2011 SKODA ROOMSTER stop start

automatically. You can also, however, switch the gearbox over into the
Tiptronic
mode. This mode makes it possible for you to also shift gears manually
⇒ page 91.
Starting-off and Driving
– Depress the brake pedal fully and keep it depressed.
– Press the Shiftlock button (button in handle of the selector lever), move the
selector lever into the desired position, e.g. in D, and then release the Shiftlock
button.
– Release the brake pedal and depress the accelerator ⇒  .
Stop
– The selector lever position N does not have to be selected when stopping just
for a short time, such as at a cross roads. It is absolutely sufficient to hold the
stopped vehicle stationary by depressing the foot brake. The engine can, how-
ever, be allowed just to idle.
Parking
– Depress the brake pedal and hold it depressed.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Press and Shiftlock button in the selector lever, move the selector lever to P
and then release the Shiftlock button.
The engine can only be started when the selector lever is in position P or N . If the
selector lever is not in the P or N positions when locking the steering, switching
the ignition on or off or when leaving the engine on, the following message will
appear in the Information display Move selector lever to position P/N! or, in the
instrument cluster display:  P/N. At temperatures below -10 °C the engine can
only be started in the selector lever position P.
It is sufficient to engage selector lever position P when parking on a flat surface.
When parking on a slope you should first apply the handbrake firmly and then
move the selector lever into position P. This is to ensure that there is no excessive
pressure acting on the lock mechanism and that it is easier to subsequently move
the selector lever out of position P. If the selector lever is not in the P position
when the driver's door is open and the ignition is switched off, or if it is not in the
P position when the ignition is switched off and the driver's door is opened, the
following message will appear in the Information display: Move selector lever to
position P! or, in the instrument cluster display:  P. The message disappears af-
ter a few seconds by switching on the ignition or by moving the selector lever into
the position P . If the selector lever position
N is selected by accident while driving it is first nec-
essary to release pressure on the accelerator pedal and wait for idling speed of
the engine to be reached before engaging a drive position in the selector lever. WARNING
● Do not depress the accelerator when changing the position of the selector
lever if the car is stationary and the engine is running - risk of accident!
● Never move the selector lever into position R or P when driving - risk of an
accident!
● If you are stopping at a hill (downhill section), never try to hold the car sta-
tionary with the gear engaged by means of the “accelerator”, this means by
letting the clutch slip. This can lead to overheating of the clutch. If there is a
risk of overheating of the clutch due to overload, the clutch is opened auto-
matically and the vehicle rolls backward - risk of accident!
● If you must stop at a slope, depress and hold the brake pedal, so that you
can prevent the vehicle from rolling back. CAUTION
● The double clutch on the automatic gearbox DSG is equipped with an overload
protection. If you make use of the uphill function on a vehicle which is stationary
or driving slowly uphill, it will result in an increase of thermal stress of the clutch-
es.
● In the event that they overheat, the warning light  and a warning text ap-
pears in the information display ⇒ page 18. In such a case bring the vehicle to a
stop, switch off the engine and wait until the warning light and the warning go
out - risk of gearbox damage! You can continue the trip as soon as the warning
light and the warning go out. 88
Automatic gearbox

