2007 SKODA OCTAVIA tow

Starting-off and Driving
116
Starting-off and Driving
Setting steering wheel position
You can set the height and the forward/back position of the steering
wheel to the desired position.
– Adjust the driver seat ⇒page 67.
– Pull the lever below the steering column ⇒fig. 130 down ⇒. – Set the steering wheel to the desired position (concerning height and
forward/back position).
– Then push the lever up against the steering column until it locks into
place.
WARNING
•You must not adjust the steering wh eel when the vehicle is moving!
•The driver must maintain a distance of at least 25 cm to the steering
wheel ⇒fig. 131 . Not maintaining this minimum distance will mean that the
airbag system will not be able to properly protect you - hazard!
•For s afe ty re a so ns t he le ve r m ust al wa y s b e fi rm ly pus he d up to a voi d the
steering wheel alteri ng its position unintentionally when driving - risk of
accident!
•If you adjust the steering wheel furthe r towards the head, you will reduce
the protection offered by the driver airb ag in the event of an accident. Check
that the steering wheel is aligned to the chest.
•When driving, hold the steering wheel with both hands firmly on the
outer edge in the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock position. Never hold the steering
wheel firmly in the 12 o'clock position or in another way (e.g. in the middle
of the steering wheel or at the inner steering wheel edge). In such cases,
injuries to the arms, the hands and the head can occur when the driver
airbag is deployed.
Fig. 130 Adjustable
steering wheel: Lever
below steering column
Fig. 131 Safe distance to
steering wheel
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Starting-off and Driving
118
Starting the engine
General
You can only start the engine only using an original ignition key.
•Place the gearshift lever into neutral (or place the selector lever to the position
P or N in the case of an automatic gearbox) and put on the handbrake firmly before
starting the engine.
•The clutch pedal should be fully depressed when starting the engine which
means that the starter only has to crank the engine.
•Let go of the key as soon as the engine starts otherwise there may be damage
to the starter.
The engine running noises ma y louder at first be louder for a short time after
starting the cold engine until oil pressure can be built up in the hydraulic valve
clearance compensation. This is quite no rmal and is not an operating problem.
If the engine does not start ...
You can use the battery of anothe r vehicle as a jump-start aid ⇒page 238.
It is only possible to tow-start vehicles fitted with a manual gearbox. The tow-
starting distance must not be more than 50 metres ⇒page 242.
WARNING
•Never run the engine in non ventilat ed or enclosed areas. The exhaust
gases of the engine contain besides the odorless and colourless carbon
monoxide a poisonous gas - hazard! Carbon monoxide can cause uncon-
sciousness and death.
•Never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running.
Caution
•The starter may only be operated (ignition key position ), if the engine is not
running. If the starter is immediately operated after switching off the engine, the
starter or the engine can be damaged.
•Avoid high engine revolutions, full throttle and high engine loads as long as the
engine has not yet reached its normal oper ating temperature - risk of damaging the
engine!
•Vehicles which are fitted with an exhaust gas catalytic conver ter should not be
tow-started over a distance of more than 50 metres.
For the sake of the environment
Never warm up the engine when the vehicle is standing. Drive off right away.
Through this the engine reaches its operating temperature more rapidly and the
pollutant emissions are lower.
Petrol engines
These engines are fitted with a starter system which selects the correct fuel/air
mixture for every external air temperature.
•Do not operate accelerator befo re and when starting engine.
•Interrupt the attempt at starting after 10 seconds if the engine does not start
right awayand wait for about 30 seconds before repeating the attempt.
•It is possible that the fuse on the electrical fuel pump is defect if the engine still
does not start. Check the fuse and replace it if necessary ⇒page 243.
•Contact the nearest specialist garage to obtain professional assistance.
It may be necessary, if the engine is very hot, to slightly depress the accelerator
after the engine has started.
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 temper-
ature.
The preglow indicator light
 comes on after the igniti on has been switched on.
A3
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Starting-off and Driving121
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Rear 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 with the aid of ultrasound sensors. The sensors
are integrated in the rear bumper.
Range of sensors
The clearance warning begins at a distance of about 160 cm from the obstacle (area
⇒ fig. 135 ). The interval between the warning signals becomes shorter as the
clearance is reduced.
