I've not posted much but I am an avid reader and in awe of people's knowledge, advice and cars!

 

As some may know I bought my first vRS with black pack end of December, it's a 64 plate and I'm really enjoying it! 

 

I have a few few questions and I'm looking for your advice and personal opinion..

 

I am in no way mechanically minded other than making sure the cars levels are looked after, so here's my questions..

 

1.  Can you explain dpf, why it happens (I know it has something to do with soot from the engine) and what to do if I get a warning light..?

2.  What is the best way, pre revo etc.. to get the best from my engine e.g. air filter changes/upgrades..? and..

3.  Can you explain VCDS is, I know it has controls things in the car but, who makes the changes, where and does it affect warranty and insurance..?

 

I know all this would be on other posts, and I don't mind reading other links, but I need it in newbie/plain English form.

I want to know the basics before I embark on something more complicated!

 

Thank you in advance for your patience and advice..

 

Ive attached a pic of my car (dealer photo), haven't seen many red vRS, will take and post one of my own (when it's clean)..

 

Ste.

Edited 8 February, 20179 yr by 64VRS

3 minutes ago, 64VRS said:

1.  Can you explain dpf, why it happens (I know it has something to do with soot from the engine) and what to do if I get a warning light..?

2.  What is the best way, pre revo etc.. to get the best from my engine e.g. air filter changes/upgrades..? and..

3.  Can you explain VCDS is, I know it has controls things in the car but, who makes the changes, where and does it affect warranty and insurance..?

 

1. As I understand it, the DPF in the exhaust collects soot particles from the engine (the by-product of the combustion process). Once it has reached a certain level, it uses a small amount of fuel injected directly into the DPF to 'super-heat' the soot & effectively incinerate it. This only leaves a small amount of ash behind. It's whole purpose is to reduce harmful emissions. If you get a warning light on the dash, the procedure is outlined in the handbook - basically, take it for a drive of a few minutes, keeping the revs above 3,000 rpm in 3rd/4th gear ideally. This will induce a 'regeneration' and should clear the light. Whatever happens, do not ignore the light - a new DPF can be well over £1000 plus labour. A dealer can sometimes 'force' a regen using VAG software if a good thrash doesn't sort it 

 

2. For a diesel, a (good quality) remap/tuning box is most effective. Air filter/exhaust changes don't yield much if anything for a diesel, on their own at least. Going further than a remap requires turbo/intercooler/injector/fuel pump changes and is a lot of effort for the gains on a diesel IMHO.

 

3. VCDS is simply a software programme that can be bought & used by anyone. It communicates with the various control modules in the car via the OBD port, to read & alter settings and enable features that are not currently active. It will also 'read' fault codes and can clear/delete these. I can't see how it would affect warranty/insurance as there have been no additions to the car, they are adjustments/re-configurations that do not affect the performance, safety or security of the car. Unless of course, the lights are coded so as not to conform to legal requirements...

 

Hope this helps

1 hour ago, pist0nbr0ke said:

 

1. As I understand it, the DPF in the exhaust collects soot particles from the engine (the by-product of the combustion process). Once it has reached a certain level, it uses a small amount of fuel injected directly into the DPF to 'super-heat' the soot & effectively incinerate it. This only leaves a small amount of ash behind. It's whole purpose is to reduce harmful emissions. If you get a warning light on the dash, the procedure is outlined in the handbook - basically, take it for a drive of a few minutes, keeping the revs above 3,000 rpm in 3rd/4th gear ideally. This will induce a 'regeneration' and should clear the light. Whatever happens, do not ignore the light - a new DPF can be well over £1000 plus labour. A dealer can sometimes 'force' a regen using VAG software if a good thrash doesn't sort it 

 

2. For a diesel, a (good quality) remap/tuning box is most effective. Air filter/exhaust changes don't yield much if anything for a diesel, on their own at least. Going further than a remap requires turbo/intercooler/injector/fuel pump changes and is a lot of effort for the gains on a diesel IMHO.

