2010 SKODA ROOMSTER Owner's Manual

Starting-off and Driving
88

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To lock the steering , with the ignition key withdrawn, turn the steering wheel until the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. You 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 en gine or operate electrical equipment
(e.g. power windows) - risk of 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 186.
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 189.
WARNING

Never run the engine in non ventilated or enclosed areas. The exhaust gases
of the engine contain besides the odorless and colourless carbon monoxide a
poisonous gas - hazard! Carbon mono xide can cause unconsciousness and
death.

Never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running.Caution

The starter may only be operated (ignitio n key position ), if the engine is not
running. If the starter is imme diately operated after switchin g off the engine, the starter
or the engine can be damaged.

Avoid high engine revolutions, full throttle and high engine loads as long as the
engine has not yet reached its normal oper ating temperature - risk of damaging the
engine!
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Starting-off and Driving89
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Praktik
Technical Data

Vehicles which are fitted with an exhaust gas catalytic converter should not be tow-
started over a distance of more than 50 metres.For the sake of the environment
Never warm up the engine when the vehicle is standing. Drive off right away. When
driving the engine reaches its operating te mperature more rapidly and the pollutant
emissions are lower.Petrol enginesThese engines are fitted with a starter system which selects the correct fuel-air mixture
for every external air temperature.
Do not operate accelerator before and when starting engine.

Interrupt the attempt at starting after 10 seconds if the engine does not start right
awayand wait for about 30 seconds before repeating the attempt.

It is possible that the fuse on the electric al fuel pump is defect if the engine still
does not start. Check the fuse and replace it if necessary page 191.

If the engine does not start, contact the nearest specialist garage to obtain profes-
sional assistance.
It may be necessary, if the engine is very hot, to slightly depress the accelerator after
the engine has started.
Diesel enginesGlow plug system
Diesel engines are equipped with a glow plug system, the preglow period being
controlled automatically in line with the coolant temperature and outside tempera-
ture.
The preglow indicator light
 comes on after the ignition has been switched on.
You should not switch on any major electrical components during the heating
period otherwise the vehicle battery will be drained unnecessarily.

You should start the engine immediately after the glow plug warning light
 has
gone out.

The glow plug warning light will come on for about one second if the engine is at a
normal operating temperature or if the outside temperature is above +5°C. This means
that you can start the engine right away.

Interrupt the attempt at starting after 10 seconds if the engine does not start right
awayand wait for about 30 seconds before repeating the attempt.

It is possible that the fuse on the diesel preglow system is defect if the engine still
does not start. Check the fuse and replace it if necessary page 191.

Contact the nearest specialist garage to obtain professional assistance.
Starting the engine after fuel tank has run dry
It may take longer than normal to start the engine after refuelling if the fuel tank has
run completely dry - up to one minute. This is because the fuel system must first of all
be filled while the attempting to start the engine.
Switching off the engine– The engine can be switched off by turnin g the ignition key from position into
 page 87, fig. 92 .
WARNING

Never switch off the engine before the vehicle is stationary - risk of accident!

The brake booster only operates when the engine is running. Greater phys-
ical effort for braking is required when en gine is switched off. Because if you do
not stop as normal, this can cause an accident and severe injuries.Caution
you should not switch the engine off right away at the end of your journey after the
engine has been operated for a lengthy period at high loads but should be allowed it
to run at idling speed for about 2 minutes. This prevents any accumulation of heat
when the engine is switched off.
Note

The radiator fan may continue running fo r a further 10 minutes or so after the
engine and the ignition have been switched off. The coolant fan may, however, also
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Starting-off and Driving
90
switch on again after some time if the co olant temperature rises because of an accu-
mulation of heat in the engine or if the engine is warm and the engine compartment is
additionally heated by strong sunlight.
This is why particular care is required when carrying out any work in the engine
compartment  page 162, “Working in the engine compartment”.
Shifting (manual gearbox)Shift into reverse only when the vehicle is stationary. Depress the clutch pedal and hold
it fully depressed. Wait a moment before en gaging reverse gear in order to avoid any
shift noises.
The reversing lights will come on once reverse gear is engaged, provided the ignition 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 pres-
sure 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 changi ng gears, in order to avoid unnecessary
wear and damage.
HandbrakeApplying 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. 94 .
– Hold the button pressed and push the handbrake lever down fully .
The handbrake warning light
 lights up when the handbrak e is applied, provided the
ignition is on.
A warning signal sounds and the following text appears in the display* if you have inad-
vertently driven off with the handbrake applied:
Release parking brake!
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 result 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.
Fig. 93 Shift pattern on models fitted
with 5-speed manual gearbox
Fig. 94 Centre console: Handbrake
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Starting-off and Driving91
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Praktik
Technical Data

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).Parking aid*The parking aid provides a warning of obstacles behind the vehicle.The audible parking aid determines the di stance between the rear bumper and an
obstacle located behind the vehicle with the aid of ultrasound sensors. 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. 95 ). The interval between the warning signals becomes shorter as the clearance
is reduced.
A continuous tone sounds from a distance of approx. 30 cm (area ) - danger area.
You should not reverse any further after this signal sounds! If the vehicle is
equipped with a factory-fitted towing device*, the boundary of the danger area starts, continuous tone, 5 cm furt
her behind the vehicle. The vehicle can be extended
through an installed deta chable towing device.
Activating
The parking aid is activated automatically when reverse gear is engaged and the igni-
tion is turned on. This is confirmed by a brief acknowledgement signal.
Deactivating
The parking aid is deactivated by disengaging the reverse gear or by switching the igni-
tion off.
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 out similar manoeuvres.