A continuous tone sounds from a clearanc e of just 30 cm (Bereich ) - danger
area. You should not reverse any further after this signal sounds!
For particular model versions, the distance to the obstruction is also displayed on
the display of the radio. You can also switch off this function - see operating instruc-
tions for radio
Activating
The parking aid is activated automatically when reverse gear is engaged and the
ignition is turned on. This is confirmed by a brief acknowledgement signal.
Deactivating
The parking aid is deactivated by removing the reverse gear.
WARNING
•The parking aid is not a substitute for the driver paying proper attention
and it is always the driver's responsibility to take care when parking the
vehicle or carrying ou t similar manoeuvres.
•You should therefore satisfy yourself, before reversing, that there is no
small obstacle, such as a rock, thin po st, trailer drawbar etc., behind your
vehicle. Such an obstacle might not be within the range detected by the
sensors.
Note
•The parking aid does not operate if you are towing a trailer (applies to models
which feature a factory-fi tted towing device*).
•If a warning signal sounds for about 3 seconds after switching the ignition on
and engaging reverse gear, and there is no obstacle close to your car, this indicates
a system fault. Have the fault rectified by a specialist workshop.
•The sensors must be kept clean and free of ice to enable the parking aid to
operate properly.
•If the parking aid is activated and the selector lever of the automatic gearbox is
in the position , warning signal indicates interruption (vehicle can no longer
move).
Fig. 135 Parking aid:
Detection range of rear
sensors
AA
AB
AP
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Starting-off and Driving123
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Note
•Only the front parking aid operates if you are towing a trailer (applies only to
models which feature a factory-fitted towing device*).
•If a warning signal sounds for about 3 seconds after activating the system and
there is no obstacle close to your car, th is indicates a system fault. The fault is
confirmed additionally when the symbol
 flashes in the button ⇒page 122,
fig. 136 . Have the fault rectified by a specialist workshop.
•The sensors must be kept clean and free of ice to enable the parking aid to
operate properly.
•If the parking aid is activated and the se lector lever of the automatic gearbox is
in the position , warning signal indicates interruption (vehicle can no longer
move).
Cruise control system (CCS)*
Introduction
The cruise control system (CCS) maintains a constant speed, more than 30 km/h (20
mph), once it has been set, without you having to depress the accelerator pedal.
This is only possible within the range wh ich is permitted by the power output and
braking power of the engine. The cruise co ntrol system makes it possible - particu-
larly on long journeys - for you to rest your “accelerator foot”.
WARNING
•The cruise control system must not, for safety reasons, be used in dense
traffic or on unfavourable road surfaces (such as icy roads, slippery roads or
loose chippings) - risk of accident!
•In order to prevent unintentional use of the cruise control system, always
switch off the system after use.
Note
•Models fitted with a manual gearbox: Al ways depress the clutch pedal if you
switch on the cruise control system when the gearbox is in Neutral. Otherwise the
engine can rev up unintentionally.
•The cruise control system is not able to maintain a constant speed when driving
on steep downhill sections. The weight of the vehicle increases the speed at which
it travels. One should shift down in good time to a lower gear or slow the vehicle
down by applying the foot brake.
•It is not possible on vehicles fitted with an automatic gearbox to switch on the
cruise control system if the sele ctor lever is in the position P, N or R.
Storing a speed
The cruise control system is operated by means of the switch and
rocker button in the left lever of the multi-functional switch.
– Press the switch ⇒fig. 138 into the position ON.
– After the desired speed has been reached, press the rocker button into the SET position.
AP
Fig. 138 Operating lever:
Switch of cruise control
system
AA
AB
AA
AB
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Automatic gearbox
128
You must depress the brake pedal ⇒ if you wish to move the selector lever into
position D from N when the vehicle is travelling at less than 5 km/hour or is
stationary.
In certain circumstances (e.g. when driving in mountainous regions or when towing
a trailer) it may be beneficial to select the manual shift programme ⇒page 129 for
a short time in order to adapt the gearbox ratios manually to the driving situations.
