Brakes
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Information on braking
108
Handbrake
109WARNING■ Greater physical effort is required for braking when the engine is switch-
ed off – risk of accident!■
The clutch pedal must be depressed when braking on a vehicle with man-
ual transmission, when the vehicle is in gear and at low revs. Otherwise,
the function of the brake booster may be impaired – risk of accident!
■
If a front spoiler, full wheel trim, etc. is mounted retrospectively, it must
be ensured that the air supply to the front wheel brakes is not reduced.
The front brakes may overheat, which can have a negative impact on the
functioning of the braking system – there is a risk of an accident.
■
When leaving the vehicle, never leave persons who might, for example,
release the handbrake or take the vehicle out of gear unattended in the ve-
hicle. The vehicle could then start to move – risk of accident!
CAUTION
■ Observe the recommendations on the new brake pads » page 113.■Never let the brakes slip with light pressure on the pedal if braking is not
necessary. This causes the brakes to overheat and can also result in a longer
braking distance and excessive wear.
Information on braking
Read and observe
and on page 108 first.
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.
Before travelling a long distance down 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
completed intermittently, not continuously.
Wear-and-tear
The wear of the brake pads is dependent on the operating conditions and driv- ing style.
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.
Under these severe conditions , the thickness of the brake pads must also be
checked by a specialist garage between services.
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.
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 40,
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.108Driving
›Carefully pull up the front left and right cover.›Pull up rear cover.›
Use a finger to press the yellow plastic part in the direction of the ar-
row » Fig. 112 .
›
At the same time, press the locking button in the selector lever and move
the selector lever to N.
The selector lever will be locked once more if it is moved again to P.
Running in
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
New engine
113
New tyres
113
New brake pads
113
New engine
The engine has to be run in during the first 1 500 kilometres.
Up to 1 000 kilometres
›
Do not drive faster than 3/4 of the maximum speed of the gear in use, i.e. 3/4
of the maximum permissible engine speed.
›
No full throttle.
›
Avoid high engine speeds.
›
Do not tow a trailer.
From 1 000 up to 1 500 kilometres
Gradually increase the power output of the engine up to the full speed of the
gear engaged, i.e. up to the maximum permissible engine speed.
The red scale on the rev counter indicates the range in which the system be-
gins to limit the engine speed.
During the first operating hours the engine has higher internal friction than
later until all of the moving parts have harmonized. The driving style which you
adopt during the first approx.1 500 kilometres plays a decisive part in the suc-
cess of running in your car.
Never drive at unnecessarily high engine speeds even after the running-in pe-
riod.
On vehicles fitted with a manual gearbox, at the very latest shift up into the
next gear when the red area is reached. Observe the recommended
gear » page 32 , Recommended gear . Very high engine speeds when accelerat-
ing (accelerator) are automatically restricted »
.
In vehicles with manual transmission, do not drive at unnecessarily low engine
speeds. Shift down a gear when the engine is no longer running smoothly. Ob-
serve the recommended gear » page 32, Recommended gear .
CAUTION
■
The engine is not protected from excessive engine revs caused by shifting
down at the wrong time. This can result in a sudden increase in revs beyond
the permissible maximum rpm and hence engine damage.■
Never rev up a cold engine when the vehicle is stationary or when driving in
individual gears.
For the sake of the environment
Do not drive at unnecessarily high engine speeds. Shifting up sooner helps
save fuel, reduces engine noise and protects the environment.
New tyres
New tyres must firstly be “run in” since they do not offer optimal grip at first.
Therefore, drive especially carefully for the first 500 km or so.
New brake pads
New brake pads do not initially provide optimal braking performance. They first
need to be “run in”. Therefore, drive especially carefully for the first 200 km or
so.
Economical driving and environmental sustainability
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Looking ahead
114
Economical gear changing.
114
Avoiding full throttle
115
Reducing idling
115
Avoiding short distances
115
Checking tyre pressure
115
113Starting-off and Driving
CAUTION■Only top up with new coolant.■Do not use an alternative additive if the specified coolant is not available. In
this case, use only 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
152
Changing
152WARNING■ 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 145.■
Do not continue your journey if the fluid level has fallen below the MIN
marking » Fig. 138 on page 152 - there is a risk of an accident. Seek help
from a specialist garage.
■
Do not use used brake fluid - the function of the brake system may be im-
paired – risk of accident!
CAUTION
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 levelFig. 138
Engine compartment: Brake fluid
reservoir
Read and observe and on page 152 first.
The brake fluid reservoir is located in the engine compartment » Fig. 138.
›
Switch off the engine.
›
Open the bonnet.
›
Check the level of brake fluid in the reservoir » Fig. 138.
The level must be between the “MIN” and “MAX” markings.
A slight drop in the fluid level results in operation due to normal wear and tear
and the 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.
If the brake fluid level is too low, this is indicated by the indicator light
» page 40 ,
Brake system
lighting up in the instrument cluster.
Changing
Read and observe
and on page 152 first.
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. Over time it therefore absorbs moisture from theenvironment.
Excessive water in the brake fluid may be the cause of corrosion in the brake
system.
The water content lowers the boiling point of the brake fluid.
152General Maintenance
Running inBrake pads113
Engine113
Tyres113
S
SAFE see Safe securing
50
SAFELOCK see Safe securing
50
Safe securing50
Safety8
Child safety22
Child safety seats22
Correct seated position9
Head restraints72
ISOFIX25
TOP TETHER26
Safety belts rear middle seat
15
Saving electrical energy113
Seals Taking care of your vehicle
137
Seat Adjusting
69
Seat belt warning light
40
Seat belts12
Belt tensioners15
Cleaning141
fastening and unfastening14
Height adjustment15
Inertia reels15
The physical principle of a frontal collision13
Seats Head restraints
72
Heating69
Removing seats71
Seats and stowing69
Selector lever see Using the selector lever110
Service133
Service display36
Setting Heating
92
Manual air conditioning system94
Manually dimmed rear-view mirror68
Setting the clock Clock
32
Shifting gears Driving and saving energy
114
Side airbag19
Sidelights59
Snow chains164
Spare wheel159
Speedometer31
Speed symbol Refer to Wheels
161
Spoiler134
Stalk Main beam
61
Turn signals61
START-STOP123
Manually deactivating/activating the system124
Operating conditions for the system123
operation124
system-related automatic start-up124
Starting and stopping the engine106
Starting engine Jump-starting
172
Starting the engine107
Jump-starting172
Starting the engine107
START STOP Information messages
124
Jump-starting173
Steering wheel10
Storage83
Storage compartment Storage compartment on the driver's side84
Storage compartment on the front passenger side
84
Storage Compartment Lighting
64
Storage compartments83
Flexible storage compartment87
Storage compartment in the front centre con- sole
85
storage pockets on the front seat84
Stowage compartment beneath the front seat
85
compartment for glasses85
compartments in the doors86
compartments in the luggage87
sun roof65
sunshade65
Sun visors65
Switching off the engine107
Synthetic leather141
T
Taking care of the vehicle Natural leather
140
Seat belts141
Taking care of your vehicle Automatic car wash system
135
Cavity protection138
Chrome parts137
Cleaning the wheels139
Decorative films137
Door lock cylinders138
Headlight lenses138
High-pressure cleaner136
Plastic parts137
Polishing the paintwork137
Rubber seals137
Taking care of the interior139
Taking care of your vehicle exterior136
195Index