Visibility
Rear window heater Fig. 28 Switch for rear window heater
– You can switch the rear window heater on or off by pressing the switch ⇒
fig. 28 - the indicator light in the switch comes on or goes out.
The rear window heater only operates when the engine is running.
The rear window heater switches off automatically after 7 minutes.
If the on-board voltage drops, the rear window heater is switched off automatical-
ly, the warning light flashes in the button. For the sake of the environment
As soon as the window is de-iced or free from mist, the heating should be switch-
ed off. The reduced current consumption will have a favourable effect on fuel
economy ⇒ page 136, Saving electricity. Sun visors Fig. 29 Sun visor: swivelling out
You can pull the sun visor for the driver or front passenger out of the fixture and
swivel it toward the door in the direction of the arrow 1
⇒ fig. 29 .
The vanity mirrors in the sun visors are provided with covers. Push the cover in di-
rection of arrow 2 .
WARNING
The sun visors must not be swivelled to the side windows into the deploy-
ment area of the head airbags if any objects, such as ball-point pens etc. are
attached to them. This might result in injuries to the occupants if the head air-
bag is deployed. 45
Lights and Visibility Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assis-
tance Praktik Technical data
Seats and Stowage
Front seats
Basic information The front seats have a wide range of different settings and can thus be matched
to the physical characteristics of the driver and front passenger.
Correct adjustment of the seats is particularly important for:
● safely and quickly reaching the controls;
● a relaxed, fatigue-free body position;
● achieving the maximum protection offered by the seat belts and the airbag
system.
The chapters which follow describe the procedure which you should adopt for ad-
justing the seats. WARNING
● Never transport more occupants than the maximum seating in the vehicle.
● Each occupant must correctly fasten the seat belt belonging to the seat.
Children must be fastened ⇒
page 118, Transporting children safely with a
suitable restraint system.
● The front seats and the head restraints must always be adjusted to match
the body size of the seat occupant as well as the seat belts must always be
correctly fastened in order to provide an optimal protection for you and your
occupants.
● Always keep your feet in the footwell when the car is being driven - never
place your feet on the instrument panel, out of the window or on the surfaces
of the seats. This is particularly important for the front seat passenger. You
will be exposed to increased risk of injury if it becomes necessary to apply the
brake or in the event of an accident. If an airbag is deployed, you may suffer
fatal injuries when adopting an incorrect seated position! WARNING (Continued)
● It is important for the driver and front passenger to maintain a distance of
at least 25 cm from the steering wheel or dash panel. Not maintaining this
minimum distance will mean that the airbag system will not be able to proper-
ly protect you - hazard! The front seats and the head restraints must always
also be correctly adjusted to match the body size of the occupant.
● Ensure that there are no objects in the footwell as any objects may get be-
hind the pedals during a driving or braking manoeuvre. You would then no
longer be able to operate the clutch, to brake or accelerate.
● Do not transport any objects on the front passenger seat except objects
(e.g. child safety seat) provided for this purpose - risk of accident!
Adjusting the front seats Fig. 34 Controls at seat
Adjusting a seat in a forward/back direction
– Pull the lever 1
⇒
fig. 34 up and push the seat into the desired position.
– Release the lever 1 and push the seat further until the lock is heard to en-
gage.
Adjusting height of seat
– Lift the seat if required by pulling or pumping lever 2 upwards.
– Lower the seat if required by pushing or pumping lever 2 downwards.
£50
Seats and Stowage
Adjust the angle of the seat backrest
–
Relieve any pressure on the seat backrest (do not lean on it) and turn the
handwheel 3 to adjust the angle of the backrest.
The driver's seat should be adjusted in such a way that the pedals can be fully
pressed to the floor with slightly bent legs.
The seat backrest on the driver's seat should be adjusted in such a way that the
upper point of the steering wheel can be easily reached with slightly bent arms. WARNING
● Only adjust the driver seat when the vehicle is stationary - risk of injury!
● Take care when adjusting the seat! Adjusting the seat without care can
lead to bruises or injuries.