S - Position for sporty style of driving
Shifting up later into a higher gear ma kes it possible to fully exploit the power
potential of the engine. The gearbox also th en shifts down at higher engine speeds
as in the position D.
The gearbox does not shift into the 6th gear in the position S, because the
maximum speed is achieved with the 5th gear.
The Shiftlock on the selector lever grip must be pressed when moving the selector
lever out of the position D into the position S.
WARNING
•Never move the selector lever into position R or P when driving - risk of
an accident!
•When the engine is running and the ve hicle is stationary, it is necessary
to hold the car with the brake pedal in all the positions of the selector lever
(except P and N) since the power transmission is never completely inter-
rupted, also not when the engine is idling - the vehicle "creeps".
•You must on no account unintentionally operate the throttle (e.g. by
hand from the engine compartment) if a drive position is engaged when the
car is stationary. The vehicle would ot herwise immediately start off - also
when the handbrake is firmly a pplied - risk of an accident!
•You must move the selector lever into position P and firmly apply the
handbrake first before you or any other person opens the bonnet and starts
working on the engine when it is running - risk of accident! It is also essential
to observe all warnings ⇒page 210, “Working in the engine
compartment”.
Selector lever lock
Automatic selector lever lock 
With the ignition on, the selector lever is locked when it is in the positions P and N .
You must first of all depress the brake pedal in order to move the selector lever out
of this position. The warning light
 ⇒ page 31 lights up in the instrument cluster
as a reminder for the driver when the selector lever is in position P and N:
In addition, the symbol
 for the automatic selector lever lock in the shift gate
lights up.
A time delay element ensures that the selector lever is not blocked when rapidly
switching over the position N (e.g. from R to D). This does, for example, allow one
to seesaw out a stuck vehicle. The selector lever lock will click into place if the lever
is in the N position for more than 2 seconds without the brake pedal being pressed.
The selector lever lock is only active if th e vehicle is stationary or moving at speed
of less than 5 km/hour. The lock is switched off automatically into position N when
the car is travelling at a higher speed.
Shiftlock button
The Shiftlock button in the handle of sele ctor lever prevents certain selector lever
positions being engaged inadvertently. The selector lever lock is cancelled when
you press the Shiftlock button.
Keylock - Ignition key withdrawal lock
You can only withdraw the ignition key after switching off the ignition if the selector
lever is in position P. If the ignition key is withdrawn, the selector lever is blocked in
position P .
Kickdown function
The kickdown function provides you with maximum acceleration
power.
Depressing the accelerator pedal allows th e kickdown function to be activated in
the desired driving program. This function has precedence over the driving
programme and serves for maximum accelera tion of the vehicle when exploiting
the maximum power potential of the engi ne without taking into account the
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Automatic gearbox
130
Shifting up gears
– One-touch forward of the selector lever (in the Tiptronic position)
⇒ page 129, fig. 141 .
Shifting down gears
– One-touch back of the selector lever (in the Tiptronic position) .
It is possible to switch over to manual both when the car is stationary and also when
driving.
When you accelerate, the gearbox shifts up automatically in gears 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
into the next higher gear just before the maximum permissible engine speed is
reached.
If you select a lower gear, the automatic gearbox does not shift down until there is
no risk of the engine overrevving. (Does not apply for the shifting from 2nd to 1st
gear.)
If you operate the kickdown function, the ge arbox shifts into a lower gear in line
with the vehicle speed and engine speed.
Emergency programme
An emergency programme exists in the event of a fault in the system.
The gearbox operates in a corresponding emergency programme if there are func-
tional faults in the gearbox electronics. This is indicated by all of the segments in the
display lighting up or going out.
It is possible to continue to move the se lector lever into all the positions. In the
positions D and S the gearbox remains engaged in the 3rd gear. It is also possible to
continue to engage reverse gear in the position R.
The manual shift programme (Tiptronic) is switched off in the emergency mode.
If the gearbox has switched over to emergency mode, drive to the nearest
specialist garage in order to have the fault rectified.
Selector lever-emergency unlocking
In case of interruption of the power supply (e.g. flat vehicle battery, defec-
tive fuse) or defect of the selector lever lock, the selector lever can no
longer be shifted from the position P in the normal way and the vehicle
can no longer be moved. The selector lever must be unlocked in case of
emergency.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Open the stowage compartment in fr ont centre console* or the front
ashtray.
