OCTAVIA III Owners discussion thread

[Spinifex]

Thanks mate. I've heard of Brisbane prestige as being one of the better places to go.
And yeh I understood that too with warranty.
I probably would have bought and just had servicing from Skoda Brisbane if they'd had the car I wanted in stock and they hadn't offered me a ridiculously low trade figure for my current car!
That really put me off dealing with them at all but I'm sure other people have had fantastic experiences with them.

[Jondalar]

Pick up my RS wagon tomorrow.... one more sleep to go!
Can't wait!!!

I'm going to have a lot of time spent reading manuals and fiddling with settings and taking suggestions from these forums.

One thing I need to ask though - when setting up the individual characteristics in the drive mode settings, what practical purpose is there for being able to change the DSG settings?
I assume it's just shift-speed that is adjustable, but why would anyone want to make gear shifts slower than the quickest available setting?

Do fast gear change settings give extra wear on the clutches?
Reduced gearbox life with faster shifts? Or just harsher? People reduce the setting for comfort?

Sorry if this has been covered before/elsewhere but in 90+ pages of reading this thread in the last 2 days, I don't remember seeing anything about it.

Mine isn't an RS but I do have the drive mode setting. There are not that many options for the DSG, just normal and sport. Sport holds lower gears longer and revs the engine more. Not as economical but more fun. I've set the individual to have sport steering and normal DSG. Hope this helps.

Enjoy the new car!

Cheers
Karl


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Spinifex]

Ahh of course .... Thanks mate. I didn't even think about the longer gear holding. Makes sense.
So it's nothing to do with the speed of the gear changes at all.

[woofy]

Does the RS come with a TPMS sensor inside the wheel rim at the valve?
Or is the TPMS an indirect system via the ABS unit.
Looking at buying a internal TPMS system, but if the rim has a TPMS Sensor then obviously I need to get an external one or some how display the values on the dash.
Cheers

It's an indirect system, but I found it works better than the one I had in the Mk2. I tend to find it won't say much unless its nearly 10PSI diffferent but it did tell me which tyre had a problem specifically whereas the Mk2 system just said there was an issue with one, but not which one. To be honest, the point of them is to alert when something is wrong. It does that, so I wouldn't bother putting another system on it. Never noticed you had a Sierra until just then. A guy at my Dads work had one in the mid 90s he imported from the UK, was an XR4 badged turbo one and was a really fun car. There were only about 4 in total in Australia and that was one of the two turbo versions. I recall it breaking down a few times and the owner had fun getting parts under a month for it.

[HPRS230]

It's an indirect system, but I found it works better than the one I had in the Mk2. I tend to find it won't say much unless its nearly 10PSI diffferent but it did tell me which tyre had a problem specifically whereas the Mk2 system just said there was an issue with one, but not which one. To be honest, the point of them is to alert when something is wrong. It does that, so I wouldn't bother putting another system on it. Never noticed you had a Sierra until just then. A guy at my Dads work had one in the mid 90s he imported from the UK, was an XR4 badged turbo one and was a really fun car. There were only about 4 in total in Australia and that was one of the two turbo versions. I recall it breaking down a few times and the owner had fun getting parts under a month for it.

Yea ok, great. Ill get a TPMS for the rim then. Yea understand the system is a warning, Its sort of my thing tyre pressures (motorsport background).
Ill be getting a TPMS-201-D from: TPMS Purchase
Have had TPMS in the Koup for many years, its great! you turn 3 corners and feel the car isn't right, look at TPMS, oh thats why.
The Inawise one im looking at is 0.1 PSI resolution for the 19 inch rims as there will be less volume in the tyre and pressure will matter more.

Yea hard to get parts for! Its a little easier now with the internet around, but still... hens teeth...
Cheers

[Spinifex]

OK - picked up the car yesterday and drove 150km back to home. ABSOLUTELY LOVING this car!!!
Modern cars with modern technology makes for lazy drivers... but hell it's a fantastic car to drive!
Radar cruise control is the best thing ever - especially on Qld highways where drivers just don't know how to be courteous or how to drive or merge.

Couple of questions though, even though I haven't fully read through the manual yet, but I'm sure I've read about this in this thread before:
I cannot for the life of me get the Smartgate apps to connect to the car. I can get BT connected no problem. Same with Apple CarPlay. But how do I get Smartgate working? I understand this operates through wireless, not cable or BT.
I have the Skoda apps installed on my phone - and it's an iPhone 5S, which is in the list of approved devices.

Can anyone help - this one is annoying me, as I'd really like to monitor the telemetry and diagnostic information that they work with.

[woofy]

Smartgate isn't enabled here. No idea why but your wifi etc all is. Also don't use cruise control or tow at all for the first 1500km. That's pretty much the only instructions on running in they give, but that is common for all cars. Not quite as bad with the ACC as it does change speed, but a bad idea to sit at one speed for too long in the early days. There is more info in the manual about what to do in that first 1500km if you want to look further.

