4x4 seemed to work well. We have a big empty car park where I work. I had a big of a "play" on the ice. The system seemed capable of keeping things going where they should, even when I tried to get it to let go.

[kyber]

Thanks MD, good to hear. I should have given that a go. Hopefully (!) there will be more bad weather so I can try that out.

 

Do you have standard tyres? (Bridgestones?)

[thomas5265]

I have Yokohama winter tyres fitted to mine. Not that I've had use of them in this cooler weather!!

[BigEjit]

Is this vRS 4x4 season or something? I just collected mine yesterday after jumping out of a Saab 93 XWD with Haldex 4.

Unlucky with the diff, not heard much about issues with the vRS 4x4 before, unlike the Insignia VXR/Saab units.... Now theres a thing or two.

 

BTW, you will still slide a 4x4 in snow under braking and steering as easily as a FWD if you have summer tyres on, can get more speed up quicker though.

[James@RRG_Skoda_Rochdale]

The vw group share platforms and as such - the share AWD systems too.

Chances are - if your Audi is a similar age and similar platform to your skoda then the parts may very well be the same.

The original Quattro system which used permanent all wheel drive hasn't been in use for over a decade and was replaced by the likes of haldex.

I've been working on VAG stuff for nearly 15 years and have only ever replaced one haldex diff. Don't be put off by rare failures because in most people's opinion - haldex is a pretty robust, tested and reliable system.

[kyber]

Thanks everyone, feeling reassured.

I put Vredestein Quatrac 5 tyres on my Audi and have been pretty happy with them. Certainly more sure footed than whatever was on originally (can't remember). Was tempted to do same for Skoda but decided to give the Michelin CrossClimates a go instead. They will be fitted on Tuesday. Fingers crossed.

[old newbie2]

Hi,

 

Just bought (somewhat unplanned) a 6 month old "Skoda Octavia Estate vRS 2.0 TDI 184 PS 4x4 DSG" (to quote the invoice) to replace a more basic 2009 Octavia estate.

 

Thought I'd take a browse through the owner's manual to find out something about the 4x4 system (which I appreciate has no user selection options) but was surprised to find, well, nothing. The only references to 4x4 are in some of the schedules (weight, etc) in the rear of the manual.

 

What's the best source of information about how it works, under what conditions, what to expect, etc.

 

My other car is an Audi Quattro for which I have loads of information regarding the 4x4 workings. I'm guessing that Skoda didn't get to use the same system as the Audi from the VW parts bin.

 

Surprised there is no information about the system in the manual. (Admittedly, I always find car owner manuals incredibly frustrating to read as, despite manufacturing a specific model and configuration, they insist on providing a manual covering every option available and not really making it clear exactly what your model does have and doesn't have) - I generally download the PDF version as well, so I can a) read it using larger "type" and B)  search for stuff. Maybe I just haven't found the information required yet.

 

I'm still trying to figure out what's in the included "Winter Pack" - I was pleasantly surprised that it has wire filaments in the screen to melt snow/ice - I always thought this was a Ford only thing (and something I've missed since seeing the light and moving to VW products).

 

Hope someone can point me in the right direction regarding 4x4 information.

 

Hope my rather quick decision to buy the car wasn't a mistake as well for that matter - there do not seem to be that many of my specific model around, and you can't buy new versions now according to the local dealer. Says will be available once the facelifted version of the Octavia comes out later in the year. Hope there are no major changes coming to fix problems with what I've just bought. In the few hours I've had it though, I really like it (but not the Bridgestone tyres - but that could have more to do with collecting it at 5.30pm last night when the first of the snow for my region hit). I'm going to put Michelin Cross Climate tyres on it.

VW have a useful publication, "Technology in a nutshell." might be worth a down-load.

 

DC

[BGB]

The original Quattro system which used permanent all wheel drive hasn't been in use for over a decade and was replaced by the likes of haldex.

 

 

 

 

Sorry sir but are you drunk? :p

 

The "original quattro system" (lower case q and quattro is just a name not a system) is very much still in use (TorSen). All Audis with the engine mounted longitudinal (MLB) still use TorSen (A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, Q5, Q7 etc). And all cars based on MQB with its engine mounted transverse uses Haldex (TT, Q2, A3, Golf, Octavia, Passat etc). 

[Petunet]

I think the only "S" Audi with Haldex is S3. All other performance Audi's use TorSen.

Understandably Audi doesn't advertise the use of Haldex in S3...

[nokianneule]

There is also Crown Gear and quattro ultra for MBL.

http://www.audi-technology-portal.de/en/drivetrain#filter=quattro_en

Edited 14 January, 2017 by nokianneule

[James@RRG_Skoda_Rochdale]

Sorry sir but are you drunk? :p

The "original quattro system" (lower case q and quattro is just a name not a system) is very much still in use (TorSen). All Audis with the engine mounted longitudinal (MLB) still use TorSen (A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, Q5, Q7 etc). And all cars based on MQB with its engine mounted transverse uses Haldex (TT, Q2, A3, Golf, Octavia, Passat etc).

