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Checking tyre inflation pressures
Tyres which are correctly inflated save fuel.Always ensure that your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure at all times. The rolling
resistance will be increased if the tyre filling pressure is too low. This will not only
increase fuel consumption but also tyre we ar and the driving behaviour will worsen.
Always check the inflation pr essure of the tyres when cold.
Do not drive with winter tyres all year round for this costs about 10 % more fuel. They
are also louder and have poorer handling characteristics and higher wear at tempera-
tures more than 10°C.No unnecessary ballast
Transporting ballast costs fuel.The fact that every kilogram of extra weight increases your fuel consumption means
that it is worth taking a look in the luggage compartment to avoid transporting any
unnecessary ballast.
It is particularly in town traffic, when one is accelerating quite often, that the vehicle
weight will have a significant effect upon the fuel consumption. A rule of thumb here
is that an increase in weight of 100 kilograms will cause an increase in fuel consump-
tion of about 1 litre/100 kilometres.
You may frequently also leave a roof rack fitted on just out of convenience, although
you no longer need it. The increased aerodyna mic drag of your vehicle causes it to use
about 10% more fuel than normal at a speed of 100 - 120 km/h, even when you are not
carrying a load on the roof.Saving electricity
Generating electricity costs fuel.– Switch off electrical components as soon as you no longer need them.
When the engine is running, the alternator generates and supplies electrical power.
The greater the load on the alternator as a result of having a large number of electrical components switched on, the more fuel
will be consumed for operating the
alternator.
Keeping a log of your fuel consumptionIf you really wish to keep a close check on your fuel consumption, it is best to enter
the figures in a logbook. This does not take much time but is a very worthwhile exer-
cise. It enables you to detect any change (p ositive and negative) at an early stage and
to take any appropriate action.
If you find that your fuel consumption is too high, you should reflect on how, where
and in what conditions you have driven the vehicle since you last refuelled.Environmental compatibilityEnvironmental protection has played a major role in the design, selection of materials
and manufacture of your new Škoda. Particular emphasis has been paid to a number
of aspects, including:
Design measures
Joints designed to be easily detached.
Simplified disassembly due to the modular structure system.
Improved purity of differ ent classes of materials.
Identification of all plastic parts in accordance with VDA Recommendation°260.
Reduced fuel consumption and exhaust emission CO
2.
Minimum fuel leakage during accidents.
Reduced noise.
Choice of materials
Extensive use of re cyclable material.
Air conditioning filled with CFC-free refrigerant.
No cadmium.
No asbestos.
Reduction in the “vaporisation” of plastics.
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Avoiding damage to your vehicleWhen driving on poor roads and lanes or when driving over kerbstones, steep ramps
etc., you must pay particular attention to ensuring that any low-slung parts of the
vehicle, such as spoiler and exhaust, do not touch the ground and get damaged.
This particularly applies to models with a lowered suspen sion (sport suspension) and
also when your vehicle is fully laden.Driving through bodies of water on roadsIn order to avoid damage to the vehicle wh en driving through bodies of water (e.g.
flooded roads), observe the following:
Determine the depth of the water when driv ing through bodies of water. The water
can reach at the maximum the web on the lower sill of the vehicle fig. 154 .
Drive no more than at walking speed. At a higher speed, a water wave can form in
front of the vehicle which can cause water to penetrate into the air induction system of
the engine or into other parts of the vehicle.
Never let the vehicle stand in the water, never drive backwards and do not switch
off the engine.
WARNING
Driving through water, mud, sludge etc. can reduce the braking power and
extend the braking distance - risk of accident!
Avoid sudden and severe braking manoeuvres immediately after driving
through bodies of water.
After driving through bodies of water, the brakes must be cleaned and dried
as soon as possible by intermittent braking. Only apply the brakes for the
purpose of drying and cleaning the brake discs if the traffic conditions permit
this. Do not place any other road users in jeopardy.Caution
When driving through bodies of water, pa rts of the vehicle such as the engine,
gearbox, catalytic converter, chassis or electrics can be severely damaged.
