2014 SKODA CITIGO Battery

›The current consumption is too high.
› High air-conditioning or heating capacity (high fan speed, big difference be-
tween the desired and actual interior temperature).
Note
■ If the vehicle remains outdoors for a long time in minus temperatures or in
direct sunlight, it can take several hours until the internal temperature of the
vehicle battery reaches a suitable temperature for proper operation of the
START STOP system.■
If the driver's seat belt is removed for more than approx. 30 seconds or the
driver's door is opened during stop mode, the engine will have to be started
manually.
■
After the manual engine start and with a manual gearbox the automatic en-
gine shutdown can take place only when a minimum distance required for the
system function has been covered.
Operation in vehicles with manual gearboxes
Read and observe
on page 88 first.
In compliance with the operating conditions, automatic engine shutdown / au-
tomatic engine start takes place as described.
Automatic engine shutdown
›
Stop the vehicle.
›
Put the gear stick into Neutral.
›
Release the clutch pedal.
Automatic engine shutdown then occurs and the indicator symbol appears in
the display 
» Fig. 87 on page 88 .
Automatic engine start
›
Depress the clutch pedal.
The automatic re-start process takes place and the indicator symbol goes
out.
Operation in vehicles with automatic gearboxes
Read and observe
on page 88 first.
In compliance with the operating conditions, automatic engine shutdown / au-
tomatic engine start takes place as described.
Automatic engine shutdown›Bring the vehicle to a stop and depress the brake pedal.
Automatic engine shutdown then occurs and the indicator symbol appears in
the display 
» Fig. 87 on page 88 .
Automatic engine start›
Release the brake pedal.
The automatic re-start process takes place and the indicator symbol 
goes
out.
For more information about automated manual transmission
The automatic engine shut down takes place when the selector lever is in po-
sitions D, N , and in Tiptronic mode.
If the engine is off due to the automatic and the selector lever is put to the R
position then the automatic starts the engine.
If the gear selector is moved from position R to the position D or N the vehicle
must reach a speed of more than 10 km/h before the automatic engine shut-
down starts.
There is no automatic engine shutdown when the system detects a vehicle
moving due to a large steering angle.
No automatic engine shutdown takes place when the vehicle is moving at low
speed (e.g. during a traffic jam or when tuning) and remains stationary after
pressing the brake pedal lightly. Automatic engine shutdown takes place if you
press the brake pedal down with more force.
System related automatic start-up
Read and observe
on page 88 first.
When the engine is off, the system can automatically start the engine before
the desired journey continues. Some possible reasons for this are:
› The vehicle begins to roll, e.g. on a slope.
› The brake pedal has been actuated several times.
› The current consumption is too high.
89Assist systems

