Language Change - 2004 Skoda Octavia

From what I can see, the language of the display is controlled by the factory navigation system.

This link is for the Columbus system, see page 15. If you have the Cruise or Nexus systems, go to this site and download the appropriate manual.

If not helpful, more info may still get you results.

[edit] Belay that advice: Try this site (this is a 316 page .pdf, slow loading); search for 'language', and more info pops up. That looks more promising.

It doesn't have a navigation system...only the standard in-dash display for radio, fuel economy, etc.

Sorry if I misled you in thinking it had the factory GPS.

Pulpmillguy...

Please read again the post. Belay the advice means DISREGARD the previous advice. I left it there in case you needed to change the nav language as well. As we now know it is not applicable, disregard it.

The link to the owner's manual (after the [edit] notation) provides instruction for changing the language of the message display (unless there is more info).

Doorman, I looked at the link the first time and it sends you to the owners manual for a late 2004 Skoda and I have the earlier model...there was a complete model change in April 2004.

Kamarat, I have to do a little digging but I think you may be on to something, thanks!

I don't know where you are, but it looks like you may need one of these to change settings.

I'd call a dealer, if there's one near you.

Sure enough, a little more looking, and I don't think you can do it without one of these vag tools.

http://www.gumtree.ie/dublin/81/64927281.html

If not a dealer, a repair shop may have one.

What's a vag tool?

I don't want to know!

I didn't know either. We'll probably be hearing about them at some point though. Looks like you need one to access the onboard computer.

I didn't know what a Skoda was either.

The whole thing sounds scary..............I need a vag tool to access my Skoda.

Ouch!

VAG = Volkswagen Audi Group, which owns Skoda (now effectively Czeck-built VWs).

Check pages 24 and 28 of the manual for which Doorman has provided a link. Use the rockerswitch A and pushbutton B to access Main Menu > Setup > Language.

Good job and GA guys. I was just doing a drive by guess. Looks like you and Doorman hit the nail on the head.

I should just add, if it's already in german, it will show up as something like "Hauptmenü> Einstellungen> Sprache"

OK guys...enough of razzing me about my Skoda...fine car (built in Czec republic by out of work engineers...) with a LOT of parts from the ol' VW parts bin...TDI engine, 6-speed tranny, 4 wheel disks, GREAT fuel economy...but as I said before it is the earlier model and the instructions in the referenced OM do not apply to my car...wish they did...and I would have already had this situation under control. But as my car is the earlier model I am finding it a little more difficult to change language, reset service reminders, etc.

One of these days maybe they will start bringing them to the US but until then you guys will have to put up with the crap that is marketed over there. (I was born and raised in the deep south, grew up with BIG V-8's, rear wheel drive, drifting around corners on dirt roads...but have been seeing a whole new world since I have been living in Scandinavia...)

Maybe one of these days I will find the answer to the language issue with my ride but appreciate all of your comments along the way!

I once worked for a fishing company that bought an old Dutch Guyana banana boat to convert to an Alaska salmon processor. One of the key tools was a Dutch-English dictionary so that we could understand stuff like "oliepressur"! Maybe you just need to bite the bullet and learn a dozen or two German terms.

It gets pretty decent ratings. Does the manufacturer have an email address and maybe someone that speaks english? VW and Audi must. It's a pretty big market over there, covering a lot of different languages. You'd think they would have a way that the owner could do it without having to buy a vag tool.

I am back to the vag tool though. It keeps popping up for changing settings.

If you post clear pictures of the display here (probably after pressing "Menu" or something), I and the other German speakers here will telll you what to do.....

Or use an online German to English dictionary like:-

http://dict.leo.org/

and translate the words for yourself.

bitte anschnallen!

Und hier gibt es andere gute seit ...

http://www.dict.cc/

Might be easier just to make a short vocabulary list.

See post #4 in this forum. I believe it applies to Skoda also.

http://www.audiforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1297158