2005 SKODA OCTAVIA coolant level

Towing a trailer231
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
before negotiating a downhill section to allow the engine to also act as a
brake.
Engine overheating
Please keep a check on the coolant temperature gauge if you have to
negotiate a lengthy slope in a low gear at a high engine speed when the
outside temperature is very high
⇒page 14.
If the needle of the coolant temperature gauge moves into the right-hand
area or even the red area of the scale, reduce your speed immediately.
Stop and switch off the engine if the warning light
 in the instrument
cluster begins flashing. Wait a few minutes and check the level of coolant
in the coolant expansion bottle ⇒page 254, “Inspecting the coolant level”.
Please refer to the following guidelines ⇒page 35, “Coolant tempera-
ture/coolant level ”.
The coolant temperature can be reduced by switching on the heating.
Any increase in the cooling effect of the coolant fan through shifting down
a gear and increasing the engine speed is not possible since the fan
speed is independent of the engine speed. One should also not drop a
gear for this reason when towing a trailer as long as the engine can
manage the slope without any drop in speed.
Detachable ball head*
The detachable ball head of the towing device is stowed in a box for the
car tool kit in the spare wheel well in the luggage compartment.
An instruction for correct installation and removal of the ball head of the
towing device is supplied with the ball head
Inspect the ball head to ensure that it is properly locked each time before
setting off. The inspection is performed by turning the closed locking lever
downwards. If the locking lever can only be turned around a small angle
(approx. 5°), the locking mechanism is O.K. 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 closed
position.
Fig. 186 Detachable
ball head
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Inspecting and Replenishing
254
Coolant
The cooling system is filled at the works with coolant (purple in colour),
which complies with the specification TL-VW 774 F.
We recommend that you use the same coolant additive - G12 PLUS
(purple in colour).
Please contact your Škoda dealer if you have any questions regarding the
coolant or if you wish to fill up with a different coolant.
Your Škoda dealer can also supply you with the correct coolant additives.
Caution
•Other coolant additives may cause operational problems which,
in particular, involves significantly reducing the anticorrosion effect.
•Any faults or problems resulting from corrosion may cause a loss
of coolant and, as a consequence of this, result in major engine
damage.
Inspecting the coolant level
The coolant expansion bottle is located in the engine compart-
ment on the right.
– Switch the engine off.
– Open the bonnet ⇒ in “Working in the engine compart-
ment” on page 248.
– Check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion bottle ⇒fig. 194 . The coolant level when the engine is cold must lie
between the (MIN) and (MAX) markings. The level may
also rise slightly above the (MAX) marking when the
engine is warm.
If the coolant level in the reservoir is too low, this is indicated by the
warning light in the instrument cluster  ⇒ page 35. We nevertheless
Fig. 194 Engine
compartment: Coolant
expansion bottle
AbAa
Aa
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Inspecting and Replenishing255
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
recommend inspecting the coolant level directly at the reservoir from time
to time.
Loss of coolant
A loss of coolant is first and foremost an
indication of a leak in the
system. You should not merely top up the coolant in the reservoir. It is also
important to have the cooling system inspected without delay by a
specialist garage.
Losses can only occur through the pressure relief in the cap of the coolant
expansion bottle which is completely free of leaks if the coolant boils as a
result of overheating and is forced out of the cooling system.
WARNING
Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 248, “Working in the
engine compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
Caution
One should contact a specialist garage as soon as possible if the source
of overheating itself cannot be determined and removed, since there may
be grave damage to the engine.
Replenishing the coolant
– Switch the engine off.
– Allow the engine to cool down.
– Place a cloth over the cap of the coolant expansion reservoir ⇒fig. 194 and unscrew the cap carefully by turning it to the
left ⇒ . – Top up the coolant.
– Screw the cap tight until it is heard to lock.
