2011 SKODA OCTAVIA height

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

The driver's seat should be adjusted in such a way that the pedals can be fully
pressed to the floor with slightly bent legs.
The seat backrest on the driver's seat should be adjusted in such a way that the
upper point of the steering wheel can be easily reached with slightly bent arms.
WARNING
● Only adjust the driver seat when the vehicle is stationary - risk of injury!
● Take care when adjusting the seat! Adjusting the seat without care can
lead to bruises or injuries.
● The seat backrests must not be angled too far back when driving other-
wise this will affect proper operation of the seat belts and of the airbag sys-
tem - risk of injury! 
Adjusting front seats electrically
Adjusting seats Fig. 43 Side view: Controls for adjusting the seat/seat setting switch
Adopt the correct seated position before setting ⇒ page 60
.
Adjusting a seat in a forward/back direction
– Press the switch A
⇒
 fig. 43 forwards or backwards 1 .
Set the height of the seat cushion
– Press the switch A upwards or downwards. Adjust the angle of the seat cushion
–
Press the switch A at the front in the direction of arrow
2 or at the back in
the direction of arrow 3 .
Adjusting the seat backrest
– Press the switch B in the direction of the desired setting.
Adjusting lumbar support
– Press the switch C at the front in order to enlarge the curvature of the lum-
bar support.
– Press the switch C rear in order to reduce the curvature of the lumbar sup-
port.
– Press the switch C top in order to adjust the curvature of the lumbar support
higher.
– Press the switch C bottom in order to adjust the curvature of the lumbar sup-
port lower.
Switch A is operated in order to move the seat up/down and forward/back, while
switch B is operated in order to move the seat backrest forward or back.
WARNING
● Only adjust the driver seat when the vehicle is stationary - risk of injury!
● Caution when adjusting the seat! You may suffer injuries or bruises as a re-
sult of adjusting the seat without paying proper attention.
● In view of the fact that the seats can also be adjusted when the ignition is
switched off (even when ignition key withdrawn), you should never leave chil-
dren unattended in the car.
● The seat backrests must not be angled too far back when driving other-
wise this will affect proper operation of the seat belts and of the airbag sys-
tem - risk of injury! Note
If the movement of the seat is inadvertently interrupted during an adjustment,
once again press the switch in the appropriate direction and continue with the ad-
justment of the seat to the end.  61
Seats and Stowage Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

●
The assignment of the radio remote control to a memory button is retained,
however, after reassigning the seats and exterior mirrors.
● After the successful assignment, the turn signal lights flash and an audible
signal will sound as a confirmation. The setting is stored with the memory button
which you have selected. 
Retrieving settings of the seat and mirrors You can retrieve the stored settings either with the memory but-
tons or with the remote control.
Retrieving settings with memory buttons
– In order to retrieve the stored setting, you have two possibilities:
– By pressing briefly: briefly press the desired memory button B
⇒ fig. 44 . The
seat and exterior mirror are moved automatically into the stored positions (this
applies only if the ignition is switched on and the speed is less than 5 km/h).
– Memory keying : Press and hold the desired memory button B pressed long
enough until the seat and the exterior mirror are moved into the stored posi-
tions.
Retrieving settings with remote control
– If the driver door is closed and the ignition is switched off, briefly press the un-
lock button of the remote control ⇒ page 36
and then open the driver door.
– The seat and exterior mirrors now move automatically into the stored posi-
tions.
Retrieving setting of exterior mirror for reversing
– Turn the rotary knob for the exterior mirror setting into the position 
⇒  page 57 before engaging the reverse gear.
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.
Emergency Off
You can interrupt the setting operation at any time, if you operate any button of
the driver seat. Note
If the inclination angle of the seat backrest is more than 102° in relation to the
seat cushion, the backrest remains in this position, after reaching this angle, when
retrieving the setting by briefly pressing the memory button. Once the stored an-
gle is reached, it is necessary to press the memory button and hold it pressed until
the seat is in the stored position. 
Head restraints Fig. 45 Head restraint: Adjusting/pulling out
Best protection is achieved if the top edge of the head restraint is at the same
level as the upper part of your head.
Adjusting the height of a head restraint
–
Grasp the side of the head restraint with both hands and push it in upward di-
rection as desired ⇒ fig. 45 - left.
– Move the head restraint downwards if required by pressing and holding the
safety button with one hand ⇒ fig. 45 - right and by pressing with the other
hand the head restraint downwards.
Removing and installing a head restraint
– Pull the head restraint up out of the seat backrest as far as the stop (on the
rear head restraints fold forward the seat backrest).
– Press the locking button in the direction of arrow ⇒
 fig. 45 - right and pull the
head restraint out.
– To re-insert the head restraint, push it down into the seat backrest far enough
until you hear the locking button engage. £ 63
Seats and Stowage Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

