2011 SKODA OCTAVIA TOUR check engine light

Towing a trailer
118
Towing a trailerTowing a trailerTechnical requirementsYour vehicle is designed primarily for tr ansporting persons and luggage. It can,
however, also be used for towing a trailer - provided certain technical equipment is
fitted.
If your vehicle has already been supplied with a factory-fitted towing device then
everything that is necessary for towing a tr ailer in technical terms, and in terms of
the law, has already been taken into account.
Your vehicle is fitted with a 13-pin power socket for the electrical connection
between the vehicle and trailer. If th e trailer which you wish to tow has a 7-pin
connector , you can use a suitable adapter
6) from Škoda original accessories.
This work must be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications
if a towing device is retrofitted.
Authorised Škoda Service Partners can pr ovide information about retrofitting a
towing device and for any necessary modifications to the cooling system.
WARNING
We recommend that you have the towing de vice from Škoda original accessories
installed by an authorised Škoda Service Partner. He is familiar with all the rele-
vant details relating to retrofitting such equipment. There is a risk of an accident
if the towing device is not properly fitted!General MaintenanceTrailer load
The permissible trailer load must on no account be exceeded.
You can negotiate appropriately steeper inclines and descents if you do not make
full use of the permissible trailer load.
The trailer loads specified only apply for altitudes up to 1 000 metres above mean
sea level. The fact that the engine power output drops with increasing height due
to a lowering of air pressure and thus th e ability to climb, means that the towed w e i g h t m u s t b e r e d u c e d b y 1 0 % f o r e v e r y f u r t h e r i n c r e a s e o f 1 0 0 0 m e t r e s i n h e i g h t
above sea level. The towed weight is the weight of the (laden) vehicle and the
(laden) trailer together. One should take
this into account before driving up to
higher altitudes.
The trailer and drawbar load information on the type plate of the towing device
are merely test data for the towing device The data relating to your vehicle, which
is often less than this test data, can be found in your vehicle registration docu-
ments.
Distribution of the load
Distribute the load in the trailer in such a way that any heavy items are located as
close as possible to the axle. Secure the items to prevent them slipping.
Tyre inflation pressure
Select the tyre inflation pressure on your vehicle for that of “fully laden”,
 page 141. The inflation pressure of the tyre s fitted to the trailer adjust in accord-
ance with the manufacturer's recommendation.
Exterior mirrors
You have to have additional exterior mirr ors fitted if you are not able to see the
traffic behind the trailer with the standard rear-view mirrors. Both exterior mirrors
should be attached to folding arms. Adjust the mirrors so that they provide you with
an adequate field of view to the rear.
Headlights
Before starting off with a hitched trailer, also check the setting of the headlights.
Alter the setting as necessary with th e aid of the headlight beam adjuster
 page 41.
Detachable ball head
The ball rod is detachable on vehicles wh ich feature a factory-fitted towing device.
Further information on the towing device page 119.
Note
•
We recommend that you also have your vehicle inspected between service
intervals if you tow a trailer frequently.
•
The handbrake on the towing vehicle must be put on when coupling and decou-
pling the trailer.
6)In some countries the adapter is supplied with the towing device.s2lk.2.book Page 118 Monday, April 18, 2011 7:41 AM

Towing a trailer119
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Driving Tips
Particular caution is required when towing a trailer.– Do not, as far as possible, drive with your vehicle unladen and the trailer laden.
– Do not make full use of the legal maximum speeds. This applies in particular to downhill sections.
– Apply the brakes in good time.
– Keep a check on the coolant temperatur e 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 sa fety 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 accident
black spots.
You must always reduce your speed immedi ately 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 temper ature 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 16, “Engine coolant temperature Display”.
If the needle of the coolant temperature gauge moves into the right-hand area or
even the red area of the scale, reduce yo ur 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 134, “Inspecting the coolant level”. Please refer to the following guidelines 
page 25, “Coolant temperature/coolant
level ”.
The coolant temperature can be reduced by switching on the heating.
