2005 SKODA OCTAVIA handbrake

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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Automatic gearbox
154
When you accelerate, the gearbox shifts up automatically in gears 1, 2, 3,
4 and 5 into the next higher gear just before the maximum permissible
engine speed is reached.
If you select a lower gear, the automatic gearbox does not shift down until
there is no risk of the engine overrevving (does not apply to shifting from
2nd to the 1st gear).
If you operate the kickdown function, the gearbox shifts into a lower gear
in line with the vehicle speed and engine speed.
Emergency programme
An emergency programme exists in the event of a fault in
the system.
The gearbox operates in a corresponding emergency programme if there
are functional faults in the gearbox electronics. This is indicated by all of
the segments in the display lighting up or going out.
It is possible to continue to move the selector lever into all the positions.
In the positions D and S the gearbox remains engaged in the 3rd gear. It
is also possible to continue to engage reverse gear in the position R.
The manual shift programme (Tiptronic) is switched off in the emergency
mode.
If the gearbox has switched over to emergency mode, drive to the
nearest specialist garage in order to have the fault rectified.
Selector lever-emergency unlocking
In case of interruption of the power supply (e.g. flat vehicle
battery, defective fuse) or defect of the selector lever lock, the
selector lever can no longer be shifted from the position P in the
normal way and the vehicle can no longer be moved. The
selector lever must be unlocked in case of emergency.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Open the stowage compartment in front centre console* or the front ashtray.
– Carefully pull up the front left and right cover.
– Pull up rear cover.
– Press with a narrow object (e.g. ignition key) the yellow plastic hoop -arrow- to the left.
Fig. 140 Selector
lever-emergency
unlocking
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Automatic gearbox DSG
156
Automatic gearbox DSG
Automatic gearbox DSG*
Introduction
Your car is equipped with an automatic gearbox DSG. The abbreviation
DSG means Direct shift gearbox (Direct shift gearbox).
Two independent clutches are needed for the power transmission
between the engine and the gearbox. These replace the torque converter
of the conventional automatic gearbox. Their shifting is matched in such a
way that there are no jerks when shifting the gear and the power transmis-
sion of the engine to the front wheels is not interrupted.
Information for driving with the automatic gearbox
DSG
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 160.
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 157, and then release the Shiftlock button.
– 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. At temperatures below -10 °C the engine can only be
started in the selector lever position P.
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
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Automatic gearbox DSG159
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
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
in the instrument cluster as a reminder for the driver when the selector
lever is in position P and N
In addition, the symbol
 for the automatic selector lever lock in the shift
gate lights up.
A time delay element ensures that the selector lever is not blocked when
rapidly switching over the position N (e.g. from R to D). This does, for
example, allow one to seesaw out a stuck vehicle. The selector lever lock
will click into place if the lever is in the N position for more than 2 seconds
without the brake pedal being pressed.
The selector lever lock is only active if the vehicle is stationary or moving
at speed of less than 5 km/hour. The lock is switched off automatically into
position N when the car is travelling at a higher speed. Shiftlock button
The Shiftlock button in the handle of selector lever prevents certain
selector lever positions being engaged inadvertently. The selector lever
lock is cancelled when you press the Shiftlock button.
Keylock - Ignition key withdrawal lock
You can only withdraw the ignition key after switching off the ignition if the
selector lever is in position
P. If the ignition key is withdrawn, the selector
lever is blocked in postion P.
Kickdown function
The kickdown function provides you with maximum accel-
eration power.
Depressing the accelerator pedal allows the kickdown function to be acti-
vated in the desired driving program. This function has precedence over
the driving programme and serves for maximum acceleration of the
vehicle when exploiting the maximum power potential of the engine
without taking into account the current selector lever position ( D, S or
Tiptronic ). The gearbox shifts down to one or several gears in line with
the driving state and the vehicle accelerates. The gearbox does not shift
up into the highest gear until the engine has reached its maximum revolu-
tions for this gear range.
WARNING
Please note that using the kickdown function can result in the
driven wheels spinning on a smooth or slippery road surface - risk
of skidding!
