2011 SKODA OCTAVIA open bonnet

–
Service interval - Display of the remaining number of days, kilometres or
miles to the next Inspection Service/Reset 1)
– Reset trip counter for distance driven
– Resetting Service Interval Display
– Activate/deactivate display mode
Fuel gauge ⇒ page 11 
Engine revolutions counter The red zone of the rev counter scale
1 ⇒ fig. 2
indicates the range in which the
engine control unit begins to limit the engine speed. The engine control unit re-
stricts the engine speed to a steady limit value.
Shift into the next higher gear or select the selector lever position D of the auto-
matic gearbox before reaching the red zone of the rev counter scale.
Avoid high engine speeds during the driving time and before the engine has been
warmed up to operating temperature ⇒ page 161
. For the sake of the environment
Shifting to a higher gear in good time helps to reduce the fuel consumption, mini-
mises operating noise levels, protects the environment and contributes to a lon-
ger life and reliability of the engine. 
Speedometer Warning against excessive speeds
An acoustic warning signal will sound when the vehicle speed exceeds 120 kilo-
metres per hour. The acoustic warning signal will switch off again when the vehi-
cle speed goes below this speed limit.

Coolant temperature gauge The coolant temperature gauge
3
⇒  fig. 2
operates only when the ignition is
switched on. 6 Please pay attention to the following guidelines regarding temperature ranges in
order to avoid damage to the engine:
Cold range
If the pointer is in the left-hand area of the scale it means that the engine has not
yet reached its operating temperature. Avoid running at high engine speeds, at
full throttle and at severe engine loads.
The operating range
The engine has reached its operating temperature as soon as the pointer moves
into the mid-range of the scale. The pointer may also move further to the right at
high engine loads and high outside temperatures. This is not critical provided the
warning symbol  in the instrument cluster does not flash.
If the symbol  in the instrument cluster flashes it means that either the coolant
temperature is too high or the coolant level is too low. Please refer to the guide-
lines ⇒ page 25, Coolant temperature/ Coolant quantity . WARNING
Pay attention to the warning notes ⇒ page 181, Working in the engine com-
partment
before opening the bonnet and inspecting the coolant level. CAUTION
Additional headlights and other attached components in front of the fresh air inlet
impair the cooling efficiency of the coolant. There is then a risk of the engine
overheating at high outside temperatures and high engine loads! 
Fuel gauge The fuel gauge
6
⇒
 fig. 2 only operates when the ignition is switched on.
The fuel tank has a capacity of about 55 litres or 60 litres 2)
. The warning symbol 
in the instrument cluster lights up when the pointer reaches the reserve marking.
There are now about 9 litres of fuel remaining in the tank. This symbol is a re-
minder for you, that you must refuel .
The following is displayed in the information display: £1)
Valid for countries where the values are indicated in British measuring units.
2) Valid for Octavia Combi 4x4 and Octavia Scout. 11
Instruments and warning lights Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Main menu ⇒ page 18
Door, luggage compartment door and bonnet ajar
warning ⇒ page 18
Service Interval Display ⇒ 
page 12 Selector lever position for an automatic gearbox ⇒ 
page 108 
Main menu Fig. 7 Information display: Controls on the windshield wiper lever/controls on the multifunc-
tion steering wheel
Operating with the buttons on the windshield wiper lever
– You can activate the Main Menu by pressing the rocker switch A
⇒  fig. 7 for
more than 1
second.
– You can select individual menu points by means of the rocker switch A . When
the pushbutton B is briefly pressed, the information you have selected is dis-
played.
Operating with the buttons on the multifunction steering wheel
– You can activate the Main menu by pressing the rocker switch C
⇒  fig. 7
for
more than 1 second.
– By briefly pressing the C button you will reach one level higher.
– You can select the individual menus by pressing the handwheel D . After brief-
ly pressing the handwheel D , the desired menu is indicated.
You can select the following information (depending on the equipment installed
on the vehicle):
■ MFD ⇒

  page 14 ■
Audio
■ Navigation
■ Phone ⇒ page 116
■ Aux.

