2008 SKODA OCTAVIA interval

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights35
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
•Always adjust your speed to suit weather, road, region and traffic condi-
tions. The route indicated by the warning light must not tempt you to disre-
gard the national regulations for road traffic.
Caution
As long as the warning light  lights up, one must take into account an increased
fuel consumption and in certain circumst ances a power reduction of the engine.
Note
Further information about diesel particle filter ⇒page 200.
Airbag system 
Monitoring the airbag system
The warning light
 comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
There is a fault in the system if the warning light does not go out or flashes while
driving ⇒. This also applies if the warning light does not come on when the igni-
tion is switched on.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Airbag fault!
The functionality of the airbag system is also monitored electronically, when one
airbag has been switched off
Front, side and head airbags or belt tensioner which have been switched off
using the vehicle system tester:
•The warning light  lights up for 4 seconds after switching on the ignition and
then flashes again for 12 seconds afterwards in 2 second intervals.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Airbag/belt tensioner deactivated! Front passenger airbags switched off
using the switch for front passenger
airbags* in stowage compartmen t on the front passenger side:
•The warning light  comes on for 4 seconds after the ignition has been
switched on.
•Switching off airbags is indicated in the middle of the dash panel by the lighting
up of the indicator light   (airbag switched off) ⇒ page 182.
WARNING
Have the airbag system checked immediat ely by a specialist garage if a fault
exists. Otherwise, there is a risk of th e airbag not being activated in the event
of an accident.
Control system for exhaust 
The warning light  comes on after the ignition has been switched on.
If the warning light does not go out after starting the engine or it lights up when
driving, a fault exists in an exhaust rele vant component. The engine management
system selects an emergency programme which enables you to drive to the nearest
specialist garage by adopting a gentle style of driving.
Electromechanical power steering  
The warning light  comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
If the warning light after switching on the ignition or when driving lights up contin-
uously, a fault exists in the electromechanical power steering.
•If the yellow warning light lights up , this indicates a partial failure of the
power steering and the steeri ng forces can be greater.
•If the red warning light lights up , this indicates a complete failure of the
power steering and the steering assist has failed (significant ly higher steering
forces).
Further information ⇒page 198.
WARNING (continued)
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Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
36
WARNING
Contact your specialist garage if the power steering is defective.
Note
•If the yellow warning light  goes out after starting the engine again and a short
drive, it is not necessary to visit a specialist garage.
•If the battery has been disconnected an d reconnected, the yellow warning light  comes on after switching on the ignition. The warning light must go out after
driving a short distance.
Engine oil pressure 
The warning light  comes on for a few seconds 4) when the ignition is switched
on.
Stop the vehicle and sw itch the engine off if the warning light does not go off
after the engine has started or flashes while driving. Check the oil level and top up
with oil as necessary ⇒page 228, “Replenishing engine oil”.
An audible signal sounds three times as an additional warning signal.
Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under the
conditions prevailing to top up with oil. Keep the engine switched off and obtain
professional assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it could lead to severe
engine damage.
Do not drive any further if the warning light flashes even if the oil is at the correct
level. Do not run the engine not at idling speed either. Contact the nearest specialist
garage to obtain professional assistance.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Oil Pressure Engine off! Owner's manual
WARNING
•If you must stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe
distance from the traffic and switch off the engine and switch on the hazard
warning light system.
•The red oil pressure light  is not an oil level indicator! One should
therefore check the oil level at regular intervals, preferably after every refu-
eling stop.
EPC fault light  (petrol engine)
The  (Electronic Power Control) warning light comes on for a few seconds when
the ignition is switched on.
If the warning light
 does not go out or lights up after starting the engine, a fault
exists in the engine control. The engine management system selects an emergency
programme which enables you to drive to the nearest specialist garage by adopting
a gentle style of driving.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Engine fault Workshop! (Engine fault workshop!)
Glow plug system  (diesel engine)
The warning light  lights up for a cold engine when switching on the ignition
(pre-heat position) 2 ⇒ page 125. Start the engine after the indicator light goes out.
The glow plug indicato r light will come on for about 1 second if the engine is at a
normal operating temperature or if the outside temperature is above +5°C. This
means that you can start the engine right away.
There is a fault in the glow plug system if the warning light
 does not come on
at all or lights up continuously . Contact a specialist garage as soon as possible to
obtain assistance.
If the warning light
 begins to flash while driving, a fault exists in the engine
control. The engine management system selects an emergency programme which 4)The warning light  on vehicles fitted with information display does not come on after
switching the ignition on, but only if a fault exists or the engine oil level is too low.
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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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Starting-off and Driving129
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Rear parking aid*
The parking aid provides a warning of obstacles behind the vehicle.
