2007 SKODA OCTAVIA TOUR tow bar

47
CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
Audible signal when
reversing*Ultrasonic sensors in the rear bumper si-
gnal to you the distance from the rear bum-
per to an obstacle.
The parking aid is actuated automatically
when the ignition is switched on and re-
verse gear is engaged.
The clearance warning begins when revers-
ing at a distance of about 1.6 metres from
the obstacle (area A). The interval between
the warning signals becomes shorter as the
clearance is reduced.
A continuous tone sounds from a clear-
ance of just 0.3 cm (area B) - danger area.
Stop immediately! Warning


The parking aid is not a substitute
for the driver’s proper attention. The
driver continues to be responsible
for handling the car when parking
and carrying out similar manoeuvres.

Before reversing, nevertheless
ensure whether there is a small di-
mension object behind your car, for
example a stone, narrow post, trailer
drawbar etc. Such an obstacle might
be beyond the detection range of the
sensors.
Notes

The parking aid is not active when tow-
ing a trailer.

If the continuous signal sounds for about
5 seconds after switching on the ignition
and engaging the reverse gear, and there
is no obstacle behind the car, this indicates
a system fault. Please contact a Škoda
Dealer.

It is important that the sensors are clean
and free of ice if the system is to operate
properly.
Excess speed signal*If the car is driven at a speed of more than
120 km/h, an audible signal sounds as a
warning. This audible signal switches off
again once the speed of the car drops be-
low this speed limit.
This feature applies only to certain export
countries.

125
DRIVING TIPS
Technical requirements

If the car is supplied with a factory-fitted
towing bracket, all that is technically and
legally necessary for towing a trailer has
already been taken into account.

If the trailer to be towed has a 7-pin con-
nector, you can obtain an adapter cable
from Škoda Dealers.

Škoda Dealers are acquainted with the
details of retrofitting a towing bracket and
modifying the cooling system. You should
therefore have a towing bracket fitted by a
Škoda Dealer. Operating instructions


The permissible trailer weights must on
no account be exceeded.

The trailer weights stated are only ap-
plicable for altitudes up to 1000 m above
mean sea level (MSL). As the engine out-
put and thus the climbing ability drops due
to the decreasing air density, the weight of
vehicle and trailer must also be reduced by
10 % for each further 1000 m or part the-
reof.
Take this fact into account when driving at
high altitudes.

You should make full use of the maxi-
mum permissible drawbar weight indicated
on the ball head of the towing bracket, but
do not exceed it.

The load carried in the trailer should be
distributed so that any heavy objects are
placed as close as possible to the axle,
taking into account the permissible trailer
weight and drawbar load. The objects
should also be secured to prevent them
slipping.

Select the tyre pressure of the car for full
loads and also check the pressure of the
trailer tyres.

The headlight beam control of the car
should be set to match the particular load
conditions.

The handbrake of the car should be ap-
plied when hitching up and unhitching the
trailer.
Inspect the ball head to ensure that
it is properly locked each time before
setting off.
The inspection is performed by turn-
ing the closed locking lever down-
wards.
If the locking lever can only be turned
approx. 5°, the locking mechanism is
OK.
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 clo-
sed position.

126DRIVING TIPSDriving instructions
To obtain the best possible handling of ve-
hicle and trailer, please note the following
points:

Try to avoid driving with an unladen ve-
hicle and a loaded trailer. If this cannot be
avoided, only drive slowly to allow for the
unfavourable weight distribution.

As the driving stability of vehicle and trai-
ler decreases when the speed increases,
do not drive at the maximum permissible
top speed in unfavourable road, weather or
wind conditions - particularly when going
downhill.
You should in any case immediately reduce
your speed as soon as you detect even the
slightest swaying of the trailer. On no ac-
count attempt to eliminate the swaying by
accelerating!

For safety reasons, you should not drive
faster than 80 km/h (50 mph). This also
applies in countries where higher speeds
are permitted.

Apply the brakes in good time! If the
trailer is fitted with an overrun brake, apply
the brakes gently at first, then increase the
pressure. This avoids any braking shocks
caused by the wheels of the trailer block-
ing. Shift down gears in good time before
driving downhill so that the engine can act
as a brake.

