
Intelligent Technology
184
•the wheels of an axle are loaded heavily (e.g. when towing a trailer or
when driving uphill or downhill),
•the vehicle is operated in unfavourable winter conditions or on an
unfirm ground,
•snow chains or emergency wheel are mounted,
•the driver has a sporty style of driving (with sharp acceleration and
high speed when cornering).
Basic setting of tyre inflation pressure-control system
After changing the tyre inflation pressures or after changing one or several
wheels, the button for the tyre inflation pressure-control system must be
pressed long enough until an acknowledegment tone sounds when the
ignition is switched on.
•Inflate all tyres to the specified inflation pressure ⇒page 226.
•Switch on the ignition.
•Press the button ⇒ page 183, fig. 147 long enough, until an
acknowledgment tone sounds, which confirms the storage of the basic
values. As long as the button
is pressed, the warning light lights
up in the instrument .
Function description
After the basic setting of the system the “adaptation” of the tyre inflation
pressures and then the tyre pressure control in the individual tyres are
performed.
Warning light
lights up
If the tyre inflation pressure of at least one wheel is insufficiently inflated
in comparison to the stored basic value, the warning light
⇒ lights
up. Warning light
lights up and after pressing the button SET it does
not go out.
If the warning light lights up and does not go out after pressing the button
SET there is a fault in the system. Have the vehicle inspected by your
nearest specialist garage.
WARNING
•When the warning light lights up, immediately reduce the
speed and avoid sudden steering and brake manoeuvres. Please
stop the vehicle without delay at the nearest possible stop and
inspect the tyres and their inflation pressures.
•The driver is responsible for the correct tyre inflation pressures.
For this reason, the tyre inflation pressures must be checked regu-
larly.
•Under certain circumstances (e.g. sporty style of driving, wintry
or unpaved roads) the warning light can be delayed or does not
light up at all.
•The tyre inflation pressure-control system does not take away
the responsability from the driver for the correct tyre inflation pres-
sure.
Note
The tyre inflation pressure-control system:
•does not replace the regular tyre inflation pressure control, because
the system cannot detect an even pressure loss,
•cannot warn in case of very rapid tyre inflation pressure loss, e.g. in
case of sudden tyre damage. In this case carefully bring the vehicle to a
standstill without sudden steering movements and without sharp
braking.
NKO 20 A05.book Page 184 Wednesday, June 21, 2006 1:42 PM

Driving and the Environment
190
Avoid driving short distances
Short distances result in an above-average high fuel
consumption.
– Avoid driving a distance of no more than 4 km if the engine is
cold.
The engine and catalytic converter must first have reached their optimal
operating temperature in order to effectively reduce fuel consumption
and pollutant emissions.
The cold engine vehicle consumes approx. 15 - 20 litres/100 km of fuel
immediately after starting. Fuel consumption drops to 10 litres/100 km
after just 1 kilometre. The engine reaches its operating temperature
(outside temperature and engine dependent) only after about 4 to 10 kilo-
metres and the fuel consumption then stabilizes. You should therefore
avoid driving short distances whenever possible. An important factor in this connection is also the
ambient temperature.
The ⇒fig. 150 shows the different fuel consumptions for the same
distance, on the one hand at +20°C and on the other hand at -10°C. Your
vehicle has a higher fuel consumption in winter than in summer.
Checking tyre inflation pressures
Tyres which are correctly inflated save fuel.
Always ensure that your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure at all
times. The rolling resistance will be increased if the tyre filling pressure is
too low. This will not only increase fuel consumption but also tyre wear and
the driving behaviour will worsen.
Always check the inflation pressure of the tyres when cold.
Do not drive with winter tyres all year round for this costs about 10 %
more fuel. Winter tyres are also louder.
No unnecessary ballast
Transporting ballast costs fuel.
The fact that every kilogram of extra weight increases your fuel consump-
tion means that it is worth taking a look in the luggage compartment to
avoid transporting any unnecessary ballast.
It is particularly in town traffic, when one is accelerating quite often, that
the vehicle weight will have a significant effect upon the fuel consumption.
A rule of thumb here is that an increase in weight of 100 kilograms will
cause an increase in fuel consumption of about 1 litre/100 kilometres.
You may frequently also leave a roof rack fitted on just out of conven-
ience, although you no longer need it. The increased aerodynamic drag of
Fig. 150 Fuel
consumption in
litres/100 km at
different temperatures
NKO 20 A05.book Page 190 Wednesday, June 21, 2006 1:42 PM

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.
NKO 20 A05.book Page 194 Wednesday, June 21, 2006 1:42 PM

Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle 199
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
For the sake of the environment
Only wash your vehicle at washing bays specifically reserved for this
purpose. This ensures that no water which may be contaminated by oil
flows into the sewage system. It is not even permitted to wash your vehicle
in certain areas except at such specific washing bays.
Washing with a high-pressure cleaner
When you wash your vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner, it is essential
to comply with the instructions for use of the cleaning equipment. This
applies in particular to the pressure used and to the spraying distance .
Maintain a sufficiently large distance to soft materials such as rubber
hoses or insulation material.
On no account use circular spray nozzles or so-called dirt cutters !
WARNING
It is particularly important that you do not clean tyres with circular
spray jets. Damage may occur even at a relatively large spraying
distance and if sprayed only for a short time.
Caution
The water containing wax must be no hotter than 60°C, otherwise the
vehicle can be damaged.
Wax treatment
Good wax treatment is an effective way of protecting the paintwork from
harmful environmental influences and minor mechanical damage.
The vehicle must be treated with a high-quality hard wax polish at the
latest, when no more drops form on the clean paintwork.
A new layer of a high-quality hard wax polish can be applied to the clean
bodywork after it has dried thoroughly. Even if you use a wax preserver
regularly we still recommend that you treat the paintwork of the vehicle at
least twice a year with hard wax.
Caution
Never apply wax to the windows.
Polishing
Polishing is only necessary if the paintwork of your vehicle has become
unattractive and if it is no longer possible to achieve a gloss with wax
preservers.
You must treat the paintwork with a wax preserver if the polish you use
does not contain any preserving elements ⇒page 199, “Wax treatment”.
We recommend using a preservative from Škoda genuine accessories
offered by your Škoda dealer.
Caution
•You must not treat mat painted parts or plastic with polishing products
or hard wax.
•Do not polish the paintwork of the vehicle in a dusty environment,
otherwise the paintwork can be scratched.
NKO 20 A05.book Page 199 Wednesday, June 21, 2006 1:42 PM

