First gear change, digital clock, warranty questions

[Gurj]

Hey guys,

Great to be here. I've just bought a black 03 plate (so 210bhp) Cupra R. Fantastic car and have lurked on the forums here before buying so thanks in advance for all the knowledge.

I already have a few questions that I hope someone can help me with. Very random but here goes:

1. How do you change the digital clock? This is really doing my head in - the manual talks about a button near the speedometer but I don't have one!!

2. Is the 2 line display under the warning lights in the dash not sposed to be lighting up - do they only work for automatics?

3. I would say I'm a seasoned driver of manual cars (though never driven one with a turbo before) and I have to admit, I'm finding it quite hard to change gears smoothly - especially first to second and especially if I wanna put my foot down. Has anyone else experienced this? I've tried messing around with my driving position but to no avail. This is really bugging me so please help!

4. Bought my car from a Seat dealership and have been offered an extended warranty for a further 2 years on top of the standard 1 for £500. Is this good value for money based on your experience of running Cupra R's?

Thanks in advance for any help and any other hints/helpful information would be gratefully appreciated.

Take care guys!

 

[RobM]

1 - The button you push to reset the mileage counter is what you need. Turn it to the left or right to change hours and minutes (can't remember which way is which though).

2 - They do nothing. On earlier cars one line showed track information from the head unit, but they do nothing on later cars.

3 - Can't help you there. Could be a sign that your clutch has seen better days? Not sure. When you say you can't change smoothly, what exactly is happening?

4 - My extended warranty for a non-Seat but still main dealer was the same price, so that either means we're both being ripped off or it's normal

 

[Gurj]

Rob M,

1 - Oh! I did try turning it a bit but was worried I'd break it!! Ok, will give it another go. Thanks!

2 - Thanks.

3 - The car has only done 25K. I would say my change is a little jerky. It's better when I do it nice and slow but when I try to do it a bit quicker, it's just not smooth - like someone would when they're not new to manuals. The other gear changes are pretty much ok.

4 - The warranty offered by the SEAT dealership was a 3rd party warranty - don't know how that works - does that mean I will have to take it to the cheapest place or can I still take it to any SEAT dealership? Does yours mean you have to take it back to the main dealer you got it from?

 

[RobM]

The clock dial does need a good solid turn to get it working

Really don't know about they jerky gear changes. I'm so tempted to say 'give it time and you'll get used to it' but by the sounds of it, that's not the problem.

As for warranty, most warranties these days are held by third parties. It's almost an insurance policy. With mine, I can take it to any reputable VAT registered garage for repair, it doesn't have to be Seat. This is superb for me, as I bought the car from a Renault dealer and don't trust my local Seat garage. So for work I had done recently I took it to a independent VAG specialist and the work - including labour, but not diagnostics - was covered by my warranty. I got given 6 months warranty when I bought it with the option to extend for 1 year @ £299 and 2 years @ £499.

 

[Gurj]

Rob,

I've only had the car for a week so perhaps I just have to get used to driving the car.....and the crazy TURBO and the smooth gear change will come.

How long have you had your car? Do you think the £500 you've paid has been worth it?

 

[RobM]

I've had the car since the start of October, so I've not yet paid for the extended warranty. I wanted to 'test drive' the 6 months warranty first before handing over any more money. However, after the way the warranty company handled the claim recently, I think I will extend it. It's a lot of money though.....

 

[panholio]

Warranty is well worth it IMO, since I've had my LCR it's had a new radiator, new cooling fan unit, a coolant temp sensor, a wheel bearing and two rear shocks (after a lot of arguing).


If you add all that up including labour then it's easily covered, parts for these cars are expensive.

With regard to you jerky gear change I found the LCR a bit difficult at first coming from an NA car. No need to red line it in first really.... I think you'll get used to the gear change.


When changing the clock twist the stick to the left or right and hold it there for a bit, the numbers will change!

 

[Gurj]

Thanks panholio. I think I may take up the warranty because previous experience of german cars is that the bills add up quite quickly!

What's an NA car though???

Yeh, I think I'll get used to it - I've driven auto's with as much, if not more power but a manual is a different fish altogether - especially, as I keep saying, with that crazy turbo.

 

[Mitchy]

NA- Normally aspirated car (Ie a car that has no turbo or supercharger)

The 1st-2nd gear change is quite notchy anyway and nothing to worry about. All the other changes can be done quickly and smoothly but i too find 1st-2nd notchy!

As to extended warranty, nothing much goes wrong with these cars anyway. (Touch wood lol)

The odd sensor here and there but not sure if i'd fork out £500 for the privelege.

 

[Black TDI Turbo]

If your buying a warrenty id ask to see exactly what the warreenty covers because i know at work you get 1year warrenty when sold but its not worth the paper its written on doesnt cover hardly anything, so just be careful when spending money on warrenties.

 

[Gurj]

It's all a gamble isn't it. You pays your moneys (or you don't) and take your risks.

The chap said the warranty covered everything that's not "wear and tear" but I appreciate your point - read the small print. But as it's SEAT, I'd like to think that their 3rd party warranties aren't cr*p - however, am I just being naive as I've never owned a VAG car before.

 

[Gnollins]

Warranty is well worth it IMO, since I've had my LCR it's had a new radiator, new cooling fan unit, a coolant temp sensor, a wheel bearing and two rear shocks (after a lot of arguing).


If you add all that up including labour then it's easily covered, parts for these cars are expensive.

With regard to you jerky gear change I found the LCR a bit difficult at first coming from an NA car. No need to red line it in first really.... I think you'll get used to the gear change.


When changing the clock twist the stick to the left or right and hold it there for a bit, the numbers will change!

Agree with the red lining it in first comment: there's no point really. Get it rolling, change into 2nd and then have some fun!

My 1st to 2nd change is notchy, especially when cold. Rest of the changes are super-smooth.

 

[Gurj]

OK - you obviously have drawn the inference that I am thrashing the nuts off it when moving first to second - well I'm not (most of the time!!!

But glad to hear it's not just me as I've always thought of myself as being able to handle manuals well.