The audible parking aid determines the distance between the rear bumper and an
obstacle located behind the vehicle with the aid of ultrasound sensors. The tones
of the parking aid can be adapted in the menu of the information display*
⇒ page 30. The sensors are integrated in the rear bumper.
Range of sensors
The clearance warning begins at a distance of about 160 cm from the obstacle (area
⇒ fig. 149 ). The interval between the warning signals becomes shorter as the
clearance is reduced.
A continuous tone sounds from a clearanc e of just 30 cm (Bereich ) - danger
area. You should not reverse any further after this signal sounds! If the vehicle
is equipped with a factory-fi tted towing device*, the border of the danger area
starts - continuous tone - 5 cm further behind the vehicle. The vehicle can be
extended through an installe d detachable towing device.
On vehicles equipped with a factory-fitted radio* or navigation*, the distance to the
obstruction is shown graphically on the disp lay. On vehicles with a factory-fitted
towing device, the sensors are deactivated when towing a trailer. The driver is also
informed of the radio* or the navigation* by a graphic display (vehicle towing a
trailer) on the display. The radio* or navi gation*, which is factory-fitted, can be set
so that the play function volume decrea ses when activating the parking aid, see Owner's Manual radio* or navigation*. This improves the audibility of the parking
aid.
Activating
The parking aid is activated automatically when
reverse gear is engaged and the
ignition is turned on. This is conf irmed by a brief acknowledgement signal.
Deactivating
The parking aid is deactivated by removing the reverse gear.
WARNING
•The parking aid is not a substitute for the driver paying proper attention
and it is always the driver's responsibility to take care when parking the
vehicle or carrying ou t similar manoeuvres.
•You should therefore satisfy yourself, before reversing, that there is no
small obstacle, such as a rock, thin po st, trailer drawbar etc., behind your
vehicle. Such an obstacle might not be within the range detected by the
sensors.
•Under certain circumstances, surfaces of certain objects and types of
clothing cannot reflect the signal of the parking aid. Thus, these objects or
people who wear such clothing are not recognised by the sensors of the
parking aid.
Note
•The parking aid does not operate if you are towing a trailer (applies to models
which feature a factory-fi tted towing device*).
•If a warning signal sounds for about 3 seconds after switching the ignition on
and engaging reverse gear, and there is no obstacle close to your car, this indicates
a system fault. Have the fault rectified by a specialist workshop.
•The sensors must be kept clean and free of ice to enable the parking aid to
operate properly.
Fig. 149 Parking aid: Detec-
tion range of rear sensors
AA
AB
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Airbag system
182
Deactivation of airbags is envisaged only for particular instances, such as if:
•you must in exceptional cases use a child seat on the front passenger seat
where the child has its back to the directio n of travel of the vehicle (in some coun-
tries this must be in the direction of trav el due to other legal regulations applying)
⇒ page 184, “Important safety information regarding the use of child safety seats”
•you are not able to maintain the distance of at least 25 cm between middle of
steering wheel and chest, despite the driver seat being correctly adjusted,
•special attachments are required in the area of the steering wheel because of a
physical disability,
•you have installed other seats (e.g. orthopaedic seats without side airbags).
Monitoring the airbag system
The functionality of the airbag system is also monitored electronically, when one
airbag has been switched off
If the airbag was switched off using diagnostic equipment:
•The warning light for the airbag system lights up for 4 seconds after switching
on the ignition and then flashes for 12 seconds afterwards in 2 second intervals.
Front passenger airbags sw itched off using the switch for front passenger
airbags* in stowage compartmen t on the front passenger side:
•The airbag warning light comes on in the instrument cluster for about 4 seconds
each time the igniti on is switched on.
•Switching off airbags is indicated in the middle of the dash panel by the lighting
up of the indicator light   ⇒ fig. 186 .
Note
Your Škoda Service Partner will be able to advise you whether national legislation in
your country allows airbags in your vehicle to be deactivated, and which ones.
Switch for the front passenger airbag*
The front passenger airbag is deactivated with the switch.
Deactivating an airbag
– Switch off the ignition.
– Turn the slot of the airbag switch using the key in the position ( OFF)
⇒ fig. 185 .
– Check whether the airbag indicator light
  in the middle of
the dash panel lights up ⇒fig. 186 when the ignition is turned on.
Fig. 185 Storage compart-
ment: Switch for the front
passenger airbag
Fig. 186 Indicator light for
the front passenger airbag
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Driving and the Environment
204
Avoiding full throttle
Driving more slowly means saving fuel.
Sensitive use of the accelera tor will not only significantly reduce fuel consumption
but also positively influence environmen tal pollution and wear of your vehicle.
You should avoid fully exploi ting the top speed of your vehicle wherever possible.
Fuel consumption, pollutant emissions and vehicle noises increase disproportion-
ally at high speeds.
