Inspecting and Replenishing191
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
system with water and as soon as possible arrange adjustment to correct the mixing
ratio of water and coolant additive again by a specialist garage.
Only use fresh coolant for topping up the system.
Do not fill up over the “MAX” marking! Exce
ss coolant which is heated up is forced
out of the cooling system through the pressu re relief valve in the cap of the coolant
compensation bottle.
Wait until the engine has cooled down for a system which has suffered a major loss
of coolant before pouring in coolant. Th is is necessary to avoid engine damage.
WARNING
•The cooling system is pressurized! Do not open the cap of the coolant
expansion bottle if the engine is still hot - risk of scalding!
•The coolant additive and thus all of the coolant is harmful to your health.
Avoid contact with the coolant. Coolant vapours are also harmful to the
health. It is important, therefore, to always safely store any coolant additive
in its original container out of the reach of children - risk of poisoning!
•If any splashes of coolant get into yo ur eyes, rinse out your eyes immedi-
ately with clear water and contact a doctor as soon as possible.
•You should also consult a doctor without delay if you have inadvertently
swallowed coolant.
Caution
Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under the
conditions prevailing to top up with coolant. Switch the engine off and obtain
professional assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it could lead to severe
engine damage.
For the sake of the environment
Do not re-use coolant if it is necessary to drain the coolant in the system. It should
be collected and disposed of in comp liance with environmental protection
regulations.
Radiator fan
The radiator fan may switch on suddenly.
The radiator fan is driven by an electr ic motor and controlled by a thermostat
according to the coolant temperature.
The radiator fan may conti nue running for up to 10 mi nutes after the engine has
been switched off - even if the ignition is also off. It may also switch on suddenly
after a certain time, if
•the coolant temperature has risen because of an accumulation of heat or
•the warm engine compartmen t is heated up additionally by strong sunlight.
WARNING
You must therefore be aware when working in the engine compartment that
the fan may switch on suddenly - risk of injury!
Brake fluid
Inspecting the brake fluid level
You can also see the location of the brake fluid reservoir in the engine
compartment from the general view of the engine compartment
B1Z-0042HB1Z-0042H
Fig. 177 Engine
compartment: Brake
fluid reservoir
NKO B5 20.book Page 191 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
NKO B5 20.book Page 192 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM
Wheels and Tyres203
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Note
It is not normally possible to fit wheels from other models of cars for technical
reasons. This may also apply in certain circumstances to the wheels of the same
type of vehicle.
Wheel bolts
Wheels and wheel bolts are matched to each other in terms of design. Each time
you fit other wheels - e.g. light alloy wheels or wheels with winter tyres - you must
therefore also use the matching wheel bolts of the correct length and shape of
spherical cap. This is essential to ensure that the wheels are tightly fitted and that
the brake system operates properly.
If you retrofit wheel trims (or have this done), please also ensure that an adequate
flow of air remains assured for cooling the brake system.
The Škoda Service Partners are instructed in the technical possibilities which exist
regarding converting or retrofitti ng wheels, tyres and wheel trim.
WARNING
•In case of incorrect treatment of the wheel bolts, the wheel can loosen
when the car is moving - risk of accident!
•The 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 rim
can lossen 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 contact surfaces on the rims.
Caution
The prescribed tightening torque of the wheel bolts for steel and light alloy wheels
is 120 Nm.
Winter tyres
The handling of your vehicle will be significantly improved when driving on wintry
roads if you fit winter tyres. Summer tyres do not offer the same grip on ice, snow
and at temperatures below 7 °C because of their construction (width, rubber blend,
tread pattern). This applies in particul ar to vehicles which are equipped with low-
profile tyres or high-speed tyres (code index V, W or Y on wall of tyre).
Winter tyres must be mounted on all four wheels to obtain the best handling char-
acteristics.
You must only fit those types of winter tyre which are approved for your vehicle. The
permissible sizes of winter tyres are stated in your vehicle documents. Approvals
may differ because of national legislation.
