71
CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
Traffic information memory* (RDS): You
can play preceding or subsequent traffic
information bulletins by pressing the but-
ton in the appropriate position.
Windscreen wiper and
washer systemThe windscreen wipers and windscreen
washer system only operate when the ig-
nition is switched on.
In frosty weather, check that the wiper
blades are not frozen to the glass before
switching the wipers on for the first time.
Notes
Topping up washer fluid - see page 151.
Changing windscreen wiper blades - see
page 152.
Windscreen
Flick wipe
Lever in position 4.
Intermittent wipe
Lever in position 1.
Four different intermittent settings can be se-
lected with the intermittent wipe switch A.
Slow wipe
Lever in position 2.
Fast wipe
Lever in position 3.
Automatic wipe/wash
Pull lever toward steering wheel (position
5 ); the windscreen wipers and washer sys-
tem operate.
Letting go of the lever will cause the wind-
screen wash system to stop and the wiper
to continue for another 1 - 3 wiper strokes
(depending on the period of spraying of the
windscreen).
The wiper wipes once again 5 seconds af-
ter the last wiper stroke, in order to wipe
the last drops from the windscreen.
Rain sensor*
Lever in position 1.
The wipe intervals are controlled automa-
tically by the rain sensor depending on how
much rain is falling.
The sensitivity of the rain sensor can be set
individually with switch A.
130GENERAL MAINTENANCEWashing the carThe best protection for your car against
harmful environmental influences is fre-
quent washing and polishing.
How often your car requires to be treated
depends among other factors on how fre-
quently you use the car, where you park it
(garage, in the open, below trees etc.), the
time of year, the weather conditions and
other environmental influences.
The longer bird droppings, insect residues,
tree resin, road and industrial dust, tar
stains, soot particles, road salt and other
aggressive deposits remain on the paint-
work of your car, the more extreme will be
their destructive effect. High temperatures
caused by strong sun’s rays, intensify the
caustic effect. It may therefore be neces-
sary to wash the car once a week, but once
a month may also be sufficient with appro-
priate waxing.
It is essential to also thoroughly wash the
underside of the car after the end of the
winter period.Automatic car washes
The paintwork of your car is sufficiently re-
sistant to enable the car to be washed nor-
mally in automatic car washing plants with-
out any problems. The effect on the paint-
work, though, also depends greatly on the
design of the car wash, the filtering of the
washing water, the type of wash and care
products used etc. If the paintwork appears
mat after a car wash or even has scratches,
you should contact the operator of the plant.
If necessary, change the car wash you use.
Notes
Before washing your car in an automatic
car wash, there are no special precautions
necessary other than the usual measures
(closing windows and sliding roof, folding
down roof aerial etc.).
Warning
Do not tighten roof aerial in the lower
position
It is best to contact the operator of the
car wash if your car has any particular spe-
cial fittings - e.g. spoiler, roof rack, mobile
phone aerial etc.
After washing your car in an automatic car
wash with wax preservative, wipe the lips of
the windscreen wiper blades clean and also
clean the windscreen (also the rear window
on models fitted with rear window wiper).
Washing your car by hand
As a protection for the environment,
your car should only be washed at
washbays provided for this purpose.
Local regulations may in fact forbidwashing cars in certain areas outside ofsuch facilities.
First of all soften the dirt with plenty of wa-
ter and rinse off as well as possible.
Then, clean the car with a soft sponge,
washing glove or brush starting on the roof
and working down, applying only slight
pressure. Use a car wash shampoo only
for particularly stubborn dirt.
Thoroughly wash out the sponge or glove
at short intervals.
Clean wheels and door sills etc. last. Use
a second sponge if possible for such ar-
eas.
After washing the car, rinse it thoroughly
with water and finally chamois dry.
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.
152GENERAL MAINTENANCEReplacing windscreen wiper bladesTaking off wiper blade
Fold windscreen wiper arm forward and
position wiper blade horizontally.
Press the securing spring (arrow A) and
at the same time push wiper blade toward
windscreen (arrow B). Caution! The wind-
screen may be damaged when this is done.
Attaching wiper blade
The securing spring must be heard to en-
gage in the windscreen wiper arm.
Replacing windscreen wiper blade of
rear window (Octavia)*Removing wiper blade
Raise windscreen wiper arm.
Grasp the top part of the windscreen
wiper arm with your hand.
Grasp the wiper blade with your other
hand, as close to the middle as possible,
and remove the wiper blade by moving the
arm in direction of arrow B.
Attaching wiper blade
Connect the windscreen wiper arm and the
wiper blade by pushing the two parts to-
gether - see arrow A.
Dust, odor and pollen filter*The dust, odor and pollen filter for the heat-
ing and ventilation system is located on the
right in the plenum chamber below a two-
section cover. The filter should be replaced
as stated in the Service Schedule. The fil-
ter should also be replaced earlier if the air
flow is severely reduced.
The filter should be replaced by a Škoda
Dealer as part of the Inspection Service.
ALPHABETICAL INDEX
Towing eyes, 178
Tow-starting the car, 178
Trailer, 124
Transporting children,- Child safety, 111
Turn signal lights, 56, 67
Two-way radio system, 159
Tyre repair kit, 162
Tyre repair, 162
Tyres, 153UUnderbody protection, 134VVehicle data sticker, 181
Ventilation, 72
V-ribbed belts, 150WWarning light „Airbag OFF“, 108
Warning lights, 56
Warning triangle, 161
Washing car by hand, 130
Washing car with water under pressure, 131
Washing the car, 130
Wax treatment, 131
Wheel securing bolts, 166
Wheels, 133, 153
Window heater, 63 Windows, 131
Windscreen washer system, 60, 71, 151
Windscreen wiper blades, 152
Windscreen wipers, 71, 151