Towing a trailer
134
Towing a trailerTo w i n g a t r a i l e rTechnical requirements
The towing device must satisfy certain technical requirements.Your vehicle is designed primarily for tr ansporting persons and luggage. It can,
however, also be used for towing a traile r - provided certain technical equipment is
fitted.
If your vehicle has already been supplied with a factory-fitted towing device then
everything that is nece ssary for towing a trailer in technical terms, and in terms of the
law, has already been taken into account.
Your vehicle is fitted with a 13-pin power socket for the electrical connection between
the vehicle and trailer. If the tr ailer which you wish to tow has a 7-pin connector, you
can use a suitable adapter
5) from Škoda original accessories.
This work must be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications if
a towing device is retrofitted.
Specialist garages are familiar with details re lating to retrofitting a towing device and
for any necessary modifications to the cooling system.
WARNING
We recommend that you have the towing device from Škoda original accesso-
ries installed by a specialist garage. He is familiar with all the relevant details
relating to retrofitting such equipment. There is a risk of an accident if the
towing device is not properly fitted!
General Maintenance
There are a number of points to pay attention to when towing a trailer.Trailer load
The permissible trailer load must on no account be exceeded.
You can negotiate appropriately steeper inclin es and descents if you do not make full
use of the permissible trailer load.
The trailer loads specified only apply for altitudes up to 1 000 metres above mean sea
level. The fact that the engi ne power output drops with increasing height due to a
lowering of air pressure and thus the abil ity to climb, means that the towed weight
must be reduced by 10% for every further increase of 1 000 metres in height above sea
level. The towed weight is the weight of the (laden) vehicle and the (laden) trailer
together. One should take this into account before driving up to higher altitudes.
The trailer and drawbar load information on the type plate of the towing device
are merely test data for the towing device The data relating to your vehicle, which
is often less than this test data, can be found in your vehicle registration docu-
ments.
Distribution of the load
Distribute the load in the trailer in such a way that any heavy items are located as close
as possible to the axle. Secure th e items to prevent them slipping.
Tyre pressure
Correct the tyre inflation pressure on yo ur vehicle for that of “fully laden”, page 160.
The inflation pressure of the tyres fitted to the trailer adjust in accordance with the
manufacturer's recommendation.
Exterior mirrors
You have to have additional ex terior mirrors fitted if you are not able to see the traffic
behind the trailer with the standard rear-view mirrors. Both exterior mirrors should be
attached to folding arms. Adjust the mirrors so that they provide you with an adequate
field of view to the rear.
5)In some countries the adapter is supplied with the towing device.s2rc.book Page 134 Thursday, April 22, 2010 10:58 AM
Fuel145
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Caution
Therefore, your vehicle can only be operated with diesel fuel which complies with
the standard EN 590 (standard DIN 51628 in Germany, standard ÖNORM C 1590 in
Austria). Filling the tank even only once wi th diesel fuel which does not comply with
the standard, can result in damage to the engine parts, the lubrication system, the fuel
and exhaust system.
If by mistake you have refuelled with a different fuel other than the diesel fuel
which complies to the above mentioned standards (e.g. petrol), do not start the engine
or switch on the ignition! This can result in severe engine damage! Contact a specialist
garage and have the fuel sy stem of the engine cleaned.
Water which has collected in the fuel fi lter can result in engine problems.
Your vehicle is not adapted for use of biofue l (RME), therefore this fuel must not be
refuelled and driven. The use of biofuel (RME) can lead to damage to the engine or the
fuel system.
Operation in winterWinter-grade diesel fuel
A different grade of diesel fuel is available at filling stations in winter than during the
summer. Using “summer-grade diesel fuel” at temperatures below 0°C can result in
operational problems because th e diesel becomes viscous as a result of paraffin sepa-
ration.
It is therefore the case that EN 590 prescribes diesel fuel class for certain periods of the
year which can also be purchased at the co rresponding time during the year. “Winter-
grade diesel fuel” will still operate properly even at a temperature of -20°C.
It is often the case in countries with different climatic conditions that diesel fuels avail-
able have a different temperature characteri stic. The specialist garages and the filling
stations in the country co ncerned will be able to pr ovide you with information
regarding the diesel fuels available.
Prewarming fuel
The vehicle is fitted with a fuel filter prewarming system. This secures operation of a
vehicle using diesel fuel down to an environmental temperature of -25°C.
