2007 SKODA OCTAVIA towing

Towing a trailer
198
of the engine speed. One should also not drop a gear for this reason when towing
a trailer as long as the en gine can manage the slope without any drop in speed.
Detachable towing device*
The detachable ball head of the towing device is stowed in a box for the car tool kit
in the spare wheel well in the luggage compartment.
An instruction for correct installation an d removal of the ball head of the towing
device is supplied with the ball head
Inspect the ball head to ensure that it is properly locked each time before setting off.
The inspection is performed by turning the closed locking lever downwards. If the
locking lever can only be turned around a small angle (approx. 5°), the locking
mechanism is O.K. After the inspection pull the locking lever back again to its stop.
The towing device must not be used, if it does not wish to close or the locking lever
turns slightly in the closed position.
WARNING
Do not use any aids or tools for installing or removing the ball head. This
might result in damage to the locking mechanism to the extent that the
safety of the towing device is no longer assured - risk of an accident.
Note
•Do not carry out any modifications or repairs to the ball head or to any other
components on the towing device.
•Contact a specialist garage if you en counter any problems using the device.
•Never unlock the ball head with a trailer coupled to it.
•You should take off the ball head if you drive without towing a trailer. Inspect
whether the end cover properly seals off the mounting shaft.
•Remove the ball head beforehand if yo u wish to clean your vehicle using a
steam jet. Ensure that the end cover properly seals the mounting shaft.
•It is recommended to wear gloves when installing and removing.
Fig. 191 Detachable ball
head
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Inspecting and Replenishing213
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Check engine oil level
The dipstick indicates the level of oil in the engine.
Checking the oil level
– Park the vehicle on a horizontal surface.
– Switch the engine off.
– Open the bonnet ⇒ in “Working in the engine compartment” on
page 210.
– Wait a few minutes and pull out the oil dipstick.
– Wipe off the dipstick with a clea n cloth and insert it again fully.
– Then withdraw the dipstick ag ain and read off the oil level.
Oil level within range
– You must not top up the oil.
Oil level within range
– You may top up the oil. It is possible that the oil level may then be
within range after doing this. Oil level within range
–You
must top up the oil ⇒page 213. It is sufficient, once this is done,
to keep the oil level is within range .
It is normal for the engine to consume oil. The oil consumption may be as much as
0.5 l/1 000 km depending on your style of driving and the conditions under which
you operate your vehicle. The oil consumpt ion may be slightly higher than this
during the first 5 000 kilometres.
One should therefore check the oil level at regular intervals, preferably every time
after the fuel tank is filled or after driving for long stretches.
We recommend maintaining the oil level within the range if the engine has been
operating at high loads, for example during a lengthy motorway trip during the
summer months, towing a trailer or negotiating a high mountain pass, but not
above this .
The warning light in the instrument cluster* will indicate ⇒page 30, “Engine oil
level* ” whether the oil level is too low. In this case, check the oil level as soon as
possible. Top up with an a ppropriate quantity of oil.
Caution
•The oil level must on no account ex tend beyond the range . Danger of
damaging the catalytic converter.
•Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under the
conditions prev ailing to top up with oil. Switch of the engine and contact and
obtain professional assistance from a specialist garage.
Replenishing engine oil
– Inspecting the engine oil level ⇒page 213.
– Unscrew the cap of the engine oil filler opening.
– Pour in a suitable grade of oil in portions of 0.5 litres ⇒page 212,
“Engine oil specifications”.
Fig. 198 Dipstick
Aa
Ab
Aa
Ac
Ab
Aa
Aa
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Breakdown assistance
232
The fire extinguisher must be checked by an authorised person or company annu-
ally (please observe the differing legal requirements).
WARNING
If the fire extinguisher is not correc tly attached, in case of sudden manoeu-
vres or an accident it can be “thrown” through the interior compartment and
cause injuries.
Note
•The fire extinguisher must comply with the relevant and valid legal require-
ments.
•Pay attention to the expiration date of the fire extinguisher. If the fire extin-
guisher is used after the expiration date, its proper function is no longer assured.
•The fire extinguisher is only supplied in certain countries within the scope of
delivery.
Vehicle tool kit
The vehicle tool kit and the li fting jack are stored in a locable box in the spare wheel
⇒ fig. 209 . There is also space here for the removable ball for the trailer towing
device*. The box is attached wi th a strap on the spare wheel.
The vehicle tool kit contains the following parts (depending on equipment fitted):
•Hook for pulling off a full wheel trim,
•Plastic clip for a wheel bolt cover,
•Wheel wrench,
•To w i n g e y e ,
•Adapter for the wheel bolts lock.
After using the lifting jack, screw in the arm of the lifting jack fully before placing it
back in its stowage area.
