2007 SKODA OCTAVIA TOUR Owner's Manual

112SAFETYWarning

If children lean forward when the
car is moving or adopt an incorrect
seated position, they are exposed to
a greater risk of injury in the event of
an accident. This is particularly true
of children who are transported on
the front passenger seat if the airbag
system is deployed in the event of an
accident. This can result in severe or
even fatal injuries.

Children under 1.50 m (5’) tall or
younger than 12 years must not use
normal seat belts without a child re-
straint system as this may otherwise
result in injuries to the stomach and
neck area. Warning


On no account should children -
even small babies! - travel sitting on
an occupant’s lap.

Do not leave your child in a child
seat unattended.

Certain outside climatic condi-
tions can cause life-threatening tem-
peratures in the vehicle.

When using the seat belt, also refer to
the section on „Seat belts“.
Classification of child seatsOnly child restraint systems which have an
official seal of approval and are suitable for
child, may be used.
The Standard ECE-R
1) 44 applies to child
restraint systems and divides these into 5
classes:
Class 0: 0-10 kg
Class 0+: up to 13 kg
Class 1: 9-18 kg
Class 2: 15-25 kg
Class 3: 22-36 kg
Child restraint systems tested in accor-
dance with ECE-R 44 Standard are clearly
marked with the ECE-R 44 test symbol
(large „E“ in a circle, with test number be-
low) on the seat.
1)Economic Commission of Europe Directive

113
SAFETY
Class 0 / 0+For babies up to about 9 months weighing
up to 10 kg or babies up to about 18 months
weighing up to 13 kg, respectively, child
seats which can be adjusted into the reclin-
ing position are best suited - see illustra-
tion.
If the vehicle is equipped with front pas-
senger airbag, in certain cases, such
child seats must not be used on the front
passenger seat - see page 115.
Class 1For babies and small children up to about
4 years weighing between 9 and 18 kg it is
recommended to use child seats for the
lower weight range in which the child is
seated with its back to the direction of travel
and for the weight range above class 0+, it
is recommended to use child seats in which
the child is seated in the direction of travel
(see illustration).
If the vehicle is equipped with front pas-
senger airbag, in certain cases, such
child seats must not be used on the front
passenger seat - see page 115.
Use of child safety seats
An overview of the usefulness of child seats
on each of the seats according to the EG
guidelines 77/541:
Child seat Front Rear Rearaccording passen- seat on seat
to group ger seat the side middle
0

0+

1

2+3 - 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“.

114SAFETYClass 2For children up to about 7 years weighing
between 15 and 25 kg it is recommended
to use child seats in combination with the
three-point seat belts.Warning
The shoulder belt part must run ap-
proximately across the middle of the
shoulder - on no account across the
neck - and fit snugly against the top
part of the body. The lap belt must run
across the pelvis - and not across the
stomach.
Class 3For children of about 7 years weighing be-
tween 22 and 36 kg and with a height of
less than 1.50 m, it is recommended to use
seat cushions in combination with the three-
point seat belts.Warning
The shoulder belt part must run ap-
proximately across the middle of the
shoulder - on no account across the
neck - and fit snugly against the top
part of the body. The lap belt must run
across the pelvis - and not across the
stomach. Children taller than 1.50 m (5') can use the
standard seat belts fitted to the car without
a seat cushion.
Notes


We recommend using child restraint
systems from the Genuine Accessories
range of Škoda dealers. Such systems
have been developed and tested for use in
Škoda vehicles, and comply with the ECE-R
44 Standard.
Warning

Particular care is required if child
restraint systems are used which are
bolted on together with the belts fit-
ted in the vehicle. The belts must be
screwed into the hole over the com-
plete nominal length and tightened to
a torque of 40 Nm.

The seat belts must be inspected
to ensure they are correctly routed.
In addition, it is important to ensure
that the belt webbing cannot be dam-
aged by any sharp-edged fittings.

Only one child may be belted in us-
ing a child restraint system.

115
SAFETY

Attention should be paid to legal
regulations and the instructions of
the relevant manufacturer for the in-
stallation and use of child restraint
systems.Use of child seats on front passen-
ger seatFor safety reasons, we recommend install-
ing child restraint systems on the rear
seats, whenever possible. If a child seat is
nevertheless used on the front passenger
seat, it is important to observe the follow-
ing instruction in connection with the front
passenger airbag:
Warning

A child seat in which the child
faces with its back in the direction of
travel, may only be used in the front
passenger seat if the front passen-
ger airbag (in certain countries also
on child seats in which the child
faces the direction of travel) has
been deactivated - refer to page 107.
Otherwise, there is a risk of the child
suffering severe or even fatal injuries
if the airbag is deployed.

