2011 SKODA YETI ground clearance

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

CAUTION
● Pay attention to the ground clearance of the vehicle! The vehicle can be se-
verely damaged and become disabled once it touches the ground.
● Never drive off-road with an almost empty fuel tank. The fuel supply to the en-
gine can be interrupted and therefore the catalytic converter can be severely
damaged.
● Do not leave your foot on the clutch pedal or let the clutch slip when driving
off-road. Overwise you may unintentionally depress the clutch pedal on uneven
ground leading to a loss of control over the vehicle. In addition, the force for con-
necting the engine and the gearbox is lost. Moreover, driving while letting the
clutch slip causes a fast wear of the clutch linings. Note
The fuel consumption is higher when driving off-road than when driving on con-
ventional roads, especially through difficult terrain. When you prepare for your
journey, be aware of an increase in fuel consumption; the nearest filling station
may be far away. 
Shifting gears correctly The gear you must shift into depends on the terrain. Choosing the correct gear
contributes to safe driving. In particular if you do not have much experience driv-
ing off-road, it is always better, before negotiating a difficult stretch of the road,
to pause and reflect on which gear to engage. Your experience will tell you which
gear is the best for certain sections of the terrain.
Basically:
● When the gear or the driving stage has been properly selected, it is unneces-
sary to slow down the vehicle on a downhill section using the footbrake as in
most cases the engine braking power is sufficient.
● Depress the accelerator only as much as is necessary. A too great acceleration
may lead to the wheels spinning and thus results in the loss over the control of
the vehicle. Manual gearbox
● If you are driving through difficult terrain, on no account use the clutch or
change the gear. When the clutch is depressed, the vehicle may come to a stand-
still because of the increased grip of all the tyres of the vehicle (e.g. in the mud, in
deep sand or on a slope). Once the vehicle has come to a standstill, it may be diffi-
cult or even impossible to start off under these conditions.
● When negotiating a steep downhill section or a steep uphill section, always
shift into the 1st or 2nd gear.
● On a soft or slippery ground, you must drive at the appropriate speed and you
must select the highest possible gear for this.
Automatic gearbox
● Select the selector lever position D for normal flat stretches of terrain
⇒  page 113.
● While in the Tiptronic mode, select the selector lever position 3 or
2 if you
are driving through mud, sand, water or hilly sections of terrain ⇒ page 115.
● When negotiating a steep downhill section or a steep uphill section, select the
selector lever position 1 while in the Tiptronic mode.
● On a soft or slippery ground, you must drive at the appropriate speed and you
must select the highest possible driving stage. 
Driving over rough and smooth Fig. 148 Observe the ground clearance
– Switch on the Off-road mode ⇒ page 160 .
– Drive at walking speed over rocky passages.
– If it is not possible to drive around a stone, gently drive onto the stone with
one of the front wheels and then drive over it slowly. £172
Driving and the environment

WARNING
Observe the important guidelines ⇒  page 168. CAUTION
● On no account drive over large objects (such as pieces of rock or tree stumps),
neither in the middle nor on one side. When driving over objects which are larger
than the ground clearance, the chassis and its components can get damaged. Your
vehicle could break down far away from any assistance.
● Even objects that are smaller than the existing ground clearance can come in-
to contact with the underbody of the vehicle and can lead to damage or failure of
the vehicle. This applies especially when there is a hollow or soft ground in front
or behind the object or if you drive too fast over the object and thus the vehicle is
deflected. For the sake of the environment
Leaking engine oil and brake fluid pollute the environment and contaminate the
bodies of water. The disposal e.g. of engine oil soaked soil can be costly. 
Crossing bodies of water Particular attention is required when driving through bodies of water
⇒
 page 167. 
Driving through snow-covered terrain –
Before you drive through snow-covered terrain, mount snow chains on the
front wheels or on the rear wheels ⇒ page 205, Snow chains in order to ach-
ieve the best possible traction.
– Switch on the Off-road mode ⇒ page 160
.
Even harmless looking sections of terrain can be dangerous. This applies in partic-
ular for sections where no ruts or other tracks are visible. WARNING
● Driving through snow-covered terrain poses special dangers. Never choose
a dangerous route and never take a risk which could jeopardize your safety
and that of your passengers. If you cannot go on or if you doubt the safety of
the route, turn back and choose another way.
● Potholes, troughs, trenches, precipices, sheets of ice or other obstructions
are often completely or partially obscured by snow.
● The hidden dangers of snow can cause an accident, serious injuries or your
vehicle to break down under extreme weather conditions. 
Driving over steep terrain Driving uphill and downhill
–
Stop the vehicle before driving uphill or downhill, exit the vehicle and explore
the situation.
– Walk a stretch and check the firmness of the soil and look for obstructions or
other hidden dangers.
– Check how the route continues beyond the slope.
– Switch on the Off-road mode ⇒ page 160
.
– Drive slowly and steadily straight uphill or downhill.
– Do not stop the vehicle on a hillside or attempt to turn around.
– You must prevent the engine from cutting out.
Driving uphill
– Check before driving over a hilltop, how it continues on the other side. If you
drive up a steep hill, the vehicle faces the sky and you cannot see what is di-
rectly in front of the vehicle.
– Switch on the Off-road mode
⇒ page 160

.
– Do not shift gears or release the clutch during the climbing phase.
– Depress the accelerator only as much as is necessary in order to handle the
slope.
If you can go no further on a slope
– Never attempt to make a turn with the vehicle on a hillside.
– If the engine cuts out, press the foot brake and restart the engine. £ 173
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