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
Replacing wiper blades for the windscreen wipers
Fig. 38 Wiper blade for the windscreen
wiper
One cannot fold out the wiper arms in the rest position from the windscreen. Be-
fore replacing the wiper arms you must put them into the service position.
Service position for changing wiper blades
– Close the bonnet.
– Switch the ignition on and then again off.
– Then press the windscreen wiper lever in the position 4
⇒ fig. 37 within
20 seconds – the wiper arms move into the service position.
Removing the wiper blade
– Fold windscreen wiper arm out from the windscreen and position the wiper
blade at right angles to the wiper arm ⇒
.
– Take off the wiper blade in direction of arrow ⇒ fig. 38 ⇒ .
Attaching the wiper blade
– Push the new wiper blade over the wiper arm and turn the wiper blade into
the vertical position.
– Check whether the wiper blade is correctly attached.
– Fold the windscreen wiper arms onto the window and switch on the ignition.
By pressing the window wiper lever into the sprung position 4
⇒ fig. 38 or
when driving at a speed greater than 4
km/h, the windscreen wiper arms move
back into the rest position.
Windscreen wiper blades in proper condition are essential to obtain good visibility.
Wiper blades should not be allowed to become dirtied by dust, insect remains and
preserving wax. Juddering or smearing of the wiper blades could then be due to wax residues left
on the windscreen by vehicle washing in automatic vehicle wash systems. It is
therefore important to degrease the lips of the windscreen wiper blades after ev-
ery pass through an automatic vehicle wash system . WARNING
● The ignition must not be switched on if the front windscreen wiper arms
are folded out. The wiper blades would move back into their rest position and
while doing so damage the paintwork of the bonnet.
● If the windscreen wipers are handled carelessly, there is a risk of damage
to the windscreen.
● You should clean the wiper blades regularly with a windscreen cleaner in
order to avoid any smears. Clean a wiper blade with a sponge or cloth if it is
very dirty, for example from insect residues.
● Replace the windscreen wiper blades once or twice a year for safety rea-
sons. These can be bought from an authorised
ŠKODA Service Partner.
Replacing the wiper blade on the rear window wiper Fig. 39 Wiper blade for the rear window
Removing the wiper blade
– Fold windscreen wiper arm out from the windscreen and position the wiper
blade at right angles to the wiper arm ⇒
fig. 39.
– Hold the window wiper arm at the top end with one hand.
– With the other hand unlock the locking button A in the direction of arrow and
remove the wiper blade. £56
Lights and Visibility
Attaching the wiper blade
–
Position the wiper blade onto the wiper arm and lock the locking button A .
– Check whether the wiper blade is correctly attached.
– Fold the windscreen wiper arm back onto the windscreen.
The same remarks apply here as for ⇒ page 56
.
Rear-view mirror Manual dimming interior rear-view mirror Basic setting
–
Pull the lever on the bottom edge of the mirror forward.
Dimming mirror
– Pull the lever on the bottom edge of the mirror back.
Automatic dimming interior mirror Fig. 40 Automatic dimming interior mir-
ror
Switching on the automatic dimming
– Press the button B
⇒ fig. 40 , the warning light A lights up.
Switching off the automatic dimming
– Press again the button B - the warning light goes out
A .If the automatic dimming is switched on, the mirror dims
automatically depending
on the light striking the mirror from the rear. The mirror has no lever on the bot-
tom edge of the mirror. After the reverse gear is engaged, the mirror always
moves back into the normal position.
Do not attach external navigation devices on the windscreen or in the vicinity of
the automatic dimming interior mirror ⇒
.
WARNING
The display lighting of the external navigation device may cause malfunction
of the automatic dimming interior mirror – risk of accident. Note
● Automatic mirror dimming operates only properly if the sun screen for the rear
window in the housing on the luggage compartment cover is not in use or the
light striking the interior rear-view mirror is not affected by other objects.
● Do not affix any stickers in front of the light sensor, so that you do not impair
the automatic dimming function or put it out of operation.
● If you switch off the automatic dimming interior rear-view mirror, also the ex-
terior mirror dimming is switched off.
Exterior mirror You can adjust the exterior mirrors electrically.
Fig. 41 Inner part of door: Rotary knob
Adjust the rear mirror before commencing to drive so that there is a clear view to
the rear. £ 57
Lights and Visibility Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data
Heating of the external mirror
–
Turn the rotary knob to position ⇒ fig. 41.
The exterior mirror heater only operates when the engine is running and up to an
outside temperature of +20 °C.
Adjusting left and right exterior mirrors simultaneously
– Turn the rotary knob to position . The movement of the mirror surface is iden-
tical to the movement of the rotary knob.
The adjustment of both mirrors simultaneously or each individual mirror is possi-
ble in the Information display ⇒
page 19 in the menu point Mirror adjust. (Mirror
adjust.).
