128GENERAL MAINTENANCE
FuelPetrol enginesUnleaded petrol conforming to DIN EN
228 RON 91, 95 and 98
1)
Notes
Use only high-quality fuel.
Unleaded petrol RON 91 (95)
1) can be
used although engine output in this case is
slightly reduced.
Fuels with a higher octane number than
specified can be used without restrictions.
This does not offer any advantages in re-
spect of engine output and fuel con-
sumption, however!
1) This applies to Octavia RS and Octavia Estate
RS
Cars with a catalytic converter must only be driven with unleaded fuel.
Using fuels which contain lead results in a
lead deposit forming in the catalytic con-
verter.
Even refuelling only once with lea-
ded petrol destroys the effect of the
catalytic converter.
Even if the fuel tank is then again filled with
unleaded fuel, the original efficiency of the
catalytic converter is no longer achieved.
The operation, power output and dura-
bility of the engine are affected to a ma-
jor extent by the quality of the fuel. Do
not mix any additives into the fuel. Use
only fuel which complies with official
standards.
Diesel enginesDiesel fuel complying with DIN EN 590.
Cetane number not less than 49.
Driving in winter
Winter-grade diesel fuel
In winter a different grade of diesel fuel is
available at filling stations than during the
summer months. If „summer-grade diesel
fuel“ is used, operational problems may
occur at temperatures below 0 °C because
the diesel becomes too viscous as a result
of paraffin separation. „Winter-grade die-
sel fuel“, in contrast, is still fully operational
down to -20 °C.
In countries with different climatic condi-
tions, it is quite common to find diesel fu-
els which have a different temperature
characteristic. Škoda Dealers, and filling
stations in the particular country, will pro-
vide you with further information regarding
the diesel fuels which are available in that
country.
Biodiesel
We recommend refueling with diesel fuel
at temperatures below -10 °C.
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
140GENERAL MAINTENANCE
The car should be standing horizontally
when checking the oil level. Wait a few min-
utes after switching off the engine to allow
the oil to flow back into the sump.
Then, withdraw the dipstick, wipe it off with
a clean cloth and re-insert it fully.
After this, once again withdraw the dipstick
and read off the oil level:
a- Oil must be topped up.
After topping up, it is sufficient if the oil
level is somewhere in the range b.
b - Oil may be topped up.
After topping up, the oil level may then
be in the range c.
c - Oil must not be topped up.
If the engine is driven particularly hard, as
for example during long trips on motorways
in summer, when towing a trailer or driving
over mountain passes, the oil level should
be kept within the range c if possible - not
above .Topping up engine oilUnscrew the cap 2 of the oil filler opening
in the cylinder head cover and pour in the
quantity of oil needed. Check the oil level
with the dipstick. The oil level must on no account be hig-
her than the range „c“.
Otherwise, oil may
be drawn into the combustion chamber and
passed through the exhaust system to at-
mosphere. This can have a detrimental ef-
fect on combustion and on the operating
life of the catalytic converter.
Warning
When topping up the oil, do not spill
it onto hot engine components - dan-
ger of fire.
Carefully close the cap of the filler opening
and fully insert the dipstick into the inspec-
tion hole. Otherwise, oil might flow out when
the engine is running.
In the event that you do not have enough
fuel, 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.
The illustration shows part of an engine
compartment with the 2.0-ltr./85 kW engine.
For further information regarding the ar-
rangement in the engine compartment - see
page 136.
Checking oil levelIt is normal that the engine consumes a cer-
tain
quantity of oil . The oil consumption
may be as much as 0.5 ltr/1000 km if oper-
ating conditions are disadvantageous (e.g.
when driving in town) - see also page 119.
The engine oil level should therefore be
checked at regular intervals. This is best
done each time you refuel and before a long
journey.
The position of the dipstick 1 is shown in
the illustration.
153
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Wheels
General information New tyres at first do not offer optimal grip
and should therefore be run in for the first
500 km at a moderate speed and an ap-
propriately cautious style of driving. You
will also profit from longer tyre life.
Because of design characteristics and
different types of tread, the tread depth of
new tyres may vary (depending on the type
of tyre and manufacturer).
Inspect the tyres regularly for signs of
damage (foreign bodies, piercing, cuts, splits
and dents, particularly in the area of the tyre
shoulder). Foreign bodies which penetrate
into the tyre may damage it from the inside.
Only an expert can assess damage to a tyre
and determine whether a repair is possible.
If it is not possible to repair a tyre or if this is
unsafe, the tyre must then be replaced. The
damaged tyre may blow out!
If it is necessary to drive up onto a kerb,
do this at a very low speed and at right
angles if possible. Avoid driving up onto
kerbs with pointed edges. Driving quickly
onto kerbs or driving onto a kerb at an ob-
lique angle or driving over obstacles with
pointed edges or points (e.g. stones) can
result in concealed tyre damage which can-
not be detected immediately. This harbours
the risk of an accident in the event of the
tyre puncturing at a high speed.
