2006 SKODA OCTAVIA Owner´s Manual

›
The use of solvent-free adhesives.
› No CFCs used in the production process.
› Without use of mercury.
› Use of water-soluble paints.
Trade-in and recycling of old cars
ŠKODA
meets the requirements of the brand and its products with regard to pro-
tecting the environment and the preserving resources. All new ŠKODA vehicles
can be utilized up to 95 % and always 1)
be returned. In a lot of countries sufficient
trade-in networks have been created, where you can trade-in your vehicle. After
you trade-in your vehicle, you will receive a confirmation stating the recycling in
accordance with environmental regulations. Note
Detailed information about the trade-in and recycling of old cars is available from
a ŠKODA Service Partner. ÐDriving abroad
Introductory information
In certain countries it is also possible that the
ŠKODA Service Partner network is
limited or has not been established yet. This is the reason why procuring certain
spare parts may be somewhat complicated and specialist garages may only be
able to make limited repairs. ŠKODA in the Czech Republic and its importers are
happy to provide information about technical aspects of the vehicle, required
maintenance work and possibilities for getting repairs done. ÐUnleaded petrol
A vehicle fitted with a petrol engine must always be refuelled with unleaded pet-
rol » page 156, Unleaded petrol . Information regarding the locations of filling sta-
tions that offer unleaded petrol is, for example, provided by the automobile asso-
ciations. Ð Headlights
The low beam of your headlights is set asymmetrically. It illuminates the side of
the road on which the vehicle is being driven to a greater extent.
When driving in countries in which the traffic drives on the other side of the road
than in your home country, the asymmetrical low beam may dazzle oncoming
drivers. To prevent oncoming traffic from being dazzled, the headlights must be
adjusted by a

ŠKODA Service Partner.
Headlights with Xenon lights are adjusted in the menu of the information dis-
play » page 15, MAXI DOT (information display) . Note
Further information on adjusting the headlights is available from a ŠKODA Service
Partner. Ð Avoiding damage to your vehicle
To prevent damage to your vehicle, pay special attention: › When driving on poorly maintained roads and lanes
› When driving over kerb stones
› When driving up steep ramps
› So that any low-slung parts, such as the spoiler and exhaust, do not touch the
ground and get damaged
This particularly applies to models with a sport suspension and also when your
vehicle is fully laden. Ð1)
Subject to fulfilment of the national legal requirements.
143
Driving and the Environment

Driving through water on the street
Fig. 128
Driving through water
The following must be observed to avoid damage to the vehicle when driving
through bodies of water (e.g. flooded roads):
› Therefore determine the depth of the water before driving through bodies of
water. The water level must fit around the strut on the side member as a maxi-
mum » Fig. 128;
› Do not drive any faster than at a walking speed. At a higher speed, a water
wave can form in front of the vehicle which can cause water to penetrate into
the air induction system of the engine or into other parts of the vehicle;
› Never stop in the water, do not reverse and do not switch the engine off;
› Deactivate the START-STOP
system before driving through water » page 100,
START/STOP .WARNING
■ Driving through water, mud, sludge etc. can reduce the braking power and
extend the braking distance - risk of accident!
■ Avoid abrupt and sudden braking immediately after water crossings.
■ After driving through bodies of water, the brakes must be cleaned and dried
as soon as possible by intermittent braking. Only apply the brakes for the pur-
pose of drying and cleaning the brake discs if the traffic conditions permit this.
Do not place any other road users in jeopardy. CAUTION
■ When driving through bodies of water, parts of the vehicle such as the engine,
gearbox, chassis or electrics can be severely damaged.
■ Oncoming vehicles can generate water waves which can exceed the permissible
water level for your vehicle. ■
Potholes, mud or rocks can be hidden under the water making it difficult or im-
possible to drive through the body of water. ■ Do not drive through salt water. The salt can lead to corrosion. Any vehicle parts
that have come into contact with salt water must be rinsed immediately with
fresh water. Note
After driving through a body of water, we recommend that the vehicle is checked
by a
ŠKODA specialist garage. Ð144
Driving Tips

