2003 SKODA SUPERB oil temperature

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights29
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Note
•Arrangement of the indicator lights depends on the model and model
version. The symbols shown in the following functional description are to
be found as indicator lights in the instrument cluster.
•Operational faults are shown in the display of the instrument cluster as
red symbols (priority 1 - danger) or yellow symbols (priority 2 - warning).
Turn signal system 
Either the left  or right  indicator light flashes depending on the posi-
tion of the turn signal lever.
The indicator light flashes at twice its normal rate if a turn signal light fails.
This does not apply when towing a trailer.
Switching off the hazard warning light system is switched on will cause all
of the turn signal lights as well as both indicator lights to flash.
Further information about the turn signal system ⇒page 59.
Main beam 
The indicator light  comes on when the main beam is selected or also
when the headlight flasher is operated.
EPC fault light (petrol engine)⇒ page 31
Glow plug system (diesel engine)⇒page 31
Coolant temperature/coolant level⇒page 31
Brake pad wear⇒page 32
Bonnet⇒page 32
Fuel reserve⇒page 32
Engine oil⇒page 32
Open door⇒page 33
Fluid level in windshield washer system⇒page 33
Bulbs⇒page 33
EPC fault light⇒page 34
Electronic stability programme (ESP)*⇒page 34
Traction control system (TCS)*⇒page 34
Antilock brake system (ABS)⇒page 34
Electronic immobiliser⇒page 35
Brake system⇒page 35
Dynamo⇒page 36
Seat belt warning light⇒page 36

Starting-off and Driving
116
•The clutch pedal should be fully depressed when starting the engine
which means that the starter only has to crank the engine.
•Let go of the key as soon as the engine starts otherwise there may be
damage to the starter.
The engine running noises may louder at first be louder for a short time
after starting the cold engine until oil pressure can be built up in the
hydraulic valve clearance compensation. This is quite normal and is not
an operating problem.
If the engine does not start ...
You can use the battery of another vehicle as a jump-start aid
⇒ page 236.
It is only possible to tow-start vehicles fitted with a manual gearbox. The
tow-starting distance must not be more than 50 metres ⇒page 238.
Caution
•Avoid high engine revolutions, full throttle and high engine loads as
long as the engine has not yet reached its normal operating temperature
- risk of damaging the engine!
•Do not allow the engine to idle for long periods. If vehicle is stationary,
there is not sufficient air flowing through the cooler. In certain specific situ-
ations it can happen that the engine overheats - risk of engine damage!
•Vehicles which are fitted with an exhaust gas catalytic converter
should not be tow-started over a distance of more than 50 metres.
For the sake of the environment
Never warm up the engine when the vehicle is standing. Drive off right
away. This enables you to avoid unnecessary pollutant emissions.
Petrol engine
These engines are fitted with a starter system which selects the correct
fuel/air mixture for every external air temperature.
•Do not operate accelerator before and when starting engine.
•Interrupt the attempt at starting after 10 seconds if the engine does not
start right awayand wait for about 30 seconds before repeating the
attempt.
•It is possible that the fuse on the electrical fuel pump is defect if the
engine still does not start ⇒page 241.
•Contact the nearest Škoda dealer to obtain professional assistance.
It may be necessary, if the engine is very hot, to slightly depress the
accelerator after the engine has started.
Diesel engine
Glow plug system
Diesel engines are equipped with a glow plug system, the preglow period
being controlled automatically in line with the coolant temperature and
outside temperature.
The preglow indicator light
 comes on after the ignition has been
switched on.
WARNING
There is the danger of poisoning if the engine is left running in an
enclosed space!

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!

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.

Fuel199
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
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.

Index
252
Child seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Attaching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Child seat protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Classification into groups . . . . . . . . . . . 161
on the front passenger seat . . . . . . . . . 158
Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Use of child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Cigarette lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Climatronic Air outlet vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Blower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Defrosting windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
economic use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Keeping windows demisted . . . . . . . . . . 109
Operational problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Recirculated air mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Setting temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Climatronic (automatic air conditioning) . . . 107
Clothes hooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Cockpit An overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Coming Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Convenience operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Converting/masking over headlights . . . . . . 178
Cool box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31, 208 replenishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Coolant temperature gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Coolant temperature/coolant level
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Counter for distance driven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Cruise control system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
D
Deactivating an airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Defrosting windows The air conditioning system . . . . . . . . . . 104
De-icing windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Detachable towing device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Digital clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Direction indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Doors Child safety locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Drinks can holder at the front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
at the rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Driving economically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Dynamo Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
E
EDLSee Electronic Differential Lock . . . . . . . . 34 Electric sliding/tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Electronic Differential Lock
Operating principle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Electronic stability programme Operating principle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Electronic stability programme (ESP) Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Emergency key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Emergency operation Fuel filler flap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Engine compartment Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Engine electronics EPC warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
replenishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Engine revolutions counter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Environmental compatibility . . . . . . . . . 179, 183
Exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
F
First-aid box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Fog lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30, 31
For the first 1 500 kilometres . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Front armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

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