140GENERAL MAINTENANCE
The car should be standing horizontally
when checking the oil level. Wait a few min-
utes after switching off the engine to allow
the oil to flow back into the sump.
Then, withdraw the dipstick, wipe it off with
a clean cloth and re-insert it fully.
After this, once again withdraw the dipstick
and read off the oil level:
a- Oil must be topped up.
After topping up, it is sufficient if the oil
level is somewhere in the range b.
b - Oil may be topped up.
After topping up, the oil level may then
be in the range c.
c - Oil must not be topped up.
If the engine is driven particularly hard, as
for example during long trips on motorways
in summer, when towing a trailer or driving
over mountain passes, the oil level should
be kept within the range c if possible - not
above .Topping up engine oilUnscrew the cap 2 of the oil filler opening
in the cylinder head cover and pour in the
quantity of oil needed. Check the oil level
with the dipstick. The oil level must on no account be hig-
her than the range „c“.
Otherwise, oil may
be drawn into the combustion chamber and
passed through the exhaust system to at-
mosphere. This can have a detrimental ef-
fect on combustion and on the operating
life of the catalytic converter.
Warning
When topping up the oil, do not spill
it onto hot engine components - dan-
ger of fire.
Carefully close the cap of the filler opening
and fully insert the dipstick into the inspec-
tion hole. Otherwise, oil might flow out when
the engine is running.
In the event that you do not have enough
fuel, 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.
The illustration shows part of an engine
compartment with the 2.0-ltr./85 kW engine.
For further information regarding the ar-
rangement in the engine compartment - see
page 136.
Checking oil levelIt is normal that the engine consumes a cer-
tain
quantity of oil . The oil consumption
may be as much as 0.5 ltr/1000 km if oper-
ating conditions are disadvantageous (e.g.
when driving in town) - see also page 119.
The engine oil level should therefore be
checked at regular intervals. This is best
done each time you refuel and before a long
journey.
The position of the dipstick 1 is shown in
the illustration.
141
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Changing engine oilThe engine oil should be changed at the
intervals stated in the Service Schedule or
in the service interval display.Warning
Only carry out the engine oil chan-
ge, if you have the required profes-
sional knowledge!
Read and observe the warning
notes before working in the engine
compartment - see page 137.
Let the engine cool down - risk of
burning from hot oil.
Wear an eye protection - risk of
caustic burns due to oil splashes.
Oil is toxic! Store old oil in a safe
place out of the reach of children and
unauthorised persons until you dis-
pose of it properly.
You must not pour any additives
into the engine oil - risk of engine
damage! Damage, which results from
such product, is excluded from the
warranty.
Power steeringInspecting hydraulic fluid level
The reservoir for the hydraulic fluid of the
power steering is located in the right of the
engine compartment.
The hydraulic power steering system is
filled with hydraulic fluid G 002 000.
The hydraulic fluid level is checked when
the engine is at operating temperature and
switched off.
After your skin has come in contact with the
oil, you must thoroughly wash your skin.
On no account dispose of oil in the sewage system or into the ground.
Because of the disposal problem, the special tools and the specialist knowl-edge required, it is best to have the en-gine oil and filter change carried out by
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.
144GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Drained coolant should not nor-mally be re-used but should be dis-
posed of by complying with environmen- tal protection regulations.
Radiator fanThe radiator fan is driven by an electric mo-
tor and controlled by a thermostatic switch
in line with the coolant temperature.
Warning
After the engine has been switched
off, the fan may continue running for
a while - even if the ignition is swit-
ched off. It may also start to run again
suddenly after a short time if
- the coolant temperature increases due to heat build-up
- when the engine is hot and the en- gine compartment is heated addi-
tionally by strong sunlight.
Special care should therefore be
taken when working in the engine
compartment.
Brake fluidThe brake fluid reservoir is located in the
left of the engine compartment.Checking fluid levelThe fluid level should always be between
the „MAX“ and „MIN“ markings on the re-
servoir.
A slight drop in the fluid level occurs when
driving as a result of wear and tear and au-
tomatic slack adjustment of the brake pads.
This is perfectly normal.
Warning
The coolant additive and the coolant
are poisonous! Do not breathe in
coolant vapours, do not swallow
coolant, avoid contact with eyes and
skin.
