gearbox SKODA ROOMSTER 2006 1.G Owner's Guide
Page 186 of 274
Driving and the Environment185
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Driving and the Environment
The first 1 500 kilometres and then 
afterwards
A new engine
The engine has to be run in during the first 1 500 kilome-
tres.
Up to 1 000 kilometres
– Do not drive faster than 3/4 of the mamimum speed of the gear 
in use, that is 3/4 of the maximum permissible engine speed.
– Do not use full throttle.
– Avoid high engine revolutions.
– Do not tow a trailer.
From 1 000 up to 1 500 kilometres
– Increase the power output of the engine  gradually up to the 
full speed of the gear engaged, that is up to the maximum 
permissible engine revolutions.
During the first operating hours the engine has higher internal friction than 
later until all of the moving parts have harmonized. The driving style which 
you adopt during the first approx.1 500 kilometres plays a decisive part in 
the success of running in your car.
You should not drive at unnecessarily  high engine revolutions even after 
the running-in period is complete. The maximum permissible engine  speed is marked by the beginning of the red zone on the scale of the revo-
lutions counter. Shift up into the next higher gear on a vehicle fitted with 
manual gearbox before the red zone is reached. 
Extremely high engine 
revolutions are automatically governed, by the way.
For a vehicle fitted with a manual gearbox the converse situation also 
applies: Do not drive at engine revolutions which are  too low. Shift down 
as soon as the engine is no longer running smoothly.
Caution
All the speed and engine revolution figures apply only when the engine is 
at its normal operating temperature. Never rev up an engine which is cold, 
neither when the vehicle is stationary nor when driving in individual gears.
For the sake of  the environment
Not driving at unnecessarily high engine revolutions and shifting to a 
higher gear as early as possible are ways to minimise fuel consumption 
and operating noise levels and protects the environment.
New tyres
New tyres have to be “run in” since they do not offer optimal grip at first. 
You should take account of this fact for the first 500 kilometres and drive 
particularly carefully.
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Driving and the Environment
188
Shifting gears and saving energy
Shifting up early saves on fuel.
Manual gearbox
– Drive no more than about one length of your vehicle in first 
gear. Always shift up into the next higher gear at approx. 2 000 
to 2 500 revs.
Automatic gearbox
– Depress the accelerator pedal  slowly. Do not depress it 
beyond the kickdown position, however.
An effective way of achieving good fuel economy is to shift up  early. You 
will consume more fuel if you drive at unnecessarily high revolutions in 
any given gear. The 
⇒fig. 148  shows the ratio of fuel consumption to the speed of your 
vehicle for the individual gears. Fuel consumption in 1st gear is the 
highest and in 5th gear is the lowest.
Note
•The optimal engine speed should be obtained when accelerating, in 
order to avoid a high fuel consumption and resonance of the vehicle.
•Also use the information supplied by the multi-functional indicator* 
⇒ page 17.
Avoiding full throttle
Driving more slowly means saving fuel.
Sensitive use of the accelerator will not only significantly reduce fuel 
consumption but also positively influence environmental pollution and 
wear of your vehicle.
Fig. 148  Fuel 
consumption in 
litres/100 km. and 
speed in km/h.
Fig. 149  Fuel 
consumption in 
litres/100 km. and 
speed in km/h.
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Page 211 of 274
Inspecting and Replenishing
210
Opening the bonnet
– Unlock the bonnet  ⇒page 209, fig. 153 .
– Ensure that the arms of the windscreen wipers are correctly in  place against the windscreen  before opening the bonnet 
otherwise damage could occur to the paintwork.
– Press the locking button  ⇒page 209, fig. 154 , the bonnet 
unlocks itself.
– Grip the bonnet and lift it up.
– Take the bonnet support out of its holder and set it in the  opening designed for it  ⇒page 209, fig. 155 .
Closing the bonnet
– Lift the bonnet slightly and unhook the bonnet support. Press  the bonnet support into the holder designed to hold it.
– Allow the bonnet to drop from a height of about 30 cm into the  lock - bonnet  do not press down on it!