Towing a trailer
Towing a trailer
Technical requirements
If your vehicle has already been factory-fitted with a towing device or is fitted
with a towing device from ŠKODA Original Accessories, then it meets all of the
technical requirements and national legal provisions for towing a trailer.
On vehicles with a towing device, the ball rod is detachable and is stowed togeth-
er with separate operating instructions in the spare wheel well or in the compart-
ment for the spare wheel within the boot » page 179, Vehicle tool kit .
Your vehicle is fitted with a 13-pin power socket for the electrical connection be-
tween the vehicle and trailer. If the trailer that is to be towed has a 7-pin connec-
tor, you can use a suitable adapter from
ŠKODA Original Accessories.
If a towing device is retrofitted, it must be completed in accordance with the
manufacturer's specifications. Note
If you have any questions, please contact a ŠKODA Service Partner. ÐLoading a trailer
Loading a trailer
The vehicle/trailer combination must be balanced, whereby the maximum permis-
sible drawbar load must be utilised. If the drawbar load is too low, it jeopardises
the performance of the vehicle/trailer combination.
Distribution of the load
Distribute the load in the trailer in such a way that heavy items are located as
close to the axle as possible. Secure the items from slipping.
The distribution of the weight is very poor if your vehicle is unladen and the trail-
er is laden. Maintain a particularly low speed if you cannot avoid driving with this
combination. Tyre pressure
Correct the tyre inflation pressure on your vehicle for a

“full load” » page 171,
Service life of tyres.
Trailer load
The permissible trailer load must not be exceeded under any circumstan-
ces » page 197, Technical data .
The trailer loads specified apply only to altitudes up to 1 000 metres above mean
sea level. As the engine output drops at an increasing altitude due to the declin-
ing air pressure and therefore the climbing ability is also reduced, this means that
the maximum permissible towed weight must be reduced by 10 % for every fur-
ther increase of 1 000 m in height. The towed weight comprises the actual weight
of the (loaded) towing vehicle and the (loaded) trailer. Always drive particularly
carefully with the trailer.
The trailer and drawbar load information on the type plate of the towing device
are merely test data for the towing device The vehicle-specific values are detailed
in the vehicle documents. WARNING
■ If the maximum permissible axle and drawbar load and the maximum per-
missible total or towed weight of the vehicle and the trailer are exceeded this
can cause accidents and serious injuries.
■ Slipping loads can significantly affect the stability and safety of the vehicle/
trailer combination, causing accidents and serious injuries. Ð Towing a trailer
Exterior mirrors
You have to have additional exterior mirrors fitted if you are not able to see the
traffic behind the trailer with the standard rear-view mirrors. The national legal
requirements must be observed.
Headlights
The headlight settings must be checked before starting a journey with a coupled
trailer. If necessary, adjust the settings with the headlight beam adjust-
ment » page 44 , Headlight beam adjustment .
Driving speed
For safety reasons, do not drive faster than the maximum permissible speed indi-
cated on the trailer. £
145
Towing a trailer

Immediately reduce your speed as soon as even the slightest swaying of the trail-
er is detected. Never attempt to stop the trailer from “swaying” by accelerating.
Brakes
Apply the brakes in good time! If the trailer is fitted with a trailer brake, apply the
brakes gently at first, then brake firmly. This will avoid brake jolts resulting from
the trailer wheels locking. On downhill sections shift down a gear in good time to
also use the engine as a brake.
Trailer stabilisation
The trailer stabilisation is an extension of the stabilisation control that works in
conjunction with the counter-steering assistance to reduce the amount the trail-
er "sways". After turning on the ignition, the ESC warning light  in the instru-
ment cluster lights up for about 2 seconds longer than the ABS warning light.
Prerequisites for stabilising the trailer.
› The towing device is factory-fitted or a compatible towing device has been ret-
rofitted.
› The ESC is active. The warning light
 or  in the instrument cluster is not illu-
minated.
› The trailer is electrically connected to the towing vehicle by means of the trailer
socket.
› The speed is higher than approx. 60 km/h.
› Trailers must have a fixed drawbar.
› The ESC works for both braked and unbraked trailers.
Trailer is connected to the anti-theft alarm system. › If the vehicle is factory-fitted with an anti-theft alarm system and a towing de-
vice.
› If the trailer is electrically connected to the towing vehicle by means of the trail-
er socket.
› If the electrical system of the vehicle and trailer is fully functional.
› If the vehicle is locked with the car key and the anti-theft alarm system is acti-
vated.
When the vehicle is locked, the alarm is activated as soon as the electrical con-
nection to the trailer is interrupted.
Always deactivate the anti-theft alarm system before a trailer is connected/dis-
connected. Otherwise, the anti-theft alarm system could accidentally be trig-
gered » page 31 , Anti-theft alarm system . Engine overheating
If the needle for the coolant temperature gauge moves into the right-hand area
or the red area of the scale, the speed must be reduced immediately. Stop and
switch off the engine if the warning light
 in the instrument cluster starts to
flash. Wait a few minutes and check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion
bottle » page 163, Checking the coolant level .
The following guidelines must be observed » page 20, Coolant temperature/cool-
ant level  .
The coolant temperature can be reduced by switching on the heating. WARNING
■ The increased safety offered by the trailer stabilisation must not tempt you
to take greater risks than otherwise. ■ Adapt your speed to the conditions of the road surface and to the traffic sit-
uation.
■ Improper or incorrectly connected electric cables can energise the trailer and
cause functional faults to the vehicle's entire electrical system as well as acci-
dents and severe injuries.
■ Any work on the electrical system must be carried out only by ŠKODA spe-
cialist garages.
■ Never directly connect the trailer's electrical system with the electrical con-
nections for the tail lights or other current sources. CAUTION
■ The trailer stabilisation need not be able to correctly detect all of driving situa-
tions.
■ Trailers that sway slightly are not always detected by the trailer stabilisation
and thus are not stabilised accordingly.
■ Release the pressure on the accelerator pedal if the system is being regulated.
■ Avoid abrupt and sudden driving/braking manoeuvres.
■ When the ball rod is removed, the mounting shaft must be sealed with an ap-
propriate cover. This prevents foreign matter from penetrating into the mounting
shaft. See the fitting instructions for the towing device. £
146 Driving Tips

