2007 SKODA OCTAVIA TOUR warning

153
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Wheels
General information
New tyres at first do not offer optimal grip
and should therefore be run in for the first
500 km at a moderate speed and an ap-
propriately cautious style of driving. You
will also profit from longer tyre life.

Because of design characteristics and
different types of tread, the tread depth of
new tyres may vary (depending on the type
of tyre and manufacturer).


Inspect the tyres regularly for signs of
damage (foreign bodies, piercing, cuts, splits
and dents, particularly in the area of the tyre
shoulder). Foreign bodies which penetrate
into the tyre may damage it from the inside.
Only an expert can assess damage to a tyre
and determine whether a repair is possible.
If it is not possible to repair a tyre or if this is
unsafe, the tyre must then be replaced. The
damaged tyre may blow out!

If it is necessary to drive up onto a kerb,
do this at a very low speed and at right
angles if possible. Avoid driving up onto
kerbs with pointed edges. Driving quickly
onto kerbs or driving onto a kerb at an ob-
lique angle or driving over obstacles with
pointed edges or points (e.g. stones) can
result in concealed tyre damage which can-
not be detected immediately. This harbours
the risk of an accident in the event of the
tyre puncturing at a high speed.

Damage to tyres and wheels is fre-
quently not visible. Unusual vibrations or
the vehicle pulling to one side, may be an
indication of tyre damage. If you suspect
that a wheel is damaged, immediately
reduce your speed and stop!
Inspect the tyres (dents, splits etc.). If you
cannot find any defect, drive at a slow
speed to the nearest Škoda dealer and
have the vehicle inspected.

Keep oil, grease and fuel away from the
tyres.

Replace any lost valve caps without de-
lay.

If the wheels are taken off, they should
be marked first of all so that they can be
refitted to rotate in the same direction.

If wheels or tyres are taken off, always
store them in a cool, dry and dark place.
Tyres which are not fitted to a rim, should
be stored upright.Tyre lifeThe life of the tyres depends essentially on
the following points:
Inflation pressure
The tyre inflation pressures are indicated
on a sticker on the inside of the fuel filler
flap. Further information is available from
your Škoda Dealer. Tyre pressure is an important factor, particu-
larly when driving at high speeds. The infla-
tion pressure should always be checked at
least once a month and before setting off on
a long journey.
Do not forget to check the air pressure in
the spare wheel when checking the tyre air
pressures.


The spare wheel with a standard tyre
should always be inflated to the maximum
pressure indicated for the car.

Always check the inflation pressure
when the tyres are cold. Do not reduce the
pressure of a warm tyre. Adjust the infla-
tion pressure accordingly if there is any
major change in the load of the car.
If the tyres are not sufficiently or excessively
inflated, this will have a detrimental effect
on tyre life and also on the handling of the
car.
Warning
When driving continuously at a high
speed, a tyre which is not sufficiently
inflated has to perform greater flex-
ing work and thus heats up exces-
sively. This can cause sections of the
tread to detach and even result in a
tyre blow-out.

154GENERAL MAINTENANCE
If the tyres are not adequately in-flated, your fuel consumption will
be higher and you will be unnecessarily polluting the environment.
Driving style
Driving fast through curves, sharp accelera-
tion and sharp braking increase tyre wear.
Balancing wheels
The wheels of a new car are balanced. Va-
rious factors when driving may, however,
produce an imbalance which makes it felt
by steering wobble.
In such a case, the wheels should then be
re-balanced as any imbalance in the
wheels also results in increased wear and
tear to the steering, suspension and tyres.
In addition, a wheel has to be re-balanced
after fitting a new tyre and each time any
repairs are carried out.
Wheel alignment errors
Faulty alignment of the wheels and suspen-
sion not only increases tyre wear, often on
only one side, but also affects the handling
of the car. If any unusual tyre wear exists,
contact a Škoda Dealer.
Wear indicators
The base of the tread of the original tyres
contains 1.6 mm high „wear indicators“ at
right angles to the direction of running - see
illustration. These wear indicators are
spaced evenly around the circumference of
the tyre 6 to 8 times - depending on the
make. Markings on the tyre walls, for ex-
ample the letters „TWI“ or triangle symbols,
indicate the position of the wear indicators. Warning


New tyres during the first 500 km
do not offer optimal grip and should
therefore be run appropriately - risk
of accident!

