[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by 21Archer84

Thanks a lot Balan.

Need some inputs from fellow Fabia owners. Every time the security person at office tries to open the bootlid (not sure why companies don't trust their Employees ), it doesn't open (though the central locking if OFF ) unless I open the door. Is this an issue in my car or has Skoda built it that way? This has been annoying me, will get it done if it's an issue as I'm yet to collect the car from Mr.Lonkar. Please help.

You must be having a central lock switch near the centre console. Use it to release the bootlid!

[puchoo]

exactly , every time i need to open it i just unlock the car with this button and one click opens all doors as well as the boot.

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

You must be having a central lock switch near the centre console. Use it to release the bootlid!

[21Archer84]

Originally Posted by puchoo

exactly , every time i need to open it i just unlock the car with this button and one click opens all doors as well as the boot.

punchoo, I do the same when my friends want to get down the car, but the button only unlocks the doors at one press and not the boot. Will check if it works with a double tap.

[puchoo]

Ok , mine must be programmed differently then. In fact i kept your post in mind this morning when leaving for work and tried it out - the boot opens with a single push only. The sound of the car unlocking is clearly evident and a second press yields no sound either.

Originally Posted by 21Archer84

punchoo, I do the same when my friends want to get down the car, but the button only unlocks the doors at one press and not the boot. Will check if it works with a double tap.

[21Archer84]

Originally Posted by puchoo

Ok , mine must be programmed differently then. In fact i kept your post in mind this morning when leaving for work and tried it out - the boot opens with a single push only. The sound of the car unlocking is clearly evident and a second press yields no sound either.

Got the car back. Checked the boot and it opens with a single push. I guess it must be a problem with the security guys as most cars have a push button to open the boot from inside the car. Thanks for the help anyway.

[puchoo]

Glad its sorted out

And now that you have brought it up i am just going to add that yes the security guys are a problem, the first few weeks i had the car i had to keep getting out to open the boot myself - they simply did not know where to push it.

Originally Posted by 21Archer84

. I guess it must be a problem with the security guys as most cars have a push button to open the boot from inside the car.

[21Archer84]

Went to the Europa Auto's Body Shop the other day, for getting the Wiper blades(Frt & Rr) changed. Was pretty satisfied with the way they received my feedback on the other issues( Frt Left Door switch isn't working properly & there was a warning on the Console that pops up upon giving the Ignition). Got the Oil Filter too, as it wasn't changed during the service at TUP(they couldn't get it).
Suggested me to leave the car for a day to get the switch corrected and the warning was nothing but the coolant level indicator. Didn't leave the car though.
With the way work was being done and the discussion I had with one of the Supervisor there, felt I should have got the car serviced with them. Not sure if the Service centre guys treat the customers just the same as the Body Shop.
Only thing I didn't like was, they were accepting only cash as there was some issue with the CC machine and I had to walk all the way till Baner to withdraw money. :(

[21Archer84]

SO much's been happening with my Fabia in the past month.

Drove it to Hyderabad in July, parked it outside home. Woke up in the morning to only notice that the Front Windshield has a crack(still not sure how it developed). Used it in that condition until it grew into a scary state.
Was on the way back home after dropping my brother at the airport on 11'Aug. Was driving though had no proper sleep, thanks to my brother's wedding, and just a couple of kms before I could reach home, disaster strikes. I hit an auto. I was drowsy for a second and that was enough for so much to happen. Thanks to my bro-in-law sitting in the passenger seat, I could brake and slow down, but it was not enough and feet before the car could stop, I hit the auto. The bumper and the no. plate gets scraped and the chrome grille with the SKODA badge gets a huge dent, hood too had a dent, that was not noticeable. Auto too had some damages but the guy was safe. I thanked god, that nobody was hurt. Realised my mistake and would never get on the wheel without proper sleep.
Dropped the car at Mahavir Auto (Sanathnagar) where they had a body shop, told him to get the glass replaced and other damages. I was not too comfortable with the brakes and asked to check the same(they were changed during the service done at Tune UP +, Baner after I bought the car and the brake pads have done just 3500kms).
SE asked me to collect it on 16'Aug after giving a call. I went back on 16th and he was not ready to give the car as he had to get few things sorted out(Air Duct had to be replaced on warranty, that's what was told and not sure why it was replaced). I did check the car though and they look to have done a good job with the dents and hood alignment. Glass was changed too.
I collected the car the next day and was concerned about the brakes, I was told that the brakes are good. Bill was paid for ~16000/-(~8000/- for Windshield and ~1500/- for Glazing??). Front Passenger window switch(~1200/-) and Horn(~650/-) were changed.
The car's back to Pune but I'm not happy with the brakes and I hear a harsh noise on the move(could be something hitting the brakes). It comes only occassionally and it started when we were on the way to Pune.Also, the steering wobbles when I brake at speeds above 60kmph.Not sure if this is result of the Impact the car had with the Auto when it was in Hyd or bad brakes that were fitted.

