Towing hook

tobmob · 31-01-2003, 20:31

OK picture the scene - stuck in a snow drift, going nowhere, local farmer/police turn up and say "where is your front towing hook?"

Couldn't find it - the 60mph winds and heavy snow didn't help, but we couldn't find it :cry:

Does the RS have one??

***DGW*** · 31-01-2003, 21:26

Don't you have to remove the front right ventilation grille in the front spoiler like other Octavias? See page 166 of the Owner's Manual.

***DGW*** · 10-02-2003, 20:47

I did the 'front grille removal course' today and kept a copy of my notes.

The Manual says:
"Ventilation grille is held in place with plastic spring catches in the area of the arrow ([i:6b449549e0]There are 3 arrows indicating where the catches are[/i:6b449549e0]). Ventilation grille can be removed by hand.
Grasp the top part of the grille, press grille off in direction of arrow 1 and take out in direction of arrow 2."

The offending grille looks like this:

The 3 plastic spring catches are the little tabs at the top. To get them to disengage you have to press down as hard as you can with both hands on the upper of the 2 horizontal dividers in the grille. I managed to get the left and centre tabs to disengage fairly easily, but the right one put up a determined battle to stay put. Once they have disengaged, the grille can be rotated forward at the top and lifted out of the bumper aperture.

This reveals the front towing eye which looks like this:

(NB RS owners can expect to see a black, silver, red, yellow or white towing eye, not necessarily in that order of preference. WRC owners may see a white or green one, with or without decals. Other Octavia owners will merely see a towing eye 8) )

Putting the grille back takes a couple of seconds. Make sure the 4 bottom tabs are in the locating holes and push the grille back into place at the top.

I would strongly recommend having a go at removing the grille on a nice day and in your own time. It might just surprise you how difficult it is to remove.

Voila, as 'Didier' would say!

rich1068 · 10-02-2003, 22:08

Nice colour Denis. I don't think I've ever spotted a Skoda in that particular hue. Looks like VW's 'Jazz Blue'. (Or is it 'Soft Blue', can never remember.)

I know you'll hate me for saying this but an RS in that colour would look 'most excellent' as Bill and Ted would say.

***DGW*** · 10-02-2003, 22:24

It's Skoda's dynamic blue, and the name would indeed go nicely with an RS - but it looks particularly elegant on the 4x4 Estate!
Funny how 2 of the colours for an RS aren't, if you see what I mean. Black is an absence of colour, while white is a combination of all the colours of the rainbow, if I remember correctly from school. How confusing can you get? :roll:

stopan1j · 10-02-2003, 23:19

[quote:fb110eae81="DGW"]

It's Skoda's dynamic blue, and the name would indeed go nicely with an RS - but it looks particularly elegant on the 4x4 Estate!
:roll:[/quote:fb110eae81]

I will czech out the vent panel for the tow hook,

Re dynamic blue Can vouch its a great colour, looks good on my sons Fabia Elagence, Skoda now use another similar blue on the Fabia along side dynamic blue from September 2002, a little brighter called lazer blue again looks good in the brochure.

FabiaTDi · 10-02-2003, 23:36

Just a thought, but i wonder how much that grille impedes air flow to the intercooler?
My Fabia has a similar arrangement although there is a fog light next to the grille as well thus blocking airflow further.
I've seen modifications done to fit a vent grille in the wheel arch liner (which would be behind the intercooler), which allows better airflow through the intercooler and improving efficiency. Apparently this is an idea taken from the Audi TT!

Sorry, off on a tangent there, like i said just a thought.

***DGW*** · 11-02-2003, 00:02

The horizontal dividers might restrict the airflow a bit, but they could also have a beneficial effect in directing that airflow. The grille is a snug fit and does not otherwise significantly decrease the size of the aperture.

**TaviaRS** · 11-02-2003, 09:23

Dynamic blue eh? There was me thinking it was "pretty boy", ho hum, learn something new every day! :mrgreen:

As to towing eyes, both mine are marked for trackday purposes. Popping the cover for the front one is relatively easy, owners of black cars be aware that it can be hard to spot the actual eye as it blends in remarkably well, as I discovered as it was getting dark :roll:

Some wag at a trackday suggested that as its a Skoda I should replace the rear "tow here" sticker with 2 handprints and "push here".

Oh how I laughed!

:mrgreen:

**robmawer** · 11-02-2003, 10:48

[quote:4f4a9f19e2="FabiaTDi"]Just a thought, but i wonder how much that grille impedes air flow to the intercooler?[/quote:4f4a9f19e2]

I've wondered something similar about the drag and noise they would
generate. Butts of Bawtry do what appear to be versions which do not
have the slats in (so basically just a hole!), but appearances can be
deceptive and I didn't fancy spending 20 quid on something I wasn't
sure of!

Rob.

ps. Another way of getting the plastic grille out is to ground your
bumper on a high kerb/low wall :oops:

***DGW*** · 11-02-2003, 13:10

Or get the tow truck to pull it out for you with their towing hook...

