2003 SKODA SUPERB check engine

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
36
. Visit the next Škoda dealer immediately and have the brake system
checked.
3 peeps sound as an additional warning signal.
One should get used to high pedal forces, long braking distances and long
free play of the brake pedal when driving to the next Škoda dealer.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
STOP BRAKE FAULT SERVICE MANUAL
For further information on the brake system ⇒page 172.
Handbrake applied
The warning light
 also comes on if the handbrake is applied. An audible
warning is also given if you drive the vehicle for at least 3 seconds at a
speed of more than 6 km/h.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
HANDBRAKE ON
Dynamo 
The warning light  comes on after the ignition has been switched on. It
should go out after the engine has started.
If the warning light does not go out after the engine has started, or comes
on when driving, drive to the nearest Škoda Dealer. The vehicle battery
will be discharged in this case so switch off all non-essential electrical
components.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
ALTERNATOR WORKSHOP!
Caution
If the warning light  comes on when driving and in addition the warning
light  (cooling system fault) also comes on in display, you must then
stop the car immediately and switch the engine off - risk of engine
damage!
Seat belt warning light 
The warning light  comes on for a few seconds after the ignition is
switched on as a reminder to fasten the seat belt.
If you do not fasten the seat belt, a long warning signal sounds for 6
seconds.
For further information on the seat belts ⇒page 138.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*: FASTEN SEATBELT
For further information on the seat belts ⇒page 138.
WARNING
•Pay attention to the following instructions ⇒page 203 before
checking the brake fluid level and opening the bonnet.
•If the brake system warning light  does not go out a few
seconds after switching on the ignition or comes on when driving,
stop immediately and check the brake fluid in the reservoir
⇒ page 210. If the fluid level has dropped below the MIN marking,
do not drive any further - risk of accident! Contact a Škoda dealer
to obtain professional assistance.

Heating and air conditioning system 107
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
The desired interior temperature can also be achieved without switching
in the air conditioning system just by switching to fresh air mode.
For the sake of
the environment
When you economize on fuel, you also reduce pollutant emissions.
Operational problems
If the cooling system does not operate at outside temperatures higher
than +5°C, there is a problem in the system. The reasons for this may be:
•The fuse of the air conditioning system is defective ⇒page 241.
Check the fuse, replace it if necessary.
•The cooling system has switched off automatically for a short time
because the coolant temperature of the engine is too hot.
If you are not able to rectify the operational problem yourself, or if the
cooling capacity decreases, switch the air conditioning system off. Please
contact your Škoda dealer.
Climatronic* (automatic air conditioning)
Description
The Climatronic system is a combination of an automatic heating, fresh air
and cooling system which provides optimal comfort for the occupants of
the car.
The Climatronic maintains a constant temperature fully automatically,
once it has been set. This is achieved by automatically varying the temperature of the outflowing air, the blower stages and the air distribu-
tion. It is not necessary to manually alter the settings. The
automatic
mode ⇒ page 109 ensures maximum wellbeing of the occupants at all
times of the year.
Description of Climatronic system
The Climatronic can only operate if the following conditions are met.
•engine running
•outside temperature above +5 °C,
•the button is not pressed.
If the Climatronic system is switched on, the temperature and air humidity
drops in the vehicle. The wellbeing of the occupants of the car is enhanced
as a result of this particularly at high outside temperatures and a high air
humidity. The system prevents the windows misting up during the cold
season of the year.
It is possible to briefly activate recirculated air mode in order to enhance
the cooling effect ⇒.
The heating effect is dependent upon the coolant temperature, thus full
heat output only occurs when the engine has reached its operating
temperature.
Puddle of water below car
After switching on the air conditioning Condensation from the evaporator
of the air conditioning may drip down and form a puddle below the vehicle.
This is quite normal and not an indication of a leak!
Switching over from degrees Celsius to degrees Fahrenheit and vice
versa
First of all press and hold the button ⇒page 108, fig. 102 and
then press the button . The temperature measuring unit appears
in the display.ECON
ECONAUTO

