Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle163
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General Maintenance
Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle
General
Proper care retains the value of your vehicle.
Regular and proper care retains the value of your vehicle. It may also be one of the requirements for the acceptance of warran ty claims relating to corrosion damage and paint defects on the bodywork.
We recommend using a preservative from Škoda genuine accessories offered by your Škoda dealer. Please follow the instructions for use on the package.
WARNING
•Care products may be harmful to your health if not used according to the instructions.
•Always store care products in a safe place, out of the reach of children - risk of poisoning!
For the sake of the environment
•Always select environmentally-friendly pr oducts when purchasing vehicle care products.
•Do not dispose of residues of ca re products in domestic waste.
Care of the exterior of vehicle
Washing the vehicle
Frequent washing protects your vehicle.
The best protection for your vehicle agai nst harmful environmental influences is frequent washing and wax treatment. How often you should wash your vehicle depends on a wide range of factors, such as:
•Frequency of use,
•The parking situation (garage, below trees etc.),
•Season of the year,
•Weather conditions,
•Environmental influences.
The longer insect residues, bird droppings, tree sap, road and industrial dust, tar, soot particles, road salt and other aggressive deposits remain adhering to the paint- work of your vehicle, the more detrimental their destructive effect can be. High temperatures, such as those caused by in tensive sun's rays, accentuate this caustic effect.
It may therefore be necessary, in certain circumstances, to wash the car once a week . It may also be sufficient, however, to wash the car once a month followed by appropriate wax treatment.
It is essential to also thoroughly wash the underside of your vehicle at the end of the winter road salting and gritting period.
WARNING
When washing your vehicle in the wint er: Water and ice in the brake system can affect the braking efficiency - risk of accident!
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Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle169
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Removing stains
– Remove fresh stains which are water-based (e.g. coffee, tea, juices,
blood etc.) with an absorbent cloth or household paper or use the
cleaner from the care set for a stain which has already dried in.
– Remove fresh stains on a fat base (e.g. butter, mayonnaise, chocolate
etc.) with an absorbent cloth or household cleaning paper or with the
cleaner from the care set if the stain has not yet penetrated into the
surface.
– Use a grease dissolver for grease stains which have dried in.
–Eliminate special stains (e.g. ball-point pens, felt pen, nail varnish,
dispersion paint, shoe cream etc.) with a special stain remover suit-
able for leather.
Leather care
– Treat the leather every six months with the leather care product avail-
able from Škoda Service Partners.
– Apply only a small amount of the care product.
– Dry the leather off with a soft cloth
We recommend that you consul t your Škoda Service Partner, if you have any ques- tions regarding cleaning and ca re of the leather interior.
Caution
•You must on no account treat the leather with solvents (e.g. gasoline, turpen- tine), floor wax, shoe cream or such like.
•Avoid leaving your vehicle for lengthy pe riods in bright sunlight in order to avoid bleaching the leather. If you leave your vehicle parked in the open for lengthy periods, protect the leather from the direct rays of the sun by covering it over.
•Sharp-edged objects on items of clothing such as zip fasteners, rivets, sharp- edged belts may leave permanent scratche s or signs of rubbing on the surface.
Note
•Use a care cream with light blocker and impregnation effect regularly and each time after cleaning the leather. The cream no urishes the leather, allows it to breathe and keeps it supple and also provides moisture. It also creates surface protection.
•Clean the leather every 2 to 3 months, remove fresh soiling each time this occurs.
•Remove fresh stains such as those from ball-point pens, ink, lipstick, shoe cream etc., as quickly as possible.
•Care also for the leather dye. Refreshen areas which have lost their colour with a special coloured leather cream as required.
Seat belts
– Keep the seat belts clean!
– Wash seat belts which have become soiled using a mild soapy solu-
tion.
– Inspect the seat belts regularly to ensure they are in good condition.
Belt webbing which has become severely soiled may prevent the inertia reel from reeling up the belt properly.
WARNING
•The seat belts must not be removed for cleaning.
•Never clean the seat belts chemically as dry cleaning may destroy the fabric. The seat belts must also not be allowed to come into contact with corrosive liquids (such as acids etc.).
•Seat belts which have damage to the webbing, the connections, the inertia reel or the lock should be replaced by a Škoda Service Partner.