– Carefully pull up the front left and right cover.
– Pull up rear cover.
– Press with a narrow object (e.g. ignition key) the yellow plastic hoop -arrow- to the left.
– Simultaneously press the shiftlock bu tton in the handle of the selector
lever in the position N
7).
A+
A-
7)If the selector lever is moved again into the position P, it is once again blocked.
Fig. 143 Selector lever-
emergency unlocking
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Automatic gearbox131
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Tow-starting and towing vehicle
Tow-starting a vehicle
It is not possible to tow-start ve hicles fitted with automatic gearbox ⇒page 239.
you can use jump-start cables connected to the battery of another vehicle for
starting your car if the vehicle battery is flat ⇒page 238.
Towing a vehicle
Please pay attention to the following information if it comes necessary to tow-in
your car ⇒page 239.
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Automatic gearbox DSG
134
N - Neutral
The transmission is in Neutral in this position.
The brake pedal must be depressed (if the le ver is in its position for longer than 2
seconds) in order to move the selector lever out of the position N into the position
D , with the ignition switched on, on a vehicle travelling at less than 5 km/hour or on
a stationary vehicle.
The brake pedal must be depressed (if the le ver is in its position for longer than 2
seconds) in order to move the selector lever out of the position N into the position
R , with the ignition switched on, on a vehicle travelling at less than 5 km/hour or on
a stationary vehicle.
D - Drive, position for driving forward
When the selector lever is in this position, the forward gears are shifted up and
down automatically in line with engine load, vehicle speed and the dynamic shift
programme.
You must depress the brake pedal ⇒ if you wish to move the selector lever into
position D from N when the vehicle is travelling at less than 5 km/hour or is
stationary.
In certain circumstances (e.g. when driving in mountainous regions or when towing
a trailer) it may be beneficial to select the manual shift programme ⇒page 136 for
a short time in order to adapt the gearbox ratios manually to the driving situations.
S - Position for sporty style of driving
Shifting up later into a higher gear ma kes it possible to fully exploit the power
potential of the engine. The gearbox also th en shifts down at higher engine speeds
as in the position D.
The Shiftlock on the selector lever grip must be pressed when moving the selector
lever out of the position D into the position S.
WARNING
•Never move the selector lever into position R or P when driving - risk of
an accident!
•When the engine is running and the ve hicle is stationary, it is necessary
to hold the car with the brake pedal in all the positions of the selector lever (except P and N) since the power transmission is never completely inter-
rupted, also not when the engine
is idling - the vehicle "creeps".
•You must on no account unintentionally operate the throttle (e.g. by
hand from the engine compartment) if a drive position is engaged when the
car is stationary. The vehicle would otherwise immediately start off - also
when the handbrake is firmly a pplied - risk of an accident!
•You must move the selector lever into position P and firmly apply the
handbrake first before you or any other person opens the bonnet and starts
working on the engine when it is running - risk of accident! It is also essential
to observe all warnings ⇒page 210, “Working in the engine
compartment”.
Selector lever lock
Automatic selector lever lock 
With the ignition on, the selector lever is locked when it is in the positions P and N .
You must first of all depress the brake pedal in order to move the selector lever out
of this position. The warning light
 ⇒ page 31 lights up in the instrument cluster
as a reminder for the driver when the selector lever is in position P and N:
In addition, the symbol
 for the automatic selector lever lock in the shift gate
lights up.
A time delay element ensures that the selector lever is not blocked when rapidly
switching over the position N (e.g. from R to D). This does, for example, allow one
to seesaw out a stuck vehicle. The selector lever lock will click into place if the lever
is in the N position for more than 2 seconds without the brake pedal being pressed.
The selector lever lock is only active if th e vehicle is stationary or moving at speed
of less than 5 km/hour. The lock is switched off automatically into position N when
the car is travelling at a higher speed.
Shiftlock button
The Shiftlock button in the handle of sele ctor lever prevents certain selector lever
positions being engaged inadvertently. The selector lever lock is cancelled when
you press the Shiftlock button.
WARNING (continued)
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