In certain countries, legal require-
ments necessitate deactivating the
side airbag. If a child is nevertheless
seated on the front passenger seat,
observe the legal requirements for
the use of child seats.
This is also clearly stated on the sticker,
which is located on the centre column of
the front passenger side. The sticker is vis-
ible upon opening the front passenger door.
Another warning sticker is located on the
windscreen near the front passenger seat. Warning


If a child seat is used in which the
child is seated in the direction of
travel, the front passenger seat must
be moved fully back.
Child safety and side airbag*In addition to the driver and front passen-
ger airbags your Škoda car may also be
equipped with 2 side airbags which offer
enhanced protection to the occupants in the
event of a side impact.
To ensure that the occupants can benefit
from this additional protective function, the
side airbag must be inflated in fractions of
a second in the event of a collision (refer
also to page 109 of the Owner’s Manual).
When the airbag is deployed, a consider-
able force is generated which may result
in injuries being caused to occupants by the
airbag or by any objects which are within
the inflation range of the side airbag if the
occupant is not correctly seated.
This applies particularly to children if
they are not transported in accordance
with legal provisions.

116SAFETYWarning

To avoid severe injuries, therefore,
children must always be transported
safely in the vehicle with a restraint
system which matches the age, body
size and weight of the child.

Children must never be positioned
with their head in the inflation range
of the side airbag. Risk of injury!

Do not place any objects in the in-
flation range of the side airbag. Risk
of injury!

A child seat in which the child
faces with its back in the direction of
travel, may only be used in the front
passenger seat if the front passen-
ger airbag (in certain countries also
on child seats in which the child
faces the direction of travel) has
been deactivated - refer to page 107.
Otherwise, there is a risk of the child
suffering severe or even fatal injuries
if the airbag is deployed. In certain
countries, legal requirements neces-
sitate deactivating the side airbag. If
a child is nevertheless seated on the
front passenger seat, observe the
legal requirements for the use of
child seats.
Attaching child seats („ISOFIX“
system)Two eyes for attaching a child seat with the
„ISOFIX“ system are provided between
backrest and seat cushion at the two outer
rear seats.
Child seats with the „ISOFIX“ system can
be installed quickly, conveniently and
safely. The seat should be installed as
specified in the installation instructions
enclosed with the „ISOFIX“ child seat. Al-
ways ensure that the child seat engages
properly when installed (pull as a check!).
Notes
An „ISOFIX“ child seat must only be at-
tached in the vehicle using the „ISOFIX“
system if the child seat bears an official seal
of approval for the particular vehicle model
in conformity with the ECE-R 44 Standard.
Warning

Before using an „ISOFIX“ child
seat which you have acquired for an-
other vehicle, please check with yourŠkoda dealer whether your child seat
is recommended for the Škoda-Octavia.
Certain child seats with “ISOFIX”
attachment system can also be at-
tached with the usual three-point
seat belt. Attention should be paid to
the instructions of the child seat
manufacturer for the installation and
removal.

117
DRIVING TIPS
The first 1500 kilometres (1000 miles) - and afterRunning inDuring the first few operating hours the in-
ternal friction of the engine is higher than
later on when all the moving parts have
bedded down. How well this running-in
process is done depends to a considerable
extent on the way the vehicle is driven dur-
ing the first 1500 km (1000 miles).
Up to 1000 km (600 miles)
the following general rules apply:

Do not use full throttle

Do not drive faster than 3/4 of top speed

Avoid high engine speeds

Avoid towing a trailer, if possible
Warning

New tyres should also be „run in“
because they do not have maximum
adhesion at the start. This should be
taken into account by driving care-
fully during the first 500 km (300 mi-
les).

New brake pads have to „bed
down“ and do not therefore have
their ideal friction force during the
first 200 km (120 miles) or so. The
slightly reduced braking power can
be compensated for by applying
greater pressure on the brake pedal.
This also applies subsequently after
replacing the brake pads.
From 1000 - 1500 km (600 - 1000 miles)
It is possible to gradually increase up to the
maximum speed of the gear engaged or to
the maximum permissible engine speed,
respectively.
During and after the running-in pe-
riod:
Do not overrev the engine when cold -
either in Neutral when driving. All the
speeds and revs stated only apply when the
engine is properly warm .
Do not drive at unnecessarily high
engine speeds - changing up early
helps to save fuel, reduces noise and pro- tects the environment - see also page 118.

Do not let the engine labour - change down
when engine no longer runs smoothly.After the running-in periodOn cars fitted with a rev counter the maxi-
mum permissible engine speed is marked
by the start of the red range on the scale of
the rev counter. The needle of the rev coun-
ter must not move into this range.

