2006 SKODA ROOMSTER Owner's Manual

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 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.
NKO 20 A05.book Page 185 Wednesday, June 21, 2006 1:42 PM

Driving and the Environment
186
New brake pads
Allow for the fact that new brake pads do not achieve their full braking effi-
ciency until approximately 200 kilometres. New brake pads must be first
“run in” before they develop their optimal friction force. You can, however,
compensate for this slightly reduced braking force by increasing the pres-
sure on the brake pedal.
This guideline also applies to any new brake pads installed at a future
date.
During the running-in period, you should avoid excessive stresses on the
brakes. This includes, for example, violent braking, particularly from very
high speeds, and also when crossing mountain passes.
Catalytic converter
Proper operation of the emission control system (catalytic
converter) is of major significance for driving your vehicle
in an environmentally conscious way.
Please refer to the following guidelines:
– For vehicles with petrol engine only refuel with unleaded petrol
⇒page 205, “Grades of petrol”.
– Never run the fuel tank completely empty.
– Do not switch off the ignition while you are driving the vehicle.
– Do not pour too much oil into the engine ⇒page 214,
“Replenishing engine oil”. – Do not tow-start the vehicle over a distance of more than 50
metres ⇒page 247, “Tow-starting a vehicle”.
If you drive your vehicle in a country in which unleaded petrol is not avail-
able, you must have the catalytic converter replaced later when driving the
vehicle into a country in which use of a catalytic converter is mandatory.
WARNING
•In view of the high temperatures which may be produced in the
catalytic converter, one should always park a vehicle in such a way
that the catalytic converter cannot come into contact with easily
flammable materials below the vehicle - a risk of fire!
•Never use additional underbody protection or corrosion-protec-
tion agents for the exhaust pipes, catalytic converters or heat
shields. Such substances might ignite when driving - risk of fire!
Caution
•Vehicles fitted with catalytic converter should never be allowed to let
the fuel tank to run completely empty. An irregular fuel supply can result
in poor ignition or misfiring. Unburnt fuel may get into the exhaust system
and damage the catalytic converter.
•Filling the tank even only once with leaded petrol will result in the cata-
lytic converter being destroyed.
•If you detect misfiring, a drop in performance or irregular engine
running when driving, reduce your speed immediately and have the
vehicle inspected by the nearest specialist garage. The symptoms
described may be caused by a fault in the ignition system. Unburnt fuel
may get into the exhaust system and damage the catalytic converter.
NKO 20 A05.book Page 186 Wednesday, June 21, 2006 1:42 PM

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.
NKO 20 A05.book Page 187 Wednesday, June 21, 2006 1:42 PM

Driving and the Environment
188
Shifting gears and saving energy
Shifting up early saves on fuel.
Manual gearbox
– Drive no more than about one length of your vehicle in first
gear. Always shift up into the next higher gear at approx. 2 000
to 2 500 revs.
Automatic gearbox
– Depress the accelerator pedal slowly. Do not depress it
beyond the kickdown position, however.
An effective way of achieving good fuel economy is to shift up early. You
will consume more fuel if you drive at unnecessarily high revolutions in
any given gear. The
⇒fig. 148 shows the ratio of fuel consumption to the speed of your
vehicle for the individual gears. Fuel consumption in 1st gear is the
highest and in 5th gear is the lowest.
Note
•The optimal engine speed should be obtained when accelerating, in
order to avoid a high fuel consumption and resonance of the vehicle.
•Also use the information supplied by the multi-functional indicator*
⇒ page 17.
Avoiding full throttle
Driving more slowly means saving fuel.
Sensitive use of the accelerator will not only significantly reduce fuel
consumption but also positively influence environmental pollution and
wear of your vehicle.
Fig. 148 Fuel
consumption in
litres/100 km. and
speed in km/h.
Fig. 149 Fuel
consumption in
litres/100 km. and
speed in km/h.
NKO 20 A05.book Page 188 Wednesday, June 21, 2006 1:42 PM

