Inspecting and Replenishing181
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistancePraktikTechnical Data
Radiator fan
The radiator fan may switch on suddenly.
The radiator fan is driven by an electric motor and controlled by a thermostat according to the coolant temperature.
The radiator fan may continue running fo r up to 10 minutes after the engine has been switched off - even if the ignition is also off. It may also switch on suddenly after a certain time, if
•the coolant temperature ha s risen because of an accumulation of heat or
•the warm engine compartment is heated up additionally by strong sunlight.
WARNING
You must therefore be aware when working in the engine compartment that the fan may switch on suddenly - risk of injury!
Brake fluid
Inspecting the brake fluid level
The brake fluid reservoir is located on the left of the engine compartment.
The brake fluid reservoir on right-hand steering models is positioned on
the other side of the engine compartment.
– Switch the engine off.
– Open the bonnet ⇒ in “Working in the engine compartment” on
page 174.
– Inspect the brake fluid level in the reservoir ⇒fig. 160. The level must
be between the “MIN” and “MAX” markings.
A slight drop in the fluid level results when driving due to normal wear-and-tear and automatic adjustment of the br ake pads, and is perfectly normal.
There may be an indication of a leak in the brake system, however, if the fluid level drops significantly within a short time or if it drops below the “MIN” marking. A situ-ation where the brake fluid level is too low is indicated by the warning light lighting up in the instrument cluster ⇒page 28. In this case stop the car immedi- ately and do not drive any further! Cont act a Škoda Dealer to obtain profes- sional assistance.
WARNING
•Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 174, “Working in the engine compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
•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.
Replacing brake fluid
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. This causes the fluid to absorb moisture from the surrounding air over a period of time. Excessive water in the brake fluid may be the cause of corrosion in the brake system. Th e water content also lowers the boiling point of the brake fluid. This is why brake fluid must be replaced every two years.
Fig. 160 Engine compartment: Brake fluid reservoir
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Inspecting and Replenishing182
One may only use new genuine brake fluid from Škoda Auto a.s. The specification for the brake fluid is “FMVSS 116 DOT 4”.
We recommend that you have the brake fluid replaced by a Škoda Service Partner as part of an Inspection Service.
WARNING
•Using old brake fluid can result in seve re stress on the brakes because of the formation of vapour bubbles in the brake system. This greatly impairs the braking efficiency and thus also the safety of your vehicle.
•Brake fluid is toxic! It must therefore be kept safely in closed original containers and well aw ay from children and unauthorized persons.
Caution
Brake fluid damages the paintwork of the vehicle.
For the sake of the environment
In view of the problems involved with proper disposal of brake fluid, the special tools and the professional knowledge required, we recommend you have the brake fluid replaced by a Škoda Service Partner.
Battery
Working on the battery
The battery is located in the engine compartment below a plastic box.
– Unlock the interlock on the positive terminal side of the battery
⇒ fig. 161.
– Open the cover in direction of arrow.
– The installation of the battery cover on the positive terminal side takes
place in the reverse order.
Removal and installation of the battery is not recommended since it can, under certain circumstances, lead to major damage to the battery and fuse boxes. Contact a specialist garage.
There is a risk of injuries, scalding, acci dents and burns when carrying out any work on the battery and on the electrical system. For this reason, it is essential to comply with the warning instructions ⇒ stated below and with the general applicable rules of safety.
Fig. 161 The battery: Open up the cover
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Wheels and Tyres190
WARNING
•Only use those tyres or wheel rims which have been approved for your model of Škoda Auto a.s. vehicle. Failure to observe this instruction will adversely affect the road safety of your vehicle - risk of accident! Approval and licencing of your vehicle on public roads may also become void as a result.
•You must on no account drive at a higher speed than is permissible for y our t yre s - ris k of a n ac cid e n t re su lti ng fro m ty re d a m ag e a nd lo ss o f c ont rol over your vehicle.
•Tyres which are 6 years old or more should only be fitted in exceptional cases and when adopting an appropriately cautious style of driving.
•Never fit tyres which have already been used without having adequate knowledge of their previous history. Ty res age even if they have not been used at all or only very little. A spare tyre must only be used in exceptional cases and only then when adopting an appropriately cautious style of driving.
•Do not, where possible, replace indivi dual tyres but at least replace them on both wheels of a given axle at the same time. Always fit the tyres with the deeper tread depth to the front wheels.
For the sake of the environment
Old tyres must be disposed of in conformity with the appropriate regulations.
Note
It is not normally possible to fit wheels from other models of cars for technical reasons. This may also apply in certain circumstances to the wheels of the same type of vehicle.
Wheel bolts
Wheels and wheel bolts are matched to each other in terms of design. Each time you fit other wheels - e.g. light alloy wheels or wheels with winter tyres - you must
therefore also use the matching wheel bolts of the correct length and shape of spherical cap. This is essent ial to ensure that the wheels are tightly fitted and that the brake system operates properly.
If you retrofit wheel trims (or have this done), please also ensure that an adequate flow of air remains assured for cooling the brake system.
The Škoda Service Partners are instructed in the technical possibilities which exist regarding converting or retrofitti ng wheels, tyres and wheel trim.
WARNING
•In case of incorrect treatment of the wheel bolts, the wheel can loosen when the car is moving - risk of accident!
•The wheel bolts must be clean and must turn easily. However, they must never be treated with grease or oil.
•If the wheel bolts are tightened to a too low tightening torque, the rim can lossen when the car is moving - risk of accident! A tightening torque which is too high can damage the bolts and threads and this can result in permanent deformation of the contact surfaces on the rims.
