service indicator SKODA FABIA 2011 2.G / 5J Owner's Manual

Table of Contents
Layout of this Owner's Manual
(explanations)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Using the system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Instruments and warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
General information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Overview of the instrument cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Engine revolutions counter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Coolant temperature gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Counter for distance driven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Service reminder indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Digital clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Shift recommendation for changing gears . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Multi-functional indicator (onboard computer) . . . . . . . 14
MAXI DOT display (information display) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Auto Check Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Unlocking and locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Vehicle key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Locking/Unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Child safety lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Anti-theft alarm system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Interior monitor and towing protection monitoring . . 36
Electrical power windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Electric sliding/tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Lights and Visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Interior lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Windshield wiper and wash system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Rear-view mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Seats and Stowage
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Heating the front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Pedals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Variable loading floor in the luggage compartment
(Combi) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Luggage net partition (Combi)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Bicycle holder in the luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . 63
Roof rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Front cup holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Rear cup holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Parking ticket holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Ashtray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Cigarette lighters and power sockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Heating and air conditioning system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Air outlet vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Air conditioning system (manual air conditioning
system) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Climatronic (automatic air conditioning)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Starting-off and Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Setting steering wheel position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Switching off the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Shifting (manual gearbox) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Pedals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Parking aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Cruise control system (CCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
“START-STOP” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Automatic gearbox
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Multifunction steering wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Universal telephone preinstallation GSM II . . . . . . . . . . 98
Voice control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Music playback via Bluetooth ®
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Inputs AUX-IN and MDI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Passive Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Basic information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Correct seated position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Why seat belts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
The physical principle of a frontal collision . . . . . . . . . . 109
Important safety information regarding the use of
seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
How are seat belts correctly fastened?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Belt tensioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Description of the airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Head airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Deactivating airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Transporting children safely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
What you should know about transporting children! . 121
Child seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Attaching a child seat using the “ISOFIX” system . . . . 126
Attaching child seat using the “Top Tether” system . . 127 3
Table of Contents Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

The fuel tank has a capacity of about 45 litres. The warning symbol  in the in-
strument cluster lights up when the pointer reaches the reserve marking. There
are now about 7 litres of fuel remaining in the tank. This symbol is a reminder for
you, that you must refuel
.
The following is displayed in the information display: Please refuel! (Please refuel!)
An audible signal sounds as an additional warning signal.
On some vehicles, the fuel gauge is shown in the display of the instrument clus-
ter. CAUTION
Never run the fuel tank completely empty! An irregular supply of fuel can lead to
irregular engine running. Unburnt fuel may get into the exhaust system and dam-
age the catalytic converter. 
Counter for distance driven The counter for the distance driven is located in the bottom area of the display.
The distance which you have driven with your vehicle is shown in kilometres (km).
In some countries the measuring unit
“
mile” is used.
Reset button
If you hold the reset button 6 ⇒
 fig. 2
pressed for about 1 second, the trip counter
is set back to zero.
Trip counter for distance driven
The trip counter indicates the distance which you have driven since this counter
was last reset - in steps of 100 metres or 1/10 of a mile.
Counter for distance driven
The counter for distance driven indicates the total distance in kilometers or miles
which the vehicle has been driven.
Fault display
If there is a fault in the instrument cluster Error will appear continuously in the
display. Have the fault rectified as soon as possible by a specialist workshop. WARNING
Never seek to adjust the trip counter for distance driven while driving for
safety reasons! Note
If vehicles which are fitted with the information display the display of the second
speed is activated in mph or km/h, this driving speed is indicated instead of the
counter for the total distance driven. 
Service reminder indicator Fig. 3 Service Interval Display: Note
Depending on the equipment installed in the vehicle, the text can differ on the
display.
Service Interval Display
Before the next service interval a key symbol  and the remaining kilometres are
indicated after switching on the ignition ⇒ fig. 3. At the same time, a display ap-
pears regarding the remaining days until the next service interval.
The following is displayed in the information display:
Service after ... km or... days. (Service after ... km or ... days.)
The kilometre indicator or the days indicator reduces in steps of 100 km. or days
until the service due date is reached.
A flashing key symbol  and the text Service appears in the display for 20 sec-
onds as soon as the due date for the service is reached.
The following is displayed in the information display:
Service now! (Service now!) £12
Instruments and warning lights

