forgot to attach brochure pdf

SKODA OCTAVIA Brochure 21DEC20.pdf

1 hour ago, spanner555 said:

What model of octavia do you have. I thought all octavias would have a 750kg towing capacity minimum. If it's a hybrid/electric i guess there may be other limitations that prevent any type of towing. 

 

Of course you don't actually want to tow anything as such. It's a tricky one. 

1.5 TSI, manual  

 

Hi Guys, 

I know it is a long way for many of you but wondered if it was worth consideration.

Just had a quote from Westerntowing at Newton Abbot https://www.westerntowing.co.uk/towbars-fitted-exeter-newton-abbot-torbay-devon/  to supply and fit a Westfalia detachable with dedicated electrics with coding etc inc VAT at £649.80 inclusive of 10% discount during February.    They confirmed that they had the necessary equipment to do the necessary coding.

Good luck all.

I have booked in PFJones who are a but cheaper than the above and also claim to be able to do the correct coding, so I'll let you know how I get on!

Hope all goes well for you.

I’m wondering if anyone has managed to get a towbar fitted and the coding done successfully.  Mine was due in yesterday but has been delayed till the 23rd because a required part is outstanding. The dealer was originally doing it themselves, but they’ve now subcontracted to a local (to them) independent but they have to do the recoding.  I’m waiting confirmation the make of the tow bar to be fitted.  

Can't answer your question yet because mine's due next week, but I can confirm with certainty that the bar itself that fits the Mk4 is the same one that fits the Mk3, plus Leon, Golf etc etc. Obviously we're all waiting to see whether the coding can be done easily. One of the quotes I got was they can do all the fitting plus the electrics, but that I'd then have to take it to skoda for coding and they would charge "about £50". Is said that seemed unlikely given how incredibly unhelpful skoda had been when I tried to do this in the past!

The tow bar that will be fitted hopefully in the 23rd is a westfalia detachable.  Apparently it’s the same one the Skoda would fit themselves albeit with the Skoda badging on it. Let’s see what happens on fit day. As the Skoda dealer said to me  “everyday is a school day”.   Which sets alarm bells ringing and leads me to think it won’t be straight forward!  

On 12/02/2021 at 14:55, Dr_Pepper said:

Can't answer your question yet because mine's due next week, but I can confirm with certainty that the bar itself that fits the Mk4 is the same one that fits the Mk3, plus Leon, Golf etc etc. Obviously we're all waiting to see whether the coding can be done easily. One of the quotes I got was they can do all the fitting plus the electrics, but that I'd then have to take it to skoda for coding and they would charge "about £50". Is said that seemed unlikely given how incredibly unhelpful skoda had been when I tried to do this in the past!

Wondering if you managed to get your towbar successfully fitted?  Mine went in today with the dealer, who rang me this PM to say they were having a coding issue and needed one of their senior/master coder to do it as it was proving to be tricky.  That person would not be in till next week so needed to keep my car in till then. He then proceeded to tell me that as this is a new model that Skoda is waiting for more owners to ask for towbar fitting before they start to make it easier and make more aftermarket parts available. I may have misheard him, because I was spitting feathers by that point!  

22 minutes ago, Ajdude said:

Wondering if you managed to get your towbar successfully fitted?  Mine went in today with the dealer, who rang me this PM to say they were having a coding issue and needed one of their senior/master coder to do it as it was proving to be tricky.  That person would not be in till next week so needed to keep my car in till then. He then proceeded to tell me that as this is a new model that Skoda is waiting for more owners to ask for towbar fitting before they start to make it easier and make more aftermarket parts available. I may have misheard him, because I was spitting feathers by that point!  

It does make you wonder about this new model and the “support network” of dealers. Whether it’s over promising on a tow bar fitment, confusion /lack of knowledge regarding specs (both at dealers and on the web) or countless unresolved software / hardware issues, it does seem to have been a real mess of a new model launch. 
I know there’s a global pandemic and that life as we knew it is no more, but surely being able to understand whether you can fit a towbar or not BEFORE accepting the job isn’t too much to ask? 
🤷🏻‍♂️

If I understand correctly for the aftermarket towbar installation, you need new CAN module number 69 (J345 or simmilar) which will be connected to the CAN bus and that module will feed the electrical wiring on the trailer.

