2005 SKODA OCTAVIA service

Fuel243
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
„Diesel fuel mixture according to standard CSN 65 6508 from
02/2003 contains diesel fuel according to standard DIN EN 590 and a
concentration of biofuel (rape oil methyl ester) according to standard
DINEN14214 in the following two concentrations:
„5% share of biofuel RME according to the standard DINEN14214
- Denomination SMN 5,
„30% share of biofuel RME according to the standard
DINEN14214 - Denomination SMN 30.
The same principles apply for the diesel fuel mixture as for the biofuel
⇒ page 243.
Fuel additives
You must not use fuel additives, so-called “flow improvers” (petrol and
similar products) in diesel fuel.
It is then necessary to have the fuel filter drained of water by a Škoda
dealer more often than stated in the Service schedule if the quality of the
diesel fuel used is poor.
You can find information on refuelling ⇒page 245, “Refuelling”.
Caution
•Use a fuel complying with the standard. Filling the tank even only once,
which does not comply with the standard, can result in damage to the fuel
system.
•Water which has collected in the fuel filter can result in engine
problems.
Biofuel*
The possibility to refuel with biofuel only applies to vehi-
cles, which have been adapted at the factory for its use.
Biofuel (RME rape oil methyl ester fuel) must comply with the DIN EN
14 214 ⇒ .
Biofuel (methyl ester from rape oil) is manufactured from vegetable oil by
means of a chemical process.
Biofuel does not contain sulphur. This means that no sulphur dioxide
(SO
2) is produced when it is burnt.
The exhaust gases contain less:
•carbon monoxide (CO),
•hydrocarbons (HC),
•particles (soot).
than when operating with conventional diesel fuel.
The Biofuel is more biodegradable.
When using biofuel pay attention to the following points:
•The Performance may be reduced slightly if you switch to driving with
biofuel.
•The fuel consumption may increase slightly if you switch to driving
with biofuel.
We recommend refuelling with diesel fuel at temperatures below -10°C.
Biofuel conforming to DIN EN 14 214 can be mixed in any desired ratio
with diesel fuel conforming to the standard DIN EN 590.
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Fuel
244
Caution
•Filling the tank even only once with biofuel, which does not comply with
the standard DIN EN 14 214 , can result in damage to the fuel system.
•The possibility to refuel with biofuel only applies to vehicles, which
have been adapted at the factory for its use. Filling the tank even only
once with biofuel, which does comply with the standard DIN EN 14 214,
can otherwise result in damage to the fuel system.
•Water which has collected in the fuel filter can result in engine prob-
lems.
•It is prohibited to use biofuel and diesel fuel mixture (RME) for diesel
vehicles which are fitted with diesel particle filter.
Note
•On the inside of the fuel filler flap you will find the information whether
your vehicle can be driven with biofuel.
•When using biofuel certain maintenance work must be carried out
earlier than when using diesel fuel according to DINEN590 - see Service
schedule.
Operation in winter
Winter-grade diesel fuel
A different grade of diesel fuel is available at filling stations in winter than
during the summer. Using “summer-grade diesel fuel” at temperatures
below 0°C can result in operational problems because the diesel becomes
viscous as a result of paraffin separation.
It is therefore the case that DIN EN 590 prescribes diesel fuel class for
certain periods of the year which can also be purchased at the corre- sponding time during the year. “Winter-grade diesel fuel” will still operate
properly even at a temperature of -20°C.
It is often the case in countries with different climatic conditions that diesel
fuels available have a different temperature characteristic. Škoda dealers
and filling stations in the country concerned will be able to provide you with
information regarding the diesel fuels available.
Prewarming fuel
The vehicle is fitted with a fuel filter prewarming system. This secures
operation of a vehicle using diesel fuel down to an environmental temper-
ature of -25°C.
Caution
It is not permitted to add the various fuel additives on the market, including
petrol, to diesel fuel in order to improve its flow properties.
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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 %.
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Inspecting and Replenishing257
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
A slight drop in the fluid level results when driving due to normal wear-and-
tear and automatic adjustment of the brake pads, and is perfectly normal.