General Maintenance
Care and maintenance
Modifications, adjustments and technical alterations
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Vehicle operating under different weather conditions
93
Statutory checks
93
ŠKODA Service Partners
94
ŠKODA Original parts
94
ŠKODA Original accessories
94
Spoiler
95
Airbags
95
Trailer operation
96
Acceptance and recycling of used vehicles
96
The instructions and guidelines from ŠKODA AUTO a.s. must be observed when
carrying out all modifications, repairs or technical alterations to your vehicle.
Adhering to these instructions and guidelines helps ensure road safety and
helps keep your vehicle in a good technical condition. After carrying out modifi-
cations, repairs or technical alterations, the vehicle will comply with German
road transport regulations (StVZO)
Always consult a ŠKODA Partner » page 94 before buying accessories or
parts, or before carrying out any modifications, repairs or technical alterations to your vehicle.
WARNING■ Work on your vehicle, which have been carried out unprofessionally, can
cause operational faults – risk of accident!■
Interference on the electronic components and their software can lead to
operational faults. This interference can also impair not directly affected
systems because of the networking of the electronic components. The op-
erational safety of the vehicle may be at significant risk and can lead to in-
creased wear of parts.
For the sake of the environmentTechnical documents regarding alterations carried out on the vehicle must be
kept by the vehicle user in order to be handed over to the recyclers at a later
date. This ensures that the vehicle is recycled in an environmentally sound
manner.
Note
■ We recommend only having these modifications and technical alterations
carried out by a specialist garage.■
Any damage caused by technical alterations made without the approval of
the manufacturer is excluded from the warranty » Service schedule .
■
The ŠKODA Partner does not assume any liability for products that have not
been approved by ŠKODA AUTO a.s. even though these may be products with
an operational approval or that have been approved by a government testing
institute.
■
We advise you only to use ŠKODA Original Accessories and ŠKODA Original
Parts which have been expressly approved for use on your vehicle. Reliability,
safety and suitability for your vehicle are guaranteed with these.
■
ŠKODA Original Accessories and ŠKODA Original Parts can be purchased from
ŠKODA Partners, who will also perform the professional assembly of the pur-
chased parts.
Vehicle operating under different weather conditions
Read and observe
on page 93 first.
If you would like to operate your vehicle in countries other than those with itsintended weather conditions, you should contact a ŠKODA Partner.
She will advise you if certain precautions need to be taken to ensure the full
functioning of the vehicle and to prevent damage.
This involves, for example, the coolant, battery replacement and the like.
Statutory checks
Read and observe
on page 93 first.
Many countries have legislation which require that the reliability and roadwor-thiness and/or exhaust gas composition of a vehicle must be tested at specific
intervals. These tests can be carried out by workshops or checking stations
that have been legally authorized for this purpose. 
93Care and maintenance

Automatically switching over from natural gas mode to petrol mode
The vehicle automatically switches from natural gas to petrol, for example, if one of the following cases occurs.
› With an empty gas tank or not enough pressure in the tank.
› After refuelling with natural gas.
› At very low surrounding temperatures.
Gas smell
If you smell gas proceed as follows.
› Stop the vehicle.
› Put out cigarettes.
› Switch off the ignition.
› Open doors and the boot lid to ventilate the vehicle sufficiently.
› Remove any spark producing or incendiary items from the car and immedi-
ately switch off.
› Do not continue if the odour persists.
Seek help from a specialist garage to correct the gas system fault.
Regular gas system checks must be carried out in a specialist workshop on
natural gas-powered vehicles.WARNINGWhen operating a CNG-powered vehicle, the national legal requirements
must be observed.WARNINGDo not underestimate the smell of gas in the car or when refuelling - it may
result in fire, explosion and injury.
Engine compartment
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Opening and closing the bonnet
108
Engine compartment overview
109
Radiator fan
109
Windscreen washer system
109WARNINGInjuries or scolding or risks of accident or fire may occur when working in
the engine compartment. For this reason, it is essential to comply with the
warning instructions outlined below and with the general applicable safety
rules. The engine compartment of your car is a hazardous area!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.
■
For vehicles with automated manual transmission, shift the lever to posi-
tion N.
■
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. 
107Inspecting and replenishing

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 bonnetFig. 96
Bonnet release lever/release lever
Fig. 97
Securing the bonnet
Read and observe
and on page 107 first.
Open flap
›
Open the front door.
›
Pull the release lever under the dash panel in the direction of the arrow
1
» Fig. 96 .
Before opening the bonnet, ensure that the arms of the windscreen wipers
are correctly in place against the windscreen, otherwise the paintwork on the
flap could be damaged.
›
Press the release lever in the direction of the arrow
2
» Fig. 96 and the bon-
net is unlocked.
›
Grab hold of the bonnet and lift.
›
Remove the lid prop in the direction of arrow
3
from the holder » Fig. 97.
108General Maintenance