Driving and the Environment181
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Reducing idling
Idling also costs fuel.
It is worthwhile switching off the engine in a traffic jam or when waiting at
a level crossing or at traffic lights with a lengthy red phase. Even after just
30 - 40 seconds you will have saved more fuel than that is needed when
you start the engine up again.
If an engine is only idling it takes much longer for it to reach its normal
operating temperature. Wear-and-tear and pollutant emissions, though,
are particularly high in the warming-up phase. This is why you should
drive off right after starting the engine. Do avoid high engine revolutions
at this time, however.
Regular servicing
A poorly tuned engine consumes an unnecessarily high
amount of fuel.
Having your vehicle serviced regularly at a Škoda Dealer enables you to
satisfy one of the requirements for economical motoring even before you
set off on your journey. Keeping your vehicle properly serviced not only
has a positive effect on the safety of your vehicle and maintaining its
value, but also saves on fuel.
A poorly tuned engine can result in a fuel consumption which is 10%
higher than normal.
The foreseen maintenance work should be undertaken exactly according
to the service plan by a Škoda dealer.
Also check the oil level after refueling. Oil consumption is dependent to
a considerable extent on the load and speed of the engine. Oil consump- tion could be as high as 0.5 litres/1 000 km depending on your style of
driving.
It is quite normal that a new engine has a higher oil consumption at first,
and reaches its lowest level only after a certain running in time. It is there-
fore not possible to correctly assess the oil consumption of a new vehicle
until after you have driven about 5000 km.
For the sake of
the environment
•You can achieve additional improvements in your fuel economy by
using high-lubricity oils.
•Check the ground below your car at regular intervals to detect any
leakages in good time. Please have your vehicle inspected by a Škoda
dealer if you find any stains caused by oil or other fluids on the floor.

Driving and the Environment
182
Avoid driving short distances
Short distances result in an above-average high fuel
consumption.
– Avoid driving a distance of no more than 4 km if the engine is
cold.
The engine and catalytic converter must first have reached their optimal
operating temperature in order to effectively reduce fuel consumption
and pollutant emissions.
The cold engine of a mid-range vehicle consumes 30 - 40 litres/100 km.
of fuel immediately after starting. Fuel consumption drops to 20 litres/100
km. after just 1 kilometre. The engine reaches its operating temperature
only after about four kilometres and the fuel consumption then stabilizes.
You should therefore avoid driving short distances whenever possible.
An important factor in this connection is also the ambient temperature.
The ⇒fig. 149 shows the different fuel consumptions for the same distance, on the one hand at +20°C and on the other hand at -10°C. Your
vehicle has a higher fuel consumption in winter than in summer.
Checking tyre inflation pressures
Tyres which are correctly inflated save fuel.
Always ensure that your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure at all
times. The rolling resistance will be increased if the tyre filling pressure is
too low. This will not only increase fuel consumption but also tyre wear
and the driving behaviour will worsen.
Always check the inflation pressure of the tyres when
cold.
Do not drive with winter tyres all year round for this costs about 10 %
more fuel. Winter tyres are also louder.
No unnecessary ballast
Transporting ballast costs fuel.
The fact that every kilogram of extra weight increases your fuel consump-
tion means that it is worth taking a look in the luggage compartment to
avoid transporting any unnecessary ballast.
It is particularly in town trafffic, when one is accelerating quite often, that
the vehicle weight will have a significant effect upon the fuel consumption.
A rule of thumb here is that an increase in weight of 100 kilograms will
cause an increase in fuel consumption of about 1 litre/100 kilometres.
You may frequently also leave a roof rack fitted on just out of conven-
ience, although you no longer need it. The increased aerodynamic drag of
your vehicle causes it to use about 1 litre more fuel than normal at a speed
of 100 - 120 km/h, even when you are not carrying a load on the roof.
Fig. 149 Fuel
consumption in
litres/100 km at
different temperatures

