
Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights41
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
If the warning light
flashes (handbrake is not applied),
stop and check
the brake fluid level ⇒.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
STOP Brake fluid Owner's manual
If there is a fault in the ABS which also influences the function of the
normal brake system (e.g. distribution of brake pressure), the ABS
warning light
comes on together with the brake system warning light . Be aware that not only the ABS but also another part of th brake
system is defective ⇒.
3 peeps sound as an additional warning signal.
One should get used to high pedal forces, long braking distances and long
free play of the brake pedal when driving to the next specialist garage.
For further information on the brake system ⇒page 216, “Brakes”.
Handbrake applied
The warning light
also comes on if the handbrake is applied. An audible
warning is also given if you drive the vehicle for at least 3 seconds at a
speed of more than 6 km/h.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Handbrake on!
WARNING
•Pay attention to the following instructions ⇒page 248, “Working
in the engine compartment” before checking the brake fluid level
and opening the bonnet.
•If the brake system warning light does not go out a few
seconds after switching on the ignition or comes on when driving,
stop immediately and check the brake fluid in the reservoir
⇒ page 256, “Brake fluid”. If the fluid level has dropped below the MIN marking, do not drive any further - risk of accident! Contact a
Škoda dealer to obtain professional assistance.
Seat belt warning light*
The warning light comes on after the ignition is switched on as a
reminder to fasten the seat belt. The warning light only goes out if the
driver has fastened his seat belt.
If you do not fasten the seat belt, a long warning signal sounds for 6
seconds.
If you do not fasten the seat belt, a warning signal sounds continuously at
a speed of more than 10 km/h.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Please fasten seatbelt!
For further information on the seat belts ⇒page 183, “Seat belts”.
WARNING (continued)
s24s.book Page 41 Thursday, November 24, 2005 12:27 PM

Unlocking and locking53
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Folding out of the key
– Press button .
Folding up of the key
– Press button and collapse the key bit in the housing.
The turn signal lights flash twice as confirmation that the vehicle has been
unlocked. The vehicle will lock again automatically if you unlock the
vehicle using button but do not open a door or the boot lid within the
next 30 seconds. This function is intended to prevent the car being
unlocked unintentionally.
In addition, when the car is unlocked, the power seats and exterior
mirrors* move into the position assigned to this key. The stored setting of
driver seat and exterior mirrors is retrieved.
The turn signal lights flash once to confirm that the vehicle has been
correctly locked. If the turn signal lights do not flash, check the doors,
bonnet and boot lid again to ensure that they are closed. If the doors, the
bonnet or the boot lid remain open when the anti-theft alarm system is
activated, the turn signal lights do not flash until after they have been
closed.
When the vehicle is unlocked or locked, the interior lights in the door
contact are automatically switched on or off.
WARNING
If the vehicle is locked from the outside and the safe securing
system is activated, there must not be any person in the vehicle as
it is then not possible to open either a door or a window from the
inside. The locked doors make it more difficult for rescuers to get
into the vehicle in an emergency - hazard!
Note
•Operate the radio remote control only when the doors and boot lid are
closed and you have visual contact with the vehicle.
•Once in the car, you must not press the lock button of the radio
remote control before inserting the key into the ignition lock in order to
avoid the car being inadvertently locked and, in addition, the anti-theft
alarm system* being switched on. Should this happen, press the unlock
button
of the radio remote control.
Synchonisation of the remote control
If the vehicle cannot be unlocked by actuating the remote control system
then it is possible that the code in the key and the control unit in the vehicle
are no longer synchronised. This can occur when the buttons on the radio-
operated key are actuated a number of times outside of the operative
range of the equipment or the battery on the remote control was replaced.
This means it is necessary to synchronise the code as follows:
•Press any button on the remote control.
•Pressing of the button means that the door will unlock with the key
within 1 minute.
A4
A4
A1
s24s.book Page 53 Thursday, November 24, 2005 12:27 PM

