2012 SKODA RAPID gearbox

Layout of this Owner's Manual
(explanations)
This Owner's Manual has been systematically designed to make it easy for you to
search for and obtain the information you require.
Chapters, table of contents and subject index
The text of the Owner's manual is divided into relatively short sections which are
combined into easy-to-read chapters. The chapter you are reading at any particular
moment is always specified on the bottom right of the page.
The Table of contents is arranged according to the chapters and the detailed Sub-
ject index at the end of the Owner's Manual helps you to rapidly find the informa-
tion you are looking for.
Direction indications
All direction indications such as
“left”, “right”, “front”, “rear” relate to the direction of
travel of the vehicle.
Units of measurement
All values are expressed in metric units.
Explanation of symbols
 Denotes a reference to a section with important information and safety
advice in a chapter.
 Denotes the end of a section.
 Denotes the continuation of a section on the next page.
 Indicates situations where the vehicle must be stopped as soon as possi-
ble.
® Denotes a registered trademark.
Notes WARNING
The most important notes are marked with the heading WARNING. These
WARNING notes draw your attention to a serious risk of accident or injury.CAUTION
A Caution note draws your attention to the possibility of damage to your vehicle
(e.g. damage to gearbox), or points out general risks of an accident. For the sake of the environment
An Environmental note draws your attention to environmental protection aspects.
This is where you will, for example, find tips aimed at reducing your fuel consump-
tion. Note
A normal Note draws your attention to important information about the operation
of your vehicle.

Table of Contents
Abbreviations
Using the system
Cockpit 7
Overview 6
Instruments and Indicator Lights 8
Instrument cluster 8
Multifunction display (onboard computer) 11
MAXI DOT (information display) 14
Warning lights 16
Unlocking and locking 24
Vehicle key 24
Central locking system 25
Remote control 27
Anti-theft alarm system 29
Interior monitor and towing protection 29
Emergency locking of the doors 30
Boot lid 30
Electrical power windows 31
Lights and visibility 34
Lights 34
Interior light 38
Visibility 39
Windscreen wipers and washers 39
Rear window 42
Seats and Stowage 44
Front seats 44
Head restraints 46
Rear seats 47
Boot 48
Roof rack system 51Cup holder 52
Cup holder in the centre console 52
Cup holder in the rear armrest 53
Ashtray 53
Cigarette lighter, 12-volt power socket 53
Storage compartments 54
Clothes hooks 58
Parking ticket holder 58
Heating and air conditioning system 59
Heating and air conditioning system 59
Air outlet vents 60
Heating 60
Air conditioning system (manual air conditioning
system) 62
Climatronic (automatic air conditioning
system) 65
Starting-off and Driving 68
Starting and stopping the engine 68
Brakes and brake assist systems 70
Shifting 74
pedals 74
Parking aid 74
Cruise control system (CCS) 75
START/STOP 77
Automatic gearbox 79
Automatic gearbox 79
Communication 84
Mobile phones and two-way radio systems 84
Universal telephone preinstallation GSM II 84
Voice control 87
Multimedia 89
Safety
Passive Safety 91
General information 91
Correct seated position 92Seat belts 95
Seat belts 95
Airbag system 99
Description of the airbag system 99
Front airbags 100
Side airbags 101
Head airbags 102
Deactivating airbags 103
Transporting children safely 105
Child seat 105
Driving Tips
Driving and the Environment 109
The first 1 500 km 109
Catalytic converter 109
Economical and environmentally friendly
driving 110
Environmental compatibility 112
Driving abroad 113
Avoiding damage to your vehicle 113
Driving through water on the street 114
Towing a trailer 115
Towing a trailer 115
General Maintenance
Taking care of and cleaning the vehicle 117
Taking care of your vehicle 117
Inspecting and replenishing 124
Fuel 124
Engine compartment 126
Vehicle battery 133
3
Table of Contents