Caution
It is not permitted to add the various fuel additives on the market, including petrol, to
diesel fuel in order to improve its flow properties.RefuellingThe filler tube of the fuel reservoir is locate d in the rear right side part of the vehicle.Opening the fuel filler cap– Open the fuel filler flap with the hand.
– On vehicles without remote unlocking of the fuel filler flap from the driver's seat,
unlock the fuel filler cap on the fuel filler tube by turning the vehicle key to the left.
Fig. 140 Switch for opening the
fuel filler flap from the driver
seatFig. 141 Fuel filler flap with cap
unscrewed
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Inspecting and replenishing147
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Inspecting and replenishingEngine compartmentBonnet remote releaseBonnet remote release– Pull the unlocking lever below the dash panel on the driver's side fig. 142 .
The bonnet jumps out of its lock as a result of the spring force.
Note
Ensure that the windscreen wiper arms are not folded out before opening the bonnet
otherwise damage could occur to the paintwork.
Opening and closing the bonnet.Opening the bonnet– Unlock the bonnet fig. 142 .
– Grip with the hand under the radiator grille and lift up the bonnet.
– Press the locking lever in direction of arrow fig. 143 and lift up the bonnet.
– Take the bonnet support out of its holder and set it in the opening designed for it fig. 144 .
Fig. 142 Bonnet release lever
Fig. 143 Radiator grille: Locking
leverFig. 144 Securing the bonnet
with the bonnet support
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Inspecting and replenishing
148
Closing the bonnet
– Lift the bonnet slightly and unhook the bonnet support. Press the bonnet support
into the holder designed to hold it.
– Allow the bonnet to drop from a height of about 30 cm into the lock - bonnet do
not press down on it !
WARNING
Never open the bonnet if you see that steam or coolant is flowing out of the
engine compartment - risk of scalding! Wait long enough until the steam or
coolant has stopped escaping.
For safety reasons, the bonnet must always be properly closed when
driving. One should therefore check that the lock has in fact engaged properly
after closing the bonnet.
Stop your vehicle immediately while drivin g if you notice that the lock is not
properly engaged and close the bonnet properly - risk of an accident!
Working in the engine compartment
Particular care is required when carrying out any work in the engine
compartment!There is a risk of injuries, scalding, acci dents and fire when working in the engine
compartment, e.g. inspecting and replenishing oil and other fluids. For this
reason, it is essential to comply with the warning instructions stated below and
with the general applicable rules of safe ty. The engine compartment of your car
is a hazardous area .
WARNING
Never open the bonnet if you see that steam or coolant is flowing out of the
engine compartment - risk of scalding! Wait long enough until the steam or
coolant has stopped escaping.
Switch off the engine and pull out the ignition key.
Apply the handbrake firmly.
On vehicles fitted with a manual gea rbox, move the gearshift lever into
Neutral.
Allow the engine to cool down.
Keep children clear of the engine compartment.
Never spill oil and other fluids over the hot engine. Such fluids (e.g. the anti-
freeze contained in the coolant) may ignite!
Avoid short circuits in the electrical system - particularly on the battery.
Never place your hand into the radiator fan as long as the engine is still
warm. The fan might suddenly start running!
Never open the cap of the coolant expans ion bottle as long as the engine is
still warm. The cooling system is pressurized!
Cover over the cap of the coolant expansion reservoir with a large cloth
when opening it as protection for your face, hands and arms from hot steam or
hot coolant.
Do not let objects, such as e.g cleaning cloth or tools lie in the engine
compartment.
If you wish to work under the vehicl e, you must secure the vehicle from
rolling away and support it with suitable supporting blocks; the lifting jack* is
not sufficient for this - risk of injury!
In cases where it be necessary to carry out inspection work when the engine
is running there is an additional risk fr om rotating parts (e.g. the V-ribbed belt,
alternator, radiator fan) and from the high-voltage ignition system. Please
observe in addition the following:
Never touch the electrical cabl es of the ignition system.
Absolutely avoid any jewellery, loose it ems of clothing or long hair from
getting into the rotating parts of the engine - Hazard! Therefore remove any
jewellery beforehand, tie up your hair and wear tight fitting clothing.
Please also comply with the warnin g instructions stated below when
carrying out any essential work on the fu el system or on the electrical system:
Always separate the car battery from the electrical system.
