2005 SKODA OCTAVIA Owner's Manual

Starting-off and Driving
144
Rear parking aid*
The parking aid provides a warning of obstacles behind
the vehicle.
The audible parking aid determines the distance between the rear bumper
and an obstacle located behind the vehicle with the aid of ultrasound
sensors. The sensors are integrated in the rear bumper.
Range of sensors
The clearance warning begins at a distance of about 160 cm from the
obstacle (area ⇒ fig. 132). The interval between the warning signals
becomes shorter as the clearance is reduced.
A continuous tone sounds from a clearance of just 30 cm (Bereich ) -
danger area. You should not reverse any further after this signal
sounds!
For particular model versions, the distance to the obstruction is also
displayed on the display of the radio. You can also switch off this function
- see operating instructions for radio Activating
The parking aid is activated automatically when
reverse gear is engaged
and the ignition is turned on. This is confirmed by a brief acknowledge-
ment signal.
Deactivating
The parking aid is deactivated by removing the reverse gear.
WARNING
•The parking aid is not a substitute for the driver paying proper
attention and it is always the driver's responsibility to take care
when parking the vehicle or carrying out similar manoeuvres.
•You should therefore satisfy yourself, before reversing, that
there is no small obstacle, such as a rock, thin post, trailer drawbar
etc., behind your vehicle. Such an obstacle might not be within the
range detected by the sensors.
Note
•The parking aid does not operate if you are towing a trailer (applies to
models which feature a factory-fitted towing device*).
•If a warning signal sounds for about 3 seconds after switching the igni-
tion on and engaging reverse gear, and there is no obstacle close to your
car, this indicates a system fault. Have the fault rectified by a specialist
workshop.
•The sensors must be kept clean and free of ice to enable the parking
aid to operate properly.
•If the parking aid is activated and the selector lever of the automatic
gearbox is in the position , warning signal indicates interruption (vehicle
can no longer move).
Fig. 132 Parking aid:
Detection range of rear
sensors
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Starting-off and Driving145
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Front and rear parking aid*
The parking aid provides a warning of obstacles in front
and behind the vehicle.
The audible parking aid determines the distance between the front or rear
bumper and an obstacle with the aid of ultrasound sensors. The sensors
are integrated in the front and rear bumper. The signal tones for the front
parking aid sound higher than for the rear parking aid.
Range of sensors
The distance warning begins at a distance of about 120 cm from the
obstacle in front of the vehicle (area ⇒fig. 134 ) and about 160 cm from
the obstacle behind the vehicle (area ⇒page 144, fig. 132 ). The
interval between the warning signals becomes shorter as the clearance is
reduced.
A continuous tone sounds from a clearance of just 30 cm (Bereich ) -
danger area. You should not reverse any further after this signal
sounds!
Your vehicle can be equipped with a radio which shows on its display the
distance of the vehicle to the obstacle. You can also switch off this func-
tion - see operating instructions for radio
Activating
The parking aid is activated when the reverse gear is engaged and the
ignition is turned on or by pressing the button ⇒fig. 133 - the symbol

lights up in the button. The activation is confirmed by a brief acknowledge-
ment signal.
Deactivating
The parking aid is deactivated after pressing the button
 ⇒ fig. 133 or at
a speed of more than 15 km/h - the symbol  in the button is no longer
illuminated.
WARNING
•The parking aid is not a substitute for the driver paying proper
attention and it is always the driver's responsibility to take care
when reversing the vehicle or carrying out similar manoeuvres.
Fig. 133 Activating the
parking aid
Fig. 134 Parking aid:
Detection range of the
front sensors
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Starting-off and Driving
146
•You should therefore satisfy yourself, before reversing, that
there is no small obstacle, such as a rock, thin post, trailer drawbar
etc., in front or behind your vehicle. Such an obstacle might not be
within the range detected by the sensors.
Caution
In order to ensure the correct functioning of the parking aid, only a licence
plate frame approved by the manufacturer Škoda for your vehicle type
should be installed at the front bumper. Un-approved licence plate frames
can project into the detection range ⇒page 145, fig. 134 . A non-proved
licence plate frame could be recognized as an obstacle by the system and
this would lead to an incorrect warning. If you have any questions, please
contact a specialist garage.
Note
•Only the front parking aid operates if you are towing a trailer (applies
only to models which feature a factory-fitted towing device*).
•If a warning signal sounds for about 3 seconds after activating the
system and there is no obstacle close to your car, this indicates a system
fault. The fault is confirmed additionally when the symbol
 flashes in the
button ⇒page 145, fig. 133 . Have the fault rectified by a specialist work-
shop.
•The sensors must be kept clean and free of ice to enable the parking
aid to operate properly.
•If the parking aid is activated and the selector lever of the automatic
gearbox is in the position , warning signal indicates interruption (vehicle
can no longer move).
