Parked my 2014 Octavia Mk III 2.0 TDI Auto Elegance Estate on a hill the other day and 10 mins later noticed the car rolling backwards down the hill towards me.

Luckily I managed to unlock it and stop it before it hit some rather expensive boats nearby and then I took it to my local garage who tell me that the DSG gearbox does NOT lock the wheels when in park.

This is something of a revelation for me as I am used to driving automatics all over the world that all lock the wheels in park.

If fact in the USA, many cars do not have a working handbrake as the owners just put the car in park and walk away without bothering with the handbrake.

Am I the only one surprised by this lack of functionality?

The park position does engage a pawl that locks the transmission. If you’ve only been putting the lever into the park position and not engaging the handbrake, or not engaging the handbrake before selecting park, you’ve probably sheared the parking pawl off in the gearbox.

 

Edited 21 July, 20196 yr by Kenny R

33 minutes ago, Changeman said:

Parked my 2014 Octavia Mk III 2.0 TDI Auto Elegance Estate on a hill the other day and 10 mins later noticed the car rolling backwards down the hill towards me.

Luckily I managed to unlock it and stop it before it hit some rather expensive boats nearby and then I took it to my local garage who tell me that the DSG gearbox does NOT lock the wheels when in park.

This is something of a revelation for me as I am used to driving automatics all over the world that all lock the wheels in park.

If fact in the USA, many cars do not have a working handbrake as the owners just put the car in park and walk away without bothering with the handbrake.

Am I the only one surprised by this lack of functionality?

 

33 minutes ago, Changeman said:

Parked my 2014 Octavia Mk III 2.0 TDI Auto Elegance Estate on a hill the other day and 10 mins later noticed the car rolling backwards down the hill towards me.

Luckily I managed to unlock it and stop it before it hit some rather expensive boats nearby and then I took it to my local garage who tell me that the DSG gearbox does NOT lock the wheels when in park.

This is something of a revelation for me as I am used to driving automatics all over the world that all lock the wheels in park.

If fact in the USA, many cars do not have a working handbrake as the owners just put the car in park and walk away without bothering with the handbrake.

Am I the only one surprised by this lack of functionality?

Find a new garage. Doesn't know what he's talking about.  All autos lock up  

42 minutes ago, Changeman said:

Parked my 2014 Octavia Mk III 2.0 TDI Auto Elegance Estate on a hill the other day and 10 mins later noticed the car rolling backwards down the hill towards me.

Luckily I managed to unlock it and stop it before it hit some rather expensive boats nearby and then I took it to my local garage who tell me that the DSG gearbox does NOT lock the wheels when in park.

This is something of a revelation for me as I am used to driving automatics all over the world that all lock the wheels in park.

If fact in the USA, many cars do not have a working handbrake as the owners just put the car in park and walk away without bothering with the handbrake.

Am I the only one surprised by this lack of functionality?

The car rolled away while the DSG was in the 'P' position?

All of the cars I have hired in the USA have either hand the handbrake function in a foot pedal arrangement or an electronic lever. 

Thank you all.

Have found the right words in the manual and will have words with my local garage (Murray Skoda Plymouth) tomorrow.

@Changeman

 

Have a read of this:

 

 

You've said people in the USA park their cars without using the handbrake - perhaps in Florida they do but I bet nobody in San Francisco does.     I think you have a misunderstanding of what the 'P' function does  - it's certainly not a replacement for the parking brake.

 

You don't say if you yourself used the handbrake when the car rolled back - was the handbrake on?

 

If someone parked a car, it rolled back and killed a child, what do you reckon that would amount to in court -  an accident due to mechanical failure or manslaughter? I reckon the driver would be looking at a prison sentence.

On 21/07/2019 at 11:05, Changeman said:

Am I the only one surprised by this lack of functionality?

 

Yes.

34 minutes ago, Scot5 said:

You've said people in the USA park their cars without using the handbrake - perhaps in Florida they do but I bet nobody in San Francisco does.     I think you have a misunderstanding of what the 'P' function does  - it's certainly not a replacement for the parking brake.

 

You don't say if you yourself used the handbrake when the car rolled back - was the handbrake on?

 

If someone parked a car, it rolled back and killed a child, what do you reckon that would amount to in court -  an accident due to mechanical failure or manslaughter? I reckon the driver would be looking at a prison sentence.

Never been to San Fransisco, but they do use Park only in Maryland and Virginia.

The handbrake was on when I parked the car and I have since tried it on a slight slope and in Park with the handbrake off, the car rolls downhill.

