2012 SKODA RAPID wheel

Basic setting of the system
After changing the tyre inflation pressure, after changing one or several wheels,
the position of a wheel on the vehicle (e.g. exchanging the wheels between the
axles) or when the warning light lights up while driving, a basic setting of the sys-
tem must be carried out as follows:
› Inflate all of the tyres to the specified inflation pressure
» page 138, Service life
of tyres.
› Switch on the ignition.
› Press and hold the button

 » Fig. 109
for longer than 2 seconds. While
pressing the button, the warning light  illuminates. At the same time the sys-
tem memory is erased and the new calibration is started, which is confirmed
with an audible signal and then the warning light  goes out.
› If the warning light
 does not go out after the basic setting, this indicates a
system fault. Seek help from a ŠKODA specialist garage.
The warning light  is lit
If the tyre inflation pressure of at least one wheel is insufficiently inflated in com-
parison to the stored basic value, the warning light  » lights up.
The warning light  flashes
If the warning light flashes, there is a system fault. Seek help from a

ŠKODA spe-
cialist garage to correct the fault. WARNING
■ When the warning light  illuminates, immediately reduce the speed and
avoid sudden steering and brake manoeuvres. Stop the vehicle as soon as
possible and inspect the tyres and their inflation pressure.
■ Under certain circumstances (e.g. sporty style of driving, wintry or unpaved
roads) the warning light  can be delayed or does not light up at all.
■ The tyre control display does not absolve the driver of the responsibility to
ensure the correct tyre inflation pressure. For this reason, the tyre inflation
pressure must be checked regularly. Note
■ The tyre control display does therefore not replace the regular tyre inflation
pressure control, as the system cannot detect an even loss of pressure. ■ The tyre control display cannot provide a warning in the event of very rapid tyre
inflation pressure loss, e.g. in the case of sudden tyre damage. In this case care-
fully bring the vehicle to a standstill without sudden steering movements or
sharp braking.
■ To ensure a proper functioning of the tyre control display, it is necessary to re-
peat the basic setting every 10 000 km or once a year. Ð Wheel bolts
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 137.
Wheels and
wheel bolts are matched to each other in terms of design. Each time
you fit other wheels, e.g. light alloy wheels or wheels with winter tyres, you must
therefore also use the matching wheel bolts of the correct length and shape of
spherical cap. This is essential to ensure that the wheels are tightly fitted and
that the brake system operates properly. Ð Winter tyres
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 137.
The handling of your vehicle will be significantly improved when driving on wintry
roads if you fit winter tyres. Summer tyres do not offer the same grip on ice, snow
and at temperatures below 7 °C because of their construction (width, rubber
blend, tread pattern). This particularly applies to vehicles which are equipped with
low-profile tyres
or high-speed tyres (code index H or V on wall of tyre).
To achieve the best possible handling properties, winter tyres must be fitted on
all 4 wheels, the minimum tread depth must be 4

mm and tyres must be no older
than 4 years.
Winter tyres of a lower speed category can be used provided that the permissible
maximum speed of these tyres is not exceeded even if the possible maximum
speed of the vehicle is higher. £
ä
ä
142 General Maintenance

For the sake of the environment
Fit the summer tyres on again in good time as they provide better handling prop-
erties, a shorter braking distance, less tyre noise, and reduced tyre wear on roads
which are free of snow and ice as well as at temperatures above 7
°C. The fuel
consumption is also lower. ÐSnow chains
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 137.
Snow chains must only be mounted on the front wheels.
When driving on wintry roads, snow chains improve not only traction, but also the
braking performance.
For technical reasons, it is only permissible to fit snow chains with the following
wheel/tyre combinations.
Wheel size Depth (D)Tyre size
5J x 14 a)
35 mm 175/70
6J x 15 b)
38 mm 185/60
6J x 15 b)
38 mm 195/55a)
Only fit snow chains with links and locks not larger than 9 mm.
b) Only fit snow chains with links and locks not larger than 13 mm.
Remove the full wheel trims before installing the snow chains.
Observe the national legal regulations relating to the use of snow chains and the
maximum vehicle speed with snow chains. CAUTION
The chains must be removed when driving on roads which are free of snow. They
adversely affect the handling of your vehicle, damage the tyres and are rapidly
destroyed. Ðä
143
Wheels and Tyres

