Inspecting and Replenishing219
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
•Never charge a frozen or thawed battery - risk of explosion and caustic
burns! Replace a frozen battery.
•Never use a battery which is damaged - risk of explosion! Immediately
replace a damaged battery.
Caution
•You must only disconnect the battery if the ignition is switched off, otherwise
the electrical system (electronic compon ents) of the vehicle may be damaged.
When disconnecting the battery from the electrical system of the vehicle, first
disconnect the negative terminal (-) of the battery. Then disconnect the positive
terminal (+).
•When reconnecting the battery, first conne ct the positive terminal (+) and only
then the negative terminal (-) of the ba ttery. You must on no account connect the
cables wrongly - risk of a cable fire.
•Ensure that battery acid does not come into contact with the vehicle body
otherwise damage could occur to the paintwork.
•Do not place the battery in direct dayl ight in order to protect the battery
housing from the effects of ultra-violet light.
For the sake of the environment
A removed battery is a special type of waste which is harmful to the environment -
contact your specialist garage regarding disposing of the battery.
Note
Please also refer to the guidelines ⇒page 221, “Disconnecting and reconnecting
the battery”, also after connecting the battery.
Battery with a charge level indicator, the so-called magic eye
There is a so-called magic eye ⇒fig. 202 located on the top of the battery. The
“magic eye” changes its colour in line with the charge state of and electrolyte level
in the battery.
Air bubbles can influence the colour of th e “magic eye”. For this reason carefully
knock on the “magic eye” before carrying out the check.
•Green colour - the battery is adequately charged.
•Dark colour - the battery has to be charged
•Colourless or yellow colour - have th e battery checked by a Škoda dealer.
Batteries, which are more than 5 years old, must be replaced. We recommend you
have the electrolyte level inspected and adju sted to the correct level or the battery
replaced if necessary by a Škoda Service Partner.
Caution
If the vehicle has not been driven for more than 3 to 4 weeks, the battery will
discharge because certain electrical components consume electricity (e.g. control
units) also in idle state. You can prevent the discharging of the battery by discon-
necting the negative terminal or charging the battery constantly with a very low
charging current. Please also refer to the notes when working on the battery
⇒ page 218, “Working on the battery”.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 202 Battery with a
charge level indicator
NKO A5 20 MR08.book Page 219 Wednesday, April 11, 2007 2:54 PM
Inspecting and Replenishing221
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Disconnecting and reconnecting the battery
On disconnecting and reconnecting the batte ry the following functions are initially
deactivated or are no longer able to operate fault-free.
We recommend having the ve hicle checked by a Škoda Service Partner to ensure
full functionality of all electrical systems.
Replacing the battery
You should only replace a battery with a new battery of the same capacity, voltage
(12 V), amperage and of the same size. Škoda Service Partners have a range of suit-
able batteries available.
We recommend that you only have an old ba ttery disposed of by your Škoda dealer
since it does require special disposal.
For the sake of the environment
Batteries contain poisonous substances such as sulphuric acid and lead. They must
be disposed of in accordance with loca l environmental protection regulations and
on no account as domestic waste.
Windshield washer system
The windshield washer reservoir contains the cleaning fluid for the windscreen or
rear window and for the headlamp cleaning system*. The reservoir is located at the
front right of the engine compartment ⇒fig. 203 .
The filling level of the container is 3 litres, 5.5 li tres on vehicles which also have a
headlight washing system.
Clear water is not sufficient to intensivel y clean the windscreen and headlights. We
therefore recommend using clean washing water together with the screen cleaner
from Škoda genuine accessories (in winter additionally with antifreeze) which is
capable of removing stubborn dirt. Follow the instructions for use on the packaging
when using screen cleaning products.
You should always add antifreeze to the cleaning water in winter even if your
vehicle is fitted with heated windscreen washer nozzles*.
It is also possible in exceptional cases to use methylated spirits when no screen
cleaner with antifreeze is available. The concentration of methylated spirits must
not be more than 15 %. Please note, however, that the antifreeze protection at this
concentration is only adequate down to -5°C.
