2004 SKODA FABIA engine coolant

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 Replenishing191
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
•The coolant additive and thus all of the coolant is harmful to
your health. Avoid contact with the coolant. Coolant vapours are
also harmful to the health. It is important, therefore, to always
safely store any coolant additive in its original container out of the
reach of children - risk of poisoning!
•If any splashes of coolant get into your eyes, rinse out your eyes
immediately with clear water and contact a doctor as soon as
possible.
•You should also consult a doctor without delay if you have inad-
vertently swallowed coolant.
Caution
Do not continue your journey if fo r 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.
For the sake of the environment
Do not re-use coolant if it is necessary to drain the coolant in the system.
It should be collected and disposed of in compliance with environmental
protection regulations.
The radiator fan
The radiator fan may switch on suddenly.
The radiator fan is driven by an electric motor and controlled by a thermo-
stat according to the coolant temperature. The radiator fan may continue running for up to 10 minutes after the
engine has been switched off - even if the ignition is also off. It may also
switch on suddenly after a certain time, if
•the coolant temperature has risen because of an accumulation of heat
or
•the warm engine compartment is heated up additionally by strong
sunlight.
WARNING
You must therefore be aware when working in the engine compart-
ment that the fan may switch on suddenly - risk of injury!
Brake fluid
Inspecting the brake fluid level
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 141 Engine
compartment: Brake
fluid reservoir

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