
Removing and installing the luggage net partition housing
Fig. 55 Rear seats: Luggage net parti-
tion housing
Removing
– Open the right rear door.
– Fold the surfaces of the seats and seat backrests of the rear seats forward.
First the right then the left backrest.
– Push the rear bulkhead A ⇒ fig. 55
in the direction of arrow 1 and take it out
of the mounts of the rear seat backrests on the right in the direction of arrow 2 .
Install
– Position the luggage net partition housing into the mounts in the rear seat
backrests.
– Push the luggage net partition housing in the opposite direction of arrow 1as far as the stop.
– Fold the rear seats back into its original position. Bicycle holder in the luggage compartment
Install cross member Fig. 56 Install cross member
– Remove the luggage compartment cover ⇒
page 59; if necessary we recom-
mend you remove the rear bulkhead ⇒ page 63.
– Take the head restraints out of the rear seat backrests and fold the rear seats
in order to extend the luggage compartment as desired.
– Release the fixtures B at the ends of the cross member by fully loosening and
slightly pulling up the securing screws C . The fixtures open when they are
not already opened.
– Position the cross member with the fixed (not pulled out) part onto the right
(in direction of travel) lashing eye and then the pull out part A onto the left
lashing eye.
– Press the fixtures B on both sides of the cross member until they lock in
place and tighten the securing screws C .
– Check the attachment of the cross member by pulling it. WARNING
When transporting bicycles in the luggage compartment, ensure the safety of
passengers . 63
Seats and Stowage Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Storage compartments on the front passenger side ⇒
page 69 Storage compartment on the driver's side ⇒ page 70
Stowage compartment for spectacles ⇒ page 70
Stowage compartment in centre console ⇒ page 70
Storage compartment in the front seat ⇒ page 70
Front seat armrest with stowage compartment ⇒ page 71
Storage compartment in the front doors ⇒ page 71
Storage compartments in the luggage compartment ⇒ page 71
Flexible storage compartment ⇒ page 72
Clothes hooks ⇒ page 72
WARNING
● Please do not place anything on top of the dash panel. Such objects might
slide or fall down when driving (when accelerating or cornering) and may dis-
tract you from concentrating on the traffic situation - risk of accident!
● Ensure that when driving no objects from the centre console of from other
storage possibilities may get into the footwell of the driver. You would then
no longer be able to apply the brakes, operate the clutch or accelerator - risk
of accident!
Storage compartments on the front passenger side Fig. 67 Dash panel: Storage compart-
ments on the front passenger side
On some vehicles, the storage compartments are not equipped with lids.
Opening and closing the storage compartments on the front passenger side
– Pull the handle of the lid in direction of arrow ⇒
fig. 67 and fold it open.–
Swivel the flap until it is heard to lock.
A pin holder is located inside the lower flap. WARNING
The storage compartments must always be closed when driving for safety rea-
sons.
Cooling of storage compartment on front passenger side Fig. 68 Storage compartment: Using
cooling system
– You can switch the cooling system on or off using the control dial ⇒ fig. 68.
Opening the air inlet when the air conditioning system is on causes fresh or interi-
or air to flow into the storage compartment.
We recommend that you switch off the cooling if it is operating in the heating
mode or if you are not using the cooling system for the storage compartment. 69
Seats and Stowage Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Storage compartment on the driver's side
Fig. 69 Dash panel: Storage compart-
ment on the driver's side
Unlockable compartment below the steering wheel on the left.
Stowage compartment for spectacles Fig. 70 Detail of the headliner: Stowage
compartment for spectacles
– Press on the lid of the storage compartment, the storage compartment opens
downwards ⇒ fig. 70. CAUTION
● The compartment must only be opened when removing or inserting the spec-
tacles and otherwise must be kept closed.
● Do not put any heat-sensitive objects in the stowage compartment - they may
be damaged. Stowage compartment in centre console
Fig. 71 Centre console: Storage com-
partment
Unlocable compartment in the centre console.
Storage compartment in the front seat Fig. 72 Front seat: Storage compart-
ment
– Tilt the lock to open the flap and pull out the flap ⇒ fig. 72.
– Tilt the lock to close the flap and press flap close. CAUTION
The storage compartment is designed for storing small objects of up to 1 kg. in
weight. 70
Seats and Stowage

Flexible storage compartment
Fig. 76 Flexible storage compartment
A flexible storage compartment is located on the right side of the luggage com-
partment.
