7 hours ago, Tonyduncan said:

Ive still not got a definitive answer to my question

When I first press ignition all dash lights come on (test) then go off (battery light dosent come on at first click) then after about 15 seconds the yellow battery lights on and stays on till I start the car

Anyone else experience this.

Yes this is normal my car is the same both now and after the new battery. It just means the battery is discharging because the engine isn’t running. As I said earlier your symptoms seem identical to mine now you’ve got the same stop start not reliably working.

Surely there must be a number of conditions met to flag this alarm, once the ignition is on, the very lowest battery load is almost 5A and will obviously be higher depending on what is switched on, I have never sen this alarm even with a 70% SOC, the stop/start operates fine at this level, the engine will restart if the battery load exceeds something like 15A if the fan speed is switched to its max setting of 4, it will occasionally restart at speed 3 but never at my normal setting of speed 2.

13 minutes ago, Johngerard said:

Surely there must be a number of conditions met to flag this alarm, once the ignition is on, the very lowest battery load is almost 5A and will obviously be higher depending on what is switched on, I have never sen this alarm even with a 70% SOC, the stop/start operates fine at this level, the engine will restart if the battery load exceeds something like 15A if the fan speed is switched to its max setting of 4, it will occasionally restart at speed 3 but never at my normal setting of speed 2.

Firstly you are taking about a 6 year old Polo and the op has a brand new Octavia. Secondly the car can’t restart if it’s not been started first.

The OP's car displays this alarm almost immediately on entering the car and in reply to your query last Sunday said that the Stop/Start does work but he doesn't know how consistently as he disables it on entering the car so don't know what you mean by "the car can’t restart if it’s not been started first." Its over a month now since the car was purchased so its about time it was sorted out under warranty.

Stop start not working is one sign of a dead battery.

Lots of Random comms/module errors is another that the voltage is going out of spec, which is often the battery.

1 hour ago, Monkhai said:

Stop start not working is one sign of a dead battery.

Lots of Random comms/module errors is another that the voltage is going out of spec, which is often the battery.

Did a battery check looks fine

34 minutes ago, Tonyduncan said:

Did a battery check looks fine

Was that after the battery had been charged by the alternator, or a separate charger?

Have you investigated whether there is any significant current draw when the car is locked and fully asleep?

3 minutes ago, PetrolDave said:

Was that after the battery had been charged by the alternator, or a separate charger?

Have you investigated whether there is any significant current draw when the car is locked and fully asleep?

After 3 hours use haven't don't a morning one yet and how do I check when car is asleep ? Any help would be g

On 18/10/2025 at 01:57, Tonyduncan said:

I spend a lot of time sat in car with ignition on(taxi driver) I have never had this warning.

Do you still do this.

2 minutes ago, Stonekeeper said:

Do you still do this.

Yes had an octavia mk3 for 10 years no issues with start stop.

7 minutes ago, Tonyduncan said:

After 3 hours use haven't don't a morning one yet and how do I check when car is asleep ? Any help would be good

Depending on where the 12V battery is, you have to fool the car into thinking all doors, boot and bonnet are closed then lock it and wait for the car to properly go to sleep - usually this means waiting 15 - 30 minutes.

Using a DVOM you measure the voltage drop across fuses in turn (a wiring diagram helps) to see if any have a "large" voltage drop.

The infotainment display usually gives a reason for stop/start not working, if this is something like "consumer drain" then this is worth doing, if not then it will probably be a waste of time.

Edited 22 October, 202522 Oct by PetrolDave

5 minutes ago, PetrolDave said:

Depending on where the 12V battery is, you have to fool the car into thinking all doors, boot and bonnet are closed then lock it and wait for the car to properly go to sleep - usually this means waiting 15 - 30 minutes.

Using a DVOM you measure the voltage drop across fuses in turn (a wiring diagram helps) to see if any have a "large" voltage drop.

The infotainment display usually gives a reason for stop/start not working, if this is something like "consumer drain" then this is worth doing, if not then it will probably be a waste of time.

Thank you it's going in to dealer on Friday for a full diagnostic to see if anythings wrong as having issues with infotainment as well connection issues with Android auto

2 hours ago, Monkhai said:

Stop start not working is one sign of a dead battery.

Lots of Random comms/module errors is another that the voltage is going out of spec, which is often the battery.

I don’t think my 18 month old battery is the best. My tester keeps telling me to replace along with a reading of 58- 70% SOH ( depending on battery mood and temps) Everytime i go into diagnostics with the obd11 I’m welcomed with a lot of communication errors that keep returning . I also have seen a “ low voltage “ one. I do a lot of miles so the battery shouldn’t be low.

