2011 SKODA OCTAVIA instrument cluster

Driving Tips
–
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
combination.
Driving speed
Do not drive faster than 80 km/hour for safety reasons. This also applies for coun-
tries 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 allowed speed should not be used when
there are unfavourable road, weather or wind conditions, particularly near acci-
dent black spots.
You must always reduce your speed immediately 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 engine speed when the outside temperature
is very high ⇒ page 11, Coolant temperature gauge.
If the needle of the coolant temperature gauge 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 185, Inspecting the coolant level. Please refer to the following guidelines
⇒ page 25, Coolant temperature/ Coolant
quantity .
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 independ-
ent 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 the slope without any drop in
speed.  169
Towing a trailer Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

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 higher 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 A - but not above this
,
if the engine has been operating at high loads, for example during a lengthy mo-
torway trip during the summer months, towing a trailer or negotiating a high
mountain pass.
The warning light in the instrument cluster will indicate whether the oil level is
too low ⇒ page 25, Engine oil pressure . In this case, check the oil level as soon
as possible. Top up with an appropriate quantity of oil. CAUTION
● The oil level must on no account extend beyond the range A . Danger of dam-
aging 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 profes-
sional assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it could lead to severe en-
gine damage. Note
Engine oil specifications ⇒  page 221, Technical data. 
Replenishing engine oil –
Inspecting the engine oil level ⇒
 page 182.
– Unscrew the cap of the engine oil filler opening.
– Pour in a suitable grade of oil in portions of 0.5 litres ⇒ page 224, Engine oil
specifications.
– Inspect the oil level ⇒ page 182
.
– 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 181, Working in the engine
compartment before working in the engine compartment. For the sake of the environment
The oil level must on no account extend beyond the range A ⇒
 
page 182. Oil will
otherwise be drawn in through the crankcase ventilation and may pass through
the exhaust system to atmosphere. The oil may combust in the catalytic converter
and damage it. 
Changing engine oil The engine oil must be changed at the intervals stated in the Service schedule or
according to the service interval indicator
⇒ page 12, Service reminder indicator

. WARNING
● Only carry out the engine oil change, if you have the required professional
knowledge!
● Read and observe the warning notes ⇒
 page 181, Working in the engine
compartment before working in the engine compartment.
● First of all, let the engine cool down, wear an eye protection and gloves -
risk of caustic burns due to hot oil. CAUTION
You must not pour any additives into the engine oil - risk of engine damage! Dam-
age, which results from such product, are excluded from the warranty. For the sake of the environment
● You must on no account pour oil into the ground or into the sewage system.
● In view of the problems involved in properly 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 Part-
ner. £ 183
Inspecting and Replenishing Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Inspecting the coolant level
Fig. 152 Engine compartment: Coolant
expansion bottle
The coolant expansion bottle is located in the engine compartment on the right.
– Switch the engine off.
– Open the bonnet ⇒ page 180 .
– Check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion bottle ⇒ fig. 152 . The cool-
ant level when the engine is cold must lie between the b (MIN) and
a (MAX)
markings. The level may also rise slightly above the a (MAX) marking when
the engine is warm.
If the coolant level in the reservoir is too low, this is indicated by the warning light
in the instrument cluster ⇒ page 25, Coolant temperature/ Coolant quantity 
. We
still 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 expan-
sion bottle which is completely free of leaks if the coolant boils as a result of over-
heating and is forced out of the cooling system. WARNING
Read and observe the warning notes ⇒ page 181, Working in the engine com-
partment
before working in the engine compartment. CAUTION
One should contact a specialist garage as soon as possible if the source of over-
heating itself cannot be determined and removed, since there may be grave dam-
age 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. 152 and un-
screw 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 184

