
Seat belts
172
Taking seat belts off– Press the red button in the belt lock
⇒
fig. 168
. The spring force causes
the tongue of the lock to jump out.
– Guide the belt back with your hand
to enable the inertia reel to wind
up the belt webbing more easily.
A plastic knob in the belt webbing holds the belt tongue in a position which is easy to get hold of.Three-point safety belt for the middle rear seatYour car is equipped as standa
rd with the three-point seat belt in the middle rear
seat. It is used in the same way as the three-point seat belts on the left and right (at front and rear).
WARNING
The three-point safety belt for the rear middle seat can only fulfil its function reliably when the backrests are correctly locked into position
⇒page 84.
Belt tensionersSafety for the driver and passengers
wearing their seat belts
, is enhanced by the
belt tensioners fitted to the inertia reels of the front and rear side three-point seat belts, in addition to the protecti
on afforded by the airbag system.
The three-point seat belts are automatically
tensioned in the event of a frontal colli-
sion of a certain severity.The
belt tensioners can also be deployed if the seat belts
are not fastened. The belt tensioner is deployed in the event
of a frontal collision of major severity. A
powder charge is ignited in the inertia
reels during deployment. The belt webbing
is pulled into the inertia reels by a mech
anical system and the belt is tensioned.
The belt tensioners are not activated in
case of minor frontal and rear-end colli-
sions, in the case of vehicle rollover or accidents, through which no long delays are incurred to the vehicle. In the case of a side collision, only the belt tensioner of the front seat on the side on which th
e collision takes place is deployed.
WARNING
•
Any work on the system including removal and installation of system
components because of other repair work, must only be carried out by a specialist garage.•
The protective function of the system is only adequate for a single acci-
dent. If the belt tensioners have been deployed, it is then necessary to replace the entire system.•
The Owner's Manual must also be ha
nded over to the new owner if the
vehicle is sold.
Note
•
Smoke is generated when the belt tensione
rs are deployed. This is not an indi-
cation of a fire in the vehicle.•
It is essential to pay attention to relevant
safety regulations if the vehicle or indi-
vidual parts of the system are scrapped. Specialist garages are familiar with these regulations and will be able to provide you
with detailed information in this respect.
Fig. 168 Releasing lock tongue from belt lock
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Airbag system
175
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
•
When disposing of vehicle or parts of the airbag system, it is important
to comply with the national legal requirements.When are the airbags deployed?The airbag system is designed in such
a way that the driver and front passenger
airbag are deployed in the event of a
frontal collision
of major severity.
In the case of a
violent side crash
, the front side airbag* on the side of the car at
which the collision occurs, is deployed toge
ther with the rear side airbag and the
head airbag*. In certain accident situa
tions, the front airbags, side airbags as well as the relevant
head airbag may be
deployed together.
The airbags
are not deployed
in the case of
minor
frontal and side collisions, in the
case of rear-end collisi
ons and vehicle rollover.
Deployment factors It is not possible to state globally which
deployment conditions apply to the airbag
system in every situation as the circumstances which exist in the case of accidents vary greatly. An important role in this case
, for example, is played by factors such as
the type of object (hard, soft) against whic
h the vehicle impacts or the type of object
against which the vehicle impa
cts, the angle of impact,
the relative vehicle speed
during the accident etc. A decisive factor for the deployment of the airbags is the deceleration which occurs during a collision. The control unit analyses
the nature of the collision and activates
the relevant restraint system. If the vehi
cle deceleration which occurs and is meas-
ured during the collision remains below the prescribed reference values specified in the control unit, the airbags are not
deployed although the vehicle may well
suffer severe damage to the bodywork
as a consequence of the accident.
The airbags are not deployed if:•
ignition off,
•
a minor frontal collision,
•
a minor side collision,
•
a rear-end collision,
•
Rollover of the vehicleNote
•
A grey white, non harmful gas is released when airbag is inflated. This is
perfectly normal and is not an indi
cation of a fire in the vehicle.
•
The dash panel must be replaced afte
r the front passenger airbag has been
deployed.•
In the event of an accident in which the airbags are deployed: − The interior lighting comes on (if the switch for the interior light is in the door contact position), − The hazard warning light is switched on, − All the doors are unlocked, − the battery in the luggage compartment* is switched off, − the fuel supply to the engine is interrupted.
WARNING (continued)
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Transporting children safely
191
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Children of more than 150 cm in height may use the seat belts fitted to the vehicle without a seat bolster.
WARNING
•
When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply
with the appropriate national regulations regarding the use of child safety seats. If required, the airb
ag has to be deactivated,
− in a specialist garage − or by using the switch for the front passenger airbag*
⇒page 183,
“Switch for the front passenger airbag*”.