If coolant splashes into your eye,
rinse out immediately with clear wa-
ter and contact a doctor.
If coolant is swallowed, you should
likewise contact a doctor. The cool-
ant additive should therefore be
safely stored in the original contain-
ers out of the reach of children.
If the coolant has to be drained out
of the cooling system of the car at
any time, it should be collected,
marked and likewise stored in a safe
place.
148GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Used batteries are harmful to
the environment and should
therefore be disposed of by
contacting your Škoda Dea-
ler.
When disconnecting the battery
from the electrical system, first of all
disconnect the negative cable (-) and
then the positive cable (+).
The battery must not be disconnec-
ted when the ignition is switched on
and the engine is running otherwise
the electrical system (electronic
components) will be damaged.
When re-connecting the battery,
first of all connect the positive cable
(+) and then the negative cable (-).
The connection cables must on no
account be mixed up - risk of fire in
the wiring!
Never use a battery which is dam-
aged - risk of explosion! Immediately
replace a damaged battery.
Never charge a frozen or thawed
battery - risk of explosion and caus-
tic burns. Replace a frozen battery.
Do not expose the battery to direct sun-
light to protect the housing from ultra-
violet rays.
Ensure that the battery acid does not
come into contact with the paintwork
otherwise the paintwork might be dam-
aged.
Checking electrolyte levelIn normal operating conditions the battery
requires practically no maintenance. It is
nevertheless recommended to inspect the
electrolyte level from time to time. It should
always be between the „MIN“ and „MAX“
markings on the front and back of the bat-
tery. If the electrolyte level has dropped
below the „MIN“ marking, top up the rel-
evant battery cells to the „MAX“ marking
with distilled water .
It is recommended to have the electrolyte
level and density inspected and corrected
by a Škoda Dealer.
Battery with charge state indicator
(magic eye)*The magic eye is located on the top of the
battery. This „magic eye“ alters its colour
depending on the charge state and elec-
trolyte level of the battery. The colour indi-
cated serves as a diagnostic aid for Škoda
Dealerships.
Knock gently on the magic eye before
checking the battery.
151
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Windscreen washer system
The windscreen washer reservoir is located
in the right of the engine compartment. It
holds about 3 litres, or about 5.5 litres in
the case of models with a headlight washer
system.
If the vehicle is equipped with headlight
washer system, it is necessary to only
use certain fluids which do not corrode
any polycarbonate connections.
Filling reservoirWhen topping up windscreen washer
fluid, do not remove the sieve from the
reservoir. Impurities might otherwise
affect proper operation of the wind-
screen washer system.
We recommend always adding a wind-
screen cleaner with wax-dissolving proper-
ties to the water (in winter with antifreeze
protection) as clear water is not generally
sufficient to quickly and intensively clean
the windscreen and the headlight lenses.
Refer to the mixing instructions on the wind-
screen cleaner pack.
Note
Should windscreen cleaner with antifreeze
protection not be available in exceptional
cases, it is also possible to add methylated
spirits (the concentration of methylated
spirits must not be higher than 15 %). Note
in this case, however, that the antifreeze
protection of this concentration is only down
to -5 °C at the most.
Even if your vehicle has heated windscreen
washer* nozzles, in winter you should al-
ways add antifreeze protection to the wa-
ter.
On no account use radiator antifreeze pro-
tection or other additives!
Windscreen wiper bladesThe windscreen wiper blades at the front
and rear must be in proper condition if they
are to ensure clear visibility. Wiper blades
must not be dirtied by dust, insect residues
and wax preservative.
To avoid smears, the windscreen wiper
blades should be cleaned regularly with a
windscreen cleaner. If they are very dirty,
e.g. insect residues, the wiper blades can
also be cleaned with a sponge or cloth.
If the wiper blades rub or „smear“, this may
be caused by wax residues on the wind-
screen as a result of washing the car in an
automatic car wash. For this reason, each
time after washing the car in a car wash
with wax treatment, remove the wax from
the lips of the wiper rubbers and from the
windshield and rear window.
In frosty conditions, check that the wiper
blades are not frozen to the glass before
switching the wipers on for the first time.
For safety reasons, the windscreen wiper
blades should be replaced twice a year.
Windscreen wiper blades are available
from Škoda Dealers.
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*