The ⇒fig. 202 shows the ratio of fuel consumption to the speed of your vehicle.
You will cut your fuel consumption by half if you only make use three-quarters of
the possible top speed of your vehicle.
Reducing idling
Idling also costs fuel.
It is worthwhile switching off the engine in a traffic jam or when waiting at a level
crossing or at traffic lights with a length y red phase. Even after just 30 - 40 seconds
you will have saved more fuel than that is needed when you start the engine up
again.
If an engine is only idling it takes much longer for it to reach its normal operating
temperature. Wear-and-tear and pollutant em issions, though, are particularly high in the warming-up phase. This is why you
should drive off right after starting the
engine. Do avoid high engine revolutions at this time, however.
Regular servicing
A poorly tuned engine consumes an unnecessarily high amount of
fuel.
Having your vehicle serviced regularly at a specialist garge enables you to satisfy
one of the requirements for economical moto ring even before you set off on your
journey. Keeping your vehicle properly servic ed not only has a positive effect on the
safety of your vehicle and maintaining its value, but also saves on fuel.
A poorly tuned engine can result in a fuel consumption which is 10% higher than
normal.
The foreseen maintenance work should be undertaken exactly according to the
Service schedule by a specialist garage.
Also check the oil level after refueling. Oil consumption is dependent to a consid-
erable extent on the load and speed of the engine. Oil consumption could be as
high as 0.5 litres/1 000 km depending on your style of driving.
It is quite normal that a new engine ha s a higher oil consumption at first, and
reaches its lowest level only after a certain running in time. It is therefore not
possible to correctly assess the oil cons umption of a new vehicle until after you
have driven about 5 000 km.
For the sake of the environment
•You can achieve additional improvements in your fuel economy by using high-
lubricity oils.
•Check the ground below your car at regula r intervals to detect any leakages in
good time. Please have your vehicle inspected by a specialist garge if you find any
stains caused by oil or other fluids on the floor.
Fig. 202 Fuel consumption
in litres/100 km. and speed in
km/h.
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Towing a trailer209
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
should be attached to folding arms. Adjust
the mirrors so that they provide you with
an adequate field of view to the rear.
Headlights
Before starting off with a hitched trailer, also check the setting of the headlights.
Alter the setting as necessary with th e aid of the headlight beam adjuster
⇒ page 64.
Detachable ball head
The ball rod is detachable on vehicles which feature a factory-fitted towing device.
It is stowed together with separate fitting instructions in the spare wheel well in the
luggage compartment of the vehicle.
Further information on the towing device ⇒page 210.
Note
•We recommend that you also have your vehicle inspected between service
intervals if you tow a trailer frequently.
•The handbrake on the towing vehicle must be put on when coupling and
decoupling the trailer.
Driving Tips
Particular caution is required when towing a trailer.
– Do not, as far as possible, drive with your vehicle unladen and the
trailer laden.
– Do not make full use of the legal maximum speeds. This applies in particular to downhill sections.
– Apply the brakes in good time.
– Keep a check on the coolant temperature gauge if the outside temper- ature is high.
Distribution of weight
The distribution of the weight is very poor if your vehicle is unladen and the trailer
is laden. Maintain a particularly low speed if you cannot avoid driving with this
combination.
Driving speed
Do not drive faster than 80 km/hour for safety reasons. This also applies for coun-
tries in which higher speeds are allowed.
The fact that the driving stability of the vehicle + trailer combination reduces with
increasing speed means that the legally allowed speed should not be used when
there are unfavourable road, weather or wind conditions, particularly near accident
black spots.
You must always reduce your speed immedi ately as soon as you detect even just
the slightest swaying of the trailer. On no account attempt to stop the trailer from
“swaying” by accelerating.
Apply the brakes in good time! If the trailer is fitted with a trailer brake, apply the
brakes gently at first and then brake firmly . This will avoid brake jolts resulting from
the trailer wheels locking. Shift down gears in good time before negotiating a down-
hill section to allow the engine to also act as a brake.
Engine overheating
Please keep a check on the coolant temperature gauge if you have to negotiate a
lengthy slope in a low gear at a high engine speed when the outside temperature is
very high ⇒page 18, “Coolant temperature gauge”.
If the needle of the coolant temperature gauge moves into the right-hand area or
even the red area of the scale, reduce yo ur speed immediately. Stop and switch off
the engine if the warning light
 in the instrument cluste r begins flashing. Wait a
few minutes and check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion bottle
⇒ page 229, “Inspecting the coolant level”.
Please refer to the following guidelines ⇒page 37, “Coolant temperature/ Coolant
quantity ”.
The coolant temperature can be reduced by switching on the heating.
Any increase in the cooling effect of the coolant fan through shifting down a gear
and increasing the engine speed is not possible since the fan speed is independent
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