Airbag system191
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
•The protective function of the airbag system is sufficient for
only one accident. The airbag system must then be replaced if the
airbag has been deployed.
•The airbag system needs no maintenance during its working
life.
•The service life of the airbag system is 15 years from the date of
manufacture of the vehicle. Have the airbag system replaced by a
specialist garage after this period. If the modules of the system are
replaced before the expiry of the term (e.g. because of an accident),
the new change interval has to be entered in the service brochure.
•If you sell your car, please hand over the complete vehicle docu-
mentation to the new owener. Please note that the documents
relating to the possibility of deactivating the front passenger airbag
are also part of the vehicle documents!
•If the vehicle or individual parts of the airbag system are
scrapped, it is essential to observe the relevant safety precautions.
Škoda dealers are familiar with these regulations.
•When disposing of vehicle or parts of the airbag system, it is
important to comply with th e national legal requirements.
When are the airbags deployed?
The airbag system is designed in such a way that the driver airbag and the
front passenger airbag* are deployed in the event of a frontal collision of
major severity.
In the case of a violent side crash , the side airbag* on the side of the car
at which the collision occurs, is deployed together with the head airbag*.
In certain accident situations it is possible that both the front as well as the
side airbags and the relevant head airbag are deployed at the same time. The airbags
are not deployed in the case of minor frontal and side colli-
sions, in the case of rear-end collisions and vehicle rollover.
Deployment factors
It is not possible to state globally which deployment conditions apply to the
airbag system in every situation as the circumstances which exist in the
case of accidents vary greatly. An important role in this case, for example,
is played by factors such as the type of object against which the vehicle
impacts (hard, soft), the angle of impact, the vehicle speed etc.
A decisive factor for the deployment of the airbags is the deceleration
which occurs during a collision. The control unit analyses the nature of the
collision and activates the relevant restraint system. If the vehicle decel-
eration which occurs and is measured during the collision remains below
the prescribed reference values specified in the control unit, the airbags
are not deployed although the vehicle may well suffer severe damage to
the bodywork as a consequence of the accident.
The airbags are not deployed if:
•ignition off,
•a minor frontal collision,
•a minor side collision,
•a rear-end collision,
•rollover.
Note
•A grey white, non harmful gas is released when airbag is inflated. This
is perfectly normal and is not an indication of a fire in the vehicle.
•The dash panel must be replaced after the front passenger airbag has
been deployed.
•In the event of an accident in which the airbags are deployed:
− The interior lighting comes on (if the switch for the interior light is in
the door contact position),
WARNING (continued)
s24s.book Page 191 Thursday, November 24, 2005 12:27 PM
Driving and the Environment225
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Sensitive use of the accelerator will not only significantly reduce fuel
consumption but also positively influence environmental pollution and
wear of your vehicle.
You should avoid fully exploiting the top speed of your vehicle wherever
possible. Fuel consumption, pollutant emissions and vehicle noises
increase disproportionally at high speeds.
The
⇒page 224, fig. 184 shows the ratio of fuel consumption to the speed
of your vehicle. You will cut your fuel consumption by half if you only make
use three-quarters of the possible top speed of your vehicle.
Reducing idling
Idling also costs fuel.
It is worthwhile switching off the engine in a traffic jam or when waiting at
a level crossing or at traffic lights with a lengthy red phase. Even after just
30 - 40 seconds you will have saved more fuel than that is needed when
you start the engine up again.
If an engine is only idling it takes much longer for it to reach its normal
operating temperature. Wear-and-tear and pollutant emissions, though,
are particularly high in the warming-up phase. This is why you should
drive off right after starting the engine. Do avoid high engine revolutions
at this time, however.
Regular servicing
A poorly tuned engine consumes an unnecessarily high
amount of fuel.
Having your vehicle serviced regularly at a specialist garge enables you
to satisfy one of the requirements for economical motoring even before
you set off on your journey. Keeping your vehicle properly serviced not
only has a positive effect on the safety of your vehicle and maintaining its
value, but also saves on fuel.
