Had an Octavia Elegance TDi 2003 for a couple of weeks now and one thing I've noticed is that the steering is heavier than other cars i've driven over the last couple of years

There doesnt seem to be that much assist going on if you see what I mean. It drives fine, checked the tyre pressure and there if fluid in the power steering reservoir.

Any tips on what to check? Or is the Oct a bit heavy on the steering in general?

Cheers

Level of assistance can be altered by vag-com iirc, either by a friendly Briskodian or a dealer.

Really? That would be useful.

I've been pondering it for a few days - wish i'd gone to the dealers earlier now it sound slike a possible quick fix

Level of assistance can be altered by vag-com iirc, either by a friendly Briskodian or a dealer.

Not on an Octavia 1, it has a regular mechanical pump.

oops sorry if my ignorance got your hopes up

No worries

Anyon felt the same with the Octy or should the steering be nice and light?

What are the front tyres like?, changing them will have an effect.

Michelin Pilots HX, in prettty good nick and with plenty of tread left. Put the pressures to 34 the other day as I thought this may improve things.

I think i'll pop in the dealers for a second opinion on Tuesday.

51 plate octy tdi

Just the same - really heavy steering - same tyres as you - gone from a nice rover with really nice light responsive steering to the Octy which feels like a bus.

It was a big shock ' as I live on a windy country road.

Love the car - hate the steering - There must be something we can do - My Dad thinks its the weight of the diesel engine - well surely if thats so, why not enhance the power steering and make it lighter the A3´s and golf tdi´s are not like this are they???

I also dirve a fabia 1.4 and can honestly say that is a peach to drive and far more enjoyable than my car.

I would be be careful about too much PSI in your tyres m8.

I suppose its one of those things with the Octy - I am comparing it to an Altea Focus and Primera, all cars i've driven a lot in tha last couple of years.

Not sure if there is anything that can be done to alter the amount of assistance? I just checked my pressures and they are at 33 on the front and 32 at the rear. I normally keep them at 32 all round but thought i'd try a little higher to see if it made any difference

I changed from HX MXM to pilor exalto (PE2) and the steering feel was much improved. Not sure it was that much lighter, but prehaps the best way i can descrive it is quicker to turn in.

Where can I find the procedure for increasing the assist using VAG-COM?

Where can I find the procedure for increasing the assist using VAG-COM?

For what car?

For what car?

Skoda Octavia vRs. 1.8T DBW...

As Lummox above says

Having looked at a few threads on octavia steering - (but not an expert by any means) I'm sure the octy has a mechanical pump of some kind - whereas the fabias have electric assistance and 5 adjustable levels - and i think the same in the superb too. Therefore I dont think the VAG will do much to it.(feel free to correct me if I'm wrong)

PS where is the Power steering fluid reservoir on the Octy 1.9 Mk1 TDi ?

ta

(happy bank holiday)

PAS reservior is by the coolant tank, green top.

Right PAS systems are as follows for the current/recent models models..

Felicia - Mechanical/Hydraulic- Mechanical pump - mineral fluid

Fabia - Electro/Hydraulic - Electric pump, mineral fluid

Octavia 1 - Mechanical/Hydraulic - Mechanical pump - mineral fluid

Octavia 2 - Electro/Mechanical - Electric PAS Rack/Motor - No fluid

Superb - Mechanical/Hydraulic - Mechanical pump - mineral fluid

Only models with a control unit for the PAS can be adjusted for assistance with VAG COM etc.

ta!

I find the 4x4 to have fairly lifeless and heavy steering with too many turns lock to lock, but as I've driven other 4x4 Octavias and they were exactly the same I guess its a trait of the car. People always used to moan that all Audis had lifeless steering as well. The other thing is if you put on new tyres they always feel better but until you put 20k on them again how can you tell if they are better than the old ones?

Having posted in the thread I thought I'd better check my tyre pressures!

My God! Fronts 28psi need 32 - rears 30 need 34

Its made a nice difference and perked up the steering to a much nicer drive.

Interestingly though the board by the pump in my local BP says 1.9tdi needs 30f 30r. This is weird as my fuel tank flap says 2.2bar front and 2.4 rear (which I believe is much more than 30 - 30) my wheels are the elegance 16's.

depends on how loaded the car is, but the Octy is 2.0/2.2 or 2.2/2.4 according to the sticker in my flap