Downhill Drive Support
Operating principle
The Downhill Drive Support maintains a constant speed on a steep downhill sec-
tion when driving forwards and backwards by automatically intervening in the
brake system of all wheels. It prevents the wheels locking because the ABS re-
mains active. The warning light in the instrument cluster indicates that the
Downhill Drive Support is available ⇒ page 30.
The vehicle speed, which is maintained by the Assist System, is selected by the
driver while driving on a downhill section as of the moment the first intervention
of the Assist System is performed or else, while driving on a downhill section, the
driver must control the vehicle speed until the Assist System intervenes for the
first time. When the Assist System actively intervenes, this is indicated by the
warning light flashing or by a pulsating movement of the brake pedal, similar to
the intervention of the ABS.
You can increase or reduce the speed, even when no gear is engaged, by operat-
ing the accelerator or brake pedal. Thus the function is always interrupted and is
reactivated afterwards.
The Downhill Drive Support is activated automatically if the following conditions
are met:
● the Off-road mode is switched on and the warning light lights up in the in-
strument cluster,
● the engine of the vehicle is running and either the 1st, 2nd, 3rd gear, the re-
verse gear or no gear is engaged,
● the engine of the vehicle is running, the selector lever of the automatic gear-
box is in the position R, N, D, S or Tiptronic,
● the speed is less than 30 km/h,
● the downhill gradient is at least 10 % (when driving over sleepers the limit can
briefly drop to 8 %),
● neither the accelerator nor the brake pedal is operated.
It is however a requirement that the vehicle has sufficient grip on the soil. The
Downhill Drive Support cannot properly fulfil its function on slushy soil due to
physical reasons (ice or mud).
The Downhill Drive Support is deactivated when braking or accelerating or if the
downhill gradient is less than 8 %. Manual gearbox
The vehicle speed is steadily regulated by the Assist System depending on the
type of gearbox or engine:
● 1. gear - approx. 8 1)
- 30 km/h
● 2. gear - approx. 13 1 )
- 30 km/h
● 3. gear - approx. 22 1 )
- 30 km/h
● Reverse gear - approx. 9 1 )
- 30 km/h
● Neutral for driving forwards - as well as driving backwards - approx. 2 1 )
- 30
km/h
Automatic gearbox
● Selector lever in the position D, S or Tiptronic (for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd gear) for
driving forwards - approx. 2 - 30
km/h
● Selector lever in the position R for driving backwards - approx. 2 - 30 km/h
● Selector lever in the position N for driving forwards as well as backwards - ap-
prox. 2 - 30
km/h Note
● During an intervention of the Downhill Drive Support, the brake lights do not
light up.
● Do not switch off the Off-road mode during an intervention of the Assist Sys-
tem. 1)
The indicated values represent the average of the lower speed limits if a gear is engaged (depending
on the type of gearbox or engine). 161
Intelligent technology Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data
been created, where you can trade-in your vehicle. After you trade-in your vehicle,
you will receive a confirmation stating the recycling in accordance with environ-
mental regulations.
Vehicles with special built-on types
Technical documents regarding changes carried out on the vehicle must be kept
by the vehicle user, in order to hand over later to the old car user. This ensures the
recycling in accordance with environmental regulations. Note
Detailed information about the trade-in and recycling of old cars is available from
a ŠKODA Service Partner.
Motoring abroad General Other circumstances may exist abroad.
It is also possible, in certain countries, that the ŠKODA Service Partner network is
limited or has not been established yet. This is the reason why obtaining certain
spare parts may be somewhat complicated and specialist garage personnel may
only be able to make limited repairs. ŠKODA in the Czech Republic and its foreign
importers are happy to provide information about technical aspects of the vehicle,
required maintenance work and possibilities for getting repairs done.
Unleaded petrol A vehicle fitted with a petrol engine must always be refuelled with unleaded pet-
rol
⇒ page 162
. The automobile associations can provide you with information re-
garding the locations of filling stations which offer unleaded petrol.
Headlight The low beam of your headlights is set asymmetrically. It illuminates the side of
the road on which you are driving to a greater extent. If you drive abroad on the
other side of the road, you will dazzle oncoming traffic.
In order to prevent the dazzling of oncoming traffic, it is necessary that an adjust-
ment of the headlights is carried out by a specialist garage. The adaptation of the headlights with Xenon lights (applies to vehicles which are
designed for driving on the left and on the right) is performed in the menu Set-
tings Travel mode of the information display ⇒ page 18
.
Avoiding damage to your vehicle When driving on poor roads and lanes or when driving over kerbstones, steep
ramps etc., you must pay particular attention to ensuring that any low-slung parts
of the vehicle, such as spoiler and exhaust, do not touch the ground and get dam-
aged.
This particularly applies to models with a lowered suspension (sport suspension)
and also when your vehicle is fully laden.
