Table of Contents
Layout of this Owner's Manual
(explanations)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Using the system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Instruments and warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
General information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Overview of the instrument cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Engine revolutions counter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Coolant temperature gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Counter for distance driven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Service reminder indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Digital clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Shift recommendation for changing gears . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Multi-functional indicator (onboard computer) . . . . . . . 14
MAXI DOT display (information display) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Auto Check Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Locking and Unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Vehicle key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Child safety lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Synchonisation of the remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Anti-theft alarm system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Power windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Panoramic sliding roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Lights and Visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Interior lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Windshield wiper and wash system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Rear-view mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Seats and Stowage
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Adjusting front seats electrically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Middle rear head restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Pedals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Variable loading floor in the luggage compartment . . 74
Variable loading floor with spare wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Roof rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Cup holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Note holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Ashtray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Cigarette lighter, power sockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Storage compartment on the front passenger side . . 80
Cooling of storage compartment on front passenger
side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Storage compartment on the dash panel . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Stowage compartment in front centre console . . . . . . 82
Stowage compartment for spectacles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Storage compartment in the front and rear doors . . . . 82
Stowage compartment below front passenger seat . . 83
Front seat armrest with storage compartment . . . . . . 83
Stowage compartment in rear centre console . . . . . . . 84
Storage compartments in the luggage compartment . 84
Flexible storage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Removable through-loading bag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Clothes hooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Heating and air conditioning system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Air outlet vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Air conditioning system (manual air conditioning
system)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Climatronic (automatic air conditioning) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Auxiliary heating (auxiliary heating and ventilation) . . 95 Starting-off and Driving
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Setting steering wheel position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Pedals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Rear parking aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Front and rear parking aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Cruise control system (CCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
“(START-STOP)” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Automatic gearbox DSG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Automatic gearbox DSG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Multifunction steering wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Universal telephone preinstallation GSM II . . . . . . . . . . 119
Voice control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Music playback via Bluetooth ®
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Multimedia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Passive Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Basic information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Correct seated position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Why seat belts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
The physical principle of a frontal collision . . . . . . . . . . 132
Important safety information regarding the use of
seat belts
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
How are seat belts correctly fastened? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Description of the airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Driver's knee airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 3
Table of Contents Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data
Head airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Deactivating an airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Transporting children safely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
What you should know about transporting children! . 146
Child seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Attaching a child seat using the “ISOFIX” system . . . . 151
Attaching child seat using the “Top Tether” system . . 152
Driving Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Intelligent technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Electronic stability programme (ESP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Brake booster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Antilock brake system (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Uphill Start Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Electromechanical power steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Tyre pressure monitoring system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Diesel particle filter (diesel engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Off-road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Driving and the environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
The first 1 500 kilometres and then afterwards . . . . . . 162
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Driving in an economical and environmentally
conscious manner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Environmental compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Motoring abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Avoiding damage to your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Driving through bodies of water on roads . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Off-road driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
General Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the
vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Care of the exterior of vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Care of the interior of vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184 Fuel
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Inspecting and Replenishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Cooling system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Windshield washer system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Wheels and Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Accessories, changes and replacement of parts . 207
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Breakdown assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Breakdown assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Space for first-aid box and warning triangle . . . . . . . . . 208
Fire extinguisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Vehicle tool kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Spare wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Changing a wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Tyre repair kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
The vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Fuses and light bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Electric fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
General information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Used abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Performances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Identification details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 Fuel consumption according to the ECE standards and
EU guidelines
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Other information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Engine oil specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Engine 1.2 l/77 kW TSI - EU5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Engine 1.4 l/90 kW TSI - EU5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Engine 1.8 ltr./118 kW TSI - EU2, EU5 (1.8 ltr./112 kW TSI
- EU5)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Engine 1.6 l/77 kW TDI CR - EU5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Engine 2.0 l/81 kW TDI CR - EU5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Engine 2.0 l/103 kW TDI CR - EU4, EU5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Engine 2.0 l/125 kW TDI CR - EU5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Multi-purpose vehicles (AF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2404
Table of Contents
Coolant temperature gauge
⇒ page 11
Display
– with counter for distance driven ⇒ page 12
– with Service Interval Display ⇒ page 12
– with digital clock ⇒ page 13
– with Multi-functional display ⇒ page 14
– with Information display ⇒ page 18
Fuel gauge ⇒ page 11
Button for:
– Reset trip counter for distance driven
– Resetting Service Interval Display
– Set hours/minutes
– Activate/deactivate display mode
Engine revolutions counter The red zone of the rev counter scale
1
⇒ fig. 2 indicates the range in which the
engine control unit begins to limit the engine speed. The engine control unit re-
stricts the engine speed to a steady limit value.
