2012 SKODA RAPID airbag

Visibility
Rear window heater
Fig. 26
Switch for rear window heater
› The rear window heater is switched on or off by pressing the switch
 » Fig. 26
the warning light in the switch comes on or goes out.
The rear window heater only operates when the engine is running.
The rear window heater switches off automatically after 7 minutes. For the sake of the environment
The heating should be switched off as soon as the window is de-iced or free from
mist. The reduced current consumption will have a favourable effect on fuel econ-
omy »

page 112, Saving electricity .Note
If the on-board voltage drops, the rear window heater switches off automatically,
in order to provide sufficient electrical energy for the engine control »

page 136,
Automatic load deactivation . Ð Sun visors
Fig. 27
Sun visor: Driver's side/front passenger's side
The sun visor for the driver or front passenger can be pulled out of the fixture and
swivelled towards the door in the direction of the arrow 1
» Fig. 27
or 2
.
The purpose of the strap A
is to store small, light objects, such as a notepad, etc.
The front passenger sun visor has a vanity mirror B
with a cover. Push the cover
in the direction of the arrow 3
.
WARNING
The sun visors must not be swivelled towards the side windows in the deploy-
ment area of the head airbags if any objects, such as ball-point pens, etc. are
attached to them. This might result in injuries to the occupants if the head air-
bag is deployed. Ð Windscreen wipers and washers
ä
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Activating the windscreen wipers and washers 40
Headlight cleaning system 41
Replacing the front windscreen wiper blades 41
Replacing the rear window glass wiper blades 42
£
39
Lights and visibility

Seats and Stowage
Front seats
ä
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Adjusting the front seats 45
Front armrest with storage compartment 45
Front seat heating 46
The driver's seat should be adjusted in such a way that the pedals can be fully
pressed to the floor with slightly bent legs.
The seat backrest on the driver's seat should be adjusted in such a way that the
upper point of the steering wheel can be easily reached with slightly bent arms.
Correct adjustment of the seats is particularly important for:
› safely and quickly reaching the controls;
› a relaxed, fatigue-free body position;
› achieving the maximum protection offered by the seat belts and the airbag
system. WARNING
■ Only adjust the driver's seat when the vehicle is stationary – risk of accident!
■ Caution when adjusting the seat! You may suffer injuries or bruises as a re-
sult of adjusting the seat without paying proper attention.
■ 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!
■ Never carry more people than the number of seats in the vehicle.
■ Each occupant must correctly fasten the seat belt belonging to the seat.
Children must be fastened » page 105, Transporting children safely with a
suitable restraint system. WARNING (Continued)
■ The front seats and the head restraints must always be adjusted to match
the body size of the seat occupant as well as the seat belts must always be
correctly fastened in order to provide an optimal protection for you and your
occupants.
■ 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. This is particularly important for the front seat passenger. You
will be exposed to increased risk of injury if it becomes necessary to apply the
brake or in the event of an accident. If an airbag is deployed, you may suffer
fatal injuries when adopting an incorrect seated position!
■ It is important for the driver and front passenger to maintain a distance of at
least 25 cm from the steering wheel or dash panel. Not maintaining this mini-
mum distance will mean that the airbag system will not be able to properly
protect you – hazard!
■ Ensure that there are no objects in the footwell as they may get caught be-
hind the pedals when driving or applying the braking. You would then no lon-
ger be able to operate the clutch, brake or accelerate. ■ Do not transport any objects on the front passenger seat except objects
(e.g. child safety seat) provided for this purpose – risk of accident! Note
After a certain time, play can develop within the adjustment mechanism of the
backrest angle. Ð
44 Using the system

