SKODA OCTAVIA TOUR 2004 1.G / (1U) Owner's Manual

140GENERAL MAINTENANCE
The car should be standing horizontally
when checking the oil level. Wait a few min-
utes after switching off the engine to allow
the oil to flow back into the sump.
Then, withdraw the dipstick, wipe it off with
a clean cloth and re-insert it fully.
After this, once again withdraw the dipstick
and read off the oil level:
a- Oil must be topped up.
After topping up, it is sufficient if the oil
level is somewhere in the range b.
b - Oil may be topped up.
After topping up, the oil level may then
be in the range c.
c - Oil must not be topped up.
If the engine is driven particularly hard, as
for example during long trips on motorways
in summer, when towing a trailer or driving
over mountain passes, the oil level should
be kept within the range c if possible - not
above .Topping up engine oilUnscrew the cap 2 of the oil filler opening
in the cylinder head cover and pour in the
quantity of oil needed. Check the oil level
with the dipstick. The oil level must on no account be hig-
her than the range „c“.
Otherwise, oil may
be drawn into the combustion chamber and
passed through the exhaust system to at-
mosphere. This can have a detrimental ef-
fect on combustion and on the operating
life of the catalytic converter.
Warning
When topping up the oil, do not spill
it onto hot engine components - dan-
ger of fire.
Carefully close the cap of the filler opening
and fully insert the dipstick into the inspec-
tion hole. Otherwise, oil might flow out when
the engine is running.
In the event that you do not have enough
fuel, do not drive any further. Switch off
the engine and contact a Škoda Dealer for
professional assistance, otherwise there is
a risk of serious engine damage.
The illustration shows part of an engine
compartment with the 2.0-ltr./85 kW engine.
For further information regarding the ar-
rangement in the engine compartment - see
page 136.
Checking oil levelIt is normal that the engine consumes a cer-
tain
quantity of oil . The oil consumption
may be as much as 0.5 ltr/1000 km if oper-
ating conditions are disadvantageous (e.g.
when driving in town) - see also page 119.
The engine oil level should therefore be
checked at regular intervals. This is best
done each time you refuel and before a long
journey.
The position of the dipstick 1 is shown in
the illustration.

141
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Changing engine oilThe engine oil should be changed at the
intervals stated in the Service Schedule or
in the service interval display.Warning

Only carry out the engine oil chan-
ge, if you have the required profes-
sional knowledge!

Read and observe the warning
notes before working in the engine
compartment - see page 137.

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
unauthorised persons until you dis-
pose of it properly.

You must not pour any additives
into the engine oil - risk of engine
damage! Damage, which results from
such product, is excluded from the
warranty.
Power steeringInspecting hydraulic fluid level
The reservoir for the hydraulic fluid of the
power steering is located in the right of the
engine compartment.
The hydraulic power steering system is
filled with hydraulic fluid G 002 000.
The hydraulic fluid level is checked when
the engine is at operating temperature and
switched off.
After your skin has come in contact with the
oil, you must thoroughly wash your skin.
On no account dispose of oil in the sewage system or into the ground.
Because of the disposal problem, the special tools and the specialist knowl-edge required, it is best to have the en-gine oil and filter change carried out by
a Škoda Dealer.

