
Transporting children safely175
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
•It is essential to always switch off ⇒page 171, “Deactivating an airbag”
the front passenger airbag when attach ing a child safety seat on the front
passenger seat where the child is seated with its back facing in direction of
travel (in some countries also when the ch ild is facing the direction of travel).
If this is not done, there is a risk of the child suffering severe or even fatal
injuries if the front passenger airbag is deployed. In certain countries
national legal provisions also requir e that the side or head passenger
airbags be deactivated. When transporting a child on the front passenger
seat, please comply with the appropri ate national regulations regarding the
use of child safety seats.
•If the front passenger airbag has been switched off by a specialist garage
using the vehicle system tester, the side and head passenger airbag*
remains switched on. In certain countries national legal provisions require
that besides the front pa ssenger airbag also the side or head passenger
airbags are deactivated. Please comply with any differing national legal
regulations regarding the use of child safety seats.
•If a child safety seat in which the child faces in the direction of travel is
used on the front passenger seat, the front passenger seat must be moved
back fully. For vehicles with height ad justable front passenger seat, the seat
must be put in the highest position.
•If this is not done, a child seated on the front passenger seat may suffer
severe or even fatal injuries if the front passenger airbag or airbags are
deployed. Have the airbag (or ai rbags) deactivated if necessary ⇒page 171.
•You should have the front passenger airbag (or airbags) reactivated just
as soon as you no longer use a child sa fety seat on the front passenger seat.
Child safety and side airbag*
Children must never be seated in the deployment area of the side
airbags and head airbags.
In the event of a side collision, the side airbags offer the vehicle occupants
enhanced protection.
The side airbags are inflated in fractions of a second in order to be able to provide
this protection ⇒page 168, “Function of the side airbags”.
An airbag inflating develops such a strong force that an occupant who has not
adopted an upright seated position may suffer injuries from the airbag or as a result
of objects which are located within th e deployment area of the side airbag.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 175 Seated position
of an unprotected child at
risk from side airbag
Fig. 176 Child properly
protected by safety seat
NKO A5 20 MR08.book Page 175 Wednesday, April 11, 2007 2:54 PM

Transporting children safely
176
This applies particularly to children if they are not transported in accordance
with legal requirements.
The child is protected when seated in a child safety seat matching its age. Adequate
room is available between th e child and the deployment area of the side airbag and
head airbag. The airbag offers optimal protection.
WARNING
•It is essential to always switch off ⇒page 171 the front passenger airbag
when attaching a child safety seat on the front passenger seat where the
child is seated with its back facing in direction of travel (in some countries
also when the child is facing the direction of travel). If this is not done, there
is a risk of the child suffering severe or even fatal injuries if the front
passenger airbag is deploy ed. In certain countries national legal provisions
also require that the si de and head airbags be deactivated. When trans-
porting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply with the appro-
priate national regulations regarding the use of child safety seats.
•When transporting a child on the fr ont passenger seat, please comply
with the appropriate national regulations regarding the use of child safety
seats.
•Children must never be seated with their head in the deployment area of
the side airbag - risk of injury!
•Do not place any objects within the deployment area of the side airbag -
risk of injury!
Child seat
Classification of child seats into groups
Only child safety seats which have an official approval and are suit-
able for the child, may be used.
ECE-R 44 standard applies to child safety seats. ECE-R means: Economic Commis-
sion of Europe - Regulation. Child safety seats which have been tested for conformity with ECE-R 44 have a non-
detachable test seal (a large E within
a circle and below this the test number)
attached to the seat.
Child safety seats are classified in 5 groups:
Children of more than 150 cm in height may use the seat belts fitted to the vehicle
without a seat bolster.
Use of child safety seats
An overview of the usefulness of child se ats on each of the seats according to the
EG guidelines 77/541 and ECE 44 standard:
Universal category - seat is suitable for all approved types of child safety seats.
The seat can be fitted with fixing eyes for the “ISOFIX*”system.
The divided rear seat - seat can be fi tted with fixing eyes for the system “To p
Te t h e r *” ⇒page 180.
GroupWeight
00 - 10 kg⇒page 177
0+up to 13 kg⇒page 177
19 - 18 kg⇒page 177
215 - 25 kg⇒page 178
322 - 36 kg⇒page 178
Child seat
groupsFront passenger seatRear seat outsideRear seat middle
0
0+
1
2 and 3
AUA+AUA+ATAU
AUA+AUA+ATAU
AUA+AUA+ATAU
AUAUAU
AU
A+
AT
NKO A5 20 MR08.book Page 176 Wednesday, April 11, 2007 2:54 PM