The tyres should be renewed with-
out delay no later than when they are
worn down to the wear indicators.

Worn tyres are detrimental to
road-holding particularly at high
speeds on wet roads. In addition, the
vehicle tends to aquaplane sooner.

Never drive with damaged tyres -
risk of accident!

Immediately replace the damaged
rims or tyres.

156GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Knowledge of the tyre inscription and
its meaning makes it easier to choose the
right tyres. Radial tyres have the following
inscription on the tyre wall:
e.g. 175 / 80 R 14 88 T
175 = Tyre width in mm
80 = Height/width ratio in %
R = Tyre design code for Radial
14 = Wheel diameter in inches
88 = Ply rating
T = Speed code
The following speed categories apply to
tyres:
Code letter Q - max. 160 km/h
Code letter R - max. 170 km/h
Code letter S - max. 180 km/h
Code letter T - max. 190 km/h
Code letter H - max. 210 km/h
Code letter V - max. 240 km/h
The tyres may be damaged if you drive
at more than the maximum speed for the
particular tyre.
The date of manufacture is also indicted
on the tyre wall (possibly only on the inside
of the wheel).
DOT 40.04 means that the tyre was manu-
factured in the 40
th calendar week of 2004.
Warning
Tyres which are more than 6 years
old, should only be used in excep-
tional cases and by adopting a cau-
tious style of driving.
If the car is retrofitted with tyres or wheels
other than the factory-fitted type, pay at-
tention to the following points:
Warning

For technical reasons, it is not per-
mitted on any account to use tyres
or wheels on your car which have not
been approved by the manufacturer
for the particular model.


Wheels and wheel bolts are matched
to each other. If different wheels are fit-
ted to the car (e.g. light alloy wheels or
wheels fitted with winter tyres), it is
then necessary to use the matching
wheel bolts of the correct length and
shape of spherical cap. In view of the
fact that the wheels and wheel bolts,
including security bolts, are matched
for all the wheels approved by the
manufacturer (sheet steel, steel and
light alloy wheels), never use wheel
bolts which are not approved by the
manufacturer. These are universal for
all types of approved wheels and are
tightened in the same way as described
in the section DO-IT-YOURSELF.

Using tyres and/or wheels which
have not been approved by the ma-
nufacturer for your model of car can
be detrimental to the safety of the
vehicle. It may also affect official ap-
proval for use of the vehicle on pub-
lic roads!

157
GENERAL MAINTENANCE

If wheel trims are subsequently fit-
ted, it is essential to ensure that the
air flow remains adequate for cool-
ing the brakes.
Škoda Dealers are informed of the techni-
cal possibilities for converting and retrofit-
ting tyres, wheels and wheel trims.Winter tyres
1)
Warning
In winter conditions, winter tyres will
significantly improve the handling of
your car.

Only radial-type winter tyres may be fit-
ted.1)Pay attention to any varying legal requirements
when using winter tyres.
Snow chains
2)
It is possible to fit snow chains to all the
tyre sizes listed (with the exception of tyre
sizes 205/60 R15 and 205/55 R16).
5.5J x 16 ET 36 wheels (Genuine Access-
ories) when used in combination with 205/
55 R16 tyres enable snow chains to be fit-
ted to the Octavia RS including other vehi-
cle models Octavia and Octavia Estate.
The chains must only be fitted to the
front wheels.
Use only fine-link chains which do not ex-
ceed more than 15 mm (including chain
lock).
We recommend purchasing the snow chains
as Genuine Accessories from a Škoda Dea-
ler.
The full wheel trim should be removed when
driving with snow chains.
Snow chains should be taken off when driv-
ing on roads free of snow as they other-
wise impair the handling of the car, dam-
age the tyre and are quickly destroyed.2)Please observe any varying legal requirements
in respect of the approved vehicle speed when
driving with snow chains.

