45
CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
Avoid high revs and running the engine
at full load until the engine has reached its
normal operating temperature.
Do not allow the engine to idle for a
lengthy period. If the engine is running
when the car is stationary, there is not al-
ways an adequate flow of air through the
radiator. In certain circumstances, this can
result in the engine overheating and also
in engine damage.
On vehicles with a catalytic converter
the engine must not be started by tow-
ing the vehicle more than 50 m. Other-
wise, unburnt fuel can pass into the
catalytic converter and cause damage.
Before trying to start engine by tow-
ing, use the battery from another vehi-
cle for jump-starting if possible - see
page 177.
Petrol enginesThese engines are equipped with a petrol
injection system that automatically supplies
the correct fuel/air mixture at all ambient
temperatures.
The information for starting these engines
therefore applies irrespective of the outside
temperature and is the same whether the
engine is cold or at normal operating
temperature :
Do not operate throttle before and
when starting the engine.
If the engine does not start immediately,
do not operate the starter for more than 10
seconds and wait about 30 seconds before
repeating the attempt to start the engine.
If the engine is very hot, it may be nec-
essary to depress the throttle slightly after
the engine starts.
If the engine still does not start, the fuse
for the electric fuel pump may have blown -
see page 167.
Contact your Škoda Dealer in this case.
Diesel enginesGlow plug system
After switching on the Drive position (igni-
tion on), the glow warning light comes on.
Start the engine immediately after the warn-
ing light goes out.
Starting a cold engine
Ambient temperature above +5 °C:
The engine can be started immediately
without preglow. Do not operate throttle
when starting engine.
Ambient temperature below +5 °C:
Turn the key in ignition lock to position
„2“ (see page 43) - the glow warning light
comes on. It goes out after the ignition tem-
perature is reached (see page 57).
While the glow plugs are working, do not
switch on any other major electrical
components as this would place an un-
necessary load on the battery.
When the warning lamp goes out, start
the engine immediately.
46CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENTIf the engine does not start, once again pre-
heat and start once again as described. If
the engine still does not fire, the fuse for
the diesel glow plug system may have
blown - see page 167.
Contact your Škoda Dealer.
Starting a warm engine
If the engine is already at operating tem-
perature when started, the glow warning
lamp does not come on - the engine can
be started straightaway.
Switching off engineDo not switch off the engine immediately
after operating it for a lengthy period at
high engine loads, but allow it to run at
idling speed for about 2 minutes to avoid
any build-up of heat.Warning
Never switch off the engine before
the vehicle is stationary - risk of ac-
cident!
The brake booster only operates
when the engine is running. Greater
physical effort for braking is required
when engine is switched off. Be-
cause if you do not stop as normal,
this can cause an accident and se-
vere injuries.
After the ignition has been switched
off, the fan may continue running for
a while (up to about 10 minutes) with
the ignition switched off. It may also
start to run again suddenly after a
short time if
- the coolant temperature increases
due to heat build-up
- when engine is warm and the en-
gine compartment is heated addi-
tionally by strong sunlight.
Special care must therefore be taken
when working in the engine compart-
ment!
Audible signalsThe status of certain systems is indicated
by an audible signal sounding; refer to the
chapters on:
- Audible signal when reversing - page 47
- Excess speed signal - page 47
- Warning lamp - page 56
- Information display - page 53
- Switch - page 62.
The audible signal may also sound when
using a car radio - see operating instruc-
tions of the radio.
48CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
InstrumentsThe positioning of the instruments depends
on the particular model and engine versi-
on.
1 - Rev counter .................................. 48
2 - Coolant temperature gauge .. ....... 48
3 - Fuel gauge .................................... 49
4 - Speedometer, trip counter, Service interval display ................ 49
5 - Digital clock .................................. 50
Multi-function display* .................. 50
6 - Information display* ...................... 53
1 - Rev counterThe needle of the rev counter must not mo-
ve into the red zone of the scale on any
account.
Changing up in good time helps to
save fuel and keeps the noise down.
Change down to the next lower gear be-
fore the engine no longer runs smoothly.
Avoid high engine revs during the running-
in period - see page 117.
2 - Coolant temperature
gaugeThe gauge starts to work when ignition is
switched on, but it takes some time before
the needle reaches its final position.
Cold range
The needle is in the bottom range of the scale.
Avoid high revs and high engine loads.
Normal range
When the car is driven normally, the needle
should settle in the middle range of the scale.
The needle may also move further to the
right if the engine is driven at high loads
and at high ambient temperatures, but the
warning lamp for the coolant temperature
must not flash.