Please remember that the tyres should be inflated to 20 kPa (0.2 bar) more than is
the case for summer tyres ⇒page 200.
Winter tyres no longer offer the same winter performance once the tyre tread has
worn down to a depth of about 4 mm.
Ageing also causes winter tyres to lose most of their winter performance properties
- even in cases where the remaining tread depth is still clearly more than 4 mm.
Speed restrictions apply to winter tyres as well as to summer tyres ⇒page 201,
⇒ .
You can fit winter tyres of a lower speed ca tegory to your vehicle provided that you
also do not drive faster than the permissible maximum speed for such tyres, even
if the possible maximum speed of your vehicle is higher. The corresponding tyre
category can damage the tyres when exceeding the permissible maximum speed.
Please pay attention to the notes if you decide to fit winter tyres ⇒page 199.
You can also fit so-called “all-year tyres” instead of winter tyres.
Please contact your specialist garage if there are any points which are not clear who
will be able to provide you with information regarding the maximum speed for your
tyres.
NKO B5 20.book Page 203 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM
Breakdown assistance209
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
•The factory-supplied lifting jack is only intended for your model of
vehicle. On no account attempt to lift a heavier vehicle or other loads - risk
of injury!
•Ensure that the vehicle tool kit is safely attached in the luggage
compartment.
Spare wheel
The spare wheel is stowed in the spare wheel well in the luggage
compartment below the floor covering.
The spare wheel lies in a well in the luggage compartment under floor covering and
is fixed in place using special screws ⇒fig. 191 .
One should check the inflation pressure in the spare wheel (at best when generally
checking the tyre air pressures - see sign on the fuel filler flap ⇒page 200) to
ensure that the spare wheel is always ready to use.
Temporary spare wheel*
If you have such tyres on your vehicle, please refer to the notes below:
•The spare wheel provided with a car fitted with unidirectional tyres has different
dimensions. The wheel is provided with a warning sticker.
•After fitting on the wheel, the warning st icker must not be concealed (e.g. by the
wheel trim).
•D o n o t d r i v e w i t h th i s s p a re w h e e l a t m o re th a n 8 0 k m / h - ri s k o f a c c i d e n t. Av o i d
accelerating 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 nearest specialist garage as it is not
intended for continuous use.
Changing a wheel
Preliminary work
The following steps should be carried out before actually changing the
wheel.
– If it is necessary to change a wheel, park the vehicle as far away as possible from the traffic flow. The place you choose should be level.
– Have all the occupants get out. While changing a wheel, the occu-
pants of the vehicle should not stan d on the road (e.g. behind a crash
barrier).
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
–Engage 1st gear or if your vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox,
position the selector lever into position P.
– If a trailer is coupled, uncouple it.
– Take the vehicle tool kit and the spare wheel ⇒ page 209 out of the
luggage compartment.
WARNING (continued)
B1Z-0042HB1Z-0042H
Fig. 191 Luggage
compartment: Spare
wheel
NKO B5 20.book Page 209 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM
Breakdown assistance
216
•We recommend purchasing jump-start cabl es from Škoda Service Partners as a
Škoda original accessory or from retailers who sell branded batteries.
Start engine
It is important to connect the jump-start cables in the correct order.
Connecting positive terminals
– Attach one end to the positive terminal ⇒fig. 199 of the
discharged battery .
– Attach the other end to the positive terminal of the battery supplying the power .
Connecting negative term inal and engine block
– Attach one end to the negative terminal of the battery supplying
the power .
– Attach the other end to a soli d metal part which is connected
firmly to the engine block, or to the engine block itself ⇒. Starting engine
– Start the engine of the vehicle prov
iding current and run the engine at
idling speed.
– Now start the engine of the vehicle with the discharged battery.
– Interrupt the attempt at starting an engine after 10 seconds if it does
not start right away and wait for about 30 seconds before repeating
the attempt.
– Disconnect the cables on the engine in exactly the reverse order they
were connected up.
