2003 SKODA SUPERB service

Inspecting and Replenishing
214
Caution
If the vehicle has not been driven for more than 4 weeks, the battery will
discharge gradually as a result from electrical components such as the
control units which were not switched off. You can prevent the discharging
of the battery by disconnecting the negative terminal or charging the
battery constantly with a very low charging current. Please also refer to
the notes when working on the battery ⇒page 212, “Working on the
battery”.
Inspecting the electrolyte level
The battery is practically maintenance-free under normal operating
conditions. We do, however, recommend that you have the electrolyte
level inspected from time to time by a Škoda dealer when outside temper-
atures are high or when driving on long trips. You should also check the
electrolyte level ⇒page 214 each time the battery is charged.
The battery acid level will also be checked as part of the Inspection
Service.
Caution
Do not expose the battery to direct sunlight for lengthy periods in order to
protect it from UV rays.
Operation in winter
The battery has to provide greater amounts of electricity during the winter.
It also has only part of the initial power output at low temperatures that it
has at normal temperatures. A discharged battery may already freeze at temperatures just below
0°C.
We therefore recommend that you have the battery checked by a Škoda
dealer before the start of the winter, and recharged if necessary.
Note
If the vehicle is not going to be driven for a period of some weeks when
there is very severe frost one should remove
⇒page 215 the battery and
store it in a place which is protected from frost. This prevents the battery
from freezing up and thereby being destroyed.
Charging the battery
A properly charged battery is essential for reliably starting
the engine.
– Read the warning notes ⇒ in “Working on the battery” on
page 212 and ⇒.
– Switch the ignition and all electrical components off.
– Only for “quick-charging”: disconnect both battery cables (first of all “negative”, then “positive”) .
– Carefully attach the terminal clamps of the charger to the battery terminals (red = “positive”, black = “negative”).
– You can now plug the mains cable of the charger into the power socket and switch on the charger.
– When charging is completed: switch the charger off and unplug the mains cable from the power socket.

Inspecting and Replenishing217
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Windscreen Wiper and Washer System
The windshield washer reservoir contains the cleaning fluid for the wind-
screen and for the headlamp cleaning system*. The reservoir is located at
the front left of the engine compartment ⇒fig. 163 .
The reservoir has a capacity of 4 liters.
Clear water is not sufficient to intensively clean the windscreen and head-
lights. We therefore recommend using clean washing water together with
the screen cleaner (in winter additionally with antifreeze) which is capable
of removing stubborn dirt. Follow the instructions for use on the packaging
when using screen cleaning products.
You should always add antifreeze to the cleaning water in winter even if
your vehicle is fitted with heated windscreen washer nozzles*.
It is also possible in exceptional cases to use methylated spirits when no
screen cleaner with antifreeze is available. The concentration of methyl-
ated spirits must not be more than 15 %. Please note, however, that the
antifreeze protection at this concentration is only adequate down to -5°C.
Caution
•On no account should you add radiator antifreeze or other additives to
the windscreen washer fluid.
•If the vehicle is fitted with headlight cleaning system, you should only
add cleaning products which do not attack the polycarbonate coating of
the headlights to the windscreen washer fluid. Please contact a Škoda
dealer, he will tell you, which cleaning product you can use.
Note
Do not take the filter out of the windscreen wash container when filling it
up again with liquid otherwise dirt can get into the liquid transportation
system and can lead to faults in operation of the windscreen wash
system.
Spark plugs
The spark plugs will also be checked as part of the Inspection Service.
Please observe the following if spark plugs have to be renewed inbetween
inspection services.
•Spark plugs and the ignition system are matched to the engine and
therefore contribute to lower emissions in the exhaust gases.
•Only use the spark plugs foreseen for the engine concerned if you wish
to avoid operational faults, engine damage and loss of approval and
licensing of the vehicle due to false exhaust gas values or unshielded
spark plugs. Particularly important parameters include the number of elec-
trodes, the thermal value and possibly also the radio frequency suppres-
sion level.
Fig. 163 Engine
compartment: Wind-
shield washer fluid
reservoir

Inspecting and Replenishing
218
Spark plugs are constantly being further developed. It is therefore advis-
able to just obtain spark plugs from Skoda dealers since they are informed
about latest developments.
V-ribbed belts
The V-ribbed is one of the most highly loaded components on a vehicle.
This is why there are high demands on quality made on the V-ribbed belt.
It not sufficient when replacing the V-ribbed belt to choose just any one of
the same size. One should only use the V-ribbed belt foreseen for use
on that vehicle for safety reason.
V-ribbed belts are constantly being further developed. It is therefore advis-
able to just obtain them from Skoda dealers since they are informed about
latest developments.
The dust and pollen filter*
The dust and pollen filter for the heating and ventilation system is located
in the heater. The filter is replaced according to directions given in the
Service Plan. The filter should be replaced even earlier when the air flow
is reduced significantly.
Changing of the filter is undertaken by a Skoda dealer as part of the
inspection service.

