2010 SKODA OCTAVIA TOUR steering wheel

Seats and Storage
74
The power socket, which fulfils the requirem ents of DIN standard ISO 4165, must only
be used for connecting approv ed electrical accessories with a power uptake of up to
120 watts. The vehicle battery will be discharged in the process if the engine is
stationary.
The same remarks apply here as for page 73.
Further information page 166, “Accessories, change s and replacement of parts”.Storage compartmentsOverviewYou will find the following storage facilities in your vehicle:
WARNING

Please do not place anything on top of the dash panel. Such objects might
slide or fall down when driving (when accelerating or cornering) and may
distract you from concentrating on the traffic situation - risk of accident!

Use the storage compartments in the door panels only for small items which
do not project out of the compartment in order to avoid any interference with
the proper operation of the side airbags.

Ensure that when driving no objects from the centre console of from other
storage possibilities may get into the fo otwell of the driver. You would then no
longer be able to apply the brakes, oper ate the clutch or accelerator - risk of
accident!
Storage compartment on the front passenger sideOpening and closing the storage compartment on the front passenger
side– Pull the handle of the lid in direction of arrow fig. 88 and fold it downwards.
– Raise the lid and press it until the catch is heard to engage.
The storage compartment can be locked an d unlocked using the vehicle key (if the
storage compartment is lockable*).
WARNING
The storage compartment must always be closed when driving for safety
reasons.
Storage compartment on the front passenger side
 page 74
Storage compartment below steering wheel
 page 9
Storage compartment in the middle part of the dash
panel
page 9
Storage compartment for spectacles*
page 75
Storage compartment in the front doors
 page 9
Front seat armrest with storage compartment*
page 75
Rear armrest with storage compartment*
page 76
Clothes hooks*
page 76
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 88 Dash panel: Storage
compartment on the front
passenger side
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Starting-off and Driving87
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Starting-off and DrivingSetting steering wheel positionYou can set the height and the forward/back position of the steering wheel to the
desired position.
– Adjust the driver seat page 56.
– Pull the lever below the steering wheel down fig. 98 ,  .
– Set the steering wheel to the desired position concerning height and
forward/back position .
– Then push the lever up against the steering column until it locks into place.
WARNING

You must not adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is moving!

The driver must maintain a distance of at least 25 cm to the steering wheel
 fig. 99 . Not maintaining this minimum distance will mean that the airbag
system will not be able to properly protect you - hazard!

For safety reasons the lever must always be firmly pushed up to avoid the
steering wheel altering its position uninten tionally when driving - risk of acci-
dent!

If you adjust the steering wheel furthe r towards the head, you will reduce
the protection offered by the driver airbag in the event of an accident. Check
that the steering wheel is aligned to the chest.

When driving, hold the steering wheel with both hands firmly on the outer
edge in the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock po sition. Never hold the steering wheel
firmly in the 12 o'clock position or in another way (e.g. in the middle of the
steering wheel or at the inne r steering wheel edge). In such cases, injuries to the
arms, the hands and the head can occur when the driver airbag is deployed.
Ignition lock
Fig. 98 Adjustable steering
wheel: Lever below steering
columnFig. 99 Safe distance to steering
wheel
Fig. 100 Ignition lock positions
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Starting-off and Driving
88
Petrol engines
- ignition switched off, engine off, the steering can be locked.
- ignition switched on
- start engine
Diesel engines - interruption of fuel supply, ignition swit ched off, engine off, the steering can be
locked.
- heating glow plugs on, ignition switched on
You should not switch on any major elec trical components during the heating
period otherwise the vehicle battery will be drained unnecessarily.
- start engine
Applies to all models:
Position
To lock the steering , with the ignition key withdrawn, turn the steering wheel until the
steering locking pin is heard to engage. Yo u should always lock the steering as a
general rule if you leave your vehicle. This acts as a deterrent against possible theft of
your vehicle  .
Position
Move the steering wheel back and forward a little if the ignition key cannot, or cannot
easily be turned into this position, in order to release the steering lock.
Position
The engine is started in this position. At th e same time switched on low beam or main
beam or other electrical components wi th major power consumption are briefly
switched off. The ignition key moves back into position when one releases the key.
The ignition key must be turned back into position each time before starting the
engine again. The starter repeat lock in th e ignition lock prevents the starter being
engaged when the engine is r unning and thus getting damaged.
WARNING

When driving, the ignition key must always be in the position (ignition
switched on) without the engine running. This position is indicated by the
warning lights coming on. If this is not the case, it could result in unexpected
locking of the steering wh eel - risk of accident!

