2012 SKODA OCTAVIA four wheel drive

Assist systems
Brake assist systems
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Stabilisation Control (ESC)
112
Antilock brake system (ABS)
113
Traction control system (TCS)
113
Electronic differential lock (EDL)
114WARNING■ A lack of fuel can cause irregular engine running or cause the engine to shut
down. The brake assist systems would then be without function – risk of acci-
dent!■
Adjust the speed and driving style to the current visibility, weather, road and
traffic conditions. The increased safety offered by the brake assist systems must not tempt you to take greater risks than otherwise – risk of an accident!
■
In the event of an ABS fault, visit a ŠKODA specialist garage immediately.
Adjust your style of driving according to the damage to the ABS as you will not know how great the damage is and the limitation it is placing on the braking
efficiency.
CAUTION
■ All four wheels must be fitted with the same tyres approved by the manufactur-
er to ensure the brake assist systems operate correctly.■
Changes to the vehicle (e.g. to the engine, brakes, chassis) can influence the
functionality of the brake assist systems » page 165.
Note
If a fault occurs in the ABS system, the ESC, ASR and EDL also do not work. An
ABS fault is indicated with the warning light  » page 17 .
Stabilisation Control (ESC)Fig. 105
ESC system: TCS button
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 112.
The ESC system helps to maintain control of the vehicle in situations where it is
being operated at its dynamic limits, such as a sudden change to the direction of
travel. The risk of skidding is reduced and your car thus offers greater driving sta-
bility depending on the conditions of the road surface.
The ESC system is automatically activated each time the ignition is switched on.The direction which the driver wishes to take is determined based on the steering angle and the speed of the vehicle and is constantly compared with the actualbehaviour of the vehicle. If differences exist, such as the car beginning to skid,
the ESC system will automatically brake the appropriate wheel.
During an intervention of the system, the warning light 
flashes in the instru-
ment cluster.
The following systems are integrated into the electronic stabilisation control
(ESC) :
› Antilock brake system (ABS),
› Traction control (TCS),
› Electronic differential lock (EDL)
› Active driver-steering recommendation (DSR),
› Brake assistant (HBA)
› Hill hold control (HHC);
› “Multicollision brake”;
› Trailer stabilisation (TSA)
» page 110, Driving with a trailer .
The ESC system cannot be deactivated. In the Infotainment or with the button 
» Fig. 105 only the TCR can be deactivated » operating instructions for Info-
tainment , chapter Setting vehicle systems (CAR button) .
112Using the system

WARNING (Continued)■It is prohibited to use clamps or other objects to adjust seat belts (e. g. for
shortening the belts for smaller persons).■
The seat belts for the rear seats can only fulfil their function reliably when
the seat backrests are correctly locked into position » page 63, Rear seats .
■
The belt webbing must always be kept clean. Soiled belt webbing may im-
pair proper operation of the inertia reel » page 165, Seat belts .
■
The seat belts must not be removed or changed in any way. Do not attempt
to repair the seat belts yourself.
■
Check the condition of all the seat belts on a regular basis. If any damage to
the seat belts, seat belt connections, inertia reel or the lock is detected, the
relevant seat belt must be replaced by a ŠKODA specialist garage.
■
Damaged seat belts which have been subjected to stress in an accident and
were therefore stretched, must be replaced - this is best done by a ŠKODA specialist garage. The anchorage points for the belts should also be checked.
Note
The national legal requirements must be observed when using seat belts.
The physical principle of a frontal collision
Fig. 127
Driver without a fastened seat belt/rear seat passenger without a
fastened seat belt
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 142.
As soon as the vehicle is moving, so-called kinetic energy (the energy of motion)
is produced both in terms of the car as well as in terms of the occupants. The magnitude of this kinetic energy depends essentially on the speed at which the
vehicle is travelling and on the weight of the vehicle including the occupants. The
greater the speed and weight increase, the greater the amount of energy which
has to be absorbed in the event of an accident.
The speed of the vehicle is the most important factor. Doubling the speed of the
vehicle from 25 km/h up to 50 km/hour increases the kinetic energy four times.
The opinion that it is possible to support your body in a minor accident with your
hands, is incorrect. Even in a collision at only a low speed, the forces acting on the
body are such that it is no longer possible to support your body.
Even if you only drive at a speed of 30 km/h to 50 km/h, the forces that your body
is exposed to in the event of an accident can exceed a metric ton (1 000 kg).
In the event of a frontal collision, occupants of the car not wearing a seat belt, are
thrown forward and strike in an uncontrolled way parts of the interior of the car,
such as steering wheel, dash panel or windscreen » Fig. 127 – 
. In certain circum-
stances you could even be thrown out of the vehicle, which could cause life
threatening or even fatal injuries.
It is also important that rear seat occupants fasten their seat belts as they will otherwise be thrown through the vehicle in an uncontrolled manner in the event
of an accident. A rear seat passenger who has not fastened the seat belt is a dan-
ger not only to himself but also for those seated at the front » Fig. 127 – 
.
143Seat belts

