2009-2013 Skoda Yeti 4 Door General Maintenance User Manual
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General Maintenance for Your Skoda Yeti 4 Door First Generation (2009-2013)

Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle 207  
General Maintenance  
Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle  
General  
Care of the exterior of vehicle  
Proper care retains the value of your vehicle.  
Washing the vehicle  
Regular and proper care retains the value of your vehicle. It may also be one of the  
requirements for the acceptance of warranty claims relating to corrosion damage  
and paint defects on the bodywork.  
Frequent washing protects your vehicle.  
The best protection for your vehicle against harmful environmental influences is  
frequent washing and wax treatment. How often you should wash your vehicle  
depends on a wide range of factors, such as:  
We recommend using a preservative from Škoda genuine accessories offered by  
your Škoda dealer. Please follow the instructions for use on the package.  
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•
•
•
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Frequency of use,  
The parking situation (garage, below trees etc.),  
Season of the year,  
WARNING  
•
Care products may be harmful to your health if not used according to the  
instructions.  
Weather conditions,  
Environmental influences.  
•
Always store care products in a safe place, out of the reach of children -  
risk of poisoning!  
The longer insect residues, bird droppings, tree sap, road and industrial dust, tar,  
soot particles, road salt and other aggressive deposits remain adhering to the paint-  
work of your vehicle, the more detrimental their destructive effect can be. High  
temperatures, such as those caused by intensive sun's rays, accentuate this caustic  
effect.  
For the sake of the environment  
Always select environmentally-friendly products when purchasing vehicle care  
products.  
•
It may therefore be necessary, in certain circumstances, to wash the car once a  
week. It may also be sufficient, however, to wash the car once a month followed  
by appropriate wax treatment.  
•
Do not dispose of the packages with residues of care products in domestic  
waste.  
It is essential to also thoroughly wash the underside of your vehicle at the end of  
the winter road salting and gritting period.  
WARNING  
When washing your vehicle in the winter: Water and ice in the brake system  
can affect the braking efficiency - risk of accident!  
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Breakdown assistance  
Technical Data  
208 Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle  
Automatic vehicle wash systems  
Rinse off the vehicle well after giving it a wash and dry it off using a chamois leather.  
The paintwork of the vehicle is sufficiently resistant that the vehicle can be washed  
normally in automatic vehicle wash plants without any problem. The actual stress  
to which the paintwork is subjected, however, depends greatly on the design of the  
vehicle wash system, the filtering of the water and the type of washing and care  
products used. If the paintwork of your vehicle appears mat after being washed or  
even has scratches, point this out to the operator of the vehicle wash plant. Use a  
different vehicle wash plant, if necessary.  
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.  
•
There are no particular points to note before washing your vehicle in such a plant  
other than the usual precautionary measures (closing windows and sliding/tilting  
roof, moving any factory-fitted aerials down flat against the bodywork, etc.).  
Caution  
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•
Do not wash your vehicle in bright sunlight - risk of paint damage.  
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.  
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.  
It is important to degrease the lips of the windscreen wiper rubbers after passing  
through the automatic vehicle wash system.  
•
Do not use any insect sponges, rough kitchen sponges or similar cleaning prod-  
ucts - risk of damage to the surface of paintwork.  
Caution  
For the sake of the environment  
Do not screw the swivelling down roof aerial tight before washing the vehicle in an  
automatic vehicle wash system - risk of damage!  
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 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.  
Washing with a high-pressure cleaner  
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 -  
beginning with the roof. Only place slight pressure on the vehicle paintwork during  
cleaning Only use a car shampoo for stubborn dirt.  
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.  
Wash out the sponge or washing glove thoroughly at short intervals.  
On no account use circular spray nozzles or so-called dirt cutters!  
Clean wheels, door sills and similar parts last. Use a second sponge for such areas.  
Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle 209  
WARNING  
Caution  
You must not treat mat painted parts or plastic with polishing products or hard  
wax.  
•
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!  
•
Do not polish the paintwork of the vehicle in a dusty environment, otherwise  
the paintwork can be scratched.  
Caution  
Chrome parts  
The water containing wax must be no hotter than 60°C, otherwise the vehicle can  
be damaged.  
First clean the chrome parts with a damp clotch and then polish them with a soft,  
dry cloth. If it does not prove to be adequate, use a chrome care product from  
Škoda original accessories.  
Wax treatment  
Good wax treatment is an effective way of protecting the paintwork from harmful  
environmental influences and minor mechanical damage.  
Caution  
Do not polish the chrome parts in a dusty environment, otherwise they can be  
scratched.  
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 bodywork  
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.  
Paint damage  
Slight damage to paintwork such as scratches, scuffs or traces of chip damage must  
be touched up immediately with paint (Škoda painting pen) before any corrosion  
can result. You can of course have this work carried out by a specialist garage.  
Caution  
Never apply wax to the windows.  
Specialist garages have a range of matching touch-up pens or spray cans available  
in the colour of your vehicle.  
The paint number of the original paintwork of your vehicle is indicated on the  
vehicle data sticker ⇒ page 263.  
Polishing  
Any corrosion which has already have formed must be removed thoroughly. Apply  
a corrosion protection primer and then the paint to the affected point. You can of  
course have this work carried out by a specialist garage.  
Polishing is only necessary if the paintwork of your vehicle has become unattractive  
and if it is no longer possible to achieve a gloss with wax preservers.  
You must treat the paintwork with a wax preserver if the polish you use does not  
contain any preserving elements ⇒ page 209.  
We recommend using a preservative from Škoda genuine accessories offered by  
your Škoda dealer.  
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General Maintenance  
Breakdown assistance  
Technical Data  
210 Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle  
Plastic parts  
The headlight lenses  
External plastic parts are cleaned by normal washing. Plastic parts and synthetic  
leather can also be treated with special solvent-free plastic cleaning agents if a  
damp cloth is not sufficient. Paint care products are not suitable for plastic parts.  
Please do not use any aggressive cleaning or chemical solvent products for cleaning  
the front headlights - risk of damage to the plastic lenses. Please use soap and  
clean warm water.  
Caution  
Caution  
Solvent-free cleaners attack the material and can damage it.  
Never wipe the headlights dry and do not use any sharp objects for cleaning the  
plastic lenses, this may result in damage to the protective paintwork and conse-  
quently in formation of cracks on the headlight lenses, e.g through effect of chem-  
ical products.  
Windows  
Only use a plastic ice scraper for removing snow and ice from the windows and  
mirrors. You should not move the ice scraper forward and backward but in one  
direction on the window which you are cleaning in order to avoid any damage to  
the surface of the glass.  
Door and window seals  
The rubber seals on the doors, boot lid, bonnet and windows remain supple and  
last longer if you treat them from time to time with a rubber care product (e.g. with  
a spray with silicone-free oil). You also avoid premature wear of the seals and  
prevent leakages in this way. It is also easier to open the doors. Rubber seals which  
are well cared for also do not stick together in cold winter weather.  
You can best remove residues of rubber, oil, grease, wax or silicone by using a  
special window cleaner or a special silicone remover.  
You should also clean the windows regularly from the inside.  
Do not use window leathers which you have used to polish the vehicle body to dry  
off the windows. Residues of preservatives in the window leather can dirty the  
window and reduce visibility.  
Locking cylinder  
Do not affix any stickers over the inside of the rear window to avoid damage to the  
heating elements of the rear window heater.  
We recommend that you use the spray from Škoda original accessories with  
regreasing and anticorrosive effect for de-icing locking cylinders.  
We recommend using a preservative from Škoda genuine accessories offered by  
your Škoda dealer.  
Note  
When washing your vehicle, ensure that as little water as possible gets into the  
locking cylinders.  
Caution  
Never remove snow or ice from the glass parts with warm or hot water - risk of  
formation of cracks in the glass!  
Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle 211  
Underbody protection  
Wheels  
Steel wheels  
The underside of your vehicle is protected for life against chemical and mechanical  
influences.  
You should also thoroughly wash the wheels and wheel trims when giving your  
vehicle its regular wash. This prevents any brake dust, dirt and road salt from  
sticking to the wheel hubs. You can remove stubborn brake abrasion adhering to  
the wheels with an industrial cleaner. Touch up any damage to the paintwork on the  
wheels before rust is able to form.  
One cannot, however, completely rule out damage to the protective layer when  
driving so we recommend that you inspect the protective layer on the underside of  
your vehicle and on the chassis at certain intervals - this is best done at the begin-  
ning and end of the winter - and to touch up any damaged areas.  
