2007 SKODA OCTAVIA TOUR towing

42CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENTTow-starting
If your car is fitted with an automatic gear-
box, it is not possible to start the engine by
tow-starting or pushing the car - see page
178.
If the battery is discharged, jump-starting
cables can be used for connecting the bat-
tery of another car to start the engine - see
page 177.
Towing car
It is essential to refer to the information on
page 179 if it is necessary to tow in the car.
Drive programsThe automatic gearbox features various dri-
ve programs. Depending on your style of
driving or the driving situation, an econo-
my , in other words consumption-oriented
program, or a sport program is selected.
The program is selected automatically
depending on how the accelerator pedal is
operated.
If the accelerator pedal is depressed slow-
ly , the gearbox selects the economy pro-
gram. This of fers improved fuel economy .
If the accelerator pedal is depressed rap-
idly , the gearbox selects the sport program. Kickdown
The kickdown facility makes it possible to
achieve maximum acceleration. If the ac-
celerator pedal is depressed as far as the
stop, the automatic gearbox shifts down into
a lower gear in line with the speed of the
car and of the engine. The gearbox waits
until engine speed has reached the maxi-
mum specified speed in each case before
shifting up into the next higher gear.

56CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENTIndicator/warning lightsThe position of the indicator/warning lights
depends on the model and engine versi-
on. You will find the symbols presented in
the description which follows on or at the
corresponding indicator/warning lights in
the instrument cluster.
When certain warning lights come on, this
is accompanied by an audible signal. A text
may also be shown in the information dis-
play* - see previous chapters.
Turn signal systemThe right or left indicator light flashes when
switching over the turn signal light upwards
or downwards.
If a turn signal fails, the warning light flashes
twice as fast. This does not apply when
towing a trailer. Both warning lights flash
when the hazard warning system is swit-
ched on.Main beamThe warning light comes on when main
beam is switched on or when the headlight
flasher is used.
Further details are given on page 67.Airbag system*The warning light comes on for a few sec-
onds when ignition is switched on.
If the lamp does not go out or if it comes on
again when driving, there is a fault in the
system. This is also valid if the warning light
does not come on when switching on the
ignition. Further information see page 103.
Text in the information display*: AIRBAG
FAULT (fault at airbag)
The operational readiness of the airbag
system is monitored electronically, also on
deactivated front passenger airbag or side
airbag.
WarningIf you do not pay attention to the warn-
ing lights coming on and the corre-
sponding descriptions and warning
notes, this may result in severe body
injuries or major vehicle damage.The engine compartment of your car
is a hazardous area.There is a risk of injuries, scalding,
accidents and fire when working in the
engine compartment, e.g. inspecting
and replenishing oil and other fluids.Absolutely pay attention to the warn-
ing notes - see page 137.

57
CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
If the front or side airbag was deacti-
vated with the switch in the glove box:
- the warning light comes on for 3 secondswhen the ignition is switched on;
- the deactivation of the airbag is signaled by the warning light Airbag OFF coming
on in the front interior light
Warning
If a fault exists, have the airbag sys-
tem checked immediately by a Škoda
Dealer. Otherwise, there is a risk of
the airbag or the seat belt not being
activated in the event of an accident.
Trailer turn signal system*The warning light flashes if the turn signal
system is operated when towing a trailer.
If a turn signal light of the trailer or towing
vehicle fails, the warning light does not
flash.Low beamThe warning light comes on after the low
beam is switched on - see page 82.Fog lights*The warning light comes on when the fog
lights are switched on.Rear fog lightThe warning light comes on when the rear
fog light is switched on.
Testing engine electronics* EPC(fitted only to certain engines)
The warning light comes on for a few se-
conds when the ignition is switched on.
If the warning light does not go off or co-
mes on or flashes when driving, this indi-
cates a fault in the engine electronic sy-
stem. A program stored in the engine con-
trol unit makes it possible to continue dri-
ving with certain restrictions - contact a
Škoda Dealer for professional assistance.Glow plugs(diesel engines only)
If the engine is cold, the warning light co-
mes on when the preglow position „2“ (ig-
nition on) is switched on - see page 43. If
the warning light does not come on, there
is a fault in the glow plug system - contact
a Škoda Dealer for assistance. After the
light goes out, start the engine rightaway.
If the engine is warm, the glow plug warn-
ing light does not come on - the engine can
be started straightaway.
If the warning light flashes when driving,
there is a fault in the system.
Contact a Škoda Dealership for professio-
nal advice.

