CAUTION
● In cold temperatures and in winter, check before the trip or before switching
on the ignition that the wiper blades are not frozen. Switching on windscreen
wipers when the blades are frozen to the windscreen may result in damage both
to the blades and the motor of the windscreen wipers!
● If you switch off the ignition while the windscreen wipers are on, the wipers
will sweep in the same mode the next time the ignition is switched on. At low
temperatures, the wipers may freeze to the window between switching off the ig-
nition and the next time you switch the ignition on again.
● Carefully detach frozen wiper blades from the front or rear window.
● Remove snow and ice from the window wipers before driving. Note
● If the slower 2 or the faster
3 wiper setting is switched on
⇒ fig. 37 and the
vehicle speed decreases to below 4 km/h, the lower wiper step is switched on au-
tomatically. At a speed increase of more than 8 km/h the previous wiper setting is
established again.
● If there is an obstacle on the windscreen, the wiper will try to push away the
obstacle. If the obstacle continues to block the wiper, the wiper stops automati-
cally after 5 attempts to eliminate the obstacle, in order to avoid a damage to the
wiper. Remove the obstacle and and switch on the wiper again.
● The windscreen washer nozzles for the windscreen are heated when the en-
gine is running and the outside temperature is less than +10
°C.
● The content of the windscreen wiper reservoir is 3 litres. On vehicles which are
equipped with a headlight cleaning system, the content of the reservoir is 5.5
li-
tres. On vehicles fitted with auxiliary heating, the content of the windscreen wiper
reservoir is 4.5 litres.
Automatic rear window wiper (Estate car) If the windshield wiper is in positions
2
⇒ fig. 37 or 3 the rear view window is
wiped every 30/10 seconds if the vehicle's speed exceeds 5 km/h.
When the rain sensor is active (the lever is in the position 1 ) the function is only
active if the front window wipers continue to operate (no break between each
wiping process). Activation/deactivation
The function of the automatic rear window wiper is activated/deactivated in the
information display in the menu:
■ Settings
■ Lights & Vision
■ Rear wiper Note
The function of the automatic rear window wiper is only valid for Estate car vehi-
cles which are equipped with an information display. The function is activated in
the factory.
Headlight cleaning system The headlights are being cleaned after the windscreen has been sprayed for the
first time and fifth time, the low beam or main beam are switched on and the
windscreen wiper lever was held in the position 5
⇒ fig. 37 for about 1 second.
The headlight washer nozzles are moved forward out of the bumper by the water
pressure for cleaning the headlights.
You should remove stubborn dirt (such as insect residues) from the headlight len-
ses at regular intervals, for example when refuelling. Please refer to the following
guidelines ⇒
page 172, The headlight lenses.
You should remove any snow from the fixtures of the washer nozzles and clear ice
in winter with a de-icing spray in order to ensure proper operation of the cleaning
system. CAUTION
Never remove the nozzles from the headlamp cleaning system by hand - risk of
damage! 55
Lights and Visibility Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data
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. WARNING
Pay attention that the rear seat backrest is correctly interlocked. It is only
then that the three-point seat belt for the middle seat can reliably fulfil its
function.
The roof rack Description CAUTION
● Only use roof racks approved by ŠKODA.
● 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 not covered by the warranty
agreements. It is therefore essential to pay attention to the fitting instructions
supplied with the roof luggage rack system.
● On models fitted with a power sliding/tilting roof, ensure that the opened slid-
ing/tilting roof does not strike any items of luggage transported on the roof.
● Ensure that the opened boot lid does not collide with the roof load. For the sake of the environment
The increased aerodynamic drag results in a higher fuel consumption. Note
If a vehicle is not factory-equipped with a roof rack, it can be purchased from the
ŠKODA Original Accessories Lashing points (Octavia)
Fig. 66 Attachment points for base roof
carrier
Perform the assembly and the disassembly according to the attached instructions. Note
● If you have any questions, please contact a specialist garage.
● The figure is not valid for an estate car.
Roof load Distribute the weight evenly over the roof luggage rack system. The maximum
permissible roof load (including roof rack system) of
75 kg and the maximum per-
missible total weight of the vehicle should not be exceeded.
You cannot make full use of the permissible roof load if you use a roof luggage
rack system with a lower load carrying capacity. The load transported on the roof
luggage rack system must not exceed the weight limit which is stated in the fit-
ting instructions. WARNING
● The items which you transport on the roof bar system must be reliably at-
tached - risk of accident!
● You must on no account exceed the permissible roof load, the permissible
axle loads and the permissible gross weight of your vehicle - risk of accident!