Any increase in the cooling effect of the coolant fan through shifting down a gear
and increasing the engine speed is not possible since the fan speed is independent
of the engine speed. One should also not drop a gear for this reason when towing a
trailer as long as the engine can manage the slope without any drop in speed.
Detachable towing device*The ball head of the towing device is stow ed together with separate fitting instruc-
tions in the spare wheel well in the luggage compartment of the vehicle.
Inspect the ball head to ensure that it is properly locked each time before setting
off. The inspection is performed by turning the closed locking lever downwards. If
the locking lever can only be turned around a small angle (approx. 5°), the locking
mechanism is O.K. After the inspection pull the locking lever back again to its stop.
The towing device must not be used, if it does not wish to close or the locking lever
turns slightly in the closed position.
WARNING
Do not use any aids or tools for installing or removing the ball head. This might
result in damage to the locking mechanism to the extent that the safety of the
towing device is no longer assured - risk of an accident.
Note
•
Do not carry out any modifications or re pairs to the ball head or to any other
components on the towing device.
Fig. 118 Detachable ball head
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Inspecting and replenishing
130
Inspecting and replenishingEngine compartmentBonnet remote releaseBonnet remote release– Pull the unlocking lever below the dash panel on the driver's side fig. 120 .
The bonnet jumps out of its lock as a resu lt of the spring force. A locking lever
appears at the same time in the radiator grille.Opening and closing the bonnet.Fig. 121 Radiator grille: Release lever / securing the bonnet with the bonnet support
Opening the bonnet– Unlock the bonnet fig. 120 .
– 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.
– Pulling on the release lever in direction of arrow fig. 121 will unlock the
bonnet.
– Grip with the hand under the radiator grille and lift up the bonnet.
– Take the bonnet support out of its holder and set it in the opening on the bonnet.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 20 cm into the lock - bonnet do
not press down on it !
WARNING
•
Never open the bonnet if you see that st eam 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 drivin g if you notice that the lock is not
properly engaged and close the bonnet properly - risk of an accident!Caution
Never open the bonnet using the locking lever - danger of causing damage.
Fig. 120 Bonnet release lever
1
2
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Inspecting and replenishing
132Engine oil filler opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine oil dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake fluid reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery (below a cover) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Note
The location of the inspection points in the engine compartment of petrol and diesel
engines is practically identical.Engine oilCheck engine oil level
The dipstick indicates the level of oil in the engine.Checking the oil level– Ensure that the vehicle is positioned on a level surface.
– Switch the engine off.
–Open the bonnet  in “Working in the engine compartment” on page 131.
– Wait a few minutes and pull out the oil dipstick.
– Wipe off the dipstick with a clea n cloth and insert it again fully.
– Then withdraw the dipstick ag ain and read off the oil level.Oil level within range –You must not top up the oil.
Oil level within range –You may top up the oil. It is possible that the oil level may then be within range
after doing this.Oil level within range –You must top up the oil page 132. It is sufficient, once this 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 higher than this
during the first 5000 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 - but not above this,
if the engine has been operating at high loads, for example during a lengthy
motorway trip during the summer months, towing a trailer or negotiating a high
mountain pass.
The warning light in the instrument cluster* will indicate page 24, “Engine oil
pressure ” 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.
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 profes-
sional assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it could lead to severe engine
damage.Note
Engine oil specifications  page 165, “Technical Data”.Replenishing engine oil– Inspecting the engine oil level page 132.
– Unscrew the cap of the engine oil filler opening.
3
132
4
132
5
135
6
136
Fig. 123 Dipstick
AA
AB
AA
ACAB
AA
AA
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Inspecting and replenishing
134
An authorised Škoda Service Partner can also supply you with the correct coolant
additives.
Coolant quantity
Caution
•
Other coolant additives may cause operational problems which, in particular,
involves significantly reduci ng the anticorrosion effect.
•
Any faults or problems resulting from corrosion may cause a loss of coolant
and, as a consequence of this, re sult in major engine damage.
Inspecting the coolant levelThe coolant expansion bottle is located in the engine compartment on the right.
