
70CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
Multifunction steering wheel*What is operated with the pushbuttons on
the steering wheel depends on the equip-
ment fitted to the car.
Pushbuttons 1, 2, 3 and 4 are used to op-
erate the main functions of the cruise con-
trol and the radio system Please also refer
to the additional information provided in the
corresponding operating instructions.
Press the button (refer to arrow) when the
lights are switched on in order to illuminate
the buttons on the steering wheel.Operating cruise controlThe cruise control is switched on by mov-
ing switch A to ON (refer to ill. on p. 68).
The system is switched off completely by
moving switch A fully to the right to the OFF
position (refer to ill. on p. 68).
Storing speed
Switch the cruise control on. As soon as
you have reached the speed you wish to
maintain, briefly press pushbutton 1 in the
position SET-. The car maintains the stored
speed without the need to operate the ac-
celerator pedal. Changing a stored speed -
see page 68.
Changing stored speed
The stored speed can be reduced by
pressing pushbutton 1 in position SET-. If
the button is pressed and held, the speed
reduces continuously. Once you have
reached the speed you wish to maintain,
release the button. The desired speed is
then stored.
The stored speed can be increased by
pressing pushbutton 1 in position RES+. If
the button is pressed and held, the speed
increases continuously. Once you have
reached the speed you wish to maintain,
release the button. The desired speed is
then stored.Switching off cruise control temporarilyThe cruise control is switched off tempo-
rarily by pressing pushbutton 2 in the posi-
tion CANCEL.
The stored speed is resumed by pressing
pushbutton 1 in position RES+.
For further versions of switching off the
cruise control temporarily - refer to p. 69. Warning
The stored speed must only be re-
sumed if it is not too high for the traf-
fic conditions which exist at that
moment.
Operating radio system and CD
changerThe radio system is operated with push-
buttons
3 and 4.Pushbutton 3 with positions VOL+ and
VOL- :
The volume of the radio system, cassette
player, CD changer and recorder of traffic
reports is increased or reduced by press-
ing the button in the appropriate position.
Pushbutton 4 with positions indicated by
the two arrows:
Radio system : You can search up or down
for radio stations in accordance with the
frequency search by pressing the button in
the appropriate position.
Cassette player : You can operate the fast
forward or return by pressing the button in
the appropriate position.
CD changer : You can select preceding or
subsequent sections of music by pressing
the button in the appropriate position.

72CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENTAfter the ignition is switched off, you have
to re-activate the rain sensor. To do this,
move the lever into position 0 and then back
again into position 1.
Warning
Do not use the windscreen washer
system at low temperatures, without
heating the windscreen beforehand.
Otherwise the window cleaner could
freeze on the windscreen and restrict
the view to the front.Headlight washer system*When the side lights, low beam or main
beam are switched on, the headlight lenses
are also washed every time the windscreen
is washed.
There is a time delay of about 3 second af-
ter operating the lever (position 5) before
the headlights are washed.
Stubborn dirt (such as insect residues)
should be removed from the headlight
lenses at regular intervals, for example
when refuelling.
In winter, also clean off any snow on the
washer nozzles or use de-icing spray to re-
move the ice to ensure proper operation.
Rear window Intermittent wipe
Stalk in position 6.
The wiper operates every 6 seconds.
Automatic wash/wipe*
Push down stalk away from steering wheel
into position 7. The washer system and the
wiper operate so long as the stalk remains
in this position.
Release stalk. The washer system no lon-
ger operates and the wiper performs a fur-
ther 1 to 3 sweeps (depending on the length
of the washing operation).
The stalk remains in position 6 after be-
ing released.
Switching off intermittent wipe
Stalk in position 0.
Heating and ventilationControlsRotary control A - temperature selection
clockwise - increases heat output
anti-clockwise - decreases heat output
Rotary switch B - blower and shutting-
off air supply
The quantity of air which flows through the
heater is regulated with rotary switch B.
The air supply can be regulated in four
stages.
The blower is switched off in position 0. To
switch off the fresh air supply press button
D , see below. The air supply should only
be switched off for a short time as the win-
dows may mist up.

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.

88CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENTNoteInterior lights with off time delay* remain on
for a few seconds after the doors are closed.On models fitted with central locking, the
interior light remains on for about 20 sec-
onds when the car is unlocked, a door is
opened or the ignition key is removed pro-
vided the switch is in the door contact po-
sition.
On an open door, the interior light is
switched off after 60 minutes, in order to
avoid discharging the battery.Reading light (B)*Press the switch B, in order to switch the
reading light on or off - see illustration on
page 87.
Interior light (rear)*The interior light is switched on and off by
pressing on the recess in the lens.

107
SAFETY
As soon as you no longer use the child
safety seat, you should reactivate the
front passenger airbag.
If using a child seat, please read the sec-
tion headed „Safety of Children“ on page
111 .
The operational readiness of the airbag
system is monitored electronically even if
the passenger airbag is deactivated.
If the airbag was switched off with a diag-
nostic unit , the warning light comes on in
the dash panel insert for about 3 seconds
after the ignition is switched on and then
flashes for a further 12 seconds.
If the airbag was deactivated with an
Airbag switch* in the glove box, the airbag
warning light comes on in the dash panel
insert for about 3 seconds and the deacti-
vation of the airbag is signaled if the warn-
ing light “AIRBAG “ OFF” comes on in the
interior light - see page 108.
Switch for front passenger airbags*You can deactivate the passenger-side
front airbag and if the vehicle is equipped
with side airbags, also the passenger-side
side airbag with the switch
The airbag(s) may be deactivated only if,
in exceptional cases, it is necessary to in-
stall a child seat on the front passenger
seat.
It is preferable to place the child seat al-
ways at the rear.
For safety reasons the driver of the car is
under the obligation to have the airbag
switched on when driving.
Warning
Deactivate the airbag only when the
ignition is switched off! Failure to ob-
serve this instruction may result in a
fault in the airbag system and con-
sequently cause subsequent deploy-
ment of the airbag.
Deactivating airbag Switch the ignition off.
Use the ignition key to turn the airbag
switch -arrow- into the „OFF“ position. The
ignition key must be in the vertical position.
Check whether the airbag warning light
in the interior lighting (front) lights up when
the ignition is switched on.
Warning
The driver of the car is responsible
for ensuring that the airbag is deacti-
vated or activated.

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.

133
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
WheelsSteel wheels
The wheels and the wheel covers should
also be thoroughly washed during the regu-
lar washing of the car. This prevents brake
abrasion, dirt and road salt forming depos-
its. Stubborn brake abrasion which adheres
to the wheels can be removed with an in-
dustrial dust remover. Damage to the
paintwork should be touched up before any
rust can form.
Light alloy wheels*
Regular care is required in order to retain
the decorative appearance of light alloy
wheels over a long period. It is particularly
necessary to thoroughly wash off road salt
and brake abrasion at least every two
weeks otherwise the light alloy finish will
suffer damage. After washing the wheels,
treat them with an acid-free cleaning prod-
uct for light alloy wheels. It is also neces-
sary to thoroughly rub hard wax into the
wheels about every three months. Do not
use paint polish or other abrasive products.
Damage to the paintwork of light-alloy
wheels should be touched up straightaway.Note
If the wheels are very dirty, this can re-
sult in imbalance. This causes vibra-
tions which are transmitted to the steer-
ing column and in addition results in pre-
mature wear.
Warning
Please note, when cleaning the wheels,
that moisture can affect the braking ac-
tion.HeadlightsPlease do not use any aggressive clean-
ing or chemical solvent products - risk of
damage to the plastic lenses.
Please use soap and clean warm water.
Do not clean the headlights dry or use any
sharp objects for cleaning the plastic
lenses. Otherwise, this can cause damage
to the protective paintwork and conse-
quently lead to formation of cracks on the
headlight lenses, e.g. through effect of
chemical products.
In addition, it is recommended to treat leat-
her which is subject to normal wear-and-
tear every six months with the leather care
product available from a Škoda Dealer. This
product should be applied very sparingly.
Leave for a short time and then wipe dry
with a soft cloth.
„Alcantara“ upholstery*Do not use any cleaning products for
leather for cleaning „Alcantara“ cloth.
Removing dust and dirt
Use a slightly moistened soft washing cloth
to wipe off the „Alcantara“ upholstery or
treat it with a suitable shampoo.
Removing stains
Moisten a soft cloth with water or diluted
alcohol and dab the stain working from the
edge into the middle.Seat covers for electric seat heater *Please
do not clean the seat covers wet.
The seat heater might otherwise be dam-
aged.
Please use special cleaning products, dry
foam, or similar for cleaning the seat cov-
ers.