70 Plate Octavia How can I switch from MPH to KMPH

[IceIan]

Hi I'm really struggling to change my speedo from MPH to KMPH, I've tried my dealer with no success, I've tried Skoda UK after 2 weeks of emails they said try dealer 

 

I drive a lot in Europe so this is pretty important for me (I currently use my IPhone as a Speedo)

 

This is the type of speedo I have any help would be great 

 

Thanks 

 

 

 

 

 

[inspectorman]

That looks like the Swing system. In the handbook;

 

 

should enable the change from mph to kph.

 

Bolero pretty similar and Columbus identical

 

 

 

[crisdevis]

You can also change it from Skoda Connect. 

On the Web: Log in, go to Profile, Settings, Units. There are three options: Units, Imperial (UK), Personal. I have never tried but you could. Good luck!

On the smartphone: Log in, go Settings, Units. You will see the same three options as above mentioned.

[IceIan]

Hi Thanks for the advice however this is all my options in Units,

 

Great if I want change MPG but can't change MPH to KMPH 

 

I've changed Language in the hope that does it but nope 

 

Am a bit of a loss what to try next (maybe another dealer)

[Mark Hiscock]

I have the same problem on my 70 plate and I was told by the dealer in April that this was a known problem with no available fix.

 

There may be one now though so worth checking with your dealer.

[kernowalan]

Having the same problem here and today my dealer has said there is no known fix. I believe what it means is the dealer is not willing to change the head unit. Later cars do not have this problem so the fault is hardware related, not software.

The dealer has said it can switch units if I bring it in before going over the water and switch back when I return!!

 

As I ‘ve only had the car a week I am insisting on a refund.

[kernowalan]

Full refund agreed, but dealer wants to see if it can source me another car... Interesting comment from dealer on the fixes reported here. He says a hardware change to the head unit may not work as it has to be programmed to the original chassis. What to people make of that?

For me the issue is "Do I really want to drive another of these simply too clever models??" It is noticeable that owners posting here are about 2020 models. Anybody any views on hardware/software issues in newer models?

[SteveTheElder]

2 hours ago, kernowalan said:

Full refund agreed, but dealer wants to see if it can source me another car... Interesting comment from dealer on the fixes reported here. He says a hardware change to the head unit may not work as it has to be programmed to the original chassis. What to people make of that?

For me the issue is "Do I really want to drive another of these simply too clever models??" It is noticeable that owners posting here are about 2020 models. Anybody any views on hardware/software issues in newer models?

 

Spread through the very long kph/mph thread is the story of my car, but to cut a long story short, the key points…

• Bought it March ‘21, at 6 months old; was a dealer/demo car with <2500 miles on the clock. Covid meant minimal dealer contact.
• Within a week or so found that I couldn’t get the SatNav to display miles not the speedo to show KPH. The settings were there, could change them but had no effect. Go back to settings and it was back to Kms and MPH.
• Dealer checked for updates etc. No effect.
• Škoda UK eventually asked if I’d leave at the dealer for diagnostics, testing etc. and I’d get a loan car. I agreed, and had an OCTY4 1.0 e-TEC SE 1st Ed. estate loaner.
• Five months later (Sept ‘20) Škoda UK asked if I’d be happy for my car to be used as a ‘field trial’ of the fix; I agreed.
• The fix consisted of a new Virtual Dashboard (h/w replacement), coding in to the car, and some software updates.
• Fixed those two issues as well as the ACC ‘confusion’ of it detecting a vehicle in teh near side lane and preventing me from ‘undertaking’.
• Subsequent updates have sorted pretty much all other niggles; just two minor ones remaining.

So, yes, a hardware swap may well be needed for your car too, and it can be done as demonstrated by fitment in my car.

 

To address your question about wanting a 2020 car - I would have no qualms about buying my car in its current state; it has given me 21k miles in 16 months of very fuel-efficient and comfortable motoring. The loan car was 100% fault free, 8.5k miles in 5 months gave it a good workout.

 

’Twas the early cars that had the most problems (kind of understandable, but not really acceptable given the sheer number of them) but fixes are out there.

[kernowalan]

Thanks Steve. Seen your past efforts. Your posts have been most helpful

[Mark Hiscock]

My 70 plate is due at the dealer on the 23rd to have the KPH TPI update performed. I'll update here with how they get on.

[kernowalan]

On 08/02/2023 at 22:39, Mark Hiscock said:

My 70 plate is due at the dealer on the 23rd to have the KPH TPI update performed. I'll update here with how they get on.

