Hi All,

 

I’ve recently bought a Mk3 FL (2020) vRS 245 and have been unable to find a definitive answer as to whether my car has the VAQ diff in it, rather than just XDS.

 

My understanding was that the FL 245 and PFL 230 were the only ones with the proper LSD in it, however I haven’t been able to find out if my car definitely has it. It feels like it does (well, feels amazing compared to my Leon), but I can’t see another way to tell as even the FL 230 has diff settings in the drive profile.

 

It’s definitely a 245 as it has the 7 speed DSG and vented 310mm rear discs. Obviously if it doesn’t have it it’s a bit late now, but I’d still like to know for servicing, etc.

 

Anyone have any info? Thanks  

Edited 16 June, 20241 yr by hawkx617

Flag for @ApertureS who can probably give you the answer.

Thank you. I also wonder if @Ootoheremight be able to offer anything - seen his comments/posts on a lot of VAQ related things.

Sorry no idea what your car has. 

15 minutes ago, Warrior193 said:

Flag for @ApertureS who can probably give you the answer.

Thank you! I’m more looking for a rule of thumb/info with the 230, 245 and their diffs, rather than my specific car 

As far as I know, all 245 have the VAQ diff fitted.

 

Super easy to check if you have diagnostic equipment as it'll show up 👍

I believe all 245s have VAQ diff.

Simple test BE CAREFUL. On a damp corner floor it.

If only the inside wheel spins, then no diff. If both wheels spin up and the car understeer, you have a diff.

I know this from personal experience.  BE CAREFUL. 

If you can supply a UK Reg or VIN i can look it up for you

To my knowledge, all 245s have the VAQ diff (mine definitely does, as I've had it serviced). Someone did a very good summary of this a while ago when I was looking for mine but I can't find it now. But from memory:

• Pre-facelift 230 has the VAQ
• Facelift 230 does not have the VAQ
• Facelift 245 does have the VAQ

 

 

 

3 hours ago, Peeete said:

To my knowledge, all 245s have the VAQ diff (mine definitely does, as I've had it serviced). Someone did a very good summary of this a while ago when I was looking for mine but I can't find it now. But from memory:

• Pre-facelift 230 has the VAQ
• Facelift 230 does not have the VAQ
• Facelift 245 does have the VAQ

 

 

 

Mine definitely feels like it does (although what do I know!). ApertureS was unbelievably kind and found out that mine does indeed have the diff in it.

I don’t suppose you got yours done through Skoda did you? Just wondering as mine had the final drive oil done and not sure if they did the diff too. I only recently bought the car so don’t see why I should be paying if it wasn’t done (hence me wanting to find out before I go there for some caliper paint next week)

@hawkx617 - sorry, I'm wrong! I just checked back through my records and I didn't get the diff oil changed at point of sale. It had been done 2 years prior, so wasn't due. Sorry.

 

I did buy the car from a Skoda dealer and had to push hard to get things done as part of the pre-sales prep. I managed to get a DSG service, plugs, brake fluid and air filter done before sale - but getting a detailed service history out them was like getting blood from a stone. Their terminology and service intervals for servicing are really confusing and lack detail, and I get the feeling it's done this way on purpose so they can wriggle out of things as and when they need to. I may be wrong, but this has been my experience!

 

As for whether 'final drive oil' means diff oil, I couldn't say for sure - maybe someone else can answer that? I do however have a screenshot from the service dept's system at the main dealer showing what they call it internally - which is what any normal person would also refer to it as ('Front differential lock oil') and it shows the service intervals and cost, which might be useful for you:

 

 

I would suggest ringing the service department at the dealer you bought it from, and asking them. Or if they don't give you a clear answer, try another Skoda dealer who don't have skin in the game!

 

16 minutes ago, Peeete said:

As for whether 'final drive oil' means diff oil, I couldn't say for sure - maybe someone else can answer that?

 

Mine has certainly been misclassified previously so it's 'probably' the VAQ...

@Peeete thank you!

 

The parts department have told me the “front diff oil change” was done in the predelivery checks. I’ll double check when I take it there next week, as @langers2k is also correct - the terminology and everything is very mix matched…. At first they didn’t know what an LSD was, so it’s taken a bit of back and forth to get the right answer. I’ve found the parts manager who seems to know what he’s on about, so fingers crossed!

 

I’ve had both him and ApertureS confirm the car has the diff fitted too.

Shouldn't be 245 without VAQ. 

 

Don't you have driving modes to choose individual and see there presence of front differential lock?

 

It was at 3 years then with Mk4 Octavia it is @ 2 years.

 

When told it is optional that is because the person saying it has no knowledge of them.

There is a filter to change and there are Independent Specialits that recommend at 2 years / 20,000 miles.

Plenty threads, just a few show with a search.

Includes sadly failures from servicing not done.   As to final drive oil changes, rear Diff Oil Changes or top ups are not done at Main Dealers on those with AWD / Haldex. 

Long story short, even techs can be clueless so expect service desk staff to be, ask them not to phone a friend but phone a trained and experienced friend that knows there sh!t.

bump.

Key words for service departments seem to be VAQ, LSD or Halex. Personally I'd find out when it was last done, and then get it booked in at an Indie.

Well the only LSD they might know comes as tabs, or maybe on little bits of paper.

It is mushy season, these might brighten there minds.