2012 SKODA ROOMSTER time

Inspecting and replenishing
Fuel
ä
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Refuelling 134
Unleaded petrol 135
Diesel fuel 136
The correct type of fuel for your vehicle and the tyre size and inflation pressure
are specified on the inside of the fuel filler flap » Fig. 112 on page 134 - . WARNING
The national legal requirements must be observed if carrying a spare canister
in the vehicle. We do not recommend carrying any fuel canisters in your vehi-
cle for safety reasons. In the event of an accident, the canister might be dam-
aged and fuel may leak out - risk of fire! CAUTION
■ Never drive until the fuel tank is completely empty! The irregular supply of fuel
can cause misfiring, which can result in considerable damage to parts of the en-
gine and exhaust system. ■ Immediately remove any fuel that has spilled onto the vehicle's paintwork - risk
of paint damage! Ð Refuelling
Fig. 112
Right rear side of the vehicle: Fuel filler flap/fuel filler flap with cap
unscrewed
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 134.
Open fuel filler flap
›
Open the fuel filler flap with one hand
» Fig. 112 - .
› Hold the fuel filler cap on the fuel filler tube with one hand and unlock it by
moving it to the left with the vehicle key.
› Unscrew the filler cap by turning it to the left and place the cap onto the top of
the fuel filler flap » Fig. 112 - .
Closing the filler cap
› Turn the filler cap to the right until it clicks into place.
› Hold the fuel filler cap on the fuel filler tube with one hand and lock it by turn-
ing the vehicle key to the right and remove the key.
› Close the filler cap. CAUTION
■ Before refuelling it is necessary to switch off the auxiliary heating system (aux-
iliary heating and ventilation).
■ The fuel tank is full just as soon as the pump nozzle switches off for the first
time, provided the nozzle has been operated properly. Do not continue filling the
fuel tank otherwise the expansion volume is filled up. £
ä
134 General Maintenance

Checking the engine oil level
Fig. 116
Dipstick
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 136.
The dipstick indicates the level of oil in the engine
» Fig. 116.
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.
› Then 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. It is possible that the oil level may then be within range A
after doing this.
Oil level within range C
›
Oil must be refilled. It is sufficient, once this is done, to keep the oil level within
range B
.
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. Consumption may be slightly higher than this during the
first 5 000 kilometres. ä
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
, 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 19 , warning light  . In this case, check the oil level with the
dipstick, as soon as possible. Add oil accordingly. CAUTION
■ The oil level must on no account extend beyond the range A
» Fig. 116. Risk of
damaging the exhaust system!
■ If it is not possible to top up the engine oil under the prevailing conditions,  do
not continue your journey! Switch off the engine and obtain professional assis-
tance from a ŠKODA specialist garage, otherwise it could cause severe engine
damage. Note
Engine oil specifications » page 179. Ð Replenishing the engine oil
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 136.
›
Check the engine oil level
» page 139.
› Unscrew the cap of the engine oil filler opening.
› Replenish the oil in portions of 0.5 litres in accordance with the correct specifi-
cations » page 179, Specifications and engine oil capacity .
› Check the oil level
» page 139.
› Carefully screw on the oil filler opening cap and push the dipstick in fully. Ð
ä
139
Inspecting and replenishing

Checking the coolant level
Fig. 117
Engine compartment: Coolant
expansion reservoir
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 136.
The coolant expansion bottle is located in the engine compartment.
› Switch off the engine.
› Open the bonnet
» page 138.
› Check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion bottle
» Fig. 117. The coolant
level when the engine is cold must lie between the B
(MIN) and A
(MAX) mark-
ings. The level may also rise slightly above the A
(MAX) marking when the en-
gine is warm.
If the coolant level in the coolant expansion tank is too low, this is indicated by
the warning light  lighting up in the instrument cluster » page 19, Coolant tem-
perature/coolant level   . We still recommend inspecting the coolant level di-
rectly 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. Do
not merely top up the coolant. Have the cooling system checked by a
ŠKODA spe-
cialist garage immediately. CAUTION
If a fault causes the engine to overheat, we recommend visiting a ŠKODA Service
Partner immediately, otherwise serious engine damage may occur. Ð
ä Replenishing the coolant
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 136.
›
Switch off the engine.
› Allow the engine to cool.
› Place a cloth over the cap of the coolant expansion reservoir
» Fig. 117 on
page 141 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.
Only use new coolant to top up the system.
Do not fill the coolant above the mark A
(max.)
» Fig. 117 on page 141! Excess
coolant heats up and then is forced out of the cooling system through the pres-
sure relief valve in the cap. WARNING
■ The coolant additive and thus all of the coolant is harmful to your health.
Avoid contact with the coolant. Coolant vapours are also harmful to health.
Therefore always safely store the coolant additive in its original container out
of the reach of children - risk of poisoning!
■ If any coolant splashes into your eyes, immediately rinse out your eyes with
clear water and contact a doctor as soon as possible.
■ You should also consult a doctor without delay if you have inadvertently
swallowed coolant. CAUTION
Do not continue your journey, if it is not possible  to top up the coolant under
the prevailing conditions . Contact a