● The seat backrests must not be angled too far back when driving other-
wise this will affect proper operation of the seat belts and of the airbag sys-
tem - risk of injury!
Head restraints Fig. 35 Head restraint: Adjusting/pulling out
Best protection is achieved if the top edge of the head restraint is at the same
level as the upper part of your head.
Adjusting the height of a head restraint
–
Grasp the side of the head restraint with both hands and push it in upward di-
rection as desired ⇒ fig. 35 - left. –
Move the head restraint downwards if required by pressing and holding the
safety button with one hand ⇒ fig. 35 - right and by pressing with the other
hand the head restraint downwards.
Removing and installing a head restraint
– Pull the head restraint out of the seat backrest as far as the stop.
– Press the locking button in the direction of arrow ⇒ fig. 35 - right and pull the
head restraint out.
– To re-insert the head restraint, push it down into the seat backrest far enough
until you hear the locking button engage.
The position of the front, rear outer head restraints and the rear middle head re-
straint is adjustable for height.
The head restraints must be adjusted to match the size of the seat occupant. Cor-
rectly adjusted head restraints together with the seat belts offer effective protec-
tion for the occupants ⇒ page 102. WARNING
● The head restraints must be correctly adjusted in order to offer effective
protection for the occupants in the event of an accident.
● Do not drive under any circumstance with removed head restraints - risk of
injury!
● If the rear seats are occupied, the rear head restraint must not be in the
lower position.
Heating the front seats Fig. 36 Rocker switch: Front seat heat-
ing
£ 51
Seats and Stowage Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assis-
tance Praktik Technical data
Pedals
Concerning a secure depressing of the pedal, you should use only footmats from
the ŠKODA Original Accessories.
Operation of the pedals must not be hindered! WARNING
● Greater pedal distances may be needed when there is a fault in the brake
system.
● Do not place any footmats or other additional floor coverings in the area of
the pedals in order to ensure that all the pedals can be fully depressed and are
able to return unobstructed to their initial position - risk of accident!
● There must be no objects on the floor which could roll under the pedals.
You would then no longer be able to apply the brakes, operate the clutch or
accelerator - risk of accident!
luggage compartment
Loading the luggage compartment Please observe the following in the interest of maintaining good handling charac-
teristics of your vehicle:
– Distribute the items of luggage as evenly as possible.
– Place heavy objects as far forward as possible.
– Attach the items of luggage to the lashing eyes or the fixing net
⇒
page 56.
In the event of an accident, there is such a high kinetic energy which is produced
by small and light objects that they can cause severe injuries. The magnitude of
the kinetic energy depends on the speed at which the vehicle is travelling and on
the weight of the object. The speed at which the vehicle is travelling is in this case
the more significant factor.
Example: In the event of a frontal collision at a speed of 50 km/h, an unsecured
object with a weight of 4.5 kg produces an energy, which corresponds to 20 times
its own weight. This means that it results in a weight of approx. 90 kg. You can
imagine the injuries that can occur, if this “bullet” is flying through the interior
compartment and hits an occupant. WARNING
● Store the objects in the luggage compartment and attach them to the
lashing eyes.
● Loose objects in the passenger compartment can be thrown forward dur-
ing a sudden manoeuvre or in case of an accident and can injure the occupants
or other oncoming traffic. This risk is still increased, if the objects which are
flying around are hit by a deployed airbag. In this case, the objects which are
thrown back can injure the occupants - hazard.
● Please note that the handling properties of your vehicle may be affected
when transporting heavy objects as a result of the displacement of the centre
of gravity. The speed and style of driving must be adjusted accordingly.
● The items carried in the luggage compartment should be stored in such a
way that no objects are able to slip forward if there are any sudden driving or
braking manoeuvres undertaken - risk of injury!
● When transporting fastened objects which are sharp and dangerous in the
luggage compartment enlarged by folding the rear seats forward or removing
the rear seats, ensure the safety of the passengers transported on the other
rear seats ⇒
page 103, Correct seated position for the occupants on the rear
seats.
