SKODA FABIA 2008 2.G / 5J Owner's Manual

Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle170
Automatic vehicle wash systems
The paintwork of the vehicle is sufficiently resistant that the vehicle can be washed normally in automatic vehicle wash plants without any problem. The actual stress to which the paintwork is subjected, however, depends primarily on the design of the vehicle wash system, the filtering of the water and the type of washing and care products used. If the paintwork of your vehicle appears mat after being washed or even has scratches, point this out to the operator of the vehicle wash plant. Use a different vehicle wash plant, if necessary.
There are no particular points to note before washing your vehicle in such a plant other than the usual precautionary measures (closing windows, moving any factory-fitted aerials down flat against the bodywork, etc.).
If you have any particular attach e d p a r t s f i t te d t o y o u r c a r - s u ch a s s p o i l e r, ro o f ra ck system, two-way radio aerial - it is best to first of all consult the operator of the car wash plant.
It is important to degrease the lips of the windscreen wiper rubbers after passing through the automatic vehicle wash system.
Caution
Do not screw the swivelling down roof aerial tight before washing the vehicle in an automatic vehicle wash system - risk of damage!
Washing vehicle by hand
It is important to first soften the dirt with plenty of water and rinse it off as thor-oughly as possible before washing your vehicle by hand.
One should then clean the vehicle using a soft washing sponge, washing glove or a washing brush and only slight pressure. Work from the top to the bottom - beginning with the roof. Only place slight pressure on the vehicle paintwork during cleaning Only use a car shampoo for stubborn dirt.
Wash out the sponge or washing glove thoroughly at short intervals.
Clean wheels, door sills and similar parts last. Use a second sponge for such areas.
Rinse off the vehicle well after giving it a wash and dry it off using a chamois leather.
WARNING
•The ignition should always be switched off when you wash your vehicle - risk of accident!
•Protect your hands and arms from sharp-edged metal parts when you are cleaning the underfloor, the inside of the wheel housings or the wheel trims - risk of cuts.
Caution
•Do not wash your vehicle in bright sunlight - risk of paint damage.
•Ensure that the jet of water is not aimed directly at the locks or at the door and panel joints if you spray your vehicle in winter down with a hose - risk of freezing.
•Do not use any insect sponges, rough kitchen sponges or similar cleaning prod-ucts - risk of damage to the surface of paintwork.
For the sake of the environment
Only wash your vehicle at washing bays specifically reserved for this purpose. This ensures that no water which may be contaminated by oil flows into the sewage system. It is not even permitted to wash your vehicle in certain areas except at such specific washing bays.
Washing with a high-pressure cleaner
When you wash your vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner, it is essential to comply with the instructions for use of the cleaning equipment. This applies in particular to the pressure used and to the spraying distance. Maintain a sufficiently large distance to soft materials such as rubber hoses or insulation material.
On no account use circular spray nozzles or so-called dirt cutters!
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WARNING
It is particularly important that you do not clean tyres with circular spray jets. Damage may occur even at a relatively large spraying distance and if sprayed only for a short time.
Caution
The water containing wax must be no hotter than 60°C, otherwise the vehicle can be damaged.
Wax treatment
Good wax treatment is an effective way of protecting the paintwork from harmful environmental influences and minor mechanical damage.
The vehicle must be treated with a high-quality hard wax polish at the latest, when no more drops form on the clean paintwork.
A new layer of a high-quality hard wax polish can be applied to the clean bodywork after it has dried thoroughly. Even if you use a wax preserver regularly we still recommend that you treat the paintwork of the vehicle at least twice a year with hard wax.
Caution
Never apply wax to the windows.
Polishing
Polishing is only necessary if the paintwork of your vehicle has become unattractive and if it is no longer possible to achieve a gloss with wax preservers.
You must treat the paintwork with a wax preserver if the polish you use does not contain any preserving elements ⇒page 171, “Wax treatment”.
