Explanation of technical terms
Fig. 146 Embankment angle/slope angle
Fig. 147 Ground clearance/ramp angle
The technical data
⇒
page 230, Angle (in degree) refer to ideal conditions. These
values may differ depending on the load and composition of the soil and the envi-
ronment. The driver is responsible to decide whether a vehicle can overcome a
certain situation.
Embankment angle (front and rear) ATransition from the horizontal plane to an upward slope or from a downward
slope back to the plane. The angle indication determines the angle at which you
can drive the vehicle down the embankment, at a slow speed, without the bumper
or the underbody of the vehicle touching the ground. Slope angle
B The difference of altitude (upward slope) which is overcome on a stretch of road
of 100 m, is indicated in percentage or degrees, i.e the gradiant at which the vehi-
cle can climb a hill on its own (among other things, depending on the road surface
and the engine power).
Ground clearance
C The distance between the road surface and the deepest point of the vehicle un-
derbody.
Ramp angle D The angle indication determines the angle at which you can drive the vehicle over
a ramp, at a slow speed, without the underbody of the vehicle touching the ramp
edge.
WARNING
When exceeding the maximum value given in the table ⇒
page 230, Angle (in
degree), this can result in serious injuries and/or vehicle damage. All of the da-
ta was determined on flat, firm and non-slip road surfaces as well as under dry
weather conditions. There are no ideal off-road conditions. Therefore, never
completely go according to the maximum values, but always leave a safety
margin.
Useful utensils Many items can be very useful when driving off-road, for example:
● compass and maps,
● torch and spare batteries,
● mobile phone or CB radio,
● tow bar or tow rope with sufficient tear strength,
● electrically driven tyre pump for connecting to the 12-volt power outlet of the
vehicle,
● a blanket and rubber boots,
● snow chains,
● a timber plank which is approximately 4 cm thick and about 1 metre long can
be used as a traction aid when the vehicle is stuck or as a base for the lifting jack,
● additional tools and a folding yardstick or a measuring tape, £170
Driving and the environment
●
spare wheel and tyre repair kit,
● shovel.
Safe off-road driving Adopt a correct seated position and always fasten the seat belt correctly. Make
sure that your front passenger and your passengers seated on the rear seats al-
ways fasten their seat belts correctly.
When driving off-road, it is perhaps more useful to adopt a slightly different seat-
ed position. Depending on the terrain, an increased force may be required to turn
the steering wheel because the force is transferred from the front wheels to the
steering wheel. You must be seated in such a way that you have good front visibil-
ity, especially when driving uphill or downhill. You must never be seated in such a
way that the distance between your chest and the middle of the airbag cover is
less than 25 cm ⇒
page 139.
Under no circumstances must you drive off-road with high heels, slippery or open
shoes. You should wear shoes which fit your feet well and allow you to get a feel
for the pedals. WARNING
Observe the important guidelines ⇒
page 168.
Before driving off-road ●
Make sure the tyres are suitable for the planned off-road journey. Before you
drive through difficult terrain, equip your vehicle with off-road tyres.
● Fill up your tank. The fuel consumption of the vehicle is much higher when
driving off-road than when driving on the road.
● Install the towing eye at the front or at the rear before driving off-road. It is
not always possible to install the towing eye if the vehicle got stuck.
● Always check the inflation pressure of all the tyres and if necessary correct it.
● Check the vehicle tool kit and supplement it according to your needs.
● Fill with engine oil up to the line A , so that the engine is sufficiently supplied
with engine oil when the vehicle is in a tilted position ⇒
page 191, Check engine
oil level.
● Top up wash fluid.
● Stow your load as low as possible in the vehicle and attach all the items which
are loose. Off-road driving ●
Never be alone when driving off-road and be prepared to encounter unexpec-
ted situations. Travel together with at least two off-road vehicles. Equipment with
which you can call for help in an emergency is particularly useful.
● Drive slowly through unclear terrain.
● You must stop when encountering difficult passages and explore the continu-
ation of the route on foot. If you cannot go on or if you doubt the safety of the
route, turn back and choose another way.
● Drive slowly over hilltops. Make sure that the wheels of the vehicle do not lift
off the ground, as this could severely damage the vehicle and it may become disa-
bled.
