2011 SKODA OCTAVIA steering

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

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.
– 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. At temperatures below -10 °C the engine can
only be started in the selector lever position P.
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!
● If you are stopping at a hill (downhill section), never try to hold the car sta-
tionary with the gear engaged by means of the “accelerator”, this means by
letting the clutch slip. This can lead to overheating of the clutch. If there is a
risk of overheating of the clutch due to overload, the clutch is opened auto-
matically and the vehicle rolls backward - risk of accident!
● If you must stop at a slope, depress and hold the brake pedal, so that you
can prevent the vehicle from rolling back. CAUTION
● The double clutch on the automatic gearbox DSG is equipped with an overload
protection. If you make use of the uphill function on a vehicle which is stationary
or driving slowly uphill, it will result in an increase of thermal stress of the clutch-
es.
● In the event that they overheat, the symbol  appears in the information dis-
play with the warning text ⇒ page 29. In such a case bring the vehicle to a stop,
switch off the engine and wait until the warning light and the warning go out -
risk of gearbox damage! You can continue the trip as soon as the symbol and the
warning go out.  109
Automatic gearbox Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

the accelerator pedal fully into the kickdown range. The original programme will
be reactivated to match your particular style of driving once the gearbox has shif-
ted up again.
When driving in hilly regions, the gears are selected to match uphill and downhill
sections. This avoids the gearbox frequently shifting up and down when negotiat-
ing an uphill stretch. When driving downhill, it is possible to shift down into the
Tiptronic position, in order to exploit the engine brake torque. 
Tiptronic The Tiptronic allows the driver to also shift gears manually.
Fig. 107 Selector lever: manual shifting/information display: Manual shifting of gears
The selector lever position you have engaged is indicated in the information dis-
play of the instrument cluster together with the engaged gear
⇒ fig. 107 - right.
Switching over to manual shifting
– Push the selector lever to the right out of position D. After switching over, the
current engaged gear is indicated in the display.
Shifting up gears
– One-touch forward of the selector lever (in the Tiptronic position) ⇒  fig. 107 + .
Shifting down gears
– One-touch back of the selector lever (in the Tiptronic position) - .
It is possible to switch over to manual both when the car is stationary and also
when driving. When you accelerate, the gearbox shifts up automatically into the higher gear just
before the maximum permissible engine speed is reached.
If you select a lower gear, the automatic gearbox does not shift down until there
is no risk of the engine overrevving.
If you operate the kickdown function, the gearbox shifts into a lower gear in line
with the vehicle speed and engine speed. 
Manual shifting on the multifunction steering wheel Fig. 108 Multifunction steering wheel:
Manual shifting of gears
Switching over to manual shifting
– Push the selector lever to the right out of position D. After switching over, the
current engaged gear is indicated in the display.
Shifting up gears
– Press the right rocker switch +
⇒
 fig. 108 for the multifunction steering wheel.
Shifting down gears
– Press the left rocker switch -
⇒
 fig. 108 for the multifunction steering wheel.
Temporarily switching over to manual shifting
– If the selector lever is in position D or S, press the left rocker switch - or the
right rocker switch + for the multifunction steering wheel.
– If the rocker switches - or
+ are not pressed for some time, the manual shift-
ing switches off. You can also switch off the temporary switch over to manual
shifting by pressing the right rocker switch + for more than 1 second.
112
Automatic gearbox

Communication
Multifunction steering wheel
Operate radio and radio navigation system on the multifunction steering wheel Fig. 110 Multifunction steering wheel:
control buttons
The buttons for setting the basic functions of the factory-fitted radio and radio
navigation system are located on the multifunction steering wheel ⇒ fig. 110 . You can of course operate the radio and radio navigation system at the appliance.
You will find a description in the relevant Owner's manual.
If the side lights are switched on, the buttons on the multifunction steering wheel
are illuminated.
The buttons apply for the respective operating mode of the current radio or radio
navigation system.
By pressing or turning the buttons, you can carry out the following functions. £114
Communication

