2009 SKODA OCTAVIA engine

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
32

Turn signal lights (to the left)
⇒page 33

Turn signal lights (to the right)
⇒page 33

Fog lights*
⇒page 33

Main beam light
⇒page 33

Low beam light
⇒page 33

Rear fog light
⇒page 33

Speed regulating system*
⇒page 33

Failure of the light bulbs
⇒page 33

Diesel particle filter* (diesel engine)
⇒page 34

Airbag system
⇒page 34

Control system for exhaust
⇒page 35


Electromechanical power steering
⇒page 35

Engine oil pressure
⇒page 35

EPC fault light (petrol engine)
⇒page 36

Glow plug system (diesel engine)
⇒page 36

Coolant temperature/coolant level
⇒page 36

Traction control system (TCS)
⇒page 37

Electronic stability programme (ESP)*
⇒page 37

Selector lever lock*
⇒page 37

Tyre pressure*
⇒page 38

Antilock brake system (ABS)
⇒page 38

Bonnet
⇒page 38

Seat belt warning light
⇒page 39

Brake pad wear*
⇒page 39

Boot lid
⇒page 39

Open door
⇒page 39

Fluid level in windshield washer system*
⇒page 39

Brake system
⇒page 39

Dynamo
⇒page 40

Engine oil level
⇒page 40

Fuel reserve
⇒page 41
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Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
33
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
WARNING
•
If you do not pay attention to the warning lights coming on and the corre-
sponding descriptions and warning notes, this may result in severe body injuries or major vehicle damage.•
The engine compartment of your car is
a hazardous area. There is a risk
of injuries, scalding, accidents and
fire when working in the engine
compartment, e.g. inspecting and replenis
hing oil and other fluids. It is also
essential to observe all warnings
⇒page 225, “Working in the engine
compartment”.
Note
•
The arrangement of the indicator lights depends on the model version. The
symbols shown in the following functional description are to be found as indicator lights in the instrument cluster.•
Operational faults are shown in the instrument cluster as red symbols (priority
1 - danger) or yellow symb
ols (priority 2 - warning).
Turn signal system

Either the left
 or right
 indicator light flashes depending on the position of the
turn signal lever. The indicator light flashes at twice its normal ra
te if a turn signal light fails. This does
not apply when towing a trailer. Switching off the hazard warning light system is switched on will cause all of the turn signal lights as well as
both indicator lights to flash.
Further information about
the turn signal system
⇒page 64.
Fog lights*

The warning light
 comes on when the fog lights are operating
⇒page 62.
Main beam

The indicator light
 comes on when the main beam is selected or also when the
headlight flasher is operated. Further information about the main beam
⇒page 64.
Low beam

The warning light
 comes on when low beam is selected
⇒page 58.
Rear fog light

The warning light
 comes on when the rear fog lights are operating
⇒page 62.
Cruise control system*

The warning light
 lights up, when operating the speed regulating system.
Failure of the light bulbs

The warning light
 comes on if a light bulb is damaged:
•
up to 2 seconds after the ignition is switched on,
•
when switching on the defective light bulb.
The following text e.g will be displayed in the information display*:
Check front right dipped beam!
The rear side lights and the licence plate
lighting require several light bulbs. The
indicator light
 only lights up if all light bulbs
of the licence plate lighting or the
parking light (in one rear light unit) are defe
ctive. Check regularly the function of the
light bulbs.
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Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
34
Diesel particle filter*

(diesel engine)
If the warning light

comes on, this means that soot has accumulated in the
diesel particle filter because of the frequent short distances. In order to clean the diesel particle filter,
the vehicle should be
driven at an even
speed of at least 60 km/h at engine speeds of 1 800 - 2 500 rpm for at least 15 minutes or until the warning light goes ou
t with the 4th or 5th gear engaged (auto-
matic gearbox: position S) when the traffi
c situation permits it. This increases the
exhaust temperature and the soot deposited in the diesel particle filter is burnt. Always pay attention to the valid speed limits
⇒
.
The warning light

goes out after the successful cleaning of the diesel particle
filter. If the filter is not properly
cleaned, the warning light

does not go out and the
warning light
 begins to flash. In the information display* appears
Diesel-
particle Owner's manual
. Afterwards the engine control unit shifts the engine into
the emergency mode, which only has a reduced power output. After switching the ignition off and on again the warning light
 comes on.
Have the vehicle inspected without delay by your specialist garage.
WARNING
•
If you do not pay attention to the warning light coming on and the corre-
sponding descriptions and warning notes, this may result in injuries or major vehicle damage.•
Always adjust your speed to suit weather, road, region and traffic condi-
tions. The route indicated by the warning light must not tempt you to disre- gard the national regulations for road traffic.
Caution
As long as the warning light

lights up, one must take into account an increased
fuel consumption and in certain circumst
ances a power reduction of the engine.
Note
Further information about diesel particle filter
⇒page 200.
Airbag system

