2003 SKODA SUPERB maintenance

Care and cleaning191
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For the sake of the environment
Only wash your vehicle at washing bays specifically reserved for this
purpose. This ensures that no water which may be contaminated by oil
flows into the sewage system. It is not even permitted to wash your vehicle
in certain areas except at such specific washing bays.
Washing with a high-pressure cleaner
When you wash your vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner, it is essential
to comply with the instructions for use of the cleaning equipment. This
applies in particular to the pressure used and to the spraying distance .
Maintain a sufficiently large distance to soft materials such as rubber
hoses or insulation material.
On no account use circular spray nozzles or so-called dirt cutters .
The water containing wax must be no hotter than 60°C.
Caution
It is particularly important that you do not clean tyres with circular spray
jets. Damage to tyres may occur even at a relatively large spraying
distance and if sprayed only for a short time.
Wax treatment
Good wax treatment is an effective way of protecting the paintwork from
harmful environmental influences and minor mechanical damage.
A new layer of a high-quality hard wax polish can be applied to the clean
bodywork after it has dried thoroughly. Even if you use a wax preserver regularly we still recommend that you treat the paintwork of the vehicle at
least twice a year with hard wax.
Caution
Never apply wax to the windows.
Polishing
Polishing is only necessary if the paintwork of your vehicle has become
unattractive and if it is no longer possible to achieve a gloss with wax
preservers.
You must treat the paintwork with a wax preserver if the polish you use
does not contain any preserving elements
⇒page 191, “Wax treatment”.
We recommend using a preservative from the range of accessories
offered by your Skoda dealer.
Caution
You must not treat mat painted parts or plastic with polishing products or
hard wax.
Trim strips
Use pH neutral care products to remove stains and coatings on trim
strips - in other words not chrome care products. Škoda Dealers have
available a range of environmentally compatible cleaning products which
have been tested and approved for your car.

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of the seals and prevent leakages in this way. It is also easier to open the
doors. Rubber seals which are well cared for also do not stick together in
cold winter weather.
Locks
We recommend that you use Genuine Škoda Spray with regreasing and
anticorrosive effect for de-icing locks.
Note
When washing your vehicle, ensure that as little water as possible gets
into the locks.
Wheels
Steel wheels
You should also thoroughly wash the wheels and wheel trims when giving
your vehicle its regular wash. This prevents any brake dust, dirt and road
salt from sticking to the wheel hubs. You can remove stubborn brake abra-
sion adhering to the wheels with an industrial cleaner. Touch up any
damage to the paintwork on the wheels before rust is able to form.
Light alloy wheels
Regular care of light alloy wheels is necessary in order to retain their
decorative appearance over long periods. It is particularly important to
remove any road salt and brake abrasion from light alloy wheels every two
weeks, otherwise the surface will suffer. Wash thoroughly and then treat
the wheels with a protective product for light alloy wheels which does not
contain any acidic components. You should provide the wheel hubs with
a hard wax layer every three months. You must not use any products
which cause abrasion when treating the wheel hubs. Any damage to the
paint layer on the wheel hubs must be touched up immediately.
We recommend using a preservative from the range of accessories
offered by your Skoda dealer.
Note
Severe layers of dirt on the wheels can also result in wheel imbalance.
This may show itself in the form of wheel vibration which is transmitted to
the steering wheel which, in certain circumstances, can cause premature
wear of the steering. It is therefore important to clean dirty wheels.
Underbody protection
The underside of your vehicle is protected for life against chemical and
mechanical influences.
One cannot, however, completely rule out damage to the
protective layer
when driving so we recommend that you inspect the protective layer on
the underside of your vehicle and on the chassis at certain intervals - this
is best done at the beginning and end of the winter - and to touch up any
damaged areas.
Škoda dealers have suitable spray products available as well as the
necessary equipment and are familiar with the instructions for its use. It is
therefore best to have such touch-up work or additional corrosion protec-
tion measures carried out by a Škoda dealer.
WARNING
One should remember when cleaning the wheels that moisture, ice
and road salt may adversely affect braking efficiency - risk of an
accident!

