2012 SKODA OCTAVIA tow

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

Air outletsFig. 82
Air vents at the front
Fig. 83
Air vents at the rear
Warmed, unwarmed or cooled air will flow out of the air outlet vents according to
the setting of the regulator of the heating or the air conditioning system and the atmospheric conditions.
The direction of airflow can be adjusted using the air outlet vents 3, 4 » Fig. 82
and 6 » Fig. 83 - the outlets can be opened and closed individually.
Open/close›Turn the wheel B » Fig. 82 or » Fig. 83 upwards or downwards.
Changing the direction of air flow›
Swivel the fins
A
» Fig. 82 or » Fig. 83 vertically or horizontally.
An overview of the available settings for adjusting the direction of the air outlet
Setting of the control dialActive air outlet vents 1, 2 , 41, 2 , 4 , 5 , 7 2, 3 , 4 , 62, 4 , 5 , 72, 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7
If the air distribution is positioned towards the windows, no air will be fed to the
footwell. This can lead to restriction of the heating comfort.
Note
Do not cover the air outlet vents with any objects, of any kind.
82Using the system

Starting-off and Driving
Starting and stopping the engine
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Adjusting the steering wheel position
93
Power steering
93
Electronic immobiliser
93
Ignition lock
94
Starting engine
94
Switching the engine off
94
Starting and stopping the engine on vehicles with the KESSY system » page 95.
WARNING■
Never adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is moving only when the
vehicle is stationary!■
Maintain a distance of 25 cm
1
to the steering wheel » Fig. 89 on page 93
–  . Not maintaining this minimum distance will mean that the airbag system
will not be able to properly protect you – hazard!
■
The lever for adjusting the steering wheel must be locked whilst driving so
that the position of the steering wheel cannot accidently change during the journey – risk of accident!
■
If the steering wheel is adjusted further towards the head, the protection
provided by the driver airbag in the event of an accident is reduced. Check
that the steering wheel is aligned to the chest.
■
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 injure the arms, hands and head
when the driver airbag is deployed.
WARNING (Continued)■ When driving, the ignition key must always be in the position 2 » Fig. 90 on
page 94 (ignition switched on) without the engine running. This position is
indicated by the warning lights coming on. If this is not the case, it could result
in unexpected locking of the steering wheel – risk of accident!■
Only pull the ignition key from the ignition lock when the vehicle has come
to a complete stop (by applying the handbrake). Otherwise the steering wheel
could block – risk of accident!
■
When leaving the vehicle, the ignition must always be removed. This is par-
ticularly important if children are left in the vehicle. Otherwise the children
could, for example, start the engine – risk of accident or injury!
■
Never leave the engine running in unventilated or closed rooms. The ex-
haust gases of the engine contain besides the odorless and colourless carbon
monoxide a poisonous gas – hazard! Carbon monoxide can cause uncon-
sciousness and death.
■
Never leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running.
■
Never switch off the engine before the vehicle is stationary – risk of acci-
dent!
CAUTION
■ The starter may only be operated (ignition key position 3 » Fig. 90 on
page 94), if the engine is not running. The starter or engine can be damaged if
the starter is activated when the engine is running.■
Avoid high engine revolutions, full throttle and high engine loads as long as the
engine has not yet reached its operating temperature – risk of damaging the en-
gine!
■
Do not tow start the engine - danger of damaging the engine! On vehicles with
a catalytic converter, unburnt fuel may get into the catalytic converter where it
may ignite. This in turn may damage the catalytic converter. The battery from an- other vehicle can be used as a jump-start aid » page 195.
■
Do not switch the engine off immediately at the end of your journey after the
engine has been operated over a prolonged period at high loads but leave it to
run at an idling speed for about 1 minute. This prevents any possible accumulation of heat when the engine is switched off.
For the sake of the environment
Do not warm up the engine while the vehicle is stationary. If possible, start your
journey as soon as the engine has started. Through this the engine reaches its
operating temperature more rapidly and the pollutant emissions are lower. 92Using the system

Note■The engine can only be started with a genuine ŠKODA key with the matching
code.■
The engine running noises may louder at first be louder for a short time after
starting the cold engine. This is quite normal and is not an operating problem.
■
After switching off the ignition, the radiator fan can intermittently continue to
operate for approx. 10 minutes.
■
If the engine also does not start after the second attempt, the fuse for the elec-
tric fuel pump (in petrol engines) or the control unit for the glow plug system or
glow plug system relay and fuel pump (in diesel engines) could be faulty. Check
the fuse and replace, if necessary » page 199 or seek assistance from a ŠKODA
specialist garage.
■
We recommend locking the steering wheel whenever leaving the vehicle. This
acts as a deterrent against the attempted theft of your car.

Adjusting the steering wheel position
Fig. 89
Adjustable steering wheel: Lever below the steering wheel/safe dis-
tance to the steering wheel
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 92.
The height and forward/back position of the steering wheel can be adjusted.
›
First of all adjust the driver's seat » page 59.
›
Pull the lever below the steering wheel down » Fig. 89 – 
.
›
Adjust the steering wheel to the desired position (with regard to the height and
forward/back position).
›
Push the lever upwards to the stop.

