2004 SKODA OCTAVIA TOUR tow

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

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.

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.

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.

146GENERAL MAINTENANCEBatteryThe battery is located in the engine com-
partment.
If the vehicle has not been driven for more
than 4 weeks, the battery will discharge be-
cause some electrical components (e.g.
control units) also use current in standstill.
In order to avoid the battery discharging dis-
connect the negative cable (-) of the bat-
tery or continuously recharge the battery.
For jump-starting car with another battery,
see the section „Do-It-Yourself“.Warning
Pay attention to the following warn-
ing instructions and safety regula-
tions when carrying out work on the
battery.
Access to battery
Pull out the catch on the side of the bat-
tery cover (see arrow) slightly. Lift the bat-
tery cover up and out - see arrow A.
Warning
Pay attention to the following warn-
ing instructions and safety regula-
tions when carrying out work on the
battery.
Removing battery
Pull the cable cover 1 up and out in di-
rection of arrow.

Disconnect the battery from the vehicle
electrical system - pay attention to the
Notes on page 148.

Press the catch (arrows B) on the side
of the holder 2 of the fuse carrier. Open the
holder and fuse carrier by raising it (arrow
C ).

Remove the screw 3 from the battery
holder and take out the fuse plate.

Push the battery forward slightly (toward
the headlamp) and then lift it up and out.

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.

158GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Motoring abroadPlease give consideration to the following
points when driving abroad with your car:

If your car is fitted with a petrol engine
and catalytic converter, it is important that
unleaded petrol is available on your route -
see also page 128. Information regarding
the availability of unleaded petrol can be
obtained from automobile associations.

In certain countries it is also possible that
the Škoda Dealership network is not fully
developed. Certain replacement parts may
therefore not be available or the personnel
of the Škoda Dealer may be able to carry
out repair work only to a limited extent.
ŠKODA AUTO a. s. in the Czech Republic
and the relevant importers will gladly pro-
vide you with the necessary information re-
garding preparing your car technically for
motoring abroad, the servicing required and
repair facilities.
The addresses of the Škoda dealers in
the @! can be found in the brochure
„Škoda dealers in @!“.
For all other countries, you will find a
contact address in the brochure „Trav-
elling assistant“ or in the local „ Work-
shop listing“.
Masking over headlightsAdapt your headlights for using the car in
countries in which the traffic drives on the
left-hand side: If you use your car in coun-
tries in which traffic drives on the left-hand
side of the road, other road users coming
toward you may be dazzled when you use
the headlights of your car which has been
designed for driving on the right-hand side
of the road. In order to eliminate this prob-
lem, you should mask over the left-hand
wedge-shaped areas of the headlight
lenses with an opaque adhesive strip.
The illustrations show how to mask over the
headlights of a car designed for driving on
the right-hand side of the road, when it is
used in a country in which traffic drives on
the left.
Adapting headlights with gas dis-
charge lamps* (applies to left-hand
and right-hand drive models)If you use your car in countries in which traf-
fic drives on the left-hand side of the road,
other road users coming toward you may
be dazzled when you use the headlights of
your car which has been designed for driv-
ing on the right-hand side of the road.
In order to eliminate this problem, the head-
lights must be adapted.
This adaptation is achieved by switching
over the shroud for low beam in the head-
light module.
This measure is carried out by your Škoda
Dealer. He can also provide you with more
detailed information on this matter.
Adapting the headlights with gas discharge
lamps is not a substitute for headlights
which are designed for driving on the right
or on the left, respectively.