2012 SKODA SUPERB brake light

General Maintenance
Taking care of and cleaning the vehicle
Taking care of your vehicle
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Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Washing the vehicle 168
Automatic car wash systems 168
Washing by hand 168
Washing with a high-pressure cleaner 168
Preserving and polishing the vehicle paintwork 169
Chrome parts 169
Paint damage 169
Plastic parts 169
De-icing windows and exterior mirrors 170
Radio reception and aerial 170
Headlight lenses 170
Rubber seals 170
Door lock cylinders 170
Wheels 171
Underbody protection 171
Protection of hollow spaces 171
Artificial leather and materials 172
Fabric covers on electrically heated seats 172
Natural leather 172
Seat belts 173
Regular and proper care help to retain the efficiency and value of your vehicle. It
may also be one of the requirements for the acceptance of warranty claims relat-
ing to corrosion damage and paint defects on the bodywork.
We recommend using care products from
ŠKODA Original Accessories that are
available from ŠKODA Service Partners. The instructions for use on the package
must be observed. WARNING
■ Care products may be harmful to your health if not used according to the in-
structions.
■ Always store care products in a safe place, out of the reach of children - risk
of poisoning! ■ When washing your vehicle in the winter: Water and ice in the brake system
can affect the braking efficiency - risk of accident! ■ Only wash the vehicle when the ignition is switched off - risk of accident!
■ Protect your hands and arms from sharp-edged metal parts when cleaning
the underfloor, the inside of the wheel housings or the wheel trims - risk of
cuts!
■ Air fresheners and scents can be hazardous to heath when the temperature
inside the vehicle is high. CAUTION
■ Be sure to check clothing for colourfastness to avoid any damage or visible
stains on the material (leather), panels and textiles.
■ Cleaners containing solvents can damage the material being cleaned.
■ Do not wash your vehicle in bright sunlight - risk of paint damage.
■ If washing the vehicle in the winter using a hose or high-pressure cleaner, en-
sure that the jet of water is not aimed directly at the locking cylinders or the
door/panel joints - risk of freezing!
■ Do not use any insect sponges, rough kitchen sponges or similar cleaning prod-
ucts - risk of damaging the surface of paintwork.
■ Do not stick any stickers on the inside of the rear windows, the rear side win-
dows and in the vicinity of the heating elements on the windscreen or near the
window aerial. These may get damaged. With regard to the antenna, they may in-
terfere with the radio or navigation system.
■ Do not clean the inside of the windows with sharp-edged objects or corrosive
and acidic cleaning agents - risk of damaging the heating elements or window
aerial.
■ Do not attach scents and air fresheners to the dashboard - risk of damage to
the dashboard.
■ To avoid damaging the parking aid sensors while cleaning with high-pressure
cleaners or steam jets, the sensors must only be directly sprayed for short periods
while a minimum distance of 10
cm must be observed.
■ Do not clean the roof trim with a brush - risk of damage to the trim surface. £
167
Taking care of and cleaning the vehicle

Wheels
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 167.
Wheel rims
Also thoroughly wash the wheel rims when washing the vehicle on a regular ba-
sis. Regularly remove salt and brake abrasion from the wheel rims otherwise the
material will be affected. Damage to the paint layer on the wheel rims must be
touched up immediately.
Light alloy wheels
After washing thoroughly and treat the wheel rims with a protective product for
light alloy wheels. Products which cause abrasion must not be used to treat the
wheel rims. WARNING
Water, ice and grit in the brake system can affect the braking efficiency - risk
of accident! CAUTION
Severe layers of dirt on the wheels can also result in wheel imbalance. This may
show itself in the form of a wheel vibration which is transmitted to the steering
wheel which, in certain circumstances, can cause premature wear of the steering.
This means it is necessary to remove the dirt. Note
We recommend that any repairs to damaged paintwork are carried out by a
ŠKODA Service Partner. ÐUnderbody protection
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 167.
The underside of your vehicle is protected for life against chemical and mechani-
cal influences. ä
ä As damage to the
protective layer when driving cannot be ruled out completely,
we recommend that you inspect the protective layer on the underside of your ve-
hicle and on the chassis at specific intervals - preferably at the beginning and end
of the winter.
ŠKODA Service Partners have suitable spray products and the necessary equip-
ment available, and are familiar with the instructions for use. We therefore rec-
ommend that touch-up work or additional corrosion protection measures are car-
ried out by a ŠKODA Service Partner. WARNING
Never use additional underbody protection or anti-corrosion agents for ex-
haust pipes, catalytic converters, diesel particle filters or heat shields. When
the engine reaches its operating temperature, these substances might ignite -
risk of fire! Ð Protection of hollow spaces
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 167.
All the cavities of your vehicle which are at risk from corrosion are protected for
life by a layer of protective wax applied in the factory.
This wax protection does not require to be inspected or re-treated. If any small
amount of wax flow out of the cavities at high temperatures, these must be re-
moved with a plastic scraper and the stains cleaned using a petroleum cleaner. WARNING
Safety regulations should be observed when using petroleum cleaner to re-
move wax - risk of fire! Ð
ä
171
Taking care of and cleaning the vehicle

