44CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENTFor all models:Position 1
To lock the steering wheel , withdraw key
and turn wheel until you hear the locking
pin engage.
Warning
Do not withdraw key from lock until
vehicle is stationary! The steering
lock might otherwise unintentionally
engaged.
Note
If you forget to switch off the side lights or
a turn signal light, an audible signal will
sound after you switch off the ignition or
withdraw the key and then open the driv-
er’s door.
Position 2
If the key is difficult to turn in the lock or
cannot be turned to this position at all, move
the steering wheel back and forward slightly
to release the locking pin. Warning
If the vehicle is allowed to roll, the
ignition key must be in position 2 in
the lock - ignition on. This position
is also indicated by the warning
lights coming on. Failure to turn the
ignition key into this position can
result in the steering locking uninten-
tionally.
Do not withdraw the ignition key un-
til after the vehicle has come to a stop
and has been properly secured to
prevent it moving by applying the
handbrake or engaging a gear.
Position 3
The starter is operated when the key is
turned into this position. The ignition key
must be turned back each time into posi-
tion „1“ before again attempting to start the
engine. The starter repeat lockout in the ig-
nition lock prevents the starter again being
operated when engine is already running.
When the key is in this position, the main/
low beam headlights and other major elec-
trical components which are on, are then
switched off.
The starter may only be operated (ignition
key position 3), if the engine is not run-
ning. If the starter is immediately operated
after switching off the engine, the starter
or the engine can be damaged.
Starting engineGeneral notesWarning
Never run the engine in non-venti-
lated or enclosed areas, the exhaust
gases of the engine contain besides
the odourless 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.
Before starting, move gear lever into
Neutral (selector lever of automatic gear-
box into position „P“ or „N“ ) and apply
handbrake firmly.
On models with a manual gearbox, de-
press the clutch pedal when operating
starter so that the starter only has to crank
the engine.
As soon as engine starts, release igni-
tion key immediately - otherwise the starter
may suffer damage.
After starting a cold engine, it may sound
noisy for a moment or two because the oil
pressure has to build up in the hydraulic
tappets first.
Do not warm engine up by running it with vehicle stationary. Drive off
straight away.
45
CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
Avoid high revs and running the engine
at full load until the engine has reached its
normal operating temperature.
Do not allow the engine to idle for a
lengthy period. If the engine is running
when the car is stationary, there is not al-
ways an adequate flow of air through the
radiator. In certain circumstances, this can
result in the engine overheating and also
in engine damage.
On vehicles with a catalytic converter
the engine must not be started by tow-
ing the vehicle more than 50 m. Other-
wise, unburnt fuel can pass into the
catalytic converter and cause damage.
Before trying to start engine by tow-
ing, use the battery from another vehi-
cle for jump-starting if possible - see
page 177.
Petrol enginesThese engines are equipped with a petrol
injection system that automatically supplies
the correct fuel/air mixture at all ambient
temperatures.
The information for starting these engines
therefore applies irrespective of the outside
temperature and is the same whether the
engine is cold or at normal operating
temperature :
Do not operate throttle before and
when starting the engine.
If the engine does not start immediately,
do not operate the starter for more than 10
seconds and wait about 30 seconds before
repeating the attempt to start the engine.
If the engine is very hot, it may be nec-
essary to depress the throttle slightly after
the engine starts.
If the engine still does not start, the fuse
for the electric fuel pump may have blown -
see page 167.
Contact your Škoda Dealer in this case.
Diesel enginesGlow plug system
After switching on the Drive position (igni-
tion on), the glow warning light comes on.
Start the engine immediately after the warn-
ing light goes out.
Starting a cold engine
Ambient temperature above +5 °C:
The engine can be started immediately
without preglow. Do not operate throttle
when starting engine.
Ambient temperature below +5 °C:
Turn the key in ignition lock to position
„2“ (see page 43) - the glow warning light
comes on. It goes out after the ignition tem-
perature is reached (see page 57).
While the glow plugs are working, do not
switch on any other major electrical
components as this would place an un-
necessary load on the battery.
When the warning lamp goes out, start
the engine immediately.
50CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENTNote
Do not reset the readout between ser-
vice intervals, otherwise an incorrect rea-
dout will be displayed.