ŠKODA Service Partner to avoid the risk of
serious engine. Ð
ä
141
Inspecting and replenishing

Radiator fan
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 136.
The radiator fan is driven by an electric motor and controlled according to the
coolant temperature.
After switching off the ignition, the radiator fan can intermittently continue to op-
erate for approx. 10 minutes. ÐChecking the brake fluid
Fig. 118
Engine compartment: Brake fluid
reservoir
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 136.
The brake fluid reservoir is located in the engine compartment.
› Switch off the engine.
› Open the bonnet
» page 138.
› Check the level of brake fluid in the reservoir
» Fig. 118. The level must be be-
tween the “MIN” and “MAX” markings.
When driving, a slight drop in the fluid level is caused by the wear-and-tear and
automatic adjustment of the brake pads, and is therefore perfectly normal.
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 18, Brake system .
ä
ä WARNING
If the fluid level has dropped below the MIN marking,  do not continue your
journey - risk of accident! Seek help from a
ŠKODA specialist garage.Ð Changing the brake fluid
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 136.
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. Over time it therefore absorbs moisture from the
environment. Excessive water in the brake fluid may be the cause of corrosion in
the brake system. The water content also lowers the boiling point of the brake
fluid.
The brake fluid must comply with the following standards or specifications:
› VW 50114;
› FMVSS 116 DOT4. WARNING
Using old brake fluid can result in severe stress on the brakes because of the
formation of vapour bubbles in the brake system. This greatly impairs the
braking efficiency and thus also the safety of your vehicle. CAUTION
Brake fluid damages the paintwork of the vehicle. Ð
ä
142 General Maintenance

There is a risk of injuries, scalding, accidents and burns when carrying out any
work on the battery and on the electrical system. For this reason, it is essential to
comply with the warning instructions stated below and with the general applica-
ble rules of safety. WARNING
■ The battery acid is strongly corrosive and must, therefore, be handled with
the greatest of care. Always wear protective gloves, eye and skin protection
when handling the vehicle battery. Corrosive fumes in the air irritate the air
passages and lead to conjunctivitis and inflammation of the air passages in
the lungs. They corrode tooth enamel. After contact with the skin, the acid
creates deep wounds which take a long time to heal. Repeated contact with
diluted acids causes skin diseases (inflammations, ulcers, slin cracks). Acids
coming into contact with water are diluted accompanied by significant devel-
opment of heat.
■ Do not tilt the battery otherwise battery electrolyte may flow out of the bat-
tery vent openings. Protect the eyes with safety glasses or a shield! There is
the danger of suffering blindness! If any battery electrolyte comes into con-
tact with your eyes, rinse the relevant eye immediately with clear water for
several minutes. Then consult a doctor immediately. ■ Splashes of acid on your skin or clothes should be neutralised as soon as
possible using soap suds and then rinsed with plenty of water. If acid was
swallowed, seek immediate medical attention.
■ Keep children away from the vehicle battery.
■ When you charge a battery, hydrogen is released, and a highly explosive gas
mixture is also 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 flame and light, to smoke or to carry
out any activities which produce sparks. Avoid creating sparks when working
with cables and electrical devices. Strong sparking represents a risk of injury. ■ Before carrying out any work on the electrical system, switch off the engine,
the ignition and all of the electrical components and disconnect the negative
terminal (-) on the battery. If you wish to replace a bulb it suffices to switch off
the relevant light.
■ Never charge a frozen or thawed vehicle battery - risk of explosion and
caustic burns! Replace a frozen vehicle battery. WARNING (Continued)
■ Never jump-start vehicle batteries with an electrolyte level that is too low -
risk of explosion and caustic burns.
■ Never use a damaged vehicle battery - risk of explosion! Replace a damaged
vehicle battery immediately. CAUTION
■ The vehicle battery must only be disconnected if the ignition is switched off,
otherwise the vehicle's electrical system (electronic components) can be dam-
aged. When disconnecting the battery from the electrical system, first of all dis-
connect the negative terminal
(-) of the battery. Then disconnect the positive ter-
minal (+).
■ When connecting the battery to the electrical system, first connect the positive
terminal (+) of the battery. Then connect the negative terminal
(-). Under no cir-
cumstances must the battery cables be connected incorrectly - risk of a cable fire.
■ Ensure that battery acid does not come into contact with the bodywork - risk of
damage to the paintwork.
■ Do not place the battery in direct daylight in order to protect the vehicle battery
housing from the effects of ultra-violet light.
■ If the vehicle has not been driven for more than 3 to 4 weeks, the battery will
discharge. This is because certain electrical components consume electricity (e.
g.
control units) also in idle state. Prevent the battery from discharging by discon-
necting the battery's negative terminal or continuously charging the battery with
a very low charging current.
■ If the vehicle is frequently used for making short trips, the vehicle battery will
not have time to charge up sufficiently and may discharge. For the sake of the environment
A vehicle battery that has been removed is a special type of hazardous waste.
These must be disposed of in accordance with national legal regulations. Note
You should replace batteries older than 5 years. Ð
144 General Maintenance

