44CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENTFor all models:Position 1
To lock the steering wheel , withdraw key
and turn wheel until you hear the locking
pin engage.
Warning
Do not withdraw key from lock until
vehicle is stationary! The steering
lock might otherwise unintentionally
engaged.
Note
If you forget to switch off the side lights or
a turn signal light, an audible signal will
sound after you switch off the ignition or
withdraw the key and then open the driv-
er’s door.
Position 2
If the key is difficult to turn in the lock or
cannot be turned to this position at all, move
the steering wheel back and forward slightly
to release the locking pin. Warning
If the vehicle is allowed to roll, the
ignition key must be in position 2 in
the lock - ignition on. This position
is also indicated by the warning
lights coming on. Failure to turn the
ignition key into this position can
result in the steering locking uninten-
tionally.
Do not withdraw the ignition key un-
til after the vehicle has come to a stop
and has been properly secured to
prevent it moving by applying the
handbrake or engaging a gear.
Position 3
The starter is operated when the key is
turned into this position. The ignition key
must be turned back each time into posi-
tion „1“ before again attempting to start the
engine. The starter repeat lockout in the ig-
nition lock prevents the starter again being
operated when engine is already running.
When the key is in this position, the main/
low beam headlights and other major elec-
trical components which are on, are then
switched off.
The starter may only be operated (ignition
key position 3), if the engine is not run-
ning. If the starter is immediately operated
after switching off the engine, the starter
or the engine can be damaged.
Starting engineGeneral notesWarning
Never run the engine in non-venti-
lated or enclosed areas, the exhaust
gases of the engine contain besides
the odourless and colourless carbon
monoxide a poisonous gas - hazard!
Carbon monoxide can cause uncon-
sciousness and death.
Never leave your vehicle unattended
with the engine running.
Before starting, move gear lever into
Neutral (selector lever of automatic gear-
box into position „P“ or „N“ ) and apply
handbrake firmly.
On models with a manual gearbox, de-
press the clutch pedal when operating
starter so that the starter only has to crank
the engine.
As soon as engine starts, release igni-
tion key immediately - otherwise the starter
may suffer damage.
After starting a cold engine, it may sound
noisy for a moment or two because the oil
pressure has to build up in the hydraulic
tappets first.
Do not warm engine up by running it with vehicle stationary. Drive off
straight away.
59
CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
Engine oilWarning light shows red
(engine oil level too low)
The warning light comes on for a few se-
conds when the ignition is switched on.
On vehicles with information display, the
warning light does not come on after switch-
ing on the ignition, only if a fault exists or a
shortage of oil.
If the warning light does not go out after a
few seconds or comes on when driving,
stop the car and switch off the engine,
check oil level and top up oil if necessary –
see page 136.
Text in the information display*: STOP! OIL
PRESSURE STOP ENGINE! SERVICE
MANUAL.
An audible warning signal sounds (peep
signal 3 times).
If the warning light comes on although the
oil is at the correct level, do not continue
driving . The engine must also not be run
at idling speed in this case. Contact a
Škoda Dealership for professional advice. Warning
The oil pressure light is not an oil
level indicator! One should therefore
check the oil level at regular inter-
vals, preferably after every refuelling
stop.
Warning light lights up yellow*
(oil in the engine is too low)
If the warning light lights up yellow, the
quantity of oil in the engine is probably too
low.
Check as soon as possible the oil level or
top up with engine oil - see page 140.
An audible warning signal sounds (3x
beeps).
Text in the information display*: CHECK OIL
LEVEL.
Models fitted with LongLife Service: The
oil level warning is reset when the bonnet
is opened. If the engine oil is not replenis-
hed, the warning appears once again after
driving about 100 km.
Yellow warning light flashes*
(engine oil level gauge faulty)
If a fault occurs at the engine oil level gau-
ge, this is indicated by an audible signal and
by the warning light flashing several times.
Text in the information display*: OIL SEN-
SOR WORKSHOP.
Have the engine inspected without de-
lay by a Škoda Dealership.
