2006 SKODA ROOMSTER trailer

Driving and the Environment185
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Driving and the Environment
The first 1 500 kilometres and then
afterwards
A new engine
The engine has to be run in during the first 1 500 kilome-
tres.
Up to 1 000 kilometres
– Do not drive faster than 3/4 of the mamimum speed of the gear
in use, that is 3/4 of the maximum permissible engine speed.
– Do not use full throttle.
– Avoid high engine revolutions.
– Do not tow a trailer.
From 1 000 up to 1 500 kilometres
– Increase the power output of the engine gradually up to the
full speed of the gear engaged, that is up to the maximum
permissible engine revolutions.
During the first operating hours the engine has higher internal friction than
later until all of the moving parts have harmonized. The driving style which
you adopt during the first approx.1 500 kilometres plays a decisive part in
the success of running in your car.
You should not drive at unnecessarily high engine revolutions even after
the running-in period is complete. The maximum permissible engine speed is marked by the beginning of the red zone on the scale of the revo-
lutions counter. Shift up into the next higher gear on a vehicle fitted with
manual gearbox before the red zone is reached.
Extremely high engine
revolutions are automatically governed, by the way.
For a vehicle fitted with a manual gearbox the converse situation also
applies: Do not drive at engine revolutions which are too low. Shift down
as soon as the engine is no longer running smoothly.
Caution
All the speed and engine revolution figures apply only when the engine is
at its normal operating temperature. Never rev up an engine which is cold,
neither when the vehicle is stationary nor when driving in individual gears.
For the sake of the environment
Not driving at unnecessarily high engine revolutions and shifting to a
higher gear as early as possible are ways to minimise fuel consumption
and operating noise levels and protects the environment.
New tyres
New tyres have to be “run in” since they do not offer optimal grip at first.
You should take account of this fact for the first 500 kilometres and drive
particularly carefully.
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Driving and the Environment187
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
For the sake of the environment
Even if the exhaust system is operating properly, a sulphur-like exhaust
odour may be produced under certain operating conditions of the engine.
This depends on the sulphur content of the fuel. It is often sufficient to
refuel with unleaded premium-grade petrol of a different brand or at a
different filling station.
Driving in an economical and
environmentally conscious manner
General
Your personal style of driving is a major factor.
Your fuel consumption, any pollution of the environmental and the wear-
and-tear to the engine, brakes and tyres, depend essentially on three
factors:
•your personal style of driving,
•the conditions under which your vehicle is operated,
•technical aspects.
You can easily improve your fuel economy by 10 - 15 percent by driving in
an economical way with foresight. This section is intended to provide you
with a number of tips on how to protect the environment and at the same
time save money.
The fuel consumption can naturally also be influenced by factors which
are beyond the driver's control. It is, for example, normal for the fuel
consumption to increase in winter and under worsened conditions such as
poor road conditions, towing a trailer, etc. The technical requirements for low fuel usage and economic efficiency of
the vehicle have already been built into the vehicle at the works. Special
attention has been given to minimising negative effects on the environ-
ment. It is necessary to take note of the guidelines given in this chapter in
order to make best use of these characteristics and to maintain their
effectiveness.
Looking ahead when driving
A vehicle's highest fuel consumption occurs it accelerates.
Avoid accelerating and braking unnecessarily. If you drive with forsight
you will not need to brake so often and will also then not have to accel-
erate so much. Let your vehicle coast to a stop, for example, if this is
possible, when you see that the next set of traffic lights is at red.
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Towing a trailer193
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Towing a trailer
Towing a trailer
Technical requirements
The towing device must satisfy certain technical require-
ments.
Your vehicle is designed primarily for transporting persons and luggage. It
can, however, also be used for towing a trailer - provided certain technical
equipment is fitted.
If your vehicle has already been supplied with a factory-fitted towing
device then everything that is necessary for towing a trailer in technical
terms, and in terms of the law, has already been taken into account.
Your vehicle is fitted with a 13-pin power socket for the electrical connec-
tion between the vehicle and trailer. If the trailer which you wish to tow has
a 7-pin connector , you can use a suitable adapter
5) from Škoda original
accessories.
This work must be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's
specifications if a towing device is retrofitted.
Škoda Service Partners are familiar with details relating to retrofitting a
towing device and for any necessary modifications to the cooling system.
WARNING
We recommend that you have the towing device from Škoda orig-
inal accessories installed by a Škoda Service Partner. He is familiar
with all the relevant details relating to retrofitting such equipment.
There is a risk of an accident if the towing device is not properly
fitted!
General Maintenance
There are a number of points to pay attention to when
towing a trailer.