. Do not use an alternative additive if the speci-
fied coolant additive 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 the coolant above the mark a (max.)
⇒ fig. 152 ! Excess coolant heats up
and then is forced out of the cooling system through the pressure relief valve in
the cap.
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 dam-
age. WARNING
● The cooling system is pressurized! Do not open the cap of the coolant ex-
pansion 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 original container out of the reach of children - risk of poisoning! £ 185
Inspecting and Replenishing Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

WARNING (Continued)
● If any splashes of coolant get into your 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 condi-
tions prevailing to top up with coolant. Switch the engine off and obtain profes-
sional assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it could lead to severe en-
gine damage. For the sake of the environment
Do not re-use coolant if it is necessary to drain the coolant in the system. It should
be collected and disposed of in compliance with environmental protection regula-
tions. 
Radiator fan The radiator fan may switch on suddenly.
The radiator fan is driven by an electric motor and controlled according to the
coolant temperature.
The radiator fan may continue running for up to 10 minutes after the engine has
been switched off - even if the ignition is also off. It may also switch on suddenly
after a certain time, if
● the coolant temperature has risen because of an accumulation of heat or
● the warm engine compartment is heated up additionally by strong sunlight. WARNING
You must therefore be aware when working in the engine compartment that
the fan may switch on suddenly - risk of injury! Brake fluid
Inspecting the brake fluid level Fig. 153 Engine compartment: Brake flu-
id reservoir
The brake fluid reservoir is located on the left of the engine compartment. The
brake fluid reservoir on right-hand steering models is positioned on the other side
of the engine compartment.
– Switch the engine off.
– Open the bonnet ⇒ page 180 .
– Inspect the brake fluid level in the reservoir ⇒
 fig. 153 . The level must be be-
tween the “MIN” and “MAX” markings.
A slight drop in the fluid level results when driving due to normal wear-and-tear
and automatic adjustment of the brake pads, and is perfectly normal.
There may be an indication of a leak in the brake system, however, if the fluid lev-
el drops significantly within a short time or if it drops below the “MIN” marking. If
the brake fluid level is too low, this is indicated by the warning light lighting up in
the instrument cluster ⇒ page 28, Brake system . In this case stop immediately
and do not drive any further! Obtain professional assistance. WARNING
● Read and observe the warning notes ⇒
 page 181, 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 fur-
ther - risk of accident! Contact a Škoda dealer to obtain professional assis-
tance. 186
Inspecting and Replenishing

Removing fuse cover
–
Move the circlips A ⇒ 
fig. 177 as far as the stop, the symbol  appears behind
the circlip and remove the cover.
Installing fuse cover
– Position the fuse cover on the fuse box and push the circlips A as far as the
stop - the symbol  is visible behind the circlip. CAUTION
● When unlocking and locking the fuse cover, it must be pressed on the sides to
the box, otherwise damage can occur to the locking mechanism.
● Carefully position the fuse cover in the engine compartment. If the cover was
not correctly positioned, water can get into the fuses and this results in a damage
to the vehicle! 
Fuse assignment in engine compartment Fig. 178 Schematic representation of
fuse carrier in engine compartment
Certain electrical components are only standard on certain vehicle model versions
or only available as optional equipment for certain models. No. Power consumer
F1 Not assigned
F2 Control unit for automatic gearbox DQ 200
F3 Measuring circuit
F4 Valves for ABS
F5 Control unit for automatic gearbox
F6 Instrument cluster, windshield wiper lever and turn signal light lever
F7 Power supply terminal 15, Starter No. Power consumer
F8 Radio
F9 Not assigned
F10 Engine control unit, Main relay
F11 Control unit for auxiliary heating
F12 Control unit for CAN databus
F13 Engine control unit
F14 Ignition
F15 Lambda probe
glow plug system relay
F16 Central control unit, right main headlight, right rear light unit
F17 Horn
F18 Amplifier for digital sound processor
F19 Front window wiper
F20 Water pump
valve for fuel dosing
F21 Lambda probe
F22 Clutch pedal switch, brake pedal switch
F23 Secondary air pump
Air mass meter
Fuel high pressure pump
F24 Activated charcoal filter, exhaust gas recirculation valve
F25 Pump for ABS
F26 Central control unit, left main headlight, left rear light unit
F27 Secondary air pump
Glow plug system
F28 Not assigned
F29 Power supply terminal 30
F30 Terminal X
a) a)
In order not to drain the battery unnecessarily when starting the engine, the electrical components
of this terminal are automatically switched off. 212
Fuses and light bulbs

