2011 SKODA OCTAVIA TOUR warning

Towing a trailer
118
Towing a trailerTowing a trailerTechnical requirementsYour vehicle is designed primarily for tr ansporting persons and luggage. It can,
however, also be used for towing a trailer - provided certain technical equipment is
fitted.
If your vehicle has already been supplied with a factory-fitted towing device then
everything that is necessary for towing a tr ailer in technical terms, and in terms of
the law, has already been taken into account.
Your vehicle is fitted with a 13-pin power socket for the electrical connection
between the vehicle and trailer. If th e trailer which you wish to tow has a 7-pin
connector , you can use a suitable adapter
6) from Škoda original accessories.
This work must be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications
if a towing device is retrofitted.
Authorised Škoda Service Partners can pr ovide information about retrofitting a
towing device and for any necessary modifications to the cooling system.
WARNING
We recommend that you have the towing de vice from Škoda original accessories
installed by an authorised Škoda Service Partner. He is familiar with all the rele-
vant details relating to retrofitting such equipment. There is a risk of an accident
if the towing device is not properly fitted!General MaintenanceTrailer load
The permissible trailer load must on no account be exceeded.
You can negotiate appropriately steeper inclines and descents if you do not make
full use of the permissible trailer load.
The trailer loads specified only apply for altitudes up to 1 000 metres above mean
sea level. The fact that the engine power output drops with increasing height due
to a lowering of air pressure and thus th e ability to climb, means that the towed w e i g h t m u s t b e r e d u c e d b y 1 0 % f o r e v e r y f u r t h e r i n c r e a s e o f 1 0 0 0 m e t r e s i n h e i g h t
above sea level. The towed weight is the weight of the (laden) vehicle and the
(laden) trailer together. One should take
this into account before driving up to
higher altitudes.
The trailer and drawbar load information on the type plate of the towing device
are merely test data for the towing device The data relating to your vehicle, which
is often less than this test data, can be found in your vehicle registration docu-
ments.
Distribution of the load
Distribute the load in the trailer in such a way that any heavy items are located as
close as possible to the axle. Secure the items to prevent them slipping.
Tyre inflation pressure
Select the tyre inflation pressure on your vehicle for that of “fully laden”,
 page 141. The inflation pressure of the tyre s fitted to the trailer adjust in accord-
ance with the manufacturer's recommendation.
Exterior mirrors
You have to have additional exterior mirr ors fitted if you are not able to see the
traffic behind the trailer with the standard rear-view mirrors. Both exterior mirrors
should be attached to folding arms. Adjust the mirrors so that they provide you with
an adequate field of view to the rear.
Headlights
Before starting off with a hitched trailer, also check the setting of the headlights.
Alter the setting as necessary with th e aid of the headlight beam adjuster
 page 41.
Detachable ball head
The ball rod is detachable on vehicles wh ich feature a factory-fitted towing device.
Further information on the towing device page 119.
Note
•
We recommend that you also have your vehicle inspected between service
intervals if you tow a trailer frequently.
•
The handbrake on the towing vehicle must be put on when coupling and decou-
pling the trailer.
6)In some countries the adapter is supplied with the towing device.s2lk.2.book Page 118 Monday, April 18, 2011 7:41 AM

Towing a trailer119
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Driving Tips
Particular caution is required when towing a trailer.– 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 temperatur e 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 sa fety 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 accident
black spots.
You must always reduce your speed immedi ately 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 temper ature 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 16, “Engine coolant temperature Display”.
If the needle of the coolant temperature gauge moves into the right-hand area or
even the red area of the scale, reduce yo ur 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 134, “Inspecting the coolant level”. Please refer to the following guidelines 
page 25, “Coolant temperature/coolant
level ”.
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 independent
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.
Detachable towing device*The ball head of the towing device is stow ed together with separate fitting instruc-
tions in the spare wheel well in the luggage compartment of the vehicle.
Inspect the ball head to ensure that it is properly locked each time before setting
off. The inspection is performed by turning the closed locking lever downwards. If
the locking lever can only be turned around a small angle (approx. 5°), the locking
mechanism is O.K. After the inspection pull the locking lever back again to its stop.
The towing device must not be used, if it does not wish to close or the locking lever
turns slightly in the closed position.
WARNING
Do not use any aids or tools for installing or removing the ball head. This might
result in damage to the locking mechanism to the extent that the safety of the
towing device is no longer assured - risk of an accident.