Wheels and Tyres
226
Tyre life
The life of your tyres very much depends on the following points:
Tyre pressure
The working life of tyres will be shortened considerably if the tyres are
insufficiently or over-inflated and this will have an adverse effect on the
handling of your vehicle.
Correctly inflated tyres are of particular importance when travelling at high
speeds . It is therefore good to check the pressure at least once a month
and also before setting off on a long trip. Please do not forget the spare
wheel when checking the tyres.
The tyre inflation pressures for summer tyres are indicated on the inside
of the fuel filler flap ⇒fig. 163 . The inflation pressures for winter tyres are
20 kPa (0.2 bar) higher than those for summer tyres ⇒page 229.
The tyre pressure should be at the highest pressure specified for your
vehicle at all times. Always check the inflation pressure of tyres when cold. Do not reduce the
higher pressure of warm tyres. Adapt the inflation pressure of the tyres
accordingly if your vehicle is carrying a significantly higher payload.
Driving style
Fast cornering, sharp acceleration and braking (squealing tyres) increase
wear-and-tear on your tyres.
Balancing wheels
The wheels of a new vehicle are balanced. There are a wide range of influ-
ences when driving which may result in an imbalance and which makes
themselves felt through vibration in the steering.
You should have the wheels rebalanced since any imbalance increases
wear-and-tear on the steering, the suspension and tyres. A wheel must
also be rebalanced when a new tyre is fitted and each time a tyre is
repaired.
Wheel alignment errors
Incorrect wheel alignment at the front and rear will not only increase wear-
and-tear on the tyres but will also has an adverse effect on vehicle safety.
Contact your specialist garage if you notice any unusual tyre wear.
WARNING
•If the inflation pressu
re is too low, the tyre must perform a
greater flexing work. At higher sp eeds the tyre will warm up as a
result of this. This can result in tread separation and even a tyre
blowout.
•Immediately replace the damaged rims or tyres.
For the sake of the environment
Tyres which are insufficiently inflated increase your fuel consumption.
Fig. 163 An opened
fuel filler flap with the
tyre inflation pressure
table
NKO 20 A05.book Page 226 Wednesday, June 21, 2006 1:42 PM

Breakdown assistance237
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Spare wheel*
The spare wheel is stowed in the spare wheel well in the
luggage compartment below 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. 167 .
One should check the inflation pressure in the spare wheel (at best when
generally checking the tyre air pressures - see sign on the fuel filler flap
⇒ page 207) to ensure that the spare wheel is always ready to use.
Unidirectional tyres*
If you have such tyres on your vehicle, 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 acci-
dent. Avoid accelerating at full throttle, sharp braking and fast cornering.
•The inflation pressure for this spare wheel is identical to the inflation
pressure of the standard tyres.
•Use this spare wheel only to reach the nearest specialist garage as it
is not intended for continuous 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
occupants of the vehicle should not stand on the road (e.g.
behind a crash barrier).
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Engage 1st gear or if your vehicle is fitted with an automatic
gearbox, position the selector lever into position P .
– If a trailer is coupled, uncouple it.
– Take the vehicle tool kit and the spare wheel ⇒ page 236
out of the luggage compartment.
Fig. 167 Luggage
compartment: Spare
wheel
NKO 20 A05.book Page 237 Wednesday, June 21, 2006 1:42 PM

Breakdown assistance239
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
–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 observe the guidelines given on ⇒page 227,
“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 replaced before checking the tight-
ening 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. 168 .
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 circumference locks
correctly in place.
Fig. 168 Removing the
full wheel trim
NKO 20 A05.book Page 239 Wednesday, June 21, 2006 1:42 PM

General263
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Technical Data
General
Identification data
Vehicle data sticker
The vehicle data sticker ⇒fig. 195 is located on the floor of the luggage
compartment and is also stated in the Service schedule.
The vehicle data sticker contains the following data:
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
Vehicle type
Gearbox code, paint number, interior equipment number, engine
output, engine code
Partial description of the vehicle Vehicle identification number (VIN)
The vehicle identification number - VIN (vehicle body number) is stamped
into the engine compartment on the right hand shock absorber dome. This
number is also located on a sign on the lower left hand edge below the
windscreen (together with a VIN bar code).
Engine number
The engine number is stamped into the engine block.
Type plate (production plate)
The type plate is located in the engine compartment at the front on the left
hand shock absorber dome.
Homologation sign
The homologation sign is located on the lock carrier. Vehicles for certain
countries do not have an homologation sign.
Sticker on inside of fuel filler flap
The sticker is affixed to the inside of the fuel filler flap. The sticker contains
the following data:
•The prescribed types of fuel,
•Tyre size,
•Tyre pressure.
Note
•You will find the technical data of your vehicle in the separate brochure
"Technical Data".
Fig. 195 Vehicle data
sticker
A1
A2
A3
A4
NKO 20 A05.book Page 263 Wednesday, June 21, 2006 1:42 PM