oil pressure SKODA OCTAVIA 2011 2.G / (1Z) Owner's Manual

Head airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Deactivating an airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Transporting children safely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
What you should know about transporting children! . 147
Child seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Attaching a child seat using the “ISOFIX” system . . . . 152
Attaching child seat using the “Top Tether” system . . 153
Driving Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Intelligent Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
General information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Electronic stability programme (ESP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Brake booster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Antilock brake system (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Uphill Start Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Electromechanical power steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Tyre pressure monitoring system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Diesel particle filter (diesel engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Driving and the Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
The first 1 500 kilometres and afterwards . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Driving in an economical and environmentally
conscious manner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Environmental compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Motoring abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Avoiding damage to your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Driving through bodies of water on roads . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Technical requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
General Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Driving Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169 General Maintenance
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the
vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Care of the exterior of vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Care of the interior of vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Biofuel Ethanol E85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Inspecting and Replenishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Cooling system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Windshield washer system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Wheels and Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Accessories, changes and replacement of parts . 197
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Breakdown assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Breakdown assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
First-aid box and Warning triangle (Octavia) . . . . . . . . . 198
First-aid box and warning triangle (Estate car) . . . . . . . 198
Fire extinguisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Vehicle tool kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Spare wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Changing a wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Tyre repair kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Towing the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Fuses and light bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Electric fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214 Technical data
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
General information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Used abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Performances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Identification details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Fuel consumption according to the ECE standards and
EU guidelines
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Engine oil specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Engine 1.2 l/77 kW TSI - EU5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Engine 1.4 l/59 kW - EU4, EU5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Engine 1.4 l/90 kW TSI - EU5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Engine 1.6 l/75 kW - EU2, EU4, EU5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Engine 1.8 l/112 kW TSI - EU5, EU2 DDK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Engine 1.8 l/118 kW TSI - EU5, EU2 DDK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Engine 2.0 l/147 kW TSI - EU5, EU2 DDK . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Engine 1.6 l/77 kW TDI CR - EU5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Engine 1.9 l/77 kW TDI PD - EU4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Engine 2.0 l/81 kW TDI CR - EU4, EU5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Engine 2.0 l/103 kW TDI CR - EU4, EU5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Engine 2.0 l/125 kW TDI CR - EU5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Multi-purpose vehicles (AF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2394
Table of Contents

Auto Check Control
Car state The Auto Check Control carries out a check of certain functions and vehicle com-
ponents. The check is performed constantly when the ignition is switched on,
both when the vehicle is stationary, as well as when driving.
Some operational faults, urgent repairs, service work or other information appear
in the display of the instrument cluster. The displays are shown with a red or yel-
low light symbol depending on the priority of the message.
The red symbols indicate danger (priority 1) while the yellow symbols indicate a
warning (priority 2). Information for the driver may also appear in addition to the
symbols ⇒ page 21.
There is at least one error message when the term Vehicle status is displayed in
the menu. After selecting this menu the first of the error messages is displayed.
Several error messages are shown on the display under the message e.g. 1/3. This
indicates that the first of a total of three error messages is displayed. Investigate
the displayed faults as soon as possible.
As long as the operational faults are not rectified, the symbols are always indica-
ted again. After the first display, the symbols are indicated without information for
the driver.
If a fault occurs, a warning signal will also sound in addition to the symbol and
text in the display:
● Priority 1 - three warning signals
● Priority 2 - one warning signal 
Red symbols A red symbol signals danger.
– Bring the vehicle to a stop.
– Switch the engine off.
– Investigate the function indicated.
– Obtain professional assistance.
Meaning of the red symbols:  Engine oil pressure too low ⇒ 
page 25  Overheated clutches of the automatic gear-
box DSG ⇒ page 29
Three successive warning signals will sound if a red symbol appears.

