Skoda Fabia in Israel

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Side winds and aerodynamics

Image sources: Cautionary Signs, Other Diamond Road Signs, Warning sign

Skoda Fabia being a tall vehicle don't like side winds. You will feel that when wind speed is about 20 km/h and above. It's not a big thing, but you should be warned about that. Keep your arms on a steering wheel and if it's too tough just lower your speed.

Writing that, I found some aerodynamics articles.

Image source: The aerodynamics of the BMW M3 Coupé.

Automobile drag coefficient is a metric in automotive desing, lower values are better for fuel efficiency. For Skoda Fabia it is 0.31 (don't remember where I saw that) - within average modern automobile bounds - 0.30 and 0.35.

Image source: Drag coefficient

Sadash fuel station

Odometer: 3 458 km.

Second week I checking new fuel stations. Last one was Tapuz in Netanya.

Sadash station is second in Netnya's top 5 as FullTank reported. I almost ran out of fuel (but before warning light) and I went to check Sadash. The place looks very sad, not like you used to feel at Paz or other popular stations, it's placed in old industrial zone near weekend flea market and bunch of supermarkets.

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So I got 10.670 liter for 7.02 NIS per liter of 95 petrol.
I checked oil level as usual, turned on engine and... It was another car! More power. I felt that at the same moment I left the station. That was amazing difference. Now, when I think about it, it reminds me my drive test with Fabia - you just pushed in a seat when you press a gas. Now I understand the difference. I will keep an eye on it all next week. Most likely I will come back to Sadash ;-)

Also to note, when I started engine, RPM was about 900 with 1.2l/hour fuel consumption. I guess it's always learning what I filled there and setup engine to work according to it. Later, when I came home it was usual 700 RPM with 0.6-0.5 liter per hour.

On-board computer data (for Tapuz)
Average fuel consumption: 6.5 l/100km
Distance driven: 151.7 km
Average speed: 31 km/h
Driving time: 4 hours 50 minutes

Monday, February 21, 2011

Tapuz fuel station

Odometer: 3 306 km.

Checking FullTank site for stations in Netanya, I found that Tapuz in old industrial zone has max score 69. They marked with Competitive award, but not Quality. So anyway I went to check.

Filled with 10.181 liters for 6.85 NIS per liter of 95 petrol. Don't wanted for full tank because if the fuel goes wrong, you always can mix with something already known, like my favorite Paz. Btw, that Paz has only 30.25 score... So who knows what is better ;-)

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Wax and first photo session

Waxing was very easy. You just follow the instructions.

Wash and dry vehicle. Shake well. Pour product onto sponge applicator. Spread a thin, even coat over entire vehicle. Allow product to dry to a haze (about 3-5 minutes). Fold the microfiber cloth, using one side to remove excess polish from the car's finish. Turn cloth over and lightly buff to a high gloss shine. Use was sparingly.

If you can't wax right after wash, it ok. But try to do that on same day - just run over with a bit of water, clean and dry. Start from the roof, finish anywhere. Break vehicle for logical parts like roof, back, left side, right and front. It was my first time waxing, I spent there about 2 hours :-) Next time it will be much faster.

Link to the album.

Friday, February 18, 2011

LMG gearbox aggregate assignment, ratios, capacities

This is a gearbox from MQ200 series. It can transmit up to 200 Nm of torque (1.2 ltr./77 kW TSI engine is 175 Nm per RPM). The housing is manufactured from magnesium. The final drive ratios and the ratios of the individual gears can be matched to the power outputs of the various engines.

The following ratios are for my LMG (and MFX also) models. Check your vehicle sticker.

By the way, Skoda produced four million transmissions already!

The Škoda engine plant in Mladá Boleslav has produced the four millionth MQ 200 transmission. The assembly unit is laid out for engines with a torque of up to 200 Nm and will be used in models of the brands Škoda, Audi, Seat, and VW. Škoda Auto currently manufactures about 2,600 MQ 200 units per day. Furthermore, the Czech location will also produce the new MQ 100 transmission for the future “New Small Family Vehicle” by the Volkswagen Group.

Manual transmission operation video