Brake fluid
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Checking the brake fluid level
189
Changing
189WARNING■ 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 182.■
Do not continue your journey if the fluid level has fallen below the MIN
marking » Fig. 165 on page 189 ,
- 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 level
Fig. 165
Engine compartment: Brake fluid
reservoir
Read and observe and on page 189 first.
The brake fluid reservoir is located in the engine compartment » Fig. 165.
›Switch off the engine.›Open the bonnet.›
Check the level of brake fluid in the reservoir
» Fig. 165.
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.
If the brake fluid level is too low, this is shown by the indicator light
» page 33 ,
Brake system
lighting up in the instrument cluster.
Changing
Read and observe
and on page 189 first.
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. Over time it therefore absorbs moisture from the
environment.
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.
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:
Open cover
191
Checking the battery electrolyte level
191
Charging
192
Replace
192
Disconnecting or reconnecting
192
Automatic load deactivation
193
189Inspecting and replenishing
WARNINGInformation regarding tyre damage or wear■Never use tyres if you do not know anything about the condition and age.■
Never drive with damaged tyres – risk of accident!
■
Immediately replace damaged wheel rims or tyres.
■
You must have your tyres replaced with new ones at the latest when the
wear indicators have been worn down.
■
Worn tyres impair necessary adhesion to the road surface, particularly at
high speeds on wet roads. This could lead to “aquaplaning” (uncontrolled
vehicle movement – “swimming” on a wet road surface).
WARNINGInformation on tyre pressure■The tyre control display does not absolve the driver of the responsibility
to ensure the correct tyre inflation pressure. Check the tyre inflation pres-
sure at regular intervals.■
Insufficient or excessive inflation pressure impairs handling – risk of acci-
dent!
■
If the inflation pressure is too low, the tyre will have to overcome a higher
rolling resistance. This will cause a significant increase in the temperature
of the tyre, especially at higher speeds. This can result in tread separation
and a tyre blowout.
WARNINGInformation on the wheel bolts■The wheel bolts must be clean and must turn easily. Never treat them
with grease or oil.■
The prescribed tightening torque of the wheel bolts for steel and light al-
loy wheels is 120 Nm.
■
If the wheel bolts are tightened to a too low tightening torque, the rims
could come loose when the car is moving – risk of accident! A tightening
torque which is too high can damage the bolts and threads and this can re-
sult in permanent deformation of the contact surfaces on the rims.
■
In case of incorrect treatment of the wheel bolts, the wheel can loosen
when the car is moving – risk of accident!
WARNINGInformation on the temporary spare wheel■Only use the temporary spare wheel when absolutely necessary.■
Never drive with more than one temporary spare wheel mounted.
■
The snow chains cannot be used on the temporary spare wheel.
CAUTION
■ If a spare wheel is used that is not identical to the fitted tyres, the following
must be observed » page 197, Spare and temporary spare wheel .■
Protect the tyres from contact with oil, grease and fuel.
■
Replace lost valve caps.
■
If, in the event of a puncture, it is necessary to fit a spare wheel with a tyre
without a dedicated running direction or with the opposite direction of rota-
tion, drive carefully as the optimal characteristics of the tyre are no longer ap-
plicable in this situation.
For the sake of the environment
Tyres that are insufficiently inflated increase your fuel consumption.
Note
■ We recommend that any work on the wheels or tyres be carried out by a spe-
cialist garage.■
We recommend that you use wheel rims, tyres, full wheel trims and snow
chains from ŠKODA Original Accessories.
Service life of tyres
Fig. 168
Principle sketch: Tyre tread with wear indicators/open fuel filler
flap with a table detailing the tyre sizes and tyre inflation pressures
194General Maintenance
Fig. 169
Replacing wheels
Read and observe and on page 193 first.
The service life of tyres depends on the inflation pressure, driving style and
other circumstances. Following the advice below can extend the service life of
your tyres.
Tyre pressure
Check the tyre pressure, including that of the spare wheel, at least once a
month and also before setting off on a long journey.
The tyre pressures for tyres are shown on the inside of the fuel filler
flap » Fig. 168 –
.