Tr a i l e r l o a d
The permissible trailer load must on no account be exceeded.
You can negotiate appropriately steeper inclines and descents if you do
not make full use of the permissible trailer load.
The trailer loads specified only apply for altitudes up to 1 000 metres
above mean sea level. The fact that the engine power output drops with
increasing height due to a lowering of air pressure and thus the ability to
climb, means that the towed weight must be reduced by 10% for every
further increase of 1 000 metres in height above sea level. The towed
weight is the weight of the (laden) vehicle and the (laden) trailer together.
One should take this into account before driving up to higher altitudes.
The trailer and drawbar load information on the type plate of the
towing device are merely test data for the towing device The data
relating to your vehicle, which is often less than this test data, can
5)In some countries the adapter is supplied with the towing device.
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Towing a trailer
194
be found in your vehicle registration documents or in the brochure -
Technical Data .
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 pressure
Correct the tyre inflation pressure on your vehicle for that of “fully laden”,
⇒ page 226. 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 58.
Detachable ball head
The ball rod is detachable on vehicles with towing device and suppliable
from Škoda original accessories. It is stowed together with separate fitting
instructions in the spare wheel well in the luggage compartment of the
vehicle.
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.
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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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Towing a trailer
196
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Inspecting and Replenishing
214
Oil level within range
– You may top up the oil. It is possible that the oil level may then
be within range after doing this.
Oil level within range
– You must top up the oil. It is sufficient, once this is done, to
keep the oil level is within range .
It is normal for the engine to consume oil. The oil consumption may be as
much as 0.5 l/1 000 km depending on your style of driving and the condi-
tions under which you operate your vehicle. The oil consumption may be
slightly higher than this during the first 5 000 kilometres.
One should therefore check the oil level at regular intervals, preferably
every time after the fuel tank is filled or after driving for long stretches.
We recommend maintaining the oil level within the range if the engine
has been operating at high loads, for example during a lengthy motorway
trip during the summer months, towing a trailer or negotiating a high
mountain pass, but not above this .
The warning light in the instrument cluster* will indicate ⇒page 32
whether the oil level is too low. In this case, check the oil level as soon as
possible. Top up with an appropriate quantity of oil.
WARNING
Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 210, “Working in the
engine compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
Caution
•Always check the oil level on vehicles with engine 1.2 l/47 kW when
the engine is warm. Otherwise the measuring result is incorrect und oil
could be incorrectly replenished - risk of engine damage!
•The oil level must on no account extend beyond the range . Danger
of damaging the catalytic converter.
•Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible
under the conditions prevailing to top up with oil. Switch the engine off
and obtain professional assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it
could lead to severe engine damage.
Replenishing engine oil
– Inspect the oil level ⇒page 213.
– Unscrew the cap of the engine oil filler opening.
– Pour in a suitable grade of oil in portions of 0.5 litres ⇒page 212, “Engine oil specifications”.
– Inspect the oil level ⇒page 213.
– Carefully screw on the cap of the filler opening and push the dipstick in fully.
WARNING
•Avoid dripping oil onto hot parts of the engine when topping up
will oil - a risk of fire!
•Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 210, “Working in
the engine compartment” before working in the engine compart-
ment.
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Breakdown assistance
236
Vehicle tool kit
The vehicle tool kit and the lifting jack are stored in a locable plastic box
in the spare wheel ⇒fig. 166 . There is also space here for the removable
ball for the trailer towing device.
The vehicle tool kit contains the following parts (depending on equipment
fitted):
•To r x w r e n c h ,
•Wheel wrench,
•Hook for pulling off a full wheel trim,
•Towing eye,
•Adapter for the wheel bolts lock.
After using the lifting jack, screw in the arm of the lifting jack fully before
placing it back in its stowage area.
WARNING
•The hexagon socket in the handle of the screwdriver should
only be used to fit on the wheel bolts. Never use the hexagon
socket of the screwdriver for tightening the wheel bolts because
you will not be able to achieve the necessary tightening torque with
the hexagon socket - risk of accident!
•The factory-supplied lifting jack is only intended for your model
of vehicle. On no account attempt to lift a heavier vehicle or other
loads - risk of injury!
•Ensure that the vehicle tool kit is safely attached in the luggage
compartment.
Tyre repair kit*
The tyre repair kit is intended for the repair of minor tyre defects. The tyre
repair kit contains a compressor, inflation bottle, operating instructions
and accessories.
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 the vehicle immediately.
Please read the attached instructions carefully before the repair.
The tyre repair kit is located in the luggage compartment.
Fig. 166 Luggage
compartment: Storage
compartment for
vehicle too kit
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