2005 SKODA OCTAVIA service

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
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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

Communication
168
•You can scroll through the telephone memory for individual names or
menus by briefly pressing the rocker switch ⇒ page 167, fig. 150.
•You can scroll for letters alphabetically within the telephone memory
by pressing the rocker switch at the bottom for a lengthy period.
•You can always return to one level higher in the menu of the informa-
tion display by pressing the rocker switch at the top for a lengthy
period.
•The selected menu is displayed by briefly pressing the button .
Overview of the possible functions and read outs:
You can operate the mobile phone via the voice control ⇒page 165 or via
the buttons of the multifunction steering wheel ⇒page 164.
Voice commands
Voice commands for mobile phone operation
Voice commands for operating the phone phone book
ActivityRead out in display
Selected call
numberCalling... Name Number
accepted call
incoming call... Name
or
incoming call... Number
or
incoming call...
Accept
Refuse
Call termi-
natedTerminated
Number
engagedLine Busy
No service foundNo Service
Enter PIN
codeEnter PIN
AA
AA
AA
AB
Voice commandActivity
ENTER PIN/PIN CODEAfter this command the PIN code of the mobile
phone can be entered ⇒page 169.
DIAL NUMBERAfter this command a telephone number can
be entered which establishes a connection to
the requested partner ⇒page 170.
REDIALAfter this command the last selected telephone
number is selected again ⇒page 170.
Voice commandActivity
SAVE/STORE
NAME/NUMBERAfter this command a name with its telephone
number can be stored in the phone phone book
⇒ page 171.
SELECT
NAMES/NAMEAfter this command a telephone number which
was stored under its given name in the phone
phone book can be selected ⇒page 171.
DELETE
NAMES/NAMEAfter this command a name in the phone phone
book can be erased ⇒page 172.
LISTEN TO/PLAY
PHONEBOOKAfter this command you can listen-in to the
phone phone book ⇒page 172.
DELETE PHONE-
BOOKAfter this command the complete phone book
or a name can be erased ⇒page 172.
s24s.book Page 168 Thursday, November 24, 2005 12:27 PM

