
Instruments and warning lights31
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Praktik
Technical Data
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.
Antilock brake system (ABS)
The warning light
shows the functionality of the ABS.
The warning light comes on for a few seconds after the ignition has been switched on
or when starting the engine. The warning light goes out after an automatic check
sequence has been completed.
A fault in the ABS
The system is not functioning properly if the ABS warning light
does not go out
within a few seconds after switching on the ignition, does not light up at all or lights up
while driving. The vehicle will only be br aked by the normal brake system. Visit a
specialist garage as quickly as possible and adjust your style of driving to take account
of the fault in the meantime since you will not know the extent of the fault and in how
far the effect of the antilock brakes is affected.
Further information about ABS page 136, “Antilock brake system (ABS)”.
A fault in the entire brake system
If the ABS warning light
comes on together with the brake system warning light
(handbrake must be released), there is a fa ult not only in the ABS but also in another
part of the brake system .
WARNING
If the brake system warning light
comes on together with the ABS
warning light
stop the vehicle immediately and check the brake fluid level in
the reservoir page 167, “Brake fluid”. If the fluid level has dropped below the
MIN marking, do not drive any further - risk of accident! Obtain professional
assistance.
Pay attention to the following instruct ions before checking the brake fluid
level and opening the bonnet page 162, “Working in the engine compart-
ment”.
If the brake fluid is at the correct leve l, the ABS control function has failed.
The rear wheels may then block very rapi dly when braking. In certain circum-
stances, this can result in the rear end of the car breaking away - risk of skid-
ding! Drive carefully to the nearest specialist garage and have the fault
rectified.
Brake system
The warning light
flashes or comes on if the brake fluid level is too low, if there is a
fault in the ABS or if the handbrake is applied.
If the warning light flashes and an audible signal so unds three times (handbrake is
not applied), stop and check the brake fluid level .
The following text will be displayed in the information display*: Brake fluid Owner's manual
If there is a fault in the ABS which also infl uences the function of the brake system (e.g.
distribution of brake pressure), the ABS warning light
comes on and at the same
time the brake system warn ing light starts flashing
. Be aware that not only the ABS
but also another part of th brake system is defective .
An audible signal sounds three times as an additional warning signal.
One should get used to high pedal forces, an extended free play of the brake pedal and
long braking distances when carefully driving to the specialist garage.
For further information on the brake system page 135, “Brakes”.
Handbrake applied
The warning light
also comes on if the handbrake is applied. An audible warning is
also given if you drive the vehicle for at least 3 seconds at a speed of more than 6 km/h.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Release parking brake!
WARNING (continued)
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Instruments and warning lights
32WARNING
Pay attention to the following instruct ions before checking the brake fluid
level and opening the bonnet page 162, “Working in the engine compart-
ment”.
If the brake system warning light
does not go out a few seconds after
switching on the ignition or comes on when driving, stop immediately and
check the brake fluid in the reservoir page 167, “Brake fluid”. If the fluid level
has dropped below the MIN marking, do no t drive any further - risk of accident!
Obtain professional assistance.
Cruise control system*
The warning light
lights up, when operating the speed regulating system.
Airbag system
Monitoring the airbag system
The warning light
comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
There is a fault in the system if the warning light does not go out or comes on or flashes
while driving . This also applies if the warning light does not come on after the
ignition is switched on.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Airbag fault!
The functionality of the airbag system is also monitored electronically when one airbag
has been switched off.
Front, side and head airbags or belt tensioner which have been switched off
using the vehicle system tester:
The warning light
lights up for 3 seconds after switching on the ignition and then
flashes for 12 seconds afterwards in 2 second intervals.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Airbag/belt tensioner deactivated! If the passenger front airbag has been
switched off using the switch (for
switching off airbags)* in th e end face of the dash panel on the front passenger
side:
The warning light
comes on for 4 seconds after the ignition has been switched
on.
switching off the airbag is indicated in the middle of the dash panel by the lighting
up of the yellow indicator light in display
page 125.