 

3. VCDS is simply a software programme that can be bought & used by anyone. It communicates with the various control modules in the car via the OBD port, to read & alter settings and enable features that are not currently active. It will also 'read' fault codes and can clear/delete these. I can't see how it would affect warranty/insurance as there have been no additions to the car, they are adjustments/re-configurations that do not affect the performance, safety or security of the car. Unless of course, the lights are coded so as not to conform to legal requirements...

 

Hope this helps

 

This helps a lot pist0n, thank you.

 

Im not too worried about the dpf, just wanted to make sure I understood it and what would cause it to be problematic, as I do a lot of motorway driving, probably 85-90% of my journeys.

 

With no. 2. I'm not looking at increasing performance, more making sure my engine is working at its optimal level as a standard engine, ensuring I get the most of the 184bhp and fuel efficiency.  That's why I was thinking about air filters etc..

 

Where is the best place to read about the VCDS? 

 

The only modification I'm currently looking at is changing my one exhaust pipe to two, one coming out of each silver exhaust trim. 

2 minutes ago, 64VRS said:

 

This helps a lot pist0n, thank you.

 

Im not too worried about the dpf, just wanted to make sure I understood it and what would cause it to be problematic, as I do a lot of motorway driving, probably 85-90% of my journeys.

 

With no. 2. I'm not looking at increasing performance, more making sure my engine is working at its optimal level as a standard engine, ensuring I get the most of the 184bhp and fuel efficiency.  That's why I was thinking about air filters etc..

 

Where is the best place to read about the VCDS? 

 

The only modification I'm currently looking at is changing my one exhaust pipe to two, one coming out of each silver exhaust trim. 

 

DPF - doesn't seem to be as much of an issue on the Mk3. Plenty of motorway miles can only help

 

Air filter - take a read of this - as suggested, just put a new OEM filter in regularly to maintain optimum performance.

 

VCDS - check this and this out.

 

Exhaust - check this out.

11 minutes ago, pist0nbr0ke said:

 

DPF - doesn't seem to be as much of an issue on the Mk3. Plenty of motorway miles can only help

 

Air filter - take a read of this - as suggested, just put a new OEM filter in regularly to maintain optimum performance.

 

VCDS - check this and this out.

 

Exhaust - check this out.

 

Pist0n,

 

Good to know about the dpf not being too much of a problem on a Mk3.

 

I'll have a good read of those links, like I said I just want to make sure I look after my car.

25 minutes ago, pist0nbr0ke said:

 

DPF - doesn't seem to be as much of an issue on the Mk3. Plenty of motorway miles can only help

 

 

I used to find that long motorway drives didn't really help the DPF as the air flow into the engine bay at speed  kept everything cool.

 

I once drove from London to Yorkshire and when I pulled up in my drive the car was doing a region as every thing had warmed up as I left the motorway to get home due to more gear changes and slower speeds. I also helped the DPF by driving the last few miles in third at around 50/55 mph to get things really warmed up. I also think, others may differ, but using quality fuel also helped. In the Two and a Half years I had the car ( 63 plate Octavia Vrs ) I never saw the light on once. Most of my miles was going 2 miles to work and 2 miles home with the occasional long trip 

Edited 8 February, 20179 yr by Auric Goldfinger

1 hour ago, Auric Goldfinger said:

 

I used to find that long motorway drives didn't really help the DPF as the air flow into the engine bay at speed  kept everything cool.

 

I once drove from London to Yorkshire and when I pulled up in my drive the car was doing a region as every thing had warmed up as I left the motorway to get home due to more gear changes and slower speeds. I also helped the DPF by driving the last few miles in third at around 50/55 mph to get things really warmed up. I also think, others may differ, but using quality fuel also helped. In the Two and a Half years I had the car ( 63 plate Octavia Vrs ) I never saw the light on once. Most of my miles was going 2 miles to work and 2 miles home with the occasional long trip 

 

Interesting, I would always have thought lots of short journeys didn't allow the engine to reach full operating temperatures for long enough to consistently keep the DPF clear.

