2004 SKODA OCTAVIA TOUR steering wheel

71
CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
Traffic information memory* (RDS): You
can play preceding or subsequent traffic
information bulletins by pressing the but-
ton in the appropriate position.
Windscreen wiper and
washer systemThe windscreen wipers and windscreen
washer system only operate when the ig-
nition is switched on.
In frosty weather, check that the wiper
blades are not frozen to the glass before
switching the wipers on for the first time.
Notes

Topping up washer fluid - see page 151.

Changing windscreen wiper blades - see
page 152.
Windscreen

Flick wipe
Lever in position 4.

Intermittent wipe
Lever in position 1.
Four different intermittent settings can be se-
lected with the intermittent wipe switch A.

Slow wipe
Lever in position 2.

Fast wipe
Lever in position 3.

Automatic wipe/wash
Pull lever toward steering wheel (position
5 ); the windscreen wipers and washer sys-
tem operate.
Letting go of the lever will cause the wind-
screen wash system to stop and the wiper
to continue for another 1 - 3 wiper strokes
(depending on the period of spraying of the
windscreen).
The wiper wipes once again 5 seconds af-
ter the last wiper stroke, in order to wipe
the last drops from the windscreen.
Rain sensor*
Lever in position 1.
The wipe intervals are controlled automa-
tically by the rain sensor depending on how
much rain is falling.
The sensitivity of the rain sensor can be set
individually with switch A.

72CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENTAfter the ignition is switched off, you have
to re-activate the rain sensor. To do this,
move the lever into position 0 and then back
again into position 1.
Warning
Do not use the windscreen washer
system at low temperatures, without
heating the windscreen beforehand.
Otherwise the window cleaner could
freeze on the windscreen and restrict
the view to the front.Headlight washer system*When the side lights, low beam or main
beam are switched on, the headlight lenses
are also washed every time the windscreen
is washed.
There is a time delay of about 3 second af-
ter operating the lever (position 5) before
the headlights are washed.
Stubborn dirt (such as insect residues)
should be removed from the headlight
lenses at regular intervals, for example
when refuelling.
In winter, also clean off any snow on the
washer nozzles or use de-icing spray to re-
move the ice to ensure proper operation.
Rear window
Intermittent wipe
Stalk in position 6.
The wiper operates every 6 seconds.

Automatic wash/wipe*
Push down stalk away from steering wheel
into position 7. The washer system and the
wiper operate so long as the stalk remains
in this position.
Release stalk. The washer system no lon-
ger operates and the wiper performs a fur-
ther 1 to 3 sweeps (depending on the length
of the washing operation).
The stalk remains in position 6 after be-
ing released.

Switching off intermittent wipe
Stalk in position 0.
Heating and ventilationControlsRotary control A - temperature selection
clockwise - increases heat output
anti-clockwise - decreases heat output
Rotary switch B - blower and shutting-
off air supply
The quantity of air which flows through the
heater is regulated with rotary switch B.
The air supply can be regulated in four
stages.
The blower is switched off in position 0. To
switch off the fresh air supply press button
D , see below. The air supply should only
be switched off for a short time as the win-
dows may mist up.

94SAFETYBefore setting offThe driver is always fully responsible for
his occupants and for the operating
safety of the vehicle.
For your own safety and the safety of the
people travelling with you, please pay at-
tention to the following points before set-
ting off:

Ensure that the lighting and the turn sig-
nal system are functioning properly.

Inspect the tyre inflation pressure.

Ensure that all the windows offer a good
visibility to the outside.

Safely attach the items of luggage - see
page 27.

Ensure that no objects can obstruct the
pedal.

Adjust the mirror, the front seat and the
head restraint to match your body size.

Point out to your occupants that the head
restraints must be adjusted to match their
body size.

Protect the children in suitable child
seats with correctly fastened seat belts -
see page 111.

Adopt the correct seated position. Also
inform your occupants to adopt the correct
seated position.

Fasten the seat belt correctly. Also in-
form your occupants to properly fasten the
seat belts - see page 98.
What influences the driving safety?The driving safety is primarily deter-
mined by the style of driving and the
personal behaviour of all the occupants.
The driver is fully responsible for himself
and his occupants. If your driving safety is
effected, you place yourself and the oncom-
ing traffic at risk. Please refer to the follow-
ing guidelines.

Do not get distracted from concentrat-
ing on the traffic situation, e.g. by your oc-
cupants or mobile phone calls.

