tow SKODA ROOMSTER 2010 1.G Owner's Guide

Driving and the Environment141
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Praktik
Technical Data
Driving and the EnvironmentThe first 1 500 kilometres and then afterwardsA new engine
The engine has to be run in during the first 1 500 kilometres.Up to 1 000 kilometres– Do not drive faster than 3/4 of the maximum speed of the gear in use, that is 3/4 of
the maximum permissi ble engine speed.
– Do not use full throttle.
– Avoid high engine revolutions.
– Do not tow a trailer.From 1 000 up to 1 500 kilometres– Increase the power output of the engine gradually up to the full speed of the gear
engaged, that is up to the maxi mum permissible engine revolutions.
During the first operating hours the engine ha s higher internal friction than later until
all of the moving parts have harmonized. Th e driving style which you adopt during the
first approx.1 500 kilometres plays a decisive part in the success of running in your
vehicle.
You should not drive at unnecessarily high engine revolutions even after the
running-in period is complete . The maximum permissible en gine speed is marked by
the beginning of the red zone on the scale of the revolutions counter. Shift up into the
next higher gear on a vehi cle fitted with manual gear box before the red zone is
reached. During acceleration (depressing the accelerator) exceptionally high engine
speeds are automatically reduced, yet the engine is not protected against too high
engine speeds which are caused by incorrectly shifting down the gears resulting in a
sudden increase of the engine speeds above the permitted maximum revolutions
which can lead to engine damage.
For a vehicle fitted with a manual gearbox the converse situation also applies: Do not
drive at engine revolutions which are too low. Shift down as soon as the engine is no
longer running smoothly.
Caution
All the speed and engine revolution figures ap ply only when the engine is at its normal
operating temperature. Never rev up an engine which is cold, neither when the vehicle
is stationary nor when driving in individual gears.
For the sake of the environment
Not driving at unnecessari ly high engine revolutions and shifting to a higher gear as
early as possible are ways to minimise fuel consumption, operating noise levels as well
as protects the environment and contributes to a longer life and reliability of the
engine.New tyresNew tyres have to be “run in” since they do not offer optimal grip at first. You should
take account of this fact for the first 500 kilometres and drive particularly carefully.New brake padsAllow for the fact that new brake pads do no t achieve their full braking efficiency until
approximately 200 kilometres. New brake pads must be first “run in” before they
develop their optimal friction force. You ca n, 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.
During the running-in pe riod, you should avoid excessive stresses on the brakes. This
includes, for example, violent braking, part icularly from very high speeds, and also
when crossing mountain passes.
s16g.4.book Page 141 Wednesda y, February 10, 2010 3:53 PM

Driving and the Environment
142
Catalytic converterProper operation of the emission cont rol system (catalytic converter) is
of major significance for driving your vehicle in an environmentally
conscious way.Please refer to the following guidelines:
– For vehicles with petrol engine only refuel with unleaded petrol  page 158,
“Grades of petrol”.
– Never run the fuel tank completely empty.
– Do not switch off the ignition while you are driving the vehicle.
– Do not pour too much oil into the engine page 164, “Replenishing engine oil”.
– Do not tow-start the vehicle over a distance of more than 50 metres page 189,
“Tow-starting a vehicle”.
If you drive your vehicle in a country in which unleaded petrol is not available, you
must have the catalytic converter replaced la ter when driving the vehicle into a country
in which use of a catalyti c converter is mandatory.
WARNING

In view of the high temperatures which may be produced in the catalytic
converter, one should always park a vehicle in such a way that the catalytic
converter cannot come into contact with easily flammable materials below the
vehicle - a risk of fire!

Never use additional underbody protection or corrosion-protection agents
for the exhaust pipes, catalytic converters or heat shields. Such substances
might ignite when driving - risk of fire!Caution

On vehicles fitted with a catalytic converte r, never let the fuel tank run completely
empty. An irregular fuel supply can result in poor ignition or misfiring. Unburnt fuel
may get into the exhaust system and damage the cata lytic converter.

Filling the tank even only once with leaded petrol will result in the catalytic
converter being destroyed.

