What did you do to your Octavia today?

[MJKooLio]

What bulbs did you buy? I'll show you the ones I got and they're GREAT!

[dArK5HaD0w]

finally got my brake rotors/pads/fluid changed.
replaced them with dba t2 slotted rotors up front, and oem rotors for the rear.
resma pads all 4 corners.
brake fluid flush, refilled with dot 4.
less than 600 delivered.

i hope these resma pads don't produce as much brake dust the factory pads!!

[GTR27]

What bulbs did you buy? I'll show you the ones I got and they're GREAT!

I think I got the LED indicators from Boldsport. They are multi axis ones (i.e. LED's in lots of different directions) and at night they look great. But during the day they just do not throw enough light. They weren't cheap either, IIRC $30-40? for the pair.

Worst part is I was in a rush and broke the black plastic thing that goes over the bolts for the lights (well a clip on it). Sigh.

[afterdarker]

Yep. You can either unplug it or disable it through vcds. Sits just behind the base of the windscreen wipers i think.

Thanks. Do many unplug it?

[Gerrycan]

I removed the rear LED turn indicator globes. Wife had to follow me the other day and in broad daylight, they just arent visible enough. Back to incandescent for the turn lights.
.

I have got to commend you for recognising the problem and taking some action.
I have had many problems recently with drivers who have either 'upgraded' their indicators with LEDS or are just new cars with them as standard.
They are so directional you cannot really see them until the car is already committed to the manoeuvre (and pointing at you), which rather defeats the object of the exercise.
A problem with many modern (and expensive brand) cars is that they have the indicator light inboard (not on the corner) so you can only see them from the front/back. The Octavia at least has the indicators on the corners and with normal incandescent bulbs is not really a problem as they can be seen even at 90 degrees.
Until recently it was also traditional to mount a slave indicator on the front wing which was pretty well universal and very obvious. Nowadays the trend is to have the repeater integrated in the wing mirror, which is too high and also generally fitted with LEDs with the same daylight visibility problems.
It amazes me that that they can give high safety ratings to vehicles for having a whole load of electronic doodads fitted but fundamentals, such as compromised outward vision (pronounced styling, or bad design) and indicators that cannot be seen or even whether the brakes are functional, are ignored.

[Dzl_Dubba]

Thanks. Do many unplug it?

Yep. Its not a difficult job. I'm sure there's a DIY on the GTI or Briskoda forums. The only reason i didn't do it, is because i couldn't be bothered removing bits on a new car and the plug needs to be secured to avoid rattling around. VCDS is easier

[GTR27]

I have got to commend you for recognising the problem and taking some action.
I have had many problems recently with drivers who have either 'upgraded' their indicators with LEDS or are just new cars with them as standard.
They are so directional you cannot really see them until the car is already committed to the manoeuvre (and pointing at you), which rather defeats the object of the exercise.
A problem with many modern (and expensive brand) cars is that they have the indicator light inboard (not on the corner) so you can only see them from the front/back. The Octavia at least has the indicators on the corners and with normal incandescent bulbs is not really a problem as they can be seen even at 90 degrees.
Until recently it was also traditional to mount a slave indicator on the front wing which was pretty well universal and very obvious. Nowadays the trend is to have the repeater integrated in the wing mirror, which is too high and also generally fitted with LEDs with the same daylight visibility problems.
It amazes me that that they can give high safety ratings to vehicles for having a whole load of electronic doodads fitted but fundamentals, such as compromised outward vision (pronounced styling, or bad design) and indicators that cannot be seen or even whether the brakes are functional, are ignored.

Thanks for the vote of confidence - but i'd hope on an enthusiast forum that anyone that modified their car could recognise if the modification had a significant safety impact (which the indicators do IMO) would reverse the modification and look for an alternative. When I did the initial tests in the garage, they appeared ok, but certain light angles etc makes them almost invisible when following the car, so I decided that i'd rather have them work perfect all the time rather than some of the time. Couldnt imagine anything worse than having an accident caused by a modification I did.

In other news, car keeps getting better and better economy. I'm certainly not driving more economically, it seems to be better under all conditions. I think mid to high 6's will be the overall average long term, which considering my mid 30kph average speed, is bloody good! I reckon if you were after a highway car, I'd be hard pressed to choose a diesel over this engine, especially considering DPF's and regens and other hassles diesel has.

[Gerrycan]

Thanks for the vote of confidence - but i'd hope on an enthusiast forum that anyone that modified their car could recognise if the modification had a significant safety impact (which the indicators do IMO) would reverse the modification and look for an alternative.

I'd be hard pressed to choose a diesel over this engine, especially considering DPF's and regens and other hassles diesel has.

Humanity is generally disappointing, so I try to recognise any rare sane or selfless action.

Fuelly is showing my average over 21 fill ups to be 6.2 l/100 so have to agree it is remarkably good, despite the inordinate number of short trips it does.
I also still have the cold start 'stutters' on most occasions but when, occasionally, it is not present then my average fuel consumption over the first kilometre will be easily 2 l/100 better.
First service is not far away so I will let them look at it then.

Had the diesel manual Scout had been available a year ago when I was buying then I am not sure that common sense regarding petrol v. diesel would have prevailed though.
We will probably borrow my son's Outback for some remote trips we would like to do.

[Dzl_Dubba]

More VCDS tweaks. Can open and close the auto boot at the centre console and with my key

[afterdarker]

Drove from Sydney to Brisbane. The ACC was great on this trip. I was finding it a bit annoying in situations like the Sydney harbour tunnel, it trends to turn on and off, but with less congestion and out on the freeway, it is excellent. Got good mileage as well, almost 800 km from the (50 litre) tank.