Note
•
Do not carry out any modifications or re pairs to the ball head or to any other
components on the towing device.
Fig. 118 Detachable ball head
s2lk.2.book Page 119 Monday, April 18, 2011 7:41 AM

Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle121
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
General MaintenanceTaking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicleGeneralProper care retains the value of your vehicle.Regular and proper care retains the value of your vehicle. It may also be one of the
requirements for the acceptance of warran ty claims relating to corrosion damage
and paint defects on the bodywork.
We recommend using a preservative from Škoda genuine accessories offered by
your Škoda dealer. Please follow the instructions for use on the package.
WARNING
•
Care products may be harmful to your health if not used according to the
instructions.
•
Always store care products in a safe plac e, out of the reach of children - risk
of poisoning!For the sake of the environment
•
Always select environmentally-friendly products when purchasing vehicle care
products.
•
Do not dispose of the packages with residues of care products in domestic
waste.
Care of the exterior of vehicleWashing the vehicle
Frequent washing protects your vehicle.The best protection for your vehicle against harmful environmental influences is
frequent washing and wax treatment. How of ten you should wash your vehicle
depends on a wide range of factors, such as:•
Frequency of use,
•
The parking situation (gar age, below trees etc.),
•
Season of the year,
•
Weather conditions,
•
Environmental influences.
The longer insect residues, bird droppings, tree sap, road and industrial dust, tar,
soot particles, road salt and other aggressive deposits remain adhering to the paint-
work of your vehicle, the more detrimen tal their destructive effect can be. High
temperatures, such as those caused by inte nsive sun's rays, accentuate this caustic
effect.
It may therefore be necessary, in certain circumstances, to wash the car once a
week . It may also be sufficient, however, to wash the car once a month followed by
appropriate wax treatment.
It is essential to also thoroughly wash the underside of your vehicle at the end of
the winter road salting and gritting period.
WARNING
When washing your vehicle in the winter: Water and ice in the brake system can
affect the braking efficiency - risk of accident!Automatic vehicle wash systemsThe paintwork of the vehicle is sufficiently resistant that the vehicle can be washed
normally in automatic vehicle wash plants without any problem. The actual stress
to which the paintwork is subjected, however, depends greatly on the design of the
vehicle wash system, the filtering of the water and the type of washing and care
products used. If the paintwork of your vehicle appears mat after being washed or
even has scratches, point this out to the operator of the vehicle wash plant. Use a
different vehicle wash plant, if necessary.
There are no particular points to note before washing your vehicle in an automatic
vehicle wash system other than the usua l precautionary measures (closing the
windows and the sliding/tilting roof etc.).
s2lk.2.book Page 121 Monday, April 18, 2011 7:41 AM

Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle
122
I f y o u h a v e a n y p a r t i c u l a r a t t a c h e d p a r t s f i t t e d t o y o u r c a r - s u c h a s s p o i l e r , r o o f r a c k
system, two-way radio aerial - it is best to first of all consult the operator of the car
wash plant.
It is important to degrease the lips of the windscreen wiper rubbers after passing
through the automatic vehicle wash system.Washing vehicle by handIt is important to first soften the dirt with plenty of water and rinse it off as thor-
oughly as possible before washing your vehicle by hand.
One should then clean the vehicle using a soft washing sponge, washing glove or
a washing brush and only slight pressure. Work from the top to the bottom - begin-
ning with the roof. Only place slight pr essure on the vehicle paintwork during
cleaning Only use a car shampoo for stubborn dirt.
Wash out the sponge or washing gl ove thoroughly at short intervals.
Clean wheels, door sills and similar parts last. Use a second sponge for such areas.
Rinse off the vehicle well after giving it a wash and dry it off using a chamois leather.
WARNING
•
The ignition should always be switched off when you wash your vehicle - risk
of accident!
•
Protect your hands and arms from sharp-edged metal parts when you are
cleaning the underfloor, the inside of the wheel housings or the wheel trims -
risk of cuts.Caution
•
Do not wash your vehicle in bright sunlight - risk of paint damage.
•
Ensure that the jet of water is not aimed directly at the locking cylinders or at
the door and panel joints if you spray your vehicle in winter down with a hose - risk
of freezing.
•
Do not use any insect sponges, rough ki tchen sponges or similar cleaning prod-
ucts - risk of damage to the surface of paintwork.For the sake of the environment
Only wash your vehicle at washing bays specifically reserved for this purpose. This
ensures that no water which may be cont aminated by oil flows into the sewage system. It is not even permitted to wash your vehicle in certain areas except at such
specific washing bays.