 

Absolutely agree re quality fuels, I couldn't agree more! Have experienced and seen/heard of many issues with DPF's and injectors, none of which could be proven to be down to the fuel used, but across different makes of car, different drivers, different journey lengths, different vehicle mileages, the only common denominator was supermarket  lower quality fuel. 

 

Anyway, I'm at risk of derailing the thread into yet another supermarket/branded fuel debate, so I digress. I'm simply agreeing with Auric in the context of 64VRS's questions.

Edited 8 February, 20179 yr by pist0nbr0ke
Misread Auric's post :)

2 hours ago, 64VRS said:

 

With no. 2. I'm not looking at increasing performance, more making sure my engine is working at its optimal level as a standard engine, ensuring I get the most of the 184bhp and fuel efficiency.  That's why I was thinking about air filters etc..

 

 

It's 184ps which is 181bhp, but it's probably not that either!!  I have had mine on the rollers twice, first was 194.9bhp and second was 195.1bhp.  Service it regularly, use it how it should be every so often (give it the beans!) and if it's a DSG (like mine) make sure you get the gearbox serviced every 40k.

 

VCDS - If there is a meet near you, you might be able to persuade a friendly member to turn on some stuff.  I'm on the South Coast but a member has turned on some stuff for me.

Edited 8 February, 20179 yr by mk4gtiturbo

Auric, pist0n.. interesting that you brought up fuel quality, I was going to question if this makes a difference but was going to ask for e.g. Shell vs Shell Nitro.  Was a little worried like you pist0n about it becoming a petrol/diesel thread.

 

Mk4gtiturbo - ps, bhp this is what I mean by newbie!  I'm in the northwest, so gonna look for a meet closer to home.  Don't think I've been on here long enough to ask for someone to update my VCDS, but if someone were to offer

@64VRS. In all the time I had my 184 Vrs it only drank Shell super diesel. She loved it.

 

Maybe it helps but maybe it doesn't. Everyone has there own Ideas. I've noticed none of the F1 teams run on Morrisons or Asda cr@p.............

21 minutes ago, Auric Goldfinger said:

@64VRS. In all the time I had my 184 Vrs it only drank Shell super diesel. She loved it.

 

Maybe it helps but maybe it doesn't. Everyone has there own Ideas. I've noticed none of the F1 teams run on Morrisons or Asda cr@p.............

 

Yeah, only ever put quality fuel in my vRS, by that I mean texaco, shell etc.. but looking at sticking to shell nitro whenever possible! 

 

Very good point re F1 teams!!

The only DERV the F1 teams are using are in the HGV Transporters.  and the Gasoline / Race Fuel is not Pump Fuel as in 95,97,99 or even 102 octane.

 

You might watch the Ferrari Advert / Feature on Shell Fuel and a F1 car running on Pump Fuel,  but then there is Pump Fuel from Filling Stations in Italy near Ferrari Factories and test tracks that is not the octane that you get in the UK with Shell V-Power Nitro+.

http://vitalequipment.co.uk/carless-hiperflo-12-c.asp

 

 

Edited 8 February, 20179 yr by Offski

Thanks George, I was really meaning if Asda/Morrisons finest wasn't sutable for the F1 Cars then it's not sutable for my Skoda.

Esso, Texaco, Shell, BP or anyone elses UK Filling Station finest is not suitable for any F1 teams race cars even when joking or not.

http://volkswagen.co.uk/need-help/owners/Fuel

 

Maybe horses for courses applies and if you want Premium Diesel and a higher cetane, or Super Unleaded and a higher octane then that is fine there are choices and never darken a supermarket filling stations forecourt, 

but if you want Detergent Packages then maybe consider if Leading Oil Companies Branded Fuels are always better or less likely to be the cause of engine issues.

What percentage of Bio do they use, do they go to 5%?

If you are buying Esso then maybe that came supplied by Greenergy that supplied Tesco and others.

http://greenergy.com/uk/independent

 

Greenergy produce TESCO MOMENTUM 99,  But just because Jason Plato's BTCC car had TESCO MOMENTUM 99 livery did not 

mean the car had that in the fuel tank.

Edited 8 February, 20179 yr by Offski