Oncoming vehicles can generate water waves which ca n exceed the permissible
water level for your vehicle.
Potholes, mud or rocks can be hidden under the water making it difficult or impos-
sible to drive through the body of water.
Do not drive through salt water. The salt can lead to corrosion. Immediately rinse
all the parts of the vehicle, which came into contact with the salt water, with fresh
water.Note
After driving through a body of water, we recommend that the vehicle is checked by a
specialist garage.Off-road drivingImportant information
WARNING
Never drive too fast, particularly not around curves, and never undertake
extreme driving manoeuvres.
Always adjust your speed and adapt your style of driving to suit road, off-
road, traffic and weather conditions.
Fig. 154 Crossing bodies of water
WARNING (continued)
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The first priority
should always be safety.
Never overestimate your own capabilities and never underestimate the difficulties of
driving off-road.
We cannot discuss all the possible driving situations in this manual, because there are
so many types of terrains which may hide different risks and dangers. The examples
listed in this manual are general rules for safe off-road driving. It is however not
possible to predict if these rules are valid for all the situations which may occur. Before
driving through unknown terrain, it is ther efore important that you know what lies
ahead of you. This way you can estima te any possible danger in advance.
For the sake of the environment
When driving off-road, show respect and appreciation for the environment and its
preservation for future generations.Before driving off-road for the first timeBefore driving off-road, we recommend that you take part in an Off-road driver
training course. This is especial l y i m p o r t a n t i f y o u h a v e l i t t l e o r n o e x p e r i e n c e o f d r i v i n g
off-road. In a driver training course, you learn how to use th e vehicle in many different
off-road situations and how to handle the vehicle safely when driving through rough
terrain.
Driving off-road requires entirely different skills from the driver and a very different
behaviour than driving on the road. Your pers onal safety and that of your passengers
depend on you, your capabili ties and your cautiousness.
Do not drive off-road where it is not suitable for your vehicle or where the demands
on you are too high. Although your vehicle can handle off-road driving, it is not
designed for travels with expedition characteristics.
Before each journey off-road, make sure that the vehicle is appropriately equipped for
the planned journey page 182. The standard equipmen t of your vehicle may not be
sufficient for your journey. With the standard tyres you can drive with your off-road
vehicle through easy terrain, such as flat forest roads, meadows and fields. Please note
however, that driving the vehicle on a diffic ult, muddy and sandy ground is restricted
and that the traction of the standard tyres is reduced when driving off-road. If you have
planned prolonged or difficul t off-road trips, we recommend that you equip your
vehicle with suitable off-road tyres.
WARNING
Observe the important guidelines page 179.Rules of conduct for responsible off-road drivingObserve the valid national legal requirements when driving off-road.Explanation of technical termsFig. 155 Embankment angle / slope angle
Fig. 156 Ground clearance / ramp angleThe technical data page 245, “Angle (in degree)” refer to ideal conditions. These
values may differ depending on the load and composition of the soil and the environ-
ment. The driver is responsible to decide whether a vehicle can overcome a certain
situation.
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Fill up your tank. The fuel consumption of the vehicle is much higher when driving
off-road than when driving on the road.
Install the towing eye at the front or at the rear before driving off-road. It is not
always possible to install the towing eye if the vehicle got stuck.
Always check the inflation pressure of a ll the tyres and if necessary correct it.
Check the vehicle tool kit and supplement it according to your needs.
Fill with engine oil up to the line , so that the engine is sufficiently supplied with
engine oil when the vehicle is in a tilted position page 205, “Check engine oil level”.
Top up wash fluid.
Stow your load as low as possible in th e vehicle and attach all the items which are
loose.
Off-road driving
Never be alone when driving off-road and be prepared to encounter unexpected
situations. Travel together with at least two off-road vehicles. Equipment with which
you can call for help in an emer gency is particularly useful.
Drive slowly through unclear terrain.
You must stop when encountering difficul t passages and explore the continuation
of the route on foot. If you cannot go on or if you doubt the safety of the route, turn
back and choose another way.
