[dkaile]

6th year anniversary Servicing; 28342kms; 27-03-2018



So it's been 6 wonderful years with my Superb and it was high time I got that oil change servicing done. I was skipping it due to lack of kms traveled but knew very well that a yearly oil change should be adhered too even if the kms traveled are minimal. Anyways, I had already procured all the required parts earlier as discussed in my earlier posts - http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...ml#post3867829

Castrol Edge Titanium 5W40 5L Engine Oil complying with VW 502 00 / 505 00 and API SN grade, was further procured. The MRP was 3446+1047 = 4493/- but I got the oil at net 3000/- bucks with vat bill. 4.6L is to be used in the oil change (with filter replacement) and the rest will be kept as spare for top-up.



I first thought to do the servicing at home as I had all the tools necessary but then opted to take it to a friend's Castrol Pit Stop for ease of use. The first job was to remove the solid under-body protection plate. It requires removal of 6 x 13mm nuts and 8 x T25 Torx scews.



The plate was then given a well deserved wash and wipe



The oil sump was revealed below



The oil drain plug is on it's back side



Proper tools are necessary to remove the various parts and the most important ones are the T40 Torx, T25 Torx (also used for the removal of the air filter housing), 13mm socket and a long 16mm Spark Plug Socket with rubber holder inside to catch the spark plug head.



The oil drain plug requires a T40 torx to open it up



The oil filter was opened up with a proper oil filter opening tool and the oil drain washer was replaced with a new one to avoid any leaks. Here are the old parts



A view of some of the tools used



4.6 liters of oil was replaced



The spark plugs were removed (refer to previous videos I had posted for the procedure) and it was having a perfect color signifying good fuel efficiency. Here it is before cleaning



And here after cleaning



The tip was NOT touched and the gap was found to be perfect at 8mm



The Air filter and the Cabin filter were also removed and inspected. As they were not particularly dirty and soiled, I just cleaned them with soft air pressure and refitted them. Refer to my previous posts for their removal and replacement procedure. The car was given a nice wash



And a nice shampoo rinse



Final drying at my friend's Castrol Pit Stop



The engine bay was cleaned



Here it is gleaming like new even after 6 years. That's VAG build quality for you.



After a nice coat of Waxpol Silky Touch polish









The oil level was checked again after 24 hours



The AC gas used in the car is R134a and capacity used is 525grams. I found that the AC cooling had slightly deteriorated after the preceding winter and as the gas had not leaked even after weeks, it was deduced by a AC expert that the quantity had deteriorated after 6 years in service and just a top-up is necessary



So it was topped up to the original specs and voila the cooling was back to it's brilliant best



Some parting shots from yesterday







And finally, as good as new...



Cheers...

[dkaile]

6th year anniversary Servicing cont...; 28580kms; 06-04-2018



In continuation to my previous week's service, I somehow did not feel comfortable NOT replacing the Air and HVAC filters. So went ahead today and replaced them at home.

After removing the AC filter and comparing it with the new one, I was slightly shocked! No need to tell you, which is which...lolz. So it was a good thing, I went ahead.



Then the engine bay was opened up once again



And Air filter housing's screws were opened up once again



8 x T25 torx screws in total were neatly lined up



And the housing was raised to reveal the old air filter



The old filter was removed and the air filter housing's intake was carefully cleaned



Again a comparison of the old and the new filters. And no need to tell which is which...



The new air filter was carefully lodged in place, taking care as to not crush the filter's top rubber beading and place it carefully in it's groove. And then the air filter housing was closed and it's screws re-tightened.



The Fuel filter was also checked. It still has a minimum life left of 10-15k kms as per the replacement schedule.



Original Skoda Summer Wash fluid was topped up to the windshield washer reservoir.



------------------------------

LED DRL's installed 06-04-2018

Now I was wanting to replace the normal bulbs in the Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) with the LED ones for cosmetic reasons. But I had had a bad experience a few years back when the bulbs that I got from AliExpress did not function properly and gave Canbus Error on the MID. So I found about these new ones, again on AliExpress, in which the seller assured me that the LEDs are CANBUS compliant and will function perfectly in my Skoda and all VAG cars. This is the link - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/For-...311.0.0.58VLzY . These came quite quickly.

