2011 SKODA OCTAVIA length

Lights and Visibility
Lights
Switching lights on and off  Fig. 24 Dash panel: Light switch
Switching on side lights
– Turn the light switch ⇒ fig. 24 into position .
Switching on the low beam and main beam
– Turn the light switch into position .
– Push the main beam lever slightly forward in the spring-tensioned position in
order to switch on the main beam ⇒ fig. 30 .
Switching off lights (except daylight driving lights)
– Turn the light switch into position.
The dipped beam continues to shine while the ignition is switched on and the
light switch is in the position  or  . After switching off the ignition, the low
beam is switched off automatically and only the side lights come on. The parking
light also goes out after the ignition key is removed.
On vehicles with separate lights for daylight driving lights in the fog lights or in
the front bumper, the low beam does not light up when the light switch is in posi-
tion 0 even if the ignition is switched on.
On models fitted with right-hand steering the position of certain switches differs
from that shown in ⇒
 fig. 24. The symbols which mark the switch positions are
identical, however. WARNING
Never drive with only the side lights on - risk of accident! The side lights are
not bright enough to light up the road sufficiently in front of you or to be seen
by other oncoming traffic. In this case, always switch on the low beam when it
is dark or if visibility is poor. Note
● If the light switch is in the position , the ignition key is removed and the
driver's door is open, an acoustic warning signal will sound. The acoustic warning
signal is switched off over the door contact when the driver's door is closed (igni-
tion off). The vehicle can be parked with the side lights on.
● If the light switch is in the position  and the ignition key is removed, the
lights will go out.
● If the car is parked for a lengthy period, we recommend switching off all lights,
or leaving only the parking lights switched on.
● The switching on of the described lights should only be undertaken in accord-
ance with the legal requirements.
● If a fault occurs in the light switch, the low beam comes on automatically
● In the event of cool or humid weather conditions, the headlights can be misted
up from inside.
–The temperature difference between interior and external area of the head-
light lenses is decisive.
– When the driving lights are switched on, the light outlet surfaces are free
from mist after a short period. The headlight lenses can possibly mist up at the
border areas.
– It also concerns reverse light and turn signal lights.
– This mist has no influence on the life of the lighting system. 
“DAY LIGHT” Switching on daylight driving lights
–
Switch on the ignition without turning the light switch out of the position 0 or

 . £44
Lights and Visibility

Rain lights
If you switch on the windscreen wipe in the operation rain sensor for longer than
10 seconds or in the operation permanent wipe (position
2 or 3) ⇒ page 53
switching on for longer than 15 seconds, the side lights and low beam are switch-
ed on automatically. The light switches off if the windscreen wipe is in operation
rain sensor for more than around 4 minutes or is not switched on in the operation
permanent wipe. WARNING
The automatic light control only operates as a support. The driver is not re-
leased from his responsibility to inspect the light and if necessary to switch on
the light depending on the light conditions. The light sensor cannot detect for
example rain or snow. For these conditions we recommend to switch on the
low beam ! Note
● Do not affix any stickers in front of the light sensor, so that you do not impair
its function or put it out of operation.
● The same principles as for using the automatic light control also apply to the
light which is switched on manually ⇒

 page 44. 
Cornering lights The cornering lights are used to illuminate the curves by means of the cone of
light swivelling together with the front headlight with Xenon lights. This function
is active when the speed of the car increases to more than 10

km/h.
The swivelling function of the headlights can be switched off/on via the menu
point Assistants in the main menu of the information display ⇒ page 18.WARNING
If the cornering lights are defective, the headlights are automatically lowered
to the emergency position, which prevents a possible dazzling of oncoming
traffic. Thus the illuminated length of the road is shortened. Drive carefully
and have the car inspected immediately by a specialist garage. Parking light Parking light

– Switch off the ignition.
– Pull the turn signal light lever ⇒
 fig. 30 upwards or downwards - the parking
light on the right and left side of the vehicle will be switched on respectively.
The parking light only operates if the ignition is switched off.
If you have switched on the right or left turn signal light and you switch off the
ignition, the parking light is not automatically switched on.
Parking light on both sides
– Turn the light switch into the position  and lock the vehicle. 
Coming Home Function The function makes it possible to switch on the lights in the darkness for a short
time after leaving the vehicle.
Switching on Coming Home Function
– The light switch is in the position automatic driving lamp control  and the
low beam illuminates.
– Switch off the ignition.
– After opening the driver's door, the function Coming Home is switched on.
– Close all the doors and the boot lid and lock the vehicle. After a short time,
switch all lights off.
Depending on equipment fitted the function Coming Home switches on the fol-
lowing lights:
● Parking lights,
● Low beam,
● Entry lighting in the exterior mirrors,
● Licence plate light.
Coming Home Function
The lights go out 10 seconds after closing all the doors and the boot lid.
If a door or the boot lid remains open, the lights go out 60 seconds after switching
off the ignition. £46
Lights and Visibility