● Please note that the handling properties of your vehicle change when you
transport heavy or bulky items on the roof bar system as a result of the dis-
placement of the centre of gravity and 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. 73
Seats and Stowage Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data
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 well-being 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-conditioning system ⇒ page 90
, Climatronic ⇒ page 93.
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 88 and/or for air-conditioning system ⇒ page 90 or Climatronic
⇒ page 93.
● To ensure the heating system, air conditioning system or Climatronic work per-
fectly, the air outlet vents must not be covered by 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 211.
● 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. 85
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
Starting-off and Driving
Setting steering wheel position Fig. 98 Adjustable steering wheel: Lever below the steering wheel/safe distance to the
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 60, Adjusting the front seats.
– Pull the lever below the steering wheel down ⇒ fig. 98 - left ⇒
.
– Set the steering wheel to the desired position (concerning height and forward/
back position).
– Push the lever upwards as far as the stop. 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. 98 - 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. 99 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. £98
Starting-off and Driving
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 206
, Jump-starting.For the sake of the environment
Never warm up the engine when the vehicle is standing. Drive off right away.
Through this the engine reaches its operating temperature more rapidly and the
pollutant emissions are lower.
Petrol engines These engines are fitted with a starter system which selects the correct fuel-air
mixture for every external air temperature.
●
Do not operate accelerator before and when starting engine.
● Interrupt the attempt at starting after 10 seconds if the engine does not start
right awayand wait for about 30 seconds before repeating the attempt.
● It is possible that the fuse on the electrical fuel pump is defect if the engine
still does not start. Check the fuse and replace it if necessary ⇒ page 211.
● Contact the nearest specialist garage to obtain professional assistance.
It may be necessary, if the engine is very hot, to slightly depress the accelerator
after the engine has started.
Diesel engines Glow plug system
Diesel engines are equipped with a glow plug system, the preglow period being
controlled automatically in line with the coolant temperature and outside temper-
ature.
The preglow indicator light comes on after the ignition has been switched on. You should not switch on any major electrical components during the heating
period otherwise the vehicle battery will be drained unnecessarily.
● You should start the engine immediately after the glow plug warning light
has gone out.
● The glow plug warning light will come on for about one second if the engine is
at a normal operating temperature or if the outside temperature is above +5 °C.
This means that you can start the engine right away.
● Interrupt the attempt at starting after 10 seconds if the engine does not start
right away and wait for about 30 seconds before repeating the attempt.
● It is possible that the fuse on the diesel preglow system is defect if the engine
still does not start. Check the fuse and replace it if necessary ⇒ page 211.
● Contact the nearest specialist garage to obtain professional assistance.
Starting the engine after the fuel tank has run dry
It may take longer than normal to start the engine after refuelling if the fuel tank
has run completely dry - up to one minute. This is because the fuel system must
first of all be filled while the attempting to start the engine.
Switching off the engine –
The engine can be switched off by turning the ignition key into position 1 ⇒
fig. 99 . WARNING
● Never switch off the engine before the vehicle is stationary - risk of acci-
dent!
● The brake booster only operates when the engine is running. Greater
physical effort for braking is required when engine is switched off. Because if
you do not stop as normal, this can cause an accident and severe injuries. CAUTION
you should not switch the engine off right away at the end of your journey after
the engine has been operated for a lengthy period at high loads but should be al-
lowed it to run at idling speed for about 2
minutes. This prevents any accumula-
tion of heat when the engine is switched off. £100
Starting-off and Driving
After you have released the rocker button
B out of the position SET
, the speed
you have just stored is maintained at a constant speed without having to depress
the accelerator.
You can increase the speed by depressing the accelerator. Releasing the accelera-
tor will cause the speed to drop again to the set speed.
This does not apply, however, if you drive at a speed which is more than 10 km/h
higher than the set speed for a period of longer than 5 minutes. The stored speed
will be cancelled in the memory. You then have to re-store the desired speed.
One can reduce the speed in the usual manner. The system is switched off tempo-
rarily by actuating the brake or clutch pedal ⇒ page 105
. WARNING
First ensure that it is not too high for the traffic conditions which exist at that
moment before resuming the stored speed.
Changing a stored speed You can also change the speed of the vehicle without depressing
the accelerator.
Faster
– You can increase the stored speed without depressing the accelerator, by
pressing the rocker button B
⇒
fig. 104
in the RES position.
– The speed of the car will increase continuously if you hold the rocker button
pressed in the RES position. Once the car has reached the desired speed, re-
lease the rocker button. The set speed is then stored in the memory.
Slower
– You can decrease the stored speed by pressing the rocker button B in the
SET position.
