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
NKO B6 20.book Page 222 Wednesday, March 26, 2008 3:15 PM
Wheels and Tyres225
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
The date of manufacture
is als o stated o n the tyre wa ll (pos si bl y only on the inside
of wheel):
DOT ... 20 08...
means, for example, that the tyre was ma nufactured in the 20th week of the year
2008.
Any spare wheel which differs from the tyres fitted to the vehicle (e.g. winter tyres
or low-profile tyres) should only be used only for a short time in the event of a
puncture and when adopting an appropriately cautious style of driving. It should be
replaced as quickly as possible by a normal wheel.
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 publ ic roads may also become void as a
result.
•You must on no account drive at a hi gher speed than is permissible for
your tyres - risk of an accident resulting from tyre damage and loss of control
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 be en used without having adequate
knowledge of their previous history. Tyres 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 conf ormity 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 retrofitting wheels, tyres and wheel trim.
WARNING
•In case of incorrect treatment of th e 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 wheel bolts for steel and light alloy wheels
is 120 Nm.
NKO B6 20.book Page 225 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 assistance
238
– Release the clutch particularly gent ly when starting off or depress the
accelerator particularly gently if yo ur vehicle is fitted with an auto-
matic gearbox.
Driver of the towed vehicle
– Switch the ignition on so that the steering wheel is not blocked and you can also operate the turn signal lights, the headlight flasher, the
windscreen wipers and wi ndscreen 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.
– 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.
Only attach the tow rope to the towing eyes provided for this purpose ⇒page 238
and ⇒page 239.
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.
Fig. 208 Front bumper:
Protective grille
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Breakdown assistance
240
– Depress the clutch pedal fully when the engine fires and take the vehicle out of gear.
For technical reasons it is not possibl e to tow-start a car fitted with an automatic
gearbox .
WARNING
There is high risk of having an accide nt when tow-starting a vehicle, when
for example the towed vehicle r uns into the towing vehicle.
Caution
Vehicles which are fitted with a catalytic converter should not be tow-started over
a distance of more than 50 metres. Unburnt fuel may get into the catalytic converter
and damage it.
Towing in a vehicle fitted with a manual gearbox
Please refer to the notes ⇒page 237.
The car can be towed in with a tow bar or a tow rope or with the front or rear wheels
raised. The maximum towing speed is 50 km/h.
Towing of a vehicle with an automatic gearbox
Please refer to the notes ⇒page 237.
The car can be towed in with a tow bar or a tow rope. Refer at the same time to the
following guidelines.
•Move selector lever into N .
•The maximum towing speed is 50 km/h.
•The maximum permissible towing distance is 50 km. The gear oil pump does
not operate when the engine is not runni ng; the gearbox would not be adequately
lubricated at higher speeds an d over longer towing distance.
Caution
If the vehicle is towed in by a recovery vehi cle, it should only be towed in with the
front wheels raised. If the vehicle is ra ised at rear, the automatic gearbox is
damaged! (Does not apply to the automatic gearbox DSG).
Note
The vehicle must be transported on a special vehicle or trailer if it is not possible to
tow in the vehicle in the way described or if the towing distance is greater than
50 km.
NKO B6 20.book Page 240 Wednesday, March 26, 2008 3:15 PM
Technical Data259
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Capacities (in liter)
Weight (in kg)
Fuel tank capacity/of which spare60/9
Reservoir for windscreen washer system/ with headlight cleaning system3/5,5
Engine oila)
a)Oil capacity with oil filter change. Inspec
t oil level when filling; do not fill up too much. The oil level must be between the markings ⇒page 211, “Check engine oil level”.
3,0
Cooling system of the vehicle5,5
M6
Permissible gross weight2074
Unloaden weight ready for work1454
Loading capacity620
Loading capacity when using the TLC545
Permissible front axle load1200
Permissible rear axle load1250
Permissible trailer load, trailer braked/unbraked1500a)
1700b)
a)Uphills up to 12 %b)Uphills up to 8%
NKO B6 20.book Page 259 Wednesday, March 26, 2008 3:15 PM
Technical Data261
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Capacities (in liter)
Weight (in kg)
Fuel tank capacity/of which spare60/9
Reservoir for windscreen washer system/ with headlight cleaning system3/5,5
Engine oila)
a)Oil capacity with oil filter change. Inspec
t oil level when filling; do not fill up too much. The oil level must be between the markings ⇒page 211, “Check engine oil level”.
3,8
Cooling system of the vehicle5,5
M5
Permissible gross weight2076
Unloaden weight ready for work1456
Loading capacity620
Loading capacity when using the TLC545
Permissible front axle load1200
Permissible rear axle load1250
Permissible trailer load, trailer braked/unbraked1500a)
1700b)
a)Uphills up to 12 %b)Uphills up to 8%
NKO B6 20.book Page 261 Wednesday, March 26, 2008 3:15 PM
Technical Data263
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Capacities (in liter)
Weight (in kg)
Fuel tank capacity/of which spare60/9
Reservoir for windscreen washer system/ with headlight cleaning system3/5,5
Engine oila)
a)Oil capacity with oil filter change. Inspec
t oil level when filling; do not fill up too much. The oil level must be between the markings ⇒page 211, “Check engine oil level”.
3,8
Cooling system of the vehicle5,5
M6DQ6
Permissible gross weight21102132
Unloaden weight ready for work14901512
Loading capacity620620
Loading capacity when using the TLC545545
Permissible front axle load12001200
Permissible rear axle load12501250
Permissible trailer load, trailer braked/unbraked18001800
NKO B6 20.book Page 263 Wednesday, March 26, 2008 3:15 PM