
Seats and Stowage
84
Roof rackRoof railPay attention to the following points if you wish to transport luggage or other items on
the roof of your vehicle:
A special roof luggage rack system was de veloped for the vehicle, that is why you
should only use a roof luggage rack which has been released for use by Škoda Auto.
The roof rail is the basis for a complete roof luggage rack system. Separate addi-
tional holders are required for safety reasons for transporting luggage, bikes, surf-
boards, skis and boats.
The basic version of the roof luggage ra ck system and further components are
obtainable as accessories from the authorised Škoda Service Partners.Caution
If you use other roof rack systems or if the roof bars are not properly fitted, then any
damage which may result to your car is no t covered by the warranty agreements. It is
therefore essential to pay attention to the fitting instructions supplied with the roof
luggage rack system.
Ensure that the opened boot lid does not collide with the roof load.
On vehicles with a panorama roof, make su re that the tilted panorama roof does
not strike any items which are transported.
For the sake of the environment
The increased aerodynamic drag resu lts in a higher fuel consumption.Roof loadDistribute weight evenly over the roof lu ggage rack system. The maximum permissible
roof load (including roof rack system) of 100 kg and the maximum permissible total
weight of the vehicle should not be exceeded.
You cannot make full use of th e permissible roof load if you use a roof luggage rack
system with a lower load carr ying capacity. The load transported on the roof luggage
rack system must not exceed the weight limit which is stated in the fitting instructions.
WARNING
The items which you transport on the roof bar system must be reliably
attached - risk of accident!
You must on no account exceed the pe rmissible roof load, the permissible
axle loads and the permissible gross weight of your vehicle - risk of accident!
Please note that the handling proper ties of your vehicle change when you
transport heavy or bulky items on the roof bar system as a result of the
displacement of the centre of gravity an d the increased wind attack area - risk
of accident! You must absolutely adapt your style of driving and the speed of
the vehicle to the specific circumstances.
Fig. 78 Roof rail
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Seat belts141
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Seat beltsWhy seat belts?It is a proven fact that seat belt s offer good protection in accidents fig. 124 . Thus
wearing a seat belt is a legal requirement in most countries.
Seat belts which have been correctly fasten ed and adjusted hold the occupants of the
car in the correct seated position fig. 124 . The belts reduce the kinetic energy
(energy of motion) to a considerable exte nt. They also prevent uncontrolled move-
ments which, in turn, may well result in severe injuries.
The occupants of a vehicle who have fastened and correctly adjusted their seat belt,
profit to a major extent from the fact that the kinetic energy is optimally absorbed by
the belts. The structure of the front end of the vehicle and other passive safety meas-
ures, such as the airbag system, also cont ribute to reducing the kinetic energy. The
energy produced is thus absorbed and there is less risk of injury.
Accident statistics prove that seat belts which are fastened and properly adjusted
reduce the risk of an injury and enhance the chance of survival in a major accident
page 141.
It is important that you pay attention to safety measures, particularly when trans-
porting children in the vehicle page 156, “What you should know about trans-
porting children!”.
WARNING
Fasten your seat belt each time before setting off, also when driving in town!
This also applies to the people seated at the rear - risk of injury!
Expectant women must also always wear a seat belt. This is the only way of
ensuring optimal protection for the unborn child page 143.
It is important for the belt webbing to be properly routed if the seat belts are
to offer the maximum protection. You can see a description of how safety belts
should be fitted properly on the next pages.Note
Please comply with any differing legal requirements when using the seat belts.The physical principle of a frontal collisionFig. 125 The driver is catapulted forward if not wearing a belt / The rear seat occupant is cata-
pulted forward if not wearing a beltThe physical principle of a frontal a ccident 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 vehicl e 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 ab sorbed in the event of an accident.