Transporting children safely
178
passenger seat where the child is seated with its back facing in direction of
travel (in some countries also when the child is facing the direction of travel).
− in a specialist garage
− or by using the switch for the front passenger airbag* ⇒page 172.
•In certain countries national legal provisions require that besides the
front airbag also the side or head ai rbags are deactivated. Please comply
with any differing national legal regula tions regarding the use of child safety
seats.
•If this is not done, a child seated on the front passenger seat may suffer
severe or even fatal injuries if the front passenger airbag or airbags are
deployed.
•You should have the front passenger ai rbag (or airbags) reactivated just
as soon as you no longer use a child sa fety seat on the front passenger seat.
Child safety seats in Group 2
For children up to about 7 years of age weighing between 15 and 25 kg the optimal
solution is a child safety seat in comb ination with the three-point seat belt
⇒ fig. 179 .
WARNING
•When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply
with the appropriate national regulati ons regarding the use of child safety
seats. If required, the airbag has to be deactivated,
−in a specialist garage
− or by using the switch for the front passenger airbag* ⇒page 172.
•The shoulder part of the seat belt must run approximately across the
middle of the shoulder and fit snugly agai nst 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 differing nati onal legal regulations regarding the
use of child safety seats.
Child safety seats in Group 3
For children of about 7 years of age weighi ng 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. 180 .
Children of more than 150 cm in height may use the seat belts fitted to the vehicle
without a seat bolster.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 179 Child seat in
Group 2 installed on the
rear seat facing the direc-
tion of travelFig. 180 Child seat in
Group 3 installed on the
rear seat facing the direc-
tion of travel
NKO A5 20 MR08.book Page 178 Wednesday, April 11, 2007 2:54 PM

Towing a trailer
196
Towing a trailer
To w i n g a t r a i l e r
Technical requirements
The towing device must satisfy certain technical requirements.
Your vehicle is designed primarily for tr ansporting persons and luggage. It can,
however, also be used for towing a traile r - provided certain technical equipment is
fitted.
If your vehicle has already been supplied with a factory-fitted towing device then
everything that is necessary for towing a trailer in technical terms, and in terms of
the law, has already been taken into account.
Your vehicle is fitted with a 13-pin power socket for the electrical connection
between the vehicle and trailer. If th e trailer which you wish to tow has a 7-pin
connector, you can use a suitable adapter
10) from Škoda original accessories.
This work must be carried out in accordan ce with the manufacturer's specifications
if a towing device is retrofitted.
Škoda Service Partners are familiar with de tails relating to retrofitting a towing
device and for any necessary modi fications to the cooling system.
WARNING
We recommend that you have the towing device from Škoda original acces-
sories installed by a Škoda Service Partner. He is familiar with all the relevant
details relating to retrofitting such equi pment. There is a risk of an accident
if the towing device is not properly fitted!
General Maintenance
There are a number of points to pay attention to when towing a
trailer.
Trailer load
The permissible trailer load must on no account be exceeded.
You can negotiate appropriately steeper inclines and descents if you do not make
full use of the perm issible trailer load.
The trailer loads specified only apply for altitudes up to 1 000 metres above mean
sea level. The fact that the engine power ou tput drops with increasing height due to
a lowering of air pressure and thus the abil ity to climb, means that the towed weight
must be reduced by 10% for every further increase of 1 000 metres in height above
sea level. The towed weight is the weight of the (laden) vehicle and the (laden)
trailer together. One should take this into account before driving up to higher alti-
tudes.
The trailer and drawbar load information on the type plate of the towing
device are merely test data for the tow ing device The data relating to your
vehicle, which is often less than this test data, can be found in your vehicle
registration documents.
Distribution of the load
Distribute the load in the trailer in such a way that any heavy items are located as
close as possible to the axle. Secure the items to prevent them slipping.
Tyre inflation pressure
Select the tyre inflation pressure on your vehicle for that of “fully laden”,
⇒ page 223. The inflation pressure of the tyres fitted to the trailer adjust in accord-
ance with the manufacturer's recommendation.
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. Both exterior mirrors
10)In some countries the adapter is supplied with the towing device.
NKO A5 20 MR08.book Page 196 Wednesday, April 11, 2007 2:54 PM