– Switch the engine off.
–Open the bonnet page 130. – Check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion bottle 
fig. 124. The
coolant level when the engine is cold must lie between the (MIN) and
(MAX) markings. The level may also rise slightly above the (MAX) marking
when the engine is warm.
If the coolant level in the reservoir is too low, this is indicated by the warning light
in the instrument cluster page 25, “Coolant temperature/coolant level  ”. 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 re servoir. 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 131, “Working in the engine
compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
Caution
One should contact a specialist garage as soon as possible if the source of over-
heating 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. 124 and
unscrew the cap carefully by turning it to the left .
– Top up the coolant.
– Screw the cap tight until it is heard to lock.
The coolant which you use for replenishing the system, must comply with one
specific specification  page 133. Do not use an altern ative additive if the coolant
additive G13 is not available in an emergency. Just top up the system with water and
Petrol engines
Content
1.4 ltr./59 kW - EU4
7.1
1.6 ltr./75 kW - EU4, EU2
7.4
Diesel engine
Content
2.0 ltr./81 kW TDI CR - EU4
8.4
Fig. 124 Engine compartment: Coolant
expansion bottle
Ab
Aa
Aa
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Inspecting and replenishing137
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
skin diseases (inflammations, ulcers, sk
in cracks). Acids coming into contact
with water are diluted accompanied by significant development of heat.
•
Do not tilt the battery otherwise batt ery electrolyte may flow out of the
battery vent openings. Protect the eyes wi th safety glasses or a shield! There is
the danger of suffering blindness! If any battery electrolyte gets into your eye,
rinse out your eye immediately with clear water for several minutes. Contact a
doctor without delay.
•
Splashes of acid on your skin or clot hes should be neutralised as soon as
possible using soap suds and then rinsed with plenty of water. Contact a doctor
immediately if you swal low battery electrolyte.
•
Keep batteries out of the reach of children.
•
Hydrogen is released when you charge a battery and a highly explosive gas
mixture is produced. An explosion can be caused through sparkling over during
unclamping or loosening of the cable plug while the ignition is on.
•
Bridging of the poles will create a short circuit (e.g. through metal objects,
cables). Possible consequences of a short circuit: Melting of lead struts, explo-
sion and burning of the battery, jets of acid spurting out.
•
It is prohibited to work with a naked fl ame and light, to smoke or to carry out
any activities which produce sparks. Avoid creating sparks when working with
cables and electrical devices. Strong spar k build-up represents a risk of injury.
•
Before carrying out any work on the electrical system, switch off the engine,
the ignition as well as all electrical components and disconnect the negative
cable (-) on the battery. If you wish to repl ace a bulb it is sufficient to switch off
the appropriate light.
•
Never charge a frozen or thawed batt ery - risk of explosion and caustic
burns! Replace a frozen battery.
•
Never jump-start the batteries which have a too low electrolyte level - risk
of explosion and caustic burns!
•
Never use a battery which is damaged - risk of explosion! Immediately
replace a damaged battery.Caution
•
You must only disconnect the battery if the ignition is switched off, otherwise
the electrical system (electronic componen ts) of the vehicle may be damaged. When
disconnecting the battery from the electrical system of the vehicle, first disconnect
the negative terminal (-) of the battery. Then disconnect the positive terminal (+).
•
When reconnecting the battery, first connect the positive terminal (+) and only
then the negative terminal (-) of the batt ery. You must on no account connect the
cables wrongly - risk of a cable fire.
•
Ensure that battery acid does not come into contact with the vehicle body
otherwise damage could occur to the paintwork.
•
Do not place the battery in direct daylight in order to protect the battery housing
from the effects of ultra-violet light.For the sake of the environment
A removed battery is a special type of wa ste which is harmful to the environment -
contact your specialist garage regarding disposing of the battery.
Note
Please also refer to the guidelines page 139, also after connecting the battery.Battery with a two-tone indicatorAn indicator for the electrolyte level, the so-called magic eye fig. 127, is located
on the top of the battery. The indicator changes its colour in line with the electrolyte
level in the battery.
