2008 SKODA OCTAVIA display

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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Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights37
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
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!)
Coolant temperature/ Coolant quantity 
The warning light  comes on for a few seconds 5) w h e n th e i g ni t i o n i s s w i t c h e d o n .
The coolant temperature is too high or the coolant level too low if the warning light
 does not go out or flashes while driving.
3 peeps sound as an additional warning signal.
In this case stop and switch the engine off and check the coolant level; top up the
coolant as necessary.
Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under the
conditions prevailing to top up with coolant. Keep the engine switched off and
obtain professional assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it could lead to
severe engine damage.
If the coolant is within the specified range, the increased temperature may be
caused by an operating problem at the coolant fan. Check the fuse for the coolant
fan, replace it if necessary ⇒page 258, “Fuse assignment in engine compartment -
version 1” or ⇒ page 260, “Fuse assignment in en gine compartment - version 2”.
Do not continue driving if the warning light does not go off although the fluid is at
the correct level and also the fuse of the fa n is in proper order. Contact a specialist
garage to obtain assistance.
Please also refer to the additional instructions ⇒page 228, “Cooling system”.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*: Check coolant! 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 ⇒page 64.
•Take care when opening the coolant expansion bottle. If the engine is hot,
the cooling system is pressurized - risk of scalding! It is best to allow the
engine to cool down before removing the cap.
•Do not touch the coolant fan The coolant fan may switch on automati-
cally even if the ignition is off.
Traction control system (TCS) 
The warning light  comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
The warning light comes on when driving when a control cycle is activated.
The warning light will come on and remains on if the TCS is switched off or if there
is a fault in the system.
The fact that the TCS system operates together with the ABS means that the TCS
warning light will also come on if the ABS system is not operating properly.
If the warning light
 comes on immediately after starting the engine, the TCS
system can be switched off for technical reasons. In this case, the TCS system can
be switched on again by swit ching the ignition on and off. If the warning light goes
out, the TCS system is fully functional again.
Further information about the TCS ⇒page 195, “Traction control system (TCS)”.
Note
If the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, the warning light  comes
on after switching on the ignition. The warn ing light must go out after driving a short
distance.
5)The warning light  on vehicles fitted with information display does not come on after
switching the ignition on, but only if the coolant temperature is too high or the coolant level
is too low.
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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 locking45
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Central locking system
Description
Unlocking or locking causes all the doors and the fuel filler flap* to be unlocked or
locked at the same time by the central lockin g system (as long as it is not set differ-
ently in the menu Setup (settings) - Convenience information display*). The boot
lid is unlocked when opening. It can be op ened by pressing the hand grip above the
licence plate ⇒page 48.
Operation of the central locking system is possible:
•from the outside using the vehicle key ⇒page 46,
•using the button for the central locking system ⇒page 47,
•by using the remote control ⇒page 50.
Indicator light in the driver's door on vehicles without anti-theft alarm system
After the car is locked, the indicator light flashes after 2 seconds.
After the car is locked with the deactivate d safe securing system, the indicator light
flashes only after 30 seconds.
Indicator light in the driver's door on vehicles with anti-theft alarm system
After locking the vehicle the indicator light flashes for 2 seconds fast, then more
slowly.
If the vehicle is locked and the safe securing system ⇒page 46 is not operating, the
indicator light in the driver door flashes for about 2 seconds fast, goes out and starts
to flash slowly after about 30 seconds.
If the indicator light first of all flashes fast for about 2 seconds, afterwards lights up
for about 30 seconds and then flashes slowly, there is a fault in the system of the
central locking or the interior monitor* ⇒page 52. Contact a specialist garage to
obtain assistance.
Convenience operation of windows
One can open and close the electrically powered windows when unlocking and
locking the vehicle ⇒page 55. Opening a single door*
This function allows one to just unlock
the driver's door. The other doors and the
fuel filler flap* remain locked and are only unlocked after repetitive unlocking.
If you wish, you can have your Škoda Dealer activate the function of the single door
opening mode.
Automatic locking*
All the doors and the boot lid are locked automatically once the car reaches a speed
of about 15 km/h.
If the ignition key is withdrawn, the car is then automatically unlocked again. In
addition, it is possible for the driver to unlock the car by pressing the central locking
button
 or by pulling the door opening lever.
If you wish, your Škoda Deal er can activate the function of the automatic locking
mode.
WARNING
Locking the doors prevents involuntary opening in an exceptional situation
(an accident). Locked doors prevent unwanted entry into the vehicle from
outside, for example at road crossings. Locked doors do, however, make it
more difficult for rescuers to get into the vehicle in an emergency - danger to
life!
Note
•In the event of an accident in which the airbags are deployed, the locked doors
are automatically unlocked in order to enable rescuers to gain access to the vehicle.
•Only the front doors can be unlocked and locked using the key if the central
locking system fails. You can lock or unlock manually the other doors and the boot
lid.
−Emergency locking of the door ⇒page 48.
− Emergency unlocking of the boot lid ⇒page 49.
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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,
A1
A3
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