2004 SKODA OCTAVIA TOUR maintenance

147
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Wear eye protection. Pro-
tect your eyes, skin and
clothing from sprays from
particles which contain
acid or lead.
Battery acid is extremely
caustic. Wear protective
gloves and eye protec-
tion. Do not tilt the bat-
tery otherwise acid may flow out of
the vent openings. If acid splashes
into your eyes, rinse them immedi-
ately for a few minutes with clear
water and then contact a doctor with-
out delay. If acid splashes onto your
skin or clothing, neutralise it imme-
diately with soap suds and wash off
with plenty of water. If you swallow
acid, contact a doctor without delay. A highly explosive hydro-
gen is produced when bat-
teries are charged, which
in combination with air pro-
duces an explosive gas mixture.
No fire, sparks, naked flames
or smoking. Avoid sparks
when handling cables and
electrical equipment. Avoid
short circuits. Risk of injury from high-
powered sparks.

It is essential to disconnect the
negative cable at the battery before
performing any work on the electri-
cal system. When changing bulbs, it
is sufficient only to switch off the
light.


Installation is carried out in the reverse
order. When re-connecting the battery, re-
fer to the Notes on page 148.
It is not recommended to remove and in-
stall the battery (even if the instructions
in the Owner’s Manual are followed) be-
cause severe damage to the battery and
fuse box may result in certain circum-
stances. Contact your Škoda Dealership
for this work. Keep acid and battery away
from children.

148GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Used batteries are harmful to
the environment and should
therefore be disposed of by
contacting your Škoda Dea-
ler.

When disconnecting the battery
from the electrical system, first of all
disconnect the negative cable (-) and
then the positive cable (+).
The battery must not be disconnec-
ted when the ignition is switched on
and the engine is running otherwise
the electrical system (electronic
components) will be damaged.

When re-connecting the battery,
first of all connect the positive cable
(+) and then the negative cable (-).
The connection cables must on no
account be mixed up - risk of fire in
the wiring!

Never use a battery which is dam-
aged - risk of explosion! Immediately
replace a damaged battery.

Never charge a frozen or thawed
battery - risk of explosion and caus-
tic burns. Replace a frozen battery.
Do not expose the battery to direct sun-
light to protect the housing from ultra-
violet rays.
Ensure that the battery acid does not
come into contact with the paintwork
otherwise the paintwork might be dam-
aged.
Checking electrolyte levelIn normal operating conditions the battery
requires practically no maintenance. It is
nevertheless recommended to inspect the
electrolyte level from time to time. It should
always be between the „MIN“ and „MAX“
markings on the front and back of the bat-
tery. If the electrolyte level has dropped
below the „MIN“ marking, top up the rel-
evant battery cells to the „MAX“ marking
with distilled water .
It is recommended to have the electrolyte
level and density inspected and corrected
by a Škoda Dealer.
Battery with charge state indicator
(magic eye)*The magic eye is located on the top of the
battery. This „magic eye“ alters its colour
depending on the charge state and elec-
trolyte level of the battery. The colour indi-
cated serves as a diagnostic aid for Škoda
Dealerships.
Knock gently on the magic eye before
checking the battery.

149
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Driving in winterThe battery is exposed to particular stresses
in winter. In addition, at low temperatures, it
is only capable of providing part of the start-
ing power which it has at normal tempera-
tures.A discharged battery may already freeze
at a few degrees below zero.
We therefore recommend having the bat-
tery inspected and, if necessary, charged
before the start of the winter. This is best
done by a Škoda Dealer.Charging batterySwitch off the ignition and all electrical com-
ponents before charging the battery.
It is not normally necessary to disconnect
the cables from the electrical system when
charging with low amperages (e.g. with a
mini charger). Always follow the instructions
of the charger manufacturer in this case.
Recharge the battery by using a charg-
ing current of 1/10 of the battery rated
capacity in A (or less) until the battery is
fully charged.
A battery charger with a constant charg-
ing voltage of 14.4 V can also be used
for recharging; the recharging duration
is max. 30 hours, according to battery
discharge. Both connection cables should be taken
off
, however, for quick-charging (only in
exceptional cases), in other words charg-
ing with high amperages.
Pay attention to the following points:

The vent plugs of the battery should
not be opened for charging.

Never charge a frozen or thawed bat-
tery - risk of explosion and caustic
burns! Replace a frozen battery.

The power cable of the charger should
not be plugged in until after the terminal
clamps of the charger have been properly
connected to the battery terminals:
red terminal
= positive (+)
black terminal
= negative (-).

After charging, install battery and re-con-
nect correctly - first of all positive (+), then
negative cable (-).
If the indication in the window is green, the
battery is properly charged. If, on the other
hand, the indication is dark, the battery re-
quires to be charged.
If the magic eye is colourless or yellow, this
indicates insufficient electrolyte level.
Please have the battery checked by a
Škoda dealer.
The battery must be topped up with distilled
water. If the battery is 5 years or older, we
recommend replacing it. Have the electro-
lyte level inspected and adjusted to the
correct level by a Škoda dealer.