WARNING
•The factory-supplied lifting jack is only intended for your model of
vehicle. On no account attempt to lift a heavier vehicle or other loads - risk
of injury!
•Ensure that the vehicle tool kit is safely attached in the luggage compart-
ment.
Note
Ensure that the box is alwa ys secured with the strap.
Tyre repair kit*
The tyre repair kit is intended for the repair of minor tyre defects. The tyre repair kit
contains a compressor, inflation bottle, operating instructions and accessories.
The repair with the tyre repair kit is not at all intended to replace a permanent
repair on the tyre, this repair only serves to reach the next specialist garage. The
repair can be undertaken on the vehicle immediately. Please read the attached
instructions carefully before the repair.
Fig. 209 Luggage
compartment: Storage
compartment for vehicle
too kit
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Breakdown assistance239
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Start engine
It is important to connect the jump -start cables in the correct order.
Connecting positive terminals
– Attach one end to the positive terminal ⇒fig. 217 of the
discharged battery .
– Attach the other end to the positive terminal of the battery supplying the power .
Connecting negative term inal and engine block
– Attach one end to the negative terminal of the battery supplying
the power .
– Attach the other end to a solid metal part which is connected firmly to the engine block, or to the engine block itself.
Starting engine
– Start the engine of the vehicle providing current and run the engine at idling speed.
– Now start the engine of the vehicle with the discharged battery. – Interrupt the attempt at starting an engine after 10 seconds if it does
not start right away and wait for about 30 seconds before repeating
the attempt.
– Disconnect the cables on the engine in exactly the reverse order they
were connected up.
WARNING
•The non-insulated parts of the terminal clamps must never make contact
with each other. Furthermore, the cable connected to the positive terminal
of the battery must not come into contact with electrically conducting parts
of the vehicle - risk of a short circuit!
•Do not affix the jump starting cables to the negative terminal of the
discharged battery. There is the risk of detonating gas seeping out the
battery being ignited by the strong spark which results from the engine
being started.
•Run the jump-start cables so that th ey cannot be caught by any rotating
parts in the engine compartment.
•Do not bend over the batteries - risk of caustic burns!
•The vent screws of the battery cells must be tightened firmly.
•Keep any sources of ignition (naked flame, smouldering cigarettes etc.)
away from the battery - risk of an explosion!
Tow-starting and towing vehicle
General
Please pay attention to the following in structions if you are going to use a
tow rope:
Driver of the towing vehicle
– Do not drive off until the tow rope is taught.
Fig. 217 Jump-starting
using the battery from
another vehicle: A - flat
vehicle battery, B -
battery providing current
A1
AA
A2
AB
A3
AB
A4
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Breakdown assistance
240
– Release the clutch particularly gent ly when starting off or depress the
accelerator particularly gently if yo ur vehicle is fitted with an auto-
matic gearbox.
Driver of the towed vehicle
– Switch the ignition on so that the steering wheel is not blocked and you can also operate the turn signal lights, the headlight flasher, the
windscreen wipers and wi ndscreen washer system.
– Take the vehicle out of gear or move the selector lever into position N
if your vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.
– Note that the brake servo unit and power steering only operate if the engine is running. You will require si gnificantly greater physical force
to depress the brake pedal and to steer the vehicle if the engine is not
running.
– Ensure that the tow rope is always kept taught.
Tow rope or tow bar
A tow bar is safest way of towing a vehicle and also minimizes any shocks. You can
use a tow rope only if a suitable tow bar is not available.
The tow rope must be elastic to protect the vehicle. Thus one should only use
plastic fibre rope or a rope made out of a similarly elastic material.
Only attach the tow rope to the towing eyes provided for this purpose ⇒page 241,
“Front towing eye” and ⇒page 241, “Rear towing eye”.
Driving style
Towing another vehicle requires a certain amount of practice. Both drivers should
be familiar with the particular points about towing a vehicle. Unskilled drivers
should not attempt to tow in another vehicle or to be towed in.
One should be constantly vigilant not to allow impermissibly high towing forces or
jerky loadings. There is always a risk of excessive stresses and damage resulting at
the points to which you attach the tow ro pe or tow bar when you attempt to tow a
vehicle which is not standing on a paved road.
Caution
If the gearbox of your vehicle no longer contains any oil because of a defect, your
vehicle must only be towed in with the driven wheels raised clear of the ground, or
on a special vehicle transporter or trailer.
Note
•Please comply with any legal requirements particularly regarding the switched
on signal systems, when towing 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.
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Breakdown assistance241
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Front towing eye
The towing eye is stored in th e box for the vehicle tool kit.
Remove the protective grille carefully as follows:
– Press the grille together with the hand at the top and bottom close to
the licence plate and swivel out in the direction of arrow ⇒page 241,
fig. 218 .