WARNING
Have the airbag system checked immediat ely by a specialist garage if a fault
exists. Otherwise, there is a risk of the airbag not being activated in the event of
an accident.
Note
Further information about switching off airbags page 124, “Deactivating airbags”.Diesel particle filter*
(diesel engine)
If the warning light
comes on, this means that soot has accumulated in the diesel
particle filter because of the frequent short distances.
In order to clean the diesel particle filter, the vehicle should be driven at an even speed
of at least 60 km/h at engine speeds of 1 800 - 2 500 rpm for at least 15 minutes or until
the warning light goes out with the 4th or 5th gear engaged (automatic gearbox: posi-
tion S) when the traffic situation permits it . This increases the exhaust temperature and
the soot deposited in the diesel particle filter is burnt.
Always pay attention to the valid speed limits .
The warning light
goes out after the successful cleaning of the diesel particle filter.
If the filter is not properly cleaned, the warning light
does not go out and the
warning light
begins to flash. In the information display* appears Diesel-particle
Owner's manual . Afterwards the engine control unit shifts the engine into the emer-
gency mode, which only has a reduced power output. After switching the ignition off
and on again the warning light
comes on.
Have the vehicle inspected without delay by your specialist garage.
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Heating and air conditioning system
84
Using the air conditioning system economicallyThe compressor on the Climatic uses powe r from the engine when in cooling mode
which will effect the fuel consumption.
It recommended to open the windows or the doors of a vehicle for which the interior
has been strongly heated through the effect of direct sunlight in order to allow the
heated air to escape.
The cooling system should not be switched on while travelling when the window is
open.
The desired interior temperature can also be achieved without switching in the cooling
system just by switching to fresh air mode.
For the sake of the environment
When you economize on fuel, you also reduce pollutant emissions.Operational malfunctionsIf the cooling system does not operate at outside temperatures higher than +5 °C,
there is a problem in the system. The reasons for this may be:
The fuse of the Climatic is defective. Check the fuse, replace it if necessary
page 191.
The cooling system has switched off automatically for a short time because the
coolant temperature of the engine is too hot page 16.
If you are not able to rectify the operational problem yourself, or if the cooling capacity
decreases, switch the cooling system off. Contact a specialist garage.
Climatronic* (automatic air conditioning)Description
The Climatronic system is a combinat ion of an automatic heating, fresh
air and cooling system which provides optimal comfort for the occu-
pants of the car.The Climatronic maintains a constant temperat ure fully automatically, once it has been
set. This is achieved by automatically varying the temperature of the outflowing air, the
blower stages and the air distribution. The system also takes into account sunlight
which eliminates the need to alter the settings manually. The automatic mode
page 86 ensures maximum wellbeing of the occupants at all times of the year.
Description of Climatronic system
The cooling operates only if the following conditions are met:
engine running,
outside temperature above approx. +2°C,
switched on.
If the cooling system is switched on, th e temperature and air humidity drops in the
vehicle. The wellbeing of the occupants of the car is enhanced as a result of this partic-
ularly at high outside temperatures and a high air humidity. The system prevents the
windows misting up during the cold season of the year.
The heating effect is dependent upon the coolant temperature, thus full heat output
only occurs when the engine has reached its operating temperature.
It is possible to briefly activate recirculat ed air mode in order to enhance the cooling
effect .
The air inlet in front of the windscreen must be free of ice, snow or leaves in order to
ensure that the heating and cooling systems operate properly.
The AC compressor is switched off at a high coolant temperature in order to provide
cooling at a high load of the engine.
After switching on the cooling Condensation from the evaporator of the air condi-
tioning may drip down and form a puddle be low the vehicle. This is quite normal and
not an indication of a leak!AC
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Starting-off and Driving87
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Praktik
Technical Data
Starting-off and DrivingSetting steering wheel positionFig. 91 Adjustable steering wheel: Lever be low the steering column / Safe distance to
steering wheelYou can set the height and the forward/back position of the steering wheel to the
desired position.
– Adjust the driver seat page 57.
– Pull the lever below the steering column fig. 91 down .
