2004 SKODA OCTAVIA TOUR warning

124DRIVING TIPSWarning
Your style of driving should always
be matched to the condition of the
road and the traffic situation. The
enhanced safety offered by the four-
wheel drive and ABS systems must
not tempt you to take any risks re-
garding your safety!
The braking power of the car is lim-
ited by the adhesion of the tyres and
is no different than that of a car with
front-wheel drive.
You should therefore not be tempted
to drive at too high a speed even
though the car still provides good
acceleration on smooth and slippery
road surfaces.It is particularly important to note on
wet road surfaces that the front wheels
may aquaplane at high speeds. In con-
trast to a vehicle fitted only with front-
wheel drive, the start of aquaplaning
is not indicated by the engine sud-
denly revving up. For this reason, do
not drive at too high a speed, but al-
ways match your speed to the road
conditions.
Use of winter tyresFour-wheel drive already offers good vehi-
cle traction in wintry road conditions with
the standard tyres. It is nevertheless rec-
ommended to fit winter or all-weather tyres
to all four wheels in order to improve trac-
tion and braking. For further information -
refer to page 157.Use of snow chainsSnow chains must also be fitted to a vehi-
cle with four-wheel drive if the use of snow
chains is mandatory. Snow chains must
only be fitted to the front wheels. For fur-
ther information regarding snow chains -
refer to page 157. The car is intended mainly for the transpor-
tation of persons and luggage, but it can
also be used to tow a trailer if the appropri-
ate technical equipment is fitted.
Detachable ball head*

Refer to the enclosed instructions for
attaching and detaching the ball head.
For further information - refer to p. 157.Towing a trailer

126DRIVING TIPSDriving instructions
To obtain the best possible handling of ve-
hicle and trailer, please note the following
points:

Try to avoid driving with an unladen ve-
hicle and a loaded trailer. If this cannot be
avoided, only drive slowly to allow for the
unfavourable weight distribution.

As the driving stability of vehicle and trai-
ler decreases when the speed increases,
do not drive at the maximum permissible
top speed in unfavourable road, weather or
wind conditions - particularly when going
downhill.
You should in any case immediately reduce
your speed as soon as you detect even the
slightest swaying of the trailer. On no ac-
count attempt to eliminate the swaying by
accelerating!

For safety reasons, you should not drive
faster than 80 km/h (50 mph). This also
applies in countries where higher speeds
are permitted.

Apply the brakes in good time! If the
trailer is fitted with an overrun brake, apply
the brakes gently at first, then increase the
pressure. This avoids any braking shocks
caused by the wheels of the trailer block-
ing. Shift down gears in good time before
driving downhill so that the engine can act
as a brake.

If it is necessary to drive a long uphill
section in a low gear with a very high en-
gine speed and at unusually high ambient
temperatures, keep a check on the cool-
ant gauge. If the needle of the gauge moves
into the upper range of the scale, reduce
the speed of your car immediately. If the
temperature and brake fluid level warning
light flash, however, stop and allow engine
to cool down by letting it idle for a few min-
utes. Pay attention to the further informa-
tion on p. 46.

The coolant temperature can be reduced
by switching on the heater.

The cooling effect of the radiator fan
cannot be increased by changing down,
because the speed of the fan is not depend-
ent on the engine speed. You should there-
fore not change down even when towing a
trailer as long as the engine can cope with-
out the vehicle speed dropping too much.
General notes

It is advisable to have the vehicle ser-
viced between the inspection intervals
if it is used frequently for towing a trailer.

The trailer and drawbar load figures on
the data plate of the towing bracket are for
test certification only. The correct figures for
the vehicle, which may be lower than the
above figures, are given in the vehicle do-
cuments.