The position of the front and rear outer head restraints is adjustable in height.
The middle rear head restraint is adjustable in two positions.
The head restraints must be adjusted to match the size of the seat occupant. Cor-
rectly adjusted head restraints together with the seat belts offer effective protec-
tion for the occupants ⇒ page 132,
Correct seated position.WARNING
● The head restraints must be correctly adjusted in order to offer effective
protection for the occupants in the event of an accident.
● Do not drive under any circumstance with removed head restraints - risk of
injury!
● If the rear seats are occupied, the rear head restraint must not be in the
lower position. 
Middle rear head restraint Fig. 46 Rear seats: middle head re-
straint
IIn certain countries national legal provisions also require the equipment of the
rear seat with fixing eyes for child seat using the
“Top Tether” system
⇒  page 153, Attaching child seat using the “Top Tether” system. For vehicles,
which are equipped with such fixing eyes, a deviating sequence for removing the
middle head restraint must be observed.
Removing and installing the rear middle head restraint
– Pull the head restraint out of the seat backrest as far as the stop.
– Press the locking button in the direction of arrow A , press simultaneously the
locking button into the opening B using a flat screwdriver with a width of
maximum 5 mm and pull out the head restraint. –
To re-insert the head restraint, push it down into the seat backrest far enough
until you hear the locking button engage. WARNING
● The head restraints must be correctly adjusted in order to offer effective
protection for the occupants in the event of an accident.
● Do not drive under any circumstance with removed head restraints - risk of
injury!
● If the rear seats are occupied, the rear head restraint must not be in the
lower position. 
Rear seats Folding the rear seats forwards Fig. 47 Fold the seat cushion forwards/unlock the seat backrest
To enlarge the luggage compartment, the rear seats can be folded forwards, if
necessary remove the seat cushions. The rear seats can be folded forward individ-
ually on vehicles with divided rear seats.
Folding seats forwards
– Before folding the rear seats forwards, you must adapt the position of the
front seats in such a way that they are not damaged when the rear seats are
folded forwards.
– Pull up the seat cushion in direction of arrow 1 and fold forwards in direction
of arrow 2
⇒  fig. 47 . £64
Seats and Stowage

The armrest is adjustable for height and length.
Opening storage compartment
–
Open the lid of the armrest in the direction of arrow ⇒  fig. 84 - left.
Closing storage compartment
– Open the lid up to the stop, then you can fold it downwards.
Setting height
– First of all fold the lid to the bottom and lift it in the direction of arrow into one
of the 4 fixed positions.
Adjusting in forward/back direction
– Push the lid into the desired position.
Opening air inlet
– Pull the lock A in upward direction.
Closing air inlet
– Push the lock A as far as the stop downwards.
On vehicles fitted with air conditioning, the storage compartment is equipped
with a lockable inlet for thermally treated (warmed-up) air.
At open air supply, air flows into the storage with a temperature which is as high
as the one out of the air outlet nozzles, depending on temperature setting.
The air inlet in the storage compartment is connected to position  through ad-
justment of the control dial for air distribution. This position causes the maximum
amount of air to flow into the storage compartment (depending on the rotary reg-
ulator position for the fan).
You can use the storage compartment, for example, to temper drinks cans, etc.
If you do not use the air inlet in the storage compartment, the end cover should
always be kept closed. Note
Push the lid of the armrest up to stop to the rear before operating the handbrake. Rear seat armrest with storage compartment
Fig. 85 Armrest of rear seats:
The armrest includes a storage compartment. You open the compartment by
pressing the button on the front side and raising the cover ⇒

 fig. 85 . 
Stowage compartment in rear centre console Fig. 86 Centre console at rear: Stowage
compartment
The storage compartment is equipped with a removable insert.
– Open the storage compartment by pulling on the upper edge of the storage
compartment A in the direction of arrow
⇒ fig. 86 . WARNING
The storage compartment is not a substitute for the ashtray and must also
not be used for such purposes - risk of fire! 81
Seats and Stowage Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

