2012 SKODA OCTAVIA seats

Stowage compartment in rear centre consoleFig. 75
Centre console at rear: Stowage
compartment
The storage compartment is equipped with a removable insert.
Open/close
›
Pull the handle
A
» Fig. 75 on the upper section of the recess and open out the
compartment in the direction of the arrow.
Closing takes place in the reverse order.
WARNINGThe storage compartment is not a substitute for the ashtray and must also
not be used for such purposes - risk of fire!

Seat backrest with through-loading channel
Fig. 76
Rear seats: Cover handle/boot: Unlock button
After folding the rear armrest and cover up, an opening in the seat backrest be-
comes visible through which the removable through-loading bag with skis can be
pushed. The armrest and cover can be folded forward from the passenger com-
partment or the boot.
Opening from the passenger compartment›
Fold the rear armrest dow (not as far as the stop) » page 64.
›
Pull the handle
A
» Fig. 76 in the direction of the arrow and fold the cover
downwards.
Opening from the boot
›
Push the unlock button
B
» Fig. 76 in the direction of the arrow and fold the
cover including the armrest forwards.
Closing
›
Fold the cover and rear armrest upwards to the stop - the cover must click into place.
Ensure that the armrest is always locked into place after closing. This is apparent
as the red field above the unlocking button
B
» Fig. 76 is not visible from the
boot.
WARNINGThe through-loading channel is only intended for transporting skis that are
placed in a properly secured, removable through-loading bag » page 77.

Through-loading bag
Fig. 77
Securing the through-loading
bag
The removable through-loading bag is solely used for transporting skis. 
77Seats and Stowage

Loading›Open the luggage compartment lid.›
Fold the rear armrest and the cover in the seat backrest downwards » page 77.
›
Place the empty, removable through-loading bag in such a way that the end of
the bag with the zip is in the boot.
›
Push the skis into the removable through-loading bag from the boot » .
›
Close the through-loading bag.
Securing
›
Tighten the strap
A
on the free end around the skis in front of the bind-
ings » Fig. 77 .
›
Fold the seat backrest a little forward.
›
Guide the securing strap
B
through the opening in the seat backrest around
the upper part of the seat backrest.
›
Then push the seat backrest back into the upright position until the unlocking button clicks into place - check by pulling on the seat backrest.
›
Insert the securing strap
B
into the lock
C
until it clicks into place.
WARNING■ After placing skis into the through-loading bag, you must secure the bag
with the securing strap B » Fig. 77 .■
The strap
A
must hold the skis tight.
■
Make sure that the strap
A
holds the skis in front of the binding (also refer
to imprint on the removable through-loading bag).
■
The total weight of the skis which are transported must not exceed 17 kg.
Note
■ The through-loading bag is foreseen for four pairs of skis.■Place the skis and sticks in the removable through-loading bag with the tips
facing to the rear.■
If there are several pairs of skis in the removable through-loading bag, ensure
that the bindings are positioned at the same height.
■
The removable through-loading bag must never be folded together or stowed
when moist.

Storage compartment in the bootFig. 78
Luggage compartment: Stowage compartment/example of attach-
ing an item of luggage using the cargo element
Increasing the size of the boot
›
Remove the cover of the stowage compartment
1
in the direction of the ar-
row » Fig. 78 .
Securing items of luggage
›
Remove the cargo element (a part of the cover of the stowage compartment)
2
» Fig. 78 and attach to the floor covering of the luggage compartment with
the Velcro fastener.
The stowage compartment can be located on either of the two sides of the lug-
gage compartment, according to the model.
CAUTION
■ The storage compartment is designed for storing small objects of up to 2.5 kg.
in weight in total.■
The cargo element is designed for attaching objects with a maximum gross
weight of 8 kg.
■
When using the storage compartment, take care not to damage it or the lug-
gage compartment lining.
Note
We recommend you use the cargo element to secure items of luggage behind the
rear seats.
78Using the system

