Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle165
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Wheels
Steel wheels
You should also thoroughly wash the wheels and wheel trims when giving your vehicle its regular wash. This prevents an y brake dust, dirt and road salt from sticking to the wheel hubs. You can remove stubborn brake abrasion adhering to t h e w h e e l s w i t h a n i n d u s tr i a l c l e a n e r. To u c h u p a n y d a m a g e to t h e p a i n tw o r k o n th e wheels before rust is able to form.
Light alloy wheels
Regular care of light alloy wheels is necessary in order to retain their decorative appearance over long periods. It is partic ularly important to remove any road salt and brake abrasion from light alloy wheels every two weeks, otherwise the surface will suffer. Wash thoroughly and then treat the wheels with a protective product for light alloy wheels which does not contain any acidic components. You should provide the wheel hubs with a hard wax la yer every three months. You must not use any products which cause abrasion when treating the wheel hubs. Any damage to the paint layer on the wheel hubs must be touched up immediately.
We recommend using a preservative from Škoda genuine accessories offered by your Škoda dealer.
WARNING
One should remember when cleaning th e wheels that moisture, ice and road salt may adversely affect braking ef ficiency - risk of an accident!
Note
Severe layers of dirt on the wheels can also result in wheel imbalance. This may show itself in the form of a wheel vibration which is transmitted to the steering wheel which, in certain circumstances, ca n cause premature wear of the steering. This means it is necessary to remove the dirt.
Underbody protection
The underside of your vehicl e is protected for life against chemical and mechanical influences.
One cannot, however, completely rule out damage to the protective layer when driving so we recommend that you inspect the protective layer on the underside of your vehicle and on the chassis at certain in tervals - this is best done at the begin- ning and end of the winter - and to touch up any damaged areas.
Škoda Service Partners have suitable spray products available as well as the neces- sary equipment and are familiar with the instructions for use. We therefore recom- mend to have repairs and additional co rrosion protection measures preferably carried out by a Škoda Service Partner.
WARNING
Never use additional underbody protection or corrosion-protection agents for the exhaust pipes, catalytic converters or heat shields. Such substances might ignite when driving - risk of fire!
Protection of hollow spaces
All the cavities of your vehicle which are at risk from corrosion are protected for life by a layer of protective wax applied in the factory.
This wax protection does not require to be inspected or re-treated. Please remove any small amount of wax which flows out of the cavities at high temperatures with a plastic scraper and clean the spot using petroleum cleaner.
WARNING
Safety and environmental protection regulations should observed when using petroleum cleaner to re move wax - a risk of fire!
NKO A05F 20 MR08.book Page 165 Thursday, April 19, 2007 11:34 AM
Wheels and Tyres187
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
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 ⇒page 186, fig. 154. The inflation pressures for winter tyres are 20 kPa (0.2 bar) higher than those for summer tyres ⇒page 189.
The tyre pressure should be at the highest pressure specified for your vehicle at all times.
Always check the inflation pressure of ty res 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 influences when driving which may result in an im balance 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 no tice any unusual tyre wear.
WARNING
•If the inflation pressure is too low, the tyre must perform a greater rolling resistance. At higher speeds 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.
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 the make and are evenly spaced around the circumference of the tyre ⇒fig. 155. Markings on the walls of the tyres through the letters “TWI”, triangular symbols or other symbols identi fy the position 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 tyres have reached their legally permissible minimum tread depth.
WARNING
•You must have your tyres replaced with new ones at the latest when the wear indicators have been worn do wn. 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” (uncon- trolled movements of the vehicle - “swimming” on a wet road surface).
Fig. 155 Tyre tread with wear indicators
NKO A05F 20 MR08.book Page 187 Thursday, April 19, 2007 11:34 AM
Breakdown assistance201
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Starting engine
– Start the engine of the vehicle providing current and run the engine at
idling speed.
– Now start the engine of the vehicle with the discharged battery.
– Interrupt the attempt at starting an engine after 10 seconds if it does
not start right away and wait for about 30 seconds before repeating
the attempt.
– Disconnect the cables on the engine in exactly the reverse order they
were connected up.
WARNING
•The non-insulated parts of the terminal clamps must never make contact with each other. Furthermore, the cable connected to the positive terminal of the battery must not come into contact with electrically conducting parts of the vehicle - risk of a short circuit!
•Do not affix the jump starting cables to the negative terminal of the discharged battery. There is the risk of detonating gas seeping out the battery being ignited by the strong spark which results from the engine being started.
•Do not affix the cable end to part s of the fuel and brake system.
•Run the jump-start cables so that they cannot be caught by any rotating parts in the engine compartment.
•Do not bend over the batteries - risk of caustic burns!
•The vent screws of the battery cells must be tightened firmly.
•Keep any sources of ignition (naked flame, smouldering cigarettes etc.) away from the battery - risk of an explosion!
Tow-starting and towing vehicle
General
Please pay attention to the following in structions if you are going to use a
tow rope:
Driver of the towing vehicle
– Do not drive off until the tow rope is taught.
– Release the clutch particular ly gently when starting off.