WARNING
•Never open the bonnet if you see that steam or coolant is 
flowing out of the engine compartm ent - risk of scalding! Wait long 
enough until the steam or coolant has stopped escaping.
•For safety reasons, the bonnet must always be properly closed 
when driving. One should therefore check that the lock has in fact 
engaged properly after closing the bonnet.
•Stop your vehicle immediately wh ile driving if you notice that 
the lock is not properly engaged and close the bonnet properly - 
risk of an accident!
Caution
•Before opening the bonnet, ensure that the arms of the windscreen 
wipers are correctly in place against the windscreen. Otherwise, there is 
a risk of damage to the paintwork.
Working in the engine compartment
Particular care is required when carrying out any work in 
the engine compartment!
There is a risk of injuries, scalding, accidents and fire when working 
in the engine compartment, e.g.  inspecting and replenishing oil and 
other fluids. For this reason, it is essential to comply with the 
warning instructions stated below and with the general applicable 
rules of safety. The engine compartment of your car is a hazardous 
area  ⇒ .
WARNING
•Never open the bonnet if you see that steam or coolant is 
flowing out of the engine compartment - risk of scalding! Wait long 
enough until the steam or coolant has stopped escaping.
•Switch off the engine and pull out the ignition key.
•Apply the handbrake firmly.
•If your vehicle is fitted with a manual gearbox, move the gear-
shift lever into Neutral, or if it is fitted with automatic gearbox, move 
the selector lever into position P.
•Allow the engine to cool down.
•Keep children clear of the engine compartment.
•Do not touch any hot engine parts - risk of burns!
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Page 238 of 274
Breakdown assistance237
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Spare wheel*
The spare wheel is stowed in the spare wheel well in the 
luggage compartment below the floor covering.
The spare wheel lies in a well under the luggage compartment floor and is 
fixed in place along with the vehicle tool kit box using special screws 
⇒fig. 167 .
One should check the inflation pressure in the spare wheel (at best when 
generally checking the tyre air pressures - see sign on the fuel filler flap 
⇒ page 207) to ensure that the spare wheel is always ready to use.
Unidirectional tyres*
If you have such tyres on your vehicle, please refer to the notes below:
•The spare wheel provided with a car fitted with unidirectional tyres has 
different dimensions. The wheel is provided with a warning sticker.
•After fitting on the wheel, the warning sticker must not be concealed 
(e.g. by the wheel trim).
•Do not drive with this spare wheel at more than 80 km/h - risk of acci-
dent. Avoid accelerating at full throttle, sharp braking and fast cornering.
•The inflation pressure for this spare wheel is identical to the inflation 
pressure of the standard tyres.
•Use this spare wheel only to reach the nearest specialist garage as it 
is not intended for continuous use.
Changing a wheel
Preliminary work
The following steps should be carried out before actually 
changing the wheel.
– If it is necessary to change a wheel, park the vehicle as far  away as possible from the traffic flow. The place you choose 
should be  level.
– Have all the occupants  get out. While changing a wheel, the 
occupants of the vehicle should not stand on the road (e.g. 
behind a crash barrier).
– Apply the  handbrake firmly.
– Engage  1st gear or if your vehicle is fitted with an automatic 
gearbox, position the  selector lever into position P .
– If a trailer is coupled, uncouple it.
– Take the  vehicle tool kit   and the spare wheel  ⇒ page 236 
out of the luggage compartment.
Fig. 167  Luggage 
compartment: Spare 
wheel
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Page 246 of 274
Breakdown assistance245
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
out the battery being ignited by the strong spark which results from 
the engine being started.
•Do not affix the cable end   to parts of the fuel and brake 
system.
•Run the jump-start cables so that they cannot be caught by any 
rotating parts in the engine compartment.
•Do not bend over the batteries - risk of caustic burns!
•The vent screws of the battery cells must be tightened firmly.
•Keep any sources of ignition  (naked flame, smouldering ciga-
rettes etc.) away from the battery - risk of an explosion!