Never drive when your driving ability is
impaired, e.g. through medication, alcohol,
drugs.

Keep to the traffic regulations and the
permissible speed limit.

Adjust the driving speed at all times to
the road condition as well as to the traffic
and weather conditions.

Take regular breaks on long journeys -
at the latest every two hours.
Correct seated position for the driverCorrect seated position for the driver is
important for safe and relaxed driving.
For your own safety as well as to reduce
the risk of injury in the event of an accident,
we recommend the following setting.

Adjust the steering wheel so that the dis-
tance between the steering wheel and your
chest is at least 25 cm - see illustration.

Position the driver seat in the forward/
back direction so that you are able to press
the pedals with your legs at a slight angle.Correct seated position

95
SAFETY

Adjust the backrest so that you are able
to reach the highest point of the steering
wheel with your arms at a slight angle.

Adjust the head restraint so that the top
edge of the head restraint is at the same
level as the upper part of your head - see
illustration.

Fasten the seat belt correctly - see page
100.
Driver seat adjustment - see page 19. Warning


The front seats and the head re-
straints must always be adjusted to
match the body size of the seat oc-
cupant. The seat belts must always
be correctly fastened in order to pro-
vide an optimal protection for you
and your occupants.


The driver must maintain a distance
of at least 25 cm to the steering wheel -
see illustration on page 94.
If you do not maintain this minimum
distance, the airbag system will not
be able to protect you - hazard!

When driving, hold the steering
wheel with both hands firmly on the
outer edge in the 9 o’clock and 3
o’clock position.
Never hold the steering wheel firmly
in the 12 o’clock position or in an-
other way (e.g. in the middle of the
steering wheel or at the inner steer-
ing wheel edge).

When driving, the backrests must
not be angled too far back, otherwise
this will affect proper operation of the
seat belts and of the airbag system -
risk of injury!
Correct seated position for the
front passengerThe front passenger must maintain a
distance of at least 25 cm from the dash
panel so that the airbag offers the great-
est possible safety when an airbag is
deployed.
For the safety of the front passenger and
to reduce the risk of injury in the event of
an accident, we recommend the following
setting:

Adjust the front passenger seat as far
as possible to the rear.

Adjust the head restraint so that the top
edge of the head restraint is at the same
level as the upper part of your head - see
illustration on page 95.

Fasten the seat belt correctly - see page
100.
In exceptional cases the front passenger
airbag can be deactivated - see page 107.
Front passenger seat adjustment - see
page 19.

98SAFETYSeat beltsWhy seat belts?It has been clearly demonstrated that
seat belts offer good protection in the
event of an accident. That is why the use
of seat belts is a legal requirement in
most countries.Warning

Fasten your seat belts each time
before setting off - even when driv-
ing in town! This also applies to pas-
sengers in the rear.

Expectant mothers should also
wear a seat belt at all times.

Apart from their normal protective
function, the seat belts are also de-
signed to hold the driver and front
passenger in position in the event of
an accident to allow the airbag to
offer maximum protection.
Transporting children safely - see page
111 - 11 6 . In the event of a frontal collision, car occu-
pants who are not wearing a seat belt are
thrown forward and strike parts of the inte-
rior of the car, such as the steering wheel,
instrument panel, windscreen, in an uncon-
trolled way.
The widespread opinion that you can sup-
port your body with your hands in a minor
collision, is incorrect. The forces to which
the body is subjected even in accidents
which occur at low speed, can no longer
be properly absorbed.It is also important that occupants of the
rear seat wear their seat belts otherwise
they will be thrown through the car in an
uncontrolled way in an accident. A passen-
ger at the rear who is not wearing a seat
belt is therefore a risk not only for himself,
but also for the front seat occupants.

103
SAFETY
Warning


Any work on the belt tightener sys-
tem or within the immediate area, in-
cluding removal and installation of
system components because of other
repair work, must only be carried out
by a Škoda dealer.

The protection provided by the
system is adequate only for one ac-
cident. If the belt tensioners have
been activated, the entire system has
to be replaced.

If the car is sold, the buyer should
be provided with the complete vehi-
cle wallet.
Notes

Smoke is released when the belt tensio-
ners are activated. This smoke does not
indicate a fire in the car.