Fig. 124 Driver wearing seat belt
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Intelligent Technology163
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Driving TipsIntelligent TechnologyElectronic stability programme (ESP)*GeneralGeneral
The ESP aids you in maintaining control of your vehicle in situations in which the
vehicle is driving at its dynamic limits, such as entering a curve fast. The risk of skidding
is reduced and your vehicle thus offers greater driving stability depending on the
conditions of the road surface. The system operates at all speeds.
The following systems are integrated into the electronic stability programme:
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL),
Traction control system (TCS),
active driver-steering recommendation (DSR),
Antilock brake system (ABS),
Brake Assist,
Uphill Start Assist
The ESP system cannot be switched off, only the TCS system can be switched off by
pressing the button fig. 146 , the warning light
lights up. Operating principle
The ESP switches on automatically when the engine is started and then conducts a
self-test. The ESP control unit processes data from the individual systems. It also proc-
esses additional measurement data which are supplied by highly sensitive sensors: the
rotational velocity of the vehicle about its ve
rtical axis, the lateral acceleration of the
vehicle, the braking pressure and the steering angle.
The direction which the driver wishes to take is determined based on the steering
angle and the speed of the vehicle and is co nstantly compared with the actual behav-
iour of the vehicle. If differences exist, such as the vehi cle beginning to skid, the ESP will
automatically brake the appropriate wheel.
The car is stabilised again by the forces wh ich take effect when the wheel is braked.
Intervention into the brake system takes place primarily on the outer front wheel of a
vehicle which tends to oversteer (tendency for the rear of the vehicle to break away)
while occurs this is on the inner rear wh eel of a vehicle which tends to understeer
(tendency to shift out of the curve). This braking control cycle is accompanied by
noises.
During an intervention of the system, the warning light
flashes in the instrument
cluster page 34.
The ESP operates in combination with the ABS page 167, “Antilock brake system
(ABS)”. If there is a fault in the ABS system, the ESP also does not operate.
The ESP warning light lights up in the instrument cluster when there is a fault on the
ESP
page 34.WARNING
It is also not possible for the ESP to overcome the physical limits of the vehicle.
Even if a vehicle fitted with ESP you should still always adapt your style of
driving to the condition of the road surfac e and the traffic situation. This partic-
ularly applies when driving on slippery and wet roads. The increased safety
Fig. 146 ESP switch
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164
offered must not tempt you to take greater risks than otherwise - risk of an acci-
dent!
Note
All four wheels must be fitted with the same tyres in order to achieve problem-free
operation of the ESP. Differing rolling circum ferences of the tyres can lead to an unde-
sirable reduction in the engine output.
Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on th e brakes, on chassis or another combina-
tion of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the ESP page 222, “Accesso-
ries, changes and replacement of parts”.
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)*
The electronic differential lock prev ents an individual wheel from slip-
ping.Models fitted with ESP ar e equipped with electronic differential lock (EDL).
General
The EDL makes it much easier, and sometimes at all possible, to start off, accelerate
and climb a steep hill when the conditions of the road surface are unfavourable.
Operating principle
The EDL is activated automaticall y, that is without any action on the part of the driver.
It monitors the speeds of the driven wheels with the aid of the ABS sensors. Should
only one drive wheel begin spinning on a slippery surface there will be an appreciable
difference in the speed of the driven wheels. The EDL function brakes the slipping
wheel and the differential transmits a greate r driving force to the other driven wheel.
This control process is also accompanied by noises.
Overheating of the brakes
The EDL switches off automatica lly if unusually severe stresses exist in order to avoid
excessive heat generation in the disc brake on the wheel which is being braked. The
vehicle can continue to be driven and has the same characteristics as a vehicle not
fitted with EDL. The EDL switches on again automatically
as soon as the brake has cooled down.
EDL Off-road*
After switching on the Off-road mode page 170, EDL Off-road is activated.
EDL Off-road is matched in such a way that it assists the traction of the vehicle when
driving on an unfirm ground.
