[joethomasv]

Originally Posted by abhinav.gupta88

How much did this cost? Was this done at the dealer itself.

Originally Posted by Amarendranath

Where did you get this mat from and how much did it cost you? I would like to get a similar one for my Jetta. Looks real good. Would save time in keeping the carpet clean.

This is an original Skoda accessory I got from the dealer. It costs around Rs. 6500/-and fits the boot perfectly. One side is the identical carpet material like the boot mat and the other is hard rubber/plastic. It is moulded like the Kagu mats and is very easy to clean and is washable. You can find it in the accessories section of the Skoda website.

[joethomasv]

6200 Km update:

Checked the front wheel alignment and rotated the tires at around 4500kms. The left front tire still seem to wear faster than the rest. Apparently that's normal when you drive a lot in the ghats. I guess I have only the great Western Ghats to blame for it then.

Now that the monsoon's here, getting a pair of front mud flaps seem like a very good idea. I need to get the front windshield ac leak issue checked too.



The inside of the front grill is fairly sharp and you can cut yourself if you are not careful. Symbolic representation of the Skoda brand ?

[Santoshbhat]

Originally Posted by joethomasv

Checked the front wheel alignment and rotated the tires at around 4500kms. The left front tire still seem to wear faster than the rest. Apparently that's normal when you drive a lot in the ghats. I guess I have only the great Western Ghats to blame for it then.

Why should the front left tyre wear out faster when you drive in the ghats

Seems like an alignment issue. I can understand if both front tyres wear out more than rears if you drive a lot in the ghats. But why just the front left?

Did you get the alignment done at Skoda A.S.S. or outside? I suggest getting alignment done once again at some reputed tyre centre and checking the alignment readings for before and after figures.

[aseem]

Originally Posted by Santoshbhat

Why should the front left tyre wear out faster when you drive in the ghats

Seems like an alignment issue. I can understand if both front tyres wear out more than rears if you drive a lot in the ghats. But why just the front left?

Did you get the alignment done at Skoda A.S.S. or outside? I suggest getting alignment done once again at some reputed tyre centre and checking the alignment readings for before and after figures.

Tires would wear fast depending on the type of corners loading a particular tire more then the rest. So its quite normal. My knowledge coming purely from watching F1 for years on end and watching different circuits loading different tires differently resulting in tire wears unevenly.

[Santoshbhat]

Originally Posted by aseem

Tires would wear fast depending on the type of corners loading a particular tire more then the rest. So its quite normal. My knowledge coming purely from watching F1 for years on end and watching different circuits loading different tires differently resulting in tire wears unevenly.

Unless you are turning right all the time, I can't see why the left tyre should wear out more.

On a race track its understandable as the same corners are taken repeatedly, but on normal roads that does not happen.

As per my experience on ghat roads, the number of left hand curves and right hand curves are equal. So the loading on left and right tyres should average out.

[joethomasv]

Originally Posted by Santoshbhat

Why should the front left tyre wear out faster when you drive in the ghats

Seems like an alignment issue. I can understand if both front tyres wear out more than rears if you drive a lot in the ghats. But why just the front left?

Did you get the alignment done at Skoda A.S.S. or outside?

I checked the alignment from outside and it is the owner of the place ( New Bharath Pitstop, Cochin) who told me that the left tyres tend to wear a bit more in ghat roads. There was a slight misalignment according to the reading and it was corrected. The tyres were rotated too. But after 2k kms there's a noticeable difference in wear between the front right and left tyres. The wear don't seem to be uneven though.

The only logical explanation I can find is that the left tyres are subject to a little more abuse because it is forced to do a bit of offroading during narrow stretches and when giving way to oncoming traffic. Also maybe I'm cornering harder on one side.

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by joethomasv

I checked the alignment from outside and it is the owner of the place ( New Bharath Pitstop, Cochin) who told me that the left tyres tend to wear a bit more in ghat roads.

Can you kindly ask the owner of that pitstop to explain how does it happen and why only the left tyre? Is it specific to the left front tyre or both (left front and left rear)?

Originally Posted by joethomasv

The only logical explanation I can find is that the left tyres are subject to a little more abuse because it is forced to do a bit of off roading during narrow stretches and when giving way to oncoming traffic. Also maybe I'm cornering harder on one side.

