2005 SKODA OCTAVIA Setting

Seat belts183
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Seat belts
Why seat belts?
It is a proven fact that seat belts offer good protection in accidents
⇒fig. 154 . Thus wearing a seat belt is a legal requirement in most coun-
tries.
Seat belts which have been correctly fastened and adjusted hold the
occupants of the car in the correct seated position ⇒fig. 154 . The belts
reduce the kinetic energy (energy of motion) to a considerable extent.
They also prevent uncontrolled movements which, in turn, may well result
in severe injuries.
The occupants of a vehicle who have fastened and correctly adjusted their
seat belt, profit to a major extent from the fact that the kinetic energy is
optimally absorbed by the belts. The structure of the front end of the
vehicle and other passive safety measures, such as the airbag system, also contribute to reducing the kinetic energy. The energy produced is
thus absorbed and there is less risk of injury.
Accident statistics prove that seat belts which are fastened and properly
adjusted reduce the risk of an injury and enhance the chance of survival
in a major accident
⇒page 184.
It is important that you pay attention to safety measures, particularly when
transporting children in the vehicle ⇒page 202, “What you should know
about transporting children!”.
WARNING
•Fasten your seat belt each time before setting off, also when
driving in town! This also applies to the people seated at the rear -
risk of injury!
•Expectant women must also always wear a seat belt. This is the
only way of ensuring optimal protection for the unborn child
⇒ page 186, “Fastening a three-point seat belt”.
•It is important for the belt webbing to be properly routed if the
seat belts are to offer the maximum protection. You can see a
description of how safety belts should be fitted properly on the
next pages.
Note
Please comply with any differing legal requirements when using the seat
belts.
Fig. 154 Driver
wearing seat belt
s24s.book Page 183 Thursday, November 24, 2005 12:27 PM

Intelligent Technology
220
Tyre inflation pressure-control system*
The tyre inflation pressure-control system compares with the aid of the
ABS sensors the speed and also the rolling circumference of the individual
wheels. If the rolling circumference of a wheel is changed, the warning
light
 lights up in the dash panel insert ⇒page 38. The rolling circumfer-
ence of the tyre can change if:
•the tyre inflation pressure is too low,
•the structure of the tyre is damaged,
•the vehicle is loaded on one side,
•the wheels of an axle are loaded heavily (e.g. when towing a trailer or
when driving uphill or downhill),
•snow chains are mounted,
•the temporary spare wheel is mounted,
•one wheel per axle was changed. Basic setting of tyre inflation pressure-control system
After changing the tyre inflation pressures or after changing one or several
wheels, the button for the tyre inflation pressure-control system must be
pressed long enough until an acknowledegment tone sounds when the
ignition is switched on.
•Inflate all tyres to the specified inflation pressure
⇒page 264.
•Switch on the ignition.
•Press the button   ⇒ fig. 182 long enough, until an acknowledg-
ment tone sounds, which confirms the storage of the basic values. As long
as the button
  is pressed, the warning light lights up in the instru-
ment .
Warning light
 lights up
If the tyre inflation pressure of at least one wheel is insufficiently inflated
in comparison to the stored basic value, the warning light
 ⇒ lights
up.
Warning light
 flashes
If the warning light flashes, there is a system fault. Have the vehicle
inspected by your nearest specialist garage.
WARNING
•When the warning light  lights up, immediately reduce the
speed and avoid sudden steering and brake manoeuvres. Please
stop the vehicle without delay at the nearest possible stop and
inspect the tyres and their inflation pressures.
•The driver is responsible for the correct tyre inflation pressures.
For this reason, the tyre inflation pressures must be checked regu-
larly.
•Under certain circumstances (e.g. sporty style of driving, wintry
or unpaved roads) the warning light  can be delayed or does not
light up at all.
Fig. 182 Button for
setting the tyre infla-
tion pressure control
value
s24s.book Page 220 Thursday, November 24, 2005 12:27 PM

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
s24s.book Page 230 Thursday, November 24, 2005 12:27 PM

Towing a trailer231
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
before negotiating a downhill section to allow the engine to also act as a
brake.
Engine overheating
Please keep a check on the coolant temperature gauge if you have to
negotiate a lengthy slope in a low gear at a high engine speed when the
outside temperature is very high
⇒page 14.
If the needle of the coolant temperature gauge moves into the right-hand
area or even the red area of the scale, reduce your speed immediately.
Stop and switch off the engine if the warning light
 in the instrument
cluster begins flashing. Wait a few minutes and check the level of coolant
in the coolant expansion bottle ⇒page 254, “Inspecting the coolant level”.
Please refer to the following guidelines ⇒page 35, “Coolant tempera-
ture/coolant level ”.
The coolant temperature can be reduced by switching on the heating.
Any increase in the cooling effect of the coolant fan through shifting down
a gear and increasing the engine speed is not possible since the fan
speed is independent of the engine speed. One should also not drop a
gear for this reason when towing a trailer as long as the engine can
manage the slope without any drop in speed.
Detachable ball head*
The detachable ball head of the towing device is stowed in a box for the
car tool kit in the spare wheel well in the luggage compartment.
An instruction for correct installation and removal of the ball head of the
towing device is supplied with the ball head
Inspect the ball head to ensure that it is properly locked each time before
setting off. The inspection is performed by turning the closed locking lever
downwards. If the locking lever can only be turned around a small angle
(approx. 5°), the locking mechanism is O.K. After the inspection pull the
locking lever back again to its stop. The towing device must not be used,
if it does not wish to close or the locking lever turns slightly in the closed
position.
Fig. 186 Detachable
ball head
s24s.book Page 231 Thursday, November 24, 2005 12:27 PM