EDL is activated earlier in the Off-road mode than in the normal mode. The brake pres-
sure builts up more quickly on the slipping wheel, on one axle, as well as diagonally.
WARNING
Carefully depress the accelerator when accelerating on uniformly slippery
road surfaces, such as ice and snow. Th e driven wheels might still spin despite
the EDL and affect the stability of the vehicle - risk of an accident!
You should always adapt your style of driving to the condition of road
surface and to the traffic situation even when your vehicle is fitted with EDL.
The increased safety offered must not tempt you to take greater risks than
otherwise - risk of an accident!Note
If the ABS or ESP warning light comes on, this may also indicate a fault in the EDL.
Please have the vehicle inspected as soon as possible by a specialist garage.
Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or another combina-
tion of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the EDL page 222, “Accesso-
ries, changes and replacement of parts”.
WARNING (continued)
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Intelligent Technology165
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Traction control system (TCS)
The traction control system prevents the driven wheels from spinning
when accelerating.General
The TCS makes it much easier, and sometimes at all possible, to start off, accelerate and
climb a steep hill when th e conditions of the road surface are unfavourable.
Operating principle
The TCS switches on automatically when th e engine is started and then conducts a
self-test. The system monitors the speeds of the driven wheels with the aid of the ABS
sensors. If the wheels are spinning, the force transmitted to the road surface is auto-
matically adapted by reducing the engine speed. The system operates at all speeds.
The TCS operates in combination with the ABS page 167, “Antilock brake system
(ABS)”. The TCS will not function if a fault exists in the ABS system.
The TCS warning light lights up in the instru ment cluster when there is a fault on the
TCS
page 33.
During an intervention of the system, the TCS warning light
flashes in the instru-
ment cluster page 33.
Switching off
You can switch the TCS off and on again as yo u wish. On vehicles fitted with ABS, you
can switch off the TCS by pressing the button fig. 147 , on vehicles fi tted with ESP*,
you can switch off the TCS wi th the aid of the button page 163, fig. 146 . The TCS warning light lights up in the instrument cluster when the system is switched off
page 33.
The TCS should normally always be switched on. It may be good practice in certain
exceptional cases, such as when you wish to have wheel slip, to switch off the system.
Examples:
when driving with snow chains
when driving in deep snow or on a loose surface
when it is necessary to rock a vehicle when it has become stuck.
then you should switch on the TCS again.
TCS Off-road*
After switching on the Off-road mode page 170, TCS Off-road is activated.
TCS Off-road provides a more effective a cceleration of the vehicle on an unfirm
ground, as it allows higher traction be tween the slipping wheels and the ground.
The system operates when starting off or at low speeds.
WARNING
You should always adjust your style of driving to the conditions of the road
surface and the traffic situation. The increased safety offered must not tempt
you to take greater risks than otherwise - risk of an accident!
Note
All four wheels must be fitted with the same tyres in order to achieve problem-free
operation of the TCS. Differing rolling circumferences of the tyres can lead to an unde-
sirable reduction in the engine output.
Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or another combina-
tion of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the TCS page 222, “Accesso-
ries, changes and replacement of parts”.
Fig. 147 TCS switch
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Active driver-steering recommendation (DSR)*Vehicles with ESP and ABS are equipped with active driver-steering recommendation
(DSR).
This function indicates to the driver in critical situations a steering recommendation in
order to stabilise the vehicle. The active driver-steering recommendation is activated,
for example, on the right and left vehicle si de when braking sharply on different road
surfaces.
WARNING
Even with this function the vehicle canno t steer itself! The driver is furthermore
responsible for the steering of the vehicle!BrakesWhat has a negative effect on braking efficiency?Wear-and-tear
Wear-and-tear to the brake pads is greatly dependent on the operating conditions of
the vehicle and your style of driving. Particul arly if you drive a great deal in towns and
over short distances or if you adopt a sporty style of driving, it may be necessary to
have the thickness of the brake pads inspected at a specialist garage between the
service inspections.
