Hi all,

 

Very recently I got a Kodiaq Style Business from 2019 with 1.5TSI petrol engine, 2WD. Despite having a 2WD, I'm interested in the Drive Select with Off-Road mode option. I am aware that the best performance for Off-Road is achieved from 4x4 drive. However, I was wondering if this mode would still help/make sense in the case of a 2WD car. I find particularly interesting the Hill Descend control. 

 

Looking at the manual and the brochure from Skoda 2019, it seems that it could be installed as an option to the Style Business, which is why I'm wondering about it. In case that it would make sense to have it, do any of you know if it can be installed by a garage or official dealer? or you have any experience about it? 

 

The fact that I could not find any information about it (off-road for Kodiaq always appears hand-by-hand with 4x4), already makes me think that it does not make too much sense, but I thought I would give it a try.

It’s not the sort of thing that can be retrofitted, and certainly not to a 2WD version.

Do you need Hill Descend control in the Netherlands ? 😜

4 hours ago, Yogi-Bear said:

It’s not the sort of thing that can be retrofitted, and certainly not to a 2WD version.

Thanks for your answer. For some reason I thought that Off-Road was mainly related to modifying the settings of some systems electronically, and that should be not much problem for an update. Similarly, I assumed that Hill Descend is about controlling the speed, so as long as you have grip enough, 4x4 should not be really needed for it to work. I guess that I'm missing some important points here.

 

3 hours ago, Manc-Fletch said:

Do you need Hill Descend control in the Netherlands ? 😜

Certainly not! but hopefully it is not the place where I plan to spend all my time with the Kodiaq.

On 04/08/2023 at 16:03, Sturm said:

Despite having a 2WD, I'm interested in the Drive Select with Off-Road mode option.

From my experience the best option with my 2WD 1.5 TSI Kodiaq in a very deep snow was to switch off ASR and grind my way out. Wit ASR it wouldn't even move on ice. So, that's what I now do even when i have to go over a higher obstacle. If it's turned on brakes start to smell.

& where there is offroad mode with AWD,s it softens the accelerator and others stuff so it is an engine management thing, but then there is Haldex to help things and if offroad it is about tyres, and not clogged with mud, but then on road it is about tyres and grip also.

A FWD on the right tyres can out perform a AWD or part time AWD on the totally wrong tyres.  Like the VW Group (4x4,s) AWD,s usually come from the factory with.

This is worth a watch.

 

My idea was to get something similar to the Peugeot 5008 with Advanced Grip Control (i.e. 2WD being assisted as much as possible from the electronics in the car). I'm aware that this won't match any performance that you may get from AWD, but perhaps it is the best I can get with the platform that I already have. 

  

@Sturmthe Advanced Grip control is an option on many of a Stallantis vehicles and has been for years, cars / mpv,s & vans.

As is the option of M+S / 3 peak tyres.

The system works well. 

 

Are you going offroad, or on tracks, or is it winter that you are thinking about?

Hi Toot,

 

Actually, I'm thinking more on mountian/forest unpaved tracks in the south of Europe (mostly in Catalonia) with high slopes which are very often significantly deteriorated by rain, and can be a bit rocky (but not much). You find them often with rather unstable ground and gravel, which can make them a bit 'slippery'. Depending on the season or year they can also be quite muddy.

 

Good performance on snow/ice is a welcome plus, but not something that I plan to be in often.

 

Regarding the Skoda Kodiaq, I have not found yet a single piece of information that tells me that Off-Road mode with a FWD is not possible or doesn't make sense. I've asked Skoda Netherlands about it, but didn't get an answer, yet.

 

1 hour ago, Sturm said:

Regarding the Skoda Kodiaq, I have not found yet a single piece of information that tells me that Off-Road mode with a FWD is not possible or doesn't make sense.

 

Have you found a single piece of information that tells you it is possible...?

 

1 hour ago, Sturm said:

I've asked Skoda Netherlands about it, but didn't get an answer, yet.

 

If you do get an answer, and it is anything other than "Off-Road mode is only available on 4x4 variants", I will be amazed.

You have a lot of weight descending and scary stuff off camber and the correct gear and brake use or not might get you down safe, 

maybe just FWD and the right tyres might get you up slopes.

 

Who at Skoda Netherlands do you expect to have an answer that can help?

Maybe best deal with someone that works on Skodas & does modifications or software updates.

 

Good double recovery points front and rear and a bridle for snatch or winch recoveries might be 'Simply Clever' or at least a towbar / ball at the rear. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 22 August, 20232 yr by toot