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 faulty
⇒ page 29
 Problem with en-
gine oil pressure It is also important to have the vehicle inspected
without delay by a specialist garage. The informa-
tion about the maximum permissible engine speed is displayed together with this symbol. In certain countries, if a yellow symbol appears
one warning signal will sound as
well.
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
● Convenience
● Lights & Vision
● Time
● Winter tyres £ 19
Instruments and warning lights Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data


Low beam
⇒ page 23
 Rear fog light
⇒ page 23
 Speed regulating system
⇒ page 23
 Failure of the light bulbs
⇒ page 23
 Diesel particle filter (diesel engine)
⇒ page 23
 Airbag system
⇒ page 24
 Control system for exhaust
⇒ page 24
  Electromechanical power steering
⇒ page 24
 Engine oil pressure
⇒ page 25
 EPC fault light (petrol engine)
⇒ page 25
 Glow plug system (diesel engine)
⇒ page 25
 Coolant temperature/coolant level
⇒ page 25
 Traction control system (TCS)
⇒ page 26
 Electronic stability programme (ESP)
⇒ page 26
 Switch off traction control system (TCS)
⇒ page 26
 Selector lever lock
⇒ page 27
 Tyre pressure
⇒ page 27
 Antilock brake system (ABS)
⇒ page 27 
Bonnet
⇒ page 27
 Seat belt warning light
⇒ page 28
 Boot lid
⇒ page 28
 Open door
⇒ page 28
 Fluid level in windshield washer system
⇒ page 28
 Brake system
⇒ page 28
 Handbrake
⇒ page 29
 Generator
⇒ page 29
 Engine oil level
⇒ page 29
 Fuel reserve
⇒ page 29 WARNING
● If you do not pay attention to the warning lights coming on and the corre-
sponding descriptions and warning notes, this may result in severe body inju-
ries or major vehicle damage.
● The engine compartment of your car is a hazardous area. There is a risk of
injuries, scalding, accidents and fire when working in the engine compart-
ment, e.g. inspecting and replenishing oil and other fluids. It is also essential
to observe all warnings ⇒
 page 181, Working in the engine compartment. Note
● The arrangement of the indicator lights depends on the model version. The
symbols shown in the following functional description are to be found as indicator
lights in the instrument cluster.
● Operational faults are shown in the instrument cluster as red symbols (priority
1 - danger) or yellow symbols (priority 2 - warning). 22
Instruments and warning lights

Engine oil pressure 
The warning light
 comes on for a few seconds 1)
when the ignition is switched
on.
Stop the vehicle and switch the engine off if the warning light does not go off
after the engine has started or flashes while driving. Check the oil level and top up
with oil as necessary ⇒ page 183
, Replenishing engine oil.
An audible signal sounds three times as an additional warning signal.
Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under the con-
ditions prevailing to top up with oil. Keep the engine switched off and obtain pro-
fessional assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it could lead to severe en-
gine damage.
Do not drive any further if the warning light flashes even if the oil is at the correct
level. Do not run the engine not at idling speed either. Contact the nearest spe-
cialist garage to obtain professional assistance.
The following text will be displayed in the information display:
Oil Pressure: Engine off! Owner's manual Switch off the engine! Car docu-
mentation! WARNING
● If you must stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe dis-
tance from the traffic and switch off the engine and switch on the hazard
warning light system.
● The red oil pressure light  is not an oil level indicator! One should there-
fore check the oil level at regular intervals, preferably after every refueling
stop. 
EPC fault light 
 (petrol engine) The

 (Electronic Power Control) warning light comes on for a few seconds when
the ignition is switched on. If the warning light

 does not go out or lights up after starting the engine, a
fault exists in the engine control. The engine management system selects an
emergency programme which enables you to drive to the nearest specialist ga-
rage by adopting a gentle style of driving. 
Glow plug system  (diesel engine) The warning light
 lights up for a cold
engine when switching on the ignition
(pre-heat position) 2 ⇒ page 98. Start the engine after the indicator light goes
out.
The glow plug indicator light will come on for about 1 second if the engine is at a
normal operating temperature or if the outside temperature is above +5 °C. This
means that you can start the engine right away.
There is a fault in the glow plug system if the warning light  does not come on
or lights up continuously ; contact a specialist garage as soon as possible to ob-
tain assistance.
If the warning light  begins to flash while driving, a fault exists in the engine
control. The engine management system selects an emergency programme which
enables you to drive to the nearest specialist garage by adopting a gentle style of
driving. 
Coolant temperature/ Coolant quantity  The warning light
 comes on for a few seconds 2)
when the ignition is switched
on.
The coolant temperature is too high or the coolant level too low if the warning
light 

does not go out or flashes while driving.
3 peeps sound as an additional warning signal.
In this case stop and switch the engine off and check the coolant level; top up
the coolant as necessary. £1)
The warning light  on vehicles fitted with information display does not come on after switching
the ignition on, but only if a fault exists or the engine oil level is too low.
2) The warning light  on vehicles fitted with information display does not come on after switching the
ignition on, but only if the coolant temperature is too high or the coolant level is too low. 25
Instruments and warning lights Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