We recommend using a preservative from Škoda genuine accessories offered by your Škoda dealer.
Caution
•You must not treat mat painted parts or plastic with polishing products or hard wax.
•Do not polish the paintwork of the vehicle in a dusty environment, otherwise the paintwork can be scratched.
Chrome parts
First clean the chrome parts with a damp clotch and then polish them with a soft, dry cloth. If it does not prove to be adequate, use a chrome care product from Škoda original accessories.
Caution
Do not polish the chrome parts in a dusty environment, otherwise they can be scratched.
Paint damage
Slight damage to paintwork such as scratches, scuffs or traces of chip damage must be treated immediately before any corrosion can result. You can of course have this work carried out by a Škoda Service Partner.
Škoda Service Partners have a range of matching touch-up pens or spray cans available in the colour of your vehicle.
The paint number of the original paintwork of your vehicle is indicated on the vehicle data sticker ⇒page 223.
Any corrosion which has already have formed must be removed thoroughly. Apply a corrosion protection primer and then the paint to the affected point. You can of course have this work carried out by a Škoda Service Partner.
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Plastic parts
External plastic parts are cleaned by normal washing. Plastic parts and synthetic leather can also be treated with special solvent-free plastic cleaning agents if a damp cloth is not sufficient. Paint care products are not suitable for plastic parts.
Caution
Solvent-free cleaners attack the material and can damage it.
Windows
Only use a plastic ice scraper for removing snow and ice from the windows and mirrors. You should not move the ice scraper forward and backward but in one direction on the window which you are cleaning in order to avoid any damage to the surface of the glass.
You can best remove residues of rubber, oil, grease, wax or silicone by using a special window cleaner or a special silicone remover.
You should also clean the windows regularly from the inside.
Do not use window leathers which you have used to polish the vehicle body to dry off the windows. Residues of preservatives in the window leather can dirty the window and reduce visibility.
Do not affix any stickers over the inside of the rear window to avoid damage to the heating elements of the rear window heater.
We recommend using a preservative from Škoda genuine accessories offered by your Škoda dealer.
Caution
•Never remove snow or ice from the glass parts with warm or hot water - risk of formation of cracks in the glass!
•When removing snow or ice from the windows and mirror lenses make sure not to damage the paintwork of the vehicle.
The headlight lenses
Please do not use any aggressive cleaning or chemical solvent products - risk of damage to the plastic lenses Please use soap and clean warm water.
Caution
Never wipe the headlights dry and do not use any sharp objects for cleaning the plastic lenses, this may result in damage to the protective paintwork and conse-quently in formation of cracks on the headlight lenses, e.g through effect of chem-ical products.
Door and window seals
The rubber seals on the doors, boot lid, bonnet and windows remain supple and last longer if you treat them from time to time with a rubber care product (e.g. with a spray with silicone-free oil). You also avoid premature wear of the seals and prevent leakages in this way. It is also easier to open the doors. Rubber seals which are well cared for also do not stick together in cold winter weather.
Locks
We recommend that you use the spray from Škoda original accessories with regreasing and anticorrosive effect for de-icing locks.
Note
When washing your vehicle, ensure that as little water as possible gets into the locks.
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Wheels
Steel wheels
You should also thoroughly wash the wheels and wheel trims when giving your vehicle its regular wash. This prevents any brake dust, dirt and road salt from sticking to the wheel hubs. You can remove stubborn brake abrasion adhering to t h e w h e e l s w i t h a n i n d u s tr i a l c l e a n e r. To u c h u p a n y d a m a g e to t h e p a i n tw o r k o n th e wheels before rust is able to form.
Light alloy wheels
Regular care of light alloy wheels is necessary in order to retain their decorative appearance over long periods. It is particularly important to remove any road salt and brake abrasion from light alloy wheels every two weeks, otherwise the surface will suffer. Wash thoroughly and then treat the wheels with a protective product for light alloy wheels which does not contain any acidic components. You should provide the wheel hubs with a hard wax layer every three months. You must not use any products which cause abrasion when treating the wheel hubs. Any damage to the paint layer on the wheel hubs must be touched up immediately.
