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Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
•Please comply with any differin g national legal regulations
regarding the use of child safety seats.
Child safety seats in Group 3
For children of about 7 years of age weighing between 22 and 36 kg and
of a height of less than 150 cm, the optimal solution is a child safety seat
(seat bolster) in combination with the three-point seat belt ⇒fig. 157 .
Children of more than 150 cm in height may use the seat belts fitted to the
vehicle without a seat bolster.
WARNING
•When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please
comply with the appropriate nation al regulations regarding the use of child safety seats. Switch off the front passenger airbag if
necessary at a specialist garage or switch it off with the switch for
front passenger airbag*
⇒page 172.
•The shoulder part of the seat belt must run approximately
across the middle of the shoulder and fit snugly against the chest.
It must on no account run across the neck. The lap part of the seat
belt must run across the pelvis and fits snugly; it must not run over
the belly. Tighten the belt webbing over your hip if necessary.
•Please comply with any differ ing national legal regulations
regarding the use of child safety seats.
Attaching child safety seat
Child seat protection
You can block the three-point seat belt in order to attach a
child safety seat.
You can permanently block the three-point seat belt in order to
attach a child safety seat. Blocking the belt in this way ensures
that the child seat is held firmly in position in the car.
Activating child seat protection
– Attach the child safety seat with the three-point seat belt as stated in the instructions of the manufacturer of the child seat.
– Now, pull the shoulder part of the belt out fully.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 157 Child seat in
Group 3 installed on
the rear seat facing the
direction of travel
WARNING (continued)
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Transporting children safely 183
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
– Insert the mounting funnels onto the locking eyes
between the backrest and seat cushion ⇒page 182, fig. 158 .
– Push the notched arms of the child seat over the mounting funnels into the locking eyes, until it is heard to lock
⇒page 182, fig. 159 .
– Pull on both sid es of the child seat!
One can mount a child safety seat using the “ISOFIX” system quickly,
easily and reliably. Please pay close attention to instructions from the
manufacturer of the child safety seat when installing and removing the
seat.
Child seats fitted with the “ISOFIX” clamping system can only be mounted
and fixed in a vehicle fitted with an “ISOFIX system” when these child
seats have been released for your type of vehicle according to the ECE-
R 44 standard.
You can obtain child seats with the “ISOFIX” attachment system from
Škoda dealers who will also installed it as well.
Complete installation instructions are enclosed with the child safety seat.
WARNING
•The locking eyes have just be en developed for child safety
seats which use the “ISOFIX” system. You should therefore never
attach other child safety seats, seat belts or objects to the locking
eyes - hazard!
•Ask a Škoda dealer whether a child seat which you bought for
another vehicle is recommended for use in a Škoda before using an
“ISOFIX” system.
•Certain child seats which use the “ISOFIX” system can be
attached with standard three-point seat belts. Please pay close attention to instructions from the manufacturer of the child safety
seat when installing and removing the seat.
Note
Child seats which use the “ISOFIX” system are currently available for chil-
dren weighing from 9 up to 18 kg. This corresponds to an age range of
from approx. 9 months to 4 years.
AAABWARNING (continued)
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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),
•Antilock brake system ABS,
•Brake 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.
The ESP operates in combination with the ABS ⇒page 189, “Antilock
brake system (ABS)”. If there is a fault in the ABS system, the ESP also
does not operate.
Fig. 160 ESP switch
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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 189, “Antilock
brake system (ABS)”. The TCS will not function if a fault exists in the ABS
system.
The TCS warning light ⇒page 35 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 186, fig. 161 . The TCS warning light ⇒page 35 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
to switch the system off only in particular exceptional situations if you
desire wheel slip.
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.
The EDL ⇒page 187, “Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)” is a part of the
TCS. THE EDL operates independently of the TCS (also when the TCS
has been switched off using the TCS button).
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 243, “Accessories, changes and replacement of parts”.
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)
The electronic differential lock prevents an individual
wheel from slipping.
General
The EDL 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 EDL is activated automatically, that is without any action on the part
of the driver. It monitors the speeds of the driven wheels with the aid of the
ABS sensors. Should only one drive wheel begin spinning on a slippery
surface there will be an appreciable difference in the speed of the driven
wheels. The EDL function brakes the slipping wheel and the differential
transmits a greater driving force to the other driven wheel. This control
process is also accompanied by noises.
Overheating of the brakes
The EDL switches off automatically if unusually severe stresses exist in
order to avoid excessive heat generation in the disc brake on the wheel
which is being braked. The vehicle can continue to be driven and has the
same characteristics as a vehicle not fitted with EDL.
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Low brake fluid level
An insufficient level of brake fluid may result in problems in the brake
system. The level of the brake fluid is monitored electronically
⇒page 37,
“Brake system ”.
WARNING
•Only apply the brakes for the purpose of drying and cleaning the
brake discs if the traffic conditions permit this. Do not place any
other road users in jeopardy.
•When retrospectively mounting a front spoiler, solid wheel hubs
etc. one must ensure that the air supply to the front wheel brakes
is not reduced otherwise the braking system could run too hot.
•Allow for the fact that new brake pads do not achieve their full
braking efficiency until approximately 200 kilometres. New brake
pads must be first “run in” before they develop their optimal fric-
tion force. You can, however, compensate for this slightly reduced
braking force by increasing the pressure on the brake pedal. This
guideline also applies to any new brake pads installed at a future
date.