Shift into the next higher gear or select the selector lever position D of the auto-
matic gearbox before reaching the red zone of the rev counter scale.
Avoid high engine speeds during the driving time and before the engine has been
warmed up to operating temperature ⇒ page 162
. For the sake of the environment
Shifting to a higher gear in good time helps to reduce the fuel consumption, mini-
mises operating noise levels, protects the environment and contributes to a lon-
ger life and reliability of the engine.
Speedometer Warning against excessive speeds
An acoustic warning signal will sound when the vehicle speed exceeds 120 kilo-
metres per hour. The acoustic warning signal will switch off again when the vehi-
cle speed goes below this speed limit.4 5
6
7 Note
This function is only valid for some countries.
Coolant temperature gauge The coolant temperature gauge
4 ⇒ fig. 2
operates only when the ignition is
switched on.
Please pay attention to the following guidelines regarding temperature ranges in
order to avoid damage to the engine:
Cold range
If the pointer is in the left-hand area of the scale it means that the engine has not
yet reached its operating temperature. Avoid running at high engine speeds, at
full throttle and at severe engine loads.
The operating range
The engine has reached its operating temperature as soon as the pointer moves
into the mid-range of the scale. The pointer may also move further to the right at
high engine loads and high outside temperatures. This is not critical provided the
warning symbol in the instrument cluster does not flash.
If the symbol in the instrument cluster flashes it means that either the coolant
temperature is too high or the coolant level is too low. Please refer to the guide-
lines ⇒ page 26, Coolant temperature/Coolant quantity . WARNING
Pay attention to the warning notes ⇒ page 190
, Working in the engine com-
partment before opening the bonnet and inspecting the coolant level. CAUTION
Additional headlights and other attached components in front of the fresh air inlet
impair the cooling efficiency of the coolant. There is then a risk of the engine
overheating at high outside temperatures and high engine loads!
Fuel gauge The fuel gauge
6
⇒
fig. 2 only operates when the ignition is switched on. £ 11
Instruments and warning lights Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data
Do not continue driving
if the warning light does not go off although the fluid is
at the correct level and also the fuse of the fan is in proper order. Contact a spe-
cialist garage to obtain assistance.
Please refer to the following guidelines ⇒ page 193, Cooling system
.
The following text will be displayed in the information display: Check coolant! Owner's manual! WARNING
● If you must stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe dis-
tance from the traffic and switch off the engine and switch on the hazard
warning light system ⇒ page 50.
● Take care when opening the coolant expansion bottle. If the engine is hot,
the cooling system is pressurized - risk of scalding! It is best to allow the en-
gine to cool down before removing the cap.
● Do not touch the coolant fan The coolant fan may switch on automatically
even if the ignition is off.
Traction control system (TCS) The warning light
comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
The warning light comes on when driving when a control cycle is activated.
The warning light lights up permanently if there is a fault in the TCS system.
The fact that the TCS system operates together with the ABS means that the TCS
warning light will also come on if the ABS system is not operating properly.
If the warning light comes on immediately after starting the engine, the TCS
system can be switched off for technical reasons. In this case, the TCS system can
be switched on again by switching the ignition on and off. If the warning light
goes out, the TCS system is fully functional again.
Further information about the TCS ⇒ page 154, Traction control system (TCS)
.Note
If the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, the warning light comes
on after switching on the ignition. The warning light must go out after driving a
short distance. Anti-spin regulation (ASR) The TCS system is switched off by pressing the button
⇒ fig. 138 and the warning
light lights up.
Electronic stability programme (ESP) The warning light
comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
When the ESP is just actively stabilizing the vehicle, the warning light flashes in
the instrument cluster.
The warning light lights up permanently if there is a fault in the ESP system.
The fact that the ESP system operates together with the ABS means that the ESP
warning light will also come on if the ABS system is not operating properly.
If the warning light comes on immediately after starting the engine, the ESP
system can be switched off for technical reasons. In this case, the ESP system can
be switched on again by switching the ignition on and off. If the warning light
goes out, the ESP system is fully functional again.
Further information on the ESP ⇒
page 153, Electronic stability programme (ESP).
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)
The EDL is a part of the ESP. A fault in the EDL is indicated by the lighting up of
the ESP warning light in the instrument cluster. Have the vehicle inspected imme-
diately by your specialist garage. Further information on the EDL ⇒ page 154,
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL). Note
If the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, the warning light comes
on after switching on the ignition. The warning light must go out after driving a
short distance.