I await with interest.

Went to the dealer today to either see if it had a swop car option or arrange refund/return of car. Dealer has bought me an aftermarket sat nav with speed display to use on Europe trips. Bit of a lash up but better than throwing baby out with the bathwater.

[Mark Hiscock]

16 hours ago, kernowalan said:

I await with interest.

Went to the dealer today to either see if it had a swop car option or arrange refund/return of car. Dealer has bought me an aftermarket sat nav with speed display to use on Europe trips. Bit of a lash up but better than throwing baby out with the bathwater.

 

That was kind of them, last year I printed one of these to drive in Europe. After a week away I'd just about memorised the conversion! 

[kernowalan]

This casts new light on Skoda/Dealers feeble response of it can’t be fixed.

”35.—(1) Save as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), every motor vehicle shall be fitted with a speedometer which, if the vehicle is first used on or after 1st April 1984, shall be capable of indicating speed in both miles per hour and kilometres per hour, either simultaneously or, by the operation of a switch, separately. ”

The Motor Vehicles (construction and Use) Regulations 1986 as amended.

[Ootohere]

If others in the dealership were not aware of that the Master Tech and technicians should be. 

[Mark Hiscock]

On 08/02/2023 at 22:39, Mark Hiscock said:

My 70 plate is due at the dealer on the 23rd to have the KPH TPI update performed. I'll update here with how they get on.

 

Unfortunately I've been told today that no fix currently exists for my car to set the distance to KM and speed to KMH.

 

I've also been told that should a fix be released after the car's warranty runs out then I would have to pay to have it installed!

 

If that comes to pass I'll be lodging a complaint with Skoda UK as to why they sold the car in the first place when legally the car must be able to perform this change: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986/1078/regulation/35/made

 

Fun times and I'll continue to use my paper converter until the problem is eventually (possibly never) resolved.

 

[kernowalan]

Thanks for posting - same outcome for you sadly. Worth asking Trading Standards for an opinion?

I’ve been in touch with DVSA who are the enforcers of the MVC&U Regs but after 2 weeks and a reminder, no response.

I’m just waiting  for the V5, due tomorrow, after which the car will be handed back.

[SteveTheElder]

Utterly bonkers that they can’t (won’t?) fix your cars when the same issue was fixed in mine nearly 18 months ago.

 

Will be interesting to hear what DVSA &/or Trading Standards have to say.

[SkOmk4]

10 hours ago, Mark Hiscock said:

I've also been told that should a fix be released after the car's warranty runs out then I would have to pay to have it installed!

That's a really ****ty way to treat customers... And I think you should follow this up with some customer protection authority.
That's obviously a faulty product, Skoda is also admitting that - according to what you guys are posting here. Hence once a solution/fix will be released it should be applied to ALL affected vehicles.
AFAIK, when car manufacturers launch a recall for a specific issue, they apply that solution to all the affected cars, not only to those that are still under warranty.

[kernowalan]

Car handed back to dealer today for a full refund. No complaints from me about the dealers conduct which was ultimately very understanding, but Skoda should hang its head in shame. As dealer bought car from Skoda and it is illegal, he is now in my position and I feel sorry for him.

Onwards - I’ve bought another 2l 150 ps Octavia elsewhere. Fingers crossed.

 

[OctaviaFirstEdit]

I have not looked at this site for weeks but dismayed to find what I suffered in Dec 2021 is still going on. I had a First Edition and there was a number of us on this site that contacted Honest John and other sites to make them aware of these problems. Shocked they are still selling the cars with these known faults. I rejected my car a few months into ownership. My advice, get rid, ita not worth the hassle. I've been a loyal Skoda customer for years and have felt vert let down. 

Have a look through the huge mph/KPH thread. It's all there for you.

Sorry people are still suffering this.

[kernowalan]

On 24/02/2023 at 19:19, kernowalan said:

Car handed back to dealer today for a full refund. No complaints from me about the dealers conduct which was ultimately very understanding, but Skoda should hang its head in shame. As dealer bought car from Skoda and it is illegal, he is now in my position and I feel sorry for him.

Onwards - I’ve bought another 2l 150 ps Octavia elsewhere. Fingers crossed.

 

 

On 23/02/2023 at 22:02, kernowalan said:

Thanks for posting - same outcome for you sadly. Worth asking Trading Standards for an opinion?