Damage to tyres and wheels is fre-
quently not visible. Unusual vibrations or
the vehicle pulling to one side, may be an
indication of tyre damage. If you suspect
that a wheel is damaged, immediately
reduce your speed and stop!
Inspect the tyres (dents, splits etc.). If you
cannot find any defect, drive at a slow
speed to the nearest Škoda dealer and
have the vehicle inspected.
Keep oil, grease and fuel away from the
tyres.
Replace any lost valve caps without de-
lay.
If the wheels are taken off, they should
be marked first of all so that they can be
refitted to rotate in the same direction.
If wheels or tyres are taken off, always
store them in a cool, dry and dark place.
Tyres which are not fitted to a rim, should
be stored upright.Tyre lifeThe life of the tyres depends essentially on
the following points:
Inflation pressure
The tyre inflation pressures are indicated
on a sticker on the inside of the fuel filler
flap. Further information is available from
your Škoda Dealer. Tyre pressure is an important factor, particu-
larly when driving at high speeds. The infla-
tion pressure should always be checked at
least once a month and before setting off on
a long journey.
Do not forget to check the air pressure in
the spare wheel when checking the tyre air
pressures.
The spare wheel with a standard tyre
should always be inflated to the maximum
pressure indicated for the car.
Always check the inflation pressure
when the tyres are cold. Do not reduce the
pressure of a warm tyre. Adjust the infla-
tion pressure accordingly if there is any
major change in the load of the car.
If the tyres are not sufficiently or excessively
inflated, this will have a detrimental effect
on tyre life and also on the handling of the
car.
Warning
When driving continuously at a high
speed, a tyre which is not sufficiently
inflated has to perform greater flex-
ing work and thus heats up exces-
sively. This can cause sections of the
tread to detach and even result in a
tyre blow-out.
154GENERAL MAINTENANCE
If the tyres are not adequately in-flated, your fuel consumption will
be higher and you will be unnecessarily polluting the environment.
Driving style
Driving fast through curves, sharp accelera-
tion and sharp braking increase tyre wear.
Balancing wheels
The wheels of a new car are balanced. Va-
rious factors when driving may, however,
produce an imbalance which makes it felt
by steering wobble.
In such a case, the wheels should then be
re-balanced as any imbalance in the
wheels also results in increased wear and
tear to the steering, suspension and tyres.
In addition, a wheel has to be re-balanced
after fitting a new tyre and each time any
repairs are carried out.
Wheel alignment errors
Faulty alignment of the wheels and suspen-
sion not only increases tyre wear, often on
only one side, but also affects the handling
of the car. If any unusual tyre wear exists,
contact a Škoda Dealer.
Wear indicators
The base of the tread of the original tyres
contains 1.6 mm high „wear indicators“ at
right angles to the direction of running - see
illustration. These wear indicators are
spaced evenly around the circumference of
the tyre 6 to 8 times - depending on the
make. Markings on the tyre walls, for ex-
ample the letters „TWI“ or triangle symbols,
indicate the position of the wear indicators. Warning
New tyres during the first 500 km
do not offer optimal grip and should
therefore be run appropriately - risk
of accident!
The tyres should be renewed with-
out delay no later than when they are
worn down to the wear indicators.
Worn tyres are detrimental to
road-holding particularly at high
speeds on wet roads. In addition, the
vehicle tends to aquaplane sooner.
Never drive with damaged tyres -
risk of accident!
Immediately replace the damaged
rims or tyres.
157
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
If wheel trims are subsequently fit-
ted, it is essential to ensure that the
air flow remains adequate for cool-
ing the brakes.
Škoda Dealers are informed of the techni-
cal possibilities for converting and retrofit-
ting tyres, wheels and wheel trims.Winter tyres
1)
Warning
In winter conditions, winter tyres will
significantly improve the handling of
your car.
Only radial-type winter tyres may be fit-
ted.1)Pay attention to any varying legal requirements
when using winter tyres.
Snow chains
2)
It is possible to fit snow chains to all the
tyre sizes listed (with the exception of tyre
sizes 205/60 R15 and 205/55 R16).
5.5J x 16 ET 36 wheels (Genuine Access-
ories) when used in combination with 205/
55 R16 tyres enable snow chains to be fit-
ted to the Octavia RS including other vehi-
cle models Octavia and Octavia Estate.
The chains must only be fitted to the
front wheels.
Use only fine-link chains which do not ex-
ceed more than 15 mm (including chain
lock).
We recommend purchasing the snow chains
as Genuine Accessories from a Škoda Dea-
ler.
The full wheel trim should be removed when
driving with snow chains.
Snow chains should be taken off when driv-
ing on roads free of snow as they other-
wise impair the handling of the car, dam-
age the tyre and are quickly destroyed.2)Please observe any varying legal requirements
in respect of the approved vehicle speed when
driving with snow chains.
To achieve the best possible handling
and grip, fit winter tyres to all four wheels
(same manufacturer, tyre size, tread pat-
tern).
Winter tyres largely lose their good grip
properties in winter if the tyre tread has
worn down to a depth of 4 mm. The follow-
ing speed restrictions apply to winter tyres.