If a voice command is not detected, the system answers with “Sorry?” and a new
entry can be performed. After the 2nd error the system repeats the aid. After the
3rd error the answer
“Procedure cancelled ” is given and the dialogue is ended.
Switch on voice control (dialogue)
You can start the dialogue at any time:
● by briefly pressing the  button on the adapter
⇒
 fig. 89;
● by pressing the button  longer on the multi-function steering wheel
⇒
  fig. 90 ;
Switching off voice control (dialogue)
If the system is currently playing a message, you will need to stop the message
currently being played:
● by pressing the button  briefly on the adapter;
● by pressing the button  longer on the multi-function steering wheel.
If the system expects a voice command, you can end the dialogue yourself:
● Do some with the CANCEL
voice command;
● by pressing the button  briefly on the adapter;
● by pressing the button  longer on the multi-function steering wheel.
Note
The dialogue of an incoming call is immediately interrupted. 
Voice commands Basic voice commands for operating the telephone control unit
Voice command Action
HELP After this command the system repeats all possible
commands.
CALL XYZ With this command you call up the contact from the
phone book ⇒ page 99
.PHONE BOOK After this command, for example the phone book can
be repeated, a voice entry for the contact can be up-
dated or deleted etc. CALL HISTORY Lists of dialled numbers, missed calls, etc. Voice command Action
DIAL NUMBER After this command a phone number can be entered
which establishes a connection to the requested par-
ty. REDIAL After this command the system selects the last se-
lected telephone number.
MUSIC
a) Play music from the mobile phone or another paired
device.
FURTHER OPTIONS After this command the system offers additional con-
text-dependent commands. SETTINGS Selection for setting Bluetooth
®
, dialogue etc. CANCEL The dialogue is ended.
a)
On vehicles fitted with the radio navigation system Amundsen+, this function can be accessed via
the menu of the radio navigation system; see the operating instructions for the Amundsen+.
After giving the command DIAL NUMBER, the system requests the entry of a tele-
phone number. The telephone number can be entered as an interconnected spo-
ken row of digits (complete number), in the form of order of digits (separation
through a brief voice pause) or through individually spoken digits. After each order
of digits (separation through brief voice pause) all of the digits detected up to now
are repeated by the system.
The digits 0 - 9, symbols +, , # are permitted. The system detects no continuous
digit combinations such as twenty-three, but only individually spoken digits (two,
three). 
Call name –
Switch on the voice operation ⇒ page 99
, Switch on voice control (dialogue).
– Give the command CALL XYZ after the signal tone.
Example for calling the name from the phone book Voice command Announcement
CALL XYZ “Say home, work, mobile
” e.g.
WORK “XYZ work is dialled.
ӣ 99
Communication Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assis-
tance Praktik Technical data

WARNING
● Never open the bonnet if you see that steam or coolant is flowing out of
the engine compartment - risk of scalding! Wait long enough until the steam
or coolant has stopped escaping.
● Switch off the engine and pull out the ignition key.
● Apply the handbrake firmly.
● If your vehicle is fitted with a manual gearbox, move the gearshift lever in-
to Neutral, or if it is fitted with automatic gearbox, move the selector lever in-
to position
P.
● Allow the engine to cool down.
● Keep children clear of the engine compartment.
● Do not touch any hot engine parts - risk of burns!
● Never spill oil and other fluids over the hot engine. Such fluids (e.g. the an-
tifreeze contained in the coolant) may ignite!
● Avoid short circuits in the electrical system - particularly on the battery.
● Never place your hand into the radiator fan as long as the engine is still
warm. The fan might suddenly start running!
● Never open the cap of the coolant expansion reservoir so long as the en-
gine is still warm. The cooling system is pressurized!
● Cover over the cap of the reservoir with a large cloth when opening it as
protection for your face, hands and arms from hot steam or hot coolant.
● Do not let objects, such as e.g cleaning cloth or tools lie in the engine com-
partment.
● If you wish to work under the vehicle, you must secure the vehicle from
rolling away and support it with suitable supporting blocks: the car jack is not
sufficient for this - risk of injury! WARNING (Continued)
● In cases where it be necessary to carry out inspection work when the en-
gine is running there is an additional risk from rotating parts (e.g. the V-ribbed
belt, alternator, radiator fan) and from the high-voltage ignition system.
Please observe in addition the following:
–Never touch the electrical cables of the ignition system.
– Absolutely avoid any jewellery, loose items of clothing or long hair from
getting into the rotating parts of the engine - Hazard! Therefore remove
any jewellery beforehand, tie up your hair and wear tight fitting clothing.
● Please also comply with the warning instructions stated below when car-
rying out any essential work on the fuel system or on the electrical system:
–Always separate the car battery from the electrical system.
– Do not smoke.
– Never carry out any work close to naked flames.
– Always keep a working fire extinguisher at hand. CAUTION
When replenishing fluids in the engine, always ensure that the fluids are on no ac-
count mixed up. This may result in major operating problems and also vehicle
damage! 
Overview of the engine compartment The main inspection points.
Fig. 123 Diesel engine 1.6 ltr./77 kW
£ 151
Inspecting and Replenishing Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assis-
tance Praktik Technical data