Washing with a high-pressure cleanerWhen you wash your vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner, it is essential to comply
with the instructions for use of the cleaning equipment. This applies in particular to
the pressure used and to the
spraying distance. Maintain a sufficiently large
distance to soft materials such as rubber hoses or insulation material.
On no account use circular spray nozzles or so-called dirt cutters!
WARNING
It is particularly important that you do not clean tyres with circular spray jets.
Visible but also invisible damage to tyres may occur even at a relatively large
spraying distance and if sprayed only for a short time - risk of accident!
Caution
The water containing wax must be no hotter than 60 °C, otherwise the vehicle can
be damaged.Wax treatmentGood wax treatment is an effective way of protecting the paintwork from harmful
environmental influences and minor mechanical damage.
The vehicle must be treated with a high-qua lity hard wax polish at the latest, when
no more drops form on the clean paintwork.
A new layer of a high-quality hard wax polish can be applied to the clean bodywork
after it has dried thoroughly. Even if you use a wax preserver regularly we still
recommend that you treat the paintwork of the vehicle at least twice a year with
hard wax.
Caution
Never apply wax to the windows.
s2lk.2.book Page 122 Monday, April 18, 2011 7:41 AM

Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle
124Caution
Never wipe the headlights dry and do not use any sharp objects for cleaning the
plastic lenses, this may result in damage to the protective paintwork and conse-
quently in formation of cracks on the head light lenses, e.g. through effect of chem-
ical products.Door and window sealsThe rubber seals on the doors, boot lid, bonnet and windows remain supple and last
longer if you treat them from time to ti me with a rubber care product (e.g. with a
spray with silicone-free oil). You also avoi d premature wear of the seals and prevent
leakages in this way. It is also easier to open the doors. Rubber seals which are well
cared for also do not stick together in cold winter weather.Locking cylinderWe recommend that you use the spray from Škoda original accessories with
regreasing and anticorrosive effect for de-icing locking cylinders.
Note
When washing your vehicle, ensure that as little water as possible gets into the
locking cylinders.WheelsSteel wheels
You should also thoroughly wash the wheels and wheel trims when giving your
vehicle its regular wash. This prevents any brake dust, dirt and road salt from
sticking to the wheel hubs. You can remove stubborn brake abrasion adhering to
the wheels with an industrial cleaner. Touch up any damage to the paintwork on the
wheels before rust is able to form.
Light alloy wheels
Regular care of light alloy wheels is nece ssary in order to retain their decorative
appearance over long periods. It is part icularly important to remove regularly any
road salt and brake abrasion from light alloy wheels, otherwise the light metal will
suffer. Wash thoroughly and then treat the wheels with a protective product for
light alloy wheels which does not contai n any acidic components. We recommend
to apply a hard wax layer onto the wheel hubs every three months. You must not use any products which cause abrasion when treating the wheel hubs. Any damage
to the paint layer on the wheel hubs must be touched up immediately.
We recommend using a preservative from
Škoda genuine accessories offered by
your Škoda dealer.
WARNING
One should remember when cleaning the wh eels that moisture, ice and road salt
may adversely affect braking efficiency - risk of an accident!
Note
Severe layers of dirt on the wheels can also result in wheel imbalance. This may
show itself in the form of a wheel vibrat ion which is transmitted to the steering
wheel which, in certain circumstances, can cause premature wear of the steering.
This means it is necessary to remove the dirt.Underbody protectionThe underside of your vehicle is protected for life against chemical and mechanical
influences.
One cannot, however, completely rule out damage to the protective layer when
driving so we recommend that you inspect the protective layer on the underside of
your vehicle and on the chassi s at certain intervals - this is best done at the begin-
ning and end of the winter - and to touch up any damaged areas.
The authorised Škoda Service Partners have suitable spray products available as
well as the necessary equipment and are famili ar with the instructions for use. It is
therefore best to have such touch-up work or additional corrosion protection meas-
ures carried out by an authorised Škoda Service Partner.