Removing
– Take hold of the flexible storage compartment at both upper corners.
– Press the upper corners to the inside and release the storage compartment by
pulling upwards.
– Take it out by pulling towards the middle of the vehicle.
Install
– Insert both ends of the flexible storage compartment into the openings of the
right side trim panel of the luggage compartment and push it downwards until
it locks. CAUTION
The flexible storage compartment is foreseen for storing small objects of up to 8
kg. in weight. Note
If the variable loading floor is installed in the luggage compartment ⇒ page 60, no
flexible storage box can be installed.
Clothes hooks The clothes hooks are located on the handle of the headliner above each of the
rear doors. WARNING
● Ensure that any clothes hanging from the hooks do not impair your vision
to the rear.
● Use the hooks for hanging only light items of clothing and ensure that
there are no heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets.
● The maximum permissible load of the hooks is 2 kg.
● Do not use clothes hangers for hanging up items of clothing otherwise this
will interfere with the protection offered by the head airbag. 72
Seats and Stowage

Heating and air conditioning system
Introduction
Description and information The heating effect is dependent upon the coolant temperature, thus full heat out-
put only occurs when the engine has reached its operating temperature.
If the cooling system is switched on, the temperature and air humidity drops in
the vehicle. The wellbeing of the occupants of the car is enhanced as a result of
this particularly at high outside temperatures and a high air humidity. The system
prevents the windows misting up during the cold season of the year.
It is possible to briefly activate recirculated air mode in order to enhance the cool-
ing effect - air-conditoining system
⇒ page 78, Climatronic ⇒
page 81.
The air inlet in front of the windscreen must be free of ice, snow or leaves in order
to ensure that the heating and cooling systems operate properly.
After switching on the cooling Condensation from the evaporator of the air condi-
tioning may drip down and form a puddle below the vehicle. This is quite normal
and not an indication of a leak! WARNING
● For your own safety and that of other road users, ensure that all the win-
dows are free of ice, snow and misting. Please familiarize yourself about how
to correctly operate the heating and ventilation systems, how to demist and
defrost the windows, as well as with the cooling mode.
● You should not leave recirculated air mode on over a longer period of time,
as “
stale” air may result in fatigue in the driver and occupants, divert your at-
tention and also cause the windows to mist up. The risk of having an accident
increases. Switch recirculated air mode off as soon as the windows begin
misting up. Note
● The used air streams out through the air removal openings in the luggage
compartment.
● We recommend that you do not smoke in the vehicle when the recirculating air
mode is operating since the smoke which is drawn at the evaporator from the in-
terior of the vehicle forms deposits in the evaporator of the air conditioning sys- tem. This produces a permanent odour when the air conditioning system is oper-
ating which can only be eliminated through considerable effort and expense (re-
placement of compressor).
●
Please refer to the information regarding the recirculated air mode for heating
⇒ page 75
and/or for air-conditioning system ⇒ page 78 or Climatronic
⇒ page 81.
● To ensure that the heating and air conditioning systems work properly, do not
block up the air outlet vents with any objects.
Using the air conditioning system economically The compressor on the air conditioning system uses power from the engine when
in cooling mode which will effect the fuel consumption.
It recommended to open the windows or the doors of a vehicle for which the inte-
rior has been strongly heated through the effect of direct sunlight in order to al-
low the heated air to escape.
The cooling system should not be switched on while travelling when the window
is open.
The desired interior temperature can also be achieved without switching in the
cooling system just by switching to fresh air mode.
For the sake of the environment
When you economize on fuel, you also reduce pollutant emissions.
Operational problems If the cooling system does not operate at outside temperatures higher than +5 °C,
there is a problem in the system. The reasons for this may be:
●
The fuse on the air conditioning system has blown. Check the fuse, replace it if
necessary ⇒ page 182.
● The cooling system has switched off automatically for a short time because
the coolant temperature of the engine is too hot ⇒ page 11.
If you are not able to rectify the operational problem yourself, or if the cooling ca-
pacity decreases, switch the cooling system off. Contact a specialist garage. 73
Heating and air conditioning system Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Starting-off and Driving
Setting steering wheel position Fig. 81 Adjustable steering wheel: Lever below the steering column/Safe distance to steering
wheel
You can set the height and the forward/back position of the steering wheel to the
desired position.
–
Adjust the driver seat ⇒ page 52.
– Pull the lever below the steering wheel down ⇒ fig. 81 - left ⇒ .