TaviaRS has clearly got the knack - or broken the securing lugs off - and I take my bonedome off to him, but my advice is still to have a go at removing the grille in your own time rather than in anger (which it might provoke if you find you can't do it when you have to!).

**TaviaRS** · 11-02-2003, 13:46

There is a knack to it. It would seem, like most things, that once you have done it once it gets easier! :mrgreen:

Mr.Lucky · 11-02-2003, 21:18

[quote:00f4dfba30="DGW"]
I would strongly recommend having a go at removing the grille on a nice day and in your own time. It might just surprise you how difficult it is to remove.

Voila, as 'Didier' would say!

[/quote:00f4dfba30]

Obviously harder to remove than my fekkin vRS boot badge... :x

**TaviaRS** · 12-02-2003, 08:49

I had no problems removing Mr Lucky's at the Christmas meet. Can't think why I needed to do that

31-01-2003, 20:31	#1
tobmob Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 62 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Towing hook OK picture the scene - stuck in a snow drift, going nowhere, local farmer/police turn up and say "where is your front towing hook?" Couldn't find it - the 60mph winds and heavy snow didn't help, but we couldn't find it :cry: Does the RS have one?? __________________ Yellow RS, Miltek, 18" RS4's, Jabba Remap VERY soon

31-01-2003, 21:26	#2
*DGW* BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Cambridgeshire Posts: 17,259 Thanks: 51 Thanked 197 Times in 149 Posts	Don't you have to remove the front right ventilation grille in the front spoiler like other Octavias? See page 166 of the Owner's Manual. __________________ Denis 2002 Octavia 1.8T 4X4 turbo Estate - rebreathed on by Jabba ... 31.93mpg 2007 Fabia vRS - CC, ESP and full leather trim by Seat Surgeons ...48.57 mpg...

10-02-2003, 20:47	#3
*DGW* BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Cambridgeshire Posts: 17,259 Thanks: 51 Thanked 197 Times in 149 Posts	I did the 'front grille removal course' today and kept a copy of my notes. The Manual says: "Ventilation grille is held in place with plastic spring catches in the area of the arrow ([i:6b449549e0]There are 3 arrows indicating where the catches are[/i:6b449549e0]). Ventilation grille can be removed by hand. Grasp the top part of the grille, press grille off in direction of arrow 1 and take out in direction of arrow 2." The offending grille looks like this: The 3 plastic spring catches are the little tabs at the top. To get them to disengage you have to press down as hard as you can with both hands on the upper of the 2 horizontal dividers in the grille. I managed to get the left and centre tabs to disengage fairly easily, but the right one put up a determined battle to stay put. Once they have disengaged, the grille can be rotated forward at the top and lifted out of the bumper aperture. This reveals the front towing eye which looks like this: (NB RS owners can expect to see a black, silver, red, yellow or white towing eye, not necessarily in that order of preference. WRC owners may see a white or green one, with or without decals. Other Octavia owners will merely see a towing eye 8) ) Putting the grille back takes a couple of seconds. Make sure the 4 bottom tabs are in the locating holes and push the grille back into place at the top. I would strongly recommend having a go at removing the grille on a nice day and in your own time. It might just surprise you how difficult it is to remove. Voila, as 'Didier' would say! __________________ Denis 2002 Octavia 1.8T 4X4 turbo Estate - rebreathed on by Jabba ... 31.93mpg 2007 Fabia vRS - CC, ESP and full leather trim by Seat Surgeons ...48.57 mpg... Last edited by DGW; 02-06-2003 at 15:28.

10-02-2003, 22:08	#4
rich1068 Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: North Posts: 2,708 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Nice colour Denis. I don't think I've ever spotted a Skoda in that particular hue. Looks like VW's 'Jazz Blue'. (Or is it 'Soft Blue', can never remember.) I know you'll hate me for saying this but an RS in that colour would look 'most excellent' as Bill and Ted would say. __________________ Rich. Skoda Octavia RS

10-02-2003, 22:24	#5
*DGW* BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Cambridgeshire Posts: 17,259 Thanks: 51 Thanked 197 Times in 149 Posts	It's Skoda's dynamic blue, and the name would indeed go nicely with an RS - but it looks particularly elegant on the 4x4 Estate! Funny how 2 of the colours for an RS aren't, if you see what I mean. Black is an absence of colour, while white is a combination of all the colours of the rainbow, if I remember correctly from school. How confusing can you get? :roll: __________________ Denis 2002 Octavia 1.8T 4X4 turbo Estate - rebreathed on by Jabba ... 31.93mpg 2007 Fabia vRS - CC, ESP and full leather trim by Seat Surgeons ...48.57 mpg...

10-02-2003, 23:19	#6
stopan1j Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 1,215 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	[quote:fb110eae81="DGW"] It's Skoda's dynamic blue, and the name would indeed go nicely with an RS - but it looks particularly elegant on the 4x4 Estate! :roll:[/quote:fb110eae81] I will czech out the vent panel for the tow hook, Re dynamic blue Can vouch its a great colour, looks good on my sons Fabia Elagence, Skoda now use another similar blue on the Fabia along side dynamic blue from September 2002, a little brighter called lazer blue again looks good in the brochure.

