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Operation in winter
The battery has to provide greater amounts of electricity during the winter.
It also has only part of the initial power output at low temperatures that it
has at normal temperatures.
A discharged battery may already freeze at temperatures just below
0°C.
We therefore recommend that you have the battery checked by a Škoda
dealer before the start of the winter, and recharged if necessary.
Note
If the vehicle is not going to be driven for a period of some weeks when
there is very severe frost one should remove ⇒page 222 the battery and
store it in a place which is protected from frost. This prevents the battery
from freezing up and thereby being destroyed.
Charging the battery
A properly charged battery is essential for reliably starting
the engine.
– Read the warning notes ⇒ in “Working on the battery” on
page 218 and ⇒.
– Switch the ignition and all electrical components off.
– Only for “quick-charging”: disconnect both battery cables (first of all “negative”, then “positive”) .
– Carefully attach the terminal clamps of the charger to the battery terminals (red = “positive”, black = “negative”). – You can now plug the mains cable of the charger into the
power socket and switch on the charger.
– When charging is completed: switch the charger off and unplug the mains cable from the power socket.
– Only then should you disconnect the terminal clamps of the charger.
– Reconnect the cables to the battery (first of all “positive”, then “negative”).
It is not normally necessary to disconnect the cables of the battery if you
recharge the battery using low amperages (as for example from a mini-
charger ). Please also refer to the instructions from the charger manufac-
turer.
A charging current of 0.1 of the total battery capacity (or lower) is that
which should be used until full charging is achieved.
It is, however, necessary to disconnect both cables before charging the
battery with high amperages, so-called “ quick-charging”.
“Quick-charging” a battery is dangerous ⇒ in “Working on the battery”
on page 218. It requires a special charger and appropriate knowledge. We
therefore recommend that you have your battery quick-charged only by
your Škoda dealer.
A discharged battery may already freeze at temperatures just below 0°C.
If a battery is frozen, it is essential that it is first of all thawed out before
being charged ⇒. We recommend that you no longer use a battery
which has thawed out because the casing of the battery may be cracked
through the formation of ice and this would allow battery electrolyte to flow
out.
The vent plugs of the battery should not be opened for charging.
Inspecting and Replenishing223
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– Installation takes place in the reverse order.
Please also refer to the following notes when connecting up the battery
⇒page 223.
Note
We do not recommend that you remove and install the battery yourself
(even when you are following the instructions given in this manual) since
a battery can be heavily damaged in the process under certain circum-
stances. Please contact your Škoda dealer.
Disconnecting and reconnecting the battery
On disconnecting and reconnecting the battery the following functions are
initially deactivated or are no longer able to operate fault-free.
We recommend having the vehicle checked by a Škoda dealer to ensure
full functionality of all electrical systems.
Replacing the battery
You should only replace a battery with a new battery of the same capacity,
voltage (12 V), amperage and of the same size. Škoda dealers have a
range of suitable batteries available.
We recommend that you only have an old battery disposed of by your
Škoda dealer since it does require special disposal.
For the sake of the environment
Batteries contain poisonous substances such as sulphuric acid and lead.
They must be disposed of in accordance with local environmental protec-
tion regulations and on no account as domestic waste.
Windscreen Wiper and Washer System
OperationOperating measure
Electrical power window (operational
faults) ⇒page 52
Enter radio code numbersee Radio Operating Instruc-
tions
Setting clock⇒page 15
Data in the multi-functional indicator are
deleted.⇒page 18
Fig. 168 Engine
compartment: Wind-
shield washer fluid
reservoir
Wheels and Tyres225
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Wheels and Tyres
Wheels
General comments
•New tyres do not offer optimal grip at first and should therefore be run
in for about 500 km at a moderate speed and an appropriately cautious
style of driving. You will also profit from longer tyre life.
•The tread depth of new tyres may differ because of design features
and the configuration of the tread (depending on the type of tyre and the
manufacturer).
•Drive over curbs on the side of the road and other such obstacles
slowly and, where possible, at a right angles in order to avoid damage to
tyres and wheel trims.
•Inspect your tyres from time to time for damage (punctures, cuts, splits
and bulges). Remove foreign bodies from the tyre profile.
•Damage to tyres and wheels is frequently not visible. Unusual vibra-
tions or pulling of the vehicle to one side could be a sign of tyre damage.
Please reduce your speed immediately and stop if you suspect that
a wheel is damaged. Inspect the tyres for signs of damage (bulges,
splits, etc.) If no visible damage is present, please drive at an appropri-
ately slow speed and carefully to the nearest Škoda dealer in order to
have your vehicle inspected.
•Also protect your tyres from contact with oil, grease and fuel.
