Driving and the Environment187
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Driving and the Environment
A new engine
The engine has to be run in during the first 1 500 kilometres.
Up to 1 000 kilometres
– Do not drive faster than 3/4 of the mamimum speed of the gear in use,
that is 3/4 of the maximum permissible engine speed.
– Do not use full throttle.
– Avoid high engine revolutions.
– Do not tow a trailer.
From 1 000 up to 1 500 kilometres
– Increase the power output of the engine gradually up to the full
speed of the gear engaged, that is up to the maximum permissible
engine revolutions.
During the first operating hours the engine has higher internal friction than later
until all of the moving parts have harmonized. The driving style which you adopt
during the first approx.1 500 kilometres plays a decisive part in the success of
running in your car.
You should not drive at unnecessarily high engine revolutions even after the
running-in period is complete. The maximum permissib le engine speed is marked
by the beginning of the red zone on the scale of the revolutions counter. Shift up
into the next higher gear on a vehicle fitted with manual gearbox before the red
zone is reached. Extremely high engine revolutions are automatically governed, by
the way.
For a vehicle fitted with a manual gearbox the converse situation also applies: Do
not drive at engine revolutions which are too low. Shift down as soon as the engine
is no longer running smoothly.
Caution
All the speed and engine revolution figure s apply only when the engine is at its
normal operating temperature. Never rev up an engine which is cold, neither when
the vehicle is stationary nor when driving in individual gears.
For the sake of the environment
Not driving at unnecessarily high engine revolutions and shifting to a higher gear as
early as possible are ways to minimise fuel consumption and operating noise levels
and protects the environment.
New tyres
New tyres have to be “run in” since they do not offer optimal grip at first. You should
take account of this fact for the first 500 kilometres and drive particularly carefully.
New brake pads
Allow for the fact that new brake pads do not achieve their full braking efficiency
until approximately 200 kilometres. New brake pads must be first “run in” before
they develop their optimal friction force. You can, however, compensate for this
slightly reduced braking force by increa sing the pressure on the brake pedal.
This guideline also applies to any new brake pads installed at a future date.
During the running-in period , you should avoid excessive stresses on the brakes.
This includes, for example, violent braking, particularly from very high speeds, and
also when crossing mountain passes.
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Driving and the Environment191
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Avoid driving short distances
Short distances result in an above-average high fuel consumption.
– Avoid driving a distance of no more than 4 km if the engine is cold.
The engine and catalytic converter mu st first have reached their optimal operating
temperature in order to effectively reduce fu el consumption and pollutant emis-
sions.
The cold engine vehicle consumes approx. 15 - 20 litres/100 km of fuel immediately
after starting. Fuel co nsumption drops to 10 litres/100 km after just 1 kilometre. The
engine reaches its operating temperat ure (outside temperature and engine
dependent) only after about 4 to 10 kilometres and the fuel consumption then
stabilizes. You should therefore avoid driving short distances whenever possible.
An important factor in this connection is also the ambient temperature. The
⇒ fig. 181 shows the different fuel consumptions for the same distance, on the one
hand at +20°C and on the other hand at -10°C. Your vehicle has a higher fuel
consumption in winter than in summer.
Checking tyre inflation pressures
Tyres which are correctly inflated save fuel.
Always ensure that your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure at all times. The
rolling resistance will be increased if the tyre filling pressure is too low. This will not only increase fuel consumption but also
tyre wear and the driving behaviour will
worsen.
Always check the inflation pressure of the tyres when cold.
Do not drive with winter tyres all year round for this costs about 10 % more fuel.
Winter tyres are also louder.
No unnecessary ballast
Transporting ballast costs fuel.
The fact that every kilogram of extra weight increases your fuel consumption
means that it is worth taking a look in the luggage compartment to avoid trans-
porting any unnecessary ballast.
It is particularly in town traffic, when one is accelerating quite often, that the vehicle
weight will have a significant effect upon the fuel consumption. A rule of thumb
here is that an increase in weight of 100 kilograms will cause an increase in fuel
consumption of about 1 litre/100 kilometres.
You may frequently also leave a roof rack fitted on just out of convenience,
although you no longer need it. The incr eased aerodynamic drag of your vehicle
causes it to use about 10% more fuel th an normal at a speed of 100 - 120 km/h,
even when you are not carr ying a load on the roof.