Wheels and Tyres
264
Tyre life
The life of your tyres very much depends on the following points:
Tyre pressure
The working life of tyres will be shortened considerably if the tyres are
insufficiently or over-inflated and this will have an adverse effect on the
handling of your vehicle.
Correctly inflated tyres are of particular importance when travelling at high
speeds. It is therefore good to check the pressure at least once a month
and also before setting off on a long trip. Please do not forget the spare
wheel when checking the tyres.
The tyre inflation pressures for summer tyres are indicated on the inside
of the fuel filler flap ⇒fig. 199 . The inflation pressures for winter tyres are
20 kPa (0.2 bar) higher than those for summer tyres ⇒page 268.
The tyre pressure should be at the highest pressure specified for your
vehicle at all times. The tyre inflation pressure of the emergency spare wheel R 18 is 420 kPa
(4.2 bar).
Always check the inflation pressure of tyres when cold. Do not reduce the
higher pressure of warm tyres. Adapt the inflation pressure of the tyres
accordingly if your vehicle is carrying a significantly higher payload.
Driving style
Fast cornering, sharp acceleration and braking (squealing tyres) increase
wear-and-tear on your tyres.
Balancing wheels
The wheels of a new vehicle are balanced. There are a wide range of influ-
ences when driving which may result in an imbalance and which makes
themselves felt through vibration in the steering.
You should have the wheels rebalanced since any imbalance increases
wear-and-tear on the steering, the suspension and tyres. A wheel must
also be rebalanced when a new tyre is fitted and each time a tyre is
repaired.
Wheel alignment errors
Incorrect wheel alignment at the front and rear will not only increase wear-
and-tear on the tyres but will also has an adverse effect on vehicle safety.
Contact your specialist garage if you notice any unusual tyre wear.
WARNING
If the inflation pressure is too low, the tyre must perform a greater
flexing work. At higher speeds the tyre will warm up as a result of
this. This can result in tread separation and even a tyre blowout.
•Immediately replace the damaged rims or tyres.
For the sake of
the environment
Tyres which are insufficiently inflated increase your fuel consumption.
Fig. 199 An opened
fuel filler flap with the
tyre inflation pressure
table
s24s.book Page 264 Thursday, November 24, 2005 12:27 PM

Fuses and light bulbs
296
Removing the headlight
The headlight must be removed in order to change the light bulb
of the parking lights, low beam lights and main beam lights as
well as the turn signal lights.
Removing the headlight
– Switch the ignition and all lights off.
– Open the bonnet ⇒ page 247.
– Unscrew the plastic nut ⇒fig. 222
– Pull the locking lever of the headlight as far as the stop in the direction of arrow .
– Unplug the plug connector and carefully take out the headlight in the direction of arrow .
Installation takes place in the reverse order.
Note
We recommend that you have the headlight setting checked by a
specialist garage after installing the headlight.
Fig. 222 Removing the
headlight
AA
A1
A2
s24s.book Page 296 Thursday, November 24, 2005 12:27 PM

Fuses and light bulbs297
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Parking light at the front
Removing the light bulb for the parking light
– Switch the ignition and all lights off. – Remove the headlight
⇒page 296.
– Press the wire clamps in the direction of arrow to the side and remove the cover ⇒fig. 223 .
– Press the contact studs in the direction of arrow and remove the holder with the light bulb of the parking light ⇒fig. 224.
– Take the faulty bulb out of the fixture and insert a new one.
Installation takes place in the reverse order.
Note
We recommend that you have the headlight setting checked by a
specialist garage after installing the headlight.Fig. 223 Removing the
cover for the parking
and low beam light
Fig. 224 Removing the
light bulb for the
parking light
s24s.book Page 297 Thursday, November 24, 2005 12:27 PM

Fuses and light bulbs
298
Low beam
Removing the light bulb for the low beam light
– Switch the ignition and all lights off. – Remove the headlight ⇒
page 296.
– Press the wire clamps in the direction of arrow to the side and remove the cover ⇒page 298, fig. 225 .
– Unplug plug ⇒fig. 226 .
– Press the wire clamps in the direction of the headlight and then unhook them to the side.
– Remove the light bulb and insert the new light bulb in such a way that the fixing lugs of the light bulb socket fit into the
recesses at the reflector.
Installation takes place in the reverse order.
Note
We recommend that you have the headlight setting checked by a
specialist garage after installing the headlight.
Fig. 225 Removing the
cover for the parking
and low beam light
Fig. 226 Removing the
light bulb for the low
beam light
AA
AB
AC
s24s.book Page 298 Thursday, November 24, 2005 12:27 PM