2011 SKODA OCTAVIA Owner's Manual

Heating
Using the system The heating system delivers air into the interior of the vehicle and
warms it as required.
Fig. 93 Heating: Control elements
Setting temperature
–
Turn the control dial A
⇒  fig. 93 to the right in order to increase the tempera-
ture.
– Turn the control dial A to the left in order to increase the temperature.
Controlling blower
– Turn the blower switch B into one of the positions, 1 to 4, in order to switch
the blower on. –
Turn the blower switch B into position 0 in order to switch the blower off.
– If you wish to shut off the fresh air supply, use the button 1 - recirculated air
mode ⇒ page 88

.
Control for air distribution
– You can adjust the direction of the inlet air flow ⇒
 page 86 using air distribu-
tion regulator C .
Rear window heater
– Press button 2 . Further information
⇒ page 52, Rear window heater
.
Auxiliary heating (parking heating)
– Press the button 3 in order to directly switch on/off the auxiliary heating
(auxiliary heating and ventilation). Further information ⇒

 page 94, Auxiliary
heating (auxiliary heating and ventilation).
All controls apart from the control dial B can be set to any desired intermediate
position.
The blower should always be on to prevent the windows from misting up. Note
If the air distribution is positioned towards the windows, the total amount of air is
used to defrost the windows and thus no air will be fed to the footwell. This can
lead to restriction of the heating comfort. 
Set heating Recommended basic settings of heating controls for:
£ 87
Heating and air conditioning system Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Set-up Setting of the control dial
Button
1 Air outlet vents 3
A B C
Defrosting the windscreen and side
windows To the right up to the
stop 3
 Do not switch on Open and align with the side win-
dowFree windscreen and side windows
from mist
Desired temperature 2 or 3

  Do not switch on Open and align with the side win-
dowThe fastest heating To the right up to the
stop 3
 Briefly switched on Opening
Comfortable heating Desired temperature 2 or 3
   Do not switch on Opening
Fresh air mode - ventilation To the left up to the
stop Desired position
 Do not switch on Opening
Note
● Controls A ,
B ,
C and the button
1 ⇒ fig. 93
.
● Air outlet vents 3 ⇒ fig. 91.
● We recommend that you leave the air outlet vents 4 ⇒ fig. 91 in the opened
position. 
Recirculated air mode In recirculated air mode air is sucked out of the interior of the vehi-
cle and then fed back into the interior.
Recirculated air mode prevents polluted air outside the vehicle from getting into
the vehicle, for example when driving through a tunnel or when standing in a traf-
fic jam.
Switching recirculated air mode on
– Press the button  - the warning light lights up in the button
⇒ fig. 93 .
Switching recirculated air mode off
– Press again the button  - the warning light in the button goes out.
The recirculated air mode is switched off automatically if the air distribution con-
trol C is in position
 ⇒  fig. 93. You can also switch recirculated air mode on
again from this setting by repeatedly pressing pushbutton  . WARNING
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 atten-
tion and also cause the windows to mist up. The risk of having an accident in-
creases. Switch recirculated air mode off as soon as the windows begin mist-
ing up. 
Air conditioning system (manual air conditioning
system) Description The air conditioning system is a combined cooling and heating sys-
tem. It makes it possible to optimally control the air temperature at
any season of the year.
Description of the air conditioning system
It is important for your safety and for your driving comfort that the air conditioning
system is operating properly. £88
Heating and air conditioning system

The cooling only operates if button
AC ⇒ 
fig. 94 1 is pressed, and the following
conditions are met:
● engine running,
● outside temperature above approx. +2 °C and
● blower switch switched on (positions 1 to 4).
Air at a temperature of about 5 °C may flow out of the vents under certain circum-
stances when the cooling system is operating. Lengthy and uneven distribution of
the air flow out of the vents and large differences in temperature, for example
when getting out of the vehicle, can result in chills in sensitive persons. Note
● We recommend that you have the air conditioning system cleaned by a spe-
cialist garage once every year. 
Using the system Fig. 94 The air conditioning system: Control elements
Setting temperature
–
Turn the control dial A
⇒
 fig. 94 to the right in order to increase the tempera-
ture.
– Turn the control dial A to the left in order to increase the temperature.
Controlling blower
– Turn the blower switch B into one of the positions, 1 to 4, in order to switch
the blower on. –
Turn the blower switch B into position 0 in order to switch the blower off.
– If you wish to shut off the fresh air supply, use the button 
4 - recirculated
air mode ⇒

 page 90.
Control for air distribution
– You can adjust the direction of the inlet air flow ⇒
 page 86 using air distribu-
tion regulator C .
switching cooling on and off
– Press the button AC
1 ⇒
 
fig. 94 . The warning light lights up in the button.
– When you again press the switch AC , the cooling system is switched off. The
warning light in the button goes out.
Rear window heater
– Press button 
2 . Further information
⇒
 page 52, Rear window heater.
Auxiliary heating (parking heating)
– Press the button 
3 in order to directly switch on/off the auxiliary heating
(auxiliary heating and ventilation. Further information ⇒ page 94