142GENERAL MAINTENANCECooling system
In normal operating conditions the cooling
system requires practically no mainte-
nance. The coolant consists of water and
a 40 % concentration of coolant additive.
This mixture not only offers the necessary
antifreeze protection down to -25 °C, but
also protects the cooling and heating sys-
tem from corrosion. In addition, it prevents
the formation of scale and increases the
boiling point of the coolant.
For this reason, the concentration of cool-
ant should also not be reduced during the
summer or in warm countries by topping up
with water. The coolant additive concen-
tration should be at least 40 %.
If greater antifreeze protection is required
for climatic reasons, the concentration of
coolant additive can be increased, but only
up to 60 % (antifreeze protection down to
about -40 °C). A higher concentration re-
duces the antifreeze protection and the
cooling efficiency is also impaired.
Cars for export countries with a cold climate
(e.g. Sweden, Norway, Finland) are factory-
filled for antifreeze protection down to about
-35 °C.
CoolantThe cooling system is factory-filled with the
coolant TL 774-F (G12 PLUS), lilac in col-
our.
We recommend using the same fluid for
topping up the system - G 12 PLUS (lilac
in colour).
In the event that it is necessary to top up
the system with a different coolant or if there
are any unclear aspects, please contact
your Škoda Dealer.
The correct coolant is available from your
Škoda Dealer.
Other coolant additives may consider-
ably impair the corrosion protection pro-
vided.
Any corrosion damage arising from the
use of another additive may result in a
loss of coolant and consequently in
major engine damage.
The fluid level should always be between
the „MAX“ and „MIN“ markings. If the level
has dropped below the „MIN“ marking, the
power steering should be inspected by a
Škoda Dealer. It is not sufficient simply to
top up the hydraulic fluid.
Note
When the engine is not running (e.g. when
the car is being towed or the ribbed belt is
broken) the power steering does not oper-
ate. The car can still be fully steered how-
ever, although greater physical effort is re-
quired for steering.

143
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Loss of coolantA loss of coolant is first and foremost an
indication of a leak. In this case, the cool-
ing system should be inspected by a Škoda
Dealer. It is not sufficient merely to top up
the coolant.
If there is no leak in the system, losses may
also occur if the coolant boils as a result of
overheating and is forced out of the cool-
ing system.
If it is not possible to find and rectify the
cause of overheating, contact a Škoda
Dealer as soon as possible - otherwise
major engine damage may result.Topping up coolantFirst of all, switch off the engine and allow
it to cool down. Then, place a rag around
the cap of the expansion reservoir and
carefully unscrew the cap.Warning
Do not open the cap of the expansion
reservoir when the engine is hot -
risk of scalding. The cooling system
is pressurized!
Checking coolant levelThe coolant reservoir is located in the right
of the engine compartment.
The coolant level can be correctly checked
only when the engine is not running.
When the engine is cold, the coolant in the
expansion reservoir must be in the area of
the „ MIN“ mark and the crosshatched area.
When the engine is warm, the coolant level
may be slightly above the crosshatched
area. If, in exceptional cases, it is only possible
to top up the system with water, the correct
mixture concentration should be restored
without delay by using the specified cool-
ant additive.
If there is a major loss of coolant, do not
pour in coolant until the engine has cooled
down to avoid any engine damage.
Do not top up beyond the crosshatched
area!
Excess coolant is forced out of the cooling
system by the pressure relief valve in the
cap of the expansion reservoir when the
coolant heats up.
Screw the reservoir cap tight!
If the event that you do not have enough
coolant,
do not drive any further. Switch
off the engine and contact a Škoda Dealer
for professional assistance, otherwise there
is a risk of serious engine damage.

144GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Drained coolant should not nor-mally be re-used but should be dis-
posed of by complying with environmen- tal protection regulations.
Radiator fanThe radiator fan is driven by an electric mo-
tor and controlled by a thermostatic switch
in line with the coolant temperature.
Warning
After the engine has been switched
off, the fan may continue running for
a while - even if the ignition is swit-
ched off. It may also start to run again
suddenly after a short time if
- the coolant temperature increases due to heat build-up
- when the engine is hot and the en- gine compartment is heated addi-
tionally by strong sunlight.
Special care should therefore be
taken when working in the engine
compartment.
Brake fluidThe brake fluid reservoir is located in the
left of the engine compartment.Checking fluid levelThe fluid level should always be between
the „MAX“ and „MIN“ markings on the re-
servoir.
A slight drop in the fluid level occurs when
driving as a result of wear and tear and au-
tomatic slack adjustment of the brake pads.
This is perfectly normal.
Warning
The coolant additive and the coolant
are poisonous! Do not breathe in
coolant vapours, do not swallow
coolant, avoid contact with eyes and
skin.
If coolant splashes into your eye,
rinse out immediately with clear wa-
ter and contact a doctor.
If coolant is swallowed, you should
likewise contact a doctor. The cool-
ant additive should therefore be
safely stored in the original contain-
ers out of the reach of children.
If the coolant has to be drained out
of the cooling system of the car at
any time, it should be collected,
marked and likewise stored in a safe
place.