–
You can drive at the desired speed, e.g. 50 km/h.
– Press button B to accept the current speed as the speed limit (the value
flashes).
If you wish to change the speed limit that was set, it is changed in 5 km/h inter-
vals (e.g. the accepted speed of 47 km/h increases to 50 km/h or decreases to 45
km/h).
– Confirm the speed limit that was set by pressing button B again, or wait ap-
prox. 5 seconds until the setting is saved automatically (the value stops flash-
ing).
Change or delete speed limit
– With switch A , choose the menu point
Warning against excessive speeds.
– Remove the speed limit with button B .
– Pressing the button B again activates the change mode for the speed limit.
If you exceed the set speed limit, an acoustic warning signal will sound as a warn-
ing. At the same time the message Warning against excessive speeds appears
with the set limit value.
The set speed limit remains stored even after switching off the ignition. WARNING
Pay attention primarily to the traffic situation! As the driver you are fully re-
sponsible for road safety. 
MAXI DOT display (information display) Introduction The information display provides you with information in a convenient way con-
cerning the
current operating state of your vehicle . The information system also
provides you with data (depending on the equipment installed in the vehicle) re-
lating to the radio, mobile phone, multi-functional indicator, radio navigation sys-
tem, the unit connected to the MDI input and the automatic gearbox.
Certain functions and operating conditions are always being checked on the vehi-
cle when the ignition is switched on and also while driving. Functional faults, if required repair work and other information are indicated by
red symbols
⇒ page 18 and yellow symbols ⇒ 
page 19.
Lighting up of certain symbols is combined with an acoustic warning signal.
Information and texts giving warnings are also shown in the display ⇒ page 20.
The following information can be shown in the display (depending on the equip-
ment installed on the vehicle): Main menu ⇒ page 17
Door, luggage compartment door and bonnet ajar
warning
⇒ page 18
Service Interval Display ⇒ 
page 12 Selector lever position for an automatic gearbox ⇒ page 93 
Main menu Fig. 7 Information display: Control ele-
ments
– You can activate the Main Menu by pressing the rocker switch A ⇒ fig. 7 for
more than 1 second.
– You can select individual menu points by means of the rocker switch A . When
the pushbutton B is briefly pressed, the information you have selected is dis-
played.
You can select the following information (depending on the equipment installed
on the vehicle):
■ MFD ⇒  page 14
■ Audio
■ Navigation £ 17
Instruments and warning lights Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Yellow symbols
A yellow symbol signals a warning.
Check the relevant function as soon as possible.
The meaning of the yellow symbols:  Check engine oil level,
engine oil sensor disturbed
⇒ 
page 23 One warning signal will sound if a yellow symbol appears.
If several operational faults of priority 2 exist, the symbols appear one after the
other and are each illuminated for about 5 seconds.