Inspecting and Replenishing
210
– Grip with the hand under the radiat or grille and lift up the bonnet.
– Take the bonnet support out of its holder and set it in the opening designed for it ⇒page 209, fig. 196 .
Closing the bonnet
– Lift the bonnet slightly and unhook the bonnet support. Press the bonnet support into the hold er designed to hold it.
– Allow the bonnet to drop from a height of about 30 cm into the lock - bonnet do not press down on it !
WARNING
•Never open the bonnet if you see that steam or coolant is flowing out of
the engine compartment - risk of scaldi ng! Wait long enough until the steam
or coolant has stopped escaping.
•For safety reasons, the bonnet must always be properly closed when
driving. One should therefore check that the lock has in fact engaged prop-
erly after closing the bonnet.
•Stop your vehicle i mmediately while driving if yo u notice that the lock is
not properly engaged and close the bonn et properly - risk of an accident!
Caution
Never open the bonnet using the handle - danger of causing damage.
Working in the engine compartment
Particular care is required when carrying out any work in the engine
compartment!
There is a risk of injuries, scalding, accidents and fire when working in the
engine compartment, e.g. inspecting an d replenishing oil and other fluids. For
this reason, it is essential to comply with the warning instructions stated below and with the general applicable rules of safety. The engine compart-
ment of your car is a hazardous area
⇒ .
WARNING
•Never open the bonnet if you see that steam or coolant is flowing out of
the engine compartment - risk of scaldi ng! Wait long enough until the steam
or coolant has stopped escaping.
•Switch off the engine and pull out the ignition key.
•Apply the handbrake firmly.
•If your vehicle is fitted with a manual gearbox, move the gearshift lever
into Neutral, or if it is fitted with automatic gearbox, move the selector lever
into position P.
•Allow the engine to cool down.
•Keep children clear of the engine compartment.
•Never spill oil and other fluids over the hot engine. Such fluids (e.g. the
antifreeze contained in the coolant) may ignite!
•Avoid short circuits in the electrical system - particularly on the battery.
•Never place your hand into the radiator fan as long as the engine is still
warm. The fan might suddenly start running!
•Never open the cap of the coolant expa nsion bottle as long as the engine
is still warm. The cooling system is pressurized!
•Cover over the cap of the coolant expansion reservoir with a large cloth
when opening it as protection for your face, hands and arms from hot steam
or hot coolant.
•Do not let objects, such as e.g cleaning cloth or tools lie in the engine
compartment.
•If you wish to work under the vehicl e, you must secure the vehicle from
rolling away and support it with suitable supporting blocks: the car jack is
not sufficient for this - risk of injury!
•In cases where it be necessary to carry out inspection work when the
engine is running there is an additional risk from rotating parts (e.g. the V-
ribbed belt, alternator, radiator fan) and from the high-voltage ignition
system. Please observe in addition the following:
NKO A5 20 MR08.book Page 210 Wednesday, April 11, 2007 2:54 PM

