A few weeks ago I bought (taking info direct from sales advert) a 2016 Skoda Superb SE L Executive TSI DSG 5d 217 BHP Petrol Automat (most of which means nothing to me as I'm not knowledgeable about cars). Bought from a 'specialist car' dealer, to replace old Volvo V50.

 

On the first run out (in the middle of nowhere) a warning came up re coolant level issue, which the dealer rectified under warranty via a new water pump fitted by a Skoda garage. So far so good!

 

However yesterday, on only the second or third journey I've made, I'd driven approximately 3 miles when a message came up saying "start car manually". I realised the engine had cut out so tried turning the ignition while still coasting, but nothing happened. I drifted to the kerb and put on hazard lights. Very fortunately it was a Sunday, on a country road, with little traffic and I had come to a stop about 20 yards from a roundabout, so the circumstances could have been much more dangerous.

 

I tried restarting the engine but it was dead (in my panic I may not have remembered to put my foot on the brake) The message now displayed (from memory) was "Safelock check manual". I must say I've read that section multiple times and still find it difficult to understand. However because of the word 'lock', I could see that the 'lock' symbol to the right of the gear lever was illuminated, so I pressed that off manually. I was then able to restart the engine. The lock symbol lit again so I pressed that off and deciding to risk continuing my journey, and the issue didn't recur, even when the lock symbol came on again when I next slowed down. I have spoken to the dealer again this morning and they have asked me to monitor and let them know if it happens again.

 

You may have guessed, I'm a woman driver, who knows nothing about cars, I just want to be confident my car will get me where I need to go, and not put me and other road users in danger. Can anyone shed any light on why this happened?

 

The manual talks about Kessy. From googling I think this means 'keyless'. My car has a key. I can't remember if I unlocked the door with one, or two clicks, as I understand 1 click only unlocks the drivers door, and whether this is of any significance to what happened. Also very frightening is the info in the manual which seems to says if the safelock is on, then anyone inside the car won't be able to get in or out via doors or windows. Did that message mean the safelock had put itself on? 

 

Hoping someone can throw some light on what happened. Thanks in anticipation (sorry it's so long)

 

 

 

The "start car manually" appears when you have confused the stop/start in some way and for safety it won't try and start automatically. When I first got my Superb II I managed to trigger that message a couple of times - usually because the stop start hadn't stopped the engine for some reason so I panicked at a junction. The engine was so quiet it was hard to spot if it was running or not. I soon got used to it. You can push a button to disable stop/start but you have to do it everytime you start the car.

 

The "Safelock check manual" shows up on most VAG cars - it's a standard warning about locking the car as it's fitted with deadlocks. It would have appeared as you turned the engine off manually. This message is normal and nothing to worry about.

 

Out of interest as you all exit the car on most VAG cars:-

1. Press the keyfob lock button once (normal exit) it locks/alarms fully & deadlocks so the interior handles don't work. This is the most secure.
2. Press the keyfob lock button twice it locks the doors but doesn't deadlock and disables most of the alarm - useful on a long ferry journey to stop the alarm going off all the time!

Also on VAG cars push and hold unlock drops the windows(handy on a hot day, push and hold lock raises the windows.

 

 

Edited 14 November, 20223 yr by bigjohn

Dear Big John, thank you so much for your reply. Because the dealer had only asked me to monitor the problem (it cut out when I was driving a steady 50-60mph), I felt so worried. I took it to a Skoda garage to ask if they could work out why. Their diagnostics brought up a P001100 fault code and I was advised not to drive it for risk of engine damage. To cut a long story short, I felt so nervous about these two issues that I returned it to the dealership for a full refund, being still within the 30 days of purchase. I am staying with this group for a while as I'm now searching for a replacement car which, might be another Skoda. If that turns out to be the case, your advice re the locking will be most useful. Thanks again

Hi, there was probably some issue with that car - pretty sure the engine shouldn't have cut out at that speed.

I have seen reports of some DSGs cutting out at roundabouts, etc. but not at that sort of speed - can end up being a little tricky if you lose vacuum for the power-assisted brakes!

When the engine cut out, had you just lifted your foot right off the accelerator pedal?

5 hours ago, OHOHWHATSGOINGON said:

(it cut out when I was driving a steady 50-60mph

Their diagnostics brought up a P001100 fault code and I was advised not to drive it for risk of engine damage. 

Yup, that sound broken. I suspect you've bought someone else's problem -you've done the right thing rejecting the car.

 

Hi Warrior 193 and Big John.

 

Thank you for your replies.

 

It was a quiet Sunday morning, little traffic and I know I was doing 50 -60 in a 60 mph limit, as I had decided to keep pace with an Audi up ahead of me. I realised I was falling behind, but the accelerator wasn't responding and the message displayed was 'start engine manually'. I tried turning the ignition while still coasting but that didn't work and I realised I needed to drift to the kerb and put my hazards on. So I don't think I had taken my foot off the pedal when it cut out, but I can't be 100% sure as I was approaching a roundabout, which by the time I stopped completely, was about 30 yds ahead. I'm think you're probably right that the car did already have a problem and even though th dealer wanted to rectify any problem, I'm just so relieved to have been still within the 30 days to get a full refund. It was a lovely car, but two breakdowns in such a short space of time was just too stressful. 

@OHOHWHATSGOINGON

Can you post the Registration Number and the seller to warn others.

 

The car needed the fault diagnosed correctly by a VW Group technician, mechanic or who ever has all the gear and more than ideas.

 

The car is unsafe and not of merchantable quality.   The sellers are going to have to have competent people diagnose and repair.

UNLESS TOTAL COWBOYS.

 

????

How many miles on the car and has it had the required servicing including to the gearbox if over 40,000 miles.

Was there a Service History and any warranty work history?

 

 

 

Edited 17 November, 20223 yr by toot

I had something similar with a Superb courtesy car, while my then Octavia was at the dealership not being repaired.

 

This was in a 6-speed manual but same thing of pulling out of a junction and the engine cutting out of its own accord, followed by the message asking me to start the engine myself. Not a great experience on a 60mph road with cars fast approaching and wondering why you've pulled out and immediately begun slowing down.