Skoda Octavia Hybrid Automatic Transmission Problem

The symptoms you describe certainly point to an issue within the automatic transmission system. The implausible shifting behavior, accompanied by the warning light and emergency mode activation, suggests a potential problem with the transmission's hydraulic control or the transmission oil itself. Given the mileage on your Skoda Octavia Hybrid, it's plausible that the transmission oil has degraded, affecting its viscosity and lubricating properties. Have you checked the transmission oil level or condition recently? Furthermore, could you elaborate on the undervoltage situation you mentioned? Was this a one-time occurrence, or is it a recurring issue? Low voltage can indeed cause erratic behavior in electronically controlled systems like automatic transmissions.

Thanks for the quick reply. I haven't checked the transmission oil myself, to be honest. I'm not really equipped to do that properly. Regarding the undervoltage, the car battery was completely drained a couple of times recently because I left the lights on. Could that really mess with the automatic transmission?

Yes, the drained battery incidents are very likely the culprit. Modern automatic transmissions rely heavily on electronic control units (ECUs) and solenoids to regulate hydraulic fluid pressure and manage gear changes. Undervoltage can disrupt the operation of these components, leading to the symptoms you're experiencing such as a slipping transmission. The ECU might be misinterpreting sensor data or the solenoids might not be actuating correctly due to insufficient voltage. It's advisable to have a qualified technician inspect the transmission, check for any fault codes stored in the ECU, and assess the condition of the transmission oil. A simple transmission oil change might resolve the issue, but it's crucial to rule out any underlying electrical problems. I recommend taking your Octavia to a trusted workshop.

Just wanted to share that the workshop diagnosed the issue. It was indeed related to undervoltage as you suspected. They changed the automatic transmission oil and fixed a faulty ground connection. The car is shifting smoothly again. The final bill was around 240€. Thanks again for your help!