2011 SKODA OCTAVIA sensor

Auto Check Control
Car state The Auto Check Control carries out a check of certain functions and vehicle com-
ponents. The check is performed constantly when the ignition is switched on,
both when the vehicle is stationary, as well as when driving.
Some operational faults, urgent repairs, service work or other information appear
in the display of the instrument cluster. The displays are shown with a red or yel-
low light symbol depending on the priority of the message.
The red symbols indicate danger (priority 1) while the yellow symbols indicate a
warning (priority 2). Information for the driver may also appear in addition to the
symbols ⇒ page 21.
There is at least one error message when the term Vehicle status is displayed in
the menu. After selecting this menu the first of the error messages is displayed.
Several error messages are shown on the display under the message e.g. 1/3. This
indicates that the first of a total of three error messages is displayed. Investigate
the displayed faults as soon as possible.
As long as the operational faults are not rectified, the symbols are always indica-
ted again. After the first display, the symbols are indicated without information for
the driver.
If a fault occurs, a warning signal will also sound in addition to the symbol and
text in the display:
● Priority 1 - three warning signals
● Priority 2 - one warning signal 
Red symbols A red symbol signals danger.
– Bring the vehicle to a stop.
– Switch the engine off.
– Investigate the function indicated.
– Obtain professional assistance.
Meaning of the red symbols:  Engine oil pressure too low ⇒ 
page 25  Overheated clutches of the automatic gear-
box DSG ⇒ page 29
Three successive warning signals will sound if a red symbol appears.

Yellow symbols A yellow symbol signals a warning.
Check the relevant function as soon as possible.
The meaning of the yellow symbols:  Check engine oil level,
engine oil sensor faulty
⇒ page 29
 Problem with en-
gine oil pressure It is also important to have the vehicle inspected
without delay by a specialist garage. The informa-
tion about the maximum permissible engine speed is displayed together with this symbol. In certain countries, if a yellow symbol appears
one warning signal will sound as
well.
If several operational faults of priority 2 exist, the symbols appear one after the
other and are each illuminated for about 5 seconds. 
Set-up You can change certain settings by means of the information display. The current
setting is shown on the information display in the respective menu at the top be-
low the line.
You can select the following information (depending on the equipment installed
on the vehicle):
●
Language
● MFD Data
● Convenience
● Lights & Vision
● Time
● Winter tyres £ 19
Instruments and warning lights Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

●
Units
● Assistants
● Alternative speed displayed (Second speed)
● Service Interval
● Factory setting
● Back
After selecting the menu point Back you will reach one level higher in the menu.
Language
Here you can set in which language the warning and information texts should be
displayed.
Displays of the MFA
Here you can switch off or on certain displays of the multi-functional indicator.
Comfort
Here you can activate, deactivate or adjust the following functions: Rain closing Switch on/off the function for automatically closing the
window and panoramic tilt/slide sunroof in a locked rain
when it starts raining a)
. If the function is set and it is not
raining, the windows including the panoramic tilt/slide
sunroof will close automatically after approx. 12
hours.ATA confirm Switch on/off the acoustic signal indicating activation of
the anti-theft alarm system.
Central locking Switch on/off the central locking and automatic locking
function. Window op. Here you can set the convenience mode only for the
driver window or for all the windows.
Mirror down Switch on/off the function for mirror lowering on the
front passenger side when engaging the reverse gear b)
. Mirror adjust. Switch on/off the function for left and right exterior
mirror setting simultaneously.
Factory setting
Restore the Convenience factory setting.
a)
This function is only available on vehicles with a rain sensor.
b) This function is only available on vehicles with an electrically adjustable driver seat. Lights and Visibility
Here you can activate, deactivate or adjust the following functions: Coming Home Switch on/off and adjust the light duration of the Com-
ing Home function.
Leaving Home Switch on/off and adjust the light duration of the Com-
ing Home function.
Dayl. dri. light
Switch on/off the “DAY LIGHT” function.
Lane ch. flash
(convenience flashing) Switch on/off the convenience flashing function.
Rear wiper Switch on/off the function for automatic rear window
wiping.
Travel mode
Switch on/off the travel model function.
Factory setting
Restore the factory setting for the lighting.
Time
Here you can set the time, the time format (12 or 24 hour indicator) and the time
change summer/winter time.
Winter tyres
Here you can set at which speed a warning signal should sound. This function is
used for e.g winter tyres with the permissible maximum speed less than the maxi-
mum speed of the vehicle.
When exceeding the speed, an indication is displayed on the information display:
Winter tyres max. speed
... km/h
Measures
Here you can set the units for temperature, consumption and distance driven.
Assistants
Here you can adjust the tones of the acoustic signals of the parking aid. £20
Instruments and warning lights

