The compact liftback Rapid from Skoda was presented at the Paris International Motor Show in 2012. The five-door car replaced the budget Octavia Tour and became a direct competitor to such B-class representatives as Lada Vesta, Kia Rio, Volkswagen Polo sedan and Hyundai Solaris. The new product entered the domestic market only in 2014 and differed from other versions in its high ground clearance and modified suspension, specially adapted for use on domestic roads. A special feature of the Rapid was a high level of technical equipment, an attractive corporate appearance (both outside and inside) and an affordable price tag.
The model was equipped with diesel and gasoline engines produced by Volkswagen with different technical data (working volumes - 1.2-1.6 liters with 75-125 hp). The liftback came to Russia in three petrol versions. The 1.4-liter unit (125 hp) was the most charged and, with an average consumption of 5.3 liters per 100 km, accelerated to the first hundred in 9 seconds. Maximum acceleration is up to 209 km/h. The other 2 trim levels were slightly less powerful - 1.6-liter engines with 90 and 110 hp. The maximum acceleration on them is 185 and 191-195 km/h, respectively, mixed consumption is 5.8 and 6.1 liters, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is 11.4 and 10.3-11.6 seconds. Information about the consumption and types of oil consumed by engines is further in the article. The units worked with a 7-speed robot (dual clutch), a 6-speed automatic or a classic 5-speed manual.
Among all the advantages of the Skoda Rapid model range, it is worth noting the reliability of the car and its spaciousness. However, despite the fact that the car can easily accommodate 5 people, it has a rather low ceiling (passengers with a height of more than 180 cm may find it uncomfortable). In addition, multiple complaints have been recorded about poor sound insulation and low-quality interior materials despite its rich equipment.
Generation 1 (2012 - present)
Engine Volkswagen-Audi EA111 1.4 TSI TFSI 122 and 125 hp.
- Oil types (by viscosity): 5W-30, 5W-40
- How many liters of oil in the engine (total volume): 3.8 liters.
- When to change oil: 7500-15000
Engines Volkswagen Polo Sedan 1.6 90 and 110 hp.
- What kind of engine oil is filled from the factory (original): Synthetic 5W30
- Oil types (by viscosity): 0W-40, 5W-30, 5W-40
- How many liters of oil in the engine (total volume): 3.6 liters.
- Oil consumption per 1000 km: up to 500 ml.
- When to change oil: 7000-10000
The Rapid liftback is gaining popularity and is about to take first place in sales among its peers, overtaking the current leader - Octavia. To make the car attractive both in appearance, in terms of filling, and in price, the developers made a win-win move - they borrowed many solutions from other Volkswagen cars: the platform from the Polo Sedan, some components from the Fabia, and the appearance from the Octavia.
We’ll check how this “hybrid” fares with service. Let us remind you that we evaluate maintainability in points, which correspond to the total standard hours (according to the official grid) spent on certain operations.
REPLACING CANDLES AND OIL FILTER: THREE FROM A CASKET
Rapid for the Russian market is available with three petrol engines - naturally aspirated 1.2 and 1.6 and a turbo 1.4. They are well known from other models of the concern. All with a timing chain drive, which requires no maintenance.
The younger engine - a three-cylinder 1.2 - is found mainly in Fabias of the previous generation. The attachment belt is designed to last the entire life of the engine, but typically lasts 100,000–150,000 km. Its automatic tensioner roller is located next to the generator and has a stopper to secure it in the loose position. But using it to more easily replace the belt is extremely inconvenient; it’s better to forget about it altogether. To loosen the tensioner, use a 50mm Torx under the black plastic roller cover. It is easier to change the belt from above, but do not forget to sketch or photograph how it stood. Surprisingly, it can easily be placed incorrectly.
The individual ignition coils are hidden under a decorative plastic cover with four latches. Like most modern gasoline engines from the Volkswagen group, they sit tightly in the spark plug wells. To remove the coils, you need a special puller or a homemade equivalent, otherwise there is a high risk of damaging them. Another inconvenience: the connectors on them are upside down. For an inexperienced person, removing connectors without seeing the type of lock is problematic. And it is impossible to remove the coils along with them from the wells. For candles you need a “16” head. Replacement according to the regulations - every 60,000 km.
The air filter housing is located behind the battery, on the left. The top cover is secured with four self-tapping screws. The element replacement interval is 30,000 km.
The middle brother - the four-cylinder 1.6‑liter engine is well known from the Polo Sedan. Its belt tensioner roller is located more conveniently than that of the 1.2 engine. We loosen it with a key “17” counterclockwise and place any suitable stopper in a special hole when it goes beyond the tide on the block. The easiest way to do this, as well as change the belt itself, is from below.
The spark plug replacement algorithm is the same as on the 1.2 engine. The only difference is in the fastening of the decorative reel cover: two latches on the front and two guides on the back.
The air filter housing is located behind the engine. The top cover is secured with five self-tapping screws. For greater convenience, when replacing the filter, remove the ventilation hose from the valve cover. It is simply put on the fitting.