•Immediately replace any dust caps of the valves which have got lost.
•Mark wheels before removing them so that their previous direction of
running can be maintained when mounted them again.
•Always store wheels or tyres which been removed in a cool, dry and,
where possible, dark place. Tyres which are not fixed to a wheel trim
should be stored upright. Unidirectional tyres*
The direction of rotation of the tyres is marked by arrows on the wall of the
tyre. This indicates the direction of rotation of the tyre, and it is essential
that the tyres are fitted on to run in this direction. Only then are the tyres
able to provide the optimal properties in terms of grip, low noise, wear-
and-tear and aquaplaning.
Further information concerning the use of unidirectional tyres
⇒
page 231.
WARNING
•New tyres during the first 500 km do not offer optimal grip and
should therefore be run approp riately - risk of accident!
•Never drive with damaged tyres - risk of accident!
Note
Please observe the various differing legal requirements regarding tyres.
Wheels and Tyres227
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
also be rebalanced when a new tyre is fitted and each time a tyre is
repaired.
Wheel alignment errors
Incorrect wheel alignment at the front and rear will not only increase wear-
and-tear on the tyres but will also has an adverse effect on vehicle safety.
Contact your Škoda dealer if you notice any unusual tyre wear.
WARNING
•If the inflation pressure is too low, the tyre must perform a
greater flexing work. At higher speeds the tyre will warm up as a
result of this. This can result in tread separation and even a tyre
blowout.
•Immediately replace the damaged rims or tyres.
For the sake of the environment
Tyres which are insufficiently inflated increase your fuel consumption.
Wear indicators
The base of the tread of the original tyres has wear indicators 1.6 mm
high, installed at right angles to the direction of travel. These wear indica-
tors are located at 6 to 8 points depending on the make and are evenly
spaced around the circumference of the tyre ⇒fig. 171 . Markings on the
walls of the tyres through the letters “TWI”, triangular symbols or other
symbols identify the position of the wear indicators.
A remaining tread of just 1.6 mm, measured in the grooves of the tread
next to the wear indicators, means that your tyres have reached their
legally permissible minimum tread depth.
WARNING
•You must have your tyres replaced with new ones at the latest
when the wear indicators have been worn down. The legally
permissible minimum tread depth should be observed.
•Worn tyres do not provide the necessary adhesion to the road
surface at high speeds on wet roads. One could experience “aqua-
Fig. 171 Tyre tread
with wear indicators
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The following
speed restrictions apply to tyres.
The date of manufacture is also stated on the tyre wall (possibly only on
the inside of wheel):
DOT ... 20 04...
means, for example, that the tyre was manufactured in the 20th week of
the year 2004.
Any spare wheel which differs from the tyres fitted to the vehicle (e.g.
winter tyres or low-profile tyres) should only be used only for a short time
in the event of a puncture and when adopting an appropriately cautious
style of driving. It should be replaced as quickly as possible by a normal
wheel.
WARNING
•Only use those tyres or wheel rims which have been approved
for your model of Škoda Auto vehicle. Failure to observe this
instruction will adversely affect the road safety of your vehicle - risk of accident! Approval and licencing of your vehicle on public
roads may also become void as a result.
•You must on no account drive at a higher speed than is permis-
sible for your tyres - risk of an accident resulting from tyre damage
and loss of control over your vehicle.
•Tyres which are 6 years old or more should only be fitted in
exceptional cases and when adopting an appropriately cautious
style of driving.
•Never fit tyres which have already been used without having
adequate knowledge of their previous history. Tyres age even if
they have not been used at all or only very little. A spare tyre must
only be used in exceptional cases and only then when adopting an
appropriately cautious style of driving.
•Do not, where possible, replac e individual tyres but at least
replace them on both wheels of a given axle at the same time.
Always fit the tyres with the deeper tread depth to the front wheels.
For the sake of the environment
Old tyres must be disposed of in conformity with the appropriate regula-
tions.
Note
It is not normally possible to fit wheels from other models of cars for tech-
nical reasons. This may also apply in certain circumstances to the wheels
of the same type of vehicle.
15Diameter of wheel in inches
91Load index
VSpeed symbol
Speed symbolPermissible maximum speed
S180 km/h
T190 km/h
H210 km/h
V240 km/h
W270 km/h
Y300 km/h
WARNING (continued)
Wheels and Tyres231
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You can also fit so-called “all-weather tyres” instead of winter tyres.
Please contact your Škoda dealer If there are any points which are not
clear who will be able to provide you with information regarding the
maximum speed fo
r your tyres.
WARNING
You must on no account drive your car at more than the permis-
sible maximum speed for your winter tyres - risk of an accident
resulting from tyre damage and loss of control over your car.
