2014 SKODA OCTAVIA brake fluid

General Maintenance
Care and maintenance177
Service work, adjustments and technical alterations
177
Washing vehicle
180
Cleaning vehicle exterior
181
Interior care
185
Inspecting and replenishing
188
Fuel
188
Engine compartment
192
Engine oil
195
Coolant
197
Brake fluid
199
Vehicle battery
200
Wheels
204
Tyres and wheel rims
204
Manufacturer-approved tyre variants
207
Winter operation
209
Do-it-yourself
Emergency equipment, and self-help
211
Emergency equipment
211
Reserve and temporary spare
213
Changing a wheel
214
Puncture repair kit
218
Jump-starting
220
Towing the vehicle
221
Remote control
224
Emergency unlocking/locking
225
Replacing windscreen wiper blades
226
Fuses and light bulbs
228
Fuses
228
Bulbs
231Technical data
Technical data238
Basic vehicle data
238
Vehicle-specific information depending on
engine type
246
Index
3Table of Contents

Safety
Passive Safety
General information
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Before setting off
8
Driving safety
8
Safety equipment
8
In this section you will find important information, tips and notes on the sub-
ject of passive safety in your vehicle.
We have combined everything here which you should be familiar with, for ex-
ample, regarding seat belts, airbags, child seats and safety of children.
WARNING■ This chapter contains important information on how to use the vehicle for
the driver and his occupants.■
You will find further information on safety, which concerns you and those
travelling with you, in the following chapters of this Owner's Manual.
■
The complete on-board literature should always be in the vehicle. This
applies in particular, if you rent out or sell the vehicle.
Before setting off
Read and observe
on page 8 first.
For your own safety and the safety of the people travelling with you, please
pay attention to the following points before setting off.
Ensure that the lighting and the turn signal system are functioning proper-
ly.
Ensure that the function of the wipers and the condition of the wiper
blades are free of any defects.
Ensure that all of the windows offer good visibility to the outside.
Adjust the rear-view mirror so that vision to the rear is guaranteed.
Ensure that the mirrors are not covered.
Check the tyre inflation pressure.
Check the engine oil, brake fluid and coolant level.
Secure all items of luggage.
Do not exceed the permissible axle loads and permissible gross weight of
the vehicle.
Close all doors as well as the bonnet and boot lid.
Ensure that no objects can obstruct the pedals.
Protect children in suitable child seats with correctly fastened seat
belts » page 22 , Transporting children safely .
Adopt the correct seated position » page 9, Correct and safe seated
position . Tell your passengers to assume the correct seated position.
Driving safety
Read and observe
on page 8 first.
The driver is fully responsible for himself and his occupants. If your driving
safety is effected, you place yourself and the oncoming traffic at risk.
The following guidelines must therefore be observed. Do not get distracted from concentrating on the traffic situation, e.g. by
your passengers or mobile phone calls.
Never drive when your driving ability is impaired, e.g. through medication,
alcohol or drugs.
Keep to the traffic regulations and the permissible speed limit.
Always adjust the driving speed to the road, traffic and weather condi-
tions.
Take regular breaks on long journeys – at least every two hours.
Safety equipment
Read and observe
on page 8 first.
The following list contains only part of the safety equipment in your vehicle.
› Three-point seat belts for all the seats.
› Belt force limiters for the front seats.
› Belt tensioners for the front seats.
› Seat belt height adjusters for front seats.
› Front airbag for the driver and the front passenger.
› Driver’s knee airbag.
› Front side airbags.
› Rear side airbags. 

8Safety

  Automatic TransmissionRead and observe on page 34 first.
The warning lights 

indicate a fault or the state of the automatic gearbox.

Warning lightMessageMeaning and Action
Error: gearbox. Reverse gear not available.
GEARBOX ERROR REV_ GEAR NOT AVAILFault in the automatic gearbox, the reverse cannot be appealed.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
Error: gearbox.
GEARBOX ERRORFault in the automatic gearbox.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
Gearbox overheated.
GEARBOX OVERHEATEDThe temperature of the automatic transmission clutches is too high.
 do not continue to drive!
Stop the vehicle and turn off the engine.
Switch on the ignition and wait until the 
warning light disappears – risk of gearbox
damage!
You can continue your journey as soon as the warning light disappears.
If the warning light does not go out, do not continue driving. Seek help from a specialist
garage.