Here they are. The bulb has 6 x 5W LED chips and is 'supposedly' made of aviation grade aluminum alloy.



Here is how the stock DRLs look (BEFORE replacement picture)



A closer view of the stock bulbs



Both the plastic covers on the lower grills were removed to access the Fog/DRL light housing. These are just slide out covers and require no tools.



Then just a push of the hand in the slot and the DRL/Fog light housing slides out, without any tools again.



Finally the housing is pushed out and the cover slot of the DRL bulb is turned anticlockwise to get the bulb out



The stock and LED replacement compared. The stock bulb is a 12V P21W



The locking indents are in a straight line in these ones



Finally the lights were switched ON. NO ERRORs on the MID and the bulbs function perfectly as promised. AFTER replacement picture...



A closer look at the LEDs. Looks much better and are also brighter than stock. And all for 900 bucks.



A day well spent. Cheers for now...

[dkaile]

07-04-2018 - Service Parts Received

As I had used up the service parts in the recent service, I decided to call up Skoda Customer Care and ask for a new set. They directed me towards Aryaveer Motors, Moti Nagar, Delhi instead of Nawab Motors, Noida, this time around. Seems like even Nawab Motors is on the way out, pathetic Skoda Service!

So got these parts from them which I will keep as reserve for the next service, a year or so down the line. As non of the parts have a expiry date, purchasing them before hand just gives me peace of mind.



This was the bill of Rs. 4760/-



As I already had a fuel filter and now I have 2. So planning to change the exisiting one too, soon. Got a pick set from AliExpress for 270 bucks - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4Pcs...311.0.0.2Z5dcv



which will come in handy while replacing the fuel filter as per this video -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO1nBVUaTPw

26-04-2018 - Front Left Window Mechanism Replacement

Now the front passenger window mechanism had been troubling me since the last 2 years (refer to my earlier post dated 20-03-2016 - http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...ml#post4166442 ), and the wire which I had got repaired, broke again. So this time around I thought of repairing it for good and replacing the entire mechanism. Now there was confusion to what the part# of the window mechanism actually was. I tried inquiring from AryaVeer Skoda and two part#s surfaced 3T0837461A (the incorrect one) and 3T0837401B (the correct one). They quoted me 9k for the part and Total expense of about 15k including labour. As I had already opened up that window earlier, I decided to search for the part in the Delhi Market. So off I went to the Kailash Colony Market in South Delhi and to my friendly neighborhood denter Fakruddin (9899960106) and his brother Nasruddin/Zameer (9910138455) and opened up the front door again -



Got hold of the correct part#



Searched with Mahajan Automobile, Lajpat Nagar (011-29817215) and got the wrong part in the first go because I had earlier asked him the incorrect part# as detailed above. Then on the second go after giving him the correct part#, he arranged for the correct part in a few hours, and all for just 3.5k (and I doubt he charged me a premium of at least 1k in that too...lolz)



With the brand new mechanism in hand the rest of the job was a piece of cake and took 10 minutes to fit it back



And now the window works as new. Total expense was 3.5k + 1.5k labour.

------------------------

Tried my hand at touching up small nicks and scratches on the car with a matching nail polish



And even though the shade looks a little different in these photos, the nicks are now almost invisible from a distance



-------------------

On the return journey, basked in the glory of the new 10kms single pillar elevated highway made by the current government between Rajnagar Extension in Ghaziabad and UP Gate (Delhi border). This thing saved me 30 minutes of the bumper to bumper journey earlier, not to mention about the fuel savings in the process. This is supposedly the longest 'Single Pillar Elevated Road' in the country, as on date. Well done.



Cheers for now...

[n.devdath]

Originally Posted by dkaile

And now the window works as new. Total expense was 3.5k + 1.5k labour.