Drive slowly over hilltops. Ma ke sure that the wheels of the vehicle do not lift off
the ground, as this could severely damage the vehicle and it may become disabled.
Drive slowly on difficult stretches of the route. When driving on a slippery ground,
s h i f t u p i n to t h e n e xt h i g h e r g e a r a n d m a ke s u re t h a t t he v e h i c l e a l w a y s s t a y s i n m o t i o n.
Do not drive too fast so that you do n't lose control over your vehicle.
If your vehicle got stuck in sand, snow or sludge, it may be more effective to reverse
the vehicle than trying to drive forwards.
Place stones, footmats or pieces of wood under the spinning wheels in order to
achieve traction on a sandy or slippery ground.
Do no drive throug h water before reading what you must take into account
page 179.
Keep sufficient distance from other vehicles even at low speeds. When the first
vehicle suddenly gets stuck, the following vehi cle can still stop in time without getting
stuck itself.
Do not plan day trips which are too far in distance.
Do not use the cruise control system when driving off-road. It is only intended for
driving on the road.
WARNING
The intelligent engineering of your ve hicle cannot overcome the physical
limits of your vehicle.
Be very alert and look ahead when driving off-road. Excessive speed or
incorrect driving manoeuvres can caus e damage to the vehicle and lead to
serious injuries.
Observe the important guidelines page 179.Caution
Pay attention to the ground clearance of the vehicle! The vehicle can be severely
damaged and become disabled once it touches the ground.
Never drive off-road with an almost empty fuel tank. The fuel supply to the engine
can be interrupted and therefore the cata lytic converter can be severely damaged.
Do not leave your foot on the clutch pedal or let the clutch slip when driving off-
road. Overwise you may unintentionally de press the clutch pedal on uneven ground
leading to a loss of control over the vehicle. In addition, the force for connecting the
engine and the gearbox is lost. Moreover, driving while letting the clutch slip causes a
fast wear of the clutch linings.Note
The fuel consumption is high er when driving off-road than when driving on conven-
tional roads, especially through difficult terr ain. When you prepare for your journey, be
aware of an increase in fuel consumption; the nearest filling station may be far away.
AA
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Crossing bodies of waterParticular attention is required when driving through bodies of water page 179.Driving through snow-covered terrain– Before you drive through snow-covered te rrain, mount snow chains on the front
wheels or on the rear wheels page 220, “Snow chains” in order to achieve the
best possible traction.
–Switch on the Off-road mode page 170.
Even harmless looking sections of terrain can be dangerous. This applies in particular
for sections where no ruts or other tracks are visible.
WARNING
Driving through snow-covered terrain poses special dangers. Never choose
a dangerous route and never take a risk which could jeopardize your safety and
that of your passengers. If you cannot go on or if you doubt the safety of the
route, turn back and choose another way.
Potholes, troughs, trenches, precipices , sheets of ice or other obstructions
are often completely or partially obscured by snow.
The hidden dangers of snow can cause an accident, serious injuries or your
vehicle to break down under extreme weather conditions.
Driving over steep terrainDriving uphill and downhill– Stop the vehicle before driv ing uphill or downhill, exit the vehicle and explore the
situation.
– Walk a stretch and check the firmness of the soil and look for obstructions or other hidden dangers.
– Check how the route continues beyond the slope.
–Switch on the Off-road mode page 170. – Drive slowly and steadily straight uphill or downhill.
– Do not stop the vehicle on a hillside or attempt to turn around.
– You must prevent the engine from cutting out.
Driving uphill– Check before driving over a hilltop, how it
continues on the other side. If you drive
up a steep hill, the vehicle faces the sky and you cannot see what is directly in front
of the vehicle.
– Switch on the Off-road mode page 170.
– Do not shift gears or release the clutch during the climbing phase.
– Depress the accelerator only as much as is necessary in order to handle the slope.If you can go no further on a slope– Never attempt to make a turn with the vehicle on a hillside.
– If the engine cuts out, press the foot brake and restart the engine.