Saving electricity
Generating electricity costs fuel.
– Switch off electrical components as soon as you no longer need them.
When the engine is running, the alternator generates and supplies electrical power.
The greater the load on the alternator as a result of having a large number of elec-
trical components switched on, the more fuel will be consumed for operating the
alternator.
Fig. 181 Fuel consumption
in litres/100 km at different
temperatures
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Towing a trailer
194
Towing a trailer
To w i n g a t r a i l e r
Technical requirements
The towing device must satisfy certain technical requirements.
Your vehicle is designed primarily for tr ansporting persons and luggage. It can,
however, also be used for towing a traile r - provided certain technical equipment is
fitted.
If your vehicle has already been supplied with a factory-fitted towing device then
everything that is necessary for towing a trailer in technical terms, and in terms of
the law, has already been taken into account.
Your vehicle is fitted with a 13-pin power socket for the electrical connection
between the vehicle and trailer. If th e trailer which you wish to tow has a 7-pin
connector, you can use a suitable adapter
14) from Škoda original accessories.
This work must be carried out in accordan ce with the manufacturer's specifications
if a towing device is retrofitted.
Škoda Service Partners are familiar with de tails relating to retrofitting a towing
device and for any necessary modi fications to the cooling system.
WARNING
We recommend that you have the towing device from Škoda original acces-
sories installed by a Škoda Service Partner. He is familiar with all the relevant
details relating to retrofitting such equi pment. There is a risk of an accident
if the towing device is not properly fitted!
General Maintenance
There are a number of points to pay attention to when towing a
trailer.
Trailer load
The permissible trailer load must on no account be exceeded.
You can negotiate appropriately steeper inclines and descents if you do not make
full use of the perm issible trailer load.
The trailer loads specified only apply for altitudes up to 1 000 metres above mean
sea level. The fact that the engine power ou tput drops with increasing height due to
a lowering of air pressure and thus the abil ity to climb, means that the towed weight
must be reduced by 10% for every further increase of 1 000 metres in height above
sea level. The towed weight is the weight of the (laden) vehicle and the (laden)
trailer together. One should take this into account before driving up to higher alti-
tudes.
The trailer and drawbar load information on the type plate of the towing
device are merely test data for the tow ing device The data relating to your
vehicle, which is often less than this test data, can be found in your vehicle
registration documents.
Distribution of the load
Distribute the load in the trailer in such a way that any heavy items are located as
close as possible to the axle. Secure the items to prevent them slipping.
Tyre inflation pressure
Select the tyre inflation pressure on your vehicle for that of “fully laden”,
⇒ page 222. The inflation pressure of the tyres fitted to the trailer adjust in accord-
ance with the manufacturer's recommendation.
Exterior mirrors
You have to have additional exterior mirrors fitted if you are not able to see the
traffic behind the trailer with the standard rear-view mirrors. Both exterior mirrors
14)In some countries the adapter is supplied with the towing device.
NKO B6 20.book Page 194 Wednesday, March 26, 2008 3:15 PM
Wheels and Tyres
222
Wheels and Tyres
Wheels
General information
•New tyres do not offer optimal grip at first and should therefore be run in for
about 500 km at a moderate speed and an appropriately cautious style of driving.
You will also profit from longer tyre life.
•The tread depth of new tyres may differ because of design features and the
configuration of the tread (d epending on the type of tyre and the manufacturer).
•Drive over curbs on the side of the road and other such obstacles slowly and,
where possible, at a right angles in order to avoid damage to tyres and wheel trims.
•Inspect your tyres from time to time for damage (punctures, cuts, splits and
bulges). Remove foreign bodi es from the tyre profile.
•Damage to tyres and wheels is frequent ly not visible. Unusual vibrations or
pulling of the vehicle to one side could be a sign of tyre damage. Please reduce
your speed immediately and stop if you suspect that a wheel is damaged.
Inspect the tyres for signs of damage (bulges, splits, etc.) If no visible damage is
present, please drive at an appropriately slow speed and carefully to the nearest
specialist garage in order to have your vehicle inspected.
•Also protect your tyres from contact with oil, grease and fuel.