● Drive slowly on difficult stretches of the route. When driving on a slippery
ground, shift up into the next higher gear and make sure that the vehicle always
stays in motion. Do not drive too fast so that you don't lose control over your vehi-
cle.
● If your vehicle got stuck in sand, snow or sludge, it may be more effective to
reverse the vehicle than trying to drive forwards.
● Place stones, footmats or pieces of wood under the spinning wheels in order
to achieve traction on a sandy or slippery ground.
● Do no drive through water before reading what you must take into account
⇒ page 167.
● Keep sufficient distance from other vehicles even at low speeds. When the
first vehicle suddenly gets stuck, the following vehicle can still stop in time with-
out getting stuck itself.
● Do not plan day trips which are too far in distance.
● Do not use the cruise control system when driving off-road. It is only intended
for driving on the road. WARNING
● The intelligent engineering of your vehicle cannot overcome the physical
limits of your vehicle.
● Be very alert and look ahead when driving off-road. Excessive speed or in-
correct driving manoeuvres can cause damage to the vehicle and lead to seri-
ous injuries.
● Observe the important guidelines ⇒ page 168. £ 171
Driving and the environment Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data
Towing a trailer
Towing a trailer
Technical requirements Your vehicle is designed primarily for transporting persons and luggage. It can,
however, also be used for towing a trailer - provided certain technical equipment
is fitted.
If your vehicle has been
factory-fitted with a towing device or has a towing device
from
ŠKODA Original Accessories, the towing device satisfies all technical and le-
gal requirements.
Your vehicle is fitted with a 13-pin power socket for the electrical connection be-
tween the vehicle and trailer. If the trailer which you wish to tow has a 7-pin con-
nector , you can use a suitable adapter from ŠKODA Original Accessories.
This work must be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's specifica-
tions if a towing device is retrofitted.
Authorised ŠKODA Service Partners can provide detailed information about retro-
fitting a towing device and for any necessary modifications to the cooling system. WARNING
We recommend that you have the towing device from ŠKODA Original Acces-
sories installed by an authorised
ŠKODA Service Partner. He is familiar with all
the relevant details relating to retrofitting such equipment. There is a risk of
an accident if the towing device is not properly fitted!
General Maintenance Trailer 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 1000 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 the ability to climb, means that the towed
weight must be reduced by 10 % for every further increase of 1 000 metres in height 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
documents.
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 pressure
Correct the tyre inflation pressure on your vehicle for that of
“fully laden”
⇒ page 201. The inflation pressure of the tyres fitted to the trailer adjust in ac-
cordance with the manufacturer's recommendation.
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. 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 the aid of the headlight beam adjuster
⇒ page 50.
Detachable ball head
The ball head is detachable on vehicles with towing device and can be obtained
from ŠKODA Original Accessories. It is stowed together with separate fitting in-
structions in the spare wheel well in the luggage compartment of the vehicle. Note
● We recommend that you also have your vehicle inspected between service in-
tervals if you tow a trailer frequently.
● The handbrake on the towing vehicle must be put on when coupling and de-
coupling the trailer. 178
Towing a trailer
Driving Tips
–
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 temperature 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 safety 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 acci-
dent black spots.
You must always reduce your speed immediately 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 temperature 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 11, Coolant temperature gauge
.
If the needle of the coolant temperature gauge moves into the right-hand area or
even the red area of the scale, reduce your 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 193, Inspecting the coolant level. Please refer to the following guidelines
⇒
page 26, Coolant temperature/Coolant
quantity .
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 independ-
ent 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. 179
Towing a trailer Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data
It is normal for the engine to consume oil. The oil consumption may be as much as
0.5 l/1 000 km depending on your style of driving and the conditions under which
you operate your vehicle. The oil consumption may be slightly higher than this
during the first 5 000 kilometres.
One should therefore check the oil level at regular intervals, preferably every time
after the fuel tank is filled or after driving for long stretches.
We recommend maintaining the oil level within the range A - but not above this
,
if the engine has been operating at high loads, for example during a lengthy mo-
torway trip during the summer months, towing a trailer or negotiating a high
mountain pass.
The warning light in the instrument cluster will indicate whether the oil level is
too low ⇒ page 25. In this case, check the oil level as soon as possible. Top up with
an appropriate quantity of oil. CAUTION
● The oil level must on no account extend beyond the range A . Danger of dam-
aging the catalytic converter.
● Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under the
conditions prevailing to top up with oil. Switch the engine off and obtain profes-
sional assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it could lead to severe en-
gine damage. Note
Engine oil specifications ⇒ page 228, Technical data.
Replenishing engine oil –
Inspecting the engine oil level ⇒
page 191.
– Unscrew the cap of the engine oil filler opening.
– Pour in a suitable grade of oil in portions of 0.5 litres ⇒ page 231, Engine oil
specifications.
– Inspect the oil level ⇒ page 191
.
– Carefully screw on the cap of the filler opening and push the dipstick in fully. WARNING
● Avoid dripping oil onto hot parts of the engine when topping up will oil - a
risk of fire!
● Read and observe the warning notes ⇒
page 190, Working in the engine
compartment before working in the engine compartment. For the sake of the environment
The oil level must on no account extend beyond the range A ⇒
page 191. Oil will
otherwise be drawn in through the crankcase ventilation and may pass through
the exhaust system to atmosphere. The oil may combust in the catalytic converter
and damage it.
Changing engine oil The engine oil must be changed at the intervals stated in the Service schedule or
according to the service interval indicator
⇒ page 12, Service reminder indicator
. WARNING
● Only carry out the engine oil change, if you have the required professional
knowledge!
● Read and observe the warning notes ⇒
page 190, Working in the engine
compartment before working in the engine compartment.
● First of all, let the engine cool down, wear an eye protection and gloves -
risk of caustic burns due to hot oil. CAUTION
You must not pour any additives into the engine oil - risk of engine damage! Dam-
age, which results from such product, are excluded from the warranty. For the sake of the environment
● You must on no account pour oil into the ground or into the sewage system.
● In view of the problems involved in properly disposing of old oil, the necessary
special tools and the knowledge required for such work, we recommend that you
have the oil and oil filter change carried out by an authorised
ŠKODA Service Part-
ner. £192
Inspecting and Replenishing
Accessories, changes and replacement of parts
General ŠKODA vehicles have been built according to the latest discoveries in safety engi-
neering. Thus one should not change the condition in which the vehicle was deliv-
ered from the manufacturer without some thought.
If you want to retrofit the vehicle with accessories, if a vehicle part is to be re-
placed with a new one, or when technical changes are to be made, the following
instructions must be observed:
● Advise should always be obtained from an authorised ŠKODA Service Partner
before buying any accessories or parts and before making any technical changes
⇒ .
● The guidelines and instructions issued by ŠKODA must be observed when
making technical changes.
Adhering to the prescribed procedures will prevent any kind of damage to the ve-
hicle, and its travelling and operating safety will be maintained. The vehicle also
complies with German road transport regulations (StVZO). More information is
available from an authorised
ŠKODA Service Partner who can also perform the
necessary work properly.
Interference on the electronic components and their software can lead to opera-
tional faults. This interference can also impair systems that are not directly affec-
ted because the electronic components are networked. In other words, the vehi-
cle's road-worthiness may be put at risk and increased wear on parts may arise.
Any damage caused by technical changes made without consent by ŠKODA is ex-
cluded from the warranty – see the warranty certificate. WARNING
● Work or modifications on your vehicle, which have been carried out unpro-
fessionally, can cause operational faults - risk of accident!
● We advise you, in your own interest, to only use ŠKODA Original Accesso-
ries and ŠKODA Original Parts which have been expressly approved for use on
your vehicle. Reliability, safety and suitability have been established for
ŠKODA Original Accessories and ŠKODA
Original Parts.
● Although we constantly monitor the market, we are not able to assess or
warrant the parts even though in some instances such parts may have a type
approval or may have been approved by a nationally recognised testing labo-
ratory. Note
● ŠKODA Original Accessories and
ŠKODA Original Parts can be bought from au-
thorised ŠKODA Service Partners who also professionally undertake the assembly
of parts which were purchased there.
● We recommend having all work undertaken by an authorised ŠKODA Service
Partner.
● All ŠKODA Original Accessories and Original Parts from the Original Accessories
catalogue, such as a towing device, child seats, etc. are authorised.