The coolant which you use for replenishing the system, must comply with
one specific specification
⇒page 253, “Coolant”. Do not use an alternative
additive if the coolant additive G12 PLUS is not available in exceptional
cases. Just top up the system with water and as soon as possible arrange
adjustment to correct the mixing ratio of water and coolant additive again
by a specialist garage.
Only use fresh coolant for topping up the system.
Do not fill up over the “MAX” marking! Excess coolant which is heated up
is forced out of the cooling system through the pressure relief valve in the
cap of the coolant compensation bottle.
Wait until the engine has cooled down for a system which has suffered a
major loss of coolant before pouring in coolant. This is necessary to avoid
engine damage.
WARNING
•The cooling system is pressurized! Do not open the cap of the
coolant expansion bottle if the engine is still hot - risk of scalding!
•The coolant additive and thus all of the coolant is harmful to
your health. Avoid contact with the coolant. Coolant vapours are
also harmful to the he alth. It is important, therefore, to always
safely store any coolant additive in its original container out of the
reach of children - risk of poisoning!
•If any splashes of coolant get into your eyes, rinse out your eyes
immediately with clear water and contact a doctor as soon as
possible.
•You should also consult a doctor without delay if you have inad-
vertently swallowed coolant.
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Inspecting and Replenishing
256
Caution
Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible
under the conditions prevailing to top up with coolant. Switch of the
engine and contact and obtain professional assistance from a specialist
garage.
For the sake of the environment
Do not re-use coolant if it is necessary to drain the coolant in the system.
It should be collected and disposed of in compliance with environmental
protection regulations.
The radiator fan
The radiator fan may switch on suddenly.
The radiator fan is driven by an electric motor and controlled according to
the coolant temperature.
The radiator fan may continue running for up to 10 minutes after the
engine has been switched off - even if the ignition is also off. It may also
switch on suddenly after a certain time, if
•the coolant temperature has risen because of an accumulation of heat
or
•the warm engine compartment is heated up additionally by strong
sunlight.
WARNING
You must therefore be aware when working in the engine compart-
ment that the fan may switch on suddenly - risk of injury!
Brake fluid
Inspecting the brake fluid level
The brake fluid reservoir is located on the left of the engine
compartment. The brake fluid reservoir on right-hand steering
models is positioned on the other side of the engine compart-
ment.
– Switch the engine off.
– Open the bonnet ⇒ in “Working in the engine compart-
ment” on page 248.
– Inspect the brake fluid level in the reservoir ⇒fig. 195 . The
level must be between the “MIN” and “MAX” markings.
Fig. 195 Engine
compartment: Brake
fluid reservoir
s24s.book Page 256 Thursday, November 24, 2005 12:27 PM

Index
306
Child safety locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Child safety seats
ISOFIX system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Child seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 Classification into groups . . . . . . . . . . . 206
on the front passenger seat . . . . . . . . . 204
Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Use of child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Children and safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Chrome parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Cigarette lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Climatronic Air outlet vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Defrosting windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Recirculated air mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Setting temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Climatronic (automatic air conditioning) . . . 128
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Clothes hooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Cockpit An overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Convenience operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Converting/masking over headlights . . . . . . 228
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 replenishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Coolant level
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Coolant quantity Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Coolant temperature gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Coolant temperature/coolant level Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Correct seated position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Counter for distance driven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Cruise control system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Cup holder at the front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
at the rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
D
Deactivating an airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Defrosting rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
De-icing the windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Detachable towing device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Diesel enginesStarting engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Diesel particle filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Digital clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Direction indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Distance driven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Door
Child safety locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Driver-steering recommendation . . . . . . . . . 216
Driving economically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Dynamo Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
E
EDL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Electric sliding/tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Electrically adjustable exterior mirrors . . . . . . 80
Electronic Differential Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Electronic immobiliserWarning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Electronic stability programme . . . . . . . . . . 213
Electronic stability programme (ESP) Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Engine Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
switch off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Engine compartment Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Engine electronics Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
s24s.book Page 306 Thursday, November 24, 2005 12:27 PM