We recommend using a preservative from Škoda genuine accessories offered by your Škoda dealer.
WARNING
One should remember when cleaning the wheels that moisture, ice and road salt may adversely affect braking efficiency - risk of an accident!
Note
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
The underside of your vehicle is protected for life against chemical and mechanical influences.
One cannot, however, completely rule out damage to the protective layer when driving so we recommend that you inspect the protective layer on the underside of your vehicle and on the chassis at certain intervals - this is best done at the begin-ning and end of the winter - and to touch up any damaged areas.
Škoda Service Partners have suitable spray products available as well as the neces-sary equipment and are familiar with the instructions for use. We therefore recom-mend to have repairs and additional corrosion protection measures preferably carried out by a Škoda Service Partner.
WARNING
Never use additional underbody protection or corrosion-protection agents for the exhaust pipes, catalytic converters or heat shields. Such substances might ignite when driving - risk of fire!
Protection of hollow spaces
All the cavities of your vehicle which are at risk from corrosion are protected for life by a layer of protective wax applied in the factory.
This wax protection does not require to be inspected or re-treated. Please remove any small amount of wax which flows out of the cavities at high temperatures with a plastic scraper and clean the spot using petroleum cleaner.
WARNING
Safety and environmental protection regulations should observed when using petroleum cleaner to remove wax - a risk of fire!
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Engine compartment
Good corrosion protection is very important, particularly in winter when one often drives over its salt-strewn roads. One should therefore clean the entire engine compartment before and after the salt spreading period, in order to prevent the salt from being destructive.
Škoda Service Partners have the cleaning agents recommended by the manufac-turer and also the required equipment.
WARNING
•It is necessary to observe the guidelines given in the chapter before working on the engine compartment ⇒page 181.
•Let the engine cool down before cleaning the engine compartment.
Caution
•Engine cleaning may be only be undertaken when the ignition is off.
•It is recommended to cover the generator before washing the engine compart-ment.
For the sake of the environment
The dirty water produced by washing the engine has washed away petrol, and resi-dues of grease and oil and should therefore be cleaned by an oil separator. This is why engine washing should only be undertaken in a garage or at a fueling station (when these are fitted with the required equipment).
Care of the interior of vehicle
Plastic parts, artificial leather and cloths
You can clean plastic parts and artificial leather with a moist cloth. You should only treat such parts with special solvent-free plastic cleaning and care products it does prove to be adequate.
Upholstery cloth and cloth trim on the doors, luggage compartment cover, head-liner etc. are best treated with special cleaning products, using if necessary a dry foam and a soft sponge or brush.
We recommend using a cleaning product from Škoda genuine accessories offered by your Škoda dealer.
Caution
Solvent-free cleaners attack the material and can damage it.
Fabric covers of electrically heated seats
Do not clean the seat covers moist as this may result in damage to the seat heating system.
Clean such covers using special agents, for example dry foam.
We recommend using a cleaning product from Škoda genuine accessories offered by your Škoda dealer.
Natural leather
Natural leather requires quite particular care and attention.
Leather should be treated from time to time according the following
guidelines depending on how much it is used.
Normal cleaning
– Clean soiled areas of the leather with slightly moistened cotton or
woollen cloth.
Severe soiling
– Clean severely soiled areas with a cloth dipped in a mild soapy solu-
tion (2 spoonfuls of natural soap to 1 litre of water).
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– Ensure that the leather is not soaked through at any point and that no
water gets into the stitching of the seams.
– Dry off the leather with a soft, dry cloth.
Removing stains
– Remove fresh stains which are water-based (e.g. coffee, tea, juices,
blood etc.) with an absorbent cloth or household paper or use the
cleaner from the care set for a stain which has already dried in.
