Skoda Rapid Owner's Manual page 145

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. Under certain circumstances, the ethylene
glycol of the engine coolant can catch fire.
NOTICE
● Refill only distilled water! All other types of water can cause serious corro-
sion in the engine due to the chemical components contained. This may also
lead to engine failure. If water other than distilled water was replenished, the
entire fluid in the engine cooling system should be immediately replaced by a
specialist garage.
● Replenish engine coolant only up to the upper edge of the marked range
⇒ f ig.
86. Otherwise, excess engine coolant will be forced out of the engine
cooling system when it heats up, causing damage.
● In case of larger engine coolant loss, fill in engine coolant only when the
engine has cooled down completely. Larger loss of engine coolant indicates a
leakage in the engine cooling system. Have the engine cooling system
checked immediately by a specialist garage. Otherwise, engine damage may
occur!
● When replenishing fluids, ensure that you fill the correct reservoirs. The
use of wrong fluids can result in serious malfunctions and engine damage!
Vehicle overview Before driving
Ð
When driving Maintenance, cleaning, servic-
ing
In the engine compartment 143
Do-it-yourself