[nerd1200]

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

... they sent some dude home on a 2-wheeler with a big-ass battery. Paid 500 bucks and my car was jump started.

Just for the benefit of forum members in a similar situation, there is a service provided by Exide called "Batmobile" - they'll basically send someone in a scooter with a battery and jump start your car (similar to what you've mentioned here).

The advantages of this is that it's completely free, irrespective of whether your battery is within warranty or not. Also, they provide this service irrespective of the battery make you have. (link)

You've to dial 1800-103-5454.

[Nikhilb2008]

It's been a long time since I posted anything on this thread.

Here are some headlines:

I was travelling for almost a month, the car was parked at home. When I came home after my travels, this was the condition.









Used the Jopasu Duster and 10 minutes later, the car was looking quite clean. It didnt require a wash.

Coolant levels were fine, engine oil level was fine, car started instantly and overall felt good.

I've been pretty much home bound. I havent left Bangalore since August's trip to Kolhapur(save for a small drive to Mysore in September).

Got my Alignment done and this time I felt like trying something different. I have now adjusted my rear Camber to the international spec. -1°45' instead of the usual -1°15'.

Made a small video to show how the rear camber and toe is to be adjusted. This was because a few vRS owners in other parts of the country were having difficulty getting their cars aligned perfectly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh5m...ature=youtu.be

The car continues to make massive squeaking noises thanks to the insanely high quality rubber beadings. Havent found the time to bless these damn rubbers with Gummipfledge. It's quite pathetic that in a car worth 32 lakhs, we have to worry about the door and sunroof beadings.

I have covered about 3,000 kms since August end. So, about 5 months and 3,000 kms. Dont worry people, it is really me. It's not some alien masquerading as me.

I have been very busy with work and family matters, hence the minimal amount of driving.

Just driving from home to office and back. I have been at 39,xxx kms for over 2 months now.

Hoping to hit 40k in the next few days.

I bought a matt screen guard for the head unit.







Apart from this, quite frankly boring update, there's nothing else to say.

It's probably due to my minimal driving, but I hear that oil marketing companies are losing a lot of money. And fuel prices are tanking because of reduced demand.

Anyway, to support them, I made sure my other car paid a visit to the vRS and got them re-acquainted.

[Nikhilb2008]

I finally crossed the 40k mark last week.



Also washed the car after a long time on Sunday. Since it hasnt rained in Bangalore, I could go a much longer interval between washes.

The drawback was that it has been over 3 weeks since I carefully observed the car and I noticed some points that made me very unhappy.

First was heartbreaking: More vandalism. Looks like someone has tried to draw on my car while it was parked somewhere.



I dont baby my car too much in the sense, I have parked it wherever I go. I take my car everywhere I go. And sometimes I have to leave it parked in places which may be populated with unsavoury characters or kids. Looks like this has happened at one of those spots.

The second thing was that I checked the coolant level and it was down yet again. It is still above the minimum mark, but it has come down on it's own.



Wondering if I should push for a thermostat replacement under warranty. This is supposedly a known issue with the VAG cars. There is a new thermostat part number which supposedly prevents this leakage of coolant.

Thirdly, rat footprints all over my engine bay. I guess the 3M Anti Rodent coating I got done in June has "expired" or worn off.

Time to get it done again.

[audioholic]

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

First was heartbreaking: More vandalism. Looks like someone has tried to draw on my car while it was parked somewhere.

Quite disappointing to see such acts. I know this isnt something new, but why dont you consider PPF for these vandal prone areas? I think a good PPF should not hamper the glossy finish and still offer protection to some extent.

[fast_elegance]

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

Thirdly, rat footprints all over my engine bay. I guess the 3M Anti Rodent coating I got done in June has "expired" or worn off.

Is the 3M anti rodent working well? Thinking of getting this done for my city.

[bhavit46]

Hi. I tried to get the oil change at 7500 kms with Motul 8100X cess 5W40 but the local dealership, Torque Automobiles would not allow the change with customer supplied oils. I tried to convince them that it is VW specified oil but they are not willing to accept. Please advice.

[adi_petrolhead]

Originally Posted by bhavit46

Hi. I tried to get the oil change at 7500 kms with Motul 8100X cess 5W40 but the local dealership, Torque Automobiles would not allow the change with customer supplied oils. I tried to convince them that it is VW specified oil but they are not willing to accept. Please advice.

Since your car is in warranty they are not allowing you to change the brand of oil. Do let me know by PM when you go there, I will try to ask them if there's any other reason to do so.

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by bhavit46

Hi. I tried to get the oil change at 7500 kms with Motul 8100X cess 5W40 but the local dealership, Torque Automobiles would not allow the change with customer supplied oils. I tried to convince them that it is VW specified oil but they are not willing to accept. Please advice.

Using customer supplied oil can void your warranty. You really don't want to take a risk. Just stick to what the dealer provides. They will use VW/Skoda approved oils. Of course, there is a commercial angle to it but it is secondary.

[Karvel]

Came across this news article, great if true:

Skoda cars offering 6 Year / 150k kms warranty as a new initiative. Existing owners too get the benefit if they are covered under the 4 yr warranty package.

"Skoda Shield Plus six-year warranty aims to make ownership a hassle-free experience. The offer is part of Skoda's 'INDIA 2.0' customer-centric approach"

"Skoda Shield Plus*offers extended warranty for 5th and 6th year or 1,50,000 km (whichever is earlier) on all Skoda cars on sale in the country. It also includes Skoda Assist, which takes care of 24 x 7 Road Side Assistance (RSA) for 5th and 6th year."

