Page 137 of 205
136GENERAL MAINTENANCE1.6-ltr./74 kW petrol engine
1 - Coolant expansion reservoir
2 - Reservoir for hydraulic fluid of powersteering
3 - Windscreen washer reservoir
4 - Engine oil dipstick
5 - Engine oil filler opening
6 - Brake fluid reservoir
7 - Battery 1.9-ltr. TDI 66 kW/81 kW diesel engine
1 - Coolant expansion reservoir
2 - Reservoir for hydraulic fluid of power
steering
3 - Windscreen washer reservoir
4 - Engine oil dipstick
5 - Engine oil filler opening
6 - Brake fluid reservoir
7 - Battery
The arrangement in the engine compart-
ment is largely identical on all petrol and
diesel engines.
Page 138 of 205
137
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Warning
Particular care is required when per-
forming work in the engine compart-
ment!
Never open the bonnet if you see
that steam or coolant is escaping
from the engine compartment - risk
of scalding!
You must wait long enough, until the
steam or coolant has stopped escap-
ing.
Switch off engine and withdraw ig-
nition key.
Apply handbrake properly.
Move gearshift into Neutral (on
models with automatic gearbox mo-
ve selector lever into position „P“).
Allow engine to cool down.
If the engine is still warm:
- do not place your hand into the ra- diator fan, it might start suddenly.
- do not open filler cap of coolant reservoir as cooling system is
pressurized - risk of scalding.
Avoid short circuits in the electri-
cal system - particularly at the bat-
tery!
If you wish to work under the ve-
hicle, you must secure the vehicle
from rolling away and support it with
suitable supporting blocks: the car
jack is not sufficient for this - risk of
injury!
If it is necessary to carry out test
work when engine is running, there
is an additional risk from rotating
parts - e.g. ribbed belt, alternator,
radiator fan etc. - and from the high-
voltage ignition system.
Never touch the electrical cables
of the ignition system.
Absolutely avoid any jewellery,
loose items of clothing or long hair
from getting into the rotating parts of
the engine - Hazard! Therefore re-
move any jewellery beforehand, tie
up your hair and wear tight fitting
clothing.
It is essential to comply with all the
warning information given in this
manual and with the general rules of
safety when carrying out work on the
engine.
When topping up fluids, ensure that no mix-
ups occur otherwise this may cause severe
operating problems!
The floor below the car should be
inspected regularly in order to de-
tect leaks in good time. If patches of oil or other fluids are visible, the car shouldbe taken to a Škoda Dealer for an inspec-
tion.
Page 144 of 205
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.
Page 145 of 205
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.
