Only engage reverse gear when the vehicle is stationary. Depress the clutch
pedal and hold it fully depressed. Wait a moment before reverse gear is engag-
ed to avoid any shift noises.
The reversing lights will come on once reverse gear is engaged, provided the
ignition is on.WARNINGNever engage reverse gear when driving – risk of accident!
CAUTION
If not in the process of changing gear, do not leave your hand on the gearshift
lever while driving. The pressure from the hand can cause the gearshift mech-
anism to wear excessively.
Pedals
The operation of the pedals must not be hindered under any circumstances!
In the driver's footwell, only a footmat, which is attached to the two corre-
sponding attachment points, may be used.
Only use footmats from the range of ŠKODA Original Accessories, which are fit-
ted to two attachment points.
WARNINGNo objects are allowed in the driver's footwell – risk of obstruction or limi-
tation in operating the pedals!
Automatic transmission
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Modes and use of selector lever
145
Manual gear shifting (Tiptronic)
146
Starting off and driving
147
Malfunction
148WARNING■ Do not depress the accelerator if the forward driving mode is changed
when the vehicle is halted and the engine is running – there is a risk of an
accident.■
Never shift the selector lever to R or P modes when driving – there is a
risk of an accident.
■
The vehicle must be held on the brake pedal in D, S or R modes if the ve-
hicle is halted and the engine is running. Even when the engine is idling,
power transmission is never completely interrupted – the vehicle will creep.
CAUTION
■ If the selector lever is shifted to N while the vehicle is being driven you must
lift off the accelerator pedal and you will need to wait until the engine has
reached its idling speed before shifting the selector lever to a forward driving
mode again.■
At temperatures below -10 °C, the engine can only be started in selector lev-
er position P.
■
Never try to hold the vehicle using the accelerator pedal when stopping on a
hill – this may lead to transmission damage.
Note
After the ignition is switched off, the ignition key can only be withdrawn when
the selector lever is in position P.
Modes and use of selector lever
Fig. 139
Selector lever/display
145Starting off and Driving
New tyres
New tyres must firstly be “run in” since they do not offer optimal grip at first.
Therefore, drive especially carefully for the first 500 km or so.
New brake pads
New brake pads do not initially provide optimal braking performance. They first
need to be “run in”. Therefore, drive especially carefully for the first 200 km or
so.
Economical driving and environmental sustainability
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Looking ahead
149
Economical gear changing.
149
Avoiding full throttle
150
Reducing idling
150
Avoiding short distances
150
Checking tyre pressure
150
Avoiding unnecessary ballast
151
Regular maintenance
151
Saving electrical energy
151
Environmental compatibility
151
The technical requirements for low fuel usage and economic efficiency of the
vehicle have already been built into the vehicle at the works. ŠKODA places a
particular emphasis on minimising negative effects on the environment.
It is necessary to take note of the guidelines given in this chapter in order to make best use of these characteristics and to maintain their effectiveness.
Fuel consumption, environmental pollution and the wear to the engine, brakes
and tyres depend essentially on the following three factors:
› Your personal driving style
› Operating conditions
› Technical requirements
The fuel economy by can be improved by 10 - 15 % by always looking ahead
and driving in an economical way.
Fuel consumption is also be influenced by external factors which are beyond
the driver's control. Consumption increases during the winter or under difficult
conditions, on poor roads, etc.
Fuel consumption can vary considerably from the manufacturer's data, as a re-
sult of outside temperatures, the weather and driving style.
The optimal engine speed should be maintained when accelerating, to avoid a high fuel consumption and resonance of the vehicle.
CAUTION
All the speed and engine revolution figures apply only when the engine is at
its normal operating temperature.
Looking ahead
Read and observe
on page 149 first.
A vehicle's highest fuel consumption occurs when accelerating, therefore un-necessary accelerating and braking should be avoided. If looking ahead when
driving, less braking and consequently less accelerating are required.
If possible, let your vehicle coast to a stop, or use the engine brake, if you can see that the next set of traffic lights is on red, for example.
Economical gear changing.
Fig. 142
Principle sketch: Fuel consump-
tion in litres/100 km depending
on the selected gear
Read and observe on page 149 first.
Shifting up early saves on fuel.
Manual gearbox › Drive no more than about one length of your vehicle in first gear.
› Shift up into the next gear at approximately 2,000 rpm.
149Starting off and Driving
An effective way of achieving good fuel economy is to shift up early. Observe
the recommended gear » page 43, Gear recommendation .
A suitably selected gear can have an effect on fuel consumption » Fig. 142.
Automatic gearbox
› Slowly
apply the accelerator pedal. However, do not depress it as far as the
kickdown position » page 147.
› An economic driving programme is automatically selected if the accelerator
pedal is only depressed slowly.
