2005 SKODA OCTAVIA traction control

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights31
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
WARNING
•If you do not pay attention to the warning lights coming on and
the corresponding descriptions and warning notes, this may result
in severe body injuries or major vehicle damage.
•The engine compartment of your car is a hazardous area. 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. It is also essential to observe all warnings ⇒page 248.
Note
•Arrangement of the indicator lights depends on the model and model
version. The symbols shown in the following functional description are to
be found as indicator lights in the instrument cluster.
•Operational faults are shown in the instrument cluster as red symbols
(priority 1 - danger) or yellow symbols (priority 2 - warning).
Electromechanical power steering⇒ page 33
Control system for exhaust⇒page 34
EPC fault light (petrol engine)⇒page 34
Glow plug system (diesel engine)⇒page 34
Airbag system⇒page 35
Coolant temperature/coolant level⇒page 35
Brake pad wear*⇒page 36
Fluid level in windshield washer sys-
tem*⇒page 36
Fuel reserve⇒page 36
Engine oil pressure⇒page 37
Bonnet⇒page 37
Open door*⇒page 37
Engine oil level*⇒page 38
Tyre pressure*⇒page 38
Selector lever lock*⇒page 38
Antilock brake system (ABS)⇒page 38
Traction control system (TCS)⇒page 39
Electronic stability programme (ESP)*⇒page 40
Dynamo⇒page 40
Brake system⇒page 40
Seat belt warning light*⇒page 41
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Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights39
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
The warning light comes on for a few seconds after the ignition has been
switched on or when starting the engine. The warning light goes out after
an automatic check sequence has been completed.
A fault in the ABS
If the ABS warning light
 does not go out within a few seconds after
switching on the ignition or does not light up at all or lights up while driving,
the system is not functioning properly and the vehicle will be braked
without the aid of ABS. The vehicle will only be braked by the normal brake
system. Visit a specialist garage as quickly as possible and adjust your
style of driving in the meantime since you will not know how great the
damage is.
Three additional warning tones will sound if there is a major fault in the
ABS.
Further information about ABS ⇒page 218, “Antilock brake system
(ABS)”.
A fault in the entire brake system
If the ABS warning light
 comes on together with the brake system
warning light  (handbrake must be released), there is a fault not only in
the ABS but also in another part of the brake system ⇒.
WARNING
•If the brake system warning light  comes on together with the
ABS warning light  stop the vehicle immediately and check the
brake fluid level in the reservoir ⇒page 256, “Brake fluid”. If the
fluid level has dropped below th e MIN marking, do not drive any
further - risk of accident! Contact a Škoda dealer to obtain profes-
sional assistance.
•Pay attention to the following instructions ⇒page 248, “Working
in the engine compartment” before checking the brake fluid level
and opening the bonnet.
•If the brake fluid is at the correct level, the ABS control function
has failed. The rear wheels may then block very rapidly when
braking. In certain circumstances, this can result in the rear end of
the car breaking away - risk of skidding! Drive carefully to the
nearest specilaist garage and have the fault rectified.
Traction control system (TCS) 
The warning light  comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is
switched on.
The warning light comes on when driving when a control cycle is acti-
vated.
The warning light will come on and remains on if the TCS is switched off
or if there is a fault in the system.
The fact that the TCS system operates together with the ABS means that
the TCS warning light will also come on if the ABS system is not operating
properly.
If the warning light
 comes on immediately after starting the engine, the
TCS system can be switched off for technical reasons. In this case, the
TCS system can be switched on again by switching the ignition on and off.
If the warning light goes out, the TCS system is fully functional again.
Further information about the TCS ⇒page 215, “Traction control system
(TCS)”.
WARNING (continued)
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Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
40
Note
If the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, the warning light  comes on after switching on the ignition. The warning light must go out
after driving a short distance.
Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)* 
The warning light  comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is
switched on.
Components of the ESP system also include the Traction Control System
(TCS), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), and the Antilock Brake System
(ABS).
The warning light comes on when driving when a control cycle is acti-
vated.
The warning lig ht will come on an d remains on if the ESP is switched off
or if there is a fault in the system.
The fact that the ESP system operates together with the ABS means that
the ESP warning light will also come on if the ABS system is not operating
properly.
If the warning light
 comes on immediately after starting the engine, the
ESP system can be switched off for technical reasons. In this case, the
ESP system can be switched on again by switching the ignition on and off.
If the warning light goes out, the ESP system is fully functional again.
Further information on the ESP ⇒page 213, “Electronic stability
programme (ESP)*”.
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)*
The EDL is a part of the ESP. A fault in the EDL is indicated by the ESP
warning light in the instrument cluster. Have the vehicle inspected without delay by a Škoda dealer. Further information on the EDL
⇒page 214,
“Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)*”.
Note
If the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, the warning light  comes on after switching on the ignition. The warning light must go out
after driving a short distance.
Dynamo 
The warning light  comes on after the ignition has been switched on. It
should go out after the engine has started.