, Auxiliary
heating (auxiliary heating and ventilation). Note
● The whole heat output will be needed to defrost the windscreen and side win-
dows. No warm air will be fed to the footwell. This can lead to restriction of the
heating comfort.
● The warning light AC lights after activation, even if not all of the conditions for
the function of the cooling system have been met. As a result, the readiness for
cooling is signalled when all conditions are satisfied ⇒

 page 88, Description of the
air conditioning system.  89
Heating and air conditioning system Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Setting air conditioning system
Recommended basic settings of the control elements of the air conditioning sys-
tem for the respective operating modes: Set-up Setting of the control dial Button
Air outlet vents 3
A B C 1 4
Defrost windscreen and side
windows - free from mist
a) Desired tempera-
ture 3 or 4
 Is activated auto-
matically b) Do not switch on Open and align with the side
windowThe fastest heating To the right up to
the stop 3
 Switched off Briefly switched on Opening
Comfortable heating Desired tempera-
ture 2 or 3
   Switched off Do not switch on Opening
The fastest cooling To the left up to
the stop briefly 4, then
2 or 3  Activated Briefly switched on Opening
Optimal cooling Desired tempera-
ture 1, 2 or 3
 Activated Do not switch on Open and align to the roof
Fresh air mode - ventilation To the left up to
the stop Desired position
 Switched off Do not switch on Opening
a)
In countries with high humidity, we recommend you do not use this setting. This can result in heavy cooling of the window glass and the following fogging from outside.
b) The warning light in the 1 button lights after activation, even if not all of the conditions for the function of the cooling system have been met. As a result, the readiness for cooling is signalled when all conditions
are satisfied ⇒ page 88
, Description of the air conditioning system. Note
● Controls A ,
B ,
C and the
1 button and
4 ⇒
 
fig. 94 .
● Air outlet vents 3 ⇒ fig. 91.
● We recommend that you leave the air outlet vents 4 ⇒ fig. 91 in the opened
position. 
Recirculated air mode In recirculated air mode air is sucked out of the interior of the vehi-
cle and then fed back into the interior.
Recirculated air mode prevents polluted air outside the vehicle from getting into
the vehicle, for example when driving through a tunnel or when standing in a traf-
fic jam. Switching recirculated air mode on
– Press the button 
4 ⇒ fig. 94
the warning light lights up in the button.
Switching recirculated air mode off
– Press again the button  - the warning light in the button goes out.
The recirculated air mode is switched off automatically if the air distribution con-
trol C is in position  ⇒

 fig. 94 . You can also switch recirculated air mode on
again from this setting by repeatedly pressing pushbutton  .
£90
Heating and air conditioning system

WARNING
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 atten-
tion and also cause the windows to mist up. The risk of having an accident in-
creases. Switch recirculated air mode off as soon as the windows begin mist-
ing up. 
Climatronic (automatic air conditioning) Description The Climatronic system is an automatic heating, fresh air and cool-
ing system which provides optimal comfort for the occupants of the
car.
The Climatronic maintains fully automatically a convenience temperature. This is
achieved by automatically varying the temperature of the outflowing air, the
blower stages and the air distribution. The system also takes into account sun-
light which eliminates the need to alter the settings manually. The automatic
mode
⇒