If you detect misfir ing, a drop in performance or irregular engine running when
driving, reduce your speed immediately and have the vehicle inspected by the nearest
specialist garage. The symptoms described ma y be caused by a fault in the ignition
system. Unburnt fuel may get into the exhaust system and damage the catalytic
converter.For the sake of the environment
Even if the exhaust system is operating pr operly, a sulphur-like exhaust odour may be
produced under certain oper ating conditions of the engine. This depends on the
sulphur content of the fuel. It is often sufficient to refuel with unleaded premium-grade
petrol of a different brand or at a different filling station.Driving in an economical and environmentally
conscious mannerGeneral
Your personal style of driving is a major factor.Your fuel consumption, any pollution of the environmental and the wear-and-tear to
the engine, brakes and tyres, depend essentially on three factors:
your personal style of driving;

the conditions under which your vehicle is operated;

technical aspects.
You can easily improve your fuel economy by 10 - 15 percent by driving in an econom-
ical way with foresight. This section is intended to provide you with a number of tips on
how to protect the environment and at the same time save money.
The fuel consumption can naturally also be influenced by factors which are beyond the
driver's control. It is, for example, normal for the fuel consumption to increase in
winter and under worsened cond itions such as poor road conditions, towing a trailer,
etc.
The technical requirements for low fuel usage and economic efficiency of the vehicle
have already been built into the vehicle at the works. Special attention has been given
to minimising negative effects on the environment. It is necessary to take note of the
s16g.4.book Page 142 Wednesda y, February 10, 2010 3:53 PM

Driving and the Environment145
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Praktik
Technical Data
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 we ar and the driving behaviour will worsen.
Always check the inflation pr essure of the tyres when cold.
Do not drive with winter tyres all year round for this costs about 10 % more fuel.
Winter tyres are also louder.No unnecessary ballast
Transporting ballast costs fuel.The fact that every kilogram of extra weight increases your fuel consumption means
that it is worth taking a look in the luggage compartment to avoid transporting any
unnecessary ballast.
It is particularly in town traffic, when one is accelerating quite often, that the vehicle
weight will have a significant effect upon the fuel consumption. A rule of thumb here
is that an increase in weight of 100 kilograms will cause an increase in fuel consump-
tion of about 1 litre/100 kilometres.
You may frequently also leave a roof rack fitted on just out of convenience, although
you no longer need it. The increased aerodyna mic drag of your vehicle causes it to use
about 1 l more fuel than normal at a speed of 100 - 120 km/h, even when you are not
carrying a load on the roof.Saving electricity
Generating electricity costs fuel.– Switch off electrical components as soon as you no longer need them. When the engine is running,
the alternator generates and supplies electrical power.
The greater the load on the alternator as a result of having a large number of electrical
components switched on, the more fuel will be consumed for operating the
alternator.
Keeping a log of your fuel consumptionIf you really wish to keep a close check on your fuel consumption, it is best to enter
the figures in a logbook. This does not take much time but is a very worthwhile exer-
cise. It enables you to detect any change (p ositive and negative) at an early stage and
to take any appropriate action.
If you find that your fuel consumption is too high, you should reflect on how, where
and in what conditions you have driven the vehicle since you last refuelled.Environmental compatibilityEnvironmental protection has played a major role in the design, selection of materials
and manufacture of your new Škoda. Particular emphasis has been paid to a number
of aspects, including:
Design measures
Joints designed to be easily detached.

Simplified disassembly due to the modular structure system.

Improved purity of differ ent classes of materials.

Identification of all plastic parts in accordance with VDA Recommendation°260.

Reduced fuel consumption and exhaust emission CO
2.

Minimum fuel leakage during accidents.

Reduced noise.
Choice of materials

Extensive use of re cyclable material.

Air conditioning filled with CFC-free refrigerant.

No cadmium.

