interval SKODA OCTAVIA 2008 2.G / (1Z) User Guide
Page 71 of 304
Lights and Visibility
70
Fast wipe
– Position the lever up into position .
Automatic wipe/wash for windscreen
– Pull the lever towards the steering wheel into sprung position , the wash system sprays immediately, the windscreen wiper starts wiping
a little later. The wash system and the windscreen wiper operate
simultaneously at a speed of more than 120 km/h.
– Release the lever. The windscreen wash system stops and the wiper continues for another 3 - 4 wiper stro kes (depending on the period of
spraying of the windscreen). At a speed of more than 2 km/h, the wiper
wipes once again* 5 seconds after the last wiper stroke in order to
wipe the last drops from the windsc reen. This function can be acti-
vated/deactivated by a specialist garage.
Rain sensor*
– Move the lever into position .
– You can set the sensitivity of the sensor individually with switch .
Wiping the rear window pane*
– Push the lever away from the steering wheel into position - the widescreen wiper will operate every 6 seconds.
Automatic wipe/wash for the rear window pane*
– Press the lever from the steering wheel forward into the sprung posi- tion , the wash system sprays immediately, the windscreen wiper
starts wiping a little later. As long as you hold the lever in this position,
the wiper operates as well as the wash system.
– Letting go of the lever will cause the windscreen wash system to stop and the wiper to continue for anot her 2 - 3 wiper strokes (depending
on the period of spraying of the windscreen). The lever will stay in
position after releasing it . Switching windscreen wipers off
– Move the lever back into its home position .
After the windscreen wiper switches off each
time or the ignition switches off for
the third time, the position of the windscreen wiper changes, this counteracts an
early fatigue of the wiper rubbers.
The windscreen wipers and the wash system only operate if the ignition is switched
on and the bonnet is closed
10).
If the intermittent wipe is switched on, the intervals are also controlled depending
on speed.
The rain sensor* automatically regulates the break between the individual wiper
strokes depending on the intensity of the rain.
The rear window will be wiped again if the front window wipers are on when
reverse gear is selected.
The windscreen washer nozzles are heated* when the ignition is switched on.
Top up with wash liquid ⇒page 235.
Winter position
If the windscreen wipers are in rest posi tion, they cannot be folded out from the
windscreen. For this reason we recommend adjusting the windscreen wipers in
winter so that they can be folded out fr om the windscreen easily. You can set this
rest position as follows:
•Switch on the windscreen wipers.
•Switch off the ignition. The windscreen wipers remain in the position in which
they were when switching off the ignition.
You can also use the service position ⇒page 71 as a winter position.
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10)On vehicles which do not have a contact swit ch for the bonnet, the windshield wiper and
wash system operates also when the bonnet is opened.
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Page 72 of 304
Lights and Visibility71
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
WARNING
•Properly maintained windscreen wiper blades are essential for clear visi-
bility and safe driving ⇒page 71.
•Do not use the windscreen washer sy stem at low temperatures, without
heating the windscreen beforehand. Otherwise the window cleaner could
freeze on the windscreen and re strict the view to the front.
•The rain sensor only operates as a support. The driver is not released
from the responsibility to set the function of the windscreen wipers manu-
ally depending on the visibility conditions.
Caution
In frosty weather, please first of all check whether the windscreen wiper blades are
not frozen to the windscreen before swit ching them on. Switching on windscreen
wipers when the blades are frozen to the windscreen may result in damage both to
the blades and the motor of the windscreen wipers!
Note
•If the slower or the faster wiper setting is switched on ⇒page 69, fig. 70
and the vehicle speed decreases to below 4 km/h, the lower wiper step is switched
on automatically. At a speed increase of more than 8 km/h the previous wiper
setting is esta blished again.
•If there is an obstacle on the windscre en, the wiper will try to push away the
obstacle. If the obstacle continues to block the wiper, th e wiper stops after 5 cycles,
in order to avoid a damage to the wiper. Remove the obstacle and and switch on
the wiper again.
Headlight cleaning system*
The headlights are being cleaned after the windscreen has been sprayed for the first
time and fifth time, the low beam or ma in beam are switched on and the wind-
screen wiper lever was he ld in the position ⇒page 69, fig. 70 for about 1
second. The headlight washer nozzles are moved forward out of the bumper by the water
pressure for cleaning the headlights.