›Secure the open flap by inserting the end of the post into opening 4.
Close the flap›
Lift the bonnet.
›
Decouple the bonnet support and press into the holder designed to hold it.
›
Let the bonnet drop into the lock carrier lock from a height of around 20 cm – do not push it in .
WARNING■
Check that the bonnet is closed properly.■If you notice that the lock is not properly engaged while driving, stop the
vehicle immediately and close the bonnet – risk of accident!■
Make sure that when closing the bonnet, no body parts are crushed -
there is danger of injury!
CAUTION
Never open the bonnet by the locking lever » Fig. 96.
Engine compartment overview
Fig. 98
Principle sketch: Engine compartment
Read and observe
and on page 107 first.
Arrangement in the engine compartment » Fig. 98
Engine oil dipstick
110
Engine oil filler opening
111
Coolant expansion reservoir
112123Brake fluid reservoir113
Vehicle battery
113
Windscreen washer fluid reservoir
109
Radiator fan
Read and observe
and on page 107 first.
The radiator fan is powered by an electric motor. Operation is controlled ac-
cording to the temperature of the coolant.
WARNINGAfter switching off the ignition, the fan may intermittently continue to op-
erate for approx. 10 minutes.
Windscreen washer system
Fig. 99
Windscreen washer fluid reser-
voir
Read and observe and on page 107 first.
The windscreen washer fluid reservoir is located in the engine compart-
ment » Fig. 99 .
The cleaning fluid is provided for the cleaning of the front and rear window.
The capacity of the tank is about 3 litres.
Water alone is not sufficient to intensively clean the windscreen. We recom- mend using clean water together with a screen cleaner from the range of
ŠKODA Original Accessories (with antifreeze in winter), which will remove any
stubborn dirt. 
456109Inspecting and replenishing

Brake fluid
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Checking the brake fluid level
113
Specification
113
The brake fluid reservoir is located in the engine compartment » Fig. 102 on
page 113 .
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 107.■
Do not use used brake fluid - the function of the brake system may be im-
paired – risk of accident!
CAUTION
■ Do not continue your journey if the fluid level has dropped below the “MIN”
marking » Fig. 102 on page 113 ,  do not continue driving - there is a risk of an
accident! Seek help from a specialist garage.■
Brake fluid damages the paintwork of the vehicle.
Note
■ The brake fluid is changed as part of a compulsory inspection service.■We recommend using brake fluids from the ŠKODA Original Accessories
range.
Checking the brake fluid level
Fig. 102
Brake fluid reservoir
Read and observe and on page 113 first.
The fluid can be checked if the following conditions are met.
The vehicle is standing on a horizontal surface.
The engine is turned off.
The bonnet is open.
Checking the level
›
Check the level of brake fluid in the reservoir » Fig. 102.
The level must be between 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
level drops significantly within a short time or if it drops below the “MIN” mark-
ing.
Too low brake fluid level is indicated by the warning light  illuminating in the
display of the instrument cluster » page 34,
 Braking system
.
Specification
Read and observe
and on page 113 first.
The brake fluid must comply with the following standards or specifications:› VW 50114;
› FMVSS 116 DOT4.
Vehicle battery

Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Checking the battery electrolyte level
115
Charging
115
Replace
116
Disconnecting and reconnecting
116
Automatic load deactivation
116
The vehicle battery represents a power source for the motor to start and for
the supply of electrical consumers in the car. 