Avoiding full throttle
Fig. 143
Principle sketch: Fuel consump-
tion in litres/100 km. and speed
in km/h.
Read and observe on page 149 first.
Driving more slowly saves fuel.
Sensitive use of the accelerator will not only significantly reduce fuel con-
sumption but also positively influence environmental pollution and wear of
your vehicle.
The maximum speed of your vehicle should, as far possible, never be used.
Fuel consumption, pollutant emissions and vehicle noises increase dispropor-
tionally at high speeds.
The graph » Fig. 143 shows the ratio of fuel consumption to the speed of your
vehicle. Fuel consumption will be halved if you drive at only three-quarters of
the possible top speed of your vehicle.
Reducing idling
Read and observe
on page 149 first.
Idling also costs fuel.
In vehicles not equipped with the START STOP system, turn off the engine
when in a traffic jam, at a level crossing or traffic lights with longer wait times.
Even after just 30 - 40 seconds you will have saved more fuel than that is nee-
ded when you start the engine up again.
If an engine is only idling it takes much longer for it to reach its normal operat-
ing temperature. Wear-and-tear and pollutant emissions, though, are particu- larly high in the warming-up phase. Therefore, start driving as soon as the en-
gine has started, In this case high engine speeds should be avoided.
Avoiding short distances
Fig. 144
Principle sketch: Fuel consump-
tion in l/100 km at different tem-
peratures
Read and observe on page 149 first.
Short distances result in above-average high fuel consumption. We therefore
recommend avoiding distances of less than 4 km if the engine is cold.
A cold engine consumes the most fuel immediately after the start. Fuel con- sumption drops to 10 litres/100 km after just 1 kilometre. The consumption sta-
bilises once the engine and catalytic converter have reached their operating
temperature.
An important factor in this connection is also the ambient temperature. The
graph » Fig. 144 shows the different levels of fuel consumption after driving a
certain distance at a temperature of +20 °C and a temperature of -10 °C.
Checking tyre pressure
Read and observe
on page 149 first.
Tyres which are correctly inflated save fuel.
150Driving
WARNING■Driving through water, mud, sludge etc. can impair the braking power and
extend the braking distance – risk of accident!■
Avoid abrupt and sudden braking immediately after water crossings.
■
After driving through bodies of water, the brakes must be cleaned and
dried as soon as possible by intermittent braking. Only apply the brakes for
the purpose of drying and cleaning the brake discs if the traffic conditions
permit this. Do not place any other road users in jeopardy.
CAUTION
■ Should water penetrate into the intake system of the engine, there is a
threat of serious damage being incurred by the engine parts!■
When driving through water, some vehicle parts such as chassis, electrics or
transmissions can be severely damaged.
■
Oncoming vehicles can generate water waves which can exceed the permis-
sible water level for your vehicle.
■
Potholes, mud or rocks can be hidden under the water, making it difficult or
impossible to drive through water.
■
Do not drive through salt water, as the salt can cause corrosion. A vehicle
coming into contact with salt water is to be thoroughly rinsed with fresh wa-
ter.
Note
After driving through water, we recommend having the vehicle checked by a
specialist garage.
Driving abroad
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Unleaded petrol
153
Headlights
153
In certain countries, it may be possible that the ŠKODA Partner network is limi-
ted or has not been established. This is the reason why procuring certain spare
parts may be somewhat complicated and specialist garages may only be able
to make limited repairs.
Unleaded petrol
A vehicle fitted with a petrol engine must always be refuelled with unleaded
petrol » page 184 , Unleaded petrol . Information regarding the locations of fill-
ing stations that offer unleaded petrol is, for example, provided by the auto-
mobile associations.
Headlights
The low beam of your headlights is set asymmetrically. It illuminates the side
of the road on which the vehicle is being driven to a greater extent.
When driving in countries in which the traffic drives on the other side of the
road than in your home country, the asymmetrical low beam may dazzle on-
coming drivers. In order to avoid this, the headlights must be adjusted at a
specialist garage.
Headlights with Xenon lights can be adjusted in the menu of the MAXI DOT
display » page 71 .
Note
You can find out more information on adjusting the headlights at a specialist
garage.153Starting off and Driving
Storing and maintaining speedRead and observe
and on page 161 first.
›
Activate the cruise control system » page 161.
›
Drive at the desired speed.
›
Push the rocker button
B
into the SET/- » Fig. 151 on page 161 position.
After you have released the rocker button
B
from the SET/- position, the
speed you have just stored is kept constant without having to depress the ac-
celerator.
Changing the stored speed
Read and observe
and on page 161 first.
Increasing the speed with the rocker button
B›
Push the rocker button
B
into the RES/+ » Fig. 151 on page 161 position.
If the rocker button is held in the RES/+ position, the speed will increase con-
tinuously. Release the rocker button once the desired speed is reached. The
set speed is then stored in the memory.