WARNING
Never use additional underbody protection or corrosion-protection agents for
the exhaust pipes, catalytic converters or heat shields. When the engine reaches
its operating temperature, these subst ances might ignite - risk of fire!Protection of hollow spacesAll the cavities of your vehicle which are at risk from corrosion are protected for life
by a layer of protective wax applied in the factory.
s2lk.2.book Page 124 Monday, April 18, 2011 7:41 AM

Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle125
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
This wax protection does not require to be
inspected or re-treated. Please remove
any small amount of wax which flows out of the cavities at high temperatures with
a plastic scraper and clean the spot using petroleum cleaner.
WARNING
Safety and environmental protection regulations should observed when using
petroleum cleaner to remove wax - a risk of fire!Engine compartmentGood corrosion protection is very importan t, particularly in winter when one often
drives over its salt-strewn roads. One should therefore clean the whole engine
compartment before and after the salt spre ading period and treat with preservative
in order to prevent the salt from being destructive.
The authorised Škoda Service Partners have the cleaning agents and preservatives
recommended by Škoda and also the required equipment.
WARNING
•
It is necessary to observe the guidelin es given in the chapter before working
on the engine compartment page 131, “Working in the engine compartment”.
•
Let the engine cool down before cleaning the engine compartment.Caution
•
Engine cleaning may be only be un dertaken when the ignition is off.
•
It is recommended to cover the generator before washing the engine compart-
ment.For the sake of the environment
The dirty water produced by washing the engine has washed away petrol, and resi-
dues of grease and oil and should therefore be cleaned by an oil separator. This is
why engine washing should only be undertaken in a specialist garage or at a fuelling
station (when these are fitted with the required equipment).
Care of the interior of vehiclePlastic parts, artificial leather and clothsYou can clean plastic parts and artificial le ather with a moist cloth. You should only
treat such parts with special solvent-free plastic cleaning and care products it does
prove to be adequate.
Upholstery cloth and cloth trim on the d oors, luggage compartment cover, headliner
etc. are best treated with special cleaning products, using if necessary a dry foam
and a soft sponge or brush.
We recommend using a cleaning product from Škoda genuine accessories offered
by your Škoda dealer.
Caution
Solvent-free cleaners attack the material and can damage it.Fabric covers of electrically heated seatsDo not clean the seat covers moist as this may re sult in damage to the seat heating
system.
Clean such covers using special agents, for example dry foam.Natural leather
Natural leather requires quite particular care and attention.Leather should be treated from time to time according the following guidelines
depending on how much it is used.Normal cleaning– Clean soiled areas of the leather with slightly moistened cotton or woollen cloth.Severe soiling– Clean severely soiled areas with a cloth dipped in a mild soapy solution (2 spoon-
fuls of natural soap to 1 litre of water).
– Ensure that the leather is not soaked through at any point and that no water
gets into the stitching of the seams.
s2lk.2.book Page 125 Monday, April 18, 2011 7:41 AM

Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle
126
– Dry off the leather with a soft, dry cloth.Removing stains– Remove fresh stains which are water-based (e.g. coffee, tea, juices, blood etc.)
with an absorbent cloth or household paper or use the cleaner from the care set
for a stain which has already dried in.
– Remove fresh stains on a fat base (e.g. butter, mayonnaise, chocolate etc.) with
an absorbent cloth or household cleaning paper or with the cleaner from the
care set if the stain has not ye t penetrated into the surface.
– Use a grease dissolver for grease stains which have dried in .
–Eliminate special stains (e.g. ball-point pens, felt pen, nail varnish, dispersion
paint, shoe cream etc.) with a specia l stain remover suitable for leather.Leather care– Treat the leather every six months with the leather care product available from
an authorised Škoda Service Partner.
– Apply only a smal l amount of the care product.
– Dry the leather off with a soft cloth
It is best to consult an authorised Škod a Service Partner if you have any questions
regarding cleaning and care of the leather interior in your vehicle.
Caution
•
You must on no account treat the leather with solvents (e.g. gasoline, turpen-
tine), floor wax, shoe cream or such like.
•
Avoid leaving your vehicle for lengthy period s in bright sunlight in order to avoid
bleaching the leather. If you leave your vehicle parked in the open for lengthy
periods, protect the leather from the direct rays of the sun by covering it over.
•
Sharp-edged objects on items of clothing such as zip fasteners, rivets, sharp-
edged belts may leave permanent scratches or signs of rubbing on the surface.Note
•
Use a care cream with light blocker and impregnation effect regularly and each
time after cleaning the leather. The cream nourishes the leather, allows it to
breathe and keeps it supple and also provides moisture. It also creates surface
protection.
•
Clean the leather every 2 to 3 months, remove fresh soiling each time this
occurs.