Driver of the towed vehicle
– Switch the ignition on so that th e steering wheel is not blocked and
you can also operate the turn signal lights, the headlight flasher, the
windscreen wipers and windscreen washer system.
– Take the vehicle out of gear or move the selector lever into position N
if your vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.
– Note that the brake servo unit and power steering only operate if the
engine is running. You will require significantly greater physical force
to depress the brake pedal and to steer the vehicle if the engine is not
running.
– Ensure that the tow rope is always kept taught.
Tow rope or tow bar
A tow bar is safest way of towing a vehicle and also minimizes any shocks. You can use a tow rope only if a suitable tow bar is not available.
The tow rope must be elastic to protect the vehicle. Thus one should only use plastic fibre rope or a rope made out of a similarly elastic material.
Attach the tow rope or the tow bar only to the towing eyes provided for this purpose ⇒page 202, “Front towing eye” and ⇒page 203, “Rear towing eye”.
A4
NKO A05F 20 MR08.book Page 201 Thursday, April 19, 2007 11:34 AM
Fuses and light bulbs209
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Bulbs
Replacing bulbs
The relevant lamp must always be switched off before a light bulb is replaced.
Do not take hold of the glass bulb with naked fingers (even the smallest amount of dirt reduces the working life of the light bu lb). Use a clean cloth, serviette or some- thing similar.
Defect light bulbs should only be replaced with light bulbs of the same type. The designation is located on the light socket or the glass bulb.
Changing certain bulbs is not something wh ich you can do yourself, but requires to be done by a specialist. Other parts of the vehicle must be removed in order to change the light bulbs. This applies, in particular, to bulbs which can only be reached from the engine compartment.
We therefore recommend that you have any bulbs changed by a Škoda Service Partner or, in exceptional cases, by ca lling on other professional assistance.
Please note that the engine co mpartment is a hazardous area ⇒page 173, “Working in the engine compartment”.
We recommend that you carry the set of light bulbs with you which was delivered in your vehicle. Replacement light bulbs 8) are available at a Škoda Service Partner.
The set of light bulbs can be stowed in the locable box in the spare wheel.
Overview of bulbs
No.Power consumerAmperes
1Dynamo175
2Interior80
3Electrical auxiliary heating system 60
4ABS or TCS or ESP40
5Electrohydraulic power steering50
6Glow plugs50
7ABS or TCS or ESP25
8The radiator fan30
9The air conditioning system5
10The radiator fan40
11Central control unit5
12Automatic gearbox electrical auxiliary heating system 530
8)Replacement light bulbs are, on the other hand, part of the basic equipping of the vehicle in some countries.
Front headlightReflectorModule
Low beam and main beamH4H7
Parking lightsW5W
Tu r n s i g n a l sPY21W
Fog lightsHB4
Fog lights with turning lightH8
Rear light unitBulb
Reversing lightP21W
Tu r n s i g n a l sPY21W
Brake lightsP21W
Rear fog lightP21W
Parking lights2 x W5W
NKO A05F 20 MR08.book Page 209 Thursday, April 19, 2007 11:34 AM
Index233
Index
A
Abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
ABS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Adjusting seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56, 115
Adjusting the steering wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Air conditioning system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Air outlet vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Deployment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Front airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Head airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Side airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Alternator
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Antilock brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Antilock brake system - ABS
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Anti-theft alarm system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Ashtray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Auto Check Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Auto Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Emergency programme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Kickdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Tiptronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Automatic vehicle wash systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Automatic wiper/washer system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Avoiding damage to your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
B
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 181
change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Inspecting the electrolyte level . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Operation in winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Before setting off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Belt tensioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Bluetooth™ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Boot lid
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Brake
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Brake booster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Brake pads
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Brake system
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Button on the driver's door
Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
C
Car jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Car state . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
CD changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
unlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Changing a wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Changing the engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Changing wheels around . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Charging the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Check engine oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Side airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Child safety lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
NKO A05F 20 MR08.book Page 233 Thursday, April 19, 2007 11:34 AM
Index237
Recirculated air mode
Air conditioning system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Synchronisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Replacing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Replacing fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Replacing the wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Roof aerial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Running in the car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
S
Safe securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Safety information
Engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Saving electrical energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Seat belt height adjuster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Seat belt warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
fastening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Height adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Safety information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
taking off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Selector lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Selector lever positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Service Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Service Interval Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Setting temperature
Air conditioning system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Setting the clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Shifting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Side airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Side lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Spare wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Stability programme (ESP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Diesel engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Petrol engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Steering force assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Storage compartment
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Storage facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Sun visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Switch in the driver door
Power windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Switching lights on and off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Switching off the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
T
Tailgate
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Taking care of your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
TCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Telephone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Temperature
outside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
the first 1 500 kilometres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
The roof luggage rack system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Thickness of brake pads
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Tiptronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Towing eye
front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Towing protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
towing vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Tow-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Tow-starting and towing vehicle
Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Traction control system (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
General Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Transporting children safely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Tread depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Turn signal light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Turn signal system for vehicles towing a trailer
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
NKO A05F 20 MR08.book Page 237 Thursday, April 19, 2007 11:34 AM