2007 SKODA OCTAVIA Brake fluid

Inspecting and Replenishing
210
– Grip with the hand under the radiat or grille and lift up the bonnet.
– Take the bonnet support out of its holder and set it in the opening designed for it ⇒page 209, fig. 196 .
Closing the bonnet
– Lift the bonnet slightly and unhook the bonnet support. Press the bonnet support into the hold er designed to hold it.
– Allow the bonnet to drop from a height of about 30 cm into the lock - bonnet do not press down on it !
WARNING
•Never open the bonnet if you see that steam or coolant is flowing out of
the engine compartment - risk of scaldi ng! Wait long enough until the steam
or coolant has stopped escaping.
•For safety reasons, the bonnet must always be properly closed when
driving. One should therefore check that the lock has in fact engaged prop-
erly after closing the bonnet.
•Stop your vehicle i mmediately while driving if yo u notice that the lock is
not properly engaged and close the bonn et properly - risk of an accident!
Caution
Never open the bonnet using the handle - danger of causing damage.
Working in the engine compartment
Particular care is required when carrying out any work in the engine
compartment!
There is a risk of injuries, scalding, accidents and fire when working in the
engine compartment, e.g. inspecting an d replenishing oil and other fluids. For
this reason, it is essential to comply with the warning instructions stated below and with the general applicable rules of safety. The engine compart-
ment of your car is a hazardous area
⇒ .
WARNING
•Never open the bonnet if you see that steam or coolant is flowing out of
the engine compartment - risk of scaldi ng! Wait long enough until the steam
or coolant has stopped escaping.
•Switch off the engine and pull out the ignition key.
•Apply the handbrake firmly.
•If your vehicle is fitted with a manual gearbox, move the gearshift lever
into Neutral, or if it is fitted with automatic gearbox, move the selector lever
into position P.
•Allow the engine to cool down.
•Keep children clear of the engine compartment.
•Never spill oil and other fluids over the hot engine. Such fluids (e.g. the
antifreeze contained in the coolant) may ignite!
•Avoid short circuits in the electrical system - particularly on the battery.
•Never place your hand into the radiator fan as long as the engine is still
warm. The fan might suddenly start running!
•Never open the cap of the coolant expa nsion bottle as long as the engine
is still warm. The cooling system is pressurized!
•Cover over the cap of the coolant expansion reservoir with a large cloth
when opening it as protection for your face, hands and arms from hot steam
or hot coolant.
•Do not let objects, such as e.g cleaning cloth or tools lie in the engine
compartment.
•If you wish to work under the vehicl e, you must secure the vehicle from
rolling away and support it with suitable supporting blocks: the car jack is
not sufficient for this - risk of injury!
•In cases where it be necessary to carry out inspection work when the
engine is running there is an additional risk from rotating parts (e.g. the V-
ribbed belt, alternator, radiator fan) and from the high-voltage ignition
system. Please observe in addition the following:
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Inspecting and Replenishing211
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
−
Never touch the electrical cabl es of the ignition system.
− Absolutely avoid any jewellery, loose items of clothing or long hair
from getting into the rotating parts of the engine - Hazard! Therefore
remove any jewellery beforehand, tie up your hair and wear tight fitting
clothing.
•Please also comply with the warnin g instructions stated below when
carrying out any essential work on the fuel system or on the electrical
system:
−Always separate the car batter y from the electrical system.
− Do not smoke.
− Never carry out any work close to naked flames.
− Always keep a working fire extinguisher at hand.
Caution
When replenishing fluids in the engine, al ways ensure that the fluids are on no
account mixed up. This may result in ma jor operating problems and also vehicle
damage!
Overview of the engine compartment
The main inspection points
Fig. 197 1.6 ltr./85 kW Petrol engine
Coolant expansion bottle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield washer fluid reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine oil filler opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine oil dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake fluid reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery (below a cover) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Note
The location of the inspection points in the engine compartment of petrol and
diesel engines is practically identical.
WARNING (continued)
A1215
A2221
A3213
A4213
A5217
A6218
NKO A5 20 MR08.book Page 211 Wednesday, April 11, 2007 2:54 PM

Inspecting and Replenishing217
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Brake fluid
Inspecting the brake fluid level
The brake fluid reservoir is located on the left of the engine compartment.
The brake fluid reservoir on right-hand steering models is positioned on
the other side of the engine compartment.
– Switch the engine off.
– Open the bonnet ⇒ in “Working in the engine compartment” on
page 210.
– Inspect the brake fluid level in the reservoir ⇒fig. 200 . The level must
be between the “MIN” and “MAX” markings.
A slight drop in the fluid level results when driving due to normal wear-and-tear
and automatic adjustment of the br ake pads, and is perfectly normal.
There may be an indication of a leak in the brake system, however, if the fluid level
drops significantly within a short time or if it drops below the “MIN” marking. A situ-
ation where the brake fluid level is too low is indicated by the warning light

