2011 SKODA OCTAVIA TOUR air suspension

Driving and the Environment
116Note
Detailed information about the trade-in and recycling of old cars is available from a
Škoda Service Partner.Motoring abroadGeneral
Other circumstances may exist abroad.It is possible, in certain countries, that the Škoda Service Partner network is limited
or has not been established yet. This is the reason why obtaining certain spare parts
may be somewhat complicated and specialist garage personnel may only be able to
make limited repairs. Škoda Auto in the Czech Republic and relevant importers are
happy to provide information about technical aspects of the vehicle, required main-
tenance work and possibilities for getting repairs done.Unleaded petrolA vehicle fitted with a petrol engine must always be refuelled with unleaded petrol
 page 111. The automobile associations can provide you with information
regarding the locations of filling stations which offer unleaded petrol.HeadlightThe low beam of your headlights is set asy mmetrically. It illuminates the side of the
road on which you are driving to a greater extent. If you drive abroad on the other
side of the road, you will dazzle oncoming traffic.
In order to prevent the dazzling of oncoming traffic, it is necessary that an adjust-
ment of the headlights is carried out by your authorised Škoda Service Partner.Avoiding damage to your vehicleWhen driving on poor roads and lanes or when driving over kerbstones, steep ramps
etc., you must pay particular attention to ensuring that any low-slung parts of the
vehicle, such as spoiler and exhaust, do not touch the ground and get damaged.
This particularly applies to models with a lowered suspension (sport suspension)
and also when your vehicle is fully laden.
Driving through bodies of water on roadsIn order to avoid damage to the vehicle when driving through bodies of water (e.g.
flooded roads), observe the following:•
Determine the depth of the water when driving through bodies of water. The
water can reach at the maximum the web on the lower sill of the vehicle fig. 117 .
•
Drive no more than at walking speed. At a higher speed, a water wave can form
in front of the vehicle which can cause water to penetrate into the air induction
system of the engine or into other parts of the vehicle.
•
Never let the vehicle stand in the water, never drive backwards and do not
switch off the engine.
WARNING
•
Driving through water, mud, sludge etc. can reduce the braking power and
extend the braking distance - risk of accident!
•
Avoid sudden and severe braking m anoeuvres immediately after driving
through bodies of water.
•
After driving through bodies of water, the brakes must be cleaned and dried
as soon as possible by intermittent braking. Only apply the brakes for the
purpose of drying and cleaning the brake discs if the traffic conditions permit
this. Do not place any other road users in jeopardy.Caution
•
When driving through bodies of water, parts of the vehicle such as the engine,
gearbox, catalytic converter, chassis or electrics can be severely damaged.
•
Oncoming vehicles can generate water waves which can exceed the permissible
water level for your vehicle.
Fig. 117 Crossing bodies of water
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Wheels and Tyres
142
The tyre inflation pressures for tyres of the tyre size 205/50 R17, which are intended
to be used with snow chains, is identical to the pressures for tyres of the tyre size
225/45 R17, see page 141, fig. 129 .
The tyre pressure should be at the highest pressure specified for your vehicle at all
times.
The tyre inflation pressure of the emergency spare wheel R 18 is 420 kPa (4.2 bar).
Always check the inflation pressure of tyres when cold. Do not reduce the higher
pressure of warm tyres. Adap t the inflation pressure of the tyres accordingly if your
vehicle is carrying a significantly higher payload.
Driving style
Fast cornering, sharp acceleration and braking (squealing tyres) increase wear-and-
tear on your tyres.
Balancing wheels
The wheels of a new vehicle are balanced. There are a wide range of influences
when driving which may result in an imbalance and which makes themselves felt
through vibration in the steering.
You should have the wheels rebalanced since any imbalance increases wear-and-
tear on the steering, the suspension and tyres. A wheel must also be rebalanced
when a new tyre is fitted and each time a tyre is repaired.
Wheel alignment errors
Incorrect wheel alignment at the front and re ar will not only increase wear-and-tear
on the tyres but will also has an adverse effect on vehicle safety. Contact your
specialist garage if you no tice any unusual tyre wear.
WARNING
•
If the inflation pressure is too low, the tyre must perform a greater flexing
work. At higher speeds the tyre will warm up as a result of this. This can result
in tread separation and even a tyre blowout.
•
Immediately replace the damaged rims or tyres.
•
T y r e s w h i c h a r e 6 y e a r s o l d o r m o r e s h o u l d o n l y b e f i t t e d i n e x c e p t i o n a l c a s e s
and when adopting an appropriately cautious style of driving.For the sake of the environment
Tyres which are insufficiently inflated increase your fuel consumption.
Wear indicatorsThe base of the tread of the original tyres has wear indicators 1.6 mm high, installed
at right angles to the direction of travel. These wear indicators are located at 6 - 8
points depending on the make and are evenly spaced around the circumference of
the tyre  fig. 130. Markings on the walls of the tyres through the letters “TWI”,
triangular symbols or other symbols identify the posi tion of the wear indicators.
A remaining tread of just 1.6 mm, measured in the grooves of the tread next to the
wear indicators, means that your tyres have reached their legally permissible
minimum tread depth.
WARNING
•
You must have your tyres replaced with new ones at the latest when the
wear indicators have been worn down. The legally permissible minimum tread
depth should be observed.
•
Worn tyres do not provide the necessary adhesion to the road surface at high
speeds on wet roads. One could experien ce “aquaplaning” (uncontrolled move-
ments of the vehicle - “swimming” on a wet road surface).
Fig. 130 Tyre tread with wear indicators
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