2003 SKODA SUPERB warning light

Starting-off and Driving117
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You should not switch on any major electrical components during
the heating period otherwise the ve
hicle battery will be drained
unnecessarily.
•You should start the engine immediately after the glow plug warning
light  has gone out.
•The glow plug warning light will come on for about one second if the
engine is at a normal operating temperature or if the outside temperature
is above +5°C. This means that you can start the engine right away.
•Interrupt the attempt at starting after 10 seconds if the engine does not
start right awayand wait for about 30 seconds before repeating the
attempt.
•It is possible that the fuse on the diesel preglow system is defect if the
engine still does not start ⇒page 241.
•Contact the nearest Škoda dealer to obtain professional assistance.
Starting the engine after the fuel tank has run dry
It may take longer than normal to start the engine after refuelling if the fuel
tank has run completely dry - up to one minute. This is because the fuel
system must first of all be filled while the attempting to start the engine.
Switching the engine off
– Turn the ignition key into position ⇒page 114.
Caution
you should not switch the engine off right away at the end of your journey
after the engine has been operated for a lengthy period at high loads but
should be allowed it to run at idling speed for about 2 minutes. This
prevents any accumulation of heat when the engine is switched off.
Note
•The radiator fan may continue running for a further 10 minutes or so
after the engine and the ignition have been switched off. The coolant fan
may, however, also switch on again after some time if the coolant temper-
ature rises because of an accumulation of heat in the engine or if the
engine is warm and the engine compartment is additionally heated by
strong sunlight.
•This is why particular care is required when carrying out any work in
the engine compartment ⇒page 203.
A1

Starting-off and Driving119
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Applying the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up fully.
Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up slightly and at the same time
press in the locking button ⇒page 118, fig. 109 .
– Hold the button pressed and push the handbrake lever down fully ⇒ .
The handbrake warning light  lights up when the handbrake is applied,
provided the ignition is on.
A warning signal (buzzer) sounds and the following text appears in the
display* if you have inadvertently driven off with the handbrake applied:
"Handbrake on"
The handbrake warning is activated if you drive at a speed of more than 5
km/h for more than 3 seconds.
Caution
After the car has come to a stop, always first of all apply the handbrake
firmly before then additionally engaging a gear (manual gearbox) or
moving the selector lever into position P (automatic gearbox).
Parking aid*
The parking aid provides a warning of obstacles behind
the vehicle.
The audible parking aid at the rear determines the distance to an obstacle
behind the car with the aid of ultrasound sensors. The sensors are inte-
grated in the rear bumper.
The parking aid is activated automatically when reverse gear is engaged
and the ignition is turned on. This is confirmed by a brief signal.
The clearance warning begins at a distance of about 160 cm from the
obstacle. The interval between the warning signals becomes shorter as
the clearance is reduced.
A continuous tone sounds from a clearance of just 30 cm - danger area.
You should not reverse any further after this signal sounds.
WARNING
•Please note that the handbrake must be fully released. A hand-
brake which is only partially released can result in the rear brakes
overheating which will have a negative effect on the operation of
the brake system - risk of accident!
•Never leave children unattended in the vehicle. The children
might, for example, release the ha ndbrake or take the vehicle out
of gear. The vehicle might then move off - risk of accident!WARNING
•The parking aid is not a substitute for the driver paying proper
attention. It is always the driver's responsibility to take care when
parking the vehicle or carrying out similar manoeuvres.

Automatic gearbox*123
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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
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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*129
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Emergency programme
An emergency programme exists in the event of a fault in
the system.
The gearbox operates in a corresponding emergency programme if there
are functional faults in the gearbox electronics. This is indicated by all of
the segments in the display lighting up or going out.
It is possible to continue to move the selector lever into all the positions.
The gearbox always shifts into 4th gear in the positions D, 4 , 3 and 2 . It is
also possible to continue to engage reverse gear in the position R.
The manual shift programme (Tiptronic) is switched off in the emergency
mode.
If the gearbox has switched over to emergency mode, drive to the
nearest Škoda dealer in order to have the fault rectified.
Tow-starting and towing vehicle
Tow-starting a vehicle
For technical reasons it is not possible to tow-start a car fitted with an auto-
matic gearbox ⇒page 239.
you can use jump-start cables connected to the battery of another vehicle
for starting your car if the vehicle battery is flat ⇒page 237. Towing a vehicle
Please pay attention to the following information if it comes necessary to
tow-in your car
⇒page 238.
WARNING
Never move the selector lever into position R or P when driving -
risk of an accident!

Airbag system145
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Airbag system
Description of the airbag system
General information on the airbag system
The front airbag system is complementary to the three-point seat belts
and offers additional protection for the head and chest area of the driver
and passenger in the event of a frontal collision.
In the case of a violent side crash, the side and head airbags reduce the
risk of injuries to the occupants on the part of the body facing the side of
the accident ⇒.
The airbag system is only functional after the ignition has been switched
on.
The operational readiness of the airbag system is monitored electroni-
cally. The airbag warning light comes on for a few seconds each time the
ignition is switched on.
The airbag system (according to vehicle equipment) essentially
consists of:
•an electronic control unit
•the two front airbags
•the side airbags
•Head airbags*
•an airbag warning light in the instrument cluster
•a front passenger airbag switch* ⇒page 155
•an indicator light showing a switched-off front passenger airbag* in the
middle of the dash panel ⇒page 155 A fault in the airbag system exists if:
•the airbag indicator light does not light up when the ignition is switched
on
•the warning light does not go out after about 3 seconds after the igni-
tion is switched on
•the airbag indicator light goes out and comes on again after the ignition
is switched on
•the airbag indicator light comes on or flickers when driving
•an airbag indicator light showing a switched-off front passenger
airbag* in the middle of the dash panel flashes
WARNING
•To enable the occupants of a car to be protected with the
greatest possible effect when the airbag is deployed, the front
seats must be ⇒page 69, “Front seats”correctly adjusted to
match the body size of the occupant.
•If you do not fasten the seat belts when driving, lean too far
forward or adopt an incorrect seated position, you are exposing
yourself to increased risk of injury in the event of an accident.
•Have the airbag system checked immediately by a Škoda Dealer
if a fault exists. Otherwise, there is a risk of the airbag not being
activated in the event of an accident.
•No modifications of any kind may be made to parts of the airbag
system.
•It is prohibited to manipulate individual parts of the airbag
system as this might result in the airbag being deployed.