2004 SKODA OCTAVIA TOUR weight

119
DRIVING TIPS
The technical prerequisites
for low fuel consumption and efficiency we-
re „built in“ at the factory. Particular impor-
tance was placed on the lowest possible
effect on the environment. To retain and
make the best possible use of these char-
acteristics attention should be paid to the
following points:
The prescribed maintenance opera-tions should be carried out exactly
as specified in the Service Schedule.
Having your car serviced by a Škoda Dealer
at the specified intervals not only ensures
that it is always in proper roadworthy con-
dition but that it operates economically, with
minimal environmental impact and provides
you with many years of motoring.
Check the tyre pressures every 4 weeks.
Low tyre pressures increase the rolling re-
sistance. This not only increases the fuel
consumption and tyre wear, but the han-
dling is also impaired.
Do not carry any unnecessary loadsin the luggage compartment.
The weight of the car has a major effect on
fuel consumption, particularly when driving
in towns where you frequently have to ac-
celerate. The rule of thumb which applies
is that every 100 kilograms of weight in-
creases fuel consumption by about 1 litre/
100 km (1 litre/62 miles).
Do not fit the roof rack unless it is
really needed.
Particularly at high speeds the increased
air resistance makes itself felt in higher fuel
consumption.
Electrical consumers should onlybe switched on when they are ac-
tually required.
Heated rear window, fog lights etc. have a
considerable energy demand. The higher
alternator load also increases the fuel con-
sumption. For instance, over a period of 10
hours, the heated rear window will increase
fuel consumption by approximately 1 litre.
Keep a frequent check on your fuel consumption.
The fuel consumption should be checked
each time the tank is filled up. By doing this
inconsistencies on the vehicle which lead
to increased fuel consumption can be de-
tected sooner. Check the oil level each time you refuel.
The oil consumption depends to a great
extent on the engine load and speed. De-
pending on the style of driving the con-
sumption can be as much as 0.5 litre/
1000 km.
It is normal for the oil consumption of a new
engine to reach its lowest level after a cer-
tain mileage has been covered. The con-
sumption cannot be properly assessed until
the vehicle has run approx. 5000 km.
This also applies to the fuel consumption
and the engine output.

125
DRIVING TIPS
Technical requirements

If the car is supplied with a factory-fitted
towing bracket, all that is technically and
legally necessary for towing a trailer has
already been taken into account.

If the trailer to be towed has a 7-pin con-
nector, you can obtain an adapter cable
from Škoda Dealers.

Škoda Dealers are acquainted with the
details of retrofitting a towing bracket and
modifying the cooling system. You should
therefore have a towing bracket fitted by a
Škoda Dealer. Operating instructions


The permissible trailer weights must on
no account be exceeded.

The trailer weights stated are only ap-
plicable for altitudes up to 1000 m above
mean sea level (MSL). As the engine out-
put and thus the climbing ability drops due
to the decreasing air density, the weight of
vehicle and trailer must also be reduced by
10 % for each further 1000 m or part the-
reof.
Take this fact into account when driving at
high altitudes.

You should make full use of the maxi-
mum permissible drawbar weight indicated
on the ball head of the towing bracket, but
do not exceed it.

The load carried in the trailer should be
distributed so that any heavy objects are
placed as close as possible to the axle,
taking into account the permissible trailer
weight and drawbar load. The objects
should also be secured to prevent them
slipping.

Select the tyre pressure of the car for full
loads and also check the pressure of the
trailer tyres.

The headlight beam control of the car
should be set to match the particular load
conditions.

The handbrake of the car should be ap-
plied when hitching up and unhitching the
trailer.
Inspect the ball head to ensure that
it is properly locked each time before
setting off.
The inspection is performed by turn-
ing the closed locking lever down-
wards.
If the locking lever can only be turned
approx. 5°, the locking mechanism is
OK.
After the inspection pull the locking
lever back again to its stop.
The towing device must not be used,
if it does not wish to close or the
locking lever turns slightly in the clo-
sed position.

126DRIVING TIPSDriving instructions
To obtain the best possible handling of ve-
hicle and trailer, please note the following
points:

Try to avoid driving with an unladen ve-
hicle and a loaded trailer. If this cannot be
avoided, only drive slowly to allow for the
unfavourable weight distribution.

As the driving stability of vehicle and trai-
ler decreases when the speed increases,
do not drive at the maximum permissible
top speed in unfavourable road, weather or
wind conditions - particularly when going
downhill.
You should in any case immediately reduce
your speed as soon as you detect even the
slightest swaying of the trailer. On no ac-
count attempt to eliminate the swaying by
accelerating!

For safety reasons, you should not drive
faster than 80 km/h (50 mph). This also
applies in countries where higher speeds
are permitted.

Apply the brakes in good time! If the
trailer is fitted with an overrun brake, apply
the brakes gently at first, then increase the
pressure. This avoids any braking shocks
caused by the wheels of the trailer block-
ing. Shift down gears in good time before
driving downhill so that the engine can act
as a brake.

If it is necessary to drive a long uphill
section in a low gear with a very high en-
gine speed and at unusually high ambient
temperatures, keep a check on the cool-
ant gauge. If the needle of the gauge moves
into the upper range of the scale, reduce
the speed of your car immediately. If the
temperature and brake fluid level warning
light flash, however, stop and allow engine
to cool down by letting it idle for a few min-
utes. Pay attention to the further informa-
tion on p. 46.

The coolant temperature can be reduced
by switching on the heater.

The cooling effect of the radiator fan
cannot be increased by changing down,
because the speed of the fan is not depend-
ent on the engine speed. You should there-
fore not change down even when towing a
trailer as long as the engine can cope with-
out the vehicle speed dropping too much.
General notes

It is advisable to have the vehicle ser-
viced between the inspection intervals
if it is used frequently for towing a trailer.

The trailer and drawbar load figures on
the data plate of the towing bracket are for
test certification only. The correct figures for
the vehicle, which may be lower than the
above figures, are given in the vehicle do-
cuments.