WARNING
■ The belts and the belt locks must be in their original position after folding
back the seat backrests – they must be ready to use.
■ The seat backrests must be securely interlocked in position so that no ob-
jects in the boot can slide into the passenger compartment if there is sudden
braking – risk of injury. ■ Ensure that the rear seat backrests are properly engaged. Only then can the
seat belt for the middle seat reliably fulfil its function. CAUTION
Ensure that the seat belts are not damaged when operating the seat backrests.
Under no circumstances must the seat belts be jammed by the folded back seat
backrests. ÐRear armrest
Fig. 37
Rear seats: Armrest
The armrest can be folded down to increase comfort using the loop » Fig. 37.Ð Boot
ä
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Boot light 49
Class N1 vehicles 49
Fastening elements 49Hooks 50
Fixing nets 50
Boot cover 50
Please observe the following for the purpose of maintaining good handling char-
acteristics of your vehicle:
› Distribute loads as evenly as possible.
› Place heavy objects as far forward as possible.
› Attach the items of luggage to the lashing eyes or using the fixing
net » page 49 .
In the event of an accident, there is such a high kinetic energy which is produced
by small and light objects that they can cause severe injuries. The magnitude of
the kinetic energy is dependent on the speed at which the vehicle is travelling
and the weight of the object. The speed at which the vehicle is travelling is in this
case the more significant factor.
Example: In the event of a frontal collision at a speed of 50 km/h, an unsecured
object with a weight of 4.5 kg produces an energy, which corresponds to 20 times
its own weight. This means that it results in a weight of approx. 90 kg “ ”. You can
imagine the injuries that can occur, if this “object” flies through the interior com-
partment and hits an occupant. WARNING
■ Store the objects in the boot and attach them to the lashing eyes.
■ Loose objects in the passenger compartment can be thrown forward during
a sudden manoeuvre or in case of an accident and can injure the occupants or
other oncoming traffic. This risk is still increased, if the objects which are fly-
ing around are hit by a deployed airbag. In this case, the objects which are
thrown back can injure the occupants – hazard.
■ Please note that the handling properties of the vehicle may be affected
when transporting heavy objects as the centre of gravity can be displaced –
risk of accident! The speed and style of driving must be adjusted accordingly. ■ If the items of luggage or objects are attached to the lashing eyes with un-
suitable or damaged lashing straps, injuries can occur in the event of braking
manoeuvres or accidents. To prevent items of luggage from being thrown for-
ward, always use suitable lashing straps which must be firmly attached to the
lashing eyes. £
48 Using the system

Storage compartment in centre console
Fig. 53
Centre console: Storage compartments
Open storage compartment at the front of the centre console.
Open storage compartment at the rear of the centre console. ÐMultimedia holder
Fig. 54
Front centre console: Multimedia
holder
The multimedia holder can be found in the stowage compartment of the front
centre console » Fig. 54.
You can use this holder to store e.g. a mobile phone, MP3 player or similar devi-
ces. WARNING
Never use the multimedia holder as an ashtray or for storing flammable ob-
jects – risk of fire! ÐA
B Storage compartments in the doors
Fig. 55
Storage compartment: in the front door/in the rear door
Storage compartment in the front doors
Bottle compartment in the front doors
Storage compartment in the rear doors
Bottle compartment in the rear doors WARNING
Use the area A
» Fig. 55 of the storage compartment only for storing objects
which do not project so that the effectiveness of the side airbag is not im-
paired. Ð Storage compartments in the boot
Fig. 56
Boot: Stowage compartment
The cover for the side compartment can be removed, thus enlarging the boot. £ A
B
C
D
57
Seats and Stowage

›
Grasp the top part of the cover and carefully remove it in the direction of the
arrow » Fig. 56 .CAUTION
■ The storage compartments are designed for storing small objects of up to 1.5 kg.
in weight in total. ■ When using the storage compartment, take care not to damage the storage
compartment or the luggage compartment lining. ÐClothes hooks
The clothes hooks are located on the middle pillar and on the handle of the head-
liner above each of the rear doors. 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. ÐParking ticket holder
Fig. 57
Windscreen: Parking ticket hold-
er The note holder is designed e.g. for attaching car park tickets. WARNING
The attached note has to always be removed before starting off in order not
to restrict the driver's vision. Ð58
Using the system