You're right quattro is just a name NOW but as I've already said - the original system is long gone (replaced around 30 years ago by torsen). Original quattro featured permanently active, constantly 50:50 split all wheel drive using a locked diff, something that neither haldex or torsen offer. Torsen is permanent and offers variable power delivery where haldex is semi permanent and can be deactivated if the vehicle sees fit offering complete power delivery to the front wheels alone.

So in short - quattro was once an all wheel drive system fitted to Audi vehicles but after sometime the system moved on yet retained the name and no currently manufactured vehicles feature the original system, a system which gave its name sake to the Cars it was first fitted to.

[BGB]

I think the only "S" Audi with Haldex is S3. All other performance Audi's use TorSen.

Understandably Audi doesn't advertise the use of Haldex in S3...

 

 

RS3 and TT RS also uses Haldex :)

 

Its important to remember that all Haldex systems from gen 2 and up can be modified and programmed to function as permanent 4x4 with a max of 50/50 distribution of power.

 

There is also Crown Gear and quattro ultra for MBL.

http://www.audi-technology-portal.de/en/drivetrain#filter=quattro_en

 

Yes sir I totally forgot about this new (A4 allroad B9) system one can order from Audi called quattro Ultra  which in principle is the same as Haldex (maybe it is Haldex I haven't researched it).

[Gromle]

You're right quattro is just a name NOW but as I've already said - the original system is long gone (replaced around 30 years ago by torsen). Original quattro featured permanently active, constantly 50:50 split all wheel drive using a locked diff, something that neither haldex or torsen offer. Torsen is permanent and offers variable power delivery where haldex is semi permanent and can be deactivated if the vehicle sees fit offering complete power delivery to the front wheels alone.

So in short - quattro was once an all wheel drive system fitted to Audi vehicles but after sometime the system moved on yet retained the name and no currently manufactured vehicles feature the original system, a system which gave its name sake to the Cars it was first fitted to.

Havent Audi moved away from permanent 4x4 even on the bigger versions now?

Im quite sure that the A6 does not have permanent 4x4 anymore.

[BGB]

Havent Audi moved away from permanent 4x4 even on the bigger versions now?

Im quite sure that the A6 does not have permanent 4x4 anymore.

 

No they still use TorSen with 40/60 front and rear.

[James@RRG_Skoda_Rochdale]

Havent Audi moved away from permanent 4x4 even on the bigger versions now?

Im quite sure that the A6 does not have permanent 4x4 anymore.

Yes with the introduction of quattro ultra on some models, which shares similar characteristics to that of the haldex system.

Probably to meet emissions related targets and will probably spread across to other models after its proven itself as reliable and beneficial.

Edited 14 January, 2017 by James@RRGRochdale

[BGB]

Yes with the introduction of quattro ultra, which shares similar characteristics to that of the haldex system.

Probably to meet emissions related targets.

 

As far as I know the quattro Ultra is an option and not standard. If you buy a car with quattro today by default it comes with TorSen.

[James@RRG_Skoda_Rochdale]

As far as I know the quattro Ultra is an option and not standard. If you buy a car with quattro today by default it comes with TorSen.

It looks to be standard equipment depending on the spec of the car and sounds very much like a conventional haldex system.

Edit:

The ultra system looks to use a rear diff with an EDL and a multi clutch pack (like a haldex unit) built into the gearbox.

Edited 14 January, 2017 by James@RRGRochdale

[Gromle]

It is standard with this ultra thingy, at least on the Norwegian models. Im guessing all models will eventually get this with new versions and facelifts.

[BGB]

It is standard with this ultra thingy, at least on the Norwegian models. Im guessing all models will eventually get this with new versions and facelifts.

 

Wrong!

 

As I said, Ultra is only an option, and only available on A4 and A4 allroad and the all new Q5 for now. Since you are Norwegian: http://www.audi.no/no/web/no.html

 

Edit: More in Norwegian: http://www.audi.no/no/web/no/magasin/audi-quattro-permanent-firehjulstrekk.html

Edited 14 January, 2017 by BGB

[Petunet]

RS3 and TT RS also uses Haldex :)

 

 

I stand corrected.  :)

I totally forgot the RS models...

[Gromle]

Wrong!

As I said, Ultra is only an option, and only available on A4 and A4 allroad and the all new Q5 for now. Since you are Norwegian: http://www.audi.no/no/web/no.html

Edit: More in Norwegian: http://www.audi.no/no/web/no/magasin/audi-quattro-permanent-firehjulstrekk.html

Why in *insert holiness* would someone pick a non permanent system over a permanent 4x4 system?

But according to newspaperd when it was launched, the ultra thingy was supposed to be future. So my guess is that permanent 4x4 will disappear as we know it.