2009 SKODA SUPERB check engine

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
40
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 ignition, does not light up at all or lights up while driving. The vehicle will only be
braked by the 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 immediatel
y and check the brake fluid
level in the reservoir
⇒page 228, “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 223, “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 engine bonnet
unlocks while driving
, the warning light lights up and an audible signal sounds.
The warning light comes on even when the
ignition is switched off. The warning
light lights up for a maximum of 5 minutes. On vehicles with information display* this
warning light is replaced by a vehicle
symbol
⇒page 28, fig. 29
.
Seat belt warning light

The warning light
 comes on after the ignition is switched on as a reminder for the
driver and front passenger to fasten the seat belt. The warning light only goes out if the driver or front passenger has fastened his seat belt. If the seat belt has not been fastened by the driver or front passenger, a permanent warning signal sounds at vehicle speeds
greater than 20 km/h and simultaneously
the warning light
 flashes.
If the seat belt is not fastened by the dr
iver or front passenger during the next 90
seconds, the warning signal is deactivated and the warning light
 lights up perma-
nently. Further information on the seat belts
⇒page 168, “Seat belts”.
Thickness of the brake pads*

The warning light
 comes on for a few seconds
5) when the ignition is switched
on. If the warning light
 comes on, contact a specialist garage immediately and have
the brake pads on
all of the wheels
inspected.
5)The warning light
 on vehicles fitted with information display does not come on after
switching the ignition on, but only if a fault exists.
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Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
41
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Check brake pads!
Boot lid


The warning light

comes on when the ignition is switched on if the luggage
compartment door is open. If the boot li
d opens while driving, the warning light
lights up

and as a warning an audible signal sounds.
The warning light comes on even when the
ignition is switched off. The warning
light lights up for a maximum of 5 minutes. On vehicles with information display* th
is warning light is replaced by a vehicle
symbol
⇒page 28, fig. 29
.
Open door

The warning light
 comes on if one or several door
s are opened or if the boot lid
is opened. If one of the doors opens while driving, the warning light lights
 up
and an audible signal sounds. The warning light comes on even when the
ignition is switched off. The warning
light lights up for a maximum of 5 minutes. On vehicles with information display* th
is warning light is replaced by a vehicle
symbol
⇒page 28, fig. 29
.
Liquid in reservoir for windscreen washer system

The warning light
 comes on when the ignition is switched on if there is insuffi-
cient fluid in the windshield wash
er system. Top up with liquid
⇒page 234.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Add wash fluid!
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 influences 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 instructions before checking the brake
fluid level and opening the bonnet
⇒page 223, “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 228, “Brake fluid”. If the fluid
s2dk.1.book Page 41 Wednesday, April 8, 2009 12:23 PM

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
42
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 225 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, th
e warning light will come on again after
driving about 100 km.
Warning light
 flashes
A fault on the engine oil level sensor is indicated additionally by an audible signal and the warning light coming on several times after the ignition has been switched on. In this case have the engine inspected without delay by a specialist garage.The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Oil sensor Workshop!
Fuel reserve

The warning light
 comes on, if the fuel level is still below 9 litres.
An audible signal sounds as an additional warning signal.The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Please refuel! Range...kmNote
The Text in the information display* goes out only after refuelling and driving a short distance.
WARNING (continued)
s2dk.1.book Page 42 Wednesday, April 8, 2009 12:23 PM

