2003 SKODA SUPERB Owner's Manual

Starting-off and Driving
120
Note
•The parking aid does not operate if you are towing a trailer (applies to
models which feature a factory-fitted towing device*).
•A system fault is indicated if a warning signal sounds for about 5
seconds after switching the ignition on and engaging reverse gear and
there is no obstacle close to your vehicle. Have the fault rectified by a
Škoda dealer.
•The sensors must be kept clean and free of ice to enable the parking
aid to operate properly.
Cruise control system (CCS)*
Introduction
The cruise control system makes it possible for the driver to maintain a
constant speed of his choosing from a speed of 30 km/h (20 mph) or
higher. This, of course, is only possible within the range which is permitted
by the power output and braking power of the engine. Using the cruise
control system - particularly on long journeys - makes it possible for you
to rest your “accelerator foot”.
Caution
Models fitted with a manual gearbox: Always depress the clutch pedal if
you switch on the cruise control system when the gearbox is in Neutral.
The engine will rev up and may even be damaged under certain circum-
stances.
Note
•The cruise control system is not able to maintain a constant speed
when driving on steep downhill sections. The weight of the vehicle
increases the speed at which it travels. One should shift down in good time
to a lower gear or slow the vehicle down by applying the foot brake.
•It is not possible on vehicles fitted with an automatic gearbox to switch
on the cruise control system if the selector lever is in the position P, N , R
or 2.
WARNING (continued)
•You should therefore satisfy yourself, before reversing, that
there is no small obstacle, such as a rock, thin post, trailer drawbar
etc., behind your vehicle. Such an obstacle might not be within the
range detected by the sensors.WARNING
For safety reasons the cruise control system must not be used in
dense traffic or on difficult road surfaces (such as road chips, or
slippery roads) - risk of accident!

Starting-off and Driving121
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Storing a speed
– Move the slide switch ⇒fig. 110 into the ON position.
– After the desired speed has been reached, press the press button into the SET position.
After you have pressed press button into the SET position, the speed
you have just selected is maintained at a constant speed without having
to depress the accelerator.
You can increase the speed by depressing the accelerator. Releasing the
accelerator will cause the speed to drop again to the set speed.
This does not apply, however, if you drive at a speed which is more than
10 km/h higher than the set speed for a period of more than 5 minutes.
The stored speed will be cancelled in the memory. You then have to re-
store the desired speed.
One can reduce the speed in the usual manner. The system is switched
off temporarily by actuating the brake or clutch pedal - ⇒page 122.
Changing a stored speed
You can also change the speed of the vehicle without
depressing the accelerator.
Faster
– You can increase the stored speed without depressing the
accelerator, by pressing the function selector switch
⇒ fig. 110 into the RES (RES) position.
– The speed of the car will increase continuously if you hold the pushbutton pressed in the RES (RES) position. Release the
slide switch once the vehicle has reached the desired speed.
The set speed is then stored in the memory.
Slower
– You can reduce the stored speed by pressing button in the
SET position.
– Holding down the pushbutton pressed in the SET position will
cause the speed of the vehicle to reduce continuously. Once
the car has reached the desired speed, release the button.
The set speed is then stored in the memory.Fig. 110 Operating
lever: Pushbutton and
slide switch on the
cruise control system
AA
AB
AB
WARNING
First ensure that it is not too high for the traffic conditions which
exist at that moment before resuming the stored speed.
AB
AB

Starting-off and Driving
122
– If you release the pushbutton when the vehicle is travelling at a speed of less than 30 km/h, the speed is not stored and the
memory is erased. It is then necessary to again store the
speed with the pushbutton in the position SET after an
increase in speed of the vehicle to more than 30 km/hour.
Switching cruise control system off temporarily
– You can switch off the cruise control system temporarily by
depressing the brake pedal or clutch pedal, on models with
automatic gearbox and only with brake pedal.
– You can likewise switch off the cruise control system by
pushing the switch ⇒page 121, fig. 110 to the right into
the intermediate position before the position OFF. The slide
switch then moves back automatically into the ON position.
The set speed remains stored in the memory.
The Resumption of the stored speed is achieved by releasing the brake
or clutch pedal, on vehicles fitted with automatic gearbox only after
releasing the brake pedal and after shortly pressing the pushbutton
⇒ page 121, fig. 110 into the position RES.
Switching off the cruise control system completely
– Move the slide switch ⇒ page 121, fig. 110 up to the stop
into the OFF position.
WARNING
First ensure that it is not too hi gh for the traffic conditions which
exist at that moment before resuming the stored speed.
AB
AA
AB
AA