If it is necessary to drive a long uphill
section in a low gear with a very high en-
gine speed and at unusually high ambient
temperatures, keep a check on the cool-
ant gauge. If the needle of the gauge moves
into the upper range of the scale, reduce
the speed of your car immediately. If the
temperature and brake fluid level warning
light flash, however, stop and allow engine
to cool down by letting it idle for a few min-
utes. Pay attention to the further informa-
tion on p. 46.

The coolant temperature can be reduced
by switching on the heater.

The cooling effect of the radiator fan
cannot be increased by changing down,
because the speed of the fan is not depend-
ent on the engine speed. You should there-
fore not change down even when towing a
trailer as long as the engine can cope with-
out the vehicle speed dropping too much.
General notes

It is advisable to have the vehicle ser-
viced between the inspection intervals
if it is used frequently for towing a trailer.

The trailer and drawbar load figures on
the data plate of the towing bracket are for
test certification only. The correct figures for
the vehicle, which may be lower than the
above figures, are given in the vehicle do-
cuments.

163
DO-IT-YOURSELF
Changing a wheelWarning

In the case of a flat tyre or punc-
ture, park the vehicle off the road,
switch on the hazard warning lights
and place the warning triangle in po-
sition - note any statutory require-
ments.

All the vehicle occupants should
leave the car and move to a safe area
(e.g. behind safety barrier).


Apply handbrake firmly and engage
a gear. Chock the opposite wheel with
a stone or similar if the car is stand-
ing on a slope.

Never start the engine when the
car is jacked up - risk of accident!

If towing a trailer, unhitch the
trailer from the car before changing
the wheel.

Carry out wheel change on a flat, level
surface, as far as possible.

Remove the car tool kit and spare wheel
from the luggage compartment.

Attach the wire hook (from the car tool
kit) at the edge of the full wheel trim* oppo-
site the air valve. Push the wheel wrench
through the wire hook and pull off the wheel
trim - see illustration.

If light-alloy wheels are fitted, use the
plastic clip supplied to pull off the covers
for the wheel bolts.

Unscrew the safety wheel bolts* - see
page 166.

Fit wheel wrench onto the wheel bolt as
far as the stop and turn to the left. Hold the
wrench as close as possible to its end for
this operation. If the bolts cannot be slack-
ened, you can carefully apply pressure to
the end of the wheel wrench with your foot.
Ensure that you are standing properly and
hold tight on the car. Slacken the wheel
bolts about one turn.

178DO-IT-YOURSELFA - Discharged battery
B - Battery supplying current
Warning
Do not connect the cable to the nega-
tive terminal (-) of the discharged
battery. This can produce sparks
when the engine is started which
might ignite the gas flowing out of
the battery.
Do not affix the cable end 4 to parts
of the fuel and brake system. Warning


The non-insulated parts of the ca-
ble clamps must not touch one an-
other on any account. In addition, the
jump-start cable attached to the posi-
tive terminal of the battery must not
come into contact with electrically
conducting parts of the vehicle - risk
of short circuit!

Route the jump-start cables so
that they cannot come into contact
with rotating parts in the engine com-
partment.

Do not bend over the batteries -
risk of acid burns!

Keep sources of ignition (naked
flames, burning cigarettes etc.) well
away from the battery - risk of explo-
sion!

Start the engine as described in the sec-
tion „Starting engine“.

If the engine does not start right away,
do not crank the starter for more than 10
seconds and then wait about 30 seconds
before making a further attempt.

Once the engine is running, disconnect
both cables in exactly the reverse order.
Tow-starting/towingThe towing eyes are located at the rear right
below the bumper and at the front - see
arrow.
A tow rope or tow bar should be attached
only to these towing eyes.

Remove a ventilation grille before using
the front towing eye. Ventilation grille is held
in place with plastic spring catches in the
area of the arrow. Ventilation grille can be
removed by hand.

Grasp the top part of the grille, press
grille off in direction of arrow 1 and take out
in direction of arrow 2.

After using the towing eye, insert the
ventilation grille into the guides and press
on.