Breakdown assistance229
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Spare wheel
The spare wheel is stowed in the spare wheel well in the
luggage compartment below the floor covering.
The spare wheel lies in a well under the luggage compartment floor and
is fixed in place using special screws ⇒fig. 172 . One should check the air pressure in the spare wheel (at best when
generally checking the tyre air pressures - see sign on the fuel filler flap)
to ensure that the spare wheel is always ready to use.
Unidirectional tyres*
If you have such tyres on your vehicle, please refer to the notes below:
•The spare wheel provided with a car fitted with unidirectional tyres has
different dimensions. The wheel is provided with a warning sticker.
•After fitting on the wheel, the warning sticker must not be concealed
(e.g. by the wheel trim).
•Do not drive with this spare wheel at more than 80 km/h - risk of acci-
dent. Avoid accelerating at full throttle, sharp braking and fast cornering.
•The inflation pressure for this spare wheel is identical to the inflation
pressure of the standard tyres.
•Use this spare wheel only to reach the nearest service station as it is
not intended for continuous use.
Changing a wheel
Preliminary work
The following steps should be carried out before actually
changing the wheel.
– If it is necessary to change a wheel, park the vehicle as far away as possible from the traffic flow. The place you choose
should be level.
WARNING
•The hexagon socket in the handle of the screwdriver is used for
fitting on the wheel bolts. Neve r use it for tightening the wheel
bolts because you will not be able to achieve the necessary tight-
ening torque with this tool - risk of accident!
•The factory-supplied lifting jack is only intended for your model
of vehicle. On no account attempt to lift a heavier vehicle or other
loads - risk of injury!
Fig. 172 Luggage
compartment: Spare
wheel

Breakdown assistance239
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Towing eye
The front towing eye is welded on behind the bumper on the right.
– Carefully pull the protective grille ⇒fig. 181 off in the right-
hand area of the bumper.
Rear towing eye
The rear towing eye is welded on below the rear bumper on the right.
Tow-starting a vehicle
If the engine does not start, we generally do not recommend to
tow-start your vehicle. One should attempt to start the engine using jump start cables
⇒page 236 or call on the services of the
SERVICE mobile.
If your vehicle has to be towed:
– Engage 2nd or 3rd gear with the vehicle stationary.
– Depress the clutch pedal fully and keep it depressed.
– Switch on the ignition.
– Wait until both vehicles are moving then release the clutch pedal slowly.
– Depress the clutch pedal fully when the engine fires and take the vehicle out of gear.
For technical reasons it is not possible to tow-start a car fitted with an
automatic gearbox .
Caution
Vehicles which are fitted with a catalytic converter should not be tow-
started over a distance of more than 50 metres. Unburnt fuel may get into
the catalytic converter and damage it.
Fig. 181 Front
bumper: Protective
grille for the towing eye
WARNING
There is high risk of having an accident when tow-starting a
vehicle, when for example the towed vehicle runs into the towing
vehicle.

General249
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Technical Data
General
Vehicle identification data
Vehicle data sticker
The vehicle data sticker ⇒fig. 192 is located on the floor of the luggage
compartment and is also stated in the Service Schedule.
The vehicle data sticker contains the following vehicle data:
Vehicle identification number
Vehicle type
Gearbox code, paint number, interior equipment number, engine
output, engine code
Optional equipment Vehicle identification number (vehicle body number)
The vehicle identification number is stamped in the rear cross panel of the
engine compartment and is also indicated below the windscreen on the
left in the driver area.
Engine number
The engine number is stamped into the engine block.
Ty p e p l a t e
The type plate is affixed to the rear cross panel in the engine compartment
on the right looking in the direction of travel.
Vehicles for certain export countries do not have a type plate.
Stickers on inside of fuel filler flap
The stickers are affixed to the inside of the fuel filler flap and contain the
following data:•The prescribed types of fuel
•Tyre size
•Tyre pressure
Note
•You will find the technical data of your vehicle in the separate brochure
"Technical Data".
•Please note that the information stated in the official vehicle regis-
tration documents always takes priority.
Fig. 192 Vehicle data
sticker
A1
A2
A3
A4

Index
254
Multifunction steering wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Operating cruise control system . . . . . . 130
Operation of radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Multi-functional indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
N
Natural leather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Navigation system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27, 135
O
Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Onboard computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Open door Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Opening a single door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Operation in winter Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
De-icing windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
The battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Overview of the engine compartment . . . . . 204
P
Paint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Paint damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Parking aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Parking light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Parking lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Pedals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Polishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Power socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93, 94
Power steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Power windows
Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Operational problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Switch on the driver's door . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Switches in front passenger door and in rear doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
R
Rear fog light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Rear window heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Rear-view mirror Exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Interior rear-view mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Recirculated air mode Heating and ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 Emergency release of fuel filler flap . . . 201
Remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Synchronisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Replacing fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Roof aerial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Running in the car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
S
Safety instructions Engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Safety wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Saving energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Seat belt height adjuster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Seat belt warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138, 143 Belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Blocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Fasten . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Height adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
taking off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Seat heaters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Service Interval Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Service key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Setting temperature The air conditioning system . . . . . . . . . . 103
Setting the clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Shifting gears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Ski bag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Sliding/tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Spare wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16