2008 SKODA OCTAVIA service interval

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.
A2A3
A5
Fig. 71 Wiper blade for the
windscreen wiper
A4
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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
A2
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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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Inspecting and replenishing
228
Replenishing engine oil
– Inspecting the engine oil level ⇒page 227.
– Unscrew the cap of the engine oil filler opening.
– Pour in a suitable grade of oil in portions of 0.5 litres ⇒page 272,
“Engine oil specifications”.
– Inspect the oil level ⇒page 227.
– Carefully screw on the cap of the filler opening and push the dipstick
in fully.
WARNING
•Avoid dripping oil onto hot parts of the engine when topping up will oil -
a risk of fire!
•Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 225, “Working in the engine
compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
For the sake of the environment
The oil level must on no account extend beyond the range ⇒page 227. Oil will
otherwise be drawn in through the crankc ase ventilation and may pass through the
exhaust system to atmosphere. The oil ma y combust in the catalytic converter and
damage it.
Changing engine oil
The engine oil must be changed at the intervals stated in the Service schedule or
according to the service interval indicator ⇒page 20, “Service Interval Display”.
WARNING
•Only carry out the engine oil change, if you have the required profes-
sional knowledge!
•Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 225, “Working in the engine
compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
•Let the engine cool down - risk of burning from hot oil.
•Wear an eye protection - risk of caustic burns due to oil splashes.
•Oil is toxic! Store old oil in a safe place out of the reach of children and
unauthorized persons until you dispose of it properly.
Caution
You must not pour any additives into th e engine oil - risk of engine damage!
Damage, which results from such produc t, are excluded from the warranty.
For the sake of the environment
•You must on no account pour oil into the ground or into the sewage system.
•In view of the problems involved in prop erly disposing of old oil, the material,
equipment and the knowledge required fo r such work, we recommend that you
have the oil and oil filter change carr ied out by your Škoda Service Partner.
Note
After your skin has come in contact with the oil, you must thoroughly wash your
skin.
Cooling system
Coolant
The job of the coolant is to cool the engine.
The cooling system does not require an y maintenance under normal operating
conditions. The coolant consis ts of water with a concentration of coolant additive
of 40 %. This mixture not only provides antifreeze protection down to -25°C but
AA
WARNING (continued)
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Technical Data
272
Engine oil specifications
The grade of engine oil should be selected in accordance with
precise specifications.
The engine of your vehicle has been fact ory-filled with a high-grade oil which you
can use throughout the year - exce pt in extreme climatic regions.
You can mix various oils together with each other when refilling with oil. This does
not, however, apply for models with flexible service intervals (QG1).
Engine oils are, of course, undergoing co ntinuous further development. Thus the
information stated in this Owner's Manual is only correct at the time of publication.
Škoda Service Partners are informed by Škod a Auto a.s. about current changes. This
why you should always have engine oil changed by your Škoda Service Partner.
The specifications (VW standards) stated in the following must be indicated sepa-
rately or together with other specifications on the bottle.
Engine oil specifications for models with flexible service intervals (QG1) Engine oil specifications for vehicles with fixed service intervals (QG2)
If the oils specified above are not available,
oils according to ACEA A2 or ACEA A3
can be used once for refilling.
If the oils specified above are not available, oils according to ACEA B3 or ACEA B4
can be used once for refilling.
Petrol enginesEngine oil specifications
1.4 ltr./59 kW - EU4VW 503 00, VW 504 00
1.4 ltr./90 kW TSI - EU4VW 504 00
1,6 l/75 kW - EU4, EU2VW 503 00, VW 504 00
1.8 ltr./118 kW TSI - EU4, EU2 DDKVW 504 00
2.0 ltr./147 kW TSI - EU4VW 504 00
Diesel enginesEngine oil specifications
1.9 ltr./77 kW TDI PD - EU4, EU3VW 506 01, VW 507 00
1.9 ltr./77 kW TDI PD DPF - EU4VW 507 00
2.0 ltr./77 kW TDI PD DPF - EU4VW 507 00
2.0 ltr./100 kW TDI PD - EU4VW 506 01, VW 507 00
2.0 ltr./103 kW TDI PD - EU4VW 506 01, VW 507 00
2.0 ltr./103 kW TDI PD DPF - EU4VW 507 00
2.0 ltr./125 kW TDI CR - EU4VW 507 00
Petrol enginesEngine oil specifications
1.4 ltr./59 kW - EU4VW 501 01, VW 502 00, VW 504 00
1.4 ltr./90 kW TSI - EU4VW 502 00, VW 504 00
1,6 l/75 kW - EU4, EU2VW 501 01, VW 502 00, VW 504 00
1.6 ltr./75 kW MultiFuel - EU4VW 502 00, VW 504 00
1.8 ltr./118 kW TSI - EU4, EU2 DDKVW 502 00, VW 504 00
2.0 ltr./147 kW TSI - EU4VW 502 00, VW 504 00
Diesel enginesEngine oil specifications
1.9 ltr./77 kW TDI PD - EU4, EU3VW 505 01, VW 507 00
1.9 ltr./77 kW TDI PD DPF - EU4VW 507 00
2.0 ltr./77 kW TDI PD DPF - EU4VW 507 00
2.0 ltr./100 kW TDI PD - EU4VW 505 01, VW 507 00
2.0 ltr./103 kW TDI PD - EU4VW 505 01, VW 507 00
2.0 ltr./103 kW TDI PD DPF - EU4VW 507 00
2.0 ltr./125 kW TDI CR - EU4VW 507 00
Diesel enginesEngine oil specifications
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Index299
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Power windows
Button in front passenger door and in rear doors54
Buttons on the driver's door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
R
Radiator fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Rear armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83, 103
Rear fog light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Rear window heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Rear window heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Rear-view mirror Exterior mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Interior mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Recharge battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Synchronisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Replacing fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Replacing the wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Roof aerial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Running in the car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
S
Safe securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Safety information Engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225 Safety wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Saving electrical energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Seat belt height adjuster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Seat belt warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168, 172
Belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
fastening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Height adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Safety information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
taking off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Seat heaters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Selector lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Selector lever lock Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Selector lever positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Selector lever-emergency unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Service Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Service Interval Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Setting temperature Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Setting the clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Shifting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Side airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Side lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Spare wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Stability system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193 Starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
after fuel tank has run empty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Diesel engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Petrol engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Steering Driver-steering recommendation . . . . . . . . . 195
Steering force assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Storage compartment Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Storage facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Sun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Sun screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Switching lights on and off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Switching off the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
T
Taking care of your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
TCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Telephone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143, 152
Temperature outside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Temporary spare wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
the first 1 500 kilometres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
The roof luggage rack system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Thickness of brake pads Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Tiptronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
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