3
- start engine
Applies to all models:
Position 1 To
lock the steering , with the ignition key withdrawn, turn the steering wheel un-
til the steering locking pin is heard to engage. You should always lock the steering
as a general rule if you leave your vehicle. This acts as a deterrent against possible
theft of your vehicle ⇒  .
Position 2 Move the steering wheel back and forward a little if the ignition key cannot, or
cannot easily be turned into this position, in order to release the steering lock.
Position
3 The engine is started in this position. At the same time switched on low beam or
main beam or other electrical components with major power consumption are
briefly switched off. The ignition key moves back into position
2 when one relea-
ses the key.
The ignition key must be turned back into position 1 each time before starting
the engine again. The starter repeat lock in the ignition lock prevents the starter
being engaged when the engine is running and thus getting damaged.
Ignition key withdrawal lock (automatic gearbox)
You can only withdraw the ignition key after switching off the ignition if the selec-
tor lever is in position P.WARNING
● When driving, the ignition key must always be in the position 2 (ignition
switched on) without the engine running. This position is indicated by the
warning lights coming on. If this is not the case, it could result in unexpected
locking of the steering wheel - risk of accident!
● Only remove the ignition key from the ignition lock when the vehicle has
come to a standstill (by applying the handbrake or moving the selector lever
into the position
P). The steering lock can engage immediately - risk of acci-
dent!
● Always withdraw the ignition key if you are going to leave the vehicle,
even for a short time. This is particularly important if children are left in the
vehicle. The children might otherwise start the engine or switch on electrical
equipment (e.g. power windows) - risk of accident or injury! Starting the engine
General You can only start the engine only using an original ignition key.
Manual gearbox
– Place the gearshift lever into neutral and put on the handbrake firmly before
starting the engine.
– Engage the clutch pedal and keep it depressed until the engine starts.
If you start the engine without depressing the clutch pedal, the engine does not
start and the following message appears in the Information display Depress
clutch! or CLUTCH in the display of the instrument cluster.
– Let go of the key as soon as the engine starts otherwise there may be damage
to the starter.
Automatic gearbox
– Place the gearshift lever into P or N before starting the engine, and apply the
handbrake firmly.
– Let go of the key as soon as the engine starts otherwise there may be damage
to the starter.
The engine running noises may louder at first be louder for a short time after
starting the cold engine until oil pressure can be built up in the hydraulic valve
clearance compensation. This is quite normal and is not an operating problem.
If the engine does not start ...
You can use the battery of another vehicle as a jump-start aid ⇒

