
Inspecting and replenishing 190If the coolant level in the reservoir is too low, this is indicated by the warning light
in the instrument cluster
⇒page 29. We nevertheless recommend inspecting
the coolant level directly at the reservoir from time to time.
Loss of coolant
A loss of coolant is first and foremost an indication of a leak in the system. You
should not merely top up the coolant in the reservoir. It is also important to have
the cooling system inspected without delay by a specialist garage.
Losses can only occur through the pressure relief in the cap of the coolant expan-
sion bottle which is completely free of leaks if the coolant boils as a result of over-
heating and is forced out of the cooling system.
WARNING
Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 185, “Working in the engine
compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
Caution
One should contact a specialist garage as soon as possible if the source of over-
heating itself cannot be determined and removed, since there may be grave
damage to the engine.Replenishing the coolant– Switch the engine off.
– Allow the engine to cool down.
– Place a cloth over the cap of the coolant expansion reservoir
⇒page 189, fig. 184 and unscrew the cap carefully by turning it to the
left ⇒.
– Top up the coolant.
– Screw the cap tight until it is heard to lock.
The coolant which you use for replenishing the system, must comply with one
specific specification ⇒page 189, “Coolant”. Do not use an alternative additive if
the coolant additive G12 PLUS - PLUS is not available in exceptional cases. Just top
up the system with water and as soon as possible arrange adjustment to correct the
mixing ratio of water and coolant additive again by a specialist garage.
Only use fresh coolant for topping up the system.
Do not fill up over the “MAX” marking! Excess coolant which is heated up is forced
out of the cooling system through the pressure relief valve in the cap of the coolant
compensation bottle.
Wait until the engine has cooled down for a system which has suffered a major loss
of coolant before pouring in coolant. This is necessary to avoid engine damage.
WARNING
•
The cooling system is pressurized! Do not open the cap of the coolant
expansion bottle if the engine is still hot - risk of scalding!
•
The coolant additive and thus all of the coolant is harmful to your health.
Avoid contact with the coolant. Coolant vapours are also harmful to the
health. It is important, therefore, to always safely store any coolant additive
in its original container out of the reach of children - risk of poisoning!
•
If any splashes of coolant get into your eyes, rinse out your eyes immedi-
ately with clear water and contact a doctor as soon as possible.
•
You should also consult a doctor without delay if you have inadvertently
swallowed coolant.Caution
Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under the
conditions prevailing to top up with coolant. witch the engine off and obtain
professional assistance from a specialist garage.
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Inspecting and replenishing 192
WARNING
•
Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 185, “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! Obtain professional assistance.
Replacing brake fluidBrake 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. The water content also lowers the boiling
point of the brake fluid. This is why brake fluid must be replaced every two
years.
One may only use new genuine brake fluid from Škoda Auto. The specification for
the brake fluid is “FMVSS 116 DOT 4”.
We recommend that you have the brake fluid replaced by a specialist garage as
part of an Inspection Service.
WARNING
•
Using old brake fluid can result in severe 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 away 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 specialist garage.BatteryWorking on the batteryThe battery is located in the engine compartment below a plastic box.
Fig. 186 The battery: pull up
the cover (automatic
gearbox)Fig. 187 The battery: pull up
the cover (manual gearbox)
s3f4.1.book Page 192 Thursday, June 18, 2009 11:07 AM

Breakdown assistance213
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Tow-starting and towing vehicleGeneralPlease pay attention to the following instructions 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 particularly gently when starting off.
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 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.
– Note that the brake servo unit and power steering only operate if the
engine is running. You will require significantly 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 213, “Front towing eye” and ⇒page 214, “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 rope 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. 201 Front bumper:
Protective grille
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Breakdown assistance215
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
WARNING
There is high risk of having an accident when tow-starting a vehicle, when
for example the towed vehicle runs 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 gearboxPlease refer to the notes ⇒page 213.
The vehicle 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 gearboxPlease refer to the notes ⇒page 213.
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 running; the gearbox would not be adequately
lubricated at higher speeds and over longer towing distance.Caution
If the vehicle is towed in by a recovery vehicle, it should only be towed in with the
front wheels raised. If the vehicle is raised at rear, the automatic gearbox is
damaged!
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.
s3f4.1.book Page 215 Thursday, June 18, 2009 11:07 AM