127
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Filling the tankThe fuel filler neck is inserted into the rear
right body panel.
The fuel tank holds about 55 litres
(4x4* - 63 litres).
Notes
The fuel filler flap can be opened from the
driver’s seat* - see page 65.
On this version the fuel cap cannot be
locked separately.
A sticker with data is affixed to the fuel filler
flap - see page 181.When refuelling, the filler cap can be in-
serted at the flap.
After refuelling, fit on the filler cap tight until
it is heard to click. After this, close the filler
flap.
If your car is not fitted with a remote re-
lease for the fuel filler flap at the driv-
er’s seat*, the following instructions
apply:
Use the car key to unlock the filler cap of
the fuel filler neck by turning it to the left
and unscrew it.
When refuelling, the filler cap can be in-
serted at the flap.
After refuelling, screw the filler cap tight until
it is heard to click. Lock the filler cap by
turning the key of the car to the right, with-
draw the key and close the fuel filler flap.
As soon as the petrol pump at the
filling station switches off automati-
cally for the first time after being prop- erly used, the fuel tank is „full“. Do notfill in any more petrol otherwise the ex-pansion chamber in the tank will be filled
and fuel might flow out when it warms up.
Note
Never run the fuel tank completely empty
on models fitted with a catalytic con-
verter. The irregular fuel supply may re-
sult in misfiring and uncombusted fuel
may get into the exhaust system. This
can cause overheating and damage to
the catalytic converter.
Warning
Observe any statutory regulations
when carrying a reserve canister of
fuel. For safety reasons, it is recom-
mended that you do not carry a re-
serve canister in the car. In the event
of an accident, the canister could be
damaged and fuel spillage could oc-
cur.

129
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Care of carRegular, professional care is a way of re-
taining the value of your car.
In addition, it may also be one of the re-
quirements for a warranty claim in the event
of possible corrosion damage and paint
defects on the body.
The care products required are available
as Original Accessories from Škoda. Al-
ways follow the instructions for use stated
on the packaging.Warning

If misused, car care products can
be harmful to health.

Car care products should always
be stored in a safe place where they
are out of the reach of children.
When buying car care products, al-
ways select products which have
been designed to minimize pollution of the environment. Do not dispose of carcare products in domestic refuse.
Fuel filter preheater
The car is equipped with a fuel filter pre-
heater. This ensures proper operation of the
fuel system down to about -25 °C when
using winter-grade diesel fuel which is re-
sistant to temperatures down to -15 °C.
Should the engine no longer start at tempe-
ratures below -25 °C, it is sufficient to park
the car for a certain time in a heated area.
Fuel additives (flow improvers) and simi-
lar products must not be added to the
diesel fuel.
Use only fuel, which complies with offi-
cial standards. Even refueling only once
with fuel which does not comply with of-
ficial standards can lead to damage in
the fuel system.
Biodiesel (PME1 fuel) conforming to
DIN EN 14 214
1)
Cetane number at least 49
Vehicles with diesel engines can also be
operated with biodiesel. The term biodiesel
specifies methyl ester from rape oil, which
must comply with the requirements of the
standard DIN EN 14 214
1).
Warning
Filling the tank even only once with
biodiesel, which deviates from the
standard DIN EN 14 2141), can lead to
damage in the fuel system. Particular features of PME fuel
Biodiesel is manufactured from vegetable
oil using a chemical process.
Biodiesel is sulphur-free which is why no
sulphur dioxide (SO
2) is released when it
is combusted.
The exhaust gas contains less
- carbon monoxide (CO)
- hydrocarbons (HC)
- particulates (e.g. soot)
than when the engine is operated with a
conventional diesel fuel.
If biodiesel is used, the vehicle performance
may be slightly lower and, on the other hand,
fuel consumption may be slightly higher.
Biodiesel is biologically degradable.
PME fuel according to DIN EN 14 214
1) can
be mixed in any desired ratio with diesel
fuel conforming to DIN EN 590.
Driving in winter
PME fuel is suitable for use in winter only
down to -10 °C.
Fuel additives (flow improvers) and simi-
lar products must not be added to the
biodiesel fuel.
1)Not valid for vehicles with EU4, see Technical
Data

130GENERAL MAINTENANCEWashing the carThe best protection for your car against
harmful environmental influences is fre-
quent washing and polishing.
How often your car requires to be treated
depends among other factors on how fre-
quently you use the car, where you park it
(garage, in the open, below trees etc.), the
time of year, the weather conditions and
other environmental influences.
The longer bird droppings, insect residues,
tree resin, road and industrial dust, tar
stains, soot particles, road salt and other
aggressive deposits remain on the paint-
work of your car, the more extreme will be
their destructive effect. High temperatures
caused by strong sun’s rays, intensify the
caustic effect. It may therefore be neces-
sary to wash the car once a week, but once
a month may also be sufficient with appro-
priate waxing.
It is essential to also thoroughly wash the
underside of the car after the end of the
winter period.Automatic car washes
The paintwork of your car is sufficiently re-
sistant to enable the car to be washed nor-
mally in automatic car washing plants with-
out any problems. The effect on the paint-
work, though, also depends greatly on the
design of the car wash, the filtering of the
washing water, the type of wash and care
products used etc. If the paintwork appears
mat after a car wash or even has scratches,
you should contact the operator of the plant.
If necessary, change the car wash you use.
Notes


Before washing your car in an automatic
car wash, there are no special precautions
necessary other than the usual measures
(closing windows and sliding roof, folding
down roof aerial etc.).
Warning
Do not tighten roof aerial in the lower
position

It is best to contact the operator of the
car wash if your car has any particular spe-
cial fittings - e.g. spoiler, roof rack, mobile
phone aerial etc.