Driving and the Environment183
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Saving electricity
Generating electricity costs fuel.
– Switch off electrical components as soon as you no longer
need them.
When the engine is running, the alternator generates and supplies elec-
trical power. The greater the load on the alternator as a result of having a
large number of electrical components switched on, the more fuel will be
consumed for operating the alternator.
Keeping a log of your fuel consumption
If you really wish to keep a close check on your fuel consumption, it is
best to enter the figures in a logbook. This does not take much time but is
a very worthwhile exercise. It enables you to detect any change (positive
and negative) at an early stage and to take any appropriate action.
If you find that your fuel consumption is too high, you should reflect on
how, where and in what conditions you have driven the vehicle since you
last refuelled.
Environmental compatibility
Environmental protection has played a major role in the design, selection
of materials and manufacture of your new Škoda. Particular emphasis has
been paid to a number of aspects, including:
Design measures
•Joints designed to be easily detached
•Simplified disassembly due to the modular structure system
•Improved purity of different classes of materials
•Identification of all plastic parts in accordance with VDA Recommen-
dation 260
•Reduced fuel consumption and exhaust emission CO2
•Minimum fuel leakage during accidents
•Reduced noise
Choice of materials
•Extensive use of recyclable material
•Air conditioning filled with CFC-free refrigerant
•No cadmium
•No asbestos
•Reduction in the “vaporisation” of plastics
Manufacture
•Cavity protection without using solvents
•Solvent-free protection of the vehicle for transportation from the
production plant to the customer
•Use of solvent-free adhesives
•No CFCs used in the production process
•Without use of mercury
•Use of water-soluble paints

Towing a trailer
186
before negotiating a downhill section to allow the engine to also act as a
brake.
Engine overheating
Please keep a check on the coolant temperature gauge if you have to
negotiate a lengthy downhill stretch in a low gear at a high engine speed
when the outside temperature is very high ⇒page 14. If the needle of the
coolant temperature gauge moves into the right-hand area or even the red
area of the scale, reduce your speed immediately. Stop and switch off the
engine if the warning light
 in the instrument cluster begins flashing.
Wait a few minutes and check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion
bottle ⇒page 208.
Please refer to the following guidelines ⇒page 31.
The coolant temperature can be reduced by switching on the heating.
Any increase in the cooling effect of the coolant fan through shifting down
a gear and increasing the engine speed is not possible since the fan
speed is independent of the engine speed. One should also not drop a
gear for this reason when towing a trailer as long as the engine can
manage the slope without any drop in speed.
Detachable towing device*
The detachable ball head of the towing device is stowed in the spare
wheel well in the luggage compartment.
An instruction for correct installation and removal of the ball head of the
towing device is supplied with the ball head
Note
•Do not carry out any modifications or repairs to the ball head or to any
other components on the towing device.
WARNING
•Do not use any aids or tools for installing or removing the ball
head. This might result in damage to the locking mechanism to the
extent that the safety of the towing device is no longer assured -
risk of an accident.
Fig. 150 Detachable
ball head

Inspecting and Replenishing203
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
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 Replenishing
206
Note
•We recommend using a preservative from the range of accessories
offered by your Skoda dealer.
•For further information - see Service Schedule.
Inspecting the engine oil level
The dipstick indicates the level of oil in the engine.
Checking the oil level
– Park the vehicle on a horizontal surface.
– Switch the engine off.
– Open the bonnet ⇒ in “Working in the engine compart-
ment” on page 203. – Wait a few minutes and pull out the oil dipstick.
– Wipe off the dipstick with a clean cloth and insert it again fully.
– After this, once again withdraw the dipstick and read off the oil
level ⇒page 206, fig. 156 .
Oil level within range
– You must not top up the oil.
Oil level within range
–You may top up the oil. It is possible that the oil level may then
be within range after doing this.
Oil level within range
–You must top up the oil ⇒page 207. It is sufficient, once this
is done, to keep the oil level is within range .
It is normal for the engine to consume oil. The oil consumption may be as
much as 0.5 l/1 000 km depending on your style of driving and the condi-
tions under which you operate your vehicle. The oil consumption may be
slightly higher than this during the first 5 000 kilometres.
One should therefore check the oil level at regular intervals, preferably
every time after the fuel tank is filled or after driving for long stretches.
We recommend maintaining the oil level within the range if the engine
has been operating at high loads, for example during a lengthy motorway
trip during the summer months, towing a trailer or negotiating a high
mountain pass, but not above this .
The warning light in the instrument cluster will indicate whether the oil
level is too low ⇒page 28. In this case, check the oil level as soon as
possible. Top up with an appropriate quantity of oil.
Fig. 156 Dipstick
Aa
Ab
Aa
Ac
Ab
Aa