Wheels and Tyres225
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Changing wheels around
If significantly greater wear is present on the front tyres, we recommend changing
the front wheels around with the rear wheels as shown in the diagram ⇒fig. 206 .
You will then obtain approximately the same life for all the tyres.
It may be advantageous to swap the tyre s over “crosswise” when certain types of
wear characteristic ar ise on the running surface of the tyres (but not in the case of
unidirectional tyres). Škoda Service Pa rtners can provide you with details.
We recommend that you change the wheels around every 10 000 km in order to
achieve even wear on all wheels and to obtain optimal tyre life.
New tyres and wheels
Tyres and wheel rims are important design elements. One should therefore use the
tyres and wheel rims which have been released for use by Škoda Auto. They are
exactly matched to the vehicle type and th erefore contribute significantly to good
road holding and safe driving characteristics ⇒.
Only fit radial tyres of the same type on all 4 wheels, size (rolling circumference)
and, if possible, the same tread pattern on one axle.
The Škoda Service Partners have access to the most current information about
which tyres we have released for use on your vehicle. We recommend that you have any work rela
ting to tyres or wheels carried out by
your Škoda Service Partner . Your dealer has all of th e necessary special tools and
replacement parts available plus the required specialist knowledge and is also in a
position to properly dispose of the old tyres. A large number of Škoda Service Part-
ners also have an attractive range of tyres and wheels available.
The tyre/wheel combinations which are appr oved for your vehicle are indicated in
your vehicle documents. Approval and lice nsing may differ according to the legis-
lation prevailing in individual countries.
Proper knowledge of the tyre data makes it easier for you to select the correct type
of tyre. Tyres do, for example, have the following inscription on their walls:
195 / 65 R 15 91 T
What this means is:
The following speed restrictions apply to tyres.
Fig. 206 Changing
wheels around
195Ty re w i d t h i n m m
65Height/width ratio in %
RCode letter for the type of tyre - R adial
15Diameter of wheel in inches
91Load index
TSpeed symbol
Speed symbolPermissible maximum speed
S180 km/h
T190 km/h
H210 km/h
V240 km/h
W270 km/h
NKO A5 20 MR08.book Page 225 Wednesday, April 11, 2007 2:54 PM

Technical Data257
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Dimensions
Dimensions (mm)
OCTAVIAOCTAVIA RSESTATE CARCOMBI 4x4COM B I R SSCOUT
Length457245784572457245794581
Width176917691769176917691784
Width including exterior mirror197319731973197319731973
Height1462/1485a)/
1449b)
a)The value is valid for vehicles with rough road package.b)The value corresponds to the status with SPORT package.
14471468/1490a)/
1455b)1495/1520a)14511533
Wheel base257825772578257825772578
Tr a c k g a u g e f r o n t / r e a r1539/15281526/15141539/15281533/15221526/15141534/1515
NKO A5 20 MR08.book Page 257 Wednesday, April 11, 2007 2:54 PM

Index283
Petrol engines
Starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Polishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Power steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Power window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Power windows Button in front passenger door and in rear doors46
Buttons on the driver's door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
R
Radiator fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Rear armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Rear fog light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Rear window heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Rear window heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Rear-view mirror Exterior mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Interior mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Recharge battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Synchronisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Replacing fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Replacing the wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Roof aerial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Running in the car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
S
Safe securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Safety information Engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Safety wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Saving electrical energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Seat belt height adjuster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Seat belt warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158, 162 Belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
fastening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Height adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Safety information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
taking off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Seat heaters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Selector lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127, 133
Selector lever lock Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Selector lever positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127, 133
Selector lever-emergency unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Selector lever-emergency unl ocking (DSG) . . . . . 137
Service Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Service Interval Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Setting temperature Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Setting the clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Shifting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 Side airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Side lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Spare wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Stability system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
after fuel tank has run empty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Diesel engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Petrol engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Steering Driver-steering recommendation . . . . . . . . . 183
Steering force assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Storage compartment Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Storage facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Sun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Sun screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Switching lights on and off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Switching off the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
T
Taking care of your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
TCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Telephone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Temperature outside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Temporary spare wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
the first 1 500 kilometres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
NKO A5 20 MR08.book Page 283 Wednesday, April 11, 2007 2:54 PM