To achieve the best possible handling
and grip, fit winter tyres to all four wheels
(same manufacturer, tyre size, tread pat-
tern).

Winter tyres largely lose their good grip
properties in winter if the tyre tread has
worn down to a depth of 4 mm. The follow-
ing speed restrictions apply to winter tyres.

You can fit winter tyres of a lower speed
category provided that you also do not drive
at a speed in excess of the maximum speed
for these tyres even if your car is able to be
driven at a higher actual maximum speed.
The tyres may be damaged if you drive at
a speed beyond the maximum speed rat-
ing of the tyres.

All-weather tyres may be used in winter
in place of winter tyres.

In the event of a puncture, refer to the
information for using the spare wheel on
page 156.
Summer tyres should also be fitted again in good time as an environ-
mental protection measure as the roll-
ing noises are normally less, tyre wearis reduced and fuel consumption is im-proved.
Further information is available from Škoda
Dealers.

159
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Mobile phones
and two-way radios
In addition, it is only possible to achieve the
optimal range of such equipment with an
external aerial.
Note
Please pay attention to the operating
instructions of the mobile phone or two-
way radio!
If you wish to use a mobile phone or two-
way radio with a transmission power of
more than 10 watts, please always discuss
this with your Škoda Dealer as he is in-
structed of the technical facilities which
exist for retrofitting mobile phones and two-
way radios.Warning

Please always devote maximum
attention to driving your car!


Never install mobile phone mounts
on the covers of the airbags or in the
deployment area of the airbags other-
wise there is an increased risk of in-
jury if the airbag is deployed in the
event of an accident!
Installation of mobile phones and two-way
radios requires official approval and should
be carried out by an authorized workshop,
e.g. by a Škoda Dealer.
Škoda Auto has approved the operation of
mobile phones and two-way radios for your
car with a professionally installed external
aerial and a maximum transmission power
of 10 watts.
Use of a mobile phone or a two-way ra-
dio can result in operational problems
to the electronic systems of your car in
the following situations:
- no external aerial
- external aerial incorrectly installed
- transmission power in excess of 10 watts.For this reason, you must not use a mo-
bile phone or two-way radio inside the car
if no external aerial is fitted or if it has been
incorrectly installed.Warning
Using a mobile phone or two-way
radio inside the car without a sepa-
rate external aerial may also be harm-
ful to your health as a result of ex-
cessive electromagnetic fields! Škoda cars are designed to reflect the lat-
est state of safety engineering. To ensure
that this is always the case, do not make
any modifications to your car without proper
consideration. If you wish to retrofit acces-
sories to your car, make any technical modi-
fications or have to subsequently replace
parts, please pay attention to the following
points:


Before purchasing accessories and
before making technical modifications, al-
ways ask the advice of a Škoda Dealer.
This is particularly important when purchas-
ing accessories abroad.
Accessories, modifications
and parts

160GENERAL MAINTENANCEWarning

In your own interest we recom-
mend using only Škoda Accesso-
ries
1) and Genuine Škoda Parts ex-
pressly approved for your car. Such
accessories and parts are your guar-
antee of reliability, safety and suit-
ability specifically for your Škoda.

Despite constantly observing the
market, we are not in a position to as-
sess and also not to warrant other
products, even if in exceptional ca-
ses an official approval has been pro-
vided by a technical inspection au-
thority or other public institution.
1)Accessories approved by the manufacturer are
available in all countries in which Škoda is rep-
resented (by an importer).

Approved Škoda Accessories and Ge-
nuine Škoda Parts are available from
Škoda Dealers who can also carry out pro-
fessional fitting.

All the genuine accessories which are
listed in the catalogue, such as tilting roofs,
spoilers, wheels etc. have to have an offi-
cial approval.

Radios, aerials and other electrical ac-
cessories should also only be installed by
authorized workshops.

It is important to observe the specifica-
tions issued by the car manufacturer if any
technical modifications are made to your
car.
This ensures that no damage occurs to your
car, that the safety and roadworthiness of
your car is maintained and that the modifi-
cations are approved. Škoda Dealers are
also able to carry out such work in a pro-
fessional manner or, in exceptional cases,
to provide you with the address of a spe-
cialist workshop.

