2012 SKODA OCTAVIA oil level

SymbolDescriptionReferenceClutches of the automatic gearbox DSG aretoo hot» page 14Handbrake» page 14Brake system» page 14Seat belt warning light, front» page 14
Seat belt warning light, rear» page 15Generator» page 15Coolant temperature/coolant level» page 15
Engine oil» page 15
Power steering» page 16Traction control (TCS)» page 16Traction control (TCS) switched off» page 17Electronic Stability Control (ESC)» page 17Antilock brake system (ABS)» page 17Rear fog light» page 17Bulb failure» page 17Exhaust inspection system» page 17SymbolDescriptionReferenceGlow plug system (diesel engine)» page 18EPC fault light (petrol engine)» page 18Diesel particle filter (diesel engine)» page 18Fuel reserve» page 18Safety systems» page 19Tyre pressure» page 19Windscreen washer fluid level» page 19Brake pad thickness» page 20
Lane Assist» page 20
Turn signal (left/right)» page 20Trailer turn signal lights» page 20Fog lights» page 20Speed regulating system» page 20Selector lever lock» page 20Main beam» page 20Headlight assist» page 20 13Instruments and warning lights

SymbolDescriptionReference
START-STOPSystem» page 20Ice warning» page 20WARNING■
Failing to respect active warning lights, their associated descriptions, and
warning messages can lead to major injuries or damage to the vehicle.■
The engine compartment of your car is a hazardous area. There is a risk of
injuries, scalding, accidents and fire when working in the engine compart-
ment, e.g. inspecting and replenishing oil and other fluids. It is essential to ob-
serve safety notes » page 169, Engine compartment .

Clutches of the automatic gearbox DSG are too hot 
The warning light 
lights up if the temperature of the clutches of the automatic
gearbox is too high.
The following message is shown in the information cluster display: Gearbox overheated. Stop! Owner's manual!
or STOP VEHICLE GEARBOX OVERHEAT
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and wait until the light 
goes out – risk
of gearbox damage! You can continue your journey as soon as the light goes out.

Handbrake 
The warning light 
comes on if the handbrake is applied. An acoustic signal will
sound if you drive the vehicle above 5 km/h while the handbrake is still on.
The following message is shown in the information cluster display: Release the handbrake!
or RELEASE HANDBRAKE

Brake system 
The warning light  illuminates if the brake fluid level is too low or there is a
fault in the ABS.
The following message is shown in the information cluster display: Brake fluid: owner's manual!
or BRAKE FLUID PLEASE CHECK
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and check the level of the brake flu-
id » page 175 »
.
WARNING■
If you have to stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe dis-
tance from the traffic, switch off the engine and activate the hazard warning
light system » page 49.■
If the warning light  is displayed simultaneously with warning light
 » page 17 , Antilock brake system (ABS) ,  do not continue your jour-
ney! Seek help from a ŠKODA specialist garage.
■
A fault to the braking system can increase the vehicle's braking distance -
risk of accident!

Seat belt warning light, front 
The warning light 
comes on after the ignition is switched on as a reminder for
the driver and front passenger to fasten the seat belt.
The warning light goes out if the driver or front passenger has fastened their seat
belt.
The warning light 
flashes and at the same time an acoustic warning signal
sounds when the driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt and
the speed of the vehicle exceeds 30 km/h.
If the seat belt is not fastened by the driver or front passenger during the next
approx. 2 seconds, the warning signal is deactivated and the warning light 
lights up permanently.
Further information » page 142, Seat belts .

14Using the system

Seat belt warning light, rear  
A rear seat belt is not fastenedA rear seat belt is fastened
The warning lights  or  come on after the ignition has been switched on.
When the seat belt is fastened/unfastened, the particular warning light lights up briefly and indicates the current belt status!
Further information » page 142, Seat belts .