150GENERAL MAINTENANCEAfter connecting the battery- restore operation of the convenience sys-tem - see page 16
- set the time - see page 50
- if the radio is protected by a code, set the code - see operating instructions of
car radio
The data of the multifunction display are
erased - see page 50.Replacing batteryIf the battery has to be replaced, the new
battery should have the same capacity, volt-
age (12 volts), amperage, design and have
a plug seal. Škoda Dealers have available
a range of suitable batteries.
Because of the disposal problem in- volved with old batteries, it is best
to have the battery replaced by a Škoda Dealer. Batteries contain substancessuch as sulphuric acid and lead andmust on no account be disposed of in
domestic refuse.
Spark plugsThe spark plugs are replaced as part of the
Škoda Inspection Service.

Should it be necessary to replace the
spark plugs between the Inspection Service
intervals, proceed as follows:Spark plugs and ignition system are matched
to the engine and thus contribute to an ex-
haust with low emission levels.Only the spark plugs selected for the par-
ticular engine should be used in order to
avoid operational problems, engine dam-
age and any infringement of legal require-
ments in respect of emission levels or ra-
dio interference from the spark plugs. Par-
ticularly important aspects are the number
of electrodes, the thermal value and radio
interference suppression.

Spark plugs may also be subject to tech-
nical modifications at short notice. It is
therefore recommended to purchase them
only from Škoda Dealers as they are always
informed of the up-to-date situation.
Ribbed belt
The ribbed belt is one of the components
of the car which is subjected to the most
stress. It is therefore necessary to place
particularly high quality requirements in res-
pect of the belts.

When replacing a ribbed belt, it is not
sufficient to use any ribbed belt of whatever
size. For safety reasons, use only the
ribbed belts selected for your car.

Ribbed belts may also be subject to
technical modifications at short notice. It is
therefore recommended to purchase them
only from Škoda Dealers and to also have
the belts changed there as they are always
informed of the up-to-date situation.

151
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Windscreen washer system
The windscreen washer reservoir is located
in the right of the engine compartment. It
holds about 3 litres, or about 5.5 litres in
the case of models with a headlight washer
system.
If the vehicle is equipped with headlight
washer system, it is necessary to only
use certain fluids which do not corrode
any polycarbonate connections.
Filling reservoirWhen topping up windscreen washer
fluid, do not remove the sieve from the
reservoir. Impurities might otherwise
affect proper operation of the wind-
screen washer system.
We recommend always adding a wind-
screen cleaner with wax-dissolving proper-
ties to the water (in winter with antifreeze
protection) as clear water is not generally
sufficient to quickly and intensively clean
the windscreen and the headlight lenses.
Refer to the mixing instructions on the wind-
screen cleaner pack.
Note
Should windscreen cleaner with antifreeze
protection not be available in exceptional
cases, it is also possible to add methylated
spirits (the concentration of methylated
spirits must not be higher than 15 %). Note
in this case, however, that the antifreeze
protection of this concentration is only down
to -5 °C at the most.
Even if your vehicle has heated windscreen
washer* nozzles, in winter you should al-
ways add antifreeze protection to the wa-
ter.
On no account use radiator antifreeze pro-
tection or other additives!
Windscreen wiper bladesThe windscreen wiper blades at the front
and rear must be in proper condition if they
are to ensure clear visibility. Wiper blades
must not be dirtied by dust, insect residues
and wax preservative.
To avoid smears, the windscreen wiper
blades should be cleaned regularly with a
windscreen cleaner. If they are very dirty,
e.g. insect residues, the wiper blades can
also be cleaned with a sponge or cloth.
If the wiper blades rub or „smear“, this may
be caused by wax residues on the wind-
screen as a result of washing the car in an
automatic car wash. For this reason, each
time after washing the car in a car wash
with wax treatment, remove the wax from
the lips of the wiper rubbers and from the
windshield and rear window.
In frosty conditions, check that the wiper
blades are not frozen to the glass before
switching the wipers on for the first time.
For safety reasons, the windscreen wiper
blades should be replaced twice a year.
Windscreen wiper blades are available
from Škoda Dealers.

152GENERAL MAINTENANCEReplacing windscreen wiper bladesTaking off wiper blade

Fold windscreen wiper arm forward and
position wiper blade horizontally.

Press the securing spring (arrow A) and
at the same time push wiper blade toward
windscreen (arrow B). Caution! The wind-
screen may be damaged when this is done.
Attaching wiper blade
The securing spring must be heard to en-
gage in the windscreen wiper arm.
Replacing windscreen wiper blade of
rear window (Octavia)*Removing wiper blade

Raise windscreen wiper arm.

Grasp the top part of the windscreen
wiper arm with your hand.

Grasp the wiper blade with your other
hand, as close to the middle as possible,
and remove the wiper blade by moving the
arm in direction of arrow B.
Attaching wiper blade
Connect the windscreen wiper arm and the
wiper blade by pushing the two parts to-
gether - see arrow A.
Dust, odor and pollen filter*The dust, odor and pollen filter for the heat-
ing and ventilation system is located on the
right in the plenum chamber below a two-
section cover. The filter should be replaced
as stated in the Service Schedule. The fil-
ter should also be replaced earlier if the air
flow is severely reduced.
The filter should be replaced by a Škoda
Dealer as part of the Inspection Service.

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.