Hi everyone I am about to buy a superb 4x4 2012 any pointers what to look out for when buying? First time Skoda buyer. Cheers in advance 

The 4x4 system is a Haldex system. Needs its oil changing every 3 years. Needs its filter changing too, except that Skoda don’t seem to think there is a filter!

 

If the 4x4 system fails, there is no warning light. You just notice that on wet roads / mud, the front wheels spin.

I would check the service history for that and for the DSG gearbox (if it has one). DSG service interval is 40,000 miles.

Thanks for that nicknorman. It doesn't have dsg as been reading about a recall in Australia on them so went for manual. Full service history as was doctor on call vehicle so hope allison good. What exactly is the Haldex system sounds complicated. 😱

11 hours ago, Stevieo said:

Thanks for that nicknorman. It doesn't have dsg as been reading about a recall in Australia on them so went for manual. Full service history as was doctor on call vehicle so hope allison good. What exactly is the Haldex system sounds complicated. 😱

It's a reactive, traction based 4wd system wherein under normal load (with no loss of traction) drive is sent to the front wheels and only when a loss of traction is detected does power gets sent to the rear wheels, e.g all 4 wheels are not permanently driven like a 'true' all wheel drive transmission.

 

https://www.torquingcars.com/tech-talk/tech-talk-what-is-haldex/

 

 

On 18/10/2019 at 00:29, Stevieo said:

Thanks for that nicknorman. It doesn't have dsg as been reading about a recall in Australia on them so went for manual. Full service history as was doctor on call vehicle so hope allison good. What exactly is the Haldex system sounds complicated. 😱

It’s the brand name for the 4 x 4 system. A small box between the rear end of the prop shaft and the front of the rear differential. Inside a a clutch mechanism that connects (partially or fully) or disconnects the drive to the rear wheels. A computer decides when to transfer some drive to the rear wheels (accelerating hard in a low gear, or if wheelspin is detected etc) and disconnects when cruising so as to improve fuel consumption.

 

The clutch is operated by oil pressure provided by an electric pump. There is also a filter. The oil and filter become contaminated with fibres from the clutch material, and this can clog the filter and pump. Skoda recommend changing the oil every 3 years.

There are different versions of the Haldex system, 1 to 5. I’m pretty sure yours will be a Haldex 4 which has a replaceable filter (the Haldex 5 doesn’t). However, for some inexplicable reason and partly because Skoda just bought the Haldex module, they didn’t make or design it, there is no part number listed for the filter and thus Skoda dealerships don’t replace the filter when servicing it. Crazy, but true!

 

Thus I would get an independent who understands Haldex servicing to do it. It’s not difficult to DIY, except that getting the filter to pop out can be a struggle. Lots on YouTube about doing it.

 

If the Haldex fails there is typically no dash warning light, you just notice wheelspin etc. But there will be a diagnostic fault code on the Haldex system when interrogated with a suitable code reader (VCDS, or dealer system).

@Stevieo

Welcome.

Just incase someone gets the wrong end of the gear shifter.

The DSG's you read about in Australia & a recall or recall action are DQ200's that are not fitted to cars with Haldax / AWD, or engines over 192ps / 250 Nm torque, 

so not fitted to the Superb 4x4's.

Edited 21 October, 20196 yr by Roottootemoot