2004 SKODA OCTAVIA TOUR warning

114SAFETYClass 2For children up to about 7 years weighing
between 15 and 25 kg it is recommended
to use child seats in combination with the
three-point seat belts.Warning
The shoulder belt part must run ap-
proximately across the middle of the
shoulder - on no account across the
neck - and fit snugly against the top
part of the body. The lap belt must run
across the pelvis - and not across the
stomach.
Class 3For children of about 7 years weighing be-
tween 22 and 36 kg and with a height of
less than 1.50 m, it is recommended to use
seat cushions in combination with the three-
point seat belts.Warning
The shoulder belt part must run ap-
proximately across the middle of the
shoulder - on no account across the
neck - and fit snugly against the top
part of the body. The lap belt must run
across the pelvis - and not across the
stomach. Children taller than 1.50 m (5') can use the
standard seat belts fitted to the car without
a seat cushion.
Notes


We recommend using child restraint
systems from the Genuine Accessories
range of Škoda dealers. Such systems
have been developed and tested for use in
Škoda vehicles, and comply with the ECE-R
44 Standard.
Warning

Particular care is required if child
restraint systems are used which are
bolted on together with the belts fit-
ted in the vehicle. The belts must be
screwed into the hole over the com-
plete nominal length and tightened to
a torque of 40 Nm.

The seat belts must be inspected
to ensure they are correctly routed.
In addition, it is important to ensure
that the belt webbing cannot be dam-
aged by any sharp-edged fittings.

Only one child may be belted in us-
ing a child restraint system.

115
SAFETY

Attention should be paid to legal
regulations and the instructions of
the relevant manufacturer for the in-
stallation and use of child restraint
systems.Use of child seats on front passen-
ger seatFor safety reasons, we recommend install-
ing child restraint systems on the rear
seats, whenever possible. If a child seat is
nevertheless used on the front passenger
seat, it is important to observe the follow-
ing instruction in connection with the front
passenger airbag:
Warning

A child seat in which the child
faces with its back in the direction of
travel, may only be used in the front
passenger seat if the front passen-
ger airbag (in certain countries also
on child seats in which the child
faces the direction of travel) has
been deactivated - refer to page 107.
Otherwise, there is a risk of the child
suffering severe or even fatal injuries
if the airbag is deployed.

In certain countries, legal require-
ments necessitate deactivating the
side airbag. If a child is nevertheless
seated on the front passenger seat,
observe the legal requirements for
the use of child seats.
This is also clearly stated on the sticker,
which is located on the centre column of
the front passenger side. The sticker is vis-
ible upon opening the front passenger door.
Another warning sticker is located on the
windscreen near the front passenger seat. Warning


If a child seat is used in which the
child is seated in the direction of
travel, the front passenger seat must
be moved fully back.
Child safety and side airbag*In addition to the driver and front passen-
ger airbags your Škoda car may also be
equipped with 2 side airbags which offer
enhanced protection to the occupants in the
event of a side impact.
To ensure that the occupants can benefit
from this additional protective function, the
side airbag must be inflated in fractions of
a second in the event of a collision (refer
also to page 109 of the Owner’s Manual).
When the airbag is deployed, a consider-
able force is generated which may result
in injuries being caused to occupants by the
airbag or by any objects which are within
the inflation range of the side airbag if the
occupant is not correctly seated.
This applies particularly to children if
they are not transported in accordance
with legal provisions.

116SAFETYWarning

To avoid severe injuries, therefore,
children must always be transported
safely in the vehicle with a restraint
system which matches the age, body
size and weight of the child.

Children must never be positioned
with their head in the inflation range
of the side airbag. Risk of injury!

Do not place any objects in the in-
flation range of the side airbag. Risk
of injury!