Caution
The prescribed tightening torque of the wh eel bolts for steel and light alloy wheels is 120 Nm.
Winter tyres
The handling of your vehicle will be significantly improved when driving on wintry roads if you fit winter tyres. Summer tyres do not offer the same grip on ice, snow and at temperatures below 7 °C because of their construction (width, rubber blend, tread pattern). This applies in particul ar to vehicles which are equipped with low- profile tyres or high-speed tyres (code index H, V or W on wall of tyre).
Winter tyres must be mounted on all four wheels to obtain the best handling char- acteristics.
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Breakdown assistance197
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistancePraktikTechnical Data
•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
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistancePraktikTechnical Data
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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Breakdown assistance204
– Note that the brake servo unit and power steering only operate if the
engine is running. You will require si gnificantly greater physical force
to depress the brake pedal and to steer the vehicle if the engine is not
running.
– Ensure that the tow rope is always kept taught.
Tow rope or tow bar
A tow bar is safest way of towing a vehicle and also minimizes any shocks. You can use a tow rope only if a suitable tow bar is not available.
The tow rope must be elastic to protect the vehicle. Thus one should only use plastic fibre rope or a rope made out of a similarly elastic material.
Attach the tow rope or the tow bar only to the towing eyes provided for this purpose ⇒page 204, “Front towing eye” and ⇒page 205, “Rear towing eye”.
Driving style
Towing another vehicle requires a certain amount of practice. Both drivers should be familiar with the particular points about towing a vehicle. Unskilled drivers should not attempt to tow in another vehicle or to be towed in.
One should be constantly vigilant not to allow impermissibly high towing forces or jerky loadings. There is always a risk of excessive stresses and damage resulting at the points to which you attach the tow ro pe or tow bar when you attempt to tow a vehicle which is not standing on a paved road.
Caution
If the gearbox of your vehicle no longer contains any oil because of a defect, your vehicle must only be towed in with the driven wheels raised clear of the ground, or on a special vehicle transporter or trailer.
Note
•Please comply with any legal requirements particularly regarding the switched on signal systems, when towing in or tow-starting another vehicle.
•The tow rope must not be twisted as it may in certain circumstances result in the front towing eye being unscrewed out of your vehicle.
Front towing eye
The towing eye is stored in the box for the vehicle tool kit.
Installing the towing eye
– Grasp the protective grille at the point marked with the arrow and take
it out ⇒fig. 176.
– Screw in the towing eye by hand to the left up to the stop ⇒fig. 177.
– Tighten up the towing eye using the wheel wrench (push the wheel
wrench through eye).
Fig. 176 Front bumper: Protective grille
Fig. 177 Front bumper: Installing the towing eye
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Fuses and light bulbs208
Note
We recommend that you have these fuses replaced by a specialist garage.
Fuse assignment in the dash panel
Certain electrical components are only st andard on certain vehicle model versions or only suppliable as optional equipment for certain models.
No.Power consumerAmperes
1Electrohydraulic power steering5
2Instrument cluster, headlight range adjustment5
3Engine control unit - Petrol engine5
4ABS control unit5
5Petrol engine: Brake light switch, cruise control system5
6Not assigned
7Engine control unit 1.2 ltr.15
8Injection valves - 1.4 ltr.; 1.6 ltr.10
Fig. 180 Schematic representation of fuse carrier
9Operating controls for the he ating, control unit for air conditioning system, parking aid, control unit for corner- ing lights5
10PCV valve7,5
11Electrically adjustable rear mirror, power windows7,5
12Reversing light10
13Engine control unit (for vehi cles with automatic gearbox)10
14Motor for cornering lights10
15Navigation PDA5
16Not assigned
17Left parking light, licence plate light5
18Right parking light5
19Radio, central control unit5
20Instrument cluster, steering angle sender, ESP, Vehicle voltage control unit5
21Brake lights10
22Operating controls for the he ating, control unit for air conditioning system, parking aid, mobile phone7,5
23Lighting interior, storage compartment and luggage com-partment10
24Tailgate lock10
25Seat heaters20
26Heatable windscreen washing nozzles, windscreen clean- ing system15
27Not assigned
28Petrol engine: AKF valve, petrol engine: Control flap10
29Injection - 1.2 ltr. engine10
No.Power consumerAmperes
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Fuses and light bulbs209
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistancePraktikTechnical Data
30Fuel pump - petrol engine15
31Lambda probe10
32Diesel engine: Switch for brake light and clutch pedal, cruise control system, fuel pump relay and glow plug sys- tem relay5
33Engine control unit - diesel engine30
34Engine control unit 1.4 ltr.; 1.6 ltr.30
Fuel pump - diesel engine15
35Not assigned
36Main beam15/5a)
37Rear fog light7,5
38Fog lights10
39Blower25
40Rear window wiper10
41Not assigned
42Rear window heater25
43Horn20
44Front window wiper20
45Central control unit for convenience system15
46Engine control unit 1.4 ltr.; 1.6 ltr.5
47Cigarette lighter, power sock et in the luggage compart-
ment b)15
48ABS5
49Tu r n s i g n a l s15
50Radio, Telephone preinstallat ion, Multi-functional mod- ule10
No.Power consumerAmperes
51Electrical power window (at the front and rear on the left)25
52Electrical power window (at the front and rear on the right)25
53Not assigned
54Anti-theft alarm system15
55Not assigned
56Headlight cleaning system25
57Low beam on the left15
58Low beam on the right15
a)Depending on headlight type - replace defect fuse by a new fuse of the same ampere number.b)If the engine is switched off already one electrical component which is connected can discharge the battery.
No.Power consumerAmperes
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