I’ve been in touch with DVSA who are the enforcers of the MVC&U Regs but after 2 weeks and a reminder, no response.

I’m just waiting  for the V5, due tomorrow, after which the car will be handed back.

Update. DVSA passed me to an Enforcement Policy  Specialist who gave me a whole screed of information and concluded re speedometer  “If working illuminated and displaying correctly in miles per hour, but not able to display in kilometres per hour, it may be classified as operation impaired – therefore minor – therefore, pass.”

So there you have it. The car does not comply with a legal requirement but can pass an MoT.

[PetrolDave]

36 minutes ago, kernowalan said:

The car does not comply with a legal requirement but can pass an MoT.

There have been many examples of a vehicle passing the MOT but not meeting a legal requirement posted on here over the years, so it's no great surprise.

 

One example - fitting LED or HID bulbs into a projector headlamp only certified for halogen bulbs usually gets an MOT pass but is technically not legal.

[Ootohere]

Simples really in that a UK MOT does not require the examiner to check that the car car display kph by changing some setting or another. 

C&U is a whole different kettle of fish and for the DVSA / DfT.

 

[kernowalan]

On 16/03/2023 at 14:21, kernowalan said:

 

Update. DVSA passed me to an Enforcement Policy  Specialist who gave me a whole screed of information and concluded re speedometer  “If working illuminated and displaying correctly in miles per hour, but not able to display in kilometres per hour, it may be classified as operation impaired – therefore minor – therefore, pass.”

So there you have it. The car does not comply with a legal requirement but can pass an MoT.

Update.

Just received this letter

 

 
Dear Mr Bessell
Speedometer requirements
Department for Transport Great Minster House
33 Horseferry Road London
SW1P 4DR
Tel: 0300 330 3000
Web Site: www.gov.uk/dft
Our Ref: 425483 Your Ref:
20 April 2023
Thank you for your email to the Department for Transport about speedometer requirements. Your enquiry has been passed to the International Vehicle Standards Division as we have responsibility for vehicle construction standards.
All vehicles used on UK roads must meet the requirements laid down in the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, as amended (“C&U”). As you have already noted, the provisions for speedometers are contain in regulation 35 of C&U which requires that the speedometer should be capable of indicating speed in both miles per hour and kilometres per hour. I have included a link to a version of regulation 35 for reference: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986/1078/regulation/35/made
I understand from the information you have provided, that you may have purchased a vehicle that has a faulty virtual cockpit display which cannot alter the units which the speed is displayed. If there are no means to provide the speed in kilometres per hour, either through a physical dial or digital display, then it is likely to be in contravention of C&U. It can be an offence to sell a vehicle that is in an unroadworthy condition under Section 75 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. If the garage who supplied you with the vehicle is unable to help you, then you may wish to consider contacting your local Trading Standards Office and explain the situation to them, and they may be able to assist.
Yours sincerely
International Vehicle Standards
 

Hooray - the car is illegal after all. 

[SteveTheElder]

2 hours ago, kernowalan said:

Update.

Just received this letter

 

 
Dear Mr Bessell
Speedometer requirements
Department for Transport Great Minster House
33 Horseferry Road London
SW1P 4DR
Tel: 0300 330 3000
Web Site: www.gov.uk/dft
Our Ref: 425483 Your Ref:
20 April 2023
Thank you for your email to the Department for Transport about speedometer requirements. Your enquiry has been passed to the International Vehicle Standards Division as we have responsibility for vehicle construction standards.
All vehicles used on UK roads must meet the requirements laid down in the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, as amended (“C&U”). As you have already noted, the provisions for speedometers are contain in regulation 35 of C&U which requires that the speedometer should be capable of indicating speed in both miles per hour and kilometres per hour. I have included a link to a version of regulation 35 for reference: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986/1078/regulation/35/made
I understand from the information you have provided, that you may have purchased a vehicle that has a faulty virtual cockpit display which cannot alter the units which the speed is displayed. If there are no means to provide the speed in kilometres per hour, either through a physical dial or digital display, then it is likely to be in contravention of C&U. It can be an offence to sell a vehicle that is in an unroadworthy condition under Section 75 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. If the garage who supplied you with the vehicle is unable to help you, then you may wish to consider contacting your local Trading Standards Office and explain the situation to them, and they may be able to assist.
Yours sincerely
International Vehicle Standards
 

Hooray - the car is illegal after all. 

 

Well done for pushing it through this far. Hopefully the dealer &/or Škoda UK will now get you car fixed.