– Holding down the rocker button pressed in the SET position will cause the
speed of the vehicle to reduce continuously. Once the car has reached the de-
sired speed, release the rocker button. The set speed is then stored in the
memory.
– If you release the rocker button when the car is travelling at a speed of less
than 30 km/h, the speed is not stored, the memory is erased. It is then neces-
sary to again store the speed with the rocker button B in the position
SET
after an increase in speed of the vehicle to more than 30 km/hour. Switching off the cruise control system temporarily –
You can switch off the cruise control system temporarily by depressing the
brake pedal or clutch pedal, on vehicles fitted with an automatic gearbox only
with the brake pedal.
– You can switch off temporarily the cruise control system, if you press the
switch A in the middle position.
The set speed remains stored in the memory.
The Resumption of the stored speed is achieved by releasing the brake or clutch
pedal, on vehicles fitted with automatic gearbox only after releasing the brake
pedal and after shortly pressing the rocker button B
⇒ fig. 104 into the position
RES. WARNING
First ensure that it is not too high for the traffic conditions which exist at that
moment before resuming the stored speed.
Switching off the cruise control system completely –
Press the switch A
⇒
fig. 104
to the right into position OFF.
“(START-STOP)” Fig. 105 Dash panel: START-STOP Sys-
tem button
The “START-STOP” system helps you to save fuel while at the same time reducing
harmful exhaust emissions and CO 2 emissions.
£ 105
Starting-off and Driving Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data
Automatic gearbox
Information for driving with the 6-speed automatic
gearbox The maximum speed is reached in the 5th gear. The 6th gear serves as an eco-
nomic driving programme, which is intended to reduce the fuel consumption.
Shifting up and down through the gears is performed automatically. You can also,
however, switch the gearbox over into the Tiptronic mode. This mode makes it
possible for you to also shift gears manually ⇒ page 112.
Starting-off and Driving
– Depress the brake pedal fully and keep it depressed.
– Press the Shiftlock button (button in handle of the selector lever), move the
selector lever into the desired position, e.g. D ⇒ page 110, and then release
the Shiftlock button.
– Wait a moment until the gearbox has shifted (a slight engagement nudge can
be felt).
– Release the brake pedal and depress the accelerator ⇒ .
Stop
– The selector lever position N does not have to be selected when stopping just
for a short time, such as at a cross roads. It is absolutely sufficient to hold the
stopped vehicle stationary by depressing the foot brake. The engine can, how-
ever, be allowed just to idle.
Parking
– Depress the brake pedal and hold it depressed.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Press and Shiftlock button in the selector lever, move the selector lever to P
and then release the Shiftlock button.
The engine can only be started when the selector lever is in position P or N . If the
selector lever is not in the P or N positions when locking the steering, switching
the ignition on or off or when leaving the engine on, the following message will
appear in the Information display Move selector lever to position P/N! or, in the
instrument cluster display: P/N. It is sufficient to engage selector lever position
P when parking on a flat surface.
When parking on a slope you should first apply the handbrake firmly and then
move the selector lever into position P. This is to ensure that there is no excessive
pressure acting on the lock mechanism and that it is easier to subsequently move
the selector lever out of position P. If the selector lever is not in the P positin
when the driver's door is open and the ignition is switched off, or if it is not in the
P position when the ignition is switched off and the driver's door is opened, the
following message will appear in the Information display: Move selector lever to
position P! or, in the instrument cluster display: P. The message disappears af-
ter a few seconds by switching on the ignition or by moving the selector lever into
the position P .
If the selector lever position N is selected by accident while driving it is first nec-
essary to release pressure on the accelerator pedal and wait for idling speed of
the engine to be reached before engaging a drive position in the selector lever. WARNING
● Do not depress the accelerator when changing the position of the selector
lever if the car is stationary and the engine is running - risk of accident!
● Never move the selector lever into position R or P when driving - risk of an
accident!
● When the engine is running and the vehicle is stationary, it is necessary to
hold the car with the brake pedal in all the positions of the selector lever (ex-
cept P and N) since the power transmission is never completely interrupted,
also not when the engine is idling - the vehicle creeps.
Information for driving with the automatic gearbox
DSG The abbreviation DSG means Direct shift gearbox (Direct shift gear-
box).
Two independent clutches are needed for the power transmission between the
engine and the gearbox. These replace the torque converter of the conventional
automatic gearbox. Their shifting is matched in such a way that there are no jerks
when shifting the gear and the power transmission of the engine to the front
wheels is not interrupted. Shifting up and down through the gears is performed £108
Automatic gearbox