2008 SKODA OCTAVIA Owner's Manual

Starting-off and Driving
128
The reversing lights will come on once reverse gear is engaged, provided the igni-
tion is on.
WARNING
Never engage the reverse gear when driving - risk of accident!
Note
•One should not lay the hand on the shift lever while driving the vehicle. The
pressure of the hand will be transferred to the gearshift forks in the gearbox. This
can, over a period of time, lead to early wear of the gearshift forks.
•Depress the clutch pedal fully when chan ging gears, in order to avoid unneces-
sary wear and damage.
Handbrake
Applying the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up fully. Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up slightly and
at the same time press in the
locking button ⇒fig. 148 .
– Hold the button pressed and push the handbrake lever down fully ⇒ .
The handbrake warning light  lights up when the handbrake is applied, provided
the ignition is on.
A warning signal sounds and the following text appears in the display* if you have
inadvertently driven off with the handbrake applied:
Handbrake on
The handbrake warning is activated if you drive at a speed of more than 6 km/h for
more than 3 seconds.
WARNING
•Please note that the handbrake must be fully released. A handbrake
which is only partially released can re sult in the rear brakes overheating
which will have a negative effect on the operation of the brake system - risk
of accident! In addition this can result in premature wear of the rear brake
pads.
•Never leave children unattended in the vehicle. The children might, for
example, release the handbrake or take the vehicle out of gear. The vehicle
might then move off - risk of accident!
Caution
After the car has come to a stop, always firs t of all apply the handbrake firmly before
then additionally engaging a gear (manual gearbox) or moving the selector lever
into position P (automatic gearbox).
Fig. 148 Centre console:
Handbrake
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Starting-off and Driving129
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Rear parking aid*
The parking aid provides a warning of obstacles behind the vehicle.
The audible parking aid determines the distance between the rear bumper and an
obstacle located behind the vehicle with the aid of ultrasound sensors. The tones
of the parking aid can be adapted in the menu of the information display*
⇒ page 30. The sensors are integrated in the rear bumper.
Range of sensors
The clearance warning begins at a distance of about 160 cm from the obstacle (area
⇒ fig. 149 ). The interval between the warning signals becomes shorter as the
clearance is reduced.
A continuous tone sounds from a clearanc e of just 30 cm (Bereich ) - danger
area. You should not reverse any further after this signal sounds! If the vehicle
is equipped with a factory-fi tted towing device*, the border of the danger area
starts - continuous tone - 5 cm further behind the vehicle. The vehicle can be
extended through an installe d detachable towing device.
On vehicles equipped with a factory-fitted radio* or navigation*, the distance to the
obstruction is shown graphically on the disp lay. On vehicles with a factory-fitted
towing device, the sensors are deactivated when towing a trailer. The driver is also
informed of the radio* or the navigation* by a graphic display (vehicle towing a
trailer) on the display. The radio* or navi gation*, which is factory-fitted, can be set
so that the play function volume decrea ses when activating the parking aid, see Owner's Manual radio* or navigation*. This improves the audibility of the parking
aid.
Activating
The parking aid is activated automatically when
reverse gear is engaged and the
ignition is turned on. This is conf irmed by a brief acknowledgement signal.
Deactivating
The parking aid is deactivated by removing the reverse gear.
WARNING
•The parking aid is not a substitute for the driver paying proper attention
and it is always the driver's responsibility to take care when parking the
vehicle or carrying ou t similar manoeuvres.
•You should therefore satisfy yourself, before reversing, that there is no
small obstacle, such as a rock, thin po st, trailer drawbar etc., behind your
vehicle. Such an obstacle might not be within the range detected by the
sensors.
•Under certain circumstances, surfaces of certain objects and types of
clothing cannot reflect the signal of the parking aid. Thus, these objects or
people who wear such clothing are not recognised by the sensors of the
parking aid.
Note
•The parking aid does not operate if you are towing a trailer (applies to models
which feature a factory-fi tted towing device*).
•If a warning signal sounds for about 3 seconds after switching the ignition on
and engaging reverse gear, and there is no obstacle close to your car, this indicates
a system fault. Have the fault rectified by a specialist workshop.
•The sensors must be kept clean and free of ice to enable the parking aid to
operate properly.