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

Deactivating the function daylight driving lights
–
Pull the turn signal light lever towards the steering wheel within 3 seconds af-
ter switching on the ignition and at the same time, slide it to the bottom and
hold it in this position for at least 3 seconds.
Activating the function daylight driving lights
– Pull the turn signal light lever towards the steering wheel within 3 seconds af-
ter switching on the ignition and at the same time, slide it towards the top and
hold it in this position for at least 3
seconds.
On vehicles fitted with an information display, you can also activate or deactivate
in the menu the function daylight driving lights:
■ Settings
■ Lights & Vision
On vehicles with separate lights for daylight driving lights in the fog lights or in
the front bumper, the parking lights and the licence plate light do not come on
when activating the function daylight driving lights (neither front nor rear).
If the vehicle is not equipped with separate lights for daylight driving lights, the
combination of the low beam, the parking lights (front and rear) including the li-
cence plate light is used as daylight driving lights.
In some countries, the national legal provisions require that the rear parking lights
also come on together with the separate lights for daylight driving lights when ac-
tivating the function daylight driving lights.
When the daylight driving lights are switched on, the illumination of the instru-
ment cluster is switched off, however, it is switched on in the position  when it
is dark and the low beam shines with full brightness (100 % of the performance). Automatic driving lamp control Fig. 25 Dash panel: Light switch
Switching on automatic driving lamp control
– Turn the light switch ⇒ fig. 25 into position .
Switching off automatic driving lamp control
– Turn the light switch to the position 0,  or .
If the light switch is in the position , the symbol illuminates when the ignition
is switched on  next to the light switch. If the low beam is activated with the
light sensor, the symbol  illuminates additionally next to the light switch.
If the light comes on automatically, the side lights and low beam as well as licence
plate light light up at the same time.
If the automatic light control is switched on, the light is regulated with the light
sensor in the rear mirror holder. If the light intensity drops below the set value, e.g
when driving during the day into a tunnel, the low beam and the side lights as
well as the licence plate light come on automatically. If the light intensity increa-
ses again, the lights switch off automatically.
Motorway lights
If the automatic light control has been switched on and the vehicle speed is over
140 km/h for at least 10 seconds, the side lights and low beam are switched on
automatically.
If the vehicle speed is below 65

km/h for at least 2 minutes, the lights are switch-
ed off. £ 45
Lights and Visibility Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

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 function Coming Home is controlled with the light sensor in the mount of the
interior rear mirror. If the light intensity is higher than the set value of the light
sensor, the Coming Home Function is not switched on after switching off the igni-
tion. Note
● If the Coming Home Function is switched on constantly, the battery will be
heavily discharged particularly in short-haul traffic.
● The switching on of the described lights should only be undertaken in accord-
ance with the legal requirements.
● You can change the illumination period for the Leaving Home Function by
means of the Information display. 
Leaving Home Function This function makes it possible to switch on the lights when approaching the ve-
hicle.
Switching on Leaving Home Function
–
The light switch is in the position automatic driving lamp control .
– Unlock the vehicle with the radio remote control - the lights come on.
Depending on equipment fitted the function Leaving Home switches on the fol-
lowing lights:
● Parking lights,
● Low beam,
● Entry lighting in the exterior mirrors,
● Licence plate light.
Leaving Home Function
The function Leaving Home is controlled with the light sensor in the mount of the
interior rear mirror. If the light intensity is higher than the set value of the light
sensor, the Leaving Home Function is not switched on after unlocking the vehicle
with the radio remote control.
After unlocking the vehicle with the radio remote control, the lights come on for
10 seconds. The Leaving Home Function is also switched off after the ignition is
switched on and after locking the vehicle.
If no door is opened within 30 seconds, the lights go out and the vehicle is locked
automatically. Note
● If the Leaving Home Function is switched on constantly, the battery will be
heavily discharged particularly in short-haul traffic.
● The switching on of the described lights should only be undertaken in accord-
ance with the legal requirements.
● You can change the illumination period for the Leaving Home Function by
means of the Information display. 
Tourist light This mode makes it possible to drive in countries with opposing traffic system,
driving on the left/right, without dazzling the oncoming vehicles. When the mode
“tourist light
” is active, the side to side swivel of the headlights is deactivated.
The mode “tourist light” is activated/deactivated via the Information display in the
menu:
■ Settings
■ Lights & Vision
■ Travel mode
■ Off
■ Switched on 
Fog lights  Fig. 26 Dash panel: Light switch
Switch on the front fog lamp
– First of all turn the light switch into position  or  ⇒
 fig. 26 .
– Pull the light switch into position 1 .
£ 47
Lights and Visibility Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

The warning light
 lights up in the instrument cluster when the fog lights are
switched on ⇒
 page 21. 
Fog lights with the function “CORNER” The fog lights with the function “CORNER” are designed for a bet-
ter illumination of the surrounding area near the vehicle when
corning, parking etc.
The fog lights with the function

“CORNER” are adjusted according to the steering
angle or after switching on the turn signal light 1)
in the following circumstances:
● the vehicle is stationary and the engine is running or it moves with a speed of
maximum 40 km/h;
● the daylight driving lights are not switched on;
● the low beam is switched on or the light switch is in the position 
 and the
intensity of the ambient light causes the low beam to be switched on;
● the fog lights are not switched on;
● no reverse gear is engaged. Note
If you engage the reverse gear during the active function “CORNER”, both fog
lights illuminate. 
Rear fog light Switching on the rear fog light
–
First of all turn the light switch into position  or  ⇒
 fig. 26 .
– Pull the switch into position 2 .
The warning light 

lights up in the instrument cluster when the rear fog light is
switched on ⇒ page 21.
Only the rear fog light of the trailer lights up if the vehicle has a factory-fitted
towing device or a towing device from ŠKODA original accessories and when you
are towing a trailer which is fitted with the rear fog light. The rear fog light is located in the rear light array on the driver's side. CAUTION
The rear fog light should only be switched on if visibility is particularly poor (con-
form with any varying legal provisions) to avoid dazzling vehicles behind your ve-
hicle. 
Instrument lighting  You can adjust the brightness of the instrument lighting.
Fig. 27 Dash panel: Instrument lighting
Instrument lighting
– Switch on the light.
– Turn the control dial ⇒
 fig. 27 to the desired intensity of the instrument light-
ing.
The illumination intensity of the Information display ⇒ page 17 is set automatically.
It is only possible to adjust the instrument lighting with the control dial if the light
intensity drops below the set value of the light sensor. 1)
If both switch on versions are conflicting, for example if the steering wheel is turned to the left and
the right turn signal light is switched on, the turn signal light has the higher priority. 48
Lights and Visibility

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