WARNING
Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 210, “Working in the engine
compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
OperationOperating measure
Electrical power window (operational
faults)⇒ page 47
Enter radio code numbersee Radio Operating Instruc-
tions
Set hours⇒page 14
Data in the multi-functional indicator* are
deleted.⇒page 14
Fig. 203 Engine
compartment: Wind-
shield washer fluid reser-
voir
NKO A5 20 MR08.book Page 221 Wednesday, April 11, 2007 2:54 PM
Wheels and Tyres
226
The date of manufacture is a lso s tated on the tyre wal l (poss ibly o nl y on the inside
of wheel):
DOT ... 20 07...
means, for example, that the tyre was manufactured in the 20th week of the year
2007.
Any spare wheel which differs from the tyres fitted to the vehicle (e.g. winter tyres
or low-profile tyres) should only be used only for a short time in the event of a
puncture and when adopting an appropriately cautious style of driving. It should be
replaced as quickly as po ssible by a normal wheel.
WARNING
•Only use those tyres or wheel rims which have been approved for your
model of Škoda Auto a.s. vehicle. Failure to observe this instruction will
adversely affect the road safety of your vehicle - risk of accident! Approval
and licencing of your vehicle on public roads may also become void as a
result.
•You must on no account drive at a higher speed than is permissible for
y our t yre s - ris k of a n ac cid e n t re su lti ng fro m ty re d a m ag e a nd lo ss o f c ont rol
over your vehicle.
•Tyres which are 6 years old or more should only be fitted in exceptional
cases and when adopting an appropriately cautious style of driving.
•Never fit tyres which have already been used without having adequate
knowledge of their previous history. Ty res age even if they have not been
used at all or only very little. A spare tyre must only be used in exceptional
cases and only then when adopting an appropriately cautious style of
driving.
•Do not, where possible, replace indivi dual tyres but at least replace them
on both wheels of a given axle at the same time. Always fit the tyres with the
deeper tread depth to the front wheels.
For the sake of the environment
Old tyres must be disposed of in conformity with the appropriate regulations.
Note
It is not normally possible to fit wheels from other models of cars for technical
reasons. This may also apply in certain circumstances to the wheels of the same
type of vehicle.
Wheel bolts
Wheels and wheel bolts are matched to each other in terms of design. Each time
you fit other wheels - e.g. light alloy wheels or wheels with winter tyres - you must
therefore also use the matching wheel bolts of the correct length and shape of
spherical cap. This is essent ial to ensure that the wheels are tightly fitted and that
the brake system operates properly.
If you retrofit wheel trims (or have this done), please also ensure that an adequate
flow of air remains assured for cooling the brake system.
The Škoda Service Partners are instructed in the technical possibilities which exist
regarding converting or retrofitti ng wheels, tyres and wheel trim.
WARNING
•In case of incorrect treatment of th e wheel bolts, the wheel can loosen
when the car is moving - risk of accident!
•The wheel bolts must be clean and must turn easily. However, they must
never be treated with grease or oil.
•If the wheel bolts are tightened to a too low tightening torque, the rim
can lossen when the car is moving - risk of accident! A tightening torque
which is too high can damage the bolts and threads and this can result in
permanent deformation of the contact surfaces on the rims.
Caution
The prescribed tightening torque of the wh eel bolts for steel and light alloy wheels
is 120 Nm.
NKO A5 20 MR08.book Page 226 Wednesday, April 11, 2007 2:54 PM
Breakdown assistance
234
WARNING
•If you find yourself in flowing traffic switch on the hazard warning lights
system and place the warning triangle on the side of the road at the
prescribed distance from your vehicl e while observing all national legal
provisions. In this way you are protecting not only yourself but also other
road users.
•Never start the engine with the vehicle sitting on the raised jack - danger
of suffering injury!
