2014 SKODA ROOMSTER catalytic converter

Driving
Starting-off and Driving
Starting and stopping the engine
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Electronic immobilizer
107
Ignition lock
107
Engine
107
Switching off the engine
107
The engine can only be started using a correctly coded original key.
The engine running noises may louder at first be louder for a short time after starting the cold engine. This is quite normal and is not an operating problem.
WARNING■ When driving, the ignition key must always be in the position 2 » Fig. 107
on page 107 (ignition switched on) without the engine running. This posi-
tion is indicated by the warning lights coming on. If this is not the case, this
could result in unexpected locking of the steering wheel – risk of accident!■
Only pull the ignition key from the ignition lock when the vehicle has
come to a complete stop (by applying the handbrake). Otherwise, the steer- ing could be blocked – risk of accident!
■
Never leave the key in the vehicle when you exit the vehicle. Unauthor-
ized persons, such as children, for example, could lock the car, turn on the
ignition or start the engine - there is a danger of injury and accidents!
■
Never leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running - there is
risk of accident, damage or theft!
■
Never switch off the engine before the vehicle is stationary – risk of acci-
dent!
WARNING■ Never (e.g. in garages) run the engine in a closed place - there is the dan-
ger of poisoning and death!■
Do not leave any items (e.g. cleaning cloths or tools) in the engine com-
partment. This presents a fire hazard and the risk of engine damage.
■
Never cover the engine with additional insulation material (e.g. with a
cover) – risk of fire!
CAUTION
■ The starter must only be operated when the engine is not running and the
vehicle is at a standstill. The starter or engine can be damaged if the starter is
activated when the engine is running 3
» Fig. 107 on page 107 .
■
If the engine does not start up after a second attempt, the fuse for the fuel
pump may have a fault. Check the fuse and replace if necessary » page 175, or
seek assistance from a specialist garage.
■
Let go of the ignition key as soon as the engine starts otherwise the starter
could be damaged.
■
Do not tow start the engine – there is a risk of damaging the engine and the
catalytic converter. The battery from another vehicle can be used as a jump-
start aid » page 172 , Jump-starting .
CAUTION
■
Avoid high engine revolutions, full throttle and high engine loads before the
engine has reached its operating temperature – risk of damaging the engine!■
Do not switch the engine off immediately at the end of your journey after the
engine has been operated over a prolonged period at high loads but leave it to
run at an idling speed for about 1 minute. This prevents any possible accumula-
tion of heat when the engine is switched off.
For the sake of the environment
Do not warm up the engine while the vehicle is stationary. If possible, start
your journey as soon as the engine has started. Through this the engine rea-
ches its operating temperature more rapidly and the pollutant emissions are
lower.
Note
After switching off the ignition, the radiator fan can intermittently continue to
operate for approx. 10 minutes.106Driving

Avoiding full throttleFig. 114
Principle sketch: Fuel consump-
tion in litres/100 km. and speed
in km/h.
Read and observe on page 114 first.
Driving more slowly saves fuel.
Sensitive use of the accelerator will not only significantly reduce fuel con-
sumption but also positively influence environmental pollution and wear of
your vehicle.
The maximum speed of your vehicle should, as far possible, never be used.
Fuel consumption, pollutant emissions and vehicle noises increase dispropor-
tionally at high speeds.
The graph » Fig. 114 shows the ratio of fuel consumption to the speed of your
vehicle. Fuel consumption will be halved if you drive at only three-quarters of
the possible top speed of your vehicle.
Reducing idling
Read and observe
on page 114 first.
Idling also costs fuel.
In vehicles not equipped with the START-STOP system, turn off the engine when in a traffic jam, at a level crossing or traffic lights with longer wait times.
Even after just 30 - 40 seconds you will have saved more fuel than that is nee-
ded when you start the engine up again.
If an engine is only idling it takes much longer for it to reach its normal operat-
ing temperature. Wear-and-tear and pollutant emissions, though, are particu-
larly high in the warming-up phase. Therefore, start driving as soon as the en-
gine has started, In this case high engine speeds should be avoided.
Avoiding short distancesFig. 115
Principle sketch: Fuel consump-
tion in l/100 km at different tem-
peratures
Read and observe on page 114 first.
Short distances result in an above-average high fuel consumption. We there- fore recommend avoiding distances of less than 4 km if the engine is cold.
A cold engine consumes the most fuel immediately after the start. Fuel con-
sumption drops to 10 litres/100 km after just 1 kilometre. The consumption sta-
bilises once the engine and catalytic converter have reached their operating
temperature.
An important factor in this connection is also the ambient temperature. The
graph » Fig. 115 shows the different levels of fuel consumption after driving a
certain distance at a temperature of +20 °C and a temperature of -10 °C.
Checking tyre pressure
Read and observe
on page 114 first.
Tyres which are correctly inflated save fuel.
Always ensure the tyre inflation pressure is correct » page 157. If the pressure
is too low, the tyres will have to overcome a higher rolling resistance. This will
not only increase fuel consumption but also tyre wear and the driving behav-
iour will worsen.
Always check the tyre inflation pressure when the tyres are cold.
Avoiding unnecessary ballast
Read and observe
on page 114 first.
Transporting ballast costs fuel. 
115Starting-off and Driving