● If the rear seats next to the folded forward seat are occupied, ensure max-
imum safety, e.g. by placing the goods to be transported in such a way that a
folding back of the seat is prevented in case of a rear collision.
● Never drive with the boot lid fully opened or slightly ajar otherwise ex-
haust gases may get into the interior of the vehicle - risk of poisoning!
● On no account exceed the permissible axle loads and the permissible gross
weight of the vehicle - risk of accident!
● Never transport occupants in the luggage compartment. CAUTION
Please ensure that the heating elements of the rear window heater are not dam-
aged as a result of objects sliding in this area. Note
● Tyre pressure must be adjusted to the load ⇒
fig. 130.
● The circulation of air in the vehicle helps to prevent the windows from misting
up. The used air streams out through the air venting slits which are located under
the bumper in the luggage compartment. Check for yourself that the air venting
slits are not covered. 55
Seats and Stowage Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assis-
tance Praktik Technical data
Front seat armrest with storage compartment
Fig. 69 Armrest: Storage compartment/open storage compartment
Fold the armrest
– Press the bottom button on the face end of the armrest ⇒ fig. 69 on the left.
Fold the armrest forwards and release the button.
Opening storage compartment
– Press the top button and fold up the cover of the storage compartment
⇒ fig. 69 on the right. Note
The moving space of the arms can be restricted if the armrest is folded down. In
city traffic the armrest should not be folded down.
Storage compartment in the front doors Fig. 70 Stowage compartment in door
panelA bottle holder is located in the area
B of the storage compartment for the front
doors. WARNING
Use the area A ⇒ fig. 70
of the storage compartment only for storing objects
which do not project so that the effectiveness of the side airbag is not im-
paired.
Storage compartments in the luggage compartment Fig. 71 Storage compartments in the
side trim panel
Storage compartments are located on both sides of the luggage compartment
⇒ fig. 71. CAUTION
The storage compartments are intended for storing small objects of up to 1.5 kg in
weight. 67
Seats and Stowage Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assis-
tance Praktik Technical data
Flexible storage compartment
Fig. 72 Flexible storage compartment
A flexible storage compartment is located on the right side of the luggage com-
partment.
Removing
– Take hold of the flexible storage compartment at both upper corners.
– Press the upper corners to the inside and release the storage compartment by
pulling upwards.
– Take it out by pulling towards the middle of the vehicle.
Install
– Insert both ends of the flexible storage compartment into the openings of the
right side trim panel of the luggage compartment and push it downwards until
it locks. CAUTION
The flexible storage compartment is foreseen for storing small objects of up to 8
kg. in weight.
Clothes hooks The clothes hooks are located on the handle of the headliner above each of the
rear doors. WARNING
● Ensure that any clothes hanging from the hooks do not impair your vision
to the rear.
● Use the hooks for hanging only light items of clothing and ensure that
there are no heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets.
● The maximum permissible load of the hooks is 2 kg.
● Do not use clothes hangers for hanging up items of clothing otherwise this
will interfere with the protection offered by the head airbag. 68
Seats and Stowage
Starting-off and Driving
Setting steering wheel position Fig. 77 Adjustable steering wheel: Lever below the steering column/Safe distance to steering
wheel
You can set the height and the forward/back position of the steering wheel to the
desired position.
– Adjust the driver seat ⇒ page 50.
– Pull the lever below the steering wheel down ⇒ fig. 77 - left ⇒ .
– Set the steering wheel to the desired position (concerning height and forward/
back position).
– Then push the lever up against the steering column until it locks into place. WARNING
● You must not adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is moving!
● The driver must maintain a distance of at least 25 cm to the steering wheel
⇒ fig. 77 - right. Not maintaining this minimum distance will mean that the air-
bag system will not be able to properly protect you - hazard!
● For safety reasons the lever must always be firmly pushed up to avoid the
steering wheel altering its position unintentionally when driving - risk of acci-
dent! WARNING (Continued)
● If you adjust the steering wheel further towards the head, you will reduce
the protection offered by the driver airbag in the event of an accident. Check
that the steering wheel is aligned to the chest.
