■If the vehicle has not been driven for more than 3 to 4 weeks, the battery will
discharge. This is because certain electrical components consume electricity
(e. g. control units) also in idle state. Prevent the battery from discharging by
disconnecting the battery's negative terminal (-) or continuously charging the
battery with a very low charging current.■
If the vehicle is frequently used for making short trips, the vehicle battery
will not have time to charge up sufficiently and may discharge.
For the sake of the environment
A vehicle battery that has been removed is a special type of hazardous waste.
These must be disposed of in accordance with national legal regulations.
Note
You should replace batteries older than 5 years.
Open cover
Fig. 169
Polyester cover of the vehicle battery / plastic cover of the vehi-
cle battery
Read and observe
and on page 194 first.
The battery is located in the engine compartment, with some equipment under
a polyester cover » Fig. 169or in the left side compartment of the luggage com-
partment » page 101 .
Battery in the engine compartment
›
Open the battery cover in the direction of the arrow » Fig. 169 -
or press
the catch on the side of the battery cover in the direction » Fig. 169 -
.
›
fold the cover up and remove.
The battery cover is installed in reverse order.
Battery in the boot
The battery is located in the left side compartment with the symbol
» page 101 .
Checking the battery electrolyte level
Fig. 170
Vehicle battery: Electrolyte level
indicator
Read and observe and on page 194 first.
On vehicles with a vehicle battery fitted with a colour indicator, » Fig. 170 the
colouring of the display can indicate the acidic level.
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.
Vehicles with a START STOP system are fitted with a battery control unit for
checking the energy level for the recurring engine start.
We recommend that you have the acid level checked regularly by a specialist garage, especially in the following cases.
› High external temperatures.
› Longer day trips.
› After each charge.
Winter time
The vehicle battery only has some of its starting power at low temperatures. A
discharged vehicle battery may freeze at temperatures just below 0 °C .
We therefore recommend that you have the battery checked and, if necessary,
recharged by a specialist garage before the start of the winter.
195Inspecting and replenishing
CAUTIONFor technical reasons, on vehicles with the description “AGM”, the electrolyte
level cannot be checked.
Note
The battery acid level is also checked regularly by a specialist garage as part of
the inspection service.
Charging
Read and observe
and on page 194 first.
A properly charged vehicle battery is essential for reliably starting the engine.
›
Switch off the ignition and all of the electrical components.
›
Disconnect both battery cables (“negative” first, then “positive”) only when“rapid charging” the battery.
›
Attach the terminal clamps of the charger to the battery terminals (red =
“positive”, black = “negative”).
›
Plug the mains cable of the charger into the power socket and switch the
charger on.
›
Once charging is complete: Switch off the charger and remove the mains ca-
ble from the power socket.
›
Only then disconnect the charger's terminal clamps.
›
Reconnect the cables to the battery (first “positive”, then “negative”).
It is not necessary to disconnect the battery cables if you are recharging the
vehicle battery using low amperages (for example from a mini-charger). Refer
to the charger manufacturer's instructions .
A charging current of 0.1 multiple of the total vehicle battery capacity (or low-
er) must be used until full charging is achieved.
Both cables must be disconnected before charging the battery with high
amperages, known as “ rapid charging”.
The vent plugs of the vehicle battery should not be opened for charging.
WARNING“Quick-charging” the vehicle battery is dangerous and requires a special
charger and specialist knowledge.CAUTIONOn 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 » page 212, Jump-starting in vehicles with the
START STOP system .
Note
We therefore recommend that vehicle batteries be rapid charged by a special-
ist garage.
Replacing
Read and observe
and on page 194 first.
The new vehicle battery must have the same capacity, voltage, current and
size as the original battery. Suitable vehicle battery types can be purchased
from a specialist garage.
We recommend having the battery replaced by a specialist garage, where the
new vehicle battery will be installed properly and the original battery will be
disposed of in accordance with national regulations.
Disconnecting or reconnecting
Read and observe
and on page 194 first.
The following functions are initially deactivated or are no longer able to oper-
ate faultlessly after the vehicle battery has been disconnected and reconnec-
ted.
