
Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
14
Engine revolutions counter
The start of the red zone in the revolutions counter    ⇒page 13, fig. 2  
indicates the maximum permissible engine speed for all gears for an 
engine which has been run in and operating at a normal temperature. You 
should shift into the next higher gear before this red zone is reached, or 
move the selector lever into position  D if your car is fitted with an automatic 
gearbox.
One should shift to the next lower gear at the latest when the engine is no 
longer running “smoothly”.
Avoid high engine speeds during the running-in period  ⇒page 185.
Caution
The needle of the revolutions counter must on no account move into the 
red zone of the scale - risk of engine damage!
For the sake of  the environment
Shifting up early helps you save fuel and reduce the operating noise of 
your vehicle.
Coolant temperature gauge*
The coolant temperature gauge    ⇒page 13, fig. 2  operates only when 
the ignition is switched on.
In order to avoid any damage to the engine, please pay attention to the 
following notes regarding the temperature ranges: Cold range
If the pointer is in the left-hand area of the scale* it means that the engine 
has not yet reached its operating temperature. Avoid running at high 
engine speeds, at full throttle and at severe engine loads.
The operating range
The engine has reached its operating temperature as soon as the pointer 
moves into the mid-range of the scale*. The pointer may also move further 
to the right at high engine loads and high outside temperatures. This is not 
critical provided the warning symbol 
 in the instrument cluster does not 
flash.
If the symbol 
 in the instrument cluster flashes it means that either the 
coolant  temperature  is too high or the coolant  level is too low. Please 
refer to the guidelines  ⇒page 31, “Coolant temperature/coolant level  ”.
WARNING
Pay attention to the warning notes  ⇒page 210, “Working in the 
engine compartment” before opening the bonnet and inspecting 
the coolant level.
Caution
Additional headlights and other attached components in front of the fresh 
air inlet impair the cooling efficiency of the coolant. There is then a risk of 
the engine overheating at high outside temperatures and high engine 
loads!
Fuel gauge*
The fuel gauge    ⇒page 13, fig. 2  only operates when the ignition is 
switched on.
A1
A4
A7
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Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights25
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
The red symbols indicate 
danger (priority 1) while the yellow symbols indi-
cate a  warning  (priortity 2). Information for the driver may also appear in 
addition to the symbols  ⇒page 27.
Investigate the displayed faults as soon as possible. If several operational 
faults exist at the same time, the symbols will appear one after the other 
and light up each for about 10 seconds.
The error messages are displayed and stored in the menu  VEH. STATUS.
There is at least one error message to be read when the term  VEH. 
STATUS  is flashing in the main menu. The display will show  STATUS 1/2 
(for example) if a number of error messages are displayed. This display 
indicates that the first of a total of two error messages should be 
displayed.
Actuate the rocker switch  , to call up the individual error messages.
If a fault occurs, a warning signal will also sound in addition to the symbol 
and text in the display:
•Priority 1 - three warning signals,
•Priority 2 - one warning signal.
Red symbols
A red symbol signals danger.
Proceed as follows if a red symbol is displayed:
– Stop the vehicle.
– Switch the engine off.
– Investigate the function indicated.
– Obtain professional assistance.
Meaning of the red symbols:
AA
Coolant level too low/coolant tempera-
ture too high⇒ page 31
Engine oil pressure too low⇒page 32
Fig. 13  Information 
display: Oil pressure is 
low
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Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
28
WARNING
•If you do not pay attention to the warning lights coming on and 
the corresponding descriptions and warning notes, this may result 
in severe body injuries or major vehicle damage.
•The engine compartment of your car is a hazardous area. There 
is a risk of injuries, scalding, accid ents and fire when working in the 
engine compartment, e.g. inspecting and replenishing oil and other 
fluids. It is also essential to observe all warnings  ⇒page 210.
Note
•Arrangement of the indicator lights depends on the model and model 
version. The symbols shown in the following functional description are to 
be found as indicator lights in the instrument cluster.
•Operational faults are shown in the instrument cluster as red symbols 
(priority 1 - danger) or yellow symbols (priority 2 - warning).
Electrohydraulic power steering⇒ page 30
EPC fault light (petrol engine)⇒page 30
Glow plug system (diesel engine)⇒page 30
Turn signal system for vehicles towing 
a trailer*⇒page 31
Coolant temperature/coolant level⇒page 31
Electronic immobiliser⇒page 32
Fuel reserve⇒page 32
Engine oil⇒page 32
Brake pad wear*⇒page 33
Open door*⇒page 33
Fluid level in windshield washer sys-
tem*⇒page 33
Control system for exhaust⇒page 33
Traction control system (TCS)*⇒page 34
Tyre pressure*⇒page 34
Selector lever lock* (automatic gear-
box)⇒page 35
Electronic stability programme (ESP)*⇒page 35
Antilock brake system (ABS)*⇒page 35
Brake system⇒page 36
Airbag system⇒page 36
Diesel particle filter* (diesel engine)⇒page 37
Seat belt warning light*⇒page 38
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Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights31
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
an emergency programme which enables you to drive to the nearest 
specialist garage by adopting a gentle style of driving.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
ENGINE FAULT WORKSHOP!