Abbreviations
Abbreviation Definition rpm Engine revolutions per minute
ABS Anti-lock brake system TCS Traction control
CO 2 in g/km discharged quantity of carbon dioxide in grams per driven kilo-
meter
DSG Automatic double clutch gearbox EDL Electronic differential lockESC Electronic Stability Control
HBA Hydraulic brake assist HHC Uphill start assist kW Kilowatt, measuring unit for the engine output
MFD Multifunction display N1 Panel van intended exclusively or mainly for the transporta- tion of goods
Nm Newton meter, measuring unit for the engine torque
TDI CR Diesel engine with turbocharging and common rail injection system
TSI Petrol engine with turbocharging and direct injection Ð 5
Abbreviations

Using the system
Cockpit
Overview
Electrical power windows 32
Electric exterior mirror adjustment 42
Air outlet vents 60
Lever for the multifunction switch:
› Turn signal light, headlight and parking light, headlight flasher 36
› Speed regulating system 75
Steering wheel:
› With horn
› With driver’s front airbag 100
› With pushbuttons for radio, navigation system and mobile
phone 84
Instrument cluster: Instruments and warning lights 8
Lever for the multifunction switch:
› Multifunction display 11
› Windscreen wiper and wash system 40
Air outlet vents 60
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Radio
› Navigation system
Switch for hazard warning lights 37
Warning light for the deactivated front seat passenger airbag 103
Key-operated switch for the front seat passenger airbag 103
Storage compartment on the front passenger side 55
Front passenger airbag 100
Light switch and headlamp beam adjustment 34, 36
Bonnet release lever 128
Fuse box in the dashboard 157
Lever for adjusting the steering wheel 69
Ignition lock 70
Regulator for left seat heating 461
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 TCS switch 72
Central locking system 27
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Gearshift lever (manual gearbox) 74
› Selector lever (automatic gearbox) 80
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Cup holder 52
› Ashtray holder 53
Storage compartment 57
Switch for rear window heater 39
Regulator for right seat heating 46
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Operating controls for the heating 60
› Operating controls for the air conditioning system 62
› Operating controls for Climatronic 65
Note
The arrangement of the controls and switches and the location of some items on
right-hand drive models may differ from that shown in »
Fig. 1. The symbols on
the controls and switches are the same as for left-hand drive models. Ð 21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
7
Cockpit

Engine revolutions counter
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 8.
The red scale of the rev counter 1
» Fig. 2 on page 8 indicates the range in which
the engine control unit begins to limit the engine speed. The engine control unit
restricts the engine speed to a steady limit.
You should shift into the next higher gear before the red scale of the revolution
counter is reached, or move the selector lever into position D if your car is fitted
with an automatic gearbox.
To maintain the optimum motor speed, observe the gearshift indica-
tor » page 11. For the sake of the environment
Shifting to a higher gear in good time helps to lower fuel consumption, minimises
operating noise levels, protects the environment and contributes to a longer life
and reliability of the engine. ÐFirst read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 8.
Warning against excessive speeds
An audible warning signal will sound when the vehicle speed exceeds 120
km/h.
The audible warning signal is switched off when the vehicle speed falls below
this speed limit. Note
This function is only valid for some countries. ÐCoolant temperature gauge
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 8.
The coolant temperature gauge 4
» Fig. 2 on page 8 operates only when the ig-
nition is switched on. ä
ä
ä The following guidelines regarding the temperature ranges must be observed to
avoid any damage to the engine.
Cold range
If the pointer is still in the left area of the scale it means that the engine has not
yet reached its operating temperature. Avoid high speeds, full throttle and high
engine loads.
The operating range
The engine has reached its operating temperature as soon as the pointer moves
into the mid-range of the scale, for a normal style of driving. The pointer may also
move further to the right at high engine loads and high outside temperatures. CAUTION
Additional headlights and other attached components in front of the fresh air in-
let impair the cooling efficiency of the coolant. There is then a risk of the engine
overheating at high outside temperatures and high engine loads »