No asbestos.
s16g.4.book Page 145 Wednesda y, February 10, 2010 3:53 PM

Towing a trailer
148
Towing a trailerTo w i n g a t r a i l e rTechnical requirements
The towing device must satisfy certain technical requirements.Your vehicle is designed primarily for tr ansporting persons and luggage. It can,
however, also be used for towing a traile r - provided certain technical equipment is
fitted.
If your vehicle has been equipped with a towing device from Škoda Original Accesso-
ries, then the towing device satisfies all technical and legal requirements.
Your vehicle is fitted with a 13-pin power socket for the electrical connection between
the vehicle and trailer. If the tr ailer which you wish to tow has a 7-pin connector, you
can use a suitable adapter
13) from Škoda original accessories.
This work must be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications if
a towing device is retrofitted.
Specialist garages are familiar with details re lating to retrofitting a towing device and
for any necessary modifications to the cooling system.
WARNING
We recommend that you have the towing device from Škoda original accesso-
ries installed by a specialist garage. He is familiar with all the relevant details
relating to retrofitting such equipment. There is a risk of an accident if the
towing device is not properly fitted!General Maintenance
There are a number of points to pay attention to when towing a trailer.Trailer load
The permissible trailer load must on no account be exceeded. You can negotiate appropriately steeper inclin
es and descents if you do not make full
use of the permissible trailer load.
The trailer loads specified only apply for altitudes up to 1 000 metres above mean sea
level. On petrol engines without forced indu ction, the engine power output drops with
increasing height due to a lowering of air pr essure and thus the ability to climb, this
means that the trailer load must be reduced by 10% for every further increase of 1 000
metres in height above sea le vel. The towed weight is the weight of the (laden) vehicle
and the (laden) trailer together. One should ta ke this into account before driving up to
higher altitudes. Petrol engines with forced induction use an air pressure correction
method, so that their power output does not depend on the height above sea level.
The trailer and drawbar load information on the type plate of the towing device
are merely test data for the towing device The data relating to your vehicle, which
is often less than this test data, can be found in your vehicle registration docu-
ments.
Distribution of the load
Distribute the load in the trailer in such a way that any heavy items are located as close
as possible to the axle. Secure th e items to prevent them slipping.
Tyre pressure
Correct the tyre inflation pressure on yo ur vehicle for that of “fully laden”, page 173.
The inflation pressure of the tyres fitted to the trailer adjust in accordance with the
manufacturer's recommendation.
Exterior mirrors
You have to have additional ex terior mirrors fitted if you are not able to see the traffic
behind the trailer with the standard rear-view mirrors. Both exterior mirrors should be
attached to folding arms. Adjust the mirrors so that they provide you with an adequate
field of view to the rear.
Headlights
Before starting off with a hitched trailer, al so check the setting of the headlights. Alter
the setting as necessary with the aid of the headlight beam adjuster page 49.13)In some countries the adapter is supplied with the towing device.s16g.4.book Page 148 Wednesda y, February 10, 2010 3:53 PM

Towing a trailer149
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Praktik
Technical Data
Detachable ball head
The ball rod is detachable on vehicles with towing devi
ce and suppliable from Škoda
original accessories. It is stowed together with separate fitting instructions in the spare
wheel well in the luggage compartment of the vehicle.
Note

We recommend that you also have your vehicle inspected between service inter-
vals if you tow a trailer frequently.

The handbrake on the towing vehicle must be put on when coupling and decou-
pling the trailer.
Driving Tips
Particular caution is required when towing a trailer.– Do not, as far as possible, drive with your vehicle unladen and the trailer laden.
– Do not make full use of the legal maximum speeds. This applies in particular to downhill sections.
– Apply the brakes in good time.
– Keep a check on the coolant temperature gauge if the outside temperature is high.
Distribution of weight
The distribution of the weight is very poor if your vehicle is unladen and the trailer is
laden. Maintain a particularly low speed if you cannot avoid driving with this combina-
tion.
Driving speed
Do not drive faster than 80 km/h for safety reasons. This also applies for countries in
which higher speeds are allowed.
The fact that the driving stability of the vehicle + trailer combination reduces with
increasing speed means that the legally allo wed speed should not be used when there
are unfavourable road, weather or wind cond itions, particularly near accident black
spots. You must always reduce your speed immediat
ely as soon as you detect even just the
slightest swaying of the trailer. On no account attempt to stop the trailer from
“swaying” by accelerating.
Apply the brakes in good time! If the trailer is fitted with a trailer brake, apply the
brakes gently at first and then brake firmly. This will avoid brake jolts resulting from the
trailer wheels locking. Shift down gears in good time before negotiating a downhill
section to allow the engine to also act as a brake.
Engine overheating
Please keep a check on the coolant temperature gauge if you have to negotiate a
lengthy slope in a low gear at a high engi ne speed when the outside temperature is
very high  page 16.
If the needle of the coolant temperature gauge moves into the right-hand area or even
the red area of the scale, reduce your speed immediately. Stop and switch off the
engine if the warning light
 in the instrument cluster begins flashing. Wait a few
minutes and check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion bottle page 166,
“Inspecting the coolant level”.
Please refer to the following guidelines  page 28, “Coolant temperature/ Coolant
quantity  ”.
The coolant temperature can be reduced by switching on the heating.
Any increase in the cooling effect of the coolant fan through shifting down a gear and
increasing the engine speed is not possible since the fan speed is independent of the
engine speed. One should also not drop a gear for this reason when towing a trailer as
long as the engine can manage th e slope without any drop in speed.
s16g.4.book Page 149 Wednesda y, February 10, 2010 3:53 PM

