Hi everyone!

 

Picking up my Karoq tomorrow. First time with a Karoq and wondered if anyone has any recommendations for things to do with it? Stock, bar side steps and a towbar.

 

So far I'm thinking:

 

• Take it out for a proper shakedown

• Set all the classics (individual mode, radio, equaliser, etc.)

• Confirm if the gearbox is DQ381 or DQ500

• Lust over a TVS Stage 2 Chip & DSG tune (then remember 2 more years of dealer warranty first)

• Buy & install felt door liners

• Buy & install Travall for the dog

• Complete the inaugural ceremonial McDonald's run

• Bask in awe during the inaugural tip run

 

Had a few from the Skoda range before this one:

• Octavia SE 1.4 TSI, '10

• Fabia Estate Monte Carlo 1.2 TSI (110), '16

• Superb L&K 2.0 TSI 4x4, '16

• Octavia SEL 1.4 TSI, '17

 

Effectively came down to a choice of a Cupra Ateca vs the Sportline and, on the balance of actual day to day living, the Sportline edged it.

7 minutes ago, Elson said:

Picking up my Karoq tomorrow. First time with a Karoq and wondered if anyone has any recommendations for things to do with it

Put it down. It's heavy and you'll strain your back.  

2 minutes ago, KenONeill said:

Put it down. It's heavy and you'll strain your back.  

Haha, I'm still getting up off the floor after my wife described it as 'dad cool', so a strained back is probably now going to be par for the course!

Set the doors to motion locking... it's West Yorkshire dammit!

 

They will steal the chrome off the trim as you're moving 😄

28 minutes ago, varooom said:

Set the doors to motion locking... it's West Yorkshire dammit!

 

They will steal the chrome off the trim as you're moving 😄

Parking it front facing the video doorbell, can't be too careful 😉

 

Dashcam wiring preinstalled, and CrossClimates already on the car on pickup, so I'm ready for the bumper car carparks & odd crap weather spell!

26 minutes ago, Elson said:

Parking it front facing the video doorbell, can't be too careful 😉

 

KESSY...?  If so, buy Faraday pouches to keep the keys in and use them.  

6 hours ago, Schtum said:

 

KESSY...?  If so, buy Faraday pouches to keep the keys in and use them.  

Great shout, I have an older faraday box but it's showing its age a bit and is falling apart (stick on leatherette is peeling, etc.). Do you have any recommendations for a decent quality box?

Open the bonnet and see where the coolant level is cold. Where the oil level is cold. 

Then when the car has been running and the engine oil up to around 90*oC stop and check the oil level after a few minutes.

 

Check the tyre pressures and reset if need be and reset the TPMS even if you do not adjust them. 

 

Check the tools / security socket for wheel bolts. 

?

Has the Haldex been serviced properly @ 3 years? 

Edited 22 July, 20223 yr by roottoot

You can turn off the KESSY receiver in the car each time you lock it by pressing the lock button on the key and then touching the outer dimple. I do it whenever I'm parking up overnight or in dodgy areas. This is really belt and braces though as the key turns off its KESSY transmitter after being motionless for 5 minutes. 

 

I also turned off the Soundaktor noise generator which makes a fake engine noise in some driving modes. You can do this in the settings for the Individual mode, but I did it permanently with OBD11. 

 

Check that the last owner's ID has been deleted from the car settings, and set yourself up as the new owner.

 

Check the engine cover is firmly fixed in place. There was a VAG-wide recall recently for cars fitted with the 2.0TSI engine as the cover could move under harsh acceleration into a hot area and catch fire. The Karoq wasn't included in the cars listed, so it could be that the engine compartment is sufficiently different that it's not affected, but I check mine every now and again anyway. (The recall was to simply remove the engine cover for the time being until they can supply a safe replacement.)

 

Enjoy it... but not too much with the price of petrol at the moment!

 

Chris 

Edited 22 July, 20223 yr by CJJE

Later cars from sometime in 2019 have keys that stop transmitting after being stationary for a few minutes. This effectively prevents the stealing off the drive using receiver and amplifier method if you forget to disable Kessy.

Worth looking into if your car is new enough to have this upgrade.

4 hours ago, kenfowler3966 said:

Later cars from sometime in 2019 have keys that stop transmitting after being stationary for a few minutes. This effectively prevents the stealing off the drive using receiver and amplifier method if you forget to disable Kessy.

Worth looking into if your car is new enough to have this upgrade.