Unlocking and locking
54
Anti-theft alarm system*
Description
The anti-theft alarm system increases the level of protection against
people seeking to break into the vehicle. The system triggers audible and
visual warning signals if an attempt is made to break into the vehicle.
How is the alarm system activated?
The anti-theft alarm system is activated automatically when the vehicle is
locked with the key on the closed driver's door or by using the radio
remote control. It is activated 30 seconds after closing the door.
How is the alarm system deactivated?
The anti-theft alarm system is deactivated if the vehicle is unlocked by
only using the radio remote control. The vehicle is automatically locked
again if the vehicle is not opened within 30 seconds after reactivating the
anti-theft alarm system.
Once you unlock the vehicle by inserting the key into the driver door you
then have to insert the key into the ignition lock and switch the ignition on
within 15 seconds after opening the door in order to deactivate the anti-
theft alarm system. The alarm will be triggered if you do not switch on
the ignition within 15 seconds.
When is the alarm triggered?
The following security areas of the locked vehicle are monitored:
•Bonnet,
•Boot lid,
•Doors,
•Ignition lock,
•Angle of the vehicle* ⇒page 55,
•Vehicle interior* ⇒page 55,
•A drop in voltage of the on-board power supply.
An alarm is immediately triggered if either of the two battery terminals is
disconnected while the anti-theft alarm system is activated.
How is the alarm switched off?
You switch the alarm off if you unlock the car with the radio remote control
in the key or if you switch the ignition on.
Note
•The working life of the alarm siren is 6 years. More detailed information
is available from your Škoda dealer.
•Before leaving the car, check that all the doors, windows and the elec-
tric sliding/tilting roof* are properly closed in order to ensure that the anti-
theft alarm system is fully operational.
•Coding of the radio remote control and the receptor part precludes the
use of the radio remote control from other vehicles.
s24s.book Page 54 Thursday, November 24, 2005 12:27 PM

Lights and Visibility
72
Entry lighting*
The lighting is positioned on the bottom edge of the exterior mirror.
The light beam is directed towards the entry area of the front door.
The light comes on after the doors have been locked or on opening the
boot lid. The light goes out after switching on the ignition or up to 30
seconds after closing all the doors, the bonnet and the boot lid.
If a door, the bonnet or the boot lid remains open, the light goes out within
2 minutes if the ignition is switched off.
WARNING
If the entry light comes on, do not touch its cover - risk of burns!
Visibility
Rear window heater
– You can switch the rear window heater on or off by pressing
the switch
⇒ fig. 51 - the indicator light in the switch comes
on or goes out.
The rear window heater only operates when the engine is running.
The rear window heater switches off automatically after 10 minutes.
For the sake of the environment
You should switch off the rear window heater as soon as the rear window
is clear. The reduced current consumption will have a favourable effect on
fuel economy ⇒page 227, “Saving electricity”.
Fig. 51 Switch for rear
window heater
s24s.book Page 72 Thursday, November 24, 2005 12:27 PM

Lights and Visibility
76
Automatic wipe/wash for the rear window pane*
– Press the lever from the steering wheel forward into the sprung position , the wash system sprays immediately, the
windscreen wiper starts wiping a little later. As long as you
hold the lever in this position, the wiper operates as well as the
wash system.
– Letting go of the lever will cause the windscreen wash system to stop and the wiper to continue for another 2 - 3 wiper
strokes (depending on the period of spraying of the wind-
screen). The lever will stay in position after releasing it .
Switching windscreen wipers off
– Move the lever back into its home position .
After the windscreen wiper switches off for the second time or the ignition
switches off for the fifth time, the rest position of the windscreen wiper
changes - this counteracts an early fatigue of the wiper rubbers.
The windscreen wipers and the wash system only operate if the ignition is
switched on and the bonnet is closed.
If the intermittent wipe is switched on, the intervals are also controlled
depending on speed.
The rain sensor* automatically regulates the break between the individual
wiper strokes depending on the intensity of the rain.
The rear window will be wiped again if the front window wipers are on
when reverse gear is selected.
The windscreen washer nozzles are heated* when the ignition is switched
on.
Top up with wash liquid ⇒page 262. Winter position
If the windscreen wipers are in rest position, they cannot be folded out
from the windscreen. For this reason we recommend adjusting the wind-
screen wipers in winter so that they can be folded out from the windscreen
easily. You can set this rest position as follows:
•Switch on the windscreen wipers.
•Switch off the ignition. The windscreen wipers remain in the position in
which they were when switching off the ignition.
You can also use the service position ⇒page 77 as a winter position.
WARNING
•Properly maintained windscreen wiper blades are essential for
clear visibility and safe driving ⇒page 77, “Replacing wiper blades
for the windscreen wipers”.
•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.
•The rain sensor only operates as a support. The driver is not
released from the responsibility to set the function of the wind-
screen wipers manually depending on the visibility conditions.
Caution
In frosty weather, please first of all check whether the windscreen wiper
blades are not frozen to the windscreen before switching them on.
Switching on windscreen wipers when the blades are frozen to the wind-
screen may result in damage both to the blades and the motor of the wind-
screen wipers!
A7
A6
A0
s24s.book Page 76 Thursday, November 24, 2005 12:27 PM