The information is retained even if the
vehicle battery is disconnected.
If the instrument cluster is replaced du-
ring repairs, it is necessary to reset the
service interval display. This should be
done by a Škoda Dealership.
It is not recommended to reset the serv-
ice interval display yourself otherwise
this may result in incorrect settings and
thus in possible faults in the vehicle.
After resetting the service interval dis-
play on models fitted with LongLife Serv-
ice*, the service messages are displayed
in the same way as on models not fitted
with LongLife Service.
For this reason we recommend having
the service interval display reset in a
Škoda Dealership. The service interval
display is correctly reset by the Škoda
Dealership using a diagnostic tester.
Fault display
If there is a fault in the instrument cluster,
„dEF“ appears continuously in the display
panel of the trip counter. The fault should
be rectified as soon as possible by a Škoda
Dealer.
5 - Digital clockA knob is provided at the bottom right of
the rev counter for setting the time.
The hours can be set by turning the knob
to the left.
The minutes can be set by turning the
knob to the right.
Warning
Always withdraw the key from the
ignition lock when leaving the car -
even if only for a short time.
For safety reasons, do not attempt
to set the time when driving. When
setting the time, the button should
only be turned and not pressed oth-
erwise the clock may be damaged.
5 - Multi-function display*The information appears in the rev coun-
ter display or in the information display -
see page 53 - depending on the vehicle
equipment.
The multifunctional display shows in
addition to the time a range of further
information:
Outside temperature
Range
Current fuel consumption level
Average fuel consumption
Counter for the distance driven
Average speed
Driving time
Time of day
61
CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
Electronic differential lock (EDL)*The EDL system operates in combination
with the ABS. A failure of the EDL system
is indicated by the ABS warning light co-
ming on. You should then contact a Škoda
Dealer without delay.
Models fitted with ESP are equipped with
electronic differential lock (EDL).
If a major fault is present in the ABS sy-
stem, an audible warning signal also
sounds (3 peeps). Further information on
the ABS and EDL systems is given on
pages 122 and 124.Electronic immobiliserWhen the ignition is switched on, a data
harmonization is performed between key
and control unit. If the data exchanged are
correct, this is confirmed by the warning li-
ght coming on for a few seconds.
If an unauthorized car key (e.g. forged key)
has been used, the warning light changes
to a continuous flashing light. It is then no
longer possible to start the car - see page
7.
Brake fluid levelThe warning light comes on for a few se-
conds after switching on the ignition.Warning
If the warning light comes on when
the ignition is switched on or when
driving, there is a fault in the brake
system. Contact the nearest Škoda
Dealer without delay and have the
brake system inspected.
An audible warning signal sounds
(3 peeps).
You can drive on carefully to the near-
est Škoda Dealer but allow for higher
pedal pressures, longer braking dis-
tances and greater idle travel of the
brake pedal.
The warning light also comes on when the
handbrake is applied.
Charge indicatorThe warning light comes on when the igni-
tion is switched on. It should go out when
the engine is started.
If the warning light comes on when driving
or does not go out after the engine has
started, stop the car and switch off the
engine. Check the ribbed belt.
If it is loose or broken, do not drive any
further . The belt has to be tensioned or
replaced.
If the ribbed belt is in proper order and the
warning light nevertheless comes on, it is
possible to drive on to the nearest Škoda
Dealer. In this case, the battery will not be
charged; switch off all unnecessary elec-
trical components in the vehicle.
An audible warning signal sounds (single
peep signal).Seat belt warning system*This warning light comes on to request the
driver to fasten the seat belt.
If the driver’s belt is not fastened, an audi-
ble warning signal sounds for 6 seconds.
62CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENTSwitchesLight switchNotes
The position of the switches differs on
right-hand drive vehicles. The symbols on
the switches are, however, the same as on
vehicles with left-hand drive.
Use of the lighting described here is
subject to the legal regulations of the coun-
try concerned.
If the side lights are not switched off af-
ter withdrawing the ignition key, an audible
signal sounds as a reminder as soon as the
driver’s door is opened.
The warning signal of the buzzer is swit-
ched off by the door contact when the driv-
er’s door is closed (ignition off) allowing the
car to be parked with the side lights on.