Note
■ We recommend that you also have your vehicle inspected between service in-
tervals if you tow a trailer frequently. ■ The handbrake on the towing vehicle must be put on when coupling and decou-
pling the trailer.
■ For technical reasons, trailers with rear LED lights cannot be connected to the
anti-theft alarm system. Ð
147
Towing a trailer

General Maintenance
Taking care of and cleaning the vehicle
Taking care of your vehicle
ä
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Washing the vehicle 149
Automatic car wash systems 149
Washing by hand 149
Washing with a high-pressure cleaner 149
Preserving and polishing the vehicle paintwork 150
Chrome parts 150
Paint damage 150
Plastic parts 150
De-icing windows and exterior mirrors 151
Radio reception and aerial 151
Headlight lenses 151
Rubber seals 151
Door lock cylinders 151
Wheels 152
Underbody protection 152
Protection of hollow spaces 152
Artificial leather and materials 153
Fabric covers on electrically heated seats 153
Natural leather 153
Seat belts 154
Regular and proper care help to retain the efficiency and value of your vehicle. It
may also be one of the requirements for the acceptance of warranty claims relat-
ing to corrosion damage and paint defects on the bodywork.
We recommend using care products from
ŠKODA Original Accessories that are
available from ŠKODA Service Partners. The instructions for use on the package
must be observed. WARNING
■ Care products may be harmful to your health if not used according to the in-
structions.
■ Always store care products in a safe place, out of the reach of children - risk
of poisoning! ■ When washing your vehicle in the winter: Water and ice in the brake system
can affect the braking efficiency - risk of accident! ■ Only wash the vehicle when the ignition is switched off - risk of accident!
■ Protect your hands and arms from sharp-edged metal parts when cleaning
the underfloor, the inside of the wheel housings or the wheel trims - risk of
cuts!
■ Air fresheners and scents can be hazardous to heath when the temperature
inside the vehicle is high. CAUTION
■ Be sure to check clothing for colourfastness to avoid any damage or visible
stains on the material (leather), panels and textiles.
■ Cleaners containing solvents can damage the material being cleaned.
■ Do not wash your vehicle in bright sunlight - risk of paint damage.
■ If washing the vehicle in the winter using a hose or high-pressure cleaner, en-
sure that the jet of water is not aimed directly at the locking cylinders or the
door/panel joints - risk of freezing!
■ Do not use any insect sponges, rough kitchen sponges or similar cleaning prod-
ucts - risk of damaging the surface of paintwork.
■ Do not stick any stickers on the inside of the rear windows, the rear side win-
dows and in the vicinity of the heating elements on the windscreen or near the
window aerial. These may get damaged. With regard to the antenna, they may in-
terfere with the radio or navigation system.
■ Do not clean the inside of the windows with sharp-edged objects or corrosive
and acidic cleaning agents - risk of damaging the heating elements or window
aerial.
■ Do not attach scents and air fresheners to the dashboard - risk of damage to
the dashboard.
■ To avoid damaging the parking aid sensors while cleaning with high-pressure
cleaners or steam jets, the sensors must only be directly sprayed for short periods
while a minimum distance of 10
cm must be observed.
■ Do not clean the roof trim with a brush - risk of damage to the trim surface. £
148 General Maintenance