Specialist garages have suitable spray products available as well as the necessary  
equipment and are familiar with the instructions for use. It is therefore best to have  
such touch-up work or additional corrosion protection measures carried out by a  
specialist garage.  
Light alloy wheels  
Regular care of light alloy wheels is necessary in order to retain their decorative  
appearance over long periods. It is particularly important to remove regularly any  
road salt and brake abrasion from light alloy wheels, otherwise the light metal will  
suffer. Wash thoroughly and then treat the wheels with a protective product for light  
alloy wheels which does not contain any acidic components. We recommend to  
apply a hard wax layer onto the wheel hubs every three months. You must not use  
any products which cause abrasion when treating the wheel hubs. Any damage to  
the paint layer on the wheel hubs must be touched up immediately.  
WARNING  
Never use additional underbody protection or corrosion-protection agents  
for the exhaust pipes, catalytic converters, diesel particle filter or heat  
shields. When the engine reaches its operating temperature, these  
substances might ignite - risk of fire!  
We recommend using a preservative from Škoda genuine accessories offered by  
your Škoda dealer.  
Protection of hollow spaces  
WARNING  
One should remember when cleaning the wheels that moisture, ice and road  
salt may adversely affect braking efficiency - risk of an accident!  
All the cavities of your vehicle which are at risk from corrosion are protected for life  
by a layer of protective wax applied in the factory.  
This wax protection does not require to be inspected or re-treated. Please remove  
any small amount of wax which flows out of the cavities at high temperatures with  
a plastic scraper and clean the spot using petroleum cleaner.  
Note  
Severe layers of dirt on the wheels can also result in wheel imbalance. This may  
show itself in the form of a wheel vibration which is transmitted to the steering  
wheel which, in certain circumstances, can cause premature wear of the steering.  
This means it is necessary to remove the dirt.  
WARNING  
Safety and environmental protection regulations should observed when  
using petroleum cleaner to remove wax - a risk of fire!  
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Technical Data  
212 Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle  
Engine compartment  
Care of the interior of vehicle  
Good corrosion protection is very important, particularly in winter when one often  
drives over its salt-strewn roads. One should therefore clean the whole engine  
compartment before and after the salt spreading period and treat with preservative  
in order to prevent the salt from being destructive.  
Plastic parts, artificial leather and cloths  
You can clean plastic parts and artificial leather with a moist cloth. You should only  
treat such parts with special solvent-free plastic cleaning and care products it  
does prove to be adequate.  
Specialist garages have the cleaning agents and preservatives recommended by the  
manufacturer and also the required equipment.  
Upholstery cloth and cloth trim on the doors, luggage compartment cover, head-  
liner etc. are best treated with special cleaning products, using if necessary a dry  
foam and a soft sponge or brush.  
WARNING  
We recommend using a cleaning product from Škoda genuine accessories offered  
by your Škoda dealer.  
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It is necessary to observe the guidelines given in the chapter before  
working on the engine compartment ⇒ page 219, “Working in the engine  
compartment”.  
•
Let the engine cool down before cleaning the engine compartment.  
Caution  
Solvent-free cleaners attack the material and can damage it.  
Caution  
•
Engine cleaning may be only be undertaken when the ignition is off.  
Fabric covers of electrically heated seats  
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It is recommended to cover the generator before washing the engine compart-  
ment.  
Do not clean the seat covers moist as this may result in damage to the seat heating  
system.  
Clean such covers using special agents, for example dry foam.  
For the sake of the environment  
The dirty water produced by washing the engine has washed away petrol, and resi-  
dues of grease and oil and should therefore be cleaned by an oil separator. This is  
why engine washing should only be undertaken in a specialist garage or at a fueling  
station (when these are fitted with the required equipment).  
Natural leather  
Natural leather requires quite particular care and attention.  
Leather should be treated from time to time according the following  
guidelines depending on how much it is used.  
Normal cleaning  
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Clean soiled areas of the leather with slightly moistened cotton or  
woollen cloth.  
Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle 213  
Severe soiling  
Caution  
You must on no account treat the leather with solvents (e.g. gasoline, turpen-  
tine), floor wax, shoe cream or such like.  
Avoid leaving your vehicle for lengthy periods in bright sunlight in order to  
avoid bleaching the leather. If you leave your vehicle parked in the open for lengthy  
periods, protect the leather from the direct rays of the sun by covering it over.  
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Clean severely soiled areas with a cloth dipped in a mild soapy solu-  
tion (2 spoonfuls of natural soap to 1 litre of water).  
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Ensure that the leather is not soaked through at any point and that no  
water gets into the stitching of the seams.  
•
Dry off the leather with a soft, dry cloth.  
•
Sharp-edged objects on items of clothing such as zip fasteners, rivets, sharp-  
edged belts may leave permanent scratches or signs of rubbing on the surface.  
Removing stains  
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Remove fresh stains which are water-based (e.g. coffee, tea, juices,  
blood etc.) with an absorbent cloth or household paper or use the  
cleaner from the care set for a stain which has already dried in.  
Note  
•
Use a care cream with light blocker and impregnation effect regularly and each  
time after cleaning the leather. The cream nourishes the leather, allows it to breathe  
and keeps it supple and also provides moisture. It also creates surface protection.  
Remove fresh stains on a fat base (e.g. butter, mayonnaise, chocolate  
etc.) with an absorbent cloth or household cleaning paper or with the  
cleaner from the care set if the stain has not yet penetrated into the  
surface.  
•
Clean the leather every 2 to 3 months, remove fresh soiling each time this  
occurs.  
•
Remove fresh stains such as those from ball-point pens, ink, lipstick, shoe  
cream etc., as quickly as possible.  
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Use a grease dissolver for grease stains which have dried in.  
•
Care also for the leather dye. Refreshen areas which have lost their colour with  
a special coloured leather cream as required.  
The leather is a natural material with specific properties. During the use of the  
vehicle, minor optical changes can occur on the leather parts of the covers (e. g  
wrinkles or creases as a result of the stress of the covers).  
Eliminate special stains (e.g. ball-point pens, felt pen, nail varnish,  
dispersion paint, shoe cream etc.) with a special stain remover suit-  
able for leather.  
•
Leather care  
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Treat the leather every six months with the leather care product avail-  
able from specialist garages.  
Seat belts  
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Apply only a small amount of the care product.  
Dry the leather off with a soft cloth  
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Keep the seat belts clean!  
Wash seat belts which have become soiled using a mild soapy solu-  
tion.  
We recommend that you consult a specialist garage if you have any questions  
regarding cleaning and care of the leather interior in your vehicle.  
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Inspect the seat belts regularly to ensure they are in good condition.  
Belt webbing which has become severely soiled may prevent the inertia reel from  
reeling up the belt properly.  
Using the system  
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Technical Data  
214 Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle  
WARNING  
•
•
The seat belts must not be removed for cleaning.  
Never clean the seat belts chemically as dry cleaning may destroy the  
fabric. The seat belts must also not be allowed to come into contact with  
corrosive liquids (such as acids etc.).  
•
Seat belts which have damage to the webbing, the connections, the  
inertia reel or the lock should be replaced by a specialist garage.  
Inertia reel belts must be completely dried before being reeled up.  
•
Fuel 215  
Fuel  
Petrol  
Caution  
Filling the tank even only once with leaded petrol will result in the catalytic  
converter being destroyed.  
Operating the engine with petrol of a low octane number can result in engine  
•
Grades of petrol  
•
There are various grades of petrol. Please read ⇒ page 263, “Technical Data” in  
order to know which grade of petrol your vehicle requires. You will also find the  
same information affixed to the inside of the fuel filler flap of your vehicle  
⇒ page 216, fig. 203.  
damage at high revolutions or severe engine loading.  
Diesel  
A distinction is made between unleaded and leaded petrol. All Škoda vehicles with  
petrol engines are equipped with a catalytic converter and must therefore be only  
driven with unleaded petrol. Unleaded petrol complies with the standard EN 228.  
Diesel fuel  
The individual grades of petrol are distinguished by their octane number (RON).  
Please adopt the following procedure if the grade of petrol which you normally use  
is not be available in exceptional circumstances.  
Your vehicle can be operated with diesel fuel, which complies with the standard  
EN 590.  
Fuel additives  
Engines which need unleaded premium petrol 95 RON can also be run on  
unleaded regular petrol 91 RON. This does, however, result in a slight loss in  
performance.  
You must not use fuel additives, so-called “flow improvers” (petrol and similar  
products) in diesel fuel.  
If the quality of the diesel fuel is poor, it is then necessary to drain the fuel filter  
more often than stated in the Service schedule.  
If, in an emergency, the only fuel available is one which has a lower octane number  
than that required by the engine then only drive at medium engine speeds and  
lower engine loadings.  
You can find information on refuelling ⇒ page 216, “Refuelling”.  
You can make unlimited use of fuel which has a higher octane number than that  
required by the engine. There will, however, be no advantages gained by this in  
terms of engine performance and fuel consumption!  
Caution  
•
Only use fuel which complies with the standard EN 590. Filling the tank even  
only once, which does not comply with the standard, can result in damage to the  
fuel system.  
The handling, performance and life of your engine are determined to a significant  
extent by the quality of the fuel. Do not use any petrol additives. Use fuel which  
complies with the standard EN 228.  
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•
Water which has collected in the fuel filter can result in engine problems.  
Your vehicle is not adapted for use of biodiesel, therefore this fuel must not be  
refuelled and driven. Using this biodiesel can lead to damage to the engine or the  
fuel system.  
You can find further information on refuelling ⇒ page 216, “Refuelling”.  
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Technical Data  
216 Fuel  
Operation in winter  
Refuelling  
Winter-grade diesel fuel  
A different grade of diesel fuel is available at filling stations in winter than during the  
summer. Using “summer-grade diesel fuel” at temperatures below 0°C can result in  
operational problems because the diesel becomes viscous as a result of paraffin  
separation.  
It is therefore the case that EN 590 prescribes diesel fuel class for certain periods of  
the year which can also be purchased at the corresponding time during the year.  
“Winter-grade diesel fuel” will still operate properly even at a temperature of -20°C.  
It is often the case in countries with different climatic conditions that diesel fuels  
available have a different temperature characteristic. The specialist garages and the  
filling stations in the country concerned will be able to provide you with informa-  
tion regarding the diesel fuels available.  
Fig. 202 Right rear side of  
the vehicle: Fuel filler flap  
Prewarming fuel  
The vehicle is fitted with a fuel filter prewarming system. This secures operation of  
a vehicle using diesel fuel down to an environmental temperature of -25°C.  
Caution  
It is not permitted to add the various fuel additives on the market, including petrol,  
to diesel fuel in order to improve its flow properties.  
Fig. 203 Fuel filler flap with  
cap unscrewed  
The filler flap is automatically unlocked or locked* with the central  
locking.  
Open fuel filler flap  
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Press onto the left side of the fuel filler flap ⇒ fig. 202.  
The fuel filler cap on the fuel filler tube must be unlocked to the left  
using the vehicle key (only valid for vehicles which do not have auto-  
matic unlocking of the fuel filler flap).  
Fuel 217  
volume, which in case of heat can cause an expansion of the fuel. This can lead to  
an overflow of fuel or damage to parts of the fuel reservoir.  
The fuel tank is full just as soon as the pump nozzle switches off for the first time,  
provided the nozzle has been operated properly. Do not continue refuelling -  
otherwise the expansion volume is filled up.  
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Unscrew the fuel filler cap anti-clockwise and place the fuel filler cap  
from above on the fuel filler flap ⇒ page 216, fig. 203.  
•
Closing fuel filler cap  
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Screw on the cap by turning it to the right until it is heard to lock.  
The fuel filler cap on the fuel filler tube must be locked to the right  
using the vehicle key (only valid for vehicles which do not have auto-  
matic locking of the fuel filler flap).  
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Close the fuel filler flap until it locks.  
The correct grade of fuel for your vehicle as well as the tyre size and inflation pres-  
sures are stated on a sticker affixed to the inside of the fuel filler flap. Further infor-  
mation on fuel ⇒ page 215.  
The fuel tank has a capacity of about 60 litres.  
WARNING  
Pay attention to any legal requirements if you do carry a spare canister in the  
vehicle. We do not recommend carrying any fuel canisters in your vehicle for  
safety reasons. The canister can be damaged in the event of an accident and  
fuel may leak out.  
Caution  
•
Before refuelling it is necessary to switch off the auxiliary heating system (auxil-  
iary heating and ventilation) *.  
Remove any fuel which has spilled onto the paintwork of your vehicle immedi-  
ately - risk of paint damage!  
On vehicles fitted with a catalytic converter, never let the fuel tank run  
•
•
completely empty. An irregular supply of fuel to the engine can result in misfiring  
and unburnt fuel may get into the exhaust system, which may result in overheating  
and damage to the catalytic converter.  
•
Make sure that the valve is not pressed into the filler tube when inserting the  
pump nozzle into the filler tube. Otherwise you are unintentionally filling up the  
Using the system  
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Technical Data  
218 Inspecting and replenishing  
Inspecting and replenishing  
Opening and closing the bonnet.  
Engine compartment  
Bonnet remote release  
Fig. 205 Radiator grille:  
Locking lever  
Fig. 204 Bonnet release  
lever  
Bonnet remote release  
–
Pull the unlocking lever below the dash panel on the driver's side  
⇒ fig. 204.  
The bonnet jumps out of its lock as a result of the spring force. A locking lever  
appears at the same time in the radiator grille.  
Fig. 206 Securing the bonnet  
with the bonnet support  
Opening the bonnet  
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Unlock the bonnet ⇒ fig. 204.  
Ensure that the arms of the windscreen wipers are correctly in place  
against the windscreen before opening the bonnet otherwise  
damage could occur to the paintwork.  
Inspecting and replenishing 219  
this reason, it is essential to comply with the warning instructions stated  
below and with the general applicable rules of safety. The engine compart-  
–
Pull on the locking lever ⇒ page 218, fig. 205, the bonnet is then  
unlocked.  
ment of your car is a hazardous area ⇒  
.
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–
Grip with the hand under the radiator grille and lift up the bonnet.  
Take the bonnet support out of its holder and set it in the opening  
designed for it ⇒ page 218, fig. 206.  
WARNING  
•
Never open the bonnet if you see that steam or coolant is flowing out of  
the engine compartment - risk of scalding! Wait long enough until the steam  
or coolant has stopped escaping.  
Closing the bonnet  
–
Lift the bonnet slightly and unhook the bonnet support. Press the  
bonnet support into the holder designed to hold it.  
•
•
•
Switch off the engine and pull out the ignition key.  
Apply the handbrake firmly.  
–
Allow the bonnet to drop from a height of about 20 cm into the lock -  
bonnet do not press down on it!  
On vehicles fitted with a manual gearbox, move the gearshift lever into  
Neutral.  
•
•
•
Allow the engine to cool down.  
Keep children clear of the engine compartment.  
WARNING  
Never spill oil and other fluids over the hot engine. Such fluids (e.g. the  
antifreeze contained in the coolant) may ignite!  
•
Never open the bonnet if you see that steam or coolant is flowing out of  
the engine compartment - risk of scalding! Wait long enough until the steam  
or coolant has stopped escaping.  
•
•
Avoid short circuits in the electrical system - particularly on the battery.  
Never place your hand into the radiator fan as long as the engine is still  
•
For safety reasons, the bonnet must always be properly closed when  
driving. One should therefore check that the lock has in fact engaged prop-  
erly after closing the bonnet.  
warm. The fan might suddenly start running!  
•
Never open the cap of the coolant expansion bottle as long as the engine  
is still warm. The cooling system is pressurized!  
Cover over the cap of the coolant expansion reservoir with a large cloth  
•
Stop your vehicle immediately while driving if you notice that the lock is  
not properly engaged and close the bonnet properly - risk of an accident!  
•
when opening it as protection for your face, hands and arms from hot steam  
or hot coolant.  
Caution  
•
Do not let objects, such as e.g cleaning cloth or tools lie in the engine  
compartment.  
If you wish to work under the vehicle, you must secure the vehicle from  
Never open the bonnet using the locking lever - danger of causing damage.  
•
Working in the engine compartment  
rolling away and support it with suitable supporting blocks: the car jack is  
not sufficient for this - risk of injury!  
Particular care is required when carrying out any work in the engine  
compartment!  
•
In cases where it be necessary to carry out inspection work when the  
engine is running there is an additional risk from rotating parts (e.g. the V-  
ribbed belt, alternator, radiator fan) and from the high-voltage ignition  
system. Please observe in addition the following:  
There is a risk of injuries, scalding, accidents and fire when working in the  
engine compartment, e.g. inspecting and replenishing oil and other fluids. For  
Using the system  
Safety  
Driving Tips  
General Maintenance  
Breakdown assistance  
Technical Data  
220 Inspecting and replenishing  
Overview of the engine compartment  
WARNING (continued)  
The main inspection points  
−
−
Never touch the electrical cables of the ignition system.  
Absolutely avoid any jewellery, loose items of clothing or long hair  
from getting into the rotating parts of the engine - Hazard! Therefore  
remove any jewellery beforehand, tie up your hair and wear tight fitting  
clothing.  
•
Please also comply with the warning instructions stated below when  
carrying out any essential work on the fuel system or on the electrical  
system:  
−
−
−
−
Always separate the car battery from the electrical system.  
Do not smoke.  
Never carry out any work close to naked flames.  
Always keep a working fire extinguisher at hand.  
Caution  
When replenishing fluids in the engine, always ensure that the fluids are on no  
account mixed up. This may result in major operating problems and also vehicle  
damage!  
Fig. 207 Petrol engine 1.8 ltr./118 kW TSI  
1
223  
230  
222  
221  
225  
226  
A Coolant expansion bottle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
2
A Windshield washer fluid reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
3
A Engine oil filler opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
4
A Engine oil dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
5
A Brake fluid reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
6
A Battery (below a cover) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Note  
The location of the inspection points in the engine compartment of petrol and  
diesel engines is practically identical.  
Inspecting and replenishing 221  
B
Oil level within range A  
Engine oil  
–
You may top up the oil. It is possible that the oil level may then be  
Check engine oil level  
A
within range A after doing this.  
The dipstick indicates the level of oil in the engine.  
C
Oil level within range A  
–
You must top up the oil ⇒ page 222. It is sufficient, once this is done,  
B
to keep the oil level within range A.  
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.  
Fig. 208 Dipstick  
A
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  
motorway trip during the summer months, towing a trailer or negotiating a high  
mountain pass.  
Checking the oil level  
–
–
–
Ensure that the vehicle is positioned on a level surface.  
Switch the engine off.  
The warning light in the instrument cluster* will indicate ⇒ page 36, “Engine oil  
pressure ” 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.  
Open the bonnet ⇒  
in “Working in the engine compartment” on  
page 219.  
Caution  
–
–
–
Wait a few minutes and pull out the oil dipstick.  
A
•
The oil level must on no account extend beyond the range A. Danger of  
damaging the catalytic converter.  
Wipe off the dipstick with a clean cloth and insert it again fully.  
Then withdraw the dipstick again and read off the oil level.  
•
Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under the  
conditions prevailing to top up with oil. Switch of the engine and contact and  
obtain professional assistance from a specialist garage.  
A
Oil level within range A  
–
You must not top up the oil.  
Note  
Engine oil specifications ⇒ page 263, “Technical Data”.  
Using the system  
Safety  
Driving Tips  
General Maintenance  
Breakdown assistance  
Technical Data  
222 Inspecting and replenishing  
Replenishing engine oil  
WARNING (continued)  
•
Read and observe the warning notes ⇒ page 219, “Working in the engine  
compartment” before working in the engine compartment.  
–
–
–
Inspecting the engine oil level ⇒ page 221.  
Unscrew the cap of the engine oil filler opening.  
•
•
•
Let the engine cool down - risk of burning from hot oil.  
Pour in a suitable grade of oil in portions of 0.5 litres ⇒ page 266,  
“Engine oil specifications”.  
Wear an eye protection - risk of caustic burns due to oil splashes.  
Oil is toxic! Store old oil in a safe place out of the reach of children and  
unauthorized persons until you dispose of it properly.  
–
–
Inspect the oil level ⇒ page 221.  
Carefully screw on the cap of the filler opening and push the dipstick  
in fully.  
Caution  
You must not pour any additives into the engine oil - risk of engine damage!  
Damage, which results from such product, are excluded from the warranty.  
WARNING  
•
Avoid dripping oil onto hot parts of the engine when topping up will oil -  
a risk of fire!  
For the sake of the environment  
You must on no account pour oil into the ground or into the sewage system.  
•
•
•
Read and observe the warning notes ⇒ page 219, “Working in the engine  
In view of the problems involved in properly disposing of old oil, the material,  
equipment and the knowledge required for such work, we recommend that you  
have the oil and oil filter change carried out by a specialist garage.  
compartment” before working in the engine compartment.  
For the sake of the environment  
A
The oil level must on no account extend beyond the range A⇒ page 221. Oil will  
Note  
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.  
After your skin has come in contact with the oil, you must thoroughly wash your  
skin.  
Cooling system  
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 20, “Service Interval Display”.  
Coolant  
The job of the coolant is to cool the engine.  
The cooling system does not require any maintenance under normal operating  
conditions. The coolant consists of water with a concentration of coolant additive  
of 40 %. This mixture not only provides antifreeze protection down to -25°C but  
WARNING  
•
Only carry out the engine oil change, if you have the required profes-  
sional knowledge!  
Inspecting and replenishing 223  
also protects the cooling and heating system from corrosion. It also prevents the  
formation of scale and significantly increases the boiling point of the coolant.  
Inspecting the coolant level  
You must therefore not reduce the concentration of antifreeze agent in the coolant  
by adding water, also not during the summer months or in countries with a warm  
climate. The concentration of coolant additive in the coolant must be at least  
40%.  
You can increase the amount of antifreeze in the coolant if a higher concentration  
of antifreeze is necessary for climatic reasons but only up to 60% (antifreeze  
protection down to approx. -40°C). The antifreeze protection tails off above that  
concentration.  
Fig. 209 Engine compart-  
ment: Coolant expansion  
bottle  
Vehicles exported to countries with a cold climate (e.g. Sweden, Norway, Finland)  
are already factory-filled with a coolant which offers antifreeze protection down to  
about -35°C. In these countries the concentration of coolant additive should be at  
least 50 %.  
The coolant expansion bottle is located in the engine compartment on  
the right.  
Coolant  
The cooling system is factory-filled with coolant (purple in colour), which complies  
with the specification TL-VW 774 G.  
–
–
–
Switch the engine off.  
Open the bonnet ⇒ page 218.  
We recommend that you use the same coolant additive - G12 PLUS-PLUS (purple  
in colour) for topping up the system.  
Check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion bottle ⇒ fig. 209.  
a
When the engine is cold, the coolant level must lie between the A  
Please contact a specialist garage if you have any questions regarding the coolant  
or if you wish to fill up with a different coolant.  
b
and A markings. When the engine is warm, the level may also lie  
slightly above the hatched part.  
A specialist garage can also supply you with the correct coolant additives.  
If the coolant level in the reservoir is too low, this is indicated by the warning light  
in the instrument cluster ⇒ page 37, “Coolant temperature/ Coolant quantity ”.  
We nevertheless recommend inspecting the coolant level directly at the reservoir  
from time to time.  
Caution  
•
Other coolant additives may cause operational problems which, in partic-  
ular, involves significantly reducing the anticorrosion effect.  
Any faults or problems resulting from corrosion may cause a loss of  
coolant and, as a consequence of this, result in major engine damage.  
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.  
Using the system  
Safety  
Driving Tips  
General Maintenance  
Breakdown assistance  
Technical Data  
224 Inspecting and replenishing  
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.  
Do not top up the fluid above the hatched part! Excess coolant which is heated up  
is forced out of the cooling system through the pressure relief valve in the cap of the  
coolant compensation bottle.  
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 damage.  
WARNING  
Read and observe the warning notes ⇒ page 219, “Working in the engine  
compartment” before working in the engine compartment.  
WARNING  
•
The cooling system is pressurized! Do not open the cap of the coolant  
expansion bottle if the engine is still hot - risk of scalding!  
The coolant additive and thus all of the coolant is harmful to your health.  
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  
damage to the engine.  
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!  
•
If any splashes of coolant get into your eyes, rinse out your eyes immedi-  
ately with clear water and contact a doctor as soon as possible.  
You should also consult a doctor without delay if you have inadvertently  
Replenishing the coolant  
•
–
–
–
Switch the engine off.  
swallowed coolant.  
Allow the engine to cool down.  
Caution  
Place a cloth over the cap of the coolant expansion reservoir  
Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under the  
conditions prevailing to top up with coolant. Switch of the engine and contact  
and obtain professional assistance from a specialist garage.  
⇒ page 223, fig. 209 and unscrew the cap carefully by turning it to the  
left ⇒  
.
–
–
Top up the coolant.  
Screw the cap tight until it is heard to lock.  
For the sake of the environment  
Do not re-use coolant if it is necessary to drain the coolant in the system. It should  
be collected and disposed of in compliance with environmental protection  
regulations.  
The coolant which you use for replenishing the system, must comply with one  
specific specification ⇒ page 222. Do not use an alternative additive if the coolant  
additive G12 PLUS - PLUS 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.  
Inspecting and replenishing 225  
The brake fluid reservoir is located on the left of the engine compartment.  
The brake fluid reservoir on right-hand steering models is positioned on  
the other side of the engine compartment.  
Radiator fan  
The radiator fan may switch on suddenly.  
The radiator fan is driven by an electric motor and controlled according to the  
coolant temperature.  
–
–
–
Switch the engine off.  
Open the bonnet ⇒ page 218.  
The radiator fan may continue running for up to 10 minutes after the engine has  
been switched off - even if the ignition is also off. It may also switch on suddenly  
after a certain time, if  
Inspect the brake fluid level in the reservoir ⇒ fig. 210. The level must  
be between the “MIN” and “MAX” markings.  
•
•
the coolant temperature has risen because of an accumulation of heat or  
the warm engine compartment is heated up additionally by strong sunlight.  
A slight drop in the fluid level results when driving due to normal wear-and-tear  
and automatic adjustment of the brake pads, and is perfectly normal.  
There may be an indication of a leak in the brake system, however, if the fluid level  
drops significantly within a short time or if it drops below the “MIN” marking. If the  
brake fluid level is too low, this is indicated by the warning light ⇒ page 40, “Brake  
system ” lighting up in the instrument cluster. In this case stop immediately and  
do not drive any further! Obtain professional assistance.  
WARNING  
You must therefore be aware when working in the engine compartment that  
the fan may switch on suddenly - risk of injury!  
Brake fluid  
WARNING  
•
Read and observe the warning notes ⇒ page 219, “Working in the engine  
compartment” before working in the engine compartment.  
If the fluid level has dropped below the MIN marking, do not drive any  
Inspecting the brake fluid level  
•
further - risk of accident! Obtain professional assistance.  
Replacing brake fluid  
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. This causes the fluid to absorb moisture from the  
surrounding air over a period of time. Excessive water in the brake fluid may be the  
cause of corrosion in the brake system. The water content also lowers the boiling  
point of the brake fluid. This is why brake fluid must be replaced every two  
years.  
Fig. 210 Engine compart-  
ment: Brake fluid reservoir  
One may only use new genuine brake fluid from Škoda Auto. The specification for  
the brake fluid is “FMVSS 116 DOT 4”.  
Using the system  
Safety  
Driving Tips  
General Maintenance  
Breakdown assistance  
Technical Data  
226 Inspecting and replenishing  
We recommend that you have the brake fluid replaced by a specialist garage as  
part of an Inspection Service.  
WARNING  
•
Using old brake fluid can result in severe stress on the brakes because of  
the formation of vapour bubbles in the brake system. This greatly impairs  
the braking efficiency and thus also the safety of your vehicle.  
Fig. 212 Engine compart-  
ment: Plastic cover of the  
vehicle battery  
•
Brake fluid is toxic! It must therefore be kept safely in closed original  
containers and well away from children and unauthorized persons.  
Caution  
The battery is located in the engine compartment in a polyester cover or  
in a plastic cover*.  
Brake fluid damages the paintwork of the vehicle.  
–
Open the battery cover in direction of arrow ⇒ fig. 211 or press the  
interlock on the side of the battery cover ⇒ fig. 212, fold the cover up  
and remove the battery.  
For the sake of the environment  
In view of the problems involved with proper disposal of brake fluid, the special  
tools and the professional knowledge required, you should have the brake fluid  
replaced by a specialist garage.  
–
The installation of the battery cover takes place in the reverse order.  
Removal and installation of the battery is not recommended since it can, under  
certain circumstances, lead to major damage. Contact a specialist garage.  
Battery  
There is a risk of injuries, scalding, accidents and burns when carrying out any work  
on the battery and on the electrical system. For this reason, it is essential to comply  
Working on the battery  
with the warning instructions ⇒  
stated below and with the general applicable  
rules of safety.  
WARNING  
•
The battery acid is strongly corrosive and must, therefore, be handled  
with the greatest of care. Always wear protective gloves, eye and skin  
protection when handling batteries. Corrosive fumes in the air irritate the  
air passages and lead to conjunctivitis and inflammation of the air passages  
in the lungs. Battery acid corrodes dental enamel and creates deep wounds  
after contact with the skin which take a long time to heal. Repeated contact  
with diluted acids causes skin diseases (inflammations, ulcers, slin cracks).  
Fig. 211 Engine compart-  
ment: Polyester cover of the  
vehicle battery  
Inspecting and replenishing 227  
WARNING (continued)  
Caution  
You must only disconnect the battery if the ignition is switched off, otherwise  
the electrical system (electronic components) of the vehicle may be damaged.  
When disconnecting the battery from the electrical system of the vehicle, first  
disconnect the negative terminal (-) of the battery. Then disconnect the positive  
terminal (+).  
Acids coming into contact with water are diluted accompanied by significant  
development of heat.  
•
•
Do not tilt the battery otherwise battery electrolyte may flow out of the  
battery vent openings. Protect the eyes with safety glasses or a shield! There  
is the danger of suffering blindness! If any battery electrolyte gets into your  
eye, rinse out your eye immediately with clear water for several minutes.  
Contact a doctor without delay.  
•
When reconnecting the battery, first connect the positive terminal (+) and only  
then the negative terminal (-) of the battery. You must on no account connect the  
cables wrongly - risk of a cable fire.  
•
Splashes of acid on your skin or clothes should be neutralised as soon as  
possible using soap suds and then rinsed with plenty of water. Contact a  
doctor immediately if you swallow battery electrolyte.  
•
Ensure that battery acid does not come into contact with the vehicle body  
otherwise damage could occur to the paintwork.  
Do not place the battery in direct daylight in order to protect the battery  
•
•
Keep batteries out of the reach of children.  
•
housing from the effects of ultra-violet light.  
Hydrogen is released when you charge a battery and a highly explosive  
gas mixture is produced. An explosion can be caused through sparkling over  
during unclamping or loosening of the cable plug while the ignition is on.  
For the sake of the environment  
A removed battery is a special type of waste which is harmful to the environment -  
contact your specialist garage regarding disposing of the battery.  
•
Bridging of the poles will create a short circuit (e.g. through metal  
objects, cables). Possible consequences of a short circuit: Melting of lead  
struts, explosion and burning of the battery, jets of acid spurting out.  
•
It is prohibited to work with a naked flame and light, to smoke or to carry  
out any activities which produce sparks. Avoid creating sparks when  
working with cables and electrical devices. Strong sparking represents a risk  
of injury.  
Note  
Please also refer to the guidelines ⇒ page 230, also after connecting the battery.  
•
Before carrying out any work on the electrical system, switch off the  
engine, the ignition as well as all electrical components and disconnect the  
negative cable (-) on the battery. If you wish to replace a bulb it is sufficient  
to switch off the appropriate light.  
•
Never charge a frozen or thawed battery - risk of explosion and caustic  
burns! Replace a frozen battery.  
Never use a battery which is damaged - risk of explosion! Immediately  
replace a damaged battery.  
•
Using the system  
Safety  
Driving Tips  
General Maintenance  
Breakdown assistance  
Technical Data  
228 Inspecting and replenishing  
Battery with a two-tone indicator  
Note  
•
Batteries with two-tone indicator, which are mounted as of factory, are marked  
with a code which always begins with 5K0. The exact marking can be e.g.  
5K0 915 105 D.  
•
Replacement batteries with two-tone indicator, which were obtained from  
Škoda original accessories, are marked with the code 000 915 105 Dx, whereby  
“x” stands for a variable. The exact marking can be e.g. 000 915 105 DB.  
Battery with a three-tone indicator  
Fig. 213 The battery: Show  
An indicator for the electrolyte level and the charge state, the so-called magic eye  
⇒ page 228, fig. 213, is located on the top of the battery. The indicator changes its  
colour in line with the charge state and the electrolyte level in the battery.  
An indicator for the electrolyte level, the so-called magic eye ⇒ fig. 213, is located  
on the top of the battery. The indicator changes its colour in line with the electrolyte  
level in the battery.  
Air bubbles can influence the colour of the indicator. For this reason carefully knock  
on the indicator before carrying out the check.  
Air bubbles can influence the colour of the indicator. For this reason carefully knock  
on the indicator before carrying out the check.  
•
•
•
Green colour - the battery is adequately charged.  
Dark colour - the battery has to be charged  
•
•
Black colour - electrolyte level is correct.  
Colourless or yellow colour - electrolyte level too low, the battery must be  
replaced.  
Colourless or light yellow colour - electrolyte level too low, the battery must be  
replaced.  
Batteries, which are more than 5 years old, must be replaced. We recommend you  
have the battery checked or replaced by a specialist garage.  
Batteries, which are more than 5 years old, must be replaced. We recommend you  
have the battery checked or replaced by a specialist garage.  
Caution  
Caution  
If the vehicle has not been driven for more than 3 to 4 weeks, the battery will  
discharge because certain electrical components consume electricity (e.g. control  
units) also in idle state. You can prevent the discharging of the battery by discon-  
necting the negative terminal or charging the battery constantly with a very low  
charging current. Please also refer to the notes when working on the battery ⇒  
in “Working on the battery” on page 226.  
If the vehicle has not been driven for more than 3 to 4 weeks, the battery will  
discharge because certain electrical components consume electricity (e.g. control  
units) also in idle state. You can prevent the discharging of the battery by discon-  
necting the negative terminal or charging the battery constantly with a very low  
charging current. Please also refer to the notes when working on the battery  
⇒ page 226.  
Inspecting and replenishing 229  
Charging the battery  
Note  
A properly charged battery is essential for reliably starting the  
engine.  
•
Batteries with three-tone indicator, which are mounted as of factory, are  
marked with a code which always begins with 1J0, 7N0 or 3B0. The exact marking  
can be e.g. 1J0 915 105 AC.  
–
Read the warning notes ⇒  
page 226 and ⇒  
in “Working on the battery” on  
•
Replacement batteries with three-tone indicator, which were obtained from  
.
Škoda original accessories, are marked with the code 000 915 105 Ax, whereby  
“x” stands for a variable. The exact marking can be e.g. 000 915 105 AB.  
–
–
Switch the ignition and all electrical components off.  
Only for “quick-charging”: Disconnect both battery cables (first of all  
“negative”, then “positive”).  
Inspecting the electrolyte level  
–
–
–
Carefully attach the terminal clamps of the charger to the battery  
terminals (red = “positive”, black = “negative”).  
The battery is practically maintenance-free under normal operating conditions.  
We do, however, recommend that you have the electrolyte level inspected from  
time to time by a specialist garage when outside temperatures are high or when  
driving on long trips. You should also have the electrolyte level ⇒ page 229  
checked each time the battery is charged.  
You can now plug the mains cable of the charger into the power socket  
and switch on the charger.  
When charging is completed: switch the charger off and unplug the  
mains cable from the power socket.  
The electrolyte level of the battery will also be checked as part of the Inspection  
Service.  
–
–
Only then should you disconnect the terminal clamps of the charger.  
Operation in winter  
Reconnect the cables to the battery (first of all “positive”, then “nega-  
tive”).  
The battery has to provide greater amounts of electricity during the winter. It also  
has only part of the initial power output at low temperatures that it has at normal  
temperatures.  
It is not normally necessary to disconnect the cables of the battery if you recharge  
the battery using low amperages (as for example from a mini-charger). Please also  
refer to the instructions from the charger manufacturer.  
A discharged battery may already freeze at temperatures just below 0°C.  
A charging current of 0.1 of the total battery capacity (or lower) is that which should  
be used until full charging is achieved.  
We therefore recommend that you have the battery checked by a specialist garage  
before the start of the winter and recharged if necessary.  
It is, however, necessary to disconnect both cables before charging the battery with  
high amperages, so-called “quick-charging”.  
WARNING  
“Quick-charging” a battery is dangerous ⇒  
in “Working on the battery” on  
Never charge a frozen or thawed battery - risk of explosion and caustic  
burns. Replace a frozen battery.  
page 226. It requires a special charger and appropriate knowledge. We therefore  
recommend that you have your battery quick-charged only by your specialist  
garage.  
Using the system  
Safety  
Driving Tips  
General Maintenance  
Breakdown assistance  
Technical Data  
230 Inspecting and replenishing  
A discharged battery may already freeze at temperatures just below 0°C ⇒  
. We  
We recommend that you only have an old battery disposed of by a specialist garage  
since it does require special disposal.  
recommend that you no longer use a battery which has thawed out because the  
casing of the battery may be cracked through the formation of ice and this would  
allow battery electrolyte to flow out.  
For the sake of the environment  
The vent plugs of the battery should not be opened for charging.  
Batteries contain poisonous substances such as sulphuric acid and lead. They must  
be disposed of in accordance with local environmental protection regulations and  
on no account as domestic waste.  
WARNING  
Never charge a frozen or thawed battery - risk of explosion and caustic  
burns. Replace a frozen battery.  
Windshield washer system  
•
Never charge a battery which has a too low electrolyte level - risk of  
explosion and caustic burns.  
Disconnecting and reconnecting the battery  
On disconnecting and reconnecting the battery the following functions are initially  
deactivated or are no longer able to operate fault-free.  
Operation  
Operating measure  
Fig. 214 Engine compart-  
ment: Windshield washer  
fluid reservoir  
Electrical power window (operational faults) ⇒ page 54  
Enter radio code number  
Set hours  
see Radio Operating Instructions  
⇒ page 21  
⇒ page 21  
The windshield washer reservoir contains the cleaning fluid for the windscreen or  
rear window and for the headlamp cleaning system*. The reservoir is located at the  
front right of the engine compartment ⇒ fig. 214.  
Data in the multi-functional indicator* are  
deleted.  
The filling level of the container is 3 litres, 5.5 litres on vehicles which also have a  
headlight washing system.  
We recommend having the vehicle checked by a specialist garage to ensure full  
functionality of all electrical systems.  
Clear water is not sufficient to intensively clean the windscreen and headlights. We  
therefore recommend using clean washing water together with the screen cleaner  
from Škoda genuine accessories (in winter additionally with antifreeze) which is  
capable of removing stubborn dirt. Follow the instructions for use on the packaging  
when using screen cleaning products.  
Replacing the battery  
You should only replace a battery with a new battery of the same capacity, voltage  
(12 V), amperage and of the same size. Specialist garages have a range of suitable  
batteries available.  
You should always add antifreeze to the cleaning water in winter even if your  
vehicle is fitted with heated windscreen washer nozzles*.  
Inspecting and replenishing 231  
It is also possible in exceptional cases to use methylated spirits when no screen  
cleaner with antifreeze is available. The concentration of methylated spirits must  
not be more than 15 %. Please note, however, that the antifreeze protection at this  
concentration is only adequate down to -5°C.  
WARNING  
Read and observe the warning notes ⇒ page 219, “Working in the engine  
compartment” before working in the engine compartment.  
Caution  
•
On no account should you add radiator antifreeze or other additives to the  
windscreen washer fluid.  
If the vehicle is fitted with headlight cleaning system, you should only add  
•
cleaning products which do not attack the polycarbonate coating of the headlights  
to the windscreen washer fluid. Please contact your specialist garage, who will tell  
you which cleaning agent you can use.  
Using the system  
Safety  
Driving Tips  
General Maintenance  
Breakdown assistance  
Technical Data  
232 Wheels and Tyres  
Wheels and Tyres  
Wheels  
Note  
Please observe the various differing legal requirements regarding tyres.  
General information  
•
New tyres do not offer optimal grip at first and should therefore be run in for  
about 500 km at a moderate speed and an appropriately cautious style of driving.  
You will also profit from longer tyre life.  
Tyre life  
•
The tread depth of new tyres may differ because of design features and the  
configuration of the tread (depending on the type of tyre and the manufacturer).  
Drive over curbs on the side of the road and other such obstacles slowly and,  
where possible, at a right angle in order to avoid damage to tyres and wheel trims.  
Inspect your tyres from time to time for damage (punctures, cuts, splits and  
bulges). Remove foreign bodies from the tyre profile.  
Damage to tyres and wheels is frequently not visible. Unusual vibrations or  
•
•
•
Fig. 215 An opened fuel filler  
flap with a tyre size and tyre  
inflation pressure table  
pulling of the vehicle to one side could be a sign of tyre damage. Please reduce  
your speed immediately and stop if you suspect that a wheel is damaged.  
Inspect the tyres for signs of damage (bulges, splits, etc.). If no visible damage is  
present, please drive at an appropriately slow speed and carefully to the nearest  
specialist garage in order to have your vehicle inspected.  
The life of your tyres very much depends on the following points:  
•
•
•
Also protect your tyres from contact with oil, grease and fuel.  
Tyre pressure  
Immediately replace any dust caps of the valves which have got lost.  
Mark wheels before removing them so that their previous direction of running  
can be maintained when mounted them again.  
The working life of tyres will be shortened considerably if the tyres are insufficiently  
or over-inflated and this will have an adverse effect on the handling of your vehicle.  
Correctly inflated tyres are of particular importance when travelling at high speeds.  
It is therefore good to check the pressure at least once a month and also before  
setting off on a long trip. Please do not forget the spare wheel when checking the  
tyres.  
•
Always store wheels or tyres which been removed in a cool, dry and, where  
possible, dark place. Tyres which are not fixed to a wheel trim should be stored  
upright.  
The tyre inflation pressures for summer tyres are indicated on the inside of the fuel  
filler flap ⇒ fig. 215. The inflation pressures for winter tyres are 20 kPa (0.2 bar)  
higher than those for summer tyres ⇒ page 236.  
WARNING  
•
New tyres during the first 500 km do not offer optimal grip and should  
therefore be run appropriately - risk of accident!  
Never drive with damaged tyres - risk of accident!  
The tyre pressure should be at the highest pressure specified for your vehicle at all  
times.  
•
Wheels and Tyres 233  
The tyre inflation pressure of the emergency spare wheel R 18 is 420 kPa (4.2 bar).  
Wear indicators  
Always check the inflation pressure of tyres when cold. Do not reduce the higher  
pressure of warm tyres. Adapt the inflation pressure of the tyres accordingly if your  
vehicle is carrying a significantly higher payload.  
Driving style  
Fast cornering, sharp acceleration and braking (squealing tyres) increase wear-and-  
tear on your tyres.  
Balancing wheels  
The wheels of a new vehicle are balanced. There are a wide range of influences  
when driving which may result in an imbalance and which makes themselves felt  
through vibration in the steering.  
Fig. 216 Tyre tread with wear  
indicators  
You should have the wheels rebalanced since any imbalance increases wear-and-  
tear on the steering, the suspension and tyres. A wheel must also be rebalanced  
when a new tyre is fitted and each time a tyre is repaired.  
The base of the tread of the original tyres has wear indicators 1.6 mm high, installed  
at right angles to the direction of travel. These wear indicators are located at 6 - 8  
points depending on the make and are evenly spaced around the circumference of  
the tyre ⇒ fig. 216. Markings on the walls of the tyres through the letters “TWI”,  
triangular symbols or other symbols identify the position of the wear indicators.  
Wheel alignment errors  
Incorrect wheel alignment at the front and rear will not only increase wear-and-tear  
on the tyres but will also has an adverse effect on vehicle safety. Contact your  
specialist garage if you notice any unusual tyre wear.  
A remaining tread of just 1.6 mm, measured in the grooves of the tread next to the  
wear indicators, means that your tyres have reached their legally permissible  
minimum tread depth.  
WARNING  
WARNING  
•
If the inflation pressure is too low, the tyre must perform a greater flexing  
work. At higher speeds the tyre will warm up as a result of this. This can  
result in tread separation and even a tyre blowout.  
•
You must have your tyres replaced with new ones at the latest when the  
wear indicators have been worn down. The legally permissible minimum  
tread depth should be observed.  
•
•
Immediately replace the damaged rims or tyres.  
Tyres which are 6 years old or more should only be fitted in exceptional  
•
Worn tyres do not provide the necessary adhesion to the road surface at  
high speeds on wet roads. One could experience “aquaplaning” (uncon-  
trolled movements of the vehicle - “swimming” on a wet road surface).  
cases and when adopting an appropriately cautious style of driving.  
For the sake of the environment  
Tyres which are insufficiently inflated increase your fuel consumption.  
Using the system  
Safety  
Driving Tips  
General Maintenance  
Breakdown assistance  
Technical Data  
234 Wheels and Tyres  
Changing wheels around  
We recommend that you have any work relating to tyres or wheels carried out by a  
specialist garage. Your dealer has all of the necessary special tools and replace-  
ment parts available plus the required specialist knowledge and is also in a position  
to properly dispose of the old tyres. A large number of specialist garages also have  
an attractive range of tyres and wheels available.  
The tyre/wheel combinations which are approved for your vehicle are indicated in  
your vehicle documents. Approval and licensing may differ according to the legis-  
lation prevailing in individual countries.  
Proper knowledge of the tyre data makes it easier for you to select the correct type  
of tyre. Tyres do, for example, have the following inscription on their walls:  
Fig. 217 Changing wheels  
around  
225 / 50R 17 91 T  
What this means is:  
If significantly greater wear is present on the front tyres, we recommend changing  
the front wheels around with the rear wheels as shown in the diagram ⇒ fig. 217.  
You will then obtain approximately the same life for all the tyres.  
225  
50  
R
Tyre width in mm  
Height/width ratio in %  
Code letter for the type of tyre - R adial  
Diameter of wheel in inches  
Load index  
It may be advantageous to swap the tyres over “crosswise” when certain types of  
wear characteristic arise on the running surface of the tyres (but not in the case of  
unidirectional tyres). Specialist garages are familiar with details.  
17  
91  
T
We recommend that you change the wheels around every 10 000 km in order to  
achieve even wear on all wheels and to obtain optimal tyre life.  
Speed symbol  
The following speed restrictions apply to tyres.  
New tyres and wheels  
Speed symbol  
Permissible maximum speed  
S
T
180 km/h  
190 km/h  
210 km/h  
240 km/h  
270 km/h  
300 km/h  
Tyres and wheel rims are important design elements. One should therefore use the  
tyres and wheel rims which have been released for use by Škoda Auto. They are  
exactly matched to the vehicle type and therefore contribute significantly to good  
H
V
road holding and safe driving characteristics ⇒  
.
Only fit radial tyres of the same type on all 4 wheels, size (rolling circumference)  
and, if possible, the same tread pattern on one axle.  
W
Y
The specialist garages have access to the most current information about which  
tyres we have released for use on your vehicle.  
Wheels and Tyres 235  
The date of manufacture is also stated on the tyre wall (possibly only on the inside  
of wheel):  
Note  
It is not normally possible to fit wheels from other models of cars for technical  
reasons. This may also apply in certain circumstances to the wheels of the same  
type of vehicle.  
DOT ... 20 09...  
means, for example, that the tyre was manufactured in the 20th week of the year  
2009.  
Any spare wheel which differs from the tyres fitted to the vehicle (e.g. winter tyres  
or low-profile tyres) should only be used only for a short time in the event of a  
puncture and when adopting an appropriately cautious style of driving. It should be  
replaced as quickly as possible by a normal wheel.  
Wheel bolts  
Wheels and wheel bolts are matched to each other in terms of design. Each time  
you fit other wheels - e.g. light alloy wheels or wheels with winter tyres - you must  
therefore also use the matching wheel bolts of the correct length and shape of  
spherical cap. This is essential to ensure that the wheels are tightly fitted and that  
the brake system operates properly.  
WARNING  
•
Only use those tyres or wheel rims which have been approved for your  
If you retrofit wheel trims (or have this done), please also ensure that an adequate  
flow of air remains assured for cooling the brake system.  
model of Škoda Auto vehicle. Failure to observe this instruction will  
adversely affect the road safety of your vehicle - risk of accident! Approval  
and licencing of your vehicle on public roads may also become void as a  
result.  
The specialist garages are informed about the technical possibilities which exist  
regarding converting or retrofitting wheels, tyres and wheel trims.  
•
You must on no account drive at a higher speed than is permissible for  
your tyres - risk of an accident resulting from tyre damage and loss of control  
over your vehicle.  
WARNING  
•
Tyres which are 6 years old or more should only be fitted in exceptional  
cases and when adopting an appropriately cautious style of driving.  
Never fit tyres which have already been used without having adequate  
•
In case of incorrect treatment of the wheel bolts, the wheel can loosen  
when the car is moving - risk of accident!  
The wheel bolts must be clean and must turn easily. However, they must  
never be treated with grease or oil.  
If the wheel bolts are tightened to a too low tightening torque, the rim  
•
•
knowledge of their previous history. Tyres age even if they have not been  
used at all or only very little. A spare tyre must only be used in exceptional  
cases and only then when adopting an appropriately cautious style of  
driving.  
•
can lossen when the car is moving - risk of accident! A tightening torque  
which is too high can damage the bolts and threads and this can result in  
permanent deformation of the contact surfaces on the rims.  
•
Do not, where possible, replace individual tyres but at least replace them  
on both wheels of a given axle at the same time. Always fit the tyres with the  
deeper tread depth to the front wheels.  
Caution  
The prescribed tightening torque of the wheel bolts for steel and light alloy wheels  
is 120 Nm.  
For the sake of the environment  
Old tyres must be disposed of in conformity with the appropriate regulations.  
Using the system  
Safety  
Driving Tips  
General Maintenance  
Breakdown assistance  
Technical Data  
236 Wheels and Tyres  
Winter tyres  
WARNING  
The handling of your vehicle will be significantly improved when driving on wintry  
roads if you fit winter tyres. Summer tyres do not offer the same grip on ice, snow  
and at temperatures below 7 °C because of their construction (width, rubber blend,  
tread pattern). This particularly applies to vehicles which are equipped with low-  
profile tyres or high-speed tyres (code index H or V on wall of tyre).  
You must on no account drive your car at more than the permissible  
maximum speed for your winter tyres - risk of an accident resulting from  
tyre damage and loss of control over your car.  
For the sake of the environment  
Winter tyres must be mounted on all four wheels to obtain the best handling char-  
acteristics.  
Fit your summer tyres on again in good time since summer tyres offer you better  
grip and handling on roads which are free of snow and ice as well as ar tempera-  
tures below 7 °C - the braking distance is shorter, there is less tyre noise, tyre wear  
is reduced and fuel consumption is reduced.  
You must only fit those types of winter tyre which are approved for your vehicle. The  
permissible sizes of winter tyres are stated in your vehicle documents. Approvals  
may differ because of national legislation.  
Please remember that the tyres should be inflated to 20 kPa (0.2 bar) more than is  
the case for summer tyres ⇒ page 232.  
Note  
Please observe the various differing legal requirements regarding tyres.  
Winter tyres no longer offer the same winter performance once the tyre tread has  
worn down to a depth of about 4 mm.  
Unidirectional tyres*  
Ageing also causes winter tyres to lose most of their winter performance properties  
- even in cases where the remaining tread depth is still clearly more than 4 mm.  
The direction of rotation of the tyres is marked by arrows on the wall of the tyre.  
This indicates the direction of rotation of the tyre, and it is essential that the tyres  
are fitted on to run in this direction. Only then are the tyres able to provide the  
optimal properties in terms of grip, low noise, wear-and-tear and aquaplaning.  
Speed restrictions apply to winter tyres as well as to summer tyres ⇒ page 234,  
⇒
.
You can fit winter tyres of a lower speed category to your vehicle provided that you  
also do not drive faster than the permissible maximum speed for such tyres, even  
if the possible maximum speed of your vehicle is higher. The corresponding tyre  
category can damage the tyres when exceeding the permissible maximum speed.  
Should it be necessary to fit on a spare wheel in exceptional cases with a tyre not  
dedicated to the running direction or in opposite running direction, please adopt a  
cautious style of driving as the tyre is no longer able to provide optimal grip and  
handling in such a situation. This particularly important on wet roads. Please refer  
to the notes ⇒ page 243, “Spare wheel*”.  
Please pay attention to the notes if you decide to fit winter tyres ⇒ page 232.  
You can also fit so-called “all-year tyres” instead of winter tyres.  
You should have the defective tyre replaced as soon as possible and restore the  
correct direction of rotation on all tyres  
Please contact your specialist garage if there are any points which are not clear who  
will be able to provide you with information regarding the maximum speed for your  
tyres.  
Snow chains  
Snow chains must only be mounted on the front wheels.  
Wheels and Tyres 237  
When driving on wintry roads, snow chains improve not only traction, but also the  
braking performance.  
For technical reasons, it is only permissible to fit snow chains with the following  
wheel/tyre combinations:  
Wheel size  
Depth (D)  
50 mm  
Tyre size  
205/55  
a)  
6J x 16  
a)  
45 mm  
45 mm  
205/55  
205/50  
7J x 16  
a)  
6J x 17  
a)  
Only fit snow chains with links and locks not larger than 12 mm.  
Remove the full wheel trims if you wish to fit snow chains to the wheels.  
Observe the national legal requirements relating to the maximum vehicle speed  
with snow chains.  
WARNING  
Please pay attention to the information in the supplied fitting instructions of  
the snow chain manufacturer.  
Caution  
You must take the chains off as soon as you drive on roads which are free of snow.  
They adversely affect the handling of your vehicle, damage the tyres and are rapidly  
destroyed.  
Note  
We recommend that you use snow chains from the Škoda genuine accessories.  
Using the system  
Safety  
Driving Tips  
General Maintenance  
Breakdown assistance  
Technical Data  
238 Accessories, changes and replacement of parts  
Accessories, changes and replacement of parts  
Accessories and replacement parts  
WARNING  
•
We advise you, in your own interest, to only use Škoda Genuine Accesso-  
Škoda vehicles have been built according to the latest discoveries in safety engi-  
neering. Thus one should not change the condition in which the vehicle was deliv-  
ered from the manufacturer without some thought.  
ries and Škoda original parts which have been expressly approved for use on  
your Škoda. Reliability, safety and suitabiliity have been established for  
these Škoda original parts.  
The following guidelines should be observed when a vehicle is to be retrofitted with  
accessories, have technical changes made to it or a part has to be replaced at some  
time in the future.  
•
We cannot guarantee suitability of installation into your vehicle of other  
products despite keeping a constant eye on market developments (also not  
in the case where there is an attestation or permission can be produced).  
•
Advise should always be obtained from a specialist garage before buying any  
accessories and before making any technical changes ⇒  
.
•
•
This is particularly the case when accessories are bought in a foreign country.  
Škoda Genuine Accessories which have been released for use and Skoda orig-  
inal parts can be bought from specialist garages that professionally undertake the  
assembly of parts which were not purchased there.  
Technical changes  
Interference on the electronic components and their software can lead to opera-  
tional faults. This interference can also impair not directly affected systems because  
of the networking of the electronic components. This means that the operating  
safety of your vehicle can be considerably jeopardized, a greater wear of vehicle  
parts can occur and finally the vehicle registration documents expire.  
•
All Škoda original accessories which are listed in the catalogue of original acces-  
sories such as spoilers, transport systems, child seats, etc., are homologized.  
Škoda Genuine Accessories which have been released for use and Skoda orig-  
•
inal parts can be bought from specialist garages that professionally undertake the  
assembly of parts which were not purchased there.  
We trust that you will understand that Škoda Auto cannot be liable for damage  
resulting from unprofessional work.  
•
Radios, aerials and other electrical accessories should only be installed by a  
specialist garage.  
The guidelines issued by Škoda Auto must be observed when making technical  
changes.  
We therefore recommend that you have all work carried out with Škoda original  
parts at specialist garages.  
•
WARNING  
•
This is to ensure that no technical damage occurs to the vehicle, that travelling  
Work or modifications on your vehicle, which have been carried out unpro-  
fessionally, can cause operational faults - risk of accident!  
and operating safety are maintained and that the chnages are permissible. The  
specialist garages also undertake this work professionally or refer it to another  
specialist garage in special cases.  
Any damage which is done caused by technical changes made without  
consulting a Skoda dealer is excluded from the guarantee.  
Accessories, changes and replacement of parts 239  
Vehicles of the group N1  
The vehicle of the group N1 is a box car which is designed and manufactured for the  
transportation of goods.  
Using the system  
Safety  
Driving Tips  
General Maintenance  
Breakdown assistance  
Technical Data  
240 Accessories, changes and replacement of parts  

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