Towing a trailer
150
s16g.4.book Page 150 Wednesda y, February 10, 2010 3:53 PM

Inspecting and replenishing
164
Oil level within range
–You must top up the oil. It is sufficient, once th is is done, to keep the oil level within
range .
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 hi gher 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 if the engine has been
operating at high loads, for example duri ng a lengthy motorway trip during the
summer months, towing a trailer or negotiating a high mountain pass, but not above
this .
The warning light in the instrument cluster* will indicate page 28 whether the oil
level is too low. In this case, check the oil level as soon as possible. Top up with an
appropriate quantity of oil.
WARNING
Read and observe the warning notes page 162, “Working in the engine
compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
Caution

The oil level must on no account extend beyond the range . Danger of damaging
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 professional
assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it could lead to severe engine damage.
Replenishing engine oil– Inspect the oil level page 163.
– Unscrew the cap of the engine oil filler opening. – Wipe off the oil from the sealing surface of the cover and on the counterpart using
a clean cloth.
– Pour in a suitable grade of oi l in portions of 0.5 litres page 208.
– Inspect the oil level page 163.
– 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 162, “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 page 163. Oil will otherwise
be drawn in through the cr ankcase ventilation and may pass through the exhaust
system to atmosphere. The oil may combust in the catalytic converter and damage it.Changing engine oilThe engine oil must be changed at the intervals stated in the Service schedule or
according to the service interval indicator page 17.
WARNING

Only carry out the engine oil change, if you have the required professional
knowledge!

Read and observe the warning notes page 162, “Working in the engine
compartment” before working in the engine compartment.

First of all, let the engine cool down, we ar an eye protection and gloves - risk
of caustic burns due to hot oil.
Ac
Ab
AbAa
Aa
s16g.4.book Page 164 Wednesda y, February 10, 2010 3:53 PM

Breakdown assistance
182
The vehicle tool kit and the lifting jack* are stowed in a plastic box in the spare wheel*
 page 181, fig. 146 ; there is also space here for the detachable ball head of the
towing device.
The vehicle tool kit contains the following parts (depending on equipment fitted):
wheel wrench*;

wire clamps for removing the full wheel trims;

towing eye;

Adapter for the safety wheel bolts*.

Extraction pliers for wheel bolt caps

Replacement bulb set

Screwdriver*
Before placing the lifting jack back in its storage area, screw in the arm of the lifting jack
fully.
WARNING

The factory-supplied lifting jack is only intended for your model of vehicle.
On no account attempt to lift a heavier vehicle or other loads - risk of injury!

Ensure that the vehicle tool kit is safely attached in the luggage
compartment.
Tyre repair kitThe tyre repair kit is intended for the repair of minor tyre defects. The tyre repair kit
contains a compressor, inflation bottle, operating instructions and accessories.
The repair with the tyre repair kit is not at all intended to replace a permanent repair
on the tyre; this repair only serves to re ach a workshop. The repair can be undertaken
on the vehicle immediately. Please read the attached instructions carefully before
the repair.
The ty re re pa ir kit i s s towed in a n ins er ted foa m pie ce unde r the lugga ge com pa r tment
cover or in the right part of the luggage compartment.
Spare wheel*The spare wheel is stowed in th e spare wheel well in the luggage
compartment below the floor covering.The spare wheel lies in a well under the floor covering of the luggage compartment and
is fixed in place along with a vehicle tool kit box using a special screw fig. 147 .
One should check the inflation pressure in the spare wheel (at best when generally
checking the tyre air pressures - see sign on the fuel filler flap page 159) to ensure
that the spare wheel is always ready to use.
Unidirectional tyres*
If you have such tyres on your vehi cle, please refer to the notes below:
The spare wheel provided with a car fitted with unidirectional tyres has different
dimensions. The wheel is provided with a warning sticker.

The warning label must not be covered after installing the wheel.

Do not drive faster than 80 km/h with this spare wheel and pay particular attention
while driving. Avoid accelerating at full throttle, sharp braking and fast cornering.

The inflation pressure for this spare wheel is identical to the inflation pressure of
the standard tyres.

Use this spare wheel only to reach the nearest specialist garage as it is not intended
for continuous use.
Fig. 147 Luggage compartment: Spare
wheel
s16g.4.book Page 182 Wednesda y, February 10, 2010 3:53 PM

Breakdown assistance183
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Praktik
Technical Data
Changing a wheelPreliminary workThe following steps should be carried ou t before actually changing the wheel.
– If it is necessary to change a wheel, park the vehicle as far away as possible from
the traffic flow. The place you choose should be level.
– Have all the occupants get out. While changing a wheel, the occupants of the
vehicle should not stand on the road (e.g. behind a crash barrier).
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
–Engage 1st gear or if your vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox, position the
selector lever into position P .
– If a trailer is coupled, uncouple it.
– Take the vehicle tool kit and the spare wheel  page 181 out of the luggage
compartment.
WARNING

If you find yourself in flowing traffic switch on the hazard warning lights
system and place the warning triangle on the side of the road at the prescribed
distance from your vehicle while observing all national legal provisions. In this
way you are protecting not only yourself but also other road users.

Never start the engine with the vehicle si tting on the raised jack - danger of
suffering injury.Caution
If you have to change a wheel on a slope first block the opposite wheel with a stone or
similar object in order to secure the vehicle from unexpectedly rolling away.
Note
Comply with the national legal regulations.
Always change a wheel on a level surface as far as possible.
– Take off the full wheel trim* page 184 or the caps page 184.
– Slacken the wheel bolts page 185.
– Jack up the vehicle until the wheel to be changed is clear of the ground
 page 185.
– Unscrew the wheel bolts and place them on a clean surface (cloth, paper etc.).
– Take off the wheel.
– Fit on the spare wheel* and tighten the wheel bolts slightly.
– Lower the car.
– Tighten the wheel bolts firmly, alternatel y and diagonally using the wrench (cross-
wise) page 185.
– Mount the full wheel trim/wheel trim cap or the caps.
Note

All bolts must be clean and must turn easily.

You must never grease or oil the wheel bolts!

When fitting on unidirectiona l tyres, ensure that the tyres rotate in the correct
direction page 173.
Subsequent stepsAfter changing the wheel, you mu st perform the following steps.
– Stow the vehicle tool kit in the space provided.
– Stow the replaced wheel in the luggage compartment.
– Check the tyre pressure on the spare wheel just mounted as soon as possible.
– Have the tightening torque of the wheel bolts checked with a torque wrench as
soon as possible. Steel and light alloy wheels must be tightened to a tightening
torque of 120 Nm.
s16g.4.book Page 183 Wednesda y, February 10, 2010 3:53 PM

Breakdown assistance
186

Not positioning the lifting jack at the specified points can result in damage
to the vehicle. The jack can also slip off if it does not have sufficient grip - risk of
injury!

Never start the engine if the vehicle is lifted - risk of accident.

Never lie under the vehicle if the vehicle is only lifted with the vehicle lifting
jack.

It is important to support the vehicle with suitable supporting blocks if you
wish to work under the lifted vehicle - risk of injury!
Securing wheels against being stolen*
You need a special adapter for sl ackening the safety wheel bolts.– Pull off the full wheel trim/cap from the wheel hub or cap from the safety wheel
bolt.
– Insert the adapter with its toothed side fully into the inner toothing of the safety wheel bolt right down in such a way th at only the outer hexagon is jutting out
 fig. 152 .
– Insert the wheel wrench fully onto the adapter .
– Slacken the wheel bolt, or tighten it firmly page 185.
– Reinstall the full wheel trim/wheel cap afte r removing the adapter or place the cap
onto the safety wheel bolt. – Have the
tightening torque checked with a torque wrench as soon as possible.
Steel and light alloy wheels must be tightened to a tightening torque of 120 Nm.
The safety wheel bolts on vehicles fitted with them (one safety wheel bolt per wheel)
can only be loosened or tighten up by using the adapter provided.
It is meaningful to note th e code number hammered into the rear side of the adapter
or the rear side of the safety wheel bolts. You can purchase a replacement adapter from
a specialist garage, if necessary, by quoting this number.
We recommend that you always carry the ad apter for the wheel bolts with you in the
vehicle. It should be stow ed in the vehicle tool kit.
Caution

Damage can occur to the adapter and safety wheel bolt if the safety wheel bolt is
tightened up too much.

On steel wheels, the theft-deterrent wheel bolt must always be installed in the
hole, which is close to the valve. Otherwise the full wheel trim cannot be mounted and
the full wheel trim can be damaged during the assembly.Note
The set of safety wheel bolts can be obtained from a specialist garage.Jump-startingInitial stepsYou can use the battery of another vehicle fo r jump-starting yours if the engine does
not start because the battery on your vehicle is flat. You will require jump-start cables
for this purpose.
Both batteries must have a rated voltage of 12 V. The capacity (Ah) of the battery
supplying the power must not be significantly less than the capacity of the discharged
battery in your vehicle.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 152 Safety wheel bolt with adapter
AB
AA
AB
s16g.4.book Page 186 Wednesda y, February 10, 2010 3:53 PM