Fig. 149 Parking aid: Detec-
tion range of rear sensors
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Starting-off and Driving
130
Front and rear parking aid*
The parking aid provides a warning of obstacles in front and behind
the vehicle.
The audible parking aid determines the distance between the front or rear bumper
and an obstacle with the aid of ultrasound sensors. The sensors are integrated in the
front and rear bumper. The signal tones for the front parking aid sound higher as
standard than for the rear parking aid. The tones of the parking aid can be adapted
in the menu of the information display* ⇒page 30.
Range of sensors
The distance warning begins at a distance of about 120°cm from the obstacle in
front of the vehicle (area ⇒fig. 151 ) and about 160 cm from the obstacle behind the vehicle (area ). The interv
al between the warning signals becomes
shorter as the clearance is reduced.
A continuous tone sounds from a clearanc e of just 30 cm (Bereich ) - danger
area. From this moment on do not continue driving! If the vehicle is equipped
with a factory-fitted towing device*, the bo rder of the danger area starts - contin-
uous tone - 5 cm further behind the vehicle. The vehicle can be extended through
an installed detachable towing device.
On vehicles equipped with a fa ctory-fitted radio* or navigation*, the distance to the
obstruction is shown graphically on the di splay. On vehicles with a factory-fitted
towing device, the rear sensors are deactivated when towing a trailer. The driver is
also informed of the radio* or the navigation* by a graphic display (vehicle towing
a trailer) on the display. The radio* or navi gation*, which is factory-fitted, can be set
so that the play function volume decreases when activating the parking aid, see
Owner's Manual radio* or navigation*. Th is improves the audibility of the parking
aid.
Activating
The parking aid is activated when the reverse gear is engaged and the ignition is
turned on or by pressing the button ⇒fig. 150 - the symbol lights up in the
button. The activation is confirmed by a brief acknowledgement signal.
Deactivating
The parking aid is deactivated after pressing the button° ⇒fig. 150 or at a speed
of more than 10 km/h - the symbol
 in the button is no longer illuminated.
WARNING
•The parking aid is not a substitute fo r the driver paying proper attention
and it is always the driver's responsibility to take care when reversing the
vehicle or carrying out similar manoeuvres.
•You should therefore satisfy yourself, before reversing, that there is no
small obstacle, such as a rock, thin po st, trailer drawbar etc., in front or
behind your vehicle. Such an obstacle might not be within the range
detected by the sensors.
•Under certain circumstances, surfaces of certain objects and types of
clothing cannot reflect the signal of the parking aid. Thus, these objects or
Fig. 150 Activating the
parking aid
Fig. 151 Parking aid: Detec-
tion range of the front
sensors
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Starting-off and Driving131
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
people who wear such clothing are not recognised by the sensors of the
parking aid.
Note
•Only the front parking aid operates if you are towing a trailer (applies only to
models which feature a factory-fitted towing device*).
•If a warning signal sounds for about 3 seconds after activating the system and
there is no obstacle close to your car, th is indicates a system fault. The fault is
confirmed additionally when the symbol flashes in the button ⇒page 130,
fig. 150 . Have the fault rectified by a specialist workshop.
•The sensors must be kept clean and free of ice to enable the parking aid to
operate properly.
•If the parking aid is activated and the se lector lever of the automatic gearbox is
in the position , warning signal indicates interruption (vehicle can no longer
move).
Cruise control system (CCS)*
Introduction
The cruise control system (CCS) maintains a constant speed, more than 30 km/h (20
mph), once it has been set, without you having to depress the accelerator pedal.
This is only possible within the range which is permitted by the power output and
braking power of the engine. The cruise co ntrol system makes it possible - particu-
larly on long journeys - for you to rest your “accelerator foot”.
WARNING
•The cruise control system must not, for safety reasons, be used in dense
traffic or on unfavourable road surfaces (such as icy roads, slippery roads or
loose chippings) - risk of accident!
•In order to prevent unintentional use of the cruise control system, always
switch off the system after use.
Note
•Models fitted with a manual gearbox: Al ways depress the clutch pedal if you
switch on the cruise control system when the gearbox is in Neutral. Otherwise the
engine can rev up unintentionally.
