2010 SKODA OCTAVIA TOUR coolant level

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
16
Avoid high engine speeds du ring the driving time and before the engine has reached
operating temperature page 118.
For the sake of the environment
Shifting up early helps you sa ve fuel and reduce the operating noise of your vehicle.SpeedometerThe speedometer shows the current speed of the car.Engine coolant temperature DisplayThe coolant temperature gauge page 15, fig. 15 operates only when the ignition
is switched on.
In order to avoid any damage to the engine, please pay attention to the following notes
regarding the temperature ranges:
Cold range
If the pointer is in the left-hand area of the scale it means that the engine has not yet
reached its operating temperatur e. Avoid running at high engine speeds, at full throttle
and at severe engine loads.
The operating range
The engine has reached its operating temper ature as soon as the pointer moves into
the mid-range of the scale. The pointer may also move further to the right at high
engine loads and high outside temperatures. This is not critical provided the warning
symbol
 in the instrument cluster does not flash.
If the symbol  in the instrument cluster flashes it means that either the coolant
temperature is too high or the coolant level is too low. Observe the guidelines
 page 25, “Coolant temperature/coolant level ”.
WARNING
Pay attention to the warning notes page 140, “Working in the engine
compartment” before opening the bonnet and inspecting the coolant level.
Caution
Additional headlights and other attached components in front of the fresh air inlet
impair the cooling effi ciency of the coolant. There is then a risk of the engine over-
heating at high outside temper atures and high engine loads!Fuel gaugeThe fuel gauge page 15, fig. 15 only works when the ignition is switched on.
The fuel tank has a capacity of about 55 litres. The warning symbol
 in the instrument
cluster lights up when the pointer reaches the reserve marking. There are now about 9
litres of fuel remaining in the tank. This symbol is a reminder for you, that you must
refuel .
An acoustic signal sounds as an additional reminder.
Caution
Never run the fuel tank completely empty! The irregular supply of the fuel system can
lead to irregular running of the engine. Un burnt fuel may get into the exhaust system
and damage the catalytic converter.Counter for distance drivenThe distance which you have driven with yo ur vehicle is shown in kilometres (km). In
some countries the measuring unit “mile” is used.
Reset button
Hold the reset button page 15, fig. 15 pressed for approx. 1 second. The trip
counter is reset to zero.
Trip counter for distance driven
The trip counter shows the distance driven since the time the trip counter was last
erased. The trip is shown in steps of 100 metres or 1/10 of a mile.
A3
A6
A5
s2bs.2.book Page 16 Monday, September 27, 2010 9:53 AM

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights23
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 inju-
ries or major vehicle damage.

The engine compartment of your car is a hazardous area. There is a risk of
injuries, scalding, accidents and fire wh en working in the engine compartment,
e.g. inspecting and replenishing oil and other fluids. It is also essential to
observe all warnings page 140, “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 symbol s (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 rate if a turn signal light fails.
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 44.
Fog lights*

The warning light
 comes on when the fog lights are operating page 43.
Main beam

The indicator light
 comes on when the main beam is selected or also when the
headlight flasher is operated.

Coolant temperature/coolant level page 25

Traction control system (TCS) page 26

Electronic stability programme (ESP)* page 26

Switch off the Traction control system (TCS); page 26

Tyre pres su re* page 27

Antilock brake system (ABS) page 27

Bonnet page 27

Seat belt warning light page 28

Brake pad wear* page 28

Boot lid page 28

Open door page 28

Brake system page 28

Dynamo page 28

Engine oil level page 29

Fuel reserve page 29
s2bs.2.book Page 23 Monday, September 27, 2010 9:53 AM

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights25
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Further information
page 116.
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 di sconnected and reconnected, the yellow warning light

comes on after switching on the ignition. Th e warning light must go out after driving a
short distance.
Engine oil pressure

The warning light

comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
Stop the vehicle and switch 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 142, “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 condi-
tions prevailing to top up with oil. Keep the engine switched off and obtain profes-
sional 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.
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.

The red oil pressure light

is not an oil level indicator! One should there-
fore check the oil level at regular interv als, preferably after every refuelling
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 the 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.
Glow plug system

(diesel engine)
The warning light
 lights up for a cold engine when switching on the ignition (pre-
heat position) page 77. 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 syst em selects an emergency programme which enables you
to drive to the nearest specialist garage by adopting a gentle style of driving.
Coolant temperature/coolant level

The warning light
 comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
The coolant temperature is too high or the coolant level too low if the warning light

does not go out or flashes while driving.
WARNING (continued)
A2
s2bs.2.book Page 25 Monday, September 27, 2010 9:53 AM

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
26
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 condi-
tions 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 th e coolant fan. Check the fuse for the coolant fan, replace
it if necessary page 170, “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 143, “Cooling system”.
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 44.