Turn signal system for vehicles towing a trailer* 
The indicator light  on vehicles towing a trailer flashes together with the 
respective indicator light for the turn signal system.
The indicator light 
 does not flash if a turn signal light on the trailer or 
on the vehicle is not operating.
Coolant temperature/coolant level 
The warning light   comes on for a few seconds 1) when the ignition is 
switched on.
The coolant temperature is too high or the coolant level too low if the 
warning light 
 does not go out after the engine is started or flashes while 
driving.
3 peeps sound as an additional warning signal.
In this case stop and switch the engine off  and check the coolant level; 
top up the coolant as necessary  ⇒page 217, “Replenishing the coolant”.
Do not continue your journey  if for some reason it is not possible under 
the conditions prevailing to top up with coolant.  Keep the engine switched off
 and obtain professional assistance from a specialist garage, 
otherwise it could lead to severe engine damage.
If the coolant is within the specified range, the increased temperature may 
be caused by an operating problem at the coolant fan. Check the fuse for 
the coolant fan, replace it if necessary  ⇒page 253, “Fuse assignment at 
battery”.
Do not continue driving  if the warning light does not go off although the 
fluid is at the correct level and also the fuse of the fan is in proper order. 
Contact a specialist garage to obtain assistance.
Please also refer to the additional instructions  ⇒page 215, “Cooling 
system”.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
STOP CHECK COOLANT OWNER'S MANUAL!
WARNING
•If you must stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at 
a safe distance from the traffic and switch off the engine and switch 
on the hazard warning light system  ⇒page 59, “Switch for hazard 
warning lights  ”.
•Pay attention to the following instructions  ⇒page 210, 
“Working in the engine compartment” before checking the coolant 
fluid level and opening the bonnet.
•Take care when opening the coolant expansion bottle. If the 
engine is hot, the cooling system is  pressurized - risk of scalding. 
It is best to allow the engine to cool down before removing the cap.
•Do not touch the coolant fan! The coolant fan may switch on 
automatically even if the ignition is off.
1)The warning light   on vehicles fitted with information display does not come on
after switching the ignition on, but only if the coolant temperature is to\
o high or the
coolant level is too low.
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Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights33
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
In this case have the engine inspected without delay by a specialist 
garage.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
OIL SENSOR WORKSHOP! (OIL SENSOR WORKSHOP!)
WARNING
•If you must stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at 
a safe distance from the traffic and switch off the engine and switch 
on the hazard warning light system  ⇒page 59.
•The red oil pressure light  is not an oil level indicator! One 
should therefore check the oil level at regular intervals, preferably 
after every refueling stop.
•Pay attention to the following instructions  ⇒page 210, 
“Working in the engine compartmen t” before checking the coolant 
fluid level and opening the bonnet.
Thickness of the brake pads* 
If the warning light  comes on, contact a specialist garage immediately 
and have the brake pads on  all of the wheels inspected.
A peep sounds as an additional warning signal.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*: CHECK BRAKE PAD
Open door* 
The warning light  comes on if one or several doors, the bonnet or tail-
gate is opened.
The warning light comes on even when the ignition is switched off. The 
warning light goes out 5 minutes after switching off the ignition if one or 
several doors, the bonnet or tailgate is opened. The warning light goes out 
after closing the doors.
Windshield washer fluid level*
The warning light  comes on when the ignition is switched on if there is 
insufficient fluid in the windshield washer system. Top up with liquid 
⇒ page 224.
A peep sounds as an additional warning signal.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*: REFILL WASHER LIQUID
Control system for exhaust 
The warning light  comes on after the ignition has been switched on.
If the warning light does not go out after starting the engine or it lights up 
or flashes when driving, a fault exists in an exhaust relevant component. 
The engine management system selects an emergency programme 
which enables you to drive to the nearest specialist garage by adopting a 
gentle style of driving.
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Towing a trailer195
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
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 and then brake firmly. This will avoid brake 
jolts resulting from the trailer wheels locking. Shift down gears in good 
time 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 216, “Inspecting the coolant level”.
Please refer to the following guidelines  ⇒page 31, “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.
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Inspecting and Replenishing215
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For the sake of the environment
The oil level must on no account be above the range    ⇒page 213. Oil 
will otherwise be drawn in through the crankcase ventilation and may pass 
through the exhaust system to atmosphere. The oil may combust in the 
catalytic converter and damage it.
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 210, “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 
Service Partner.
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%.
Aa
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Inspecting and Replenishing
216
You can increase the amount of antifreeze in the coolant if 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 %.
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 antifreeze agent - G12 PLUS (purple in 
colour).
We recommend that you contact your Škoda Service Partner if you have 
any questions regarding the coolant or if you wish to fill up with a different 
coolant.
Your Škoda Service Partner 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 210.
– Check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion bottle  ⇒fig. 158 . 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 31. We nevertheless 
Fig. 158  Engine 
compartment: Coolant 
expansion bottle
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