•The cruise control system is not able to maintain a constant speed when driving
on steep downhill sections. The weight of the vehicle increases the speed at which
it travels. One should shift down in good time to a lower gear or slow the vehicle
down by applying the foot brake.
•It is not possible on vehicles fitted with an automatic gearbox to switch on the
cruise control system if the sele ctor lever is in the position P, N or R.
Storing a speed
The cruise control system is operat ed by means of the switch and
rocker button in the left lever of the multi-functional switch.
– Press the switch ⇒fig. 152 into the position ON.
WARNING (continued)

AP
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 152 Operating lever:
Rocker button and switch of
cruise control system
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Starting-off and Driving
132
– After the desired speed has been reached, press the rocker button into the SET position.
After you have released the rocker button out of the position SET, the speed you
have just stored is maintained at a cons tant speed without having to depress the
accelerator.
You can increase the speed by depressing the a ccelerator. Releasing the acceler-
ator will cause the speed to drop again to the set speed.
This does not apply, however, if you drive at a speed which is more than 10 km/h
higher than the set speed for a period of longer than 5 minutes. The stored speed
will be cancelled in the memory. You then have to re-store the desired speed.
One can reduce the speed in the usual manner. The system is switched off tempo-
rarily by actuating the brake or clutch pedal ⇒page 132.
WARNING
First ensure that it is not too high for the traffic conditions which exist at that
moment before resuming the stored speed.
Changing a stored speed
You can also change the speed of the vehicle without depressing the
accelerator.
Fa s t er
– You can increase the stored speed without depressing the acceler-
ator, by pressing the rocker button ⇒page 131, fig. 152 in the RES
position.
– The speed of the car will increase co ntinuously if you hold the rocker
button pressed in the RES position. Once the car has reached the
desired speed, release the rocker button. The set speed is then stored
in the memory. Slower
– You can
decrease the stored speed by pressing the rocker button
in the SET position.
– Holding down the rocker button pressed in the SET position will cause
the speed of the vehicle to reduce continuously. Once the car has
reached the desired speed, release the rocker button. The set speed is
then stored in the memory.
– If you release the rocker button when the car is travelling at a speed of less than 30 km/h, the speed is not stored, the memory is erased. It is
then necessary to again store the speed with the rocker button in
the position SET after an increase in speed of the vehicle to more than
30 km/hour.
Switching off the cruise control system temporarily
– You can switch off the cruise control system temporarily by
depressing the brake pedal or clutch pedal, on models with auto-
matic gearbox and only with brake pedal.
– You can switch off temporarily the cruise control system, if you press the switch in the middle position.
The set speed remains stored in the memory.
The Resumption of the stored speed is achieved by releasing the brake or clutch
pedal, on vehicles fitted with automatic ge arbox only after releasing the brake pedal
and after shortly pressing the rocker button ⇒page 131, fig. 152 into the posi-
tion RES.
WARNING
First ensure that it is not too high for the traffic conditions which exist at that
moment before resuming the stored speed.
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Starting-off and Driving133
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Switching off the cruise control system completely
– Press the switch ⇒page 131, fig. 152 to the right into position
OFF .AA
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Automatic gearbox
134
Automatic gearbox
Automatic gearbox*
Information for driving with the 6-speed automatic gearbox*
Your car is equipped with a conventional 6-speed automatic
gearbox.
The maximum speed is reached in the 5th gear. The 6th gear serves as an
economic driving programme, which is intended to reduce the fuel
consumption. Shifting up and down through the gears is performed auto-
matically. You can also, however, switch the gearbox over into the
Tiptronic mode . This mode makes it possible for you to also shift gears
manually ⇒page 138.
Starting-off and Driving
– Depress the brake pedal fully and keep it depressed.
– Press the Shiftlock button (button in handle of the selector lever),
move the selector lever into the desired position, e.g. D ⇒ page 136,
and then release the Shiftlock button.
– Wait a moment until the gearbox has shifted (a slight engagement nudge can be felt).
– Release the brake pedal and depress the accelerator ⇒.