For the sake of the environment
Fit your summer tyres on again in good time since summer tyres offer you
better grip and handling on roads which are free of snow and ice as well
as ar temperatures below 7 °C - the braking distance is shorter, there is
less tyre noise, tyre wear is reduced and fuel consumption is reduced.
Note
Please observe the various differing legal requirements regarding tyres.
Unidirectional tyres*
The direction of rotation of the tyres is marked by arrows on the wall of
the tyre . This indicates the direction of rotation of the tyre, and it is essen-
tial that the tyres are fitted on to run in this direction. Only then are the
tyres able to provide the optimal properties in terms of grip, low noise,
wear-and-tear and aquaplaning.
Should it be necessary to fit on a spare wheel in exceptional cases with a
tyre not dedicated to the running direction or in opposite running direction,
please adopt a cautious style of driving as the tyre is no longer able to provide optimal grip and handling in such a situation. This particularly
important on wet roads. Please refer to the notes
⇒page 237, “Spare
wheel”.
You should have the defective tyre replaced as soon as possible and
restore the correct direction of rotation on all tyres
Snow chains
Snow chains can be used only for wheel sizes 6J x 16 ET 40 or 6J x 16
ET 37. Your Škoda Dealer can provide you with more detailed information.
Snow chains must only be mounted on the front wheels.
When driving on wintry roads, snow chains improve not only traction, but
also the braking performance.
Only use fine-link snow chains . They must not project more than 15 mm
- including the chain lock.
Remove the full wheel trim if you wish to fit snow chains to the wheels.
Observe the national legal requirements relating to the maximum vehicle
speed with snow chains.
WARNING
Please pay attention to the information in the supplied fitting
instructions of the snow chain manufacturer.
Caution
You must take the chains off as soon as you drive on roads which are free
of snow. They adversely affect the handling of your vehicle, damage the
tyres and are rapidly destroyed.
Accessories, changes and replacement of parts233
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Accessories, changes and replacement of parts
Accessories and replacement parts
Škoda vehicles have been built according to the latest discoveries in
safety engineering. Thus one should not change the condition in which the
vehicle was delivered from the manufacturer without some thought.
The following guidelines should be observed when a vehicle is to be retro-
fitted with accessories, have technical changes made to it or a part has to
be replaced at some time in the future.
•Advise should always be obtained from a Škoda dealer before buying
any accessories and before making any technical changes ⇒.
•This is particularly the case when accessories are bought in a foreign
country.
•Škoda Genuine Accessories which have been released for use and
Skoda original parts can be obtained from Škoda dealers. They will install
them professionally and correctly.
•All Škoda original accessories which are listed in the catalogue such
as tilting roofs, spoilers, wheels etc. must have an official stamp of
approval.
•Radios, aerials and other electrical accessories should only be
installed by an authorised workshop.
•The guidelines issued by Škoda Auto must be observed when making
technical changes.
•This is to ensure that no technical damage occurs to the vehicle, that
travelling and operating safety are maintained and that the chnages are
permissible. Škoda dealers undertake this work professionally or refer it
to an specialist company in special cases.
Any damage which is done caused by technical changes made
without consulting a Škoda Auto is excluded from the warranty.
WARNING
•We advise you, in your own interest, to only use Škoda Genuine
Accessories and Škoda original parts which have been expressly
approved for use on your Škoda. Reliability, safety and suitabiliity
have been established for these Škoda original parts.
•We cannot guarantee suitability of installation into your vehicle
of other products despite keeping a constant eye on market devel-
opments (also not in the case where there is an attestation or
permission can be produced).
Technical changes
Interference on the electronic components and their software can lead to
operational faults. This interference can also impair not directly affected
systems because of the networking of the electronic components. This
means that the operating safety of your vehicle can be considerably jeop-
ardized, a greater wear of vehicle parts can occur and finally the vehicle
registration documents expire.
We trust that you will understand that your Škoda dealer cannot be liable
for damage resulting from unprofessional work.
We therefore recommend that you have all work carried out with Škoda
original parts at your authorised Škoda dealer.
Breakdown assistance235
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Breakdown assistance
Breakdown assistance
First-aid box*
First-aid box
The compartment for stowing the first-aid box is located in the left of the
luggage compartment ⇒fig. 173 .
Note
Pay attention to the use-by-date of the contents of the first-aid box.
Warning triangle
– To remove the warning triangle, turn the rotary lock in direc-
tion of arrow ⇒fig. 174 and fold the fixture down.
Fig. 173 Compartment
for stowing first-aid
boxFig. 174 Warning
triangle fitted inside
boot lid