If the warning light does not go out after the engine has started, or comes
on when driving, drive to the nearest specialist garage. The vehicle battery
will be discharged in this case so switch off all non-essential electrical
components.
Caution
If the warning light  comes on when driving and in addition the warning
light  (cooling system fault) also comes on in display, you must then
stop the car immediately and switch the engine off - risk of engine
damage!
Brake system 
The warning light  flashes or comes on if the brake fluid level is too low,
if there is a fault in the ABS or if the handbrake is applied.
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Intelligent Technology213
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Driving Tips
Intelligent Technology
Electronic stability programme (ESP)*
General
General
The ESP aids you maintain control of your vehicle in situations in border-
line driving situations such as when negotiating a curve too fast. The risk
of skidding is reduced and your car thus offers greater driving stability
depending on the conditions of the road surface. This occurs at all speeds.
The following systems are integrated into the electronic stability
programme:
•Electronic Differential Lock (EDL),
•Traction control system (TCS),
•Driver-steering recommendation,
•Antilock brake system (ABS),
•Brake Assist,
•Uphill-Start off-Assist.
Operating principle
The ESP switches on automatically when the engine is started and then
conducts a self-test. The ESP control unit processes data from the indi-
vidual systems. It also processes additional measurement data which are
supplied by highly sensitive sensors: the rotational velocity of the vehicle
about its vertical axis, the lateral acceleration of the vehicle, the braking
pressure and the steering angle.
The direction which the driver wishes to take is determined based on the
steering angle and the speed of the vehicle and is constantly compared
with the actual behaviour of the vehicle. If differences exist, such as the
car beginning to skid, the ESP will automatically brake the appropriate
wheel.
The car is stabilised again by the forces which take effect when the wheel
is braked. Intervention into the brake system takes place primarily on the
outer front wheel of a vehicle which tends to oversteer (tendency for the
rear of the vehicle to break away) while occurs this is on the inner rear
wheel of a vehicle which tends to understeer (tendency to shift out of the
curve). This braking control cycle is accompanied by noises.
Fig. 180 ESP switch
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Intelligent Technology215
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
which is being braked. The vehicle can continue to be driven and has the
same characteristics as a vehicle not fitted with EDL.
The EDL switches on again automatically as soon as the brake has cooled
down.
WARNING
•Depress the accelerator carefully when accelerating on
uniformly slippery road surfaces, such as ice and snow. The driven
wheels might still spin despite the EDL and affect the stability of
the vehicle - risk of an accident!
•You should always adapt your style of driving to the condition
of road surface and to the traffic situation even when your vehicle
is fitted with EDL. The increased safety offered must not tempt you
to take greater risks than otherwise - risk of an accident!
Note
•If the ABS or ESP warning light comes on, this may also indicate a fault
in the EDL. Please have the car inspected as soon as possible by a
specialist garage.
•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 EDL
⇒ page 270, “Accessories, changes and replacement of parts”.
Traction control system (TCS)
The traction control system prevents the driven wheels
from spinning when accelerating.
General
The TCS makes it much easier, and sometimes at all possible, to start off,
accelerate and climb a steep hill when the conditions of the road surface
are unfavourable.
Operating principle
The TCS switches on automatically when the engine is started and then
conducts a self-test. The system monitors the speeds of the driven wheels
with the aid of the ABS sensors. If the wheels are spinning, the force trans-
mitted to the road surface is automatically adapted by reducing the engine
speed. This occurs at all speeds.
The TCS operates in combination with the ABS ⇒page 218, “Antilock
brake system (ABS)”. The TCS will not function if a fault exists in the ABS
system.
Fig. 181 TCS switch
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Index
310
The air conditioning system . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Air outlet vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Defrosting windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Recirculated air mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
The armrest at the rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
The automatic wiper/washer system . . . . . . 75
The battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40, 258 changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Inspecting the electrolyte level . . . . . . . 260
Operation in winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
The CD changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
The electronic immobiliser . . . . . . . . . . . 32, 45
The outside temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
The radiator fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
The roof luggage rack system . . . . . . . . . . 102
Thickness of brake pads Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Tiptronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 automatic gearbox DSG . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Towing a vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Towing device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Towing protection monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Tow-starting a vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Tow-starting and towing vehicle Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . 155, 162
Traction Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 Traction control system (TCS)
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 General Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Transporting children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Tread depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Turn signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Two-way radio systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Type plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264 Winter tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
U
Underbody protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46Remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Uphill-Start off-Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
V
Vanity mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Vehicle condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Vehicle data sticker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Vehicle immobiliser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Vehicle tool kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Ventilation Auxiliary ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
W
Warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Warning symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Warning triangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Washing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
with high-pressure cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Washing the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Washing vehicle by hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Wax treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Wheel Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Wheel rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Wheel trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 De-icing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Window lifter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Windows De-icing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Windscreen washer nozzles . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Windscreen Wiper and Washer System . . . 262 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Windscreen wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Windshield washer fluid reservoir . . . . . . . . 262 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
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