If the warning lamp flashes, refer to the in-
formation on page 58.
49
CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
3 - Fuel gaugeThe gauge starts to work when the ignition
is switched on.
The fuel tank holds about 55 litres.
If the warning lamp comes on, there are still
about 7 litres of fuel in the fuel tank.4 - SpeedometerDuring the running-in period, refer to the
instructions on page 117.
The speedometer range depends on the
engine power output.
Odometer
The upper counter registers the total di-
stance driven, and the bottom counter the
short trips (trip counter).
The figure after the point in the lower coun-
ter indicates 100 m or 1/10 mile.
The trip counter can be zeroed by pressing
the knob (below the speedometer).
For your own safety, do not attempt to
zero the counter when driving.Service interval display
If the due date of an inspection is reached,
the following text appears in the trip coun-
ter display* or in the information display*
(see page 53)
1):
„Service km 1500“ or
„Service in 1500 km“.
The km figure is reduced in steps of 100 km
prior to the service inspection.
1)On certain models the service message „serv-
ice OIL“ or „service INSP“ appears in the serv-
ice interval display.
If the due date for inspection is reached,
the flashing readout „service“ or „service
now“ appears in the display.
The service message disappears about 20
seconds after starting the engine. You can
also switch to the trip counter display by
pressing the reset knob (for more than 0.5
seconds).
It is recommended to have repair and
service work carried out only in a Škoda
Dealership.
The Škoda Dealership which carried out the
service resets the service interval display
after completion of the work.
It is also possible to reset the service inter-
val display with the reset knob of the trip
counter as follows:
Switch off the ignition and press the re-
set knob of the trip counter below the
speedometer and hold.
Switch on the ignition and release the
reset knob. The message „service“ or
„service now“ appears in the display.
1)
Turn the knob for setting the clock to the
right until the message is reset.
52CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENTThe memoriesThe system is equipped with two memories
which operate automatically:
A single trip memory 1
collates the following trip data from the
moment the ignition is switched on until it
is switched off: Travelling time, distance
travelled and quantity of fuel consumed.
This information is used to calculate the
average driving speed and the average fuel
consumption.
If the trip is continued within 2 hours after
switching off the ignition, the additional in-
formation is also included in the calculati-
on. The memory is automatically erased if
the trip is interrupted for more than 2 hours.
A total trip memory 2
collates the trip data of any desired number
of individual trips up to a total of 100 hours
travelling time, 10000 km distance and
1000 litres of fuel consumed. These trip
data are used for calculating the average
fuel consumption and speeds achieved
during all the individual trips.If one of the figures stated is exceeded, the
memory is erased and the calculation starts
from the beginning again. Contrary to the
single journey memory, this memory is not
erased after a break in the journey of more
than 2 hours.
Retrieving information
To retrieve the information, select the me-
mories by pressing the
„Reset“ button:
- Single trip memory - 1
- Total trip memory - 2
The following data can be displayed:
Driving time
Distance driven
Average speed
Average fuel consumption
Erasing the memories
The memories can be reset to zero by pres-
sing the „Reset“ button for at least 1 se-
cond.
DisplayingAfter switching on the ignition , the last
readout selected is displayed.
Ambient temperatureThe correct ambient temperature is display-
ed only after 5 minutes. If the car is not mov-
ing or travelling only at a very low speed, the
temperature indicated may be slightly higher
than the actual ambient temperature because
of the heat radiated by the engine.Warning
If the ambient temperature display is
used as an ice warner, do not forget
that black ice may also be present on
the road surface even at tempera-
tures above 0°C. A snow flake sym-
bol is displayed in addition (depend-
ing on vehicle equipment).RangeThis readout indicates the distance which
the vehicle can still travel with the actual
level of fuel in the fuel tank. The figure is
based on the calculation of the average fuel
consumption for the last 50 km. If the dis-
play is reset (after disconnecting and re-
connecting the battery), the vehicle should
be driven 50 km in order to display the re-
levant figure.
56CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENTIndicator/warning lightsThe position of the indicator/warning lights
depends on the model and engine versi-
on. You will find the symbols presented in
the description which follows on or at the
corresponding indicator/warning lights in
the instrument cluster.
When certain warning lights come on, this
is accompanied by an audible signal. A text
may also be shown in the information dis-
play* - see previous chapters.
Turn signal systemThe right or left indicator light flashes when
switching over the turn signal light upwards
or downwards.