Storage box underneath the luggage compartment coverFig. 79
Storage box: inserted/removed
Fig. 80
Storage box: Insert lateral carri-
er rail
The storage box can be divided up using two lateral carrier rails
A
» Fig. 79 .
Inserting/removing the box
›
Remove the box with box hands in the direction of the arrow 1 » Fig. 79 as far as
the stop
B
.
Insertion takes place in the reverse order.
Removing/inserting the box
›
Remove the box with both hands in the direction of the arrow 2 » Fig. 79 after
passing the stop
B
.
Insertion takes place in the reverse order.
Inserting/removal lateral carrier rails
You can insert/remove the later carrier rails when the box has been removed as
far as the stop
B
» Fig. 79 .
›Insert the catches on the lateral carrier rail underneath the front edge of the
box 1 in the direction of the arrow » Fig. 80.›
Secure the other side of the lateral carrier rail in the hole
2
the direction of the
arrow.
Removal is carried out in the reverse order.
CAUTION
■ The maximum permissible load of the storage box is 2.5 kg.■Prevent objects stored in the storage box from slipping at all times using the
lateral carrier rails.

Clothes hooks
The clothes hooks are located at the centre door bars of the vehicle.
WARNING■ Ensure that any clothes hanging from the hooks do not impair your vision to
the rear.■
Only use the hooks for hanging light items of clothing and ensure that there
are no heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets.
■
Do not use clothes hangers for hanging up items of clothing otherwise this
may reduce the effectiveness of head airbags.
CAUTION
The maximum permissible load of the hooks is 2 kg.
79Seats and Stowage

Avoiding full throttleFig. 96
Principle sketch: Fuel consump-
tion in litres/100 km. and speed
in km/h
The slower you drive, the more the fuel savings.
Sensitive use of the accelerator will not only significantly reduce fuel consump- tion but also positively influence environmental pollution and wear of your vehi-
cle.
The maximum speed of your vehicle should, as far possible, never be used. Fuel
consumption, pollutant emissions and vehicle noises increase disproportionally at
high speeds.
The » Fig. 96 shows the ratio of fuel consumption to the speed of your vehicle.
Fuel consumption will be halved if only three-quarters of the possible top speed
of your vehicle is used.

Reducing idling
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 needed
when you start the engine up again.
If an engine is only idling it takes much longer for it to reach its normal operating
temperature. Wear-and-tear and pollutant emissions, though, are particularly
high in the warming-up phase. Therefore, start driving as soon as the engine has
started. whereby high engine speeds should be avoided.

Avoid short distancesFig. 97
Principle sketch: Fuel consump-
tion in l/100 km at different tem-
peratures
Short distances result in an 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 consump- tion drops to 10 litres/100 km after just 1 kilometre. The consumption stabilises once the engine and catalytic converter have reached their operating tempera-
ture.
An important factor in this connection is also the ambient temperature. The im-
age » Fig. 97 shows the different levels of fuel consumption after driving a certain
distance at a temperature of +20 °C and a temperature of -10 °C.
Your vehicle has a higher fuel consumption in Winter than in Summer.

Convenience consumers
The convenience consumers include:
› The air conditioning system;
› Rear window heater;
› Windscreen heater;
› Heating of the external mirror;
› Rear fog light;
› Fog lights;
› Heated front seats;
› Auxiliary heating (parking heating).
We recommend you keep the convenience consumers on for as long as necessary. 
102Using the system

Safety
Passive Safety
General information
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Safety equipment
138
Before setting off
138
What influences the driving safety?
139
In this section you will find important information, tips and notes on the subject
of passive safety in your vehicle. We have combined everything here which you
should be familiar with, for example, regarding seat belts, airbags, child seats and safety of children. It is therefore important, in particular, to comply with the notes
and warnings in this section for your own interest and in the interest of those
travelling with you.
WARNING■ This chapter contains important information on how to use the vehicle for
the driver and his occupants. You will find further information on safety, which concerns you and those travelling with you, in the following chapters of this
Owner's Manual.■
The complete on-board literature should always be in the vehicle. This ap-
plies in particular, if you rent out or sell the vehicle.