Battery cover
Fig. 120
Vehicle battery: Open up the
cover
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 143.
The battery is located in the engine compartment below a plastic box.
›
Push the lid in the direction of the arrow
» Fig. 120.
› The installation of the battery cover on the positive terminal side takes place in
the reverse order. ÐChecking the battery electrolyte level
Fig. 121
Vehicle battery: Electrolyte level
indicator
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 143.ä
ä We recommend you have the electrolyte level checked by a ŠKODA specialist ga-
rage from time to time, especially in the following cases.
› High outside temperatures.
› Long daily drives
› After each charge
» page 146.
On vehicles with a vehicle battery fitted with a colour indicator, the so-called
magic eye » Fig. 121, 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 a 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. Ð Operation in winter
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 143.
At low temperatures, the vehicle battery only has part of the initial power output
that it has at normal temperatures.
A discharged vehicle battery may already freeze at temperatures just below 0
°C.
We therefore recommend that you have the battery checked and, if necessary, re-
charged by a ŠKODA Service Partner before the start of the winter.
Ð
ä
145
Inspecting and replenishing

Automatic load deactivation
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 143.
An intelligent vehicle power management system automatically takes various
measures at high loads on the vehicle battery to prevent discharging of the bat-
tery: This manifests itself by the following:
› The idling speed is raised to allow the generator to deliver more electricity to
the electrical system.
› Where appropriate large consumers of power, e.g. seat heaters, rear window
heaters, voltage supply to the 12V power socket, have their power limited or in
case of emergency shut 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. Driving comfort is not put at risk by any shutting off of consumers.
Often the driver is not aware of it having taken place. Ðä
147
Inspecting and replenishing

Wheels and Tyres
Tyres
ä
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Service life of tyres 149
Handling wheels and tyres 150
New wheels and tyres 150
Unidirectional tyres 151
Spare wheel 151
Full wheel trim 152
Wheel bolts 152
Wheel trim caps 152
Tyre control display 153
Wheel bolts 154
Winter tyres 154
Snow chains 154
WARNING
■ During the first 500 km, new tyres do not offer optimum grip and appropri-
ate care should therefore be taken when driving - risk of accident!
■ Never drive with damaged tyres - risk of accident!
■ Only use those tyres or wheel rims which have been approved by ŠKODA for
your model of vehicle. Failure to observe this instruction will adversely affect
the road safety of your vehicle - risk of accident!
■ The maximum permissible speed for your tyres must not be exceeded under
any circumstances - risk of an accident resulting from tyre damage and loss of
control of the vehicle.
■ If the inflation pressure is too low, the tyre must perform a higher rolling re-
sistance. At higher speeds the tyre will warm up as a result of this. This can
result in tread separation and a tyre blowout. WARNING (Continued)
■ Do not, where possible, replace individual tyres but at least replace them on
both wheels of a given axle at the same time. Always fit the tyres with the
deeper tread depth to the front wheels.
■ Never use tyres if you do not know anything about the condition and age.
■ You must have your tyres replaced with new ones at the latest when the
wear indicators have been worn down.
■ Worn tyres do not provide the necessary adhesion to the road surface at
high speeds on wet roads. One could experience
“aquaplaning” (uncontrolled
movements of the vehicle - “swimming” on a wet road surface).
■ Immediately replace damaged wheel rims or tyres.
■ Do not use summer or winter tyres that are older than 6 years or 4 years re-
spectively.
■ The wheel bolts must be clean and must turn easily. However, they must
never be treated with grease or oil.
■ If the wheel bolts are tightened to a too low tightening torque, the rim can
come loose when the car is moving - risk of accident! A tightening torque
which is too high can damage the bolts and threads and this can result in per-
manent deformation of the contact surfaces on the rim.
■ In case of incorrect treatment of the wheel bolts, the wheel can loosen
when the car is moving - risk of accident!
■ Observe the national legal regulations relating to the use of tyres and snow
chains. CAUTION
■ If a spare wheel is used that is not identical to the fitted tyres, the following
must be observed » page 151, Spare wheel.
■ The prescribed tightening torque of the wheel bolts for steel and light alloy
wheels is 120 Nm.
■ Protect the tyres from contact with oil, grease and fuel.
■ Replace any lost valve caps immediately. For the sake of the environment
Tyres which are insufficiently inflated increase your fuel consumption. £
148 General Maintenance