
Inspecting and replenishing
232
Note
•
Batteries with two-tone indicator, which are mounted as of factory, are marked
with a code which always begins with
5K0
. The exact marking can be e.g.
5K0 915 105 D
.
•
Replacement batteries with two-tone in
dicator, which were obtained from
Škoda original accessories,
are marked with the code
000 915 105 Dx
, whereby
“x” stands for a variable. The exact marking can be e.g.
000 915 105 DB
.
Battery with three-tone indicatorAn indicator for the electrolyte level and
the charge state, the so-called magic eye
⇒ page 231, fig. 208
, is located on the top of the ba
ttery. The indicator changes its
colour in line with the charge state and the electrolyte level in the battery. Air bubbles can influence the colour of the
indicator. For this reason carefully knock
on the indicator before
carrying out the check.
•
Green colour - the battery is adequately charged.
•
Dark colour - the battery has to be charged
•
Colourless or yellow colour - electrolyte level too low, the battery must be
replaced. Batteries, which are more than 5 years old, must be replaced. We recommend you have the battery checked or repl
aced by a specialist garage.
Caution
If the vehicle has not been driven for more than 3 to 4 weeks, the battery will discharge because certain electrical comp
onents consume electricity (e.g. control
units) also in idle state. You can prevent
the discharging of the battery by discon-
necting the negative terminal or charging
the battery constantly with a very low
charging current. Please also refer to
the notes when working on the battery
⇒ page 229.
Note
•
Batteries with three-tone indicator, which are mounted as of factory, are
marked with a code which always begins with
1J0
, 7N0
or 3B0
. The exact marking
can be e.g.
1J0 915 105 AC
.
•
Replacement batteries with three-tone
indicator, which were obtained from
Škoda original accessories, are marked with the code
000 915 105 Ax
, whereby
“x” stands for a variable. The exact marking can be e.g.
000 915 105 AB
.
Inspecting the electrolyte levelThe battery is practically
maintenance-free
under normal operating conditions.
We do, however, recommend that you have
the electrolyte level inspected from
time to time by a specialist garage when outside temperatures are high or when driving on long trips. You should also have the electrolyte level
⇒page 233
checked each time the battery is charged. The electrolyte level of the battery will al
so be checked as part of the Inspection
Service.Operation in winterThe battery has to provide greater amounts of electricity during the winter. It also has only part of the initial power output at
low temperatures that it has at normal
temperatures. A discharged battery may already freez
e at temperatures just below 0°C.
We therefore recommend that you have
the battery checked by an authorised
Škoda Service Partner before the start of the winter and recharged if necessary.
WARNING
Never charge a frozen or thawed battery - risk of explosion and caustic burns. Replace a frozen battery.
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Inspecting and replenishing
233
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Charging the battery A properly charged battery is essential for reliably starting the engine.–Read the warning notes
⇒
in “Working on the battery” on
page 229 and
⇒
.
– Switch the ignition and all
electrical components off.
– Only for “quick-charging”: Disconnect
both battery cables (first of all
“negative”, then “positive”).
– Carefully attach the terminal clam
ps of the charger to the battery
terminals (red = “positive”, black = “negative”).
– You can now plug the mains cable of the charger into the power socket
and switch on the charger.
– When charging is completed: switch the charger off and unplug the
mains cable from the power socket.
– Only then should you disconnect the terminal clamps of the charger.– Reconnect the cables to the battery
(first of all “positive”, then “nega-
tive”).
It is not normally necessary
to disconnect the cables of the battery if you recharge
the battery using low ampera
ges (as for example from a
mini-charger
). Please also
refer to the instructions from the charger manufacturer. A charging current of 0.1 of the total batter
y capacity (or lower) is that which should
be used until full charging is achieved. It is, however, necessary to disconnect both
cables before charging the battery with
high amperages, so-called “
quick-charging
”.
“Quick-charging” a battery is
dangerous
⇒
in “Working on the battery” on
page 229. It requires a special charger and appropriate knowledge. We therefore re c o m m e n d t h a t y o u h a v e y o u r b a t t e r y q u i c k - c h a rg e d o n l y b y a n a u t h o ri s e d Š ko d a Service Partner.