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

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

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

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

Shifting gears and saving energy
Shifting up early saves on fuel.
Fig. 142 Fuel consumption in litres/100
km and speed in km/h.
Manual gearbox
– Drive no more than about one length of your vehicle in first gear.
– Shift up into the next higher gear at approx. 2 000 to 2 500 revs.
An effective way of achieving good fuel economy is to shift up early . You will con-
sume more fuel if you drive at unnecessarily high revolutions in any given gear. To
shift in a fuel-efficient manner, follow ⇒
 page 13, Shift recommendation for chang-
ing gears.
Automatic gearbox
– Depress the accelerator pedal slowly. Do not depress it beyond the kickdown
position, however.
Only depress the accelerator pedal slowly if your vehicle is fitted with an automat-
ic gearbox in order to automatically select an economic driving programme. You
will achieve good fuel economy by shifting up early and shifting down late.
General
The ⇒ fig. 142 shows the ratio of fuel consumption to the speed of your vehicle in
the relevant gears. Fuel consumption in 1st

gear is the highest, while that in 5th or
the 6th gear is the lowest. Note
Also use the information supplied by the multi-functional indicator ⇒ page 14.Avoiding full throttle Driving more slowly means saving fuel.
Fig. 143 Fuel consumption in litres/100
km. and speed in km/h.
Sensitive use of the accelerator will not only significantly reduce fuel consumption
but also positively influence environmental pollution and wear of your vehicle.
You should avoid exploiting the top speed of your vehicle wherever possible. Fuel
consumption, pollutant emissions and vehicle noises increase disproportionally at
high speeds.
The ⇒ fig. 143 shows the ratio of fuel consumption to the speed of your vehicle.
You will cut your fuel consumption by half if you only make use three-quarters of
the possible top speed of your vehicle. 
Reducing idling Idling also costs fuel.
It is worthwhile switching off the engine in a traffic jam or when waiting at a level
crossing or at traffic lights with a lengthy red phase. Even after just 30 - 40 sec-
onds you will have saved more fuel than that is needed when you start the engine
up again.
If an engine is only idling it takes much longer for it to reach its normal operating
temperature. Wear-and-tear and pollutant emissions, though, are particularly high
in the warming-up phase. This is why you should drive off right after starting the
engine. Do avoid high engine revolutions at this time, however.  163
Driving and the Environment Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Driving Tips
–
Do not, as far as possible, drive with your vehicle unladen and the trailer laden.
– Do not make full use of the legal maximum speeds. This applies in particular to
downhill sections.
– Apply the brakes in good time.
– Keep a check on the coolant temperature gauge if the outside temperature is
high.
Distribution of weight
The distribution of the weight is very poor if your vehicle is unladen and the trailer
is laden. Maintain a particularly low speed if you cannot avoid driving with this
combination.
Driving speed
Do not drive faster than 80 km/hour for safety reasons. This also applies for coun-
tries in which higher speeds are allowed.
The fact that the driving stability of the vehicle + trailer combination reduces with
increasing speed means that the legally allowed speed should not be used when
there are unfavourable road, weather or wind conditions, particularly near acci-
dent black spots.
You must always reduce your speed immediately as soon as you detect even just
the slightest swaying of the trailer. On no account attempt to stop the trailer
from “swaying”
by accelerating.
Apply the brakes in good time! If the trailer is fitted with a trailer brake, apply the
brakes gently at first and then brake firmly. This will avoid brake jolts resulting
from the trailer wheels locking. Shift down gears in good time before negotiating
a downhill section to allow the engine to also act as a brake.
Engine overheating
Please keep a check on the coolant temperature gauge if you have to negotiate a
lengthy slope in a low gear at a high engine speed when the outside temperature
is very high ⇒ page 11, Coolant temperature gauge.
If the needle of the coolant temperature gauge moves into the right-hand area or
even the red area of the scale, reduce your speed immediately. Stop and switch
off the engine if the warning light  in the instrument cluster begins flashing.
Wait a few minutes and check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion bottle
⇒  page 185, Inspecting the coolant level. Please refer to the following guidelines
⇒ page 25, Coolant temperature/ Coolant
quantity .
The coolant temperature can be reduced by switching on the heating.
Any increase in the cooling effect of the coolant fan through shifting down a gear
and increasing the engine speed is not possible since the fan speed is independ-
ent of the engine speed. One should also not drop a gear for this reason when
towing a trailer as long as the engine can manage the slope without any drop in
speed.  169
Towing a trailer Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data