Decreasing the speed using the rocker button
B
The stored speed can be reduced by pushing the rocker switch
B
into the
SET/- » Fig. 151 on page 161 position.
If the rocker button is pressed and held in the SET/- position, the speed will
decrease continuously. Release the rocker button once the desired speed is
reached. The set speed is then stored in the memory.
If the rocker button is released at a speed of less than approx. 25 km/h, the
speed is not stored and the memory is erased. Once the speed of the vehicle
has increased to more than approx. 25 km/h, the speed must then be stored
again by pushing the rocker button
B
into the SET/- position.
Increasing the speed with the accelerator
›
Depress the accelerator pedal.
Releasing the accelerator pedal will cause the speed to drop again to the set
speed.
Decreasing the speed with the brake pedal
The speed can also be reduced by depressing the brake pedal, which tempora-
rily deactivates the system » page 162.
Switching off temporarily
Read and observe
and on page 161 first.
The cruise control system can be temporarily deactivated by pushing the
switch
A
» Fig. 151 on page 161 into the spring-mounted CANCEL position or
by depressing the brake or clutch pedal.
The set speed remains stored in the memory.
Briefly push the rocker button
B
into the RES/+ position in order to resume
the stored speed after the clutch or brake pedal is released.
START STOP
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Operating conditions for the system
163
Operation in vehicles with manual gearbox
163
Operation in vehicles with automatic gearbox
163
System related automatic start-up
164
Manually deactivating/activating the system
164
Information messages
164
The START STOP system (hereinafter referred to as the system) saves fuel and
reduces polluting emissions and CO 2 emissions by turning the engine off, e.g.
when stopping at traffic lights, and starting the engine again when moving off.
WARNING■ Never let the vehicle roll with the engine switched off.■The brake servo unit and power steering only operate if the engine is run-
ning.162Driving
Exterior mirrors
You have to have additional exterior mirrors fitted if you are not able to see
the traffic behind the trailer with the standard rear-view mirrors. National legal
requirements must be observed.
Headlights
The front of the vehicle can be lifted when a trailer is being towed and the
headlights can dazzle other road users.
Adjust the headlight setting on the headlight range control » page 68, Operat-
ing the lights and the instrument illumination .WARNING■
Incorrect or improperly connected electrical installation can cause acci-
dents and serious injury due to electric shock.■
Work on the electrical system must only be carried out by specialist ga-
rages.
■
Never directly connect the trailer's electrical system with the electrical
connections for the tail lights or other current sources.
■
After coupling the trailer and connecting up the power socket, check the
rear lights on the trailer to ensure they are working.
■
The handbrake on the towing vehicle must be applied when coupling and
uncoupling the trailer.
■
Never use the safety eyelet for towing!
CAUTION
Incorrect or improperly connected electrical installations may cause malfunc-
tion of the entire vehicle electronics.
Loading a trailer
The vehicle/trailer combination must be balanced, whereby the maximum per-
missible drawbar load must be utilised. If the drawbar load is too low, it jeop-
ardises the performance of the vehicle/trailer combination.
Distribution of the load
Distribute the load in the trailer in such a way that heavy items are located as
close to the axle as possible. Secure the items from slipping.
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.
Tyre pressure
Correct the tyre inflation pressure on your vehicle for a “full load” » page 198.
Trailer load
The permissible trailer load must not be exceeded under any circumstan-
ces » page 228 , Technical data .
The details given in the vehicle's technical documentation always take prece- dence over the details in the Owner's Manual.
The trailer loads specified apply only to altitudes up to 1,000 metres above
mean sea level.
The engine output falls as altitude increases, as does the ability to climb.
Therefore, for every additional 1,000 m in height (or part), the maximum per-
missible towed weight must be reduced by 10 %.
The towed weight comprises the actual weights of the (loaded) towing vehicle
and the (loaded) trailer.
The trailer and drawbar load information on the type plate of the towing
equipment are merely test data for the towing equipment. The vehicle-specific
values are detailed in the vehicle documents.WARNING■ The maximum permissible axle and drawbar load and the permissible
weight of the trailer must not exceed - this could cause an accident!■
A sliding cargo can significantly adversely affect stability and driving safe-
ty - there is a risk of accident!
Towing a trailer
Driving speed
For safety reasons, do not drive faster than 80 km/h when towing a trailer.
Immediately reduce your speed as soon as even the slightest swaying of the
trailer is detected. Never attempt to stop the trailer from “swaying” by acceler-
ating.
Brakes
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 re-
sulting from the trailer wheels locking.
On downhill sections shift down a gear in good time to also use the engine as
a brake.
171Hitch and trailer
Engine overheating
The speed must be reduced immediately if the needle for the coolant tempera-
ture gauge moves into the right-hand area or the red area of the scale.