Selector lever lock If the
green warning light lights up, operate the brake pedal. This is necessary,
in order to be able to move the selector lever out of the position P or N.
Further information about the selector lever lock ⇒ page 114. 27
Instruments and warning lights Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data
An audible signal sounds as an additional warning signal.
The warning light comes on even when the ignition is switched off. The warning
light lights up for a maximum of 5 minutes.
In vehicles with an information display, this warning light is replaced by a vehicle
symbol ⇒ page 19
Open door The warning light
comes on, if one or several doors are opened. If one of the
doors opens while driving, the warning light lights up and an audible signal
sounds.
The warning light comes on even when the ignition is switched off. The warning
light lights up for a maximum of 5 minutes.
In vehicles with an information display, this warning light is replaced by a vehicle
symbol ⇒
page 19
Windshield washer fluid level The warning light
comes on when the ignition is switched on if there is insuffi-
cient fluid in the windshield washer system. Top up with liquid ⇒ page 199
.
The following text will be displayed in the information display: Top up wash fluid!
Brake system The warning light
lights up when the brake fluid level is too low or there is a
fault in the ABS.
if the warning light flashes and an audible signal sounds three times, stop and
check the brake fluid level ⇒ .
The following text will be displayed in the information display: Brake fluid: Owner's manual
If there is a fault in the ABS which also influences the function of the brake sys-
tem (e.g. distribution of brake pressure), the ABS warning light comes on and at
the same time the brake system warning light starts flashing . Be aware that
not only the ABS but also another part of th brake system is defective ⇒ .An audible signal sounds three times as an additional warning signal.
One should get used to high pedal forces, long braking distances and long free
play of the brake pedal when driving to the next specialist garage.
For further information on the brake system ⇒ page 155, Brakes
. WARNING
● Pay attention to the following instructions ⇒
page 190, Working in the en-
gine compartment before checking the brake fluid level and opening the bon-
net.
● If the brake system warning light does not go out a few seconds after
switching on the ignition or comes on when driving, stop immediately and
check the brake fluid in the reservoir ⇒
page 195. If the fluid level has drop-
ped below the MIN marking, do not drive any further - risk of accident! Contact
a Škoda dealer to obtain professional assistance.
Handbrake The warning light
comes on if the handbrake is applied. An audible warning is
also given if you drive the vehicle for at least 3 seconds at a speed of more than 6
km/h.
The following text will be displayed in the information display:
Release parking brake!
Alternator The warning light
comes on after the ignition has been switched on. It should
go out after the engine has started.
If the warning light does not go out after the engine has started, or comes on
when driving, drive to the nearest specialist garage. The vehicle battery will be
discharged in this case so switch off all non-essential electrical components. CAUTION
If the warning light comes on when driving and in addition the warning light
(cooling system fault) also comes on in display, you must then stop the car imme-
diately and switch the engine off - risk of engine damage! 29
Instruments and warning lights Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data
Opening and closing the storage compartment on the front passenger side
–
Press the button ⇒ fig. 76 - the lid folds down.
– Raise the lid and press it until the catch is heard to engage.
In the storage compartment are pin holders. WARNING
The storage compartment must always be closed when driving for safety rea-
sons.
Cooling of storage compartment on front passenger
side Fig. 77 Storage compartment: Using
cooling system
– You can switch on the cooling system by pulling the lever in direction of arrow
⇒ fig. 77.
– Switch off the cooling system by inserting the lever.
Opening the air supply when the air conditioning system is switched on allows
cooled air to flow into the storage compartment.
Opening the air inlet when the air conditioning system is on causes fresh or interi-
or air to flow into the storage compartment.
We recommend that you switch off the cooling if it is operating in the heating
mode or if you are not using the cooling system for the storage compartment. Storage compartment on the dash panel
Fig. 78 Dash panel: Storage compart-
ment
– Press on the button ⇒ fig. 78 in direction of arrow, the cover then folds up-
wards.
Certain model versions are equipped without lid for the storage compartment. WARNING
● The storage compartment is not a substitute for the ashtray and must also
not be used for such purposes - risk of fire!
● The storage compartment must always be closed when driving for safety
reasons.
● Do not put any highly inflammable objects or objects which are sensitive to
heat (e.g. lighters, sprays, spectacles, carbonated drinks) in the storage com-
partment. 81
Seats and Stowage Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data
Stowage compartment below front passenger seat
Fig. 82 Front passenger seat: Storage
compartment
– Tilt the lock to open the flap and pull out the flap ⇒ fig. 82 .