119
DRIVING TIPS
The technical prerequisites
for low fuel consumption and efficiency we-
re „built in“ at the factory. Particular impor-
tance was placed on the lowest possible
effect on the environment. To retain and
make the best possible use of these char-
acteristics attention should be paid to the
following points:
The prescribed maintenance opera-tions should be carried out exactly
as specified in the Service Schedule.
Having your car serviced by a Škoda Dealer
at the specified intervals not only ensures
that it is always in proper roadworthy con-
dition but that it operates economically, with
minimal environmental impact and provides
you with many years of motoring.
Check the tyre pressures every 4 weeks.
Low tyre pressures increase the rolling re-
sistance. This not only increases the fuel
consumption and tyre wear, but the han-
dling is also impaired.
Do not carry any unnecessary loadsin the luggage compartment.
The weight of the car has a major effect on
fuel consumption, particularly when driving
in towns where you frequently have to ac-
celerate. The rule of thumb which applies
is that every 100 kilograms of weight in-
creases fuel consumption by about 1 litre/
100 km (1 litre/62 miles).
Do not fit the roof rack unless it is
really needed.
Particularly at high speeds the increased
air resistance makes itself felt in higher fuel
consumption.
Electrical consumers should onlybe switched on when they are ac-
tually required.
Heated rear window, fog lights etc. have a
considerable energy demand. The higher
alternator load also increases the fuel con-
sumption. For instance, over a period of 10
hours, the heated rear window will increase
fuel consumption by approximately 1 litre.
Keep a frequent check on your fuel consumption.
The fuel consumption should be checked
each time the tank is filled up. By doing this
inconsistencies on the vehicle which lead
to increased fuel consumption can be de-
tected sooner. Check the oil level each time you refuel.
The oil consumption depends to a great
extent on the engine load and speed. De-
pending on the style of driving the con-
sumption can be as much as 0.5 litre/
1000 km.
It is normal for the oil consumption of a new
engine to reach its lowest level after a cer-
tain mileage has been covered. The con-
sumption cannot be properly assessed until
the vehicle has run approx. 5000 km.
This also applies to the fuel consumption
and the engine output.
121
DRIVING TIPS
The full braking effect may also be delayed
when the car has been driven for some time
on heavily salted roads without using the
brakes, because the layer of salt on the
discs and pads has to be removed first.Warning
If a front spoiler, full-size wheel trims
etc., are retrofitted, it is necessary to
ensure that the flow of air to the front
brakes is not restricted - otherwise
the brakes may overheat.
Brake booster
The braking force boosts the pressure,
which you generate with the brake pedal.
The necessary pressure is only generated
when the engine is running. Warning
The brake booster only operates
when the engine is running.
Never switch off the engine before
the vehicle is stationary.
In the case that the brake booster is
not operating - e.g. because the vehi-
cle has to be towed or because there
is damage to the brake booster - the
brake pedal has to be depressed with
a significantly greater force, in order
to balance out the missing brake
boosting effect.Because if you do not stop as nor-
mal, this can cause an accident and
severe injuries.
Brake Assist*
The Brake Assist boosts the brake servo
effect during a brake application in a haz-
ardous situation and is able in this way to
assist the rapid build-up of brake pressure.
In emergency situations the majority of car
drivers do apply the brakes in time, but not
with the brake pedal force which is neces-
sary for achieving maximum deceleration.
Valuable braking distance is lost as a result!The Brake Assist is activated as soon as the
brake pedal is depressed very rapidly. A hig-
her brake servo assistance than is usual in
normal brake applications, is then available.
Consequently, it is possible to build up
within a very short time the brake pressure
which is required for achieving maximum
deceleration with only a correspondingly
slight counterforce on the brake pedal.Depress the brake pedal further for achiev-
ing the shortest possible braking distance. Do
not reduce the foot pressure on the pedal!The Brake Assist is able in this way to help
you in critical situations by building up the
brake pressure more rapidly and shorten-
ing the stopping distance. The advantages
offered by the ABS are fully exploited by the
Brake Assist. As soon as the brake pedal is
released, the Brake Assist function is swit-
ched off then automatically and the usual
service brake function is again available.