A child seat in which the child
faces with its back in the direction of
travel, may only be used in the front
passenger seat if the front passen-
ger airbag (in certain countries also
on child seats in which the child
faces the direction of travel) has
been deactivated - refer to page 107.
Otherwise, there is a risk of the child
suffering severe or even fatal injuries
if the airbag is deployed. In certain
countries, legal requirements neces-
sitate deactivating the side airbag. If
a child is nevertheless seated on the
front passenger seat, observe the
legal requirements for the use of
child seats.
Attaching child seats („ISOFIX“
system)Two eyes for attaching a child seat with the
„ISOFIX“ system are provided between
backrest and seat cushion at the two outer
rear seats.
Child seats with the „ISOFIX“ system can
be installed quickly, conveniently and
safely. The seat should be installed as
specified in the installation instructions
enclosed with the „ISOFIX“ child seat. Al-
ways ensure that the child seat engages
properly when installed (pull as a check!).
Notes
An „ISOFIX“ child seat must only be at-
tached in the vehicle using the „ISOFIX“
system if the child seat bears an official seal
of approval for the particular vehicle model
in conformity with the ECE-R 44 Standard.
Warning

Before using an „ISOFIX“ child
seat which you have acquired for an-
other vehicle, please check with yourŠkoda dealer whether your child seat
is recommended for the Škoda-Octavia.
Certain child seats with “ISOFIX”
attachment system can also be at-
tached with the usual three-point
seat belt. Attention should be paid to
the instructions of the child seat
manufacturer for the installation and
removal.

117
DRIVING TIPS
The first 1500 kilometres (1000 miles) - and afterRunning inDuring the first few operating hours the in-
ternal friction of the engine is higher than
later on when all the moving parts have
bedded down. How well this running-in
process is done depends to a considerable
extent on the way the vehicle is driven dur-
ing the first 1500 km (1000 miles).
Up to 1000 km (600 miles)
the following general rules apply:

Do not use full throttle

Do not drive faster than 3/4 of top speed

Avoid high engine speeds

Avoid towing a trailer, if possible
Warning

New tyres should also be „run in“
because they do not have maximum
adhesion at the start. This should be
taken into account by driving care-
fully during the first 500 km (300 mi-
les).

New brake pads have to „bed
down“ and do not therefore have
their ideal friction force during the
first 200 km (120 miles) or so. The
slightly reduced braking power can
be compensated for by applying
greater pressure on the brake pedal.
This also applies subsequently after
replacing the brake pads.
From 1000 - 1500 km (600 - 1000 miles)
It is possible to gradually increase up to the
maximum speed of the gear engaged or to
the maximum permissible engine speed,
respectively.
During and after the running-in pe-
riod:
Do not overrev the engine when cold -
either in Neutral when driving. All the
speeds and revs stated only apply when the
engine is properly warm .
Do not drive at unnecessarily high
engine speeds - changing up early
helps to save fuel, reduces noise and pro- tects the environment - see also page 118.

Do not let the engine labour - change down
when engine no longer runs smoothly.After the running-in periodOn cars fitted with a rev counter the maxi-
mum permissible engine speed is marked
by the start of the red range on the scale of
the rev counter. The needle of the rev coun-
ter must not move into this range.

120DRIVING TIPS

Do not switch off the ignition when driv-
ing.

Do not overfill engine with oil - see page
140.

Do not tow start vehicle for more than
50 m - see page 179.
Warning
Due to the high temperatures which
can occur in catalytic converters in
very unfavourable conditions, the
vehicle should not be parked in such
a way that the catalytic converter can
come into contact with inflammable
materials.
Note
Even if the emission control system is op-
erating perfectly properly, there may be a
sulphurous exhaust smell in certain engine
operating conditions. This depends on the
sulphur content in the fuel being used.
Quite often this can be remedied by select-
ing another brand of fuel or filling up with
unleaded premium petrol.
Trouble-free operation of the
emission
control system is decisive for environmen-
tally friendly operation of the vehicle.
That is why it is important to note the fol-
lowing points:

Vehicles fitted with a catalytic converter
must only be driven on unleaded petrol -
see page 128.

