Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle189
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Underbody protectionThe underside of your vehicle is protected for life against chemical and mechanical
influences.
One cannot, however, completely rule out damage to the protective layer when
driving so we recommend that you inspect the protective layer on the underside of
your vehicle and on the chassis at certain intervals - this is best done at the beginning
and end of the winter - and to touch up any damaged areas.
The authorised Škoda Service Partners have suitable spray products available as well
as the necessary equipment and are familiar with the instructions for use. It is therefore
best to have such touch-up work or additional corrosion protection measures carried
out by an authorised Škoda Service Partner.
WARNING
Never use additional underbody protection or corrosion-protection agents for
the exhaust pipes, catalytic converters, di esel particle filter or heat shields.
When the engine reaches its operating temperature, these substances might
ignite - risk of fire!Protection of hollow spacesAll the cavities of your vehicle which are at risk from corrosion are protected for life by
a layer of protective wax applied in the factory.
This wax protection does not require to be inspected or re-treated. Please remove any
small amount of wax which flows out of the cavities at high temperatures with a plastic
scraper and clean the spot using petroleum cleaner.
WARNING
Safety and environmental pr otection regulations should observed when using
petroleum cleaner to remove wax - a risk of fire!
Engine compartmentGood corrosion protection is very importan t, particularly in winter when one often
drives over its salt-strewn roads. One should therefore clean the whole engine
compartment before and after the salt spreading period and treat with preservative in
order to prevent the salt from being destructive.
The authorised Škoda Service Partners have the cleaning agents and preservatives
recommended by the manufacturer and also the required equipment.
WARNING
It is necessary to observ e the guidelines given in the chapter before working
on the engine compartment page 197, “Working in the engine compart-
ment”.
Let the engine cool down before cleaning the engine compartment.Caution
Engine cleaning may be only be un dertaken when the ignition is off.
It is recommended to cover the generator before washing the engine compart-
ment.For the sake of the environment
The dirty water produced by washing the engine has washed away petrol, and residues
of grease and oil and should therefore be cleaned by an oil separator. This is why
engine washing should only be undertaken in a specialist garage or at a fueling station
(when these are fitted with the required equipment).Care of the interior of vehiclePlastic parts, artificial leather and clothsYou can clean plastic parts and artificial leather with a moist cloth. You should only
treat such parts with special solvent-free plastic cleaning and care products it does
prove to be adequate.
s43s.1.book Page 189 Thursday, May 13, 2010 1:21 PM
Inspecting and replenishing203
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
WARNING
Read and observe the warning notes page 197, “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.
One may only use new genuine brake fluid from Škoda Auto. The brake fluid must
comply with one of the following standards or specifications:
VW 50114
FMVSS 116 DOT4
DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4
We recommend that you have the brake fluid replaced by an authorised Škoda
Service Partner 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 br ake system. This greatly impairs the
braking efficiency and thus also the safety of your vehicle.
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, you should have the brake fluid replaced by
a Škoda Service Partner.
BatteryWorking on the batteryFig. 166 Engine compartment: Polyester cover of the vehicle battery / plastic cover of the
vehicle batteryThe battery is located in the engine compartment in a polyester cover fig. 166 - left,
or in a plastic cover* fig. 166 - right.
– Open the battery cover in direction of arrow fig. 166 or press the interlock
on the side of the battery cover, fold the cover up and remove the battery.
– The installation of the battery co ver takes place in the reverse order.
The edge of the polyester battery cover fig. 166 - left is inserted between the battery
and the side wall of the battery co ver when working on the battery.
Removal and installation of the battery is not recommended since it can, under certain
circumstances, lead to major dama ge. Contact a specialist garage.
There is a risk of injuries, scalding, accidents and burns when carrying out any work on
the battery and on the electrical system. For th is reason, it is essential to comply with
the warning instructions stated below and with the general applicable rules of
safety.
WARNING
The battery acid is strongly corrosive and must, therefore, be handled with
the greatest of care. Always wear prot ective gloves, eye and skin protection
when handling batteries. Corrosive fumes in the air irritate the air passages and
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