FunctionOperating measureElectrical power window (operational faults)» page 64Panoramic sliding roof (operational faults)» page 218Enter the radio/navigation system code
number» User manual of the radio
or » user manual of the naviga-
tion systemSetting the clock» page 32Data in the multifunction display are de-
leted.» page 44 196General Maintenance
NoteWe recommend having the vehicle checked by a specialist garage in order to
ensure full functionality of all electrical systems.
Automatic load deactivation
Read and observe
and on page 194 first.
The vehicle voltage control unit automatically prevents the battery from dis-
charging when the battery is put under high levels of strain. This may be no-
ticed from the following.
› The idling speed is raised to allow the generator to deliver more electricity to
the electrical system.
› Where necessary, large convenience consumers such as seat heaters and
rear window heaters have their power limited or are shut off completely in
the event of an emergency.
CAUTION
■ 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 longer parking.■
Consumers that are supplied via a 12-V power socket can cause the vehicle
battery to discharge when the ignition is switched off.
Note
Driving comfort is not impaired by consumers being deactivated. The driver is
often not aware of it having taken place.Wheels
Tyres and wheel rims
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Service life of tyres
198
Unidirectional tyres
199
Spare and temporary spare wheel
200
Full wheel trim
200
Wheel bolts
201
Only use tyres or wheel rims that have been approved by ŠKODA for your mod-
el of vehicle.
WARNINGThe national legal regulations must be observed for the use of tyres.WARNINGInstructions for the use of tyres■For the first 500 km, new tyres do not yet provide optimum grip, and ap-
propriate care should therefore be taken when driving – risk of accident!■
For reasons of driving safety, do not replace tyres individually.
■
Never exceed the maximum permissible load bearing capacity of moun-
ted tyres.
■
Never exceed the maximum permissible speed for the mounted tyres.
■
An incorrect wheel alignment at the front or rear impairs handling.
■
Unusual vibrations or pulling of the vehicle to one side could be a sign of
tyre damage. If there is any doubt that a wheel is damaged, immediately re-
duce your speed and stop! If no external damage is evident, drive slowly
and carefully to the nearest specialist garage to have the vehicle checked.
WARNINGInformation regarding tyre damage or wear■Never use tyres if you do not know anything about the condition and age.■
Never drive with damaged tyres – there is the risk of an accident occur-
ring.
197Wheels
WARNING■If you cannot inflate the tyre to at least 2.0 bar, this means the damage
sustained was too serious. The sealing agent cannot be used to seal the
tyre.
Do not continue to drive! Seek help from a specialist garage.■
The tyre inflation hose and air compressor may get hot as the tyre is be-
ing inflated – there is a risk of burning.
CAUTION
Switch off the air compressor after running 8 minutes at the latest – there is a
risk of overheating. Allow the air compressor to cool a few minutes before
switching it on again.
Notes for driving with tyre repaired
Read and observe
on page 209 first.
The inflation pressure of the repaired tyre must be checked after driving for 10minutes.
If the tyre pressure is 1.3 bar or less
›
Do not continue to drive! You cannot properly seal with tyre with the
breakdown kit.
If the tyre pressure is 1.3 bar or more
›
Set the tyre pressure back to the correct value.
›
Continue driving carefully to the nearest specialist garage at a maximum speed of 80 km/h (50 mph).
Jump-starting
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Jump-starting using the battery from another vehicle
211
Jump-starting in vehicles with the START STOP system
212
Jump-starting vehicles with the vehicle battery in the boot
212
The battery of another vehicle can be used to jump-start your vehicle if the en-
gine will not start because the battery is flat.
WARNING■ Pay attention to the warning instructions relating to work in the engine
compartment » page 186.■
A discharged vehicle battery may already freeze at temperatures just be-
low 0 °C. If the battery is frozen, do not jump-start with the battery of an-
other vehicle – there is a risk of explosion.
■
Keep any sources of ignition (naked flame, smouldering cigarettes, etc.)
away from the battery – risk of explosion!
■
Never jump-start vehicle batteries with insufficient acid levels – risk of
explosion and chemical burns.
■
The vent screws of the battery cells must be tightened firmly.
Note
We recommend you buy jump-start cables from a car battery specialist.
Jump-starting using the battery from another vehicle
Fig. 184
Jump-starting: A – flat battery, B
– battery providing current
Read and observe on page 211 first.
The starting process using the battery of another vehicle requires the use of
jumper cables.
The jump-start cables must be attached in the following sequence.
