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We recommend having the vehicle checked by a Škoda Service Partner 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 Service Partners have a range of suitable batteries available.
We recommend that you only have an ol d battery disposed of by your Škoda Service Partner since it does require special disposal.
For the sake of the environment
Batteries contain poisonous substances su ch as sulphuric acid and lead. They must be disposed of in accordance with local environmental protection regula- tions and on no account as domestic waste.
Windshield washer system
The windshield washer reservoir contains the cleaning fluid for the windscreen or rear window and for the headlamp clea ning system*. The reservoir is located in the front left of the engine compartment ⇒fig. 150.
The filling level of the container is 2 litres, 5.5 litres on vehicles which also have a headlight washing system.
Clear water is not sufficient to intensiv ely clean the windscreen and headlights. We therefore recommend using clean washing water together with the screen cleaner from Škoda genuine accessories (i n winter additionally with antifreeze) which is capable of removing stubborn dirt. Follow the instructions for use on the packaging when using screen cleaning products.
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 methylated spirits
OperationOperating measure
Electrical power window (operational faults)⇒ page 52
Enter radio code numbersee Radio Operating Instruc- tions
Set hours⇒ page 17
Data in the multi-functional indicator* are deleted.⇒ page 17
Fig. 150 Engine compartment: Wind-shield washer fluid reser-voir
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Wheels and Tyres213
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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 manufac- turer).
•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 bodi es from the tyre profile.
•Damage to tyres and wheels is frequently not visible. Unusual vibrations or pulling of the vehicle to one side could be a sign of tyre damage. Please reduce your speed immediately an d 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 appropriately slow speed and carefully to the nearest specialist garage 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 th e use of unidirectional tyres ⇒page 218.
WARNING
•New tyres during the first 500 km do not offer optimal grip and should therefore be run appropriately - risk of accident!
•Never drive with damaged tyres - risk of accident!
Note
Please observe the various differing legal requirements regarding tyres.
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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 indicators are located at 6 - 8 points depending on th e make and are evenly spaced around the circumference of the tyre ⇒fig. 152. Markings on the walls of the tyres through the letters “TWI”, triangular symbols or other symbols identify the posi-tion 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 ty res have reached their legally permis- sible minimum tread depth.
WARNING
•You must have your tyres replaced with new ones at the latest when the wear indicators have been wo rn 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 “aquaplaning”
(uncontrolled movements of the vehicle - “swimming” on a wet road surface).
Changing wheels around
If significantly greater wear is present on the front tyres, we recommend changing the front wheels around with the rear wheels. You will then obtain approximately the same life for all the tyres.
It may be advantageous to swap the tyres over “crosswise” when certain types of wear characteristic aris e on the running surface of the tyres (but not in the case of unidirectional tyres). Škoda Se rvice Partners can provide you with details.
We recommend that you change the wheels around every 10 000 km in order to achieve even wear on all wheels and to obtain optimal tyre life.
New tyres and wheels
Tyres and wheel rims are important design elements. One should therefore use the tyres and wheel rims which have been released for use by Škoda Auto. They are exactly matched to the vehicle type an d therefore contribute significantly to good road holding and safe driving characteristics ⇒.
Only fit radial tyres of the same type on all 4 wheels, size (rolling circumference) and, if possible, the same tread pattern on one axle.
Škoda Service Partners have access to the most current information about which tyres we have released for use on your vehicle.
We recommend that you have any work relating to tyres or wheels carried out by your Škoda Service Partner. Your dealer has all of the necessary special
Fig. 152 Tyre tread with wear indicators
WARNING (continued)
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used in exceptional cases and only th en when adopting an appropriately cautious style of driving.
•Do not, where possible, replace 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 conf ormity with the appropriate regulations.
Note
It is not normally possible to fit wheels from other models of cars for technical reasons. This may also apply in certain circumstances to the wheels of the same type of vehicle.
Wheel bolts
Wheels and wheel bolts are matched to each other in terms of design. Each time you fit other wheels - e.g. light allo y wheels or wheels with winter tyres - you must therefore also use the matching wheel bolts of the correct length and shape of spherical cap. This is essentia l to ensure that the wheels are tightly fitted and that the brake system operates properly.
If you retrofit wheel trims (or have this done), please also ensure that an adequate flow of air remains assured for cooling the brake system.
The Škoda Service Partners are instructed in the technical possibilities which exist regarding converting or retrofitting wheels, tyres and wheel trim.
WARNING
•In case of incorrect treatment of th e wheel bolts, the wheel can loosen when the car is moving - risk of accident!
•The wheel bolts must be clean and must turn easily. However, they must never be treated with grease or oil.
•If the wheel bolts are tightened to a too low tightening torque, the rim can lossen when the car is moving - risk of accident! A tightening torque which is too high can damage the bolts and threads and this can result in permanent deformation of the contact surfaces on the rims.
Caution
The prescribed tightening torque of the wheel bolts for steel and light alloy wheels is 120 Nm.
Winter tyres
The handling of your vehi cle will be significantly improved when driving on wintry roads if you fit winter tyres. Summer tyres do not offer the same grip on ice, snow and at temperatures below 7 °C because of their construction (width, rubber blend, tread pattern). This applie s in particular to vehicles which are equipped with low-profile tyres or high-speed tyres (code index H, V or W on wall of tyre).