Set-up You can change certain settings by means of the information display. The current
setting is shown on the information display in the respective menu at the top be-
low the line.
You can select the following information (depending on the equipment installed
on the vehicle):
●
Language
● MFD Data
● Time
● Winter tyres
● Units
● Alternative speed displayed (Second speed)
● Service Interval (Service)
● Factory Setting
● Back
After selecting the menu point Back you will reach one level higher in the menu. Language
Here you can set in which language the warning and information texts should be
displayed.
Displays of the MFA
Here you can switch off or on certain displays of the multi-functional indicator.
Time
Here you can set the time, the time format (12 or 24 hour indicator) and the time
change summer/winter time.
Winter tyres
Here you can set at which speed a warning signal should sound. This function is
used for e.g winter tyres with the permissible maximum speed less than the maxi-
mum speed of the vehicle.
When exceeding the speed, an indication is displayed on the information display:
Snow tyres max. speed ... km/h (Winter tyres maximum ... km/h)
Measures
Here you can set the units for temperature, consumption and distance driven.
Second speed
Here you can switch on the display of the second speed in mph or in km/h 1)
.
Service
Here you can have the kilometers still to be driven and the days until the follow-
ing service interval shown and the Service Interval Display reset.
Factory Setting
After selecting the menu Factory setting the factory setting of the information
display is restored. 1)
Valid for countries where the values are indicated in British measuring units. 19
Instruments and warning lights Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Airbag system
Description of the airbag system General information on the airbag system The front airbag system is complementary to the three-point seat belts and offers
additional protection for the head and chest area of the driver and passenger in
the event of a frontal collision.
In the event of a side collision, the side airbags reduce the risk of injury to the oc-
cupants to the part of their body facing the side of the accident.
The airbag system is only functional after the ignition has been switched on.
The operational readiness of the airbag system is monitored electronically. The
airbag warning light comes on for a few seconds each time the ignition is switch-
ed on.
The airbag system (according to vehicle equipment) consists of:
●
an electronic control unit;
● the front airbags for the driver and front passenger ⇒ page 114;
● the side airbags ⇒ page 116;
● head airbags ⇒ page 117 ;
● an airbag indicator light in the instrument cluster ⇒ page 26;
● a front passenger airbag switch ⇒ page 120;
● an indicator light for a switched off front seat passenger airbag in the middle
of the dash panel ⇒ page 120.
A fault in the airbag system exists if:
● the airbag indicator light does not light up when the ignition is switched on;
● the airbag indicator light does not go out after about 3 seconds after the igni-
tion is switched on;
● the airbag indicator light goes out and comes on again after the ignition is
switched on;
● the airbag indicator light comes on or flickers when driving;
● the airbag indicator light showing a switched-off front passenger airbag in the
middle of the dash panel flashes. WARNING
● To enable the occupants of a car to be protected with the greatest possi-
ble effect when the airbag is deployed, the front seats must be ⇒ 

page 106,
Correct seated position correctly adjusted to match the body size of the occu-
pant.
● If you do not fasten the seat belts when driving, lean too far forward or
adopt an incorrect seated position, you are exposing yourself to increased risk
of injury in the event of an accident.
● Have the airbag system checked immediately by a specialist garage if a
fault exists. Otherwise, there is a risk of the airbag not being activated in the
event of an accident.
● No modifications of any kind may be made to parts of the airbag system.
● It is prohibited to manipulate individual parts of the airbag system as this
might result in the airbag being deployed.
● The protective function of the airbag system is sufficient for only one acci-
dent. The airbag system must then be replaced if the airbag has been de-
ployed.
● The airbag system needs no maintenance during its working life.
● If you sell your car, please hand over the complete vehicle documentation
to the new owener. Please note that the documents relating to the possibility
of deactivating the front passenger airbag are also part of the vehicle docu-
ments!
● If the vehicle or individual parts of the airbag system are scrapped, it is es-
sential to observe the relevant safety precautions. The authorised ŠKODA
Service Partners are familiar with these regulations.
● When disposing of vehicle or parts of the airbag system, it is important to
comply with the national legal requirements. 
When are the airbags deployed? The airbag system is designed in such a way that the driver and front passenger
airbag are deployed in the event of a violent frontal collision
.
In the case of a violent side crash , the side airbag in the front seat and the head
airbag on the side on which the collision occurs are deployed. £ 113
Airbag system Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