Cruise control system (CCS)*
Introduction
The cruise control system (CCS) maintains a constant speed, more than
30 km/h (20 mph), once it has been set, without you having to depress the
accelerator pedal. This is only possible within the range which is permitted
by the power output and braking power of the engine. The cruise control
system makes it possible - particularly on long journeys - for you to rest
your “accelerator foot”.
WARNING
•The cruise control system must not, for safety reasons, be used
in dense traffic or on unfavourable road surfaces (such as icy
roads, slippery roads or loose chippings) - risk of accident!
•In order to prevent unintentional use of the cruise control
system, always switch off the system after use.
Note
•Models fitted with a manual gearbox: Always depress the clutch pedal
if you switch on the cruise control system when the gearbox is in Neutral.
Otherwise the engine can rev up unintentionally.
•The cruise control system is not able to maintain a constant speed
when driving on steep downhill sections. The weight of the vehicle
increases the speed at which it travels. One should shift down in good
time to a lower gear or slow the vehicle down by applying the foot brake.
•It is not possible on vehicles fitted with an automatic gearbox to switch
on the cruise control system if the selector lever is in the position P, N or
R .
WARNING (continued)
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Starting-off and Driving147
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Storing a speed
The cruise control system is op erated by means of the slide
switch and pushbutton in the left lever of the multi-func-
tional switch.
– Press the switch ⇒ fig. 135 into the position ON.
– After the desired speed has been reached, press the press button into the SET position.
After you have released the press button out of the position SET, the
speed you have just selected is maintained at a constant speed without
having to depress the accelerator.
You can increase the speed by depressing the accelerator. Releasing the
accelerator will cause the speed to drop again to the set speed.
This does not apply, however, if you drive at a speed which is more than
10 km/h higher than the set speed for a period of longer than 5 minutes. The stored speed will be cancelled in the memory. You then have to re-
store the desired speed.
One can
reduce the speed in the usual manner. The system is switched
off temporarily by actuating the brake or clutch pedal ⇒page 148.
WARNING
First ensure that it is not too high for the traffic conditions which
exist at that moment before resuming the stored speed.
Changing a stored speed
You can also change the speed of the vehicle without
depressing the accelerator.
Faster
– You can increase the stored speed without depressing the
accelerator, by pressing the button ⇒fig. 135 into the RES
position.
– The speed of the car will increase continuously if you hold the button pressed in the RES position. Release the slide switch
once the vehicle has reached the desired speed. The set
speed is then stored in the memory.
Slower
– You can reduce the stored speed by pressing the button
in the position SET .
Fig. 135 Operating
lever: Pushbutton and
slide switch on the
cruise control system
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Starting-off and Driving
148
– Holding down the pushbutton pressed in the SET position will
cause the speed of the vehicle to reduce continuously. Once
the car has reached the desired speed, release the button.
The set speed is then stored in the memory.
– If you release the pushbutton when the car is travelling at a speed of less than 30 km/h, the speed is not stored, the
memory is erased. It is then necessary to again store the
speed with the button in the position SET after an increase
in speed of the vehicle to more than 30 km/hour.
Switching off the cruise co ntrol system temporarily
– You can switch off temporarily the cruise control system, if
you depress the brake or clutch pedal, on vehicles fitted with
an automatic gearbox only the brake pedal.
– You can switch off temporarily t he cruise control system, if you
press the switch in the middle position.
The set speed remains stored in the memory.
The Resumption of the stored speed is achieved by releasing the brake
or clutch pedal, on vehicles fitted with automatic gearbox only after
releasing the brake pedal and after shortly pressing the pushbutton
⇒ page 147, fig. 135 into the position RES.
WARNING
First ensure that it is not too high for the traffic conditions which
exist at that moment before resuming the stored speed.
Switching off the cruise control system completely
– Press the switch ⇒page 147, fig. 135 to the right into posi-
tion OFF .
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Automatic gearbox149
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Automatic gearbox
6-speed automatic gearbox*
Introduction
Your car is equipped with an electronically controlled 6-speed automatic
gearbox. Shifting up and also down through the gears is performed auto-
matically.
At the same time this is a conventional automatic gearbox. The maximum
speed is reached in the 5th gear. The 6th gear serves as an economic
driving programme, which is intended to reduce the fuel consumption.
Information for driving wi th an automatic gearbox
Shifting up and down through the gears is performed auto-
matically.
You can also, however, switch the gearbox over into the
Tiptronic mode . This mode makes it possible for you to also shift
gears manually ⇒ page 153.
Starting-off and Driving
– Depress the brake pedal and hold it depressed.
– Press the Shiftlock button (button in handle of the selector lever), move the selector lever into the desired position, e.g. D
⇒ page 150, and then release the Shiftlock button. – Wait a moment until the gearbox has shifted (a slight engage-
ment nudge can be felt).
