Inspecting and replenishing159
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Windshield washer systemThe windshield washer reservoir contains the cleaning fluid for the windscreen or rear
window. The reservoir is located at the front right of the engine compartment
fig. 152 .
The filling level of the container is about 3 litres and about 5,5 litres on vehicles which
have a headlight washing system.
Clear water is not sufficient to intensively clean the windscreen and headlights. We
therefore recommend using clean washing water 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 clea ning water in winter 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 concentratio n 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 148, “Working in the engine
compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
Caution
On no account should you add radiator an tifreeze or other additives to the wind-
screen washer fluid.
If the vehicle is fitted with a headlight cleaning system, you should only add
cleaning products which do not attack the polycarbonate coating of the headlights to
the windscreen washer fluid. Please contac t your specialist garage, who will tell you
which cleaning agent you can use.
Fig. 152 Engine compartment:
Windshield washer fluid reser-
voir
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Wheels and Tyres161
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Driving style
Fast cornering, sharp acceleration and brak
ing (squealing tyres) increase wear-and-
tear on your tyres.
Balancing wheels
The wheels of a new vehicle are balanced. There are a wide range of influences when
driving which may result in an imbalance and which makes themselves felt through
vibration in the steering.
You should have the wheels rebalanced si nce any imbalance increases wear-and-tear
on the steering, the suspension and tyres. A wheel must also be rebalanced when a
new tyre is fitted and each time a tyre is repaired.
Wheel alignment errors
Incorrect wheel alignment at the front and re ar will not only increase wear-and-tear on
the tyres but will also has an adverse effect on vehicle safety. Contact your specialist
garage if you notice any unusual tyre wear.
WARNING
If the inflation pressure is too low, the tyre must perform a greater flexing
work. At higher speeds the tyre will warm up as a result of this. This can result
in tread separation and even a tyre blowout.
Immediately replace the damaged rims or tyres.For the sake of the environment
Tyres which are insufficiently inflated increase your fuel consumption.
Wear indicatorsThe base of the tread of the original tyres has wear indicators 1.6 mm high, installed at
right angles to the direction of travel. These wear indicators are located at 6 - 8 points
depending on the make and are evenly spaced around the circumference of the tyre
fig. 154 . Markings on the walls of the tyres through the letters “TWI”, triangular
symbols or other symbols identify th e position of the wear indicators.
A remaining tread of just 1.6 mm, measured in the grooves of the tread next to the
wear indicators, means that your tyres have reached their legally permissible
minimum tread depth.
WARNING
You must have your tyres replaced with new ones at the latest when the
wear indicators have been worn down . The legally permissible minimum tread
depth should be observed.
Worn tyres do not provide the necessary adhesion to the road surface at
high speeds on wet roads. One could experience “aquaplaning” (uncontrolled
movements of the vehicle - “swimming” on a wet road surface).
Fig. 154 Tyre tread with wear
indicators
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means, for example, that the tyre was ma
nufactured in the 50th week of the year 2008.
If the spare wheel* differs from the tyres fitted to the vehicle (e.g. winter tyres or low-
profile tyres), the spare wheel* should only be used 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 high er speed than is permissible for your
tyres - risk of an accident resulting from tyre damage and loss of control over
your vehicle.
Tyres which are 6 years old or more should only be fitted in exceptional
cases and when adopting an approp riately cautious style of driving.
Never fit tyres which have already been used without having adequate
knowledge of their previous history. Tyre s 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 individu al 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 conf ormity 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 circumstan ces 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 corr ect length and shape of spherical cap. This
is essential to ensure that the wheels are tightly fitted and that the brake system oper-
ates 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 specialist garages are informed about the technical possibilities which exist
regarding converting or retrofitting wheels, tyres and wheel trims.
WARNING
In case of incorrect treatment of the 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 contac t surfaces on the rims.Caution
The prescribed tightening torque of the wh eel bolts for steel and light alloy wheels is
120 Nm.Winter tyresThe handling of your vehicle will be significantly improved when driving on wintry
roads if you fit winter tyres. Summer tyres do not offer the same grip on ice, snow and
at temperatures below 7 °C because of thei r construction (width, rubber blend, tread
pattern). This particularly applies to vehicles which are equipped with low-profile
tyres or high-speed tyres (code index H or V on wall of tyre).
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Caution
You must take the chains off as soon as you drive on roads which are free of snow. They
adversely affect the handling of your ve hicle, damage the tyres and are rapidly
destroyed.
Note
We recommend that you use snow chains from the Škoda genuine accessories.
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Breakdown assistanceBreakdown assistanceFirst-aid box*, Warning triangle* and bulb set*A space for stowing the first-aid box and the bu lb set is located in a well of the plastic
part under the floor covering of the lu ggage compartment behind the spare wheel.
A space for the warning triangle is located in the luggage compartment.
Note
Pay attention to the use-by-date of the contents of the first-aid box.
If you equip your vehicle additionally with a warning triangle or with a first-aid box,
you can purchase these from the ra nge of Škoda Original Accessories.
Fire extinguisher*The fire extinguisher is attached with st raps in a holder under the driver seat.
Please read carefully the instructions whic h are attached to the fire extinguisher.
The fire extinguisher must be checked by an authorised person or company annually
(please observe the differing legal requirements).
WARNING
If the fire extinguisher is not correctly attached, in case of sudden manoeuvres
or an accident it can be “thrown” through the interior compartment and cause
injuries.
Note
The fire extinguisher must comply with the relevant and valid legal requirements.
