2010 SKODA ROOMSTER light

Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle
152
There are no particular points to note be fore washing your vehicle in an automatic
vehicle wash system other than the usua l precautionary measures (closing the
windows, unscrewing the aerial, etc.).
If you have any particular attached parts fitted to your car - such as spoiler, roof rack
system, two-way radio aerial - it is best to first of all consult the operator of the car
wash plant.
It is important to degrease the lips of the windscreen wiper rubbers after passing
through the automatic vehicle wash system.Washing vehicle by handIt is important to first soften the dirt with plenty of water and rinse it off as thoroughly
as possible before washin g your vehicle by hand.
One should then clean the vehicle using a soft washing sponge, washing glove or a
washing brush and only slight pressure. Work from the top to the bottom - beginning
with the roof. Only place slight pressure on the vehicle paintwork during cleaning Only
use a car shampoo for stubborn dirt.
Wash out the sponge or washing glove thoroughly at short intervals.
Clean wheels, door sills and similar parts last. Use a second sponge for such areas.
Rinse off the vehicle well after giving it a wash and dry it off using a chamois leather.
WARNING

The ignition should always be switched off when you wash your vehicle -
risk of accident!

Protect your hands and arms from sharp-edged metal parts when you are
cleaning the underfloor, the inside of the wheel housings or the wheel trims -
risk of cuts.Caution

Do not wash your vehicle in bright sunlight - risk of paint damage.

Ensure that the jet of water is not aimed di rectly at the locking cylinders or at the
door and panel joints if you spray your vehi cle in winter down with a hose - risk of
freezing.

Do not use any insect sponges, rough kitc hen sponges or similar cleaning products
- risk of damage to the surface of paintwork.For the sake of the environment
Only wash your vehicle at wa shing bays specifically reserved for this purpose. This
ensures that no water which may be contaminated by oil flows into the sewage system.
It is not even permitted to wash your vehicl e in certain areas except at such specific
washing bays.Washing with a high-pressure cleanerWhen you wash your vehicle with a high-press ure cleaner, it is essential to comply with
the instructions for use of the cleaning equi pment. This applies in particular to the
pressure used and to the spraying distance . Maintain a sufficiently large distance to
soft materials such as rubber hoses or insulation material.
On no account use circular spray nozzles or so-called dirt cutters.
WARNING
It is particularly important that you do not clean tyres with circular spray jets.
Damage may occur even at a relatively la rge spraying distance and if sprayed
only for a short time.
Caution
The water containing wax must be no hotter than 60°C, otherwise the vehicle can be
damaged.Wax treatmentGood wax treatment is an effective way of protecting the paintwork from harmful envi-
ronmental influences and minor mechanical damage.
The vehicle must be treated with a high-quali ty hard wax polish at the latest, when no
more drops form on the clean paintwork.
s16g.4.book Page 152 Wednesda y, February 10, 2010 3:53 PM

Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle153
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Praktik
Technical Data
A new layer of a high-quality
hard wax polish can be applied to the clean bodywork
after it has dried thoroughly. Even if you use a wax preserver regularly we still recom-
mend that you treat the paintwork of the ve hicle at least twice a year with hard wax.
Caution
Never apply wax to the windows.PolishingPolishing is only necessary if the paintwork of your vehicle has become unattractive
and if it is no longer possible to achieve a gloss with wax preservers.
You must treat the paintwork with a wax pr eserver if the polish you use does not
contain any preserving elements page 152, “Wax treatment”.
We recommend using a preserva tive from Škoda genuine accessories offered by your
Škoda dealer.
Caution

You must not treat mat painted parts or plas tic with polishing products or hard wax.

Do not polish the paintwork of the vehicle in a dusty environment, otherwise the
paintwork can be scratched.
Chrome partsFirst clean the chrome parts with a damp clot ch and then polish them with a soft, dry
cloth. If it does not prove to be adequate, use a chrome care product from Škoda orig-
inal accessories.
Caution
Do not polish the chrome parts in a du sty environment, otherwise they can be
scratched.
Paint damageSlight damage to paintwork such as scratches, scuffs or traces of chip damage must be
treated immediately before any corrosion can result. You can of course have this work
carried out by a specialist garage.
Specialist garages have a range of matching touch-up pens or spray cans available in
the colour of your vehicle.
The paint number of the original paintwork of your vehicle is indicated on the vehicle
data sticker page 205.
Any corrosion which has already have formed must be removed thoroughly. Apply a
corrosion protection primer and then the paint to the affected point. You can of
course have this work carried out by a specialist garage.Plastic partsExternal plastic parts are cleaned by normal washing. Plastic parts and synthetic
leather can also be treated with special solvent-free plastic cleaning agents if a
damp cloth is not sufficient. Paint care pr oducts are not suitable for plastic parts.
Caution
Solvent-free cleaners attack the material and can damage it.WindowsOnly use a plastic ice scraper for removing snow and ice from the windows and
mirrors. You should not move the ice scraper forward and backward but in one direc-
tion on the window which you are cleaning in order to avoid any damage to the surface
of the glass.
You can best remove residues of rubber, oil, grease, wax or silicone by using a special
window cleaner or a special silicone remover.
You should also clean the windows regularly from the inside.
Do not use window leathers which you have us ed to polish the vehicle body to dry off
the windows. Residues of preservatives in the window leather can dirty the window
and reduce visibility.
s16g.4.book Page 153 Wednesda y, February 10, 2010 3:53 PM

Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle
154
Do not affix any stickers over the inside of the rear window to avoid damage to the
heating elements of the rear window heater .
We recommend using a preserva tive from Škoda genuine accessories offered by your
Škoda dealer.
Caution

Never remove snow or ice from the glass pa rts with warm or hot water - risk of
formation of cracks in the glass!

When removing snow or ice from the windows and mirror lenses make sure not to
damage the paintwork of the vehicle.
The headlight lensesPlease do not use any aggressi ve cleaning or chemical solvent products for cleaning
the front headlights - risk of damage to the plastic lenses. Please use soap and clean
warm water.
Caution
Never wipe the headlights dry and do not use any sharp objects for cleaning the plastic
lenses, this may result in damage to the protective paintwork and consequently in
formation of cracks on the headlight lenses, e.g through effect of chemical products.Door and window sealsThe rubber seals on the doors, boot lid, bonnet and windows remain supple and last
longer if you treat them from time to time with a rubber care product (e.g. with a spray
with silicone-free oil). You also avoid premature wear of the seals and prevent leakages
in this way. It is also easier to open the doors. Rubber seals which are well cared for also
do not stick together in cold winter weather.Locking cylinderWe recommend that you use the spray from Škoda original accessories with regreasing
and anticorrosive effect for de-icing locking cylinders.
Note
When washing your vehicle, ensure that as little water as possible gets into the locking
cylinders.WheelsSteel wheels
You should also thoroughly wash the wheels and wheel trims when giving your vehicle
its regular wash. This prevents any brake dust, dirt and road salt from sticking to the
wheel hubs. You can remove stubborn brake abrasion adhering to the wheels with an
industrial cleaner. Touch up any damage to the paintwork on the wheels before rust is
able to form.
Light alloy wheels
Regular care of light alloy wh eels is necessary in order to retain their decorative
appearance over long periods. It is particul arly important to remove any road salt and
brake abrasion from light alloy wheels every two weeks, otherwise the surface will
suffer. Wash thoroughly and then treat the wheels with a protective product for light
alloy wheels which does not contain any acidic componen ts. You should provide the
wheel hubs with a hard wax layer every thre e months. You must not use any products
which cause abrasion when treating the wheel hubs. Any damage to the paint layer on
the wheel hubs must be touched up immediately.
We recommend using a preservative from Šk oda genuine accessories offered by your
Škoda dealer.
WARNING
One should remember when cleaning th e wheels that moisture, ice and road
salt may adversely affect braking ef ficiency - risk of an accident!
Note
Severe layers of dirt on the wheels can also result in wheel imbalance. This may show
itself in the form of a wheel vibration which is transmitted to the steering wheel which,
in certain circumstances, can cause premature wear of the steering. This means it is
necessary to remove the dirt.
s16g.4.book Page 154 Wednesda y, February 10, 2010 3:53 PM

Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle
156
Upholstery cloth and cloth trim on the d oors, luggage compartment cover, headliner
etc. are best treated with special cleaning products, using if necessary a dry foam and
a soft sponge or brush.
We recommend using a cleaning product from Škoda genuine accessories offered by
your Škoda dealer.
Caution
Solvent-free cleaners attack th e material and can damage it.Fabric covers of electrically heated seatsDo not clean the seat covers moist as this may re sult in damage to the seat heating
system.
Clean such covers using special agents, for example dry foam.Natural leather
Natural leather requires quite particular care and attention.Leather should be treated from time to time according the following guidelines
depending on how much it is used.Normal cleaning– Clean soiled areas of the leather with slightly moistened cotton or woollen cloth.Severe soiling– Clean severely soiled areas with a cloth dipped in a mild soapy solution (2 spoon-
fuls of natural soap to 1 litre of water).
– Ensure that the leather is not soaked through at any point and that no water gets into the stitching of the seams.
– Dry off the leather with a soft, dry cloth.
Removing stains– Remove fresh stains which are water-based (e.g. coffee, tea, juices, blood etc.)
with an absorbent cloth or household paper or use the cleaner from the care set
for a stain which has already dried in.
– Remove fresh stains on a fat base (e.g. butter, mayonnaise, chocolate etc.) with an
absorbent cloth or household cleaning paper or with the cleaner from the care set
if the stain has not yet pe netrated into the surface.
– Use a grease dissolver for grease stains which have dried in .
–Eliminate special stains (e.g. ball-point pens, felt pe n, nail varnish, dispersion
paint, shoe cream etc.) with a special stain remover suitable for leather.Leather care– Treat the leather every six months with the leather care product available from
specialist garages.
– Apply only a small amount of the care product.
– Dry the leather off with a soft cloth
We recommend that you consult a speciali st garage if you have any questions
regarding cleaning and care of the leather interior in your vehicle.
Caution