The 1.4 supercharged engine has the same attachment drive as the 1.6 engine. But replacing the spark plugs turned out to be more difficult. The cover is secured with four 30mm torx screws; access to the coil of the fourth cylinder is very limited. At a minimum, you need to dismantle the ventilation tube running directly above it. Then it all depends on sleight of hand - removing the connector from the coil is hindered by the pipe from the turbine to the throttle assembly. If the connector does not lend itself, it will have to be eliminated by unscrewing two “30” Torx screws on the turbine and squeezing a couple of large latches on the throttle. You need to remove all hoses and lines from the pipe, as well as the air flow sensor connector. When reassembling, it is important to lubricate the rubber sealing ring on the turbine, otherwise it can be torn. The air filter housing is located on the left. The top cover is secured with six 20mm Torx screws.
The engine does not affect the layout of the engine compartment. All engines have the same inconvenient oil filler neck. It has internal thresholds, so the lubricant must be poured very slowly so as not to overflow.
The oil filter for all units is located in front, above the generator. When replacing the filter, place a rag so as not to stain the components located underneath with oil. The 1.2 engine has a cartridge-type filter with a replaceable internal element. We unscrew its plastic body with a 36mm head. Other units have solid filters. For them we use pullers or improvised tools.
There is no drain plug for antifreeze. The fluid is designed for the entire service life of the motors. In case of forced draining, you will have to remove the lower radiator pipe.
Russian buyers are offered three transmissions to choose from: a five-speed manual, a six-speed automatic and a seven-speed DSG robot. Oil changes are regulated only for automatic transmissions - every 60,000 km. In other units it is filled in for the entire service life. But no one is immune from repairs that involve draining the oil.
The manual transmission is compatible with 1.2 and 1.6 engines. The engineers still took care of the ease of changing the oil: there are the usual filler and drain plugs. The filler hole also doubles as a control hole. The normal oil level is along its edge.
The hydromechanical automatic is only available for the 1.6 engine. It is installed on many models of the concern, and is most common on the Polo Sedan. The drain hole is both a control hole and a filler hole. A measuring tube for a “5” hexagon is screwed into it. The height of the tube corresponds to the normal oil level in a box heated to 35–40 degrees and a running engine. To drain the lubricant, completely unscrew the tube, then replace it and fill in the oil.
The service uses special containers and hoses for this, but you can get by with a regular syringe for boxes. You just need to make a tip for the hose under the hole with the tube. To be fair, I note that this inconvenient scheme is also used by other manufacturers.
The DSG box is only paired with the 1.4 turbo engine. Changing the oil in it is much easier than in a hydromechanical automatic: there is a regular drain plug at the bottom, and oil is poured in (in a volume of 1.9 liters) through the breather at the top.
To replace any technical fluids, you must remove the plastic crankcase protection, which does not have technological holes. It is secured with nine 25mm torx screws. Do not overtighten them, otherwise you will break the threads in the embedded elements.
REPLACING BATTERIES, FILTERS AND BRAKE FLUID: EVERYTHING EXCEPT
Replacing the battery is not difficult. The power fuse plate is secured to the positive terminal and battery housing with two large latches. Unfasten it from the battery and remove it along with the loose terminal. The battery itself is secured at the front with a metal plate with a “13” bolt.
The parking brake adjustment mechanism came from Fabia. Access to it depends on the equipment of the machine. On cars without an armrest, it is enough to remove the rectangular niche behind the lever. And if you have an armrest, you will have to suffer - it has hard-to-reach fastenings. Even after removing the armrest, you will have to partially dismantle and lift the center console a little and manage to get to the adjustment mechanism. There is no need to go there unless absolutely necessary.
The cabin filter is located in the front passenger's feet, on the left (as in Fabia and Polo Sedan). Replacement interval - 15,000 km.
The remote fuel filter is located to the right of the tank. Replacement interval - every 60,000 km. When removing it, servicemen do not relieve pressure in the fuel system. This does not affect the amount of gasoline spilled in any way. The filter has an installation direction arrow, but even without this it is impossible to install it incorrectly. It is secured to the body with a plastic clamp.
The design of the brake system depends on the motor. Cars with a 1.4 engine have all disc brakes. The front caliper is secured by two guides for a 7-point hexagon, and the pads do not have anti-creaking springs in the guides of the bracket. The rear caliper is tightened with two “13” bolts, and to replace the pads you need a “retractor” - the caliper piston can only be pressed in by rotation.
Rapids with a 1.6 engine have the same front brakes and drum brakes at the rear. To replace the rear pads, special tools are no longer needed.
Cars with a 1.2 engine have smaller front brake discs and, accordingly, all the elements are different. The front pads have anti-creaking springs, and the caliper is secured with two “12” bolts. The rear drums are the same as the versions with the 1.6 engine.
Changing brake fluid is easy - the fittings are conveniently located. It needs to be updated every two years.
Access to the lamps in the right headlight is free, but on the left everything again depends on the motor. On cars with 1.2 and 1.4 engines, the battery is moved a little forward, and this eats up some of the free space. Fortunately, the lamps and their sockets have simple fixation. If you really don't have enough room to maneuver, remove the battery. Removing the headlight is not an option - this cannot be done without dismantling the bumper.