Air conditioning system
105
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
For the sake of the environment
When you economize on fuel, you
also reduce pollutant emissions.
Operational problemsIf the cooling system does not operate at outside temperatures higher than +5 °C, there is a problem in the system. The reasons for this may be:•
The fuse on the air conditioning system
has blown. Check the fuse, replace it if
necessary
⇒page 256.
•
The cooling system has switched off automatically for a short time because the
coolant temperature of the engine is too hot
⇒page 18.
If you are not able to rectify the operat
ional problem yourself, or if the cooling
capacity decreases, switch the cooling sy
stem off. Contact a specialist garage.
Air outlet ventsFig. 125 Air vents at the front
Fig. 126 Air vents at the rearOpen air outlet vents – Turn the rotary knob to position
.
Close air outlet vents – Turn the rotary knob to position
0.
Redirecting air flow – The horizontal as well as the vertical direction of the air flow is set with
the handle in the middle of the air outlet vents.
The air outlet vents
2, 3 ⇒fig. 125
and
5 ⇒fig. 126
can be closed and opened indi-
vidually. Unwarmed or cooled air will flow out of the opened air outlet vents according to the setting of control dial and the outside atmospheric conditions.
Note
The air outlet vents
1 ensure in the ventilation and cooling mode for a comfortable
(no-draught) ventilation of the interior of
the vehicle, also if the air outlet vents
3
are closed.
s2dk.1.book Page 105 Wednesday, April 8, 2009 12:23 PM

Starting-off and Driving
119
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Starting the engineGeneral You can only start the engine only using an original ignition key.•
Place the gearshift lever into neutral (or place the selector lever to the position
P or N in the case of an automatic gearbox)
and put on the handbrake firmly before
starting the engine.•
The clutch pedal should be fully depressed when starting the engine which
means that the starter only
has to crank the engine.
•
Let go of the key as soon as the engine starts otherwise there may be damage
to the starter. The engine running noises may louder at
first be louder for
a short time after
starting the cold engine until oil pressure
can be built up in the hydraulic valve
clearance compensation. This is quite normal and is not an operating problem. If the engine does not start ... You can use the battery of anothe
r vehicle as a jump-start aid
⇒page 250.
It is only possible to tow-start vehicl
es fitted with a manual gearbox. The tow-
starting distance must not be more than 50 metres.
WARNING
•
Never run the engine in non ventilat
ed or enclosed areas. The exhaust
gases of the engine contain besides
the odorless and colourless carbon
monoxide a poisonous gas - hazard! Carbon monoxide can cause uncon- sciousness and death.•
Never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running.Caution
•
The starter may only be operated (ignition key position ), if the engine is not
running. If the starter is immediately oper
ated after switching off the engine, the
starter or the engine can be damaged.
•
Avoid high engine revolutions, full throttl
e and high engine loads as long as the
engine has not yet reached it
s normal operating temperature - risk of damaging the
engine!•
Vehicles which are fitted wi
th an exhaust gas catalyti
c converter should not be
tow-started over a distance of more than 50 metres.
For the sake of the environment
Never warm up the engine when the vehi
cle is standing. Drive off right away.
Through this the engine reaches its operating temperature more rapidly and the pollutant emissions are lower.Petrol enginesThese engines are fitted with a starter system which selects the correct fuel/air mixture for every external air temperature.•
Do not operate accelerator before and when starting engine.
•
Interrupt the attempt at starting after
10 seconds if the engine does not start
right awayand wait for about 30 se
conds before repeating the attempt.
•
It is possible that the fuse on the electric
al fuel pump is defect if the engine still
does not start. Check the fuse and replace it if necessary
⇒page 256.
•
Contact the nearest specialist garage to obtain professional assistance.
It may be necessary, if the engine is
very hot
, to slightly depress the accelerator
after the engine has started.Diesel enginesGlow plug system Diesel engines are equipped with a glow
plug system, the preglow period being
controlled automatically in
line with the coolant temperature and outside temper-
ature. The preglow indicator light
 comes on after the ignition has been switched on.
A3
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Starting-off and Driving
120
You should not switch on any major elec
trical components during the heating
period otherwise the vehicle battery
will be drained unnecessarily.
•
You should start the engine immediately after the glow plug warning light

