2011 SKODA OCTAVIA service indicator

Table of Contents
Layout of this Owner's Manual
(explanations)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Using the system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Instruments and warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
General information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Overview of the instrument cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Engine revolutions counter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Coolant temperature gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Counter for distance driven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Service reminder indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Digital clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Shift recommendation for changing gears . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Multi-functional indicator (onboard computer) . . . . . . . 14
MAXI DOT display (information display) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Auto Check Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Unlocking and locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Vehicle key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Child safety lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Anti-theft alarm system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Power windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Electric sliding/tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Lights and Visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Interior lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Windshield wiper and wash system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Rear-view mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Seats and Stowage
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Adjusting front seats electrically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Middle rear head restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Seat heaters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Net partition (Estate car) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
The roof rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Cup holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Note holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Ashtray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Cigarette lighter, power sockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Heating and air conditioning system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Description and information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Using the air conditioning system economically . . . . . 85
Operational problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Air outlet vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Air conditioning system (manual air conditioning
system) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Climatronic (automatic air conditioning) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Auxiliary heating (auxiliary heating and ventilation) . . 94
Starting-off and Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Setting steering wheel position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Switching off the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Shifting (manual gearbox) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Pedals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Rear parking aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Front and rear parking aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Cruise control system (CCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
“(START-STOP)” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Automatic gearbox
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Information for driving with the 6-speed automatic
gearbox
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Information for driving with the automatic gearbox
DSG
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Selector lever positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Selector lever lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Kickdown function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Dynamic shift programme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Tiptronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Manual shifting on the multifunction steering wheel . 112
Emergency programme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Selector lever-emergency unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Multifunction steering wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Mobile phones and two-way radio systems . . . . . . . . . . 115
Universal telephone preinstallation GSM II . . . . . . . . . . 116
Voice control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Universal telephone preinstallation GSM IIl . . . . . . . . . . 122
Voice control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Internet connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Music playback via Bluetooth ®
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Multimedia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Passive Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Basic information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Correct seated position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Why seat belts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
The physical principle of a frontal collision . . . . . . . . . . 135
Important safety information regarding the use of
seat belts
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
How are seat belts correctly fastened? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Description of the airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 3
Table of Contents Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Please refuel!
An audible signal sounds as an additional warning signal. CAUTION
Never run the fuel tank completely empty! An irregular supply of fuel can lead to
irregular engine running. Unburnt fuel may get into the exhaust system and dam-
age the catalytic converter. Note
After filling up, it can occur that during dynamic driving (e.g. numerous curves,
braking, driving downhill and climbing a steep hill) the fuel gauge indicates ap-
prox. a fraction less. When stopping or during less dynamic driving, the correct fuel
supply quantity is indicated. This effect is not a fault. 
Counter for distance driven The distance which you have driven with your vehicle is shown in kilometres (km).
In some countries the measuring unit
“mile” is used.
Reset button
If you hold the reset button 5
⇒
 fig. 2 pressed for about 1 second, the trip counter
is set back to zero.
Trip counter for distance driven
The trip counter indicates the distance which you have driven since this counter
was last reset - in steps of 100 metres or 1/10 of a mile.
Counter for distance driven
The counter for distance driven indicates the total distance in kilometres or miles
which the vehicle has been driven.
Fault display
If there is a fault in the instrument cluster Error will appear continuously in the
display. Have the fault rectified as soon as possible by a specialist workshop. WARNING
Never seek to adjust the trip counter for distance driven while driving for
safety reasons! Note
If vehicles which are fitted with the information display the display of the second
speed is activated in mph or km/h, this driving speed is indicated instead of the
counter for the total distance driven. 
Service reminder indicator Fig. 3 Service Interval Display: Note
Depending on the equipment installed in the vehicle, the text can differ on the
display.
Service Interval Display
Before the next service interval a key symbol 
and the remaining kilometres are
indicated after switching on the ignition ⇒ fig. 3 . At the same time, a display ap-
pears regarding the remaining days until the next service interval.
The following is displayed in the information display:
Service after ... km or... days. (Service after ... km or ... days.)
The kilometre indicator or the days indicator reduces in steps of 100 km. or days
until the service due date is reached.
A flashing key symbol 
and the text Service appears in the display for 20 sec-
onds as soon as the due date for the service is reached.
The following is displayed in the information display:
Service now! (Service now!)
Display regarding the distance and days until the following service interval
You can use the button 5 to display the remaining distance driven and the days
until the next service interval ⇒

