Hello everyone,  I'm new to Skoda forums but not new to Skoda. I'm retired and have worked on many old 105's 120's 130's etc. Since retiring I've been lucky enough to own a 2013 mk3 Octavia 2.0tdi manual estate and presently the same except it's a 2016 dsg. The only problem I've had with either is the red button on the n/s rear seat is stuck, the catch still seems to work perfectly. The cars going in for an early oil change, I really didn't like waiting until 18000 miles before changing engine oil, my generation changed oil every 3000 to 5000 miles, very hard to believe oil lasts such mileage, an age thing I guess.  While it's having it's first service I've asked for the button to be sorted.

So with having had so few faults I won't be of much use to the forum but I'll read it and hopefully learn. Fingers crossed I won't be asking for advice in the near future.

 

A warm welcome to the Forum !  I agree on oil changing and make sure it is done every year or 10,000 miles.  I think 5000 if it gets short hard runs?

Thank you Oldmansomerset. It seems like many car have what to me ridiculously high mileage oil change intervals, it might be an age thing (old school) or the way I think, where engineering is so good nowadays, the only way dealers are going to sell parts is to leave oil changes so long the parts get a chance to wear.   I hate be such a cynical old sod, I'm sounding more like my dad every year ☹️. 

When oil changes were every 6000 miles I changed mine at 3000. I had two vehicles in the 1970's that did over 120000 with no engine problems at all.

Another of my beliefs is always buy the best which usually means most expensive oil possible... If the engine goes wrong and you've used cheap oil you'll always wonder if that was the reason, put the best oil in and you couldn't have done any more. But wow, aren't modern oils expensive??? Still what has to be has to be.

Welcome to Briskoda

 

Davy

20 minutes ago, Nuttermagnet said:

Thank you Oldmansomerset. It seems like many car have what to me ridiculously high mileage oil change intervals, it might be an age thing (old school) or the way I think, where engineering is so good nowadays, the only way dealers are going to sell parts is to leave oil changes so long the parts get a chance to wear.   I hate be such a cynical old sod, I'm sounding more like my dad every year ☹️. 

When oil changes were every 6000 miles I changed mine at 3000. I had two vehicles in the 1970's that did over 120000 with no engine problems at all.

Another of my beliefs is always buy the best which usually means most expensive oil possible... If the engine goes wrong and you've used cheap oil you'll always wonder if that was the reason, put the best oil in and you couldn't have done any more. But wow, aren't modern oils expensive??? Still what has to be has to be.

 

Yes, I ran a 1987 Mercedes 250 diesel  for over 300,000 miles.  I changed the oil and filter every 5000 miles, did the intermediate ones myself and never had any engine problems bar a hairline crack in the cylinder head at around 250,000.  By then, having had it from new, it was about 20 years old so no real grumbles.  I feel an oil change every year at least is worth it and Honest John agrees.

Welcome along!  Good idea on the oil change and the car will reward you for it

Thank you CharleyPeak

Thanks for all of the kind welcomes. It's good to know it's not just me that believes oil and filters are the most important maintenance you can do on modern cars.

I was a Home Tune engine tuning specialist in the 1970's/80's, I doing that until I felt cars were becoming more intelligent than me. In those days tuning was as important as oil changes... Today's cars with more and more sensors, engine wise there's very little owners can do, oil and filters are about it, even alternator belts on some cars are ridiculously complicated or hard to find.

Our 150hp Octavia easily averages 50mpg, a 150hp car from the 70's/80's you'd be lucky to achieve low 20's mpg probably high teens.. I'm happy letting someone else sort the car.

 

Does anyone know if main dealers drain the oil using the drain plug or sucking it out?

Thanks again for the welcome.

1 hour ago, Nuttermagnet said:

Thanks for all of the kind welcomes. It's good to know it's not just me that believes oil and filters are the most important maintenance you can do on modern cars.

I was a Home Tune engine tuning specialist in the 1970's/80's, I doing that until I felt cars were becoming more intelligent than me. In those days tuning was as important as oil changes... Today's cars with more and more sensors, engine wise there's very little owners can do, oil and filters are about it, even alternator belts on some cars are ridiculously complicated or hard to find.

Our 150hp Octavia easily averages 50mpg, a 150hp car from the 70's/80's you'd be lucky to achieve low 20's mpg probably high teens.. I'm happy letting someone else sort the car.

 

Does anyone know if main dealers drain the oil using the drain plug or sucking it out?

Thanks again for the welcome.

Welcome to the Forum. At nearly 54 suppose I'm classed as middle aged although I don't feel it but 24 years ago my BMW 325i Coupe with 199bhp (lightly modified) had the service lights go out every 1,400miles or so and oil changes were done at 7,500miles. That car averaged between 28-32mpg. My current Octy (lightly modified) needs oil changes at 18,500miles despite having 302bhp and averages 41mpg. I think this highlights the progress manufacturers have made in the last 25 years. I like your handle because I seem to also attract a lot of nutters on the road.

Hello shyVRS245,

Wow good car history, slightly envious. No my handle is due to my fishing experiences, it doesn't matter where or what time, day or night, I seem to attract every nutter from miles around. They've caught fish off piers that don't exist, fish that are three times the UK record size etc etc mustn't moan, still love every minute.

I'm nearly 69, still hoping that's middle aged. Now who's a nutter?