145
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
If the fluid level drops significantly within a
short time, however, or if it drops below the
„MIN“ marking, there may be a leak in the
brake system. Insufficient brake fluid level
in the reservoir is indicated by the brake
warning light coming on, see also page 61.
In such a case, contact a Škoda Dealer
without delay and have the brake sys-
tem inspected.
Warning
Read and observe the warning notes
before working in the engine com-
partment - see page 137.
If the fluid level has dropped below
the MIN marking, do not drive any
further - risk of accident! Contact a
Škoda dealer to obtain professional
assistance.
Replacing brake fluidBrake fluid is hygroscopic and conse-
quently absorbs moisture from the sur-
rounding air over the course of time. An
excessive content of water in the brake fluid
can also in the long term be a cause of
corrosion in the brake system. In addition,
the boiling point of the brake fluid is con-
siderably reduced. For this reason, the
brake fluid must be renewed every two
years.
Warning
When the brake fluid becomes too
old, vapour bubbles may form in the
brake system when the brakes are
used hard. The efficiency of the
brakes and thus the vehicle safety is
then seriously affected.
Use only fresh brake fluid conforming with
Specification FMVSS 116 DOT 4, which is
approved by the factory. Warning
Brake fluid is poisonous!
It must therefore only be stored in the
closed original container and, in par-
ticular, out of the reach of children.
Please also note that brake fluid attacks the
paintwork of the car.
Because of the disposal problem, the special tools and specialist
knowledge required, it is best to have the brake fluid change carried out by aŠkoda Dealer.
It is recommended to have the brake fluid
change carried out as part of an Inspec-
tion Service.

146GENERAL MAINTENANCEBatteryThe battery is located in the engine com-
partment.
If the vehicle has not been driven for more
than 4 weeks, the battery will discharge be-
cause some electrical components (e.g.
control units) also use current in standstill.
In order to avoid the battery discharging dis-
connect the negative cable (-) of the bat-
tery or continuously recharge the battery.
For jump-starting car with another battery,
see the section „Do-It-Yourself“.Warning
Pay attention to the following warn-
ing instructions and safety regula-
tions when carrying out work on the
battery.
Access to battery
Pull out the catch on the side of the bat-
tery cover (see arrow) slightly. Lift the bat-
tery cover up and out - see arrow A.
Warning
Pay attention to the following warn-
ing instructions and safety regula-
tions when carrying out work on the
battery.
Removing battery
Pull the cable cover 1 up and out in di-
rection of arrow.

Disconnect the battery from the vehicle
electrical system - pay attention to the
Notes on page 148.

Press the catch (arrows B) on the side
of the holder 2 of the fuse carrier. Open the
holder and fuse carrier by raising it (arrow
C ).

Remove the screw 3 from the battery
holder and take out the fuse plate.

Push the battery forward slightly (toward
the headlamp) and then lift it up and out.

147
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Wear eye protection. Pro-
tect your eyes, skin and
clothing from sprays from
particles which contain
acid or lead.
Battery acid is extremely
caustic. Wear protective
gloves and eye protec-
tion. Do not tilt the bat-
tery otherwise acid may flow out of
the vent openings. If acid splashes
into your eyes, rinse them immedi-
ately for a few minutes with clear
water and then contact a doctor with-
out delay. If acid splashes onto your
skin or clothing, neutralise it imme-
diately with soap suds and wash off
with plenty of water. If you swallow
acid, contact a doctor without delay. A highly explosive hydro-
gen is produced when bat-
teries are charged, which
in combination with air pro-
duces an explosive gas mixture.
No fire, sparks, naked flames
or smoking. Avoid sparks
when handling cables and
electrical equipment. Avoid
short circuits. Risk of injury from high-
powered sparks.

It is essential to disconnect the
negative cable at the battery before
performing any work on the electri-
cal system. When changing bulbs, it
is sufficient only to switch off the
light.