– Tilt the lock to close the flap and press flap close. CAUTION
The storage compartment is designed for storing small objects of up to 1.5 kg. in
weight.
Front seat armrest with storage compartment Fig. 83 Armrest: Storage compartment/cooling of storage compartment
The armrest is adjustable for height and length.
Opening stowage compartment
–
Open the lid of the armrest in the direction of arrow 1
⇒ fig. 83 . Closing stowage compartment
– Open the lid up to the stop, then you can fold it downwards.
Setting height
– First of all fold the lid to the bottom and lift it in the direction of arrow into one
of the 4 fixed positions.
Adjusting in forward/back direction
– Push the lid into the desired position.
Opening air inlet
– Pull the lock A in upward direction.
Closing air inlet
– Push the lock A as far as the stop downwards.
On vehicles fitted with air conditioning, the storage compartment is equipped
with a lockable inlet for thermally treated (warmed-up) air.
At open air supply, air flows into the storage with a temperature which is as high
as the one out of the air outlet nozzles, depending on temperature setting.
The air inlet in the storage compartment is connected to position through ad-
justment of the control dial for air distribution. This position causes the maximum
amount of air to flow into the storage compartment (depending on the rotary reg-
ulator position for the fan).
You can use the storage compartment, for example, to temper drinks cans, etc.
If you do not use the air inlet in the storage compartment, the end cover should
always be kept closed. Note
Push the lid of the armrest up to stop to the rear before operating the handbrake. 83
Seats and Stowage Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data
Heating and air conditioning system
Introduction
Description and information The heating effect is dependent upon the coolant temperature, thus full heat out-
put only occurs when the engine has reached its operating temperature.
If the cooling system is switched on, the temperature and air humidity drops in
the vehicle. The well-being of the occupants of the car is enhanced as a result of
this particularly at high outside temperatures and a high air humidity. The system
prevents the windows misting up during the cold season of the year.
It is possible to briefly activate recirculated air mode in order to enhance the cool-
ing effect - air-conditioning system ⇒
page 89, Climatronic ⇒ page 92.
The air inlet in front of the windscreen must be free of ice, snow or leaves in order
to ensure that the heating and cooling systems operate properly.
After switching on the cooling Condensation from the evaporator of the air condi-
tioning may drip down and form a puddle below the vehicle. This is quite normal
and not an indication of a leak! WARNING
● For your own safety and that of other road users, ensure that all the win-
dows are free of ice, snow and misting. Please familiarize yourself about how
to correctly operate the heating and ventilation systems, how to demist and
defrost the windows, as well as with the cooling mode.
● You should not leave recirculated air mode on over a longer period of time,
as
“stale” air may result in fatigue in the driver and occupants, divert your at-
tention and also cause the windows to mist up. The risk of having an accident
increases. Switch recirculated air mode off as soon as the windows begin
misting up. Note
● The used air streams out through the air removal openings in the luggage
compartment.
● We recommend that you do not smoke in the vehicle when the recirculating air
mode is operating since the smoke which is drawn at the evaporator from the in-
terior of the vehicle forms deposits in the evaporator of the air conditioning sys- tem. This produces a permanent odour when the air conditioning system is oper-
ating which can only be eliminated through considerable effort and expense (re-
placement of compressor).
● Please refer to the information regarding the recirculated air mode for heating
⇒
page 89 and/or for air-conditioning system ⇒ page 89 or Climatronic
⇒ page 92.
● To ensure that the heating and air conditioning systems work properly, do not
block up the air outlet vents with any objects.
Using the air conditioning system economically The compressor on the air conditioning system uses power from the engine when
in cooling mode which will effect the fuel consumption.
It recommended to open the windows or the doors of a vehicle for which the inte-
rior has been strongly heated through the effect of direct sunlight in order to al-
low the heated air to escape.
The cooling system should not be switched on while travelling when the window
is open.
The desired interior temperature can also be achieved without switching in the
cooling system just by switching to fresh air mode. For the sake of the environment
When you economize on fuel, you also reduce pollutant emissions.
Operational problems If the cooling system does not operate at outside temperatures higher than +5 °C,
there is a problem in the system. The reasons for this may be:
●
The fuse on the air conditioning system has blown. Check the fuse, replace it if
necessary ⇒ page 220.
● The cooling system has switched off automatically for a short time because
the coolant temperature of the engine is too hot ⇒ page 11.
If you are not able to rectify the operational problem yourself, or if the cooling ca-
pacity decreases, switch the cooling system off. Contact a specialist garage. 86
Heating and air conditioning system