Technical Data 230Engine oil specificationsThe grade of engine oil should be selected in accordance with
precise specifications.The engine of your vehicle has been factory-filled with a high-grade oil which you
can use throughout the year - except in extreme climatic regions.
You can mix various oils together with each other when refilling with oil. This does
not, however, apply for models with flexible service intervals (QG1).
Engine oils are, of course, undergoing continuous further development. Thus the
information stated in this Owner's Manual is only correct at the time of publication.
Specialist garages are informed by Škoda Auto about current changes. We recom-
mend having this oil change undertaken by a specialist garage.
Engine oil specifications for vehicles with fixed service intervals (QG0, QG2)
Engine oil specifications for models with flexible service intervals (QG1)
Caution
Only the above-mentioned oils may be used on vehicles with flexible service inter-
vals (QG1). We recommend always refilling with oil of the same specification since
this will maintain the properties of the oil. In exceptional cases, you must top up
only once engine oil complying with Specification VW 502 00 (only for petrol
engines) or Specification VW 505 01 (only for diesel engines) to maximum 0.5 litres.
You must not use other engine oils - risk of engine damage!
Note
•
Before a long drive we recommend that you purchase and carry with you
engine oil which complies with the specification for your vehicle. Consequently,
you will always have the correct engine oil for refilling.
•
We recommend using a preservative from the Škoda original accessories
offered by your Škoda dealer.
•
For further information - see Service shedule.
Engine oil specifications
Petrol engines
VW 501 01
VW 502 00
VW 504 00
ACEA A2
a) or A3
a)
a)Only to be used in exceptional cases if the oils specified above are not available.Diesel engines
VW 505 01
b)
VW 507 00
c)
b)Only for engines without diesel particle filter ⇒page 34.c)Only for engines with diesel particle filter ⇒page 34.
Engine oil specifications
Petrol engines
VW 504 00
alternative VW 503 00
Diesel engines
VW 507 00
alternative VW 506 01
a)
a)Only for engines without diesel particle filter ⇒page 34.
s3f4.1.book Page 230 Thursday, June 18, 2009 11:07 AM

Technical Data 232Capacities (in liter)
Weight (in kg)Fuel tank capacity/of which spare
45/7
Reservoir for windscreen washer system/ with headlight cleaning system
2/4,5
Engine oil
a)
a)Oil capacity with oil filter change. Inspect oil level when filling; do not fill up too much. The oil level must be between the markings ⇒page 187, “Check engine oil level”.
2,9
Cooling system of the vehicle
5,5
FA B I A
COMBI
Permissible gross weight
1560
1580
Unloaden weight ready for work
1105
1125
Loading capacity
455
455
Loading capacity when using the TLC
405
405
Permissible front axle load
920
920
Permissible rear axle load
840
840
Permissible trailer load, trailer braked/unbraked
800/500
a)
900/500b)
a)Uphills up to 12%b)Uphills up to 8%
775/450
a)
875/450b)
s3f4.1.book Page 232 Thursday, June 18, 2009 11:07 AM

Technical Data 234Capacities (in liter)
Weight (in kg)Fuel tank capacity/of which spare
45/7
Reservoir for windscreen washer system/ with headlight cleaning system
2/4,5
Engine oil
a)
a)Oil capacity with oil filter change. Inspect oil level when filling; do not fill up too much. The oil level must be between the markings ⇒page 187.
2,9
Cooling system of the vehicle
5,5
FA B I A
COMBI
Permissible gross weight
1565
1585
Unloaden weight ready for work
1110
1130
Loading capacity
455
455
Loading capacity when using the TLC
405
405
Permissible front axle load
920
920
Permissible rear axle load
840
840
Permissible trailer load, trailer braked/unbraked
(800/500)
a)
(900/500)b)
a)Uphills up to 12%b)Uphills up to 8%
(800/450)
a)
(900/450)b)
s3f4.1.book Page 234 Thursday, June 18, 2009 11:07 AM

Technical Data 236Capacities (in liter)
Weight (in kg)Fuel tank capacity/of which spare
45/7
Reservoir for windscreen washer system/ with headlight cleaning system
2/4,5
Engine oil
a)
a)Oil capacity with oil filter change. Inspect oil level when filling; do not fill up too much. The oil level must be between the markings ⇒page 187.
3,2
Cooling system of the vehicle
5,5
FA B I A
COMBI
SCOUT
Permissible gross weight
1575
1590
1595
Unloaden weight ready for work
1120
1135
1140
Loading capacity
455
455
455
Loading capacity when using the TLC
405
405
405
Permissible front axle load
920
920
920
Permissible rear axle load
840
840
840
Permissible trailer load, trailer braked/unbraked
(1000/500)
a)
(1200/500)
b)
a)Uphills up to 12%b)Uphills up to 8%
(1000/450)
a)
(1200/450)
b)
(1000/450)
a)
(1200/450)
b)
s3f4.1.book Page 236 Thursday, June 18, 2009 11:07 AM