Do not withdraw the ignition key from the lock until the vehicle has come to
a stop. The steering lock can engage immediately - risk of accident!

Always withdraw the ignition key if you are going to leave the vehicle, even
for a short time. This is particularly important if children are left in the vehicle.
The children might otherwise start the engi ne or switch on electrical equipment
(e.g. power windows) - risk of accident or injury!
Starting the engineGeneral
You can only start the engine only using an original ignition key.
Place the gearshift lever into neutral and put on the handbrake firmly before
starting the engine.

The clutch pedal should be fully depressed when starting the engine - the starter
then only has to crank the engine.

Let go of the key as soon as the engine starts otherwise there may be damage to
the starter.
The engine running noises may louder at first be louder for a short time after starting
the cold engine until oil pressure can be built up in the hydraulic valve clearance
compensation. This is quite normal and is not an operating problem.
If the engine does not start ...
You can use the battery of anothe r vehicle as a jump-start aid page 173.
It is only possible to tow-start vehicles fi tted with a manual gearbox. The tow-starting
distance must not be more than 50 metres page 175.
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Passive Safety
98

Ensure that no objects can obstruct the pedal.

Adjust the mirror, the front seat and the head restraint to match your body size.

Point out to your occupants that the head restraints must be adjusted to match
their body size.

Protect the children in suitable child seats with correctly fastened seat belts
 page 115, “Transporting children safely”.

Adopt the correct seated position page 98, “Correct seated position”. Also
inform your occupants to adopt the correct seated position.

Fasten the seat belt correctly. Also inform your occupants to properly fasten the
seat belts page 104, “How are seat belts correctly fastened?”.
What influences the driving safety?
The driving safety is primarily determined by the style of driving and the
personal behaviour of all the occupants.The driver is fully responsible for himself an d his occupants. If your driving safety is
effected, you place yourself and the oncomi ng traffic at risk. Please refer to the
following guidelines.
Do not get distracted from concentrating on the traffic situation, e.g. by your occu-
pants or mobile phone calls.

Never drive when your driving ability is impaired, e.g. through medication, alcohol,
drugs.

Keep to the traffic regulations and the permissible speed limit.

Adjust the driving speed at all times to the road condition as well as to the traffic
and weather conditions.

Take regular breaks on long journe ys - at the latest every two hours.
Correct seated positionCorrect seated position for the driver
Correct seated position for the driver is important for safe and relaxed
driving.For your own safety and to reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accident, we
recommend the following setting:
Adjust the steering wheel so that the distance between the steering wheel and your
chest is at least 25 cm fig. 106 .

Position the driver seat in the forward/back direction so that you are able to fully
press the pedals with your legs at a slight angle.
Fig. 106 The correct distance of
the driver from the steering
wheelFig. 107 The correct head
restraint adjustment for the
driver
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Passive Safety99
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data

Adjust the seat backrest so that you ar e able to reach the highest point of the
steering wheel with your arms at a slight angle.

Adjust the head restraint so that the top edge of the head restraint is at the same
level as the upper part of your head page 98, fig. 107 .

Fasten the seat belt correctly page 104, “How are seat belts correctly fastened?”.
Manual driver se at adjustment page 56, “Adjusting the front seats”.
Electrical driver seat adjustment page 57, “Adjusting front seats electrically*”.
WARNING

The front seats and the head restraints must always be adjusted to match
the body size of the seat occupant as well as the seat belts must always be
correctly fastened in order to provide an optimal protection for you and your
occupants.

