The SA generated the invoice with a total of zero rupees which was a first for me. It almost felt wrong.
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My Octavia crossed 13,000 km on the ODO in Feb 2023. I have always believed if you are close to an oil change, It is better to get it done sooner than later. Especially if it is the first oil change, it is better to get it done a little sooner.
The recommended interval for the first service is 15K kms or one year. I purchased the service pack with the car that covered almost everything.
On 25th Feb, We visited the PPS Skoda service in Okalipuram, Bengaluru, early morning to avoid the weekend rush. Based on the ratings, PPS Skoda appears better than Tafe Access and Raja Skoda. The service centre was a little far for us. It was not very accessible due to the narrow and busy road, but there was sufficient space to manage many cars at once. The staff was polite and humble. They were pleasant to deal with and knowledgeable about what they do.
I raised a few concerns during my visit. The first one was the rear door squeaking when driven over rough roads. Android auto cuts off automatically, irrespective of the device used. Car pulling to one side.
Reagan was our service advisor that day. He patiently explained the details of the work done on the first service and didn’t try to sell us anything unnecessarily. He humbly asked us not to record inside the service bay, but taking pictures was fine.
Pre-Service Road Test
Regan filled out the Job card and sent another SA for a road test. Everything was quick and on point. We didn’t see any concerns apart from the car pulling to the left because the wheel alignment was off.
Previously, I had visited PPS Okalipuram at the five thousand km mark for wheel alignment and balancing. Unfortunately, On that very day, technicians were calibrating the wheel alignment machine. SA told us that it was okay to get the wheels aligned outside.
Service
The SA took the car to the service bay and immediately started the work. I was monitoring the car from a safe distance and not getting in the way of the technicians.
A high-level overview of first service tasks:
- Engine oil change
- Engine oil filter replacement
- Air filter replacement
- Cabin air filter cleaning
- Lubrication of hinges
- Inspection of wheels and brake pads
- Reset service warning
- Washer fluid top up
- Other inspection jobs (Battery Voltage, coolant, hydraulics fluid, etc.)
The technician cleaned & lubricated the door rubber seals to prevent squeaking. The product used was Wurth’s Rubber & Plastic care spray. The tech told me that the squeaking is more noticeable when the rubber seals are dusty. The technician checked to ensure that the system was up to date by checking the version from the infotainment screen.
Overall, the service was professional and quick. I entered the service station at 9:30 am, and by noon we were done and given the gate pass. I was surprised at how fast it was.
After the service, we asked the SA not to wash the car and only vacuum the interiors. I prefer pressure washing the car with water and quality cleaning products over dry wash.
The service pack didn’t include the brake pads, wheel balancing & wheel alignment. Since the brake pads were okay, the technicians did not replace them during this service. Also, I had the wheel balancing and alignment done at 5k km, but it was required since the car was pulling to the left.
Post-Service Road Test
After the service, we went for another road test. The car felt different (maybe just a placebo effect). It felt more responsive, especially the throttle response. I was satisfied. The only thing that was pending was the wheel alignment.
Finally, the SA generated the invoice with a total of Zero rupees which was a first for me. It almost felt wrong.
Wheel Alignment @Madhus Tyre Centre Wilson Garden
A quick search in Team-Bhp forums revealed the most recommended place for wheel alignment in Bengaluru. Luckily we were close by. I immediately called Madhus tyre centre and booked an appointment after asking if they had the data for the new Skoda Octavia 2022.
We Reached Madhus on time and saw a slew of premium German and Japanese cars in-line for wheel alignment.
The service as Madhus was quick and on point. The technician working on the car knew what to do and how to do it. He ensured all the markers were in green. We didn’t get the wheel balancing done because PPS Skoda had done it a month ago.
Note: NX (Liftback variant of Octavia) has independent rear suspensions, and it is electronically regulated according to this screen.
At last, I settled the invoice at Madhu’s and went for a quick spin. Everything felt right, and I was satisfied.
Keyword: My 2022 Skoda Octavia goes in for its first service: Experience