As my local dealer has checked the handbrake, pronounced it fit for purpose and stated the gearbox Park function does not lock the wheels, I reckon they would be in the dock, not me.

HOWEVER, I talked to Skoda UK today and they told me that Park does lock the transmission and they are talking to my local dealer to find out why they have a different viewpoint.

It's a legal requirement to use the handbrake when parked up, whether manual or auto.

22 hours ago, ords said:

It's a legal requirement to use the handbrake when parked up, whether manual or auto.

See http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986/1078/regulation/107/made

 

where it says

no person shall leave, or cause or permit to be left, on a road a motor vehicle which is not attended by a person licensed to drive it unless the engine is stopped and any parking brake with which the vehicle is required to be equipped is effectively set.

There is an emergency release on the DQ250 to free the car if the selector release fails in 'park' I could see that could possibly get stuck in the release position, if that were the case the car would not hold in park.

 

Personally I use handbrake and the gearbox. Not unheard of for handbrake to lose grip when brakes cool and the car roll. I don't rely on either alone.

 

Fancy brakes have auto adjustment that tightens as brakes cool

On 24/07/2019 at 18:04, Changeman said:

As my local dealer has checked the handbrake, pronounced it fit for purpose and stated the gearbox Park function does not lock the wheels, I reckon they would be in the dock, not me.

Neither arrogance nor ignorance is a defense in a court of law, your above statement has both, in abundance.

 

Regards hillside parking, I'd have thought it was quite obvious when you live in Cornwall how to park, I'd also expect additional wear from constantly parking on slopes.

 

Get your car fixed before you hurt/kill someone, expensive boats can always be replaced lives can't

50 minutes ago, themanwithnoaim said:

Neither arrogance nor ignorance is a defense in a court of law, your above statement has both, in abundance.

 

Regards hillside parking, I'd have thought it was quite obvious when you live in Cornwall how to park, I'd also expect additional wear from constantly parking on slopes.

 

Get your car fixed before you hurt/kill someone, expensive boats can always be replaced lives can't

I suggest you check the facts before you post such your viewpoints in such an offensive manner and in any case, even if you were correct, there is no need to be quite so rude.

My Skoda dealer (AKA the so called experts) checked the handbrake twice and assured me it was functioning properly. They also tell me the transmission does not mechanically lock when in park, a perspective which is disputed by Skoda technical UK.

So when I set the handbrake properly and the car can still move, I cannot reasonably be held to blame. However I do now take the precaution of keeping the wheels turned to the curve or putting a check under one of the wheels.

Note that in 40 years of motoring driving more cars than I care to remember I have never experienced an MOT pass level handbrake failing in this manner and reading some of the other posts, I am not alone.

1 hour ago, Changeman said:

I suggest you check the facts before you post such your viewpoints in such an offensive manner and in any case, even if you were correct, there is no need to be quite so rude.

My Skoda dealer (AKA the so called experts) checked the handbrake twice and assured me it was functioning properly. They also tell me the transmission does not mechanically lock when in park, a perspective which is disputed by Skoda technical UK.

So when I set the handbrake properly and the car can still move, I cannot reasonably be held to blame. However I do now take the precaution of keeping the wheels turned to the curve or putting a check under one of the wheels.

Note that in 40 years of motoring driving more cars than I care to remember I have never experienced an MOT pass level handbrake failing in this manner and reading some of the other posts, I am not alone.

Offensive ? You're continuing to argue against a point of law (driver is responsible for the roadworthyness of their vehicle). Blunt offensiveness maybe the only way to make you see sense but, if you're still in doubt I'd suggest you go down to your local Police Station & ask their advice.

 

Unless your dealer has given those safety assurances in writing accepting all liabilities, you are still legally responsible for the roadworthyness of the vehicle you are driving, in the eyes of a court.

 

 As these assurances are from a dealer whom has given you contradictory advice from the manufacturer, do you really feel assured, let alone want to put your freedom & liberty on the line ? or peoples lives at risk, if that's a concern to you  

Edited 27 July, 20196 yr by themanwithnoaim

Check if the Skoda Dealership can supply this essential equipment for the vehicles they sell and maintain.

Necessary for parking on hills or over winter months.

1 hour ago, Changeman said:

So when I set the handbrake properly and the car can still move, I cannot reasonably be held to blame.

You may feel this is the proper perspective but legally it is invalid. As others have stated, it is always the responsibility of the driver of a vehicle to ensure its road worthiness. One of the first things I was taught when I learnt to drive and again when I did minibus training. 

 

As you know the car can still move with the handbrake on then should anything happen you are fully culpable, I’m afraid.  

 

My advice would be that if you are not convinced by what your local dealer is telling you then you should try another dealer and/or an independent garage. 