•Inertia reel belts must be completely dried before being reeled up.
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Inspecting and Replenishing177
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Check engine oil level
The dipstick indicates the level of oil in the engine.
Checking the oil level
– Park the vehicle on a horizontal surface.
– Switch the engine off.
– Open the bonnet ⇒ in “Working in the engine compartment” on
page 174.
– Wait a few minutes and pull out the oil dipstick ⇒.
– Wipe off the dipstick with a clea n cloth and insert it again fully.
– Then withdraw the dipstick ag ain and read off the oil level.
Oil level within range
– You must not top up the oil.
Oil level within range
– You may top up the oil. It is possible that the oil level may then be
within range after doing this.
Oil level within range
–You must top up the oil. It is sufficient, once this is done, to keep the
oil level is within range .
It is normal for the engine to consume oi l. The oil consumption may be as much as 0.5 l/1 000 km depending on your style of driving and the conditions under which you operate your vehicle. The oil consumpt ion may be slightly higher than this during the first 5 000 kilometres.
One should therefore check the oil level at regular intervals, preferably every time after the fuel tank is filled or after driving for long stretches.
We recommend maintaining the oil level within the range if the engine has been operating at high loads, for example during a lengthy motorway trip during the summer months, towing a trailer or negotiating a high mountain pass, but not above this .
The warning light in the instrument cluster* will indicate ⇒page 25 whether the oil level is too low. In this case, check the oil level as soon as possible. Top up with an appropriate quantity of oil.
WARNING
Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 174, “Working in the engine compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
Caution
•Always check the oil level on vehicles with engine 1.2 l/51 kW when the engine is warm. Otherwise the measuring result is incorrect und oil could be incorrectly replenished - risk of engine damage!
•The oil level must on no account ex tend beyond the range . Danger of damaging the cata lytic converter.
•Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under the conditions prev ailing to top up with oil. Switch the engine off and obtain profes- sional assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it could lead to severe engine damage.
Fig. 158 Dipstick
Aa
Ab
Aa
Ac
Ab
Ab
Aa
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Inspecting and Replenishing183
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WARNING
•The battery acid is strongly corrosive and must, therefore, be handled with the greatest of care. Always we ar protective gloves, eye and skin protection when handling batteries. Corrosive fumes in the air irritate the air passages and lead to conjunctivitis and inflammation of the air passages in the lungs. Battery acid corrodes dental enamel and creates deep wounds after contact with the skin which take a long time to heal. Repeated contact with diluted acids causes skin diseases (inflammations, ulcers, slin cracks). Acids coming into contact with water are diluted accompanied by significant development of heat.
•Do not tilt the battery otherwise battery electrolyte may flow out of the battery vent openings. Prot ect the eyes with safety glasses or a shield! There is the danger of suffering blindness! If any battery electrolyte gets into your eye, rinse out your eye immediately with clear water for several minutes. Contact a doctor without delay.
•Splashes of acid on your skin or clothes should be neutralised as soon as possible using soap suds and then rinsed with plenty of water. Contact a doctor immediately if you swallow battery electrolyte.
•Keep batteries out of the reach of children.
•Hydrogen is released when you char ge a battery and a highly explosive gas mixture is produced. An explosion can be caused through sparkling over during unclamping or loosening of the cable plug while the ignition is on.
•Bridging of the poles will create a short circuit (e.g. through metal objects, cables). Possible consequences of a short circuit: Melting of lead struts, explosion and burning of the battery, jets of acid spurting out.
•It is prohibited to work with a naked flame and light, to smoke or to carry out any activities which produce sparks. Avoid creating sparks when working with cables and electrical device s. Strong sparking represents a risk of injury.
•Before carrying out any work on the electrical system, switch off the engine, the ignition as well as all electrical components and disconnect the negative cable (-) on the battery. If you wish to replace a bulb it is sufficient to switch off the appropriate light.
•Never charge a frozen or thawed battery - risk of explosion and caustic burns! Replace a frozen battery.
•Never use a battery which is damaged - risk of explosion! Immediately replace a damaged battery.
Caution
•You must only disconnect the battery if the ignition is switched off, otherwise the electrical system (electronic components) of the vehicle may be damaged. When disconnecting the battery from the el ectrical system of the vehicle, first disconnect the negative terminal (-) of th e battery. Then disconnect the positive terminal (+).