You should remove stubborn dirt (such
as insect residues) from the headlight
lenses at regular intervals, for example when refuelling. Please refer to the following
guidelines ⇒page 214, “The headlight lenses”.
You should remove any snow from the fixtures of the washer nozzles and clear ice
in winter with a de-icing spray in order to ensure proper operation of the cleaning
system.
Replacing wiper blades for the windscreen wipers
One cannot fold out the wiper arms in the rest position from the wind-
screen. Before replacing the wiper arms you must put them into the
service position.
Service position for changing wiper blades
– Close the bonnet.
– Switch the ignition on and then again off.
– Then press the windscreen wiper lever in the position ⇒page 69,
fig. 70 within 20 seconds - the wiper arms move into the service posi-
tion.
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Fig. 71 Wiper blade for the
windscreen wiper
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Page 130 of 304
Starting-off and Driving129
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Rear parking aid*
The parking aid provides a warning of obstacles behind the vehicle.
The audible parking aid determines the distance between the rear bumper and an
obstacle located behind the vehicle with the aid of ultrasound sensors. The tones
of the parking aid can be adapted in the menu of the information display*
⇒ page 30. The sensors are integrated in the rear bumper.
Range of sensors
The clearance warning begins at a distance of about 160 cm from the obstacle (area
⇒ fig. 149 ). The interval between the warning signals becomes shorter as the
clearance is reduced.
A continuous tone sounds from a clearanc e of just 30 cm (Bereich ) - danger
area. You should not reverse any further after this signal sounds! If the vehicle
is equipped with a factory-fi tted towing device*, the border of the danger area
starts - continuous tone - 5 cm further behind the vehicle. The vehicle can be
extended through an installe d detachable towing device.
On vehicles equipped with a factory-fitted radio* or navigation*, the distance to the
obstruction is shown graphically on the disp lay. On vehicles with a factory-fitted
towing device, the sensors are deactivated when towing a trailer. The driver is also
informed of the radio* or the navigation* by a graphic display (vehicle towing a
trailer) on the display. The radio* or navi gation*, which is factory-fitted, can be set
so that the play function volume decrea ses when activating the parking aid, see Owner's Manual radio* or navigation*. This improves the audibility of the parking
aid.
Activating
The parking aid is activated automatically when
reverse gear is engaged and the
ignition is turned on. This is conf irmed by a brief acknowledgement signal.
Deactivating
The parking aid is deactivated by removing the reverse gear.
WARNING
•The parking aid is not a substitute for the driver paying proper attention
and it is always the driver's responsibility to take care when parking the
vehicle or carrying ou t similar manoeuvres.
•You should therefore satisfy yourself, before reversing, that there is no
small obstacle, such as a rock, thin po st, trailer drawbar etc., behind your
vehicle. Such an obstacle might not be within the range detected by the
sensors.
•Under certain circumstances, surfaces of certain objects and types of
clothing cannot reflect the signal of the parking aid. Thus, these objects or
people who wear such clothing are not recognised by the sensors of the
parking aid.
Note
•The parking aid does not operate if you are towing a trailer (applies to models
which feature a factory-fi tted towing device*).
•If a warning signal sounds for about 3 seconds after switching the ignition on
and engaging reverse gear, and there is no obstacle close to your car, this indicates
a system fault. Have the fault rectified by a specialist workshop.
•The sensors must be kept clean and free of ice to enable the parking aid to
operate properly.
Fig. 149 Parking aid: Detec-
tion range of rear sensors
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Page 183 of 304
Airbag system
182
Deactivation of airbags is envisaged only for particular instances, such as if:
•you must in exceptional cases use a child seat on the front passenger seat
where the child has its back to the directio n of travel of the vehicle (in some coun-
tries this must be in the direction of trav el due to other legal regulations applying)
⇒ page 184, “Important safety information regarding the use of child safety seats”
•you are not able to maintain the distance of at least 25 cm between middle of
steering wheel and chest, despite the driver seat being correctly adjusted,
•special attachments are required in the area of the steering wheel because of a
physical disability,
•you have installed other seats (e.g. orthopaedic seats without side airbags).