Pay attention to the expiration date of the fire extinguisher. If the fire extinguisher
is used after the expiration date, its proper function is no longer assured.
The fire extinguisher is only supplied in certain countries within the scope of
delivery.
Vehicle tool kitThe vehicle tool kit and the lifting jack* are stowed in a box in the spare wheel*
fig. 157 ; there is also space here for the detachable ball head of the towing device*.
The box is attached with a strap on the spare wheel*.
Fig. 156 Placement of fire extin-
guisher
Fig. 157 Luggage compartment:
storage compartment for vehicle
tool kit
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The spare wheel lies in a well under the floor covering of the luggage compartment
and is fixed in place using special screws
page 168, fig. 159 .
Before removing the spare wheel, you must take out the box with the vehicle tool kit
box page 167, fig. 157.
One should check the inflation pressure in the spare wheel (at best when generally
checking the tyre air pressures - see sign on the fuel filler flap page 160) to ensure
that the spare wheel is always ready to use.
Temporary spare wheel
A warning label displayed on the rim of the temporary spare wheel indicates that your
vehicle is equippe d with a temporary spare wheel.
Please observe the following notes when driving with a temporary spare wheel:
The warning label must not be covered after installing the wheel.
Do not drive faster than 80 km/h with this spare wheel and pay particular attention
while driving. Avoid accelerating at full throttle, sharp braking and fast cornering.
The inflation pressure for this spare wheel is identical to the inflation pressure of
the standard tyres.
Use this spare wheel only to reach the nearest specialist garage as it is not intended
for continuous use.
Changing a wheelPreliminary workThe following steps should be carried ou t before actually changing the wheel.
– If it is necessary to change a wheel, park the vehicle as far away as possible from
the traffic flow. The place you choose should be level.
–Have all the occupants get out. While changing a wheel, the occupants of the
vehicle should not stand on the road (e.g. behind a crash barrier).
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Shift up into the 1st gear . – If a trailer is coupled, uncouple it.
–Take the
vehicle tool kit page 167 and the spare wheel* page 168 out of the
luggage compartment.
WARNING
If you find yourself in flowing traffic switch on the hazard warning lights
system and place the warning triangle on the side of the road at the prescribed
distance from your vehicle while observin g all national legal provisions. In this
way you are protecting not only yourself but also other road users.
Never start the engine with the vehicle si tting on the raised jack - danger of
suffering injury.Caution
If you have to change a wheel on a slope fi rst block the opposite wheel with a stone or
similar object in order to secure the vehicle from unexpectedly rolling away.
Note
Comply with the national legal regulations.Changing a wheelAlways change a wheel on a level surface as far as possible.
– Take off the full wheel trim* page 170 or the caps page 171.
– In the case of light alloy wheels remove the wheel trim cap page 171.
– Slacken the wheel bolts page 171.
– Jack up the vehicle until the wheel to be changed is clear of the ground
page 172.
– Unscrew the wheel bolts and place them on a clean surface (cloth, paper etc.).
– Take off the wheel.
– Fit on the new spare wheel* and tighten the wheel bolts slightly.
– Lower the car.
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Wheel bolts with caps*Pulling off– Push the plastic clip sufficiently far onto the cap until the inner catches of the clip
are positioned at the collar of the cap and detach the cap.Installing– Push the caps fully onto the wheel bolts.
The caps are located in the well of the luggage compartment.Wheel trim caps*
Pulling off– Carefully remove the wheel trim cap using the wire clamp fig. 162 .Slackening and tightening wheel bolts
Slacken the wheel bolts before jacking up the vehicle.Slackening wheel bolts– Push the wheel wrench* fully onto the wheel bolt
6).
– Grasp the end of the wrench* and turn the bolt about one turn to the left
fig. 163 .
Tightening wheel bolts– Push the wheel wrench* fully onto the wheel bolt
6).
– Grasp the end of the wrench* and turn the bolt to the right until it is tight.
WARNING
Slacken the wheel bolts only a little (about one turn) as long as the vehicle has
not yet been lifted with the li fting jack* - risk of accident!
Fig. 161 Removing the cap.Fig. 162 Pulling off wheel trim
cap on light alloy wheels
6)Use the appropriate adapter for slackening and tightening the safety wheel bolts page 172.
Fig. 163 Changing a wheel:
Slackening wheel bolts
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– Have the
tightening torque checked with a torque wrench as soon as possible.
Steel and light alloy wheels must be tightened to a tightening torque of 120 Nm .
The safety wheel bolts on vehicles fitted wi th them (one safety wheel bolt per wheel)
can only be loosened or tighten up by using the adapter provided.
It is meaningful to note the code number hammered into the rear side of the adapter
or the rear side of the safety wheel bolts. You can obtain a replacement adapter from
a specialist garage, if necess ary, by quoting this number.
We recommend that you always carry the adapter for the wheel bolts with you in the
vehicle. It should be stow ed in the vehicle tool kit.
Caution
Damage can occur to the adapter and safety wh eel bolt if the safety wheel bolt is tight-
ened up too much.
Note
The set of safety wheel bolts can be obtained from a specialist garage.Jump-startingInitial stepsYou can use the battery of another vehicle 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 significantly 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. Plea se pay attention 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 148.Note
There must not be any contact between the two vehicles otherwise current may
flow as soon as the negati ve terminals are connected.
The discharged battery must be properly connected to the system of the vehicle.
Switch off any mobile phone, pay attention 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.
Start engineIt is important to connect the jump-start cables in the correct order.
Fig. 166 Jump-starting using
the battery from another vehicle:
A - flat vehicle battery, B -
battery providing current
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