•When reconnecting the battery, first conne ct the positive terminal (+) and only then the negative terminal (-) of the batt ery. You must on no account connect the cables wrongly - risk of a cable fire.
•Ensure that battery acid does not come into contact with the vehicle body otherwise damage could occur to the paintwork.
•Do not place the battery in direct daylight in order to protect the battery housing from the effects of ultra-violet light.
For the sake of the environment
A removed battery is a special type of waste which is harmful to the environment - we recommend that you contact your Škod a Service Partner regarding disposing of the battery.
Note
•Please also refer to the guidelines ⇒page 185, “Disconnecting and recon- necting the battery”, also after connecting the battery.
WARNING (continued)
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Breakdown assistance197
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•The spare wheel provided with a car fitted with unidirectional tyres has different dimensions. The wheel is provided with a warning sticker.
•After fitting on the wheel, the warning stic ker must not be concealed (e.g. by the wheel trim).
•Do not drive with this spare wheel at more than 80 km/h - risk of accident. Avoid accelerating at full throttle, sharp braking and fast cornering.
•The inflation pressure for this spare wheel is identical to the inflation pressure of the standard tyres.
•Use this spare wheel only to reach the ne arest specialist garage as it is not intended for co ntinuous use.
Changing a wheel
Preliminary work
The following steps should be carried out before actually changing the
wheel.
– If it is necessary to change a wheel, park the vehicle as far away as
possible from the traffic flow. The place you choose should be level.
– Have all the occupants get out. While changing a wheel, the occu-
pants of the vehicle should not stan d on the road (e.g. behind a crash
barrier).
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
–Engage 1st gear or if your vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox,
position the selector lever into position P.
– If a trailer is coupled, uncouple it.
– Take the vehicle tool kit and the spare wheel ⇒page 196 out of the
luggage compartment.
WARNING
•If you find yourself in flowing traffic switch on the hazard warning lights system and place the warning triangle on the side of the road at the prescribed distance from your vehicle while observing all national legal provisions. In this way you are protecting not only yourself but also other road users.
•Never start the engine with the vehicle sitting on the raised jack - danger of suffering injury!
Caution
If you have to change a wheel on a slope first block the opposite wheel with a stone or similar object in order to secure th e vehicle from unexpectedly rolling away.
Note
Comply with the national legal regulations.
Changing a wheel
Always change a wheel on a level surface as far as possible.
– Take off the full wheel trim* ⇒page 198 or the caps ⇒page 199.
– In the case of light alloy wheels remove the wheel trim cap
⇒ page 199.
– Slacken the wheel bolts ⇒page 200.
– Jack up the vehicle until the wheel to be changed is clear of the ground
⇒ page 200.
– Unscrew the wheel bolts and place them on a clean surface (cloth,
paper etc.).
– Take off the wheel.
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Breakdown assistance203
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Connecting positive terminals
– Attach one end to the positive terminal ⇒page 202, fig. 175 of the
discharged battery .
– Attach the other end to the positive terminal of the battery
supplying the power .
Connecting negative term inal and engine block
– Attach one end to the negative terminal of the battery supplying
the power .
– Attach the other end to a solid metal part which is connected
firmly to the engine block, or to the engine block itself ⇒.
Starting engine
– Start the engine of the vehicle providing current and run the engine at
idling speed.
– Now start the engine of the vehicle with the discharged battery.
– Interrupt the attempt at starting an engine after 10 seconds if it does
not start right away and wait for about 30 seconds before repeating
the attempt.
– Disconnect the cables on the engine in exactly the reverse order they
were connected up.
WARNING
•The non-insulated parts of the terminal clamps must never make contact with each other. Furthermore, the cable connected to the positive terminal of the battery must not come into contact with electrically conducting parts of the vehicle - risk of a short circuit!
•Do not affix the jump starting cables to the negative terminal of the discharged battery. There is the risk of detonating gas seeping out the
battery being ignited by the strong spark which results from the engine being started.
•Do not affix the cable end to pa rts of the fuel and brake system.
•Run the jump-start cables so that they cannot be caught by any rotating parts in the engine compartment.
•Do not bend over the batteries - risk of caustic burns!