The driver must maintain a distance of at least 25 cm to the steering wheel
 page 98, fig. 106. Not maintaining this minimum distance will mean that the
airbag system will not be able to properly protect you - hazard!

When driving, hold the st eering wheel with both hands firmly on the outer
edge in the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock po sition. Never hold the steering wheel
firmly in the 12 o'clock position or in another way (e.g. in the middle of the
steering wheel or at the inner steering wheel edge). In such cases, injuries to the
arms, the hands and the head can occur when the driver airbag is deployed.

The seat backrests must not be angled too far back when driving otherwise
this will affect proper operation of the se at belts and of the airbag system - risk
of injury!

Ensure that there are no objects in the footwell as any objects may get
behind the pedals during a driving or braking manoeuvre. You would then no
longer be able to operate the clutch, to brake or accelerate.
Correct seated position for the front passenger
The front passenger must maintain a distance of at least 25°cm from
the dash panel so that the combination of the airbag and the seat belt
offers the greatest possible safety when an airbag is deployed.For the safety of the front passenger and to re duce the risk of injury in the event of an
accident, we recommend the following setting:
Adjust the front passenger seat as far as possible to the rear.

Adjust the head restraint so that the top edge of the head restraint is at the same
level as the upper part of your head page 98, fig. 107.

Fasten the seat belt correctly page 104, “How are seat belts correctly fastened?”.
In exceptional cases the front pass enger airbag can be deactivated page 113,
“Deactivating an airbag”.
Manual front passenger adjustment page 56, “Adjusting the front seats”.
Electrical front passenger seat adjustment page 57, “Adjusting front seats electri-
cally*”.
WARNING

The front seats and the head restraints must always be adjusted to match
the body size of the seat occupant as well as the seat belts must always be
correctly fastened in order to provide an optimal protection for you and your
occupants.

The front passenger must maintain a distance of at least 25 cm to the dash
panel. Not maintaining this minimum distance will mean that the airbag
system will not be able to properly protect you - hazard!

Always keep your feet in the footwel l when the vehicle is being driven -
never place your feet on the instrument panel, out of the window or on the
surfaces of the seats. You will be exposed to increased risk of injury if it
becomes necessary to apply the brake or in the event of an accident. If an airbag
is deployed, you may suffer fatal injuries when adopting an incorrect seated
position!
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Seat belts103
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
The physical principle of a frontal collisionThe physical principle of a frontal ac cident can be explained quite simply:
Motion energy, so-called kinetic energy, is produced as soon as the vehicle is moving,
both for the vehicle and its occupants. The magnitude of this kinetic energy depends
essentially on the speed at which the vehicle is travelling and on the weight of the
vehicle and the occupants. The greater the speed and weight increase, the greater the
amount of energy which has to be absorbed in the event of an accident. The speed of the vehicle is, nevertheless, the most important factor. Doubling the
speed of the vehicle from 25 km/h up to 50 km/hour increases the kinetic energy four
times.
The common opinion that it is possible to support your body in a minor accident with
your hands, is incorrect. Even in a collision at only a low speed, the forces acting on the
body are such that it is no long
er possible to support your body.
Even if you only drive at a speed within the range from 30 km/hour to 50 km/hour, the
forces which are produced on your body in the event of an accident can easily exceed
10.000 N (Newton). This equals a weight of one tonne (1 000 kg).
In the event of a frontal collision, occupant s of the car not wearing a seat belt, are
thrown forward and strike in an uncontrolled way parts of the interior of the car, such
as steering wheel, da sh panel, windscreen, fig. 109 . The occupants of a vehicle who
have not fastened their seat belts may even be thrown out of the vehicle. This can
result in fatal injuries.
It is also important that rear seat occupants fasten their seat belts as they will otherwise
be thrown through the vehicle in an uncontr olled manner in the event of an accident
A rear seat passenger who has not fastened the seat belt is a danger not only to himself
but also for those seated at the front fig. 110 .
Important safety information regarding the use of seat beltsThe correct use of the seat belts considerably reduces the risk of injury!
WARNING

The belt webbing must not be jammed in-between at any point or twisted,
or chafe against any sharp edges.