Monitoring the airbag system The warning light
 comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
There is a fault in the system if the warning light does not go out or flashes while driving
⇒
. This also applies if the warning light does not come on when the igni-
tion is switched on. The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Airbag fault!
The functionality of the airbag system is
also monitored electronically, when one
airbag has been switched off Front, side and head airbags or belt
tensioner which have been switched off
using the vehicle system tester:•
The warning light
 lights up for 4 seconds after switching on the ignition and
then flashes again for 12 seconds in intervals of 2 seconds. The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Airbag/belt tensio
ner deactivated!
Front passenger airbags switched off
using the switch for front passenger
airbags* in storage compartment on the front passenger side:•
the warning light
 comes on for 4 seconds after the ignition has been
switched on,•
switching off the airbag is indicated in
the middle of the dash panel by the
lighting up of the indicator light

 (airbag switched off)
⇒page 182.
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Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
35
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
WARNING
Have the airbag system checked immediat
ely by a specialist garage if a fault
exists. Otherwise, there is a risk of th
e airbag not being activated in the event
of an accident.Control system for exhaust

The warning light
 comes on after the ignition has been switched on.
If the warning light does not go out after starting the engine or it lights up when driving, a fault exists in
an exhaust relevant componen
t. The engine management
system selects an emergency programme which enables you to drive to the nearest specialist garage by adopting a gentle style of driving.Electromechanical power steering
 
The warning light
 comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
If the warning light after switching on the ig
nition or when driving lights up contin-
uously, a fault exists in the el
ectromechanical power steering.
•
If the
yellow
warning light lights up
, this indicates a partial failure of the
power steering and the steering forces can be greater.•
If the
red
warning light lights up
, this indicates a complete failure of the
power steering and the steering assist has failed (significantly higher steering forces). Further information
⇒page 198.
WARNING
Contact your specialist garage if
the power steering is defective.
Note
•
If the yellow warning light
 goes out after starting the engine again and a short
drive, it is not necessary to visit a specialist garage.•
If the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, the yellow warning light
 comes on after switching on the ignition. The warning light must go out after driving a short distance.Engine oil pressure

The warning light

comes on for a few seconds
4) when the ignition is switched
on. Stop the vehicle and sw
itch the engine off
if the warning light does not go off
after the engine has started or flashes while driving. Check the oil level and top up with oil as necessary
⇒page 228, “Replenishing engine oil”.
An audible signal sounds three times as an additional warning signal.Do not continue your journey
if for some reason it is not possible under the
conditions prevailing
to top up with oil.
Keep the engine switched off
and obtain
professional assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it could lead to severe engine damage. Do not drive any further
if the warning light flashes even if the oil is at the correct
level. Do not run the engine not at idling
speed either. Contact the nearest specialist
garage to obtain professional assistance. The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Oil Pressure Engine off! Owner's manual
WARNING
•
If you must stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe
distance from the traffic and switch off the engine and switch on the hazard warning light system.4)The warning light
 on vehicles fitted with information display does not come on after
switching the ignition on, but only if a fault exists or the engine oil level is too low.
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Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
36
•
The red oil pressure light

is not an oil level indicator! One should
therefore check the oil level at regular
intervals, preferably after every refu-
eling stop.EPC fault light

(petrol engine)
The
 (Electronic Power Control) warning light comes on for a few seconds when
the ignition is switched on. If the warning light
 does not go out or lights up
after starting th
e engine, a fault
exists in the engine control. The engine management system selects an emergency programme which enables you to drive to the nearest specialist garage by adopting a gentle style of driving. The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Engine fault Workshop!
Glow plug system

(diesel engine)
The warning light
 lights up for a
cold
engine when switching on the ignition
(pre-heat position)
2 ⇒page 123. Start the engine after the indicator light goes out.
The glow plug indicator light will come on for about 1 second if the engine is at a normal operating temperature
or if the outside temperature is above +5°C. This
means that you can start the engine
right away
.
There is a fault in the glow plug system if the
warning light
 does not come on
at all
or lights up continuously
. Contact a specialist garage
as soon as possible to
obtain assistance. If the
warning light
 begins
to flash
while driving, a fault exists in the engine
control. The engine management system
selects an emergency programme which
enables you to drive to the nearest specialist garage by adopting a gentle style of driving.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Engine fault Workshop!
Coolant temperature/ Coolant quantity