•The vent screws of the battery cells must be tightened firmly.
•Keep any sources of ignition (naked flame, smouldering cigarettes etc.) away from the battery - risk of an explosion!
Tow-starting and towing vehicle
General
Please pay attention to the following in structions if you are going to use a
tow rope:
Driver of the towing vehicle
– Do not drive off until the tow rope is taught.
– Release the clutch particular ly gently when starting off.
Driver of the towed vehicle
– Switch the ignition on so that th e steering wheel is not blocked and
you can also operate the turn signal lights, the headlight flasher, the
windscreen wipers and windscreen washer system.
– Take the vehicle out of gear or move the selector lever into position N
if your vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.
A1
AA
A2
AB
A3
AB
A4
WARNING (continued)
A4
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Fuses and light bulbs211
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Bulbs
Replacing bulbs
The relevant lamp must always be switched off before a light bulb is replaced.
Do not take hold of the glass bulb with naked fingers (even the smallest amount of dirt reduces the working life of the light bu lb). Use a clean cloth, serviette or some- thing similar.
Defect light bulbs should only be replaced with light bulbs of the same type. The designation is located on the light socket or the glass bulb.
Changing certain bulbs is not something wh ich you can do yourself, but requires to be done by a specialist. Other parts of the vehicle must be removed in order to change the light bulbs. This applies, in particular, to bulbs which can only be reached from the engine compartment.
We therefore recommend that you have any bulbs changed by a Škoda Service Partner or, in exceptional cases, by ca lling on other professional assistance.
Please note that the engine co mpartment is a hazardous area ⇒page 174, “Working in the engine compartment”.
We recommend that you carry the set of light bulbs with you which was delivered in your vehicle. Replacement light bulbs 8) are available at a Škoda Service Partner.
The set of light bulbs can be stowed in the locable box in the spare wheel.
Overview of bulbs
No.Power consumerAmperes
1Dynamo175
2Interior80
3Electrical auxiliary heating system60
4ABS or TCS or ESP40
5Electrohydraulic power steering50
6Glow plugs50
7ABS or TCS or ESP25
8The radiator fan30
9The air conditioning system5
10The radiator fan40
11Central control unit5
12Automatic gearbox / electrical auxiliary heating system5/30
8)Replacement light bulbs are, on the other hand, part of the basic equipping of the vehicle in some countries.
Front headlightReflectorModule
Low beam and main beamH4H7
Parking lightsW5W
Tu r n s i g n a l sPY21W
Fog lightsHB4
Fog lights with turning lightH8
Rear light unitBulb
Reversing lightP21W
Tu r n s i g n a l sPY21W
Brake lightsP21W
Fog lightsP21W
Parking lights2 x W5W
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Fuses and light bulbs213
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Switching on the low beam and main beam
– Open the bonnet.
– Remove the protective cap ⇒page 212, fig. 184.
– For headlights with module (halogen lamp H7) ⇒fig. 186 turn the
connector with the halogen lamp to the left up to the stop and
remove.
– For headlights with reflector (halogen lamp H4) pull off the connector
from the lamp, release the sprung wi re clamp and pull out the halogen
lamp towards the rear.
– Replace the halogen lamp H7, insert the connector with the new
halogen lamp and turn to the right up to the stop.
– Replace the halogen lamp H4, insert into the opening in the reflector
(with the fixing lugs in the recesses), secure with the sprung wire
clamp, position the protective cap and mount the connector.
– We recommend that you have the headlight setting checked by a
Skoda Service Partner after replacing the light bulb.
Turn signal light (at the front)
– Open the bonnet.
– Turn the lamp holder to the left ⇒page 212, fig. 184 and remove
the lamp holder with the light bulb.
– Replace the defective light bulb.
– Insert the lamp holder with light bulb into the headlight. Secure the
lamp holder by turning it to the right until it locks in place.
Parking light at the front
– Open the bonnet.
– Remove the protective cap ⇒page 212, fig. 184.
– Grasp the light bulb holder an d pull it out of the headlight.
– Replace the light bulb in the light bulb holder and re-insert into the
headlight.
Fog lights
Fig. 186 Removing the light bulb for the low beam and main beam light
AA
AC
AB
Fig. 187 Structure of the light bulb of the fog light
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