 page 206. WARNING
● Never run the engine in non ventilated or enclosed areas. The exhaust
gases of the engine contain besides the odorless and colourless carbon mon-
oxide a poisonous gas - hazard! Carbon monoxide can cause unconsciousness
and death.
● Never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running. £ 99
Starting-off and Driving Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Brakes
What has a negative effect on braking efficiency?
Wear-and-tear
Wear-and-tear to the brake pads is greatly dependent on the operating conditions
of the vehicle and your style of driving. Particularly if you drive a great deal in
towns and over short distances or if you adopt a sporty style of driving, it may be
necessary to have the thickness of the brake pads inspected at a specialist garage
between the service inspections.
Wet roads or road salt
There may be a certain delay before the brakes take full effect under certain con-
ditions such as when driving through water, during heavy rain showers or after
the vehicle has been washed in an automatic vehicle wash, since the brake discs
and brake pads may be moist or even have a coating of ice on them in winter. You
should dry the brakes as soon as possible by applying and releasing the brakes
several times.
There also may be a certain delay before the full braking efficiency is available
when driving on roads which have been treated with road salt if you have not
used the brakes for some considerable time beforehand. The layer of salt on the
brake discs and brake pads must first be rubbed off when you apply the brakes.
Corrosion
Corrosion on the brake discs and dirt on the bake pads occur if the vehicle has
been parked for a long period and if you do not make much use of the braking sys-
tem.
We recommend cleaning the brake discs by firmly applying the brakes at a fairly
high speed if you do not make much use of the braking system or if surface corro-
sion is present ⇒  .
Faults in the brake surface
If you notice that the braking distance has suddenly become longer and that the
brake pedal can be depressed further, it is possible that a brake circuit of the dual-
circuit brake system has failed. Drive, in such cases, to the nearest specialist ga-
rage without delay in order to have the problem rectified. Drive at a reduced
speed while on your way to the dealer and adapt your style of driving to the high-
er brake pedal pressure required. Low brake fluid level
An insufficient level of brake fluid may result in problems in the brake system. The
level of the brake fluid is monitored electronically
⇒ page 28, Brake system . WARNING
● Only apply the brakes for the purpose of drying and cleaning the brake
discs if the traffic conditions permit this. Do not place any other road users in
jeopardy.
● When retrospectively mounting a front spoiler, solid wheel hubs etc. one
must ensure that the air supply to the front wheel brakes is not reduced oth-
erwise the braking system could run too hot.
● Allow for the fact that new brake pads do not achieve their full braking ef-
ficiency 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 increasing the pressure
on the brake pedal. This guideline also applies to any new brake pads installed
at a future date. CAUTION
● Never allow the brakes to rub by applying slight pressure if you do not wish to
brake the vehicle. This causes the brakes to overheat and can also result in a lon-
ger braking distance and excessive wear.
● Before negotiating a steep downhill section, please reduce your speed, shift
down into the next lower gear (manual gearbox) or select a lower driving stage
(automatic gearbox). This enables you to make full use of the braking power of
the vehicle and reduces the strain on the brakes. Any additional braking should be
done intermittently, not continuously. Note
The brake light flashes automatically in case of an emergency braking at speeds
greater than 60 km/h or with the intervention of the ABS, which lasts longer than
1.5 seconds. After the speed was reduced below 10 km/h or the vehicle was stop-
ped, the brake light stops flashing and the hazard warning light system switches
on. The hazard warning light system is switched off automatically after accelerat-
ing or driving off again.  157
Intelligent Technology Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Regular servicing
A poorly tuned engine uses an unnecessarily high amount of fuel.
Having your vehicle serviced regularly at a specialist garage enables you to satisfy
one of the requirements for economical motoring even before you set off on your
journey. Keeping your vehicle properly serviced not only has a positive effect on
the safety of your vehicle and maintaining its value, but also saves on fuel.
A poorly tuned engine can result in a fuel consumption which is 10 % higher than
normal.
The foreseen maintenance work should be undertaken exactly according to the
Service schedule by a specialist garage.
Also check the oil level after refuelling. Oil consumption is dependent to a consid-
erable extent on the load and speed of the engine. Oil consumption could be as
high as 0.5 litres/1 000 km depending on your style of driving.
It is quite normal that a new engine has a higher oil consumption at first, and rea-
ches its lowest level only after a certain running in time. It is therefore not possi-
ble to correctly assess the oil consumption of a new vehicle until after you have
driven about 5 000 km. For the sake of the environment
● You can achieve additional improvements in your fuel economy by using high-
lubricity oils.
● Check the ground below your car at regular intervals to detect any leakages in
good time. Please have your vehicle inspected by a specialist garage if you find
any stains caused by oil or other fluids on the floor. Avoid driving short distances Short distances result in an above-average high fuel consumption.
Fig. 144 Fuel consumption in litres/100
km at different temperatures
– Avoid driving a distance of no more than 4 km if the engine is cold.
The engine and catalytic converter must first have reached their optimal operat-
ing temperature in order to effectively reduce fuel consumption and pollutant
emissions.
The cold engine vehicle consumes approx. 15 - 20 litres/100 km of fuel immediate-
ly after starting. Fuel consumption drops to 10 litres/100 km after just 1 kilometre.
The engine reaches its operating temperature (outside temperature and engine
dependent) only after about 4 to 10 kilometres and the fuel consumption then
stabilizes. You should therefore avoid driving short distances whenever possible.
An important factor in this connection is also the ambient temperature. The
⇒  fig. 144 shows the different fuel consumptions for the same distance, on the
one hand at +20 °C and on the other hand at -10
°C. Your vehicle has a higher fuel
consumption in winter than in summer. 
Checking tyre inflation pressures Tyres which are correctly inflated save fuel.
Always ensure that your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure at all times. The
rolling resistance will be increased if the tyre filling pressure is too low. This will
not only increase fuel consumption but also tyre wear and the driving behaviour
will worsen.
Always check the inflation pressure of the tyres when cold. £164
Driving and the Environment

There are no particular points to note before washing your vehicle in an automatic
vehicle wash system other than the usual precautionary measures (closing the
windows including the sliding/tilting roof, removing the external antenna, etc.).
If you have any particular attached parts fitted to your car - such as spoiler, roof
rack system, two-way radio aerial - it is best to first of all consult the operator of
the car wash plant.
It is important to degrease the lips of the windshield wiper rubbers after passing
through the automatic vehicle wash system. 
Washing vehicle by hand It is important to first soften the dirt with plenty of water and rinse it off as thor-
oughly as possible before washing your vehicle by hand.
One should then clean the vehicle using a soft
washing sponge, washing glove or
a washing brush and only slight pressure. Work from the top to the bottom - be-
ginning with the roof. Only place slight pressure on the vehicle paintwork during
cleaning Only use a car shampoo for stubborn dirt.
Wash out the sponge or washing glove thoroughly at short intervals.
Clean wheels, door sills and similar parts last. Use a second sponge for such areas.
Rinse off the vehicle well after giving it a wash and dry it off using a chamois
leather. WARNING
● The ignition should always be switched off when you wash your vehicle -
risk of accident!
● Protect your hands and arms from sharp-edged metal parts when you are
cleaning the underfloor, the inside of the wheel housings or the wheel trims -
risk of cuts. CAUTION
● Do not wash your vehicle in bright sunlight - risk of paint damage.
● Ensure that the jet of water is not aimed directly at the locking cylinders or at
the door and panel joints if you spray your vehicle in winter down with a hose -
risk of freezing.
● Do not use any insect sponges, rough kitchen sponges or similar cleaning
products - risk of damage to the surface of paintwork. For the sake of the environment
Only wash your vehicle at washing bays specifically reserved for this purpose. This
ensures that no water which may be contaminated by oil flows into the sewage
system. It is not even permitted to wash your vehicle in certain areas except at
such specific washing bays. 
Washing with a high-pressure cleaner When you wash your vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner, it is essential to comply
with the instructions for use of the cleaning equipment. This applies in particular
to the pressure
used and to the spraying distance. Maintain a sufficiently large
distance to soft materials such as rubber hoses or insulation material.
On no account use circular spray nozzles or so-called dirt cutters! WARNING
It is particularly important that you do not clean tyres with circular spray jets.
Visible but also invisible damage to tyres may occur even at a relatively large
spraying distance and if sprayed only for a short time - risk of accident! CAUTION
The water containing wax must be no hotter than 60 °C, otherwise the vehicle
can be damaged. 
Wax treatment Good wax treatment is an effective way of protecting the paintwork from harmful
environmental influences and minor mechanical damage.
The vehicle must be treated with a high-quality hard wax polish at the latest,
when no more drops form on the clean paintwork.
A new layer of a high-quality hard wax polish can be applied to the clean body-
work after it has dried thoroughly. Even if you use a wax preserver regularly we
still recommend that you treat the paintwork of the vehicle at least twice a year
with hard wax. CAUTION
Never apply wax to the windows.  171
Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