Seat belts
188
– Press the red button in the belt lock ⇒fig. 160. The spring
force causes the tongue of the lock to jump out.
– Guide the belt back with your hand to enable the inertia reel to wind up the belt webbing more easily.
A plastic knob in the belt webbing holds the belt tongue in a position which
is easy to get hold of.
Three-point safety belt for the middle rear seat
Your car is equipped as standard with the three-point seat belt in the
middle rear seat. It is used in the same way as the three-point seat belts
on the left and right (at front and rear).
WARNING
The three-point safety belt for the rear middle seat can only fulfil its
function reliably when the backrests are correctly locked into posi-
tion ⇒page 90.
Belt tensioners
Safety for the driver and passengers wearing their seat belts, is
enhanced by the belt tensioners fitted to the inertia reels of the front and
rear side three-point seat belts, in addition to the protection afforded by
the airbag system. The three-point seat belts are automatically tensioned in the event of a
frontal collision of a certain severity. The belt tensioners can also be
deployed if the seat belts are not fastened.
The belt tensioner is deployed in the event of a frontal collision of major
severity. A powder charge is ignited in the inertia reels during deployment.
The belt webbing is pulled into the inertia reels by a mechanical system
and the belt is tensioned.
Belt tensioners are not activated in the event of minor frontal collisions,
side and rear-end collisions, in the case of a rollover and also not in acci-
dents in which no major forces are produced from the front.
WARNING
•The service life of seat belts and belt tensioners is 15 years from
the date of manufacture of the vehicle. It is then necessary to have
the seat belts replaced by a specialist garage.
•Any work on the system includi ng removal and installation of
system components because of other repair work, must only be
carried out by a specialist garage.
•The protective function of the system is only adequate for a
single accident. If the belt tensioners have been deployed, it is then
necessary to replace the entire system.
•The Owner's Manual must also be handed over to the new
owner if the vehicle is sold.
Note
•Smoke is generated when the belt tensioners are deployed. This is not
an indication of a fire in the vehicle.
•It is essential to pay attention to relevant safety regulations if the
vehicle or individual parts of the system are scrapped. Specialist garages
are familiar with these regulations and will be able to provide you with
detailed information in this respect.
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Airbag system191
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
•The protective function of the airbag system is sufficient for
only one accident. The airbag system must then be replaced if the
airbag has been deployed.
•The airbag system needs no maintenance during its working
life.
•The service life of the airbag system is 15 years from the date of
manufacture of the vehicle. Have the airbag system replaced by a
specialist garage after this period. If the modules of the system are
replaced before the expiry of the term (e.g. because of an accident),
the new change interval has to be entered in the service brochure.
•If you sell your car, please hand over the complete vehicle docu-
mentation to the new owener. Please note that the documents
relating to the possibility of deactivating the front passenger airbag
are also part of the vehicle documents!
•If the vehicle or individual parts of the airbag system are
scrapped, it is essential to observe the relevant safety precautions.
Škoda dealers are familiar with these regulations.
•When disposing of vehicle or parts of the airbag system, it is
important to comply with th e national legal requirements.
When are the airbags deployed?
The airbag system is designed in such a way that the driver airbag and the
front passenger airbag* are deployed in the event of a frontal collision of
major severity.
In the case of a violent side crash , the side airbag* on the side of the car
at which the collision occurs, is deployed together with the head airbag*.
In certain accident situations it is possible that both the front as well as the
side airbags and the relevant head airbag are deployed at the same time. The airbags
are not deployed in the case of minor frontal and side colli-
sions, in the case of rear-end collisions and vehicle rollover.
Deployment factors
It is not possible to state globally which deployment conditions apply to the
airbag system in every situation as the circumstances which exist in the
case of accidents vary greatly. An important role in this case, for example,
is played by factors such as the type of object against which the vehicle
impacts (hard, soft), the angle of impact, the vehicle speed etc.
A decisive factor for the deployment of the airbags is the deceleration
which occurs during a collision. The control unit analyses the nature of the
collision and activates the relevant restraint system. If the vehicle decel-
eration which occurs and is measured during the collision remains below
the prescribed reference values specified in the control unit, the airbags
are not deployed although the vehicle may well suffer severe damage to
the bodywork as a consequence of the accident.
The airbags are not deployed if:
•ignition off,
•a minor frontal collision,
•a minor side collision,
•a rear-end collision,
•rollover.
Note
•A grey white, non harmful gas is released when airbag is inflated. This
is perfectly normal and is not an indication of a fire in the vehicle.
•The dash panel must be replaced after the front passenger airbag has
been deployed.
•In the event of an accident in which the airbags are deployed:
− The interior lighting comes on (if the switch for the interior light is in
the door contact position),
WARNING (continued)
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Intelligent Technology
216
The TCS warning light ⇒page 39 lights up in the instrument cluster when
there is a fault on the TCS.
Switching off
You can switch the TCS off and on again as you wish by pressing the
button ⇒page 215, fig. 181 . The TCS warning light ⇒page 39 lights up in
the instrument cluster when the TCS is switched off.
The TCS should normally always be switched on. It may be good practice
in certain exceptional cases, such as when you wish to have wheel slip,
to switch off the system.
Examples:
•when driving with snow chains
•when driving in deep snow or on a loose surface
•when it is necessary to rock a car free when it has become stuck
then you should switch on the TCS again.
WARNING
You should always adjust your style of driving to the conditions of
the road surface and the traffic situation. The increased safety
offered must not tempt you to take greater risks than otherwise -
risk of an accident!
Note
•All four wheels must be fitted with the same tyres in order to achieve
problem-free operation of the TCS. Differing rolling circumferences of the
tyres can lead to an undesirable reduction in the engine output.
•Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or other
assignment of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the TCS
⇒ page 270, “Accessories, changes and replacement of parts”.
Driver-steering recommendation*
The driver-steering recommendation is an additional function of the elec-
tronic stability programme (ESP). This function indicates to the driver in
critical situations by means of slight steering wheel impulses the direction
evaluated by the system, in which the vehicle must be steered, so that it
stabilizes. The driver-steering recommendation is active when braking
sharply on different road surfaces and on the right and left vehicle side.
WARNING
Even with this additional function the vehicle cannot be steered
automatically! The driver is furthermore fully reponsible for the
steering of the vehicle!
Brakes
What has a negative effect on braking efficiency?
Wear-and-tear
Wear-and-tear to the brake pads is greatly dependent on the operating
conditions of the vehicle and your style of driving. Particularly if you drive
a great deal in towns and over short distances or if you adopt a sporty style
of driving, it may be necessary to have the thickness of the brake pads
inspected at a specialist garage between the service inspections.
Wet roads or road salt
There may be a certain delay before the brakes take full effect under
certain conditions such as when driving through water, during heavy rain
showers or after the vehicle has been washed in an automatic vehicle
wash, since the brake discs and brake pads may be moist or even have a
coating of ice on them in winter. You should dry the brakes as soon as
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Driving and the Environment225
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Sensitive use of the accelerator will not only significantly reduce fuel
consumption but also positively influence environmental pollution and
wear of your vehicle.
You should avoid fully exploiting the top speed of your vehicle wherever
possible. Fuel consumption, pollutant emissions and vehicle noises
increase disproportionally at high speeds.
The
⇒page 224, fig. 184 shows the ratio of fuel consumption to the speed
of your vehicle. You will cut your fuel consumption by half if you only make
use three-quarters of the possible top speed of your vehicle.
Reducing idling
Idling also costs fuel.
It is worthwhile switching off the engine in a traffic jam or when waiting at
a level crossing or at traffic lights with a lengthy red phase. Even after just
30 - 40 seconds you will have saved more fuel than that is needed when
you start the engine up again.
If an engine is only idling it takes much longer for it to reach its normal
operating temperature. Wear-and-tear and pollutant emissions, though,
are particularly high in the warming-up phase. This is why you should
drive off right after starting the engine. Do avoid high engine revolutions
at this time, however.
Regular servicing
A poorly tuned engine consumes an unnecessarily high
amount of fuel.
Having your vehicle serviced regularly at a specialist garge enables you
to satisfy one of the requirements for economical motoring even before
you set off on your journey. Keeping your vehicle properly serviced not
only has a positive effect on the safety of your vehicle and maintaining its
value, but also saves on fuel.
A poorly tuned engine can result in a fuel consumption which is 10%
higher than normal.
The foreseen maintenance work should be undertaken exactly according
to the Service schedule by a specialist garage.
Also check the oil level after refueling. Oil consumption is dependent to
a considerable extent on the load and speed of the engine. Oil consump-
tion could be as high as 0.5 litres/1 000 km depending on your style of
driving.
It is quite normal that a new engine has a higher oil consumption at first,
and reaches its lowest level only after a certain running in time. It is there-
fore not possible to correctly assess the oil consumption of a new vehicle
until after you have driven about 5 000 km.
For the sake of the environment
•You can achieve additional improvements in your fuel economy by
using high-lubricity oils.
•Check the ground below your car at regular intervals to detect any
leakages in good time. Please have your vehicle inspected by a specialist
garge if you find any stains caused by oil or other fluids on the floor.
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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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