Stop and switch off the engine if the warning light
in the instrument cluster
illuminates.
The following guidelines must be observed » page 36,
Coolant .
The coolant temperature can be reduced by switching on the heating.WARNING■ Always drive particularly carefully with the trailer.■Adapt your speed to the conditions of the road surface and to the traffic
situation.
CAUTION
If you tow a trailer frequently, you should also have your vehicle inspected be-
tween service intervals.
Trailer stabilisation (TSA)
The trailer stabilisation is an extension of the stabilisation control that works
in conjunction with the counter-steering assistance to reduce the amount the
trailer "sways".
After turning on the ignition, the ESC warning light
in the instrument cluster
illuminates for about 2 seconds longer than the ABS warning light.
Function requirements for trailer stabilisation. The trailer was shipped from the factory or purchased from the ŠKODA
genuine accessories.
The ESC is active. (Warning lights
or
do not illuminate in the instru-
ment cluster).
The trailer is electrically connected to the towing vehicle by means of the
trailer socket.
The speed is higher than approx. 60 km/h.
The trailer has a rigid drawbar.
WARNING■ The increased safety offered by the trailer stabilisation must not tempt
you to take greater risks than otherwise.■
Avoid abrupt and sudden driving and braking manoeuvres - there is a risk
of accidents.
CAUTION
■ The trailer stabilisation need not be able to correctly detect all of driving sit-
uations.■
Light trailers that sway are not always detected and therefore stabilised ac-
cordingly by the trailer stabilisation.
■
Release the pressure on the accelerator pedal if the system is being regula-
ted.
Note
The trailer stabilisation works for both braked and unbraked trailers.
Anti-theft alarm system
When the vehicle is locked, the alarm is activated when the electrical connec-
tion to the trailer is interrupted.
Always switch off the anti-theft alarm system before a trailer is coupled or un-
coupled » page 55 .
Conditions for including a trailer in the anti-theft alarm system. The vehicle is factory fitted with an anti-theft alarm system and towing
equipment.
The trailer is electrically connected to the towing vehicle by means of the
trailer socket.
The electrical system of the vehicle and trailer is functional.
The vehicle is locked with the vehicle key and the anti-theft alarm system
is activated.
CAUTION
For technical reasons, trailers with rear LED lights cannot be connected to the
anti-theft alarm system.172Driving
CAUTIONDo not polish the chrome parts in a dusty environment - risk of surface
scratches.
Decorative films
Read and observe
and on page 177 first.
Wash the films with a mild soap solution and clean, warm water. Never use
harsh cleaning products or chemical solvents, as this could damage the films.
The following instructions must be followed when washing the vehicle with a
high-pressure cleaner:
› The minimum distance between the nozzle and the vehicle body should be
50 cm.
› Keep jet perpendicular to the film surface.
› The maximum water temperature is 50 °C.
› The maximum water pressure is 80 bar.
CAUTION
In the winter months, do not use an ice scraper to remove ice and snow from
the areas with films. Do not use any other objects to remove frozen layers of
snow or ice – risk of film damage.
Windows and exterior mirrors
Read and observe
and on page 177 first.
Use a plastic ice scraper for removing snow and ice from the windows and mir-
rors.
Regularly clean windows from the inside with clean water.
Dry the glass surfaces with a clean chamois leather or a cloth intended for this
purpose.
When drying the windows after washing the vehicle, do not use window leath-
ers that have been used to polish the bodywork. Residues of preservatives in
the window leather can make the window dirty and reduce visibility.
CAUTION■ The ice scraper should not be moved forward and backward but in one direc-
tion to avoid any damage to the surface of the glass.■
Snow or ice that is contaminated with coarse dirt such as fine gravel, sand or
salt must not be removed from the windows and mirrors – there is a risk of
damage to the surface of the windows and mirrors.
■
Do not remove snow or ice from glass parts using warm or hot water – risk of
cracks forming in the glass.
■
When removing snow or ice from windows and mirror lenses ensure that the
paintwork of the vehicle is not to damage.
■
Do not clean the inside of the windows with sharp-edged objects or corro-
sive and acidic cleaning agents – there is a risk of damaging the heating ele-
ments or window aerial.
Headlight lenses
Read and observe
and on page 177 first.
Clean plastic front headlight lenses using clean, warm water and soap.
CAUTION
■Never wipe headlights to dry.■Do not use any sharp objects to clean the plastic lenses, as this may damage
the protective paintwork and consequently cause cracks to form on the head-
light lenses.■
Do not use any harsh cleaning products or chemical solvents to clean the
headlights, as this could damage the headlight lenses.
Door lock cylinders
Read and observe
and on page 177 first.
Specific products must be used for de-icing door lock cylinders.
CAUTION
When washing your vehicle, ensure as little water as possible gets into the
locking cylinders.179Car care