2008 SKODA OCTAVIA bonnet

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights39
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
A fault in the ABS
The system is not functioning pr
operly if the ABS warning light
 does not go out
within a few seconds after switching on the ignition, does not light up at all or lights
up while driving. The vehicle will only be braked by the normal brake system. Visit
a specialist garage as quickly as possible and adjust your style of driving in the
meantime since you will not kn ow how great the damage is.
Further information about ABS ⇒page 197, “Antilock brake system (ABS)”.
A fault in the entire brake system
If the ABS warning light
 comes on together with the brake system warning light  (handbrake must be released), there is a fault not only in the ABS but also in
another part of the brake system ⇒.
WARNING
•If the brake system warning light  comes on together with the ABS
warning light  stop the vehicle immediatel y and check the brake fluid
level in the reservoir ⇒page 231, “Brake fluid”. 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.
•Pay attention to the following instructions ⇒page 225, “Working in the
engine compartment” before checking the brake fluid level and opening the
bonnet.
•If the brake fluid is at the correct level, the ABS control function has
failed. The rear wheels may then block ve ry rapidly when braking. In certain
circumstances, this can result in the rear end of the car breaking away - risk
of skidding! Drive carefully to the ne arest specialist garage and have the
fault rectified.
Bonnet 
The warning light  comes on if the bonnet is unl ocked. If the engine bonnet
unlocks while driving , the warning light lights up and an audible signal sounds.
The warning light comes on even when the ignition is switched off. The warning
light lights up for a maximum of 5 minutes. On vehicles with informatio
n display* this warning light is replaced by a vehicle
symbol ⇒page 27.
Seat belt warning light 
The warning light  comes on after the ignition is switched on as a reminder for the
driver and front passenger to fasten the seat belt. The warning light only goes out if
the driver or front passenger has fastened his seat belt.
If the seat belt has not been fastened by the driver or front passenger, a permanent
warning signal sounds at vehicle speeds greater than 20 km/h and simultaneously
the warning light
 flashes.
If the seat belt is not fastened by the dr iver or front passenger during the next 90
seconds, the warning signal is deactivated and the warning light
 lights up perma-
nently.
Further information on the seat belts ⇒page 168, “Seat belts”.
Thickness of the brake pads* 
The warning light  comes on for a few seconds 6) when the ignition is switched
on.
If the warning light
 comes on, contact a specialist garage immediately and have
the brake pads on all of the wheels inspected.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*: Check brake pads!
6)The warning light  on vehicles fitted with information display does not come on after
switching the ignition on, but only if a fault exists.
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Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
40
Boot lid 
The warning light  comes on when the ignition is switched on if the luggage
compartment door is open. If th e boot lid opens while driving , the warning light
lights up and an audible signal sounds.
An audible signal sounds as an additional warning signal.
The warning light comes on even when the ignition is switched off. The warning
light lights up for a maximum of 5 minutes.
On vehicles with information display* this warning light is replaced by a vehicle
symbol ⇒page 27.
Open door 
The warning light  comes on if one or several doors are opened or if the boot lid
is opened. If one of the doors opens wh ile driving, the warning light lights  up
and an audible signal sounds.
The warning light comes on even when the ignition is switched off. The warning
light lights up for a maximum of 5 minutes.
On vehicles with information display* this warning light is replaced by a vehicle
symbol ⇒page 27.
Windshield washer fluid level*
The warning light  comes on when the ignition is switched on if there is insuffi-
cient fluid in the windshield washer system. Top up with liquid ⇒page 235.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*: Add wash fluid!
Brake system 
The warning light  flashes or comes on if the brake fluid level is too low, if there
is a fault in the ABS or if the handbrake is applied.
If the warning light
 flashes and an audible signal sounds three times (handbrake
is not applied), stop and check the brake fluid level ⇒.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*: Brake fluid Owner's manual
If there is a fault in the ABS which also in fluences the function of the brake system
(e.g. distribution of brake pressure), the ABS warning light
 comes on and at the
same time the brake system warning light starts flashing . Be aware that not only
the ABS but also another part of th brake system is defective ⇒.
An audible signal sounds three times as an additional warning signal.
One should get used to high pedal forces, long braking distances and long free play
of the brake pedal when driving to the next specialist garage.
For further information on the brake system ⇒page 196, “Brakes”.
Handbrake applied
The warning light
 also comes on if the handbrake is applied. An audible warning
is also given if you drive the vehicle for at least 3 seconds at a speed of more than 6
km/h.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Release parking brake!