If a turn signal fails, the warning light flashes
twice as fast. This does not apply when
towing a trailer. Both warning lights flash
when the hazard warning system is swit-
ched on.Main beamThe warning light comes on when main
beam is switched on or when the headlight
flasher is used.
Further details are given on page 67.Airbag system*The warning light comes on for a few sec-
onds when ignition is switched on.
If the lamp does not go out or if it comes on
again when driving, there is a fault in the
system. This is also valid if the warning light
does not come on when switching on the
ignition. Further information see page 103.
Text in the information display*: AIRBAG
FAULT (fault at airbag)
The operational readiness of the airbag
system is monitored electronically, also on
deactivated front passenger airbag or side
airbag.
WarningIf you do not pay attention to the warn-
ing lights coming on and the corre-
sponding descriptions and warning
notes, this may result in severe body
injuries or major vehicle damage.The engine compartment of your car
is a hazardous area.There is a risk of injuries, scalding,
accidents and fire when working in the
engine compartment, e.g. inspecting
and replenishing oil and other fluids.Absolutely pay attention to the warn-
ing notes - see page 137.
57
CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
If the front or side airbag was deacti-
vated with the switch in the glove box:
- the warning light comes on for 3 secondswhen the ignition is switched on;
- the deactivation of the airbag is signaled by the warning light Airbag OFF coming
on in the front interior light
Warning
If a fault exists, have the airbag sys-
tem checked immediately by a Škoda
Dealer. Otherwise, there is a risk of
the airbag or the seat belt not being
activated in the event of an accident.
Trailer turn signal system*The warning light flashes if the turn signal
system is operated when towing a trailer.
If a turn signal light of the trailer or towing
vehicle fails, the warning light does not
flash.Low beamThe warning light comes on after the low
beam is switched on - see page 82.Fog lights*The warning light comes on when the fog
lights are switched on.Rear fog lightThe warning light comes on when the rear
fog light is switched on.
Testing engine electronics* EPC(fitted only to certain engines)
The warning light comes on for a few se-
conds when the ignition is switched on.
If the warning light does not go off or co-
mes on or flashes when driving, this indi-
cates a fault in the engine electronic sy-
stem. A program stored in the engine con-
trol unit makes it possible to continue dri-
ving with certain restrictions - contact a
Škoda Dealer for professional assistance.Glow plugs(diesel engines only)
If the engine is cold, the warning light co-
mes on when the preglow position „2“ (ig-
nition on) is switched on - see page 43. If
the warning light does not come on, there
is a fault in the glow plug system - contact
a Škoda Dealer for assistance. After the
light goes out, start the engine rightaway.
If the engine is warm, the glow plug warn-
ing light does not come on - the engine can
be started straightaway.
If the warning light flashes when driving,
there is a fault in the system.
Contact a Škoda Dealership for professio-
nal advice.
58CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENTCoolant temperature, coolant
levelThe warning light comes on for a few se-
conds after switching on the ignition.
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
lack or coolant.
If the warning light does not go off after this
or flashes when driving, either the coolant
temperature is too high or the coolant level
is too low.
Text in the information display*: STOP CHECK
COOLANT SERVICE MANUAL.
An audible warning signal then sounds
(peep signal 3 times).
If this happens, stop the car and switch
off the engine ; check the coolant level and
top up coolant if necessary.
If the warning light comes on, although the
coolant is at the correct level and the fan
fuse is in proper order, do not drive any
further. The engine must then also not run
in neutral. Contact a Škoda Dealer for pro-
fessional assistance.
Warning
Take care when opening the cool-
ant expansion tank. When the engine
is hot, the cooling system is pressu-
rized - risk of scalding! Allow the
engine to cool down, therefore, be-
fore unscrewing the cap.
Do not touch the fan! The fan may
switch on suddenly - even if the igni-
tion is switched off.
If the coolant is at the correct level, the rise
in temperature may be caused by a failure
of the radiator fan. Check the fuse of the
radiator fan and renew if necessary - see
page 167.
If the warning light does not go out althou-
gh the coolant is at the correct level and
the fan fuse is in proper order, do not drive
any further . Contact a Škoda Dealer for
professional assistance.
Further information is provided on pages
137 and 142.
Brake wear indicator*If this warning light comes on, contact a
Škoda Dealer to have the brake pads chec-
ked.
An audible warning signal sounds (single
peep signal).
In view of the fact that the brake wear indi-
cator monitors only the front brake pads, it
is recommended to also have the rear
brake pads or linings inspected.Fuel levelThe warning light comes on and remains
on if there are only about 7 litres of fuel in
the tank.
An audible warning signal sounds (1 beep).