WARNING (continued)
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Automatic gearbox DSG
162
Selector lever-emergency unlocking (DSG)
In case of interruption of the power supply (e.g. flat vehicle
battery, defective fuse) or defect of the selector lever lock, the
selector lever can no longer be shifted from the position P in the
normal way and the vehicle can no longer be moved. The
selector lever must be unlocked in case of emergency.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Open the stowage compartment in front centre console* or the front ashtray.
– Carefully pull up the front left and right cover.
– Pull up rear cover.
– Press with a narrow object (e.g. ignition key) the yellow plastic hoop -arrow- to the left. – Simultaneously press the shiftlock button in the handle of the
selector lever in the position N
8).
Tow-starting and towing vehicle
Tow-starting a vehicle
It is not possible to tow-start vehicles fitted with automatic gearbox
⇒page 283.
you can use jump-start cables connected to the battery of another vehicle
for starting your car if the vehicle battery is flat ⇒page 281.
Towing a vehicle
Please pay attention to the following information if it comes necessary to
tow-in your car ⇒page 283.
Fig. 145 Selector
lever-emergency
unlocking
8)If the selector lever is moved again into the position P, it is once again blocked.
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Intelligent Technology219
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
The Brake Assist is activated by the very quick operation of the brake
pedal. In such cases, a much greater braking pressure exists than during
a normal brake application. This makes it possible, even with a relatively
low resistance of the brake pedal, to produce an adequate pressure in the
brake system in the shortest possible time, which is required for maximum
deceleration of the car. You must apply the brake pedal firmly and hold it
in this position in order to achieve the shortest possible braking distance.
The Brake Assist is able to help you achieve a shorter braking distance in
emergency situations by rapidly producing the pressure required in the
brake system. It fully exploits the attributes of the ABS. After you release
the brake pedal, the function of the Brake Assist is automatically switched
off and the brakes operate in the normal way.
The Brake Assist is part of the ESP system. If a fault occurs in the ESP,
the Brake Assist function is also not available. Further information on the
ESP
⇒page 213.
WARNING
•The Brake Assist is also not able to overcome the physical
limits of your car in terms of the braking distance required.
•Adapt your speed to the conditions of the road surface and to
the traffic situation.
•The increased safety offered by the Brake Assist must not tempt
you to take a greater safety risk than otherwise.
Uphill-Start off-Assist*
The uphill-start off-assist makes it much easier to start off on steep hills.
The system assists a start off by holding the brake pressure produced by
the brake pedal actuation for approx. 2 seconds after releasing the brake
pedal. The driver can therefore move his foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal and start off on the slope, without having to actuate the
handbrake. The brake pressure drops gradually the more you operate the
accelerator pedal. If the vehicle does not start off within 2 seconds, it starts
to roll back.
The uphill-start off-assist is active in the event of a 5% slope, if the vehicle
door is closed. It is always active on slopes when in forward or reverse
start off. When driving downhill, it is inactive.
Electromechanical
power steering
The power steering enables you to steer the vehicle with less physical
force.
With the electromechanical power steering, the steering assist is automat-
ically adapted to the speed and to the steering angle.
It is still possible to fully steer the vehicle if the power steering fails or if the
engine is not running (vehicle being towed in). The only difference is that
greater physical effort is required.
If there is a fault in the power steering, a red or yellow warning light

lights up in the instrument cluster ⇒page 33.
WARNING
Contact your specialist garage if the power steering is defective.
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Towing a trailer
230
Distribution of the load
Distribute the load in the trailer in such a way that any heavy items are
located as close as possible to the axle. Secure the items to prevent them
slipping.
Tyre inflation pressure
Select the tyre inflation pressure on your vehicle for that of “fully laden”,
⇒ page 264. The inflation pressure of the tyres fitted to the trailer adjust in
accordance with the manufacturer's recommendation.