 page 92 ensures maximum well-being of the occupants at all times of
the year.
Description of Climatronic system
The cooling operates only if the following conditions are met:
● engine running,
● outside temperature above approx. +2 °C,
● AC switched on.
The AC compressor is switched off at a high coolant temperature in order to pro-
vide cooling at a high load of the engine.
Recommended setting for all periods of the year:
● Set the desired temperature, we recommend 22 °C.
● Press the button AUTO
⇒  fig. 95 .
● Move the air outlet vents 3 and 4 so that the air flow is directed slightly up-
wards. Note
● We recommend that you have Climatronic cleaned by a specialist garage once
every year.
● On vehicles equipped with a factory-fitted radio or radio navigation system,
the information of the Climatronic is also shown on the display. This function can
be switched off, see operating instructions of the radio or the radio navigation
system. 
Overview of the control elements The controls enable a separate setting of the temperature for the
left and right side.
Fig. 95 Climatronic: Control elements
The buttons
Defrost windscreen intensively  Air flow to the windows
 Air flow to head
 Air flow in the footwell
 Recirculated air mode
 with air quality sensor
Rear window heater  £
1 2
3
4
5
6 91
Heating and air conditioning system Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Buttons/control dial
Setting of the temperature for the left side, operation of the seat heating of
the left front seat
Automatic mode AUTOSwitching off Climatronic
OFFSetting the blower speed
Button for direct switching on/off of auxiliary heater (parking heater)
Switching on/off of the temperature setting in dual mode DUALSwitching cooling on and off
ACSetting of the temperature for the right side, operation of the seat heating of
the right front seat Note
Below the top row of buttons is located the interior temperature sensor. Do not
glue or cover over the sensor, otherwise it could have an unfavourable effect on
the Climatronic. 
Automatic mode The automatic mode is used in order to maintain a constant tem-
perature and to demist the windows in the interior of the car.
Switching automatic mode on
– Set a temperature between +18 ℃ and +26 ℃.
– Move the air outlet vents 3 and 4 ⇒  fig. 91 so that the air flow is directed
slightly upwards.
– Press the button AUTO . In the right or left top corner a warning light lights up,
depending on which unit was last selected.
If the warning light in the top right corner of the button AUTO lights up, the Clima-
tronic operates in

“HIGH” mode. The “HIGH” mode is the standard setting of the
Climatronic.
When pressing again the button AUTO , the Climatronic changes into the “LOW”
mode and the warning light in the top left corner lights up. The Climatronic uses
only in this mode the lower blower speed. However taking into account the noise
level, this is more comfortable, yet be aware that the effectiveness of the air con-
ditioning system is reduced particularly if the vehicle is fully occupied.
By pressing again the button AUTO , you change into the “HIGH” mode.
7 8
9
10
11
12
13
14 The automatic mode is switched off by pressing the button for the air distribution
or increasing or decreasing the blower speed. The temperature is nevertheless
regulated.

switching cooling on and off switching cooling on and off
–
Press the button AC ⇒
 
fig. 95 . The warning light lights up in the button.
– When you again press the switch AC , the cooling system is switched off. The
warning light in the button goes out. Only the function of the ventilation re-
mains active when no lower temperature than the outside temperature can be
reached. 
Setting temperature You can separate the interior temperature for the left and right side separately.
–
You can set the temperature for both sides after switching on the ignition
with the control dial 7
⇒  fig. 95 .
– If you wish to set the temperature for the right side, turn the control dial 14 .
The warning light in the button DUAL lights up, this indicates that differing
temperatures for the left and right side can be set.
If the warning light in the button DUAL lights up, the temperature for both sides
cannot be set with the control dial 7 . You can reinitiate this function by pressing
the button DUAL . The warning light in the button which indicates the possibility to
set differing temperatures for the left and right side, goes out.
You can set the interior temperature between +18 °C and +26 ℃. The interior tem-
perature is regulated automatically within this range. If you chose a temperature
lower than +18 °C, a blue symbol lights up at the start of the numerical scale. If you
chose a temperature higher than +26 °C, a red symbol lights up at the end of the
numerical scale. In both limit positions the Climatronic operates at maximum cool-
ing or heating capacity, respectively. The temperature is not controlled in this
case.
Lengthy and uneven distribution of the air flow out of the vents (in particular at
the leg area) and large differences in temperature, for example when getting out
of the vehicle, can result in chills in sensitive persons. 92
Heating and air conditioning system

Recirculated air mode
In recirculated air mode air is sucked out of the interior of the vehi-
cle and then fed back into the interior. When the automatic air dis-
tribution control is switched on, an air quality sensor measures the
concentration of pollutants in the drawn in air.
Recirculated air mode prevents polluted air outside the vehicle from getting into
the vehicle, for example when driving through a tunnel or when standing in a traf-
fic jam. If a considerable increase in concentration of pollutants is recognized by
the air quality sensor, when the automatic air distribution control is switched on,
the air distribution control will temporarily be switched off. If the concentration of
pollutants decreases to the normal level, the air distribution control is automati-
cally switched off so that fresh air can be guided into the vehicle interior.
Switching recirculated air mode on
– Press the button repeatedly  until the warning light on the left side of the
button lights up.
Switch on automatic air distribution control
– Press the button repeatedly  until the warning light on the right side of the
button lights up.
Switch off automatic air distribution control temporarily
– If the air quality sensor does not switch on the air distribution control auto-
matically when there is a nauseating smell, you can switch it on yourself by
pressing the button  . The warning light lights up in the button on the left
side.
Switching recirculated air mode off
– Press the button AUTO or press the button
 repetitively, until the warning
lights in the button go out. WARNING
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 atten-
tion and also cause the windows to mist up. The risk of having an accident in-
creases. Switch recirculated air mode off as soon as the windows begin mist-
ing up. Note
● If the windscreen mists up, press the button 
1 ⇒
 
