2012 SKODA OCTAVIA coolant level

Engine compartment overviewFig. 148
Principle sketch: Engine compartment
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn- ings
on page 169.
Coolant expansion reservoir
174
Engine oil dipstick
172
Engine oil filler opening
173
Brake fluid reservoir
175
Battery (below a cover)
176
Windscreen washer fluid reservoir
176
Note
The location of the inspection points in the engine compartment of petrol and
diesel engines is practically identical.
123456Checking the engine oil levelFig. 149
Dipstick
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn- ings on page 169.
The dipstick indicates the level of oil in the engine » Fig. 149.
Checking the oil level
›
Ensure that the vehicle is positioned on a level surface and the engine has reached its operating temperature.
›
Switch off the engine.
›
Open the bonnet.
›
Wait a few minutes until the engine oil flows back into the oil sump and remove
the dipstick.
›
Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth and insert it again to the stop.
›
Pull the dipstick out again and check the oil level.
Oil level within range
A›
No oil must be refilled.
Oil level within range
B›
Oil can be refilled. Afterwards, the oil level can lie in the range
A
.
Oil level within range
C›
Oil must be replenished if the oil level is in the range
B
or lower.
The engine consumes a little 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. Consumption may be slightly higher than this during the
first 5 000 kilometres.
The oil level must be checked at regular intervals. We recommend after each time
you refuel or prior to making a long journey. 
172General Maintenance

We recommend maintaining the oil level within the range A, but not above , if
the engine has been operating at high loads, for example, during a lengthy motor-
way trip during the summer months, towing a trailer or negotiating a high moun- tain pass.
The warning light in the instrument cluster will indicate whether the oil level is too low » page 15 . Check the oil level using the dipstick as soon as possible. Add
oil accordingly.WARNINGDo 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.
CAUTION
The oil level must on no account extend beyond the range A » Fig. 149 - Risk of
damaging the exhaust system!
Replenishing the engine oil
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 169.
›
Check the engine oil level » page 172.
›
Unscrew the cap of the engine oil filler opening » Fig. 148 on page 172.
›
Replenish the oil in portions of 0.5 litres in accordance with the correct specifi-
cations » page 209 .
›
Check the oil level » page 172.
›
Carefully screw on the oil filler opening cap and push the dipstick in fully.

Changing engine oil
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 169.
The engine oil must be changed at the intervals stated in the Service schedule or
according to the service interval indicator » page 11.
CAUTION
Do not pour any additives into the engine oil - Risk of serious engine damage!
Damage, which results from such product, are excluded from the warranty.
Note
If your skin has come into contact with oil, it must be washed thoroughly.
Coolant
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 169.
The coolant consists of water with a concentration of coolant additive. This mix-
ture guarantees antifreeze protection, protects the cooling/heater system
against corrosion and prevents the formation of scale.
Vehicles exported to countries with a mild climate are already factory-filled with
a coolant which offers antifreeze protection down to about -25 ℃. In these coun-
tries the concentration of coolant additive should be at least 40 %.
Vehicles exported to countries with a cold climate are already factory-filled with a
coolant which offers antifreeze protection down to about -35 °C. In these coun-
tries the concentration of coolant additive should be at least 50 %.
If a higher concentration of antifreeze is required for climatic reasons, the amount
of coolant additive can only be increased up to a maximum of 60 % (antifreeze
protection down to approx. -40 °C).
When refilling, only use the same antifreeze written on the antifreeze expansion tank » Fig. 150 on page 174. 
173Inspecting and replenishing

Coolant capacity1)Petrol enginesCapacities (in litres)1.2 ltr./63 kW TSI8.91.4 ltr./103 kW TSI10.21.8 ltr./132 kW TSI7.8Diesel enginesCapacities (in litres)1.6 ltr./77 kW TDI CR8.42.0 l/110 kW TDI CR - MG/DSG11,6 / 11,9
CAUTION
■
The amount of coolant additive in the coolant must never be allowed to be less
than 40 %.■
Over 60 % of coolant additive in the coolant reduces the antifreeze protection
and coolant effectiveness.
■
Other coolant additives that do not comply with the correct specifications can
above all significantly reduce the anticorrosion effect.
■
Any faults resulting from corrosion may cause a loss of coolant and can conse-
quently result in major engine damage!

