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RE: "Speed reading
The dashboard lighting on our 2018 Skoda Octavia is bright in good light but fades away to nothing as the ambient light decreases."

This is the car's (sensible) way of prompting you that the light levels have dropped to the point that it's dark enough to need your main lights on.

If the dash was always illuminated and with daylight running lights it would be very easy to forget to turn your lights on. By dimming the dashboard it reminds you to turn on your main lights.

The lights referred to as sidelights are strictly speaking parking lights and shouldn't be used for driving around, hence why they have no effect on the dimmed instruments.
- Dunfermin
Electricity is VAT rated at 5% for domestic use. Non domestic is 20% Vat if using more than 33kwh per day/1000kwh per month.
- TTToommy
Anyone else confused by the reply to MW about his Golf's DSG box - no you have the wrong box , the 200 BUT you have the 250 as well?
Honest John’s Motoring Agony Column 22-09-2018 Part 2 - Lord of the dance

The Golf R Line DSG 1.5 TSI. he is considering has the wrong box

His current car has the 250, which is good enough for the job it's asked to do

- Palcouk
"Chip off the old block"
I'm curious, how do you test whether it works or not, If the smart key is in a rigid case?
Honest John’s Motoring Agony Column 22-09-2018 Part 2 - Engineer Andy
"Chip off the old block" I'm curious, how do you test whether it works or not, If the smart key is in a rigid case?

Just like the OP said - walk up to the car, try the handle. If it doesn't open, it works. Personally I never saw anything wrong with the previous system of keys that you could choose (and guarantee that they were securely locked or unlocked) either the blipper or the old fashioned in-lock way of locking/unlocking the car door.

With keyless entry, the ONLY way you can check it is locked is to either give the key to someone else far enough away from the car and try the lock (or leave it securely away) or put it in a Faraday bag. A great example of a technology that doesn't save any time, is that much more convenient and especially is far less secure than the previous system - what a waste of money.

- jchinuk
"Chip off the old block"
I'm guessing, and remembering back to O level Physics, that the steel 'case' the correspondent's tests, if in contact with the key would just act an an antenna. It's like extending the range of these fobs by holding it in contact with your head.