2013 SKODA RAPID SPACEBACK radiator cap

Cold range
If the pointer is still in the left area of the scale, this indicates that the engine
has not yet reached its operating temperature. Avoid high speeds, full throttle
and high engine loads. This prevents possible damage to the engine.
The operating range
The engine has reached its operating temperature as soon as the pointer
moves into the mid-range of the scale. At very high ambient temperatures or
heavy engine loads, the pointer may move even further to the right.
High temperature range
If the pointer reaches the red area of the scale, the coolant temperature is too high. Further information » page 32, 

Coolant .
CAUTION
■
Additional headlights and other attached components in front of the air inlet
impair the cooling efficiency of the coolant.■
Never cover the radiator - there is a risk of the engine overheating.
Fuel gauge
Fig. 22
Fuel gauge
Read and observe
on page 26 first.
The display provides information on the fuel level in the container.
Fuel gauge types » Fig. 22
Indication in the instrument cluster with the MAXI DOT display
Indication in the display of the instrument cluster with the Segment Dis-
play
The display only works if the ignition is switched on.
The fuel tank has a capacity of about 55 litres.
The warning light lights up when the amount of fuel reaches the reserve zone
 » page 35 .
The reserve zone is indicated by the red area of the scale » Fig. 22 - 
or by
displaying only the last two segments of the scale » Fig. 22 - 
in the magnify-
ing glass.
CAUTION
Never drive until the fuel tank is completely empty! The irregular supply of fuel
can cause misfiring. This can result in considerable damage to parts of the en-
gine and the exhaust system.
Note
■ After filling up, it can occur that during dynamic driving (e.g. numerous
curves, braking, driving downhill and climbing a steep hill) the fuel gauge indi-
cates approx. a fraction less. When stopping or during less dynamic driving, the
fuel gauge displays the correct fuel level again. This is not a fault.■
The arrow 
next to the icon 
within the fuel gauge displays the installation
location of the fuel filler on the right-hand side of the vehicle.
Counter for distance driven
Fig. 23
Display: Segment display / MAXI
DOT display
Read and observe on page 26 first.
Display » Fig. 23
Counter for distance travelled (trip)
Odometer
Counter for distance travelled (trip)
The counter indicates the distance you have driven since it was last reset - in
steps of 100 metres or 1/10 of a mile. 
AB28Using the system

›Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and check the engine oil lev-
el » page 135 .
The warning light will go out if the bonnet is left open for more than 30 sec-
onds 
. If no engine oil has been replenished, the warning light will come on
again after driving about 100 km.
The warning light 
flashes (engine oil level sensor faulty)
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.
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 assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
  Coolant
Read and observe
on page 30 first.
The warning light 
remains illuminated , until the engine reaches operating
temperature 1)
. Avoid high speeds, full throttle and high engine loads.
If the warning light 
illuminates or flashes , either the coolant temperature is
too high or the coolant level is too low.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Check engine coolant! Log book!
›
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine and check the coolant lev-
el » page 137 .
›
If the coolant level is too low, add coolant to the reservoir » page 137.
If the warning light 
does not illuminate , after adding coolant and switching
on the ignition, you may continue your journey.
If the coolant level is within the specified range and the indicator light  is still
illuminated , then there may be a malfunction of the cooling fan.
›
Check the fuse for the radiator fan, replace if necessary » page 165, Fuses in
the engine compartment .
If the coolant level and fan fuse are both OK but the indicator light  is never-
theless still illuminated,

do not continue your journey!
Seek help from a specialist garage.WARNING■
Carefully open the coolant expansion bottle. If the engine is hot, the cool-
ing 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.
CAUTION
■ Additional headlights and other attached components in front of the air inlet
impair the cooling efficiency of the coolant.■
Never cover the radiator - there is a risk of the engine overheating.
 Power steering
Read and observe
on page 30 first.
If the warning light 
illuminates , there is a fault in the power steering sys-
tem.
The power steering operates with reduced steering assist or does not function
at all.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
 Stability Control (ESC)
Read and observe
on page 30 first.
The warning light 
flashes , to show that the ESC is currently operating.
If the warning light 
illuminates , there is a fault in the ESC.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Error: Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
or Error: Traction control (ASR)
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately. 
1)
Applies to vehicles with a segment display.
32Using the system

WARNINGInstructions before beginning work in the engine compartment■Turn off the engine and withdraw the ignition key.■
Firmly apply the handbrake.
■
For vehicles with manual transmission the lever into the neutral position.
■
On vehicles with automatic transmission, shift the selector lever into the
P position.
■
Allow the engine to cool.
■
Never open the bonnet if you can see steam or coolant escaping from the
engine compartment – risk of scalding! Wait until no more steam or coolant
is escaping.
WARNINGInformation for working in the engine compartment■Keep all people, especially children, away from the engine compartment.■
Never touch the radiator fan while the engine is still warm. The fan might
suddenly start running!
■
Do not touch any hot engine parts – risk of burns!
WARNINGInformation for working in the engine compartment with the engine run-
ning■
Pay particular attention to moving engine parts, e.g. V-ribbed belt, gener-
ator, radiator fan - danger to life!
■
Never touch the electric wiring on the ignition system.
■
Avoid short circuits in the electrical system – particularly on the vehicle's
battery.
■
Always make sure that no jewellery, loose clothing or long hair can get
caught in rotating engine parts – risk to life! Always remove any jewellery,
tie back long hair and wear tight fitting clothing before completing any
work.
WARNINGInformation for working on the fuel system or the electrical system■Always disconnect the vehicle battery from the electrical system.■
Do not smoke.
■
Never work near open flames.
■
Always have a functioning fire extinguisher nearby.
WARNING■ Read and observe the information and warning instructions on the fluid
containers.■
Keep the working fluids in sealed original containers and safe from peo-
ple who are not completely independent, e.g. children.
■
Never spill operating fluids over the hot engine - risk of fire.
■
If you intend to work underneath the vehicle, you must secure the vehicle
from rolling away and support it with suitable supporting blocks; the car
jack is not sufficient – risk of injury!
CAUTION
Always top up using the correct specification of fluids. This may result in major
operating problems and also vehicle damage!
For the sake of the environment
In view of the requirements for the environmentally friendly disposal of fluids and the special tools and knowledge required for such work, we recommend
that fluids be changed by a specialist garage.
Note
■ Please consult a specialist garage for any questions relating to fluids.■Fluids with the proper specifications can be purchased from the ŠKODA Origi-
nal Accessories or from the ŠKODA Genuine Parts ranges.
Opening and closing the bonnet
Fig. 121
Bonnet release lever / release lever 
132General Maintenance