Automatic gearbox*123
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Automatic gearbox*
5-speed automatic gearbox
Information for driving wi th an automatic gearbox
Shifting up and down through the gears is performed auto-
matically.
You can also, however, switch the gearbox over into the
Tiptronic mode . This mode makes it possible for you to also shift
gears manually if you so wish ⇒page 128.
Starting-off and Driving
– Depress the brake pedal and hold it depressed.
– Press the Shiftlock button (button in handle of the selector lever), move the selector lever into the desired position, e.g. D
⇒ page 124, and then release the Shiftlock button.
– Wait a moment until the gearbox has shifted (a slight engage- ment nudge can be felt).
– Release the brake pedal and depress the accelerator ⇒.
Stopping for a short time
– The selector lever position N does not have to be selected
when stopping just for a short time, such as at a cross roads.
It is sufficient to hold the vehicle stationary using the foot
brake. The engine can, however, be allowed just to idle. Parking
– Depress the brake pedal and hold it depressed.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Press and Shiftlock button in the selector lever, move the
selector lever to P and then release the Shiftlock button.The engine can only be started when the selector lever is in position P or
N ⇒ page 115.
It is sufficient to engage selector lever position P when parking on a flat
surface. When parking on a slope you should first apply the handbrake
firmly and then move the selector lever into position P. This is to ensure
that there is no excessive pressure acting on the lock mechanism and that
it is easier to subsequently move the selector lever out of position P.
If the selector lever position N is selected by accident while driving it is first
necessary to release pressure on the accelerator pedal and wait for idling
speed of the engine to be reached before engaging a drive position in the
selector lever.
WARNING
•Do not depress the accelerator when changing the position of
the selector lever if the car is stationary and the engine is running
- risk of accident!
•Never move the selector lever into position R or P when driving
- risk of an accident!

Automatic gearbox*
124
Selector lever positions
The selector lever position you have engaged is shown in the information
display of the instrument cluster with the corresponding gear symbol high-
lighted ⇒ fig. 112.
P - Parklock
The driven wheels are locked mechanically in this position.
The Parklock must only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary ⇒.
If you wish to move the selector lever into or out of this position, you must
press the Shiftlock button in the handle of the selector lever and at the
same time depress the brake pedal.
R - Reverse
Reverse gear must only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary and
the engine idling ⇒.
The brake pedal must be depressed and at the same time the Shiftlock
must be pressed, if you wish to obtain the selector lever positions R, P or
N .
WARNING (continued)
•When the engine is running and the vehicle is stationary, it is
necessary to hold the car with the brake pedal in all the positions
of the selector lever (except P and N) since the power transmission
is never completely interrupted, also not when the engine is idling
- the vehicle "creeps".
Fig. 111 Selector lever
Fig. 112 Information
display: Selector lever
positions

Automatic gearbox*125
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
The reversing lights come on when the selector lever is moved into posi-
tion
R when the ignition is also on.
N - Neutral
The transmission is in Neutral in this position.
The brake pedal must be depressed and the Shiftlock in the selector lever
grip must be pressed (if the selector lever is in its position for longer than
2 seconds) in order to move the selector lever out of the N position, with
the ignition switched on, on a vehicle travelling at less than 5 km/hour or
on a stationary vehicle.
D - Drive, position for driving forward
When the selector lever is in this position, the forward gears are shifted up
and down automatically in line with engine load, vehicle speed and the
dynamic shift programme (DSP).
You must depress the brake pedal ⇒ if you wish to move the selector
lever into position D from N when the vehicle is travelling at less than
5 km/hour or is stationary.
In certain circumstances (e.g. when driving in mountainous regions or
when towing a trailer) it may be beneficial to select the manual shift
programme ⇒page 128 for a short time in order to adapt the gearbox
ratios manually to the driving situations.
4 - Position when driving in hilly areas
We recommend this position if driving with the selector lever in position D
would, in certain circumstances, result in the gearbox frequently shifting
between fourth and fifth gears.
The gearbox then shifts up and down automatically into the first, second,
third and fourth gears in line with engine load and vehicle speed. Fifth gear
is not engaged in this case. This makes it possible to exploit greater
engine braking power when the accelerator is released ⇒.
The Shiftlock on the selector lever grip must be pressed when moving out
of position 4 into position D. 3 - Position when drivin
g in mountainous regions
This position of the selector lever is suitable for long sloping sections.
The gearbox shifts up and down automatically into first, second and third
gear in line with engine load and vehicle speed. The fourth and fifth gears
remain locked out in order to avoid unnecessary gear changes. Enhanced
engine braking power is thus available.
The Shiftlock on the selector lever grip must be pressed when moving out
of position 4 into position 3.
2 - Position for extreme mountainous sections
This position of selector lever is suitable for very steep downhill sections.
The gearbox shifts up and down automatically into first and second gear
in line with engine load and vehicle speed. Third, fourth and fifth gears are
not engaged. This position offers you the maximum possible engine
braking power.
The Shiftlock on the selector lever grip must be pressed when moving out
of position 2 into position 3.
The cruise control system is locked in position 2.
WARNING
•Never move the selector lever into position R or P when driving
- risk of an accident!
•When the engine is running and the vehicle is stationary, it is
necessary to hold the car with the brake pedal in all the positions
of the selector lever (except P and N) since the power transmission
is never completely interrupted, also not when the engine is idling
- the vehicle "creeps".