A discharged battery may already
freeze
at temperatures just below 0°C
⇒
. We
recommend that you no longer use a ba
ttery which has thawed out because the
casing of the battery may be cracked through the formation of ice and this would allow battery electrolyte to flow out. The vent plugs of the battery shou
ld not be opened for charging.
WARNING
Never charge a frozen or thawed battery - risk of explosion and caustic burns. Replace a frozen battery.Disconnecting and reconnecting the batteryOn disconnecting and reconnecting the battery the following functions are initially deactivated or are no longer able to operate fault-free. We recommend having the vehicle checked by an authorised Škoda Service Partner to ensure full functionality of all electrical systems.Replacing the batteryYou should only replace a battery with a
new battery of the same capacity, voltage
(12 V), amperage and of the same size. The authorised Škoda Service Partners have a range of suitable batteries available. We recommend that you only have an old
battery disposed of by an authorised
Škoda Service Partner since it does require special disposal.Operation
Operating measure
Electrical power window
(operational faults)
⇒page 56
Enter radio code number
see Radio Operating Instructions
Set hours
⇒page 21
Data in the multi-functional indicator* are deleted.
⇒ page 21
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Inspecting and replenishing
234
For the sake of the environment
Batteries contain poisonous substances such as sulphuric acid and lead. They must be disposed of in accordance with local environmental protection regulations and on no account as domestic waste.Windshield washer systemThe windshield washer reservoir contains
the cleaning fluid for the windscreen or
rear window and for the headlamp cleaning
system*. The reservoir is located at the
front right of the engine compartment
⇒fig. 209
.
The
filling level
of the container is 3 litres, 5.5 li
tres on vehicles which also have a
headlight washing system. Clear water is not sufficient to intensivel
y clean the windscreen
and headlights. We
therefore recommend using clean washing wa
ter together with the screen cleaner
from Škoda genuine accessorie
s (in winter additionally with antifreeze) which is
capable of removing stubborn dirt. Follow
the instructions for use on the packaging
when using screen cleaning products. You should always add antifreeze to the
cleaning water in wi
nter even if your
vehicle is fitted with heated windscreen washer nozzles*. It is also possible in exceptional cases to use methylated spirits when no screen cleaner with antifreeze is
available. The concentration
of methylated spirits must
not be more than 15 %. Please note, however, that the antifreeze protection at this concentration is only adequate down to -5°C.
WARNING
Read and observe the warning notes
⇒page 223, “Working in the engine
compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
Caution
•
On no account should you add radiator
antifreeze or other additives to the
windscreen washer fluid.•
If the vehicle is fitted with headlight
cleaning system, you should only add
cleaning products which do not attack th
e polycarbonate coating of the headlights
to the windscreen washer fluid. Please contact an authorised Škoda Service Partner, who will tell you which cleaning agent you can use.
Fig. 209 Engine compart- ment: Windshield washer fluid reservoir
s2dk.1.book Page 234 Wednesday, April 8, 2009 12:23 PM

Wheels and Tyres
237
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Changing wheels aroundIf significantly greater wear is present on the front tyres, we recommend changing the front wheels around with the rear wheels as shown in the diagram
⇒fig. 212
.
You will then obtain approximately the same life for all the tyres. It may be advantageous to swap the tyre
s over “crosswise” when certain types of
wear characteristic arise on
the running surface of the tyres (but not in the case of
unidirectional tyres). The co-workers of the authorised Škoda Service Partners are extensively familiar with the combination possibilites. We recommend that you change the wheels around every 10 000 km in order to achieve even wear on all wheels and to obtain optimal tyre life.New tyres and wheelsTyres and wheel rims are important design
elements. One should therefore use the
tyres and wheel rims which have been released for use by Škoda Auto. They are exactly matched to the vehicle type and th
erefore contribute significantly to good
road holding and safe driving characteristics
⇒
.
Only fit radial tyres of the same type on
all 4 wheels, size (rolling circumference)
and, if possible, the same tread pattern on one axle. The authorised Škoda Service Partners have access to the most current information about which tyres we have rele
ased for use on your vehicle.
