Starting-off and Driving104
Ignition lock
Petrol engines
- ignition switched off, engine off, the steering can be locked.
- ignition switched on
- start engine
Diesel engines
- interruption of fuel supply, ignition switched off, engine off, the steering can be locked.
- heating glow plugs on, ignition switched on
•You should not switch on any major electrical components during the heating period otherwise the vehicle ba ttery will be drained unnecessarily.
- start engine
Applies to all models:
Position
To lock the steering, with the ignition key withdrawn, turn the steering wheel until the steering locking pin is heard to engage. You should always lock the steering as a general rule if you leave your vehicle. This acts as a deterrent against possible thef t of your vehicle ⇒.
Position
Move the steering wheel back and forward a little if the ignition key cannot, or cannot easily be turned into this position, in order to release the steering lock.
Position
The engine is started in this position. At the same time switched on low beam or main beam or other electrical co mponents with major power consumption are briefly switched off. The ignition key moves back into position when one releases the key.
The ignition key must be turned back into position each time before starting the engine again. The starter repeat lock in the ignition lock prevents the starter being engaged when the engine is running and thus getting damaged.
WARNING
•When driving, the ignition key must always be in the position (ignition switched on) without the engine running. This position is indi- cated 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!
•Do not withdraw the ignition key from the lock until the car has come to a stop. The steering lock can enga ge immediately - 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 children are left in the vehicle. The children might othe rwise start the engine or operate electrical equipment (e.g. power windows) - risk of injury!
Fig. 89 Ignition lock positions
A1
A2
A3
A1
A2
A3
A1
A2
A3
A2
A1
A2
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Starting-off and Driving106
Diesel engines
Glow plug system
Diesel engines are equipped with a glow plug system, the preglow period being controlled automatically in line with the coolant temperature and outside temperature.
The preglow indicator light comes on after the ignition has been switched on.
You should not switch on any major electrical components during the heating period otherwise the vehicle battery will be drained unneces- sarily.
•You should start the engine immediately after the glow plug warning light has gone out.
•The glow plug warning light will come on for about one second if the engine is at a normal operating temperature or if the outside temperature is above +5°C. This means that you can start the engine right away.
•Interrupt the attempt at starting after 10 seconds if the engine does not start right awayand wait for about 30 seco nds before repeating the attempt.
•It is possible that the fuse on the diesel preglow system is defect if the engine still does not start. Check th e fuse and replace it if necessary ⇒ page 235.
•Contact the nearest specialist garage to obtain professional assistance.
Starting the engine after fuel tank has run dry
It may take longer than normal to start th e engine after refuelling if the fuel tank has run completely dry - up to one minute. This is because the fuel system must first of all be filled while the attempting to start the engine.
Switching off the engine
– The engine can be sw itched off by turning the ignition key from
position ⇒page 104, fig. 89 into position .
WARNING
•Never switch off the engine before the vehicle is stationary - risk of accident!
•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.
Caution
you should not switch the engine off righ t away at the end of your journey after the engine has been operated for a length y period at high loads but should be allowed it to run at idling speed for about 2 minutes. This prevents any accumu- lation 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 temperature rises because of an accumulation of heat in th e engine or if the engine is warm and the engine compartment is additionally heated by strong sunlight.
•This is why particular care is requir ed when carrying out any work in the engine compartment ⇒page 198, “Working in the engine compartment”.
A1
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Starting-off and Driving108
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 handbrake which is only partially released can re sult in the rear brakes overheating which will have a negative 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 a gear (manual gearbox) or moving the selector lever into position P (automatic gearbox).
Parking aid*
The parking aid provides a warning of obstacles behind the
vehicle.
The audible parking aid determines the distance between the rear bumper and an obstacle located behind the vehicle wi th the aid of ultrasound sensors. The sensors are integrated in the rear bumper.
Range of sensors
The clearance warning begins at a distan ce of about 160 cm from the obstacle (area ⇒fig. 92). The interval between the warning signals becomes shorter as the clearance is reduced.
A continuous tone sounds fr om a clearance of just 30 cm (Bereich ) - danger area. You should not reverse any further after this signal sounds!
Activating
The parking aid is activated automatically when reverse gear is engaged and the ignition is turned on. This is conf irmed by a brief acknowledgement signal.
Fig. 92 Parking aid: Range of sensors
AA
AB
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Automatic gearbox112
Automatic gearbox
6-speed automatic gearbox*
Introduction
Your car is equipped with an electronically controlled 6-speed automatic gearbox. Shifting up and also down through the gears is performed automati-cally.
At the same time this is a conventional automatic gearbox. The maximum speed is reached in the 5th gear. The 6th gear serves as an economic driving programme, which is intended to reduce the fuel consumption.
Information for driving with an automatic gearbox
Shifting up and down through the gears is performed auto-
matically.
You can also, however, switch the gearbox over into the Tiptronic
mode . This mode makes it possible for you to also shift gears manu-
ally ⇒page 116.
Starting-off and Driving
– Depress the brake pedal and hold it depressed.