Tow-starting and towing vehicle
General
Please pay attention to the following instructions if you are going 
to use a tow rope:
Driver of the towing vehicle
– Do not drive off until the tow rope is taught.
– Release the clutch particularly gently when starting off. Driver of the towed vehicle
– Switch the ignition on so that the steering wheel is not blocked 
and you can also operate the turn signal lights, the headlight 
flasher, the windscreen wipers and windscreen washer 
system.
– Take the vehicle out of gear or move the selector lever into  position  N if your vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.
– Note that the brake servo unit and power steering only operate  if the engine is running. You will require significantly greater 
physical force to depress the brake pedal and to steer the 
vehicle if the engine is not running.
– Ensure that the tow rope is always kept taught.
Tow rope or tow bar
A tow  bar is safest way of towing a vehicle and also minimizes any 
shocks. You can use a tow  rope only if a suitable tow bar is not available.
The tow rope must be elastic to protect the vehicle. Thus one should only 
use plastic fibre rope or a rope made out of a similarly elastic material.
Attach the tow rope or the tow bar only to the  towing eyes provided for 
this purpose  ⇒page 246, “Front towing eye” and  ⇒page 247, “Rear 
towing eye”.
Driving style
Towing another vehicle requires a certain amount of practice. Both drivers 
should be familiar with the particular points about towing a vehicle. 
Unskilled drivers should not attempt to tow in another vehicle or to be 
towed in.
One should be constantly vigilant not to allow impermissibly high towing 
forces or jerky loadings. There is always a risk of excessive stresses and 
WARNING (continued)
A4
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Breakdown assistance
246
damage resulting at the points to which you attach the tow rope or tow bar 
when you attempt to tow a vehicle which is not standing on a paved road.
Caution
If the gearbox of your vehicle no longer contains any oil because of a 
defect, your vehicle must only be towed in with the driven wheels raised 
clear of the ground, or on a special vehicle transporter or trailer.
Note
•Please comply with any legal requirements particularly regarding the 
switched on signal systems, when towing in or tow-starting another 
vehicle.
•The tow rope must not be twisted as it may in certain circumstances 
result in the front towing eye being unscrewed out of your vehicle.
Front towing eye
The towing eye is stored in the box for the vehicle tool kit.
Fig. 175  Front 
bumper: Protective 
grille
Fig. 176  Front 
bumper: Installing the 
towing eye
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Breakdown assistance
248
– Switch on the ignition.
– Wait until both vehicles are moving then release the clutch pedal slowly.
– Depress the clutch pedal fully when the engine fires and take  the vehicle out of gear.
WARNING
There is high risk of having an accident when tow-starting a 
vehicle, when for example the towed vehicle runs into the towing 
vehicle.
Caution
Vehicles which are fitted with a catalytic converter should not be tow-
started over a distance of more than 50 metres. Unburnt fuel may get into 
the catalytic converter and damage it.
Towing in a vehicle fitted with a manual gearbox
Please refer to the notes  ⇒page 245.
The car can be towed in with a tow bar or a tow rope or with the front or 
rear wheels raised. The maximum towing speed is  50 km/h.
Towing of a vehicle with an automatic gearbox
Please refer to the notes  ⇒page 245. The car can be towed in with a tow bar or a tow rope. Refer at the same 
time to the following guidelines:
•Move 
selector lever into N .
•The maximum towing speed is  50 km/h.
•The maximum permissible towing distance is  50 km. The gear oil 
pump does not operate when the engine is not running and the gear would 
not be adequately lubricated at higher speeds and over longer towing 
distance.
Caution
If the vehicle is towed in by a recovery vehicle, it should only be towed in 
with the front wheels raised. If the vehicle is raised at rear, the automatic 
gearbox is damaged!
Note
The vehicle must be transported on a special vehicle or trailer if it is not 
possible to tow in the vehicle in the way described or if the towing distance 
is greater than 50 km.
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Page 255 of 274
Fuses and light bulbs
254
Bulbs
Replacing bulbs
The relevant lamp must always be switched off before a light bulb is 
replaced.