›
Let the bonnet drop into the lock carrier lock from a height of around 20 cm –
do not push it in .
Check that the bonnet is closed properly. ÐEngine compartment overview
Fig. 157
1.6 l/77 kW TDI CR diesel engine
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 176.
Coolant expansion reservoir 180
Windscreen washer fluid reservoir 182
Engine oil filler opening 179
Engine oil dipstick 178
Brake fluid reservoir 181
Battery (below a cover) 182
Note
The location of the inspection points in the engine compartment of petrol and
diesel engines is practically identical. Ð
ä 1
2
3
4
5
6 Checking the engine oil level
Fig. 158
Dipstick
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 176.
The dipstick indicates the level of oil in the engine
» Fig. 158.
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. £
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178 General Maintenance

Do not fill the coolant above the mark A
(max.)
» Fig. 159 on page 180! 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. ÐRadiator fan
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 176.
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. Ð
ä Checking the brake fluid
Fig. 160
Engine compartment: Brake fluid
reservoir
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 176.
The brake fluid reservoir is located in the engine compartment.
› Switch off the engine.
› Open the bonnet
» page 177.
› Check the level of brake fluid in the reservoir
» Fig. 160. 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 indicator light  lighting
up in the instrument cluster » page 20, Brake system . 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
ä
181
Inspecting and replenishing

Changing the brake fluid
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 176.
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. ÐWindscreen washer system
Fig. 161
Engine compartment: Wind-
screen washer fluid reservoir
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 176.ä
ä
The windscreen washer fluid reservoir contains the cleaning fluid for the wind-
screen or rear window and for the headlight cleaning system. The windscreen
washer fluid reservoir is located in the engine compartment.
The capacity of the reservoir is about 3 litres or about 5.5
litres on vehicles that
have a headlight cleaning system.
Clear water is not sufficient to intensively clean the windscreen and headlights.
We therefore recommend using clean water with a screen cleaner (including anti-
freeze in the winter) that is able to remove stubborn dirt.
Antifreeze should always be added to the cleaning water in the winter even if the
vehicle is fitted with heated windscreen washer nozzles.
Under exceptional circumstances, methylated spirits can also be used if no screen
cleaner with antifreeze is available. The concentration of methylated spirits must
not be more than 15 %. The freeze protection at this concentration is sufficient
only to -5 °C. CAUTION
■ Under no circumstances must radiator antifreeze or other additives be added to
the windscreen washer fluid.
■ If the vehicle is fitted with a headlight cleaning system, only cleaning products
which do not attack the polycarbonate coating of the headlights must be added
to the windscreen washer fluid. Note
Do not remove the filter from the windscreen washer fluid reservoir when replen-
ishing it with liquid otherwise the liquid transportation system can be contamina-
ted, which can cause the windscreen washer system to malfunction. Ð Vehicle battery
ä
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Battery cover 184
Checking the battery electrolyte level 185
Operation in winter 185
£
182 General Maintenance

Full wheel trim
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 187.
Pulling off
› Hook the clamp found in the vehicle tool kit into the reinforced edge of the
wheel trim.
› Push the wheel wrench through the clamp, support on the tyre and pull off the
wheel trim.
Install
› First press the full wheel trim onto the wheel rim at the valve opening provided.
Then press the full wheel trim into the wheel rim until its entire circumference
locks correctly in place. CAUTION
■ Use the pressure of your hand, do not knock the full wheel trim! Heavy knocks
mainly on the points where the full wheel trim has not been inserted into the
wheel, can result in damage to the guide and centring elements of the full wheel
trim.
■ First of all check that the theft-deterrent wheel bolt is located in the hole near
the valve before fitting the full wheel trim onto a steel wheel which is attached
with a theft-deterrent wheel bolt » page 199, Securing wheels against theft .
■ If wheel trims are retrofitted it must be ensured that an adequate flow of air is
assured to cool the brake system. ÐWheel bolts
Fig. 167
Remove the cap
ä
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 187.
Pulling off
› Push the plastic clip sufficiently far onto the cap until the inner catches of the
clip are positioned at the collar of the cap and detach the cap » Fig. 167.
Install
› Push the caps onto the wheel bolts up to the stop.
The wheel bolt caps are housed in a plastic box in the spare wheel or in the stor-
age space for the spare wheel. Ð Wheel trim caps
Fig. 168
Pull off the wheel trim cap on
light alloy wheels
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 187.
Pulling off
› Carefully remove the wheel trim cap using the wire clamp from the vehicle tool
kit » Fig. 168 . Ð
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ä
191
Wheels and Tyres