Starting-off and Driving
Starting and stopping the engine
ä
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Adjusting the steering wheel position 69
Power steering 69
Electronic immobiliser 69
Ignition lock 70
Starting engine 70
Switching off the engine 70
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. 62 on page 69
–  . 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 severely injure the arms, hands
and head when the driver airbag is deployed.
■ When driving, the ignition key must always be in the position 2
» Fig. 63 on
page 70 (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! WARNING (Continued)
■ 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
■ You will place great stresses on the power steering system if the steering is
turned to full lock when the vehicle is stationary. Turning the steering to full lock
in such a situation will be accompanied by noises. Never leave the steering wheel
at full lock for more than 15

seconds when the engine is running – risk of damag-
ing the power steering!
■ The starter may only be operated (ignition key position 3
» Fig. 63 on
page 70), if the engine is not running. The starter or engine can be damaged if
the starter is activated when the engine is running. ■ Let go of the ignition key as soon as the engine starts otherwise the starter
could be damaged. ■ 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 152, Jump-starting.
■ 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. £
68 Using the system

Communication
Mobile phones and two-way radio systems
ŠKODA permits the operation of mobile phones and two-way radio systems with
a professionally installed external aerial and a maximum transmission power of
up to 10 watts.
Please refer to a ŠKODA Service Partner for information about the possibilities of
installing and operating mobile phones and two-way radio systems that have a
transmission power of more than 10
W.
Operating mobile phones or two-way radio systems may interfere with the func-
tionality of the electronic systems in your vehicle.
The reasons for this are as follows:
› no external aerial;
› external aerial incorrectly installed;
› transmission power greater than 10 watts. WARNING
■ Concentrate fully at all times on your driving! As the driver you are fully re-
sponsible for road safety. Use the telephone system only to such an extent
that you are in full control of your vehicle at any time.
■ The national regulations for using a mobile phone in a vehicle must be ob-
served.
■ If a mobile phone or a two-way radio system is operated in a vehicle without
an external aerial or an external aerial which has been installed incorrectly,
this can increase the strength of the electromagnetic field inside the vehicle. ■ Two-way radio systems, mobile phones or mounts must not be installed on
airbag covers or within the immediate deployment range of the airbags.
■ Never leave a mobile phone on a seat, on the dash panel or in another area,
from which it can be thrown during a sudden braking manoeuvre, an accident
or a collision – risk of injury.
■ In the event of air transport, the Bluetooth ®
function for the hands-free sys-
tem must be switched off by a specialist garage. Note
■ We recommend that the installation of mobile phones and two-way radio sys-
tems in a vehicle be carried out by a ŠKODA

Service Partner.
■ Not all mobile phones that enable Bluetooth ®
communication are compatible
with the universal telephone preinstallation GSM
II. You can ask an authorised
ŠKODA Service Partner whether your telephone is compatible with the universal
telephone preinstallation GSM II. ■ The range of the Bluetooth ®
connection to the hands-free system is restricted
to the vehicle interior. The range is dependent on local factors, e.g. obstacles be-
tween the devices and mutual interferences with other devices. If your mobile
phone is in a jacket pocket, for example, this can lead to difficulties when estab-
lishing a connection with the hands-free-system or transferring data. Ð Universal telephone preinstallation GSM II
Introductory information
The universal telephone preinstallation GSM
II (hands-free system) includes a
convenience mode for the mobile phone via voice control, the multifunction
steering wheel, the radio or navigation system.
The universal telephone preinstallation GSM II comprises the following functions. › Phone Phonebook » page 85.
› Convenience operation of the telephone via the multifunction steering
wheel » page 85 .
› Operation of the telephone via the information display
» page 87.
› Voice control of the telephone
» page 87.
› Music playback from the telephone or other multimedia units
» page 89.
All communication between a mobile phone and your vehicle's hands-free system
is established with the help of Bluetooth ®
technology. Note
The following guidelines must be observed » page 84, Mobile phones and two-
way radio systems. Ð
84 Using the system

Safety
Passive Safety
General information
ä
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Safety equipment 91
Before setting off 91
What influences the driving safety? 92
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. ÐSafety equipment
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 91.
ä 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;
› 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 1)
;
› 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. Ð Before setting off
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 91.
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 48.
› 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 105 , Transporting children safely .
› Adopt the correct seated position
» page 92. Tell your passengers to assume
the correct seated position.
› Correctly fasten the seat belt. Also inform passengers to fasten the seat belt
correctly » page 95 . Ð
ä
1)
Not valid for sports seat.
91
Passive Safety