113Inspecting and replenishing

Warning symbols on the vehicle batterySymbolImportanceAlways wear eye protection.Battery acid is severely caustic. Always wear gloves and eye pro-
tection.Keep fire, sparks, open flames and lit cigarettes well clear of the
vehicle battery.When charging the vehicle battery, a highly explosive gas mixture
is produced.Keep children away from the vehicle battery.WARNINGThere is risk of injuries, poisoning, chemical burns, explosions or fire when
working on the battery and on the electrical system. It is essential to com-
ply with the general applicable safety rules as well as the warning instruc-
tions outlined below.■
Keep the vehicle battery away from people who are not completely inde-
pendent, especially children.
■
Do not tilt the battery otherwise battery electrolyte may flow out of the
battery vent openings. Protect your eyes by wearing safety goggles or a
face shield – risk of blindness!
■
Always wear protective gloves, eye and skin protection when handling
the vehicle battery.
■
The battery acid is strongly corrosive and must, therefore, be handled
with the greatest of care.
■
Corrosive fumes in the air irritate the air passages and lead to conjunctivi-
tis and inflammation of the air passages in the lungs.
■
Battery acid corrodes dental enamel and, if it comes into contact with the
skin, causes deep wounds that take a long time to heal.
■
If any battery acid comes into contact with your eyes, rinse the affected
eye immediately with clean water for several minutes and 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 you swallow battery acid, consult a doctor immediately!
WARNING■ The use of open flames and light should be avoided.■Smoking and radio triggering activities should be avoided.■
Never use a damaged vehicle battery – risk of explosion!
■
Never charge a frozen or thawed vehicle battery – risk of explosion and
chemical burns!
■
Replace a frozen vehicle battery.
■
Never jump-start vehicle batteries with insufficient acid levels – risk of
explosion and chemical burns.
CAUTION
■ Improper handling of the vehicle battery may cause damage.■Ensure that battery acid does not come into contact with the bodywork – risk
of damage to the paintwork.■
If the vehicle has not been driven for more than 3 to 4 weeks, the battery will
discharge. Prevent the battery from discharging by disconnecting the battery's
negative terminal 
or continuously charging the battery with a very low
charging current.
■
Do not place the battery in direct daylight in order to protect the vehicle bat-
tery housing from the effects of ultra-violet light.
■
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 therefore be disposed of in accordance with national legal regula-
tions.
Note
■ We recommend having all work on the vehicle battery carried out by a spe-
cialist garage.■
You should replace batteries older than 5 years.
114General Maintenance

Checking the battery electrolyte levelFig. 103
Vehicle battery: Electrolyte level
indicator
Read and observe and on page 114 first.
On vehicles with a vehicle battery fitted with a colour indicator » Fig. 103, the
electrolyte level can be determined by looking at the change in colour of this
display.
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.
Vehicles with a START-STOP system are fitted with a battery control unit for
checking the energy level for the recurring engine start.
We recommend that you have the acid level checked regularly by a specialist
garage, especially in the following cases.
› High external temperatures.
› Longer day trips.
› After each charge.
Winter time
The vehicle battery only has a proportion of the starting power in lower tem-
peratures. 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,
recharged by a specialist garage before the start of the winter.
Note■ The battery acid level is also checked regularly by a specialist garage as part
of the inspection service.■
For technical reasons, on vehicles with the description “AGM”, the electrolyte
level cannot be checked.
Charging
Read and observe
and on page 114 first.
A properly charged vehicle battery is essential for reliably starting the engine.A charging operation can be performed if the following conditions are satis-
fied.
The engine is turned off.
The ignition is switched off.
All consumers are turned off.
The bonnet is open.
“Fast charging” with high currents
›
Disconnect both battery cables (first of all “negative”, then “positive”).
›
Attach the terminal clamps of the charger to the battery terminals (red =
“positive”, black = “negative”).
›
Plug the mains cable of the charger into the power socket and switch on the
device.
›
After charging has been successful: Switch off the charger and remove the
mains cable from the power socket.
›
Only then disconnect the charger's terminal clamps.
›
Reconnect the cables to the battery (first “positive”, then “negative”).
Charging with low voltages
It is not necessary to disconnect the cables from the battery if you recharge
the vehicle battery, for example from a mini-charger.
Refer to the instructions of the charger manufacturer .
A charging current of 0.1 multiple of the total vehicle battery capacity (or low-
er) must be used until full charging is achieved.
The vent plugs of the vehicle battery should not be opened for charging. 
115Inspecting and replenishing