Tyre control display
Fig. 169
Button for setting the tyre infla-
tion pressure control value
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 187.
The tyre control display compares the speed and thus the rolling circumference of
the individual wheels with the help of the ABS sensors. If the rolling circumfer-
ence of a wheel is changed, the indicator light
 in the instrument clus-
ter » page 25, Tyre control display  and an audible signal sounds.
The rolling circumference of the tyre can change if: › the tyre inflation pressure is too low;
› the structure of the tyre is damaged;
› the vehicle is loaded on one side;
› the wheels of an axle are loaded heavily (e.g. when towing a trailer or when
driving uphill or downhill);
› snow chains are mounted;
› the temporary spare wheel is mounted;
› one wheel per axle was changed.
Basic setting of the system
After changing the tyre inflation pressure, after changing one or several wheels,
the position of a wheel on the vehicle (e.g. exchanging the wheels between the
axles) or when the indicator light lights up while driving, a basic setting of the
system must be carried out as follows: › Inflate all of the tyres to the specified inflation pressure
» page 188, Service life
of tyres.
› Switch on the ignition.
ä
›
Press and hold the button

  » Fig. 169
for longer than 2 seconds. While
pressing the button, the indicator light  illuminates. At the same time the sys-
tem memory is erased and the new calibration is started, which is confirmed
with an audible signal and then the indicator light  goes out.
› If the indicator light
 does not go out after the basic setting, this indicates a
system fault. Seek help from a ŠKODA specialist garage.
The indicator light  is lit
If the tyre inflation pressure of at least one wheel is insufficiently inflated in com-
parison to the stored basic value, the indicator light  » lights up.
The indicator light  flashes
If the indicator light flashes, there is a system fault. Seek help from a

ŠKODA spe-
cialist garage to correct the fault. WARNING
■ When the indicator light  illuminates, immediately reduce the speed and
avoid sudden steering and brake manoeuvres. Stop the vehicle as soon as
possible and inspect the tyres and their inflation pressure.
■ Under certain circumstances (e.g. sporty style of driving, wintry or unpaved
roads) the indicator light  can be delayed or does not light up at all.
■ The tyre control display does not absolve the driver of the responsibility to
ensure the correct tyre inflation pressure. For this reason, the tyre inflation
pressure must be checked regularly. Note
■ The tyre control display does therefore not replace the regular tyre inflation
pressure control, as the system cannot detect an even loss of pressure. ■ The tyre control display cannot provide a warning in the event of very rapid tyre
inflation pressure loss, e.g. in the case of sudden tyre damage. In this case care-
fully bring the vehicle to a standstill without sudden steering movements or
sharp braking.
■ To ensure a proper functioning of the tyre control display, it is necessary to re-
peat the basic setting every 10 000 km or once a year. Ð
192 General Maintenance

Wheel bolts
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 187.
Wheels and
wheel bolts are matched to each other in terms of design. Each time
you fit other wheels, e.g. light alloy wheels or wheels with winter tyres, you must
therefore also use the matching wheel bolts of the correct length and shape of
spherical cap. This is essential to ensure that the wheels are tightly fitted and
that the brake system operates properly. ÐWinter tyres
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 187.
The handling of your vehicle will be significantly improved when driving on wintry
roads if you fit winter tyres. Summer tyres do not offer the same grip on ice, snow
and at temperatures below 7 °C because of their construction (width, rubber
blend, tread pattern). This particularly applies to vehicles which are equipped with
low-profile tyres or high-speed tyres (code index H or V on wall of tyre).
To achieve the best possible handling properties, winter tyres must be fitted on
all 4 wheels, the minimum tread depth must be 4
mm and tyres must be no older
than 4 years.
Winter tyres of a lower speed category can be used provided that the permissible
maximum speed of these tyres is not exceeded even if the possible maximum
speed of the vehicle is higher. For the sake of the environment
Fit the summer tyres on again in good time as they provide better handling prop-
erties, a shorter braking distance, less tyre noise, and reduced tyre wear on roads
which are free of snow and ice as well as at temperatures above 7

°C. The fuel
consumption is also lower. ÐSnow chains
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 187.ä
ä
ä
Snow chains must only be mounted on the front wheels.
When driving on wintry roads, snow chains improve not only traction, but also the
braking performance.
For technical reasons, it is only permissible to fit snow chains with the following
wheel/tyre combinations.
Wheel size Depth (D)Tyre size
7J x 16 a)
45 mm 205/55
6J x 16 a)
50 mm 205/55
6J x 17 45 mm 205/50 a)
Not valid for vehicles with 3.6 l/191 kW FSI engine.
Only use fine-link snow chains . They must not project more than 9

mm - includ-
ing the chain lock.
Remove the full wheel trims before installing the snow chains.
Observe the national legal regulations relating to the use of snow chains and the
maximum vehicle speed with snow chains. CAUTION
The chains must be removed when driving on roads which are free of snow. They
adversely affect the handling of your vehicle, damage the tyres and are rapidly
destroyed. Ð 193
Wheels and Tyres