We recommend that you have any work rela
ting to tyres or wheels carried out by
an authorised Škoda Service Partner
. The authorised Škoda Service Partners
have all of the necessary special tools
and replacement parts available plus the
required specialist knowledge and are also in a position to properly dispose of the old tyres. A large number of authorised Škod
a Service Partners also have an attrac-
tive range of tyres and wheels available. The tyre/wheel combinations which are appr
oved for your vehicle are indicated in
your vehicle documents. Approval and lice
nsing may differ according to the legis-
lation prevailing in individual countries. Proper knowledge of the tyre data makes it easier for you to select the correct type of tyre. Tyres do, for example, have the following
inscription
on their walls:
205 / 55 R 16 94 V
What this means is: The following
speed restrictions
apply to tyres.
Fig. 212 Changing wheels around
205
Tyre wid th i n m m
55
Height/width ratio in %
R
Code letter for the type of tyre -
R adial
16
Diameter of wheel in inches
94
Load index
V
Speed symbol
Speed symbol
Permissible maximum speed
S
180 km/h
T
190 km/h
H
210 km/h
V
240 km/h
W
270 km/h
Y
300 km/h
s2dk.1.book Page 237 Wednesday, April 8, 2009 12:23 PM

Wheels and Tyres
238
The date of manufacture
is a lso s tated on the tyre wal l (poss ibly o nl y on the
inside
of wheel):
DOT ... 20 09...
means, for example, that the tyre was manufactured in the 20th week of the year 2009. 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 po
ssible by a normal wheel.
WARNING
•
Only use those tyres or wheel rims
which have been approved for your
model of Škoda Auto 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 public roads may also become void as a result.•
You must on no account drive at a higher speed than is permissible for
y our t yre s - ris k of a n ac cid e n t re su lti ng fro m ty re d a m ag e a nd lo ss o f c ont rol 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 been used without having adequate
knowledge of their previous history. Ty
res 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 conformity 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 boltsWheels 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 authorised Škoda Service Partners are instructed in the technical possibilities which exist regarding converting or retrofitting tyres, wheels and wheel trims.
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 wh
eel bolts for steel and light alloy wheels
is 120 Nm.
s2dk.1.book Page 238 Wednesday, April 8, 2009 12:23 PM

Accessories, changes and
replacement of parts
241
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Accessories, changes and replacement of partsAccessories and replacement partsŠkoda vehicles have been bu
ilt according to the latest discoveries in safety engi-
neering. Thus one should no
t change the condition in which the vehicle was deliv-
ered from the manufacturer without some thought. The following guidelines should be observed when a vehicle is to be retrofitted with accessories, have technical ch
anges made to it or a par t has to be replaced at some
time in the future.•
Advise should always be obtained from an authorised Škoda Service Partner
before
buying any accessories and
before
making any technical changes
⇒
.
•
This is particularly the case when acce
ssories are bought in a foreign country.
•
Škoda Genuine Accessories and Skoda or
iginal parts can be bought from
authorised Škoda Service Partners who also professionally undertake the assembly of parts which were not purchased there.•
All Škoda original accessories which are listed in the catalogue of original acces-
sories such as spoilers, transport systems, child seats, etc., are homologized.•
Radios, aerials and other electrical accessories should only be installed by
authorised Škoda Service Partners.•
The guidelines issued by Škoda Auto must be observed when making technical
changes.•
This is to ensure that no technical damage
occurs to the vehicle, that travelling
and operating safety are maintained and that the chnages are permissible. The authorised Škoda Service Partners undertake this work professionally or refer it to a specialist company in special cases. Any damage which is done caused by technical changes made without consulting a Skoda dealer is
excluded from the guarantee.
WARNING
•
We advise you, in your own interest, to only use Škoda Genuine Accesso-
ries and Škoda original parts which have
been expressly approved for use on
your Škoda. Reliability, safety and su
itabiliity have been established for
these Škoda original parts.•
We cannot guarantee suitability of installation into your vehicle of other
products despite keeping a constant ey
e on market developments (also not
in the case where there is an attestation or permission can be produced).Technical changesInterference on the electronic components and their software can lead to opera-tional faults. This interference can also impair not directly affected systems because of the networking of the electronic co
mponents. This means that the operating
safety of your vehicle can
be considerably jeopardized,
a greater wear of vehicle
parts can occur and finally the vehi
cle registration documents expire.