63
CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
Fog lights*The fog lights are switched on by pull-
ing the switch into position A.
The fog lights come on if the side lights,
low or main beam are switched on.Rear fog lightThe rear fog light is switched on by pull-
ing the switch into position B.
The rear fog light comes on if the low or
main beam is selected or if the front fog
lights are switched on (depends on the
national version). The rear fog light should
only be switched on if visibility is poor, be-
cause of the risk of dazzling a driver be-
hind.
Notes

The rear fog light is incorporated in the
rear light of the driver’s side.

The electrical system of the towing de-
vice fitted for certain countries is designed
to automatically switch off the rear fog light
of the car when towing a trailer fitted with a
rear fog light.
1 - Hazard warning system
2 - Rear window heater/Exte-
rior mirror heater
3 - ESP/TCS*
(The switch applies to the
ESP or TCS, depending on the sys-
tem fitted. See pages 64 and 65 for
further information on ESP and TCS.
4 - Thumbwheel for front seat heater*
5 - Remote fuel filler flap re- leased from driver’s seat*
1 - Hazard warning systemIf the hazard warning system is switched
on, all the turn signal lights of the car flash
at the same time. The warning light for the
turn signals and the warning light in the
switch also flash. The system operates
even if the ignition is switched off.2 - Rear window heaterThe heating operates only if the ignition is
switched on. When the heater is operating,
the warning light in the switch comes on.
After the rear window heater is switched on,
the heaters of the exterior mirrors are also
switched on on models fitted with power
windows.
The rear window heater switches off au-
tomatically after 20 minutes.
If you press the switch once again, the
rear window heater is switched on perma-
nently - the automatic deactivation is thus
deactivated.
As soon as the rear window is clear, switch off the heater. The reduced
current consumption improves your fuel consumption - see also page 118.
2

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.

124DRIVING TIPSWarning
Your style of driving should always
be matched to the condition of the
road and the traffic situation. The
enhanced safety offered by the four-
wheel drive and ABS systems must
not tempt you to take any risks re-
garding your safety!
The braking power of the car is lim-
ited by the adhesion of the tyres and
is no different than that of a car with
front-wheel drive.
You should therefore not be tempted
to drive at too high a speed even
though the car still provides good
acceleration on smooth and slippery
road surfaces.It is particularly important to note on
wet road surfaces that the front wheels
may aquaplane at high speeds. In con-
trast to a vehicle fitted only with front-
wheel drive, the start of aquaplaning
is not indicated by the engine sud-
denly revving up. For this reason, do
not drive at too high a speed, but al-
ways match your speed to the road
conditions.
Use of winter tyresFour-wheel drive already offers good vehi-
cle traction in wintry road conditions with
the standard tyres. It is nevertheless rec-
ommended to fit winter or all-weather tyres
to all four wheels in order to improve trac-
tion and braking. For further information -
refer to page 157.Use of snow chainsSnow chains must also be fitted to a vehi-
cle with four-wheel drive if the use of snow
chains is mandatory. Snow chains must
only be fitted to the front wheels. For fur-
ther information regarding snow chains -
refer to page 157. The car is intended mainly for the transpor-
tation of persons and luggage, but it can
also be used to tow a trailer if the appropri-
ate technical equipment is fitted.
Detachable ball head*

Refer to the enclosed instructions for
attaching and detaching the ball head.
For further information - refer to p. 157.Towing a trailer

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.