2004 SKODA OCTAVIA TOUR cooling

83
CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
Air ventsHeated or unheated fresh air flows out of
all the vents after the appropriate push-
buttons are pressed.
The vents are controlled with pushbuttons
1, 13 and 14.
The vents 3 and 4 can also be closed and
opened individually with the vertical thumb-
wheel:
Vent closed - vertical thumbwheel of air
outlet vent in position A and C
Vent open fully - vertical thumbwheel of air
outlet vent in position B.It is also possible to alter the direction of the
air flow with the horizontal and vertical
thumbwheels of the air outlet vents 3 and 4.
The vertical air flow is regulated by the po-
sition of the side knurled wheel.
The horizontal air flow is regulated by the
knurled wheel below the air vent grille.
The rear footwell vents are controlled to-
gether with vents 5. Warning


Clear visibility is an essential ele-
ment of road safety. It is only assured
if all the windows of the car are free
of ice, snow and misting.
For this reason, please familiarize
yourself with the correct operation of
the heating and ventilation system,
dehumidifying and defrosting the
windows as well as with the cooling
mode.

Maximum heating capacity and
rapid demisting of the windows can
only be achieved once the engine has
reached its normal operating tem-
perature.

84CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENTGeneral notes
It is important to ensure that the sensor
between the defroster vents for the wind-
shield in the middle of the instrument panel
and the air grille (item 18 - refer to page
79) is not covered over.

The air inlet in front of the windshield
must be free of ice, snow and leaves to
enable the Climatronic to operate properly.

The heating efficiency depends on the
temperature of the coolant - full heating ca-
pacity is therefore only available once the
engine has reached its normal operating
temperature.

If the AUTO mode has not been switched
on for a lengthy period, odours may be
caused as a result of environmentally-re-
lated deposits on the evaporator.
In order to avoid such odour problems, the
cooling system should be switched on at
least once a month at the highest blower
speed - also during the cool season of the
year. At the same time, open a window for
a short time.

At high outside temperatures and high
air humidity condensation may drip from the
evaporator and form a puddle of water be-
low the vehicle. This is quite normal and
not an indication of a leak.

The blower should always be switched
on at a low setting when driving at low
speeds in order to prevent the windows
misting up. Select the ECON or AUTO
mode in this case.

If the air conditioning system has not
been switched on for a lengthy period,
odours may be produced at the evaporator
because of deposits. Switch on the air con-
ditioning system at least once a month, also
during the cold season of the year, to the
maximum blower speed in order to remove
such odours. At the same time open a win-
dow.
Economic use of the Climatronic
systemIn the cooling mode the compressor of the
Climatronic system draws power from the
engine and thus influences the fuel con-
sumption. Pay attention to the following
points in order to minimize the operating
time of the system.

If the interior of the vehicle has been
warmed up considerably by the sun’s rays
when the car is parked, it is recommended
to briefly open the windows or doors to al-
low the warm air to escape.

The Climatronic should not be switched
on when driving if the windows or the slid-
ing roof* are open.

Select the ECON mode if it is possible
to also achieve the desired interior tem-
perature without operating the cooling sys-
tem.

85
CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
Operating problems
If all the symbols in the Climatronic dis-
play panel flash for about 15 seconds when
the system is switched on, there is a fault
in the system. Contact a Škoda dealer.

If the cooling system does not operate
at any time, either:
- the outside temperature may be lower than +5 °C,
- the compressor of the Climatronic may have been temporarily switched off be-
cause the engine coolant temperature
is too high,
- the fuse may be faulty.
Check the fuse and replace if necessary -
refer to page 168 (item 16) of the Owner’s
Manual. If the problem is not the result of a
faulty fuse, switch off the Climatronic sys-
tem and have it tested.

