2010 SKODA ROOMSTER trailer

Towing a trailer
148
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 been equipped with a towing device from Škoda Original Accesso-
ries, then the towing device satisfies all technical and legal requirements.
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
13) 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. On petrol engines without forced indu ction, the engine power output drops with
increasing height due to a lowering of air pr essure and thus the ability to climb, this
means that the trailer load must be reduced by 10% for every further increase of 1 000
metres in height above sea le vel. The towed weight is the weight of the (laden) vehicle
and the (laden) trailer together. One should ta ke this into account before driving up to
higher altitudes. Petrol engines with forced induction use an air pressure correction
method, so that their power output does not depend on the height above sea level.
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 173.
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.
Headlights
Before starting off with a hitched trailer, al so check the setting of the headlights. Alter
the setting as necessary with the aid of the headlight beam adjuster page 49.13)In some countries the adapter is supplied with the towing device.s16g.4.book Page 148 Wednesda y, February 10, 2010 3:53 PM

Towing a trailer149
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Praktik
Technical Data
Detachable ball head
The ball rod is detachable on vehicles with towing devi
ce and suppliable from Škoda
original accessories. It is stowed together with separate fitting instructions in the spare
wheel well in the luggage compartment of the vehicle.
Note

We recommend that you also have your vehicle inspected between service inter-
vals if you tow a trailer frequently.

The handbrake on the towing vehicle must be put on when coupling and decou-
pling 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 temperature gauge if the outside temperature 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 combina-
tion.
Driving speed
Do not drive faster than 80 km/h for safety reasons. This also applies for countries 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 allo wed speed should not be used when there
are unfavourable road, weather or wind cond itions, particularly near accident black
spots. You must always reduce your speed immediat
ely 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 downhill
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 engi ne speed when the outside temperature is
very high  page 16.
If the needle of the coolant temperature gauge moves into the right-hand area or even
the red area of the scale, reduce your speed immediately. Stop and switch off the
engine if the warning light
 in the instrument cluster begins flashing. Wait a few
minutes and check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion bottle page 166,
“Inspecting the coolant level”.
Please refer to the following guidelines  page 28, “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 of the
engine speed. One should also not drop a gear for this reason when towing a trailer as
long as the engine can manage th e slope without any drop in speed.
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Towing a trailer
150
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Inspecting and replenishing
164
Oil level within range
–You must top up the oil. It is sufficient, once th is is done, to keep the oil level within
range .
It is normal for the engine to consume oil. The oil consumption may be as much as 0.5
l/1 000 km depending on your style of driving and the conditions under which you
operate your vehicle. The oil consumption may be slightly hi gher than this during the
first 5 000 kilometres.
One should therefore check the oil level at regular intervals, preferably every time after
the fuel tank is filled or after driving for long stretches.
We recommend maintaining the oil level within the range if the engine has been
operating at high loads, for example duri ng a lengthy motorway trip during the
summer months, towing a trailer or negotiating a high mountain pass, but not above
this .
The warning light in the instrument cluster* will indicate page 28 whether the oil
level is too low. In this case, check the oil level as soon as possible. Top up with an
appropriate quantity of oil.
WARNING
Read and observe the warning notes page 162, “Working in the engine
compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
Caution

The oil level must on no account extend beyond the range . Danger of damaging
the catalytic converter.

Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under the
conditions prevailing to top up with oil. Switch the engine off and obtain professional
assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it could lead to severe engine damage.
Replenishing engine oil– Inspect the oil level page 163.
– Unscrew the cap of the engine oil filler opening. – Wipe off the oil from the sealing surface of the cover and on the counterpart using
a clean cloth.
– Pour in a suitable grade of oi l in portions of 0.5 litres page 208.
– Inspect the oil level page 163.
– Carefully screw on the cap of the filler opening and push the dipstick in fully.
WARNING

Avoid dripping oil onto hot parts of the engine when topping up will oil - a
risk of fire!

Read and observe the warning notes page 162, “Working in the engine
compartment” before working in the engine compartment.For the sake of the environment
The oil level must on no account be above the range page 163. Oil will otherwise
be drawn in through the cr ankcase ventilation and may pass through the exhaust
system to atmosphere. The oil may combust in the catalytic converter and damage it.Changing engine oilThe engine oil must be changed at the intervals stated in the Service schedule or
according to the service interval indicator page 17.
WARNING

Only carry out the engine oil change, if you have the required professional
knowledge!

Read and observe the warning notes page 162, “Working in the engine
compartment” before working in the engine compartment.

First of all, let the engine cool down, we ar an eye protection and gloves - risk
of caustic burns due to hot oil.
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Breakdown assistance183
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Praktik
Technical Data
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.
–Engage 1st gear or if your vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox, position the
selector lever into position P .
– If a trailer is coupled, uncouple it.
– Take the vehicle tool kit and the spare wheel  page 181 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 observing 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 first 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.
Always change a wheel on a level surface as far as possible.
– Take off the full wheel trim* page 184 or the caps page 184.
– Slacken the wheel bolts page 185.
– Jack up the vehicle until the wheel to be changed is clear of the ground
 page 185.
– Unscrew the wheel bolts and place them on a clean surface (cloth, paper etc.).
– Take off the wheel.
– Fit on the spare wheel* and tighten the wheel bolts slightly.
– Lower the car.
– Tighten the wheel bolts firmly, alternatel y and diagonally using the wrench (cross-
wise) page 185.
– 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 unidirectiona l tyres, ensure that the tyres rotate in the correct
direction page 173.
Subsequent stepsAfter changing the wheel, you mu st perform the following steps.
– Stow the vehicle tool kit in the space provided.
– Stow the replaced wheel in the luggage compartment.
– 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 wheels must be tightened to a tightening
torque of 120 Nm.
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Breakdown assistance
188WARNING

The non-insulated parts of the terminal clamps must never make contact
with each other. Furthermore, the cable connected to the positive terminal of
the battery must not come into contact with electrically conducting parts of the
vehicle - risk of a short circuit!