The warning light
 comes on for a few seconds
5) w h e n t h e i g n i t i o n i s s w i tc h e d o n .
The coolant temperature is too high or the coolant level too low if the warning light  does not go out or flashes while driving.3 peeps sound as an additional warning signal.In this case stop and switch the engine off
and check the coolant level; top up the
coolant as necessary. Do not continue your journey
if for some reason it
is not possible under the
conditions prevailing to
top up with coolant.
Keep the engine switched off
and
obtain professional assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it could lead to severe engine damage. If the coolant is within the specified range, the increased temperature may be caused by an operating problem at the coolant fan. Check the fuse for the coolant fan, replace it if necessary
⇒page 259, “Fuse assignment in engine compartment”.
Do not continue driving
if the warning light does not go off although the fluid is at
the correct level and also the fuse of the fan is in proper order. Contact a specialist garage to obtain assistance. Please also refer to the additional instructions
⇒page 228, “Cooling system”.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Check coolant! Owner's manual
WARNING (continued)
5)The warning light
 on vehicles fitted with information display does not come on after
switching the ignition on, but only if the coola
nt temperature is too high or the coolant level
is too low.
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Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
37
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
WARNING
•
If you must stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe
distance from the traffic
and switch off the engine and switch on the hazard
warning light system
⇒page 64.
•
Take care when opening the coolant expa
nsion bottle. If the engine is hot,
the cooling system is pressurized - risk of scalding! It is best to allow the engine to cool down before removing the cap.•
Do not touch the coolant fan The coolant fan may switch on automati-
cally even if the ignition is off.Traction control system (TCS)

The warning light
 comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
The warning light flashes when a cont
rol cycle is activated while driving.
The warning light will come on and remains on
if the TCS is switched off or if there
is a fault in the system. The fact that the TCS system operates together with the ABS means that the TCS warning light will also come on if the
ABS system is not operating properly.
If the warning light
 comes on immediately after starting the engine, the TCS
system can be switched off for technical
reasons. In this case, the TCS system can
be switched on again by switching the ignition on and off. If the warning light goes out, the TCS system is fully functional again. Further information about the TCS
⇒page 195, “Traction control system (TCS)”.
Note
If the battery has been disconnected
and reconnected, the warning light
 comes
on after switching on the ignition. The warn
ing light must go out after driving a short
distance.
Electronic stability programme (ESP)*

The warning light
 comes on for a few seconds when
the ignition is switched on.
Components of the ESP system also incl
ude the Traction Control System (TCS),
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL),
and the Antilock Brake System (ABS).
The warning light flashes when a control cycle is activated while driving.The warning light will come on and remains on
if the ESP is switched off or if there
is a fault in the system. The fact that the ESP system operates together with the ABS means that the ESP warning light will also come on if the ABS system is not operating properly. If the warning light
 comes on immediately after starting the engine, the ESP
system can be switched off for technical
reasons. In this case, the ESP system can
be switched on again by swit
ching the ignition on and off. If the warning light goes
out, the ESP system is fully functional again. Further information on the ESP
⇒page 193, “Electronic
stability programme
(ESP)*”. Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)* The EDL is a part of the ESP. A fault in the EDL is indicated by the ESP warning light in the instrument cluster. Have the vehicle inspected without delay by an author- ised Škoda Service Partner. Further information on the EDL
⇒page 194, “Electronic
Differential Lock (EDL)*”.
Note
If the battery has been disconnected
and reconnected, the warning light
 comes
on after switching on the ignition. The warn
ing light must go out after driving a short
distance.Selector lever lock*

If the
green
warning light
 lights up, operate the brake pedal. This is necessary, in
order to be able to move the selector lever out of the position
P or N.
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Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
38
Further information about the selector lever lock
⇒page 132.
Tyre inflation pressure*