3 minutes ago, maffyou said:

You may feel this is the proper perspective but legally it is invalid. As others have stated, it is always the responsibility of the driver of a vehicle to ensure its road worthiness. One of the first things I was taught when I learnt to drive and again when I did minibus training. 

 

As you know the car can still move with the handbrake on then should anything happen you are fully culpable, I’m afraid.  

 

My advice would be that if you are not convinced by what your local dealer is telling you then you should try another dealer and/or an independent garage. 

Thank you maffyou and also for putting your point without rancour.

However, I did say  I now take the precaution of keeping the wheels turned to the curve or putting a chock under one of the wheels and my concerns have been put in writing.

6 hours ago, Changeman said:

They also tell me the transmission does not mechanically lock when in park, a perspective which is disputed by Skoda technical UK.

 

From the book of words.......

 

"A parking brake is integrated in the differential to secure the vehicle in the parked position and to prevent the vehicle from creeping forwards or backwards unintentionally when the handbrake is not applied.
When the selector lever is moved to the 'P' position, the parking lock is engaged. To do this, a locking pawl engages in the teeth of the parking lock gear." 

 

Also my DSG, (also a DQ250) does not roll on any hill when in 'Park' no matter how steep. The dealership is telling porkys I would suggest they consult their manuals and self-study guides again

 

I would suggest something (like the emergency release) is stopping the parking lock engaging allowing it to roll.

Update on Progress with Skoda

I have been in contact with Skoda UK Chief Executives office.

They tell me that the parking lock, which Murray Skoda insisted did not exist, can actually be fixed, but only by replacing the whole gearbox.

Murray Skoda are offering to contribute 60% of the parts cost plus free labour. A "goodwill gesture" as they say it is down to wear and tear and is not covered by warranty.

However as this still leaves me with a £1200 bill and my full Skoda Warranty does not expire until 3rd September, I am not inclined to accept.

Any views as to how I stand legally?

I cannot agree that a gearbox is only good for 65K miles, especially when I have a full Skoda service history.

 

Do not accept.

The Gesture discount is off an over inflated cost of the new gearbox coming from Skoda / VW who are supplying it.

 You can not believe anything from the dealership when you look at guff an employee there gave you previously.

 

Read the T&C's in the Warranty, and then take legal advice.

 

?

What does the Full Skoda Service History show other than the usual 

& one DSG Oil & Filter Change at 40,000 miles,  

does it show that important action?

Edited 18 August, 20196 yr by Roottootemoot

17 minutes ago, Changeman said:

Update on Progress with Skoda

I have been in contact with Skoda UK Chief Executives office.

They tell me that the parking lock, which Murray Skoda insisted did not exist, can actually be fixed, but only by replacing the whole gearbox.

Murray Skoda are offering to contribute 60% of the parts cost plus free labour. A "goodwill gesture" as they say it is down to wear and tear and is not covered by warranty.

However as this still leaves me with a £1200 bill and my full Skoda Warranty does not expire until 3rd September, I am not inclined to accept.

Any views as to how I stand legally?

I cannot agree that a gearbox is only good for 65K miles, especially when I have a full Skoda service history.

 

There is no way in hell the transmission parking lock can fail due to wear and tear. It's basically a pin that engages into a gap in one of the gears.

Also how can they tell how the part has failed, without a gearbox strip down to examine the parts? This is just another case or Skoda BS to customers.

Goodwill is their way of reducing their cost to themselves, nothing more.

 

If a DSG  is parked with the handbrake applied, and the gear selector in park, the strain on the parking lock is minimal. 

@Changeman

When did you get the car and did it ever hold in 'P' and did you always apply the parking brake?

On 24/07/2019 at 19:04, Changeman said:

As my local dealer has checked the handbrake, pronounced it fit for purpose and stated the gearbox Park function does not lock the wheels, I reckon they would be in the dock, not me.

 

 

They have been entirely truthfull, the gearbox park function on your car does not lock the wheels.

 

If despite witnessing your vehicle running downhill and them confirming the above you choose to not use the handbrake it cannot be their responsability. If they had told you that it does lock the wheels you might have a point.

3 minutes ago, J.R. said:

 

They have been entirely truthfull, the gearbox park function on your car does not lock the wheels.

 

If despite witnessing your vehicle running downhill and them confirming the above you choose to not use the handbrake it cannot be their responsability. If they had told you that it does lock the wheels you might have a point.

The gearbox parking function (when working) locks the transmission, which is directly connected to the diff, then driveshafts and finally the wheels. To suggest otherwise is pure semantics.