– Engage the reverse gear and carefully drive backwards in your own tracks.
– Press the foot brake in order to maintain a constant speed.Driving downhill– Switch on the Off-road mode page 170.
– Shift into first gear or select the first driving stage, while in the Tiptronic mode, to drive downhill on steep hillsides in order to use the Downhill Drive Support to its
maximum.
– Press the foot brake gently, so you do not lose the control over your vehicle.
– If it is feasible and safe, drive straight down (maximum gradient).
– Do not release the clutch or shift into Neutral.
WARNING
Never attempt to drive uphill or downhill if it is too steep for your vehicle.
The vehicle could slip or roll over - risk of accident!
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tilt, steer immediat
ely downhill on your trajec tory and lightly depress the
accelerator.
If the vehicle is stationary on a hillside with a too great angle of lateral incli-
nation, avoid sudden and uncontrolled movements in the vehicle. The vehicle
can roll over and then roll down the hillside. This can lead to serious injuries.
If the vehicle is stationary on a hillside with a too great angle of lateral incli-
nation, neither you nor your occupants must exit the vehicle through the doors
facing downhill. This can lead to a shift of the overall centre of gravity. The
vehicle can tilt or roll over and then roll down the hillside. This can lead to
serious injuries. To avoid this, you and your occupants must exit the vehicle
only on the side facing uphill page 186, fig. 158.
When you exit the vehicle, make sure that the door which faces uphill does
not close by its own weight or by carelessness - risk of injury!
Observe the important guidelines page 179.
Driving over rutted roads and troughsYou will always encounter ruts when driv ing on forest roads, through wet meadows
and fields as well as on rutted stretches of terrain.
If the ruts and troughs are on firm and soft ground, you can simply follow the ruts.
Do not drive over ruts and troughs which ar e too deep. If you cannot avoid this, it is
better that you turn back.
Caution
If the ruts or troughs become too deep, the underbody of the vehicle can touch the
ground, which might cause the underbody to get damaged. Therefore, avoid driving in
deep ruts and troughs.Crossing a trenchIf possible, drive through the trench at an acute angle. Make sure when driving through
the trench that the tilt angle is not too steep.
WARNING
Never attempt to drive through a trench if its embankment is too steep. The
vehicle could slip, tilt or roll over - risk of accident!
Caution
If you drive into the trench at a right angle, the front wheels will sink into the trench.
There is also the danger that the underbod y of the vehicle touches the ground and is
damaged. For these reasons (even with four-wheel drive) it is rarely possible to get out
of the trench.Driving in sand and mudYou should therefore always drive at a cons tant speed through sand or mud whenever
possible and at the same time do not shift gears or change the driving stage.
– Switch on the Off-road mode page 170.
– Select a suitable gear or driving stage and maintain the gear or driving stage.
– Keep your vehicle in constant motion and do not stop until you have reached firm
ground.
Never drive too fast, otherwise the wheels may spin and the vehicle can get stuck. If
you feel that the tyres do no longer grip, then turn the steering wheel quickly back and
forth. This leads to an improved adhesion of the front tyres of the vehicle for a short
period of time.
Driving through sand
Do not reduce the tyre inflation pressure. If yo u nevertheless reduce the inflation
pressure, do not forget to re-establish the correct tyre inflation pressure level before
you continue driving. Driving with a reduced tyre inflation pressure increases the risk
that you lose control over your vehicle and that the vehicle rolls over.
Driving through mud
Do not change speed or direction when you drive through the mud. The tyres can lose
their grip in the mud. If the vehicle slides, you must steer in the appropriate direction
in order to regain control over the vehicle.
WARNING (continued)
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Combustible objects such as dry leaves or twigs could ignite on hot vehicle
parts. A vehicle fire can also lead to serious injuries.
Observe the important guidelines page 179.WARNING (continued)
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190
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
13) from Škoda original accessories.
This work must be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications if
a towing device is retrofitted.
Authorised Škoda Service Partners are familiar with details relating 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 an authorised Škoda Service Partner. 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 216.
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.
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