page 19,
Coolant temperature/coolant level  . Ð Fuel gauge
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 8.
The fuel gauge 7
» Fig. 2 on page 8 only operates when the ignition is switched
on.
The fuel tank has a capacity of about 55 litres. The indicator light in the instru-
ment cluster lights up when the pointer reaches the reserve mark-
ing » page 21 . CAUTION
Never drive until the fuel tank is completely empty! An irregular supply of fuel can
lead to irregular engine running. Unburnt fuel may get into the exhaust system
and damage the catalytic converter. Note
On some vehicles, the fuel gauge is shown in the display of the instrument clus-
ter. Ð
ä
9
Instruments and Indicator Lights

Current speed
The current speed which is identical to the display of the speedometer
3
» Fig. 2
on page 8 is indicated on the display.
Oil temperature
If the oil temperature is lower than 50 °C or if a fault in the system for checking
the oil temperature is present, only – -.- is displayed instead of the oil tempera-
ture. ÐWarning against excessive speeds
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 11.
Adjust the speed limit while the vehicle is stationary
›
With button A
» Fig. 5 on page 12, choose the menu point
Warning against ex-
cessive speeds .
› Press the button B
to activate the ability to set the speed limit.
› Use the button A
to set the required speed limit, e.g. 50 km/h.
› Confirm the speed limit by pressing button B
, or wait several seconds. Your
settings are saved automatically.
This allows you to set the speed in 5

km/h intervals.
Adjusting the speed limit while the vehicle is moving
› With button A
» Fig. 5 on page 12, choose the menu point
Warning against ex-
cessive speeds .
› Drive at the desired speed, e.g. 50 km/h.
› Press button B
to accept the current speed as the speed limit.
If you wish to change the set speed limit, it is changed in 5
km/h intervals (e.g. the
accepted speed of 47 km/h increases to 50 km/h or decreases to 45 km/h).
› Confirm the speed limit by pressing button B
again, or wait several seconds.
Your settings are saved automatically.
Change or delete speed limit
› With button A
» Fig. 5 on page 12, choose the menu point
Warning against ex-
cessive speeds .
› Pressing the button B
deletes the speed limit.
› Pressing the button B
activates the ability to change the speed limit.
If the set speed limit is exceeded, an audible signal will sound as a warning. At
the same time the message Warning against excessive speeds appears on the
display with the set limit value.
ä
The set speed limit value remains stored even after switching off the ignition.
Ð MAXI DOT (information display)
ä
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Main menu 14
Settings 15
Door, boot lid and bonnet warning 15
Auto Check Control 16
The information display provides you with information on the current operating
state of your vehicle . The information system also provides you with data relating
to the radio, mobile phone, multifunction display, navigation system, the unit con-
nected to the MDI port and the automatic gearbox » page 79. WARNING
Concentrate fully at all times on your driving! As the driver you are fully re-
sponsible for the operation of your vehicle. Ð Main menu
Fig. 6
Windshield wiper lever: Controls
for the information display
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 14.
›
Activate the Main menu
by pressing the rocker switch A
» Fig. 6 for longer.
£
ä
14 Using the system

Auto Check Control
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 14.
Vehicle condition
Certain functions and conditions of individual vehicle systems are checked contin-
uously when the ignition is switched on and also while driving.
Some error messages and other information are displayed in the information dis-
play. The messages are displayed at the same time as the symbols in the informa-
tion display or the warning lights in the instrument cluster
» page 16.
If there is at least one error message, the menu item Vehicle status is displayed
in the menu. After selecting this menu, the first of the error messages is dis-
played. Several error messages are shown on the display under the message e.g.
1/3. This indicates that the first of a total of three error messages is being dis-
played.
Warning symbols
 Engine oil pressure too low
» page 18
 Clutches of the automatic gearbox are too
hot » page 16
 Check engine oil level,
engine oil sensor faulty
» page 18
 Problem with the engine oil pressure
» page 16Clutches of the automatic gearbox are too hot