[Spinifex]

Thanks woofy. Yeh, I'm not planning on using cruise too much, but it did get a workout yesterday driving home. The plan is to do a few mountain runs this weekend and various speeds and loads... should run it in pretty nicely!

And does anyone know if Smartgate is something that can be enabled with the VCDS thing?

Also - couple of additional questions as I'm not sure if they are bugs:
1: I've noticed that the infotainment system (Columbus I believe) will not remember the setting for "screen off after 10 seconds"
I have to set this again every time I start the car.
I like having minimal distractions while driving, so I like the fact I can have the screen go blank, then only display again when my hand gets into proximity.... but it just won't remember that setting after switching off.

2: I've ticked the selection to "mirrors lower when reversing" which I think is an awesome feature. But they don't do anything when selecting reverse. The rear-camera works flawlessly, but I like to use mirrors as well..... This setting IS remembered each time I switch car on/off, but just doesn't do anything.

3: The window-lock button seems to only work on rear-windows. The front passenger window can still be activated while the window button is "locked." Is this normal? I've tried to lock the windows for the first week, as the car is freshly tinted - but testing the buttons very briefly, it appears the passenger window will still activate.

4: I may have misread this thread or car specs, but doesn't the MY16 RS have auto high-beam dipping function? Tried it last night and pissed off quite a few people by deliberately not dipping my high-beams, expecting the car to do it for me?

5: Anyone have any contact details for guys in Brisbane with the VCDS cable and program? The only references I can find in here are from about 2 years ago, but the website links no-longer work. Does this affect warranty, if I get some additional functions activated? Will service centres be able to see the car has been accessed/reprogrammed?

Thanks all for any replies. Loving the car, but it's all a learning process.

[woofy]

No 2, I beleieve you need to leave the mirror adjustment knob selected to the left side.

no 3 I never tried the front passenger, but in my mk2 it locked all of them.

no 4, I think since May builds they have lane guidance but maybe not high beam. Check the manual as there is a light in the dash that shows when it is on.

[Spinifex]

2, i can fold the mirrors in using the adjuster knob manually, and the setting to fold-when-parked works. They just don't dip down when reversing despite the setting in the infotainment.

4, Yes - mine has lane guidance, so maybe that's all it is.
Strange they couldn't use the signal from the front-camera to perform two functions... is this another VCDS hack?

[woofy]

What I mean is, from memory you have to leave the mirror knob set to the L mirror for the dipping to work. I've never had mirror dipping in my Mk2 or my Mk3 (don't have comfort pack). But that is my memory of what is need to have them dip.

I think Smartgate needs a module which isn't fitted in Australia at all. I asked about it in Aug last year when ordering, but it appears to be something we are unlikely to ever get. It could be do to with RF regulations and them not bothering to get it tested locally.

[Spinifex]

Ah ok, understood. Thanks mate.
Would help if i read the manual!

[Jondalar]

Hi Spinifex,

Smartgate isn't enabled here as has been said, however you can get the wifi module from eBay: Genuine Accessories Skoda Smartgate FOR Fabia III 6V0063218 Install KIT | eBay No idea how hard it is to install or whether it works here after that.

Re the mirrors, you have to have the comfort pack for this I think, I may be wrong. (you have to have electrically adjustable seat and memory) Anyway if it's possible then you put the car in reverse and adjust the passenger mirror how you would like it and then the car remembers this setting.

Quote from the PDF manual:Saving front passenger mirror settings for reversingThe function of lowering the passenger mirror surface when reversing must be
enabled in Infotainment » Operating instructions Infotainment, chapter CAR -
Vehicle Settings .
› Switch on the ignition.
› Press the required memory button B » Fig. 74.
› Turn the knob for the external mirror control to the position for the passenger
side mirror adjustment » page 79.
› Engage reverse gear.
› Adjust the front passenger's mirror to the desired position.
› Disengage reverse gear.

I hope this helps.

Cheers,
Karl

[Spinifex]

Hi Karl,

Thanks so much. I didn't realise it was a programmable thing to my own preference... I just assumed it would dip down by a factory-preset amount, so I'll give that a try later tonight.

My car has all options except the 19" black pack, so I have the memory seats, etc - and the setting is enabled in the infotainment - just couldn't work out why it didn't do anything!

Methinks I'm going to have to spend the weekend digesting the owners manual to find all the little tricks like this!


Anyone know why ticking my "screen-goes-blank-after-10seconds" setting only works once, then forgets the setting next time I start the car?

[Spinifex]

A bit of feedback for anyone interested: I picked up my new Octavia RS Wagon 162TSI last week, and yesterday, I gave the wagon a good run through some mountains (for the Brisbane locals here, Nebo, Glorious and through to Somerset, then back to Samford, and then city driving before home.)
The car performed flawlessly and brilliantly. A good spread of revs, gears and load points. From gentle cruising to giving it a bit of stick to load things up - perfect way to run a new engine in, as was suggested to me by my engine-builder in my previous STi Liberty.

