141
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Changing engine oilThe engine oil should be changed at the
intervals stated in the Service Schedule or
in the service interval display.Warning
Only carry out the engine oil chan-
ge, if you have the required profes-
sional knowledge!
Read and observe the warning
notes before working in the engine
compartment - see page 137.
Let the engine cool down - risk of
burning from hot oil.
Wear an eye protection - risk of
caustic burns due to oil splashes.
Oil is toxic! Store old oil in a safe
place out of the reach of children and
unauthorised persons until you dis-
pose of it properly.
You must not pour any additives
into the engine oil - risk of engine
damage! Damage, which results from
such product, is excluded from the
warranty.
Power steeringInspecting hydraulic fluid level
The reservoir for the hydraulic fluid of the
power steering is located in the right of the
engine compartment.
The hydraulic power steering system is
filled with hydraulic fluid G 002 000.
The hydraulic fluid level is checked when
the engine is at operating temperature and
switched off.
After your skin has come in contact with the
oil, you must thoroughly wash your skin.
On no account dispose of oil in the sewage system or into the ground.
Because of the disposal problem, the special tools and the specialist knowl-edge required, it is best to have the en-gine oil and filter change carried out by
a Škoda Dealer.
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.
145
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
If the fluid level drops significantly within a
short time, however, or if it drops below the
„MIN“ marking, there may be a leak in the
brake system. Insufficient brake fluid level
in the reservoir is indicated by the brake
warning light coming on, see also page 61.
In such a case, contact a Škoda Dealer
without delay and have the brake sys-
tem inspected.
Warning
Read and observe the warning notes
before working in the engine com-
partment - see page 137.
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 fluidBrake fluid is hygroscopic and conse-
quently absorbs moisture from the sur-
rounding air over the course of time. An
excessive content of water in the brake fluid
can also in the long term be a cause of
corrosion in the brake system. In addition,
the boiling point of the brake fluid is con-
siderably reduced. For this reason, the
brake fluid must be renewed every two
years.
Warning
When the brake fluid becomes too
old, vapour bubbles may form in the
brake system when the brakes are
used hard. The efficiency of the
brakes and thus the vehicle safety is
then seriously affected.
Use only fresh brake fluid conforming with
Specification FMVSS 116 DOT 4, which is
approved by the factory. Warning
Brake fluid is poisonous!
It must therefore only be stored in the
closed original container and, in par-
ticular, out of the reach of children.
Please also note that brake fluid attacks the
paintwork of the car.
Because of the disposal problem, the special tools and specialist
knowledge required, it is best to have the brake fluid change carried out by aŠkoda Dealer.
It is recommended to have the brake fluid
change carried out as part of an Inspec-
tion Service.
180DO-IT-YOURSELFAdditional points for the driver of the to-
wed vehicle to note during tow-starting:
Before starting to tow the car, engage
3rd or 4th gear, depress clutch pedal and
hold. The ignition should be switched on.
Once both vehicles are moving, release
the clutch pedal.
As soon as the engine has started, de-
press clutch pedal and take the car out of
gear to avoid running into the towing vehi-
cle.
If your car is fitted with a catalytic con-
verter, the engine must not be started by
towing the car over a distance of more
than 50 m (150 ft) if the catalytic con-
verter is warm otherwise uncombusted
fuel may get into the catalytic converter
and cause damage. Pay attention to the following points if
towing a car fitted with an automatic
gearbox:
Move the shift lever into position „N“.
The maximum towing speed is 50 km/h
(30 mph).
The maximum towing distance is 50 km
(30 miles)!
If the car has to be towed over a greater
distance, the front wheels should be raised
clear of the ground.
The gear oil pump does not operate when
the engine is not running; consequently, the
gearbox is not sufficiently lubricated when
running at high speeds and over lengthy
distances.
If the car is towed by a tow truck, the front
wheels should always be raised clear of the
ground.
If the rear wheels are raised clear of the
ground, the drive shafts will rotate in the
opposite direction. As a result, the gears in
the automatic gearbox will run at such high
speeds that the gearbox could suffer se-
vere damage within a short time.