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 automatically
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 control cycle is activated while driving.
The warning light lights up permanentl y 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 igni tion on and off. If the warning light goes out, the TCS
system is fully functional again.
Further information about the TCS page 112, “Traction control system (TCS)”.
Note
If the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, the warning light
 comes on
after switching on the ignition. The warning light must go out after driving a short
distance.
Switch off the Traction control system (TCS)

The TCS system is switched off by pressing the button page 112, fig. 112 and the
warning light lights up
.
Electronic stability programme (ESP)*

The warning light
 comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
When the ESP system is actively helping to stabilise the vehicle, the warning light in the
instrument cluster  flashes quickly.
The warning light lights up permanently if there is a fault in the ESP 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 switching the igni tion on and off. If the warning light goes out, the ESP
system is fully functional again.
Further information on the ESP page 111, “Electronic stab ility 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 authorised
s2bs.2.book Page 26 Monday, September 27, 2010 9:53 AM

Towing a trailer
126
Further information on the towing device page 126.
Note

We recommend that you also have your vehicle inspected between service inter-
vals if you tow a trailer frequently.

The handbrake on the towing vehicle must be put on when coupling and decou-
pling the trailer.
Driving Tips
Particular caution is required when towing a trailer.– Do not, as far as possible, drive with your vehicle unladen and the trailer laden.
– Do not make full use of the legal maximum speeds. This applies in particular to downhill sections.
– Apply the brakes in good time.
– Keep a check on the coolant temperature gauge if the outside temperature is high.
Distribution of weight
The distribution of the weight is very poor if your vehicle is unladen and the trailer is
laden. Maintain a particularly low speed if you cannot avoid driving with this combina-
tion.
Driving speed
Do not drive faster than 80 km/hour for safety reasons. This also applies for countries
in which higher speeds are allowed.
The fact that the driving stability of the vehicle + trailer combination reduces with
increasing speed means that the legally allo wed speed should not be used when there
are unfavourable road, weather or wind cond itions, particularly near accident black
spots.
You must always reduce your speed immediat ely as soon as you detect even just the
slightest swaying of the trailer. On no account attempt to stop the trailer from
“swaying” by accelerating.
Apply the brakes in good time! If the trailer is fitted with a trailer brake, apply the
brakes gently at first and then brake firmly. This will avoid brake jolts resulting from the trailer wheels locking. Shift down gears in good time before negotiating a downhill
section to allow the engine
to also act as a brake.
Engine overheating
Please keep a check on the coolant temperature gauge if you have to negotiate a
lengthy slope in a low gear at a high engi ne speed when the outside temperature is
very high  page 16, “Engine coolant temperature Display”.
If the needle of the coolant temperature gaug e moves into the right-hand area or even
the red area of the scale, reduce your speed immediately. Stop and switch off the
engine if the warning light
 in the instrument cluster begins flashing. Wait a few
minutes and check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion bottle page 143,
“Inspecting the coolant level”.
Please refer to the following guidelines page 25, “Coolant temperature/coolant
level ”.
The coolant temperature can be reduced by switching on the heating.
Any increase in the cooling effect of the coolant fan through shifting down a gear and
increasing the engine speed is not possible since the fan speed is independent of the
engine speed. One should also not drop a gear for this reason when towing a trailer as
long as the engine can manage th e slope without any drop in speed.
Detachable towing device*The ball head of the towing device is stowed together with separate fitting instructions
in the spare wheel well in the luggage compartment of the vehicle.
Fig. 118 Detachable ball head
s2bs.2.book Page 126 Monday, September 27, 2010 9:53 AM

Inspecting and replenishing141
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Overview of the engine compartment
The main inspection points.Fig. 122 1.6 ltr./75 kW petrol engine
Coolant expansion bottle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield washer fluid reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine oil filler opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine oil dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake fluid reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery (below a cover) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Note
The location of the inspection points in th e engine compartment of petrol and diesel
engines is practically identical.
Engine oilCheck engine oil level
The dipstick indicates the le vel of oil in the engine.Checking the oil level– Ensure that the vehicle is po sitioned on a level surface.
– Switch the engine off.
– Open the bonnet  in “Working in the engine compartment” on page 140.
– Wait a few minutes and pull out the oil dipstick.
– Wipe off the dipstick with a clea n cloth and insert it again fully.
– Then withdraw the dipstick again and read off the oil level.Oil level within range –You must not top up the oil.Oil level within range –You may top up the oil. It is possible that the oil level may then be within range
after doing this.Oil level within range –You must top up the oil page 142. It is sufficient, once this is done, to keep the
oil level within range .
A1
143
A2
150
A3
142
A4
141
A5
145
A6
146
Fig. 123 Dipstick
AAAB
AA
ACAB
s2bs.2.book Page 141 Monday, September 27, 2010 9:53 AM

Inspecting and replenishing143
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data