We trust that you will understand that
Škoda Auto cannot be liable for damage
resulting from unprofessional work. We therefore recommend that you have all work carried out using Škoda original parts at authorised Škoda Service Partners.
WARNING
Work or modifications on your vehicle, which have been carried out unpro-fessionally, can cause operational faults - risk of accident!Vehicles of the group N1The vehicle of the group N1 is a box car wh
ich is designed and manufactured for the
transportation of goods.
WARNING (continued)
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Breakdown assistance
250
– Reinstall the full wheel trim/wheel cap after removing the adapter or
place the cap onto the safety wheel bolt.
– Have the
tightening torque
checked
w i t h a t o rq u e w re n c h a s s o o n a s
possible. Steel and light alloy wheels must be tightened to a tightening torque of
120 Nm
.
The safety wheel bolts on vehicles fitted with them (one safety wheel bolt per wheel) can only be loosened or tigh
ten up by using the adapter provided.
It is meaningful to note the code numbe
r hammered into the rear side of the
adapter or the rear side of the safety wheel bolts. You can obtain a replacement adapter from an authorised Škoda Service Partner, if necessary, by quoting this number. We recommend that you always carry the
adapter for the wheel bolts with you in
the vehicle. It should be st
owed in the vehicle tool kit.
Caution
Damage can occur to the adapter and safety
wheel bolt if the safety wheel bolt is
tightened up too much.
Note
The set of safety wheel bolts can be obta
ined from an authorised Škoda Service
Par tner.Jump-startingInitial stepsYou can use the battery of another vehicl
e for jump-starting yours if the engine
does not start because the battery on your
vehicle is flat. You will require jump-start
cables for this purpose.
Both batteries must have a rated voltage of 12 V. The
capacity
(Ah) of the battery
supplying the power must not be signific
antly less than the capacity of the
discharged battery
in your vehicle.
Jump-start cables Only use jump-start cables which have an
adequately large cross-section and insu-
lated terminal clamps. Please pay attent
ion to the manufacturer's instructions.
Positive cable -
colour coding in the
majority of cases red.
Negative cable -
colour coding in the majority of cases black.
WARNING
•
A discharged battery may already freeze
at temperatures just below 0°C.
In case of frozen battery carry out no jump-starting - risk of explosion!•
Please pay attention to the warning instructions relating to working in
the engine compartment
⇒page 223, “Working in the engine compart-
ment”.
Note
•
There must not be any contact between the two vehicles otherwise current may
flow as soon as the negative terminals are connected.•
The discharged battery must be proper
ly connected to the system of the
vehicle.•
Switch off any mobile phone, pay attent
ion to the instructions for use of the
mobile phone in such a situation.•
We recommend purchasing jump-start cabl
es from Škoda Service Partners as a
Škoda original accessory or from retailers who sell branded batteries.
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Breakdown assistance
254
Rear towing eye– Press onto the bottom part of the cover in the rear bumper
⇒
fig. 226
and take it out.
– Screw in the towing eye anti
clockwise down to the stop
⇒
fig. 227
and
tighten up using the wheel wrench (push the wheel wrench through eye).
– Put the cover in place after screwing out the towing eye again and
press into place. The co
ver must engage firmly.
Tow-starting a vehicleIf the engine does not start, we generally do
not
recommend
to tow-start
your vehicle. One should attempt to start the engine using jump start cables
⇒
page 250 or call on the services of the SERVICE mobile.
If your vehicle has to be towed – Engage 2nd or 3rd gear wi
th the vehicle stationary.
– Depress the clutch pedal fully and keep it depressed. – Switch on the ignition.– Wait until both vehicles are movi
ng then release the clutch pedal
slowly.
– Depress the clutch pedal fully when the engine fires and take the
vehicle out of gear.
For technical reasons it is not possib
le to tow-start a car fitted with an
automatic
gearbox
.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 d i s t a n c e o f m o re t h a n 5 0 m e t re s . U n b u r n
t fuel may get into the catalytic converter
and damage it.Towing in a vehicle fitted with a manual gearboxPlease refer to the notes
⇒page 252.
Fig. 226 Rear bumper: Removing coverFig. 227 Rear bumper: Installing the towing eye
s2dk.1.book Page 254 Wednesday, April 8, 2009 12:23 PM