Dynamo 
The warning light 
lights up when the engine is running, the vehicle battery is
not being charged.
Seek help from a ŠKODA specialist garage to have the electrical system checked
out.
WARNINGIf you have to stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe dis-
tance from the traffic, switch off the engine and activate the hazard warning
light system » page 49.
CAUTION
If the warning light  (cooling system fault) comes on in addition to the warning
light  when driving, stop the vehicle immediately and switch the engine off –
there is a risk of engine damage!
Coolant temperature/coolant level 
If the warning light 
lights up, this means the coolant temperature is too high.
The following message is shown in the information cluster display:
Check coolant! Owner's manual!
or ENGINE COOLANT PLEASE CHECK
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, check the level of the coolant » page 174,
and refill the coolant if necessary » page 175.
If the coolant is within the specified range, the increased temperature may be
caused by an operating problem at the radiator fan. Check the fuse for the radia-
tor fan, replace if necessary » page 201, Fuses in the engine compartment .
Do not continue driving if the warning light   does not go off even though the
coolant level is correct and the fuse for the fan is in working order!
Seek help from a ŠKODA specialist garage.WARNING■ If you have to stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe dis-
tance from the traffic, switch off the engine and activate the hazard warning
light system » page 49.■
Carefully open the coolant expansion bottle. If the engine is hot, the cooling
system is pressurized – risk of scalding! It is therefore best to allow the engine
to cool down before removing the cap.
■
Do not touch the radiator fan. The radiator fan may switch itself on auto-
matically even if the ignition is off.

Engine oil  
The warning light 
flashes (low oil pressure)
The following message is shown in the information cluster display:
Oil pressure: Stop! Owner's manual!
or STOP VEHICLE OIL PRESSURE
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and check the level of the engine
oil » page 172 , Checking the engine oil level .
Even if the oil level is correct, 
do not drive any further if the warning light is
flashing! Also do not leave the engine running at an idling speed.
Seek help from a ŠKODA specialist garage.
The indicator light 
lights up (oil quantity too low)
The following message is shown in the information cluster display:
Check oil level! 
15Instruments and warning lights

orCHECK OIL LEVEL
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and check the level of the engine
oil » page 172 .
The warning light will go out if the bonnet is left open for more than 30 seconds.
If no engine oil has been replenished, the warning light will come on again after
driving about 100 km.
The indicator light  flashes (engine oil level sensor faulty)
The following message is shown in the information cluster display:
Oil sensor: workshop!
or
OIL SENSOR WORKSHOP
If the engine oil level sensor is faulty, the warning light flashes 
several times
and an audible signal sounds when the ignition is turned on.
Seek help from a ŠKODA specialist garage.WARNING■ If you have to stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe dis-
tance from the traffic, switch off the engine and activate the hazard warning
light system » page 49.■
Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible  to top
up the engine oil under the prevailing conditions! Switch off the engine and
seek assistance from a ŠKODA specialist garage.

Power steering  
If the warning light 
lights up, this indicates a partial failure of the power steer-
ing and the steering forces can be greater. Seek help from a ŠKODA specialist ga-
rage.
If the warning light 
lights up, this indicates a complete failure of the power
steering and the steering assist has failed (significantly higher steering forces).
Seek help from a ŠKODA specialist garage.
Further information » page 93.
WARNINGIf you have to stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe dis-
tance from the traffic, switch off the engine and activate the hazard warning
light system » page 49.
Note
If the vehicle's battery has been disconnected and reconnected, the warning light
 comes on after switching on the ignition. The warning light should go out after
driving a short distance. If the yellow warning light  does not go out after start-
ing the engine again and a short drive, it is necessary to visit a ŠKODA specialist
garage.
Traction control system (TCS) 
If your vehicle is fitted with the ESC system, the ASR is integrated into the ESC
system » page 112 .
The warning light flashes 
to show that the ASR is currently operating.
If the warning light 
lights up, there is a fault in the ASR.
If the warning light 
comes on immediately after starting the engine, the ASR
can be switched off for technical reasons. Switch the ignition off and on again. If
the warning light does not light up after you switch the engine back on, the ASR
is fully functional again.
The following message is shown in the information cluster display: Error: traction control
or
ASR ERROR
Seek help from a ŠKODA specialist garage.
Further information » page 112 and » page 113 , Traction control system (TCS) .
Note
If the vehicle's battery has been disconnected and reconnected, the warning light
 comes on after switching on the ignition. The warning light should go out after
driving a short distance.
16Using the system