Warning
The Brake Assist is also not in a
position to overcome the physical
limits which apply to the braking dis-
tance.
This is something you should re-
member particularly when driving on
smooth or wet road surfaces.
Adapt your style of driving always
to the road condition and the traffic
situation. The increased safety which
the Brake Assist offers you must not
lead you to take any safety risk!
130GENERAL MAINTENANCEWashing the carThe best protection for your car against
harmful environmental influences is fre-
quent washing and polishing.
How often your car requires to be treated
depends among other factors on how fre-
quently you use the car, where you park it
(garage, in the open, below trees etc.), the
time of year, the weather conditions and
other environmental influences.
The longer bird droppings, insect residues,
tree resin, road and industrial dust, tar
stains, soot particles, road salt and other
aggressive deposits remain on the paint-
work of your car, the more extreme will be
their destructive effect. High temperatures
caused by strong sun’s rays, intensify the
caustic effect. It may therefore be neces-
sary to wash the car once a week, but once
a month may also be sufficient with appro-
priate waxing.
It is essential to also thoroughly wash the
underside of the car after the end of the
winter period.Automatic car washes
The paintwork of your car is sufficiently re-
sistant to enable the car to be washed nor-
mally in automatic car washing plants with-
out any problems. The effect on the paint-
work, though, also depends greatly on the
design of the car wash, the filtering of the
washing water, the type of wash and care
products used etc. If the paintwork appears
mat after a car wash or even has scratches,
you should contact the operator of the plant.
If necessary, change the car wash you use.
Notes
Before washing your car in an automatic
car wash, there are no special precautions
necessary other than the usual measures
(closing windows and sliding roof, folding
down roof aerial etc.).
Warning
Do not tighten roof aerial in the lower
position
It is best to contact the operator of the
car wash if your car has any particular spe-
cial fittings - e.g. spoiler, roof rack, mobile
phone aerial etc.
After washing your car in an automatic car
wash with wax preservative, wipe the lips of
the windscreen wiper blades clean and also
clean the windscreen (also the rear window
on models fitted with rear window wiper).
Washing your car by hand
As a protection for the environment,
your car should only be washed at
washbays provided for this purpose.
Local regulations may in fact forbidwashing cars in certain areas outside ofsuch facilities.
First of all soften the dirt with plenty of wa-
ter and rinse off as well as possible.
Then, clean the car with a soft sponge,
washing glove or brush starting on the roof
and working down, applying only slight
pressure. Use a car wash shampoo only
for particularly stubborn dirt.
Thoroughly wash out the sponge or glove
at short intervals.
Clean wheels and door sills etc. last. Use
a second sponge if possible for such ar-
eas.
After washing the car, rinse it thoroughly
with water and finally chamois dry.
131
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Notes
The car should not be standing in bright
sunshine when it is washed.
If a hose is used to spray down the car,
do not aim the jet of water directly at the
door locks and body panel gaps - otherwise
they may freeze up in winter.Washing the car with high-pressure
cleaners It is essential to follow the instructions
for using high-pressure cleaners - particu-
larly as regards the pressure and spraying
distance.
Do not use round spray nozzles or so-
called „dirt shifters“!
The temperature of the water should not
be more than 60 °C.
WarningTyres must never be cleaned with
round jet nozzles. Damage may occur
even if only sprayed for a short time
or from a relatively large distance.WaxingGood wax treatment protects the paintwork
of your car from the environmental influ-
ences listed on the previous page under
„Washing the car“ and also from slight me-
chanical 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.
Do not apply a new film of wax protection
until the body surface is dry. Even if a wax
preserver is used regularly, it is recom-
mended to protect the paintwork at least
twice a year with hard wax.
Warning
Never treat the windscreen or win-
dows with wax.
PolishingPolishing is only necessary if the paintwork
has become unattractive and it is no longer
possible to achieve a gloss with a wax pre-
server. If the polish used does not contain
any preserving elements, the paintwork
should then be treated with wax preserver.
Note
Mat painted parts and plastic parts must
not be treated with polish or hard wax.