The vehicle tool kit and the lifting jack with sticker are housed in a plastic box in
the spare wheel or in the storage space for the spare wheel. There is also space
here for the removable ball rod for the trailer towing device. The box is attached
with a strap on the spare wheel.
The vehicle tool kit contains the following parts (depending on equipment fitted):
Screwdriver
Adapter for anti-theft wheel bolts
Towing eye
Clamps for removing the wheel trims
Car jack
Wheel wrench
Extraction pliers for wheel bolt caps
Replacement bulb set
Before placing the lifting jack back into its storage area, screw in the arm of the
lifting jack fully. WARNING
■ The factory-supplied lifting jack is only intended for your model of vehicle.
Under no circumstances attempt to lift heavier vehicles or other loads – risk of
injury!
■ Ensure that the vehicle tool kit is safely secured in the boot. Note
Ensure that the box is always secured with the strap. ÐChanging a wheel
ä
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Preliminary work 147
Changing a wheel 147
Subsequent steps 147
Loosening and tightening wheel bolts 1481
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 Raising the vehicle 148
Securing wheels against theft 149
WARNING
■ If you are in flowing traffic, switch on the hazard warning light system and
set up the warning triangle at the prescribed distance! The national legal re-
quirements must be observed. In this way you are not only protecting yourself
but other road users as well.
■ If the wheel is damaged or in the event of a puncture, park the vehicle as far
away as possible from the flow of traffic. Park on as flat and firm a surface as
possible. ■ If the wheel has to be changed on a slope, first of all block the opposite
wheel with a stone or similar object to prevent the vehicle from unexpectedly
rolling away.
■ If the vehicle is subsequently fitted with tyres which are different to those it
was fitted with at the works, follow these guidelines » page 139, New wheels
and tyres .
■ Always raise the vehicle with the doors closed.
■ Never position any body parts, such as arms or legs under the vehicle, while
the vehicle is raised with a lifting jack. ■ Secure the base plate of the lifting jack with suitable means to prevent pos-
sible moving. A soft and slippery ground under the base plate may move the
lifting jack, causing the vehicle to fall down. It is therefore always necessary to
place the lifting jack on a solid surface or use a wide and stable base. Use a
non-slip base (e.g. a rubber foot mat) if the surface is smooth, such as cobbled
stones, tiled floor, etc. ■ Never start the engine with the vehicle sitting on the raised jack – danger of
suffering injury.
■ Only attach the lifting jack to the attachment points provided for this pur-
pose. CAUTION
■ The prescribed tightening torque of the wheel bolts for steel and light alloy
wheels is 120
Nm.
■ If the anti-theft wheel bolt is fastened too tightly, it can cause damage to the
anti-theft wheel bolt and adapter. £
146 Do-it-yourself

Note
■ The anti-theft wheel bolt set and adapter can be purchased from a ŠKODA Serv-
ice Partner. ■ The national legal requirements must be observed when changing a wheel. ÐPreliminary work
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 146.
The following steps must be carried out before actually changing the wheel:
›
In the event of a puncture, park the vehicle as far away as possible from the
flow of traffic. The place you choose should be level.
› Let all of the occupants get out.
While changing a tyre, the occupants of the
vehicle should not stand on the road (instead they should remain behind a crash
barrier).
› Switch off the engine and move the gearshift lever into
Neutral or move the
selector lever
for the automatic gearbox into position P .
› Firmly apply the
handbrake.
› If a trailer is connected, remove it.
› Remove the vehicle tool kit
» page 145 and the spare wheel » page 140, Spare
wheel from the boot. ÐChanging a wheel
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 146.
Always change a wheel on a level surface as far as possible.
›
Remove the full wheel trim
» page 141 or caps » page 141.
› First of all slacken the anti-theft wheel bolt and then the other wheel
bolts » page 148.
› Jack up the vehicle until the wheel that needs changing is clear of the
ground » page 148.
› Unscrew the wheel bolts and place them on a clean surface (cloth, paper, etc.).
› Remove the wheel.
› Attach the spare wheel and slightly screw on the wheel bolts.
› Lower the vehicle.
› Alternately tighten the wheel bolts opposite each other using the wheel
wrench (crosswise) and then tighten the anti-theft wheel bolt » page 148.
ä
ä
›
Replace the wheel trim or the caps. Note
■ All bolts must be clean and must turn easily.
■ Under no circumstances grease or oil the wheel bolts!
■ When fitting unidirectional tyres, ensure that the direction of rotation is cor-
rect »
page 140 , Unidirectional tyres . Ð Subsequent steps
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 146.
The following steps must also be performed after changing the wheel.
›
Stow and attach the replaced wheel in the spare wheel well using a special
screw » page 140, Spare wheel.
› Stow the vehicle tool kit in the space provided.
› Check
the tyre pressure
on the installed spare wheel as soon as possible.
› Have the
tightening torque of the wheel bolts checked with a torque wrench
as soon as possible.
› Change the damaged wheel or consult a ŠKODA specialist garage about repair
possibilities. Note
■ If it is determined that the wheel bolts are corroded and difficult to turn when
changing the wheel, the bolts must be replaced before checking the tightening
torque. ■ Drive cautiously and only at a moderate speed until the tightening torque has
been checked. Ð
ä
147
Do-it-yourself