Heating ⇒ page 94
■ Assistants ⇒ page 46
■ Vehicle status ⇒ page 19
■ Settings ⇒ page 19
The menu point Audio is only then displayed when the factory-fitted car radio is
switched on.
The menu point Navigation is only then displayed when the factory-fitted radio
navigation system is switched on.
The menu point Aux. heating is only then displayed, if the vehicle is factory-fitted
with auxiliary heating.
The menu point Assistants is only then displayed, if the vehicle is fitted with cor-
nering lights. Note
● If warning messages are shown in the information display, these messages
can be confirmed with the button B on the windshield wiper lever or with the
button D on the multifunction steering wheel in order to call up the main menu.
● If you do not activate the information display at that moment, the menu shifts
to one level higher every 10 seconds.
● The operation of the factory-fitted car stereo or radio navigation system is de-
scribed in separate operating instructions to be found in the on-board literature. 
Door, luggage compartment door and bonnet ajar warning The door, luggage compartment and bonnet ajar warning lights up if at least one
door, the luggage compartment or bonnet are not closed. The symbol indicates
which door is still open or whether the luggage compartment door or bonnet is
not closed
.
The symbol goes out as soon as the doors, luggage compartment door and bonnet
are completely closed.
A warning signal sounds if the car is driven at a speed of more than 6km/hour and
if the engine or the luggage compartment door is open. 18
Instruments and warning lights


Low beam
⇒ page 23
 Rear fog light
⇒ page 23
 Speed regulating system
⇒ page 23
 Failure of the light bulbs
⇒ page 23
 Diesel particle filter (diesel engine)
⇒ page 23
 Airbag system
⇒ page 24
 Control system for exhaust
⇒ page 24
  Electromechanical power steering
⇒ page 24
 Engine oil pressure
⇒ page 25
 EPC fault light (petrol engine)
⇒ page 25
 Glow plug system (diesel engine)
⇒ page 25
 Coolant temperature/coolant level
⇒ page 25
 Traction control system (TCS)
⇒ page 26
 Electronic stability programme (ESP)
⇒ page 26
 Switch off traction control system (TCS)
⇒ page 26
 Selector lever lock
⇒ page 27
 Tyre pressure
⇒ page 27
 Antilock brake system (ABS)
⇒ page 27 
Bonnet
⇒ page 27
 Seat belt warning light
⇒ page 28
 Boot lid
⇒ page 28
 Open door
⇒ page 28
 Fluid level in windshield washer system
⇒ page 28
 Brake system
⇒ page 28
 Handbrake
⇒ page 29
 Generator
⇒ page 29
 Engine oil level
⇒ page 29
 Fuel reserve
⇒ page 29 WARNING
● If you do not pay attention to the warning lights coming on and the corre-
sponding descriptions and warning notes, this may result in severe body inju-
ries or major vehicle damage.
● The engine compartment of your car is a hazardous area. There is a risk of
injuries, scalding, accidents and fire when working in the engine compart-
ment, e.g. inspecting and replenishing oil and other fluids. It is also essential
to observe all warnings ⇒
 page 181, Working in the engine compartment. Note
● The arrangement of the indicator lights depends on the model version. The
symbols shown in the following functional description are to be found as indicator
lights in the instrument cluster.
● Operational faults are shown in the instrument cluster as red symbols (priority
1 - danger) or yellow symbols (priority 2 - warning). 22
Instruments and warning lights

Selector lever lock
If the
green warning light  lights up, operate the brake pedal. This is necessary,
in order to be able to move the selector lever out of the position P or N.
Further information about the selector lever lock ⇒ page 111.
Tyre inflation pressure The warning light
 lights up, if there is a substantial drop in inflation pressure in
one of the tyres. Reduce the speed and check or correct as soon as possible the
inflation pressure in the tyres ⇒
 page 192.
If the warning light flashes, there is a system fault. Visit the nearest specialist ga-
rage and have the fault rectified.
Further information about the tyre pressure monitoring system ⇒ page 159. WARNING
● When the warning light  lights up, immediately reduce the speed and
avoid sudden steering and brake manoeuvres. Please stop the vehicle without
delay at the nearest possible stop and inspect the tyres and their inflation
pressures.
● Under certain circumstances (e.g. sporty style of driving, wintry or unpaved
roads) the warning light  can be delayed or does not light up at all.Note
If the battery has been disconnected, the warning light  comes on after switch-
ing on the ignition. The warning light must go out after driving a short distance. 
Antilock brake system (ABS) The warning light
 shows the functionality of the ABS.
The warning light comes on for a few seconds after the ignition has been switch-
ed on or when starting the engine. The warning light goes out after an automatic
check sequence has been completed. A fault in the ABS
The system is not functioning properly if the ABS warning light
 does not go out
within a few seconds after switching on the ignition, does not light up at all or
lights up while driving. The vehicle will only be braked by the normal brake sys-
tem. Visit a specialist garage immediately and adjust your style of driving appropri-
ately as you will not know how great the damage is.
Further information about ABS ⇒ page 158