WARNING
● After placing skis into the through-loading bag, you must secure the bag
with the securing strap B .
● The strap A must hold the skis tight.
● Make sure that the strap A holds the skis in front of the binding (see also
imprint on the removable through-loading bag). Note
● The through-loading bag is foreseen for four pairs of skis. The total weight of
the skis which are transported must not exceed 17 kg.
● You must put the skis and the sticks in the removable through-loading bag
with the tips facing the rear.
● If there are several pairs of skis in the removable through-loading bag, ensure
that the bindings are positioned at the same height.
● Carefully fold the empty (dry) through-loading bag together, place it in the lug-
gage compartment and secure it to prevent it slipping. The removable through-
loading bag must never be folded together or stowed when moist. 
Side compartment Fig. 89 Luggage compartment: Side
compartment
– You can open the compartment by turning the locks in the direction of arrow.
The CD changer is housed in this compartment. Stowage compartment behind the rear seats (Estate car)
Fig. 90 Removing the storage compart-
ment
Removing
– First remove the foldable luggage compartment cover ⇒  page 70.
– Grasp the housing with both hands and remove it by pulling in direction of ar-
row ⇒ fig. 90 .
Install
– Push the housing up to the stop into the catch.
– Re-insert the foldable luggage compartment cover. WARNING
Only place small and light objects up to a total weight of 3 kg into the storage
compartment. In the event of a vehicle collision heavy objects could be thrown
out of the compartment - risk of injuries! For this reason, the front part of the
luggage compartment cover must always cover over the storage compart-
ment. 
Clothes hooks The clothes hooks are located on the middle pillar and on the handle of the head-
liner above each of the rear doors.
£ 83
Seats and Stowage Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

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

Safety
Passive Safety
Basic information
Driving the safe way Passive safety measures reduce the risk of injury in accident situa-
tions.
In this section you will find important information, tips and notes on the subject of
passive safety in your vehicle. We have combined everything here which you
should be familiar with, for example, regarding seat belts, airbags, child seats and
safety of children. It is therefore important, in particular, to comply with the notes
and warnings in this section for your own interest and in the interest of those
travelling with you. WARNING
● This chapter contains important information on how to use the vehicle for
the driver and his occupants. You will find further information on safety, which
concerns you and those travelling with you, in the following chapters of this
Owner's Manual.
● The complete on-board literature should always be in the vehicle. This ap-
plies in particular, if you rent out or sell the vehicle. 
Safety equipment The safety equipment is part of the occupant protection and it can
reduce the risk of injuries in accident situations.
“Do not put at risk
” your safety and the safety of those travelling with you . In the
event of an accident, the safety equipment can reduce the risk of injuries.
The following list contains part of the safety equipment in your vehicle:
● three-point seat belts for all the seats;
● belt force limiter for front and outer rear seats;
● belt tensioners for front seats; ●
seat belt height adjusters for front seats;
● front airbag for the driver and front passenger;
● side airbags;
● head airbags;
● anchoring points for child seat using the “ISOFIX” system;
● anchoring points for child seat using the “Top Tether” system;
● head restraints adjustable for height;
● adjustable steering column.
The specified safety equipment works together, in order to optimally protect you
and those travelling with you in accident situations. The safety equipment does
not protect you or the people travelling with you, if you or your occupants adopt
an incorrect seated position or the equipment is not correctly adjusted or used.
For this reason you will be provided with information on why these equipment
components are very important, how it protects you and the occupants, what
should be observed when using the equipment and how you and the people trav-
elling with you can make full use of the existing safety equipment. This Owner's
Manual contains important warning notes, which you and those travelling with
you should pay attention to in order to reduce a risk of injury.
Safety concerns everybody! 
Before setting off The driver is always fully responsible for his occupants and for the
operating safety of the vehicle.
For your own safety and the safety of the people travelling with you, please pay
attention to the following points before setting off.
● Ensure that the lighting and the turn signal system are functioning properly.
● Inspect the tyre inflation pressure.
● Ensure that all the windows offer a good visibility to the outside.
● Safely attach the items of luggage ⇒ page 66
, Loading the luggage compart-
ment. £ 131
Passive Safety Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data