Driving through bodies of water on roads Fig. 145 Crossing bodies of water
In order to avoid damage to the vehicle when driving through bodies of water (e.g.
flooded roads), observe the following:
● Determine the depth of the water when driving through bodies of water. The
water can reach at the maximum the web on the lower sill of the vehicle
⇒ fig. 145 .
● Drive no more than at walking speed. At a higher speed, a water wave can
form in front of the vehicle which can cause water to penetrate into the air induc-
tion system of the engine or into other parts of the vehicle.
● Never let the vehicle stand in the water, never drive backwards and do not
switch off the engine. £ 167
Driving and the environment Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data
Automatic vehicle wash systems
The paintwork of the vehicle is sufficiently resistant that the vehicle can be wash-
ed normally in automatic vehicle wash plants without any problem. The actual
stress to which the paintwork is subjected, however, depends greatly on the de-
sign of the vehicle wash system, the filtering of the water and the type of wash-
ing and care products used. If the paintwork of your vehicle appears mat after be-
ing washed or even has scratches, point this out to the operator of the vehicle
wash plant. Use a different vehicle wash plant, if necessary.
There are no particular points to note before washing your vehicle in an automatic
vehicle wash system other than the usual precautionary measures (closing the
windows including the sliding/tilting roof, removing the external antenna, etc.).
If you have any particular attached parts fitted to your car - such as spoiler, roof
rack system, two-way radio aerial - it is best to first of all consult the operator of
the car wash plant.
It is important to degrease the lips of the windscreen wiper rubbers after passing
through the automatic vehicle wash system.
Washing vehicle by hand It is important to first soften the dirt with plenty of water and rinse it off as thor-
oughly as possible before washing your vehicle by hand.
One should then clean the vehicle using a soft
washing sponge, washing glove or
a washing brush and only slight pressure. Work from the top to the bottom - be-
ginning with the roof. Only place slight pressure on the vehicle paintwork during
cleaning Only use a car shampoo for stubborn dirt.
Wash out the sponge or washing glove thoroughly at short intervals.
Clean wheels, door sills and similar parts last. Use a second sponge for such areas.
Rinse off the vehicle well after giving it a wash and dry it off using a chamois
leather. WARNING
● The ignition should always be switched off when you wash your vehicle -
risk of accident!
● Protect your hands and arms from sharp-edged metal parts when you are
cleaning the underfloor, the inside of the wheel housings or the wheel trims -
risk of cuts. CAUTION
● Do not wash your vehicle in bright sunlight - risk of paint damage.
● Ensure that the jet of water is not aimed directly at the locking cylinders or at
the door and panel joints if you spray your vehicle in winter down with a hose -
risk of freezing.
● Do not use any insect sponges, rough kitchen sponges or similar cleaning
products - risk of damage to the surface of paintwork. For the sake of the environment
Only wash your vehicle at washing bays specifically reserved for this purpose. This
ensures that no water which may be contaminated by oil flows into the sewage
system. It is not even permitted to wash your vehicle in certain areas except at
such specific washing bays.
Washing with a high-pressure cleaner When you wash your vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner, it is essential to comply
with the instructions for use of the cleaning equipment. This applies in particular
to the pressure
used and to the spraying distance. Maintain a sufficiently large
distance to soft materials such as rubber hoses or insulation material.
On no account use circular spray nozzles or so-called dirt cutters! WARNING
It is particularly important that you do not clean tyres with circular spray jets.
Visible but also invisible damage to tyres may occur even at a relatively large
spraying distance and if sprayed only for a short time - risk of accident! CAUTION
The wash water must be no hotter than 60 °C, otherwise the vehicle can be dam-
aged.
Wax treatment Good wax treatment is an effective way of protecting the paintwork from harmful
environmental influences and minor mechanical damage.
The vehicle must be treated with a high-quality hard wax polish at the latest,
when no more drops form on the clean paintwork. £ 181
Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data
Wheels and Tyres
Wheels
General information ●
New tyres do not offer optimal grip at first. They should therefore be run in for
about 500 km at a moderate speed and an appropriately cautious style of driving.
You will also profit from longer tyre life.
● The tread depth of new tyres may differ because of design features and the
configuration of the tread (depending on the type of tyre and the manufacturer).
● Drive over curbs on the side of the road and other such obstacles slowly and,
where possible, at a right angle in order to avoid damage to tyres and wheel trims.
● We recommend you Inspect your tyres and rims from time to time for damage
(punctures, cuts, splits and bulges). Remove foreign bodies from the tyre profile.
● Damage to tyres is frequently not visible. Unusual vibrations or pulling of the
vehicle to one side could be a sign of tyre damage. Please reduce your speed im-
mediately and stop if you suspect that a wheel is damaged. Inspect the tyres for
signs of damage (bulges, splits, etc.) If no visible damage is present, please drive
at an appropriately slow speed and carefully to the nearest specialist garage in or-
der to have your vehicle inspected.
● Also protect your tyres from contact with oil, grease and fuel.
● Immediately replace any dust caps of the valves which have got lost.
● Mark wheels before removing them so that their previous direction of running
can be maintained when mounted them again.