Do not smoke.WARNING (continued)
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Breakdown assistance
168
The vehicle tool kit contains the following parts (depending on equipment fitted):
Wire clamps for removing the full wheel trims,
Screwdriver,
Plastic clip for a wheel bolt cover,
Wheel wrench*,
To w i n g e y e ,
Adapter for the safety wheel bolts*.
Before placing the lifting jack* back in its storage area, screw in the arm of the lifting
jack fully.
WARNING
The factory-supplied lifting jack* is only intended for your model of vehicle.
On no account attempt to lift a heavier vehicle or other loads - risk of injury!
Ensure that the vehicle tool kit is safely attached in the luggage compart-
ment.Note
Ensure that the box is always secured with the strap.Spray for repairing a tyre*
The spray for repairing a tyre is intended for rapid repair of small defects in a tyre
consisting of a damage up to a size of up to 5 mm. The spray is not at all intended to
replace a permanent repair on the tyre ; this repair serves to reach the workshop.
The repair can be undertaken on the vehicl e immediately. Please read the attached
instructions carefully before the repair.
The spray for repairing a tyre is located in th e right front well of the plastic part behind
the spare wheel.Tyre repair kit*The tyre repair kit is intended for the repair of minor tyre defects. The tyre repair kit
contains a compressor, inflation bottle, operating instructions and accessories.
The repair with the tyre repair kit is not at all intended to replace a permanent repair
on the tyre, this repair only serves to reach the next specialist garage. The repair can be
undertaken on the vehicle immediately. Please read the attached instructions care-
fully before the repair.
The spray for repairing a tyre is located in th e right front well of the plastic part behind
the spare wheel.Spare wheel*
Fig. 158 Vehicle tool kit: Spray
for repairing a tyre
Fig. 159 Luggage compartment:
Spare wheel
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Breakdown assistance169
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
The spare wheel lies in a well under the floor covering of the luggage compartment
and is fixed in place using special screws
page 168, fig. 159 .
Before removing the spare wheel, you must take out the box with the vehicle tool kit
box page 167, fig. 157.
One should check the inflation pressure in the spare wheel (at best when generally
checking the tyre air pressures - see sign on the fuel filler flap page 160) to ensure
that the spare wheel is always ready to use.
Temporary spare wheel
A warning label displayed on the rim of the temporary spare wheel indicates that your
vehicle is equippe d with a temporary spare wheel.
Please observe the following notes when driving with a temporary spare wheel:
The warning label must not be covered after installing the wheel.
Do not drive faster than 80 km/h with this spare wheel and pay particular attention
while driving. Avoid accelerating at full throttle, sharp braking and fast cornering.
The inflation pressure for this spare wheel is identical to the inflation pressure of
the standard tyres.
Use this spare wheel only to reach the nearest specialist garage as it is not intended
for continuous use.
Changing a wheelPreliminary workThe following steps should be carried ou t before actually changing the wheel.
– If it is necessary to change a wheel, park the vehicle as far away as possible from
the traffic flow. The place you choose should be level.
–Have all the occupants get out. While changing a wheel, the occupants of the
vehicle should not stand on the road (e.g. behind a crash barrier).
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Shift up into the 1st gear . – If a trailer is coupled, uncouple it.
–Take the
vehicle tool kit page 167 and the spare wheel* page 168 out of the
luggage compartment.
WARNING
If you find yourself in flowing traffic switch on the hazard warning lights
system and place the warning triangle on the side of the road at the prescribed
distance from your vehicle while observin g all national legal provisions. In this
way you are protecting not only yourself but also other road users.
Never start the engine with the vehicle si tting on the raised jack - danger of
suffering injury.Caution
If you have to change a wheel on a slope fi rst block the opposite wheel with a stone or
similar object in order to secure the vehicle from unexpectedly rolling away.
Note
Comply with the national legal regulations.Changing a wheelAlways change a wheel on a level surface as far as possible.
– Take off the full wheel trim* page 170 or the caps page 171.
– In the case of light alloy wheels remove the wheel trim cap page 171.
– Slacken the wheel bolts page 171.
– Jack up the vehicle until the wheel to be changed is clear of the ground
page 172.
– Unscrew the wheel bolts and place them on a clean surface (cloth, paper etc.).
– Take off the wheel.
– Fit on the new spare wheel* and tighten the wheel bolts slightly.
– Lower the car.
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Breakdown assistance
170
– Tighten the wheel bolts firmly, alternately and diagonally using the wrench* (cross-
wise) page 171.