For new module to work properly, you need to enabled it in the ECU CAN gateway using VCDS/OBD11 or ODIS. With the new Octavia there could be some SFD (Vehicle Diagnostic Protection) related problems.

 

Besides enabling this module, additional coding needs to be done so when trailer is connected to the towbar, it can disable (ACC, electronic trunk opening, etc...) or enable some additional features (enable trailer assist in park assist).

Video bellow is showing VCDS capabilities and SFD limitations for trailer coding on new Octavia. Maybe this will bi helpful. Don't mind the Golf in the video name.

 

 

Good info omadon. Having looked at that then, and their forum;  

https://forum.vcdspro.de/index.php?/wiki/misc/allgemeine-informationen/content/sfd-schutz-der-fahrzeugdiagnose-r32/

My understanding is it maybe possible for an independent specialist to do towbar coding using vcds. However vag are introducing more and more stringent security features on their vehicles as time goes by.

In theory it should be possible...

 

First somebody needs to test:

• if old J345 CAN Trailer module is working with the new CAN BUS module on MBQ Evo platform or can you buy official CAN Trailer modules supplied by Octavia MK IV.
• If there is CAN-H and CAN-L connections prepared in the back of the Octavia where J345 module will be installed.
• Find what options for conding and adaptation needs to be changed based on the equipment installed in each car (ACC, Park Assist, Electric booth opening, etc...)
• Find if SFD protection will be an issue. Based on the video above, those modules are not protected and it should be possible to do required modification with latest VCDS.

After that, every third party towbar installer will be able to do the job...

 

 

 

Westfalia kit:

 

Tow Bar, to work correctly, requires a VW module. This is responsible for CAN communication with other modules:

• Engine - when towing it works differently to cope with extra load - sometimes switches additional fan to cool
• ABS / ESP module - these work differently when trailer is hooked to avoid jack knifing. 
• CECM - This power module distributes power in another way when trailer is hooked - also visually aids the driver when trailer is hooked on dashboard 
• OPS - This is coded so when trailer is hooked up sensors do not beep
• CAN gateway - trailer module is coded into the gateway (main comms hub) so the car and other modules know what to do
• RVC - reversing camera - similar thing to parking sensors - recognises the trailer on the screen switches off dynamic lines
• 5F Information Electronics - ensures entertainment system displays all the trailer info correctly. 
• LED Trailer Module 69

Some of the modules are locked with SFD

On 06/02/2021 at 00:50, spanner555 said:

Any update Nosnehm on whether your local fitter could code your towbar. 

I'm in a very similar situation to yourself. I've got a mk3 to which i fitted a pfjones towbar with dedicated electrics. Was able to code the electrics with vcds. Did all the work myself. 

I'm hoping to upgrade to the mk4. My plan is to remove the towbar from the mk3 and fit to the new car. 

 

 

You'll probably find that the steel beam horizontally behind the bumper will be different from Mk 3 to Mk 4.

You could well be right, but pfjones supplies this towbar for the mk4;

 

https://www.pfjones.co.uk/skoda-octavia-hatchback-2020-onwards-westfalia-detachable-towbar.html

 

Which is the same model as that listed for the mk3. I think nosnehm from an earlier post got in touch with pfjones and they confirmed same. 

4 hours ago, FlyingGecko said:

Firstly to date the local supplier is having issues getting the dedicated loom and module together with coding access.  Also I can verify that PF Jones did confirm that the same towbar fits all Octavias from  2013 including the Mk4.  They also say that they do have all the necessary kit and knowledge to supply & Fit same.

Hope that helps.

 

You'll probably find that the steel beam horizontally behind the bumper will be different from Mk 3 to Mk 4.