•
The shoulder part of the seat belt must run approximately across the
middle of the shoulder and fit snugly against the chest. It must on no account run across the neck. The lap part of the seat belt must run across the pelvis and fits snugly; it must not run over th
e belly. Tighten the belt webbing over
your hip if necessary.•
Please comply with any differing nati
onal legal regulations regarding the
use of child safety seats.Attaching a child seat us
ing the “ISOFIX” system
There are two fixing eyes* between the backrest and the seat of the front passenger as well as on the rear exte
rior seats for fixing the “ISOFIX”
system child seat in place. On seats
where the fixing eyes are not visible,
the places which have eyes are marked
with signs with the “ISOFIX” logo
⇒
fig. 187
.
Install child seat – Insert the mounting funnels onto the locking eyes between the
seat backrest and the seat cushion
⇒
fig. 187
.
– Push the notched arms of the chil
d seat over the mounting funnels
into the locking eyes, until it is heard to lock
⇒
fig. 188
.
–
Pull on both sides of the child seat!
One can mount a child safety seat using the “ISOFIX” system quickly, easily and reli- ably. Please pay close attention to instruct
ions from the manufacturer of the child
safety seat when installing and removing the seat. Child seats fitted with the “ISOFIX” syst
em can only be mounted and fixed in a
vehicle fitted with an “ISOFIX” system when
these child seats have been released for
this type of vehicle according to the ECE-R 44 standard.
Fig. 187 Locking eyes (ISOFIX system)
Fig. 188 The ISOFIX child seat is pushed into the mounting funnels
AA
AB
s2dk.1.book Page 191 Wednesday, April 8, 2009 12:23 PM

Transporting children safely
192
You can obtain child seats with the “ISOFIX” attachment system from specialist garages who will also installed it as well. Complete installation instructions are
enclosed with the child safety seat.
WARNING
•
The locking eyes have just been de
veloped for child safety seats which
use the “ISOFIX” system. You should
therefore never attach other child
safety seats, seat belts or obje
cts to the locking eyes - hazard!
•
Ask an authorised Škoda Service Part
ner whether a child seat which you
bought for another vehicle is recommended for use in a Škoda before using an “ISOFIX” system.•
Certain child seats which use the “ISOFIX” system can be attached with
standard three-point seat belts. Please pay close attention to instructions from the manufacturer of the child safety seat when installing and removing the seat.
Note
•
Child seats which use the “ISOFIX” system are currently available for children
weighing from 9 up to 18 kg. This correspo
nds to an age range of from 9 months to
4 years.•
The child seats can also be fitted with the “Top Tether” system
⇒page 192.
Attaching child seat using the “Top Tether” systemIIn certain countries national
legal provisions also requir
e the equipment of the rear
seat with fixing eyes for child seat using the “Top Tether” system
⇒fig. 189
.
Always perform the installation and removal
of the child seat using the “Top Tether”
system as stated in the instructions fr
om the manufacturer of the child seat.
WARNING
•
Attach the child seats with the “Top Tether” system only to the points
provided for this purpose
⇒fig. 189
.
•
On no account should you equip your vehicle, e.g. mount screws or other
anchorage points.•
Pay attention to the important safety information regarding the use of
child seats.
Note
Store the remaining part of the belt for the “Top Tether” system in a textile pocket, which is located at the child seat.
Fig. 189 Rear seat: Top Te t h e r
s2dk.1.book Page 192 Wednesday, April 8, 2009 12:23 PM

Intelligent Technology
193
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Driving TipsIntelligent TechnologyElectronic stability programme (ESP)*GeneralGeneral The ESP aids you maintain control of your vehicle in situations in borderline driving situations such as when negotiating a curve too fast. The risk of skidding is reduced and your car thus offers greater driving stability depending on the conditions of the road surface. This occurs at all speeds. The following systems are integrated into the electronic stability programme:•
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL),
•
Traction control system (TCS),
•
Active driver-steering recommendation (DSR),
•
Antilock brake system (ABS),
•
Brake Assist,
•
Uphill-Start off-Assist.
Operating principle The ESP switches on automatically when the engine is started and then conducts a self-test. The ESP control unit processes data from the individual systems. It also processes additional measurement data which are supplied by highly sensitive sensors: the rotational velocity of the vehi
cle about its vertical axis, the lateral accel-
eration of the vehicle, the brakin
g pressure and the steering angle.