Wet roads or road salt
There may be a certain delay before the brakes take full effect under certain conditions
such as when driving through water, during heavy rain showers or after the vehicle has
been washed in an automatic vehicle wash , since the brake discs and brake pads may
be moist or even have a coatin g of ice on them in winter. Yo u s h o u l d d r y t h e b r a k e s a s
soon as possible by applying and releasing the brakes several times.
There also may be a certain delay before the full braking efficiency is available when
driving on roads which have been treated with road salt if you have not used the brakes
for some considerable time beforehand. The layer of salt on the brake discs and brake
pads must first be rubbed off when you apply the brakes. Corrosion
Corrosion on the brake discs and dirt on the bake pads occur if
the vehicle has been
parked for a long period and if you do not make much use of the braking system.
We recommend cleaning the brake discs by firm ly applying the brakes at a fairly high
speed if you do not make much use of the braking system or if surface corrosion is
present .
Faults in the brake surface
If you notice that the braking distance has suddenly become longer and that the brake
pedal can be depressed further, it is possib le that a brake circuit of the dual-circuit
brake system has failed. Drive, in such cases, to the nearest specialist garage without
delay in order to have the problem rectifie d. Drive at a reduced speed while on your
way to the dealer and adapt your style of driving to the higher brake pedal pressure
required.
Low brake fluid level
An insufficient level of brake fluid may result in problems in the brake system. The level
of the brake fluid is monitored electronically page 36, “Brake system ”.
WARNING
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 jeop-
ardy.
When retrospectively mounting a front spoiler, solid wheel hubs etc. one
must ensure that the air supply to the front wheel brakes is not reduced other-
wise the braking system could run too hot.
Allow for the fact that new brake pads do not achieve their full braking effi-
ciency until approximately 200 kilometres. New brake pads must be first “run
in” before they develop their optimal fric tion force. You can, however, compen-
sate for this slightly reduced braking fo rce by increasing the pressure on the
brake pedal. This guideline also applie s to any new brake pads installed at a
future date.
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Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Caution
Never allow the brakes to rub by applying sl ight pressure if you do not wish to brake
the vehicle. This causes the br akes to overheat and can also result in a longer braking
distance and excessive wear.
Before negotiating a steep downhill section, please reduce your speed, shift down
into the next lower gear (manual gearbox) or select a lower driving stage (automatic
gearbox). This enables you to make full us e of the braking power of the vehicle and
reduces the strain on the brakes. Any additional braking should be done intermittently,
not continuously.Note
The brake light flashes automatically in case of an emergency braking at speeds greater
than 60 km/h or with the intervention of the ABS, which lasts longer than 1.5 seconds.
After the speed was reduced below 10 km/h or the vehicle was stopped, the brake light
stops flashing and the hazard warning light system switches on. The hazard warning
light system is switched off automatically after accelerating or driving off again.Brake boosterThe brake booster boosts the pressure which you generate with the brake pedal. The
necessary pressure is only genera ted when the engine is running.
WARNING
Never switch off the engine before the vehicle is stationary.
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.
Antilock brake system (ABS)ABS prevents the wheels locking when braking.General
The ABS contributes significantly to enhanc ing the active safety of your vehicle.
Compared to a vehicle not fitted with the ABS brake system, you are able to retain
optimal steering ability even during a full br ake application on a slippery road surface
because the wheels do not lock up.
In general you must not expect that the braking distance will be shorter under all
circumstances as a result of the ABS. The braking distance for example on gravel and
fresh snow, when you should anyway be driv ing slowly and cautiously, will be longer.
Operating principle
The brake pressure will be reduced on a wheel which is rotating at a speed which is too
low for the speed of the vehicle and tending to lock. This control cycle is noticeable
from a pulsating movement of the brake pedal which is accompanied by noises.