Could be possible that the left tyre is getting worn out as it experience the un-even patches when giving way on narrow roads - Now when saying this your left rear tyre also should wear out more when compared to the right rear tyre?! Is it happening?

To my understanding the issue you are facing is mainly due to misalignment.

Anurag.

[Santoshbhat]

Originally Posted by joethomasv

There was a slight misalignment according to the reading and it was corrected. The tyres were rotated too. But after 2k kms there's a noticeable difference in wear between the front right and left tyres. The wear don't seem to be uneven though.

The only logical explanation I can find is that the left tyres are subject to a little more abuse because it is forced to do a bit of offroading during narrow stretches and when giving way to oncoming traffic. Also maybe I'm cornering harder on one side.

If there is noticeable difference in only 2K kms then surely something is wrong. If in 2k kms there is noticeable difference, then by 10 k kms then you even wear out the whole tyre.

I don't buy the theory that due to bit of 'off roading' the left tyre will show more wear. Btw its not a good idea to drop the left tyre off the road. You are risking damage to tyre sidewalls and rims. It could be a suspension issue as well. Have you reported to Skoda A.S.S?

The Octavia being a new car, the alignment centre may not have the alignment values stored in their system. Maybe you should try getting alignment done at Skoda service centre.

[joethomasv]

Originally Posted by a4anurag

Could be possible that the left tyre is getting worn out as it experience the un-even patches when giving way on narrow roads - Now when saying this your left rear tyre also should wear out more when compared to the right rear tyre?! Is it happening?

To my understanding the issue you are facing is mainly due to misalignment.

Anurag.

I think both the tyres on the left are wearing faster than the ones on the right. I'm going to get the alignment checked again at a different place this week.

Originally Posted by Santoshbhat

I don't buy the theory that due to bit of 'off roading' the left tyre will show more wear. Btw its not a good idea to drop the left tyre off the road. You are risking damage to tyre sidewalls and rims. It could be a suspension issue as well. Have you reported to Skoda A.S.S?

The Octavia being a new car, the alignment centre may not have the alignment values stored in their system. Maybe you should try getting alignment done at Skoda service centre.

The left tyres leave the road only to save the right mirror. And I'm always extra careful when I do that. Some of the roads are so narrow, you really have no choice.

Even if the alignment centre didn't have the correct values, since the right side shows normal wear they only have to adjust the left to match the right side. The report shows they did correct the camber a bit.

The 7500km checkup is due in 1k odd kms.I'll get the suspension checked at the A.S.S.

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by joethomasv

The 7500km checkup is due in 1k odd kms. I'll get the suspension checked at the A.S.S.

Don't you have a good wheel alignment workshop in your city? If yes, please go and get it checked else search in the T-BHP directory which should get you some help.

If Skoda ASC is the only left over choice then be careful as thy may ruin many more things in the process of checking the tyre wear cause. Since the vehicle is under warranty they should be the ones to answer.

All the best, do keep us posted.

Anurag.

[joethomasv]

Originally Posted by a4anurag

Don't you have a good wheel alignment workshop in your city?

Thanks Anurag. NewBharath Pitstop is one of the best in Cochin AFAIK. But just to be sure, I'm going to try somewhere else.

I'm not letting the ASC near my car. I just want to get their opinion, just incase it's a known issue. Also I think I can live with the minor AC windshield leak when in auto mode. I prefer that to an ill fitted rattling dash.

[vdi]

Originally Posted by joethomasv

Thanks Anurag. NewBharath Pitstop is one of the best in Cochin AFAIK. But just to be sure, I'm going to try somewhere else.

I'm not letting the ASC near my car. I just want to get their opinion, just incase it's a known issue. Also I think I can live with the minor AC windshield leak when in auto mode. I prefer that to an ill fitted rattling dash.

Why don't you try KURIANS near Nagampadom, Kottayam. No computer shomputer just manual checking and fixing if there are any issues. Have been going there for the last 8 years and completely satisfied.


Rajesh.

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by joethomasv

Thanks Anurag. New Bharath Pitstop is one of the best in Cochin AFAIK. But just to be sure, I'm going to try somewhere else.