for your mobile phone, use your mobile phone exclusively in the adapter so that
the radiation in the vehicle drops to a minimum. This also improves the quality of
the connection.
Operation of mobile phones or two-way radio systems may interfere with func-
tioning of the electronic systems of your vehicle. The reasons for this may be:
● no external aerial,
● external aerial incorrectly installed,
● transmission power greater than 10 watts. WARNING
● If a mobile phone or a two-way radio system is operated in the vehicle
without using an external aerial or an external aerial which has been incor-
rectly installed, this can increase the strength of the electromagnetic field in
the interior of the vehicle.
● Please concentrate fully at all times on your driving!
● You must not install two-way radio systems, mobile phones or mounts on
the covers of the airbags or within the immediate deployment range of air-
bags. This might result in injuries to the occupants in the event of an accident.
● Never leave a mobile phone on a seat, on the dash panel or in another
area, from which it can be thrown during a sudden braking manoeuvre, an ac-
cident or a collision. In this case, the occupants of the vehicle might be injured. Note
Observe the country-specific regulations for the use of mobile phones in vehicles. 
Universal telephone preinstallation GSM II Introduction The universal telephone preinstallation GSM II is a built-in “hands-free system”, it
provides a voice operated convenience mode via the multifunction steering wheel or the radio navigation system.
All communication between a telephone and the hands-free system of your vehi-
cle can only be established with the help of the Bluetooth ®
technology. The
adapter serves only for charging the telephone and for transmitting the signal to
the external aerial of the vehicle. To ensure an optimum signal transmission, always leave the telephone with the
adapter in the telephone mount.
Furthermore the volume can be changed individually during the call at any time
with the button for setting the radio or radio navigation system or with the but-
tons on the multifunction steering wheel.
WARNING
Concentrate fully at all times on your steering! As the driver you are fully re-
sponsible for road safety. Use the telephone system only to such an extent, so
that you are in full control of your vehicle at any time. Note
● Please refer to the following guidelines ⇒ page 115, Mobile phones and two-
way radio systems.
● Should you have any questions, please contact an authorised ŠKODA Service
Partner. 
Phone Phonebook A phone phonebook is part of the mobile phone preinstallation with voice control.
In the phone phonebook there are 2500 free memory locations available. Each
contact can contain up to 4 numbers. This phone phonebook can be used in line
with the mobile telephone.
On vehicles fitted with the radio navigation system Columbus, a maximum of 1200
telephone contacts are shown in the display of this appliance.
After the first connection of the telephone, the system begins to load the phone
book from the phone and the SIM card into the memory of the control unit.
Each time the telephone has established a new connection with the hands-free
system, an update of the relevant phone book is performed. The updating can
take a few minutes. During this time the phone book, which was stored after the
last update was completed, is available. Newly stored telephone numbers are only
shown after the updating has ended.
If the number of contacts loaded exceeds 2 500, the phone book is not complete.
If a telephone event (e.g. incoming or outgoing call, dialogue of the voice control)
occurs during the updating procedure, the updating is interrupted. After the tele-
phone event has ended, the updating starts anew. 116
Communication