– Remove fresh stains on a fat base (e.g. butter, mayonnaise, chocolate
etc.) with an absorbent cloth or household cleaning paper or with the
cleaner from the care set if the stain has not yet penetrated into the
surface.
– Use a grease dissolver for grease stains which have dried in.
–Eliminate special stains (e.g. ball-point pens, felt pen, nail varnish,
dispersion paint, shoe cream etc.) with a special stain remover suit-
able for leather.
Leather care
– Treat the leather every six months with the leather care product avail-
able from Škoda Service Partners.
– Apply only a small amount of the care product.
– Dry the leather off with a soft cloth
We recommend that you consult your Škoda Service Partner, if you have any ques-tions regarding cleaning and care of the leather interior.
We recommend using a cleaning product from Škoda genuine accessories offered by your Škoda dealer.
Caution
•You must on no account treat the leather with solvents (e.g. gasoline, turpen-tine), floor wax, shoe cream or such like.
•Avoid leaving your vehicle for lengthy periods in bright sunlight in order to avoid bleaching the leather. If you leave your vehicle parked in the open for lengthy periods, protect the leather from the direct rays of the sun by covering it over.
•Sharp-edged objects on items of clothing such as zip fasteners, rivets, sharp-edged belts may leave permanent scratches or signs of rubbing on the surface.
Note
•Use a care cream with light blocker and impregnation effect regularly and each time after cleaning the leather. The cream nourishes the leather, allows it to breathe and keeps it supple and also provides moisture. It also creates surface protection.
•Clean the leather every 2 to 3 months, remove fresh soiling each time this occurs.
•Remove fresh stains such as those from ball-point pens, ink, lipstick, shoe cream etc., as quickly as possible.
•Care also for the leather dye. Refreshen areas which have lost their colour with a special coloured leather cream as required.
•The leather is a natural material with specific properties. During the use of the vehicle, minor optical changes can occur on the leather parts of the covers (e. g wrinkles or creases as a result of the stress of the covers).
Seat belts
– Keep the seat belts clean!
– Wash seat belts which have become soiled using a mild soapy solu-
tion.
– Inspect the seat belts regularly to ensure they are in good condition.
Belt webbing which has become severely soiled may prevent the inertia reel from reeling up the belt properly.
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WARNING
•The seat belts must not be removed for cleaning.
•Never clean the seat belts chemically as dry cleaning may destroy the fabric. The seat belts must also not be allowed to come into contact with corrosive liquids (such as acids etc.).
•Seat belts which have damage to the webbing, the connections, the inertia reel or the lock should be replaced by a Škoda Service Partner.
•Inertia reel belts must be completely dried before being reeled up.
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Fuel
Petrol
Grades of petrol
There are various grades of petrol. Please read the chapter Technical Data in order to know which grade of petrol your vehicle requires. You will also find the same information affixed to the inside of the fuel filler flap of your vehicle ⇒page 178, fig. 166.
A distinction is made between unleaded and leaded petrol. All Škoda vehicles with petrol engines are equipped with a catalytic converter and must therefore be only driven with unleaded petrol. Unleaded petrol complies with the standard EN 228.
The individual grades of petrol are distinguished by their octane number (RON). Please adopt the following procedure if the grade of petrol which you normally use is not be available in exceptional circumstances:
•Engines which need unleaded premium petrol 95 RON can also be run on unleaded regular petrol 91 RON. This does, however, result in a slight loss in performance.
If, in an emergency, the only fuel available is one which has a lower octane number than that required by the engine then only drive at medium engine speeds and lower engine loadings.
You can make unlimited use of fuel which has a higher octane number than that required by the engine. There will, however, be no advantages gained by this in terms of engine performance and fuel consumption!
The handling, performance and life of your engine are determined to a significant extent by the quality of the fuel. Do not use any petrol additives. Use a fuel complying with the standard.