– Set the steering wheel to the desired position (concerning height and forward/back position).
– Then push the lever up against the steering column until it locks into place.
WARNING
You must not adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is moving!
The driver must maintain a distance of at least 25 cm to the steering wheel
fig. 91 on the right. Not maintaining this minimum distance will mean that
the airbag system will not be able to properly protect you - hazard!
For safety reasons the lever must always be firmly pushed up to avoid the
steering wheel altering its po sition unintentionally when driving - risk of acci-
dent!
If you adjust the steering wheel furthe r towards the head, you will reduce
the protection offered by the driver airbag in the event of an accident. Check
that the steering wheel is aligned to the chest.
When driving, hold the steering wheel with both hands firmly on the outer
edge in the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock position. Never hold the steering wheel
firmly in the 12 o'clock position or in another way (e.g. in the middle of the
steering wheel or at the inne r steering wheel edge). In such cases, injuries to the
arms, the hands and the head can occur when the driver airbag is deployed.
Ignition lockPetrol engines
- ignition switched off, engine off
- ignition switched on
- start engine
Diesel engines - interruption of fuel supply, ignition swit ched off, engine off, the steering can be
locked.
- heating glow plugs on, ignition switched on
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 92 Ignition lock positions
A1A2A3A1A2
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Starting-off and Driving89
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Praktik
Technical Data
Vehicles which are fitted with an exhaust gas catalytic converter should not be tow-
started over a distance of more than 50 metres.For the sake of the environment
Never warm up the engine when the vehicle is standing. Drive off right away. When
driving the engine reaches its operating te mperature more rapidly and the pollutant
emissions are lower.Petrol enginesThese engines are fitted with a starter system which selects the correct fuel-air mixture
for every external air temperature.
Do not operate accelerator before and when starting engine.
Interrupt the attempt at starting after 10 seconds if the engine does not start right
awayand wait for about 30 seconds before repeating the attempt.
It is possible that the fuse on the electric al fuel pump is defect if the engine still
does not start. Check the fuse and replace it if necessary page 191.
If the engine does not start, contact the nearest specialist garage to obtain profes-
sional assistance.
It may be necessary, if the engine is very hot, to slightly depress the accelerator after
the engine has started.
Diesel enginesGlow plug system
Diesel engines are equipped with a glow plug system, the preglow period being
controlled automatically in line with the coolant temperature and outside tempera-
ture.
The preglow indicator light
comes on after the ignition has been switched on.
You should not switch on any major electrical components during the heating
period otherwise the vehicle battery will be drained unnecessarily.
You should start the engine immediately after the glow plug warning light
has
gone out.
The glow plug warning light will come on for about one 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.
Interrupt the attempt at starting after 10 seconds if the engine does not start right
awayand wait for about 30 seconds before repeating the attempt.
It is possible that the fuse on the diesel preglow system is defect if the engine still
does not start. Check the fuse and replace it if necessary page 191.
Contact the nearest specialist garage to obtain professional assistance.
Starting the engine after fuel tank has run dry
It may take longer than normal to start the engine after refuelling if the fuel tank has
run completely dry - up to one minute. This is because the fuel system must first of all
be filled while the attempting to start the engine.
Switching off the engine– The engine can be switched off by turnin g the ignition key from position into
page 87, fig. 92 .
WARNING
Never switch off the engine before the vehicle is stationary - risk of accident!
The brake booster only operates when the engine is running. Greater phys-
ical effort for braking is required when en gine is switched off. Because if you do
not stop as normal, this can cause an accident and severe injuries.Caution
you should not switch the engine off right away at the end of your journey after the
engine has been operated for a lengthy period at high loads but should be allowed it
to run at idling speed for about 2 minutes. This prevents any accumulation of heat
when the engine is switched off.
Note
The radiator fan may continue running fo r a further 10 minutes or so after the
engine and the ignition have been switched off. The coolant fan may, however, also
A1
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Intelligent Technology139
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Praktik
Technical Data
If the warning light
does not go out after the basic setting, there is a fault in the
system. Have the vehicle inspected by your nearest specialist garage.