, Antilock brake system (ABS).
A fault in the entire brake system
If the ABS warning light  comes on together with the brake system warning
light  (handbrake must be released), there is a fault not only in the ABS but also
in another part of the brake system ⇒  .
WARNING
● If the brake system warning light  comes on together with the ABS
warning light  stop the vehicle immediately and check the brake fluid level
in the reservoir ⇒ page 186, Brake fluid

. If the fluid level has dropped below
the MIN marking, do not drive any further - risk of accident! Contact a Škoda
dealer to obtain professional assistance.
● Pay attention to the following instructions ⇒
 page 181, Working in the en-
gine compartment before checking the brake fluid level and opening the bon-
net.
● If the brake fluid is at the correct level, the ABS control function has failed.
The rear wheels may then block very rapidly when braking. In certain circum-
stances, this can result in the rear end of the car breaking away - risk of skid-
ding! Drive carefully to the nearest specialist garage and have the fault recti-
fied. 
Bonnet  The warning light
 comes on if the bonnet is unlocked. If the engine bonnet un-
locks while driving , the warning light lights up and an audible signal sounds.
The warning light comes on even when the ignition is switched off. The warning
light lights up for a maximum of 5 minutes.
In vehicles with an information display, this warning light is replaced by a vehicle
symbol ⇒ page 18  27
Instruments and warning lights Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Handbrake 
The warning light
 comes on if the handbrake is applied. An audible warning is
also given if you drive the vehicle for at least 3 seconds at a speed of more than 6
km/h.
The following text will be displayed in the information display:
Release parking brake! (Release parking brake!) 
Alternator The warning light
 comes on after the ignition has been switched on. It should
go out after the engine has started.
If the warning light does not go out after the engine has started, or comes on
when driving, drive to the nearest specialist garage. The vehicle battery will be
discharged in this case so switch off all non-essential electrical components. CAUTION
If the warning light  comes on when driving and in addition the warning light 
(cooling system fault) also comes on in display, you must then stop the car imme-
diately and switch the engine off - risk of engine damage! 
Engine oil level Warning light
 lights up
If the warning light  lights up, the quantity of oil in the engine is probably too
low. Check as soon as possible the oil level or top up ⇒ page 183, Replenishing
engine oil with engine oil.
A peep sounds as an additional warning signal.
The following text will be displayed in the information display:
Check oil level! (Check oil level!)
The warning light will go out if the bonnet is left open for more than 30 seconds.
If no engine oil has been replenished, the warning light will come on again after
driving about 100 km. Warning light
 flashes
A fault on the engine oil level sensor is indicated additionally by an audible signal
and the warning light coming on several times after the ignition has been switch-
ed on.
In this case have the engine inspected without delay by a specialist garage.
The following text will be displayed in the information display:
Oil sensor workshop! (Oil sensor workshop!) 
Fuel reserve  The warning light
 comes on, if the fuel level is still below 9 litres.
An audible signal sounds as an additional warning signal.
The following text will be displayed in the information display: Please refuel! Range...km (Please refuel! (Range...km) Note
The Text in the information display goes out only after refuelling and driving a
short distance. 
Temperature of the clutches of the automatic gearbox DSG  In the event that the temperature of the clutches of the automatic gearbox DSG is
too high, the symbol and the warning are shown in the  Information display:
Gearbox overheated. Stop! Owner's man.! (Transmission overheated. Stop!
An audible signal sounds as an additional warning signal. WARNING
If you must stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe distance
from the traffic and switch off the engine and switch on the hazard warning
light system. CAUTION
In the event that the clutches of the automatic gearbox have overheated, bring
the vehicle to a stop and switch off the engine. You must wait until the symbol 
and the warning go out - risk of gearbox damage! You can continue the trip as
soon as the symbol and the warning go out.  29
Instruments and warning lights Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Folding out of the key
–
Press button 4 .
Folding up of the key
– Press button 4 and collapse the key bit in the housing.
The turn signal lights flash twice as confirmation that the vehicle has been un-
locked. The vehicle will lock again automatically if you unlock the vehicle using
button 1 but do not open a door or the boot lid within the next 30 seconds. The
safelock and/or anti-theft alarm system will reactivate. This function is intended
to prevent the car being unlocked unintentionally.
In addition, when the car is unlocked, the electrically adjustable seats and exterior
mirrors move into the position assigned to this key. The stored setting of driver
seat and exterior mirrors is retrieved.
Display of the locking
The turn signal lights flash once to confirm that the vehicle has been correctly
locked.