Battery cover
Fig. 127 The battery: Pull up the cover (automatic gearbox)/(manual gearbox)
The battery is located in the engine compartment below a plastic box.
– Unlock the interlock on the positive terminal side of the battery ⇒ fig. 127.
– Pull up the cover in direction of arrow ⇒  fig. 127 (automatic gearbox) or
⇒  fig. 127 (manual gearbox).
– The installation of the battery cover on the positive terminal side takes place
in the reverse order. 
Battery control Fig. 128 The battery: Electrolyte level
indicator
The battery is practically maintenance-free under normal operating conditions. We recommend you have the electrolyte level checked by a specialist garage from
time to time, especially in the following cases.
● High outside temperatures.
● Long daily drives
● After each charge ⇒
 page 159.
On vehicles with a vehicle battery fitted with a colour indicator, the so-called mag-
ic eye ⇒ fig. 128 , the electrolyte level can be determined by looking at the change
in colour.
Air bubbles can influence the colour of the indicator. For this reason carefully
knock on the indicator before carrying out the check.
● Black colour - electrolyte level is correct.
● Colourless or light yellow colour - electrolyte level too low, the battery must be
replaced. Note
● The battery electrolyte level is periodically checked by an authorised
ŠKODA
Service Partner as part of the Inspection Service.
● For technical reasons, on vehicles with the description “AGM”, the electrolyte
level cannot be checked.
● Vehicles with a “START-STOP” system are fitted with a battery control unit for
checking the energy level for the recurring engine start. 
Operation in winter The battery has to provide greater amounts of electricity during the winter. It also
has only part of the initial power output at low temperatures that it has at normal
temperatures.
A discharged battery may already freeze at temperatures just below 0 °C.
We therefore recommend that you have the battery checked by a specialist ga-
rage before the start of the winter, and recharged if necessary. WARNING
Never charge a frozen or thawed battery - risk of explosion and caustic burns.
Replace a frozen battery. 158
Inspecting and Replenishing

Charging the battery
A properly charged battery is essential for reliably starting the en-
gine.
– Read the warning notes ⇒   in General information on page 157 and
⇒  .
– Switch the ignition and all electrical components off.
– Only for “quick-charging”: Disconnect both battery cables (first of all “nega-
tive
”, then “positive”).
– Carefully attach the terminal clamps of the charger to the battery terminals
(red = “positive

”, black = “negative”).
– You can now plug the mains cable of the charger into the power socket and
switch on the charger.
– When charging is completed: switch the charger off and unplug the mains ca-
ble from the power socket.
– Only then should you disconnect the terminal clamps of the charger.
– Reconnect the cables to the battery (first of all “positive”, then “negative”).
It is not normally necessary to disconnect the cables of the battery if you recharge
the battery using low amperages (as for example from a mini-charger). Please al-
so refer to the instructions from the charger manufacturer.
A charging current of 0.1 of the total battery capacity (or lower) is that which
should be used until full charging is achieved.
It is, however, necessary to disconnect both cables before charging the battery
with high amperages, so-called

“quick-charging ”.
“Quick-charging” a battery is dangerous ⇒  in General information on page 157.
It requires a special charger and specialist knowledge. We recommend having the
quick charging of vehicle batteries undertaken by a specialist garage.
A discharged battery may already freeze at temperatures just below 0

°C ⇒  . We
recommend that you no longer use a battery which has thawed out because the
casing of the battery may be cracked through the formation of ice and this would
allow battery electrolyte to flow out.
The vent plugs of the battery should not be opened for charging. WARNING
● Never charge a frozen or thawed battery - risk of explosion and caustic
burns. Replace a frozen battery.
● Never charge a battery which has a too low electrolyte level - risk of explo-
sion and caustic burns. CAUTION
On vehicles with the “START/STOP” system, the pole terminal of the charger must
not be connected directly to the negative terminal of the vehicle battery, but only
to the engine earth ⇒ fig. 143. 
Disconnecting and reconnecting the battery On disconnecting and reconnecting the battery the following functions are initially
deactivated or are no longer able to operate fault-free.
Operation Operating measure
Electrical power window (operational faults) ⇒ page 38
Enter the car stereo/radio navigation system
code number see operating instructions for the
car stereo/radio navigation sys-
tem
Setting the clock ⇒ page 13
Data in the multi-functional indicator are de-
leted. ⇒ page 14
We recommend having the vehicle checked by an authorised ŠKODA Service Part-
ner to ensure full functionality of all electrical systems.