Operation of the telephone on the multifunction steering wheel
Fig. 113 Multifunction steering wheel:
Control buttons for the telephone
The driver can set the basic functions of the telephone by simply operating the
buttons located on the steering wheel so that he can concentrate on the traffic
situation without being distracted as little as possible by operating the telephone
⇒  fig. 113. This applies only if your vehicle has been equipped with the telephone preinstalla-
tion at the factory.
If the side lights are switched on, the buttons on the multifunction steering wheel
are illuminated.
Overview of the different functions in contrast to the multifunction steering
wheel without mobile phone operation ⇒
 page 114. Button Action Operation
1
press briefly
Activation and deactivation of the voice control (Button PTT - Push to talk)
Cancellation of the played message1
 turn upwards Increase volume
1
 turn downwards Decrease volume
2
 press briefly Accept call, end call, entry in the main menu of the telephone, list of the dialed numbers, call the dialed contact
2 
press button for a long
time Reject call, private call
3
 press briefly Reach one level higher in the menu (according to the current position in the menu)
3 
press button for a long
time Leave the phone menu
4
press briefly Selection of menu point
4 press button for a long peri-
od of time To the next initial letter in the telephone book
4
 turn upwards The last chosen menu selection, name
4
 turn downwards The next menu selection, name
4
 quickly turn upwards To the previous initial letter in the telephone book
4
 quickly turn downwards To the next initial letter in the telephone book
£ 119
Communication Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Voice control
Dialogue On vehicles which are factory-fitted with the navigation system Co-
lumbus, it is only possible to operate the voice control via this de-
vice, see the operating instructions for Columbus.
The period of time in which the system is ready to receive voice commands and to
carry them out is called a dialogue. The system gives audible feedback and guides
you if necessary through the relevant functions.
Optimum understanding of the commands depends on several factors:
● Speak with a normal tone of voice without intonation and excessive pauses.
● Avoid a bad pronunciation.
● Close the doors, windows and sliding roof, in order to reduce or stop disturbing
exterior noise.
● It is recommended to speak louder at higher speeds, so that the tone of your
voice is louder than the increased surrounding noise.
● During the dialogue limit additional noise in the vehicle, e.g. simultaneously
talking occupants.
● Do not speak, if the system makes an announcement.
● The microphone for voice control is inserted in the moulded headliner and di-
rected to the driver and front passenger. Therefore the driver and the front pas-
senger can operate the equipment.
If a voice command is not detected, the system answers with
“Sorry?” and a new
entry can be performed. After the 2nd error the system repeats the aid. After the
3rd error the answer “Procedure cancelled ” is given and the dialogue is ended.
Switch on voice control (dialogue)
● by briefly pressing the  button on the adapter
1)
⇒  fig. 112 ;
● by pressing the 1 button on the multi-function steering wheel for a longer
time ⇒ fig. 113. Switching off voice control (dialogue)
If the system is currently playing a message, you will need to end the message
currently being played:
●
by briefly pressing the  button on the adapter
1)
;
● by pressing the 1 button on the multi-function steering wheel for a longer
time.
If the system expects a voice command, you can end the dialogue yourself:
● Do some with the CANCEL voice command;
● by pressing the  button on the adapter
1)
;
● by pressing the 1 button on the multi-function steering wheel for a longer
time. Note
● The dialogue of an incoming call is immediately interrupted.
● The voice control is only possible in vehicles fitted with a multi-function steer-
ing wheel with telephone control or a phone holder and adapter. 
Voice commands Basic voice commands for operating the telephone control unit
Voice command Action
HELP After this command the system repeats all possible
commands.
CALL XYZ With this command you call up the contact from the
phone book ⇒ page 122. PHONE BOOK After this command, for example the phone book can
be repeated, a voice entry for the contact can be up-
dated or deleted etc. CALL HISTORY Lists of dialed numbers, missed calls etc.
DIAL NUMBER After this command a phone number can be entered
which establishes a connection to the requested par-
ty.
REDIAL After this command the system selects the last se-
lected number.
£1)
Not valid for vehicles which are fitted with the radio navigation system Columbus. 121
Communication Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Voice command Action
MUSIC
a) Play music from the mobile phone or another paired
device.
FURTHER OPTIONS After this command the system offers additional con-
text-dependent commands. SETTINGS Selection for setting Bluetooth
®
, dialogue etc. CANCEL The dialogue is ended.
a)
On vehicles fitted with the radio navigation system Amundsen+, this function can be accessed via
the menu of the radio navigation system, see the operating instructions for the Amundsen+.
After giving the command DIAL NUMBER, the system requests the entry of a tele-
phone number. You can enter the telephone number as a continuous row, as indi-
vidually spoken digits (the whole number at once) or in the form of digital blocks
(separated by short pauses). After each order of digits (separation through brief
voice pause) all of the digits detected up to now are repeated by the system.
The digits 0 - 9 , symbols +, , # are permitted. The system detects no continuous
digit combinations such as twenty-three, but only individually spoken digits (two,
three). 
Call name –
Switch on the voice operation ⇒ page 121, Voice control.
– Give the command CALL XYZ after the signal tone.
Example for calling the name from the phone book Voice command Announcement
CALL XYZ “Say home, work, mobile
”e.g.
WORK “XYZ work is dialed.
”CALL XYZ WORK “XYZ work is dialed.
”Store voice recording of a contact
If automatic name recognition does not work reliably for some contacts, you will
can choose to save your own voice entry for the contact in the menu point
Phone
book - Voice Tag - Record.
You can also store your own voice entry using voice control in the menu FURTHER
OPTIONS . Music playback via Bluetooth
® The universal telephone preinstallation GSM IIl makes it possible to play back mu-
sic via Bluetooth ®
from the devices such as MP3 player, mobile phone or note-
book.
In order to enable the music playback via Bluetooth ®
, it is necessary to connect
the terminal device with the hands-free system in the menu Phone
- Bluetooth -
Media player .
The operation of the music playback from the connected device can be performed
via the hands-free system with the voice control ⇒ page 121, Voice commands or
directly via the connected device. Note
● The device to be connected must support the Bluetooth ®

profile A2DP, see
Owner's manual of the device to be coupled.
● This function is not available in vehicles fitted with the car radio Blues. 
Universal telephone preinstallation GSM IIl Introduction The universal telephone preinstallation GSM III is a built-in “hands-free system”, it
provides a voice operated convenience mode via the multifunction steering wheel or the radio navigation system.
The following functions are included in the universal telephone preinstallation
GSM III:
● Phone Phonebook ⇒
 page 123.
● Convenience mode with the multifunction steering wheel ⇒  page 125 and dis-
play in the information display ⇒ page 126.
● Voice control of the telephone, including the language selection of the tele-
phone contacts ⇒ page 128.
● Internet connection ⇒ page 129.
● Music playback from the telephone or other multimedia units ⇒
 page 129.
● Display of SMS ⇒  page 126.
All communication between a telephone and the hands-free system of your vehi-
cle can only be established with the help of the following profiles of Bluetooth ®
technology. £122
Communication