Caution
If you have to change a wheel on a slope first block the opposite wheel with a stone
or similar object in order to secure th e vehicle from unexpectedly rolling away.
Note
Comply with the national legal regulations.
Changing a wheel
Always change a wheel on a level surface as far as possible.
– Take off the full wheel trim* ⇒page 235 or the caps ⇒page 235.
– In the case of light alloy wheels remove the wheel trim cap ⇒page 236.
– Slacken the wheel bolts ⇒page 236.
– Jack up the vehicle until the wheel to be changed is clear of the ground
⇒ page 237.
– Unscrew the wheel bolts and place them on a clean surface (cloth, paper etc.).
– Take off the wheel. – Fit on the spare wheel and tighten the wheel bolts slightly.
– Lower the car.
– Tighten the wheel bolts firmly, al
ternately and diagonally using the
wheel wrench ⇒page 236.
– Mount the full wheel trim/w heel trim cap or the caps.
Note
•All bolts must be clean and must turn easily.
•You must never grease or oil the wheel bolts!
•When fitting on unidirectional tyres, ensure that the tyres rotate in the correct
direction ⇒page 223.
Subsequent steps
After changing the wheel, you must perform the following steps.
– Stow and attach the replaced wheel in the spare wheel well.
– Stow the vehicle tool kit in the space provided.
– 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. Steel and light alloy wheels must be tight-
ened to a tightening torque of 120 Nm.
– Have the defective tyre repaired as soon as possible.
WARNING
It is necessary to observe the guidelines given on ⇒page 225, “New tyres
and wheels” if the vehicle is subseq uently fitted with tyres which are
different to those it was fitted with at the works.
NKO A5 20 MR08.book Page 234 Wednesday, April 11, 2007 2:54 PM
Breakdown assistance
236
Wheel trim caps*
Pulling off
– Carefully remove the wheel tr im cap using the removal hook
⇒ fig. 213 .
Slackening and tightening wheel bolts
Slacken the wheel bolts before jacking up the vehicle.
Slackening wheel bolts
– Insert the wheel wrench fully onto the wheel bolt
11).
– Grasp the end of the wrench and turn the bolt about one turn to the
left ⇒fig. 214 .
Tightening wheel bolts
– Insert the wheel wrench fully onto the wheel bolt
11).
– Grasp the end of the wrench and turn the bolt to the right until it is tight.
WARNING
Slacken the wheel bolts only a little (about one turn) as long as the vehicle
has not yet been jacked up - risk of an accident!.
Note
apply pressure carefully with your foot to the end of the wheel wrench if it proves
difficult to slacken the wheel bolts. Hold tight on the vehicle when doing this and
ensure that you have a steady position.
Fig. 213 Pulling off
wheel trim cap on light
alloy wheels
Fig. 214 Changing a
wheel: Slackening wheel
bolts
11)Use the appropriate adapter for slackening and tightening the safety wheel bolts
⇒ page 237.
NKO A5 20 MR08.book Page 236 Wednesday, April 11, 2007 2:54 PM
Breakdown assistance
238
– Reinstall the full wheel trim/wheel cap after removing the adapter or place the cap onto the safety wheel bolt.
– Have the tightening torque checked w i t h a t o rq u e w re n c h a s s o o n a s
possible. Steel and light alloy wheels must be tightened to a tightening
torque of 120 Nm.
The safety wheel bolts on vehicles fitted with them (one safety wheel bolt per
wheel) can only be loosened or tigh ten up by using the adapter provided.
It is meaningful to note the code numbe r hammered into the rear side of the
adapter or the rear side of the safety wheel bolts. You can obtain a replacement
adapter from a Škoda Service Partner, if necessary, by quoting this number.
We recommend that you always carry the adapter for the wheel bolts with you in
the vehicle. It should be st owed in the vehicle tool kit.
Caution
Damage can occur to the adapter and safety wheel bolt if the safety wheel bolt is
tightened up too much.
Note
The set of safety wheel bolts can be obtained from a Škoda Service Partner.
