Saturday, November 19, 2011

Wiper blades

Raining season had come. Even thought it's recommended to "replace the wiper blades once or twice a year for safety reasons", mine are in good condition. One thing I did it's switch places of front blades, because left was cleaning a bit less, so now it's perfectly fine. I plan to replace them for the next season.

Skoda Fabia front wiper blade holder

Skoda Fabia front wiper blade Valeo

Skoda Fabia rear wiper blade Swf

Ordering codes
5J1 998 001 - 1 set of aerodynamic wiper blades (remark: left-hand vehicle)
5J6 955 425 - rear aero-wiper blade (model: square black); hatchback

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Vehicle license fee 2012

Last week I received new vehicle license. New cars don't need to do test on second year, so it's just a fee.
Skoda Fabia vehicle license fee 2012

This year it's 1 420 NIS, last year it was 1 389 NIS that you pay to dealer with car price.
Skoda Fabia vehicle license fee 2011

Also, I should mention, in new document there is no pledge record to bank. (^_^)

For those, who do reserve duty in army and for the last 3 years served for more than 20 days, you should get discount from army. With mine 10 days no discount... More information here:
http://he.mot.gov.il/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=313:rishayon-rehev-hidush&catid=64:rishayon-rechev-c&Itemid=91
http://www.aka.idf.il/Miluim/templates/inner.asp?catId=58820

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Dust and pollen filter

Wanted to check and change dust filter today. This is the filter I bought from garage - 6Q0 820 367 dust and pollen filter (name from ETKA)
Packaging
VW 6Q0 820 367 dust and pollen filter

And this is the filter I pulled out from my car - 6R0 819 653 pollen filter with odor and harmful substances filtration (name from ETKA).
Side look
VW 6R0 819 653 pollen filter with odor and harmful substances filtration
As we see they are not the same, in garage they didn't tell about second type, originally installed in my vehicle. The filter was dirty. I went over it with vacuum cleaner and put back. Need to find where I can buy the same and return the new one to Skoda. I think it's a good idea to replace it every 30K kilometers, and if i'll find it cheap, will replace now.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

15K or 1-Year Service

I came at 9:15 and finished at 11:00.

What was done:
1. Engine computer was updated with latest firmware. As far that I know, update related to complains that sometimes engine stalled when starting moving. I never experienced that by myself.
2. I've asked to change "convenience turn signal" from 3 to 4 times. I feel always that I missing just one more light when changing lines, making light turns. It took techinians to figure out where this hided in their service computer :-) I guees, noone ever asked about that before. Moving to other stand...
3. A service man pulled out old oil filter and put a new one. It was a good decision to stand with my car this time. Because I noticed that new filter looks strange. There was "Asal Technologies" or something like that written on it. I took a packaging and it was made in Turkey. What a fuck? I asked to pull out from trash old one. Techinian started to explain that it is the same, they always install such filters. But the old one was made in Germany and has VAG logos. So I went to the warehouse to ask what is just happend right now. Stockman reacted like everything is normal, and when I explained, he says "sorry, that is mistake". Gave us original oil filter. I bet they could change the filter and took money as for original with easy. Ok, filter changed.
4. We (yes, now I was looking precisly what he is doing) lifted the car, opened the drain plug. Oil was very-very black, and this is just 7500 km. We replaced drain plug with the new one. He asked why do I need that, it's almost the new... I didn't explain.
5. He inspected brakes: disks and pads were like new.
6. Lowered Fabia, I gave him new oil with 3.5 liters mark. That's why I had a pleasure experience sucked up extra oil back when they put all 4 liters. In manual and ELSA said it should be 3.6 liters. I'll better add if need later by myself.
7. Took out air filter, cleaned with air and also it's housing.
8. All other luquids were in their level ranges, nothing added.
9. Fuel line rattling not fixed. Will fix by myself.

Overall, 15K service costs me 568 NIS: 368 NIS to garage for work and 200 NIS for my oil. Took around 1 and a half hour.
Skoda Fabia 15K service bill

Also, don't forget your car book, they should also mark there.
Skoda Fabia 15K service mark

I also bought from them original dust and pollen filter 6R0 820 367 for 133 NIS. Not original costs around 75 NIS.
Skoda Fabia dust and pollen filter bill
Odometer: 14,595 km.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Rattling noise is back

And now documented. Was fixed a while ago.





UPDATE:
Possible solution with foam rubber from friend with Seat Ibiza.
Solution to rattling fuel line at Seat Ibiza

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Valvoline SynPower XL-III from Alon Halafim

Valvoline SynPower XL-III front
These week I was looking for Valvoline SynPower XL-III 5W-30.
I called several places, was in some stores - nothing.

Usually, in a store dialog looks like this:

Me: I'm looking for Valvoline SynPower XL-III
Seller: What?
M: Valvoline SynPower XL-III
S: We have 5W-40 и 5W-30
M: SynPower XL-III?
S: Valvoline!
M: What is VW approval on it?
S: What is approval? No approval. What car is for?
M: Skoda Fabia 2011
S: Wait, I'm calling to garage. Allo, Michael, what oil you use for Skoda 2001? 10W-40? Here is a best oil for your Skoda, take it.
M: Any stores around here?..

So I asked help on forum. There is a good store Alon Halafim in Rishon Lezion, 2 Tulipman St. Before I went there, I called to check they have oil I need in stock.

Both SynPower and SynPower XL-III were around 220 NIS, sold for 200 NIS. They also gave me to choose most fresh by manufacture date - 2010-10-05. But one thing that amaze me was when I came in and asked for Valvoline oils, the owner said: "I will show all types I have and you will choose what you need, because you understand in it more than I". This is the best car store I know so far! Love it. I'm not mention that they have several section for sitting like in the bank. And a small present - dust cleaning brush.


Valvoline SynPower XL-III side
Valvoline SynPower XL-III back
Btw, windshield washing fluid cost 10 NIS, same thing in Skoda garage is 12 NIS.

Important observation from visiting such stores. Visit them 1 hour before closing, because at morning them too busy with work and other buyers to listen to you, and at the evening - you are the only customer.