Adjusting the right-hand exterior mirror
– Turn the rotary knob to position . The movement of the mirror surface is iden-
tical to the movement of the rotary knob.
Switching off operating control
– Turn the rotary knob to position .
Folding in both exterior mirrors
– Turn the rotary knob to position .
Fold in the exterior mirrors using the remote control key
– If all the windows are closed, press the unlock button 3 on the radio remote
control ⇒ fig. 18 for approx. 2 seconds.
Tilting surface of front passenger exterior mirror
On vehicles fitted with a memory for the driver seat, the surface of the mirror tilts
down slightly when the rear gear is engaged and the rotary knob is in the posi-
tion ⇒ fig. 41 . This provides an aid in seeing the kerb of the pavement when park-
ing the car.
The mirror returns into its initial position, after the rotary knob is moved out of the
position and put into another position or if the speed is more than 15 km/h.
Memory for exterior mirrors
On vehicles fitted with a memory for the driver seat, the relevant setting of the
exterior mirror is also stored automatically when the seat position is stored
⇒ page 61. WARNING
● Convex (curved outward) or a spherical exterior mirrors increase the vision
field. They do, however, make objects appear smaller in the mirror. These mir-
rors are only of limited use, therefore, for estimating distances to the follow-
ing vehicles.
● Use whenever possible the interior rear mirror, for estimating the distan-
ces to the following vehicles. Note
● If the exterior mirrors are folded in using the remote control of the vehicle key,
these are folded back into the driving position after opening the door or switching
on the ignition.
● If the exterior mirrors are folded in using the rotary knob ⇒
fig. 41, they can on-
ly be folded back into the driving position using the rotary knob.
● If the exterior mirrors were folded in using the remote control of the vehicle
key and if the rotary knob was in the fold-in position before switching on the igni-
tion, the mirrors remain in the fold-in position the next time the ignition is switch-
ed on. Folding back into the driving position is performed by actuating the rotary
knob in a different position from the fold-in position.
● Do not touch the surfaces of the exterior mirrors if the exterior mirror heater is
switched on.
● You can set the exterior mirrors by hand, if the power setting function fails at
any time, by pressing on the edge of the mirror surface.
● Contact your specialist garage if a fault exists with the power setting of the
exterior mirrors.
Automatic dimming exterior mirror on the driver's side The exterior mirror on the driver's side is dimmed together with the interior mirror.
If the automatic dimming is switched on, the mirror dims automatically depending
on the light striking the mirror from the rear.
After the reverse gear is engaged, the mirror always moves back into the normal
(not dimmed) position. £58
Lights and Visibility
Note
● Automatic mirror dimming operates only properly if the sun screen for the rear
window is not in use or the light striking the rear of the interior rear-view mirror is
not affected by other objects.
● Do not affix any stickers in front of the light sensor, so that you do not impair
the automatic dimming function or put it out of operation.
● If you switch off the automatic dimming interior rear-view mirror, also the ex-
terior mirror dimming is switched off. 59
Lights and Visibility Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data
Seats and Stowage
Front seats
Basic information The front seats have a wide range of different settings and can thus be matched
to the physical characteristics of the driver and front passenger.
Correct adjustment of the seats is particularly important for:
● safely and quickly reaching the controls,
● a relaxed, fatigue-free body position,
● achieving the maximum protection offered by the seat belts and the airbag
system. WARNING
● Never transport more occupants than the maximum seating in the vehicle.
● Each occupant must correctly fasten the seat belt belonging to the seat.
Children must be fastened ⇒
page 147, Transporting children safely with a
suitable restraint system.
● The front seats and the head restraints must always be adjusted to match
the body size of the seat occupant as well as the seat belts must always be
correctly fastened in order to provide an optimal protection for you and your
occupants.
● Always keep your feet in the footwell when the car is being driven - never
place your feet on the instrument panel, out of the window or on the surfaces
of the seats. This is particularly important for the front seat passenger. You
will be exposed to increased risk of injury if it becomes necessary to apply the
brake or in the event of an accident. If an airbag is deployed, you may suffer
fatal injuries when adopting an incorrect seated position!
● It is important for the driver and front passenger to maintain a distance of
at least 25 cm from the steering wheel or dash panel. Not maintaining this
minimum distance will mean that the airbag system will not be able to proper-
ly protect you - hazard! The front seats and the head restraints must always
also be correctly adjusted to match the body size of the occupant. WARNING (Continued)
● Ensure that there are no objects in the footwell as any objects may get be-
hind the pedals during a driving or braking manoeuvre. You would then no
longer be able to operate the clutch, to brake or accelerate.
● Do not transport any objects on the front passenger seat except objects
(e.g. child safety seat) provided for this purpose - risk of accident!
Adjusting the front seats Fig. 42 Controls at seat
Adjusting a seat in a forward/back direction
– Pull the lever 1
⇒
fig. 42 up and push the seat into the desired position.