If there is a drop in the cooling capacity,
switch off the Climatronic system and have
it tested.
Electric sliding/tilting roof*The sliding/tilting roof is opened and closed
by operating a rotary switch when the igni-
tion is switched on.
After switching off the ignition, it is still pos-
sible to open or close the sliding/tilting roof
for a further 10 minutes or so, provided a
front door has not been opened.
Any desired intermediate position can be
selected within the range between D to C
(see the dots on the switch and in the illus-
tration).
A - Closing roof
The closing mechanism is equipped with a
power limiter . If a resistance is felt when
closing the roof, the closing operation is
interrupted and the roof is opened again. The roof can also be fully closed by
over-
riding the power limiter . With the switch
in position A, press at the front or rear on
the edge of the handle until the roof is
closed.
B - Sliding open fully
(spring-tensioned position)
C - Optimal position
Only minimal wind noises occur in this po-
sition.
D - Tilting roof
Note

When the roof is opened, the sliding
panel which acts as a screen against in-
tensive sun’s rays, is automatically also
opened. It can be pushed closed by hand
when the roof is closed.

If the roof is tilted open in winter, it is
necessary to remove any ice crust (other-
wise there is a risk of damage to the ope-
rating mechanism).

If the battery is re-connected, it is possi-
ble that the tilting/sliding roof does not clo-
se fully.
In this case, you must press the rotary
switch into position A for about 10 seconds.

125
DRIVING TIPS
Technical requirements

If the car is supplied with a factory-fitted
towing bracket, all that is technically and
legally necessary for towing a trailer has
already been taken into account.

If the trailer to be towed has a 7-pin con-
nector, you can obtain an adapter cable
from Škoda Dealers.

Škoda Dealers are acquainted with the
details of retrofitting a towing bracket and
modifying the cooling system. You should
therefore have a towing bracket fitted by a
Škoda Dealer. Operating instructions


The permissible trailer weights must on
no account be exceeded.

The trailer weights stated are only ap-
plicable for altitudes up to 1000 m above
mean sea level (MSL). As the engine out-
put and thus the climbing ability drops due
to the decreasing air density, the weight of
vehicle and trailer must also be reduced by
10 % for each further 1000 m or part the-
reof.
Take this fact into account when driving at
high altitudes.

You should make full use of the maxi-
mum permissible drawbar weight indicated
on the ball head of the towing bracket, but
do not exceed it.

The load carried in the trailer should be
distributed so that any heavy objects are
placed as close as possible to the axle,
taking into account the permissible trailer
weight and drawbar load. The objects
should also be secured to prevent them
slipping.

Select the tyre pressure of the car for full
loads and also check the pressure of the
trailer tyres.

The headlight beam control of the car
should be set to match the particular load
conditions.

The handbrake of the car should be ap-
plied when hitching up and unhitching the
trailer.
Inspect the ball head to ensure that
it is properly locked each time before
setting off.
The inspection is performed by turn-
ing the closed locking lever down-
wards.
If the locking lever can only be turned
approx. 5°, the locking mechanism is
OK.
After the inspection pull the locking
lever back again to its stop.
The towing device must not be used,
if it does not wish to close or the
locking lever turns slightly in the clo-
sed position.

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.

137
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Warning
Particular care is required when per-
forming work in the engine compart-
ment!

Never open the bonnet if you see
that steam or coolant is escaping
from the engine compartment - risk
of scalding!
You must wait long enough, until the
steam or coolant has stopped escap-
ing.

Switch off engine and withdraw ig-
nition key.

Apply handbrake properly.

Move gearshift into Neutral (on
models with automatic gearbox mo-
ve selector lever into position „P“).

Allow engine to cool down.

If the engine is still warm:
- do not place your hand into the ra- diator fan, it might start suddenly.
- do not open filler cap of coolant reservoir as cooling system is
pressurized - risk of scalding.

Avoid short circuits in the electri-
cal system - particularly at the bat-
tery!

If you wish to work under the ve-
hicle, you must secure the vehicle
from rolling away and support it with
suitable supporting blocks: the car
jack is not sufficient for this - risk of
injury!

If it is necessary to carry out test
work when engine is running, there
is an additional risk from rotating
parts - e.g. ribbed belt, alternator,
radiator fan etc. - and from the high-
voltage ignition system.

Never touch the electrical cables
of the ignition system.