›
Attach clamp
1
to the positive terminal of the discharged battery
A
» Fig. 184 .
›
Attach clamp
2
to the positive terminal of the battery supplying power
B
.
›
Attach clamp
3
to the negative terminal of the battery supplying power
B
.
›
Attach clamp
4
to a solid metal component firmly connected to the engine
block or to the engine block itself.
Starting engine
›
Start the engine on the vehicle providing the power and allow it to idle.
211Emergency equipment and self-help
›Start the engine of the vehicle with the discharged battery.›If the engine does not start, halt the attempt to start the engine after 10 sec-
onds and wait for 30 seconds before repeating the process.›
Remove the jumper cables exactly in the reverse sequence as for clamping.
Both batteries must have a rated voltage of 12 V. The capacity (Ah) of the bat-
tery supplying the power must not be significantly less than the capacity of
the discharged battery in your vehicle.
Jump-start cables
Only use jump-start cables which have an adequately large cross-section and
insulated terminal clamps. Obey the instructions of the jump-start cable manu-
facturer.
Positive cable - colour coding in the majority of cases is red.
Negative cable - colour coding in the majority of cases is black.
WARNING■
Do not clamp the jump-start cable 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 star-
ted.■
The non-insulated parts of the terminal clamps must never touch each
other – there is a risk of short circuit.
■
The jump-start cable connected to the positive terminal of the battery
must not come into contact with electrically conducting parts of the vehicle
– there is a risk of short circuit.
■
Route the jump-start cables so that they cannot be caught by any rotat-
ing parts in the engine compartment.
■
There must not be any contact between the two vehicles otherwise cur-
rent may flow as soon as the negative terminals are connected.
Jump-starting in vehicles with the START STOP systemFig. 185
Engine earth: START STOP sys-
tem
Read and observe on page 211 first.
The jump-start cable must only be connected to the engine earthing point on vehicles with the START STOP system » Fig. 185.
Jump-starting vehicles with the vehicle battery in the boot
Fig. 186
Detail of the engine compart-
ment: Jump-starting point
Read and observe on page 211 first.
On vehicles with the vehicle battery in the boot, the positive terminal of the
battery supplying the power can only be connected to the jump-starting point
in the engine compartment of the vehicle being started by means of a jump-
start cable » Fig. 186.
›
Open the protective cap of the jump-starting point in the direction of the ar-
row » Fig. 186 .
›
Connect the positive terminal of the battery supplying the power with the
jump-starting point.
›
Attach the negative terminal of the battery supplying the power to a solid
metal part firmly connected to the engine block or to the engine block itself.
›
Start the engine.
212Do-it-yourself
›After starting the engine, close the protective cap of the jump-starting point.
Towing the vehicle
Introduction
Fig. 187
Braided tow rope / Spiral tow rope
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Front towing eye
214
Rear towing eye
214
Vehicles with a tow hitch
214
For towing a braided tow rope is to be used » Fig. 187-
.
The following guidelines must be observed when towing.
Vehicles with manual transmission may be towed in with a tow bar or a tow
rope or with the front or rear wheels raised.
Vehicles with automatic transmission may 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 auto-
matic gearbox is damaged!
Driver of the tow vehicle
›
Engage the clutch gently when starting off or depress the accelerator partic-
ularly gently if the vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.
›
Only then, approach correctly when the rope is taut.
The maximum towing speed is 50 km/h.
Driver of the towed vehicle›Switch on the ignition so that the steering wheel is not locked and so that
the turn signal lights, windscreen wipers and windscreen washer system can
be used.›
Take the vehicle out of gear or move the selector lever into position N if the
vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.
Please note that the brake servo unit and power steering only operate if the
engine is running. If the engine is not running, significantly more physical force
is required to depress the brake pedal and steer the vehicle.
If using a tow rope, ensure that it is always kept taught.
Both drivers should be familiar with the problems which might possibly occur while a vehicle is being towed. Unskilled drivers should not attempt to tow in
another vehicle or to be towed in.
The vehicle must be transported on a special breakdown vehicle or trailer if it
is not possible to tow in the vehicle in the way described or if the towing dis-
tance is greater than 50 km.
WARNING■ When towing, respect the national legal provisions, especially those
which relate to the identification of the towing vehicle and the vehicle be-
ing towed.■
When towing, exercise increased caution.