Never drive until the fuel tank is comple-
tely empty on vehicles fitted with a catalytic
converter. The irregular fuel supply can
cause misfiring. This allows unburnt fuel in-
to the exhaust system which can cause
overheating and damage to the catalytic
converter.

If misfiring, a loss of power and rough
engine running occur when driving, this
may be caused by a fault in the ignition
system. In this case, uncombusted fuel can
get into the exhaust system and thus pass
to the atmosphere. In addition, the catalytic
converter may be damaged as a result of
overheating. Reduce your speed immedi-
ately and have the fault rectified at the near-
est Škoda Dealer. General notes


The wear of the brake pads depends to
a great extent on the driving conditions and
your style of driving. Consequently, it may
also be necessary to have the thickness of
the brake pads inspected at a Škoda Dealer
between the intervals stated in the Service
Schedule, particularly if your car is driven
frequently in towns or over short distances,
or in a very sporty manner.

Change down in good time when driv-
ing downhill, in order to make use of the
engine braking effect. This relieves the
strain on the brake system. When the bra-
kes are applied, do not keep them on con-
tinuously, apply and release the brakes al-
ternately.

Under certain operating conditions, for
example after driving through water, after
heavy rain or after washing the vehicle, the
braking effect may be retarded by wet, or
in winter iced-up brake discs and pads - the
brakes must be dried out first by applying
the footbrake.
Brakes

121
DRIVING TIPS
The full braking effect may also be delayed
when the car has been driven for some time
on heavily salted roads without using the
brakes, because the layer of salt on the
discs and pads has to be removed first.Warning
If a front spoiler, full-size wheel trims
etc., are retrofitted, it is necessary to
ensure that the flow of air to the front
brakes is not restricted - otherwise
the brakes may overheat.
Brake booster
The braking force boosts the pressure,
which you generate with the brake pedal.
The necessary pressure is only generated
when the engine is running. Warning
The brake booster only operates
when the engine is running.
Never switch off the engine before
the vehicle is stationary.
In the case that the brake booster is
not operating - e.g. because the vehi-
cle has to be towed or because there
is damage to the brake booster - the
brake pedal has to be depressed with
a significantly greater force, in order
to balance out the missing brake
boosting effect.Because if you do not stop as nor-
mal, this can cause an accident and
severe injuries.
Brake Assist*
The Brake Assist boosts the brake servo
effect during a brake application in a haz-
ardous situation and is able in this way to
assist the rapid build-up of brake pressure.
In emergency situations the majority of car
drivers do apply the brakes in time, but not
with the brake pedal force which is neces-
sary for achieving maximum deceleration.
Valuable braking distance is lost as a result!The Brake Assist is activated as soon as the
brake pedal is depressed very rapidly. A hig-
her brake servo assistance than is usual in
normal brake applications, is then available.
Consequently, it is possible to build up
within a very short time the brake pressure
which is required for achieving maximum
deceleration with only a correspondingly
slight counterforce on the brake pedal.Depress the brake pedal further for achiev-
ing the shortest possible braking distance. Do
not reduce the foot pressure on the pedal!The Brake Assist is able in this way to help
you in critical situations by building up the
brake pressure more rapidly and shorten-
ing the stopping distance. The advantages
offered by the ABS are fully exploited by the
Brake Assist. As soon as the brake pedal is
released, the Brake Assist function is swit-
ched off then automatically and the usual
service brake function is again available.
Warning

The Brake Assist is also not in a
position to overcome the physical
limits which apply to the braking dis-
tance.

This is something you should re-
member particularly when driving on
smooth or wet road surfaces.

Adapt your style of driving always
to the road condition and the traffic
situation. The increased safety which
the Brake Assist offers you must not
lead you to take any safety risk!