The direction which the driver wishes to ta
ke is determined based on the steering
angle and the speed of the vehicle and is constantly compared with the actual behaviour of the vehicle. If differences exis
t, such as the car beginning to skid, the
ESP will automatically brake the appropriate wheel. The car is stabilised again by the forces which take effect when the wheel is braked. Intervention into the brake system takes place primarily on the outer front wheel of a vehicle which tends to oversteer (tendency for the rear of the vehicle to break away) while occurs this is on the inner re
ar wheel of a vehicle which tends to under-
steer (tendency to shift out of the curve). This braking control cycle is accompanied by noises. The ESP operates in combination with the ABS
⇒page 197. If there is a fault in the
ABS system, the ESP also does not operate. The ESP warning light lights up in the instru
ment cluster when there is a fault on the
ESP
⇒page 39.
Switching off You can switch the ESP off and on again
as you wish, by pressing the button
⇒ fig. 190
. The ESP warning light lights up in th
e instrument cluster when the ESP is
switched off
⇒page 39.
The ESP should normally always be switched
on. It may be good practice in certain
exceptional cases, such as when you wish
to have wheel slip, to switch off the
system. Examples:
Fig. 190 ESP switch
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Intelligent Technology
194
•
when driving with snow chains
•
when driving in deep snow or on a loose surface
•
when it is necessary to rock a ca
r free when it has become stuck.
then you should switch on the ESP again.
WARNING
It is also not possible for the ESP to overcome the physical limits of the vehicle. Even if a vehicle fitted with ESP you should still always adapt your style of driving to the condition of the
road surface and the traffic situation.
This particularly applies when driving on slippery and wet roads. The increased safety offered must not tempt you to take greater risks than other- wise - risk of an accident!
Note
•
All four wheels must be fitted with the same tyres in order to achieve problem-
free operation of the ESP. Differing rolling
circumferences of the tyres can lead to an
undesirable reduction in the engine output.•
Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or other assign-
ment of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the ESP
⇒page 241,
“Accessories, changes and replacement of parts”.Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)* The electronic differential lock pr
events an individual wheel from
slipping.Models fitted with ESP are equipped with electronic differential lock (EDL). General The EDL makes it much easier, and sometimes at all possible, to start off, accelerate and climb a steep hill when the conditio
ns of the road surface are unfavourable.
Operating principle The EDL is activated automatically, that is
without any action on the part of the
driver. It monitors the speeds of the driven wheels with the aid of the ABS sensors. Should only
one
drive wheel begin spinning on a slippery surface there will be an
appreciable difference in the speed of the driven wheels. The EDL function brakes the slipping wheel and the differential transmits a greater driving force to the other driven wheel. This control proces
s is also accompanied by noises.
Overheating of the brakes The EDL switches off
automatically if unusually severe
stresses exist in order to
avoid excessive heat generation in the
disc brake on the wheel which is being
braked. The vehicle can continue to be driv
en and has the same characteristics as a
vehicle not fitted with EDL. The EDL switches on again
automatically as soon as the brake has cooled down.
WARNING
•
Depress the accelerator carefully when accelerating on uniformly slip-
pery road surfaces, such as ice and sn
ow. The driven wheels might still spin
despite the EDL and affect the stability
of the vehicle - risk of an accident!
•
You should always adapt your style of driving to the condition of road
surface and to the traffic situation even
when your vehicle is fitted with EDL.
The increased safety offered must not tempt you to take greater risks than otherwise - risk of an accident!
Note
•
If the ABS or ESP warning light comes on,
this may also indicate a fault in the
EDL. Please have the car inspected as s
oon as possible by a specialist garage.
•
Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on
the brakes, on chassis or other assign-
ment of tyres and wheels) can in
fluence the function of the EDL
⇒page 241,
“Accessories, changes and
replacement of parts”.
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Intelligent Technology
197
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
vehicle and reduces the strain on the brakes
. Any additional braking should be done
intermittently, no
t continuously.
Note
The brake light flashes automa
tically in case of an em
ergency braking at speeds
g re a t e r t h a n 6 0 k m /h o r w i t h t he i n t e r v e n t i o n o f th e A BS , w h i ch l a s t s l o n g e r th a n 1 .5 seconds. After the speed was reduced belo
w 10 km/h or the vehicle was stopped,
the brake light stops flashing and the hazard warning light system switches on. The hazard warning light system is switched
off automatically after accelerating or
driving off again.Brake boosterThe brake booster boosts the pressure which you generate with the brake pedal. The necessary pressure is only gene
rated when the engine is running.
WARNING
•
Never switch off the engine before the vehicle is stationary.
•
The brake booster only operates when the engine is running. Greater
physical effort for braking is required
when engine is switched off. Because
if you do not stop as normal, this can cause an accident and severe injuries.Antilock brake system (ABS)ABS prevents the wheels locking when braking.General The ABS contributes significan
tly to enhancing the active
safety of your vehicle.
