Everytime I set off and hit about 15mph, I hear a metallic sounding graunch from outside the car.

I used to own a Puma and remembered that it tested it's traction control at 10mph and the sound is pretty similar.

Is that what is happening or something else?

Regards

Steve

Doesn't sound familiar mate. I'll try a couple tomorrow & let you know if they do it too. I'm pretty certain that the only self test it does is on initial start up as with the other ECU controlled systems on the car(i.e Airbag light on for a few seconds then off).

mine makes a noise to, only once as you move off having just started the engine.

My Fabia does the same thing.. usually after the car has moved a few metres. it just tests the ABS/EDL pump for a fraction of a second.

Mine doesn't do that... that I can hear anyway

I think it's mentioned somewhere in the manual -it's the ABS calibrating itself.

Phil

I'm glad other people have noticed this. My '02 Tavia does it, my brother's 1.8T 'w' reg does it. Always from engine start and usually around the time you go to change up from 1st to 2nd.

Octavia Owner's Manual pp113:

"How the ABS system works

An automatic test procedure is carried out once the car has reached a speed of about 20 km/h. A pump noise may be audible for about 1 second during this check."

If you have auto lock/unlock enabled on your car, that check will probably be drowned out by the ringing left in your ears as the vehicle is locked when a speed of 15 km/h is reached.

Tried 2 Octavias & 1 Fabia with TCS, they all re-produced the noise. The explanation in the manuals & booklets are pretty much what DGW said.