Safety equipment
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 138.
The following list contains part of the safety equipment in your vehicle:
› three-point seat belts for all the seats;
› belt force limiters for the front seats;
›
belt tensioners for front seats;
› seat belt height adjusters for front seats;
› Front airbag for the driver and the front seat passenger;
› driver’s knee airbag;
› front side airbags;
› rear side airbags;
› head airbags;
› anchoring points for child seat using the ISOFIX system;
› anchoring points for child seat using the TOP TETHER system;
› head restraints adjustable for height;
› adjustable steering column.
The specified safety equipment works together, in order to optimally protect you
and those travelling with you in accident situations. The safety equipment does
not protect you or the people travelling with you, if you or your occupants adopt
an incorrect seated position or the equipment is not correctly adjusted or used. If
the seat belt is not fastened properly, this may result in injuries during an acci-
dent caused by the deployed airbag.

Before setting off
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 138.
For your own safety and the safety of the people travelling with you, please pay
attention to the following points before setting off.
› Ensure that the lighting and the turn signal system are functioning properly.
› Check the tyre inflation pressure.
› Ensure that all of the windows offer good visibility to the outside.
› Secure all items of luggage
» page 64, Boot .
› Ensure that no objects can obstruct the pedals.
› Adjust the mirrors, the front seat and head restraint to your body size.
› Advise your passengers to adjust the head restraints to their body size.
› Protect children in suitable child seats with correctly fastened seat
belts » page 154 , Transporting children safely .
› Adopt the correct seated position
» page 139, Correct seated position . Tell your
passengers to assume the correct seated position.
› Correctly fasten the seat belt. Also inform passengers to fasten the seat belt
correctly » page 142 , Seat belts .

138Safety

What influences the driving safety?First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 138.
The driver is fully responsible for himself and his occupants. If your driving safety is effected, you place yourself and the oncoming traffic at risk.
The following guidelines must therefore be observed. › Do not get distracted from concentrating on the traffic situation, e.g. by your
passengers or mobile phone calls.
› Never drive when your driving ability is impaired, e.g. through medication, alco-
hol or drugs.
› Keep to the traffic regulations and the permissible speed limit.
› Always adjust the driving speed to the road, traffic and weather conditions.
› Take regular breaks on long journeys – at least every two hours.

Correct seated position

Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Correct seated position for the driver
140
Correct seated position for the front passenger
140
Correct seated position for the occupants on the rear seats
140
Examples of an incorrect seated position
140WARNING■ At all times, the front seats and head restraints must be adjusted to match
the person's body size and the seat belt must be attached properly to provide
the most effective levels of protection to passengers.■
Always assume the correct seated position before setting off and do not
change this position while driving. Also advise your passengers to adopt the
correct seated position and not to change this position while the car is mov-
ing.
■
If the occupant adopts an incorrect seated position, he is exposed to life-
threatening injuries, in case he is hit by a deployed airbag.
WARNING (Continued)■ If the occupants on the rear seats are not sitting upright, the risk of injury is
increased due to incorrect routing of the seat belt.■
The driver must maintain a distance of at least 25 cm from the steering
wheel, and a distance of at least 10 cm between the legs and the dash panel at the height of the knee airbag. The front passenger must maintain a dis-
tance of at least 25 cm to the dash panel. Not maintaining this minimum dis-
tance will mean that the airbag system will not be able to properly protect you
– hazard!
■
When driving, hold the steering wheel with both hands firmly on the outer
edge in the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock position. Never hold the steering wheel in
the 12 o'clock position or in any other way (e.g. in the middle or inner edge of
the steering wheel). In such cases, you could severely injure the arms, hands
and head when the driver airbag is deployed.
■
The seat backrests must not be angled too far back when driving otherwise
this will affect proper operation of the seat belts and of the airbag system –
risk of injury!
■
Ensure that there are no objects in the driver's footwell as they may get
caught behind the pedals when driving or applying the braking. You would
then no longer be able to operate the clutch, brake or accelerate.
■
Always keep your feet in the footwell when the car is being driven – never
place your feet on the instrument panel, out of the window or on the surfaces
of the seats. You will be exposed to increased risk of injury if it becomes nec-essary to apply the brake or in the event of an accident. If an airbag is de-
ployed, you may suffer fatal injuries when adopting an incorrect seated posi-
tion!