WARNING (Continued)
● There must not be any other persons (e.g. children) or animals between
the car occupant and the deployment area of the head airbag. In addition,
none of the occupants should lean their head out of the window when driving,
or extend their arms and hands out of the window.
● The sun visors must not be swivelled to the side windows into the deploy-
ment area of the head airbags if any objects, such as ball-point pens etc. are
attached to them. This might result in injuries to the occupants if the head air-
bag is deployed.
● Installing impermissible accessories in the area of the head airbags may
considerably impair the protection offered by the head airbag in the event of it
being deployed. When the deployed head airbag is inflated, parts of the acces-
sories fitted may in certain circumstances be thrown into the interior of the
car and cause injuries to the occupants ⇒ page 169.
● Any work on the head airbag system including installing and removing sys-
tem components because of other repair work (e.g. removing headliner) must
only be carried out by a specialist garage. 
Deactivating airbags Deactivating airbags If any airbags have been deactivated, switch them on again as
soon as possible so that they are able to again provide their proper
protection.
There is the technical means installed within your vehicle to switch off the front,
side or head airbag (take out of commission).
This is why you should have the deactivation of the airbags carried out by a spe-
cialist garage.
On vehicles equipped with the switch for deactivation of the airbags, you can de-
activate the front passenger front airbag by means of this switch ⇒ page 120.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 is seated with its back to the direction of travel (in some countries
this must be in the direction of travel due to other legal regulations applying)
⇒ page 121, 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 airbag indicator light lights up for 3 seconds each time the ignition is
switched on and then flashes after that for about 12 seconds.
If the airbag was switched off using the airbag switch on the side of the dash
panel:
● the airbag indicator light in the instrument cluster comes on for about 3 sec-
onds each time the ignition is switched on;
● switching off the airbag is indicated by the lighting up of the indicator light in
the display       in the middle of the dash panel ⇒ fig. 109 - right. Note
Your authorised ŠKODA Service Partner will be able to advise you whether nation-
al legislation in your country allows airbags in your vehicle to be deactivated, and
which ones.  119
Airbag system Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Replenishing engine oil
–
Inspecting the engine oil level ⇒ page 155.
– Unscrew the cap of the engine oil filler opening.
– Pour in a suitable grade of oil in portions of 0.5 litres ⇒ 
page 195.
– Inspect the oil level ⇒ 
page 155.
– 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 153, Working in the engine
compartment before working in the engine compartment. For the sake of the environment
The oil level must on no account be above the range a ⇒ page 155. Oil will other-
wise be drawn in through the crankcase ventilation and may pass through the ex-
haust system to atmosphere. The oil may 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 12.WARNING
● Only carry out the engine oil change, if you have the required professional
knowledge!
● Read and observe the warning notes ⇒ 
page 153, Working in the engine
compartment before working in the engine compartment.
● First of all, let the engine cool down, wear an eye protection and gloves -
risk of caustic burns due to hot oil. CAUTION
You must not pour any additives into the engine oil - risk of engine damage! Dam-
age, which results from such product, 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 properly disposing of old oil, the necessary
special tools and the knowledge required for such work, we recommend that you
have the oil and oil filter change carried out by an authorised ŠKODA Service Part-
ner. 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 any maintenance under normal operating
conditions. The coolant consists of water with a concentration of coolant additive
of 40 %. This mixture not only provides antifreeze protection down to -25°C but
also protects the cooling and heating system from corrosion. It also prevents the
formation of scale and significantly increases the boiling point of the coolant.
You must therefore not reduce the concentration of antifreeze agent in the cool- ant by adding water, also not during the summer months or in countries with a
warm climate. The concentration of coolant additive in the coolant must be at
least 40 %.
You can increase the amount of antifreeze in the coolant if a higher concentration
of antifreeze is necessary for climatic reasons but only up to 60% (antifreeze pro- tection down to approx. -40°C). The antifreeze protection tails off above that con-
centration.
Vehicles exported to countries with a cold climate (e.g. Sweden, Norway, Finland)
are already factory-filled with a coolant which offers antifreeze protection down
to about -35°C. In these countries the concentration of coolant additive should be
at least 50 %.
Coolant
The cooling system is factory-filled with coolant (purple in colour), which complies
with the specification TL-VW 774