Power steering
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 92.
The power steering enables you to steer the vehicle with less physical force.
It is still possible to fully steer the vehicle if the power steering fails or if the en- gine is not running (vehicle being towed in). However, greater physical effort is
required to turn the steering wheel.
Steering force assistance can be influenced by the selection of driving
mode » page 124 .

Electronic immobiliser
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 92.
An electronic chip is integrated in the head of the key. The immobiliser is deacti-
vated with the aid of this chip when the key is inserted in the ignition lock. The
electronic immobiliser is automatically activated when the ignition key is with-
drawn from the lock.
The engine will not start if a non-authorized ignition key is used.
The following message is shown in the information cluster display: Immobilizer active.
or
IMMOBILIZER ACTIVE

93Starting-off and Driving

Emergency start-up of the engineFig. 92
Emergency start-up of engine
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings on page 95.
If the authorisation check for the key fails,the following message appears in the
instrument cluster display:
Key not detected.
or
NO KEY
The emergency start-up must be completed.
›
Press the starter button » Fig. 92 and then hold the key to the starter button;
or
›
press the starter button directly with the key.
Note
During an emergency start-up of the engine, the key bit must face the starter
button » Fig. 92 .
Switching the engine off
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 95.
›
Stop the vehicle.
›
Switch off the engine by pressing the starter button » Fig. 91 on page 95, doing
so switches off the ignition at the same time.

Brakes
Information for braking
Wear-and-tear
The wear of the brake pads is dependent on the operating conditions and driving
style.
The brake pads wear more quickly if a lot of journeys are completed in towns and
over short distances or if a very sporty style of driving is adopted. If operated un-
der severe conditions , the thickness of the brake pads must be checked by a
ŠKODA specialist garage between service appointments as well.
Wet roads or road salt
The performance of the brakes can be delayed as the brake discs and brake pads may be moist or have a coating of ice or layer of salt on them in winter. The
brakes are cleaned and dried by applying the brakes several times.
Corrosion
Corrosion on the brake discs and dirt on the bake pads occur if the vehicle has
been parked for a long period and if you do not make much use of the braking
system. The brakes are cleaned and dried by applying the brakes several times.
Faults in the brake surface
If it is found that the braking distance has suddenly become longer and that the brake pedal can be depressed further, the brake system may be faulty. Visit a
ŠKODA specialist garage immediately and adjust your style of driving appropriate-
ly as you will not know how great the damage is.
Low brake fluid level
An insufficient level of brake fluid may result in problems in the brake system. The
level of the brake fluid is monitored electronically » page 14, Brake system 
.
Brake booster
The brake booster increases the pressure generated with the brake pedal. The
brake booster only operates when the engine is running. 
97Starting-off and Driving

Driving and the Environment
Running in
New engine
The engine has to be run in during the first 1 500 kilometres.
Up to 1 000 kilometres
›
Do not drive faster than 3/4 of the maximum speed of the gear in use, i.e. 3/4 of
the maximum permissible engine speed.
›
No full throttle.
›
Avoid high engine speeds.
›
Do not tow a trailer.
From 1 000 up to 1 500 kilometres
Gradually increase the power output of the engine up to the full speed of the
gear engaged, i.e. up to the maximum permissible engine speed.
During the first operating hours the engine has higher internal friction than lateruntil all of the moving parts have harmonized. The driving style which you adopt
during the first approx.1 500 kilometres plays a decisive part in the success of running in your car.
Never drive at unnecessarily high engine speeds even after the running-in period
is complete. The maximum permissible engine speed is marked by the start of the red scale area of the revolutions counter.
On vehicles fitted with a manual gearbox, at the very latest shift up into the nextgear when the red area is reached. Very high engine speeds when accelerating
(accelerator) are automatically restricted »
.
If the engine is no longer running smoothly, do not drive with unnecessarily low
engine revs on a vehicle with manual transmission. Shift down. Observe the rec-
ommended gear » page 21.
CAUTION■
The engine is not protected from excessive engine revs caused by shifting
down at the wrong time. This can result in the sudden increase in revs beyond
the permissible maximum rpm and thus cause engine damage.■
Never rev up a cold engine when the vehicle is stationary or when driving in in-
dividual gears.
■
All the speed and engine revolution figures apply only when the engine is at its
normal operating temperature.
For the sake of the environment
Never drive with unnecessarily high engine revs. Shifting up sooner helps save on
fuel, reduces engine noises and protects the environment.
New tyres
New tyres have to be “run in” since they do not offer optimal grip at first. Drive
especially carefully for the first 500 km or so.

New brake pads
New brake pads initially do not provide optimal braking performance. They first need to be “run in”. Drive especially carefully for the first 200 km or so.

Catalytic converter
Proper operation of the emission control system (catalytic converter) is of major
significance for driving your vehicle in an environmentally conscious way.
› Vehicles fitted with a petrol engine must always be refuelled with unleaded
petrol » page 168 .
› Do not pour too much oil into the engine
» page 172, Checking the engine oil
level .
› Do not switch off the ignition while you are driving the vehicle.
If you drive your vehicle in a country in which unleaded petrol is not available, you must have the catalytic converter replaced later when driving the vehicle into a
country in which use of a catalytic converter is mandatory. 
100Using the system