Driving and the Environment
184
For the sake of the environment
Even if the exhaust system is operating properly, a sulphur-like exhaust
odour may be produced under certain operating conditions of the engine.
This depends on the sulphur content of the fuel. It is often sufficient to
refuel with unleaded premium-grade petrol of a different brand or at a
different filling station.
Motoring abroad
General
Other circumstances may exist abroad.
It is also possible, in certain countries, that the Škoda dealership network
has not been established yet. This is the reason why obtaining certain
spare parts may be somewhat complicated and specialist garage
personnel may only be able to make limited repairs. Škoda Auto in the
Czech Republic and relevant importers are happy to provide information
about technical aspects of the vehicle, required maintenance work and
possibilities for getting repairs done.
Unleaded petrol
A vehicle fitted with a petrol engine must always be refuelled with
unleaded petrol ⇒page 183. The automobile associations can provide
you with information regarding the locations of filling stations which offer
unleaded petrol.
Headlights
The low beam of your headlights is set asymmetrically. It illuminates the
side of the road on which you are driving to a greater extent. If you drive
abroad on the other side of the road, you will dazzle oncoming traffic.
It is necessary in order to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic to stick a sticker
over a certain part of the headlights.
Windscreen wiper stickers are available at Škoda dealers.
Headlights with Xenon lamps are designed for driving in countries with
traffic on the right or on the left. Have this done always at a Škoda dealer.
Note
You can obtain further information regarding masking over or converting
the headlights from your Škoda dealer.
Avoiding damage to your vehicle
When driving on poor roads and lanes or when driving over kerbstones,
steep ramps etc., you must pay particular attention to ensuring that any
low-slung parts of the vehicle, such as spoiler and exhaust, do not touch
the ground and get damaged.
This particularly applies to models with a lowered suspension (sport
suspension) and also when your vehicle is fully laden.
Towing a trailer191
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Tyre pressure
Select the tyre inflation pressure on your vehicle for that of “fully laden”,
⇒
page 226. The inflation pressure of the tyres fitted to the trailer adjust
in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendation.
Exterior mirrors
You have to have additional exterior mirrors fitted if you are not able to see
the traffic behind the trailer with the standard rear-view mirrors. Both exte-
rior mirrors should be attached to folding arms. Adjust the mirrors so that
they provide you with an adequate field of view to the rear.
Headlights
Before starting off with a hitched trailer, also check the setting of the head-
lights. Alter the setting as necessary with the aid of the headlight beam
adjuster ⇒page 58.
Detachable ball head
The ball rod is detachable on vehicles which feature a factory-fitted towing
device. It is stowed together with separate fitting instructions in the spare
wheel well in the luggage compartment of the vehicle.
Further information on the towing device ⇒page 192.
Note
•We recommend that you also have your vehicle inspected between
service intervals if you tow a trailer frequently.
•The handbrake on the towing vehicle must be put on when coupling
and decoupling the trailer.
Driving Tips
Particular caution is required when towing a trailer.
– Do not, as far as possible, drive with your vehicle unladen and the trailer laden.
– Do not make full use of the legal maximum speeds. This applies in particular to downhill sections.
– Apply the brakes in good time.
– Keep a check on the coolant temperature gauge if the outside temperature is high.
Distribution of weight
The distribution of the weight is very poor if your vehicle is unladen and
the trailer is laden. Maintain a particularly low speed if you cannot avoid
driving with this combination.
Driving speed
Do not drive faster than 80 km/hour for safety reasons. This also applies
for countries in which higher speeds are allowed.
The fact that the driving stability of the vehicle + trailer combination
reduces with increasing speed means that the legally allowed speed
should not be used when there are unfavourable road, weather or wind
conditions, particularly near accident black spots.
You must always reduce your speed immediately as soon as you detect
even just the slightest swaying of the trailer. On no account attempt to
stop the trailer from “swaying” by accelerating.
Apply the brakes in good time! If the trailer is fitted with a trailer brake,
apply the brakes gently at first, then brake firmly. This will avoid brake jolts
resulting from the trailer wheels locking. Shift down gears in good time
Care and cleaning199
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Caution
Never remove snow or ice from the windows with warm or hot water - risk
of formation of cracks in the glass!
The headlight lenses
Please do not use any aggressive cleaning or chemical solvent products
- risk of damage to the plastic lenses Please use soap and clean warm
water.
Caution
Never wipe the headlights dry and do not use any sharp objects for
cleaning the plastic lenses, this may result in damage to the protective
paintwork and consequently in formation of cracks on the headlight
lenses, e.g through effect of chemical products.
Door and window seals
The rubber seals on the doors, boot lid, bonnet, sliding roof and windows
remain supple and last longer if you treat them from time to time with a
rubber care product (e.g. silicone spray). You also avoid premature wear
of the seals and prevent leakages in this way. It is also easier to open the
doors. Rubber seals which are well cared for also do not stick together in
cold winter weather.