If the car or individual components of the
system are scrapped, it is essential to pay
attention to the relevant safety regulations.
Škoda Dealers are acquainted with these
regulations and can provide you with more
detailed information in this connection.
Airbag system*Front airbagThe front airbag system is only operational
after switching on the ignition.
Models with airbag system for driver and
passenger are recognizable from the
„AIRBAG“ inscriptions on the padded boss
of the steering wheel and on the passen-
ger side of the instrument panel.
In addition to the three-point seat belts
with belt tensioners, the Airbag System
offers further protection for the driver’s and
passenger’s head and chest in a serious
frontal collision.
Apart from its normal protective function,
the seat belt also has the task of keeping
the driver or passenger in such a position
so that the airbag can offer maximum pro-
tection in the case of a frontal collision.
For this reason, the seat belts should al-
ways be used not only because this is re-
quired by law, but also for safety reasons!
The Airbag System is not activated in the
event of:

side collisions

rear collisions

rolling-over

minor frontal collisions. The system essentially consists of:


the electronic control and monitoring unit
(control unit),

one or two airbags (airbag with gas gen-
erator) for the:
- driver (in steering wheel),
- front passenger (in instrument panel)

a warning lamp in the instrument panel -
see page 56.

a warning light in the interior lighting of
the car (front)* - see page 108.

Switch for front passenger airbags* - see
page 107.
The operational readiness of the airbag
system is monitored electronically.
The airbag warning lamp comes on for a
few seconds (self-diagnosis) each time the
ignition is switched on.
Note
The airbag system does not require any
maintenance over its entire operating pe-
riod.

105
SAFETY
Warning


It is therefore important to maintain
a distance from the steering wheel or
from the instrument panel (min. 15 cm)
to enable the occupants to be pro-
tected to the maximum possible extent
if the system is activated. In addition,
the front seats should always be cor-
rectly adjusted to the body size of the
occupant - see page 19.
Warning


The padded panel of the steering
wheel and the front passenger area of
the instrument panel between the mid-
dle and the right-hand vent (surface
with inscription „Airbag“) must not
have stickers attached, nor should
they be covered or modified in any
way. These parts should only be clea-
ned with a dry cloth or a cloth mois-
tened with water.

No modifications of any kind may
be undertaken on the parts of the
airbag system. All work on the airbag
system, including removing and in-
stalling system components during
other repair work (e.g. removing
steering wheel) should only be car-
ried out by Škoda Dealers.

It is not permitted to carry out any
modifications to any airbag compo-
nents as this could result in the
airbag being activated.

The operational life of the front
airbag modules is 15 years from the
date of manufacture of the car. After
this period, it is necessary to have
the modules renewed in a Škoda
Dealership.
Note
If the car or individual components of the
airbag system are scrapped, it is essential
to comply with the relevant safety regula-
tions. Škoda Dealers are acquainted with
these regulations.
If you do not make use of the seat belts
when driving, or if lean forward or adopt an
incorrect seated position, you are expos-
ing yourself to an increased risk of injury in
the event of an accident.

154GENERAL MAINTENANCE
If the tyres are not adequately in-flated, your fuel consumption will
be higher and you will be unnecessarily polluting the environment.
Driving style
Driving fast through curves, sharp accelera-
tion and sharp braking increase tyre wear.
Balancing wheels
The wheels of a new car are balanced. Va-
rious factors when driving may, however,
produce an imbalance which makes it felt
by steering wobble.
In such a case, the wheels should then be
re-balanced as any imbalance in the
wheels also results in increased wear and
tear to the steering, suspension and tyres.
In addition, a wheel has to be re-balanced
after fitting a new tyre and each time any
repairs are carried out.
Wheel alignment errors
Faulty alignment of the wheels and suspen-
sion not only increases tyre wear, often on
only one side, but also affects the handling
of the car. If any unusual tyre wear exists,
contact a Škoda Dealer.
Wear indicators
The base of the tread of the original tyres
contains 1.6 mm high „wear indicators“ at
right angles to the direction of running - see
illustration. These wear indicators are
spaced evenly around the circumference of
the tyre 6 to 8 times - depending on the
make. Markings on the tyre walls, for ex-
ample the letters „TWI“ or triangle symbols,
indicate the position of the wear indicators. Warning


New tyres during the first 500 km
do not offer optimal grip and should
therefore be run appropriately - risk
of accident!

The tyres should be renewed with-
out delay no later than when they are
worn down to the wear indicators.

Worn tyres are detrimental to
road-holding particularly at high
speeds on wet roads. In addition, the
vehicle tends to aquaplane sooner.

Never drive with damaged tyres -
risk of accident!

Immediately replace the damaged
rims or tyres.