
Inspecting and Replenishing
190
Caution
•Other coolant additives may cause operational problems which, in partic-
ular, involves significantly reducing the anticorrosion effect.
•Any faults or problems resulting from corrosion may cause a loss of
coolant and, as a consequence of th is, result in major engine damage.
Inspecting the coolant level
The coolant expansion bottle is located in the engine compartment on
the left.
– Switch the engine off.
– Open the bonnet ⇒ in “Working in the engine compartment” on
page 185.
– Check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion bottle ⇒fig. 176 .
The coolant level when the engine is cold must lie between the “MIN”
and “MAX” markings. The level may also rise slightly above the “MAX”
marking when the engine is warm.
If the coolant level in the reservoir is too low, this is indicated by the warning light
in the instrument cluster ⇒ page 22. We nevertheless recommend inspecting
the coolant level directly at th e reservoir from time to time. Loss of coolant
A loss of coolant is first and foremost an
indication of a leak in the system. You
should not merely top up the coolant in the reservoir. It is also important to have
the cooling system inspected without delay by a specialist garage.
Losses can only occur through the pressure relief in the cap of the coolant expan-
sion bottle which is completely free of leaks if the coolant boils as a result of over-
heating and is forced out of the cooling system.
WARNING
Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 185, “Working in the engine
compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
Caution
One should contact a specialist garage as soon as possible if the source of over-
heating itself cannot be determined and removed, since there may be grave
damage to the engine.
Replenishing the coolant
– Switch the engine off.
– Allow the engine to cool down.
– Place a cloth over the cap of the coolant expansion reservoir ⇒fig. 176 and unscrew the cap carefully by turning it to the left
⇒ .
– Top up the coolant.
– Screw the cap tight until it is heard to lock.
The coolant which you use for replenishing the system, must comply with one
specific specification ⇒page 189, “Coolant”. Do not use an alternative additive if
the coolant additive G12 PLUS is not available in exceptional cases. Just top up the
B1Z-0042HB1Z-0042H
Fig. 176 Engine
compartment: Coolant
expansion bottle
NKO B5 20.book Page 190 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM

Inspecting and Replenishing
192
⇒page 186. The brake fluid reservoir on right-hand steering models is
positioned on the other side of the engine compartment.
– Switch the engine off.
– Open the bonnet ⇒ in “Working in the engine compartment” on
page 185.
– Pull off the rubber seal ⇒page 191, fig. 177 partially away and lift
the cover slightly.
– Inspect the brake fluid level at the reservoir . The level must be
between the “MIN” and “MAX” markings. The markings are indicated
on the side of the reservoir.
A slight drop in the fluid level results when driving due to normal wear-and-tear
and automatic adjustment of the br ake pads, and is perfectly normal.
There may be an indication of a leak in th e brake system, however, if the fluid level
drops significantly within a short time or if it drops below the “MIN” marking. A situ-
ation where the brake fluid level is too low is indicated by the warning light
lighting up in the instrument cluster ⇒page 29. In this case stop the car immedi-
ately and do not drive any further! Cont act a Škoda Dealer to obtain profes-
sional assistance.
WARNING
•Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 185, “Working in the engine
compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
•If the fluid level has dropped below the MIN marking, do not drive any
further - risk of accident! Contact a Škoda dealer to obtain professional
assistance.
Replacing brake fluid
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. This causes the fluid to absorb moisture from the
surrounding air over a period of time. Excessive water in the brake fluid may be the
cause of corrosion in the brake system. Th e water content also lowers the boiling point of the brake fluid.
This is why brake fluid mu st be replaced every two
years.
One may only use new genuine brake fluid from Škoda Auto a.s. The specification
for the brake fluid is “FMVSS 116 DOT 4”.
We recommend that you have the brake fluid replaced by a Škoda Service Partner
as part of an Inspection Service.
WARNING
•Using old brake fluid can result in seve re stress on the brakes because of
the formation of vapour bubbles in th e brake system. This greatly impairs
the braking efficiency and thus al so the safety of your vehicle.
•Brake fluid is toxic! It must therefore be kept safely in closed original
containers and well away from children and unauthorized persons.
Caution
Brake fluid damages the paintwork of the vehicle.
For the sake of the environment
In view of the problems involved with prop er disposal of brake fluid, the special
tools and the professional knowledge required, you should have the brake fluid
replaced by a Škoda Service Partner.
AB
AC
AA
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Breakdown assistance
210
WARNING
•If you find yourself in flowing traffic switch on the hazard warning lights
system and place the warning triangle on the side of the road at the
prescribed distance from your vehicl e while observing all national legal
provisions. In this way you are protecting not only yourself but also other
road users.
•Never start the engine with the vehicle sitting on the raised jack - danger
of suffering injury!
Caution
If you have to change a wheel on a slope first block the opposite wheel with a stone
or similar object in order to secure th e vehicle from unexpectedly rolling away.
Note
Comply with the national legal regulations.
Changing a wheel
Always change a wheel on a level surface as far as possible.
– Take off the full wheel trim* ⇒page 211 or the caps ⇒page 211.
– In the case of light alloy wheels remove the wheel trim cap ⇒page 211.
– Slacken the wheel bolts ⇒page 212.
– Jack up the vehicle until the wheel to be changed is clear of the ground
⇒ page 213.
– Unscrew the wheel bolts and place them on a clean surface (cloth, paper etc.).
– Take off the wheel. – Fit on the spare wheel and tighten the wheel bolts slightly.
– Lower the car.
– Tighten the wheel bolts firmly, al
ternately and diagonally using the
wheel wrench ⇒page 212.
– Mount the full wheel trim/w heel trim cap or the caps.
Note
•All bolts must be clean and must turn easily.