Jump-starting
Initial steps
You can use the battery of another vehicl e for jump-starting yours if the engine
does not start because the battery on your vehicle is flat. You will require jump-start
cables for this purpose.
Both batteries must have a rated voltage of 12 V. The capacity (Ah) of the battery
supplying the power must not be significa ntly less than the capacity of the
discharged battery in your vehicle. Jump-start cables
Only use jump-start cables which have an
adequately large cross-section and insu-
lated terminal clamps. Please pay attent ion to the manufacturer's instructions.
Positive cable - colour coding in the majority of cases red.
Negative cable - colour coding in the majority of cases black.
WARNING
•A discharged battery may already freeze at temperatures just below 0°C.
In case of frozen battery carry out no jump-starting - risk of explosion!
•Please pay attention to the warning instructions relating to working in
the engine compartment ⇒page 210.
Note
•There must not be any contact between the two vehicles otherwise current may
flow as soon as the negative terminals are connected.
•The discharged battery must be properly connected to the system of the
vehicle.
•Switch off any mobile phone, pay attent ion to the instructions for use of the
mobile phone in such a situation.
•We recommend purchasing jump-start cabl es from Škoda Service Partners as a
Škoda original accessory or from retailers who sell branded batteries.
NKO A5 20 MR08.book Page 238 Wednesday, April 11, 2007 2:54 PM
Fuses and light bulbs249
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
WARNING
•Bulbs H7 and H1 are pressurised and may burst when changing the bulb
- risk of injury!
•It is recommended to wear gloves and eye protection when changing a
light bulb.
•Gas discharge bulbs* (xenon bulbs) op erate with a high voltage, profes-
sional knowledge is required - danger to life!
Caution
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.
Note
This Owner's Manual only describes the replacement of bulbs where it is assumed
that no major complications wi ll arise. Other light bulbs should be changed by your
specialist garage.
Removing the headlight
Light unit (Octavia)Bulb
Reversing lightP21W
Tu r n s i g n a l sPY21W
Twin filament light bulb for the brake lights and tail
lightsP21/4W
Twin filament light bulb for the rear fog lights and
tail lightsP21/4W
Parking lightsW3W
Rear light unit (estate car)Bulb
Reversing light, brake lights, tail lights and rear fog
lightP21W
Tu r n s i g n a l sPY21W
Parking lightsW3W
OthersBulb
Side turn signal lightsLED
Licence plate lightC5W
3. Brake lightLED
Entry lightW5W
Front interior lightingC10W
Reading lightsW5W
Rear interior lightingC10W
Luggage compartment lightW5W
Door warning lightC5W
Storage compartment light - front passenger sideC3WFig. 227 Removing the
headlight
NKO A5 20 MR08.book Page 249 Wednesday, April 11, 2007 2:54 PM
Index279
Index
A
Abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
ABS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Adjusting seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67, 155 electrically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Adjusting the steering wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Air conditioning system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Air outlet vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Defrosting windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Recirculated air mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 Deployment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Front airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Head airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Side airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Alternator Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Antilock brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Antilock brake system (ABS) Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Anti-theft alarm system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Ashtray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Auto Check Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Auto Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Automatic driving lamp control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Emergency programme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130, 136
Kickdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Selector lever-emergency unlocking . . . . . . . 130
Tiptronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Automatic gearbox DSG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 Kickdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Selector lever-emergency unlocking . . . . . . . 137
Tiptronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Automatic seat adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Automatic vehicle wash systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Automatic wiper/washer system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Avoiding damage to your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
B
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32, 218 change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Inspecting the electrolyte level . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Operation in winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Before setting off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 Belt
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Bluetooth™ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Boot lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Brake Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Brake booster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Brake pads Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Buttons for the central locking system . . . . . . . . . . 39
Buttons on the driver's door Power windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45C
Car jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232, 237
Car state . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
CD changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
NKO A5 20 MR08.book Page 279 Wednesday, April 11, 2007 2:54 PM