WARNING
•The non-insulated parts of the terminal clamps must never make contact
with each other. Furthermore, the cabl e connected to the positive terminal
of the battery must not come into contact with electrically conducting parts
of the vehicle - risk of a short circuit!
•Do not affix the jump starting cables to the negative terminal of the
discharged battery. There is the risk of detonating gas seeping out the
battery being ignited by the strong spark which results from the engine
being started.
•Do not affix the cable end to pa rts of the fuel and brake system.
•Run the jump-start cables so that they cannot be caught by any rotating
parts in the engine compartment.
•Do not bend over the batteries - risk of caustic burns!
•The vent screws of the battery cells must be tightened firmly.
•Keep any sources of ignition (naked flame, smouldering cigarettes etc.)
away from the battery - risk of an explosion!
Fig. 199 Jump-starting
using the battery from
another vehicle: A - flat
vehicle battery, B -
battery providing current
A1
AA
A2
AB
A3
AB
A4
A4
NKO B5 20.book Page 216 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM
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.
NKO B5 20.book Page 217 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM
Fuses and light bulbs221
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Fuse assignment
Certain electrical components are only standard on certain vehicle model versions
or only suppliable as optional equipment for certain models.
No.Amperes
1Heatable windscreen washing nozzles5
2Tu r n s i g n a l s10
3Not assigned
4Licence plate light5
5
Instrument cluster - warning ligh ts, seat heaters, cruise con-
trol system, exterior mirror ad justment, lighting of controls
and switches, outside temperature display, air conditioning,
audible parking aid, navigation system, multifunction steer-
ing wheel
10
6Heating of the external mirror5
7ABS, EDS, ASR, ESP, cruise co ntrol system, engine electron-
ics10
Fig. 202 Schematic
representation of fuse
carrier
8Automatic headlight beam adjustment5
9Parking aid5
10CD changer, mobile phone, multifunction steering wheel5
11DVD player7,5
12Power supply for diagnostic socket10
13Brake lights10
14Central locking control unit, interior lighting10
15Instrument cluster, air cond itioning, automatic gearbox,
exterior mirror adjustment memory and navigation system10
16ESP5
17Two-way radio system, special vehicles (police etc.)10
18Right main beam10
19Left main beam10
20Low beam on the right15
21Low beam on the left15
22Parking light on the right5
23Parking light on the left5
24Windscreen washer system, windscreen wiper pump and
intermittent switch25
25Fan for fresh air, the air co nditioning unit, Climatronic30
26Rear window heating, recirculated air mode30
27Not assigned
28Fuel pump, diesel additional pump20
29Engine control20
30Electric sliding/tilting roof/DVD player20/7,5
No.Amperes
NKO B5 20.book Page 221 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM
Fuses and light bulbs223
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
WARNING
•Bulbs H7 and H3 are pressurised and may burst when changing the bulb
- risk of injury!
•It is recommended to wear gloves and eye protection when changing a
light bulb.
•Gas discharge bulbs* (xenon bulbs) operate with a high voltage, profes-
sional knowledge is required - danger to life!
Note
This Owner's Manual only describes the replacement of bulbs where it is assumed
that no major complications will arise. Other light bulbs should be changed by your
specialist garage.
Rear light unit
– Open the boot lid/luggage compartment door.
– Raise the floor covering.
– Press the catch in direction of arrow and pull out the light fixture.
– Press the defective light bulb into the socket, turn to the left and remove.
– Insert the new light bulb and turn it fully to the right.
– Insert the light bulb holder again, the plastic tongue must lock in place.
Brake lightsP21W
Parking light and rear fog lightP21/4W
Others
Side turn signal lights3x LED 0.85W
Licence plate lightC5W
3. Brake lightLED
Interior light4x W5W
Reading light12 V/3.8 W or C5W
Luggage compartment lightW5W
Entry lightW5W
Storage compartment light - front
passenger sideC3W
Interior mirror lightC5W
Footwell lightW5W
B1Z-0042HB1Z-0042H
Fig. 203 Luggage
compartment: Remove
light bulb holder
NKO B5 20.book Page 223 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM