maintenance SKODA RAPID SPACEBACK 2017 User Guide

Protection of cavities
All the cavities of your vehicle which are at risk from corrosion are protected by
a layer of long-lasting protective wax applied in the factory.
If any small amount of wax flow out of the cavities at high temperatures, these
must be removed with a plastic scraper and the stains cleaned using a petrole-
um cleaner.
Underbody
The underside of your vehicle is already permanently protected by the factory
against chemical and mechanical influences.
We recommend having the protective coating checked — preferably before the
beginning of winter and at the end of winter.
Product life of the films
Environmental influences (e.g. sunlight, humidity, air pollution, rockfall) affect
the life of the films. Films will age and become brittle – this is entirely normal;
this is not a fault.
Sunlight may also affect the strength of the film colour.
When transporting a load on the roof rack (e.g. roof box or similar), there is an
increased risk of film damage (e.g. of chipping from the secured load).
CAUTION
■ Vehicle paint
■ Repair damaged areas as soon as possible.
■ Matt-painted parts should not be treated with polishes or hard waxes.
■ Do not polish in a dusty environment - risk of paint scratches.
■ Do not apply any paint care products to door seals or window guides.■
Plastic parts
■ Do not use paint polish.
■
Chromed and anodised parts
■ Do not polish in a dusty environment - risk of surface scratches.
■
Films
The following instructions must be observed, otherwise there is a risk of film
damage. ■ Do not use dirty cloths or sponges for cleaning.
■ Do not use a scraper or other means to remove ice and snow.
■ Do not polish the films
■ Do not use a high pressure cleaner on the films.
■
Rubber seals
■ Do not treat the door seals and window guides deal with anything - the
protective varnish coating could be damaged.
■ Windows and door mirrors
■ Do not clean the insides of the windows/mirrors with sharp objects - risk of
damage to the filaments or the antenna. ■ Do not use a cloth which has been used to polish the body - this could dirty
the window and impair visibility.■
Head / taillights
■ Do not wipe head/taillights dry, do not use any sharp objects - risk of dam-
age to the protective coating and cracks forming on the headlight glass cov-
ers.
■
Reversing camera
The following instructions must be observed, otherwise there is a risk of
camera damage.
■ Do not remove snow / ice with warm / hot water.
■ To wash, never use a pressure washer or steam jet.
■ For cleaning, do not use abrasive cleaners.
■
Door lock cylinders
■ Make sure that as little water as possible gets into the locking cylinder
when washing the vehicle - there is a risk of freezing the lock cylinder!
■
Wheels
■ Heavy soiling of the wheels can affect the balance of the wheels - the re-
sult can be a vibration, which can cause premature wear of the steering.
Removing ice and snow from the windows
Fig. 148
Installation location of the ice
scraper, removing the scraper
Read and observe and on page 122 first.
Use a plastic ice scraper for removing snow and ice from the windows and mir-
rors. This can be on the inside of the fuel filler flap.
›
Open the fuel filler flap and slide the scraper in the direction of arrow
» Fig. 148 . 
124General Maintenance

CAUTION■Move the scraper in one direction only, otherwise there is a risk of damage to
the glass surface.■
Do not remove snow / ice on the surface that is soiled (e.g. pea gravel, sand,
road salt) - there is a risk of damaging the surface.
■
Remove snow / ice carefully, otherwise there is a risk of damaging the labels
that have been fitted by the factory.
Caring for the interior
Read and observe
and on page 122 first.
Vehicle compo- nentsCircumstancesRemedy
Natural leather /
Faux leather /
Alcantara ®
/
Material
Dust, surface
soilingVacuum cleanerSoiling (fresh)Water, slightly damp cotton / wool
cloth, if necessary, mild soap solution a)
,
then wipe off with a soft clothStubborn stainsCleaning fluid specifically for this taskCare (natural
leather)Treat the leather periodically with a
leather protecting fluid / use a care
cream with light blocker and impregna-
tion after each cleaningCare (Alcan-
tara ®
/ material)Remove stubborn hair using a “cleaning
glove”
Remove pills from materials with a
brushPlastic partsSoilingWater, slightly damp cloth or sponge, if
necessary cleaners specifically for this
purposeWindowsSoilingWash with clean water and dry with a
wipe specifically for that purposeCovers on electri-
cally heated seatsSoilingCleaners specifically for this purposeSeat belts » Soilingsoft cloth and mild soap solution a)a)
Mild soap solution = 2 tablespoons of natural soap to 1 litre of lukewarm water.
WARNING■
Never clean the seat belts chemically as chemical cleaning products could
destroy the fabric.■
Air fresheners and scents can be hazardous to heath when the tempera-
ture inside the vehicle is high.
CAUTION
■ Natural leather /Faux leather / Alcantara ®
/ material
■ Avoid standing for lengthy periods in bright sunlight, and protect the mate-
rials by covering to prevent them from fading.
■ Remove fresh stains (e.g. from pens, lipstick, shoe polish and similar) as
soon as possible.
■ Ensure that no part of the leather is soaked through during cleaning and
that no water gets into the seams - risk of damaging the leather!
■ Do not clean the roof panelling with a brush – risk of damage to the surface
of the panelling.
■ Do not use leather cleaners, floor wax, shoe cream, stain remover or similar
agents on Alcantara ®
seat upholstery.
■ Some clothing fabrics (e.g. dark denim) do not have sufficient colour fast-
ness - this could lead to clearly visible discolouration on the upholstery. This
is not a defect in the fabric.
■ Sharp objects on garments (e.g. zips, rivets, sharp- edged belts) can dam-
age the upholstery fabrics in the vehicle. Such damage will not be recognised
as a justified complaint.■
Plastic parts
■ Do not attach scents or air fresheners to the dashboard – risk of damage to
the dashboard.
■
Windows
■ Do not attach any stickers to the filaments or glass antenna - there is risk
of damage.
■
Covers on electrically heated seats ■ Do not clean either with water or with other liquids - risk of damage to the
heating system.
■ Do not dry by switching on the heating.
■
Seat belts
■ After cleaning the belts, allow them to dry before retracting them.
Note
During vehicle use, some minor changes may become visible on the leather
and Alcantara ®
(due to e.g. folds, discolouration).125Care and maintenance

Inspecting and replenishing
Fuel
Introduction
Fig. 149
Stickers showing the prescribed
fuel
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Petrol and diesel refuelling
126
Unleaded petrol
126
Diesel fuel
127
The correct fuel for your vehicle is specified on the inside of the fuel filler
flap » Fig. 149 .
The fuel tank has a capacity of about 55 litres, including a reserve of approx.
7 litres .
WARNINGThe fuel and fuel vapours are explosive - it can be fatal!
CAUTION
■
Never drive until the fuel tank is completely empty! Irregular supply of fuel
can cause misfiring, which can result in damage to parts of the engine and the
exhaust system.■
Immediately remove any fuel that has spilled onto the vehicle's paintwork –
risk of paint damage.
■
If you would like to operate your vehicle in a country other than the one for
which it was intended, please talk to a ŠKODA Partner. They will tell you
whether the fuel specified by the manufacturer is offered in that country
and/or whether the manufacturer will sanction operating the vehicle with an-
other fuel.
Petrol and diesel refuellingFig. 150
Open fuel filler flap / unscrew tank cap / place the tank cap on
the fuel filler flap
Read and observe
and on page 126 first.
Perform the refuelling under the following conditions. The vehicle is unlocked.
The ignition is switched off.
›
Press the fuel filler flap in direction of arrow
1
and fold in the direction of
arrow
2
» Fig. 150 .
›
Unscrew the tank cap in the direction of arrow
3
.
›
Remove the tank cap and place on top of the fuel filler flap in direction of ar-
row
4
.
›
Insert the pump nozzle into the fuel filler tube as far as it will go.
The fuel tank is full as soon as the pump nozzle switches off for the first time.
Do not continue refuelling.
›
Remove the pump nozzle from the fuel filler neck and put it back in the
pump.
›
Place the filler cap onto the fuel filler neck and turn it in the opposite direc-
tion to the arrow until it securely engages
3
.
›
Close the fuel filler flap until it clicks into place.
Unleaded petrol
Read and observe
and on page 126 first.
The correct fuel for your vehicle is specified on the inside of the fuel filler
flap » Fig. 149 on page 126 . 
126General Maintenance

CAUTIONThe following instructions must be observed, otherwise there is a risk of dam-
age to the engine and to the exhaust system.■
If a different fuel other than diesel fuel, which complies to the above men-
tioned standards (e.g. petrol) is used, do not start the engine or switch on the
ignition!
■
The biofuel RME must not be used!
CAUTION
Diesel fuel additives■The diesel fuel in accordance with the prescribed standards meets all the
conditions for a smooth running engine. Therefore, we recommend that you do
not add any fuel additives to the diesel - there is a risk of engine damage or
damage to the exhaust system.
Engine compartment
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Opening and closing the bonnet
129
Engine compartment overview
129
Windscreen washer fluid
130WARNINGNever cover the engine with additional insulation material (e.g. with a cov-
er) – risk of fire!WARNINGWhen working in the engine compartment, the following instructions must
be observed - otherwise risk of injury or fire. The engine compartment of
your car is a hazardous area!WARNINGInstructions before beginning work in the engine compartment■Stop the engine and remove the ignition key, on vehicles with the KESSY
system, open the driver's door.■
Firmly apply the handbrake.
WARNING (Continued)■ For vehicles with manual transmission the lever into the neutral position.
For vehicles with automatic transmission , place the selector lever in the P
position.■
Allow the engine to cool.
■
Never open the bonnet if you can see steam or coolant flowing out of the
engine compartment – risk of scalding! Wait until the steam or coolant has
stopped escaping.
WARNINGInformation for working in the engine compartment■Keep everyone away from the engine compartment.■
Do not touch any hot engine parts – risk of burns!
■
Never touch the radiator fan. The radiator fan may still turn suddenly
about 10 minutes after switching off the ignition!
■
Do not smoke in the vicinity of the engine and avoid the use of open
flames or sparks.
■
Do not leave any items (e.g. cloths or tools) in the engine compartment.
This presents a fire hazard and the risk of engine damage.
■
Read and observe the information and warning instructions on the fluid
containers.
WARNINGInformation for working in the engine compartment with the engine run-
ning■
If it is necessary to work on the engine with the engine running, beware
of rotating engine parts and electrical plants - they can be fatal!
■
Never touch the electric wiring on the ignition system.
■
Avoid short circuits in the electrical system, particularly on the vehicle's
battery.
CAUTION
Only refill using fluids with the proper specification - risk of damage to the ve-
hicle!
Note
■ Fluids with the proper specifications can be purchased from the ŠKODA Origi-
nal Accessories or from the ŠKODA Genuine Parts ranges.■
We recommend you have the operating fluids replaced by a specialist garage.
128General Maintenance

Windscreen washer fluidFig. 153
Windscreen washer fluid reser-
voir
Read and observe and on page 128 first.
The windscreen washer fluid reservoir
A
is located in the engine compart-
ment » Fig. 153 .
The capacity of the reservoir A is about 3.5 litres or about 5.4 litres on vehicles
that have a headlight cleaning system 1)
.
Use a suitable windscreen washer fluid for the current or expected weather
conditions. We recommend that you use windscreen washer fluid from ŠKODA
Original Accessories.
CAUTION
■ If the vehicle is equipped with a headlight cleaning system, then only use
windscreen washer fluid types that do not attack the polycarbonate coating of
the headlights - otherwise there is a risk of damage to headlights.■
Do not remove the filter from the windscreen washer fluid reservoir when re-
plenishing it with liquid - otherwise the liquid transportation system might be
contaminated, which can cause the windscreen washer system to malfunction.
Engine oil
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Specification
130
Check and refill
131The engine has been filled ex-factory with a high-grade oil that can be used
throughout the year (except in extreme climate zones).
We recommend that the oil changes are carried out by a ŠKODA Service Part-
ner.
The engine oil should be changed at specified service intervals » page 120.
The engine uses up some oil, depending on driving style and operating condi-
tions (up to 0.5 l / 1 000 km). Consumption may be slightly higher than this dur-
ing the first 5 000 km.WARNINGThe following instructions must be followed at all times when working on
the engine compartment » page 128.
CAUTION
Do not add any additives to the engine oil - risk of engine damage.
Note
We recommend that you use oils from ŠKODA Original Accessories.
