2003 SKODA SUPERB brake pads

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
32
Please also refer to the additional instructions ⇒page 209.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
STOP CHECK COOLANT SERVICE MANUAL
Brake pad wear 
If the warning light  comes on, contact a Škoda Dealer and have the
brake pads of all the wheels inspected.
A peep sounds as an additional warning signal.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
CHECK BRAKE PADS
Bonnet 
The warning light  comes on when the ignition is switched on if the
bonnet is unlocked.
Fuel reserve 
The warning light  comes on if the fuel level in the tank has dropped to
about 8 litres.
A peep sounds as an additional warning signal.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
PLEASE REFUEL
Engine oil 
The warning light  lights up red (low oil pressure)
The warning light comes on for several seconds after the ignition is
switched on.
2)
Stop the vehicle and switch the engine off if the warning light does not
go off after the engine has started or flashes while driving. Check the oil
level and top up with oil as necessary ⇒page 207.
3 peeps sound as an additional warning signal.
Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under
the conditions prevailing to top up with oil. Switch of the engine and
contact and obtain professional assistance from a Škoda dealer.
Do not drive any further if the warning light remains on even if the oil is
at the correct level. Do not run the engine not at idling speed either.
Contact the nearest Škoda dealer to obtain professional assistance.
WARNING
•Take care when opening the coolant expansion bottle. If the
engine is hot, the cooling system is pressurized - risk of scalding.
It is best to allow the engine to cool down before removing the cap.
•Do not touch the coolant fan The coolant fan may switch on
automatically even if the ignition is off.
2)The warning light  on vehicles fitted with information display does not come on
after switching the ignition on, but only if a fault exists or the engine oil level is too
low.

Intelligent Technology
172
The EDL switches on again automatically as soon as the brake has cooled
down.
Note
•If the ABS warning light comes on, this may also indicate a fault in the
EDL. Please have the vehicle inspected as soon as possible by a Škoda
dealer.
•Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or other
assignment of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the EDL
⇒ page 226.
Brakes
What has a negative effect on braking efficiency?
Wear-and-tear
Wear-and-tear to the brake pads is greatly dependent on the operating
conditions of the vehicle and your style of driving. Particularly if you drive
a great deal in towns and over short distances or if you adopt a sporty style of driving, it may be necessary to have the thickness of the brake pads
inspected at a Škoda Dealer between the service inspections.
Wet roads or road salt
There may be a certain delay before the brakes take full effect under
certain conditions such as when driving through water, during heavy rain
showers or after the vehicle has been washed in an automatic vehicle
wash, since the brake discs and brake pads may be moist or even have a
coating of ice on them in winter. You should dry the brakes as soon as
possible (by applying and releasing the brakes several times, if the road
conditions and the traffic situation allows it).
There also may be a certain delay before the full braking efficiency is
available when driving on roads which have been treated with road salt if
you have not used the brakes for some considerable time beforehand.
The layer of salt on the brake discs and brake pads must first be rubbed
off when you apply the brakes.
Corrosion
We recommend cleaning the brake discs by firmly applying the brakes at
a fairly high speed if you do not make much use of the braking system or
if surface corrosion is present
⇒.
Faults in the brake surface
The brake booster operates using vacuum which is only generated
when the engine is running. This is why you should not drive off with
engine switched off!
The brake pedal has to be depressed with a significantly greater force if
the brake booster is not operating because the vehicle has to be towed or
because there is damage to the brake booster, in order to balance out the
missing brake boosting effect.
If you notice that the braking distance has suddenly become longer and
that the brake pedal can be depressed further, it is possible that a brake
circuit of the dual-circuit brake system has failed. Drive, in such cases, to
the nearest Škoda dealer without delay in order to have the problem recti-
WARNING
•Depress the accelerator carefully when accelerating on
uniformly slippery road surfaces, such as ice and snow. The driven
wheels might still spin despite the EDL and affect the stability of
the vehicle - risk of an accident!
•You should always adapt your style of driving to the condition
of road surface and to the traffic situation even when your vehicle
is fitted with EDL. The increased safety offered must not tempt you
to take greater risks than otherwise - risk of an accident!