A poorly tuned engine can result in a fuel consumption which is 10%
higher than normal.
The foreseen maintenance work should be undertaken exactly according
to the Service schedule by a specialist garage.
Also check the oil level after refueling. Oil consumption is dependent to
a considerable extent on the load and speed of the engine. Oil consump-
tion could be as high as 0.5 litres/1 000 km depending on your style of
driving.
It is quite normal that a new engine has a higher oil consumption at first,
and reaches its lowest level only after a certain running in time. It is there-
fore not possible to correctly assess the oil consumption of a new vehicle
until after you have driven about 5 000 km.
For the sake of the environment
•You can achieve additional improvements in your fuel economy by
using high-lubricity oils.
•Check the ground below your car at regular intervals to detect any
leakages in good time. Please have your vehicle inspected by a specialist
garge if you find any stains caused by oil or other fluids on the floor.
s24s.book Page 225 Thursday, November 24, 2005 12:27 PM
Towing a trailer
230
Distribution of the load
Distribute the load in the trailer in such a way that any heavy items are
located as close as possible to the axle. Secure the items to prevent them
slipping.
Tyre inflation pressure
Select the tyre inflation pressure on your vehicle for that of “fully laden”,
⇒ page 264. 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 67.
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 231.
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
s24s.book Page 230 Thursday, November 24, 2005 12:27 PM
Inspecting and Replenishing
250
Overview of the en gine compartment
The main inspection points
Fig. 192 1.6 ltr./85 kW Petrol engine
Coolant expansion bottle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield washer fluid reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine oil filler opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine oil dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake fluid reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery (below a cover) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Note
The location of the inspection points in the engine compartment of petrol
and diesel engines is practically identical.
Engine oil
Engine oil specifications
The grade of engine oil should be selected in accordance
with precise specifications.
The engine of your vehicle has been factory-filled with a high-grade oil
which you can use throughout the year - except in extreme climatic
regions.
You can mix various oils together with each other when refilling with oil.
This does not, however, apply for models with flexible service intervals
(QG1).
Engine oils are, of course, undergoing continuous further development.
Thus the information stated in this Owner's Manual is only correct at the
time of publication.
Škoda dealers are informed by Škoda Auto about current changes. This
why you should always have engine oil changed by your Škoda dealer.
The specifications (VW standards) stated in the following must be indi-
cated separately or together with other specifications on the bottle.
Engine oil specifications for vehicles with fixed service intervals
(QG0, QG2)
A1254
A2262
A3252
A4251
A5256
A6258
Engine oil specifications
Petrol enginesVW 501 01
VW 502 00
VW 504 00
Diesel enginesVW 507 01
a)VW 505
00 b)
a)Only for engines without diesel particle filter ⇒page 33.
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Inspecting and Replenishing251
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Engine oil specifications for models with flexible service intervals
(QG1)
Caution
Only the above-mentioned oils may be used on vehicles with flexible
service intervals (QG1). We recommend always refilling with oil of the
same specification since this will maintain the properties of the oil. In
exceptional cases, you must top up only once engine oil complying with
Specification VW 502 00 (only for petrol engines) or Specification VW 505
01 (only for diesel engines) to maximum 0.5 litres. You must not use other
engine oils - risk of engine damage!
Note
•Before a long drive we recommend that you purchase and carry with
you engine oil which complies with the specification for your vehicle.
Consequently, you will always have the correct engine oil for refilling.
•We recommend using a preservative from the Škoda original accesso-
ries offered by your Škoda dealer.
•For further information - see Service shedule.
Inspecting the engine oil level
The dipstick indicates the level of oil in the engine.
Checking the oil level
– Park the vehicle on a horizontal surface.
– Switch the engine off.
– Open the bonnet ⇒ in “Working in the engine compart-
ment” on page 248.
