2003 SKODA SUPERB open bonnet

Automatic gearbox*
126
Note
•Take your foot off the accelerator if you inadvertently shift into N when
driving and wait until the engine speed has dropped to the idling speed
range before shifting into D.
•If you shift gear manually it is possible to select positions 4, 3 and 2 ,
but the automatic gearbox will not shift down until there is no risk of the
engine overrevving.
Selector lever lock
Automatic selector lever lock 
With the ignition on, the selector lever is locked when it is in the positions
P and N . You must first of all depress the brake pedal in order to move the
selector lever out of this position. The following text appears in the display
* as a reminder for the driver when the selector lever is in position P and N :
"Apply foot brake when selecting gear with vehicle stationary"
In addition, the symbol
 for the automatic selector lever lock in the shift
gate lights up. A time delay element ensures that the selector lever is not blocked when
rapidly switching over the position
N (e.g. from R to D). This does, for
example, allow one to seesaw out a stuck vehicle. The selector lever lock
will click into place if the lever is in the N position for more than 2 seconds
without the brake pedal being pressed.
The selector lever lock is only active if the vehicle is stationary or moving
at speed of less than 5 km/hour. The lock is switched off automatically into
position N when the car is travelling at a higher speed.
Shiftlock button
The Shiftlock button in the handle of selector lever prevents certain
selector lever positions being engaged inadvertently. The selector lever
lock is cancelled when you press the Shiftlock button.
Keylock - Ignition key withdrawal lock
You can only withdraw the ignition key after switching off the ignition if the
selector lever is in position P . As long as the ignition key is withdrawn, the
selector lever is locked in position P.
Kickdown function
The kickdown function provides you with maximum accel-
eration power.
Depressing the accelerator pedal beyond the pressure point casues the
automatic gearbox to shift down into a lower gear (in line with vehicle
speed and engine speed). The gearbox shifts up into the next higher gear
when the engine has reached its maximum revolations.
WARNING (continued)
•You must on no account unintentionally operate the throttle
(e.g. by hand from the engine compartment) if a drive position is
engaged when the car is stationary. The vehicle would otherwise
immediately start off - also when the handbrake is firmly applied -
risk of an accident!
•You must move the selector lever into position P and firmly
apply the handbrake first before you or any other person opens the
bonnet and starts working on the engine when it is running - risk
of accident! It is also essential to observe all warnings ⇒page 203.

Inspecting and Replenishing
202
Inspecting and Replenishing
Engine compartment
Opening and closing the bonnet.
Opening the bonnet
– Pull the unlocking lever below the dash panel on the driver's
side ⇒fig. 153 .
– Pull the handle ⇒fig. 154 and lift the bonnet.
Closing the bonnet
– Pull the bonnet down far enough to overcome the force of the pressurized gas spring.
– Then, allow the bonnet to drop into the lock - do not press down on bonnet.
The bonnet jumps out of its lock as a result of the spring force. A handle
appears at the same time in the radiator grille.
Fig. 153 Bonnet
release lever
Fig. 154 Radiator
grille: handle

