AlternatorRead and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light
lights up when the engine is running but the vehicle bat-
tery is not charging.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
CAUTION
If in addition to the symbol the symbol » page 36 lights up while driving,
stop driving - risk of engine damage! Switch off the engine and seek assis-
tance from a specialist garage.
Door open
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The indicator light
illuminates if one or several doors are opened.
On vehicles with MAXI DOT display, this indicator is replaced by a vehicle icon
on the display » page 44 .
Coolant
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
If the warning light
lights up or flashes , either the coolant temperature is
too high or the coolant level is too low.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Check engine coolant! Owner's manual!
›
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and check the coolant lev-
el » page 185 .
›
If the coolant level is too low, add coolant to the reservoir » page 186.
If the indicator light
does not illuminate after adding coolant and switching
on the ignition, you may continue your journey.
If the coolant is within the specified range and the warning icon is still
lit
after switching on the ignition, then there may be a malfunction of the cooling
fan.
›
Switch off the ignition.
› Check the fuse for the radiator fan, replace if necessary
» page 216, Fuses in
the engine compartment .
If the coolant level and fan fuse are OK and the warning icon
lights up again
after switching on the ignition,
stop driving!
Seek help from a specialist garage.WARNING■ Carefully open the coolant expansion bottle. If the engine is hot, the cool-
ing system is pressurized - risk of scalding! It is therefore best to allow the
engine to cool down before removing the cap.■
Do not touch the radiator fan. The radiator fan may switch itself on auto-
matically even if the ignition is off - risk of injury!
CAUTION
■ Additional headlights and other attached components in front of the air inlet
impair the cooling efficiency of the coolant.■
Never cover the radiator - there is a risk of the engine overheating.
Boot lid
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The indicator light
illuminates if the boot lid is opened.
On vehicles with MAXI DOT display, this indicator is replaced by a vehicle icon
on the display » page 44 .
Power steering / steering lock (system KESSY)
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
Power steering
If the indicator light
illuminates , this indicates a complete failure of the
power steering and the steering assist has failed (significantly higher steering
forces).
If the indicator light
illuminates , this indicates a partial failure of the power
steering and the steering forces can be greater.
›
Stop the car, turn the ignition off and on again.
The powered steering is fully functional again if the
or
warning light does
not illuminate after you switch the engine back on.
36Using the system
Diesel fuel additives
The diesel fuel in accordance with the prescribed standards meets all the con-
ditions for a smooth running engine. We therefore recommend that no fuel ad-
ditives are used. This can result in considerable damage to parts of the engine
or the exhaust system.
CAUTION
■ Just filling the tank once with diesel fuel that does not comply with the
standard, can cause severe damage to parts of the engine, the fuel and ex-
haust system!■
If a different fuel other than diesel fuel, which complies to the above men-
tioned standards (e.g. petrol) is put into the tank, do not start the engine or
switch on the ignition! Extensive damage to engine parts can occur!
■
Water which has collected in the fuel filter can cause engine faults.
CAUTION
■ The vehicle cannot be operated with biofuel RME, therefore this fuel must
not be refuelled and driven. The use of biofuel RME can cause considerable
damage to parts of the engine or fuel system.■
Do not mix any fuel additives, so-called “flow improvers” (petrol and similar
agents) into the diesel. This can result in considerable damage to parts of the
engine or the exhaust system!
Engine compartment
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Opening and closing the bonnet
181
Engine compartment overview
182
Radiator fan
182
Windscreen washer system
182WARNINGInjuries 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.
■
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 escaping from the
engine compartment – risk of scalding! Wait until no more steam or coolant
is escaping.
WARNINGInformation for working in the engine room■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.
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.
180General Maintenance
Engine compartment overviewFig. 159
Principle sketch: Engine compartment
Read and observe
and on page 180 first.
Arrangement in the engine compartment » Fig. 159
Coolant expansion reservoir
185
Windscreen washer fluid reservoir
182
Engine oil dipstick
184
Engine oil filler opening
184
Brake fluid reservoir
186
Battery (below a cover)
187
Note
The location of the inspection points in the engine compartment of petrol and
diesel engines is practically identical.
