Driving Tips; Driving And The Environment; The First 1 500 Km; Catalytic Converter - Skoda Rapid Owner's Manual

Driving Tips

Driving and the Environment

The first 1 500 km

New engine
The engine has to be run in during the first 1 500 kilometres.
Up to 1 000 kilometres
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Do not drive faster than 3/4 of the maximum speed of the gear in use, i.e. 3/4 of
the maximum permissible engine speed.
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No full throttle.
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Avoid high engine speeds.
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Do not tow a trailer.
From 1 000 up to 1 500 kilometres
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Gradually increase the power output of the engine up to the full speed of the
gear engaged, i.e. up to the maximum permissible engine speed.
During the first operating hours the engine has higher internal friction than later
until all of the moving parts have harmonized. The driving style which you adopt
during the first approx.1 500 kilometres plays a decisive part in the success of
running in your car.
Never drive at unnecessarily high engine speeds even after the running-in period
is complete. The maximum permissible engine speed is marked by the start of the
red scale area of the revolutions counter. On vehicles fitted with a manual gear-
box, at the very latest shift up into the next gear when the red area is reached.
During acceleration (depressing the accelerator) exceptionally high engine
speeds are automatically reduced, yet the engine is not protected against too
high engine speeds which are caused by incorrectly shifting down the gears re-
sulting in a sudden increase of the engine speeds above the permitted maximum
revolutions which can lead to engine damage.
For a vehicle fitted with a manual gearbox the converse situation also applies: Do
not drive at an engine speed that is too low. Shift down a gear when the engine
is no longer running smoothly. Observe the recommended gear
mended gear.
CAUTION
All the speed and engine revolution figures apply only when the engine is at its
normal operating temperature. Never rev up a cold engine when the vehicle is
stationary or when driving in individual gears.
For the sake of the environment
Not driving at unnecessarily high engine revolutions and shifting to a higher gear
as early as possible are ways to minimise fuel consumption and operating noise
levels and protects the environment.
New tyres
New tyres have to be "run in" since they do not offer optimal grip at first. Drive
especially carefully for the first 500 km or so.
New brake pads
New brake pads initially do not provide full braking efficiency. The brake pads
must initially be "run in". Drive especially carefully for the first 200 km or so.

Catalytic converter

Proper operation of the emission control system (catalytic converter) is of major
significance for driving your vehicle in an environmentally conscious way.
The following guidelines must be observed:
›
Vehicles fitted with a petrol engine must always be refuelled with unleaded
petrol » page
›
Do not pour too much oil into the engine
level;
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Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
If you drive your vehicle in a country in which unleaded petrol is not available, you
must have the catalytic converter replaced later when driving the vehicle into a
country in which use of a catalytic converter is mandatory.
» page 11, Recom-
125, Unleaded petrol;
» page
Driving and the Environment
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129, Checking the engine oil
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