We change the halogen lamps in the front foglights from the outside. First we remove the edging, and then the headlights themselves. To gain access to the bulbs in the rear light, it will have to be dismantled, which does not require any special skills.
RESULT
To correctly evaluate the Rapid, we excluded changing the oil in the DSG - after all, this is the second type of automatic transmission available for the car. In addition, the operation is less labor-intensive than in the case of its hydromechanical counterpart. Thus, Rapid scored 10.1 points. The most obvious shortcomings: the convoluted process of removing the ignition coils on all engines and the labor-intensive oil change in a six-speed automatic. But even with such shortcomings, the Skoda Rapid is one of the best people's cars in terms of do-it-yourself maintenance.
The editors would like to thank “AutoSpetsTsentr na Obruchev” (Moscow), the official dealer of Skoda, for their assistance in preparing the material.
The engine in a Skoda car is subject to wear and deformation over time. To prevent this process, it is necessary to correctly select motor lubricant in accordance with the tolerances and specifications from the manufacturer. High-quality oil will not only ensure the functional performance of the system, but also protect it from damage.
What are the tolerances for Skoda different models?
Skoda Rapid
The Czech manufacturer indicates in the manual the VW Long Life III lubricant with a viscosity of 5w30 for Skoda Rapid models with engine capacities and sizes:
- 122 hp TSI – 1.4 l;
- 86, 105 hp TSI – 1.2 l;
- 105 hp TDI – 1.6 l.
For more powerful power units, the manufacturer recommends VW Special Plus 5w40 oil. It is poured into naturally aspirated engines installed at Rapid.
At the factory, a new car released from the assembly line is filled with Volkswagen branded lubricant with tolerances 502 and 504. When performing maintenance, specialists can offer motor oils with other specifications and tolerances. For example, Skoda service centers can offer oils from Shell, Mobile or Castrol brands.
Skoda Octavia
The manufacturer recommends filling the Octavia A5 power units with synthetic-based products. As for tolerances, they must comply with VW standards 502/504/505/507. Viscosity – 5w40, 5w30. However, when performing maintenance, fill in 0w30 lubricant. Car enthusiasts prefer:
- Motul 8100;
- Castrol Edge;
- Shell Helix Ultra;
- Neste City Pro;
- X-Wedge;
- Liquid Moly.
More on the topic: Golf oil tolerances
- TDI 2.0 – 3.8 l;
- TDI 1.9 – 4.3 l;
- TSI 1.8 – 4.6 l;
- TDI 1.6 – 3.8 l;
- MPI 1.6 – 4.5 l;
- TSI 1.4 – 3.6 l;
- TSI 1.2 – 3.6 l.
According to technical regulations, an oil change is carried out after 15 thousand kilometers or earlier, depending on operating conditions.
Octavia 7
The operating instructions indicate that for cars with a flexible replacement interval it is necessary to fill in oils with VW 504 approvals if the engine has a volume of 1.2-1.4-1.8 liters and is equipped with a turbine.
It is recommended to fill turbocharged engines with volumes of 1.6 and 2.0 on diesel fuel with VW 507. If the car has a limited interval, then lubricants with 502 tolerances are suitable for gasoline internal combustion engines.
The Czech manufacturer fills Skoda Octavia 7 cars with Castrol Edge 5w30 oil by default. It meets the Long Life III tolerances, which may be indicated on the canister in conjunction with the specifications from Volkswagen.
After undergoing maintenance, car enthusiasts prefer to change branded lubricant to alternative analogues from manufacturers:
- Mobil;
- Shell;
- Motul.
The viscosity index is selected based on the operating conditions and temperature indicators of a particular region.
More on the topic: Approval MAN 3477
Speaking about the frequency of replacement, it is worth proceeding from the applied tolerances. It is best to change the car oil after reaching 10-15 thousand kilometers.
Volumes of liquid poured into motors:
- TSI 1.2-1.4 – 4.2 l;
- TSI 1.8 – 5.2 l;
- TDI 1.6-2.0 – 4.6 l.
Octavia Tour
The replacement interval for Octavia Tur internal combustion engine systems ranges from 10 to 15 thousand km, depending on operating conditions. The manufacturer recommends synthetic-based lubricants with the index 5w30 or 5w40, depending on the parameters and engine size.
The amount of oil to be filled is up to 5 liters. Regarding tolerances, the product must comply with VW 503-504. The tolerances of older versions of VW 501-502 may also be suitable.
Skoda Superb
The Volkswagen automobile concern uses 5w30 synthetic-based factory oil for Skoda Superb internal combustion engine systems. It meets VW Long Life III approvals. This is practically the same lubricant as Castrol SLX. In service centers, synthetic-based lubricant from the manufacturer Shell is poured into the motors.
You can also fill in motor oils from other manufacturers. The main indicator is compliance with tolerances 502-504 and product viscosity classes 5w40, 5w30. Also, do not forget about the frequency of oil changes recommended for internal combustion engine systems equipped with turbocharging. If the Superb model has an engine capacity of 2.0 TDI, then it is better to use Castrol 5w30 with a 507 approval.