lighting up in the instrument cluster ⇒page 32. In this case stop the car immedi-
ately and do not drive any further! Co ntact a Škoda Dealer to obtain profes-
sional assistance.
WARNING
•Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 210, “Working in the engine
compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
•If the fluid level has dropped below the MIN marking, do not drive any
further - risk of accident! Contact a Škoda dealer to obtain professional
assistance.
Replacing brake fluid
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. This causes the fluid to absorb moisture from the
surrounding air over a period of time. Excessive water in the brake fluid may be the
cause of corrosion in the brake system. Th e water content also lowers the boiling
point of the brake fluid. This is why brake fluid must be replaced every two
years.
One may only use new genuine brake fluid from Škoda Auto a.s. The specification
for the brake fluid is “FMVSS 116 DOT 4”.
We recommend that you have the brake fluid replaced by a Škoda Service Partner
as part of an Inspection Service.
WARNING
•Using old brake fluid can result in seve re stress on the brakes because of
the formation of vapour bubbles in th e brake system. This greatly impairs
the braking efficiency and thus al so the safety of your vehicle.
•Brake fluid is toxic! It must therefor e be kept safely in closed original
containers and well away from children and unauthorized persons.
Caution
Brake fluid damages the paintwork of the vehicle.
Fig. 200 Engine
compartment: Brake
fluid reservoir
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Inspecting and Replenishing
218
For the sake of the environment
In view of the problems involved with prop er disposal of brake fluid, the special
tools and the professional knowledge required, you should have the brake fluid
replaced by a Škoda Service Partner.
Battery
Working on the battery
The battery is located in the engine compartment below a plastic cover*.
– Press the interlock on the side of the battery cover ⇒fig. 201 , fold the
battery cover out and pull it out.
– The installation of the battery co ver takes place in the reverse order.
Removal and installation of the battery is not recommended since it can, under
certain circumstances, le ad to major damage. Contact a specialist garage.
There is a risk of injuries, scalding, acci dents and burns when carrying out any work
on the battery and on the electrical system. For this reason, it is essential to comply
with the warning instructions ⇒ stated below and with the general applicable
rules of safety.
WARNING
•The battery acid is strongly corros ive and must, therefore, be handled
with the greatest of care. Always we ar protective gloves, eye and skin
protection when handling batteries. Corrosive fumes in the air irritate the
air passages and lead to conjunctivitis and inflammation of the air passages
in the lungs. Battery acid corrodes de ntal enamel and creates deep wounds
after contact with the skin which take a long time to heal. Repeated contact
with diluted acids causes skin diseases (inflammations, ulcers, slin cracks).
Acids coming into contact with water are diluted accompanied by significant
development of heat.
•Do not tilt the battery otherwise battery electrolyte may flow out of the
battery vent openings. Protect the eyes with safety glasses or a shield! There
is the danger of suffering blindness! If any battery electrolyte gets into your
eye, rinse out your eye immediately with clear water for several minutes.
Contact a doctor without delay.
•Splashes of acid on your skin or clothes should be neutralised as soon as
possible using soap suds and then rinsed with plenty of water. Contact a
doctor immediately if you swallow battery electrolyte.
•Keep batteries out of the reach of children.
•Hydrogen is released when you char ge a battery and a highly explosive
gas mixture is produced. An explosion can be caused through sparkling over
during unclamping or loosening of the cable plug while the ignition is on.
•Bridging of the poles will create a short circuit (e.g. through metal
objects, cables). Possible consequences of a short circuit: Melting of lead
struts, explosion and burning of the battery, jets of acid spurting out.
•It is prohibited to work with a naked flame and light, to smoke or to carry
out any activities which produce sparks. Avoid creating sparks when
working with cables and electrical device s. Strong sparking represents a risk
of injury.
•Before carrying out any work on the electrical system, switch off the
engine, the ignition as well as all electrical components and disconnect the
negative cable (-) on the battery. If you wish to replace a bulb it is sufficient
to switch off the appropriate light.
Fig. 201 Engine
compartment: The
battery
NKO A5 20 MR08.book Page 218 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
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Index
284
The roof luggage rack system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Thickness of brake pads
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Tiptronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 automatic gearbox DSG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Top Tether . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Towing device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Towing protection monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
towing vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Tow-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Tow-starting and towing vehicle Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131, 137
Traction Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Traction control system (TCS) Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 General Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Transporting children safely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Tread depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Two-way radio systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Tyre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Tyre inflation pressure Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Tyres Winter tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227U
Underbody protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37Remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Uphill-Start off-Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
V
Vanity mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Vehicle tool kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Ventilation Auxiliary ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
W
Warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Warning symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Warning triangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Washing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 with a high-pressure cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Washing the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Washing vehicle by hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Wax treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Wheel Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Wheel trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223, 235
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Windows
de-icing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Windscreen washer nozzles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Windscreen washer system Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Windscreen Wiper and Washer System Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Windshield washer fluid reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Windshield washer system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Windshield wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Winter tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Wiper blades Replacing the wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
X
Xenon headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
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