2008 SKODA OCTAVIA Engine

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 locking
42
Unlocking and locking
Key
The vehicle is supplied with two keys. Depending on the equipment fitted, your
vehicle can be equipped with keys without remote control ⇒fig. 37 , with keys with
light* or with keys with radio remote control* ⇒fig. 38 .
WARNING
•Always withdraw the key whenever you leave the vehicle - even if it is
only for a short time. This is particularly important if children are left in the vehicle. The children might otherwise st
art the engine or operate electrical
equipment (e.g. power windows) - risk of injury!
•Do not withdraw the ignition key from the ignition lock until the vehicle
has come to a stop. The steering lock might otherwise engage unintention-
ally - risk of accident!
Caution
•Each key contains electronic components; therefore protect them against mois-
ture and severe shocks.
•Keep the groove of the keys absolutely cl ean as impurities (textile fibres, dust
etc.) have a negative effect on proper op eration of the keys and the ignition lock.
Note
Please approach a Škoda Service Partner if you lose a key since he can obtain a new
one for you.
Key with light*
Fig. 37 Set of keys without
remote control
Fig. 38 Radio-operated key
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 39 Key with light
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Unlocking and locking
44
For the sake of the environment
Dispose of an old battery in accord ance with environmental regulations.
Note
•The replacement battery must have the same specification as the original
battery.
•If it is still not be possible to unlock or lock the vehicle with the remote control
even after replacing the battery this means that the system has to be synchronised
⇒ page 51.
Electronic immobiliser
The electronic immobiliser prevents the vehicle being operated by an
unauthorised person.
An electronic chip is integrated in the he ad of the key. The immobiliser is deacti-
vated with the aid of this chip when the key is inserted in the ignition lock. The elec-
tronic immobiliser is automatically activated when you withdraw the ignition key
from the lock.
Note
It is only possible to start the engine of your car with a Genuine Škoda key with the
matching code.
Child safety lock
The child safety lock prevents the rear door from being opened from
the inside.
The rear doors are equipped with a child safety lock. You can switch the
child safety lock on and off using the vehicle key.
Switching child safety lock on
– Use the vehicle key to turn the slit in the rear door to the left in the direction of the arrow ⇒fig. 42 .
Switching child safety lock off
– Use the vehicle key to turn the slit to the right against the direction of
the arrow.
So long as the child safety lo ck is switched on it is not possible to open the door
from the inside with the door opening lever. In this case the door can be opened
only from the outside.
Fig. 42 Child safety locks on
the rear doors
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Unlocking and locking
50
The transmitter with the battery is housed in the handle of the master key. The
receiver is located in the interior of th e car. The operating range of the remote
control is approx. 10 m. But this range of the remote control can be reduced if the
batteries are weak.
The master key has a fold-open key bit whic h can be used for unlocking and locking
the car manually and also for starting the engine.
If a lost key is replaced or if the rece iver unit has been repaired or a new unit
installed, it is then necessary for a Škoda Dealer to initialise the system. Only after
this is it possible to again use the remote control.
Note
•The remote control is automatically deac tivated when the ignition is switched
on.
•The operation of the remote control may temporarily be affected by interfer-
ence from transmitters close to the car and which operate in the same frequency
range (e.g. mobile phone, TV transmitter).
•The battery must be replaced, ideally by a Škoda Service Partner, if the central
locking or anti-theft alarm system does re act to the remote control at less than 3
metres away.
•If the driver door is opened, the vehicle cannot be locked using the remote
control.
Unlocking and locking car
Unlocking the vehicle 
– Press the button ⇒fig. 49 for about 1 second.
Locking the vehicle

– Press button for about 1 second.
Deactivating safe securing system
– Press button twice in 3 seconds. Further information ⇒page 46.
Boot lid remote release

– Press button for about 2 second. Further information ⇒page 48.
Folding out of the key
– Press button .
Folding up of the key
– Press button and collapse the key bit in the housing.
The turn signal lights flash twice as confirmation that the vehicle has been
unlocked. The vehicle will lock again auto matically if you unlock the vehicle using
Fig. 49 Radio-operated key
A1
A3
A2
A2
A4
A4
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Lights and Visibility63
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
The rear fog light warning light

⇒ page 32 lights up in the instrument cluster
when the fog light is switched off.
Fog lights with the function “Corner”*
The fog lights with the function “Corner” improve the illumination of
areas close to the vehicle when turning, parking etc.
The fog lights with the function “Corner” are regulated according to the steering
angle or after switching on the turn signal light8) in the following circumstances:
•the vehicle is stationary an d the engine is running or it moves with a speed of
maximum 40 km/h;
•the daylight driving lights are not switched on;
•the low beam is switched on or th e light switch is in the position  and the
intensity of the ambient light causes the low beam to be switched on;
•the fog lights are not switched on;
•no reverse gear is engaged.
Note
If you engage the reverse gear during the active function “Corner”, both fog lights
illuminate.
Rear fog light 
Switching on the rear fog light
– First of all turn the light switch into position
 or  ⇒ page 62,
fig. 58 .
– Pull the switch into position .
The rear fog light warning light  ⇒ page 32 lights up in the instrument cluster
when the fog light is switched off.
Only the rear fog light of the trailer ligh ts up automatically when you are towing a
trailer using a factory-fitted towing device which is fitted with the rear fog light.
The rear fog light is located in the rear light array on the driver's side.
Caution
The rear fog light should only be switched on if visibility is particularly poor
(conform with any varying legal provisions) to avoid dazzling vehicles behind your
vehicle.
Instrument lighting* 
You can adjust the brightness of the instrument lighting.
Instrument lighting
– Switch on the light.
– Turn the control dial ⇒fig. 59 to the desired intensity of the instru-
ment lighting
9).
8)If both switch on versions are conflicting, for example if the steering wheel is turned to the
left and the right turn signal light is switched on, the turn signal light has the higher priority.
A2
9)For the information display* ⇒page 26 the intensity of the lighting is automatically set. The
setting using the control dial ⇒ fig. 59 is only possible when driving in the dark.
Fig. 59 Dash panel: Instru-
ment lighting
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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
68
Note
•The position and the shape of the switch can differ depending on equipment
installed in the vehicle.
•If the on-board voltage drop s, the rear window heater is switched off automat-
ically, in order to provide sufficient electrical energy for the engine control.
Sun visors
You can pull the sun visor for the driver or front passenger out of the fixture and
swivel it toward the door in the direction of the arrow ⇒fig. 66 . The vanity mirrors* in the sun visors are provided with covers. Push the cover in
direction of arrow .
On vehicles which are equipped with doub
le sun visor*, you can also unfold the
auxiliary visor after swivelling the sun visor⇒ fig. 67.
WARNING
The sun visors must not be swivelled to the side windows into the deploy-
ment area of the head airbags if any obje cts, such as ball-point pens etc. are
attached to them. This might result in injuries to the occupants if the head
airbag is deployed.
Sun screen*
Fig. 66 Sun visor: swivelling
out
Fig. 67 Double sun visor
A1
A2
Fig. 68 Unroll the sun screen
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