fig. 95 . After the wind-
screen has been demisted, press the button AUTO .
● The automatic air distribution control operates only if the outside temperature
is higher than approx. 2 °C. 
Controlling blower There are a total of seven blower stages available.
The Climatronic system controls the blower stages automatically in line with the
interior temperature. You can also, however, adapt the blower stages manually to
suit your particular needs.
–
Press again the button  on the left side (reduce blower speed) or on the
right side (increase blower speed).
If you switch off the blower, the Climatronic is switched off.
The set blower speed is displayed above the button  when the respective num-
ber of warning lights come on. WARNING
● “Stale air
” may result in fatigue in the driver and occupants, reduce atten-
tion levels and also cause the windows to mist up. The risk of having an acci-
dent increases.
● Do not switch the Climatronic system off for longer than necessary.
● Switch the Climatronic system on as soon as the windows mist up. 
Defrosting windscreen Defrosting windscreen - switching on
– Press the button 
⇒  fig. 95 .
Defrosting windscreen - switching off
– Once again press the button  or the button
AUTO .
The temperature control is controlled automatically. More air flows out of the air
outlet vents 1.  93
Heating and air conditioning system Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Auxiliary heating (auxiliary heating and ventilation)
Description and important information The auxiliary heating (auxiliary heating and ventilation) heats or
supplies the interior of the vehicle with fresh air independent of the
engine.
Auxiliary heating (parking heating)
The auxiliary heater (parking heater) functions in connection with the air-condi-
tioning system or Climatronic.
It can be used when stationary, when engine is switched off for preheating of the
vehicle as well as while driving (e.g. during the heating phase of the engine).
The engine is also preheated when the vehicle is stationary and the engine is
switched off, if the auxiliary heating is switched on.
The auxiliary heating (parking heating) warms up the coolant during the combus-
tion of fuel from the vehicle tank. The coolant warms up the air, which (if the
blower speed is not set to zero) flows into the occupant compartment.
Auxiliary ventilation
The auxiliary ventilation enables fresh air to flow into the vehicle interior by
switching off the engine, whereby the interior temperature is effectively de-
creased (e.g. with the vehicle parked in the sun). WARNING
● The auxiliary heating must never be operated in closed rooms - risk of poi-
soning!
● The auxiliary heating must not be running during refueling - risk of fire.
● The exhaust pipe of the auxiliary heating is located on the underside of
the vehicle. Therefore do not place the vehicle, if you wish to operate the aux-
iliary heating, in such a way that the exhaust gases of the auxiliary heating
can come easily into contact with inflammable materials (e.g. dry grass) or
easily inflammable substances (e.g. fuel run out). Note
If the auxiliary heating runs, the fuel consumption comes from the vehicle tank.
The auxiliary heating automatically controls the filling level in the fuel tank. If only
a low quantity of fuel is present in the fuel tank, the function of the auxiliary heat-
ing is blocked.
● The exhaust pipe of the auxiliary heating, which is located on the underside of
the vehicle, must not be clogged and the exhaust flow must not be blocked.
● If the auxiliary heating and ventilation is running, the vehicle battery discharg-
es. If the auxiliary heating and ventilation has been operated several times over a
longer period, the vehicle must be driven a few kilometers in order to recharge the
vehicle battery.
● The auxiliary heating only switches the blower on, if it has achieved a coolant
temperature of approx. 50 °C.
● At low outside temperatures, this can result in a formation of water vapour in
the area of the engine compartment. This is quite normal and is not an operating
problem.
● After switching off the auxiliary heating, the coolant pump runs for a short pe-
riod.
● The auxiliary heating and ventilation does not switch on or comes on, if the
vehicle battery indicates a low loading state ⇒

 page 190, Automatic consumer
shut-off.
● The auxiliary heating (parking heating) does not switch on, if the following was
shown in the information display or before switching off the ignition: Please re-
fuel!
● The air inlet in front of the windscreen must be free of ice, snow or leaves in
order to ensure that the auxiliary heating operates properly.
● So that warm air can flow into the vehicle interior after switching on the auxili-
ary heating, you must maintain the comfort temperature normally selected by you
and leave the air outlet vents in an open position. It is recommended to put the air
flow in the position  or . 94
Heating and air conditioning system