– Release the lever 1 and push the seat further until the lock is heard to en-
gage.
Adjusting height of seat
– Lift the seat if required by pulling or pumping lever 2 upwards.
– Lower the seat if required by pushing or pumping lever 2 downwards.
Adjust the angle of the seat backrest
– Relieve any pressure on the seat backrest (do not lean on it) and turn the
handwheel 3 to adjust the angle of the backrest.
Adjusting lumbar support
– Turn the wheel 4 until you have set the most comfortable curvature of the
seat upholstery in the area of your spine. £60
Seats and Stowage
–
Distribute the items of luggage as evenly as possible.
– Place heavy objects as far forward as possible.
– Attach the items of luggage to the lashing eyes or the fixing net ⇒ page 67.
In the event of an accident, there is such a high kinetic energy which is produced
by small and light objects that they can cause severe injuries. The magnitude of
the kinetic energy depends on the speed at which the vehicle is travelling and on
the weight of the object. The speed at which the vehicle is travelling is in this case
the more significant factor.
Example: In the event of a frontal collision at a speed of 50 km/h, an unsecured
object with a weight of 4.5 kg produces an energy, which corresponds to 20 times
its own weight. This means that it results in a weight of approx. 90 kg. You can
imagine the injuries that can occur, if this
“bullet” is flying through the interior
compartment and hits an occupant. WARNING
● Store the objects in the luggage compartment and attach them to the
lashing eyes.
● Loose objects in the passenger compartment can be thrown forward dur-
ing a sudden manoeuvre or in case of an accident and can injure the occupants
or other oncoming traffic. This risk is still increased, if the objects which are
flying around are hit by a deployed airbag. In this case, the objects which are
thrown back can injure the occupants - hazard.
● Please note that the handling properties of your vehicle may be affected
when transporting heavy objects as a result of the displacement of the centre
of gravity. The speed and style of driving must be adjusted accordingly.
● The items carried in the luggage compartment should be stored in such a
way that no objects are able to slip forward if there are any sudden driving or
braking manoeuvres undertaken - risk of injury!
● Never drive with the boot lid fully opened or slightly ajar otherwise ex-
haust gases may get into the interior of the vehicle - risk of poisoning!
● On no account exceed the permissible axle loads and the permissible gross
weight of the vehicle - risk of accident!
● Never transport occupants in the luggage compartment! CAUTION
Make sure that transported objects with sharp edges do not damage the follow-
ing:
● heating elements in the rear window,
● elements of the aerial integrated in the rear window (Octavia),
● elements of the aerial integrated in the rear side windows (Estate car). Note
Tyre pressure must be adjusted to the load ⇒ page 192
.
Vehicles of category N1 On vehicles of the category N1, which are not fitted with a protective grille, a lash-
ing set which complies with the standard EN
12195 (1 - 4) must be used for fasten-
ing the load.
Lashing eyes Fig. 52 Luggage compartment: Lashing eyes Octavia/Estate car
Eyes are located on the sides of the luggage compartment for lashing the goods
to be loaded.
You can also attach a floor fixing net to these eyes for holding small objects.
The floor fixing net and the installation instruction are located in a container un-
der the floor covering of the luggage compartment behind the spare wheel. £ 67
Seats and Stowage Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data
Luggage compartment cover (Octavia)
You can use the luggage compartment cover behind the head re-
straints for storing light and soft items.
Fig. 59 Removing the luggage compart-
ment cover
The luggage compartment cover can be removed as required if one must trans-
port bulky goods.
– Unhook the support straps 1
⇒ fig. 59 .
– Place the cover in the horizontal position.
– Pull the cover out of the holder 2 horizontally to the rear.
– Install again by pushing the luggage compartment cover forwards into the
holder 2 and hanging the support straps
1 on the boot lid.
You can stow the removed luggage compartment cover behind the rear seat back-
rest. WARNING
No objects should be placed on the luggage compartment cover, the vehicle
occupants could be endangered if there is sudden braking or the vehicle col-
lides with something. CAUTION
Please ensure that the heating elements of the rear window heater are not dam-
aged as a result of objects placed in this area. Note
Opening the tailgate also lifts up the luggage compartment cover. Foldable luggage compartment cover (Estate car)
Fig. 60 Luggage compartment: foldable luggage compartment cover/removing foldable lug-
gage compartment cover
Pulling out
– Pull the foldable luggage compartment cover in direction of arrow 1 as far as
the stop into the secured position ⇒ fig. 60 .
Folding
– Press the cover in the handle area in direction of arrow 2 , the cover rolls up
automatically.
Removing
– Have the completely rolled up luggage compartment cover removed to trans-
port bulky goods by pressing on the side of the cross rod in direction of arrow 3 and taking it out by moving it in direction of arrow
4 .
WARNING
No objects should be placed on the luggage compartment cover. 70
Seats and Stowage