After washing your car in an automatic car
wash with wax preservative, wipe the lips of
the windscreen wiper blades clean and also
clean the windscreen (also the rear window
on models fitted with rear window wiper).
Washing your car by hand
As a protection for the environment,
your car should only be washed at
washbays provided for this purpose.
Local regulations may in fact forbidwashing cars in certain areas outside ofsuch facilities.
First of all soften the dirt with plenty of wa-
ter and rinse off as well as possible.
Then, clean the car with a soft sponge,
washing glove or brush starting on the roof
and working down, applying only slight
pressure. Use a car wash shampoo only
for particularly stubborn dirt.
Thoroughly wash out the sponge or glove
at short intervals.
Clean wheels and door sills etc. last. Use
a second sponge if possible for such ar-
eas.
After washing the car, rinse it thoroughly
with water and finally chamois dry.

131
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Notes

The car should not be standing in bright
sunshine when it is washed.

If a hose is used to spray down the car,
do not aim the jet of water directly at the
door locks and body panel gaps - otherwise
they may freeze up in winter.Washing the car with high-pressure
cleaners
It is essential to follow the instructions
for using high-pressure cleaners - particu-
larly as regards the pressure and spraying
distance.

Do not use round spray nozzles or so-
called „dirt shifters“!

The temperature of the water should not
be more than 60 °C.
WarningTyres must never be cleaned with
round jet nozzles. Damage may occur
even if only sprayed for a short time
or from a relatively large distance.WaxingGood wax treatment protects the paintwork
of your car from the environmental influ-
ences listed on the previous page under
„Washing the car“ and also from slight me-
chanical damage. The vehicle must be treated with a high-
quality hard wax polish at the latest, when
no more drops form on the clean paintwork.
Do not apply a new film of wax protection
until the body surface is dry. Even if a wax
preserver is used regularly, it is recom-
mended to protect the paintwork at least
twice a year with hard wax.
Warning
Never treat the windscreen or win-
dows with wax.
PolishingPolishing is only necessary if the paintwork
has become unattractive and it is no longer
possible to achieve a gloss with a wax pre-
server. If the polish used does not contain
any preserving elements, the paintwork
should then be treated with wax preserver.
Note
Mat painted parts and plastic parts must
not be treated with polish or hard wax.
We recommend using the products from
the Škoda range.
Do not polish the paintwork of the vehicle
in a dusty environment, otherwise the
paintwork can be scratched.
Paint damageMinor paint damage such as scratches,
rubs or stone chips, should be treated im-
mediately with paint (Škoda touch-up pen
or spray can) before rust can form.
This repair work can also of course be car-
ried out by a Škoda Dealer. The colour
code is stated on the car data sticker, see
page 181.WindowsUse only a plastic scraper to remove snow
and ice from windows and mirrors. The
scraper should not be moved back and for-
ward, but only pushed in one direction in
order to avoid scratches caused by dirt.
Residues of rubber, oil, grease, wax or sili-
cone sealant can be removed with a wind-
screen cleaner or special silicone remover.
The windows should also be cleaned at
regular intervals from the inside.
Do not use the same chamois leather for
drying the windows and for the paintwork
because residues of wax preservers will
cause smears on the surface of the win-
dows.
Never remove snow or ice from the win-
dows with warm or hot water - risk of
formation of cracks in the glass!