I haven't looked at all the data yet, but I think I achieved an average of 7.9L/100 over 300km, which i think is pretty good considering the spread of revs and work it was doing. Will keep an eye on the consumption figures to see if things improve further with time. I notice on the fuel flap it only recommends 95RON minimum, which I suspect is all the dealership filled it with prior to delivery. I topped it up with 35L of 98 BP Ultimate before the run, and 98 is likely to be all I ever run in it, unless there's simply none available.

Suspension-wise - I'm definitely impressed that it handled so well. It certainly wasn't an AWD Liberty by comparison, but that's to be expected. The suspension crashes a bit over the hard stuff and there's definitely a fair amount of road noise inside the cabin - being a wagon resonates that noise a little, but it's no noisier or harsher over bumps than the "old-man car" I traded in for the Octy (a diesel Mazda6 sedan) which suffered from horrendous road and wind noise, and was as harsh on the road as the Liberty with Bilsteins!

The Mazda was so uncomfortable to drive with crappy seats with insufficient support for big people (I'm 6'6 and 115kg) I could only drive for about 30mins before aching and feeling like a cripple. After solid 2hour stints in the Octy, I just didn't want (or need) to get out to rest - only to pee! And I felt as refreshed and comfortable as when I started the drive. Adaptive dampers would make the full package in this car I'm sure..... pity I just missed out on that, according to the rumours I've read in here. (Wonder if you can retrofit that?)

Brakes - very solid feel when cool but definitely had some fade after a few spirited downhill sections. With ACC on (on flat sections of highway, not the mountains!) it takes some getting used to with manual braking, as it's prefilled the pedal pressure, so when taking over the braking manually with what you consider to be normal pedal-pressure, you tend to headbutt the windscreen! But overall pretty good brakes. I'd never say any car doesn't need bigger or better brakes though.....

Tyres that came with the car are Potenza something's. I couldn't read them in my dark garage last night when I got home so I'll check that out later today. Very solid feel, no squirming or understeer/oversteer during some pretty spirited driving. Lost traction a few times in the front, but that's the torque beating the TCS through some corners.

Electronics - everything in the cabin works well once you get used to the new control positions. I've only put the wipers on instead of blinkers once so far!
Didn't get much time to play around with controls myself while piloting, but my passenger was fiddling around with things as we went.
A few concerns/questions: as mentioned in previous posts, annoyed that the "screen blank after 10secs" setting unticks itself every time the car starts. Either a bug or deliberate?
There's significant glare off the infotainment screen under certain sunlight conditions. Makes viewing the reverse camera screen or satnav almost impossible in some instances. Better anti-glare coating on the screen might help, or perhaps angling the screen slightly towards the driver?
The reverse camera is certainly lower quality than what the Mazda had. I've played with the contrast and brightness settings, but it's quite difficult to see clearly when reversing at night. Obviously the reverse lights aren't positioned very well for the camera to utilise, or the camera is just cheap? Definitely better resolution in the Mazda but it's a minor thing.
Voice recognition is as hopeless as any other car I've driven with it. I realise it must be a difficult thing to program but I don't have a weird accent, I speak like anyone else and they just can't understand what I say. Especially when giving an address to the satnav.

The satnav is very different to the TomTom in the Mazda and will take some practice and getting used to before I can judge it. I don't understand why they all seem to search alphabetically for the street name you say/input, throughout the whole country, rather than the closest one to your current location. If I search for smith street, it will bring up smith streets on the other side of the country as first preferences, rather than the one 5km away! But the TomTom was like that too.

One thing I love is the fact the satnav will not get "locked-out" from making manual inputs while moving. The TomTom would lock the screen from most inputs once you'd started moving (for safety, fair enough), but it meant that any passenger with you couldn't do the satnav programming on the move. At least in the Octy, my passenger did all the searching for addresses while I did the steering. I haven't tested the Octy if I'd be locked out WITHOUT a passenger, perhaps it's another of those simply clever things.

Can't work out how to get the voice control working with Siri, when my phone is connected through Apple CarPlay. Haven't fully read the infotainment book yet though, so hopefully it's in there somewhere. And confused why the car would allow wifi connections or to use as a hotspot, if the SmartGate function isn't active here in Australia. Can't work out what purpose there is for the car having wifi - which presumably uses data from your connected device (in my case, my iPhone). I would assume that if SmartGate isn't available here, they would also just remove the wifi hotspot from the available settings too? I don't understand why wifi would be an option in the car - why connect my iPhone to the car, to provide a wifi hotspot to the rest of the car (any anyone else driving around beside me - apparently it's easy to hack into) - when I could just hotspot my second device directly to my iPhone?

Also can't work out the blend of connectivity in the car - bluetooth to my iPhone seems to be disconnected when I plug into cable to get CarPlay activated. So how does the phone connect to the car then? But there's so-few available apps in CarPlay that I don't think I'd ever use while driving, I don't think I'd bother with connecting it to the car. Except perhaps when I want to use the Apple Maps instead of inbuilt satnav, if updating maps is too expensive or difficult to achieve. Again this all comes down to reading the infotainment manual, which is my homework for today.

Overall though - very VERY happy with my purchase! Best decision I've made in a long time and I'm sure I'll only get happier with the car as time goes on.