– Screw in the towing eye anticlockwise down to the stop ⇒fig. 219 and
tighten up using the wheel wrench (push the wheel wrench through
eye). – Put the protective grille in plac
e after screwing out the towing eye
again and press into place. The prot ective grille must engage firmly.
Rear towing eye
– Take the cover out of the bumper ⇒fig. 220 .
– Screw in the towing eye anticlockwise down to the stop ⇒fig. 221 and
tighten up using the wheel wrench (push the wheel wrench through
eye).
– Put the cover in place after screwing out the towing eye again and press into place. The cover must engage firmly.
Fig. 218 Front bumper:
Protective grille
Fig. 219 Front bumper:
Installing the towing eye
Fig. 220 Rear bumper:
Removing cover
Fig. 221 Rear bumper:
Installing the towing eye
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Breakdown assistance
242
Tow-starting a vehicle
If the engine does not start, we generally do not recommend to tow-start
your vehicle. One should attempt to start the engine using jump start
cables ⇒page 238 or call on the servic es of the SERVICE mobile.
If your vehicle has to be towed:
– Engage 2nd or 3rd gear wi th the vehicle stationary.
– Depress the clutch pedal fully and keep it depressed.
– Switch on the ignition.
– Wait until both vehicles are movi ng then release the clutch pedal
slowly.
– Depress the clutch pedal fully when the engine fires and take the vehicle out of gear.
For technical reasons it is not possibl e to tow-start a car fitted with an automatic
gearbox .
WARNING
There is high risk of having an accide nt when tow-starting a vehicle, when
for example the towed vehicle r uns into the towing vehicle.
Caution
Vehicles which are fitted with a catalytic converter should not be tow-started over
a distance of more than 50 metres. Unburnt fuel may get into the catalytic converter
and damage it.
Towing in a vehicle fitted with a manual gearbox
Please refer to the notes ⇒page 239. The car can be towed in with a tow bar or a
tow rope or with the front or rear wheels
raised. The maximum towing speed is 50 km/h.
Towing of a vehicle with an automatic gearbox
Please refer to the notes ⇒ page 239.
The car can be towed in with a tow bar or a tow rope. Refer at the same time to the
following guidelines:
•Move selector lever into N .
•The maximum towing speed is 50 km/h.
•The maximum permissible towing distance is 50 km. The gear oil pump does
not operate when the engine is not runni ng; the gearbox would not be adequately
lubricated at higher speeds an d over longer towing distance.
Caution
If the vehicle is towed in by a recovery vehi cle, it should only be towed in with the
front wheels raised. If the vehicle is ra ised at rear, the automatic gearbox is
damaged! (Does not apply to the automatic gearbox DSG).
Note
The vehicle must be transported on a special vehicle or trailer if it is not possible to
tow in the vehicle in the way described or if the towing distance is greater than
50 km.
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Fuses and light bulbs
248
Electrically adjustable seats are protected by automatic circuit breakers, which
switch on again automatically after a few seconds after the overload has been
eliminated.
Bulbs
Changing bulbs
The relevant lamp must always be switch ed off before a light bulb is replaced. Defect light bulbs should only be replaced
with light bulbs of the same type. The
designation is located on the li ght socket or the glass bulb.
Changing certain bulbs is not something wh ich you can do yourself, but requires to
be done by a specialist. Other parts of the vehicle must be removed in order to
change the light bulbs. This applies, in particular, to bulbs which can only be
reached from the engine compartment.
We therefore recommend that you have any bulbs changed by a Škoda Service
Partner or, in exceptional cases, by ca lling on other professional assistance.
Please note that the engine compartment is a hazardous area ⇒page 210.
We recommend that you carry the set of light bulbs with you which was delivered
in your vehicle. Replacement light bulbs
13) are available at specialist garages.
The set of light bulbs can be stowed in the locable box in the spare wheel.
Fitted with a xenon headlight
Change of light bulbs on Xenon lights (low beam lights, parking lights and main
beam lights) should be undertaken by a specialist garage.
Overview of bulbs
33Electric sliding/tilting roof25
34Control unit for convenience functions20
35Anti-theft alarm system5
36Headlight cleaning system20
37Front seat heating30
38Heated rear seats30
39Not assigned
40Air blower for heating and air conditioning40
41Rear window wiper15
42Wipe wash pump for windscreen15
43Towing device15
44Towing device20
45Towing device15
46Heated windscreen washer nozzles5
47Relay for auxiliary heating5
48Not assigned
49Light switch5
No.Power consumerAmperes
13)Replacement light bulbs are, on the other hand, part of the basic equipping of the vehicle in
some countries.
Front headlightHalogen headlightXenon headlight
Low beamH7D1S
Main beamH1
Parking lightsW5W
Tu r n s i g n a l sPY21W
Fog lightsH8/H1a)
a)Octavia RS
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