Monitoring the airbag system
The functionality of the airbag system is also monitored electronically, when one
airbag has been switched off
If the airbag was switched off using diagnostic equipment:
•The warning light for the airbag system lights up for 4 seconds after switching
on the ignition and then flashes for 12 seconds afterwards in 2 second intervals.
Front passenger airbags sw itched off using the switch for front passenger
airbags* in stowage compartmen t on the front passenger side:
•The airbag warning light comes on in the instrument cluster for about 4 seconds
each time the igniti on is switched on.
•Switching off airbags is indicated in the middle of the dash panel by the lighting
up of the indicator light ⇒ fig. 186 .
Note
Your Škoda Service Partner will be able to advise you whether national legislation in
your country allows airbags in your vehicle to be deactivated, and which ones.
Switch for the front passenger airbag*
The front passenger airbag is deactivated with the switch.
Deactivating an airbag
– Switch off the ignition.
– Turn the slot of the airbag switch using the key in the position ( OFF)
⇒ fig. 185 .
– Check whether the airbag indicator light
in the middle of
the dash panel lights up ⇒fig. 186 when the ignition is turned on.
Fig. 185 Storage compart-
ment: Switch for the front
passenger airbag
Fig. 186 Indicator light for
the front passenger airbag
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Page 205 of 304
Driving and the Environment
204
Avoiding full throttle
Driving more slowly means saving fuel.
Sensitive use of the accelera tor will not only significantly reduce fuel consumption
but also positively influence environmen tal pollution and wear of your vehicle.
You should avoid fully exploi ting the top speed of your vehicle wherever possible.
Fuel consumption, pollutant emissions and vehicle noises increase disproportion-
ally at high speeds.
The ⇒fig. 202 shows the ratio of fuel consumption to the speed of your vehicle.
You will cut your fuel consumption by half if you only make use three-quarters of
the possible top speed of your vehicle.
Reducing idling
Idling also costs fuel.
It is worthwhile switching off the engine in a traffic jam or when waiting at a level
crossing or at traffic lights with a length y red phase. Even after just 30 - 40 seconds
you will have saved more fuel than that is needed when you start the engine up
again.
If an engine is only idling it takes much longer for it to reach its normal operating
temperature. Wear-and-tear and pollutant em issions, though, are particularly high in the warming-up phase. This is why you
should drive off right after starting the
engine. Do avoid high engine revolutions at this time, however.
Regular servicing
A poorly tuned engine consumes an unnecessarily high amount of
fuel.
Having your vehicle serviced regularly at a specialist garge enables you to satisfy
one of the requirements for economical moto ring even before you set off on your
journey. Keeping your vehicle properly servic ed not only has a positive effect on the
safety of your vehicle and maintaining its value, but also saves on fuel.
A poorly tuned engine can result in a fuel consumption which is 10% higher than
normal.
The foreseen maintenance work should be undertaken exactly according to the
Service schedule by a specialist garage.
Also check the oil level after refueling. Oil consumption is dependent to a consid-
erable extent on the load and speed of the engine. Oil consumption could be as
high as 0.5 litres/1 000 km depending on your style of driving.
It is quite normal that a new engine ha s a higher oil consumption at first, and
reaches its lowest level only after a certain running in time. It is therefore not
possible to correctly assess the oil cons umption of a new vehicle until after you
have driven about 5 000 km.
For the sake of the environment
•You can achieve additional improvements in your fuel economy by using high-
lubricity oils.
•Check the ground below your car at regula r intervals to detect any leakages in
good time. Please have your vehicle inspected by a specialist garge if you find any
stains caused by oil or other fluids on the floor.
Fig. 202 Fuel consumption
in litres/100 km. and speed in
km/h.
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Page 210 of 304
Towing a trailer209
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
should be attached to folding arms. Adjust
the mirrors so that they provide you with
an adequate field of view to the rear.
Headlights
Before starting off with a hitched trailer, also check the setting of the headlights.
Alter the setting as necessary with th e aid of the headlight beam adjuster
⇒ page 64.
Detachable ball head
The ball rod is detachable on vehicles which feature a factory-fitted towing device.
It is stowed together with separate fitting instructions in the spare wheel well in the
luggage compartment of the vehicle.
Further information on the towing device ⇒page 210.
Note
•We recommend that you also have your vehicle inspected between service
intervals if you tow a trailer frequently.