Automatic gearbox*
126
Note
•Take your foot off the accelerator if you inadvertently shift into N when
driving and wait until the engine speed has dropped to the idling speed
range before shifting into D.
•If you shift gear manually it is possible to select positions 4, 3 and 2 ,
but the automatic gearbox will not shift down until there is no risk of the
engine overrevving.
Selector lever lock
Automatic selector lever lock 
With the ignition on, the selector lever is locked when it is in the positions
P and N . You must first of all depress the brake pedal in order to move the
selector lever out of this position. The following text appears in the display
* as a reminder for the driver when the selector lever is in position P and N :
"Apply foot brake when selecting gear with vehicle stationary"
In addition, the symbol
 for the automatic selector lever lock in the shift
gate lights up. A time delay element ensures that the selector lever is not blocked when
rapidly switching over the position
N (e.g. from R to D). This does, for
example, allow one to seesaw out a stuck vehicle. The selector lever lock
will click into place if the lever is in the N position for more than 2 seconds
without the brake pedal being pressed.
The selector lever lock is only active if the vehicle is stationary or moving
at speed of less than 5 km/hour. The lock is switched off automatically into
position N when the car is travelling at a higher speed.
Shiftlock button
The Shiftlock button in the handle of selector lever prevents certain
selector lever positions being engaged inadvertently. The selector lever
lock is cancelled when you press the Shiftlock button.
Keylock - Ignition key withdrawal lock
You can only withdraw the ignition key after switching off the ignition if the
selector lever is in position P . As long as the ignition key is withdrawn, the
selector lever is locked in position P.
Kickdown function
The kickdown function provides you with maximum accel-
eration power.
Depressing the accelerator pedal beyond the pressure point casues the
automatic gearbox to shift down into a lower gear (in line with vehicle
speed and engine speed). The gearbox shifts up into the next higher gear
when the engine has reached its maximum revolations.
WARNING (continued)
•You must on no account unintentionally operate the throttle
(e.g. by hand from the engine compartment) if a drive position is
engaged when the car is stationary. The vehicle would otherwise
immediately start off - also when the handbrake is firmly applied -
risk of an accident!
•You must move the selector lever into position P and firmly
apply the handbrake first before you or any other person opens the
bonnet and starts working on the engine when it is running - risk
of accident! It is also essential to observe all warnings ⇒page 203.

Automatic gearbox*127
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Dynamic shift programme
The automatic gearbox of your vehicle is controlled electronically. Shifting
up and down through the gears is performed automatically on the basis of
pre-defined driving programmes.
Adopting a moderate style of driving will cause the gearbox to select the
most economical driving programme. Shifting up into a higher gear as
soon as possible and shifting down as late as possible will have a favour-
able effect on your fuel consumption.
Adopting a faster style of driving with rapid movements of the acceler-
ator pedal combined with sharp acceleration and frequent changes in
speed, exploiting the top speed of the car or operating the kickdown func-
tion, will cause the gearbox to switch over to the sporty driving
programme. Shifting up later into a higher gear makes it possible to fully
exploit the power reserves of the engine. The gearbox also then shifts
down at higher engine speeds than is the case for the economy-oriented
programmes.
Selecting the most appropriate driving programme for the particular style
of driving is a continuous process. Irrespective of this it is, however,
possible to switch into a sporty driving programme by depressing the
accelerator rapidly. The gearbox shifts down into a lower gear matching
the speed of the car and this allows you to accelerate rapidly (e.g. when
overtaking) without having to depress the accelerator pedal fully into the
kickdown range. The original programme will be reactivated to match your
particular style of driving once the gearbox has shifted up again. When driving in hilly regions, the gears are selected to match uphill and
downhill sections. This avoids the gearbox frequently shifting up and down
when negotiating an uphill stretch. Depressing the brake pedal while
driving downhill causes the gearbox to shift down into the next lower gear.
This makes it possible for you to exploit the engine braking power without
the need for shifting gears manually.
WARNING
Please note that using the kickdown function can result in the
driven wheels spinning on a smooth
or slippery road surface - risk
of skidding!