maintenance SKODA SUPERB 2004 1.G / (B5/3U) Manual Online

Transporting children safely 165
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otherwise this may result in injuries to the stomach and neck areas.
Comply with the national legal requirements.
•One should never carry children, and also not babies! - on one's
lap.
•You can transport a child safely in a suitable child safety seat
⇒ page 168, “Child seat”!
•Only one child may be fastened with a seat belt into a child
safety seat.
•Never leave the child sitting unattended in the seat.
•Certain outside climatic conditions can cause life-threatening
temperatures in the vehicle.
•Never allow your child to be transported in a vehicle without the
use of a suitable restraint system.
•Children should also never stand up in a vehicle or kneel on the
seats when the vehicle is moving. In the event of an accident the
child will be thrown through the vehicle and may as a result suffer
fatal injuries, and also injure other occupants.
•Children are exposed to an increased risk of injury in the event
of an accident if they lean forward or adopt an incorrect seated
position when the vehicle is moving . This particularly applies to
children who are transported on the front passenger seat if the
airbag system deploys in the event of an accident. This can result
in severe or even fatal injuries.
•It is important that the belt webb ing is properly routed if the seat
belts are to offer their maximum protection ⇒page 148, “How are
seat belts correctly fastened?”. Pay particular attention to the
information provided by the manufacturer of the child safety seat
regarding correct routing of the belt. Seat belts which are not
correctly adjusted can themselves cause injuries even in minor
accidents.
•Safety belts must be checked to ensure that they are running
properly. One should also ensure that the belt is not damaged by
sharp-edged fittings.
•It is essential to always switch off ⇒page 161 the front
passenger airbag when attaching a child safety seat on the front
passenger seat where the child is seated with its back facing in
direction of travel (in some countries also when the child is facing
the direction of travel). If this is not done, there is a risk of the child
suffering severe or even fatal injuries if the front passenger airbag
is deployed. In certain countries national legal provisions also
require that the side or head passenger airbags be deactivated.
When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please
comply with the appropriate national regulations regarding the use
of child safety seats.
WARNING (continued)WARNING (continued)

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Child safety and side airbags
Children must never be seated in the deployment area of
the side airbags and head airbags.In the event of a side collision, the side airbags offer the vehicle occupants
enhanced protection.
The side airbags are inflated in fractions of a second in order to be able to
provide this protection ⇒page 157, “Function of the side airbags”.
An airbag inflating develops such a strong force that an occupant who has
not adopted a correct seated position may suffer injuries. Also exposed
objects which are located within the area of the side airbag can cause inju-
ries.
This applies particularly to children if they are not transported in
accordance with legal requirements.
The child is protected when seated in a child safety seat matching its age.
Adequate room is available between the child and the deployment area of
the side airbag and head airbag. The airbag offers optimal protection.
WARNING
•It is essential to always switch off ⇒page 161 the front
passenger airbag when attaching a child safety seat on the front
passenger seat where the child is seated with its back facing in
direction of travel (in some countries also when the child is facing
the direction of travel). If this is not done, there is a risk of the child
suffering severe or even fatal injuries if the front passenger airbag
is deployed. In certain countries national legal provisions also
require that the side or head passenger airbags be deactivated.
When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please
comply with the appropriate national regulations regarding the use
of child safety seats.
•When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please
comply with the appropriate national regulations regarding the use
of child safety seats.
•Children must never be seated with their head in the deploy-
ment area of the side airbag - risk of injury!
Fig. 142 Seated posi-
tion of an unprotected
child at risk from side
airbag
Fig. 143 Child properly
protected by safety
seat

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Child seats of group 0/0+
The optimal solution for babies of up to about 9 months old weighing up
to 10 kg or babies up to about 18 months old weighing up to 13 kg is a
child safety seat which can be adjusted into the reclining position
⇒fig. 144 .
In view of the fact that such child seats are installed that the child is seated
with its back facing the direction of travel, they must not be used on the
front passenger seat ⇒page 166, “Use of child safety seats on the front
passenger seat”.
WARNING
•It is essential to always switch off the front passenger airbag
(airbags) when attaching in exceptional circumstances a child
safety seat on the front passenger seat where the child is seated
with its back facing in direction of travel (in some countries also
when the child is facing the direction of travel). −
by allowing a Škoda dealer to do this
− or by using the switch for the front passenger airbag*
⇒ page 162.
•The national legal provisions in certain countries require that
both the front, side and head airbags be deactivated. Please
comply with any differing national legal regulations regarding the
use of child safety seats.
•If this is not done, a child seated on the front passenger seat
may suffer severe or even fatal injuries if the front passenger
airbag or airbags are deployed.
•You should have the front passenger airbag (or airbags) reacti-
vated by your Škoda dealer just as soon as you no longer use a
child safety seat on the front passenger seat.
Child safety seats in Group 1
Fig. 144 Child seats of
group 0/0+
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 145 Child seat
with padded table in
Group 1 installed on
rear seat facing the
direction of travel