•The handbrake on the towing vehicle must be put on when coupling and
decoupling the trailer.
Driving Tips
Particular caution is required when towing a trailer.
– Do not, as far as possible, drive with your vehicle unladen and the
trailer laden.
– Do not make full use of the legal maximum speeds. This applies in particular to downhill sections.
– Apply the brakes in good time.
– Keep a check on the coolant temperature gauge if the outside temper- ature is high.
Distribution of weight
The distribution of the weight is very poor if your vehicle is unladen and the trailer
is laden. Maintain a particularly low speed if you cannot avoid driving with this
combination.
Driving speed
Do not drive faster than 80 km/hour for safety reasons. This also applies for coun-
tries in which higher speeds are allowed.
The fact that the driving stability of the vehicle + trailer combination reduces with
increasing speed means that the legally allowed speed should not be used when
there are unfavourable road, weather or wind conditions, particularly near accident
black spots.
You must always reduce your speed immedi ately as soon as you detect even just
the slightest swaying of the trailer. On no account attempt to stop the trailer from
“swaying” by accelerating.
Apply the brakes in good time! If the trailer is fitted with a trailer brake, apply the
brakes gently at first and then brake firmly . This will avoid brake jolts resulting from
the trailer wheels locking. Shift down gears in good time before negotiating a down-
hill section to allow the engine to also act as a brake.
Engine overheating
Please keep a check on the coolant temperature gauge if you have to negotiate a
lengthy slope in a low gear at a high engine speed when the outside temperature is
very high ⇒page 18, “Coolant temperature gauge”.
If the needle of the coolant temperature gauge moves into the right-hand area or
even the red area of the scale, reduce yo ur speed immediately. Stop and switch off
the engine if the warning light
in the instrument cluste r begins flashing. Wait a
few minutes and check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion bottle
⇒ page 229, “Inspecting the coolant level”.
Please refer to the following guidelines ⇒page 37, “Coolant temperature/ Coolant
quantity ”.
The coolant temperature can be reduced by switching on the heating.
Any increase in the cooling effect of the coolant fan through shifting down a gear
and increasing the engine speed is not possible since the fan speed is independent
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Page 213 of 304
Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle
212
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 greatly 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 be fore washing your vehicle in such a plant
other than the usual precautionary measur es (closing windows and sliding/tilting
roof, moving any factory-fitted aerials down flat against the bodywork, etc.).
If you have any particular atta ch 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 aeri al tight before washing the vehicle in an
automatic vehicle wash sy stem - 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 wa shing 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 ki tchen 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 cont aminated 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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Page 221 of 304
Fuel
220
Caution
•Even inadvertently filling the fuel tank with another biofuel such as Ethanol°E85
can result in damage to the fuel system.
•If you park the car for a lengthy period, fill with petrol complying with (DIN)
EN°228, because Ethanol E85 can contain lo w quantities of impurities, which can
lead to corrosion.
For the sake of the environment
If you use Ethanol E85, the CO2 emission of your vehicl e is lowered up to 5%.
Note
•When operating with Ethanol E85, the fuel consumption increases by approx
33%, as a lower quantity of energy is contained in the bioethanol than in unleaded
petrol.
•Biofuel Ethanol E85 contains only a low quantity of additives in contrast to
unleaded petrol. Therefore we recommend to fill up the tank with unleaded petrol
complying with EN 228 every 15 000 km (e.g. before the oil change) and run it
empty, so that the engine remains clean. Make sure not to use the whole content of
the tank ⇒page 222, “Refuelling”.
•The interval of 15 000 km applies for the oil change.
Operation in winter
If you use biofuel Ethanol E85 at very low temperatures, it is necessary to preheat
the engine before an engine start.
The power socket for the engine preheating is located in the front bumper next to
the fog light ⇒fig. 205 .
If an engine preheating is not possible at outside temperatures lower than -10 °C,
the share of unleaded petrol complying with EN 228 must be as high as possible.
Thus the cold start property of the engine is clearly improved.
If there is biofuel Etha nol E85 in the tank and the engine is not preheated, it can lead
at temperatures below -15°C to very poor or no starting of the engine.
For the sake of the environment
The use of engine preheating at temperatures below -10°C has a positive effect on
the fuel consumption and thus on the environment.