Replacing the battery When replacing a battery, the new new battery must have the same capacity,
voltage (12

V), amperage and be the same size. Suitable types of vehicle battery
are available from an authorised ŠKODA Service Partner.
We recommend you have a battery change carried out by an authorised ŠKODA
Service Partner, who will properly install the new battery and dispose of the origi-
nal one. £ 159
Inspecting and Replenishing Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assis-
tance Praktik Technical data

CAUTION
Vehicles with a “START-STOP” system are fitted with a special battery type which
allows the battery control unit to check the energy level for recurring engine start.
This battery must only be replaced by a battery of the same type. For the sake of the environment
Batteries contain poisonous substances such as sulphuric acid and lead. For this
reason, it must be disposed of properly. Under no circumstances must it be dis-
posed of in the communal rubbish. 
Automatic consumer shut-off Under heavy load on the vehicle battery, the vehicle electrical system manage-
ment automatically takes various measures to avoid draining the vehicle battery.
●
The idling speed is raised to allow the generator to deliver more electricity to
the electrical system.
● If necessary, some electrical consumers are limited in their performance or are
temporarily switched off completely. Note
Despite such intervention by the vehicle electric system management, the vehicle
battery may be drained. For example, when the ignition is switched on a long time
with the engine turned off or the side or parking lights are turned on during lon-
ger parking. 
Windshield washer system Fig. 129 Engine compartment: Wind-
shield washer fluid reservoir The windshield washer fluid reservoir contains the cleaning fluid for the wind-
shield or rear window and for the headlamp cleaning system. The reservoir is loca-
ted in the front of the engine compartment on the right side of the vehicle
⇒ fig. 129
. On some vehicles, the reservoir is located on the left side of the vehicle
next to the battery.
The filling level of the container is about 3.5 litres and about 5.4 litres on vehicles
which have a headlight washing system.
Clear water is not sufficient to intensively clean the windshield and headlights.
We therefore recommend using clean washing water together with the screen
cleaner from
ŠKODA Original Accessories (in winter additionally with antifreeze)
which is capable of removing stubborn dirt. Follow the instructions for use on the
packaging when using screen cleaning products.
You should always add antifreeze to the cleaning water in winter even if your ve-
hicle is fitted with heated windshield washer nozzles.
It is also possible in exceptional cases to use methylated spirits when no screen
cleaner with antifreeze is available. The concentration of methylated spirits must
not be more than 15 %. Please note, however, that the antifreeze protection at
this concentration is only adequate down to -5 °C. WARNING
Read and observe the warning notes ⇒ page 150
, Working in the engine com-
partment before working in the engine compartment. CAUTION
● On no account should you add radiator antifreeze or other additives to the
windshield washer fluid.
● If the vehicle is fitted with a headlight cleaning system, you should only add
cleaning products which do not attack the polycarbonate glass of the headlights
to the windshield washer fluid. Please contact an authorised

ŠKODA Service Part-
ner who will help you select a suitable cleaning agent. Note
Do not take the filter out of the windshield wash container when filling it up again
with liquid otherwise dirt can get into the liquid transportation system and can
lead to faults in operation of the windshield wash system. 160
Inspecting and Replenishing

Connecting negative terminal and engine block
– Attach one end 3 to the negative terminal of the battery supplying the power
B .
– Attach the other end 4 to a solid metal part which is connected firmly to the
engine block, or to the engine block itself ⇒  .
Starting engine
– Start the engine of the vehicle providing current and run the engine at idling
speed.
– Now start the engine of the vehicle with the discharged battery.
– Interrupt the attempt at starting an engine after 10 seconds if it does not start
right away and wait for about 30 seconds before repeating the attempt.
– Disconnect the cables in exactly the reverse order they were connected.WARNING
● The non-insulated parts of the terminal clamps must never make contact
with each other. In addition, the jump-start cable connected to the positive
terminal of the battery must not come into contact with electrically conduct-
ing parts of the vehicle - risk of short circuit!
● Do not affix the jump starting cables to the negative terminal of the dis-
charged battery. There is the risk of detonating gas seeping out the battery
being ignited by the strong spark which results from the engine being started.
● Do not affix the cable end 4 to parts of the fuel and brake system.
● Run the jump-start cables so that they cannot be caught by any rotating
parts in the engine compartment.
● Do not bend over the batteries - risk of caustic burns!
● The vent screws of the battery cells must be tightened firmly.
● Keep any sources of ignition (naked flame, smouldering cigarettes etc.)
away from the battery - risk of an explosion!
● Never jump-start the batteries which have a too low electrolyte level - risk
of explosion and caustic burns! Jump-starting on vehicles with the “START-STOP” system
Fig. 143 Jump-starting on vehicles with
the START-STOP system
On vehicles with the “START STOP” system, the negative cable of the charger
must never be connected directly to the negative pole of the vehicle battery, but
only to the engine earth ⇒ fig. 143 . 
Towing the vehicle General Vehicles with manual transmission can be towed in with a tow bar or a tow rope
or with the front or rear wheels raised.
Vehicles with automatic transmission can be towed in with a tow bar or a tow
rope or with the front wheels raised. If the vehicle is raised at rear, the automatic
gearbox is damaged!
A tow bar
is safest way of towing a vehicle and also minimizes any shocks. You
can use a tow rope only if a suitable tow bar is not available.
Refer to the following guidelines when towing:
Driver of the towing vehicle
– Release the clutch particularly gently when starting off or depress the acceler-
ator particularly gently if your vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.
– On vehicles with manual transmission, only push down on the accelerator ped-
al once the rope is taught.
The maximum towing speed is 50 km/h. £176
Breakdown assistance