Functional description
After the basic setting of the system the “adaptation” of the tyre inflation pressures and
then the tyre pressure control in the individual tyres are performed.
Warning light
lights up
If the tyre inflation pressure of at least one wheel is insufficiently inflated in comparison
to the stored basic value, the warning light
lights up. Inflate all tyres to the
specified inflation pressure page 173, “Tyre life” and then perform a basic setting of
the system.
Warning light
flashes
If the warning light flashes, there is a system fault. Have the vehicle inspected by your
nearest specialist garage.
WARNING
When the warning light
lights up, immediately reduce the speed and
avoid sudden steering and brake manoeuvr es. Please stop the vehicle without
delay at the nearest possible stop and in spect the tyres and their inflation pres-
sures.
The driver is responsible for the correct tyre inflation pressures. For this
reason, the tyre inflation pressu res must be checked regularly.
Under certain circumstances (e.g. sporty style of driving, wintry or unpaved
roads) the warning light
can be delayed or does not light up at all.
The tyre pressure monitoring system does not take away the responsibility
from the driver for the correct tyre inflation pressure.Note
The tyre pressure monitoring system:
does not replace the regular tyre inflatio n pressure control, because the system
cannot detect an even pressure loss;
cannot warn in case of very rapid tyre inflation pressure loss, e.g. in case of sudden
tyre damage. In this case ca refully bring the vehicle to a standstill without sudden
steering movements and without sharp braking.
Diesel particle filter* (diesel engine)In the diesel particle filter the resu lting soot particles are collected and
burnt during the combustion of diesel fuel.Code 7GG, 7MB or 7MG on the vehicle data sticker, see fig. 128 , indicates that your
vehicle is equipped with a diesel particle fi lter. The vehicle data sticker is located on
the floor of the luggage compartment and is also stated in the Service schedule.
The diesel particle filter filters the soot particles completely from the exhaust. The soot
is collected in the diesel particle filter and burnt regularly. To assist this procedure, we
recommend not to drive regu larly over short distances.
If the diesel particle filter is clogged or there is a fault, it is indicated by the warning light
page 32, “Diesel particle filter* (diesel engine)”.
WARNING
The diesel particle filter achieves very high temp eratures. Therefore do not
park at points where the hot filter comes into direct contact with dry grass or
other combustible materials - risk of fire!
Never use additional underbody protection or corrosion-protection agents
for the exhaust pipes, catalytic converters, diesel particle filter or heat shields.
Fig. 128 Vehicle data sticker
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Driving and the Environment
144
You should avoid exploiting the top speed of your vehicle wherever possible. Fuel
consumption, pollutant emissions and vehicle noises increase disproportionally at
high speeds.
The page 143, fig. 130 shows the ratio of fuel consumption to the speed of your
vehicle. You will cut your fuel consumption by half if you only make use three-quarters
of the possible top speed of your vehicle.Reducing idling
Idling also costs fuel.It is worthwhile switching off the engine in a traffic jam or when waiting at a level
crossing or at traffic lights with a lengthy red phase. Even after just 30 - 40 seconds you
will have saved more fuel th an that is needed when you start the engine up again.
If an engine is only idling it takes much longer for it to reach its normal operating
temperature. Wear-and-tear and pollutant emis sions, though, are particularly high in
the warming-up phase. This is why you should drive off right after starting the engine.
Do avoid high engine revolu tions at this time, however.Regular servicing
A poorly tuned engine consumes an unnecessarily high amount of fuel.Having your vehicle serviced regularly at a specialist garge enables you to satisfy one
of the requirements for economical motoring even before you set off on your journey.
Keeping your vehicle properly serviced not on ly has a positive effect on the safety of
your vehicle and maintaining its value, but also saves on fuel.
A poorly tuned engine can result in a fu el consumption which is 10% higher than
normal.
The foreseen maintenance work should be undertaken exactly according to the
Service schedule by a specialist garage.
Also check the oil level after refueling. Oil consumption is dependent to a consider-
able extent on the load and speed of the en gine. Oil consumption could be as high as
0.5 litres/1 000 km depending on your style of driving.
