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.
73
CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
Rotary control C - air distribution
The air distribution to the vents is regulated
with the rotary control.
Pushbutton D - recirculated air mode
The recirculated air mode in the car is
switched on by pressing the button D.
The symbol on the pushbutton comes on.
Switch off by once again pressing the
pushbutton.
We recommend the recirculated air
mode should only be selected for a short
time, however, as no fresh air is sup-
plied, the windows may mist up.
For safety reasons, it is not possible
to press pushbutton D if the rotary
control C is in the position .................or is close to this position.
Air ventsHeated or non-heated fresh air flows out of
all the vents depending on the position of
the rotary control A.
The air distribution to the vents is regulated
with the rotary control C.
The vents 3 and 4 can also be closed and
opened individually with the vertical thumb-
wheel:
Vent closed - vertical thumbwheel of air
outlet vent in position E and G
Vent open fully - vertical thumbwheel of air
outlet vent in position F.It is also possible to alter the direction of the
air flow with the horizontal and vertical
thumbwheels of the air outlet vents 3 and 4.
The rear footwell vents are regulated to-
gether with the vents 5.
On models with another type of dash panel,
the air vents are regulated in a similar way.Defrosting windscreen and side
windows Rotary switch B to position 4
Rotary control A fully to the right
and C to ............................................. Close vents 3.
Warm air can be directed additionally to
the side windows through vents 4.
76CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENTPushbutton D - switching air conditioner
on and off
The system can be switched on by press-
ing the button D only when the engine is
running.
An indicator light in the pushbutton comes
on when the air conditioner is operating.
The air conditioner is switched off by again
pressing the pushbutton.
Pushbutton E - recirculated air mode
The recirculated air mode in the passen-
ger compartment is switched on by press-
ing the pushbutton E.
The indicator light in the pushbutton comes
on.
The recirculated air mode is switched off
by again pressing the pushbutton.
The recirculated air mode can be selected
with and without the air conditioner. The
recirculated air mode must only be selected
for a short time , however, as no fresh air
is supplied to the interior and the windows
may mist up if the air conditioner is switched
off.
Pushbutton E cannot be pressed if the
rotary control C
is in the position .................................or close to this position.
Air ventsHeated or non-heated fresh or cooling air
flows out of all the opened vents depend-
ing on the position of the rotary controls A,
B , C and pushbuttons D and E.
The vents are controlled with the rotary
control C.
The vents 3 and 4 can also be closed and
opened individually with the vertical thumb-
wheel:
Vent closed - vertical thumbwheel of air
outlet vent in position 6 or 8
Vent open fully - vertical thumbwheel of air
outlet vent in position 7.It is also possible to alter the direction of the
air flow with the horizontal and vertical
thumbwheels of the air outlet vents 3 and 4.
The rear footwell vents are controlled to-
gether with vents 5.Defrosting windscreen and side
windows Rotary switch B to position 4.
Rotary control A fully to the right
and C to ............................................. Close vents 3.
Open vents 4.
83
CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
Air ventsHeated or unheated fresh air flows out of
all the vents after the appropriate push-
buttons are pressed.
The vents are controlled with pushbuttons
1, 13 and 14.
The vents 3 and 4 can also be closed and
opened individually with the vertical thumb-
wheel:
Vent closed - vertical thumbwheel of air
outlet vent in position A and C
Vent open fully - vertical thumbwheel of air
outlet vent in position B.It is also possible to alter the direction of the
air flow with the horizontal and vertical
thumbwheels of the air outlet vents 3 and 4.
The vertical air flow is regulated by the po-
sition of the side knurled wheel.
The horizontal air flow is regulated by the
knurled wheel below the air vent grille.
The rear footwell vents are controlled to-
gether with vents 5. Warning
Clear visibility is an essential ele-
ment of road safety. It is only assured
if all the windows of the car are free
of ice, snow and misting.
For this reason, please familiarize
yourself with the correct operation of
the heating and ventilation system,
dehumidifying and defrosting the
windows as well as with the cooling
mode.
Maximum heating capacity and
rapid demisting of the windows can
only be achieved once the engine has
reached its normal operating tem-
perature.
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.