Locks
We recommend that you use the spray from Škoda original accessories
with regreasing and anticorrosive effect for de-icing locks.
Note
When washing your vehicle, ensure that as little water as possible gets
into the locks.
Wheels
Steel wheels
You should also thoroughly wash the wheels and wheel trims when giving
your vehicle its regular wash. This prevents any brake dust, dirt and road
salt from sticking to the wheel hubs. You can remove stubborn brake abra-
sion adhering to the wheels with an industrial cleaner. Touch up any
damage to the paintwork on the wheels before rust is able to form.
Light alloy wheels
Regular care of light alloy wheels is necessary in order to retain their
decorative appearance over long periods. It is particularly important to
remove any road salt and brake abrasion from light alloy wheels every two
weeks, otherwise the surface will suffer. Wash thoroughly and then treat
the wheels with a protective product for light alloy wheels which does not
contain any acidic components. You should provide the wheel hubs with
a hard wax layer every three months. You must not use any products
which cause abrasion when treating the wheel hubs. Any damage to the
paint layer on the wheel hubs must be touched up immediately.
We recommend using a preservative from Škoda genuine accessories
offered by your Škoda dealer.
Inspecting and Replenishing
224
The windshield washer reservoir contains the cleaning fluid for the wind-
screen and for the headlamp cleaning system*. The reservoir is located at
the front left of the engine compartment ⇒ page 223, fig. 168.
The reservoir has a capacity of 4 liters.
Clear water is not sufficient to intensively clean the windscreen and head-
lights. We therefore recommend using clean washing water together with
the screen cleaner from Škoda genuine accessories (in winter additionally
with antifreeze) which is capable of removing stubborn dirt. Follow the
instructions for use on the packaging when using screen cleaning prod-
ucts.
You should always add antifreeze to the cleaning water in winter even if
your vehicle is fitted with heated windscreen washer nozzles*.
It is also possible in exceptional cases to use methylated spirits when no
screen cleaner with antifreeze is available. The concentration of methyl-
ated spirits must not be more than 15 %. Please note, however, that the
antifreeze protection at this concentration is only adequate down to -5°C.
WARNING
Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 209, “Working in the
engine compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
Caution
•On no account should you add radiator antifreeze or other additives to
the windscreen washer fluid.
•If the vehicle is fitted with headlight cleaning system, you should only
add cleaning products which do not attack the polycarbonate coating of
the headlights to the windscreen washer fluid. Please contact your Škoda
dealer, who will tell you which cleaning agent you can use.
Note
Do not take the filter out of the windscreen wash container when filling it
up again with liquid otherwise dirt can get into the liquid transportation
system and can lead to faults in operation of the windscreen wash
system.
Breakdown assistance247
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
out the battery being ignited by the strong spark which results from
the engine being started.
•Do not affix the cable end to parts of the fuel and brake
system.
•Run the jump-start cables so that they cannot be caught by any
rotating parts in the engine compartment.
•Do not bend over the batteries - risk of caustic burns!
•The vent screws of the battery cells must be tightened firmly.
•Keep any sources of ignition (naked flame, smouldering ciga-
rettes etc.) away from the battery - risk of an explosion!
Tow-starting and towing vehicle
General
Please pay attention to the following instructions if you are going
to use a tow rope:
Driver of the towing vehicle
– Do not drive off until the tow rope is taught.
– Release the clutch particularly gently when starting off or depress the accelerator particularly gently if your vehicle is
fitted with an automatic gearbox. Driver of the towed vehicle
– Switch the ignition on so that the steering wheel is not blocked
and you can also operate the turn signal lights, the headlight
flasher, the windscreen wipers and windscreen washer
system.
– Take the vehicle out of gear or move the selector lever into position N if your vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.
– Note that the brake servo unit and power steering only operate if the engine is running. You will require significantly greater
physical force to depress the brake pedal and to steer the
vehicle if the engine is not running.
– Ensure that the tow rope is always kept taught.
Tow rope or tow bar
A tow bar is safest way of towing a vehicle and also minimizes any
shocks. You can use a tow rope only if a suitable tow bar is not available.
The tow rope must be elastic to protect the vehicle. Thus one should only
use plastic fibre rope or a rope made out of a similarly elastic material.
Attach the tow rope or the tow bar only to the towing eyes provided for
this purpose ⇒page 248, “Front towing eye” and ⇒page 248, “Rear
towing eye”.
Driving style
Towing another vehicle requires a certain amount of practice. Both drivers
should be familiar with the particular points about towing a vehicle.
Unskilled drivers should not attempt to tow in another vehicle or to be
towed in.