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.
Batteries, which are more than 5 years ol d, must be replaced. We recommend you
have the battery checked or replaced by a specialist garage.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 127 The battery: Show
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Breakdown assistance149
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Components of the tyre repair kitFig. 134 Components of the tyre repair kitThe tyre repair kit is made up of the following parts:
Screwdriver for removal and re-installation of valve core
Sticker with speed designation “max. 80 km/h”/“max. 50 mph”
Inflation hose with plug
Compressor
Air hose for the compressor
Tyre pressure checker
Air release valve
Stop button
Plug for 12V cigarette lighter socket
Bottle with sealant
Replacement valve corePreparing to use the tyre repair kitBefore using the tyre repa ir kit, carry out the following preparatory work:
– If it is necessary to change a wheel, park the vehicle as far away as possible from
the traffic flow. The plac e you choose should be level .
–Have all the occupants get out. While changing a wheel, the occupants of the
vehicle should not stand on the ro ad (e.g. behind a crash barrier).
– Apply the handbrake firmly. – Shift up into the
1st gear.
– If a trailer is coup led, uncouple it.
– Remove the tyre repair kit from the luggage compartment.
WARNING
If you find yourself in flowing traffic sw itch on the hazard warning lights system
and place the warning triangle on the side of the road at the prescribed distance
from your vehicle while observing all nat ional legal provisions. In this way you
are protecting not only yourself but also other road users.Changing a wheelPreliminary workThe following steps should be carried ou t before actually changing the wheel.
– If it is necessary to change a wheel, park the vehicle as far away as possible from
the traffic flow. The place you choose should be level.
–Have all the occupants get out. While changing a wheel, the occupants of the
vehicle should not stand on the road (e.g. behind a crash barrier).
–Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Shift up into the 1st gear.
– If a trailer is coup led, uncouple it.
–Take the vehicle tool kit  page 147 and the spare wheel*  page 148 out of
the luggage compartment.
WARNING
•
If you find yourself in flowing traffi c switch on the hazard warning lights
system and place the warning triangle on the side of the road at the prescribed
distance from your vehicle while observin g all national legal provisions. In this
way you are protecting not only yourself but also other road users.
•
Never start the engine with the vehicle sitting on the raised jack - danger of
suffering injury.
A1A2A3A4A5A6A7A8A9A10A11
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Fuses and light bulbs
156
Fuses and light bulbsElectric fusesReplacing fuses
Defect fuses must be replaced.Individual electrical circuits are protected by fuses. The fuses are located on the left
side of the dash panel behind the safety cover and under the cover in the engine
compartment on the left.
– Switch the ignition off and also the electrical component affected.
– Use a screwdriver to take off the fuse cover on the side of the dash panel
fig. 143 or the fuse cover in the engine compartment page 157.
– Find out which fuse belongs to the relevant component page 158, “Fuse
assignment in the dash panel” or page 157, “Fuse assignment in engine
compartment”.
– Take the plastic clip out of its fixture in the fuse cover, insert it onto the respec- tive fuse and pull out this fuse.
– Defect fuses can be detected by their melted metal strips. Replace the defect fuse by a new fuse of the same ampere number.
– Fit on the fuse cover again.
We recommend that you always have the small box of replacement fuses in your
vehicle. You can obtain replacement fuses from Škoda original accessories or from
a specialist garage
8). Colour coding of fuses
Caution
•
Never attempt to “repair” fuses and also
do not replace them with a fuse of a
higher amperage - risk of fire! This may also cause damage at another part of the
electrical system.
•
Have the electrical system checked as quickly as possible by a specialist garage
if a newly inserted fuse bl ows again after a short time.
Fig. 143 Fuse cover: left side of the dash
panel
8)The small box with replacement fuses is part of the basic equipping of the vehicle in some
countries.
Colour
Maximum amperage
light brown
5
brown
7.5
red
10
blue
15
yellow
20
white
25
green
30
orange
40
red
50
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