Stopping for a short time
– The selector lever position N does not have to be selected when stop-
ping just for a short time, such as at a cross roads. It is absolutely suffi-
cient to hold the stopped vehicle st ationary by depressing the foot
brake. The engine can, however, be allowed just to idle. Parking
– Depress the brake pedal and hold it depressed.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Press and Shiftlock button in the
selector lever, move the selector
lever to P and then release the Shiftlock button.The engine can only be started when the selector lever is in position P or N
⇒ page 126.
It is sufficient to engage selector lever position P when parking on a flat surface.
When parking on a slope you should first apply the handbrake firmly and then
move the selector lever into position P. This is to ensure that there is no excessive
pressure acting on the lock mechanism and that it is easier to subsequently move
the selector lever out of position P.
If the selector lever position N is selected by accident wh ile driving it is first neces-
sary to release pressure on the accelerato r pedal and wait for idling speed of the
engine to be reached before engaging a drive position in the selector lever.
WARNING
•Do not depress the accelerator when changing the position of the
selector lever if the car is stationary and the engine is running - risk of acci-
dent!
•Never move the selector lever into position R or P when driving - risk of
an accident!
•When the engine is running and the vehicle is stationary, it is necessary
to hold the car with the brake pedal in all the positions of the selector lever
(except P and N) since the power transmission is never completely inter-
rupted, also not when the engine is idling - the vehicle "creeps".
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Automatic gearbox135
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Information for driving with the automatic gearbox DSG*
The abbreviation DSG means Direct shift gearbox (Direct shift
gearbox).
Two independent clutches are needed for the power transmission
between the engine and the gearbox. These replace the torque converter
of the conventional automatic gearbox. Their shifting is matched in such
a way that there are no jerks when shifting the gear and the power trans-
mission of the engine to the front wheels is not interrupted. Shifting up
and down through the gears is perf ormed automatically. You can also,
however, switch the gearbox over into the Tiptronic mode. This mode
makes it possible for you to also shift gears manually ⇒page 138.
Starting-off and Driving
– Depress the brake pedal fully and keep it depressed.
– Press the Shiftlock button (button in handle of the selector lever),
move the selector lever into the desired position, e.g. in D, and then
release the Shiftlock button.
– Release the brake pedal and depress the accelerator ⇒.
Stopping for a short time
– The selector lever position N does not have to be selected when stop-
ping just for a short time, such as at a cross roads. It is absolutely suffi-
cient to hold the stopped vehicle stationary by depressing the foot
brake. The engine can, however, be allowed just to idle.
Parking
– Depress the brake pedal and hold it depressed.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Press and Shiftlock button in the selector lever, move the selector lever to P and then release the Shiftlock button.
The engine can only be started when the selector lever is in position P or N
⇒ page 126. At temperatures below -10 °C the engine can only be started in the
selector lever position P.
It is sufficient to engage selector lever position P when parking on a flat surface.
When parking on a slope you should first apply the handbrake firmly and then
move the selector lever into position P. This is to ensure that there is no excessive
pressure acting on the lock mechanism and that it is easier to subsequently move
the selector lever out of position P.
If the selector lever position N is selected by accident while driving it is first neces-
sary to release pressure on the accelerato r pedal and wait for idling speed of the
engine to be reached before engaging a drive position in the selector lever.
WARNING
•Do not depress the accelerator when changing the position of the
selector lever if the car is stationary an d the engine is running - risk of acci-
dent!
•Never move the selector lever into position R or P when driving - risk of
an accident!
•If you are stopping at a hill (downhill section), never try to hold the car
stationary with the gear engaged by me ans of the “accelerator”, this means
by letting the clutch slip. This can lead to overheating of the clutch. If there is
a risk of overheating of the clutch due to overload, the clutch is opened auto-
matically and the vehicle rolls backward - risk of accident!
•If you must stop at a slope, depress and hold the brake pedal, so that you
can prevent the vehicle from rolling back.
Caution
•The double clutch on the automatic gear box DSG is equipped with an overload
protection. If you make use of the uphill function on a vehicle which is stationary or
driving slowly uphill, it will result in an increase of thermal stress of the clutches.
•An overheating of the clutches can be detected by the flashing of the selector
level indicator and the “jerk” of the clut ches, finally the clutches are opened. The
power transmission from the engine to the front wheels is interrupted and as a
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