You should therefore satisfy yourself, before reversing, that there is no small
obstacle, such as a rock, thin post, 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-fitted towing device*).

A system fault is indicated if a warning signal sounds for about 5 seconds after
switching the ignition on and engaging reverse gear and there is no obstacle close to
your vehicle. Have the fault rectified by a specialist workshop.

If the audible warning sounds for 3 seconds after switching the ignition on and
engaging the reverse gear, a fault has occured in the system. It is possible that the
audible warning does not function correctl y (an obstacle behind the vehicle may not
be detected - take extra care). 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.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 95 Parking aid: Range of sensors
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Starting-off and Driving
92

If the parking aid is activated and the sele ctor lever of the automatic gearbox is in
the position , warning signal indicates interruption (vehicle can no longer move).
Cruise control system (CCS)*IntroductionThe cruise control system (CCS) maintains a constant speed, more than 30 km/h (20
mph), once it has been set, without you havi ng 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 control system makes it possible - particularly on long
journeys - for you to rest your “accelerator foot”.
WARNING

For safety reasons, the cruise control system must not be used in dense
traffic or on unfavourable road surfaces (such as icy roads, slippery roads, loose
gravel) - 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: Always depress the clutch pedal if you switch
on the cruise control system when the gearbo x 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 speedThe cruise control system is operated by means of the switch and the rocker button
in the left lever of the multi-functional switch.
– Press the switch fig. 96 into the position ON.
– After the desired speed has been reached, press the rocker button into the SET-
position - the current speed is stored.
After you have released the rocker button out of the position SET-, the speed you
have just stored is maintained at a consta nt speed without having to depress the accel-
erator.
You can increase the speed by depressing the acce lerator. Releasing the accelerator
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 temporarily
by actuating the brake or clutch pedal page 93.
WARNING
First ensure that it is not too high for the traffic conditions which exist at that
moment before resuming the stored speed.
AP
Fig. 96 Operating lever: Rocker button
and switch of the cruise control system
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Starting-off and Driving93
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Praktik
Technical Data
Changing a stored speed
You can also change the speed of the vehicle without depressing the
accelerator.Fas t e r–You can increase the stored speed without depressing the accelerator, by pressing
the rocker button page 92, fig. 96 into the RES+ position.
– The speed of the car will increase cont inuously if you hold the rocker button
pressed in the RES+ position. Once the vehicle ha s 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 pushbutton pressed in the SET- position will cause the speed of
the vehicle to reduce continuously. On ce the vehicle 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 vehicle 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 vehicles fitted with an automatic gearbox only with the
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 wi th automatic gearbox only after releasing the brake pedal and after shortly pressing the rocker button
page 92, fig. 96 into the position
RES+ .
WARNING
First ensure that it is not too high for the traffic conditions which exist at that
moment before resuming the stored speed.Switching off the cruise control system completely– Press the switch page 92, fig. 96 to the right into position OFF.
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Automatic gearbox
94
Automatic gearboxAutomatic gearbox*Information for driving with the 6-speed automatic gearbox*
Your car is equipped with a conv entional 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 redu ce the fuel consumption. Shifting up and
down through the gears is performed automa tically. 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 98.Starting-off and Driving– Depress the brake pedal fully and keep it depressed.
– Press the Shiftlock button (button in ha ndle of the selector lever), move the
selector lever into the desired position, e.g. D  page 95, and then release the
Shiftlock button.
– Wait a moment until the gearbox has shif ted (a slight engagement nudge can be
felt).
– Release the brake pedal and depress the accelerator .Stop– The selector lever position N does not have to be selected when stopping just for
a short time, such as at a cross roads. It is sufficient to hold the vehicle stationary
using 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 88. 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 necessary
to release pressure on the accelerator 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 accident!

Never move the selector lever into position R or P when driving - risk of an
accident!

When the engine is running and the vehi cle 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 interrupted, also not
when the engine is idling - the vehicle creeps.
Information for driving with the automatic gearbox DSG*
The abbreviation DSG mean s 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 transmission of the engine to the front wheels is not inter-
rupted. Shifting up and down through the gears is performed 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 98.Starting-off and Driving– Depress the brake pedal fully and keep it depressed.
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Automatic gearbox95
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Praktik
Technical Data
– Press the Shiftlock button (button in ha
ndle 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 .
Stop– The selector lever position N does not have to be selected when stopping just for
a short time, such as at a cross roads. It is absolutely sufficient 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 88.
At temperatures below -10 °C the engine can only be started in the selector lever posi-
tion 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 necessary
to release pressure on the accelerator 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 accident!

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 mean s of the “accelerator”, this means by
letting the clutch slip. This can lead to ov erheating of the clutch. If there is a risk
of overheating of the clutch due to overlo ad, the clutch is opened automatically
and the vehicle rolls backward - risk of accident!

If yo u m us t s to p a t a sl ope , d e pre s s a nd ho ld t he b ra ke pe d a l , s o t ha t y ou c a n
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 func tion on a vehicle which is stationary or
driving slowly uphill, it will result in an increase of thermal stress of the clutches.

In the event that they overheat, the warning light
 and a warning text page 23
appear in the information display*. In such a case bring the vehicle to a stop, switch off
the engine and wait until the warning light and the warning go out - risk of gearbox
damage! You can continue the trip as soon as the warning light and the warning go
out.
Selector lever positionsFig. 97 Selector lever / information display: Se lector lever positionsThe selector lever position you have engaged is shown in the information display of
the instrument cluster with the corresponding gear symbol highlighted fig. 97 on
WARNING (continued)
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