Caution
•Never allow the brakes to rub by applying slight pressure if you do not
wish to brake the vehicle. This causes the brakes to overheat and can also
result in a longer braking distance and excessive wear.
•Before negotiating a steep downhill section, please reduce your
speed, shift down into the next lower gear (manual gearbox) or select a
lower driving stage (automatic gearbox). This enables you to make full use
of the braking power of the vehicle and reduces the strain on the brakes.
Any additional braking should be done intermittently, not continuously.
Brake booster
The brake booster boosts the pressure which you generate with the brake
pedal. The necessary pressure is only generated when the engine is
running.
WARNING
•Never switch off the engine before the vehicle is stationary.
•The brake booster only operates when the engine is running.
Greater physical effort for braking is required when engine is
switched off. Because if you do not stop as normal, this can cause
an accident and severe injuries.
Antilock brake system (ABS)
ABS prevents the wheels locking when braking.
General
The ABS contributes significantly to enhancing the active safety of your
vehicle. Compared to a car not fitted with the ABS brake system, you are
able to retain optimal steering ability even during a full brake application
on a slippery road surface because the wheels do not lock up.
You must not expect, however, that the braking distance will be shorter
under all circumstances as a result of the ABS. The braking distance for
example on gravel and fresh snow, when you should anyway be driving
slowly and cautiously, will be longer.
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Power steering
Power steering assists the driver in steering the vehicle and reduces the
physical force needed for steering.
The steering characteristics can be changed by a specialist garage.
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 the steering is turned to full lock when the car is stationary, you will
place great stresses on the power steering system. Turning the steering
to full lock in such a situation will be accompanied by noises. In addition,
the idling speed of the engine will drop briefly.
Caution
Do not leave the steering at full lock for more than 15 seconds when the
engine is running - risk of damaging the power steering!
Note
•Have the steering inspected as soon as possible by a specialist garage
if there is a leak or fault in the system.
•The power steering requires a special hydraulic oil. The oil reservoir is
located at the front left of the engine compartment ⇒page 220. The
correct hydraulic oil level is important for proper operation of the power
steering system.
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New brake pads
Allow for the fact that new brake pads do not achieve their full braking effi-
ciency until approximately 200 kilometres. New brake pads must be first
“run in” before they develop their optimal friction force. You can, however,
compensate for this slightly reduced braking force by increasing the pres-
sure on the brake pedal.
This guideline also applies to any new brake pads installed at a future
date.
During the running-in period, you should avoid excessive stresses on the
brakes. This includes, for example, violent braking, particularly from very
high speeds, and also when crossing mountain passes.
Catalytic converter
Proper operation of the emission control system (catalytic
converter) is of major significance for driving your vehicle
in an environmentally conscious way.
Please refer to the following guidelines:
– For vehicles with petrol engine only refuel with unleaded petrol
⇒page 214, “Grades of petrol”.
– Never run the fuel tank completely empty.
– Do not switch off the ignition while you are driving the vehicle.
– Do not pour too much oil into the engine ⇒page 223,
“Replenishing engine oil”. – Do not tow-start the vehicle over a distance of more than 50
metres ⇒page 258, “Tow-starting a vehicle”.
If you drive your vehicle in a country in which unleaded petrol is not avail-
able, you must have the catalytic converter replaced later when driving the
vehicle into a country in which use of a catalytic converter is mandatory.
WARNING
•In view of the high temperatures which may be produced in the
catalytic converter, one should always park a vehicle in such a way
that the catalytic converter cannot come into contact with easily
flammable materials below the vehicle - a risk of fire!
•Never use additional underbody protection or corrosion-protec-
tion agents for the exhaust pipes, catalytic converters or heat
shields. Such substances might ignite when driving - risk of fire!
Caution
•Vehicles fitted with catalytic converter should never be allowed to let
the fuel tank to run completely empty. An irregular fuel supply can result
in poor ignition or misfiring. Unburnt fuel may get into the exhaust system
and damage the catalytic converter.
•Filling the tank even only once with leaded petrol will result in the cata-
lytic converter being destroyed.
•If you detect misfiring, a drop in performance or irregular engine
running when driving, reduce your speed immediately and have the
vehicle inspected by the nearest specialist garage. The symptoms
described may be caused by a fault in the ignition system. Unburnt fuel
may get into the exhaust system and damage the catalytic converter.
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Shifting gears and saving energy
Shifting up early saves on fuel.
Manual gearbox
– Drive no more than about one length of your vehicle in first
gear. Always shift up into the next higher gear at approx. 2 000
to 2 500 revs.
Automatic gearbox
– Depress the accelerator pedal slowly. Do not depress it
beyond the kickdown position, however.
An effective way of achieving good fuel economy is to shift up early. You
will consume more fuel if you drive at unnecessarily high revolutions in
any given gear. The
⇒fig. 162 shows the ratio of fuel consumption to the speed of your
vehicle for the individual gears. Fuel consumption in 1st gear is the
highest, while that in 5th or the 6th gear is the lowest.
Only depress the accelerator pedal slowly if your vehicle is fitted with an
automatic gearbox in order to automatically select an economic driving
programme. You will achieve good fuel economy by shifting up early and
shifting down late. This applies in particular if you make use of the manual
mode (Tiptronic) for shifting gears.
Note
Also use the information supplied by the multi-functional indicator
⇒ page 18.
Avoiding full throttle
Driving more slowly means saving fuel.
Fig. 162 Fuel
consumption in
litres/100 km. and
speed in km/h.
Fig. 163 Fuel
consumption in
litres/100 km. and
speed in km/h.
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