Gearbox overheated. Stop! Owner's manual!
STOP VEHICLE GEARBOX OVERHEAT
Gearbox faulty. Workshop!
GEARBOX FAULTY WORKSHOPFault in the automatic gearbox.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately. Handbrake
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
The warning light 
illuminates if the handbrake is applied.
An acoustic signal will sound if you drive the vehicle above 5 km/h while the
handbrake is still on.
The following message is shown in the information cluster display. Release the handbrake!
RELEASE HANDBRAKE
 Brake system
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
If the warning light 
lights up , the brake fluid level in the brake system is too
low.
The following message is shown in the information cluster display.
Brake fluid: Owner's manual!
BRAKE FLUID PLEASE CHECK›
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and check the level of the brake flu-
id » page 199 » .
If the warning light, 
together with the warning light, 
lights up , there is a
problem with the ABS.
WARNING■ A fault to the ABS system or the braking system can increase the vehi-
cle's braking distance – risk of accident!■
If warning light 
illuminates simultaneously with warning light
 » page 37 , 
Antilock brake system (ABS) 
, do not continue your jour-
ney! Seek help from a specialist garage.
35Instruments and warning lights

 Trailer turn signal lightsRead and observe
on page 34 first.
If the warning light 
flashes , the trailer turn signal lights are turned on.
If a trailer is hitched and the warning light 
is not flashing , one of the trailer
turn signal lights has failed.
The following message is shown in the information cluster display, for exam-
ple.
Trailer: check left turn signal!
TRAILER TURN SIG_ CHECK LEFT
The trailer must be unhitched properly » page 169, Hitch and trailer .
 Fog lights
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
The warning light 
illuminates when the fog lights are operating.
 Cruise control system
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
The indicator light 
is illuminated when the cruise control system and auto-
matic distance control are switched on.
 Brake pedal (automatic transmission)
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
If the warning light 
illuminates , operate the brake pedal.
 Natural gas operation
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
If the warning light 
is lit, the vehicle is powered by natural gas.
 Main beam
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
The warning light 
illuminates when the main beam or the headlight flasher
is operated.
Warning icons in the display
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:

 Rear seat belt warning
41
 Alternator
41
 Coolant
41
 Engine oil pressure
42
 Engine oil level
42
 Lamp failure
43
 Diesel particulate filter (diesel engine)
43
 Windscreen washer fluid level
43
 Fuel reserve
43
 Headlight assist
44

 START-STOP-system
44
 Display of a low temperature
44

Water in the fuel filter (diesel engine)
44


 Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
44
 Distance warning (Front Assistant)
44
 Advance warning/emergency brake (Front Assistant)
45
The warning icons indicate the status of certain functions or faults.
The warning icons are indicated in the display of the instrument clus-
ter » page 31 .
Depending on the meaning, the symbol  or
 in the bar lists up simultane-
ously with the corresponding control symbol, with indicator lights
5
» Fig. 22
on page 31 .
SymbolMeaningDangerWarning 40Using the system