There may be an indication of a leak in the brake system, however, if the
fluid level drops significantly within a short time or if it drops below the
“MIN” marking. A situation where the brake fluid level is too low is indi-
cated by the warning light
 lighting up in the instrument cluster
⇒ page 40. In this case stop the car immediately and do not drive any
further! Contact a Škoda Dealer to obtain professional assistance.
WARNING
•Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 248, “Working in
the engine compartment” before working in the engine compart-
ment.
•If the fluid level has dropped below the “MIN” marking, do not
drive any further - risk of accident! Contact a Škoda dealer to obtain
professional assistance.
Replacing brake fluid
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. This causes the fluid to absorb moisture
from the surrounding air over a period of time. Excessive water in the
brake fluid may be the cause of corrosion in the brake system. The water
content also lowers the boiling point of the brake fluid. This is why brake
fluid must be replaced every two years.
One may only use new genuine brake fluid from Škoda Auto. The specifi-
cation for the brake fluid is “FMVSS 116 DOT 4”.
We recommend that you have the brake fluid replaced by a Škoda dealer
as part of an Inspection Service.
WARNING
•Using old brake fluid can result in severe stress on the brakes
because of the formation of vapour bubbles in the brake system.
This greatly impairs the braking efficiency and thus also the safety
of your vehicle.
•Brake fluid is toxic! It must therefore be kept safely in closed
original containers and well away from children and unauthorized
persons.
Caution
Brake fluid damages the paintwork of the vehicle.
For the sake of the environment
In view of the problems involved with proper disposal of brake fluid, the
special tools and the professional knowledge required, you should have
the brake fluid replaced by a Škoda dealer.
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Inspecting and Replenishing
260
Air bubbles can influence the colour of the “magic eye”. For this reason
carefully knock on the “magic eye” before carrying out the check.
•Green colour - the battery is adequately charged.
•Dark colour - the battery has to be charged
•Colourless or yellow colour - have the battery checked by a Škoda
dealer.
Batteries, which are more than 5 years old, must be replaced. We recom-
mend you have the electrolyte level inspected and adjusted to the correct
level or the battery replaced if necessary by a Škoda dealer.
Caution
If the vehicle has not been driven for more than 3 to 4 weeks, the battery
will discharge because certain electrical components consume electricity
(e.g. control units) also in idle state. You can prevent the discharging of
the battery by disconnecting the negative terminal or charging the battery
constantly with a very low charging current. Please also refer to the notes
when working on the battery ⇒page 258, “Working on the battery”.
Inspecting the electrolyte level
The battery is practically maintenance-free under normal operating
conditions. We do, however, recommend that you have the electrolyte
level inspected from time to time by a Škoda dealer when outside temper-
atures are high or when driving on long trips. You should also check the
electrolyte level ⇒page 260 each time the battery is charged.
The battery acid level will also be checked as part of the Inspection
Service.
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.
WARNING
Never charge a frozen or thawed battery - risk of explosion and
caustic burns. Replace a frozen battery.
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 258 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”).
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Breakdown assistance
286
Rear towing eye
– Take the cover out of the bumper ⇒fig. 215 . – Screw in the towing eye anticlockwise down to the stop
⇒fig. 216 and tighten up using the wheel wrench (push the
wheel wrench through eye).
– Put the cover in place after screwing out the towing eye again and press into place. The cover must engage firmly.
Tow-starting a vehicle
If the engine does not start, we generally do not recommend to
tow-start your vehicle. One should attempt to start the engine
using jump start cables ⇒page 281 or call on the services of the
SERVICE mobile.
If your vehicle has to be towed:
– Engage 2nd or 3rd gear with the vehicle stationary.
– Depress the clutch pedal fully and keep it depressed.
– Switch on the ignition.
– Wait until both vehicles are moving then release the clutch pedal slowly.
– Depress the clutch pedal fully when the engine fires and take the vehicle out of gear.
For technical reasons it is not possible to tow-start a car fitted with an
automatic gearbox .
Fig. 215 Rear bumper:
Removing cover
Fig. 216 Rear bumper:
Installing the towing
eye
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