brakes SKODA ROOMSTER 2007 1.G User Guide

Driving and the Environment153
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistancePraktikTechnical 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 kilometres.
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 revolutions 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 figure s 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 fu el 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.
New brake pads
Allow for the fact that new brake pads do not achieve their full braking efficiency until approximately 200 kilometres. New brake pads must be first “run in” before they develop their optimal friction force. You can, however, compensate for this slightly reduced braking force by increa sing the pressure on the brake pedal.
This guideline also applies to any new brake pads installed at a future date.
During the running-in period , you should avoid excessive stresses on the brakes. This includes, for example, violent braking, particularly from very high speeds, and also when crossing mountain passes.
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Driving and the Environment154
Catalytic converter
Proper operation of the emission control system (catalytic converter)
is of major significance for drivin g your vehicle in an environmen-
tally conscious way.
Please refer to the following guidelines:
– For vehicles with petrol engine only refuel with unleaded petrol
⇒ page 170, “Grades of petrol”.
– Never run the fuel tank completely empty.
– Do not switch off the ignition while you are driving the vehicle.
– Do not pour too much oil into the engine ⇒page 178, “Replenishing
engine oil”.
– Do not tow-start the vehicle over a distance of more than 50 metres
⇒ page 205, “Tow-starting a vehicle”.
If you drive your vehicle in a country in which unleaded petrol is not available, you must have the catalytic converter replaced later when driving the vehicle into a country in which use of a cata lytic converter is mandatory.
WARNING
•In view of the high temperatures which may be produced in the catalytic converter, one should always park a vehicle in such a way that the catalytic converter cannot come into contact with easily flammable materials below the vehicle - a risk of fire!
•Never use additional underbody protection or corrosion-protection agents for the exhaust pipes, catalyti c converters or heat shields. Such substances might ignite when driving - risk of fire!
Caution
•Vehicles fitted with catalytic converter should never be allowed to let the fuel tank to run completely empty. An irregular fuel supply can result in poor ignition or
misfiring. Unburnt fuel may get into the exhaust system and damage the catalytic converter.
•Filling the tank even only once with le aded petrol will result in the catalytic converter being destroyed.
•If you detect misfiring, a drop in perf ormance or irregular engine running when driving, reduce your speed immediately and have the vehicle inspected by the nearest specialist garage. The symptoms described may be caused by a fault in the ignition system. Unburnt fuel may get in to the exhaust system and damage the catalytic converter.
For the sake of the environment
Even if the exhaust system is operating properly, a sulphur-like exhaust odour may be produced under certain operating condit ions of the engine. This depends on the sulphur content of the fuel. It is often su fficient to refuel with unleaded premium- grade petrol of a different brand or at a different filling station.
Driving in an economical and environmentally
conscious manner
General
Your personal style of driving is a major factor.
Your fuel consumption, any pollution of the environmental and the wear-and-tear to the engine, brakes and tyres, depend essentially on three factors:
•your personal style of driving,
•the conditions under which your vehicle is operated,
•technical aspects.
You can easily improve your fuel economy by 10 - 15 percent by driving in an economical way with foresight. This section is intended to provide you with a number of tips on how to protect the en vironment and at the same time save money.
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Towing a trailer161
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistancePraktikTechnical 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 46.
Detachable ball head
The ball rod is detachable on vehicles with towing device and suppliable from Škoda original accessories. It is stowed together with separate fitting instructions in the spare wheel well in the luggage compartment of the vehicle.
Note
•We recommend that you also have yo ur 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 temper ature 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 10.
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 179, “Inspecting the coolant level”.
Please refer to the following guidelines ⇒page 24, “Coolant temperature/coolant level ”.
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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Inspecting and Replenishing182
One may only use new genuine brake fluid from Škoda Auto a.s. The specification for the brake fluid is “FMVSS 116 DOT 4”.
We recommend that you have the brake fluid replaced by a Škoda Service Partner as part of an Inspection Service.
WARNING
•Using old brake fluid can result in seve re stress on the brakes because of the formation of vapour bubbles in the brake system. This greatly impairs the braking efficiency and thus also the safety of your vehicle.
•Brake fluid is toxic! It must therefore be kept safely in closed original containers and well aw ay from children and unauthorized persons.
Caution
Brake fluid damages the paintwork of the vehicle.
For the sake of the environment
In view of the problems involved with proper disposal of brake fluid, the special tools and the professional knowledge required, we recommend you have the brake fluid replaced by a Škoda Service Partner.
Battery
Working on the battery
The battery is located in the engine compartment below a plastic box.
– Unlock the interlock on the positive terminal side of the battery
⇒ fig. 161.
– Open the cover in direction of arrow.
– The installation of the battery cover on the positive terminal side takes
place in the reverse order.
Removal and installation of the battery is not recommended since it can, under certain circumstances, lead to major damage to the battery and fuse boxes. Contact a specialist garage.
There is a risk of injuries, scalding, acci dents and burns when carrying out any work on the battery and on the electrical system. For this reason, it is essential to comply with the warning instructions ⇒ stated below and with the general applicable rules of safety.
Fig. 161 The battery: Open up the cover
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Index239
Index
A
Abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
ABS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Adjusting seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54, 60, 119
Adjusting the seat backrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Adjusting the steering wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Air conditioning system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Air outlet vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Deployment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Front airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Head airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Side airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Alternator
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Antilock brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Antilock brake system - ABS
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Anti-theft alarm system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Ashtray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Auto Check Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Auto Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Emergency programme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Kickdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Tiptronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Automatic vehicle wash systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Automatic wiper/washer system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Avoiding damage to your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
B
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 182
change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Inspecting the electrolyte level . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Operation in winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Before setting off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Belt tensioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Bicycle carrier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Bluetooth™ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Boot lid
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Brake
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Brake booster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Brake pads
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Brake system
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Button on the driver's door
Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
C
Car jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Car state . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
CD changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
unlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Changing a wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Changing the engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Changing wheels around . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Charging the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Check engine oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Side airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Child safety lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
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