You must on no account treat the leather wi th solvents (e.g. gasoline, turpentine),
floor wax, shoe cream or such like.

Avoid leaving your vehicle for lengthy period s in bright sunlight in order to avoid
bleaching the leather. If you leave your vehicle parked in the open for lengthy periods,
protect the leather from the direct ra ys of the sun by covering it over.

Sharp-edged objects on items of clothing su ch as zip fasteners, rivets, sharp-edged
belts may leave permanent scratches or signs of rubbing on the surface.Note

Use a care cream with ligh t blocker and impregnation effect regularly and each
time after cleaning the leathe r. The cream nourishes the leather, allows it to breathe
and keeps it supple and also provides mois ture. It also creates surface protection.
s16g.4.book Page 156 Wednesday, February 10, 2010 3:53 PM

Fuel
158
FuelPetrolGrades of petrolYour vehicle can only be operated with unleaded petrol, which complies with the
standard EN 228. The individual grades of petrol are distinguished by their octane
number (RON). On the inside of the fuel filler flap, you will find the information
regarding the RON required by your engine  page 159.
Prescribed fuel - unleaded petrol 95/91 RON
Use unleaded petrol 95 RON. You can also use unleaded petrol 91 RON, but this leads
to a slight loss in performance.
If, in case of necessity, the vehicle must be refuelled with petrol of a lower octane
number than the one prescribed, you must co ntinue driving at medium engine speeds
and low engine load. Driving at high engine speeds or a high engine load can severely
damage the engine! Refuel as soon as possib le with petrol of the prescribed octane
number.
Prescribed fuel - unleaded petrol min. 95 RON
Use unleaded petrol 95 RON.
In case of necessity, you can refuel with petrol 91 RON if petrol 95 RON is not avail-
able. You must continue driving at medium engine speeds and minimum engine load.
Driving at high engine speeds or a high engine load can severely damage the engine!
Refuel as soon as possib le with petrol of the prescribed octane number.
Even in case of necessity, you must not use petrol of a lower octane number than 91,
otherwise the engine can be severely damaged!
You can find further information on refuelling page 159, “Refuelling”.
Unleaded petrol with higher octane number
You can make unlimited use of unleaded pe trol which has a higher octane number
than the one prescribed. On vehicles with prescribed unleaded petrol
95/91 RON, the use of petrol with a
higher octane number than 95 does not result in a noticeable power increase or a
lower fuel consumption.
On vehicles with prescribed unleaded petrol min. 95 RON, the use of petrol with a
higher octane number than 95 does not result in a power increase or a lower fuel
consumption.
Caution

All Škoda vehicles with petrol engines are equipped with a catalytic converter and
must be only driven with unleaded petrol. Fi lling the tank even only once with leaded
petrol will result in the cata lytic converter being destroyed!

Only use unleaded petrol which complies with the standard EN 228.

If you use petrol with a lower octane num ber than the one prescribed, the engine
can be severely damaged!Note
The handling, performance and life of your engine are determined to a significant
extent by the quality of the fuel. Do not use any petrol additives.DieselDiesel fuelYour vehicle can only be operated with diesel fuel, which complies with the standard
EN 590 (standard DIN 51628 in Germany, standard ÖNORM C 1590 in Austria).
Fuel additives
You must not use fuel additives, so-called “flow improvers” (petrol and similar prod-
ucts) in diesel fuel.
If the quality of the diesel fuel is poor, it is then necessary to drain the fuel filter more
often than stated in the Service schedule.
s16g.4.book Page 158 Wednesda y, February 10, 2010 3:53 PM