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Leather cleaning and care
In view of the exclusiveness of the qualities and characteristics of the
leathers used (such as sensitivity to oils, greases, dirt etc.) a certain care-
fulness in use and particular care are required. Dark items of clothing, for
example, (particularly if these are moist and have poor quality dyeing)
may colour the leather seats. Dust and dirt particles in pores, creases and
seams may chafe and damage the surface. For this reason, care for the
leather regularly, or according to the wear-and-tear. After a lengthy period
of use, your leather seats will acquire a typical and unique patina. This is
characteristic of the natural product leather and is a sign of genuine
quality.
Please pay attention to the following notes in order to retain the value of
the natural material over its full life:
Caution
•Avoid leaving your vehicle for lengthy periods in bright sunlight in order
to avoid bleaching the leather. If you leave your vehicle parked in the open
for lengthy periods, protect the leather from the direct rays of the sun by
covering it over.
•Sharp-edged objects on items of clothing such as zip fasteners, rivets,
sharp-edged belts may leave permanent scratches or signs of rubbing on
the surface.
Note
•Use a care cream with light blocker and impregnation effect regularly
and each time after cleaning the leather. The cream nourishes the leather,
allows it to breathe and keeps it supple and also provides moisture. It also
creates surface protection.
•Clean the leather every 2 to 3 months, remove fresh soiling each time
this occurs.
•Remove fresh stains such as those from ball-point pens, ink, lipstick,
shoe cream etc., as quickly as possible.
•Care also for the leather dye. Refreshen areas which have lost their
colour with a special coloured leather cream as required.
Cleaning and care of leather upholstery
Normal cleaning
– Clean soiled areas of the leather with slightly moistened
cotton or woollen cloth.
Severe soiling
– Clean severely soiled areas with a cloth dipped in a mild soapy solution (2 spoonfuls of natural soap to 1 litre of water).
– Ensure that the leather is not soaked through at any point and that no water gets into the stitching of the seams.
– Dry off the leather with a soft, dry cloth.
Removing stains
– Remove fresh stains which are water-based (e.g. coffee, tea,
juices, blood etc.) with an absorbent cloth or household paper
or use the cleaner from the care set for a stain which has
already dried in.
– Remove fresh stains which are oil based (e.g. butter, mayon-
naise, chocolate etc.) with an absorbent cloth or household
cleaning paper or with the cleaner from the care set if the stain
has not yet penetrated into the surface.
– Use a grease dissolver for grease stains which have dried
in .

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Skoda dealers have the cleaning agents and preservatives recommended
by the manufacturer and also the required equipment.
Caution
•Engine cleaning may be only be undertaken when the ignition is off.
•It is recommended to cover the generator before washing the engine
compartment.
For the sake of the environment
The dirty water produced by washing the engine has washed away petrol,
and residues of grease and oil and should therefore be cleaned by an oil
separator. This is why engine washing should only be undertaken in a
garage or at a fueling station (when these are fitted with the required
equipment).
WARNING
It is necessary to observe the guidelines given in the chapter
before working on the engine compartment ⇒page 203.

Fuel199
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Fuel additives
You must not use fuel additives, so-called “flow improvers” (petrol and
similar products) in diesel fuel.
It is then necessary to have the
fuel filter drained of water by a Škoda
dealer more often than stated in the service schedule if the quality of the
diesel fuel used is poor.
You can find information on refuelling ⇒page 200, “Refuelling”.
Caution
•Use a fuel complying with the standard. Filling the tank even only once,
which does not comply with the standard, can result in damage to the fuel
system.
•Water which has collected in the fuel filter can result in engine
problems.
Biofuel
Biofuel (methyl ester from rape oil) is manufactured from vegetable oil by
means of a chemical process.
Biofuel does not contain sulphur. This means that no sulphur dioxide
(SO
2) is produced when it is burnt.
The exhaust gases contain less
•carbon monoxide (CO)
•hydrocarbons (HC)
•particles (soot)
than when operating with conventional diesel fuel.
The Biofuel is more biodegradable. When using biofuel pay attention to the following points:
•The
Performance may be reduced slightly if you switch to driving with
biofuel.
•The Fuel consumption may increase slightly if you switch to driving
with biofuel.
Biodiesel conforming to the standard E 51 606 can be mixed in any
desired ratio with diesel fuel conforming to the standard EN 590.
We recommend refuelling with diesel fuel at temperatures below -10°C.
Caution
Filling the tank even only once with biofuel, which does not comply with
the standard standard E 51 606 , can result in damage to the fuel
system.
Operation in winter
Winter-grade diesel fuel
A different grade of diesel fuel is available at filling stations in winter than
during the summer. Using “summer-grade diesel fuel” at temperatures
below 0°C can result in operational problems because the diesel becomes
viscous as a result of paraffin separation.
It is therefore the case that DIN EN 590 prescribes diesel fuel class for
certain periods of the year which can also be purchased at the corre-
sponding time during the year. “Winter-grade diesel fuel” will still operate
properly even at a temperature of -20°C.
It is often the case in countries with different climatic conditions that diesel
fuels available have a different temperature characteristic. Škoda dealers
and filling stations in the country concerned will be able to provide you with
information regarding the diesel fuels available.