You can find further information on refuelling ⇒page 178.
Caution
•Filling the tank even only once with leaded petrol will result in the catalytic converter being destroyed.
•Operating the engine with petrol of a low octane number than that required can result in engine damage at high revolutions or severe engine loading.
Diesel
Diesel fuel
Your vehicle can be operated with diesel fuel, which complies with the standard EN 590.
Fuel additives
You must not use fuel additives, so-called “flow improvers” (petrol and similar products) in diesel fuel.
If the quality of the diesel fuel is poor, it is then necessary to drain the fuel filter more often than stated in the Service schedule.
You can find information on refuelling ⇒page 178, “Refuelling”.
Caution
•Use a fuel which complies with the standard EN 590. Filling the tank even only once, which does not comply with this standard, can result in damage to the fuel system.
•Water which has collected in the fuel filter can result in engine problems.
•Your vehicle is not adapted for use of biofuel (RME), therefore this fuel must not be refuelled and driven. Using this fuel (RME) can lead to damage to the engine or the fuel system.
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Operation in winter
Winter-grade diesel fuel
A different grade of diesel fuel is available at filling stations in winter than during the summer. Using “summer-grade diesel fuel” at temperatures below 0°C can result in operational problems because the diesel becomes viscous as a result of paraffin separation.
It is therefore the case that EN 590 prescribes diesel fuel class for certain periods of the year which can also be purchased at the corresponding time during the year. “Winter-grade diesel fuel” will still operate properly even at a temperature of -20°C.
It is often the case in countries with different climatic conditions that diesel fuels available have a different temperature characteristic. Škoda Service Partners and filling stations in the country concerned will be able to provide you with informa-tion regarding the diesel fuels available.
Prewarming fuel
The vehicle is fitted with a fuel filter prewarming system. This secures operation of a vehicle using diesel fuel down to an environmental temperature of -25°C.
Caution
It is not permitted to add the various fuel additives on the market, including petrol, to diesel fuel in order to improve its flow properties.
Refuelling
Opening the fuel filler cap
– Open the fuel filler flap with the hand ⇒fig. 165.
– Unlock the fuel filler cap on the fuel filler tube to the left using the
vehicle key.
– Unscrew the fuel filler cap anti-clockwise and place the fuel filler cap
from above on the fuel filler flap ⇒fig. 166.
Closing fuel filler cap
– Screw on the cap by turning it to the right until it is heard to lock.
Fig. 165 Right rear side of the vehicle: Fuel filler flap
Fig. 166 Filler flap with cap unscrewed
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– Lock the fuel filler cap on the fuel filler tube to the right using the
vehicle key.
– Press the fuel tank flap closed.
The correct grades of fuel for your vehicle are stated on a sticker affixed to the inside of the fuel filler flap. Further information on fuel ⇒page 177.
The fuel tank has a capacity of about 45 litres.
WARNING
Pay attention to any legal requirements if you do carry a spare canister in the vehicle. We do not recommend carrying any fuel canisters in your vehicle for safety reasons. The canister can be damaged in the event of an accident and fuel may leak out.
Caution
•Remove any fuel which has spilled onto the paintwork of your vehicle immedi-ately - risk of paint damage!
•Vehicles fitted with catalytic converter should never be allowed to let the fuel tank to run completely empty. An irregular supply of fuel to the engine can result in misfiring and unburnt fuel may get into the exhaust system, which may result in overheating and damage to the catalytic converter.
•Make sure that the valve is not pressed into the filler tube when inserting the pump nozzle into the filler tube. Otherwise you are unintentionally filling up the volume, which in case of heat can cause an expansion of the fuel. This can lead to an overflow of fuel or damage to parts of the fuel reservoir.
•T h e f u e l t a n k i s f u l l j u s t a s s o o n a s t he pump nozzle switches off for the first time, provided the nozzle has been operated properly. Do not continue refuelling - otherwise the expansion volume is filled up.
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