Specification
Read and observe
and on page 130 first.
The specifications (VW standards) stated in the following can be indicated sep-arately or together with other specifications on the bottle.
Vehicles with variable service intervals
Petrol enginesSpecification1.2 l/66, 81 kW TSIVW 504 001.4 l/92 kW TSIDiesel enginesSpecification1.4 l/66 kW TDI CRVW 507 001.6 l/85 kW TDI CR 1)
In some countries, 5.4 l. applies for both variants.
130General Maintenance

WARNING■The following instructions must be followed at all times when working on
the engine compartment » page 128.■
Never open the end cover of the coolant expansion reservoir while the
engine is still warm. The cooling system is pressurised - risk of scalding or
injury from splashes of coolant!
■
To protect against the coolant splashing, cover the cap with a cloth when
opening.
■
Coolant and coolant fumes are harmful - avoid contact with the coolant. If
the coolant comes into contact with the eye or skin, wash the affected area
with plenty of water for several minutes, and where appropriate seek medi-
cal help.
CAUTION
Do not cover the radiator and install any parts (e.g auxiliary lights.) in front of
the air intakes - risk of the engine overheating.
Checking and refilling
Fig. 155
Coolant expansion reservoir
Read and observe and on page 132 first.
Check and refill coolant under the following conditions.
The vehicle is on a horizontal surface.
The engine is not warm (if the engine is warm the result of the check may
be wrong).
The engine is turned off.
Check the coolant level - the coolant level must lie between the marks
A
and
B
» Fig. 155. If the coolant level is below the mark
B
, top up with coolant.
Refilling
The reservoir must always contain a small amount of coolant »
.
›Place a cloth over the cap of the coolant expansion tank and unscrew the
cap carefully .›
Always top up using coolant of the correct specification.
›
Turn the cap until it clicks into place.
The specification for the coolant is shown in the coolant expansion reservoir
» Fig. 155 .
If the specified coolant is not available, then refilling only with distilled or dem-
ineralised water, and get a specialist garage to correct the water-coolant addi-
tive mix as soon as possible.
CAUTION
■ If the expansion tank is empty, do not top up with coolant. The system could
aerate - risk of engine damage!  Stop driving! Switch off the engine and seek
assistance from a specialist garage.■
Do not fill the coolant above the mark
A
. » Fig. 155 The coolant could, when
heated, be expelled from the cooling system - risk of damage to the engine
parts.
■
If it is not possible to add coolant, 
do not continue driving! Switch off the
engine and seek assistance from a specialist garage.
■
A coolant additive which does not correspond to the correct specification can
reduce the anti-corrosion effect of the cooling system - risk of damage to the
cooling system and the engine.
■
If non-distilled (non-demineralised) water has been used to top up, the cool-
ant should be replaced by a specialist garage - risk of engine damage.
■
A loss of coolant indicates leaks in the cooling system - risk of engine dam-
age. Top up with coolant and then seek assistance from a specialist garage.
Note
Too low coolant level is indicated in the instrument cluster by the warning
light  and shown by the message » page 35. We still recommend inspecting
the coolant level directly at the reservoir from time to time.132General Maintenance

WARNINGBattery acid is highly corrosive - it can cause injury, chemical burns or poi-
soning! Corrosive vapours in the air irritate and damage the respiratory
tract and the eyes. The following guidelines must be observed.■
Always wear protective gloves, eye and skin protection when handling
the vehicle battery.
■
If your eyes or skin come into contact with the electrolytic fluid, immedi-
ately wash the affected area for a few minutes long with a lot of water.
Seek medical assistance without delay.
■
Keep the vehicle battery away from people who are not completely inde-
pendent (e.g. children).
■
Do not tilt the battery otherwise battery electrolyte may flow out of the
battery vent openings.
WARNINGWorking on the car battery may cause explosion, fire, injury or chemical
burn! The following guidelines must be observed.■
Do not smoke, use open flames or light or transmitting devices.
■
A discharged vehicle battery may freeze slightly. Never charge up a fro-
zen or thawed vehicle battery. Replace a frozen vehicle battery.
■
Never use a damaged vehicle battery.
■
Do not connect the battery terminals, bridging the two poles will cause a
short circuit.