 fig. 2. £12
Instruments and warning lights

●
Units
● Assistants
● Alternative speed displayed (Second speed)
● Service Interval
● Factory setting
● Back
After selecting the menu point Back you will reach one level higher in the menu.
Language
Here you can set in which language the warning and information texts should be
displayed.
Displays of the MFA
Here you can switch off or on certain displays of the multi-functional indicator.
Comfort
Here you can activate, deactivate or adjust the following functions: Rain closing Switch on/off the function for automatically closing the
window and panoramic tilt/slide sunroof in a locked rain
when it starts raining a)
. If the function is set and it is not
raining, the windows including the panoramic tilt/slide
sunroof will close automatically after approx. 12
hours.ATA confirm Switch on/off the acoustic signal indicating activation of
the anti-theft alarm system.
Central locking Switch on/off the central locking and automatic locking
function. Window op. Here you can set the convenience mode only for the
driver window or for all the windows.
Mirror down Switch on/off the function for mirror lowering on the
front passenger side when engaging the reverse gear b)
. Mirror adjust. Switch on/off the function for left and right exterior
mirror setting simultaneously.
Factory setting
Restore the Convenience factory setting.
a)
This function is only available on vehicles with a rain sensor.
b) This function is only available on vehicles with an electrically adjustable driver seat. Lights and Visibility
Here you can activate, deactivate or adjust the following functions: Coming Home Switch on/off and adjust the light duration of the Com-
ing Home function.
Leaving Home Switch on/off and adjust the light duration of the Com-
ing Home function.
Dayl. dri. light
Switch on/off the “DAY LIGHT” function.
Lane ch. flash
(convenience flashing) Switch on/off the convenience flashing function.
Rear wiper Switch on/off the function for automatic rear window
wiping.
Travel mode
Switch on/off the travel model function.
Factory setting
Restore the factory setting for the lighting.
Time
Here you can set the time, the time format (12 or 24 hour indicator) and the time
change summer/winter time.
Winter tyres
Here you can set at which speed a warning signal should sound. This function is
used for e.g winter tyres with the permissible maximum speed less than the maxi-
mum speed of the vehicle.
When exceeding the speed, an indication is displayed on the information display:
Winter tyres max. speed
... km/h
Measures
Here you can set the units for temperature, consumption and distance driven.
Assistants
Here you can adjust the tones of the acoustic signals of the parking aid. £20
Instruments and warning lights

Airbag system
Description of the airbag system General information on the airbag system The front airbag system is complementary to the three-point seat belts and offers
additional protection for the head and chest area of the driver and passenger in
the event of a frontal collision.
In the event of a side collision, the side airbags reduce the risk of injury to the oc-
cupants to the part of their body facing the side of the accident.
The airbag system is only functional after the ignition has been switched on.
The operational readiness of the airbag system is monitored electronically. The
airbag warning light comes on for a few seconds each time the ignition is switch-
ed on.
The airbag system (according to vehicle equipment) consists of:
● an electronic control unit;
● the front airbags for the driver and front passenger ⇒ page 140;
● the side airbags ⇒ page 142;
● head airbags ⇒  page 144;
● an airbag indicator light in the instrument cluster ⇒  page 24;
● a front passenger airbag switch ⇒  page 146;
● an indicator light for a switched off front seat passenger airbag in the middle
of the dash panel ⇒
 page 146.
A fault in the airbag system exists if:
● the airbag indicator light does not light up when the ignition is switched on;
● the warning light does not go out after about 4 seconds after the ignition is
switched on;
● the airbag indicator light goes out and comes on again after the ignition is
switched on;
● the airbag indicator light comes on or flickers when driving;
● the airbag indicator light showing a switched-off front passenger airbag in the
middle of the dash panel flashes. WARNING
● To enable the occupants of a car to be protected with the greatest possi-
ble effect when the airbag is deployed, the front seats must be ⇒