Do not take hold of the glass bulb with naked fingers (even the smallest 
amount of dirt reduces the working life of the light bulb). Use a clean cloth, 
serviette or something similar.
Defect light bulbs should only be replaced with light bulbs of the same 
type. The designation is located on the light socket or the glass bulb.
Changing certain bulbs is not something which you can do yourself, but 
requires to be done by a specialist. Other parts of the vehicle must be 
removed in order to change the light bulbs. This applies, in particular, to 
bulbs which can only be reached from the engine compartment.
We therefore recommend that you have any bulbs changed by a Škoda 
Service Partner or, in exceptional cases, by calling on other professional 
assistance.
Please note that the engine compartment is a hazardous area 
⇒ page 210, “Working in the engine compartment”. We recommend that you carry the set of light bulbs with you which was 
delivered in your vehicle. Replacement light bulbs 
8) are available at a 
Škoda Service Partner.
The set of light bulbs can be stowed in the locable box in the spare wheel.
Overview of bulbs10Engine control unit15
11Central control unit5
12Automatic gearbox5
No.Power consumerAmperes
8)Replacement light bulbs are, on the other hand, part of the basic equipping of the
vehicle in some countries.
Front headlightReflectorModule
Low beam and main 
beamH4H7
Parking lightsW5W
Turn signalsPY21W
Fog lightsHB4
Fog lights with turning 
lightH8
Rear light unitBulb
Reversing lightP21W
Turn signalsPY21W
Brake lightsP21W
Fog lightsP21W
Parking lights2 x W5W
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Page 264 of 274
General263
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Technical Data
General
Identification data
Vehicle data sticker
The vehicle data sticker  ⇒fig. 195  is located on the floor of the luggage 
compartment and is also stated in the Service schedule.
The vehicle data sticker contains the following data:
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
Vehicle type
Gearbox code, paint number, interior equipment number, engine 
output, engine code
Partial description of the vehicle Vehicle identification number (VIN)
The vehicle identification number - VIN (vehicle body number) is stamped 
into the engine compartment on the right hand shock absorber dome. This 
number is also located on a sign on the lower left hand edge below the 
windscreen (together with a VIN bar code).
Engine number
The engine number is stamped into the engine block.
Type plate (production plate)
The type plate is located in the engine compartment at the front on the left 
hand shock absorber dome.
Homologation sign
The homologation sign is located on the lock carrier. Vehicles for certain 
countries do not have an homologation sign.
Sticker on inside of fuel filler flap
The sticker is affixed to the inside of the fuel filler flap. The sticker contains 
the following data:
•The prescribed types of fuel,
•Tyre size,
•Tyre pressure.
Note
•You will find the technical data of your vehicle in the separate brochure 
"Technical Data".
Fig. 195  Vehicle data 
sticker
A1
A2
A3
A4
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Index265
Index
A
Abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
ABS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Warning light  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Adjusting seats  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69, 75, 143
Adjusting the seat backrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Adjusting the steering wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Air conditioning system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Air outlet vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Airbag  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 Deployment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Front airbag  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Head airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Side airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Warning light  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Airbag system  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 Warning light  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Alternator Warning light  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Antilock brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Antilock brake system - ABS Warning light  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Anti-theft alarm system  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Ashtray  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Auto Check Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Auto Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Emergency programme  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Kickdown  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Selector lever-emergency unlocking  . . . 124
Tiptronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Automatic vehicle wash systems . . . . . . . . . 198
Automatic wiper/washer system  . . . . . . . . . . 63
Avoiding damage to your vehicle . . . . . . . . . 192
B
B rake booster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29, 220 change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Inspecting the electrolyte level . . . . . . . . 222
Operation in winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Before setting off  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Belt tensioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Bicycle carrier  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Biodiesel  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Bluetooth™  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Brake Handbrake  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Brake booster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Brake fluid  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Brake pads
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Brake system Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Brakes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Bulbs  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Button on the driver's door Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45C
Car jack  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Car state  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
CD changer  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
unlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Changing a wheel  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Changing the engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Changing wheels around . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Charging the battery  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Check engine oil level  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Child safety  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 Side airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
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