The tires also have been a major concern for me now. Last week, I parked the car at office and on coming back, noticed that the front RH tire has gone flat. Noticed that there were 4 punctures and the valve too was damaged.Checked the condition of other tires and the rubber started to develop cracks(though small, they appear like chips).It's close to 35K on the ODO and car is just over 4yrs old, do you guys think I should get the tires changed? and if yes which ones do you recommend?
Will get the tires changed next month but need inputs from the owners. It's got the OEM fit Matador tires at the moment.
Everyone back home liked the car, though was a used one, and congratulated me for a good choice. I'm happy with the car but the things I mentioned above have been annoying me and I'm not able to drive confidently.

[fi.robin]

Originally Posted by 21Archer84

The car's back to Pune but I'm not happy with the brakes and I hear a harsh noise on the move(could be something hitting the brakes). It comes only occassionally and it started when we were on the way to Pune.Also, the steering wobbles when I brake at speeds above 60kmph.Not sure if this is result of the Impact the car had with the Auto when it was in Hyd or bad brakes that were fitted.

Wobbling can also happen due to worn brake discs and pads. When was the brake pads replaced last? Search around the net for symptoms of worn discs and pads. My guess is that the first owner did not replace it at the scheduled 30k kms.
Alignment issues may also cause it.

Originally Posted by 21Archer84

The tires also have been a major concern for me now. Last week, I parked the car at office and on coming back, noticed that the front RH tire has gone flat. Noticed that there were 4 punctures and the valve too was damaged.Checked the condition of other tires and the rubber started to develop cracks(though small, they appear like chips).It's close to 35K on the ODO and car is just over 4yrs old, do you guys think I should get the tires changed? and if yes which ones do you recommend?
Will get the tires changed next month but need inputs from the owners. It's got the OEM fit Matador tires at the moment.
Everyone back home liked the car, though was a used one, and congratulated me for a good choice. I'm happy with the car but the things I mentioned above have been annoying me and I'm not able to drive confidently.

Rubbers get hard with time. Someone told me that the Matador can last upto 6 years. Most tires do need replacement after 4 years. My car is also 4 years old and running on Matador. Keeping a close eye on it. May require replacement anytime now. Battery is the other thing you should be worried about if still running on the OEM.

Originally Posted by 21Archer84

punchoo, I do the same when my friends want to get down the car, but the button only unlocks the doors at one press and not the boot. Will check if it works with a double tap.

If you have the old model then the behavior will be different. I have to open the door to unlock the boot. Or remove the key from ignition.

[21Archer84]

Originally Posted by fi.robin

If you have the old model then the behavior will be different. I have to open the door to unlock the boot. Or remove the key from ignition.

It's a 2008 model, so i guess that's the way it is. I do have to open the door for someone to open the boot. Feel tired of doing it everytime the security guy stops me.

Personally, opening the door is a much better option than to pull the Key off the Ignition.

Originally Posted by fi.robin

Wobbling can also happen due to worn brake discs and pads. When was the brake pads replaced last? Search around the net for symptoms of worn discs and pads. My guess is that the first owner did not replace it at the scheduled 30k kms.
Alignment issues may also cause it.

Brake pads were replaced at 31K, not with genuine or OEM brakes though. I remember it to be from a German mfr. I somehow feel the brakepads to be the culprit. The brake disc too got facing done, so I guess nothing wrong with the disc.
Will get the wheels aligned when I have new tires fixed very soon.