 page 132,
Correct seated position correctly adjusted to match the body size of the occu-
pant.
● If you do not fasten the seat belts when driving, lean too far forward or
adopt an incorrect seated position, you are exposing yourself to increased risk
of injury in the event of an accident.
● Have the airbag system checked immediately 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.
● No modifications of any kind may be made to parts of the airbag system.
● It is prohibited to manipulate individual parts of the airbag system as this
might result in the airbag being deployed.
● The protective function of the airbag system is sufficient for only one acci-
dent. The airbag system must then be replaced if the airbag has been de-
ployed.
● The airbag system needs no maintenance during its working life.
● If you sell your car, please hand over the complete vehicle documentation
to the new owener. Please note that the documents relating to the possibility
of deactivating the front passenger airbag are also part of the vehicle docu-
ments!
● If the vehicle or individual parts of the airbag system are scrapped, it is es-
sential to observe the relevant safety precautions. The authorised
ŠKODA
Service Partners are familiar with these regulations.
● When disposing of vehicle or parts of the airbag system, it is important to
comply with the national legal requirements. 
When are the airbags deployed? The airbag system is designed in such a way that the driver and front passenger
airbag are deployed in the event of a violent frontal collision
.
In the case of a violent side crash , the side airbag in the front seat and the head
airbag on the side on which the collision occurs are deployed. £ 139
Airbag system Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

If the airbag was switched off using diagnostic equipment:
●
The warning light for the airbag system lights up for 4 seconds after switching
on the ignition and then flashes for 12 seconds afterwards in 2 second intervals.
The following situation applies if the airbag has been switched off using the
switch for the airbag in the storage compartment:
● the airbag indicator light in the instrument cluster comes on for about 4 sec-
onds each time the ignition is switched on,
● if the airbags are switched off, this is indicated in the middle of the dash panel
by the lighting up of the indicator light 
  ⇒ fig. 129 - right. Note
Your authorised ŠKODA Service Partner will be able to advise you whether nation-
al legislation in your country allows airbags in your vehicle to be deactivated, and
which ones. 
Switch for the front passenger airbag Fig. 129 Storage compartment: Switch for the front passenger airbag/indicator light for a
switched off front seat passenger airbag
Only the front passenger airbag is deactivated with the switch.
Deactivating an airbag
– Switch off the ignition.
– Turn the slot of the airbag switch using the key in the position 2 (
OFF)
⇒  fig. 129 .
– Check whether the indicator light


 in the middle of the dash panel
lights up when the ignition is switched on ⇒ fig. 129 - right. Switching on an airbag
–
Switch off the ignition.
– Turn the slot of the airbag switch using the key in the position 1 (
ON)
⇒ fig. 129 .
– Check whether the airbag indicator light 
  in the middle of the dash
panel lights up when the ignition is switched on ⇒ fig. 129 - right.
The airbag should only be switched off under exceptional circumstances
⇒ page 145.
Indicator light   (airbag switched off)
The airbag indicator light is located in the middle of the dash panel ⇒ fig. 129 -
right.
If the front passenger airbag is switched off, the warning light comes on about 4
seconds after the ignition is switched on.
There is a system fault present in the airbag switch off ⇒  if the indicator light
flashes. Please have the car inspected immediately by a specialist garage. WARNING
● The driver is responsible for whether the airbag is switched on or switched
off.
● Only switch off the airbag when the ignition is switched off! Otherwise a
fault can occur in the system for the airbag deactivation.
● If the warning light 
  (airbag switched off) flashes:
– Front passenger airbag is not deployed in the event of an accident!
– It is also important to have the system inspected without delay by a
specialist garage. 146
Airbag system

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

We recommend you have the electrolyte level checked by a specialist garage from
time to time, especially in the following cases.
● High outside temperatures.
● Long daily drives
● After each charge ⇒  page 189.
On vehicles with a vehicle battery fitted with a colour indicator, the so-called mag-
ic eye ⇒ fig. 155 , the electrolyte level can be determined by looking at the change
in colour.
Air bubbles can influence the colour of the indicator. For this reason carefully
knock on the indicator before carrying out the check.
● Black colour - electrolyte level is correct.
● Colourless or light yellow colour - electrolyte level too low, the battery must be
replaced. Note
● The battery electrolyte level is periodically checked by an authorised
ŠKODA
Service Partner as part of the Inspection Service.
● For technical reasons, on vehicles with the description “AGM”, the electrolyte
level cannot be checked.
● Vehicles with a “START-STOP” system are fitted with a battery control unit for
checking the energy level for the recurring engine start. 
Operation in winter The battery has to provide greater amounts of electricity during the winter. It also
has only part of the initial power output at low temperatures that it has at normal
temperatures.
A discharged battery may already freeze at temperatures just below 0 °C.
We therefore recommend that you have the battery checked by a specialist ga-
rage before the start of winter and recharged if necessary. WARNING
Never charge a frozen or thawed battery - risk of explosion and caustic burns.
Replace a frozen battery. Charging the battery A properly charged battery is essential for reliably starting the en-
gine.
– Read the warning notes ⇒
  in General information on page 187 and ⇒
  .
– Switch the ignition and all electrical components off.
– Only for “quick-charging”: Disconnect both battery cables (first of all “nega-
tive
”, then “positive”).
– Carefully attach the terminal clamps of the charger to the battery terminals
(red = “positive