Loosening and tightening wheel bolts
Fig. 112
Changing a wheel: Loosening
the wheel bolts
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 146.
Loosening
›
Push the wheel wrench onto the wheel bolt up to the stop 1)
.
› Grasp the end of the wrench and turn the bolt about
one turn to the
left » Fig. 112 .
Tightening
› Push the wheel wrench onto the wheel bolt up to the stop 1)
.
› Grasp the end of the wrench and turn the bolt to the right until it is tight. WARNING
Undo the wheel bolts only a little (about one turn) as long as the vehicle has
not yet been jacked up – risk of an accident! Note
If it proves difficult to undo the bolts, carefully apply pressure to the end of the
wrench with your foodt. Keep hold of the vehicle when doing so, and make sure
you keep your footing. Ð
ä Raising the vehicle
Fig. 113
Changing a wheel: Jacking points
for positioning lifting jack Fig. 114
Attach lifting jack
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 146.
Position the lifting jack by selecting the jacking point that is closest to the faulty
wheel
» Fig. 113. The jacking point is located directly below the engraving in the
lower sill.
› Position the lifting jack below the jacking point and move it up until its claw is
positioned directly below the vertical web of the lower sill.
› Align the lifting jack so that its claw grasps the web
» Fig. 114 –
 below the
embossing in the side surface of the lower sill.
› Ensure that the entire surface of the lifting jack base plate rests on level
ground and is located in a vertical position to the area » Fig. 114 where the claw
grasps the web. £
ä
1)
Use the appropriate adapter for undoing and tightening the anti-theft wheel bolts » page 149.
148 Do-it-yourself

›
Continue turning up the jack until the wheel is just about lifted off the ground. ÐSecuring wheels against theft
Fig. 115
Principle sketch: Anti-theft
wheel bolt with adapter
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 146.
The anti-theft wheel bolts on vehicles fitted with them (one anti-theft wheel bolt
per wheel) can only be loosened or tighten up by using the adapter provided.
›
Pull off the full wheel trim from the wheel rim or the cap from the anti-theft
wheel bolt.
› Insert the adapter B
» Fig. 115
with its toothed side fully into the inner tooth-
ing of the safety wheel bolt A
until the stop so that only the outer hexagon is
jutting out.
› Push the wheel wrench onto the adapter B
up to the stop.
› Loosen or tighten the wheel bolt
» page 148.
› After removing the adapter, reinstall the full wheel trim or place the cap onto
the anti-theft wheel bolt.
› Have the
tightening torque checked with a torque wrench as soon as possible.
It is advisable to make a note of the code number hammered into the rear side of
the adapter or the rear side of the anti-theft wheel bolt. This number can be used
to purchase a replacement adapter from a

ŠKODA Service Partner, if necessary.
We recommend that you always carry the adapter for the wheel bolts with you in
the vehicle. It should be stowed in the vehicle tool kit. Ð
ä Breakdown kit
ä
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Components of the breakdown kit 150
Preparing to use the breakdown kit 150
Sealing and inflating tyres 151
Check after driving for 10 minutes 151
The breakdown kit is located in a box under the floor covering in the boot.
Use the breakdown kit to reliably repair tyre damage caused by foreign bodies or
a puncture with diameters up to approx. 4

mm. Do not remove foreign bodies, e.g.
screws or nails, from the tyre!
The repair can be undertaken on the vehicle immediately.
Repairs with the breakdown kit do not in any way replace a permanent repair of
the tyre, it only serves to reach the next ŠKODA specialist garage.
The breakdown kit must not be used under the following circumstances:
› if there is damage to the wheels;
› in outside temperatures of less than -20 °C;
› with tears or punctures greater than 4 mm in size;
› if there is damage to the tyre wall;
› when driving with very low tyre pressure or with a completely flat tyre;
› if the use-by-date (see inflation bottle) has passed. WARNING
■ If you are in flowing traffic, switch on the hazard warning light system and
set up the warning triangle at the prescribed distance! The national legal re-
quirements must be observed. In this way you are not only protecting yourself
but other road users as well.
■ If the wheel is damaged or in the event of a puncture, park the vehicle as far
away as possible from the flow of traffic. Park on as flat and firm a surface as
possible. ■ A tyre filled with sealant has the same driving characteristics as a standard
tyre. £
149
Do-it-yourself