›Average speed
› Driving time
Since start
The memory collates the driving information from the moment the ignition is
switched on until it is switched off. New data will also flow into the calculation of
the current driving information if the trip is continued within 2 hours after
switching off the ignition. If the trip is interrupted for more than 2 hours, the
memory is automatically erased.
Long-term
The memory gathers driving information from any number of individual journeys
up to a total of 99 hours and 59 minutes driving or 9 999 kilometres driven. The
memory is deleted when either of these limits is reached and the calculation
starts all over again.
Since refuel
The memory gathers driving information since the last refuelling. The memory is erased automatically the next time you fill up.
Note
Disconnecting the vehicle battery will delete all memory data.
Multifunction display details
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 22.
Range
The range indicates the distance you can still drive with your vehicle based on the
level of fuel in the tank and the same style of driving as before.
The display is shown in steps of 10 km. After lighting up of the indicator light 
the display is shown in steps of 5 km.
The fuel consumption over the last 50 km is used to calculate the range. Therange can increase if you drive in a more fuel-efficient manner.
Average fuel consumption
The average fuel consumption 1)
is calculated since the last time the memory was
erased » page 22 .
If you wish to determine the average fuel consumption over a certain period of
time, you must set the memory at the start of the new measurement to zero » Fig. 3 on page 22. After erasing the memory, no fuel consumption data will
appear for the first 100 m driven.
The fuel consumption data is updated regularly while you are driving.
Current fuel consumption
You can use this information to adapt your driving style to the desired fuel con-
sumption 1)
.
The display appears in litres/hour if the vehicle is stationary or driving at a low
speed 2)
.
Oil temperature
If the engine oil temperature is in the range 80-110 °C, the engine operating tem-
perature is reached.
If the temperature lies below 80 °C or above 110 °C, avoid high engine revs, full
throttle and high engine loads.
If the oil temperature is lower than 50 °C or if a fault in the system for checking
the oil temperature is present, 
are displayed instead of the oil temperature.
Warning against excessive speeds
Setting the speed limit, e.g. for the intra-urban top speed » page 24.
Traffic sign recognition
In the display, up to three detected traffic signs can be displayed, which provide
information about the following:
› Maximum speed (including additional sign);
› Overtaking prohibited.
Further information » page 25, Traffic sign recognition .
Current driving speed
The current speed is identical to the display on the speedometer 3
» Fig. 2 on
page 9. 
1)
To set the units for the fuel consumption display
» Bedienungsanleitung Infotainment, chapter Unit
setup .
2)
On some models in certain countries, the display appears in --,- kilometres/litres if the vehicle is sta-
tionary.
23Information system

Head restraintsFig. 49
Head restraint: front/rear
Setting height
›
Hold the front head restraints on the sides with both hands, press and hold the
safety button
A
» Fig. 49 and move the head restraints into position.
›
Hold the rear head restraints on the sides with both hands and move them up-
wards » Fig. 49 .
To move the head restraint downwards, press and hold the safety button
1
with
one hand and press the head restraint downwards with the other hand.
Removing/installing
Only the real head restraints may be removed.
›
Pull the head restraint out of the seat backrest as far as the stop.
›
Press the locking button in the direction of arrow
1
» Fig. 49 , simultaneously
press the locking button into the opening
2
using a flat screwdriver with a
width of maximum 5 mm and pull out the head restraint.
›
To re-insert the head restraint, push it far enough down into the seat backrest
until the locking button clicks into place.
Best protection is achieved if the top edge of the head restraint is at the same
level as the upper part of your head.
The head restraints must be adjusted to match the size of the seat occupant. Cor-rectly adjusted head restraints together with the seat belts offer effective protec-
tion for the occupants » page 139, Correct seated position .
WARNING■
The head restraints must be correctly adjusted in order to offer effective
protection for the occupants in the event of an accident.■
Never drive with the head restraints removed - risk of injury.
■
If the rear seats are occupied, the rear head restraint must not be in the
lower position.
Note
The middle rear head restraint is only adjustable in two positions.
Rear seats
Seat backrest
Fig. 50
Seat backrest: Locking/unlocking
The luggage compartment can be increased in size by folding the seat backrests forward. The seat backrests can be folded forward individually on vehicles with
divided rear seats.
Folding forward
Before folding the seat backrests forwards, adapt the position of the front seats in such a way that they are not damaged by the folded seat backrests 1)
. 
1)
If the front seats are too far back, we recommend that you have the rear head restraints removed
before the seat backrests are folded forward. Store the removed head restraints in such a way that
they are not be damaged or soiled.
63Seats and Stowage