”, black = “negative”).
– You can now plug the mains cable of the charger into the power socket and
switch on the charger.
– When charging is completed: switch the charger off and unplug the mains ca-
ble from the power socket.
– Only then should you disconnect the terminal clamps of the charger.
– Reconnect the cables to the battery (first of all “positive”, then “negative”).
It is not normally necessary to disconnect the cables of the battery if you recharge
the battery using low amperages (as for example from a mini-charger). Please al-
so refer to the instructions from the charger manufacturer.
A charging current of 0.1 of the total battery capacity (or lower) is that which
should be used until full charging is achieved.
It is, however, necessary to disconnect both cables before charging the battery
with high amperages, so-called

“quick-charging ”.
“Quick-charging” a battery is dangerous ⇒  in General information on page 187.
It requires a special charger and specialist knowledge. We recommend having the
quick charging of vehicle batteries undertaken by a specialist garage.
A discharged battery may already freeze at temperatures just below 0

°C ⇒  . We
recommend that you no longer use a battery which has thawed out because the
casing of the battery may be cracked through the formation of ice and this would
allow battery electrolyte to flow out.
The vent plugs of the battery should not be opened for charging. £ 189
Inspecting and Replenishing Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

WARNING
● Never charge a frozen or thawed battery - risk of explosion and caustic
burns. Replace a frozen battery.
● Never charge a battery which has a too low electrolyte level - risk of explo-
sion and caustic burns. CAUTION
On vehicles with the “START/STOP” system, the pole terminal of the charger must
not be connected directly to the negative terminal of the vehicle battery, but only
to the engine earth ⇒ fig. 172. 
Disconnecting and reconnecting the battery On disconnecting and reconnecting the battery the following functions are initially
deactivated or are no longer able to operate fault-free.
Operation Operating measure
Electrical power window (operational faults) ⇒ page 41
Enter the car stereo/radio navigation system
code number see operating instructions for the
car stereo/radio navigation sys-
tem
Setting the clock ⇒ page 13
Data in the multi-functional indicator are de-
leted. ⇒ page 14
We recommend having the vehicle checked by an authorised ŠKODA Service Part-
ner to ensure full functionality of all electrical systems.

Replacing the battery When replacing a battery, the new new battery must have the same capacity,
voltage (12
V), amperage and be the same size. Suitable types of vehicle battery
are available from an authorised ŠKODA Service Partner.
We recommend you have a battery change carried out by an authorised ŠKODA
Service Partner, who will properly install the new battery and dispose of the origi-
nal one. CAUTION
Vehicles with a “START-STOP” system are fitted with a special battery type which
allows the battery control unit to check the energy level for recurring engine start.
This battery must only be replaced by a battery of the same type. For the sake of the environment
Batteries contain poisonous substances such as sulphuric acid and lead. For this
reason, it must be disposed of properly. Under no circumstances must it be dis-
posed of in the communal rubbish. 
Automatic consumer shut-off Under heavy load on the vehicle battery, the vehicle electrical system manage-
ment automatically takes various measures to avoid draining the vehicle battery.
●
The idling speed is raised to allow the generator to deliver more electricity to
the electrical system.
● If necessary, some electrical consumers are limited in their performance or are
temporarily switched off completely. Note
Despite such intervention by the vehicle electric system management, the vehicle
battery may be drained. For example, when the ignition is switched on a long time
with the engine turned off or the side or parking lights are turned on during lon-
ger parking. 
Windshield washer system Fig. 156 Engine compartment: Wind-
shield washer fluid reservoir
£190
Inspecting and Replenishing