The tyre pressure should be at the highest pressure specified for your vehicle
at all times.
Always check the inflation pressure when the tyres are cold. Do not reduce the
higher pressure on warm tyres.
With greater additional load, adjust the tyre inflation pressure accordingly.
Driving style
Fast cornering, sharp acceleration and braking increase the wear of your tyres.
Balancing wheels
The wheels of a new vehicle are balanced. When driving, however, there are a
range of factors that may result in an imbalance. This may become apparent by
a “vibration” in the steering.
Have the wheels rebalanced after replacing the tyres.
Wheel alignment errors
Incorrect wheel alignment at the front or rear leads to excess wear of the
tyres.
Tyre damage
Drive over kerbs and other such obstacles slowly and at right angles wherever
possible in order to avoid damage to tyres and wheel trims.
We recommend checking your tyres and wheel rims for damage (punctures,
cuts, splits and bulges, etc.) on a regular basis. Remove foreign bodies (e.g.
small stones) from the tyre tread immediately.
Replacing wheels
If significantly greater wear is present on the front tyres, we recommend
swapping the front wheels with the rear wheels as shown in the dia-
gram » Fig. 169 . You will then obtain approximately the same life for all the
tyres.
We recommend that you swap the tyres every 10,000 km in order to achieve
even wear on all tyres and to ensure optimal service life for the tyres.
Storing tyres
Identify disassembled tyres so that the previous direction of rotation can be
maintained if the tyres are reassembled.
Always store wheels or tyres in a cool, dry place that is as dark as possible.
Tyres which are not fixed to a wheel trim should be stored upright.
Wear indicators
The base of the tread of the tyres has 1.6 mm high wear indicators installed.
These wear indicators are arranged evenly spaced around the circumference of
the tyre a number of times depending on the make » Fig. 168 -
. Markings on
the walls of the tyres through the letters “TWI”, triangular symbols or other
symbols identify the position of the wear indicators.
Tyre age
Tyres age and lose their original characteristics, even if they are not being
used. Therefore, we recommend not using summer or winter tyres older than
6 or 4 years old respectively.
New tyres
Read and observe
and on page 193 first.
Only use radial tyres of the same type, size (rolling circumference) and tread
pattern on one axle on all four wheels.
The tyre/wheel combinations which are approved for your vehicle are indica-
ted in your vehicle documents.
195Wheels
Vehicle data sticker224
Vehicle dimensions226
Vehicle height226
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)224
Vehicle key lock
49
unlock49
Vehicle length226
Vehicle tool kit201
Vehicle width226
Visibility73
Visors see Sun screen
74
see Sun visors74
W
Warning at excessive speeds
43
Warning lights32
warning messages Diesel particulate filter
37
Warning symbols see Warning lights
32
Warning triangle200
Washing169
Automatic car wash system173
by hand172
Chrome parts174
High-pressure cleaner173
Water Driving through
149
Wax treatment See Taking care of your vehicle
174
Weights Maximum permissible weights
224
Wheel bolts Anti-theft wheel bolt
204
Caps198
Loosening and tightening203
Wheel rims193
Wheels Bolts198
Changing201
Full trim198
General information193
Load index196
Replacing wheels194
Service life of tyres194
Snow chains199
Spare wheel197
Speed symbol196
Storing wheels194
Temporary spare wheel197
Tyre pressure194
Tyre sizes194
Tyre wear indicator194
Unidirectional tyres196
Winter tyres199
Wi-Fi127
Windows175
Deicing175
See electric power windows59
Windscreen Deicing
175
Heater73
Windscreen washer fluid Checking
184
Replenishing184
Warning light38
Winter184
Windscreen washers Windscreen washers
76
Windscreen washer system184
Windscreen wiper Replacing the rear window wiper blade
215
Windscreen wipers Operating
76
Replacing the windscreen wiper blades214
Windscreen washer fluid184
Windscreen wipers and washers75
Winter Deicing windows175
Winter operation198
Snow chains199
Winter tyres199
Winter tyres See Wheels
199
WLAN127
MAXI DOT128
Network connection128
Switching off128
Switching on128
241Index