Inspecting and replenishing161
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Praktik
Technical Data
Inspecting and replenishingEngine compartmentBonnet remote releaseBonnet remote release– Pull the unlocking lever on the left below the dash panel fig. 134 .
The bonnet jumps out of its lock as a result of the spring force.Opening and closing the bonnet.Fig. 135 Radiator grille: Locking lever / se curing the bonnet with the bonnet support
Opening the bonnet– Unlock the bonnet fig. 134 .
– Ensure that the arms of the windscreen wipers are correctly in place against the windscreen before opening the bonnet otherwise damage could occur to the
paintwork.
– Pull on the locking lever fig. 135 , the bonnet is then unlocked.
– Grip the bonnet and lift it up.
– Take the bonnet support out of its holder and set it in the opening designed for it fig. 135 on the right.Closing the bonnet– Lift the bonnet slightly and unhook the bonnet support. Press the bonnet support
into the holder designed to hold it.
– Allow the bonnet to drop from a height of about 30 cm into the lock - bonnet do
not press down on it !
WARNING

Never open the bonnet if you see that steam or coolant is flowing out of the
engine compartment - risk of scalding! Wait long enough until the steam or
coolant has stopped escaping.

For safety reasons, the bonnet must always be properly closed when
driving. One should therefore check that the lock has in fact engaged properly
after closing the bonnet.

Stop your vehicle immediately while driving if you notice that the lock is not
properly engaged and close the bonnet properly - risk of an accident!Caution

Before opening the bonnet, ensure that the arms of the windscreen wipers are
correctly in place against the windscreen. Othe rwise, there is a risk of damage to the
paintwork.
Fig. 134 Bonnet release lever
s16g.4.book Page 161 Wednesda y, February 10, 2010 3:53 PM

Inspecting and replenishing
164
Oil level within range
–You must top up the oil. It is sufficient, once th is is done, to keep the oil level within
range .
It is normal for the engine to consume oil. The oil consumption may be as much as 0.5
l/1 000 km depending on your style of driving and the conditions under which you
operate your vehicle. The oil consumption may be slightly hi gher than this during the
first 5 000 kilometres.
One should therefore check the oil level at regular intervals, preferably every time after
the fuel tank is filled or after driving for long stretches.
We recommend maintaining the oil level within the range if the engine has been
operating at high loads, for example duri ng a lengthy motorway trip during the
summer months, towing a trailer or negotiating a high mountain pass, but not above
this .
The warning light in the instrument cluster* will indicate page 28 whether the oil
level is too low. In this case, check the oil level as soon as possible. Top up with an
appropriate quantity of oil.
WARNING
Read and observe the warning notes page 162, “Working in the engine
compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
Caution

The oil level must on no account extend beyond the range . Danger of damaging
the catalytic converter.

Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under the
conditions prevailing to top up with oil. Switch the engine off and obtain professional
assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it could lead to severe engine damage.
Replenishing engine oil– Inspect the oil level page 163.
– Unscrew the cap of the engine oil filler opening. – Wipe off the oil from the sealing surface of the cover and on the counterpart using
a clean cloth.
– Pour in a suitable grade of oi l in portions of 0.5 litres page 208.
– Inspect the oil level page 163.
– Carefully screw on the cap of the filler opening and push the dipstick in fully.
WARNING

Avoid dripping oil onto hot parts of the engine when topping up will oil - a
risk of fire!

Read and observe the warning notes page 162, “Working in the engine
compartment” before working in the engine compartment.For the sake of the environment
The oil level must on no account be above the range page 163. Oil will otherwise
be drawn in through the cr ankcase ventilation and may pass through the exhaust
system to atmosphere. The oil may combust in the catalytic converter and damage it.Changing engine oilThe engine oil must be changed at the intervals stated in the Service schedule or
according to the service interval indicator page 17.
WARNING

Only carry out the engine oil change, if you have the required professional
knowledge!

Read and observe the warning notes page 162, “Working in the engine
compartment” before working in the engine compartment.

First of all, let the engine cool down, we ar an eye protection and gloves - risk
of caustic burns due to hot oil.
Ac
Ab
AbAa
Aa
s16g.4.book Page 164 Wednesda y, February 10, 2010 3:53 PM

Inspecting and replenishing
166
Inspecting the coolant levelThe coolant expansion bottle is located in the engine compartment on the right.
– Switch the engine off.
– Open the bonnet  in “Working in the engine compartment” on page 162.
– Check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion bottle fig. 138 . The coolant
level when the engine is cold must lie between the “MIN” and “MAX” mark-
ings. 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 28. We nevertheless recommend inspecting the
coolant level 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 162, “Working in the engine
compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
Caution
One should contact a specialist garage as s oon 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 fig. 138 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 165, “Coolant”. Do not use an al ternative additive if the coolant
additive G12 PLUS - PLUS is not available in exceptional cases. Just top 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!
Fig. 138 Engine compartment: Coolant
expansion bottle
AB
AA
s16g.4.book Page 166 Wednesda y, February 10, 2010 3:53 PM