Originally Posted by fi.robin

Rubbers get hard with time. Someone told me that the Matador can last upto 6 years. Most tires do need replacement after 4 years. My car is also 4 years old and running on Matador. Keeping a close eye on it. May require replacement anytime now. Battery is the other thing you should be worried about if still running on the OEM.

I was told by a local mechanic that the tires can be used for another 10-15K, but i seriously doubt as the road noise has been annoying me, especially on rough roads. There's hardly any noise on the smooth roads though. What tires do you think are best suitable for this little tank?

[shykrish]

Originally Posted by 21Archer84

I hear a harsh noise on the move(could be something hitting the brakes). It comes only occassionally and it started when we were on the way to Pune.Also, the steering wobbles when I brake at speeds above 60kmph.Not sure if this is result of the Impact the car had with the Auto when it was in Hyd or bad brakes that were fitted.

Harsh noise could also be due to some small stone or something on the disk, usually happens when you go over a recently asphalted road.

The tires also have been a major concern for me now. Checked the condition of other tires and the rubber started to develop cracks(though small, they appear like chips).It's close to 35K on the ODO and car is just over 4yrs old, do you guys think I should get the tires changed? and if yes which ones do you recommend?

My Matador lasted only around 20k kms, one had a sidewall tear on a pothole and another had repeated punctures, presently my car is running on Bridgestone Potenzas and I find them fairly good.

Everyone back home liked the car, though was a used one, and congratulated me for a good choice. I'm happy with the car but the things I mentioned above have been annoying me and I'm not able to drive confidently.

This is a car that you can drive very confidently, I am doing so for the last 4.5 years and over 1,14,500 kms. I would advise you to change the brake pads to OE though

[21Archer84]

Originally Posted by shykrish

Harsh noise could also be due to some small stone or something on the disk, usually happens when you go over a recently asphalted road.

My Matador lasted only around 20k kms, one had a sidewall tear on a pothole and another had repeated punctures, presently my car is running on Bridgestone Potenzas and I find them fairly good.

This is a car that you can drive very confidently, I am doing so for the last 4.5 years and over 1,14,500 kms. I would advise you to change the brake pads to OE though

How much did the Potenza cost you then? Can you suggest something in Michelin ? Along with the pads am also planning to get new disc rotors .
Any idea of how much the rotors cost? Would appreciate if someone can provide the spares price list.

[shykrish]

Originally Posted by 21Archer84

How much did the Potenza cost you then? Can you suggest something in Michelin ? Along with the pads am also planning to get new disc rotors .
Any idea of how much the rotors cost? Would appreciate if someone can provide the spares price list.

Potenza's were around 5,400, I have used Michelin too, but potenza's are of similar quality and lasts a bit longer I believe. I dont think you have to change your rortors they easily last around 1 Lakh kms, I changed mine at 95,000. They dont cost much around 6k I believe for the pair.

[21Archer84]

Originally Posted by shykrish

Potenza's were around 5,400, I have used Michelin too, but potenza's are of similar quality and lasts a bit longer I believe. I dont think you have to change your rortors they easily last around 1 Lakh kms, I changed mine at 95,000. They dont cost much around 6k I believe for the pair.

Thanks a lot for the info.

Here's an interesting thing I came across Last week. I went to the Shell pump to fill up the tank, I feel there was some 5-6lts of fuel still left in the tank.

The guy there suggested Unleaded fuel and it costed 83/-(too high compared to the fuel at other pumps and normal fuel at SHell was 81/-). He convinced me saying we fill the same for all Skoda cars here , blah blah. I said Okay and he was topping it. All these days When i filled the tank, even when it was almost empty, the total was not more than ~42lts, but on this case it climbed to 48lts, even with around 5-6lts still in the tank.

I immediately told him that there's a flaw in the reading. He called his supervisor and the guy said there's no flaw and will prove that to you by filling fuel in a 5lt can. He did show me that the reading matched with the 5lt Fuel can he got.

Now tell me guys, is the tank really a 45lt tank or can it hold more than 50lts as in this case or was I taken for a ride by the Shell guys? Has anyone had any such experience.

[mempheS.D]

Originally Posted by 21Archer84

Now tell me guys, is the tank really a 45lt tank or can it hold more than 50lts as in this case or was I taken for a ride by the Shell guys? Has anyone had any such experience.

Here's a link which answers your question - the same that I had a couple of months ago.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techni...ml#post2845211