It is quite normal that a new engine has a higher oil consumption at first, and reaches
its lowest level only after a certain running in time. It is therefore not possible to correctly assess the oil consumption of a ne
w vehicle until after you have driven about
5 000 km.
For the sake of the environment
You can achieve additional improvements in your fuel economy by using high-
lubricity oils.
Check the ground below your vehicle at regular intervals to detect any leakages in
good time. Please have your vehicle inspec ted by a specialist garge if you find any
stains caused by oil or other fluids on the floor.
Avoid driving short distances
Short distances result in an above-average high fuel consumption.– Avoid driving a distance of no more than 4 km if the engine is cold.
The engine and catalytic converter mu st first have reached their optimal operating
temperature in order to effectively reduce fuel consumption and pollutant emissions.
The cold engine vehicle cons umes approx. 15 - 20 litres/100 km of fuel immediately
after starting. Fuel co nsumption drops to 10 litres/100 km after just 1 kilometre. The
engine reaches its operating temperat ure (outside temperature and engine
dependent) only after about 4 to 10 kilometres and the fuel consumption then stabi-
lizes. You should therefore avoid driving short distances whenever possible.
An important factor in this connection is also the ambient temperature. The
fig. 131 shows the different fuel consumptions for the same distance, on the one
Fig. 131 Fuel consumption in litres/100
km at different temperatures
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Driving and the Environment145
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Praktik
Technical Data
hand at +20°C and on the other hand at
-10°C. Your vehicle has a higher fuel
consumption in winter than in summer.
Checking tyre inflation pressures
Tyres which are correctly inflated save fuel.Always ensure that your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure at all times. The rolling
resistance will be increased if the tyre filling pressure is too low. This will not only
increase fuel consumption but also tyre we ar and the driving behaviour will worsen.
Always check the inflation pr essure of the tyres when cold.
Do not drive with winter tyres all year round for this costs about 10 % more fuel.
Winter tyres are also louder.No unnecessary ballast
Transporting ballast costs fuel.The fact that every kilogram of extra weight increases your fuel consumption means
that it is worth taking a look in the luggage compartment to avoid transporting any
unnecessary ballast.
It is particularly in town traffic, when one is accelerating quite often, that the vehicle
weight will have a significant effect upon the fuel consumption. A rule of thumb here
is that an increase in weight of 100 kilograms will cause an increase in fuel consump-
tion of about 1 litre/100 kilometres.
You may frequently also leave a roof rack fitted on just out of convenience, although
you no longer need it. The increased aerodyna mic drag of your vehicle causes it to use
about 1 l more fuel than normal at a speed of 100 - 120 km/h, even when you are not
carrying a load on the roof.Saving electricity
Generating electricity costs fuel.– Switch off electrical components as soon as you no longer need them. When the engine is running,
the alternator generates and supplies electrical power.
The greater the load on the alternator as a result of having a large number of electrical
components switched on, the more fuel will be consumed for operating the
alternator.
Keeping a log of your fuel consumptionIf you really wish to keep a close check on your fuel consumption, it is best to enter
the figures in a logbook. This does not take much time but is a very worthwhile exer-
cise. It enables you to detect any change (p ositive and negative) at an early stage and
to take any appropriate action.
If you find that your fuel consumption is too high, you should reflect on how, where
and in what conditions you have driven the vehicle since you last refuelled.Environmental compatibilityEnvironmental protection has played a major role in the design, selection of materials
and manufacture of your new Škoda. Particular emphasis has been paid to a number
of aspects, including:
Design measures
Joints designed to be easily detached.
Simplified disassembly due to the modular structure system.
Improved purity of differ ent classes of materials.
Identification of all plastic parts in accordance with VDA Recommendation°260.
Reduced fuel consumption and exhaust emission CO
2.
Minimum fuel leakage during accidents.
Reduced noise.
Choice of materials
Extensive use of re cyclable material.
Air conditioning filled with CFC-free refrigerant.
No cadmium.
No asbestos.
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