You can fit winter tyres of a lower speed
category provided that you also do not drive
at a speed in excess of the maximum speed
for these tyres even if your car is able to be
driven at a higher actual maximum speed.
The tyres may be damaged if you drive at
a speed beyond the maximum speed rat-
ing of the tyres.
All-weather tyres may be used in winter
in place of winter tyres.
In the event of a puncture, refer to the
information for using the spare wheel on
page 156.
Summer tyres should also be fitted again in good time as an environ-
mental protection measure as the roll-
ing noises are normally less, tyre wearis reduced and fuel consumption is im-proved.
Further information is available from Škoda
Dealers.
168DO-IT-YOURSELFFuse assignment
No. Electrical component A
1 - Mirror and spray nozzle heater,relay for cigarette lighter
el. seats ........................................ 10
2 - Turn signal lights .......................... 10
3 - Stowage compartment light ............ 5
4 - Licence plate lights ......................... 5
5 - Seat heaters, Climatronic, Navi- gation system, recirculated air
flap, multifunction steering
wheel, exterior mirror heaters ..... 7.5
6 - Central locking control unit ............. 5
7 - Reversing lights, parking aid ........ 10
8 - Mobile phone .................................. 5
9 - ABS/ESP ......................................... 5
10 - Petrol engine: control unit ............ 20
Diesel engine: control unit .............. 5No. Electrical component A
11 - Dash panel insert, selector lever
lock solenoid (automatic
gearbox) .......................................... 5
12 - Power supply for diagnosis, mobile phone ............................... 7.5
13 - Brake lights ................................... 10
14 - Interior light, central locking ......... 10
Interior light (without central
locking) ......................................... 10
15 - Instrument cluster, automatic gearbox, steering lock angle
sensor, rear-view mirrors ................ 5
16 - Air conditioning, electric water pump ............................................. 10
17 - Police .............................................. 5
18 - Right main beam .......................... 10
19 - Left main beam ............................. 10
20 - Right low beam, headlight range control ................................. 15
21 - Left low beam ............................... 15
22 - Right parking light ........................... 5
23 - Left parking light ............................. 5
24 - Wiper system, washer pump ........ 20
25 - Heater fan ..................................... 25
26 - Rear window heater ...................... 25
27 - Rear window wiper ....................... 15
28 - Fuel pump ..................................... 15
29 - Petrol engine - engine electronics, ignition ....................... 15
Diesel engine - engine
electronics .................................... 10 No. Electrical component A
30 - Power sliding/tilting roof
............... 20
31 - Automatic gearbox ........................ 20
Haldex coupling .............................. 5
32 - Petrol engine - injectors ............... 10
Diesel engine - injection pump,
control unit .................................... 30
33 - Headlight cleaning system ........... 20
34 - Petrol engine - engine electronics .................................... 10
Diesel engine - engine
electronics .................................... 10
35 - Trailer socket, socket in luggage compartment ............... 30
36 - Fog lights ...................................... 15
37 - S contact
1)................................... 10
38 - Luggage compartment light, central locking, remote fuel
filler flap release ........................... 15
39 - Hazard warning signals ................ 15
40 - Horn .............................................. 20
41 - Cigarette lighter ............................ 15
42 - Radio ............................................. 15
43 - Petrol engine: engine electronics .................................... 10
Diesel engine: engine
electronics .................................... 10
44 - Seat heaters ................................. 15
1)For electrical components which can be oper-
ated after switching off the ignition provided the
ignition key is not withdrawn, e.g. radio.
178DO-IT-YOURSELFA - Discharged battery
B - Battery supplying current
Warning
Do not connect the cable to the nega-
tive terminal (-) of the discharged
battery. This can produce sparks
when the engine is started which
might ignite the gas flowing out of
the battery.
Do not affix the cable end 4 to parts
of the fuel and brake system. Warning
The non-insulated parts of the ca-
ble clamps must not touch one an-
other on any account. In addition, the
jump-start cable attached to the posi-
tive terminal of the battery must not
come into contact with electrically
conducting parts of the vehicle - risk
of short circuit!
Route the jump-start cables so
that they cannot come into contact
with rotating parts in the engine com-
partment.
Do not bend over the batteries -
risk of acid burns!
Keep sources of ignition (naked
flames, burning cigarettes etc.) well
away from the battery - risk of explo-
sion!
Start the engine as described in the sec-
tion „Starting engine“.
If the engine does not start right away,
do not crank the starter for more than 10
seconds and then wait about 30 seconds
before making a further attempt.
Once the engine is running, disconnect
both cables in exactly the reverse order.
Tow-starting/towingThe towing eyes are located at the rear right
below the bumper and at the front - see
arrow.
A tow rope or tow bar should be attached
only to these towing eyes.
Remove a ventilation grille before using
the front towing eye. Ventilation grille is held
in place with plastic spring catches in the
area of the arrow. Ventilation grille can be
removed by hand.
Grasp the top part of the grille, press
grille off in direction of arrow 1 and take out
in direction of arrow 2.
After using the towing eye, insert the
ventilation grille into the guides and press
on.