Fuse assignment in the dash panel
Fig. 179 Schematic representation of
the fuse carrier in the dash panel
Certain electrical components are only standard on certain vehicle model versions
or only available as optional equipment for certain models. No. Power consumer
1 Diagnostic socket, Engine control unit, Electrical fuel pump
2 Control unit for ABS, ESP
3 Airbag
4 Heating, Air conditioning system, Reversing lights
5 Control unit for headlamp beam adjustment
6 Instrument cluster, control unit for automatic gearbox, control unit for
electromechanical power steering, parking aid, Haldex coupling 7 Not assigned
8 Not assigned
9 Not assigned
10 Not assigned
11 Not assigned
12 Central locking control unit
13 Diagnostic socket, Light switch
14 Control unit for automatic gearbox, Selector lever lock
15 Central control unit - interior lights
16 Climatronic
17 Not assigned
18 Rear window wiper
19 Control unit for trailer detection No. Power consumer
20 Not assigned
21 Cornering lights for the left and right side
22 Air blower for Climatronic
23 Front power window
24 Cigarette lighter
25 Rear window heater
Rear window heater, Auxiliary heating (auxiliary heating and ventila-
tion)
26 Power socket in the luggage compartment
27 Fuel pump relay, Injection valves (diesel engine)
28 Radio
29 Engine control unit, Crankcase ventilation heater
30 Control unit for automatic gearbox
31 Vacuum pump
32 Rear power window
33 Electric sliding/tilting roof
34 Control unit for convenience functions
35 Anti-theft alarm system
36 Headlight cleaning system
37 Front seat heating
38 Heated rear seats
39 Instrument cluster, windshield wiper lever and turn signal light lever
40 Air blower for heating and air conditioning
41 Not assigned
42 Not assigned
43 Towing device
44 Towing device
45 Towing device
46 Seat heaters
47 Relay for auxiliary heating
48 Phone
49 Light switch
£ 213
Fuses and light bulbs Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

H
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Hazard warning light system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Head airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Headlight cleaning system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Headlight flasher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Headlights Fog lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Headlight cleaning system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Head restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Heated windscreen washer nozzles . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Auxiliary heating (parking heating) . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Defrosting windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Recirculated air mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Height adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
I Ignition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Immobiliser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Information display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Instrument cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Instrument lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Interior light Luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Interior lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Interior mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Interior monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Intermittent wiping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Internet connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
ISOFIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
ISOFIX system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 J
Jacking points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206, 207
L Lashing eyes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Leather care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Light automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Changing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Lights converting/masking over . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Range adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
switching on and off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Lights and Visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Liquid in reservoir for windscreen washer system Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Lock Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Locking and unlocking from inside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Low beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Luggage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35, 66 Fixing of the floor covering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Folding double hooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Folding hooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Lashing eyes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Luggage compartment - variable loading floor . . . . 71
Luggage compartment cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Luggage rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 M
Main beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44, 50
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Manual shifting of gears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Memory for the on-board computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Mobile phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115, 116, 122 Connection to the hands-free system . . . . . . . . 123
Connection with the hands-free system . . . . . . 117
Voice control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Motoring abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Multi-functional indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Multifunction steering wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Multimedia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 AUX-IN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
CD changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
MDI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
N
Net partition (Estate car) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Note holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
O Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Oil change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Oil dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Onboard computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Open door Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Opening a single door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Opening for skis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Operation in winter Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
De-icing windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Outside temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 241
Index Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data