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•Please comply with any differin g national legal regulations
regarding the use of child safety seats.
Child safety seats in Group 3
For children of about 7 years of age weighing between 22 and 36 kg and
of a height of less than 150 cm, the optimal solution is a child safety seat
(seat bolster) in combination with the three-point seat belt ⇒fig. 147 .
Children of more than 150 cm in height may use the seat belts fitted to the
vehicle without a seat bolster.
WARNING
•When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please
comply with the appropriate national regulations regarding the use
of child safety seats. If required, the airbag has to be deactivated,
−by allowing a Škoda dealer to do this
− or by using the switch for the front passenger airbag*
⇒ page 162.
•The shoulder part of the seat belt must run approximately
across the middle of the shoulder and fit snugly against the chest.
It must on no account run across the neck. The lap part of the seat
belt must run across the pelvis and fits snugly; it must not run over
the belly. Tighten the belt webbing over your hip if necessary.
•Please comply with any differ ing national legal regulations
regarding the use of child safety seats.
Attaching child safety seat
Child seat protection
You can block the three-point seat belt in order to attach a
child safety seat.
You can permanently block the three-point seat belt in order to
attach a child safety seat. Blocking the belt in this way ensures
that the child seat is held firmly in position in the car.
Activating child seat protection
– Attach the child safety seat with the three-point seat belt as stated in the instructions of the manufacturer of the child seat.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 147 Child seat in
Group 3 installed on
the rear seat facing the
direction of travel

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Attaching child seat using the “ISOFIX” system
There are two fixing eyes between the backrest and the seat itself
on both of the outer rear seats for fixing the “ISOFIX” system child
seat in place. – Insert the mounting funnels onto the locking eyes
between the backrest and seat cushion ⇒ page 173, fig. 148.
– Push the notched arms of the child seat over the mounting funnels into the locking eyes, until it is heard to lock
⇒page 173, fig. 149.
– Pull on both sides of the child seat!
One can mount a child safety seat using the “ISOFIX” system quickly,
easily and reliably. Please pay close attention to instructions from the
manufacturer of the child safety seat when installing and removing the
seat.
Child seats fitted with the “ISOFIX” clamping system can only be mounted
and fixed in a vehicle fitted with an “ISOFIX system” when these child
seats have been released for your type of vehicle according to the ECE-
R 44 standard.
You can obtain child seats with the “ISOFIX” attachment system from
Škoda dealers who will also installed it as well.
Complete installation instructions are enclosed with the child safety seat.
WARNING
•The locking eyes have just been developed for child safety
seats which use the “ISOFIX” system. You should therefore never
attach other child safety seats, seat belts or objects to the locking
eyes - hazard!
•Ask a Škoda dealer whether a child seat which you bought for
another vehicle is recommended for use in a Škoda before using an
“ISOFIX” system.
•Certain child seats which use the “ISOFIX” system can be
attached with standard three-point seat belts. Please pay close
Fig. 148 Locking eyes
(ISOFIX system)
Fig. 149 The ISOFIX
child seat is pushed
into the mounting
funnels
AAAB

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Driving Tips
Intelligent Technology
Electronic stability programme (ESP)*
General
General
The ESP aids you maintain control of your vehicle in situations in border-
line driving situations such as when negotiating a curve too fast. The risk
of skidding is reduced and your car thus offers greater driving stability
depending on the conditions of the road surface. This occurs at all speeds.
The following systems are integrated into the electronic stability
programme:
•Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)
•Traction control system (TCS)
•Antilock brake system ABS
•Brake Assist
Operating principle
The ESP switches on automatically when the engine is started and then
conducts a self-test. The ESP control unit processes data from the indi-
vidual systems. It also processes additional measurement data which are
supplied by highly sensitive sensors: the rotational velocity of the vehicle
about its vertical axis, the lateral acceleration of the vehicle, the braking
pressure and the steering angle.
The direction which the driver wishes to take is determined based on the
steering angle and the speed of the vehicle and is constantly compared
with the actual behaviour of the vehicle. If differences exist, such as the
car beginning to skid, the ESP will automatically brake the appropriate
wheel.
The car is stabilised again by the forces which take effect when the wheel
is braked. Intervention into the brake system takes place primarily on the
outer front wheel of a vehicle which tends to oversteer (tendency for the
rear of the vehicle to break away) while occurs this is on the inner rear
wheel of a vehicle which tends to understeer (tendency to shift out of the
curve). This braking control cycle is accompanied by noises.
The ESP operates in combination with the ABS ⇒page 179, “Antilock
brake system (ABS)”. If there is a fault in the ABS system, the ESP also
does not operate.
Fig. 150 ESP switch

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mitted to the road surface is automatically adapted by reducing the engine
speed. This occurs at all speeds.
The TCS operates in combination with the ABS
⇒page 179, “Antilock
brake system (ABS)”. The TCS will not function if a fault exists in the ABS
system.
The TCS warning light ⇒page 34 lights up in the instrument cluster when
there is a fault on the TCS.
Switching off
You can switch the TCS off and on again as you wish by pressing the
button ⇒page 176, fig. 151 . The TCS warning light ⇒page 34 lights up
in the instrument cluster when the TCS is switched off.
The TCS should normally always be switched on. It may be good practice
to switch the system off only in particular exceptional situations if you
desire wheel slip.
Examples:
•when driving with snow chains
•when driving in deep snow or on a loose surface
•when it is necessary to rock a car free when it has become stuck
then you should switch on the TCS again.
The EDL ⇒page 177, “Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)” is a part of the
TCS. THE EDL operates independently of the TCS (also when the TCS
has been switched off using the TCS button).
WARNING
You should always adjust your style of driving to the conditions of
the road surface and the traffic situation. The increased safety
offered must not tempt you to take greater risks than otherwise -
risk of an accident!
Note
•All four wheels must be fitted with the same tyres in order to achieve
problem-free operation of the TCS. Differing rolling circumferences of the
tyres can lead to an undesirable reduction in the engine output.
•Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or other
assignment of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the TCS
⇒ page 233, “Accessories, changes and replacement of parts”.
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)
The electronic differential lock prevents an individual
wheel from slipping.
General
The EDL makes it much easier, and sometimes at all possible, to start off,
accelerate and climb a steep hill when the conditions of the road surface
are unfavourable.
Operating principle
The EDL is activated automatically, that is without any action on the part
of the driver. It monitors the speeds of the driven wheels with the aid of the
ABS sensors. Should only one drive wheel begin spinning on a slippery
surface there will be an appreciable difference in the speed of the driven
wheels. The EDL function brakes the slipping wheel and the differential
transmits a greater driving force to the other driven wheel. This control
process is also accompanied by noises.
Overheating of the brakes
The EDL switches off automatically if unusually severe stresses exist in
order to avoid excessive heat generation in the disc brake on the wheel
which is being braked. The vehicle can continue to be driven and has the
same characteristics as a vehicle not fitted with EDL.

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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 35,
“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 otherwise the braking system could run too hot.
•Allow for the fact that new brake pads do not achieve their full
braking efficiency until approximately 200 kilometres. New brake
pads must be first “run in” before they develop their optimal fric-
tion 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 longer 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.
Brake booster
The braking force boosts the pressure which you generate with the brake
pedal. The necessary pressure is only generated when the engine is
running.
WARNING
•Never switch off the engine before the vehicle is stationary.
•The brake booster only operates when the engine is running.
Greater physical effort for braking is required when engine is
switched off. Because if you do not stop as normal, this can cause
an accident and severe injuries.
Antilock brake system (ABS)
ABS prevents the wheels locking when braking.
General
The ABS contributes significantly to enhancing the active safety of your
vehicle. Compared to a car not fitted with the ABS brake system, you are
able to retain optimal steering ability even during a full brake application
on a slippery road surface because the wheels do not lock up.
You must not expect, however, that the braking distance will be shorter
under all circumstances as a result of the ABS The braking distance for
example on gravel and fresh snow, when you should anyway be driving
slowly and cautiously, will be longer.

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Power steering
Power steering assists the driver in steering the vehicle and reduces the
physical force needed for steering.
It is still possible to fully steer the vehicle if the power steering fails or if the
engine is not running (vehicle being towed in). The only difference is that
greater physical effort is required.
If the steering is turned to full lock when the car is stationary, you will
place great stresses on the power steering system. Turning the steering
to full lock in such a situation will be accompanied by noises. In addition,
the idling speed of the engine will drop briefly.
Caution
Do not leave the steering at full lock for more than 15 seconds when the
engine is running - risk of damaging the power steering!
Note
•Have the steering inspected as soon as possible by a Škoda dealer if
there is a leak or fault in the system.
•The power steering requires a special hydraulic oil. The oil reservoir is
located at the front left of the engine compartment ⇒page 210. The
correct hydraulic oil level is important for proper operation of the power
steering system.

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New brake pads
Allow for the fact that new brake pads do not achieve their full braking effi-
ciency 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 pres-
sure on the brake pedal.
This guideline also applies to any new brake pads installed at a future
date.
During the running-in period, you should avoid excessive stresses on the
brakes. This includes, for example, violent braking, particularly from very
high speeds, and also when crossing mountain passes.
Catalytic converter
Proper operation of the emission control 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 204, “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 213,
“Replenishing engine oil”. – Do not tow-start the vehicle over a distance of more than 50
metres ⇒page 248, “Tow-starting a vehicle”.
If you drive your vehicle in a country in which unleaded petrol is not avail-
able, you must have the catalytic converter replaced later when driving the
vehicle into a country in which use of a catalytic 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-protec-
tion agents for the exhaust pipes, catalytic converters or heat
shields. Such substances might ignite when driving - risk of fire!
Caution
•Vehicles fitted with catalytic converter should never be allowed to let
the fuel tank to run completely empty. An irregular fuel supply can result
in poor ignition or misfiring. Unburnt fuel may get into the exhaust system
and damage the catalytic converter.
•Filling the tank even only once with leaded petrol will result in the cata-
lytic converter being destroyed.
•If you detect misfiring, a drop in performance or irregular engine
running when driving, reduce your speed immediately and have the
vehicle inspected by the nearest Škoda dealer. The symptoms described
may be caused by a fault in the ignition system. Unburnt fuel may get into
the exhaust system and damage the catalytic converter.