If the vehicle is locked by pressing the button 3 and some doors or the boot lid
are not closed, the turn signal lights flash only after closing. WARNING
If the vehicle is locked from the outside and the safe securing system is acti-
vated, there must not be any person in the vehicle as it is then not possible to
open either a door or a window from the inside. The locked doors make it
more difficult for rescuers to get into the vehicle in an emergency - hazard! Note
● Operate the radio remote control only when the doors and boot lid are closed
and you have visual contact with the vehicle.
● Once in the car, you must not press the lock button  of the radio remote con-
trol before inserting the key into the ignition lock in order to avoid the car being
inadvertently locked and the alarm system being switched on. Should this happen,
press the unlock button  of the radio remote control. Synchronisation of the remote control If the vehicle cannot be unlocked by actuating the remote control system then it
is possible that the code in the key and the control unit in the vehicle are no lon-
ger synchronised. This can occur when the buttons on the radio-operated key are
actuated a number of times outside of the operative range of the equipment or
the battery on the remote control was replaced.
This means it is necessary to synchronise the code as follows:
● press any button on the remote control;
● pressing of the button means that the door will unlock with the key within 1
minute. 
Anti-theft alarm system
Description The anti-theft alarm system increases the level of protection against people seek-
ing to break into the vehicle. The system triggers audible and visual warning sig-
nals if an attempt is made to break into the vehicle.
How is the alarm system activated?
The anti-theft alarm system is activated automatically when the vehicle is locked
with the key on the driver's door or by using the radio remote control. It is activa-
ted 30 seconds after locking the door.
How is the alarm system deactivated?
The anti-theft alarm system is deactivated if the vehicle is unlocked by only using
the radio remote control. The anti-theft alarm system is reactivated if the vehicle
is not opened within 30 seconds after transmitting the radio signal.
Once you unlock the vehicle by inserting the key into the driver door you then
have to insert the key into the ignition lock and switch the ignition on within 15
seconds after opening the door in order to deactivate the anti-theft alarm system.
The alarm will be triggered if you do not switch on the ignition within 15 seconds.
When is the alarm triggered?
The following security areas of the locked vehicle are monitored:
● Bonnet,
● Boot lid, £ 37
Unlocking and locking Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Automatic wipe/wash for windscreen
–
Pull the lever towards the steering wheel into sprung position 5 , the wash
system sprays immediately, the windscreen wiper starts wiping a little later.
The wash system and the windscreen wiper operate simultaneously at a
speed of more than 120 km/h.
– Release the lever. The windscreen wash system stops and the wiper contin-
ues for another 3 - 4 wiper strokes (depending on the period of spraying of the
windscreen). At a speed of more than 2 km/h, the wiper wipes once again 5
seconds after the last wiper stroke in order to wipe the last drops from the
windscreen. This function can be activated/deactivated by a specialist garage.
Rain sensor
– Move the lever into position 1 .
– You can set the sensitivity of the sensor individually with switch A .
Wiping the rear window pane
– Push the lever away from the steering wheel into position 6 - the windshield
wiper will operate every 6 seconds.
Automatic wipe/wash for the rear window pane
– Press the lever from the steering wheel forward into the sprung position 7 ,
the wash system sprays immediately, the windscreen wiper starts wiping a lit-
tle later. As long as you hold the lever in this position, the wiper operates as
well as the wash system.
– Letting go of the lever will cause the windscreen wash system to stop and the
wiper to continue for another 2 - 3 wiper strokes (depending on the period of
spraying of the windscreen). The lever will stay in position after releasing it
6 .
Switching windscreen wipers off
– Move the lever back into its home position 0 .
After the windscreen wiper switches off each time or the ignition switches off for
the third time, the position of the windscreen wiper changes, this counteracts an
early fatigue of the wiper rubbers.
The windscreen wipers and the wash system only operate if the ignition is switch-
ed on and the bonnet is closed 1)
. If the intermittent wipe is switched on, the intervals are also controlled depending
on speed.
The rain sensor automatically regulates the break between the individual wiper
strokes depending on the intensity of the rain.
The rear window will be wiped again if the front window wipers are on when re-
verse gear is selected.
Top up with wash liquid ⇒ page 190
.
Winter position
If the windscreen wipers are in rest position, they cannot be folded out from the
windscreen. For this reason we recommend adjusting the windscreen wipers in
winter so that they can be folded out from the windscreen easily.
You can set this rest position as follows:
● Switch on the windscreen wipers.
● Switch off the ignition. The windscreen wipers remain in the position in which
they were when switching off the ignition.
You can also use the service position ⇒