Do not affix the jump starting cables to the negative terminal of the
discharged battery. There is the risk of detonating gas seeping out the battery
being ignited by the strong spark which results from the engine being started.

Do not affix the cable end to parts of the fuel and brake system.

Run the jump-start cables so that they cannot be caught by any rotating
parts in the engine compartment.

Do not bend over the batteries - risk of caustic burns!

The vent screws of the battery cells must be tightened firmly.

Keep any sources of ignition (naked flame, smouldering cigarettes etc.)
away from the battery - risk of an explosion!

Never jump-start the batteries which have a too low electrolyte level - risk
of explosion and caustic burns!
Tow-starting and towing vehicleGeneralPlease pay attention to the following instru ctions if you are going to use a tow rope:Driver of the towing vehicle– Do not drive off until the tow rope is taught.
– Release the clutch particularly gently when starting off.Driver of the towed vehicle– Switch the ignition on so that the steering wheel is not blocked and you can also operate the turn signal lights, the headlight flasher, the windscreen wipers and
windscreen washer system. – Take the vehicle out of gear or move the selector lever into position
N if your
vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.
– Note that the brake servo unit and power steering only operate if the engine is running. You will require significantly greater physical force to depress the brake
pedal and to steer the vehicle if the engine is not running.
– Ensure that the tow rope is always kept taught.
Tow rope or tow bar
A tow bar is safest way of towing a vehicle and also minimizes any shocks. You can use
a tow rope only if a suitable tow bar is not available.
The tow rope must be elastic to protect the vehicle. Thus one should only use plastic
fibre rope or a rope made out of a similarly elastic material.
Attach the tow rope or the tow bar only to the towing eyes provided for this purpose
 page 189, “Front towing eye” and page 189, “Rear towing eye”.
Driving style
Towing another vehicle requires a certain am ount of practice. Both drivers should be
familiar with the particular points about to wing a vehicle. Unskilled drivers should not
attempt to tow in another vehicle or to be towed in.
One should be constantly vigilant not to allow impermissibly high towing forces or
jerky loadings. There is always a risk of excessive stresses and damage resulting at the
points to which you attach the tow rope or tow bar when you attempt to tow a vehicle
which is not standing on a paved road.
Caution
If the gearbox of your vehicle no longer contains any oil because of a defect, your
vehicle must only be towed in with the driven wheels raised clear of the ground, or on
a special vehicle transporter or trailer.
Note

Please comply with any national legal provisions particularly regarding the
switched on signal systems, when towi ng in or tow-starting another vehicle.

The tow rope must not be twisted as it may in certain circumstances result in the
front towing eye being unscrewed out of your vehicle.
A4
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Breakdown assistance
190
The car can be towed in with a tow bar or a tow rope. Refer at the same time to the
following guidelines:
Move selector lever into N .

The maximum towing speed is 50 km/h.

The maximum permissible towing distance is 50 km. The gear oil pump does not
operate when the engine is not running; th e gearbox would not be adequately lubri-
cated at higher speeds and ov er longer towing distance.Caution
If the vehicle is towed in by a recovery vehicle, it should only be towed in with the front
wheels raised. If the vehicle is raised at rear, the automatic gearbox is damaged!
Note
The vehicle must be transported on a special vehi cle or trailer if it is not possible to tow
in the vehicle in the way described or if the towing distance is greater than 50 km.s16g.4.book Page 190 Wednesday, February 10, 2010 3:53 PM

Fuses and light bulbs
192
Fuse assignment in the dash panelFig. 157 Schematic representation of the fuse box for vehicles with left-hand steering / right-
hand steeringCertain electrical components are only standard on certain vehicle model versions or
only suppliable as optional equipment for certain models.No.
Power consumer
Amperes
1
Not assigned
2
Start/stop
5
3
Instrument cluster, headlamp beam adjustment
10
4
ABS control unit
5
5
Petrol engine: Cruise control system
5
6
Reversing light (manual gearbox)
10
7
Ignition
15
Engine control unit, automatic gearbox
7,5
8
Brake pedal switch, coolant fan
5
9
Operating controls for the heating, control unit for air condi-
tioning system, parking aid, control unit for cornering lights,
coolant fan
5
10
Not assigned
11
Mirror adjustment
5
12
Control unit for trailer detection
5
13
Control unit for automatic gearbox
5
14
Motor for halogen projector headlights with cornering light
function
10
15
Navigation PDA
5
16
Electrohydraulic power steering
5
17
Radio
10
Daylight driving lights
7,5
18
Mirror heater
5
19
S-contact
5
20
Engine control unit
5
Engine control unit
7,5
Fuel pump relay
15
Fuel pump control unit
15
21
Reversing light, fog lights with the function “CORNER”
10
22
Operating controls for the heating, control unit for air condi-
tioning system, parking aid, mobi le phone, instrument cluster,
steering angle sender , ESP, vehicle voltage control unit, multi-
function steering wheel
7,5
23
Interior lighting, storage compartment and luggage compart-
ment, side lights
15
24
Central control unit of the vehicle
5
25
Seat heaters
20
26
Rear window wiper
10
27
Not assigned
28
Petrol engine: AKF valve, petrol engine: Control flap
10
29
Injection, water pump
10
No.
Power consumer
Amperes
s16g.4.book Page 192 Wednesda y, February 10, 2010 3:53 PM