10-02-2003, 23:36	#7
FabiaTDi VT5 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 2,016 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Just a thought, but i wonder how much that grille impedes air flow to the intercooler? My Fabia has a similar arrangement although there is a fog light next to the grille as well thus blocking airflow further. I've seen modifications done to fit a vent grille in the wheel arch liner (which would be behind the intercooler), which allows better airflow through the intercooler and improving efficiency. Apparently this is an idea taken from the Audi TT! Sorry, off on a tangent there, like i said just a thought. __________________ Was: 2003 Allard Tuned Fabia vRS VT5 Turbo Conversion Now: 2008 Audi A3 Sportback TDI

11-02-2003, 00:02	#8
*DGW* BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Cambridgeshire Posts: 17,259 Thanks: 51 Thanked 197 Times in 149 Posts	The horizontal dividers might restrict the airflow a bit, but they could also have a beneficial effect in directing that airflow. The grille is a snug fit and does not otherwise significantly decrease the size of the aperture. __________________ Denis 2002 Octavia 1.8T 4X4 turbo Estate - rebreathed on by Jabba ... 31.93mpg 2007 Fabia vRS - CC, ESP and full leather trim by Seat Surgeons ...48.57 mpg...

11-02-2003, 09:23	#9
TaviaRS Dinosaur Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North of the Watford Gap Posts: 14,942 Thanks: 19 Thanked 42 Times in 38 Posts	Dynamic blue eh? There was me thinking it was "pretty boy", ho hum, learn something new every day! :mrgreen: As to towing eyes, both mine are marked for trackday purposes. Popping the cover for the front one is relatively easy, owners of black cars be aware that it can be hard to spot the actual eye as it blends in remarkably well, as I discovered as it was getting dark :roll: Some wag at a trackday suggested that as its a Skoda I should replace the rear "tow here" sticker with 2 handprints and "push here". Oh how I laughed! :mrgreen: __________________ A jolly sensible Mercedes E class saloon in a rather fetching bluey grey colour. No it isn't fast, no it isn't modded, and yes, it will still eat your Fabia for breakfast. Official mobile chicane for Briskoda trackdays

11-02-2003, 10:48	#10
robmawer Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Rochdale Posts: 12,476 Thanks: 2 Thanked 74 Times in 67 Posts	[quote:4f4a9f19e2="FabiaTDi"]Just a thought, but i wonder how much that grille impedes air flow to the intercooler?[/quote:4f4a9f19e2] I've wondered something similar about the drag and noise they would generate. Butts of Bawtry do what appear to be versions which do not have the slats in (so basically just a hole!), but appearances can be deceptive and I didn't fancy spending 20 quid on something I wasn't sure of! Rob. ps. Another way of getting the plastic grille out is to ground your bumper on a high kerb/low wall :oops:

11-02-2003, 13:10	#11
*DGW* BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Cambridgeshire Posts: 17,259 Thanks: 51 Thanked 197 Times in 149 Posts	Or get the tow truck to pull it out for you with their towing hook... TaviaRS has clearly got the knack - or broken the securing lugs off - and I take my bonedome off to him, but my advice is still to have a go at removing the grille in your own time rather than in anger (which it might provoke if you find you can't do it when you have to!). __________________ Denis 2002 Octavia 1.8T 4X4 turbo Estate - rebreathed on by Jabba ... 31.93mpg 2007 Fabia vRS - CC, ESP and full leather trim by Seat Surgeons ...48.57 mpg...

11-02-2003, 13:46	#12
TaviaRS Dinosaur Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North of the Watford Gap Posts: 14,942 Thanks: 19 Thanked 42 Times in 38 Posts	There is a knack to it. It would seem, like most things, that once you have done it once it gets easier! :mrgreen: __________________ A jolly sensible Mercedes E class saloon in a rather fetching bluey grey colour. No it isn't fast, no it isn't modded, and yes, it will still eat your Fabia for breakfast. Official mobile chicane for Briskoda trackdays

11-02-2003, 21:18	#13
Mr.Lucky Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 96 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	[quote:00f4dfba30="DGW"] I would strongly recommend having a go at removing the grille on a nice day and in your own time. It might just surprise you how difficult it is to remove. Voila, as 'Didier' would say! [/quote:00f4dfba30] Obviously harder to remove than my fekkin vRS boot badge... :x

12-02-2003, 08:49	#14
TaviaRS Dinosaur Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North of the Watford Gap Posts: 14,942 Thanks: 19 Thanked 42 Times in 38 Posts	I had no problems removing Mr Lucky's at the Christmas meet. Can't think why I needed to do that __________________ A jolly sensible Mercedes E class saloon in a rather fetching bluey grey colour. No it isn't fast, no it isn't modded, and yes, it will still eat your Fabia for breakfast. Official mobile chicane for Briskoda trackdays

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