– Wait a few minutes and pull out the oil dipstick.
– Wipe off the dipstick with a clean cloth and insert it again fully.
– Then withdraw the dipstick again and read off the oil level.
Oil level within range
– You must not top up the oil.
b)Only for engines with diesel particle filter ⇒page 33.
Engine oil specifications
Petrol enginesVW 503 00
VW 504 00
Diesel enginesVW 506 01a)
VW 507 00
a)Only for engines without diesel particle filter ⇒page 33.
Fig. 193 Dipstick
Aa
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Inspecting and Replenishing253
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Changing engine oil
The engine oil must be changed at the intervals stated in the Service
schedule or according to the service interval indicator ⇒page 16.
WARNING
•Only carry out the engine oil change, if you have the required
professional knowledge!
•Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 248, “Working in
the engine compartment” before working in the engine compart-
ment.
•Let the engine cool down - risk of burning from hot oil.
•Wear an eye protection - risk of caustic burns due to oil
splashes.
•Oil is toxic! Store old oil in a safe place out of the reach of chil-
dren and unauthorized persons until you dispose of it properly.
Caution
You must not pour any additives into the engine oil - risk of engine
damage! Damage, which results from such product, are excluded from the
warranty.
For the sake of the environment
•You must on no account pour oil into the ground or into the sewage
system.
•In view of the problems involved in properly disposing of old oil, the
material, equipment and the knowledge required for such work, we recom-
mend that you have the oil and oil filter change carried out by your Škoda
dealer.
Note
After your skin has come in contact with the oil, you must thoroughly wash
your skin.
Cooling system
Coolant
The job of the coolant is to cool the engine.
The cooling system does not require any maintenance under normal oper-
ating conditions. The coolant consists of water with a concentration of
coolant additive of 40 %. This mixture not only provides antifreeze protec-
tion down to -25°C but also protects the cooling and heating system from
corrosion. It also prevents the formation of scale and significantly
increases the boiling point of the coolant.
You must therefore not reduce the concentration of antifreeze agent in the
coolant by adding water, also not during the summer months or in coun-
tries with a warm climate. The concentration of coolant additive in the
coolant must be at least 40%.
You can increase the amount of antifreeze in the coolant iIf a higher
concentration of antifreeze is necessary for climatic reasons but only up
to 60% (antifreeze protection down to approx. -40°C). The antifreeze
protection tails off above that concentration.
Vehicles exported to countries with a cold climate (e.g. Sweden, Norway,
Finland) are already factory-filled with a coolant which offers antifreeze
protection down to about -35°C. In these countries the concentration of
coolant additive should be at least 50 %.
s24s.book Page 253 Thursday, November 24, 2005 12:27 PM
Index309
Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Polishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Power steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Power windows Buttons on the driver's door . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Operational problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Switches in front passenger door and in rear doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
R
Rear fog light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Rear window Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Rear window heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Rear-view mirror Exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Interior rear-view mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Recharge battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Synchronisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Replacing fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Replacing the wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Roof aerial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Running in the car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
S
Safe securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Safety instructions Engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Safety wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Saving electrical energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Seat belt height adjuster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Seat belt warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183, 188 Belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
fasten . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Height adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
taking off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Selector lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150, 157
Selector lever positions . . . . . . . . . . . . 150, 157
Selector lever-emergency unlocking . . . . . . 154
Selector lever-emergency unlocking (DSG) 162
Service Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Service Interval Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Setting temperature Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Setting the clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Shifting of gears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269 Spare wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Stability system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Starting engine
after fuel tank has run empty . . . . . . . . . 141
Petrol engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 Diesel engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Steering Driver-steering recommendation . . . . . . 216
Steering force assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Storage compartment Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Storage facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Sun screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Sun visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Switching lights on and off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Switching off the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
T
Taking care of your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
TCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Temperature Outside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Temporary spare wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
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