● When driving, hold the steering wheel with both hands firmly on the outer
edge in the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock position. Never hold the steering wheel
firmly in the 12 o'clock position or in another way (e.g. in the middle of the
steering wheel or at the inner steering wheel edge). In such cases, injuries to
the arms, the hands and the head can occur when the driver airbag is de-
ployed.
Ignition lock Fig. 78 Ignition lock positions
Petrol engines 1 - ignition switched off, engine off, the steering can be locked.
2 - ignition switched on
3 - start engine
Diesel engines 1 - interruption of fuel supply, ignition switched off, engine off, the steering can
be locked.
2 - heating glow plugs on, ignition switched on
● You should not switch on any major electrical components during the heating
period otherwise the vehicle battery will be drained unnecessarily. £78
Starting-off and Driving
Mobile phones and two-way radio systems
The installation of a mobile phone and two-way radio system in a vehicle should
be carried out by a specialist garage.
ŠKODA
permits the operation of mobile phones and two-way radio systems with a
professionally installed external aerial and a maximum transmission power of up
to 10 watts.
It is essential that you inform a specialist garage about the possibilities to assem-
ble and operate mobile phones and two-way radio sets which have a power out-
put of more than 10 W. The garage will inform you which technical possibilities ex-
ist for retrofitting mobile phones.
When using a mobile phone inside the vehicle, which is not inserted into the
phone adapter, and thus has no connection to the external aerial, the electromag-
netic radiation can exceed the current limit value. If a suitable adapter is available
for your mobile phone, use your mobile phone exclusively in the adapter so that
the radiation in the vehicle drops to a minimum. This also improves the quality of
the connection.
Operation of mobile phones or two-way radio systems may interfere with func-
tioning of the electronic systems of your vehicle.
The reasons for this may be:
● no external aerial,
● external aerial incorrectly installed,
● transmission power greater than 10 watts. WARNING
● If a mobile phone or a two-way radio system is operated in the vehicle
without using an external aerial or an external aerial which has been incor-
rectly installed, this can increase the strength of the electromagnetic field in
the interior of the vehicle.
● Please concentrate fully at all times on your driving!
● You must not install two-way radio systems, mobile phones or mounts on
the covers of the airbags or within the immediate deployment range of air-
bags. This might result in injuries to the occupants in the event of an accident.
● Never leave a mobile phone on a seat, on the dash panel or in another
area, from which it can be thrown during a sudden braking manoeuvre, an ac-
cident or a collision. In this case, the occupants of the vehicle might be injured. Note
Observe the country-specific regulations for the use of mobile phones in vehicles.
Universal telephone preinstallation GSM II Introduction The universal telephone preinstallation GSM II is a built-in “hands-free system”, it
provides a voice operated convenience mode via the multifunction steering wheel or the radio navigation system.
All communication between a telephone and the hands-free system of your vehi-
cle can only be established with the help of the Bluetooth ®
technology. The
adapter serves only for charging the telephone and for transmitting the signal to
the external aerial of the vehicle.
To ensure an optimum signal transmission, always leave the telephone with the
adapter in the telephone mount.
Furthermore the volume can be changed individually during the call at any time
with the button for setting the radio or radio navigation system or with the but-
tons on the multifunction steering wheel. WARNING
Pay attention primarily to the traffic situation! As the driver you are fully re-
sponsible for road safety. Use the telephone system only to such an extent
that you are in full control of your vehicle at any time. Note
● Please refer to the following guidelines ⇒ page 94, Mobile phones and two-
way radio systems.
● Should you have any questions, please contact an authorised ŠKODA Service
Partner.
Phone Phonebook A phone phonebook is part of the mobile phone preinstallation with voice control.
In the phone phonebook there are 2
500 free memory locations available. Each
contact can contain up to 4 telephone numbers. This phone phonebook can be
used in line with the mobile telephone. £94
Communication