CAUTION
Ensure that battery acid does not come into contact with the bodywork – risk
of damage to the paintwork.
Note
■ We recommend having all work on the vehicle battery carried out by a spe-
cialist garage.■
You should replace batteries older than 5 years.
Check conditionFig. 157
Vehicle battery: Open the cover / acid level indicator
Read and observe
and on page 134 first.
The battery condition is checked regularly by a specialist garage as part of the inspection service.
Check the acid level
For car batteries with acid level indicator, acidity can be checked on the basis
of a colour display. In vehicle batteries with the label “AGM” there is no acid
level examination.
Depending on the equipment, the vehicle battery may be provided with a cov-
er, this can be opened in the direction of arrow » Fig. 157 -
 .
Air bubbles can influence the colour of the indicator. Therefore, carefully knock
on the display » Fig. 157 -
 .
Black colour – electrolyte level is correct.
Colourless or light yellow colour – electrolyte level too low, the battery must
be replaced.
Battery discharge
If frequent short journeys are made, the vehicle battery does not recharge suf-
ficiently.
The battery capacity decreases at low temperatures.
If the vehicle is not used for longer than 3 to 4 weeks, disconnect the negative
terminal  of the battery or charge the battery constantly with a very low
charging current.
134General Maintenance

Wheels
Wheels and tyres
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Advice on tyre/wheel usage
136
Tyre pressure
137
Tyre wear and wheel change
137
Spare wheel
138
Spare wheel
138
Tyre marking
138
Advice on tyre/wheel usage
During the first 500 km, new tyres do not offer optimum grip; appropriate care
should therefore be taken when driving.
Tyres with the deeper profiles should always be fitted to the front wheels.
Rims and wheel bolts are matched to each other in terms of design. We rec-
ommend that you use rims and wheel bolts from ŠKODA Original Accessories.
Wheels and tyres should always be stored in a cool, dry and dark place. The
tyres themselves should be stored vertically.
Tyre life
Tyres age and lose their original characteristics, even if they are not being
used. We recommend that you do not use tyres that are more than 6 years old.
The manufacturing date is indicated on the tyre sidewall (possibly on the in-
side ). For example, DOT ... 10 16... means, for example, that the tyre was manu-
factured in the 10. week of 2016.
Tyre damage
We recommend checking your tyres and wheel rims for damage (punctures,
cuts, splits and bulges etc.) on a regular basis.
Remove any foreign objects in the tyre’s profile immediately (e.g. small stones).
Foreign bodies which have penetrated into the tyre (e.g. screws or nails)
should not be removed and help should be sought from a specialist garage.
Fitting new tyres
Only fit approved radial tyres of the same type, size (rolling circumference) and
the same tread pattern on one axle on all four wheels.
When mounting new tyres the tyres have to be replaced axle by axle.
Unidirectional tyres
The direction of rotation of the tyres is marked by arrows on the wall of the
tyre .
The specified running direction must be strictly adhered to, otherwise the fol-
lowing tyre characteristics may be degraded. ▶ Driving stability.
▶ Traction.
▶ Tyre noise and tyre wear.WARNING■Never use tyres if you do not know anything about their condition and
age - risk of accidents.■
Never drive with damaged tyres – there is the risk of an accident occur-
ring.
CAUTION
■ The tyres must be protected from contact with substances (e.g. oil, grease
and fuel) which could damage them. If the tyres come into contact with these
substances, then we recommend you have this checked out in a specialist
workshop.■
Do not use rims with ground or polished surfaces in winter conditions - there
is a risk of rim damage (e.g through salt spreading).
Note
■ We recommend that any work on the wheels or tyres be carried out by a spe-
cialist garage.■
We recommend that you use tyres, snow chains and full wheel trims from
ŠKODA Original Accessories.
136General Maintenance

WARNING■Change the tyres at the latest when they are worn down to the wear indi-
cators - risk of accident.■
Faulty wheel alignment affects handling - risk of accident.
■
Unusual vibrations or the vehicle “pulling ” to one side could be a sign of
tyre damage. Reduce speed and stop! If there are no external signs of tyre
damage, seek the help of a specialist garage.
Spare wheel
The size of the spare wheel is identical to that of the vehicle factory installed
wheels.