Checking the coolant level
Fig. 150
Engine compartment: Coolant
expansion reservoir
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 169.
The coolant expansion bottle is located in the engine compartment.
Inspecting the coolant level›
Switch off the engine.
›
Open the bonnet.
›
Check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion bottle » Fig. 150.
Coolant level within range
A
The level may also rise slightly above the
A
marking when the engine is warm.
›
No coolant must be refilled.
Coolant level within range
A
and
B
When the engine is cold, the coolant level must lie between the
A
and
B
mark-
ings.
›
Coolant can be refilled.
Coolant level within range under
B›
Coolant must be refilled.
When the engine is cold, refill the coolant between the markings
A
and
B
.
If the coolant level in the expansion tank is too low, this will be signalised by the warning light 
illuminating in the instrument cluster » page 15, Coolant temper-
ature/coolant level 
, however we recommend you regularly check the coolant
level in the container directly.
Loss of coolant
A loss of coolant is first and foremost an indication of a leak in the system. Do
not merely top up the coolant. Have the cooling system checked by a ŠKODA spe- cialist garage.
WARNING Do not continue your journey, if for some reason it is not possible to top up
the coolant under the prevailing conditions! Switch off the engine and seek
assistance from a ŠKODA specialist garage. 1)
On vehicles that are fitted with an auxiliary heater (auxiliary heating and ventilation), the coolant ca-
pacity is approx. 1 l larger.
174General Maintenance

CAUTION■Do not fill the coolant above the mark A » Fig. 150 .■If a fault causes the engine to overheat, we recommend visiting a ŠKODA Part-
ner, otherwise serious engine damage may occur.

Replenishing the coolant
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 169.
Only refill with new coolant.
›
Switch off the engine.
›
Allow the engine to cool.
›
Place a cloth over the cap of the coolant expansion reservoir and unscrew the
cap carefully .
›
Replenish the coolant.
›
Turn the cap until it clicks into place.
Do not use an alternative additive if the specified coolant is not available in an emergency. In this case, just use water and have the correct mixing ratio of water
and the coolant additive restored by a ŠKODA specialist garage as soon as possi-
ble.

Radiator fan
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 169.
After switching off the ignition, the fan can intermittently continue to operate for
approx. 10 minutes.
The radiator fan is powered by an electric motor. Operation is controlled accord-
ing to the temperature of the coolant.

Checking the brake fluidFig. 151
Engine compartment: Brake fluid
reservoir
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 169.
The brake fluid reservoir is located in the engine compartment.
›
Switch off the engine.
›
Open the bonnet.
›
Check the level of brake fluid in the reservoir » Fig. 151. 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.
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 14, Brake system 
.
WARNINGIf the fluid level has dropped below the MIN marking,  do not continue your
journey - risk of accident! Seek help from a ŠKODA specialist garage.

175Inspecting and replenishing

Central locking system29
Changes165
Changing Engine oil
173
Wheels189
Charge level indicator of the vehicle battery
11
Charge level indicator vehicle battery
11
Charging a vehicle battery179
Checking Battery electrolyte level
179
Brake fluid175
Coolant level174
Engine oil172
Oil level172
Windscreen washer fluid176
Children and safety154
Child safety Side airbag
156
Child safety lock29
Child safety seat Use of child safety seats
156
Child seat Classification
156
ISOFIX157
on the front passenger seat155
TOP TETHER158
Use of child seats157
Chrome parts refer to Taking care of your vehicle
161
Cigarette lighter70
Cleaning159
Alcantara164
Artificial leather164
Cloths164
Headlight lenses162
Material coverings164
Natural leather164
Plastic parts162
Wheels163
Climatronic86
Clock11
Clothes hooks79
Cockpit Ashtray
70
Cigarette lighter70
General view7
Light51
Sockets71
Storage compartments72
Compartments72
Computer see Multifunction display
22
Coolant Checking
174
Replenishing175
Coolant temperature gauge display
10
Correct seated position139
Counter for distance driven11
Cruise control system (CCS)119
D
Daylight driving light
44
De-icing the windscreen and rear window52
Deactivating an airbag
151
Deactivating an airbag151
Delayed locking of the boot lid see Boot lid
38
Diesel refer to Fuel
169
Diesel fuel Operation in winter
169
Diesel particulate filter18
Digital clock11
Dipstick172
Display Service interval
11
Distance driven11
Door Child safety lock
29
Door locking Emergency
36
Doors Emergency locking
36
Driving Abroad
104
Driving through water on the street104
Emissions207
Fuel consumption207
Driving mode see Select driving mode
124
E
Economical and environmentally friendly driving
101
EDL114
Electrical power windows Button in the driver's door
38, 39
Button in the rear doors40
Central locking system40
Operational faults41
Electronic differential lock (EDL)114
Electronic immobiliser93
Emergency Automatic gearbox
133
Changing a wheel189
Door locking36
Hazard warning light system49
Jump-starting195
KESSY - start engine97
Locking the driver's door36
Towing the vehicle196
Tyre repair192
Unlocking the driver's door36
Unlocking the luggage compartment lid38
Emissions207
213Index