132GENERAL MAINTENANCEDo not affix any stickers from the inside
over the heating circuit to avoid damaging
the heating circuit of the rear window
heater .
Models fitted with all-wheel drive:
The adhesive sticker for identifying 4x4 mo-
dels on the rear window must only be re-
moved by a Škoda Dealer using a special
technology otherwise the rear window
heater might be damaged.Door, window , bonnet/tailgate sealsThe rubber seals remain supple and last
longer if they are treated from time to time
with a light film of a rubber care product.
They also will not then freeze up in winter!Plastic parts and synthetic leatherExterior plastic parts are cleaned by wash-
ing in a normal way and interior parts by
using a damp cloth. Should this not be ad-
equate, plastic parts and synthetic leather
must only be treated with special solvent-
free plastic cleaning and care products.
We recommend using a cleaning product
from Škoda original accessories offered by
your Škoda dealer.
Note
Solvent-free cleaners attack the material
and can damage it.
Upholstery cloth and cloth trimUpholstery cloth and cloth trim on the doors,
rear shelf, luggage compartment cover, head-
lining etc. are treated with special cleaning
products or with dry foam and a soft brush.Cleaning seat beltsKeep belts clean! If the belt webbing is
very dirty, this may prevent the inertia reel
belt from retracting properly.
Wash dirty belt webbing only with a mild
soap solution without taking the seat belts
out of the car.
Note
Dry inertia reel belts completely before re-
tracting.
Warning
Do not have the belts dry-cleaned be-
cause dry-cleaning products damage
the webbing material. Ensure that the
belts do not come into contact with
corrosive fluids.
Chrome partsFirst clean the chrome parts with a damp
cloth and then polish them with a soft, dry
cloth.
If it does not prove to be adequate, use a
chrome care product from Škoda original
accessories.
NoteDo not polish the chrome parts in a dusty en-
vironment, otherwise they can be scratched.Natural leatherLeather should be treated from time to time
in accordance with the instructions below,
depending on the amount of use. It is im-
portant to ensure that the leather must
not be treated on any account with sol-
vents, floor wax, shoe cream, stain re-
mover or similar products.
For normal cleaning of leather-trim steer-
ing wheels, leather seat covers etc., slightly
moisten a cotton or woollen cloth with wa-
ter and clean the soiled surfaces of the
leather. Severe soiling can be cleaned with
a mild soap solution (2 soup-spoonfuls of
neutral soap to 1 litre of water). It is very
important to ensure that the leather is not
moistened through at any point and that
no water is able to trickle through the stitch-
ing. Wipe the leather dry finally with a soft,
dry cloth.

133
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
WheelsSteel wheels
The wheels and the wheel covers should
also be thoroughly washed during the regu-
lar washing of the car. This prevents brake
abrasion, dirt and road salt forming depos-
its. Stubborn brake abrasion which adheres
to the wheels can be removed with an in-
dustrial dust remover. Damage to the
paintwork should be touched up before any
rust can form.
Light alloy wheels*
Regular care is required in order to retain
the decorative appearance of light alloy
wheels over a long period. It is particularly
necessary to thoroughly wash off road salt
and brake abrasion at least every two
weeks otherwise the light alloy finish will
suffer damage. After washing the wheels,
treat them with an acid-free cleaning prod-
uct for light alloy wheels. It is also neces-
sary to thoroughly rub hard wax into the
wheels about every three months. Do not
use paint polish or other abrasive products.
Damage to the paintwork of light-alloy
wheels should be touched up straightaway.Note
If the wheels are very dirty, this can re-
sult in imbalance. This causes vibra-
tions which are transmitted to the steer-
ing column and in addition results in pre-
mature wear.
Warning
Please note, when cleaning the wheels,
that moisture can affect the braking ac-
tion.HeadlightsPlease do not use any aggressive clean-
ing or chemical solvent products - risk of
damage to the plastic lenses.
Please use soap and clean warm water.
Do not clean the headlights dry or use any
sharp objects for cleaning the plastic
lenses. Otherwise, this can cause damage
to the protective paintwork and conse-
quently lead to formation of cracks on the
headlight lenses, e.g. through effect of
chemical products.
In addition, it is recommended to treat leat-
her which is subject to normal wear-and-
tear every six months with the leather care
product available from a Škoda Dealer. This
product should be applied very sparingly.
Leave for a short time and then wipe dry
with a soft cloth.
„Alcantara“ upholstery*Do not use any cleaning products for
leather for cleaning „Alcantara“ cloth.
Removing dust and dirt
Use a slightly moistened soft washing cloth
to wipe off the „Alcantara“ upholstery or
treat it with a suitable shampoo.
Removing stains
Moisten a soft cloth with water or diluted
alcohol and dab the stain working from the
edge into the middle.Seat covers for electric seat heater *Please
do not clean the seat covers wet.
The seat heater might otherwise be dam-
aged.
Please use special cleaning products, dry
foam, or similar for cleaning the seat cov-
ers.