Inspecting and Replenishing189
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Cooling system
Coolant
The job of the coolant is to cool the engine.
The cooling system does not require any maintenance under normal oper-
ating conditions. The coolant consists of water with a concentration of
coolant additive of 40 %. This mixture not only provides antifreeze protec-
tion down to - 25 °C but also protects the cooling and heating system from
corrosion. It also prevents the formation of scale and significantly
increases the boiling point of the coolant.
You must therefore not reduce the concentration of antifreeze agent in the
coolant by adding water, also not during the summer months or in coun-
tries with a warm climate. The concentration of coolant additive in the
coolant must be at least 40%.
You can increase the amount of antifreeze in the coolant iIf a higher
concentration of antifreeze is necessary for climatic reasons but only up
to 60% (antifreeze protection down to approx. -40°C). The antifreeze
protection tails off above that concentration.
Vehicles exported to countries with a cold climate (e.g. Sweden, Norway,
Finland) are already factory-filled with a coolant which offers antifreeze
protection down to about -35°C. In these countries the concentration of
coolant additive should be at least 50 %.
Coolant
The cooling system is filled at the works with coolant (purple in colour),
which complies with the specification TL-VW 774 F.
We recommend that you use the antifreeze agent - G12 PLUS (purple in
colour).
Please contact your Škoda dealer if you have any questions regarding the
coolant or if you wish to fill up with a different coolant. Your Škoda dealer can also supply you with the correct coolant additives.
Caution
•Other coolant additives may cause operational problems which,
in particular, involves significantly reducing the anticorrosion effect.
•Any faults or problems resulting from corrosion may cause a loss
of coolant and, as a consequence of this, result in major engine
damage.
Inspecting the coolant level
The coolant expansion bottle is located in the engine compart-
ment on the right.
– Switch the engine off.
Fig. 140 Engine
compartment: Coolant
expansion bottle
Inspecting and Replenishing
190
– Open the bonnet ⇒ in “Working in the engine compart-
ment” on page 183.
– Check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion bottle ⇒page 189, fig. 140. 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 31. 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.
WARNING
Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 183, “Working in the
engine compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
Caution
One should contact a Škoda 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 189, fig. 140 and unscrew the cap carefully by
turning it to the left ⇒.
– Top up the coolant.
– Screw the cap tight until it is heard to lock.
The coolant which you use for replenishing the system, must comply with
one specific specification ⇒page 189, “Coolant”. Do not use an alterna-
tive additive if the coolant additive G12 PLUS is not available in excep-
tional cases. Just top up the system with water and as soon as possible
arrange adjustment to correct the mixing ratio of water and coolant addi-
tive 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.
WARNING
•The cooling system is pressurized! Do not open the cap of the
coolant expansion bottle if the engi ne is still hot - risk of scalding!
Inspecting and Replenishing
192
The brake fluid reservoir is located on the left of the engine
compartment. The brake fluid reservoir on right-hand steering
models is positioned on the other side of the engine compart-
ment.
– Switch the engine off.
– Open the bonnet ⇒ in “Working in the engine compart-
ment” on page 183.
– Inspect the brake fluid level in the reservoir ⇒page 191,
fig. 141. The level must be between the “MIN” and “MAX”
markings.
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.
WARNING
•Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 183 before
working in the engine compartment.
•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.
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 Škoda 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.
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.
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.
Breakdown assistance213
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
– If a trailer is coupled, uncouple it.
– Take the vehicle tool kit and the spare wheel ⇒ page 210
out of the luggage compartment.
WARNING
•If you find yourself in flowing traffic switch on the hazard
warning lights system and place the warning triangle on the side of
the road at the prescribed distance from your vehicle while
observing all national legal provisions. In this way you are
protecting not only yourself but also other road users.
•Never start the engine with the vehicle sitting on the raised jack
- danger of suffering injury!
Caution
If you have to change a wheel on a slope first block the opposite wheel
with a stone or similar object in order to secure the vehicle from unexpect-
edly rolling away.
Note
Comply with the national legal regulations.
Changing a wheel
Always change a wheel on a level surface as far as possible.
– Take off the full wheel trim* ⇒page 214 or the caps
⇒ page 215. – In the case of light alloy wheels remove the wheel trim cap
⇒page 215.
– Slacken the wheel bolts ⇒page 216.
– Jack up the vehicle until the wheel to be changed is clear of the ground ⇒page 216.
– Unscrew the wheel bolts and place them on a clean surface (cloth, paper etc.).
– Take off the wheel.
– Fit on the spare wheel and tighten the wheel bolts slightly.
– Lower the car.
– Tighten the wheel bolts firmly, alternately and diagonally using the wheel wrench ⇒page 216.
– Mount the full wheel trim/wheel trim cap or the caps.
Note
•All bolts must be clean and must turn easily.
•You must never grease or oil the wheel bolts!
•When fitting on unidirectional tyres, ensure that the tyres rotate in the
correct direction ⇒page 199.
Subsequent steps
After changing the wheel, you must perform the following steps.
Index
240
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Clothes hooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Cockpit
An overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Convenience operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Converting/masking over headlights . . . . . . 164
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 replenishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Coolant level Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Coolant temperature gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Coolant temperature/coolant level Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Correct seated position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Counter for distance driven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Cruise control system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
D
Deactivating an airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Defrosting rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Defrosting the windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Defrosting windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
De-icing the windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Detachable towing device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 Diesel engines
Starting engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Digital clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Direction indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
distance driven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Door Child safety locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Door open Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Drinks can holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Driving economically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Driving time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Dynamo Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
E
EDL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Electric sliding/tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Electrically adjustable rear mirror . . . . . . . . . 65
Electronic Differential Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) . . . . . . . . 153
Electronic immobiliser Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Electronic stability programme (ESP) . . . . . 151
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Emergency locking of the door . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Engine Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
switch off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Engine compartment Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Engine electronics Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
replenishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Engine revolutions counter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Environmental compatibility . . . . . . . . . 159, 163
ESP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Exhaust gas inspection Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Exhaust gases Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Explanations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
F
First-aid box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Index241
Fog lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29, 30
For the first 1 500 kilometres . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Fuel consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 159 Saving energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Fuel reserve Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Full wheel trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Fuse Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
G
Gearbox Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
mechanical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Glass roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Glow plug system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
H
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Hazard warning light system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Hazard warning lights system . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Head restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Headlight cleaning system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Headlight flasher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Headlights Fog lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Headlight cleaning system . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
heated windscreen washer nozzles . . . . . . . . 61
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Heating of the external mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Heating the front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
I
Ignition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Information display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Inspecting the engine oil level . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Instrument cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Instrument lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Interior light Luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Interior lighting at the front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
at the rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Intermittent wipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Isofix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 ISOFIX system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
J
Jacking points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218, 219
K
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
L
Lashing eyes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Leather care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Lighting of the interior of the vehicle
at the front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Lights Converting/masking over . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Range adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
switching them on and off . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Lights and Visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Liquid in reservoir for windscreen washer system Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39, 40 Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
locking Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Locking and unlocking from inside . . . . . . . . . 43