118DRIVING TIPS
Driving economically while protecting the environmentVarious factors determine fuel consump-
tion, the impact on the environment and
wear-and-tear of the engine, brakes and
tyres.
Your personal style of driving
determines to a great extent the economi-
cal aspect and the development of exhaust
and noise:
Do not warm up engine when the vehicle is stationary.
At idling speed it takes a very long time until
the engine becomes operationally warm.
However, in the warm-up phase, wear and
the discharge of pollutants is particularly
high. For this reason, drive off immediately
the engine has started and avoid high en-
gine speeds.
The cold engine consumes approx. 15 - 20
litres/100 km of fuel immediately after start-
ing. Fuel consumption drops to 10 litres/100
km after just 1 kilometre. The engine
reaches its operating temperature (outside
temperature and engine dependent) only
after about 4 to 10 kilometres and the fuel
consumption then stabilizes. You should
therefore avoid driving short distances
whenever possible.
Avoid full throttle acceleration.
Accelerating with feeling not only consid-
erably improves fuel economy but also re-
duces the impact on the environment and
wear-and-tear.
Do not drive at unnecessarily highengine revs - change up as soon as
possible and only change down when the engine no longer runs smoothly.
Fuel consumption, for example, is more
than twice as high in 2nd gear than it is in
top gear. At the same time, the lower en-
gine speed means a reduction in engine
noise.
Try not to drive at maximum speed.
Fuel consumption, exhaust pollution and
noise increase disproportionately at high
speeds. If you make use of approximately
only 3-quarters of top speed, your fuel con-
sumption will be reduced by about half.
Experience has shown that the loss in time
is only marginal.
Drive as smoothly as possible andlook well ahead.
Unnecessary acceleration and braking has
to be paid for with higher fuel consumption
and a greater impact on the environment.
Switch off the engine when stand-
ing in traffic (traffic lights, railway
crosses etc.).
Individual operating conditions
naturally also affect fuel consumption.
The following factors, for instance, are not
favourable to good fuel consumption:

High traffic density, particularly in large
towns with numerous traffic lights.

Frequent stop/start driving, always re-
starting and warming up the engine.

Driving in heavy, slow moving traffic in
low gear so that the engine speed is rela-
tively high in relation to the speed driven.
Obviously, fuel consumption is also affected
by factors over which the driver has no con-
trol. It is, for example, normal for fuel con-
sumption to increase in the winter or in
severe conditions such as poor roads, tow-
ing a trailer etc.

119
DRIVING TIPS
The technical prerequisites
for low fuel consumption and efficiency we-
re „built in“ at the factory. Particular impor-
tance was placed on the lowest possible
effect on the environment. To retain and
make the best possible use of these char-
acteristics attention should be paid to the
following points:
The prescribed maintenance opera-tions should be carried out exactly
as specified in the Service Schedule.
Having your car serviced by a Škoda Dealer
at the specified intervals not only ensures
that it is always in proper roadworthy con-
dition but that it operates economically, with
minimal environmental impact and provides
you with many years of motoring.
Check the tyre pressures every 4 weeks.
Low tyre pressures increase the rolling re-
sistance. This not only increases the fuel
consumption and tyre wear, but the han-
dling is also impaired.
Do not carry any unnecessary loadsin the luggage compartment.
The weight of the car has a major effect on
fuel consumption, particularly when driving
in towns where you frequently have to ac-
celerate. The rule of thumb which applies
is that every 100 kilograms of weight in-
creases fuel consumption by about 1 litre/
100 km (1 litre/62 miles).
Do not fit the roof rack unless it is
really needed.
Particularly at high speeds the increased
air resistance makes itself felt in higher fuel
consumption.
Electrical consumers should onlybe switched on when they are ac-
tually required.
Heated rear window, fog lights etc. have a
considerable energy demand. The higher
alternator load also increases the fuel con-
sumption. For instance, over a period of 10
hours, the heated rear window will increase
fuel consumption by approximately 1 litre.
Keep a frequent check on your fuel consumption.
The fuel consumption should be checked
each time the tank is filled up. By doing this
inconsistencies on the vehicle which lead
to increased fuel consumption can be de-
tected sooner. Check the oil level each time you refuel.
The oil consumption depends to a great
extent on the engine load and speed. De-
pending on the style of driving the con-
sumption can be as much as 0.5 litre/
1000 km.
It is normal for the oil consumption of a new
engine to reach its lowest level after a cer-
tain mileage has been covered. The con-
sumption cannot be properly assessed until
the vehicle has run approx. 5000 km.
This also applies to the fuel consumption
and the engine output.