Wheels
Tyres and wheel rims
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Tyre life
182
New tyres and wheels
183
Unidirectional tyres
184
Spare wheel
184
Full wheel trim
185
Wheel bolts
185
Tyre control display
185
Wheel bolts
186
Winter tyres
186
Snow chains
186WARNING■ During the first 500 km, new tyres do not offer optimum grip and appropri-
ate care should therefore be taken when driving – risk of accident!■
Never drive with damaged tyres – risk of accident!
■
Never exceed the maximum permissible load bearing capacity of mounted
tyres.
■
Immediately replace damaged wheel rims or tyres.
■
On all four wheels, use only radial tyres of the same type, size (rolling cir-
cumference) and the same tread pattern.
■
Only use those tyres or wheel rims which have been approved by ŠKODA for
your model of vehicle. Failure to observe this instruction will adversely affect the road safety of your vehicle – risk of accident!
■
The maximum permissible speed for your tyres must not be exceeded under
any circumstances – risk of an accident resulting from tyre damage and loss of
control of the vehicle.
WARNING (Continued)■ If the inflation pressure is too low, the tyre must perform a greater rolling
resistance. At higher speeds the tyre will warm up as a result of this. This can
result in tread separation and a tyre blowout.■
For safety reasons, do no replace tyres individually.
■
Never use tyres if you do not know anything about the condition and age.
■
You must have your tyres replaced with new ones at the latest when the
wear indicators have been worn down.
■
Worn tyres do not provide the necessary adhesion to the road surface par-
ticularly at high speeds on wet roads. One could experience “aquaplaning” (uncontrolled movements of the vehicle – “swimming” on a wet road surface).
■
Do not use summer or winter tyres that are older than 6 years or 4 years re-
spectively.
■
The wheel bolts must be clean and must turn easily. Never treat them with
grease or oil.
■
If the wheel bolts are tightened to a too low tightening torque, the rim can
come loose 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 per-
manent deformation of the contact surfaces on the rim.
■
In case of incorrect treatment of the wheel bolts, the wheel can loosen
when the car is moving – risk of accident!
■
Never drive with more than one spare wheel mounted.
■
Only use the spare wheel while absolutely necessary.
■
The snow chains cannot be used on the spare wheel.
■
An incorrect wheel alignment at the front or rear impairs handling - risk of
accident!
■
The tyre control display does not absolve the driver of the responsibility to
ensure the correct tyre inflation pressure. Check the tyre inflation pressure at
regular intervals.
■
Unusual vibrations or pulling of the vehicle to one side could be a sign of
tyre damage. If there is any doubt that a wheel is damaged, immediately re-
duce your speed and stop! If no external damage is evident, drive slowly and
carefully to the nearest ŠKODA specialist garage to have the vehicle checked.
■
To low or too high inflation pressure impairs handling - risk of an accident!
■
The national legal requirements must be observed for the use of tyres.
■
Observe the national legal regulations relating to the use of snow chains
and the maximum vehicle speed with snow chains. 
181Wheels