One should be constantly vigilant not to allow impermissibly high towing
forces or jerky loadings. There is always a risk of excessive stresses and
WARNING (continued)
A4
Fuses and light bulbs251
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Caution
•Never attempt to “repair” fuses and also do not replace them with a
fuse of a higher amperage - risk of fire! This may also cause damage at
another part of the electrical system.
•Have the electrical system checked as quickly as possible by a Škoda
dealer if a newly inserted fuse blows again after a short time.
Fuse assignment
Certain electrical components are only standard on certain vehicle model
versions or only suppliable as optional equipment for certain models.
Fig. 188 Schematic
representation of fuse
carrier
No.Ampere s
1Heatable windscreen washing nozzles5
2Turn signals10
3Not assigned
4Licence plate light5
5
Instrument cluster - warning lights, seat heaters, cruise
control system, exterior mirror adjustment, lighting of
controls and switches, outside temperature display, air
conditioning, audible parking aid, navigation system,
multifunction steering wheel
10
6Heating of the external mirror5
7ABS, EDS, ASR, ESP, cruise control system, engine
electronics10
8Automatic headlight beam adjustment5
9Parking aid5
10CD changer, mobile phone, multifunction steering
wheel5
11Electrically adjustable seats5
12Power supply for diagnostic socket10
13Brake lights10
14Central locking control unit, interior lighting10
15Instrument cluster, air conditioning, automatic gearbox,
exterior mirror adjustment memory and navigation sys-
tem10
16ESP5
17Two-way radio system, special vehicles (police etc.)10
Fuses and light bulbs253
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
removed in order to change the light bulbs. This applies, in particular, to
bulbs which can only be reached from the engine compartment.
We therefore recommend that you have any bulbs changed by a Škoda
dealer or, in exceptional cases, by calling on other professional assist-
ance.
Please note that the engine compartment is a hazardous area
⇒
page 209, “Working in the engine compartment”.
We recommend that you carry the set of light bulbs with you which was
delivered in your vehicle. Replacement light bulbs
5) are available at
Škoda dealers.
Fitted with a xenon headlight
Change of light bulbs on Xenon lights (low beam lights, parking lights and
main beam lights) should be undertaken by a Škoda dealer.
Overview of bulbs
WARNING
•Bulbs H7 and H3 are pressurised and may burst when changing
the bulb - risk of injury!
•It is recommended to wear gloves and eye protection when
changing a light bulb.
•Gas discharge bulbs* (xenon bulbs) operate with a high voltage,
professional knowledge is required - danger to life!
5)Replacement light bulbs are, on the other hand, part of the basic equipping of the
vehicle in some countries.
Front headlightHalogen headlightXenon headlight
Low beamH7D2S
Main beamH3D2S, H3
Parking lightsW5WHW5W
Turn signalsPY21WPY21W
Fog lightsH3H3
Rear light unitBulb
Reversing lightP21W
Turn signal lightPY21W
Brake lightsP21W
Side light and rear fog lightP21/4W
Others
Side turn signal lightsWY5W
Licence plate lightC5W
3. Brake lightLED
Interior light4x W5W
Reading light12 V/3.8 W or C5W
Luggage compartment lightW5W
Entry lightW5W
Storage compartment light - front
passenger sideC3W
Interior mirror lightC5W
Footwell lightW5W
Index
262
Child safety seats
ISOFIX system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Child seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 attach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Child seat protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Classification into groups . . . . . . . . . . . 168
on the front passenger seat . . . . . . . . . 166
Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Use of child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Children and safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Chrome parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Cigarette lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Climatronic Air outlet vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Blower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Defrosting windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
economic use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Keeping windows demisted . . . . . . . . . . 111
Operational problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Recirculated air mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Setting temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Climatronic (automatic air conditioning) . . . 109
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Clothes hooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Cockpit An overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Coming Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Convenience operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Converting/masking over headlights . . . . . . 184
Cool box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
replenishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Coolant level Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Coolant temperature gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Coolant temperature/coolant level Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Cooling Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
The air conditioning system . . . . . . . . . . 104
Correct seated position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Counter for distance driven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Cruise control system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
D
Deactivating an airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Defrosting rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Defrosting windows The air conditioning system . . . . . . . . . . 106
De-icing windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Detachable towing device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Diesel engines Starting engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Differential Lock (EDL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177 Digital clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Direction indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Distance driven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
distance driven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Door Child safety locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Drinks can holder at the front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
at the rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Driving economically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Driving time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Dynamo Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
E
EDL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Electric sliding/tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Electrically adjustable rear mirror . . . . . . . . . 67
Electrically adjustable seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Electronic Differential LockWarning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) . . . . . . . . 177
Electronic immobiliser Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Electronic stability programme (ESP) . . . . . 175 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34