WARNING
•Pay attention to the following instructions ⇒page 225, “Working in the
engine compartment” before checking the brake fluid level and opening the
bonnet.
•If the brake system warning light  does not go out a few seconds after
switching on the ignition or comes on when driving, stop immediately and
check the brake fluid in the reservoir ⇒page 231. If the fluid level has
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Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights41
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
dropped below the MIN marking, do not
drive any further - risk of accident!
Contact a Škoda dealer to obtain professional assistance.
Alternator 
The warning light  comes on after the ignition has been switched on. It should go
out after the engine has started.
If the warning light does not go out after the engine has started, or comes on when
driving, drive to the nearest specialist garage. The vehicle battery will be discharged
in this case so switch off all non-essential electrical components.
Caution
If the warning light  comes on when driving and in addition the warning light 
(cooling system fault) also comes on in di splay, you must then stop the car imme-
diately and switch the engine off - risk of engine damage!
Engine oil level 
Warning light  lights up
If the warning light
 lights up, the quantity of oil in the engine is probably too low.
Check as soon as possible the oil level or top up ⇒page 228, “Replenishing engine
oil” with engine oil.
A peep sounds as an addi tional warning signal.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*: Check oil level!
The warning light will go out if the bonnet is left open for more than 30 seconds. If
no engine oil has been replenished, the warning light will come on again after
driving about 100 km. Warning light
 flashes
A fault on the engine oil level sensor is in dicated additionally by an audible signal
and the warning light coming on several ti mes after the ignition has been switched
on.
In this case have the engine inspecte d without delay by a specialist garage.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*: Oil sensor Workshop!
Fuel reserve 
The warning light  comes on, if the fuel level is still below 9 litres.
An audible signal sounds as an additional warning signal.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*: Please refuel! Range...km
Note
The Text in the information display* goes out only after refuelling and driving a
short distance.
WARNING (continued)
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Unlocking and locking51
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
button but do not open a door or the boot
lid within the next 30 seconds. This
function is intended to prevent th e car being unlocked unintentionally.
In addition, when the car is unlocked, the power seats and exterior mirrors* move
into the position assigned to this key. The stored setting of driver seat and exterior
mirrors is retrieved.
Display of the locking
The turn signal lights flash once to co nfirm that the vehicle has been correctly
locked.
If the vehicle is locked by pressing the button and some doors or the boot lid are
not closed, the turn signal lights flash only after closing.
WARNING
If the vehicle is locked from the outside and the safe securing system is acti-
vated, there must not be any person in the vehicle as it is then not possible
to open either a door or a window from the inside. The locked doors make it
more difficult for rescuers to get into the vehicle in an emergency - hazard!
Note
•Operate the radio remote control only when the doors and boot lid are closed
and you have visual contact with the vehicle.
•Once in the car, you must not press the lock button  of the radio remote
control before inserting the key into the igni tion lock in order to avoid the car being
inadvertently locked and, in addition, the anti-theft alarm system* being switched
on. Should this happen, press the unlock button
 of the radio remote control.
Synchonisation of the remote control
If the vehicle cannot be unlocked by actuatin g the remote control system then it is
possible that the code in the key and the control unit in the vehicle are no longer
synchronised. This can occur when the butt ons on the radio-operated key are actu-
ated a number of times outside of the operative range of the equipment or the
battery on the remote control was replaced. This means it is necessary to synchronise the code as follows:
•Press any button on the remote control.
•pressing of the button means that the door will unlock with the key within 1
minute.
Anti-theft alarm system*
Description
The anti-theft alarm system increases the level of protection against people seeking
to break into the vehicle. The system triggers audible and visual warning signals if
an attempt is made to break into the vehicle.
How is the alarm system activated?
The anti-theft alarm system is activated automatically when the vehicle is locked
with the key on the closed driver's door or by using the radio remote control. It is
activated 30 seconds after closing the door.
How is the alarm system deactivated?
The anti-theft alarm system is deactivated if the vehicle is unlocked by only using
the radio remote control. The vehicle is automatically locked again if the vehicle is
not opened within 30 seconds after reactivating the anti-theft alarm system.
Once you unlock the vehicle by inserting the key into the driver door you then have
to insert the key into the ignition lock and switch the ignition on within 15 seconds
after opening the door in order to deactivate the anti-theft alarm system. The
alarm will be triggered if you do not switch on the ignition within 15 seconds.