– Release the brake pedal and depress the accelerator ⇒.
Stopping for a short time
– The selector lever position N does not have to be selected
when stopping just for a short time, such as at cross roads. It
is sufficient to hold the vehicle stationary using the foot brake.
The engine can, however, be allowed just to idle.
Parking
– Depress the brake pedal and hold it depressed.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Press and Shiftlock button in the selector lever, move the selector lever to P and then release the Shiftlock button.The engine can only be started when the selector lever is in position P or
N ⇒ page 140.
It is sufficient to engage selector lever position P when parking on a flat
surface. When parking on a slope you should first apply the handbrake
firmly and then move the selector lever into position P. This is to ensure
that there is no excessive pressure acting on the lock mechanism and that
it is easier to subsequently move the selector lever out of position P.
If the selector lever position N is selected by accident while driving it is first
necessary to release pressure on the accelerator pedal and wait for idling
speed of the engine to be reached before engaging a drive position in the
selector lever.
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Automatic gearbox
150
WARNING
•Do not depress the accelerator when changing the position of
the selector lever if the car is stationary and the engine is running
- risk of accident!
•Never move the selector lever into position R or P when driving
- risk of an accident!
•When the engine is running and the vehicle is stationary, it is
necessary to hold the car with the brake pedal in all the positions
of the selector lever (except P and N) since the power transmission
is never completely interrupted, also not when the engine is idling
- the vehicle "creeps".
Selector lever positionsThe selector lever position you have engaged is shown in the information
display of the instrument cluster with the corresponding gear symbol high-
lighted ⇒fig. 137 . In the positions D and S the gear you have engaged will
be additionally displayed on the display.
P - Parklock
The driven wheels are locked mechanically in this position.
The Parklock must only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary ⇒.
If you wish to move the selector lever into or out of this position, you must
press the Shiftlock button in the handle of the selector lever and at the
same time depress the brake pedal.
If the battery is used, the selector lever cannot be moved out of the posi-
tion P ⇒ page 154.
R - Reverse
Reverse gear must only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary and
the engine idling ⇒.
Fig. 136 Selector lever
Fig. 137 Information
display: Selector lever
positions
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Automatic gearbox151
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
The brake pedal must be depressed and at the same time the Shiftlock
must be pressed, if you wish to obtain the selector lever positions
R, P or
N .
When the ignition is switched on and the selector lever is in position R, the
reverse lights will come on.
N - Neutral
The transmission is in Neutral in this position.
The brake pedal must be depressed (if the lever is in its position for longer
than 2 seconds) in order to move the selector lever out of the position N
into the position D, with the ignition switched on, on a vehicle travelling at
less than 5 km/hour or on a stationary vehicle.
The brake pedal must be depressed (if the lever is in its position for longer
than 2 seconds) in order to move the selector lever out of the position N
into the position R, with the ignition switched on, on a vehicle travelling at
less than 5 km/hour or on a stationary vehicle.
D - Drive, position for driving forward
When the selector lever is in this position, the forward gears are shifted up
and down automatically in line with engine load, vehicle speed and the
dynamic shift programme.
You must depress the brake pedal ⇒ if you wish to move the selector
lever into position D from N when the vehicle is travelling at less than
5 km/hour or is stationary.
In certain circumstances (e.g. when driving in mountainous regions or
when towing a trailer) it may be beneficial to select the manual shift
programme ⇒page 153 for a short time in order to adapt the gearbox
ratios manually to the driving situations.
S - Position for sporty style of driving
Shifting up later into a higher gear makes it possible to fully exploit the
power potential of the engine. The gearbox also then shifts down at higher
engine speeds as in the position D. The gearbox does not shift into the 6th gear in the position
S, because the
maximum speed is achieved with the 5th gear.
The Shiftlock on the selector lever grip must be pressed when moving the
selector lever out of the position D into the position S.
WARNING
•Never move the selector lever into position R or P when driving
- risk of an accident!
•When the engine is running and the vehicle is stationary, it is
necessary to hold the car with the brake pedal in all the positions
of the selector lever (except P and N) since the power transmission
is never completely interrupted, also not when the engine is idling
- the vehicle "creeps".
•You must on no account unintentionally operate the throttle
(e.g. by hand from the engine compartment) if a drive position is
engaged when the car is stationary. The vehicle would otherwise
immediately start off - also when the handbrake is firmly applied -
risk of an accident!
•You must move the selector lever into position P and firmly
apply the handbrake first before you or any other person opens the
bonnet and starts working on the engine when it is running - risk
of accident! It is also essential to observe all warnings ⇒page 248,
“Working in the engine compartment”.
Selector lever lock
Automatic selector lever lock 
With the ignition on, the selector lever is locked when it is in the positions
P and N. You must first of all depress the brake pedal in order to move the
selector lever out of this position. The warning light
 ⇒ page 38 lights up
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