183
ALPHABETICAL INDEX
Engine oil, 138- Specification, 138
Engine oil, 59, 118, 138
Engine oil, 59, 119, 138
EPC, 57, 60
ESP, 60, 64
Exterior mirror, 16FFault display, 50
Fire extinguisher, 166
First-aid box, 161
Fog lights, 57, 63
Fog lights, 63
Four-wheel drive models, 123
Fresh air, 78
Friendly way, 118
Front airbag, 103
Front passenger airbag switch, 107
Fuel consumption, 119
Fuel reserve, 49, 58
Fuel, 49, 58, 65, 119, 128
Fuses, 167HHandbrake, 36
Hands-free system, 37
Hazard warning light system, 63
Hazard warning light system, 63
Head restraints, 18, 95
- Adjusting head restraints, 18, 95 - Adjusting height, 18, 95
Headlamp beam adjustment, 66
Headlight flasher, 5
Headlight flasher, 67
Headlights - masking over, 158
Heating, 72
Hydraulic oil, 141
CHChild safety locks, 8
Child safety, 111
Child seat, 111
Chrome parts, 132IIdentification data, 181
Ignition lock, 43 - Steering lock, 44
Immobiliser, 7, 61
Indicators, 48
Information display, 53
Instrument lighting, 62
Interior light, 87
Interior lights, 88
Interlock, 101
ISOFIX system, 116
Isofix, 116JJump-starting, 177
KKeys, 6LLashing eyes, 29
Lights, 62 - Warning lights, 56
- Parking lights, 67
- Turn signal lights, 67
- Changing a bulb, 169
Loading area cover, 32
Loading area increased (Estate), 32
Locking the car, 8
Low beam, 62
Low beam, 62
Luggage compartment cover (Estate), 32
Luggage compartment cover, 26
Luggage compartment lights, 89
Luggage compartment, 11, 27MManual shifting of gears, 38
Mobile phone, 37, 159
Mobile phones and two-way radio systems, 159
MSR, 123
Multifunction display (MFD), 50
Multifunction steering wheel, 70
Multifunction switch, 67
184ALPHABETICAL INDEX
NNavigation system, 55
Net partition, 33
Net, 30
Noise, dust and pollen filter, 152
Note holder, 91OOil consumption, 119
On-board instruments, 48PPaint damage, 131
Parking light, 62
Parking light, 67
Parking ticket, 91
Pedals, 35
Pelvic belt, 101
Petrol engines, 45
Plastic and synthetic leather parts, 132
Polishing the car, 131
Power steering, 141
Preglow system (diesel), 43, 45, 57
Prewarming fuel, 129RReading light, 88
Rear-view mirror, 16
Recirculated air mode, 73, 76
Refuelling the car, 65, 127 Remote control, 12
- Replacing the code, 13
Replacement
- Brake fluid, 145
- Parts, 159
- Wheel, 163
- Oil, 141
- Fuses, 167
- Bulbs, 169
Rev counter, 48
Roof luggage rack system, 91
Roof luggage rack system, 91
Running in the car, 117
SSafe securing system, 9
Safety net, 30
Safety, 93
Seat belt tensioners, 102
Seat belt tensioners, 102
Seat belts, 98
Seat belts, 98
Seat heaters, 65
Seat height, 19
Seats, 19, 25, 94
Securing wheels, 166
Service Display, 49
Service interval, extended, 138
Shift pattern, 38
Shifting gears, 38 Side airbag, 109
Signals, acoustic, 46
Snow chains, 157
Socket 12 V, 89
Spare wheel, 162
Spark plugs, 150
Spectacle case, 91
Spectacles, 91
Speedometer, 49
Speedometer, 49
- Counter for distance driven, 49
Spray for tyre repair, 162
Steering wheel, 5, 43, 70
Storage compartments, 10, 87
Sun visors, 86
Support of pelvic belt, 20
Switch, 62
Switching from high beam to low beam, 67
TTaking care of your vehicle, 129
TCS, 60, 65
Technical changes, 160
Temperature display, 52
The first 1500 km, 117
Tool, 161
Top up with oil, 140
Towing a trailer, 124
Towing a vehicle, 178
Towing device, 124