Exterior mirrors
You have to have additional exterior mirrors fitted if you are not able to see
the traffic behind the trailer with the standard rear-view mirrors. Both exte-
rior mirrors should be attached to folding arms. Adjust the mirrors so that
they provide you with an adequate field of view to the rear.
Headlights
Before starting off with a hitched trailer, also check the setting of the head-
lights. Alter the setting as necessary with the aid of the headlight beam
adjuster ⇒page 67.
Detachable ball head
The ball rod is detachable on vehicles which feature a factory-fitted towing
device. It is stowed together with separate fitting instructions in the spare
wheel well in the luggage compartment of the vehicle.
Further information on the towing device ⇒page 231.
Note
•We recommend that you also have your vehicle inspected between
service intervals if you tow a trailer frequently.
•The handbrake on the towing vehicle must be put on when coupling
and decoupling the trailer.
Driving Tips
Particular caution is required when towing a trailer.
– Do not, as far as possible, drive with your vehicle unladen and the trailer laden.
– Do not make full use of the legal maximum speeds. This applies in particular to downhill sections.
– Apply the brakes in good time.
– Keep a check on the coolant temperature gauge if the outside temperature is high.
Distribution of weight
The distribution of the weight is very poor if your vehicle is unladen and
the trailer is laden. Maintain a particularly low speed if you cannot avoid
driving with this combination.
Driving speed
Do not drive faster than 80 km/hour for safety reasons. This also applies
for countries in which higher speeds are allowed.
The fact that the driving stability of the vehicle + trailer combination
reduces with increasing speed means that the legally allowed speed
should not be used when there are unfavourable road, weather or wind
conditions, particularly near accident black spots.
You must always reduce your speed immediately as soon as you detect
even just the slightest swaying of the trailer. On no account attempt to
stop the trailer from “swaying” by accelerating.
Apply the brakes in good time! If the trailer is fitted with a trailer brake ,
apply the brakes gently at first, then brake firmly. This will avoid brake jolts
resulting from the trailer wheels locking. Shift down gears in good time
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Inspecting and Replenishing
248
Opening the bonnet
– Unlock the bonnet ⇒page 247, fig. 189 .
– Ensure that the arms of the windscreen wipers are correctly in place against the windscreen before opening the bonnet
otherwise damage could occur to the paintwork.
– Pulling on the handle ⇒page 247, fig. 190 will lock the bonnet
fully.
– Grip with the hand under the radiator grille and lift up the bonnet.
– Take the bonnet support out of its holder and set it in the opening designed for it ⇒page 247, fig. 191.
Closing the bonnet
– Lift the bonnet slightly and unhook the bonnet support. Press the bonnet support into the holder designed to hold it.
– Allow the bonnet to drop from a height of about 30 cm into the lock - bonnet do not press down on it !
WARNING
•Never open the bonnet if you see that steam or coolant is
flowing out of the engine compartment - risk of scalding! Wait long
enough until the steam or coolant has stopped escaping.
•For safety reasons, the bonnet must always be properly closed
when driving. One should therefore check that the lock has in fact
engaged properly after closing the bonnet.
•Stop your vehicle immediately whil e driving if you notice that
the lock is not properly engaged and close the bonnet properly -
risk of an accident!
Caution
Never open the bonnet using the handle - danger of causing damage.
Working in the engine compartment
Particular care is required when carrying out any work in
the engine compartment!
There is a risk of injuries, scalding, accidents and fire when working
in the engine compartment, e.g. inspecting and replenishing oil and
other fluids. For this reason, it is essential to comply with the
warning instructions stated below and with the general applicable
rules of safety. The engine compartment of your car is a hazardous
area ⇒ .
WARNING
•Never open the bonnet if you see that steam or coolant is
flowing out of the engine compartment - risk of scalding! Wait long
enough until the steam or coolant has stopped escaping.
•Switch off the engine and pull out the ignition key.
•Apply the handbrake firmly.
•If your vehicle is fitted with a manual gearbox, move the gear-
shift lever into Neutral, or if it is fitted with automatic gearbox,
move the selector lever into position P.
WARNING (continued)
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