A symbol  in the information display indicates that the temperature of the
clutches of the automatic gearbox is too high.
The following is displayed in the information display: Gearbox overheated. Stop! Owner's man.!
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and wait until the symbol  disappears –
risk of gearbox damage! You can continue your journey as soon as the symbol dis-
appears.
Problem with the engine oil pressure 
If the symbol  is shown in the information display, you must have your vehicle
checked immediately by a
ŠKODA specialist garage. The information about the
maximum permissible engine speed is displayed together with this symbol.
ä WARNING
If you have to stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe dis-
tance from the traffic, switch off the engine and activate the hazard warning
light system » page 37. Note
■ If warning messages are shown in the information display, you need to confirm
these messages with the button B
» Fig. 6 on page 14 in order to call up the
main menu. ■ As long as the operational faults are not rectified, the symbols are always indi-
cated again. After they are displayed for the first time, the symbols continue to be
indicated without any extra messages for the driver. Ð Warning lights
Overview
The warning lights show certain functions/faults and may be accompanied by au-
dible signals.
When switching on the ignition, some indicator lights illuminate briefly as a func-
tion test. These indicator lights will disappear several seconds after the vehicle is
started.
 Handbrake
» page 17
 Brake system
» page 17
 Seat belt warning light
» page 18
 Generator
» page 18
 Open door
» page 18£16
Using the system

Glow plug system 
(diesel engine)
The warning light  comes on after the ignition has been switched on. The en-
gine can be started immediately after the pre-glow warning light goes out.
There is a fault in the glow plug system if the warning light  does not come on
at all or lights up continuously .
If the warning light  begins to flash while driving, a fault exists in the engine
control. The engine control unit allows the vehicle to run in emergency mode.
Seek help from a
ŠKODA specialist garage. ÐEPC 
fault light (petrol engine)
If the warning light 

 lights up, there is a fault in the engine control. The engine
control unit allows the vehicle to run in emergency mode.
Seek help from a ŠKODA specialist garage. ÐDiesel particulate filter 
(diesel engine)
The diesel particulate filter separates the soot particles from the exhaust. The
soot particles collect in the diesel particulate filter where they are burnt on a reg-
ular basis.
If the warning light  lights up, soot has accumulated in the diesel particulate
filter.
To clean the diesel particle filter, the vehicle should be driven at an even speed of
at least 60 km/h » at engine speeds of 1 800 – 2 500 rpm for at least 15 mi-
nutes or until the warning light goes out with the 4th or 5th
gear engaged (auto-
matic gearbox: position S) when the traffic situation permits it.
The warning light  only goes out after the diesel particulate filter has been
successfully cleaned.
If the filter is not properly cleaned, the warning light  does not go out and the
warning light  begins to flash.
The following is displayed in the information display: Diesel particulate filter: Owner's manual! The engine control unit allows the vehicle to run in emergency mode. After
switching the ignition off and on again the indicator light, the indicator light

also lights up.
Seek help from a

ŠKODA specialist garage. WARNING
■ The diesel particle filter achieves very high temperatures. Therefore do not
park in areas where the hot filter can come into direct contact with dry grass
or other combustible materials – risk of fire!
■ Always adjust your speed to suit weather, road, region and traffic condi-
tions. The recommendations indicated by the warning light must not tempt
you to disregard the national regulations for road traffic. CAUTION
As long as the warning light  lights up, one must take into account an in-
creased fuel consumption and in certain circumstances a power reduction of the
engine. Note
■ To assist the combustion process of the soot particles, we recommend that reg-
ularly driving over short distances should be avoided. ■ Using diesel fuel with an increased sulphur content can considerably reduce the
life of the diesel particle filter. A
ŠKODA specialist garage will be able to tell you
which countries use only diesel fuel with high sulphur content. Ð Fuel reserve 
The indicator light  will come on if the fuel level is less than 7 litres.
The following is displayed in the information display: Please refuel! Range ...

km Note
The text in the information display goes out only after refuelling and driving a
short distance. Ð
21
Instruments and Indicator Lights