● We recommend that you also buy car stereos, aerials or other electrical acces-
sories from an authorised
ŠKODA Service Partner, who should also carry out the
installation. 207
Accessories, changes and replacement of parts Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data
Breakdown assistance
Breakdown assistance
Space for first-aid box and warning triangle Fig. 163 Placing of the warning triangle/placing of the first-aid box
The warning triangle can be attached to the trim panel of the rear wall with rub-
ber straps
⇒
fig. 163 - left.
The warning triangle, which is included in the equipment with the spare wheel,
can be stowed in a removable box on the right next to the spare wheel ⇒ page 75.
The first-aid box can be attached to the right side of the luggage compartment
with a strap ⇒ fig. 163 - right. Note
Pay attention to the use-by-date of the contents of the first-aid box.
● We recommend a first-aid kit from the range of ŠKODA Original Accessories
that you can purchase from an authorised
ŠKODA Service Partner.
● If you also want to equip your vehicle with a warning triangle, we recommend
a warning triangle from the range of
ŠKODA Original Accessories that you can pur-
chase from authorised ŠKODA Service Partners.
Fire extinguisher The fire extinguisher is attached with straps in a holder under the driver seat. Please read carefully the instructions which are attached to the fire extinguish-
er.
The fire extinguisher must be checked by an authorised person or company annu-
ally (please observe the differing legal requirements). WARNING
If the fire extinguisher is not correctly attached, in case of sudden manoeu-
vres or an accident it can be
“thrown” through the interior compartment and
cause injuries. Note
● The fire extinguisher must comply with the relevant and valid legal require-
ments.
● Pay attention to the expiration date of the fire extinguisher. If the fire extin-
guisher is used after the expiration date, its proper function is no longer assured.
● The fire extinguisher is part of the scope of delivery in certain countries only.
Vehicle tool kit Fig. 164 Luggage compartment: Example for placing the vehicle tool kit
£208
Breakdown assistance
The vehicle tool kit and the lifting jack, on which a sign is affixed, are stowed in a
box in the luggage compartment
⇒
fig. 164; there is also space here for the de-
tachable ball head of the towing device. The box is secured with a strap. The
placement of the vehicle tool kit can vary depending on the vehicle equipment.
The vehicle tool kit contains the following parts (depending on equipment fitted):
● Tyre repair kit
● Wire clamps for removing the full wheel trims,
● Wheel wrench,
● Towing eye,
● Adapter for the wheel bolts lock,
● Replacement lamp,
● Torx screwdriver.
Before placing the lifting jack back in its storage area, screw in the arm of the lift-
ing jack fully. WARNING
● The factory-supplied lifting jack is only intended for your model of vehicle.
On no account attempt to lift a heavier vehicle or other loads - risk of injury!
● Ensure that the vehicle tool kit is safely attached in the luggage compart-
ment. Note
Ensure that the box is always secured with the strap.
Spare wheel Fig. 165 Luggage compartment: Spare
wheelThe spare wheel is stowed in the luggage compartment in the area below the var-
iable loading floor and is secured with a special screw
⇒ fig. 165.
One should check the inflation pressure in the spare wheel (at best when general-
ly checking the tyre air pressures - see sign on the fuel filler flap ⇒ page 201) to
ensure that the spare wheel is always ready to use.
Temporary spare wheel
A yellow warning label is displayed on the rim of the temporary spare wheel.
Please observe the following notes when driving with a temporary spare wheel:
● The warning label must not be covered after installing the wheel.
● Do not drive faster than 80 km/h with this spare wheel and pay particular at-
tention while driving. Avoid accelerating at full throttle, sharp braking and fast
cornering.
● The inflation pressure for this spare wheel is identical to the maximum infla-
tion pressure of the standard tyres.
● Use this spare wheel only to reach the nearest specialist garage as it is not in-
tended for continuous use.
Changing a wheel Preliminary work The following steps should be carried out before actually changing the wheel.
– If it is necessary to change a wheel, park the vehicle as far away as possible
from the traffic flow. The place you choose should be level.
– Have all the occupants get out. While changing a tyre, the occupants of the
vehicle should not stand on the road (instead they should remain behind a
crash barrier, for example).
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Engage 1st gear or if your vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox, position
the selector lever into position P .
– If a trailer is coupled, uncouple it.
– Take the vehicle tool kit ⇒ page 208
and the spare wheel ⇒ page 209 out of
the luggage compartment. £ 209
Breakdown assistance Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data