2010 SKODA YETI ground clearance

Driving and the Environment181
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
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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Driving and the Environment
182
Embankment angle (front and rear)
Transition from the horizontal plane to an upward slope or from a downward slope
back to the plane. The angle indication determines the angle at which you can drive the
vehicle down the embankment, at a slow speed, without the bumper or the under-
body of the vehicle touching the ground.
Slope angle
The difference of altitude (upward slope) which is overcome on a stretch of road of 100
m, is indicated in percentage or degrees, i. e the gradiant at which the vehicle can climb
a hill on its own (among other things, depe nding on the road surface and the engine
power).
Ground clearance
The distance between the road surface and the deepest point of the vehicle under-
body.
Ramp angle
The angle indication determines the angle at which you can drive the vehicle over a
ramp, at a slow speed, without the underbody of the vehicle touching the ramp edge.
WARNING
When exceeding the maximum value given in the table page 245, “Angle (in
degree)”, this can result in serious inju ries and/or vehicle damage. All of the
data was determined on flat, firm and no n-slip road surfaces as well as under
dry weather conditions. There are no id eal off-road conditions. Therefore,
never completely go according to the maximum values, but always leave a
safety margin.Useful utensilsMany items can be very useful wh en driving off-road, for example:
compass and maps,

torch and spare batteries,

mobile phone or CB radio,

tow bar or tow rope with sufficient tear strength,

electrically driven tyre pump for connect ing to the 12-volt power outlet of the
vehicle,

a blanket and rubber boots,

snow chains,

a timber plank which is approximately 4 cm thick and about 1 metre long can be
used as a traction aid when the vehicle is stuck or as a base for the lifting jack,

additional tools and a folding yardstick or a measuring tape,

spare wheel and tyre repair kit,

shovel.
Safe off-road drivingAdopt a correct seated position and always fa sten the seat belt correctly. Make sure
that your front passenger and your passengers seated on the rear seats always fasten
their seat belts correctly.
When driving off-road, it is perhaps more useful to adopt a slightly different seated
position. Depending on the terrain, an incr eased force may be required to turn the
steering wheel because the force is transferred from the front wheels to the steering
wheel. You must be seated in such a way that you have good front visibility, especially
when driving uphill or downhill. You must never be seated in such a way that the
distance between your chest and the midd le of the airbag cover is less than 25 cm
 page 148.
Under no circumstances must you drive off-ro ad with high heels, slippery or open
shoes. You should wear shoes which fit your feet well and allow you to get a feel for the
pedals.
WARNING
Observe the important guidelines page 179.Before driving off-road
Make sure the tyres are suitable for the pl anned off-road journey. Be fore you dri ve
through difficult terrain, equip yo ur vehicle with off-road tyres.
AA
AB
AC
AD
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Driving and the Environment183
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data

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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Driving and the Environment
184
Shifting gears correctlyThe gear you must shift into depends on th e terrain. Choosing the correct gear contrib-
utes to safe driving. In partic ular if you do not have much experience driving off-road,
it is always better, before negotiating a difficult stretch of the road, to pause and reflect
on which gear to engage. Your experience will tell you which gear is the best for certain
sections of the terrain.
Basically:
When the gear or the driving stage has been properly selected, it is unnecessary to
slow down the vehicle on a downhill sectio n using the footbrake as in most cases the
engine braking power is sufficient.

Depress the accelerator only as much as is necessary. A too great acceleration may
lead to the wheels spinning and thus results in the loss over the control of the vehicle.
Manual gearbox

If you are driving thro ugh difficult terrain, on no account use the clutch or change
the gear. When the clutch is depressed, th e vehicle may come to a standstill because
of the increased grip of all the tyres of the vehicle (e.g. in the mud, in deep sand or on
a slope). Once the vehicle has come to a stan dstill, it may be difficult or even impos-
sible to start off under these conditions.

When negotiating a steep downhill section or a steep uphill section, always shift
into the 1st or 2nd gear.

On a soft or slippery ground, you must drive at the appropriate speed and you
must select the highest possible gear for this.
Automatic gearbox

Select the selector lever position for normal flat stretches of terrain
 page 121.

While in the Tiptronic mode, select the se lector lever position or if you are
driving through mud, sand, water or hilly sections of terrain page 123.

When negotiating a steep downhill section or a steep uphill section, select the
selector lever position while in the Tiptronic mode.

On a soft or slippery ground, you must drive at the appropriate speed and you
must select the highest possible driving stage.
Driving over rough and smooth– Switch on the Off-road mode page 170.
– Drive at walking speed over rocky passages.
– If it is not possible to drive around a stone, gently drive onto the stone with one of the front wheels and then drive over it slowly.
WARNING
Observe the important guidelines page 179.
Caution

On no account drive over large objects (suc h as pieces of rock or tree stumps),
neither in the middle nor on one side. When driving over objects which are larger than
the ground clearance, the chassis and its components can get damaged. Your vehicle
could break down far away from any assistance.

Even objects that are smaller than the existing ground clearance can come into
contact with the underbody of the vehicle an d can lead to damage or failure of the
vehicle. This applies especially when there is a hollow or soft ground in front or behind
the object or if you drive too fast over the object and thus the vehicle is deflected.For the sake of the environment
Leaking engine oil and brake fluid poll ute the environment and contaminate the
bodies of water. The disposal e.g. of engine oil soaked soil can be costly.
AD
A3
A2
A1
Fig. 157 Observe the ground clearance
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