When is the alarm triggered?
The following security areas of the locked vehicle are monitored:
•Bonnet,
•Boot lid,
•Doors,
•Ignition lock,
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Lights and Visibility67
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Front door warning light*
The warning light is located in the door trim panel below ⇒fig. 64 .
The warning light goes on every time the door is opened. The light goes out about
10 minutes after opening the door in order to avoid discharging the battery of the
vehicle.
There is a reflector installed on some vehicles instead of the warning light.
Luggage compartment light*
The lighting comes on automatically when the boot lid is opened. The luggage
compartment lighting will switch off agai n automatically if the boot lid remains
open for more than about 30 minutes.
Entry lighting*
The lighting is positioned on the bottom edge of the exterior mirror.
The light beam is directed towards the entry area of the front door.
The light comes on after the doors have been locked or on opening the boot lid. The
light goes out after switching on the ignition or up to 30 seconds after closing all the
doors, the bonnet and the boot lid. If a door, the bonnet or the boot lid remains open, the light goes out within 2
minutes if the ignition is switched off.
WARNING
If the entry light comes on, do not touch its cover - risk of burns!
Visibility
Rear window heater
– You can switch the rear window heater
on or off by pressing the switch
⇒ fig. 65 - the indicator light in the switch comes on or goes out.
The rear window heater only oper ates when the engine is running.
The rear window heater switches off automatically after 10 minutes.
For the sake of the environment
You should switch off the rear window heater as soon as the rear window is clear.
The reduced current consumption will have a favourable effect on fuel economy
⇒ page 205, “Saving electricity”.
Fig. 64 Front door: Warning
light
Fig. 65 Switch for rear
window heater

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Lights and Visibility
70
Fast wipe
– Position the lever up into position .
Automatic wipe/wash for windscreen
– Pull the lever towards the steering wheel into sprung position , the wash system sprays immediately, the windscreen wiper starts wiping
a little later. The wash system and the windscreen wiper operate
simultaneously at a speed of more than 120 km/h.
– Release the lever. The windscreen wash system stops and the wiper continues for another 3 - 4 wiper stro kes (depending on the period of
spraying of the windscreen). At a speed of more than 2 km/h, the wiper
wipes once again* 5 seconds after the last wiper stroke in order to
wipe the last drops from the windsc reen. This function can be acti-
vated/deactivated by a specialist garage.
Rain sensor*
– Move the lever into position .
– You can set the sensitivity of the sensor individually with switch .
Wiping the rear window pane*
– Push the lever away from the steering wheel into position - the widescreen wiper will operate every 6 seconds.
Automatic wipe/wash for the rear window pane*
– Press the lever from the steering wheel forward into the sprung posi- tion , the wash system sprays immediately, the windscreen wiper
starts wiping a little later. As long as you hold the lever in this position,
the wiper operates as well as the wash system.
– Letting go of the lever will cause the windscreen wash system to stop and the wiper to continue for anot her 2 - 3 wiper strokes (depending
on the period of spraying of the windscreen). The lever will stay in
position after releasing it . Switching windscreen wipers off
– Move the lever back into its home position .
After the windscreen wiper switches off each
time or the ignition switches off for
the third time, the position of the windscreen wiper changes, this counteracts an
early fatigue of the wiper rubbers.
The windscreen wipers and the wash system only operate if the ignition is switched
on and the bonnet is closed
10).
If the intermittent wipe is switched on, the intervals are also controlled depending
on speed.
The rain sensor* automatically regulates the break between the individual wiper
strokes depending on the intensity of the rain.
The rear window will be wiped again if the front window wipers are on when
reverse gear is selected.
The windscreen washer nozzles are heated* when the ignition is switched on.
Top up with wash liquid ⇒page 235.
Winter position
If the windscreen wipers are in rest posi tion, they cannot be folded out from the
windscreen. For this reason we recommend adjusting the windscreen wipers in
winter so that they can be folded out fr om the windscreen easily. You can set this
rest position as follows:
•Switch on the windscreen wipers.
•Switch off the ignition. The windscreen wipers remain in the position in which
they were when switching off the ignition.
You can also use the service position ⇒page 71 as a winter position.
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10)On vehicles which do not have a contact swit ch for the bonnet, the windshield wiper and
wash system operates also when the bonnet is opened.
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Lights and Visibility71
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
WARNING
•Properly maintained windscreen wiper blades are essential for clear visi-
bility and safe driving ⇒page 71.