 

2 hours ago, spanner555 said:

You could well be right, but pfjones supplies this towbar for the mk4;

 

https://www.pfjones.co.uk/skoda-octavia-hatchback-2020-onwards-westfalia-detachable-towbar.html

 

Which is the same model as that listed for the mk3. I think nosnehm from an earlier post got in touch with pfjones and they confirmed same. 

 

That's what I had on my two Octavias, Westfalia seem to be the Skoda-preferred make.

 

I'm always happy to be proved wrong.  I see it's exactly the same photo on PFJ's website for a Mk3 and a Mk4 car.  Interesting that Skoda have exactly the same dimensions and mounting points for the rear beam on the two versions. 

 

 

For those that are interested. Skoda took my car 10 days ago to fit a tow bar.  They still have it, and require it for another week. This is because they have to go into every item that is impacted by having a trailer connected and recode it individually so is taking a very long time!   
 

To be fair to the dealer, they’re keeping me up to speed, they’ve given me a courtesy car till the job is finished and they’re doing the job at cost price!  They’re trying very hard. 
 

Seems Skoda are not fully up to speed in making an aftermarket towbar an easy fit, at least not from my experience.  The dealers are still learning as well.  
 

 

1 hour ago, Ajdude said:

For those that are interested. Skoda took my car 10 days ago to fit a tow bar.  They still have it, and require it for another week. This is because they have to go into every item that is impacted by having a trailer connected and recode it individually so is taking a very long time!   
 

To be fair to the dealer, they’re keeping me up to speed, they’ve given me a courtesy car till the job is finished and they’re doing the job at cost price!  They’re trying very hard. 
 

Seems Skoda are not fully up to speed in making an aftermarket towbar an easy fit, at least not from my experience.  The dealers are still learning as well.  
 

 

 

 

What are they calling "cost price"?

14 minutes ago, FlyingGecko said:

 

 

What are they calling "cost price"?

A bargain at 750!pounds!  

HOW MUCH??

 

PF Jones will fit a Westfalia (Skoda recommended) detachable with all electrics and coding for well under £600. Online quote just obtained.

1 minute ago, FlyingGecko said:

HOW MUCH??

 

PF Jones will fit a Westfalia (Skoda recommended) detachable with all electrics and coding for well under £600. Online quote just obtained.

Yes it is very high. But I also went to my local fitter who I’ve used before and they also do all the local dealers including VAG. 

 

They originally quoted me 550 and just about to book them and they came across the coding issue and said to wait till the could get access.  When I asked them later they said they could sort the coding but now required a new bumper from Skoda with a cutaway.  Which would be another 250 to 300. 
 

So back to the dealer as it gives that little extra piece of mind over warranty. 
 

Given the time taken by the dealer, I suspect independents may also run into coding issues. 
 

Its a painful saga for me and seemingly others on this topic. 
 

if you do get a towbar fitted from PFJones would be good to share your experiences. 

A new bumper...

 

this seems excessive. We'll have to wait and see. 

16 hours ago, Ajdude said:

For those that are interested. Skoda took my car 10 days ago to fit a tow bar.  They still have it, and require it for another week. This is because they have to go into every item that is impacted by having a trailer connected and recode it individually so is taking a very long time!   
 

To be fair to the dealer, they’re keeping me up to speed, they’ve given me a courtesy car till the job is finished and they’re doing the job at cost price!  They’re trying very hard. 
 

Seems Skoda are not fully up to speed in making an aftermarket towbar an easy fit, at least not from my experience.  The dealers are still learning as well.  
 

 

The general debacle regarding the Mk4 continues - I feel it is totally illogical that the manufacturer would have such difficulty is servicing this request when they offer it as a 'Factory Fit'.  The parts, wiring loom and coding must of necessity be the same or is it targeted marketing!!  It is at least unethical and certainly not supportive of their customer base.  Perhaps it will now fail to earn 'Star' rating with the Caravan magazines which Skoda have dominated in previous years.