2005 SKODA OCTAVIA tow

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 gearbox155
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
– Simultaneously press the shiftlock button in the handle of the
selector lever in the position N7).
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.
7)If the selector lever is moved again into the position P, it is once again blocked.
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Automatic gearbox DSG
158
lighted ⇒fig. 142 . 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 162.
R - Reverse
Reverse gear must only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary and
the engine idling ⇒ .
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 160 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
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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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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
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Airbag system
200
other legal regulations applying) ⇒page 202, “Important safety informa-
tion on using child safety seats”,
•you are not able to maintain the distance of at least 25 cm between
middle of steering wheel and chest, despite the driver seat being correctly
adjusted,
•special attachments are required in the area of the steering wheel
because of a physical disability,
•you have installed other seats (e.g. orthopaedic seats without side
airbags).
Monitoring the airbag system
The functionality of the airbag system is also monitored electronically,
when one airbag has been switched off
If the airbag was switched off using diagnostic equipment:
•The warning light for the airbag system lights up for 4 seconds after
switching on the ignition and then flashes for 12 seconds afterwards in 2
second intervals.
If the front passenger airbags were switched off using the switch for
front passenger airbags* in stowage compartment on the front
passenger side:
•The airbag warning light comes on in the instrument cluster for about
4 seconds each time the ignition is switched on.
•Switching off airbags is indicated in the middle of the dash panel by the
lighting up of the indicator light   ⇒ fig. 170 .
Note
Your Škoda dealer will be able to advise you whether national legislation
in your country allows airbags in your vehicle to be deactivated, and which
ones.
Switch for the front passenger airbag*
The front passenger airbag is deactivated with the switch.
Fig. 169 Storage
compartment: Switch
for the front passenger
airbag
Fig. 170 Indicator light
for the front passenger
airbag
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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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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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