The warning light
 lights up, if there is a substantial drop in inflation pressure in
one of the tyres. Reduce the speed and check or correct as soon as possible the inflation pressure in the tyres
⇒page 238.
If the warning light flashes, there is a system fault. Visit the nearest specialist garage and have the fault rectified. Further information about tyre pressure-control system
⇒page 199.
WARNING
•
When the warning light
 lights up, immediately reduce the speed and
avoid sudden steering and brake mano
euvres. Please stop the vehicle
without delay at the nearest possible stop and inspect the tyres and their inflation pressures.•
Under certain circumstances (e.g. sporty style of driving, wintry or
unpaved roads) the warning light
 can be delayed or does not light up at
all.
Note
If the battery has been disconnected, the warning light
 comes on after switching
on the ignition. The warning light must
go out after driving a short distance.
Antilock brake system (ABS)

The warning light
 shows the functionality of the ABS.
The warning light comes on for a few second
s after the ignition has been switched
on or when starting the engine. The warning light goes out after an automatic check sequence has been completed.
A fault in the ABS The system is not functioning properly if the ABS warning light
 does not go out
within a few seconds after switching on the ig
nition, does not light up at all or lights
up while driving. The vehicle
will only be braked by th
e normal brake system. Visit
a specialist garage as quickly as possible and adjust your style of driving appropri-ately as you will not know how great the damage is. Further information about ABS
⇒page 197, “Antilock brake system (ABS)”.
A fault in the entire brake system If the ABS warning light
 comes on together with the brake system warning light
 (handbrake must be released), there is a fault not only in the ABS but also in another part of the brake system
⇒
.
WARNING
•
If the brake system warning light
 comes on together with the ABS
warning light
 stop the vehicle immediately and check the brake fluid
level in the reservoir
⇒page 231, “Brake fluid”. If the fluid level has dropped
below the MIN marking, do not drive any further - risk of accident! Obtain professional assistance.•
Pay attention to the following instru
ctions before checking the brake
fluid level and opening the bonnet
⇒page 225, “Working in the engine
compartment”.•
If the brake fluid is at the correct level, the ABS control function has
failed. The rear wheels may
then block very rapidly when braking. In certain
circumstances, this can result in the rear end of the car breaking away - risk of skidding! Drive carefully to the ne
arest specialist garage and have the
fault rectified.Bonnet

The warning light
 comes on if the bonnet is unlocked. If the bonnet unlocks
while driving, the warning light lights up
 and as a warning an audible signal
sounds.
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Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
40
Brake system

The warning light
 flashes or comes on if the brake fluid level is too low, if there
is a fault in the ABS or if
the handbrake is applied.
If the warning light
 flashes and an audible signal sounds three times (handbrake
is not applied),
stop
and check the brake fluid level
⇒
.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Brake fluid Owner's manual
If there is a fault in the ABS which also in
fluences the function of the brake system
(e.g. distribution of brake pressure), the ABS warning light
 comes on and at the
same time the brake system warning light starts flashing
. Be aware that not only
the ABS but also another part of th brake system is defective
⇒
.
An audible signal sounds three times as an additional warning signal.One should get used to high pedal forces, long braking distances and long free play of the brake pedal when driving to the next specialist garage. For further information on the brake system
⇒page 196, “Brakes”.
Handbrake applied The warning light
 also comes on if the handbrake is applied. An audible warning
is also given if you drive the vehicle for at least 3 seconds at a speed of more than 6 km/h. The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Release parking brake!
WARNING
•
Pay attention to the following instru
ctions before checking the brake
fluid level and opening the bonnet
⇒page 225, “Working in the engine
compartment”.•
If the brake system warning light
 does not go out a few seconds after
switching on the ignition or comes on when driving, stop immediately and check the brake fluid in the reservoir
⇒page 231. If the fluid level has
dropped below the MIN marking, do not
drive any further - risk of accident!
Obtain professional assistance.Alternator

The warning light
 comes on after the ignition has been switched on. It should go
out after the engine has started. If the warning light does not go out after
the engine has started, or comes on when
driving, drive to the nearest specialist garage. The vehicle battery will be discharged in this case so switch off all non-essential electrical components.
Caution
If the warning light
 comes on when driving and in
addition the warning light

(cooling system fault) also comes on in display, you must then stop the car imme- diately and switch the engine off - risk of engine damage!Engine oil level

Warning light
 lights up
If the warning light
 lights up, the quantity of oil in the engine is probably too low.
Check as soon as possible the oil level or top up
⇒page 228, “Replenishing engine
oil” with engine oil. A peep sounds as an additional warning signal.The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Check oil level!
The warning light will go out if the bonnet is
left open for more than 30 seconds. If
no engine oil has been replenished, the
warning light will come on again after
driving about 100 km.
WARNING (continued)
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