The interesting part is if i didn’t have a tester or an obd11 i woild never know about the issue. Start stop works flawlessly, car cranks nicely and no errors ever on the dash.

Edited 22 October, 202522 Oct by Micky 32

4 minutes ago, Micky 32 said:

I don’t think my 18 month old battery is the best. My tester keeps telling me to replace along with a reading of 58- 70% SOH ( depending on battery mood and temps) Everytime i go into diagnostics with the obd11 I’m welcomed with a lot of communication errors that keep returning . I also have seen a “ low voltage “ one. I do a lot of miles so the battery shouldn’t be low.

The interesting part is if i didn’t have a tester or an obd11 i woild never know about the issue. Start stop works flawlessly, car cranks nicely and no errors ever on the dash.

I haven't seen a battery check in obdeleven not had mine long

Another code i get is the “ battery budget “ code in the telematics. I think it lasts for a few hours but you can’t access the car online when this code appears apparently to save your battery. Also the infotainment system takes a lot longer to boot up after you start the car.

On 21/10/2025 at 11:31, Tonyduncan said:

Ive still not got a definitive answer to my question

When I first press ignition all dash lights come on (test) then go off (battery light dosent come on at first click) then after about 15 seconds the yellow battery lights on and stays on till I start the car

Anyone else experience this.

On 21/10/2025 at 12:25, Tonyduncan said:

Has anyone got a octavia mk4.5 facelift and can confirm if this happens on there car ?

Mine is a mk4.5 and to clarify.

I get in, push the start button without the brake depressed -- engine off. After 20 seconds I see the battery warning message on the dash "12 V battery is being discharged. Please start the engine.". The amber battery warning light then displays on the dash. If I go the vehicle menu in the infotainment the reports section is highlighted amber and contains the aforementioned warning.

Push the start button with the brake depressed -- engine on. Warning clears from all aforementioned locations.

My query at the start of this thread was wether this is normal or not. In my previous mk3.5 Superb I would get a similar warning but only if I had been the car -- engine off -- with the infotainment etc running for quite some time. Maybe over an hour.

Edit: If this is normal behaviour and is purely intended to be a reminder of sorts then it seems overly keen. It presents as a more serious warning in every sense and is not consistent with previous vehicles -- primarily Skodas -- I've owned and the other Skoda we currently own.

Anyway, it's going in on Monday to get replaced. We'll see what happens then.

Edited 22 October, 202522 Oct by lurking

@lurking seems like your thread got a bit hijacked....

It sounds like the battery needed a good charge though if a duff battery then replacement will sort it so long as the alternator and charging system is all good.

good luck.

30 minutes ago, lurking said:

I get in, push the start button without the brake depressed -- engine off. After 20 seconds I see the battery warning message on the dash "12 V battery is being discharged. Please start the engine.". The amber battery warning light then displays on the dash. If I go the vehicle menu in the infotainment the reports section is highlighted amber and contains the aforementioned warning.

When you push the button the vehicle is effectively at 2nd click if you had a Key.

The warning is what i would expect if i was doing that.

Ignition is on and you are draining the battery.

There is no accessory mode.

Push to start cars infotainment systems usually come on if you press the on button on that. usually with a warning "This will shut down in 30 minutes" or similar.

1 hour ago, lurking said:

Mine is a mk4.5 and to clarify.

I get in, push the start button without the brake depressed -- engine off. After 20 seconds I see the battery warning message on the dash "12 V battery is being discharged. Please start the engine.". The amber battery warning light then displays on the dash. If I go the vehicle menu in the infotainment the reports section is highlighted amber and contains the aforementioned warning.

Push the start button with the brake depressed -- engine on. Warning clears from all aforementioned locations.

My query at the start of this thread was wether this is normal or not. In my previous mk3.5 Superb I would get a similar warning but only if I had been the car -- engine off -- with the infotainment etc running for quite some time. Maybe over an hour.

Edit: If this is normal behaviour and is purely intended to be a reminder of sorts then it seems overly keen. It presents as a more serious warning in every sense and is not consistent with previous vehicles -- primarily Skodas -- I've owned and the other Skoda we currently own.

Anyway, it's going in on Monday to get replaced. We'll see what happens then.

My daughters 8 year old Tiguan

1 hour ago, lurking said:

Mine is a mk4.5 and to clarify.

I get in, push the start button without the brake depressed -- engine off. After 20 seconds I see the battery warning message on the dash "12 V battery is being discharged. Please start the engine.". The amber battery warning light then displays on the dash. If I go the vehicle menu in the infotainment the reports section is highlighted amber and contains the aforementioned warning.

Push the start button with the brake depressed -- engine on. Warning clears from all aforementioned locations.

