2005 SKODA OCTAVIA lights

Starting-off and Driving
140
WARNING
•When driving, the ignition key mu st always be in the ignition
lock in the position (ignition switched on) without the engine
running. This position is indicate d by the warning lights coming on.
If this is not the case, it could result in unexpected locking of the
steering wheel - risk of accident!
•Only remove the ignition key from the ignition lock when the
vehicle has come to a standstill (put on the handbrake or select the
selector lever position P). The steering lock might otherwise
engage unintentionally - risk of accident!
•Always withdraw the ignition key if you are going to leave the
vehicle, even for a short time. This is particularly important if chil-
dren are left in the vehicle. The children might otherwise start the
engine or switch on electrical equipment (e.g. power windows) -
risk of accident or injury!
Starting engine
General
You can only start the engine only using an original ignition
key.
•Place the gearshift lever into neutral (or place the selector lever to the
position P or N in the case of an automatic gearbox) and put on the hand-
brake firmly before starting the engine.
•The clutch pedal should be fully depressed when starting the engine
which means that the starter only has to crank the engine.
•Let go of the key as soon as the engine starts otherwise there may be
damage to the starter. The engine running noises may at first be louder for a short time after
starting the cold engine until oil pressure can be built up in the hydraulic
valve clearance compensation. This is quite normal and is not an oper-
ating problem.
If the engine does not start ...
You can use the battery of another vehicle as a jump-start aid
⇒page 281.
It is only possible to tow-start vehicles fitted with a manual gearbox. The
tow-starting distance must not be more than 50 metres ⇒page 286.
WARNING
•Never run the engine in non ventilated or enclosed areas. The
exhaust gases of the engine contain besides the odorless and
colourless carbon monoxide a poisonous gas - hazard! Carbon
monoxide can cause unconsciousness and death.
•Never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running.
Caution
•The starter may only be operated (ignition key position ), if the
engine is not running. If the starter is immediately operated after switching
off the engine, the starter or the engine can be damaged.
•Avoid high engine revolutions, full throttle and high engine loads as
long as the engine has not yet reached its normal operating temperature
- risk of damaging the engine!
•Vehicles which are fitted with an exhaust gas catalytic converter
should not be tow-started over a distance of more than 50 metres.
For the sake of the environment
Never warm up the engine when the vehicle is standing. Drive off right
away. Through this the engine reaches its operating temperature more
rapidly and the pollutant emissions are lower.
A2
A3
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Starting-off and Driving
142
Caution
you should not switch the engine off right away at the end of your journey
after the engine has been operated for a lengthy period at high loads but
should be allowed it to run at idling speed for about 2 minutes. This
prevents any accumulation of heat when the engine is switched off.
Note
•The radiator fan may continue running for a further 10 minutes or so
after the engine and the ignition have been switched off. The coolant fan
may, however, also switch on again after some time if the coolant temper-
ature rises because of an accumulation of heat in the engine or if the
engine is warm and the engine compartment is additionally heated by
strong sunlight.
•This is why particular care is required when carrying out any work in
the engine compartment ⇒page 248, “Working in the engine
compartment”.
Shifting (manual gearbox)
Shift into reverse only when the car is stationary. Depress the clutch pedal
and hold it fully depressed. Wait a moment before engaging reverse gear
in order to avoid any shift noises.
The reversing lights will come on once reverse gear is engaged, provided
the ignition is on.
WARNING
Never engage the reverse gear when driving - risk of accident!
Note
•One should not lay the hand on the shift lever while driving the vehicle.
The pressure of the hand will be transferred to the gearshift forks in the
gearbox. This can, over a period of time, lead to early wear of the gearshift
forks.
Fig. 130 The shift
pattern: 5-speed or 6-
speed manual gearbox
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Starting-off and Driving143
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
•Depress the clutch pedal fully when changing gears, in order to avoid
unnecessary wear and damage.
Handbrake
Applying the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up fully.
Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up slightly and at the same time
press in the locking button ⇒fig. 131 .
– Hold the button pressed and push the handbrake lever down fully ⇒ .
The handbrake warning light  lights up when the handbrake is applied,
provided the ignition is on.
A warning signal sounds and the following text appears in the display* if
you have inadvertently driven off with the handbrake applied:
"Handbrake on"
The handbrake warning is activated if you drive at a speed of more than 6
km/h for more than 3 seconds.
WARNING
•Please note that the handbrake must be fully released. A hand-
brake which is only partially released can result in the rear brakes
overheating which will have a nega tive effect on the operation of
the brake system - risk of accident! In addition this can result in
premature wear of the rear brake pads.
•Never leave children unattended in the vehicle. The children
might, for example, release the handbrake or take the vehicle out of
gear. The vehicle might then move off - risk of accident!
Caution
After the car has come to a stop, always first of all apply the handbrake
firmly before then additionally engaging the first gear (manual gearbox) or
moving the selector lever into position P (automatic gearbox).
Fig. 131 Centre
console: Handbrake
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Starting-off and Driving145
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Front and rear parking aid*
The parking aid provides a warning of obstacles in front
and behind the vehicle.
The audible parking aid determines the distance between the front or rear
bumper and an obstacle with the aid of ultrasound sensors. The sensors
are integrated in the front and rear bumper. The signal tones for the front
parking aid sound higher than for the rear parking aid.
Range of sensors
The distance warning begins at a distance of about 120 cm from the
obstacle in front of the vehicle (area ⇒fig. 134 ) and about 160 cm from
the obstacle behind the vehicle (area ⇒page 144, fig. 132 ). The
interval between the warning signals becomes shorter as the clearance is
reduced.
A continuous tone sounds from a clearance of just 30 cm (Bereich ) -
danger area. You should not reverse any further after this signal
sounds!
Your vehicle can be equipped with a radio which shows on its display the
distance of the vehicle to the obstacle. You can also switch off this func-
tion - see operating instructions for radio
Activating
The parking aid is activated when the reverse gear is engaged and the
ignition is turned on or by pressing the button ⇒fig. 133 - the symbol

lights up in the button. The activation is confirmed by a brief acknowledge-
ment signal.
Deactivating
The parking aid is deactivated after pressing the button
 ⇒ fig. 133 or at
a speed of more than 15 km/h - the symbol  in the button is no longer
illuminated.
WARNING
•The parking aid is not a substitute for the driver paying proper
attention and it is always the driver's responsibility to take care
when reversing the vehicle or carrying out similar manoeuvres.
Fig. 133 Activating the
parking aid
Fig. 134 Parking aid:
Detection range of the
front sensors
AAAA
AB
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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
152
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!
Dynamic shift programme
The automatic gearbox of your vehicle is controlled electronically. Shifting
up and down through the gears is performed automatically on the basis of
pre-defined driving programmes.
Adopting a moderate style of driving will cause the gearbox to select the
most economical driving programme. Shifting up into a higher gear as
soon as possible and shifting down as late as possible will have a favour-
able effect on your fuel consumption.
Adopting a sporty style of driving with rapid movements of the acceler-
ator pedal combined with sharp acceleration and frequent changes in
speed, exploiting the top speed of the car or depressing the accelerator
pedal (kickdown function), will cause the gearbox to switch over to this
style of driving and shift down earlier with frequent changes in gears in
comparison to the moderate style of driving.
Selecting the most appropriate driving programme for the particular style
of driving is a continuous process. Irrespective of this it is, however,
possible to switch or shift down into a dynamic shift programme by
depressing the accelerator rapidly. The gearbox shifts down into a lower
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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 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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