Lights and Visibility77
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Note
•If the slower or the faster wiper setting is switched on ⇒page 75,
fig. 55 and the vehicle speed decreases to below 4 km/h, the next lower
wiper step is switched on automatically. At a speed increase of more than
8 km/h the previous wiper setting is established again.
•If there is an obstacle on the windscreen, the wiper will try to push
away the obstacle. If the obstacle continues to block the wiper, the wiper
stops after 5 cycles, in order to avoid a damage to the wiper. Remove the
obstacle and and switch on the wiper again.
Headlight cleaning system*
The headlights are being cleaned after the windscreen has been sprayed
for the fifth time, the low beam or main beam are switched on and the
windscreen wiper lever was held in the position ⇒page 75, fig. 55 for
about 1 second.
The headlight washer nozzles are moved forward out of the bumper by the
water pressure for cleaning the headlights.
You should remove stubborn dirt (such as insect residues) from the head-
light lenses at regular intervals, for example when refuelling. Please refer
to the following guidelines ⇒page 237, “The headlight lenses”.
You should remove any snow from the fixtures of the washer nozzles and
clear ice in winter with a de-icing spray in order to ensure proper operation
of the cleaning system.
Replacing wiper blades for the windscreen wipers
One cannot fold out the wiper arms in the rest position from the
windscreen. Before replacing the wiper arms you must put them
into the service position.
Service position for changing wiper blades
– Close the bonnet.
– Switch the ignition on and then again off.
– Then press the windscreen wiper lever in the position ⇒page 75, fig. 55 within 20 seconds - the wiper arms move
into the service position.
Taking off the wiper blade
– Fold windscreen wiper arm away from the windscreen and position the wiper blade at right angles to the wiper arm ⇒.
A2A3
A5
Fig. 56 Wiper blades
for the windscreen
A4
s24s.book Page 77 Thursday, November 24, 2005 12:27 PM

Lights and Visibility
78
– Take off the wiper blade in direction of arrow ⇒page 77, fig. 56
⇒ .
Attaching a wiper blade
– Push the new wiper blade over the wiper arm and turn the wiper blade into the vertical position.
– Check whether the wiper blade is correctly attached.
– Fold the windscreen wiper arms onto the window and switch on the ignition - the windscreen wiper arms move back into the
rest position.
Windscreen wiper blades in proper condition are essential to obtain good
visibility. Wiper blades should not be allowed to become dirtied by dust,
insect remains and preserving wax.
Juddering or smearing of the wiper blades could then be due to wax resi-
dues left on the windscreen by vehicle washing in automatic vehicle wash
systems. It is therefore important to degrease the lips of the winscreen
wiper blades after every pass through an automatic vehicle wash
system .
WARNING
•The ignition must not be switched on if the front windscreen
wiper arms are folded out. The wiper blades would move back into
their rest position and while doing so damage the paintwork of the
bonnet.
•If the windscreen wipers are handled carelessly, there is a risk
of damage to the windscreen.
•You should clean the wiper blades regularly with a windscreen
cleaner in order to avoid any smears. Clean a wiper blade with a
sponge or cloth if it is very dirty, for example from insect residues.
•Replace the windscreen wiper blades once or twice a year for
safety reasons. Windscreen wiper blades are available from Škoda
dealers.
Replacing the wiper blade on the rear window wiper
Taking off the wiper blade
– Fold windscreen wiper arm away from the windscreen and
position the wiper blade at right angles to the wiper arm
⇒fig. 57.
– Hold the window wiper arm at the top end with one hand.
– With the other hand unlock the locking button in the direc- tion of arrow and remove the wiper blade.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 57 Wiper blade for
the rear window
AA
s24s.book Page 78 Thursday, November 24, 2005 12:27 PM

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
s24s.book Page 151 Thursday, November 24, 2005 12:27 PM