■
For towing no spiral tow rope is to be used » Fig. 187-
, the towing eye
may unscrew out of the vehicle - there is a risk of accidents.
■
The tow rope should not be twisted - there is a risk of accidents.
CAUTION
■ Do not tow start the engine – there is a risk of damaging the engine and the
catalytic converter. The battery from another vehicle can be used as a jump-
start aid » page 211 , Jump-starting .■
If the gearbox no longer contains any oil, your vehicle must only be towed
with the front axle raised clear of the ground or on a breakdown vehicle or
trailer.
■
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
similarly elastic material.
213Emergency equipment and self-help
If the towing device is removed completely, it must be replaced with the
standard reinforcement of the rear bumper which is part of the mount for the
towing eye.
If this procedure is not observed, the vehicle may not meet the national legal
provisions.
CAUTION
The detachable ball rod and/or the vehicle can be damaged if an unsuitable
tow bar is used.
Note
The detachable ball rod must always be in the vehicle so that it can be used for
towing, if necessary.
Radio remote control
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Replacing the battery in the remote control key
215
Synchronising the remote control
215
Replace the battery in the remote control of the auxiliary heater (parking
heater)
216
CAUTION
■ The replacement battery must have the same specification as the original
battery.■
We recommend having faulty batteries replaced by a ŠKODA service partner.
■
Pay attention to the correct polarity when changing the battery.
For the sake of the environment
Dispose of the used battery in accordance with national legal provisions.Replacing the battery in the remote control keyFig. 190
Remove cover/take out battery
Read and observe
on page 215 first.
The battery change is carried out as follows.
›
Flip out the key.
›
Press off the battery cover
A
» Fig. 190 with your thumb or by using a
screwdriver release in the region of arrow
1
.
›
Remove the discharged battery from the key by pressing the battery down in
the region of the arrow
2
.
›
Insert the new battery.
›
Insert the battery cover
A
and press it down until it clicks audibly into place.
The key has to be synchronised if the vehicle cannot be unlocked or locked
with the remote control key after replacing the battery » page 215.
Note
If a key has an affixed decorative cover, this will be destroyed when the bat-
tery is replaced. A replacement cover can be purchased from a ŠKODA Partner.
Synchronising the remote control
Read and observe
on page 215 first.
If the vehicle does not unlock when the remote control is pressed, the key maynot be synchronised. This can occur when the buttons on the remote control
key are actuated a number of times outside of the operative range of the
equipment or the battery in the remote control key has been replaced.
Synchronise the key as follows.
215Emergency equipment and self-help
›Press any button on the remote control key.›Unlock the door with the key in the lock cylinder within 1 minute of pressing
the button.
Replace the battery in the remote control of the auxiliary heater
(parking heater)
Fig. 191
Radio remote control: Battery
cover
Read and observe on page 215 first.
The battery is located under a cover on the back of the radio remote con-
trol » Fig. 191 .
›
Insert a flat, blunt object, such as a coin, into the gap of the battery cover.
›
Turn the cover against the direction of the arrow up to the mark to open the
cover.
›
Replace the battery.
›
Return the battery cover.
›
Turn the cover in the direction of the arrow up to the initial marking, engage.
Emergency unlocking/locking
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Unlocking/locking the driver's door
216
Locking the door without a locking cylinder
217
Unlocking the boot lid
217
Selector lever-emergency unlocking
217Unlocking/locking the driver's doorFig. 192
Handle on the driver's door: cov-
ered key cylinder
The driver's door can be unlocked or locked in an emergency.
›
Pull on the door handle and hold it pulled.
›
Insert the vehicle key into the slot on the underside of the cover in the re-
gion of the arrow » Fig. 192.
›
Fold the cover upwards.
›
Release the door handle.
›
Insert the remote control key into the lock cylinder and unlock or lock the ve-
hicle.
›
For vehicles with LHD insert the remote control key with the buttons facing
up into the lock cylinder and unlock or lock the vehicle.
›
For vehicles with RHD insert the remote control key directed with buttons
down into the lock cylinder and unlock or lock the vehicle.
Pull on the door handle and install the cover to the original location.
CAUTION
Make sure you do not damage the paint when performing an emergency lock-
ing/unlocking.216Do-it-yourself