The brake pads wear more quickly if a lot of journeys are completed in towns
and over short distances or if a very sporty style of driving is adopted.
If operated under severe conditions , the thickness of the brake pads must be
checked by a specialist garage between service appointments as well.
Wet roads or road salt
The performance of the brakes can be delayed as the brake discs and brake
pads may be moist or have a coating of ice or layer of salt on them in winter.
The brakes are cleaned and dried by applying the brakes several times »
.
Corrosion
Corrosion on the brake discs and dirt on the bake pads occur if the vehicle has
been parked for a long period and if you do not make much use of the braking
system. The brakes are cleaned and dried by applying the brakes several
times »
.
Long or steep slopes
Before travelling a long distance with a steep gradient, reduce speed and shift
into the next lowest gear. As a result, the braking effect of the engine will be
used, reducing the load on the brakes. Any additional braking should be com-
pleted intermittently, not continuously.
Emergency brake display
If the brakes are applied in full and the control unit for the braking system con-
siders the situation to be dangerous for the following traffic, the brake light
flashes automatically.
After the speed was reduced below around 10 km/h or the vehicle was stop-
ped, the brake light stops flashing and the hazard warning light system
switches on. The hazard warning light system is switched off automatically af- ter accelerating or driving off again.
Faults in the brake surface
If it is found that the braking distance has suddenly become longer and that
the brake pedal can be depressed further, the brake system may be faulty.
Visit a specialist garage immediately and adjust your style of driving appropri-
ately, as you will not know the exact extent of the damage.
Low brake fluid level
An insufficient level of brake fluid may result in problems in the brake system.
The level of the brake fluid is monitored electronically » page 35,
 Brake sys-
tem .
Brake booster
The brake booster increases the pressure generated with the brake pedal. The
brake booster only operates when the engine is running.WARNINGOnly apply the brakes for the purpose of drying and cleaning the brake
discs if the traffic conditions permit this. Do not place any other road users
in jeopardy.
Handbrake
Fig. 132
Handbrake
Read and observe and on page 130 first.
The hand brake is used when stopping and parking for securing the vehicle
against unwanted movement.
Apply
›
Pull the handbrake lever firmly upwards.
Release
›
Pull the handbrake lever up slightly and at the same time push in the lock
button » Fig. 132 .
›
Move the lever right down while pressing the lock button.
The handbrake warning light 
lights up when the handbrake is applied, pro-
vided the ignition is on.
A warning signal sounds if the vehicle is inadvertently driven off with the
handbrake applied.
The following message is shown in the information cluster display. Release the handbrake!
RELEASE HANDBRAKE 
131Starting-off and Driving

WARNINGWhen working in the engine compartment, injuries, scolding, accident or
fire hazards may arise. For this reason, it is essential to comply with the
warning instructions stated below and with the general applicable rules of
safety. 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.
■
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 flowing out of the
engine compartment – risk of scalding! Wait until the steam or coolant has
stopped 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 of death! Always remove any jewel-
lery, 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 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 fluids over the hot engine - risk of fire.
■
If you wish to work under the vehicle, you must secure the vehicle from
rolling away and support it with suitable supporting blocks: the car jack is
not sufficient for this – 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.193Inspecting and replenishing

Opening and closing the bonnetFig. 184
Open the bonnet
Read and observe
and on page 193 first.
Open flap
›
Open the front door.
›
Pull the release lever underneath the dash panel in the direction of the ar-
row
1
» Fig. 184 .
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.
›
Push the release lever in the direction of arrow
2
.
The bonnet is then unlocked.
›
Grasp the bonnet catch and lift in the direction of arrow
3
.
›
Remove the lid prop in the direction of arrow
4
from the holder.
›
Secure the open flap inserting the end of the post into the opening in the di-
rection of arrow
5
.
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 whether the bonnet has been closed properly. Also make sure that
a vehicle with an opened bonnet does not appear in the instrument cluster
display » page 47 .■
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 boot lid, no body parts are crushed -
there is danger of injury!
CAUTION
Never open the bonnet by the locking lever » Fig. 184.
Engine compartment overview
Fig. 185
Principle sketch: Engine compartment
Read and observe
and on page 193 first.
Arrangement in the engine compartment » Fig. 185
Coolant expansion reservoir
198
Engine oil dipstick
196
Engine oil filler opening
197
Brake fluid reservoir
199
Battery (below a cover)
200
Windscreen washer fluid reservoir
195

ABCDEF194General Maintenance

CAUTION■Only refill 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
199
Specification
199
The brake fluid reservoir is located in the engine compartment » Fig. 189 on
page 199 .
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 192.■
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. 189 on page 199 ,  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 prescribed inspection services.■We recommend using brake fluids from the ŠKODA Original Accessories
range.Checking the brake fluid levelFig. 189
Brake fluid reservoir
Read and observe and on page 199 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. 189.
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  being shown on
the display of the instrument cluster as well as the corresponding mes-
sage » page 35 .
Specification
Read and observe
and on page 199 first.
The brake fluid must comply with the following standards or specifications:› VW 50114;
› FMVSS 116 DOT4.
199Inspecting and replenishing