2007 SKODA OCTAVIA TOUR spare wheel

28CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
Attachment of floor covering of
luggage compartment (Estate)
A hook is attached to the loop of the floor
covering of the luggage compartment.

It is possible, if necessary, to attach the
raised floor covering with the hook to the
opening in the tailgate - see arrow - for ex-
ample to gain access to the spare wheel.


On no account exceed the permis-
sible axle loads and the permissible
gross weight of the vehicle - risk of
accident!

Never transport occupants in the
luggage compartment. The air circulation in the interior of the car
helps to prevent the windows from misting
up.
Stale air is diverted via the outlet nozzles
into the lateral trim panels of the luggage
compartment.
Check for yourself that the outlet nozzles
are not covered.

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.

155
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Switching around tyresIf the wear to the tyres of the front wheels
is significantly greater, it is recommended
to switch the front tyres to the rear wheels,
as shown in the illustration. This ensures
that the life of all the tyres is approximately
the same.
It may be beneficial to switch over the tyres
diagonally if certain types of wear are
present on the tyre tread (this only applies
to tyres which do not have to be fitted to
run in a particular direction). Details are
available from Škoda Dealers.
Replacing a wheel or tyreTyres and wheels (disc wheels) are impor-
tant design elements. For this reason, use
only tyres and wheels approved by the ve-
hicle manufacturer. They are exactly mat-
ched to your model of car and thus make a
significant contribution to good road-hold-
ing and to safe handling.
Škoda Dealers have available up-to-date
information of which makes of tyres are
approved by us. Many Škoda Dealers al-
so keep in stock an attractive range of
tyres and wheels.

Fitting and repairing tyres requires spe-
cialist knowledge and special tools. Such
work should therefore only be carried out
by qualified persons in Škoda Workshops.
Because of the problems of dispos- ing of old tyres, the special tools
and specialist knowledge required, it is best to have tyres replaced by a ŠkodaDealer.

For road safety reasons, do not replace
individual tyres, if possible, but at least both
tyres on the same axle. The tyres with the
deeper tread should always be fitted to the
front wheels.

Only combine radial tyres of the same
design, size (rolling circumference) and, if
possible, with the same tread pattern on all
four wheels.

Never fit used tyres whose previous his-
tory is not known. Do not fit any used tyres
if you are not aware of their „history“.
Tyres age even if they have not been used
at all or only very little. The spare wheel
should likewise only be used in an emer-
gency and by then adopting appropriately
cautious style of driving.

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.

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*

163
DO-IT-YOURSELF
Changing a wheelWarning

In the case of a flat tyre or punc-
ture, park the vehicle off the road,
switch on the hazard warning lights
and place the warning triangle in po-
sition - note any statutory require-
ments.

All the vehicle occupants should
leave the car and move to a safe area
(e.g. behind safety barrier).


Apply handbrake firmly and engage
a gear. Chock the opposite wheel with
a stone or similar if the car is stand-
ing on a slope.

Never start the engine when the
car is jacked up - risk of accident!

If towing a trailer, unhitch the
trailer from the car before changing
the wheel.

Carry out wheel change on a flat, level
surface, as far as possible.

Remove the car tool kit and spare wheel
from the luggage compartment.

Attach the wire hook (from the car tool
kit) at the edge of the full wheel trim* oppo-
site the air valve. Push the wheel wrench
through the wire hook and pull off the wheel
trim - see illustration.

If light-alloy wheels are fitted, use the
plastic clip supplied to pull off the covers
for the wheel bolts.

Unscrew the safety wheel bolts* - see
page 166.

Fit wheel wrench onto the wheel bolt as
far as the stop and turn to the left. Hold the
wrench as close as possible to its end for
this operation. If the bolts cannot be slack-
ened, you can carefully apply pressure to
the end of the wheel wrench with your foot.
Ensure that you are standing properly and
hold tight on the car. Slacken the wheel
bolts about one turn.

165
DO-IT-YOURSELF

Jack up car until the wheel is just clear
of the ground.

Remove wheel bolts (after slackening)
1),
place them down on a clean surface (cloth,
paper, wheel cap) next to the car jack and
take off wheel.

Fit on spare wheel and attach wheel
bolts
1).

Tighten all the wheel bolts slightly. The
wheel bolts should be clean and turn freely.

On no account grease or oil them!

Lower car and tighten the wheel bolts
diagonally.

Press on the full wheel trim* first at the
valve opening and then apply pressure
around the entire circumference so that the
trim locks in position.
1)In order to accelerate the screwing out and in,
use the handle part of the screwdriver from the
car tool kit, which has on its end a hexagon
socket for the screw head.

Place the wheel removed in the spare
wheel well and secure with the handwheel.
Notes

After changing a wheel, pay attention to
the following points:
- Check the inflation pressure of the spare wheel fitted.
- Have the tightening torque of the wheel bolts checked with a torque wrench as
soon as possible. The tightening torque
for steel and light alloy wheels is 120 Nm.

Have the faulty wheel repaired as quickly
as possible. Warning
In case of incorrect treatment of the
wheel bolts, the wheel can loosen
when the car is moving - risk of acci-
dent!
Wheel bolts must be clean and must
turn easily. However
, they must never
be treated with grease or oil.
If the wheel bolts are tightened to a
too low tightening torque, the trims
can loosen when the car is moving -
risk of accident! A tightening torque,
which is too high, can damage the
bolts and threads and this can result
in permanent deformation of the con-
tact surfaces on the trims.
If it is intended to subsequently fit
wheels or tyres other than the factory-
fitted versions to the car, it is essen-
tial to read the remarks on page 156.