G. £156
Inspecting and Replenishing

Battery cover
Fig. 132 The battery: Pull up the cover (automatic gearbox)/(manual gearbox)
The battery is located in the engine compartment below a plastic box.
– Unlock the interlock on the positive terminal side of the battery ⇒ fig. 132 -
left.
– Pull up the cover in direction of arrow ⇒ fig. 132
- left (automatic gearbox) or
⇒ fig. 132 - right (manual gearbox).
– The installation of the battery cover on the positive terminal side takes place
in the reverse order. 
Battery control Fig. 133 The battery: Electrolyte level
indicator
The battery is practically maintenance-free under normal operating conditions. We recommend you have the electrolyte level checked by a specialist garage from
time to time, especially in the following cases.
●
High outside temperatures.
● Long daily drives
● After each charge ⇒ 
page 162.
On vehicles with a vehicle battery fitted with a colour indicator, the so-called mag-
ic eye ⇒

 fig. 133 , the electrolyte level can be determined by looking at the change
in colour.
Air bubbles can influence the colour of the indicator. For this reason carefully
knock on the indicator before carrying out the check.
● Black colour - electrolyte level is correct.
● Colourless or light yellow colour - electrolyte level too low, the battery must be
replaced. Note
● The battery electrolyte level is periodically checked by an authorised ŠKODA
Service Partner as part of the Inspection Service.
● For technical reasons, on vehicles with the description

“AGM”, the electrolyte
level cannot be checked.
● Vehicles with a “START-STOP” system are fitted with a battery control unit for
checking the energy level for the recurring engine start. 
Operation in winter The battery has to provide greater amounts of electricity during the winter. It also
has only part of the initial power output at low temperatures that it has at normal
temperatures.
A discharged battery may already freeze at temperatures just below 0°C.
We therefore recommend that you have the battery checked by a specialist ga-
rage before the start of the winter, and recharged if necessary.
WARNING
Never charge a frozen or thawed battery - risk of explosion and caustic burns.
Replace a frozen battery. 161
Inspecting and Replenishing Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Charging the battery
A properly charged battery is essential for reliably starting the en-
gine.
– Read the warning notes ⇒  in General information on page 160 and ⇒  .
– Switch the ignition and all electrical components off.
– Only for “quick-charging”: Disconnect both battery cables (first of all “nega-
tive ”, then
“positive”).
– Carefully attach the terminal clamps of the charger to the battery terminals
(red = “positive”, black = “negative

”).
– You can now plug the mains cable of the charger into the power socket and
switch on the charger.
– When charging is completed: switch the charger off and unplug the mains ca-
ble from the power socket.
– Only then should you disconnect the terminal clamps of the charger.
– Reconnect the cables to the battery (first of all “positive”, then “negative”).
It is not normally necessary to disconnect the cables of the battery if you recharge
the battery using low amperages (as for example from a mini-charger). Please al-
so refer to the instructions from the charger manufacturer.
A charging current of 0.1 of the total battery capacity (or lower) is that which
should be used until full charging is achieved.
It is, however, necessary to disconnect both cables before charging the battery
with high amperages, so-called “ quick-charging”.
“Quick-charging

” a battery is dangerous ⇒  in General information on page 160.
It requires a special charger and specialist knowledge. We recommend having the
quick charging of vehicle batteries undertaken by a specialist garage.
A discharged battery may already freeze at temperatures just below 0°C ⇒  . We
recommend that you no longer use a battery which has thawed out because the
casing of the battery may be cracked through the formation of ice and this would
allow battery electrolyte to flow out.
The vent plugs of the battery should not be opened for charging. WARNING
● Never charge a frozen or thawed battery - risk of explosion and caustic
burns. Replace a frozen battery.
● Never charge a battery which has a too low electrolyte level - risk of explo-
sion and caustic burns. CAUTION
On vehicles with the “START/STOP” system, the pole terminal of the charger must
not be connected directly to the negative terminal of the vehicle battery, but only
to the engine earth ⇒ fig. 148. 
Disconnecting and reconnecting the battery On disconnecting and reconnecting the battery the following functions are initially
deactivated or are no longer able to operate fault-free.
Operation Operating measure
Electrical power window (operational faults) ⇒ page 38
Enter the car stereo/radio navigation system
code number see operating instructions for the
car stereo/radio navigation sys-
tem
Setting the clock ⇒ page 13
Data in the multi-functional indicator are de-
leted.
⇒ page 14
We recommend having the vehicle checked by an authorised ŠKODA Service Part-
ner to ensure full functionality of all electrical systems.