139Passive Safety

Correct seated position for the driverFig. 125
Correct seated position for the driver/correct head restraint posi-
tion
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 139.
For your own safety and to reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accident,we recommend the following setting.
› Position the steering wheel so that there is a gap of at least 25 cm between the
steering wheel and the chest
A
» Fig. 125 , and that the distance between the
legs and the dash panel at the height of the knee airbag is at least 10 cm
B
.
› Adjust the driver’s seat in the forward/back direction so that the pedals can be
fully depressed with slightly bent legs.
› Adjust the seat backrest so that the highest point of the steering wheel can be
reached with your arms at a slight angle.
› Adjust the head restraint so that the top edge of the head restraint is at the
same level as the upper part of your head
C
.
› Correctly fasten the seat belt
» page 142, Seat belts .
Manual driver seat adjustment » page 60, Manually adjusting the front seats .
Electrical driver seat adjustment » page 60, Electrically adjusting the front seats .

Correct seated position for the front passenger
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 139.
For the safety of the front passenger and to reduce the risk of injury in the event
of an accident, we recommend the following setting.
› Position the front passenger seat back as far as possible. The front passenger
must maintain a distance of at least 25 cm to the dash panel so that the airbag
offers the greatest possible safety if it is deployed.
› Adjust the head restraint such that the top edge of the head restraint is at the
same level as the upper part of your head B
» Fig. 125 on page 140.
› Correctly fasten the seat belt
» page 142.
In exceptional cases the front passenger airbag can be deactivated » page 151,
Deactivating airbags .
Manual front passenger adjustment » page 60, Manually adjusting the front
seats .
Electrical front passenger seat adjustment » page 60, Electrically adjusting the
front seats .

Correct seated position for the occupants on the rear seats
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 139.
To reduce the risk of injury in the event of a sudden braking manoeuvre or an ac-
cident, the occupants on the rear seats must observe the following.
› Adjust the head restraint such that the top edge of the head restraint is at the
same level as the upper part of the head
B
» Fig. 125 on page 140.
› Correctly fasten the seat belt
» page 142, Seat belts .
› Use a suitable child restraint system if transporting children in the vehi-
cle » page 154 , Transporting children safely .

Examples of an incorrect seated position
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 139.
The maximum protection which seat belts can offer is only achieved if your seat-
belts are fastened correctly. Incorrect seated positions considerably reduce the protective functions of the seat belts and therefore increase the risk of injury dueto an incorrect routing of the seat belt. 
140Safety

The driver is fully responsible for himself and passengers, especially children.
Never allow a passenger to adopt an incorrect seated position when the car is
moving.
The following list contains examples of which seated positions can cause serious
injuries or death. This list is not complete, however we would like you to familiar-
ise yourself with this subject.
Therefore, while the car is moving never: › stand up in the vehicle;
› stand up on the seats;
› kneel on the seats;
› tilt the seat backrest fully to the back;
› lean against the dash panel;
› lie on the rear seat bench;
› only sit on the front area of the seat;
› sit to the side;
› lean out of the window;
› put the feet out of the window;
› put the feet on the dash panel;
› put the feet on the seat upholstery;
› transport somebody in the footwell;
› have the seat belt not fastened when driving;
› be in the luggage compartment.
141Passive Safety