We recommend using the products from
the Škoda range.
Do not polish the paintwork of the vehicle
in a dusty environment, otherwise the
paintwork can be scratched.
Paint damageMinor paint damage such as scratches,
rubs or stone chips, should be treated im-
mediately with paint (Škoda touch-up pen
or spray can) before rust can form.
This repair work can also of course be car-
ried out by a Škoda Dealer. The colour
code is stated on the car data sticker, see
page 181.WindowsUse only a plastic scraper to remove snow
and ice from windows and mirrors. The
scraper should not be moved back and for-
ward, but only pushed in one direction in
order to avoid scratches caused by dirt.
Residues of rubber, oil, grease, wax or sili-
cone sealant can be removed with a wind-
screen cleaner or special silicone remover.
The windows should also be cleaned at
regular intervals from the inside.
Do not use the same chamois leather for
drying the windows and for the paintwork
because residues of wax preservers will
cause smears on the surface of the win-
dows.
Never remove snow or ice from the win-
dows with warm or hot water - risk of
formation of cracks in the glass!
138GENERAL MAINTENANCE
LongLife Service*The LongLife Service ensures that your
vehicle is always in proper roadworthy con-
dition while requiring only minimal effort on
your part.
The LongLife Service is determined on the
basis of:
- Oil level and pressure sensor - see page 59
- Brake wear indicator - see page 58
- Engine oils complying with the standard VW 503 00 (petrol engines), VW 506 00
(diesel engines, except PDi engines)
and VW 506 01 (diesel engines) - see
page 138
- Variable service interval display - see page 49
- Battery with so-called „magic eye“ - see page 148.
Further information - refer to Service Sche-
dule. More detailed information is also
available from your Škoda Dealer.
SpecificationThe engine is factory-filled with a brand-
name multigrade oil which can be used as
an all-seasons oil - except in extremely cold
climatic zones. Oils may also be intermixed
when topping up (does not apply to mod-
els with LongLife Service*).
We recommend using oils from the selec-
tion of original oils available at Škoda.
Note
Engine oils naturally also undergo continu-
ous further development. That is why the
information contained in this Owner’s
Manual reflects the technical status at the
time of publication.Engine oil
Škoda Dealers are kept up-to-date by the
factory regarding any changes. It is there-
fore good practice to have the oil change
carried out at a Škoda Dealer.
143
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Loss of coolantA loss of coolant is first and foremost an
indication of a leak. In this case, the cool-
ing system should be inspected by a Škoda
Dealer. It is not sufficient merely to top up
the coolant.
If there is no leak in the system, losses may
also occur if the coolant boils as a result of
overheating and is forced out of the cool-
ing system.
If it is not possible to find and rectify the
cause of overheating, contact a Škoda
Dealer as soon as possible - otherwise
major engine damage may result.Topping up coolantFirst of all, switch off the engine and allow
it to cool down. Then, place a rag around
the cap of the expansion reservoir and
carefully unscrew the cap.Warning
Do not open the cap of the expansion
reservoir when the engine is hot -
risk of scalding. The cooling system
is pressurized!
Checking coolant levelThe coolant reservoir is located in the right
of the engine compartment.
The coolant level can be correctly checked
only when the engine is not running.
When the engine is cold, the coolant in the
expansion reservoir must be in the area of
the „ MIN“ mark and the crosshatched area.
When the engine is warm, the coolant level
may be slightly above the crosshatched
area. If, in exceptional cases, it is only possible
to top up the system with water, the correct
mixture concentration should be restored
without delay by using the specified cool-
ant additive.
If there is a major loss of coolant, do not
pour in coolant until the engine has cooled
down to avoid any engine damage.
Do not top up beyond the crosshatched
area!
Excess coolant is forced out of the cooling
system by the pressure relief valve in the
cap of the expansion reservoir when the
coolant heats up.
Screw the reservoir cap tight!
If the event that you do not have enough
coolant,
do not drive any further. Switch
off the engine and contact a Škoda Dealer
for professional assistance, otherwise there
is a risk of serious engine damage.