– Press the Shiftlock button (button in handle of the selector lever),
move the selector lever into the desired position, e.g. D
⇒ page 113, and then release the Shiftlock button.
– Wait a moment until the gearbox ha s shifted (a slight engagement
nudge can be felt).
– Release the brake pedal and depress the accelerator ⇒.
Stopping for a short time
– The selector lever position N does not have to be selected when
s t o p p i n g j u s t fo r a s h o r t t i m e , s u c h a s a t a c ro s s ro a d s . I t i s s u f f i c i e n t
to hold the vehicle stationary usin g the foot brake. The engine can,
however, be allowed just to idle.
Parking
– Depress the brake pedal and hold it depressed.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Press and Shiftlock button in the selector lever, move the selector
lever to P and then release the Shiftlock button.
The engine can only be started when the selector lever is in position P or N ⇒ page 105.
It is sufficient to engage selector lever position P when parking on a flat surface. When parking on a slope you should firs t apply the handbrake firmly and then move the selector lever into position P. This is to ensure that there is no exces- sive pressure acting on the lock mechanism and that it is easier to subsequently move the selector lever out of position P.
If the selector lever position N is selected by accident while driving it is first necessary to release pressure on the acce lerator pedal and wait for idling speed of the engine to be reached before enga ging a drive position in the selector lever.
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Communication120
Note
The operation of the mobile phone fitted with multi-functional module* is only possible on certain models of mobile phone. More detailed information is available from your Škoda Service Partner.
Universal telephone preinstallation with
voice control*
The voice control is activated according to equipment installed on the vehicle by pressing the button PTT (push to talk) on the adapter ⇒fig. 100 or the button on the multi-functional module* ⇒page 119.
A phone phonebook is part of the mobile phone preinstallation with voice control. In the phone phonebook there are 1500 free memory locations avail-able. This phone phonebook can be used in line with the mobile telephone.
For vehicles fitted with multi-function al module*, the operation is performed via the function buttons on the module ⇒page 119.
Furthermore the volume can be changed individually at any time with the button for setting the radio or on vehicles fitted with multi-functional module* with function buttons on the steering wheel.
If the system answers with the voice response “ Telephone is not ready”, please check the operating state of the telephone as follows:
•Is the telephone switched on?
•Is the PIN code entered?
Dialogue
The period, in which the telephone system is ready to receive voice commands and carry out the voice commands, is called DIALOGUE. The system gives audible feedback and guides you if necessary through the relevant functions. You can start or end the dialogue at any time by pressing the PTT button. You can also end the dialogue with the voice command CANCEL.
The dialogue is always automatically ended after carrying out an operation, e.g. after erasing the name from the phonebook.
The dialogue of the incoming call is immediately interrupted and you can accept the call by pressing the button .
If a voice command is not detected, the system answers with “ Sorry?” and a new entry can be performed. After the 3rd error the answer “ Cancel” is given and the dialogue is ended.
Optimum understanding of the voice commands depends on the following factors:
•Speak with a normal tone of voice wi thout intonation and excessive voice pauses.
•Avoid insufficient articulation.
•Close the doors, windows and sliding roof, in order to reduce or stop disturbing exterior noise.
Fig. 100 Button for switching on the voice control
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Towing a trailer182
Exterior mirrors
You have to have addi tional exterior mirrors fitted if you are not able to see the traffic behind the trailer with the standard rear-view mirrors. Both exterior 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 headlights. Alter the setting as necessary with th e aid of the headlight beam adjuster ⇒ page 59.
Detachable ball head
The ball rod is detachable on vehicles with towing device and suppliable from Škoda original accessories. It is stowed together with separate fitting instruc- tions in the spare wheel well in the luggage compartment of the vehicle.
Note
•We recommend that you also have yo ur 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.
•Keep the mechanism of the ball head of the towing device clean and take proper care of it with a suitable preservative.
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 lega l 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, weat her or wind conditions, particularly near accident black spots.
You must always reduce your speed imme diately 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 and then brake firmly. This will avoid brake jolts resulting from the trailer wheels locking. Shift down gears in good time 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 temper- ature is very high ⇒page 14.
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Breakdown assistance232
Note
•Please comply with any legal requirements particularly regarding the switched on signal systems, when towi ng in or tow-starting another vehicle.
•The tow rope must not be twisted as it may in certain circumstances result in the front towing eye being unscrewed out of your vehicle.
Front towing eye
The towing eye is stored in the box for the vehicle tool kit.
Installing the towing eye
– Grasp the protective grille at the point marked with the arrow and
take it out ⇒fig. 163.
– Screw in the towing eye by hand to the left up to the stop
⇒ fig. 164.
– Tighten up the towing eye using the wheel wrench (push the wheel
wrench through eye).
Removal of the towing eye
– Unscrew the towing eye.
– Put the protective grille in place on the side opposite the marking.
– Press into place the protective grille onto the side facing the
marking.
– The protective grille must engage firmly.
Fig. 163 Front bumper: Protective grille
Fig. 164 Front bumper: Installing the towing eye
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