 page 56 as a winter position. WARNING
● Properly maintained windscreen wiper blades are essential for clear visibil-
ity and safe driving ⇒

 page 56.
● Do not use the windscreen washer system at low temperatures, without
heating the windscreen beforehand. Otherwise the window cleaner could
freeze on the windscreen and restrict the view to the front.
● The rain sensor only operates as a support. The driver is not released from
the responsibility to set the function of the windscreen wipers manually de-
pending on the visibility conditions. £1)
On vehicles which do not have a contact switch for the bonnet, the windshield wiper and wash sys-
tem operates also when the bonnet is opened. 54
Lights and Visibility

WARNING (Continued)
● You must on no account unintentionally operate the throttle (e.g. by hand
from the engine compartment) if a drive position is engaged when the car is
stationary. The vehicle would otherwise immediately start off - also when the
handbrake is firmly applied - risk of an accident!
● You must move the selector lever into position P and firmly apply the
handbrake first before you or any other person opens the bonnet and starts
working on the engine when it is running - risk of accident! It is also essential
to observe all warnings ⇒ page 181, Working in the engine compartment
. 
Selector lever lock Automatic selector lever lock

With the ignition on, the selector lever is locked when it is in the positions P and
N. You must first of all depress the brake pedal in order to move the selector lever
out of this position. The warning light  ⇒

 page 27 lights up in the instrument
cluster as a reminder for the driver when the selector lever is in the positions P
and N.
A time delay element ensures that the selector lever is not blocked when rapidly
switching over the position N (e.g. from R to D). This does, for example, allow one
to seesaw out a stuck vehicle. The selector lever lock will click into place if the lev-
er is in the N position for more than 2 seconds without the brake pedal being
pressed.
The selector lever lock is only active if the vehicle is stationary or moving at speed
of less than 5 km/hour. The lock is switched off automatically into position N
when the car is travelling at a higher speed.
Shiftlock button
The Shiftlock button in the handle of selector lever prevents certain selector lever
positions being engaged inadvertently. The selector lever lock is cancelled when
you press the Shiftlock button.
Keylock - Ignition key withdrawal lock
You can only withdraw the ignition key after switching off the ignition if the selec-
tor lever is in position P. If the ignition key is withdrawn, the selector lever is
blocked in position P . Kickdown function The kickdown function provides you with maximum acceleration
power.
Fully depressing the accelerator pedal allows the kickdown function to be activa-
ted in the desired driving program. This function has precedence over the driving
programme and serves for maximum acceleration of the vehicle when exploiting
the maximum power potential of the engine without taking into account the cur-
rent selector lever position ( D, S or Tiptronic ). The gearbox shifts down to one or
several gears in line with the driving state and the vehicle accelerates. The gear-
box does not shift up into the highest gear until the engine has reached its maxi-
mum revolutions for this gear range. WARNING
Please note that using the kickdown function can result in the driven wheels
spinning on a smooth or slippery road surface - risk of skidding! 
Dynamic shift programme The automatic gearbox of your vehicle is controlled electronically. Shifting up and
down through the gears is performed automatically on the basis of pre-defined
driving programmes.
Adopting a moderate style of driving
will cause the gearbox to select the most
economical driving programme. Shifting up into a higher gear as soon as possible
and shifting down as late as possible will have a favourable effect on your fuel
consumption.
Adopting a sporty style of driving with rapid movements of the accelerator pedal
combined with sharp acceleration and frequent changes in speed, exploiting the
top speed of the car or depressing the accelerator pedal (kickdown function), will
cause the gearbox to switch over to this style of driving and shift down earlier
with frequent changes in gears in comparison to the moderate style of driving.
Selecting the most appropriate driving programme for the particular style of driv-
ing is a continuous process. Irrespective of this it is, however, possible to switch or
shift down into a dynamic shift programme by depressing the accelerator rapidly.
The gearbox shifts down into a lower gear matching the speed of the car and this
allows you to accelerate rapidly (e.g. when overtaking) without having to depress £ 111
Automatic gearbox Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data