Absolutely avoid any jewellery,
loose items of clothing or long hair
from getting into the rotating parts of
the engine - Hazard! Therefore re-
move any jewellery beforehand, tie
up your hair and wear tight fitting
clothing.
It is essential to comply with all the
warning information given in this
manual and with the general rules of
safety when carrying out work on the
engine.
When topping up fluids, ensure that no mix-
ups occur otherwise this may cause severe
operating problems!
The floor below the car should be
inspected regularly in order to de-
tect leaks in good time. If patches of oil or other fluids are visible, the car shouldbe taken to a Škoda Dealer for an inspec-
tion.

142GENERAL MAINTENANCECooling system
In normal operating conditions the cooling
system requires practically no mainte-
nance. The coolant consists of water and
a 40 % concentration of coolant additive.
This mixture not only offers the necessary
antifreeze protection down to -25 °C, but
also protects the cooling and heating sys-
tem from corrosion. In addition, it prevents
the formation of scale and increases the
boiling point of the coolant.
For this reason, the concentration of cool-
ant should also not be reduced during the
summer or in warm countries by topping up
with water. The coolant additive concen-
tration should be at least 40 %.
If greater antifreeze protection is required
for climatic reasons, the concentration of
coolant additive can be increased, but only
up to 60 % (antifreeze protection down to
about -40 °C). A higher concentration re-
duces the antifreeze protection and the
cooling efficiency is also impaired.
Cars for export countries with a cold climate
(e.g. Sweden, Norway, Finland) are factory-
filled for antifreeze protection down to about
-35 °C.
CoolantThe cooling system is factory-filled with the
coolant TL 774-F (G12 PLUS), lilac in col-
our.
We recommend using the same fluid for
topping up the system - G 12 PLUS (lilac
in colour).
In the event that it is necessary to top up
the system with a different coolant or if there
are any unclear aspects, please contact
your Škoda Dealer.
The correct coolant is available from your
Škoda Dealer.
Other coolant additives may consider-
ably impair the corrosion protection pro-
vided.
Any corrosion damage arising from the
use of another additive may result in a
loss of coolant and consequently in
major engine damage.
The fluid level should always be between
the „MAX“ and „MIN“ markings. If the level
has dropped below the „MIN“ marking, the
power steering should be inspected by a
Škoda Dealer. It is not sufficient simply to
top up the hydraulic fluid.
Note
When the engine is not running (e.g. when
the car is being towed or the ribbed belt is
broken) the power steering does not oper-
ate. The car can still be fully steered how-
ever, although greater physical effort is re-
quired for steering.

143
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Loss of coolantA loss of coolant is first and foremost an
indication of a leak. In this case, the cool-
ing system should be inspected by a Škoda
Dealer. It is not sufficient merely to top up
the coolant.
If there is no leak in the system, losses may
also occur if the coolant boils as a result of
overheating and is forced out of the cool-
ing system.
If it is not possible to find and rectify the
cause of overheating, contact a Škoda
Dealer as soon as possible - otherwise
major engine damage may result.Topping up coolantFirst of all, switch off the engine and allow
it to cool down. Then, place a rag around
the cap of the expansion reservoir and
carefully unscrew the cap.Warning
Do not open the cap of the expansion
reservoir when the engine is hot -
risk of scalding. The cooling system
is pressurized!
Checking coolant levelThe coolant reservoir is located in the right
of the engine compartment.
The coolant level can be correctly checked
only when the engine is not running.
When the engine is cold, the coolant in the
expansion reservoir must be in the area of
the „ MIN“ mark and the crosshatched area.
When the engine is warm, the coolant level
may be slightly above the crosshatched
area. If, in exceptional cases, it is only possible
to top up the system with water, the correct
mixture concentration should be restored
without delay by using the specified cool-
ant additive.
If there is a major loss of coolant, do not
pour in coolant until the engine has cooled
down to avoid any engine damage.
Do not top up beyond the crosshatched
area!
Excess coolant is forced out of the cooling
system by the pressure relief valve in the
cap of the expansion reservoir when the
coolant heats up.
Screw the reservoir cap tight!
If the event that you do not have enough
coolant,
do not drive any further. Switch
off the engine and contact a Škoda Dealer
for professional assistance, otherwise there
is a risk of serious engine damage.