Intelligent Technology173
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
fied. Drive at a reduced speed while on your way to the dealer and adapt
your style of driving to the higher brake pedal pressure required.
Low brake fluid level
An insufficient level of brake fluid may result in problems in the brake
system. The level of the brake fluid is monitored electronically
⇒page 35.
Caution
•Never allow the brakes to rub by applying slight pressure if you do not
wish to brake the vehicle. This causes the brakes to overheat and can also
result in a longer braking distance and excessive wear.
•Before negotiating a steep downhill section, please reduce your
speed, shift down into the next lower gear (manual gearbox) or select a
lower driving stage (automatic gearbox). This enables you to make full use
of the braking power of the vehicle and reduces the strain on the brakes.
Any additional braking should be done intermittently, not continuously.
Antiblock brake system (ABS)
ABS prevents the wheels locking when braking.
General
The ABS contributes significantly to enhancing the active safety of your
vehicle. Compared to a car not fitted with the ABS brake system, you are
able to retain optimal steering ability even during a full brake application
on a slippery road surface because the wheels do not lock up.
You must not expect, however, that the braking distance will be shorter
under all circumstances as a result of the ABS The braking distance for
example on gravel and fresh snow, when you should anyway be driving
slowly and cautiously, will be longer.
Operating principle
As soon as the vehicle speed has increased to about 6 km/hour an auto-
matic test procedure is conducted during which you will be able to hear a
pumping noise for about 1 second.
The brake pressure will be reduced on a wheel which is rotating at a speed
which is too low for the speed of the vehicle and tending to lock. This
control cycle is noticeable from a pulsating movement of the brake
pedal which is accompanied by noises. This is consciously intended to
provide the driver with the information that the wheels are tending to lock
(ABS control range). You must always keep the brake pedal depressed to
enable the ABS to optimally control the brake application in this braking
range. Never interrupt the application of the brakes!
WARNING
•Only apply the brakes for the purpose of drying and cleaning
the brake discs if the traffic conditions permit this. Do not place
any other road users in jeopardy.
•When retrospectively mounting a front spoiler, solid wheel
hubs etc. one must ensure that the air supply to the front wheel
brakes is not reduced otherwise the braking system could run too
hot.
•Allow for the fact that new brake pads do not achieve their full
braking efficiency until approximately 200 kilometres. New brake
pads must be first “run in” before they develop their optimal fric-
tion force. You can, however, compensate for this slightly reduced
braking force by increasing the pressure on the brake pedal. This
guideline also applies to any new brake pads installed at a future
date.

Driving and the Environment177
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
New brake pads
Allow for the fact that new brake pads do not achieve their full braking effi-
ciency until after the first 200 kilometres. New brake pads must be first
“run in” before they develop their optimal friction force. You can, however,
compensate for this slightly reduced braking force by increasing the pres-
sure on the brake pedal.
This guideline also applies to any new brake pads installed at a future
date.
During the running-in period, you should avoid excessive stresses on the
brakes. This includes, for example, violent braking, particularly from very
high speeds, and also when crossing mountain passes.
Catalytic converter
Proper operation of the emission control system (catalytic
converter) is of major significance for driving your vehicle
in an environmentally conscious way.
Please refer to the following guidelines:
– Always fill the fuel tank with unleaded petrol ⇒page 198,
“Grades of petrol”.
– Never run the fuel tank completely empty.
– Do not switch off the ignition while you are driving the vehicle.
– Do not pour too much oil into the engine ⇒page 207,
“Replenishing engine oil”. – Do not tow-start the vehicle over a distance of more than 50
metres ⇒page 239, “Tow-starting a vehicle”.
If you drive your vehicle in a country in which unleaded petrol is not avail-
able, you must have the catalytic converter replaced later when driving the
vehicle into a country in which use of a catalytic converter is mandatory.
Caution
•Vehicles fitted with catalytic converter should never be allowed to let
the fuel tank to run completely empty. An irregular fuel supply can result
in poor ignition or misfiring. Unburnt fuel may get into the exhaust system
and damage the catalytic converter.
•Filling the tank even only once with leaded petrol will result in the cata-
lytic converter being destroyed.
•If you detect misfiring, a drop in performance or irregular engine
running when driving, reduce your speed immediately and have the
vehicle inspected by the nearest Škoda dealer. The symptoms described
may be caused by a fault in the ignition system. Unburnt fuel may get into
the exhaust system and damage the catalytic converter.
WARNING
•In view of the high temperatures which may be produced in the
catalytic converter, one should always park a vehicle in such a way
that the catalytic converter cannot come into contact with easily
flammable materials below the vehicle - a risk of fire!
•Never use additional underbody protection or corrosion-
protection agents for the exhaust pipes, catalytic converters or
heat shields. Such substances might ignite when driving - risk of
fire!

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

Index255
Starting engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
after fuel tank has run empty . . . . . . . . . 117
Diesel engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Petrol engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Storage compartment Door trim panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Umbrella . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Storage drawer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Storage facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Stowage compartment below steering wheel 98
Sun visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Switch on the driver's door Power windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Switching the engine off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
T
Taking care of your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
TCS Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Telephone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
The air conditioning system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
The armrest at the rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
The automatic wiper/washer system . . . . . . . 64 The battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
disconnecting and connecting . . . . . . . . 216
Inspecting the electrolyte level . . . . . . . . 214
Operation in winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
The electronic immobiliser . . . . . . . . . . . . 35, 39
The radiator fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
The roof luggage rack system . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Thickness of brake pads Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Through-loading bag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Tiptronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Towing a vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Towing eye at the front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
at the rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Tow-starting a vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Tow-starting and towing vehicle Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Traction Control System Operating principle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184 Driving Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
General Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
technical aspects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Transporting children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Tread depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Trip counter for distance driven . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Turn signal system for vehicles towing a trailer
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Turn signals Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Two-way radio sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Two-way radio systems mobile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Type plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
U
Underbody protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
V
Vanity mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Vehicle electrics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Vehicle identification data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Vehicle tool kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
W
Warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Warning symbols on the instrument cluster . . 28
Warning triangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
WashingWash systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
with high-pressure cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 191