"The new Shield Plus package is accessible to existing customers whose cars are covered in the four-year warranty program. Shield Plus brings together benefits, value for money and prompt personal service when claims are involved"

"Zac Hollis, Director – Sales, Service, and Marketing, Skoda Auto India Pvt Ltd said, "Skoda Shield Plus is a unique offering in the Indian automotive industry. It is designed to ensure owning a Skoda is a hassle-free and an enjoyable experience. It ascertains that 'Peace of Mind comes standard with a Skoda'."

https://www.rushlane.com/skoda-5-yr-...-12297902.html

[bhavit46]

Originally Posted by R2D2

Using customer supplied oil can void your warranty. You really don't want to take a risk. Just stick to what the dealer provides. They will use VW/Skoda approved oils. Of course, there is a commercial angle to it but it is secondary.

Thanks for your suggestions. I have decided to go for the oil change with the dealer itself. I guess it is better to stick to the recommended specs for Skoda then regret later on.

[Karvel]

Hi Nikhil,

How are the Yokohama's holding up? Any sidewall issues?

On the anit-rodent treatment, is it a DIY or done at 3M?

[KungFuPanda]

Hi Nikhil,

I have an Octavia RS that I have had the pleasure of driving from July 2018. Its almost run 6000 Kms till date.

Since the last 2 - 3 weeks I have been noticing that there is a slight hesitance when the car shifts into the 2nd gear and out of the 2nd gear. This is more noticeable in the Drive mode, and not so much in either the Manual or the Sports mode.

I do not drive in stop and go traffic for more than 20 - 30 mins a day (to and from the office), however, I tend to engage the neutral at traffic lights, and slightly longer stops. I don't know whether there is an issue, however, the gear shifts used to be super slick earlier and I am worried whether this is a DSG issue. I also recently changed my route recently to a shorter route with slightly heavier traffic than before and maybe am noticing this behavior now?

It would be great to hear your thoughts, especially since you use the car as a daily drive and since you drive in Bangalore, I guess the car experiences stop and go traffic.

Should I be concerned and rush to the workshop, or am I overreacting?

[Nikhilb2008]

Originally Posted by audioholic

Quite disappointing to see such acts. I know this isnt something new, but why dont you consider PPF for these vandal prone areas? I think a good PPF should not hamper the glossy finish and still offer protection to some extent.

Yeah, but the costs are prohibitive. I am considering PPF for the mirrors, bumpers sometime in the future.

Originally Posted by fast_elegance

Is the 3M anti rodent working well? Thinking of getting this done for my city.

I am not too sure. I didnt see any rat footprints in the first 6 months. I noticed it after 7-8 months and 3M claims an effectiveness of only 6 months.

I have got it re-applied at 3M a few weeks ago.

Originally Posted by bhavit46

Hi. I tried to get the oil change at 7500 kms with Motul 8100X cess 5W40 but the local dealership, Torque Automobiles would not allow the change with customer supplied oils. I tried to convince them that it is VW specified oil but they are not willing to accept. Please advice.

Unfortunately, we dont have much of a say. It's the dealership's call to accept it or not. In Bangalore, TAFE is quite helpful, so we are ok. They understand the technicalities of the engine and engine oil and also the feelings of us enthusiasts.

You have more chances of finding water on mars than finding a dealership in Gujarat genuinely interested in helping out an enthusiast!

Originally Posted by Karvel

Hi Nikhil,

How are the Yokohama's holding up? Any sidewall issues?

On the anit-rodent treatment, is it a DIY or done at 3M?

Not a DIY. They force you to get it done at the store. They dont sell the cans over the counter. Yokohamas are holding up fine. Zero issues.

Originally Posted by KungFuPanda

Hi Nikhil,

I have an Octavia RS that I have had the pleasure of driving from July 2018. Its almost run 6000 Kms till date.

Since the last 2 - 3 weeks I have been noticing that there is a slight hesitance when the car shifts into the 2nd gear and out of the 2nd gear. This is more noticeable in the Drive mode, and not so much in either the Manual or the Sports mode.

I do not drive in stop and go traffic for more than 20 - 30 mins a day (to and from the office), however, I tend to engage the neutral at traffic lights, and slightly longer stops. I don't know whether there is an issue, however, the gear shifts used to be super slick earlier and I am worried whether this is a DSG issue. I also recently changed my route recently to a shorter route with slightly heavier traffic than before and maybe am noticing this behavior now?

It would be great to hear your thoughts, especially since you use the car as a daily drive and since you drive in Bangalore, I guess the car experiences stop and go traffic.

Should I be concerned and rush to the workshop, or am I overreacting?

I am honestly unable to give you any relevant advice. I have not experienced any such behaviour and even if I have, I may not have observed it!

I can only advise you to be cautious and run to the dealership and get things inspected if you have any doubts.

[Leoshashi]

Originally Posted by Karvel

On the anit-rodent treatment, is it a DIY or done at 3M?

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

I have got it re-applied at 3M a few weeks ago.
Not a DIY. They force you to get it done at the store. They dont sell the cans over the counter.

The 3M Rodent repellant is available on Amazon for around 650-700 rupees (prime delivery)

Can be easily done as a DIY IMO.



Regards,
Shashi

[KungFuPanda]

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

I am honestly unable to give you any relevant advice. I have not experienced any such behaviour and even if I have, I may not have observed it!

I can only advise you to be cautious and run to the dealership and get things inspected if you have any doubts.

Thank you for replying! Two updates. One, changed my Petrol station from a BP company owned outlet where I was filling Speed to an HP station near my house where I am filling Power. Marked improvement immediately once I did this. I am sure the fuel was adulterated at the BP outlet. Two, I noticed it that this was happening mainly in cold starts, with the temperatures here in Gurgaon in the early teens in Feb and March. With the temperatures increasing I don't notice the hesitation anymore. The combination of better fuel and warmer weather seem to have helped!