– Mount the full wheel trim/wheel trim cap or the caps.
Note
All bolts must be clean and must turn easily.
You must never grease or oil the wheel bolts!
When fitting on unidirectional tyres, ensu re that the tyres rotate in the correct
direction page 160.
Subsequent stepsAfter changing the wheel, you must perform the following steps.
– Stow and attach the replaced wheel in the spare wheel well.
– Stow the vehicle tool kit in the space provided.
– Check the tyre pressure on the spare wheel* just mounted as soon as possible.
– Have the tightening torque of the wheel bolts checked with a torque wrench as
soon as possible. Steel and light alloy wh eels must be tightened to a tightening
torque of 120 Nm .
– Have the defective tyre repaired as soon as possible.
WARNING
It is necessary to observe the guidelines given on page 162, “New tyres and
wheels” if the vehicle is subsequently fitted with tyres which are different to
those it was fitted with at the works.
Note
If you find, when changing the wheel, that the wheel bolts are corroded and diffi-
cult to turn, the bolts must be replaced before checking the tightening torque.
Drive cautiously and only at a moderate speed to a workshop where the tightening
torque can be checked.
Full wheel trim*Pulling off– Hook the clamp found in the vehicle tool ki t into the reinforced edge of the full
wheel trim.
– Push the wheel wrench* through the clamp, support the wheel wrench at the tyre and pull off the wheel trim fig. 160 .Installing– First press the full wheel trim onto the wheel at the valve opening provided. Then
press the full wheel trim into the wheel in such a way that its entire circumference
locks correctly in place.
Caution
Use the pressure of your hand, do not knock on the full wheel trim! Heavy knocks
mainly on the points where the full wheel trim has not been inserted into the wheel,
can result in damage to the guide and centering elements of the full wheel trim.
Check for yourself that the safety wheel bolt * is located in the hole in the area of
the valve before fitting the full wheel trim onto a steel wheel which is attached with a
safety wheel bolt* page 172, “Securing wheels against being stolen*”.
Fig. 160 Removing the full
wheel trim
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Breakdown assistance
172Note
Apply pressure carefully with your foot to the end of the wrench* if it proves difficult
to slacken the bolts. Hold tight on the vehicl e when doing this and ensure that you have
a steady position.Raise vehicle
You have to raise the vehicle with the lifting jack* in order to be able to
take off the wheel.Place the jack* under the vehicle. Recesses are located at the lower sill (front and rear)
fig. 164 . There is a point under the recess wher e the lifting jack* can be positioned,
see arrows fig. 164 .
– Position the lifting jack* below the jacking point and move it up until its claw is positioned directly below the vertical web of the lower sill.
– Position the lifting jack* so that the claw grasps the web of the lower sill and the
moving base plate of the lifting jack is resting flat against the floor.
– Turn the lifting jack* up further until the wheel is just clear of the ground.
Ground below the lifting jack which is soft and slippery can cause the vehicle to slip
off the jack. It is therefore always necessary to place the lifting jack* on a solid surface
or use a wide and stable base. Use a non-sl ip base (e.g. a rubber foot mat) if the
surface is smooth , such as cobbled stones, a tiled floor, etc.
WARNING
Always raise the vehicle with the doors closed - risk of injury!
Take suitable measures to prevent the ba se of the lifting jack from slipping
off - risk of injury!
Not positioning the lifting jack* at the specified points can result in damage
to the vehicle. The jack can al so slip off if it does not have sufficient grip - risk of
injury!
It is important to support the vehicle with suitable supporting blocks if you
wish to work under the lifted vehicle - risk of injury!
Securing wheels against being stolen*
You need a special adapter for sl ackening the safety wheel bolts.– Pull off the full wheel trim/cap from the wheel hub or cap from the safety wheel
bolt.
– Insert the adapter with its toothed side fu lly into the inner toothing of the safety
wheel bolt right down in such a way that only the outer hexagon is jutting out
fig. 165 .
– Insert the wheel wrench fully onto the adapter .
– Slacken the wheel bolt, or tighten it firmly page 171.
– Reinstall the full wheel trim/wheel cap after removing the adapter or place the cap onto the safety wheel bolt.
Fig. 164 Changing a wheel:
Jacking points for positioning
lifting jack
AA
AB
Fig. 165 Safety wheel bolt with
adapter
AB
AA
AB
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