Compared to a car not fitted with the ABS brake system, you are able to retain optimal steering ability even during a fu
ll brake application on a slippery road
surface because the wheels do not lock up. You must not expect, however, that the br
aking distance will be shorter under all
circumstances as a result of the ABS. Th
e braking distance for example on gravel
and fresh snow, when you should anyway be driving slowly and cautiously, will be longer. Operating principle The brake pressure will be reduced on a wheel which is rotating at a speed which is too low for the speed of the vehicle and tend
ing to lock. This control cycle is notice-
able from a
pulsating movement of the brake pedal
which is accompanied by
noises. This is consciously intended to provide the driver with the information that the wheels are tending to lock (ABS control range). You must always keep the brake pedal depressed to enable the ABS to optima
lly control the brake application in this
braking range. Never interrupt the application of the brakes!
WARNING
•
The ABS can also not overcome the physic
al limits of your vehicle. Please
do not forget this, particularly when driv
ing on icy or wet road surfaces. If the
ABS is operating within the control ra
nge, adapt your speed immediately to
the conditions of the road surface and the traffic situation. The increased safety offered by the ABS must not tempt you to take greater risks than otherwise - risk of an accident!•
The normal braking system is still fully
functional if there is an ABS fault.
Visit a specialist garage as quickly as po
ssible and adjust yo
ur style of driving
to take account of the ABS fault in the meantime since you will not know how great the damage is.
Note
•
A warning light comes on if a fault occurs in the ABS system
⇒page 39.
•
Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or other assign-
ment of tyres and wheels) can in
fluence the function of the ABS
⇒page 241,
“Accessories, changes and replacement of parts”.
s2dk.1.book Page 197 Wednesday, April 8, 2009 12:23 PM

Towing a trailer
209
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
should be attached to folding arms. Adjust
the mirrors so that they provide you with
an adequate field of view to the rear. Headlights Before starting off with a hitched trailer, also check the setting of the headlights. Alter the setting as necessary with th
e aid of the headlight beam adjuster
⇒ page 66, “Headlamp range adjustment*
”.
Detachable ball head The ball rod is detachable on vehicles which feature a factory-fitted towing device. It is stowed together with separate fitting instructions in the spare wheel well in the luggage compartment of the vehicle. Further information on the towing device
⇒page 210.
Note
•
We recommend that you also have yo
ur vehicle inspected between service
intervals if you tow a trailer frequently.•
The handbrake on the towing vehicle
must be put on when coupling and
decoupling the trailer.Driving Tips Particular caution is required when towing a trailer.– Do not, as far as possible, drive
with your vehicle unladen and the
trailer laden.
– Do not make full use of the legal maximum speeds. This applies in
particular to downhill sections.
– Apply the brakes in good time.– Keep a check on the coolant temper
ature gauge if the outside temper-
ature is high.
Distribution of weight The distribution of the weight is very poor
if your vehicle is
unladen and the trailer
is laden. Maintain a particularly low speed if you cannot avoid driving with this combination. Driving speed Do not drive faster than 80 km/hour for safety reasons. This also applies for coun- tries in which higher speeds are allowed. The fact that the driving stability of the vehicle + trailer combination reduces with increasing speed means that the legally allowed speed should not be used when there are unfavourable road, weather or wind
conditions, particul
arly near accident
black spots. You must always reduce your speed immedi
ately as soon as you detect even just
the
slightest swaying
of the trailer. On no account attempt to stop the trailer from
“swaying” by
accelerating.
Apply the brakes in good time! If the trailer is fitted with a
trailer brake
, apply the
brakes gently at first and then brake firmly
. This will avoid brake jolts resulting from
the trailer wheels locking. Shift down gears
in good time before negotiating a down-
hill section to allow the engine to also act as a brake. Engine overheating Please keep a check on the coolant temperature gauge if you have to negotiate a lengthy slope in a low gear at a high engine speed when the outside temperature is very high
⇒page 18, “Coolant temperature gauge”.
If the needle of the coolant temperature gauge moves into the right-hand area or even the red area of the scale, reduce yo
ur speed immediately. Stop and switch off
the engine if the warning light
in the instrument cluste
r begins flashing. Wait a
few minutes and check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion bottle ⇒ page 227, “Inspecting the coolant level”. Please refer to the following guidelines
⇒page 38, “Coolant temperature/ Coolant
quantity
”.
The coolant temperature can be reduced by switching on the heating.Any increase in the cooling effect of the coolant fan through shifting down a gear and increasing the engine speed is not possible since the fan speed is independent
s2dk.1.book Page 209 Wednesday, April 8, 2009 12:23 PM