•Immediately replace any dust caps of the valves which have got lost.
•Mark wheels before removing them so th at their previous direction of running
can be maintained when mounted them again.
•Always store wheels or tyres which been removed in a cool, dry and, where
possible, dark place. Tyres which are not fixed to a wheel trim should be stored
upright.
Unidirectional tyres*
The direction of rotation of the tyres is marked by arrows on the wall of the tyre. This
indicates the direction of rotation of the tyre, and it is essential that the tyres are
fitted on to run in this direction. Only then are the tyres able to provide the optimal
properties in terms of grip, low no ise, wear-and-tear and aquaplaning. Further information concerning the use of unidirectional tyres
⇒page 226.
WARNING
•New tyres during the first 500 km do not offer optimal grip and should
therefore be run appropriately - risk of accident!
•Never drive with damaged tyres - risk of accident!
Note
Please observe the various differing legal requirements regarding tyres.
Tyre life
The life of your tyres very much depends on the following points:
Tyre pressure
The working life of tyres will be shortened co nsiderably if the tyres are insufficiently
or over-inflated and this will have an advers e effect on the handling of your vehicle.
Correctly inflated tyres are of partic ular importance when travelling at high speeds .
It is therefore good to check the pressure at least once a month and also before
Fig. 195 An opened fuel filler
flap with the tyre inflation
pressure table
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Wheels and Tyres223
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
setting off on a long trip. Please do not
forget the spare wheel when checking the
tyres.
The tyre inflation pressures for summer tyres are indicated on the inside of the fuel
filler flap ⇒ page 222, fig. 195 . The inflation pressures for winter tyres are 20 kPa
(0.2 bar) higher than those for summer tyres ⇒page 226.
The tyre pressure should be at the highest pressure specified for your vehicle at all
times.
The tyre inflation pressure of the emergency spare wheel R 18 is 420 kPa (4.2 bar).
Always check the inflation pressure of ty res when cold. Do not reduce the higher
pressure of warm tyres. Adapt the inflation pressure of the tyres accordingly if your
vehicle is carrying a significantly higher payload.
Driving style
Fast cornering, sharp acceleration and braking (squealing tyres) increase wear-and-
tear on your tyres.
Balancing wheels
The wheels of a new vehicle are balanced. There are a wide range of influences
when driving which may result in an im balance and which makes themselves felt
through vibration in the steering.
You should have the wheels rebalanced since any imbalance increases wear-and-
tear on the steering, the suspension and tyres. A wheel must also be rebalanced
when a new tyre is fitted and each time a tyre is repaired.
Wheel alignment errors
Incorrect wheel alignment at the front and rear will not only increase wear-and-tear
on the tyres but will also has an adverse effect on vehicle safety. Contact your
specialist garage if you notice any unusual tyre wear.
WARNING
•If the inflation pressure is too low, the tyre must perform a greater flexing
work. At higher speeds the tyre will warm up as a result of this. This can
result in tread separation and even a tyre blowout.
•Immediately replace the damaged rims or tyres.
For the sake of the environment
Tyres which are insufficiently inflated increase your fuel consumption.
Wear indicators
The base of the tread of the original tyres has wear indicators 1.6 mm high, installed
at right angles to the direction of travel. These wear indicators are located at 6 - 8
points depending on the make and are evenly spaced around the circumference of
the tyre ⇒fig. 196 . Markings on the walls of the tyres through the letters “TWI”,
triangular symbols or other symbols identify the position of the wear indicators.
A remaining tread of just 1.6 mm, measured in the grooves of the tread next to the
wear indicators, means that your tyres have reached their legally permissible
minimum tread depth.
WARNING
•You must have your tyres replaced with new ones at the latest when the
wear indicators have been worn do wn. The legally permissible minimum
tread depth should be observed.
•Worn tyres do not provide the necessary adhesion to the road surface at
high speeds on wet roads. One could experience “aquaplaning” (uncon-
trolled movements of the vehicle - “swimming” on a wet road surface).
Fig. 196 Tyre tread with wear
indicators
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Breakdown assistance231
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Spare wheel
The spare wheel lies in a well under the floor covering of the luggage compartment
and is fixed in place using special screws ⇒fig. 201 .