In view of the problems involved in prop erly disposing of old oil, the necessary
special tools and the knowledge required for such work, we recommend that you have
the oil and oil filter change carried out by an authorised Škoda Service Partner.Note
After your skin has come in contact with th e oil, you must thoroughly wash your skin.Cooling systemCoolant
The job of the coolant is to cool the engine.The cooling system does not require any maintenance under normal operating condi-
tions. The coolant consists of water with a concentration of coolant additive of 40 %.
This mixture not only provides antifreeze protection down to -25 °C but also protects
the cooling and heating system from corrosion. It also prevents the formation of scale
and significantly increases the boiling point of the coolant.
You must therefore not reduce the concentration of antifreeze agent in the coolant by
adding water, also not during the summer mo nths or in countries with a warm climate.
The concentration of coolant additive in the coolant must be at least 40 %.
You can increase the amount of antifreeze in the coolant if a higher concentration of
antifreeze is necessary for climatic reasons but only up to 60 % (antifreeze protection
down to approx. -40 °C). The antifreeze pr otection tails off above that concentration.
Vehicles exported to countries with a cold climate (e.g. Sweden, Norway, Finland) are
already factory-filled with a coolant which offers antifreeze protection down to about
-35 °C. In these countries the concentration of coolant additive should be at least 50 %.
Coolant
The cooling system is factor y-filled with coolant (purple in colour), which complies
with the specification TL-VW 774 G.
We recommend that you use the same coolant additive - G12 PLUS-PLUS (purple in
colour) for topping up the system. Please contact an authorised Škoda Serv
ice Partner if you have any questions
regarding the coolant or if you wish to fill up with a different coolant.
An authorised Škoda Service Partner can also supply you with the correct coolant addi-
tives.
Coolant quantity
Caution

Other coolant additives may cause operational problems which, in particular,
involves significantly reduci ng the anticorrosion effect.

Any faults or problems resulting from corrosion may cause a loss of coolant
and, as a consequenc e of this, result in major engine damage.
Inspecting the coolant levelThe coolant expansion bottle is located in the engine compartment on the right.
– Switch the engine off.Petrol engines
Content
1.4 ltr./59 kW - EU4
7.1
1.6 ltr./75 kW - EU4, EU2
7.4
Diesel engine
Content
2.0 ltr./81 kW TDI CR - EU4
8.4
Fig. 124 Engine compartment: Coolant
expansion bottle
s2bs.2.book Page 143 Monday, September 27, 2010 9:53 AM

Inspecting and replenishing
144
– Open the bonnet page 139.
– Check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion bottle page 143, fig. 124 .
The coolant level when the engine is cold must lie between the (MIN) and
(MAX) markings. The level may also rise slightly above the (MAX) marking when
the engine is warm.
If the coolant level in the reservoir is too lo w, this is indicated by the warning light in
the instrument cluster page 25, “Coolant temperature/coolant level ”. We never-
theless recommend inspecting the coolant leve l directly at the reservoir from time to
time.
Loss of coolant
A loss of coolant is first and foremost an indication of a leak in the system. You should
not merely top up the coolant in the reservoir. It is also important to have the cooling
system inspected without delay by a specialist garage.
Losses can only occur through the pressure relief in the cap of the coolant expansion
bottle which is completely free of leaks if the coolant boils as a result of overheating
and is forced out of the cooling system.
WARNING
Read and observe the warning notes page 140, “Working in the engine
compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
Caution
One should contact a specialist garage as soon as possible if the source of overheating
itself cannot be determined and removed, since there may be grave damage to the
engine.Replenishing the coolant– Switch the engine off.
– Allow the engine to cool down.
– Place a cloth over the cap of the coolant expansion reservoir page 143, fig. 124
and unscrew the cap carefully by turning it to the left . –Top up the coolant.
– Screw the cap tight until it is heard to lock.
The coolant which you use for replenishing the system, must comply with one specific
specification
page 143. Do not use an alternative additive if the coolant additive
G13 is not available in an emergency. Just to p up the system with water and as soon as
possible arrange adjustment to correct the mixing ratio of water and coolant additive
again by a specialist garage.
Only use fresh coolant for topping up the system.
Do not fill up over the “MAX” marking! Excess coolant which is heated up is forced out
of the cooling system through the pressure relief valve in the cap of the coolant
compensation bottle.
Wait until the engine has cooled down for a system which has suffered a major loss of
coolant before pouring in coolant. This is necessary to avoid engine damage.
WARNING

The cooling system is pressurized! Do not open the cap of the coolant
expansion bottle if the engine is still hot - risk of scalding!

The coolant additive and thus all of the coolant is harmful to your health.
Avoid contact with the coolant. Coolant vapours are also harmful to the health.
It is important, therefore, to always safely store any coolant additive in its orig-
inal container out of the reach of children - risk of poisoning!

If any splashes of coolant get into yo ur eyes, rinse out your eyes immedi-
ately with clear water and contact a doctor as soon as possible.

You should also consult a doctor without delay if you have inadvertently
swallowed coolant.Caution
Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under the
conditions prevailing to top up with coolant. Switch the engine off and obtain
professional assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it could lead to severe
engine damage.
Ab
Aa
Aa
s2bs.2.book Page 144 Monday, September 27, 2010 9:53 AM