Hi everyone. My son bought a 2023 Skoda Scala 1.0 TST Monte Carlo back in April. It's a beautifiul car. Early in the summer (on one of the days it was 35C) he said that it wouldn't go into gear after having it parked all day, although after a bit of trying it was fine. This didn't happen again until last month when the same issue occured. Over the last few weeks he says it's been happening more often, although it is still only intermittent. As there was no record of the car having it's brake fluid changed at 3 years he had this done at our local garage yesterday, along with the clutch fluid as we know it's shared. The garage said the fluid was low, and now that's all done. He was hopeful that that was the problem sorted but it happened again this afternoon.

This time I was able to get into the car and feel it for myself. The gear change felt stiff and required more of a push than usual to get it into gear. Lifting and then reengaging the clutch resolves the issue.

A quick search on the web suggests lubricating the linkages in the engine bay with lithium grease - that looks easily doable and worth a go, but I'd appreciate any other thoughts or suggestions.

Car has 23,000 miles, full service history - and is no longer under warranty from the garage we bought it from (of course!)

Thanks in advance for any advice.

If fluid was low and disenaging clutch and re engaging helps with gear changes it might be a leaking master/slave cylinder or the seals on either are going and allowing fluid to pass them when engaging clutch so clutch isnt engaging fully. Monitor fluid level and check at base of Gearbox/engine join for signs of fluid. The master on my octavia failed but the fluid ended up on undertray. It could also be the gear linkages need lubricated as you said and also might be worth resetting cables. As its had a fluid change and no improvement I assume theres no air in clutch system. Meant to ask did the clutch pedal come back up on its own or did it need lifted with toes.

Alasdair

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by Alasdair1

Thanks Alasdair. We've done the lubricant of the linkages just now and we'll see how it goes. When the issue occurs the clutch pedal comes back up my itself - certainly doesn't need to be lifted. It's a tricky little issue this as it only done it intermittently - half a dozen times over the summer. Thanks again - I'll keep this post going whatever happens, as it may help others.

Randomly my octavia used to crunch from 1st to 2nd. I put it down to me being a bit quick with changes but eventually pedal went to floor and master was leaking. As said keep an eye on fluid level in case its leaking somewhere.

Alasdair

Thanks Alasdair - will do. Having had the fluid changed on Saturday we now know it is at the maximum level in header bottle, so we'll be able to see if it drops. I really appreciate your advice.