WARNINGAfter switching off the ignition, the fan may intermittently continue to op-
erate for approx. 10 minutes.
Windscreen washer system
Fig. 124
Engine compartment: Wind-
screen washer fluid reservoir
Read and observe and on page 131 first.
The windscreen washer fluid reservoir is located in the engine compart-
ment » Fig. 124 .
The cleaning fluid is provided for the cleaning of the front and rear window as
well as the headlight.
The capacity of the reservoir is about 3.5 litres or about 5.4 litres on vehicles
that have a headlight cleaning system 1)
.
Clear water is not sufficient to intensively clean the windscreen and head-
lights. We recommend using clean water together with a screen cleaner from
the range of ŠKODA Original Accessories (with anti-freeze in winter), which
will remove any stubborn dirt.
In Winter, the washing water should always be mixed with anti-freeze even if
the vehicle has heated windscreen washer nozzles.
Under exceptional circumstances, methylated spirits can also be used if no
screen cleaner with anti-freeze is available. The concentration of methylated
spirits must not be more than 15 %. The anti-freeze protection at this concen-
tration is sufficient only to -5 °C.
CAUTION■ Under no circumstances must radiator anti-freeze or other additives be add-
ed to the windscreen washer fluid.■
If the vehicle is fitted with a headlight cleaning system, only cleaning prod-
ucts which do not attack the polycarbonate coating of the headlights must be
added to the windscreen washer fluid.
■
Do not remove the filter from the windscreen washer fluid reservoir when re-
filling, as this may cause contamination of the liquid transportation system,
leading in turn to a windscreen washer system malfunction.
Engine oil
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Specification
135
Checking the oil level
135
Replenishing
136
The engine has been factory-filled with a high-grade oil that can be use
throughout the year - except in extreme climate zones.
The engine oils are undergoing continuous further development. Thus the in- formation stated in this Owner's Manual is only correct at the time of publica-
tion.
ŠKODA Service Partners are informed about the latest changes by the manu-
facturer. We therefore recommend that the oil change be completed by a
ŠKODA Service Partner.
The specifications (VW standards) stated in the following can be indicated sep-
arately or together with other specifications on the bottle.
The engine oil should be changed after specified service intervals » page 43.
WARNINGThe engine compartment of your car is a hazardous area. The following
warning instructions must be followed at all times when working in the en-
gine compartment » page 131. 1)
In some countries, 5.4 l. applies for both variants.
134General Maintenance

■Any faults resulting from corrosion may cause a loss of coolant and can con-
sequently result in major engine damage!■
Do not fill the coolant above the mark
A
. » Fig. 126 on page 137
■
If an error occurs, leading to the engine overheating, the help of a professio-
nal garage is to be sought - there is a risk of serious engine damage occurring.
■
Additional headlights and other attached components in front of the air inlet
impair the cooling efficiency of the coolant.
■
Never cover the radiator - there is a risk of the engine overheating.
Checking the coolant level
Fig. 126
Engine compartment: Coolant
expansion reservoir
Read and observe and on page 136 first.
The coolant expansion bottle is located in the engine compartment.
Coolant expansion reservoir » Fig. 126
Mark for the maximum permissible coolant level
Mark for the lowest permissible coolant level
The coolant level should be kept between the marks
A
and
B
.
The coolant can be checked and topped up, if the following conditions are sat-
isfied.
The vehicle is standing on a horizontal surface.
The engine is turned off.
The engine is not heated.
The bonnet is open.
Checking the level
›
Check the coolant level in the coolant expansion tank » Fig. 126.
If the engine is warm, the test result may be inaccurate. The level can also be
above the mark
A
» Fig. 126 .
ABIn case of low coolant level, the control symbol is displayed in the instrument
cluster as well as the relevant notification » page 32. We still recommend in-
specting the coolant level directly 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 cooling sys-
tem. Do not merely top up the coolant. Have the cooling system checked by a
specialist garage.
Replenishing
Read and observe
and on page 136 first.
›
Place a cloth over the cap of the coolant expansion tank and unscrew the
cap carefully .
›
Replenishing the coolant.
›
Turn the cap until it clicks into place.
CAUTION
■
Only top up with new coolant.■Do not use an alternative additive if the specified coolant is not available. In
this case, use just water and have the correct mixing ratio of water and cool-
ant additive restored by a specialist garage as soon as possible.
Brake fluid
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Checking the brake fluid level
138
Specification
138
The brake fluid reservoir is located in the engine compartment » Fig. 127 on
page 138 .
WARNING■
The engine compartment of your car is a hazardous area. The following
warning instructions must be followed at all times when working in the en-
gine compartment » page 131.■
Do not use used brake fluid - the function of the brake system may be im-
paired – risk of accident! 
137Inspecting and replenishing