● Always store wheels or tyres which been removed in a cool, dry and, where
possible, dark place. Tyres which are not fixed to a wheel trim should be stored
upright.
Unidirectional tyres
The direction of rotation of the tyres is marked by arrows on the wall of the tyre.
This indicates the direction of rotation of the tyre, and it is essential that the tyres
are fitted on to run in this direction. Only then are the tyres able to provide the
optimal properties in terms of grip, low noise, wear-and-tear and aquaplaning.
Further information concerning the use of unidirectional tyres ⇒
page 205. WARNING
● New tyres during the first approximately 500 km do not offer optimal grip
and should therefore be run appropriately - risk of accident!
● Never drive with damaged tyres - risk of accident! Note
Please observe the various differing legal requirements regarding tyres.
Tyre life Fig. 160 An opened fuel filler flap with a
tyre size and tyre inflation pressure ta-
ble
The life of your tyres very much depends on the following points:
Tyre pressure
The working life of tyres will be shortened considerably if the tyres are insuffi-
ciently or over-inflated and this will have an adverse effect on the handling of
your vehicle.
Correctly inflated tyres are of particular importance when travelling at high
speeds . It is therefore good to check the tyre pressure, including that of the spare
wheel, at least once a month and also before setting off on a long trip.
The tyre inflation pressures for summer tyres are indicated on the inside of the
fuel filler flap ⇒ fig. 160 . The inflation pressures for winter tyres are 20 kPa
(0.2
bar) higher than those for summer tyres ⇒ page 204. £ 201
Wheels and Tyres Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data
WARNING
● Only use those tyres or wheel rims which have been approved for your
model of ŠKODA vehicle. Failure to observe this instruction will adversely af-
fect the road safety of your vehicle - risk of accident! Approval and licensing of
your vehicle on public roads may also become void as a result.
● You must on no account drive at a higher speed than is permissible for
your tyres - risk of an accident resulting from tyre damage and loss of control
over your vehicle.
● Tyres which are 6 years old or more should only be fitted in exceptional ca-
ses and when adopting an appropriately cautious style of driving.
● Never fit tyres which have already been used without having adequate
knowledge of their previous history. Tyres age even if they have not been
used at all or only very little. A spare tyre must only be used in exceptional ca-
ses and only then when adopting an appropriately cautious style of driving.
● Do not, where possible, replace individual tyres but at least replace them
on both wheels of a given axle at the same time. Always fit the tyres with the
deeper tread depth to the front wheels. For the sake of the environment
Old tyres must be disposed of in conformity with the appropriate regulations. Note
It is not normally possible to fit wheels from other models of cars for technical
reasons. This may also apply in certain circumstances to the wheels of the same
type of vehicle.
Wheel bolts Wheels and
wheel bolts are matched to each other in terms of design. Each time
you fit other wheels - e.g. light alloy wheels or wheels with winter tyres - you
must therefore also use the matching wheel bolts of the correct length and shape
of spherical cap. This is essential to ensure that the wheels are tightly fitted and
that the brake system operates properly.
If you retrofit wheel trims (or have this done), please also ensure that an ade-
quate flow of air remains assured for cooling the brake system.
Authorised
ŠKODA Service Partners are instructed in the technical possibilities
which exist regarding converting or retrofitting tyres, wheels and wheel trims. WARNING
● In case of incorrect treatment of the wheel bolts, the wheel can loosen
when the car is moving - risk of accident!
● The wheel bolts must be clean and must turn easily. However, they must
never be treated with grease or oil.
● If the wheel bolts are tightened to a too low tightening torque, the rim can
lossen when the car is moving - risk of accident! A tightening torque which is
too high can damage the bolts and threads and this can result in permanent
deformation of the contact surfaces on the rim. CAUTION
The prescribed tightening torque of the wheel bolts for steel and light alloy
wheels is 120 Nm.
Winter tyres The handling of your vehicle will be significantly improved when driving on wintry
roads if you fit winter tyres. Summer tyres do not offer the same grip on ice, snow
and at temperatures below 7 °C because of their construction (width, rubber
blend, tread pattern). This particularly applies to vehicles which are equipped with
low-profile tyres
or high-speed tyres (code index H or V on wall of tyre).
Winter tyres must be mounted on all four wheels to obtain the best handling
characteristics.
You must only fit those types of winter tyre which are approved for your vehicle.
The permissible sizes of winter tyres are stated in your vehicle documents. Ap-
provals may differ because of national legislation.
Please remember that the tyres should be inflated to 20
kPa (0.2 bar) more than is
the case for summer tyres ⇒ page 201.
Winter tyres no longer offer the same winter performance once the tyre tread has
worn down to a depth of about 4 mm.
Ageing also causes winter tyres to lose most of their winter performance proper-
ties - even in cases where the remaining tread depth is still clearly more than 4
mm.
Speed restrictions apply to winter tyres as well as to summer tyres ⇒ page 203,
⇒ .
£204
Wheels and Tyres