This is consciously intended to provide the driver with the information that the wheels
are tending to lock (ABS control range). You must always keep the brake pedal
depressed to enable the ABS to optimally control the brake application in this braking
range. Never interrupt the application of the brakes!
ABS Off-road*
After switching on the Off-road mode page 170, ABS Off-road is activated.
ABS Off-road increases the braking power of the vehicle on an unfirm ground, as it
keeps the wheels blocked for a longer period of time when the brake is applied while
sliding. The system is only available, if the front wheels are in the straight-ahead posi-
tion.
The system operates at speeds of up to 50 km/h.
WARNING
The ABS can also not overcome the physical limits of your vehicle. Please do
not forget this, particularly when driving on icy or wet road surfaces. If the ABS
is operating within the control range, adapt your speed immediately to the
conditions of the road surface and the traffic situation. The increased safety
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168
offered by the ABS must not tempt you to take greater risks than otherwise -
risk of an accident!
The normal braking system is still fully functional if there is an ABS fault.
Visit a specialist garage as quickly as poss ible and adjust your style of driving to
take account of the ABS fault in the meantime since you will not know the extent
of the fault and in how far the braking efficiency is affected.Note
A warning light comes on if a fault occurs in the ABS system
page 34.
Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on th e brakes, on chassis or another combina-
tion of tyres and wheels) can in fluence the function of the ABS page 222, “Accesso-
ries, changes and replacement of parts”.
Brake Assist*During a severe brake application (e.g. if a hazard exists), the Brake Assist increases the
braking force and thus makes it possible to rapidly produce the pressure required in
the brake system.
The majority of drivers do apply the brakes in good time in dangerous situations, but
do not depress the brake pedal with sufficient pressure. Consequently, it is not possible
for the vehicle to achieve its maximum deceleration and the vehicle covers a greater
distance than necessary.
The Brake Assist is activated by the very quick operation of the brake pedal. In such
cases, a much greater braking pressure exists than during a normal brake application.
This makes it possible, even with a relative ly low resistance of the brake pedal, to
produce an adequate pressure in the brake system in the shortest possible time, which
is required for maximum deceleration of th e vehicle. You must apply the brake pedal
firmly and hold it in this position in order to achieve the shortest possible braking
distance.
The Brake Assist is able to help you achieve a shorter braking distance in emergency
situations by rapidly producing the pressure required in the brake system. It fully
exploits the attributes of the ABS. After you release the brake pedal, the function of the
Brake Assist is automatically switched off and the brakes operate in the normal way. The Brake Assist is part of the ESP system. If a fault occurs in the ESP, the Brake Assist
function is also not available.
Further information on the ESP page 163.
WARNING
The Brake Assist is also not able to overcome the physical limits of your
vehicle in terms of the braking distance required.
Adapt your speed to the conditions of th e road surface and to the traffic situ-
ation.
The increased safety offered by the Brake Assist must not tempt you to take
a greater safety risk than otherwise.
Uphill Start Assist*The uphill start assist makes it easier to start off on steep hills. The system assists a start
off by holding the brake pressure produced by the brake pedal actuation for approx. 2
seconds after releasing the brake pedal. The driver can therefore move his foot from
the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal and start off on the slope, without having to
actuate the handbrake. The brake pressure drops gradually the more you operate the
accelerator pedal. If the vehicle does not start off within 2 seconds, it starts to roll back.
The uphill start assist is active as of a 3% slope, if the driver door is closed. It is always
active on slopes when in forward or reverse start off. When driving downhill, it is
inactive.Electromechanical power steeringThe power steering enables you to steer the vehicle with less physical force.
With the electromechanical power steering, the steering assist is automatically
adapted to the speed and to the steering angle.
It is still possible to fully steer the vehicle if the power steering fails or if the engine is
not running (vehicle being towed in). The only difference is that greater physical effort
is required.
If there is a fault in the power steering, the warning light
or lights up in the instru-
ment cluster page 31.
WARNING (continued)
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