67
CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
Multifunction switchThe turn signal system only operates if the
ignition is switched on.
Right turn signals - lever up
Left turn signals - lever down
When turn signals are operating, the ap-
propriate warning light also flashes - see
page 56.
The turn signal lights are cancelled auto-
matically when the steering wheel is moved
back into the straightahead position.
High and low beamIf low beam is switched on, press the lever
away from the steering wheel. A blue warn-
ing light comes on to indicate the high beam
setting. To switch over to the low beam
setting, pull the lever back into its original
position.
Note
On models fitted with xenon headlights*, do
not switch on main beam and fog lights at
the same time when the car is stationary.Coming Home Function*The function enables the lighting of the low
beam for a short time after leaving the ve-
hicle, e.g. for illumination of Coming-Home
etc.
Select function
Switch off light
Switch off ignition
Flash with main beam (headlight flasher)
Open and close door
If the door is open, the light is on for
approx. 3 minutes.
If the door is closed, the light is on for
approx. 30 seconds
Headlight flasherPull lever toward steering wheel as far as
the pressure point - the main beam and the
indicator light come on.
Note
Use of the signal and lighting systems de-
scribed is subject to local national regula-
tions.Parking lightsThe parking light can only be switched on
if the ignition is off.
Right parking lights - lever up
Left parking lights - lever down
Notes
Use of the parking lights is subject to
local national regulations.
If the lever is not in the middle position
after withdrawing the key, an audible sig-
nal sounds when the driver’s door is ope-
ned. The audible signal switches off again
as soon as the door is closed.
70CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
Multifunction steering wheel*What is operated with the pushbuttons on
the steering wheel depends on the equip-
ment fitted to the car.
Pushbuttons 1, 2, 3 and 4 are used to op-
erate the main functions of the cruise con-
trol and the radio system Please also refer
to the additional information provided in the
corresponding operating instructions.
Press the button (refer to arrow) when the
lights are switched on in order to illuminate
the buttons on the steering wheel.Operating cruise controlThe cruise control is switched on by mov-
ing switch A to ON (refer to ill. on p. 68).
The system is switched off completely by
moving switch A fully to the right to the OFF
position (refer to ill. on p. 68).
Storing speed
Switch the cruise control on. As soon as
you have reached the speed you wish to
maintain, briefly press pushbutton 1 in the
position SET-. The car maintains the stored
speed without the need to operate the ac-
celerator pedal. Changing a stored speed -
see page 68.
Changing stored speed
The stored speed can be reduced by
pressing pushbutton 1 in position SET-. If
the button is pressed and held, the speed
reduces continuously. Once you have
reached the speed you wish to maintain,
release the button. The desired speed is
then stored.
The stored speed can be increased by
pressing pushbutton 1 in position RES+. If
the button is pressed and held, the speed
increases continuously. Once you have
reached the speed you wish to maintain,
release the button. The desired speed is
then stored.Switching off cruise control temporarilyThe cruise control is switched off tempo-
rarily by pressing pushbutton 2 in the posi-
tion CANCEL.
The stored speed is resumed by pressing
pushbutton 1 in position RES+.
For further versions of switching off the
cruise control temporarily - refer to p. 69. Warning
The stored speed must only be re-
sumed if it is not too high for the traf-
fic conditions which exist at that
moment.
Operating radio system and CD
changerThe radio system is operated with push-
buttons
3 and 4.Pushbutton 3 with positions VOL+ and
VOL- :
The volume of the radio system, cassette
player, CD changer and recorder of traffic
reports is increased or reduced by press-
ing the button in the appropriate position.
Pushbutton 4 with positions indicated by
the two arrows:
Radio system : You can search up or down
for radio stations in accordance with the
frequency search by pressing the button in
the appropriate position.
Cassette player : You can operate the fast
forward or return by pressing the button in
the appropriate position.
CD changer : You can select preceding or
subsequent sections of music by pressing
the button in the appropriate position.
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.
87
CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
Storage compartment on the
front passenger sideTo open the lid, raise handle and pull lid
open.
An additional key is provided with the car
for a lockable stowage compartment*.Warning
For safety reasons, the lid of the sto-
wage compartment should always
remain closed when driving.
Interior lightsInterior light (A)Door contact switching mechanism (on
the front and rear door*)
Press the switch A to the right into posi-
tion
.
On the version without reading lights press
the switch A into the middle position
.
Switching the interior light on
Press the switch A to the left into posi-
tion
.
Switching the interior light on
Press the switch A into the middle posi-
tion O.
On the version without reading lights
press the switch A to the right, the symbol
O appears.
Beverage holder*The beverage holder moves out and opens
after it is pressed in the direction of the ar-
row.
It is intended for holding beverage cans or
cups with a capacity of 0.33 ltr or 0.5 ltr.
88CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENTNoteInterior lights with off time delay* remain on
for a few seconds after the doors are closed.On models fitted with central locking, the
interior light remains on for about 20 sec-
onds when the car is unlocked, a door is
opened or the ignition key is removed pro-
vided the switch is in the door contact po-
sition.
On an open door, the interior light is
switched off after 60 minutes, in order to
avoid discharging the battery.Reading light (B)*Press the switch B, in order to switch the
reading light on or off - see illustration on
page 87.
Interior light (rear)*The interior light is switched on and off by
pressing on the recess in the lens.
Front door warning light*The light always comes on when the front
door is opened.
Note
If the door is left open for a lengthy time,
this can cause the battery to discharge.
On certain models, a reflector is fitted in
place of the door light.On an open door, the interior light is switched
off after 60 minutes, in order to avoid dis-
charging the battery
107
SAFETY
As soon as you no longer use the child
safety seat, you should reactivate the
front passenger airbag.
If using a child seat, please read the sec-
tion headed „Safety of Children“ on page
111 .
The operational readiness of the airbag
system is monitored electronically even if
the passenger airbag is deactivated.
If the airbag was switched off with a diag-
nostic unit , the warning light comes on in
the dash panel insert for about 3 seconds
after the ignition is switched on and then
flashes for a further 12 seconds.
If the airbag was deactivated with an
Airbag switch* in the glove box, the airbag
warning light comes on in the dash panel
insert for about 3 seconds and the deacti-
vation of the airbag is signaled if the warn-
ing light “AIRBAG “ OFF” comes on in the
interior light - see page 108.
Switch for front passenger airbags*You can deactivate the passenger-side
front airbag and if the vehicle is equipped
with side airbags, also the passenger-side
side airbag with the switch
The airbag(s) may be deactivated only if,
in exceptional cases, it is necessary to in-
stall a child seat on the front passenger
seat.
It is preferable to place the child seat al-
ways at the rear.
For safety reasons the driver of the car is
under the obligation to have the airbag
switched on when driving.
Warning
Deactivate the airbag only when the
ignition is switched off! Failure to ob-
serve this instruction may result in a
fault in the airbag system and con-
sequently cause subsequent deploy-
ment of the airbag.
Deactivating airbag Switch the ignition off.
Use the ignition key to turn the airbag
switch -arrow- into the „OFF“ position. The
ignition key must be in the vertical position.
Check whether the airbag warning light
in the interior lighting (front) lights up when
the ignition is switched on.
Warning
The driver of the car is responsible
for ensuring that the airbag is deacti-
vated or activated.
118DRIVING TIPS
Driving economically while protecting the environmentVarious factors determine fuel consump-
tion, the impact on the environment and
wear-and-tear of the engine, brakes and
tyres.
Your personal style of driving
determines to a great extent the economi-
cal aspect and the development of exhaust
and noise:
Do not warm up engine when the vehicle is stationary.
At idling speed it takes a very long time until
the engine becomes operationally warm.
However, in the warm-up phase, wear and
the discharge of pollutants is particularly
high. For this reason, drive off immediately
the engine has started and avoid high en-
gine speeds.
The cold engine consumes approx. 15 - 20
litres/100 km of fuel immediately after start-
ing. Fuel consumption drops to 10 litres/100
km after just 1 kilometre. The engine
reaches its operating temperature (outside
temperature and engine dependent) only
after about 4 to 10 kilometres and the fuel
consumption then stabilizes. You should
therefore avoid driving short distances
whenever possible.
Avoid full throttle acceleration.
Accelerating with feeling not only consid-
erably improves fuel economy but also re-
duces the impact on the environment and
wear-and-tear.
Do not drive at unnecessarily highengine revs - change up as soon as
possible and only change down when the engine no longer runs smoothly.
Fuel consumption, for example, is more
than twice as high in 2nd gear than it is in
top gear. At the same time, the lower en-
gine speed means a reduction in engine
noise.
Try not to drive at maximum speed.
Fuel consumption, exhaust pollution and
noise increase disproportionately at high
speeds. If you make use of approximately
only 3-quarters of top speed, your fuel con-
sumption will be reduced by about half.
Experience has shown that the loss in time
is only marginal.
Drive as smoothly as possible andlook well ahead.
Unnecessary acceleration and braking has
to be paid for with higher fuel consumption
and a greater impact on the environment.
Switch off the engine when stand-
ing in traffic (traffic lights, railway
crosses etc.).
Individual operating conditions
naturally also affect fuel consumption.
The following factors, for instance, are not
favourable to good fuel consumption:
High traffic density, particularly in large
towns with numerous traffic lights.
Frequent stop/start driving, always re-
starting and warming up the engine.
Driving in heavy, slow moving traffic in
low gear so that the engine speed is rela-
tively high in relation to the speed driven.
Obviously, fuel consumption is also affected
by factors over which the driver has no con-
trol. It is, for example, normal for fuel con-
sumption to increase in the winter or in
severe conditions such as poor roads, tow-
ing a trailer etc.
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.