has gone out.•
The glow plug warning light will come on for about one 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
.
•
Interrupt the attempt at starting after 10 seconds if the engine does not start
right awayand wait for about 30 se
conds before repeating the attempt.
•
It is possible that the fuse on the diesel
preglow system is defect if the engine
still does not start. Check the fuse and replace it if necessary
⇒page 256.
•
Contact the nearest specialist garage to obtain professional assistance.
Starting the engine after the fuel tank has run dry It may take longer than normal to start the
engine after refuelling
if the fuel tank has
run completely dry - up to one minute. This is because the fuel system must first of all be filled while the attempting to start the engine.Switching off the engine– The engine can be swit
ched off by turning the ignition key from posi-
tion into
⇒
page 118, fig. 134
.
WARNING
•
Never switch off the engine before the
vehicle is stationary - risk of acci-
dent!•
The brake booster only operates when the engine is running. Greater
physical effort for braking is required
when engine is switched off. Because
if you do not stop as normal, this can cause an accident and severe injuries.
Caution
you should not switch the engine off right
away at the end of your journey after the
engine has been operated for a lengthy peri
od at high loads but should be allowed
it to run at idling speed for about 2 minut
es. This prevents any accumulation of heat
when the engine is switched off.
Note
•
The radiator fan may continue running fo
r a further 10 minutes or so after the
engine and the ignition have
been switched off. The coolant fan may, however, also
switch on again after some time if the coolant temperature rises because of an accumulation of heat in the engine or
if the engine is warm and the engine
compartment is additionally
heated by strong sunlight.
•
This is why particular care is required when carrying out any work in the engine
compartment
⇒page 223, “Working in the engine compartment”.
Shifting (manual gearbox)
A1
Fig. 135 The shift pattern: 5- speed or 6-speed manual gearbox
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Driving and the Environment
204
Avoiding full throttle Driving more slowly means saving fuel.Sensitive use of the accelera
tor will not only significantly reduce fuel consumption
but also positively influence environmen
tal pollution and wear of your vehicle.
You should avoid fully exploi
ting the top speed of your vehicle wherever possible.
Fuel consumption, pollutant emissions and vehicle noises increase disproportion- ally at high speeds. The
⇒fig. 195
shows the ratio of fuel consumption to the speed of your vehicle.
You will cut your fuel consumption by half
if you only make use three-quarters of
the possible top speed of your vehicle.Reducing idling Idling also costs fuel.It is worthwhile switching off the engine in
a traffic jam or when waiting at a level
crossing or at traffic lights with a length
y red phase. Even after just 30 - 40 seconds
you will have saved more fuel than that
is needed when you start the engine up
again. If an engine is only idling it takes much
longer for it to reach its normal operating
temperature. Wear-and-tear and pollutant em
issions, though, are particularly high
in the warming-up phase. This is why you
should drive off right after starting the
engine. Do avoid high engine re
volutions at this time, however.
Regular servicing A poorly tuned engine consumes an unnecessarily high amount of fuel.Having your vehicle serviced regularly at a specialist garge enables you to satisfy one
of the requirements for economical moto
ring even before you set off on your
journey. Keeping your vehicle properly servic
ed not only has a positive effect on the
safety of your vehicle and maintaining its value, but also saves on
fuel
.
A poorly tuned engine can result in a fu
el consumption which is 10% higher than
normal. The foreseen maintenance work should be undertaken exactly according to the Service schedule by a specialist garage. Also check the
oil level
after refueling.
Oil consumption
is dependent to a consid-
erable extent on the load and speed of
the engine. Oil consum
ption could be as
high as 0.5 litres/1 000 km depending on your style of driving. It is quite normal that a new engine ha
s a higher oil consumption at first, and
reaches its lowest level only
after a certain running in
time. It is therefore not
possible to correctly assess the oil cons
umption of a new vehicle until after you
have driven about 5 000 km.
For the sake of the environment
•
You can achieve additional improvements
in your fuel economy by using high-
lubricity oils.•
Check the ground below your car at regula
r intervals to detect any leakages in
good time. Please have your
vehicle inspected by a specialist garge if you find any
stains caused by oil or
other fluids on the floor.
Fig. 195 Fuel consumption in litres/100 km. and speed in km/h.
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Driving and the Environment
205
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical 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. 196
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. 196 Fuel consumption in litres/100 km at different temperatures
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