0 - Off
1 - Side lights
2 - Low beamLow beam and main beam operate only if
the ignition is switched on.
The headlights are switched automatically
to side lights when starting the engine and
after switching off the ignition.
For switching the headlights between low
beam and main beam and using the head-
light flasher - see page 67.3 - Instrument lighting*If the car lights are switched on, the inten-
sity of the instrument lighting can be
steplessly varied by then turning this knob.
Warning
Never drive with side lights on - risk
of accident!
The side lights are not bright enough
to light up the road sufficiently in
front of you or to be seen by other
oncoming traffic.
Therefore always switch on the low
beam when it is dark or when visibil-
ity is poor.
67
CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
Multifunction switchThe turn signal system only operates if the
ignition is switched on.
Right turn signals - lever up
Left turn signals - lever down
When turn signals are operating, the ap-
propriate warning light also flashes - see
page 56.
The turn signal lights are cancelled auto-
matically when the steering wheel is moved
back into the straightahead position.
High and low beamIf low beam is switched on, press the lever
away from the steering wheel. A blue warn-
ing light comes on to indicate the high beam
setting. To switch over to the low beam
setting, pull the lever back into its original
position.
Note
On models fitted with xenon headlights*, do
not switch on main beam and fog lights at
the same time when the car is stationary.Coming Home Function*The function enables the lighting of the low
beam for a short time after leaving the ve-
hicle, e.g. for illumination of Coming-Home
etc.
Select function
Switch off light
Switch off ignition
Flash with main beam (headlight flasher)
Open and close door
If the door is open, the light is on for
approx. 3 minutes.
If the door is closed, the light is on for
approx. 30 seconds
Headlight flasherPull lever toward steering wheel as far as
the pressure point - the main beam and the
indicator light come on.
Note
Use of the signal and lighting systems de-
scribed is subject to local national regula-
tions.Parking lightsThe parking light can only be switched on
if the ignition is off.
Right parking lights - lever up
Left parking lights - lever down
Notes
Use of the parking lights is subject to
local national regulations.
If the lever is not in the middle position
after withdrawing the key, an audible sig-
nal sounds when the driver’s door is ope-
ned. The audible signal switches off again
as soon as the door is closed.
86CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENTConvenience systemWhen the car is locked, the roof can be
closed as follows:
Turn key into lock position (driver or pas-
senger door) and hold until the roof is
closed. The closing operation is immedi-
ately interrupted if the key is released.
Warning
Close the sliding/tilting roof with
care! Closing the roof inattentively
can result in injuries.
Do not leave the ignition key in the
ignition lock when getting out of the
car.
The rollback protection is not active
if the convenience system is used.
Refer to p. 16 for more detailed in-
formation.
Emergency operationIf the system is faulty, the sliding/tilting roof
can be closed manually:
Use a screwdriver to carefully remove
the plastic cover.
Take crank handle out of its fixture, in-
sert fully into the opening and close or open
sliding/tilting roof.
Insert crank handle into its fixture again
and fit on the plastic cover.
Sun visorsThe large sun visors can be taken out of
the side fixtures and swivelled toward the
doors. The small sun visor above the inte-
rior rear-view mirror* can only be folded
down.Sun visors with vanity lighting*The lighting of the vanity mirror comes on
automatically when the sun visor is folded
down.
87
CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
Storage compartment on the
front passenger sideTo open the lid, raise handle and pull lid
open.
An additional key is provided with the car
for a lockable stowage compartment*.Warning
For safety reasons, the lid of the sto-
wage compartment should always
remain closed when driving.
Interior lightsInterior light (A)Door contact switching mechanism (on
the front and rear door*)
Press the switch A to the right into posi-
tion
.
On the version without reading lights press
the switch A into the middle position
.
Switching the interior light on
Press the switch A to the left into posi-
tion
.
Switching the interior light on
Press the switch A into the middle posi-
tion O.
On the version without reading lights
press the switch A to the right, the symbol
O appears.
Beverage holder*The beverage holder moves out and opens
after it is pressed in the direction of the ar-
row.
It is intended for holding beverage cans or
cups with a capacity of 0.33 ltr or 0.5 ltr.