Driving and the Environment
Running in
New engine
The engine has to be run in during the first 1 500 kilometres.
Up to 1 000 kilometres
›
Do not drive faster than 3/4 of the maximum speed of the gear in use, i.e. 3/4 of
the maximum permissible engine speed.
›
No full throttle.
›
Avoid high engine speeds.
›
Do not tow a trailer.
From 1 000 up to 1 500 kilometres
Gradually increase the power output of the engine up to the full speed of the
gear engaged, i.e. up to the maximum permissible engine speed.
During the first operating hours the engine has higher internal friction than lateruntil all of the moving parts have harmonized. The driving style which you adopt
during the first approx.1 500 kilometres plays a decisive part in the success of running in your car.
Never drive at unnecessarily high engine speeds even after the running-in period
is complete. The maximum permissible engine speed is marked by the start of the red scale area of the revolutions counter.
On vehicles fitted with a manual gearbox, at the very latest shift up into the nextgear when the red area is reached. Very high engine speeds when accelerating
(accelerator) are automatically restricted »
.
If the engine is no longer running smoothly, do not drive with unnecessarily low
engine revs on a vehicle with manual transmission. Shift down. Observe the rec-
ommended gear » page 21.
CAUTION■
The engine is not protected from excessive engine revs caused by shifting
down at the wrong time. This can result in the sudden increase in revs beyond
the permissible maximum rpm and thus cause engine damage.■
Never rev up a cold engine when the vehicle is stationary or when driving in in-
dividual gears.
■
All the speed and engine revolution figures apply only when the engine is at its
normal operating temperature.
For the sake of the environment
Never drive with unnecessarily high engine revs. Shifting up sooner helps save on
fuel, reduces engine noises and protects the environment.
New tyres
New tyres have to be “run in” since they do not offer optimal grip at first. Drive
especially carefully for the first 500 km or so.

New brake pads
New brake pads initially do not provide optimal braking performance. They first need to be “run in”. Drive especially carefully for the first 200 km or so.

Catalytic converter
Proper operation of the emission control system (catalytic converter) is of major
significance for driving your vehicle in an environmentally conscious way.
› Vehicles fitted with a petrol engine must always be refuelled with unleaded
petrol » page 168 .
› Do not pour too much oil into the engine
» page 172, Checking the engine oil
level .
› Do not switch off the ignition while you are driving the vehicle.
If you drive your vehicle in a country in which unleaded petrol is not available, you must have the catalytic converter replaced later when driving the vehicle into a
country in which use of a catalytic converter is mandatory. 
100Using the system

Information about convenience consumers and the amount of fuel con-sumed » operating instructions for Infotainment , chapter Setting vehicle systems
(CAR button) .
A maximum of three convenience consumers are displayed in the Infotainment
display- the top 3 in terms of energy consumption.
You can decide to switch off the consumers or to set them to a lower level to re-duce the level of fuel consumption.
Checking tyre inflation pressures
Tyres which are correctly inflated save fuel.
Always ensure the tyre inflation pressure is correct. If the inflation pressure is too
low, the tyres must overcome a higher rolling resistance. This will not only in-
crease fuel consumption but also tyre wear and the driving behaviour will worsen.
Always check the tyre inflation pressure when the tyres are cold.

Avoid unnecessary ballast
Transporting ballast costs fuel.
Every additional kilogram in weight increases the fuel consumption. We there-
fore recommend you do not travel with any unnecessary weight.
It is particularly in town traffic, when one is accelerating quite often, that the ve-
hicle 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 consumption of about 1 litre/100 kilometres.
At a speed of 100 - 120 km/h, a vehicle fitted with a roof rack cross member with-
out a load will use about 10 % more fuel than normal due to the increased aero- dynamic drag.

Regular servicing
A poorly tuned engine uses an unnecessarily high amount of fuel.
By having your vehicle regularly maintained by a ŠKODA specialist garage, you
create the conditions needed for driving economically. The maintenance state of your vehicle has a positive effect on traffic safety and value retention.
A poorly tuned engine can result in a fuel consumption which is 10 % higher than normal!
Check the oil at regular intervals, e.g. when filling up. Oil consumption is depend-
ent to a considerable extent on the load and speed of the engine. Oil consump-
tion 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 rea- ches its lowest level only after a certain running in time. The oil consumption of anew vehicle can therefore only be correctly assessed after driving about5 000 km.
For the sake of the environment
■ Additional improvements to the fuel economy can be made by using synthetic
high-lubricity oils.■
Regularly check the ground under the vehicle. Have your vehicle inspected by a
ŠKODA specialist garage if you find any stains caused by oil or other fluids on the
floor.
Note
We recommend that your vehicle is serviced on a regular basis by a ŠKODA Part-
ner.
Environmental compatibility
Environmental protection has played a major role in the design, selection of mate-
rials and manufacture of your new ŠKODA. Particular emphasis has been placed
on the following points:
Design measures › Joints designed to be easily detached.
› Simplified disassembly due to the modular structure system.
› Improved purity of different 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 recyclable material.
› Air conditioning filled with CFC-free refrigerant.

103Driving and the Environment