It is normal for the engine to consume oil. The oil consumption may be as much as
0.5 l/1 000 km depending on your style of driving and the conditions under which
you operate your vehicle. The oil consumption may be slightly higher than this
during the first 5 000 kilometres.
One should therefore check the oil level at regular intervals, preferably every time
after the fuel tank is filled or after driving for long stretches.
We recommend maintaining the oil level within the range A - but not above this
,
if the engine has been operating at high loads, for example during a lengthy mo-
torway trip during the summer months, towing a trailer or negotiating a high
mountain pass.
The warning light in the instrument cluster will indicate whether the oil level is
too low ⇒ page 25, Engine oil pressure . In this case, check the oil level as soon
as possible. Top up with an appropriate quantity of oil. CAUTION
● The oil level must on no account extend beyond the range A . Danger of dam-
aging the catalytic converter.
● Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under the
conditions prevailing to top up with oil. Switch the engine off and obtain profes-
sional assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it could lead to severe en-
gine damage. Note
Engine oil specifications ⇒  page 221, Technical data. 
Replenishing engine oil –
Inspecting the engine oil level ⇒
 page 182.
– Unscrew the cap of the engine oil filler opening.
– Pour in a suitable grade of oil in portions of 0.5 litres ⇒ page 224, Engine oil
specifications.
– Inspect the oil level ⇒ page 182
.
– 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 181, Working in the engine
compartment before working in the engine compartment. For the sake of the environment
The oil level must on no account extend beyond the range A ⇒
 
page 182. Oil will
otherwise be drawn in through the crankcase ventilation and may pass through
the exhaust 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, Service reminder indicator

. WARNING
● Only carry out the engine oil change, if you have the required professional
knowledge!
● Read and observe the warning notes ⇒
 page 181, 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. £ 183
Inspecting and Replenishing Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Inspecting the coolant level
Fig. 152 Engine compartment: Coolant
expansion bottle
The coolant expansion bottle is located in the engine compartment on the right.
– Switch the engine off.
– Open the bonnet ⇒ page 180 .
– Check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion bottle ⇒ fig. 152 . The cool-
ant level when the engine is cold must lie between the b (MIN) and
a (MAX)
markings. The level may also rise slightly above the a (MAX) marking when
the engine is warm.
If the coolant level in the reservoir is too low, this is indicated by the warning light
in the instrument cluster ⇒ page 25, Coolant temperature/ Coolant quantity 
. We
still recommend inspecting the coolant level directly at the reservoir from time to
time.
Loss of coolant
A loss of coolant is first and foremost an indication of a leak in the system. You
should not merely top up the coolant in the reservoir. It is also important to have
the cooling system inspected without delay by a specialist garage.
Losses can only occur through the pressure relief in the cap of the coolant expan-
sion bottle which is completely free of leaks if the coolant boils as a result of over-
heating and is forced out of the cooling system. WARNING
Read and observe the warning notes ⇒ page 181, Working in the engine com-
partment
before working in the engine compartment. CAUTION
One should contact a specialist garage as soon as possible if the source of over-
heating itself cannot be determined and removed, since there may be grave dam-
age to the engine. 
Replenishing the coolant –
Switch the engine off.
– Allow the engine to cool down.
– Place a cloth over the cap of the coolant expansion reservoir ⇒
 fig. 152 and un-
screw the cap carefully by turning it to the left ⇒  .
– Top up the coolant.
– Screw the cap tight until it is heard to lock.
The coolant which you use for replenishing the system, must comply with one
specific specification ⇒ page 184

. Do not use an alternative additive if the speci-
fied coolant additive is not available in exceptional cases. Just top up the system
with water and as soon as possible arrange adjustment to correct the mixing ratio
of water and coolant additive again by a specialist garage.
Only use fresh coolant for topping up the system.
Do not fill the coolant above the mark a (max.)
⇒ fig. 152 ! Excess coolant heats up
and then is forced out of the cooling system through the pressure relief valve in
the cap.
Wait until the engine has cooled down for a system which has suffered a major
loss of coolant before pouring in coolant. This is necessary to avoid engine dam-
age. WARNING
● The cooling system is pressurized! Do not open the cap of the coolant ex-
pansion bottle if the engine is still hot - risk of scalding!
● The coolant additive and thus all of the coolant is harmful to your health.
Avoid contact with the coolant. Coolant vapours are also harmful to the
health. It is important, therefore, to always safely store any coolant additive in
its original container out of the reach of children - risk of poisoning! £ 185
Inspecting and Replenishing Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data