•
Remove fresh stains such as those from ba ll-point pens, ink, lipstick, shoe cream
etc., as quickly as possible.
•
Care also for the leather dye. Refreshen areas which have lost their colour with
a special coloured leather cream as required.
•
The leather is a natural material with sp ecific properties. During the use of the
vehicle, minor optical changes can occur on the leather parts of the covers (e. g
wrinkles or creases as a result of the stress of the covers).
Seat belts– Keep the seat belts clean!
– Wash seat belts which have become soiled using a mild soapy solution.
– Inspect the seat belts regularly to ensure they are in good condition.
Belt webbing which has become severely soiled may prevent the inertia reel from
reeling up the belt properly.
WARNING
•
The seat belts must not be removed for cleaning.
•
Never clean the seat belts chemically as dry cleaning may destroy the fabric.
The seat belts must also not be allowed to come into contact with corrosive
liquids (such as acids etc.).
•
Seat belts which have damage to the webbing, the connections, the inertia
reel or the lock should be replaced by an authorised Škoda Service Partner.
•
Inertia reel belts must be completely dried before being reeled up.
s2lk.2.book Page 126 Monday, April 18, 2011 7:41 AM

Fuel
128Caution
•
Therefore, only operate your vehicle with diesel fuel which complies with the
standard EN 590 (standard DIN 51628 in Germany, standard ÖNORM C 1590 in
Austria). Filling the tank even only once wi th diesel fuel that does not comply with
the standard can result in damage to the engine parts, the lubrication system, the
fuel and exhaust system.
•
If you inadvertently fill up the vehicle with fuel other than the prescribed diesel
fuel, e.g. petrol, do not under any circumstan ces start the engine or turn on the igni-
tion. Extensive engine damage is possible! Contact a specialist garage who will
clean out the fuel system.
•
Water which has collected in the fuel filter can result in engine problems.
•
Your vehicle is not adapted for use of bio-diesel (RME), therefore this fuel must
not be refuelled and driven. Using this biodiesel can lead to damage to the engine
or the fuel system.
Operation in winterWinter-grade diesel fuel
A different grade of diesel fuel is available at filling stations in winter than during
the summer. Using “summer-grade diesel fuel” at temperatures below 0 °C can
result in operational problems because th e diesel becomes viscous as a result of
paraffin separation.
It is therefore the case that the standard EN 590 (standard DIN 51628 in Germany,
standard ÖNORM C 1590 in Austria) is the diesel fuel class prescribed for certain
periods of the year which can also be purchased at the corresponding time during
the year. “Winter-grade diesel fuel” will still operate properly even at a temperature
of -20 °C.
It is often the case in countries with diff erent climatic conditions that diesel fuels
available have a different te mperature characteristic. Th e authorised Škoda Service
Partners and filling stations in the country concerned will be able to provide you
with information regarding the diesel fuels available.
Prewarming fuel
The vehicle is fitted with a fuel filter pr ewarming system. This secures operation of
a vehicle using diesel fuel down to an environmental temperature of -25 °C.
Caution
It is not permitted to add the various fuel additives on the market, including petrol,
to diesel fuel in order to improve its flow properties.
RefuellingFig. 119 Right rear side of the vehicle: Open fuel filler flap/fuel filler flap with cap unscrewedOpening the fuel filler cap– Press in the middle of the left area of the fuel filler flap in direction of arrow
fig. 119 .
– Unlock the fuel filler cap on the fuel filler tube to the left using the vehicle key.
– Unscrew the fuel filler cap anti-clockwise and place the fuel filler cap from above on the fuel filler flap fig. 119 - right.Closing fuel filler cap– Screw on the fuel filler cap by turning it to the right until it is heard to click.
– Lock the fuel filler cap on the fuel filler tube by turning the vehicle key to the right and withdraw the key.
– Close the fuel filler flap until it locks.
The correct grade of fuel for your vehicle as well as the tyre size and inflation pres-
sures are stated on a sticker affixed to the in side of the fuel filler flap. Further infor-
mation on fuel  page 127.
The fuel tank has a capacity of about 55 litres.
WARNING
Pay attention to any legal requirements if you do carry a spare canister in the
vehicle. We do not recommend carrying any fuel canisters in your vehicle for
safety reasons. The canister can be damaged in the event of an accident and fuel
may leak out.
1
s2lk.2.book Page 128 Monday, April 18, 2011 7:41 AM