– Set the steering wheel to the desired position (concerning height and forward/
back position).
– Then push the lever up against the steering column until it locks into place. WARNING
● You must not adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is moving!
● The driver must maintain a distance of at least 25 cm to the steering wheel
⇒ fig. 81 - right. Not maintaining this minimum distance will mean that the air-
bag system will not be able to properly protect you - hazard!
● For safety reasons the lever must always be firmly pushed up to avoid the
steering wheel altering its position unintentionally when driving - risk of acci-
dent! WARNING (Continued)
● If you adjust the steering wheel further towards the head, you will reduce
the protection offered by the driver airbag in the event of an accident. Check
that the steering wheel is aligned to the chest.
● When driving, hold the steering wheel with both hands firmly on the outer
edge in the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock position. Never hold the steering wheel
firmly in the 12 o'clock position or in another way (e.g. in the middle of the
steering wheel or at the inner steering wheel edge). In such cases, injuries to
the arms, the hands and the head can occur when the driver airbag is de-
ployed.
Ignition lock Fig. 82 Ignition lock positions
Petrol engines 1 - ignition switched off, engine off, the steering can be locked.
2 - ignition switched on
3 - start engine
Diesel engines 1 - interruption of fuel supply, ignition switched off, engine off, the steering can
be locked.
2 - heating glow plugs on, ignition switched on
● You should not switch on any major electrical components during the heating
period otherwise the vehicle battery will be drained unnecessarily. £82
Starting-off and Driving

3
- start engine
Applies to all models:
Position 1 To
lock the steering , with the ignition key withdrawn, turn the steering wheel un-
til 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 2 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
3 The engine is started in this position. At the same time switched on low beam or
main beam or other electrical components with major power consumption are
briefly switched off. The ignition key moves back into position
2 when one relea-
ses the key.
The ignition key must be turned back into position 1 each time before starting
the engine again. The starter repeat lock in the ignition lock prevents the starter
being engaged when the engine is running and thus getting damaged. WARNING
● When driving, the ignition key must always be in the position 2 (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 wheel - risk of accident!
● Do not withdraw the ignition key from the lock until the car 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 engine or operate electrical
equipment (e.g. power windows) - risk of injury! Starting the engine
General You can only start the engine only using an original ignition key.
● Place the gearshift lever into neutral (or place the selector lever to the posi-
tion P or N in the case of an automatic gearbox) and put on the handbrake firmly
before starting the engine.
● The clutch pedal should be fully depressed when starting the engine which
means that the starter 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 another vehicle as a jump-start aid ⇒ page 178. WARNING
● Never run the engine in non ventilated or enclosed areas. The exhaust
gases of the engine contain besides the odorless and colourless carbon mon-
oxide a poisonous gas - hazard! Carbon monoxide can cause unconsciousness
and death.
● Never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running. CAUTION
● The starter may only be operated (ignition key position 3 ), if the engine is not
running. If the starter is immediately operated after switching 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 operating temperature - risk of damag-
ing the engine!
● Do not tow start the engine - danger of damaging the engine. On vehicles with
a catalytic converter, unburnt fuel may get into the catalytic converter where it
may ignite. This in turn may damage or destroy the catalytic converter. You can
use the battery of another vehicle as a jump-start aid ⇒ page 178, Jump-starting.£ 83
Starting-off and Driving Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Shifting (manual gearbox)
Fig. 83 Shift pattern on models fitted
with 5-speed manual gearbox
Shift into reverse only when the car is stationary. Depress the clutch pedal and
hold it fully depressed. Wait a moment before engaging reverse gear in order to
avoid any shift noises.
The reversing light will come on once reverse gear is engaged, provided the igni-
tion 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
pressure 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 changing gears, in order to avoid unneces-
sary wear and damage. Pedals Operation of the pedals must not be hindered!
WARNING
● In the driver's footwell, only a footmat, which is attached to the two corre-
sponding attachment points, may be used.
● No objects are allowed in the driver's footwell – risk of obstruction or limi-
tation in operating the pedal! Note
● Greater brake pedal distances may be needed when there is a fault in the
brake system.
● Use only footmats from the range of ŠKODA Original Accessories, which are at-
tached at two attachment points.
Handbrake Fig. 84 Centre console: Handbrake
Applying 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. 84
.
– Hold the button pressed and push the handbrake lever down fully ⇒ .
£ 85
Starting-off and Driving Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data