Driver of the towed vehicle
–
Switch the ignition on so that the steering wheel is not blocked and you can
also operate the turn signal lights, the headlight flasher, the windshield wipers
and windshield washer system.
– Take the vehicle out of gear or move the selector lever into position N if your
vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.
Note that the brake servo unit and power steering only operate if the engine is
running. You will require significantly greater physical force to depress the brake
pedal and to steer the vehicle if the engine is not running.
Ensure that the tow rope is always kept taught. CAUTION
● Do not tow start the engine - danger of damaging the engine. On vehicles with
a catalytic converter, unburnt fuel may get into the catalytic converter where it
may ignite. This in turn may damage or destroy the catalytic converter. You can
use the battery of another vehicle as a jump-start aid ⇒ page 175,
Jump-starting.
● If the gearbox of your vehicle no longer contains any oil because of a defect,
your vehicle must only be towed in with the driven wheels raised clear of the
ground, or on a special vehicle transporter or trailer.
● The vehicle must be transported on a special vehicle or trailer if it is not possi-
ble to tow in the vehicle in the way described or if the towing distance is greater
than 50

km.
● To protect both vehicles when tow-starting or towing, the tow rope should be
elastic. Thus one should only use plastic fibre rope or a rope made out of a similar-
ly elastic material.
● One should be constantly vigilant not to allow impermissibly high towing
forces or jerky loadings. There is always a risk of excessive stresses and damage
resulting at the points to which you attach the tow rope or tow bar when you at-
tempt to tow a vehicle which is not standing on a paved road.
● Attach the tow rope or the tow bar only to the towing eyes provided for this
purpose ⇒ page 177

, Front towing eye and ⇒ page 178, Rear towing eye. Note
● We recommend a tow rope from the range of
ŠKODA Original Accessories that
you can purchase from an authorised ŠKODA Service Partner.
● Towing another vehicle requires a certain amount of practice. Both drivers
should be familiar with the particular points about towing a vehicle. Unskilled driv-
ers should not attempt to tow in another vehicle or to be towed in. ●
When towing, respect the national legal provisions, especially those which re-
late to the identification of the towing vehicle and the vehicle being towed.
● The tow rope must not be twisted as it may in certain circumstances result in
the front towing eye being unscrewed out of your vehicle. 
Front towing eye The towing eye is stored in the box of the vehicle tool kit.
Fig. 144 Front bumper: Cover/installing the towing eye
–
Press on the left half of the cover at the point of the arrow ⇒
 fig. 144 - left.
– Pull the cover out of the front bumper.
– Screw in the towing eye by hand to the left up to the stop ⇒ fig. 144 - right. For
tightening, we recommend that you use for example the wheel wrench, the
lashing eye of another vehicle or a similar object which you can push through
the eye.
– In order to reinstall the cover after screwing out the towing eye, insert it in the
mounts and then press on the right side of the cover. The cover must engage
firmly. CAUTION
The towing eye must always be screwed in fully and firmly tightened, otherwise
the towing eye can tear when towing.  177
Breakdown assistance Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assis-
tance Praktik Technical data