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

Inspecting and Replenishing209
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
– Open the bonnet ⇒ in “Working in the engine compart-
ment” on page 203.
– Check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion bottle ⇒fig. 157. The coolant level when the engine is cold must lie
between the “MIN” and “MAX” markings. The level may also
rise slightly above the “MAX” marking when the engine is
warm.
If the coolant level in the reservoir is too low, this is indicated by the
warning light in the instrument cluster  ⇒ page 28. We nevertheless
recommend inspecting the coolant level directly at the reservoir from time
to time.
Loss of coolant
A loss of coolant is first and foremost an indication of a leak in the
system. You should not merely top up the coolant in the reservoir. It is also
important to have the cooling system inspected without delay by a Škoda
dealer.
Losses can only occur through the pressure relief in the cap of the coolant
expansion bottle which is completely free of leaks if the coolant boils as a
result of overheating and is forced out of the cooling system.
One should contact a Skoda dealer as soon as possible if the source of
overheating itself cannot be determined and removed, since there may be
grave damage to the engine.
Replenishing the coolant
– Switch the engine off.
– Allow the engine to cool down. – Place a cloth over the cap of the coolant expansion reservoir
⇒page 208, fig. 157 and unscrew the cap carefully by
turning it to the left ⇒.
– Top up the coolant.
– Screw on the cap tight until it is heard to lock.
The coolant which you use for replenishing the system, must comply with
certain specifications ⇒page 208, “Coolant”. Do not use an alternative
additive if the coolant additive G12°PLUS is not available in exceptional
cases. Just top up the system with water and as soon as possible arrange
adjustment to correct the mixing ratio of water and coolant additive again
by a Škoda dealer.
Only use fresh coolant for topping up the system.
Do not fill up over the “MAX” marking! Excess coolant which is heated up
is forced out of the cooling system through the pressure relief valve in the
cap of the coolant compensation bottle.
Wait until the engine has cooled down for a system which has suffered a
major loss of coolant before pouring in coolant. This is necessary to avoid
engine damage.
Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible
under the conditions prevailing to top up with coolant. Switch off the
engine and obtain professional assistance from a Škoda dealer.
WARNING
•The cooling system is pressurized! Do not open the cap of the
coolant expansion bottle if the engine is still hot - risk of
scalding!

Inspecting and Replenishing211
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
– Open the bonnet ⇒ in “Working in the engine compart-
ment” on page 203.
– Pull off the rubber seal ⇒fig. 158 partially away and lift the
cover slightly.
– Inspect the brake fluid level at the reservoir . The level must be between the “MIN” and “MAX” markings. The markings are
indicated on the side of the reservoir.
A slight drop in the fluid level results when driving due to normal wear-and-
tear and automatic adjustment of the brake pads, and is perfectly normal.
There may be an indication of a leak in the brake system, however, if the
fluid level drops significantly within a short time or if it drops below the
“MIN” marking. A situation where the brake fluid level is too low is indi-
cated by the warning light
 lighting up in the instrument cluster
⇒ page 35. You should drive carefully and immediately to the nearest
Škoda Dealer and have the brake system inspected.
Replacing brake fluid
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. This causes the fluid to absorb moisture
from the surrounding air over a period of time. Excessive water in the
brake fluid may be the cause of corrosion in the brake system. The water
content also lowers the boiling point of the brake fluid. This is why brake
fluid must be replaced every two years.
One may only use new genuine brake fluid from Skoda Auto. The specifi-
cation for the brake fluid is “FMVSS 116 DOT 4”.
We recommend that you have the brake fluid replaced by a Škoda Dealer
as part of an Inspection Service.
Caution
Brake fluid damages the paintwork of the vehicle.
For the sake of the environment
In view of the problems involved with proper disposal of brake fluid, the
special tools and the professional knowledge required, you should have
the brake fluid replaced by a Škoda dealer.
AB
AC
AA
WARNING
•Using old brake fluid can result in severe stress on the brakes
because of the formation of vapour bubbles in the brake system.
This greatly impairs the braking efficiency and thus also the safety
of your vehicle.
•Brake fluid is toxic! It must therefore be kept safely in closed
original containers and well away from children and unauthorized
persons.

Index251
Index
A
ABS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Adjusting seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Adjusting front seats manually . . . . . . . . . 69
electrically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Adjusting the steering wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Air outlet vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 Deactivating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Deployment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Head airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Alcantara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
An overview Cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Antilock Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Antilock brake system (ABS) Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Anti-theft alarm system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Ashtray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Auto Check Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Automatic gearbox
5-speed automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . 123
Dynamic shift programme . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Emergency programme . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Kickdown function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Selector lever lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Selector lever positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Tiptronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Automatic seat adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Automatic vehicle wash systems . . . . . . . . . 190
Avoiding damage to your vehicle . . . . . . . . . 178
B
Belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Boot lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Brake booster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Brake system Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Bulbs Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Button on the driver's door
Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
C
Car jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228, 233
CargoFlex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
CargoFlex folding box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Opening a single door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Changing a wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Changing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Changing oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Changing wheels around . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Charging the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Chassis number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Child safety locks rear doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Child safety seats ISOFIX system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166