My query at the start of this thread was wether this is normal or not. In my previous mk3.5 Superb I would get a similar warning but only if I had been the car -- engine off -- with the infotainment etc running for quite some time. Maybe over an hour.

Edit: If this is normal behaviour and is purely intended to be a reminder of sorts then it seems overly keen. It presents as a more serious warning in every sense and is not consistent with previous vehicles -- primarily Skodas -- I've owned and the other Skoda we currently own.

Anyway, it's going in on Monday to get replaced. We'll see what happens then.

I think the query has been properly addressed by Stonemason below.

My daughters ~ 8 year old Tiguan brings on the cars accessiories (spelling?) if you press the start button only but gives no immediate or later alarm, but when you get out and lock the car you get a audible alarm which is easy to miss....battery goes dead after a few hours so she has to remember to press the start button again to switch off the accessiories before exiting the car.

2 hours ago, lurking said:

Mine is a mk4.5 and to clarify.

I get in, push the start button without the brake depressed -- engine off. After 20 seconds I see the battery warning message on the dash "12 V battery is being discharged. Please start the engine.". The amber battery warning light then displays on the dash. If I go the vehicle menu in the infotainment the reports section is highlighted amber and contains the aforementioned warning.

Push the start button with the brake depressed -- engine on. Warning clears from all aforementioned locations.

My query at the start of this thread was wether this is normal or not. In my previous mk3.5 Superb I would get a similar warning but only if I had been the car -- engine off -- with the infotainment etc running for quite some time. Maybe over an hour.

Edit: If this is normal behaviour and is purely intended to be a reminder of sorts then it seems overly keen. It presents as a more serious warning in every sense and is not consistent with previous vehicles -- primarily Skodas -- I've owned and the other Skoda we currently own.

Anyway, it's going in on Monday to get replaced. We'll see what happens then.

I have a 4.5 and no that it isn’t normal meaning the specific warning message. What is normal is that if you turn on the ignition the yellow battery icon will illuminate to tell you the battery is discharging

12 hours ago, Tonyduncan said:

Did a battery check looks fine

I had one of those, and all the errors issues on a mk3

Tester said 100%, but that was under DIN conditions, not in a relatively warm uk climate. I would suggest most of them are pretty useless for SoC etc

I changed mine as I didn’t want to be stranded away as I drive a lot and we were getting towards winter.

Slow starting went, stop start issues went, random codes stopped returning.

I put an AGM in.

On 19/09/2025 at 20:00, lurking said:

Just got a new mk 4.5 a few days ago. Whilst I’ve been sitting in the car trying to figure the infotainment I keep getting the following warning: “12 V battery is being discharged. Please start the engine.”

The warning displays pretty quickly, within a few minutes of entering the vehicle.

I can’t find anything in the manual about the battery with this wording so I’m unsure if this is just some general advice or if the warning implies I’ve got a dud battery from the factory.

Any ideas?

I own a MK4. I wish I had this message displayed on the dashboard from time to time. As I usually driving e-mode, I never suspected what was to come.

Couple of months ago, when to drive battery was actually full, I got into the car but nothing was working. It was a total blackout. Eventually I got the car towed away in service. The flimsy 12 volt battery under rear seat had gone flat as I had been driving short distances for the whole week and not enough recuperation was done. Due to this, eventually the 12 volt battery went flat. I would advise you to switch on the recuperation manually whenever you see that message and drive around with it on for a couple of days so that the 12 volt battery charges. Nowadays I'm driving around with a small booster battery in my trunk.

8 minutes ago, Octawia said:

I own a MK4. I wish I had this message displayed on the dashboard from time to time. As I usually driving e-mode, I never suspected what was to come.

Couple of months ago, when to drive battery was actually full, I got into the car but nothing was working. It was a total blackout. Eventually I got the car towed away in service. The flimsy 12 volt battery under rear seat had gone flat as I had been driving short distances for the whole week and not enough recuperation was done. Due to this, eventually the 12 volt battery went flat. I would advise you to switch on the recuperation manually whenever you see that message and drive around with it on for a couple of days so that the 12 volt battery charges. Nowadays I'm driving around with a small booster battery in my trunk.

I have a mk4. 5 with a 48v battery in the back.

So an update.

Dealer took the car in. Tested the battery and said it’s all good.

They say that the warning message is “a characteristic of the car” and nothing to worry about.

I questioned this, and honestly, from the responses, I didn’t get the impression they had any real confidence whatsoever that what they were saying was accurate. In any case, this is the line they’re taking. There is absolutely nothing in the manual about this warning and I have no means of contradicting them.

Ask skoda business chat on messenger thay will send your query to skoda technical team for an answer. I have used them when I wasn't happy with my dealer answer.

I don't get any messages like that on my dash.

Skoda octavia mk4 4.5 2024