Very true... I'd missed the point that Elson had a 2019 car. 

 

As you say the new KESSY key was fitted to MY20 cars (which have 'L' as the10th character in the VIN). 

 

Chris

Edited 22 July, 20223 yr by CJJE

9 minutes ago, CJJE said:

As you say the new KESSY key was fitted to MY20 cars (which have 'L' as the10th character in the VIN). 

 

That's very helpful, thank you.  I'll need to check the VIN on our October 2019 registered car. 

17 hours ago, Elson said:

Great shout, I have an older faraday box but it's showing its age a bit and is falling apart (stick on leatherette is peeling, etc.). Do you have any recommendations for a decent quality box?

I use old Tabaco tins when at home. Most Faraday pouches I've seen are too small to hold everything on the key ring - especially my wife's. She looks like a prison warden with all the keys she carries. 

16 hours ago, roottoot said:

Open the bonnet and see where the coolant level is cold. Where the oil level is cold. 

Then when the car has been running and the engine oil up to around 90*oC stop and check the oil level after a few minutes.

 

Check the tyre pressures and reset if need be and reset the TPMS even if you do not adjust them. 

 

Check the tools / security socket for wheel bolts. 

?

Has the Haldex been serviced properly @ 3 years? 

All excellent shouts. Will wait till the morning to check these, and off to the air pump as well.

 

Car received an MOT 2 months early and the dealership replaced the front brakes, pads, and 2 worn suspension bushes. Whilst perhaps indications of a rather harsh life before I've picked it up, I'm thinking that the extra 2 years Skoda warranty will hopefully iron out any currently unforeseen issues!

 

14 hours ago, CJJE said:

You can turn off the KESSY receiver in the car each time you lock it by pressing the lock button on the key and then touching the outer dimple. I do it whenever I'm parking up overnight or in dodgy areas. This is really belt and braces though as the key turns off its KESSY transmitter after being motionless for 5 minutes. 

 

I also turned off the Soundaktor noise generator which makes a fake engine noise in some driving modes. You can do this in the settings for the Individual mode, but I did it permanently with OBD11. 

 

Check that the last owner's ID has been deleted from the car settings, and set yourself up as the new owner.

 

Check the engine cover is firmly fixed in place. There was a VAG-wide recall recently for cars fitted with the 2.0TSI engine as the cover could move under harsh acceleration into a hot area and catch fire. The Karoq wasn't included in the cars listed, so it could be that the engine compartment is sufficiently different that it's not affected, but I check mine every now and again anyway. (The recall was to simply remove the engine cover for the time being until they can supply a safe replacement.)

 

Enjoy it... but not too much with the price of petrol at the moment!

 

Chris 

Brilliant advice all round, at the same time as checking the coolant & oils I can check the cover is secure.

 

Looking forward to the configuration wizard tomorrow morning. So far I've just managed to get it home via the inaugural McDonalds christening (completed with the holy ritual of not curbing any of the alloys). Just need to keep the spirited driving at bay to increase the depressingly low 24mpg average through the 6 mile town journey! A countryside trip tomorrow should do wonders!

 

In terms of KESSY, is that the key that looks like the normal ones with the flip out metal, or the one where it's a pull out 'tab' style key?

On 21/07/2022 at 23:40, Schtum said:

 

KESSY...?  If so, buy Faraday pouches to keep the keys in and use them.  

 

May not need a Faraday cage as the keys switch off if not moved for 5 minutes. May depend on year of car.

8 minutes ago, Routemaster1461 said:

 

May not need a Faraday cage as the keys switch off if not moved for 5 minutes. May depend on year of car.

Less than £10 for 2 Faraday pouches, or rely on keys maybe turning themselves off. 

1 hour ago, Kenny R said:

Less than £10 for 2 Faraday pouches, or rely on keys maybe turning themselves off. 

No even though I have a my20 car with keys that stop transmitting, I always lock and disable the Kessy by touching the door handle and listen for the confirmation beep before leaving the car.