Any damage resulting from technical
modifications which have not been ap-
proved by us, are not covered by the
warranty.
Technical changesInterference in the electronic components
and their software can lead to operational
faults.
This interference can also impair not di-
rectly affected systems because of the net-
working of the electronic components.
This means that the operating safety of your
vehicle can be considerably jeopardised,
a greater wear of vehicle parts can occur
and finally the vehicle registration docu-
ments expire.
We trust that you will understand that your
Škoda dealer cannot be liable for damage
resulting from unprofessional work.
We therefore recommend that you have all
work carried out with Škoda original parts
at your authorised Škoda dealer.
Warning
Work or modifications on your vehi-
cle, which have been carried out un-
professionally, can cause operational
faults - risk of accident!

161
DO-IT-YOURSELF
First-aid box,
warning triangleApplies to models fitted with all-wheel
drive*
The first-aid box is attached to the inside
of the cover of the storage compartment on
the right.
Applies to models fitted with front-wheel
drive
A commercially available first-aid box to-
gether with a warning triangle fit together
in a foam base below the floor covering of
the luggage compartment.
Note
The first-aid box, the warning triangle and
the bulbs are not supplied with the car!
The warning triangle is part of the stand-
ard equipment only on all-wheel drive ve-
hicles.
Car tool kitThe car tool kit and car jack are stored in a
plastic basket in the spare wheel.
This also provides space for the detachable
ball head of the trailer hitch (only on cer-
tain models) or also, for example, for a
trailer hitch which has been sold as a Škoda
Genuine Accessory.
Depending on the model version, the ball
head of the trailer hitch may also be stored
in the well behind the spare wheel. In this
case, you then have to use the first-aid box
stored in the upholstery.
More detailed information is available from
your Škoda dealer. Warning


The car jack supplied is only de-
signed for your model of car. On no
account attempt to lift heavier vehi-
cles or other loads.

Ensure that the vehicle tool kit is
safely attached in the luggage com-
partment.

162DO-IT-YOURSELF
Tyre repair spray*
The tyre repair spray is precisely for fast
repairs on small tyre defects up to 5 mm.
The spray does not replace a permanent
tyre repair, the repair serves only as an in-
termediate solution until the next service.

The repair can be directly performed on
the vehicle. Carefully read the enclosed in-
structions for direction of use.
On front-wheel drive vehicles, the spray is
located in the well at the front right of the
polypropylene part behind the spare wheel,
and on 4x4 vehicles, in the boot on the left.
Certain models are equipped with a tyre
repair set which includes a compressor and
a repair flask, instructions and accessories.
On front-wheel drive vehicles this set is lo-
cated in the well at the front right of the
polypropylene part behind the spare wheel,
and on 4x4 vehicles, in the boot on the left
next to the first-aid box.

Apply the handbrake before jack-
ing up the car. Never start the engine
when the car is jacked up - risk of
accident.

If it is necessary to carry out work
underneath the vehicle, ensure that
it is supported on suitable stands.
Spare wheelThe spare wheel is stowed in the well below the
floor covering of the luggage compartment and
is secured by a handwheel.

To ensure that the spare wheel is always
ready for use, check the inflation pressure at
regular intervals.
Vehicles with tyres 205/60 R15 and wheel trims
6.5Jx15 have an emergency wheel as a spare
wheel, which has different dimensions and which
is provided with a warning sticker.
Please pay attention to the following instructions,
if you are going to use an emergency wheel:

After fitting on the wheel, the warning sticker
must not be concealed (e.g. by the wheel trim).

Do not drive with this spare wheel at more
than 80 km/h - risk of accident.
Avoid acceleration at full throttle, sharp braking
and fast cornering.

The inflation pressure for this spare wheel is
identical to the inflation pressure of the standard
tyres.

Use this spare wheel only to reach the near-
est service station, as it is not intended for con-
tinuous use.
Tyre repair set*