General antifreeze and coolant .my vehicle had it coolant putting on the 1st of the 10th 2019 th when it rolled off the assembly line in Czechoslovakia I didn't get used until I bought it till the 1st of the 8th 20   the car only had 11 miles on the clock and it was brand new and had been covered not exposed to the elements in all those months  ,   now is this antifreeze and coolant long life 1 how many years does it stay in a vehicle before you have to change it obviously there are a lot of long life coolant out there air I'm presuming that's what the factory put in in and I presume that after 3 years the last service would be a coolant change am I correct in thinking this and would you guys advised me to get a coolant   ((antifreeze checking device))) that lets me know if it's breaking down vehicle goes in Monday to have its first oil change but what they don't know is I've done a sneaky oil change when it it had  1000 miles didn't want all that metal in there thanks guys I've been a Vauxhall man long life this is my first VAG car

Most Vauxhalls are built to a budget (and are not really that good) - as are Skoda's, but the build quality on a VAG car is considerably better than a GM/PSA group car, so welcome to the group and your first Skoda car.

There are like all cars - niggles that you will learn about which effects all MK3's.  They are good solid cars if well maintained.

 

Firstly, I would recommend a couple of things: find the various threads about removing the Silica Teabag from your coolant header tank.  These will cause you issues down the line.  It shouldn't hopefully be too hard to do and worse case will require a new header tank which will set you back less than 25ukp.

 

Secondly, with the Silica teabag removed, you will have to change your coolant every five (5) years.....no big deal.

 

Thirdly, it is good that you are thinking ahead and doing an intermediate oil change.  I've always tended to get my Skoda dealer or VAG specialist to do a service at around 6000 miles to get rid of the gunk from the running in period and from that point onwards, do an oil change every 10,000 miles will keep your car super happy for it life with you.

 

In terms of having the correct coolant, you need to get a bottle of G12evo or G12++ coolant for your car.  A one litre bottle should be good to keep in stock.  Be mindful that you get the ready mixed stuff (because there are versions out there which are concentrate). 

 

A good chart to have access to is the Skoda Servicing Schedule guide - https://www.skoda.co.uk/_doc/8b70c541-726b-4996-9999-66ebc7ca520b

which should give you an idea about what needs to be serviced and when.  A lot of us are OCD and do more in the way of maintenance, because we are mad and love our Czech cars way too much.  However, it is also worth noting that an Octavia is just a VW Golf in different clothing, so you are guaranteed to get good underpinnings of a car.

5 minutes ago, varaderoguy said:

Most Vauxhalls are built to a budget (and are not really that good) - as are Skoda's, but the build quality on a VAG car is considerably better than a GM/PSA group car, so welcome to the group and your first Skoda car.

There are like all cars - niggles that you will learn about which effects all MK3's.  They are good solid cars if well maintained.

 

Firstly, I would recommend a couple of things: find the various threads about removing the Silica Teabag from your coolant header tank.  These will cause you issues down the line.  It shouldn't hopefully be too hard to do and worse case will require a new header tank which will set you back less than 25ukp.

 

Secondly, with the Silica teabag removed, you will have to change your coolant every five (5) years.....no big deal.

 

Thirdly, it is good that you are thinking ahead and doing an intermediate oil change.  I've always tended to get my Skoda dealer or VAG specialist to do a service at around 6000 miles to get rid of the gunk from the running in period and from that point onwards, do an oil change every 10,000 miles will keep your car super happy for it life with you.

 

In terms of having the correct coolant, you need to get a bottle of G12evo or G12++ coolant for your car.  A one litre bottle should be good to keep in stock.  Be mindful that you get the ready mixed stuff (because there are versions out there which are concentrate). 

 

A good chart to have access to is the Skoda Servicing Schedule guide - https://www.skoda.co.uk/_doc/8b70c541-726b-4996-9999-66ebc7ca520b

which should give you an idea about what needs to be serviced and when.  A lot of us are OCD and do more in the way of maintenance, because we are mad and love our Czech cars way too much.  However, it is also worth noting that an Octavia is just a VW Golf in different clothing, so you are guaranteed to get good underpinnings of a car.

Hurrah thanks buddy just a quick question about tea bag header tank ok I will look into it it but if you could just explain and yes build quality on this car is very good love it to bits it's got a handbrake thank God and a manual gearbox and 3 pedals and it's got analogue clocks just like my trustee or Vauxhall Zafira which I had for 17 years yes you're right the accountants came into GM at the end and destroyed it but when the French bought it that was my end of of the love affair with Vauxhall all we've had Vauxhalls in the family since 78 the Skoda Octavia 1.5 petrol hatchback in silver SE with the Denman wheels absolutely stunning it's got what is referred to as the Black pack on it and yes I suffer from OCD but she is a beauty and the best part I only paid 16 grand for it in the middle of krone they couldn't sell these cars at the end because the new model was coming out they reduced its so much and free delivered it hopefully I'll keep the little bugger for another 16 years thanks for the help been most helpful

@Diljit - there are several Briskoda members near you.  I think that one of the Briskoda Administrators @Gizmo lives nearby, so there are folks around and near you who might be able to advise you if you get stuck.  Good luck and I hope you enjoy owning your Octy.  If you are passionate about your new purchase, you might also like to get a copy of ODBEleven Pro or VCDS to understand any future issues or do any minor modifications to your car.  I would also recommend getting a Freedom membership from Briskoda as it only costs 10ukp a year and keeps the forum and website going.

Edited 31 July, 20214 yr by varaderoguy

On 31/07/2021 at 11:57, Diljit said:

 

 

... Vauxhall Zafira which I had for 17 years yes you're right the accountants came into GM at the end and destroyed it...

 

 

 

 

 

GM's accountants have been destroying Vauxhall since 1925.