Before removing the spare wheel, you must take out the box with the vehicle tool
kit box ⇒page 230, fig. 200 .
One should check the inflation pressure in the spare wheel (at best when generally
checking the tyre air pressures - see sign on the fuel filler flap ⇒page 222) to
ensure that the spare wheel is always ready to use.
Temporary spare wheel
A warning label displayed on the rim of the temporary spare wheel indicates that
your vehicle is equipped with a temporary spare wheel.
Please observe the following notes when driving with a temporary spare wheel:
•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. The temporary spare wheel R 18 must have an inflation pres-
sure of 420 kPa (4.2 bar)!
•Use this spare wheel only to reach the nearest specialist garage as it is not
intended for continuous use.
•No other summer or winter tyres must be mounted on the rim of the spare
wheel R 18.
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 ⇒ page 230 and the spare wheel
⇒ page 231 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.
Fig. 201 Luggage compart-
ment: Spare wheel
NKO B6 20.book Page 231 Wednesday, March 26, 2008 3:15 PM
Breakdown assistance
232
•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 233 or the caps ⇒page 233.
– In the case of light alloy wheels remove the wheel trim cap ⇒page 234.
– First of all slacken the theft-de terrent wheel bolt*, afterwards the
other wheel bolts ⇒page 234.
– Jack up the vehicle until the wheel to be changed is clear of the ground
⇒ page 235.
– Unscrew the wheel bolts and place them on a clean surface (cloth, paper etc.).
– Take off the wheel.
– Fit on the spare wheel and tighten the wheel bolts slightly.
–Lower the car. – Tighten the wheel bolts firmly, al
ternately and diagonally using the
wheel wrench (crosswise) and last the theft-deterrent wheel bolt*
⇒ page 234.
– Mount the full wheel trim/w heel trim cap or the caps.
Note
•All bolts must be clean and must turn easily.
•You must never grease or oil the wheel bolts!
•When fitting on unidirectional tyres, ensure that the tyres rotate in the correct
direction ⇒page 222.
Subsequent steps
After changing the wheel, you must perform the following steps.
– Stow and attach the replaced wheel in the spare wheel well using the
special screw ⇒page 231, fig. 201 .
– Stow the vehicle tool kit in the space provided.
– Check the tyre pressure on the spare wheel just mounted as soon as
possible.
– Have the tightening torque of the wheel bolts checked with a torque
wrench as soon as possible. Steel and light alloy wheels must be tight-
ened to a tightening torque of 120 Nm.
– Have the defective tyre repaired as soon as possible.
WARNING
It is necessary to observe the guidelines given on ⇒page 224 if the vehicle is
subsequently fitted with tyres which are different to those it was fitted with
at the works.
WARNING (continued)
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Breakdown assistance233
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Note
•If you find, when changing the wheel, that the wheel bolts are corroded and
difficult to turn, the bolts mu st be replaced before checking the tightening torque.
•Drive cautiously and only at a moderate speed to a workshop where the tight-
ening torque can be checked.
Full wheel trim*
Pulling off
– Hook the clamp found in the vehicle tool kit into the reinforced edge of the full wheel trim.
– Push the wheel key through the clamp, support the wheel key at the tyre and pull off the wheel trim.
Installing
– First press the full wheel trim onto the wheel at the valve opening provided. Then press the full wheel trim into the wheel in such a way
that its entire circumference locks correctly in place.
Caution
•Use the pressure of your hand, do not knock on the full wheel trim! Heavy
knocks mainly on the points where the full wheel trim has not been inserted into
the wheel, can result in damage to the guide and centering elements of the full
wheel trim.
•First check for yourself that the th eft-deterrent wheel bolt is located
⇒ page 235, “Securing wheels against being stolen*” in the hole in the area of the
valve before fitting the full wheel trim onto a steel wheel which is attached with a
theft-deterrent wheel bolt.
Wheel bolts with caps*
Pulling off
– Push the plastic clip sufficiently fa r onto the cap until the inner catches
of the clip are positioned at the collar of the cap and detach the cap
⇒ fig. 202 .
Installing
– Push the caps fully onto the wheel bolts.
The caps are located in the we ll of the luggage compartment.
Fig. 202 Removing the cap.
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