Radiator fan
Read and observe
and on page 180 first.
The radiator fan is powered by an electric motor. Operation is controlled ac-
cording to the temperature of the coolant.
ABCDEFWARNINGAfter switching off the ignition, the fan may intermittently continue to op-
erate for approx. 10 minutes.
Windscreen washer system
Fig. 160
Windscreen washer fluid reser-
voir
Read and observe and on page 180 first.
The windscreen washer fluid reservoir
A
is located in the engine compart-
ment » Fig. 160 .
The cleaning fluid is provided for the cleaning of the front and rear window as
well as the headlight.
The capacity of the reservoir is about 3 litres or about 5.5 litres on vehicles that
have a headlight cleaning system 1)
.
Clear water is not sufficient to intensively clean the windscreen and head-
lights. We recommend 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.
In Winter, the washing water should always be mixed with antifreeze even if
the vehicle has heated windscreen washer nozzles.
Under exceptional circumstances, methylated spirits can also be used if no
screen cleaner with antifreeze is available. The concentration of methylated
spirits must not be more than 15 %. The freeze protection at this concentration
is sufficient only to -5 °C.
1)
In some countries, 5.5 ltr. applies for both variants.
182General Maintenance
The coolant additive content in the coolant must be at least 40%.
The coolant additive may be increased to a maximum of 60%.
The correct mixing ratio of water and coolant additive is to be checked if nec- essary by a specialist garage or is to be restored if necessary.
The description of the coolant is shown in the coolant expansion reser-
voir » Fig. 162 on page 185 .WARNINGThe 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 180.■
The coolant is harmful to health.
■
Avoid contact with the coolant.
■
Coolant vapours are harmful to health.
■
Never open the end cover of the coolant expansion reservoir while the
engine is still warm. The cooling system is pressurized!
■
When opening the end cover of the coolant expansion reservoir, cover it
with a cloth to protect your face, hands and arms from hot steam or hot
coolant.
■
If any coolant splashes into your eyes, immediately rinse out your eyes
with clear water and contact a doctor as soon as possible.
■
Always keep the coolant in the original container, safe from people who
are not completely independent, especially children - there is a danger of
poisoning!
■
If coolant is swallowed, consult a doctor immediately.
■
Never spill operating fluids over the hot engine - risk of fire.
CAUTION
■ Do not continue if for some reason it is not possible to fill with coolant un-
der the current circumstances! Switch off the engine and seek assistance from
a specialist garage.■
If the expansion tank is empty, do not top up with coolant. The system could
fill with air - risk of engine damage,
stop driving! Switch off the engine and
seek assistance from a specialist garage.
■
The concentration of coolant additive in the coolant must never be under
40%.
■
Over 60% of coolant additive in the coolant reduces the antifreeze protec-
tion and cooling effect.
■
A coolant additive that does not comply with the correct specification can
significantly reduce the corrosion protection of the cooling system.
■ Any faults resulting from corrosion may cause a loss of coolant and can con-
sequently result in major engine damage!■
Do not fill the coolant above the mark
A
» Fig. 162 on page 185 .
■
If an error occurs, leading to the engine overheating, the help of a professio-
nal garage is to be sought - there is a risk of serious engine damage occurring.
■
Additional headlights and other attached components in front of the air inlet
impair the cooling efficiency of the coolant.
■
Never cover the radiator - there is a risk of the engine overheating.
Note
The coolant capacity is approximately 1 l greater on vehicles that are fitted
with an auxiliary heater (auxiliary heating and ventilation).
Checking the coolant level
Fig. 162
Coolant expansion reservoir
Read and observe and on page 185 first.
The coolant expansion bottle is located in the engine compartment.
Coolant expansion reservoir » Fig. 162
Mark for the maximum permissible coolant level
Mark for the lowest permissible coolant level
The coolant level should be kept between the marks
A
and
B
.
The coolant can be checked and topped up, if the following conditions are sat-
isfied.
The vehicle is standing on a horizontal surface.
The engine is turned off.
The engine is not heated.
The bonnet is open.
AB185Inspecting and replenishing