This is the right way to maintain a German in India. Though it requires some amount of time and contacts, the benefits are more than worth the investment. With such practices, you can continue to enjoy the Superb, superbly, for many more years.

I love the way you document the minute details of part replacements and fitment, I am sure it helps a lot of owners in maintaining their cars.

So, how much has your Fortuner clocked now? Any plans of replacement/upgrade?

[dkaile]

Originally Posted by n.devdath

This is the right way to maintain a German in India.

So, how much has your Fortuner clocked now? Any plans of replacement/upgrade?

Thanks for the kind words.

My Fortuner is driven mostly by my brother and it is still around 40-45K. I like the comfort levels offered by the Superb much more. Though he sends it over to me for the maintenance part. Lolz. That too is a bulletproof car and requires minimal maintenance except perhaps a annual service. Anyways it too has not done any substantial miles to warrant anything bigger. No plans to upgrade because investing north of 40+L is just not worth it for me and you don't get resale even if your vehicles are low mileage ones. So, in my books, it's better to keep them running like new and enjoy the benefits. BTW, I just froze on the way back from Delhi after topping up the AC gas on the Superb. These are just the small things they need to keep giving you the pleasure of a true luxury car that they are.

Cheers...

[dkaile]

LED Parking Light Bulbs installed 13-05-2018

After changing the DRL's to LED I decided to do the same for the Parking Light bulbs to match with it's white light.

So the first thing after opening the bonnet was the removal of the rubber boot covering the side of each headlight to reveal the bulbs inside


The Parking Light bulb socket was just pulled out from it's position to reveal the bulb inside. It's a 12V W5W bulb


This is the yellowish light it produces


A LED bulb for this W5W socket was sourced at my local shop for just 30/- bucks a piece and this is how both the bulbs look


Replaced the bulb in the socket with the LED bulb


This is how it lights up in white light which is much brighter than stock


Before


and After


A comparison with both the bulbs in respective sockets


Before


and After


The MID threw a bulb error on first startup but then the error disappeared mysteriously subsequently and the bulbs are also working just fine. 60 bucks well spent.

---------------------------

Also got a fully waterproof Polco branded Dupont Tyvek car cover from Amazon for Rs. 3399/- https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 for the car which looks Superb as well as functions as expected


Cheers...

[dkaile]

The rubber tether on the fuel cap of the Superb had broken off with age. Searched locally but couldn't source one. Looked at AliExpress and found a listing with the entire fuel cap with the rubber tether for around 400 bucks landed - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/for-...2ad54c4dq6dmnB .

Though my fuel cap was absolutely OK, so I got this one and just replaced the rubber tether and kept the fuel cap as spare. Absolutely OE quality -





Cheers...

[dkaile]

Nearly 30k kms and on a recent 400kms trip to Corbett








Cheers...

[StarryFurry]

Any recent updates? Have you sold the car?

This is one of the best long term ownership thread about the Superb. Totally enjoyed reading it. Kindly update if possible.

[dkaile]

7th Year Update - 12-06-2019 - 30802 kms

7th year happily chugs on with the Superb with zero issues.



Still as good as new



Even the interiors are spotless and the 6MT is still the BEST in the business



Snapped some photos on a recent trip to Moradabad. The car kept us chilled in the 47.5 degree heat.





Someone nicked one of the Skoda logo stickers from one of the alloy wheels.



Got a full set from AliExpress for 150 bucks



And the alloy is back to original



Also the Parking Light LED Bulbs I had got earlier were giving Canbus Error. So procured a new pair from AliExpress which were Canbus compliant for 100 bucks



Beautiful White Parking Lights now and without any error





The DRL's had already been converted to LED's with Canbus complaint bulbs as detailed in my previous posts



Now these perfectly match the White light of the stock HID bulbs



Cheers for now...

[sambhav.jain]

Originally Posted by dkaile

7th Year Update - 12-06-2019 - 30802 kms

7th year happily chugs on with the Superb with zero issues.