WARNING (Continued)
■ Do not drive faster than 80 km/h (50 mph).
■ Avoid accelerating at full throttle, sharp braking and fast cornering.
■ Check the tyre inflation pressure after driving for 10 minutes!
■ The sealant is hazardous to heath. Remove immediately if it comes into con-
tact with the skin. For the sake of the environment
Used sealant or sealant whose expiry date has passed must be disposed of in ac-
cordance with environmental protection regulations. Note
■ Observe the manufacturer's usage instructions for the breakdown kit.
■ A new bottle of sealant can be purchased from ŠKODA Original Accessories.
■ Immediately replace the wheel that was repaired using the breakdown kit or
consult a ŠKODA specialist garage about repair possibilities. ÐComponents of the breakdown kit
Fig. 116
Components of the breakdown kit
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 149.
ä The breakdown kit contains the following parts:
Valve remover
Sticker with speed designation

“max. 80 km/h”/“max. 50 mph”
Inflation hose with plug
Air compressor
Tyre inflation hose
Tyre inflation pressure indicator
Air release valve
ON and OFF switch
12 volt cable connector
Tyre inflator bottle with sealing agent
Replacement valve core
The valve remover 1
has a slot at its lower end which fits into the valve core.
This is the only way in which you can remove and re-install the valve core from
the tyre valve. The same also applies to the replacement valve core 11
.
Ð Preparing to use the breakdown kit
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 149.
The following preparatory work must be carried out before using the breakdown
kit.
›
In the event of a puncture, park the vehicle as far away as possible from the
flow of traffic. Park on as flat and firm a surface as possible.
› Let all of the occupants get out.
While changing a tyre, the occupants of the
vehicle should not stand on the road (instead they should remain behind a crash
barrier).
› Switch off the engine and move the gearshift lever into
Neutral or move the
selector lever
for the automatic gearbox into position P .
› Firmly apply the
handbrake.
› Check that you can carry out the repairs with the breakdown kit
» page 149.
› If a trailer is connected, remove it.
› Remove the breakdown kit
from the boot.
› Stick the sticker 2
»
Fig. 116
on page 150 on the dash panel in view of the driv-
er.
› Do not remove the foreign body, e.g. screw or nail, from the tyre.
› Unscrew the valve cap.
£ 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
ä
150 Do-it-yourself

›
Attach the other end 4
to a solid metal part which is connected firmly to the
engine block, or to the engine block itself.
Starting engine
› Start the engine on the vehicle providing the power and allow it to idle.
› Now start the engine of the vehicle with the discharged battery.
› If the engine does not start, terminate the attempt to start the engine after
10 seconds and wait for about 30 seconds before repeating the process.
› Disconnect the cables in exactly the
reverse order to the one described above. ÐJump-starting in vehicles with the START-STOP system
Fig. 118
Jump-starting – START-STOP system
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 152.
On vehicles with the START-STOP system, the jump-start cable of the charger
must never be connected directly to the negative pole of the vehicle battery, but
only to the engine earth.
› 1.2 ltr./63
kW TSI and 1.2 ltr./77 kW TSI engines » Fig. 118 - 
› 1.4 ltr./90 kW engine
» Fig. 118 - 
› 1.6 ltr./77 kW TDI CR engine
» Fig. 118 -  Ð
ä Towing the vehicle
ä
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Front towing eye 154
Rear towing eye 155
Vehicles with manual transmission can be towed in with a tow bar or a tow rope
or with the front or rear wheels raised.
Vehicles with automatic transmission can be towed in with a tow bar or a tow
rope or with the front wheels raised. If the vehicle is raised at rear, the automatic
gearbox is damaged!
A tow bar is the safest way of towing a vehicle and also minimises any shocks.
Only use a tow rope if a suitable tow bar is not available.
When towing, the following guidelines must be observed.
Driver of the tow vehicle
› Release the clutch particularly gently when starting off or depress the accelera-
tor particularly gently if the vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.
› On vehicles with a manual transmission, only push down on the accelerator
pedal once the rope is taught.
The maximum towing speed is 50 km/h.
Driver of the towed vehicle
› Switch on the ignition so that the steering wheel is not blocked and so that the
turn signal lights, horn, windscreen wipers and windscreen washer system can
be switched on.
› Take the vehicle out of gear or move the selector lever into position
N if the
vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.
Please note that the brake servo unit and power steering only operate if the en-
gine is running. If the engine is not running, significantly more physical force is re-
quired to depress the brake pedal and steer the vehicle.
If using a tow rope, ensure that it is always kept taught. £
153
Do-it-yourself