122DRIVING TIPSAnti-lock brake system (ABS)*The ABS plays a major part in increasing
the active safety of the vehicle.
The big advantage when compared with a
conventional brake system is that even
during a full brake application on a slippery
road surface the best possible steerability
is retained for the road condition because
the wheels do not lock.
However, one must not expect the ABS
system to shorten the braking distance
under all conditions.
How the ABS system works
An automatic test procedure is carried out
once the car has reached a speed of about
20 km/h. A pump noise may be audible for
about 1 second during this check.
When the turning speed of a wheel reaches
a level which is too low for the vehicle speed
and it tends to lock, the brake pressure to
this wheel is reduced. The brake pressure
is controlled individually for each wheel.
This ensures that the braking action is even
and that driving stability is retained to the
maximum possible extent.This control process makes itself felt by
a pulsing movement of the brake pedal
and is accompanied by noises. This is done
deliberately as a warning to the driver that a
wheel or wheels are in the locking range. The
brake pedal should remain depressed to en-
able the ABS to offer ideal control within this
range - on no account pump the brake pedal!
Warning
The ABS system can also not over-
come the physical limits. This has to
be born in mind, particularly on slip-
pery or wet roads. When the ABS is
operating in the control range, your
speed should immediately be adap-
ter to road and traffic conditions.
The increased amount of safety avail-
able should not tempt you into tak-
ing risks.
If a fault occurs in the ABS system, this is
indicated by a warning lamp - see page 60. Warning
If a fault exists, only the normal brake
system is operational. You should
drive to a Škoda Dealer as soon as
possible. Adapt your speed and driv-
ing style to the changed circum-
stances as the extent of the damage
to the ABS system is not known.
Electronic differential lock (EDL)*Cars fitted with the anti-lock brake system
(ABS)* can be equipped in addition with an
electronic differential lock.
The EDL system makes it much easier or,
in deed, at all possible to move off, accel-
erate and drive uphill even on unfavourable
road surfaces.
The EDL operates automatically - in other
words without any action on the part of the
driver.
It monitors the speed of the driven wheels
using the sensors of the ABS system.
If the road surface is slippery on one side,
a difference in speed exists between the
driven wheels. It is then necessary to pro-
duce more throttle, for example, when mov-
ing off on a hill, on a slippery road surface
etc. The EDL function compensates for the
difference in speed by braking the wheel
which is slipping and transmits the power
through the differential to the other driven
wheel.
This control process makes itself notice-
able by characteristic noises.

123
DRIVING TIPS
In order to achieve the optimal effect of
the EDL system, depress the accelera-
tor pedal and the clutch when starting
off to match road conditions.Warning
When accelerating on a smooth road
surface, for example on ice and
snow, depress the accelerator care-
fully.
The driven wheels may slip despite
the EDL and thus affect the driving
stability of the car.
The EDL is switched off automatically if
unusually severe stresses occur. The car
can continue to be driven and has the same
characteristics as a car without EDL. That
is why no indication is provided if the EDL
is switched off.
The EDL switches on again automatically
as soon as the brake has cooled down.
If the ABS warning lamp comes on, see
page 60, there might also be a fault in the
EDL. Drive to a Škoda Dealer as soon as
possible! Warning
Your driving style should always be
adapted to the condition of the road
and the traffic situation. The addi-
tional safety offered by the EDL must
not tempt you into taking a safety
risk!
Engine braking control (EBC)*The EBC operates in conjunction with the
ABS. It is intended to prevent the driven
wheels of the car being excessively sharply
braked when „braking with the engine“ as
a result of releasing the accelerator or shift-
ing down on a smooth road surface. The
EBC automatically increases the engine
speed in order to maintain optimal steer-
ability of the car even when „braking with
the engine“.
The four-wheel drive system of your car re-
quires no manual intervention on your part.
The force is distributed to the driven wheels
automatically and is optimally matched to
the handling of the car and to the particu-
lar road conditions.
The four-wheel drive concept is designed
for high engine output and provides your
car with excellent drivability both in normal
road conditions as well as in extreme con-
ditions such as driving on snow and ice.
It is important, however, to pay attention to
the following safety information:
All-wheel drive*