Replacing the battery When replacing a battery, the new new battery must have the same capacity,
voltage (12


V), amperage and be the same size. Suitable types of vehicle battery
are available from an authorised ŠKODA Service Partner.
We recommend you have a battery change carried out by an authorised ŠKODA
Service Partner, who will properly install the new battery and dispose of the origi-
nal one. £162
Inspecting and Replenishing

WARNING
● You must have your tyres replaced with new ones at the latest when the
wear indicators have been worn down. The legally permissible minimum tread
depth should be observed.
● Worn tyres do not provide the necessary adhesion to the road surface at
high speeds on wet roads. One could experience “ aquaplaning
” (uncontrolled
movements of the vehicle - “swimming” on a wet road surface). 
Changing wheels around If significantly greater wear is present on the front tyres, we recommend changing
the front wheels around with the rear wheels. You will then obtain approximately
the same life for all the tyres.
It may be advantageous to swap the tyres over
“

crosswise” when uneven wear
characteristic arise on the running surfaces of the tyres (but not in the case of uni-
directional tyres). We recommend that you contact an authorised ŠKODA Service
Partner. They have extensive knowledge about the possible combinations.
We recommend that you change the wheels around every 10 000 km in order to
achieve even wear on all wheels and to obtain optimal tyre life. 
New tyres and wheels Tyres and wheel rims are important design elements. One should therefore use
the tyres and wheel rims which have been released for use by
ŠKODA. They are
exactly matched to the vehicle type and therefore contribute significantly to good
road holding and safe driving characteristics ⇒  .
Only fit radial tyres of the same type on all 4 wheels, size (rolling circumference)
and, if possible, the same tread pattern on one axle.
Authorised ŠKODA

Service Partners have access to the most current information
about which tyres we have released for use on your vehicle.
We recommend that you have any work relating to tyres or wheels carried out by
an authorised ŠKODA Service Partner. Authorised ŠKODA Service Partners have
all of the necessary special tools and replacement parts available plus the re-
quired specialist knowledge and are also in a position to properly dispose of the
old tyres. A large number of authorised ŠKODA Service Partners also have an at-
tractive range of tyres and wheels available. The tyre/wheel combinations which are approved for your vehicle are indicated in
your vehicle documents. Approval and licensing may differ according to the legis-
lation prevailing in individual countries.
Proper knowledge of the tyre data makes it easier for you to select the correct
type of tyre. Tyres do, for example, have the following
inscription on their walls:
185 / 65 R 14 86 T
What this means is: 185 Tyre width in mm
65 Height/width ratio in %
R Code letter for the type of tyre -
R adial 14 Diameter of wheel in inches
86 Load index
T Speed symbol
The following speed restrictions apply to tyres.
Speed symbol Permissible maximum speed
Q 160 km/h
R 170 km/h
S 180 km/h
T 190 km/h
U 200 km/h
H 210 km/h
V 240 km/h
W 270 km/h
The date of manufacture
is also stated on the tyre wall (possibly only on the in-
side of wheel).
DOT ... 20 11...
means, for example, that the tyre was manufactured in the 20th week of the year
2011.
Any spare wheel which differs from the tyres fitted to the vehicle (e.g. winter
tyres or low-profile tyres) should only be used only for a short time in the event of
a puncture and when adopting an appropriately cautious style of driving. It should
be replaced as quickly as possible by a normal wheel. £166
Wheels and Tyres