It is important that the belt webbing is properly routed if the seat belts are
to offer their maximum protection page 104, “How are seat belts correctly
fastened?”.

No two persons (also not children) should ever use a single seat belt
together.

The maximum protection which seat belts can offer is only achieved if you
are correctly seated page 98, “Correct seated position”.
Fig. 109 The driver is catapulted
forward if not wearing a beltFig. 110 The rear seat occupant
is catapulted forward if not
wearing a belt
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Airbag system109
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
In the case of a
violent side crash , the side airbag* is depl oyed on the side of the
vehicle on which the collision occurs.
In certain accident situ ations, the front as well as the side airbags are deployed at the
same time.
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 ex ample, is played by factors such as the type
of object against which the vehicle impacts (h ard, soft), the angle of impact, the vehicle
speed 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 vehicle deceleration which occurs and is measured
during the collision remains below the prescribed reference values specified in the
control unit, the airbags are no t 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 is switched off;

a minor frontal collision;

a minor side collision;

a rear-end collision;

Rollover of the vehicle.Note

A grey white, non harmful gas is released when airbag is inflated. This is perfectly
normal and is not an indicati on of a fire in the vehicle.

The dash panel must be replaced after 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 swit ch for the interior light is in the door
contact position),
 the hazard warning li ght is switched on;
 All the doors are unlocked.
Front airbagsDescription of the front airbags
The airbag system is not a su bstitute for the seat belt!The front airbag for the driver is housed in the steering wheel fig. 117 . The front
airbag for the front passenger* is housed in the dash panel above the storage
Fig. 117 Driver airbag in the
steering wheelFig. 118 Front passenger airbag
in the dash panel
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Airbag system
110
compartment  fig. 118. The installation positions are each marked with the
“AIRBAG” logo.
The front airbag system, in combination with three-point safety belts, offers additional
protection for the head and chest area of the driver and front passenger in the event
of a frontal collision of major severity  in “Important safety information regarding
the front airbag system” on page 110.
The airbag is not a substitute for the seat belt, but is part of the complete passive
vehicle safety concept. Please note that an airbag can only offer you optimal
protection in combination with a seat belt which is fastened .
Apart from their normal protective function, a further task of the seat belts is to also
hold the driver and front passenger in a correct seated position in the event of a frontal
collision so as to enable the front ai rbags to offer the maximum protection.
You should therefore always fasten the seat be lts, not only because this is required by
law, but also for safety reasons and for your own protection page 102, “Why seat
belts?”.
Note
The dash panel must be replaced after the front passenger airbag has been
deployed.Function of the front airbags
Risk of injury to the head and ches t area is reduced by fully inflated
airbags.
The airbag system is designed in such a way that the driver and the front passenger
airbag* are deployed in the event of a frontal collision of major severity.
In certain accident situations, the front an d side airbags may be deployed together.
If the airbags are deployed, the airbags are filled with a propellant gas and inflated in
front of the driver and front passenger fig. 119 . The airbags inflate in fractions of a
second and at a high speed in order to be able to offer that additional protection in the
event of an accident. The forward movement of the driver and of the front passenger
i s c us h i o n e d w h e n th e y m a ke co n t a c t w i t h t h e f u l l y i n f l a t e d a i r ba g a n d th e r i s k o f i n j u r y
to head and chest is thus reduced.
The specially developed airbag allows the gas to flow out of the inflated airbag in a
controlled manner (depending on the load of the particular car occupant) in order to
cushion head and chest areas. The airbag then deflates subsequently to such an extent,
after an accident, to again provide a clear view forward.
A grey white, non harmful gas is released when airbag is inflated. This is perfectly
normal and is not an indicati on of a fire in the vehicle.
The airbag develops enormous forces when triggered, which can lead to injuries if the
sitting position or seated position is not correct  in “Important safety information
regarding the front airbag system”.Important safety information regarding the front airbag system
Correct use of the airbag system cons iderably reduces the risk of injury!
Fig. 119 Inflated airbags
Fig. 120 Safe distance to
steering wheel
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