After changing the spare wheel, the tyre pressure should be adjusted.
In vehicles with tyre pressure monitoring, save the tyre pressure values in the
system » page 109 .
WARNING■
If, you get a puncture and a spare tyre has to be mounted with opposite
direction of rotation, then drive carefully. The best properties of the tyre
are no longer present in this situation.■
If the dimensions or design of the spare wheel differ from the tyres fitted
to the vehicle (e.g. winter tyres or low-profile tyres), it must only be used
briefly in the event of a puncture and if an appropriately cautious style of
driving is adopted.
Spare wheel
Only use this emergency spare wheel to reach the nearest specialist garage, as
it is not intended for permanent use .
A warning label is always placed on the rim of the temporary spare wheel.
Please note the following if you intend to use the temporary spare wheel. ▶ Do not cover the warning sign.
▶ Be particularly observant when driving.
▶ Inflate the temporary spare wheel to the maximum inflation pressure for the
vehicle » page 137 (the prescribed tyre pressure of the spare wheel 125/70
R16 is 4.2 bar).
In vehicles with tyre pressure monitoring, save the tyre pressure values in the
system » page 109 .
WARNING■
Never drive with more than one temporary spare wheel mounted!■Avoid full throttle acceleration, sharp braking and fast cornering when
driving with the temporary spare wheel.■
Do not use snow chains on the temporary spare wheel.
■
Observe the instructions on the warning sign of the temporary spare
wheel.
Tyre marking
Explanation of tyre markings - e.g. 185/60 R 15 84 H
185Tyre width in mm60Height/width ratio in %RCode letter for the type of tyre – Radial15Diameter of wheel in inches84Load indexHSpeed symbol
Load index - indicates the maximum permissible load for each individual tyre
Load index838485868788Load
(In kg)487500515530545560
Speed symbol - indicates the maximum permissible speed for a vehicle fitted
with tyres in a given category
Speed
symbolSTUHVWMaximum speed
(in km/h)180190200210240270WARNINGNever exceed the maximum permissible load bearing capacity and speed
for the tyres fitted – risk of accident.138General Maintenance

C
Camera See reversing camera
101
CAR See Owner´s Manual -Infotainment
6
Car battery Check condition
134
Cover134
Disconnecting and reconnecting135
Replacing135
Warning light34
Winter operation134
CAR button See Owner´s Manual -Infotainment
6
Car care Exterior
123
Interior125
Outside124
Car computer see multifunction display
39
Care and maintenance118
Cargo element79
Carrier81
Car washing122
Exterior123
Interior125
Washing122
Central locking45
Problems49
Central locking button47
Change battery
150
Changing Windscreen wiper blades
152
Changing a wheel141
Changing141
Changing gear Selector lever
92
Changing wheelsWheels141
Charging a vehicle battery135
Check Brake fluid
133
Engine oil131
Fit ball head properly114
Oil level131
Checking Battery status
134
Coolant132
Checks Statutory checks
118
Children and safety19
Child safety lock49
Child seat19
Classification21
Installation location21, 23
ISOFIX22, 23
on the front passenger seat20, 21
TOP TETHER24
Cigarette lighter70
Cleaning the vehicle Outside
124
Windows124
Climatronic82
air distribution control84
Automatic mode84
Operating elements83
Clothes hook73
Cockpit27
Lighting57
Comfort signalling55
COMING HOME56
Compartments67
Component protection119
Computer see multifunction display
39
Coolant131
Checking132
Refilling132
Temperature display29
Warning light35
CORNER See Fog lights with the CORNER function
56
Correct routing of seat belt
13
Correct seated position10
Correct seating position12
Cup holders69
D
DAY LIGHT See Daytime running lights
54
Daytime running lights54
Dazzle60
De-icing the windscreen and rear window59
Deactivation Airbag
18
Delayed locking of the boot lid See boot lid
51
Departure angle166
Diesel127
Diesel fuel127
Diesel particle filter (DPF)36
Digital Clock38
Digital Service Plan121
Dipstick131
Display Cardinal points
37
Coolant temperature29
Fuel level29
Gear changes38
In the instrument cluster37
MAXI DOT41
Service intervals42
170Index