So, 48 or so hours in and current thoughts:

 

• Tip run was a success! Not quite as much horizontal room compared to the Octavia, but the depth is great with the seats down
  • The wide opening of the mouth is a lot easier to work with, as is the higher boot floor in comparison to the Octavia
• Fluids and engine cover were spot on! No issues
• Investigated the audio & EQ - now it's not bad but it sounds noticeably  better from the SD card compared to the Spotify audio coming from Android Auto. Further testing with the Spotify EQ will be needed
• Wife doesn't like the 'Skoda' puddle lights compared to the normal lights, 'looks a bit chavvy'
• The MPG is less than I expected on mixed driving of town & countryside. Trips with the Octavia would net about 46mpg and the Karoq is pulling 29~.
  • We've explored Eco mode and it's alright, but the DSG box seems to pick a gear 1 lower than I would anticipate it doing when it comes back in from coasting mode. In the greater scheme of things it's not a huge issue but it's noticable
• The cloth sport seats are very comfy and are very supportive around the shoulders. It's quite a novelty sitting 'on' a seat rather than in one compared to the Octavia, there's so much underthigh support in comparison!

I have a couple of big trips coming up over the next couple of weeks so it'll be nice to stretch the legs of the Karoq! Target MPG is 40 on a motorway run, we'll see how achievable that is!

My MPG (measured by filling the tank each time and calculating the litres added and miles driven) is around 42mpg for long motorway journeys at 70mph, and 35mpg for short shopping runs. I've done 7000 miles so far and it still gradually improving, so yours could be better - and of course driving styles can affect this greatly. I use Eco mode occasionally, snicking into Sport mode for fast overtaking when needed, but haven't noticed any reliable difference in economy. I suspect Drive mode with a sensitive foot on the throttle is just as good. 

 

I used E5 petrol at first, but changed to E10 when the prices escalated, and haven't noticed any difference in MPG. 

 

Chris 

On 24/07/2022 at 20:44, CJJE said:

My MPG (measured by filling the tank each time and calculating the litres added and miles driven) is around 42mpg for long motorway journeys at 70mph, and 35mpg for short shopping runs. I've done 7000 miles so far and it still gradually improving, so yours could be better - and of course driving styles can affect this greatly. I use Eco mode occasionally, snicking into Sport mode for fast overtaking when needed, but haven't noticed any reliable difference in economy. I suspect Drive mode with a sensitive foot on the throttle is just as good. 

 

I used E5 petrol at first, but changed to E10 when the prices escalated, and haven't noticed any difference in MPG. 

 

Chris 

I'll keep you updated! I've had a chance to do a decent 2x60 mile motorway runs today and knocked out 41.4mpg before it dropped a bit through town, so 42mpg should definitely be achievable.

 

Noticed something that seems a bit odd today, whenever I'm turning 90 degrees (left or right) from a standstill, I think I can hear the rear drive kicking in, but it sounds noticeable. Like a dulled abs sensation. Will be keeping an eye on it over the coming weeks, but that 2 year manufacturers extra warranty may come in handy!

@ElsonThe Haldex Service is due at 3 years / 30,000 miles or sooner, was it done before you collected the car?

8 hours ago, Elson said:

 

 

Noticed something that seems a bit odd today, whenever I'm turning 90 degrees (left or right) from a standstill, I think I can hear the rear drive kicking in, but it sounds noticeable. Like a dulled abs sensation. Will be keeping an eye on it over the coming weeks, but that 2 year manufacturers extra warranty may come in handy!

My previous Kodiaq started making a noise from the rear when manoeuvring out a space with full steering lock on. And this was after Haldex oil change and pump filter cleaned @ 3rd service.

New Haldex pump and oil changed again under warranty.

@Elson If the car has a FMDSH then what is important is that the actual history is of the Servicing to the manufacturers recommendations.

Not just showing that a Dealership had the car in for services but might not have carried out stuff due because an owner did not want to pay for it and the Dealer did not want to do it to a Skoda Approved Used car even though due or outstanding. 

 

The fact many just change oil and not do proper servicing / cleaning of filters or replacement is something Skoda / VW are well aware off, as are Dealerships who will be able to say that is not required.  

 

 

36172_SKODA_Approved_Used_Warranty_Dec20_SINGLES.pdf

I suspect the 4x4 kicks in more often than I'd expected.

 

After driving FWD cars for many years I've become accustomed to swapping wheels around at 10,000 miles or so to equalise wear. (I prefer to change them all at the same time so I can switch all 4 wheels to a new make or to all-season.) But when I measured my tread depth at 7000 miles all 4 wheels were much the same! I'm thinking that on FWD cars the front tyres wear down more under acceleration, but on a Haldex car the rear wheels are helping out so the tyre wear is equalised?

 

Chris

The rears kick in as fronts loose grip so excessive  wear on fronts is reduced, as they don’t spin even marginally, whilst wear on rear is only slightly increased?

Edited 26 July, 20223 yr by kenfowler3966