Winter tyres must be mounted on all four wheels to obtain the best handling characteristics.
You must only fit those types of winter ty re which are approved for your vehicle. The permissible sizes of winter tyres are stated in your vehicle documents. Approvals may differ becaus e of national legislation.
Please remember that the tyres should be inflated to 20 kPa (0.2 bar) more than is the case for summer tyres ⇒page 214.
WARNING (continued)
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Only use fine-link snow chains. They must not project more than 9 mm - including the chain lock.
Remove the full wheel trims before installing the snow chains.
Observe the national legal requirements relating to the use of snow chains and the maximum vehicle speed with snow chains.
WARNING
Please pay attention to the information in the supplied fitting instruc-tions 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.
Note
•Only fit snow chains from the ra nge of Škoda genuine accessories.
•When driving with snow chains, switch off the traction control system (TCS).
Wheel sizeDepth (D)Tyre s iz e
5J x 1335 mm155/80
5J x 1435 mm165/70
6J x 1437 mm185/60
6J x 1543 mm185/55
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Breakdown assistance
Breakdown assistance
First-aid box* and Warning triangle*
The first-aid box must be stored in such a way that it is immediately ready to hand.
A warning triangle with the maximum dimensions 39 x 68 x 450 mm can be attached to the trim panel of the rear wall with rubber straps ⇒fig. 153
If you wish to equip your vehicle additionally with a warning triangle, please contact a specialist garage.
WARNING
The first-aid box must be stored in such a way that the occupants do no suffer any injuries in the event of an emergency braking or a collision of the vehicle.
Note
•Pay attention to the use-by-date of the contents of the first-aid box.
Fire extinguisher*
The fire extinguisher is attached with straps under the driver seat.
Please read carefully the instructions which are attached to the fire extin- guisher.
The fire extinguisher must be checked by an authorised person or company annually (please observe th e various differing national legal requirements).
WARNING
If the fire extinguisher is not correctly attached, in case of sudden manoeuvres or an accident it can be “thrown” through the interior compartment and cause injuries.
Fig. 153 Placing of the warning triangle
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The repair with the tyre repair kit is not at all intended to replace a permanent repair on the tyre, this repair only serves to reach the next workshop. The repair can be undertaken on th e vehicle immediately. Please read the attached instructions carefully before the repair.
The tyre repair kit is locate d in the luggage compartment.
Spare wheel*
The spare wheel is stowed in the spare wheel well in the
luggage compartment belo w the floor covering.
The spare wheel lies in a well under the luggage compartment floor and is fixed in place along with the vehicle tool kit box using special screws ⇒fig. 155.
One should check the inflation pressure in the spare wheel (at best when gener- ally checking the tyre air pressures - see sign on the fuel filler flap ⇒page 195) to ensure that the spare wheel is always ready to use.
Unidirectional tyres*
If you have such tyres on your vehi cle, please refer to the notes below:
•The spare wheel provided with a car fitted with unidirectional tyres has different dimensions. The wheel is provided with a warning sticker.
•After fitting on the wheel, the warning sticker must not be concealed (e.g. by the wheel trim).
•Do not drive with this spare wheel at more than 80 km/h - risk of accident. Avoid accelerating at full throttle, sharp braking and fast cornering.
•The inflation pressure for this spare wheel is identical to the inflation pres- sure of the standard tyres.
•Use this spare wheel only to reach the nearest specialist garage as it is not intended for co ntinuous use.
Changing a wheel
Preliminary work
The following steps should be carried out before actually changing the
wheel.
– If it is necessary to change a wheel, park the vehicle as far away as
possible from the traffic flow. The place you choose should be
level .
– Have all the occupants get out. While changing a wheel, the occu-
pants of the vehicle should not stand on the road (e.g. behind a
crash barrier).
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
Fig. 155 Luggage compartment: Spare wheel
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– Stow and attach the replaced wheel in the spare wheel well.
– Stow the vehicle tool kit in the space provided.
– Check the tyre pressure on the spare wheel just mounted as soon
as possible.
– Have the tightening torque of the wheel bolts checked with a
torque wrench as soon as possible. The tightening torque for steel
and light alloy wheels must be 120 Nm.
– Have the defective tyre repaired as soon as possible.
WARNING
It is necessary to observ e the guidelines given on ⇒page 215, “New tyres and wheels” if the vehicle is subsequently fitted with tyres which are different to those it was fitted with at the works.
Note
•If you find, when changing the wheel, that the wheel bolts are corroded and difficult to turn, the bolts must be re placed before checking the tightening torque.
•Drive cautiously and only at a moderate speed to a workshop where the tightening torque can be checked.
Full wheel trim*
Pulling off
– Hook the clamp found in the vehicle tool kit into the reinforced
edge of the full wheel trim.
– Push the wheel key through the clamp, support the wheel key on
the tyre and pull off the wheel trim ⇒fig. 156.
Installing
– First press the full wheel trim onto the wheel at the valve opening
provided. Then press the full wheel trim into the wheel in such a
way that its entire circumfere nce locks correctly in place.
Caution
•Use the pressure of your hand, do no t knock on the full wheel trim! Heavy knocks mainly on the points where the full wheel trim has not been inserted
Fig. 156 Removing the full wheel trim
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