•Do not use the windscreen washer sy stem at low temperatures, without
heating the windscreen beforehand. Otherwise the window cleaner could
freeze on the windscreen and re strict the view to the front.
•The rain sensor only operates as a support. The driver is not released
from the responsibility to set the function of the windscreen wipers manu-
ally depending on the visibility conditions.
Caution
In frosty weather, please first of all check whether the windscreen wiper blades are
not frozen to the windscreen before swit ching them on. Switching on windscreen
wipers when the blades are frozen to the windscreen may result in damage both to
the blades and the motor of the windscreen wipers!
Note
•If the slower or the faster wiper setting is switched on ⇒page 69, fig. 70
and the vehicle speed decreases to below 4 km/h, the lower wiper step is switched
on automatically. At a speed increase of more than 8 km/h the previous wiper
setting is esta blished again.
•If there is an obstacle on the windscre en, the wiper will try to push away the
obstacle. If the obstacle continues to block the wiper, th e wiper stops after 5 cycles,
in order to avoid a damage to the wiper. Remove the obstacle and and switch on
the wiper again.
Headlight cleaning system*
The headlights are being cleaned after the windscreen has been sprayed for the first
time and fifth time, the low beam or ma in beam are switched on and the wind-
screen wiper lever was he ld in the position ⇒page 69, fig. 70 for about 1
second. The headlight washer nozzles are moved forward out of the bumper by the water
pressure for cleaning the headlights.
You should remove stubborn dirt (such
as insect residues) from the headlight
lenses at regular intervals, for example when refuelling. Please refer to the following
guidelines ⇒page 214, “The headlight lenses”.
You should remove any snow from the fixtures of the washer nozzles and clear ice
in winter with a de-icing spray in order to ensure proper operation of the cleaning
system.
Replacing wiper blades for the windscreen wipers
One cannot fold out the wiper arms in the rest position from the wind-
screen. Before replacing the wiper arms you must put them into the
service position.
Service position for changing wiper blades
– Close the bonnet.
– Switch the ignition on and then again off.
– Then press the windscreen wiper lever in the position ⇒page 69,
fig. 70 within 20 seconds - the wiper arms move into the service posi-
tion.
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Fig. 71 Wiper blade for the
windscreen wiper
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Lights and Visibility
72
Taking off the wiper blade
– Fold windscreen wiper arm out from the windscreen and position the wiper blade at right angles to the wiper arm ⇒.
– Take off the wiper blade in direction of arrow ⇒page 71, fig. 71
⇒ .
Attaching a wiper blade
– Push the new wiper blade over the wiper arm and turn the wiper blade into the vertical position.
– Check whether the wiper blade is correctly attached.
– Fold the windscreen wiper arms on to the window and switch on the
ignition. By pressing the window wi per lever into the sprung position
⇒ page 71, fig. 71 or when driving at a speed greater than 4 km/h,
the windscreen wiper arms move back into the rest position.
Wiper blades in proper condition are esse ntial to obtain good visibility. Wiper
blades should not be allowed to become dirtied by dust, insect remains and
preserving wax.
Juddering or smearing of the wiper blades could then be due to wax residues left
on the windscreen by vehicle washing in automatic vehicle wash systems. It is
therefore important to degrease the lips of the wiper blades after every pass
through an automatic vehicle wash system .
WARNING
•The ignition must not be switched on if the front windscreen wiper arms
are folded out. The wiper blades would move back into their rest position
and while doing so damage th e paintwork of the bonnet.
•If the windscreen wipers are handled carelessly, there is a risk of damage
to the windscreen.
•You should clean the wiper blades regularly with a windscreen cleaner in
order to avoid any smears. Clean a wiper bl ade with a sponge or cloth if it is
very dirty, for example from insect residues.
•Replace the wiper blades once or twice a year for safety reasons. The
wiper blades are available from Škoda Service Partners.
Replacing the wiper blade on the rear window wiper
Taking off the wiper blade
– Fold windscreen wiper arm out from the windscreen and position the wiper blade at right angles to the wiper arm ⇒fig. 72 .
– Hold the window wiper arm at the top end with one hand.
– With the other hand unlock the locking button in the direction of arrow and remove the wiper blade.
Attaching a wiper blade
– Position the wiper blade onto the wiper arm and lock the locking button .
– Check whether the wiper blade is correctly attached.
The same remarks apply here as for ⇒page 71.
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WARNING (continued)
Fig. 72 Wiper blade for rear
window
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