For the sake of the environment
■ Used cans of vehicle care products represent a special type of hazardous waste.
These must be disposed of in accordance with national legal regulations. ■ Only wash the vehicle at washing bays intended for this purpose. Note
■ Remove fresh stains such as those from ball-point pens, ink, lipstick, shoe pol-
ish, etc., from the material (leather), panels and textiles as quickly as possible. ■ Due to possible issues with the cleaning and care of the interior of your vehicle,
the special tools and knowledge required, we recommend that this is completed
by a
ŠKODA Service Partner. ÐWashing the vehicle
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 148.
The best protection for your vehicle against harmful environmental influences is
frequent washing and wax treatment. How often the vehicle should be washed
depends on a wide range of factors, such as:
›
Frequency of use;
› The parking situation (garage, below trees etc.);
› Season of the year;
› Weather conditions;
› Environmental influences.
The longer insect residues, bird droppings, tree sap, road and industrial dust, tar,
soot particles, road salt and other aggressive deposits remain adhering to the
paintwork of your vehicle, the more detrimental their destructive effect can be.
High temperatures, such as those caused by intensive sun's rays, accentuate this
caustic effect.
It is essential to also thoroughly clean the underside of the vehicle at the end of
the winter. ÐAutomatic car wash systems
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 148.ä
ä Your vehicle can be washed in automatic car wash systems.
The usual precautionary measures must be taken before washing the vehicle in
an automatic car wash system (closing the windows including the sliding/tilting
roof, etc.).
If your vehicle is fitted with any particular attached parts, such as a spoiler, roof
luggage rack, two-way radio aerial - it is best to consult the operator of the car
wash system beforehand.
It is important to degrease the lips of the windscreen wiper rubbers after passing
through the automatic vehicle wash system. Ð Washing by hand
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 148.
When washing by hand, first soften the dirt with plenty of water and rinse off as
much as possible.
Clean the vehicle with a soft
sponge, a washing glove or a washing brush. Work
from the top to the bottom - starting with the roof. Only apply slight pressure
when cleaning the vehicle's paintwork. Only use a car shampoo for stubborn dirt.
Wash out the sponge or washing glove thoroughly at short intervals.
Clean wheels, door sills and similar parts last. Use a second sponge for such
areas.
Give the vehicle a good rinse after washing it and dry it off using a chamois leath-
er. Ð Washing with a high-pressure cleaner
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 148.
When washing the vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner, the instructions for use
of the equipment must be observed. This applies in particular to the
pressure
used and to the spraying distance. Maintain a sufficiently large distance to the
parking aid sensors and soft materials such as rubber hoses or insulation materi-
al. £
ä
ä
149
Taking care of and cleaning the vehicle

WARNING
Never use circular spray nozzles or dirt cutters! CAUTION
The temperature of the water used for cleaning must not exceed 60 °C - risk of
damaging the vehicle. ÐPreserving and polishing the vehicle paintwork
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 148.
Preserving the vehicle paintwork
Good wax treatment is an effective way of protecting the paintwork from harmful
environmental influences.
The vehicle must be treated with a high-quality hard wax polish at the latest,
when no more drops form on the clean paintwork.
A new layer of a high-quality hard wax polish can be applied to the clean body-
work after it has dried thoroughly. Even if you use a wax preserver regularly we
still recommend that you treat the paintwork of the vehicle at least twice a year
with hard wax.
Polishing
Polishing is necessary if the vehicle's paintwork has become unattractive and if it
is no longer possible to achieve a gloss with wax preservatives.
If the polish does not contain any preserving elements, the paint must be treated
with a preservative afterwards. CAUTION
■ Never apply wax to the windows.
■ Mat painted or plastic parts must not be treated with polishing products or hard
waxes. ■ Do not polish the paintwork of the vehicle in a dusty environment, otherwise
the paintwork can be scratched. Ð
ä Chrome parts
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 148.
First clean the chrome parts with a damp cloth and then polish them with a soft,
dry cloth. If this method does not completely clean chrome parts, use a specific
chrome care product.
CAUTION
Do not polish the chrome parts in a dusty environment, otherwise they can be
scratched. Ð Paint damage
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 148.
Slight damage to paintwork such as scratches, scuffs or traces of chip damage
must be treated immediately.
The ŠKODA Service Partners have a range of matching
touch-up pens or spray
cans available in the colour of your vehicle. Note
We recommend that any repairs to damaged paintwork are carried out by a
ŠKODA Service Partner. Ð Plastic parts
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 148.
Plastic parts can be cleaned using a damp cloth. If this does not prove to be ade-
quate, the parts can be treated with special solvent-free plastic cleaning prod-
ucts.
Paint care products are not suitable for plastic parts. Ð
ä
ä
ä
150 General Maintenance