Installation is carried out in the reverse
order. When re-connecting the battery, re-
fer to the Notes on page 148.
It is not recommended to remove and in-
stall the battery (even if the instructions
in the Owner’s Manual are followed) be-
cause severe damage to the battery and
fuse box may result in certain circum-
stances. Contact your Škoda Dealership
for this work. Keep acid and battery away
from children.

148GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Used batteries are harmful to
the environment and should
therefore be disposed of by
contacting your Škoda Dea-
ler.

When disconnecting the battery
from the electrical system, first of all
disconnect the negative cable (-) and
then the positive cable (+).
The battery must not be disconnec-
ted when the ignition is switched on
and the engine is running otherwise
the electrical system (electronic
components) will be damaged.

When re-connecting the battery,
first of all connect the positive cable
(+) and then the negative cable (-).
The connection cables must on no
account be mixed up - risk of fire in
the wiring!

Never use a battery which is dam-
aged - risk of explosion! Immediately
replace a damaged battery.

Never charge a frozen or thawed
battery - risk of explosion and caus-
tic burns. Replace a frozen battery.
Do not expose the battery to direct sun-
light to protect the housing from ultra-
violet rays.
Ensure that the battery acid does not
come into contact with the paintwork
otherwise the paintwork might be dam-
aged.
Checking electrolyte levelIn normal operating conditions the battery
requires practically no maintenance. It is
nevertheless recommended to inspect the
electrolyte level from time to time. It should
always be between the „MIN“ and „MAX“
markings on the front and back of the bat-
tery. If the electrolyte level has dropped
below the „MIN“ marking, top up the rel-
evant battery cells to the „MAX“ marking
with distilled water .
It is recommended to have the electrolyte
level and density inspected and corrected
by a Škoda Dealer.
Battery with charge state indicator
(magic eye)*The magic eye is located on the top of the
battery. This „magic eye“ alters its colour
depending on the charge state and elec-
trolyte level of the battery. The colour indi-
cated serves as a diagnostic aid for Škoda
Dealerships.
Knock gently on the magic eye before
checking the battery.

149
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Driving in winterThe battery is exposed to particular stresses
in winter. In addition, at low temperatures, it
is only capable of providing part of the start-
ing power which it has at normal tempera-
tures.A discharged battery may already freeze
at a few degrees below zero.
We therefore recommend having the bat-
tery inspected and, if necessary, charged
before the start of the winter. This is best
done by a Škoda Dealer.Charging batterySwitch off the ignition and all electrical com-
ponents before charging the battery.
It is not normally necessary to disconnect
the cables from the electrical system when
charging with low amperages (e.g. with a
mini charger). Always follow the instructions
of the charger manufacturer in this case.
Recharge the battery by using a charg-
ing current of 1/10 of the battery rated
capacity in A (or less) until the battery is
fully charged.
A battery charger with a constant charg-
ing voltage of 14.4 V can also be used
for recharging; the recharging duration
is max. 30 hours, according to battery
discharge. Both connection cables should be taken
off
, however, for quick-charging (only in
exceptional cases), in other words charg-
ing with high amperages.
Pay attention to the following points:

The vent plugs of the battery should
not be opened for charging.

Never charge a frozen or thawed bat-
tery - risk of explosion and caustic
burns! Replace a frozen battery.

The power cable of the charger should
not be plugged in until after the terminal
clamps of the charger have been properly
connected to the battery terminals:
red terminal
= positive (+)
black terminal
= negative (-).

After charging, install battery and re-con-
nect correctly - first of all positive (+), then
negative cable (-).
If the indication in the window is green, the
battery is properly charged. If, on the other
hand, the indication is dark, the battery re-
quires to be charged.
If the magic eye is colourless or yellow, this
indicates insufficient electrolyte level.
Please have the battery checked by a
Škoda dealer.
The battery must be topped up with distilled
water. If the battery is 5 years or older, we
recommend replacing it. Have the electro-
lyte level inspected and adjusted to the
correct level by a Škoda dealer.