Hello dkaile sir!! How is the car doing after 8 years? I have been a silent follower of yours for 8 years. Infact it was when you bought your car that i got to know about the offer going on the superb and finally bought one for myself on 26th of April 2012.
Recently i have been having this problem with dashboard rev meter lights and the speed needle not illuminating. The skoda workshop asked me to replace the dashboard which was
I have seen videos and read on briskoda of taking the dashboard apart and replacing the leds. But no one seems to want to do neither the skoda workshop nor any FNG. Also my boot lock latch is busted and boot wont close properly. My driver side glove box below the lights switch is also broken. Any ideas on how i can get the parts cheaply? Any contacts you could share.
Thanks in advance!!

[07CR]

That's a very nice thread you got here. Superb still looks Superb (Pun not intended).

I am contemplating on buying a used 2016-17 Superb TDI AT. But I am just worried about the service costs and reliability. Can you just help me here with the average annual maintenance cost you have incurred with the car till date?
I can see there haven't been any reliability issues, but if somehow I missed it, any major reliability issue/electricals not working issue you came across?

[Sanjivvohra]

I own a 2015 Superb ( bought pre owned in 2019 - it had done about 40k km).Over the last 2 years, regular maintenance cost was approx 7k per annum. I also got the front suspension changed ( it was making a squeaky noise and I like my cars quiet!) for about 25k INR.
Servicing was done through GoMechanic.

Hope this helps.

[dkaile]

10th Year Update - 05-08-2022 - 36359 kms

The Superb 'superbly' chugs into it's 10th year. Being a quite low mileage car, I have relatively faced very few issues. I had last serviced the car myself at 28342kms on 27-03-2018 i.e. more than 4 years and 8017 kms back. So will perform another service soon. Since then the only thing that conked off was the Horn (3000 bucks). And I also refilled the AC gas recently (last refill was 4 years back) for around a 1000 bucks. Plus some 200-300ml oil top-up in the last few years. And that was the only expense I did on the car in the last 3 years since my last 7th year update.

Here's the odo reading today, and as song playing says 'Abhi to Party Shuru hui hai' or lets say that 'Abhi bhi party chal rahi hai' lolz. Recently also did a, quite pleasurable, 295 kms trip to the hills.



So one of the horn conked off and I replaced the complete pair myself in December 2021. It is located under this plastic panel under the bonnet, besides the right headlight



Plastic screws and rivet which was removed to open the panel



The dirt filled horns revealed below



A closer look at the OE horns



And their part numbers



A closer look at the OE connector. The brown wire side is the negative.





I initially procured a pair of Hella Midnight Black horns, till the time the OE horns could be procured from the dealership, and thought if these could be made successful in a VAG car.



I even made a wiring harness to fit into the OE VAG connectors and they worked perfectly



A closer look at the self made custom connector



Here's the Hella horns fitted in place of the OE horns. Though they were slightly broader than the OE ones, there was ample space for them to be wiggled into place.



I used the Hella Horns for a few days without any issues till the OE horns arrived from the dealership



Cost and part numbers of the original horns received from the dealership



A closer look at the replacement new OE horns





These were fitted and all is well and the car is going strong as ever with minimal expenses and zero headaches. I intend to keep the car till 2027 i.e. till it completes it's 15 years or maybe even further, due to the absolutely zero trouble it has given me till date. Maybe because I maintain it myself. Let's see.

Cheers for now...

[lapis_lazuli]

Originally Posted by dkaile

10th Year Update - 05-08-2022 - 36359 kms....
Cheers for now...

Congratulations and always a pleasure to read! Quite an inspiration that!

I had a few queries :

1) I recently changed the battery (yesterday actually) it lasted almost 4 years. It died without a warning and I replaced it from the dealership. It was 12k odd. But a very detailed reset/coding had to be done post the replacement : I watched the whole procedure closely. Took close to 20 minutes. How was it managed in your case?

2) I am having an issue with a window switch. Did not expect a sparsely used switch to need special attention . Any gremlins you faced?

3) You did not change the oil for the last 4 years? So you would wait till 10-12000kms and not really based on the time elapsed since last change?

Thanks again!

Mine has already done 32000kms.