Fuel201
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•Vehicles fitted with catalytic converter should never be allowed to let
the fuel tank to run completely empty. An irregular supply of fuel to the
engine can result in misfiring and unburnt fuel may get into the exhaust
system, which may result in overheating and damage to the catalytic
converter.
For the sake of the environment
The fuel tank is full just as soon as the pump nozzle switches off for the
first time, provided the nozzle has been operated properly. You should not
continue refuelling - otherwise the expansion chamber in the fuel tank will
also be filled with fuel. Fuel might flow out of the tank when it heats up.
Emergency release of fuel filler flap
If the electric lock is faulty, you can also unlock the fuel filler flap
manually. – Open the boot lid/luggage compartment door.
– Unscrew the clip attaching the right-hand side trim panel and
pull the trim panel off the body.
– Pull on the loop in direction of arrow in order to unlock the fuel filler flap ⇒fig. 152 .
Fig. 152 Luggage
compartment: Emer-
gency release of fuel
filler flap
WARNING
Reel up the belt webbing once again until it is fitted snugly against
the child seat.

Inspecting and Replenishing203
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The bonnet is held in the opened position by a pressurized gas spring.
Caution
•Never open the bonnet using the handle - danger of causing damage.
•Before opening the bonnet, ensure that the arms of the windscreen
wipers are correctly in place against the windscreen. Otherwise, there is
a risk of damage to the paintwork.
Working in the en gine compartment
Particular care is required when carrying out any work in
the engine compartment!
There is a risk of injuries, scalding , accidents and fire when working
in the engine compartment, e.g. inspecting and replenishing oil and
other fluids. For this reason, it is essential to comply with the
warning instructions st ated below and with the general applicable
rules of safety. The engine compartment of your car is a hazardous
area ⇒ .
WARNING
•Never open the bonnet if you see that steam or coolant is
flowing out of the engine compartmen t - risk of scalding! Wait long
enough until the steam or coolant has stopped escaping.
•For safety reasons, the bonnet must always be properly closed
when driving. One should therefore check that the lock has in fact
engaged properly after closing the bonnet.
•Stop your vehicle immediately wh ile driving if you notice that
the lock is not properly engaged and close the bonnet properly -
risk of an accident!
WARNING
•Switch off the engine and pull out the ignition key.
•Apply the handbrake firmly.
•If your vehicle is fitted with a manual gearbox, move the gear-
shift lever into Neutral, or if it is fitted with automatic gearbox,
move the selector lever into position P.
•Allow the engine to cool down.
•Keep children clear of the engine compartment.
•Never spill oil and other fluids over the hot engine. Such fluids
(e.g. the antifreeze contained in the coolant) may ignite!
•Avoid short circuits in the electrical system - particularly on the
battery.
•Never place your hand into the radiator fan as long as the
engine is still warm. The fan might suddenly start running!
•Never open the cap of the coolant expansion bottle as long as
the engine is still warm. The cooling system is pressurized!
•Cover over the cap of the coolant expansion reservoir with a
large cloth when opening it as protection for your face, hands and
arms from hot steam or hot coolant.
•In cases where it be necessary to carry out inspection work
when the engine is running there is an additional risk from rotating
parts (e.g. the V-ribbed belt, alternator, radiator fan) and from the
high-voltage ignition system.
•Please also comply with the warning instructions stated below
when carrying out any essential work on the fuel system or on the
electrical system:
−Always separate the car battery from the electrical system.
− Do not smoke.
− Never carry out any work close to naked flames.

Inspecting and Replenishing205
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Note
The location of the inspection points in the engine compartment of petrol
and diesel engines is practically identical.
Engine oil
Engine oil specifications
The grade of engine oil should be selected in accordance
with precise specifications.
The engine of your vehicle has been factory-filled with a high-grade oil
which you can use throughout the year - except in extreme climatic
regions.
You can mix various oils together with each other when refilling with oil.
This does not, however, apply for models with flexible service intervals
(QG1).
Engine oils are, of course, undergoing continuous further development.
Thus the information stated in this Owner's Manual is only correct at the
time of publication.
Škoda dealers are constantly informed by Škoda Auto about current
changes. This why you should always have engine oil changed by your
Škoda dealer. Engine oil specifications for vehicles with fixed service intervals
(QG2)
Engine oil specifications for models with flexible service intervals
(QG1).
For further information - see Service Schedule.
Caution
Only the above-mentioned oils may be used on vehicles with flexible
service intervals (QG1). We recommend always refilling with oil of the
same specification since this will maintain the properties of the oil. In
exceptional cases, you must top up only once engine oil complying with
Specification VW 502 00 (only for petrol engines) or Specification VW 505
01 (only for diesel engines) to maximum 0.5 litres. You must not use other
engine oils - risk of engine damage!
DenominationPetrol engineDiesel engine
Multigrade high-
lubricity oilsVW 500 00
VW 502 00VW 505 01
VW 505 00 a)
a)This does not apply for PD engines (a unit injection engine). Further information -
see Technical Data.
Multigrade oilsVW 501 01
ACEA A2 b) or A3 b)
b)Only to be used in exceptional cases if the oils specified above are not available.
ACEA B3 b) or B4 b)
Specification
Petrol enginesVW 503 00
Diesel enginesVW 506 01
VW 506 00 a)
a)This does not apply for PD engines (a unit injection engine). Further information -
see Technical Data.