The outside temperatureDuration of engine preheating
lower than -10 °Cwe recommend up to 1 hour
lower than -15 °Cat least 1 hour
lower than -25 °Cat least 2 hour
Fig. 205 MultiFuel - power
socket
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Page 228 of 304
Inspecting and replenishing227
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Engine oil
Check engine oil level
The dipstick indicates the level of oil in the engine.
Checking the oil level
– Park the vehicle on a horizontal surface.
– Switch the engine off.
– Open the bonnet ⇒ in “Working in the engine compartment” on
page 225.
– Wait a few minutes and pull out the oil dipstick.
– Wipe off the dipstick with a clea n cloth and insert it again fully.
– Then withdraw the dipstick ag ain and read off the oil level.
Oil level within range
– You must not top up the oil. Oil level within range
–You
may top up the oil. It is possible that the oil level may then be
within range after doing this.
Oil level within range
–You must top up the oil ⇒page 228. It is sufficient, once this is done,
to keep the oil level within range .
It is normal for the engine to consume oi l. The oil consumption may be as much as
0.5 ltr./1 000 km depending on your style of driving and the conditions under which
you operate your vehicle. The oil consumpt ion may be slightly higher than this
during the first 5 000 kilometres.
One should therefore check the oil level at regular intervals, preferably every time
after the fuel tank is filled or after driving for long stretches.
We recommend maintaining the oil level within the range - but not above this,
if the engine has been operating at hi gh loads, for example during a lengthy
motorway trip during the summer months, towing a trailer or negotiating a high
mountain pass.
The warning light in the instrument cluster* will indicate ⇒page 36, “Engine oil
pressure ” whether the oil level is too low. In this case, check the oil level as soon
as possible. Top up with an appropriate quantity of oil.
Caution
•The oil level must on no account ex tend beyond the range . Danger of
damaging the catalytic converter.
•Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under the
conditions prev ailing to top up with oil. Switch of the engine and contact and
obtain professional assistance from a specialist garage.
Note
Engine oil specifications ⇒page 269, “Technical Data”.
Fig. 212 Dipstick
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AC
AC
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Page 229 of 304
Inspecting and replenishing
228
Replenishing engine oil
– Inspecting the engine oil level ⇒page 227.
– Unscrew the cap of the engine oil filler opening.
– Pour in a suitable grade of oil in portions of 0.5 litres ⇒page 272,
“Engine oil specifications”.
– Inspect the oil level ⇒page 227.
– Carefully screw on the cap of the filler opening and push the dipstick
in fully.
WARNING
•Avoid dripping oil onto hot parts of the engine when topping up will oil -
a risk of fire!
•Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 225, “Working in the engine
compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
For the sake of the environment
The oil level must on no account extend beyond the range ⇒page 227. Oil will
otherwise be drawn in through the crankc ase ventilation and may pass through the
exhaust system to atmosphere. The oil ma y combust in the catalytic converter and
damage it.
Changing engine oil
The engine oil must be changed at the intervals stated in the Service schedule or
according to the service interval indicator ⇒page 20, “Service Interval Display”.
WARNING
•Only carry out the engine oil change, if you have the required profes-
sional knowledge!
•Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 225, “Working in the engine
compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
•Let the engine cool down - risk of burning from hot oil.
•Wear an eye protection - risk of caustic burns due to oil splashes.
•Oil is toxic! Store old oil in a safe place out of the reach of children and
unauthorized persons until you dispose of it properly.
Caution
You must not pour any additives into th e engine oil - risk of engine damage!
Damage, which results from such produc t, are excluded from the warranty.
For the sake of the environment
•You must on no account pour oil into the ground or into the sewage system.
•In view of the problems involved in prop erly disposing of old oil, the material,
equipment and the knowledge required fo r such work, we recommend that you
have the oil and oil filter change carr ied out by your Škoda Service Partner.
Note
After your skin has come in contact with the oil, you must thoroughly wash your
skin.
Cooling system
Coolant
The job of the coolant is to cool the engine.
The cooling system does not require an y maintenance under normal operating
conditions. The coolant consis ts of water with a concentration of coolant additive
of 40 %. This mixture not only provides antifreeze protection down to -25°C but
AA
WARNING (continued)
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