Trailer fitting and mounting recessRead and observe
and on page 136 first.
Close the mounting recess with the cap to prevent any ingress of dirt.
If dirt is present, clean the inner surfaces of the mounting recess and treat
with a suitable preservative.
Always check the ball head before hitching a trailer. Apply a suitable grease, if
necessary.
Fit the protective cap when stowing away the ball head to protect the luggage
compartment against dirt.
CAUTION
Apply grease to the inner part of the mounting recess. Make sure you do not
remove any grease.
Wheels
Read and observe
and on page 136 first.
Wheel rims
Also thoroughly wash the wheel rims when washing the vehicle on a regular
basis.
Regularly remove salt and brake abrasion, otherwise the rim material will be
corroded.
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.
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.Underbody protection
Read and observe
and on page 136 first.
The underside of your vehicle is protected for life against chemical and me-
chanical influences.
When driving, it cannot be guaranteed that no damage to the protective layer
will occur.
We recommend having the protective layer underneath the vehicle and the
chassis checked — preferably before the beginning of winter and at the end of
winter.
WARNINGNever 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 may ignite - risk of fire!
Taking care of the interior
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Natural leather
140
Synthetic leather, fabrics and Alcantara ®
141
Seat covers
141
Seat belts
141
Regular and proper care helps to ensure efficiency and maintain the
value of
your vehicle.
We recommend using vehicle care products from ŠKODA Original Accessories.
These are available from ŠKODA Partners. The usage instructions on the pack-
age must be observed.
WARNING■ Vehicle care products may be harmful to your health if not used according
to the instructions.■
Always keep the vehicle care products safe from people who are not com-
pletely independent, e.g. children - there is a danger of poisoning! 
139Car care

CAUTION■Do not tow start the engine – there is a risk of damaging the engine and the
catalytic converter. The battery from another vehicle can be used as a jump-
start aid » page 172 , Jump-starting .■
If the gearbox no longer contains any oil, your vehicle must only be towed
with the front axle raised clear of the ground or on a breakdown vehicle or
trailer.
■
To protect both vehicles when tow-starting or towing, the tow rope should
be elastic. Thus one should only use plastic fibre rope or a rope made out of a
similarly elastic material.
■
There is always a risk of excessive stresses and damage resulting at the
points to which you attach the tow rope or tow bar when you attempt to tow a
vehicle which is not standing on a paved road.
■
Attach the tow rope or the tow bar to the towing eyes » page 174 , Front
towing eye or » page 174 , Rear towing eye to the detachable ball head of the
towing equipment » page 126 .
Note
We recommend using a tow rope from ŠKODA Original Accessories, which is
available from a ŠKODA Partner.
Front towing eye
Fig. 155
Removing the cap / installing the towing eye
Read and observe
and on page 173 first.
›
Press the cover in the arrow area » Fig. 155 - 
.
The cover comes loose.
›
Remove the cap from the front bumper and leave it hanging on the vehicle.
› Screw in the towing eye by hand up to the stop
» Fig. 155 -  .
For tightening purposes, we recommend, for example, using the wheel
wrench, towing eye from another vehicle or a similar object that can be pushed
through the eye.›
After unscrewing the cap of the towing eye, insert the cap in the lower area
and then press the opposite side of the cap.
The cap must engage firmly.
WARNINGThe towing eye must always be screwed in fully and firmly tightened, oth-
erwise the towing eye can tear when towing in or tow-starting.
Rear towing eye
Fig. 156
Rear towing eye
Read and observe and on page 173 first.
The rear towing eye is located below the rear bumper on the right » Fig. 156.
Vehicles with a tow hitch
Read and observe
and on page 173 first.
The removable towing ball may be fitted and used for towing on vehicles with
a factory fitted tow hitch » page 126, Hitch and trailer .
Towing the vehicle using the towing device is a viable alternative solution to
using the towing eye.
CAUTION
The detachable ball rod and/or the vehicle can be damaged if an unsuitable
tow bar is used. 174Do-it-yourself