2007 SKODA OCTAVIA TOUR brake pads

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).

117
DRIVING TIPS
The first 1500 kilometres (1000 miles) - and afterRunning inDuring the first few operating hours the in-
ternal friction of the engine is higher than
later on when all the moving parts have
bedded down. How well this running-in
process is done depends to a considerable
extent on the way the vehicle is driven dur-
ing the first 1500 km (1000 miles).
Up to 1000 km (600 miles)
the following general rules apply:

Do not use full throttle

Do not drive faster than 3/4 of top speed

Avoid high engine speeds

Avoid towing a trailer, if possible
Warning

New tyres should also be „run in“
because they do not have maximum
adhesion at the start. This should be
taken into account by driving care-
fully during the first 500 km (300 mi-
les).

New brake pads have to „bed
down“ and do not therefore have
their ideal friction force during the
first 200 km (120 miles) or so. The
slightly reduced braking power can
be compensated for by applying
greater pressure on the brake pedal.
This also applies subsequently after
replacing the brake pads.
From 1000 - 1500 km (600 - 1000 miles)
It is possible to gradually increase up to the
maximum speed of the gear engaged or to
the maximum permissible engine speed,
respectively.
During and after the running-in pe-
riod:
Do not overrev the engine when cold -
either in Neutral when driving. All the
speeds and revs stated only apply when the
engine is properly warm .
Do not drive at unnecessarily high
engine speeds - changing up early
helps to save fuel, reduces noise and pro- tects the environment - see also page 118.

Do not let the engine labour - change down
when engine no longer runs smoothly.After the running-in periodOn cars fitted with a rev counter the maxi-
mum permissible engine speed is marked
by the start of the red range on the scale of
the rev counter. The needle of the rev coun-
ter must not move into this range.

120DRIVING TIPS

Do not switch off the ignition when driv-
ing.

Do not overfill engine with oil - see page
140.

Do not tow start vehicle for more than
50 m - see page 179.
Warning
Due to the high temperatures which
can occur in catalytic converters in
very unfavourable conditions, the
vehicle should not be parked in such
a way that the catalytic converter can
come into contact with inflammable
materials.
Note
Even if the emission control system is op-
erating perfectly properly, there may be a
sulphurous exhaust smell in certain engine
operating conditions. This depends on the
sulphur content in the fuel being used.
Quite often this can be remedied by select-
ing another brand of fuel or filling up with
unleaded premium petrol.
Trouble-free operation of the
emission
control system is decisive for environmen-
tally friendly operation of the vehicle.
That is why it is important to note the fol-
lowing points:

Vehicles fitted with a catalytic converter
must only be driven on unleaded petrol -
see page 128.

Never drive until the fuel tank is comple-
tely empty on vehicles fitted with a catalytic
converter. The irregular fuel supply can
cause misfiring. This allows unburnt fuel in-
to the exhaust system which can cause
overheating and damage to the catalytic
converter.

If misfiring, a loss of power and rough
engine running occur when driving, this
may be caused by a fault in the ignition
system. In this case, uncombusted fuel can
get into the exhaust system and thus pass
to the atmosphere. In addition, the catalytic
converter may be damaged as a result of
overheating. Reduce your speed immedi-
ately and have the fault rectified at the near-
est Škoda Dealer. General notes


The wear of the brake pads depends to
a great extent on the driving conditions and
your style of driving. Consequently, it may
also be necessary to have the thickness of
the brake pads inspected at a Škoda Dealer
between the intervals stated in the Service
Schedule, particularly if your car is driven
frequently in towns or over short distances,
or in a very sporty manner.

Change down in good time when driv-
ing downhill, in order to make use of the
engine braking effect. This relieves the
strain on the brake system. When the bra-
kes are applied, do not keep them on con-
tinuously, apply and release the brakes al-
ternately.

Under certain operating conditions, for
example after driving through water, after
heavy rain or after washing the vehicle, the
braking effect may be retarded by wet, or
in winter iced-up brake discs and pads - the
brakes must be dried out first by applying
the footbrake.
Brakes

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!

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.