
CAUTIONRefill only operating fluids of the correct specification - danger of damaging
the vehicle!
Note
■ Fluids with the proper specifications can be purchased from the ŠKODA Origi-
nal Accessories or from the ŠKODA Genuine Parts ranges.■
We recommend you have the battery replaced by a specialist garage.
Open the bonnet and close
Fig. 318
Opening the bonnet
Read and observe
and on page 268 first.
Open flap
›
Make sure that the windscreen wiper arms are not folded away from the
windscreen - there is a risk of damage to the bonnet.
›
Open the driver's door and pull the unlocking lever below the dashboard in
the direction of arrow
1
» Fig. 318 .
›
Press the release lever in the direction of the arrow
2
and the bonnet is un-
locked.
›
Hold the bonnet and lift up until it is held open by the pressurised gas spring.
Close the bonnet lid
›
Pull the bonnet lid down far enough to overcome the force of the pressur-
ised gas spring.
›
From around 20 cm, lightly push the bonnet lid closed until it securely engag-
es.
If the bonnet lid is not properly closed, the display of the instrument cluster
will show this.
WARNING■ Never drive if the bonnet is open - could cause an accident!■Make sure that when closing the engine compartment lid, no body parts
are crushed - there is danger of injury!
Engine compartment overview
Fig. 319
Arrangement example in the engine compartment
Read and observe
and on page 268 first.
Coolant expansion reservoir
272
Engine oil dipstick
271
Engine oil filler opening
271
Brake fluid reservoir
273
Vehicle battery
273
Windscreen washer fluid reservoir
270ABCDEF269Inspecting and replenishing

The coolant additive proportion in the coolant must be between 40 and 60 %.
The correct mixing ratio of water and coolant additive should be checked if
necessary by a specialist garage or corrected if necessary.WARNING■ The following warning instructions must be followed at all times when
working in the engine compartment » page 268.■
Never open the end cover of the coolant expansion reservoir while the
engine is still warm. The cooling system is pressurized - risk of scalding or
injury from being splashed with coolant!
■
To protect against coolant splashes, cover the cap with a cloth when
opening.
■
Coolant and coolant fumes are harmful - avoid contact with the coolant. If
your eyes or skin come into contact with the coolant, immediately wash the
affected area for a few minutes long with a lot of water and seek medical
advice if required.
CAUTION
Do not cover the radiator or fit any parts (e.g. auxiliary lights) in front of the air
intakes - there is a risk of the engine overheating.
Checking and refilling
Fig. 322
Coolant expansion reservoir
Read and observe and on page 272 first.
Check the coolant under the following conditions and refill.
The vehicle is on a horizontal surface.
The engine is not warm (if the engine is warm, the test results could be
inaccurate).
The engine is turned off.
Check the coolant level - The coolant level must lie between the marks A andB» Fig. 322. If the coolant level is below the mark B, refill the coolant.
Refilling
The coolant expansion tank must always contain a small amount of coolant
»
.
›
Place a cloth over the cap of the coolant expansion tank and unscrew the
cap carefully .
›
Always top up using the correct specification of fluids.
›
Turn the cap until it clicks into place.
The specification for the coolant is shown in the coolant expansion reservoir
» Fig. 322 .
If no specified coolant is available, use only distilled or demineralised water
and have the mixing ratio of water and coolant additive corrected by a special-
ist garage as soon as possible.
CAUTION
■ If the expansion tank is empty, do not top up with coolant. The system could
aerate - risk of damaging the engine! Stop driving! Switch off the engine
and seek assistance from a specialist garage.■
Do not fill the coolant above the mark
A
» Fig. 322 . When it heats up, the
coolant could press out of the cooling system - there is a risk of damage to the
engine parts.
■
If it is not possible to add coolant,
stop driving! Switch off the engine and
seek assistance from a specialist garage.
■
A coolant additive which does not correspond to the correct specification can
reduce the anti-corrosion effect of the cooling system - there is a risk of dam-
age to the cooling system and the engine.
■
If water other than distilled (demineralised) water is used, then have the
coolant replaced by a specialist garage - there is a risk of engine damage.
■
A loss of coolant could be due to leaks in the cooling system - there is a risk
of engine damage. Switch off the engine and seek assistance from a specialist
garage.
Note
A coolant level which is too low is indicated in the instrument cluster by the
warning light and shown by the relevant message » page 39. We still recom-
mend inspecting the coolant level directly at the reservoir from time to time.272General Maintenance

Brake fluidFig. 323
Brake fluid reservoir
Check the brake fluid under the following conditions.The vehicle is on a horizontal surface.
The engine is turned off.
Check brake fluid level - The brake fluid level must lie between the markings
“MIN” and “MAX” » Fig. 323.
Specification - the brake fluid must comply with VW 501 14 standard (this
standard meets the requirements of FMVSS 116 DOT4).
WARNING■ The following warning instructions must be followed at all times when
working in the engine compartment » page 268.■
If the fluid level drops significantly within a short time or if it drops below
the “MIN” » Fig. 323mark, this may be an indication of a leak in the brake
system.
Stop driving - There is a risk of an accident! Seek help from a
specialist garage.
Note
■ The brake fluid is changed as part of a compulsory inspection service.■A low brake fluid level which is too low is indicated by the warning light
being shown on the display of the instrument cluster as well as the corre-
sponding message » page 35. We therefore recommend that you check the
coolant level directly at the reservoir from time to time.Vehicle battery
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Check condition
274
Charging
275
Disconnect/reconnect and change
275
The vehicle battery represents a power source for the motor to start and for the supply of electrical consumers in the car.
Automatic consumer shutdown - discharge protection of the vehicle battery
The on-board power supply tries as follows to avoid draining the vehicle bat-
tery when it is heavily loaded.
▶ By increasing the engine idle speed.
▶ By limiting the power of certain consumers.
▶ By turning off some consumers (heated seats, heated rear window) for as
long as necessary.
Warning symbols on the vehicle battery
SymbolMeaningAlways wear eye protection.Battery acid is severely caustic. Always wear gloves and eye pro-
tection.Keep fire, sparks, open flames and lit cigarettes well clear of the
vehicle battery.When charging the vehicle battery, a highly explosive gas mixture
is produced.Keep children away from the vehicle battery.WARNINGBattery acid is highly corrosive - risk of injury, irritation or poisoning! Corro-
sive vapours in the air irritate and damage the respiratory tract and the
eyes. The following guidelines must be observed.■
Always wear protective gloves, eye and skin protection when handling
the vehicle battery.
273Inspecting and replenishing