Driving and the Environment189
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
You should avoid fully exploiting the top speed of your vehicle wherever
possible. Fuel consumption, pollutant emissions and vehicle noises
increase disproportionally at high speeds.
The
⇒page 188, fig. 149 shows the ratio of fuel consumption to the
speed of your vehicle. You will cut your fuel consumption by half if you only
make use three-quarters of the possible top speed of your vehicle.
Reducing idling
Idling also costs fuel.
It is worthwhile switching off the engine in a traffic jam or when waiting at
a level crossing or at traffic lights with a lengthy red phase. Even after just
30 - 40 seconds you will have saved more fuel than that is needed when
you start the engine up again.
If an engine is only idling it takes much longer for it to reach its normal
operating temperature. Wear-and-tear and pollutant emissions, though,
are particularly high in the warming-up phase. This is why you should
drive off right after starting the engine. Do avoid high engine revolutions at
this time, however.
Regular servicing
A poorly tuned engine consumes an unnecessarily high
amount of fuel.
Having your vehicle serviced regularly at a specialist garge enables you
to satisfy one of the requirements for economical motoring even before
you set off on your journey. Keeping your vehicle properly serviced not
only has a positive effect on the safety of your vehicle and maintaining its
value, but also saves on fuel. A poorly tuned engine can result in a fuel consumption which is 10%
higher than normal.
The foreseen maintenance work should be undertaken exactly according
to the Service schedule by a specialist garage.
Also check the
oil level after refueling. Oil consumption is dependent to
a considerable extent on the load and speed of the engine. Oil consump-
tion could be as high as 0.5 litres/1 000 km depending on your style of
driving.
It is quite normal that a new engine has a higher oil consumption at first,
and reaches its lowest level only after a certain running in time. It is there-
fore not possible to correctly assess the oil consumption of a new vehicle
until after you have driven about 5 000 km.
For the sake of the environment
•You can achieve additional improvements in your fuel economy by
using high-lubricity oils.
•Check the ground below your car at regular intervals to detect any
leakages in good time. Please have your vehicle inspected by a specialist
garge if you find any stains caused by oil or other fluids on the floor.
NKO 20 A05.book Page 189 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

Driving and the Environment191
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
your vehicle causes it to use about 1 l more fuel than normal at a speed
of 100 - 120 km/h, even when you are not carrying a load on the roof.
Saving electricity
Generating electricity costs fuel.
– Switch off electrical components as soon as you no longer
need them.
When the engine is running, the alternator generates and supplies elec-
trical power. The greater the load on the alternator as a result of having a
large number of electrical components switched on, the more fuel will be
consumed for operating the alternator.
Keeping a log of your fuel consumption
If you really wish to keep a close check on your fuel consumption, it is
best to enter the figures in a logbook. This does not take much time but is
a very worthwhile exercise. It enables you to detect any change (positive
and negative) at an early stage and to take any appropriate action.
If you find that your fuel consumption is too high, you should reflect on
how, where and in what conditions you have driven the vehicle since you
last refuelled.
Environmental compatibility
Environmental protection has played a major role in the design, selection
of materials and manufacture of your new Škoda. Particular emphasis has
been paid to a number of aspects, including:
Design measures
•joints designed to be easily detached
•simplified disassembly due to the modular structure system
•improved purity of different classes of materials
•identification of all plastic parts in accordance with VDA Recommen-
dation 260
•reduced fuel consumption and exhaust emission CO2
•minimum fuel leakage during accidents
•reduced noise
Choice of materials
•extensive use of recyclable material
•air conditioning filled with CFC-free refrigerant
•no cadmium
•no asbestos
•reduction in the “vaporisation” of plastics
Manufacture
•solvent-free cavity protection
•solvent-free protection of the vehicle for transportation from the
production plant to the customer
•the use of solvent-free adhesives
•no CFCs used in the production process
•without use of mercury
•use of water-soluble paints
NKO 20 A05.book Page 191 Wednesday, June 21, 2006 1:42 PM