•You must never grease or oil the wheel bolts!
•When fitting on unidirectional tyres, ensure that the tyres rotate in the correct
direction ⇒page 199.
Subsequent steps
After changing the wheel, you must perform the following steps.
– Stow and attach the replaced wheel in the spare wheel well.
– Stow the vehicle tool kit in the space provided.
– Check the tyre pressure on the spare wheel just mounted as soon as
possible.
– 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 must be 120 Nm.
– Have the defective tyre repaired as soon as possible.
WARNING
It is necessary to observe the guidelines given on ⇒page 201, “New tyres
and wheels” if the vehicle is subseq uently fitted with tyres which are
different to those it was fitted with at the works.
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Breakdown assistance217
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Tow-starting and towing vehicle
General
Please pay attention to the following in structions if you are going to use a
tow rope:
Driver of the towing vehicle
– Do not drive off until the tow rope is taught.
– Release the clutch particularly gent ly when starting off or depress the
accelerator particularly gently if yo ur vehicle is fitted with an auto-
matic gearbox.
Driver of the towed vehicle
– Switch the ignition on so that the steering wheel is not blocked and you can also operate the turn signal lights, the headlight flasher, the
windscreen wipers and windscreen washer system.
– Take the vehicle out of gear or move the selector lever into position N
if your vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.
– Note that the brake servo unit and power steering only operate if the engine is running. You will require si gnificantly greater physical force
to depress the brake pedal and to steer the vehicle if the engine is not
running.
– Ensure that the tow rope is always kept taught.
Tow rope or tow bar
A tow bar is safest way of towing a vehicle and also minimizes any shocks. You can
use a tow rope only if a suitable to w bar is not available.
The tow rope must be elastic to protect the vehicle. Thus one should only use
plastic fibre rope or a rope made out of a similarly elastic material. Attach the tow rope or the tow bar only to the
towing eyes provided for this
purpose ⇒page 218, “Front towing eye” and ⇒page 218, “Rear towing eye”.
Driving style
Towing another vehicle requires a certain amount of practice. Both drivers should
be familiar with the partic ular points about towing a vehicle. Unskilled drivers
should not attempt to tow in another vehicle or to be towed in.
One should be constantly vigi lant not to allow impermissibly high towing forces or
jerky loadings. There is always a risk of excessive stresses and damage resulting at
the points to which you attach the tow rope or tow bar when you attempt to tow a
vehicle which is not stan ding on a paved road.
Caution
If the gearbox of your vehicle no longer contains any oil because of a defect, your
vehicle must only be towed in with the driven wheels raised clear of the ground, or
on a special vehicle transporter or trailer.
Note
•Please comply with any legal requiremen ts particularly regarding the switched
on signal systems, when towing in or tow-starting another vehicle.
•The tow rope must not be twisted as it may in certain circumstances result in the
front towing eye being unscrewed out of your vehicle.
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Breakdown assistance219
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
•Move selector lever into N .
•The maximum towing speed is 50 km/h.
•The maximum permissible towing distance is 50 km. The gear oil pump does
not operate when the engine is not running and the gear would not be adequately
lubricated at higher speeds an d over longer towing distance.
Caution
If the vehicle is towed in by a recovery vehi cle, it should only be towed in with the
front wheels raised. If the vehicle is raised at rear, the automatic gearbox is
damaged!
Note
The vehicle must be transported on a special ve hicle or trailer if it is not possible to
tow in the vehicle in the way described or if the towing distance is greater than
50 km.
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Technical Data231
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Capacities (in liter)
Weight (in kg)
Fuel tank capacity/of which spare62/8
Windshield washer fluid reservoir3,4
Engine oila)
a)Oil capacity with oil filter change. Inspec
t oil level when filling; do not fill up too much. The oil level must be between the markings ⇒page 187.
3,5
Cooling system of the vehicle6,5
M5
Permissible gross weight1989
Unloaden weight ready for work1412
Loading capacity577
Loading capacity when using the TLC502
Permissible front axle load1020
Permissible rear axle load1060
Permissible trailer loads, trailer braked1400a)/1500b)
a)for uphills up to 12%b)only country specific up to 8% uphill
Permissible trailer loads, trailer unbraked650
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Technical Data233
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Capacities (in liter)
Weight (in kg)
Fuel tank capacity/of which spare62/8
Windshield washer fluid reservoir3,4
Engine oila)
a)Oil capacity with oil filter change. Inspec
t oil level when filling; do not fill up too much. The oil level must be between the markings ⇒page 187.
3,9
Cooling system of the vehicle6,5
M5AG5
Permissible gross weight20152069
Unloaden weight ready for work14381492
Loading capacity577577
Loading capacity when using the TLC502502
Permissible front axle load10501110
Permissible rear axle load10601060
Permissible trailer loads, trailer braked1300a)/1500b)
a)for uphills up to 12%b)only country specific up to 8% uphill
1300a)/1500b)
Permissible trailer loads, trailer unbraked650650
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Technical Data235
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Capacities (in liter)
Weight (in kg)
Fuel tank capacity/of which spare62/8
Windshield washer fluid reservoir3,4
Engine oila)
a)Oil capacity with oil filter change. Inspec
t oil level when filling; do not fill up too much. The oil level must be between the markings ⇒page 187.
5,7
Cooling system of the vehicle10,5
M5AG5
Permissible gross weight20782136
Unloaden weight ready for work15011551
Loading capacity577585
Loading capacity when using the TLC502510
Permissible front axle load11101160
Permissible rear axle load10601060
Permissible trailer loads, trailer braked1600a)/1600b)
a)for uphills up to 12%b)only country specific up to 8% uphill
1600a)/1600b)
Permissible trailer loads, trailer unbraked750750
NKO B5 20.book Page 235 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM