Skoda Rapid Owner's Manual page 134

132 In the engine compartment
WARNING (Continued)
● When the engine has cooled down, please note the following before open-
ing the bonnet.
– Firmly pull the handbrake and move the selector lever to position P or
the gearshift lever into neutral.
– Remove the vehicle key from the ignition lock.
– Keep children away from the engine compartment and never leave them
unattended.
● The engine cooling system is under pressure in a hot engine. Never open
the lid of the engine coolant expansion reservoir on a hot engine. Coolant may
spurt out and cause serious burns and injuries.
– Turn the lid slowly and very carefully counter-clockwise while exerting
light downward pressure on the lid.
– Always protect your face, hands and arms from hot engine coolant or
steam with a large, thick cloth.
● When refilling, do not spill fluids on engine parts or on the exhaust system.
The spilled fluids can cause a fire.
WARNING
High voltage of the electrical system can cause electric shocks, burns, severe
injuries and death!
● Never short-circuit the electrical system. The vehicle battery could ex-
plode.
● To reduce the risk of electric shock and serious injuries, while the engine is
running or started, observe the following:
– Never touch the electric wiring on the ignition system.
WARNING
The engine compartment contains rotating parts that can cause serious inju-
ries.
● Never reach into the area or into the radiator fan. Contact with the rotor
blades can cause serious injuries. The fan is temperature-controlled and can
switch on independently – even when the ignition is switched off or if the ve-
hicle key is removed from the ignition lock.
WARNING (Continued)
● If work needs to be done at start-up or when the engine is running, a life-
threatening risk is posed by rotating parts (e.g. V-ribbed belt, alternator, radi-
ator fan) and by the high-voltage ignition system. Always exercise extreme
care.
– Always make sure that no body parts, jewellery, ties, loose clothing and
long hair can be caught in rotating engine parts. Before commencing work,
always remove jewellery and ties, tie up long hair and tie loose clothing on
the body to avoid that they may be caught in engine parts.
– Always depress the accelerator pedal with extreme caution and never
carelessly. The vehicle may start to move even when the handbrake is ap-
plied.
● Do not forget items such as cloths or tools in the engine compartment.
Forgotten items may result in operational faults, engine damage and fire.
WARNING
Fluids and some materials in the engine compartment are highly flammable
and can cause fires and serious injuries!
● Do not smoke.
● Never work near open flames or sparks.
● Never spill fluids on the engine. They can be ignited by hot engine parts,
resulting in injuries.
● If work on the fuel system or the electrical system is required, observe the
following:
– Always disconnect the vehicle battery.
– Never work near heaters, boilers or other open flames.
● Always have a functioning, approved fire extinguisher nearby.
NOTICE
When replenishing or changing fluids, make sure that the fluids are in the cor-
rect reservoirs. Wrong fluids can cause serious operational faults and engine
damage!
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