Try and get a second opinion from another guy who is good in this work area.

Originally Posted by joethomasv

I'm not letting the ASC near my car. I just want to get their opinion, just incase it's a known issue.

Lol! But in case they accept that there is a problem, then isn't it better to sort it out under warranty rather than living with it?!

Originally Posted by joethomasv

Also I think I can live with the minor AC windshield leak when in auto mode. I prefer that to an ill fitted rattling dash.

Sorry I haven't read the initial pages but what is this issue?! If you don't want to have to ASC do the job why don't you visit an A/C specialist who would sorry things out.

Anurag.

[VeyronSuperSprt]

Originally Posted by joethomasv

I think both the tyres on the left are wearing faster than the ones on the right.

Even if the alignment centre didn't have the correct values, since the right side shows normal wear they only have to adjust the left to match the right side. The report shows they did correct the camber a bit.

I'll get the suspension checked at the A.S.S.

Firstly, does your alignment store have the factory specified toe-in/castor/camber readings for the new Octavia? I think not, as this is a new car and they are probably just guessing and putting their own readings. This is evident from the toe-in reading.

Secondly, camber adjustment is not possible on this car and the change in camber readings would be as a consequence of adjusting the toe-in.

Thirdly, It also looks like the readings in your alignment shop isn't correct as it shows a negative camber whereas the external side wearing out should indicate a substantial positive camber.

Fourthly, the new Octavia has toe-in adjustments at the rear too and it looks like your tyre store hasn't done anything on that. They are probably clueless in this regard.

Have the factory spec readings obtained from the ASS or from the erwin site. The readings which are given in mm for toe in needs to be converted into degrees which is something else that they play around with.

Checking the suspension would be a tricky affair since this is outer wear - would have been easier to pin it on the suspension if it was inner wear.

[joethomasv]

The car just crossed 8800 kms, on it's second Coorg trip. It was raining during 90% of the 900 km round trip. The Goodyears have more than adequate grip in the wet as well as in slush/dirt. Braking is good too. except for the wear, I'm happy with it.

The display always show an average mileage of 16.5-17 kmpl but when calculated on a tank full to tank full basis, it's around 14.5-15 kmpl. Still pretty good considering the terrain.

The 7500 km check up was done a week before the trip. I went to the service centre with zero expectations but was still disappointed I bet only Skoda can manage that.

This was my first visit to a Skoda service centre. I showed up at 9am sharp as per the appointment. The Marikar Skoda service centre in Kalamassery is a sorry sight, especially the reception and customer area. The receptionist promptly directed me to the service advisor at the first desk. I wasn't expecting any miracles but was hoping to get some clarification about the minor issues I was having. This is the conversation that followed:

Service advisor (trying his best to avoid any eye contact): Any complaints?

me: Yes, the tires on the left seems to be wearing out faster than the ones on the right. Is this normal?

S.A : No.

me : When in auto mode the front windshield is fogging up after the rains.

S.A : That's because the compressor is very powerful.

me (Trying hard not to laugh): Didn't some of the Lauras have the same complaint?

S.A mumbles something I couldn't understand.

me : The outside OVRMs make a noise when closing and opening.

S.A(Finally goes to the car and checks): That's the sound of the motor.

me : Is the front mud flaps available?

S.A (looks at the car surprised): You got the car with only the rear ones? They come as a pair and costs 1800 Rs. The front ones are too stiff and will break easily. You should get the ones from Sparco. Those can be cut to the desired size. Do you need the car washed?

me (happy that all the problems got sorted out so fast): No thanks. When can I get the car back? I'll wait here.

S.A : The car should be ready in two hours.

After 1.5 hours another guy called and said the car was ready and gave me the gate pass and disappeared. The S.A who took my car was staring at the computer screen intensely. When asked where the car was, he pointed to the cars parked outside the reception. I went out and looked around but couldn't find the car anywhere. I ran out of patience at that point, came back in and gave the S.A an earful. That worked wonders. He ran out, went into the workshop and got the car out from behind another car.

Overall a wonderful experience. Thank you Skoda! And you wonder why your sales figures aren't on fire.

After reading Adi's first service experience, I'm glad I opted out of the car wash. If only I could opt out of the service altogether.