2012 SKODA RAPID cooling

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

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.
■ The following guidelines should be observed when opening the bonnet and
checking the brake fluid level »
page 126, Engine compartment .
■ If the warning light  is displayed simultaneously with warning light
 » page 20, Antilock brake system (ABS) ,  do not continue your jour-
ney! Seek help from a ŠKODA specialist garage. ■ A fault to the braking system or the ABS system can increase the vehicle's
braking distance – risk of accident! ÐSeat belt warning light 
The indicator light  comes on after the ignition is switched on as a reminder for
the driver and front passenger to fasten the seat belt. The indicator light only
goes out if the driver or front passenger has fastened his seat belt.
If the seat belt has not been fastened by the driver or front passenger, a perma-
nent warning signal sounds at vehicle speeds greater than 20

km/h and simulta-
neously the indicator light  flashes.
If the seat belt is not fastened by the driver or front passenger during the next
90 seconds, the warning signal is deactivated and the indicator light  lights up
permanently. ÐDynamo 
If the warning light lights up  when the engine is running, the vehicle battery is
not being charged.
Seek help from a ŠKODA

specialist garage. The electrical system requires check-
ing. 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, Switches for the hazard warning light system . CAUTION
If the warning light  (cooling system fault) comes on in addition to the warning
light  when driving, stop the vehicle immediately and switch the engine off –
risk of engine damage! Ð Open door 
The warning light  comes on if one or several doors are opened or if the boot lid
is opened. 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. Ð Engine oil 

The warning light  lights up red (low oil pressure)
The following is displayed in the information display:
Oil Pressure: Engine off! Owner's manual!
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and check the level of the engine
oil » page 129.
Even if the oil level is correct,  do not drive any further if the warning light is
flashing. Also do not leave the engine running at an idling speed.
Seek help from a

ŠKODA specialist garage.
The warning light  lights up yellow (oil quantity too low)
The following is displayed in the information display:
Check oil level!
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and check the level of the engine
oil » page 129.
The warning light will go out if the bonnet is left open for more than 30 seconds.
If no engine oil has been replenished, the warning light will come on again after
driving about 100 km. £
18 Using the system

The warning light
 flashes yellow (engine oil level sensor faulty)
The following is displayed in the information display:
Oil sensor: Workshop!
If the engine oil level sensor is faulty, the warning light flashes  several times
and an audible signal sounds when the ignition is turned on.
Seek help from a
ŠKODA specialist garage.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. ÐCoolant temperature/coolant level 

The indicator light  lights up until the engine reaches operating temperature 1)
.
Avoid high speeds, full throttle and high engine loads.
If the warning light  lights up or flashes, either the coolant temperature is too
high or the coolant level is too low.
The following is displayed in the information display:
Check coolant! Owner's manual!
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, check the level of the coolant » page 130,
and refill the coolant if necessary » page 131.
If the coolant is within the specified range, the increased temperature may be
caused by an operating problem at the radiator fan. Check the fuse for the radia-
tor fan, replace if necessary » page 159, Replacing the fuses in the engine com-
partment .
Do not continue driving if the warning light   does not go off even though the
coolant level is correct and the fuse for the fan is in working order!
Seek help from a ŠKODA specialist garage. 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.
■ Carefully open the coolant expansion bottle. If the engine is hot, the cooling
system is pressurized – risk of scalding! It is therefore best to allow the engine
to cool down before removing the cap.
■ Do not touch the radiator fan. The radiator fan may switch itself on auto-
matically even if the ignition is off. Ð Power steering 
If the indicator light  lights up, there is a fault in the power steering system.
The power steering operates with reduced steering assist or does not function at
all.
Seek help from a

ŠKODA specialist garage. Ð Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 
The warning light flashes  to show that the ESC is currently operating.
If the warning light  comes on immediately after you start the engine, the ESC
might be switched off due to technical reasons. Switch the ignition off and on
again. If the warning light does not light up after you switch the engine back on,
the ESR is fully functional again.
If the warning light  lights up, there is a fault in the ESC.
The following is displayed in the information display: Error: Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
or Error: traction control (ASR)
Seek help from a ŠKODA specialist garage.
Further information » page 72, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) .£1)
Not valid for vehicles with information display.
19
Instruments and Indicator Lights

WARNING
■ Do not place anything on the dash panel. These objects might slide or fall
down when driving and may distract you from concentrating on the traffic –
risk of accident!
■ When driving, ensure that no objects from the centre console or from other
storage compartments can get into the driver's footwell. You would then no
longer be able to apply the brakes, operate the clutch or accelerator – risk of
accident! ÐStorage compartment on the front passenger side
Fig. 48
Dash panel: Storage compartment on the front passenger side
Open/close
› Pull the handle of the flap in the direction of the arrow
» Fig. 48 –  and fold
down the flap.
› Lift the lid upwards until it clicks into place.
light
› When opening the flap of the storage compartment on the front passenger
side the lighting in the storage compartment comes on.
› The light switches on automatically when the parking light is switched on and
goes out when the flap is closed.
Cooling
Use the rotary switch » Fig. 48 – 

to open/close the air supply.
Opening the air supply when the air conditioning system is switched on allows
cooled air to flow into the storage compartment. Opening the air inlet when the air conditioning system is on causes fresh or inte-
rior air to flow into the storage compartment.
We recommend closing the air supply if it is operated in heating mode or the cool-
ing system for the storage compartment is not being used. WARNING
The storage compartment must always be closed when driving for safety rea-
sons. Note
A 1 litre bottle (max. capacity) can be stored in the storage compartment on the
front passenger's side. Ð Storage box for safety vest
Fig. 49
Front passenger seat: Stowage
compartment
A storage box » Fig. 49 for the safety vest is located under the front passenger
seat. WARNING
Do not store any other objects here. They could fall out of the storage box –
risk of obstruction or limitation in operating the pedals. CAUTION
Do not store any other objects here – this could cause damage to the storage
box. Ð
55
Seats and Stowage

Heating and air conditioning system
Heating and air conditioning system
Introductory information
The heating effect is dependent upon the coolant temperature, thus full heat
output only occurs when the engine has reached its operating temperature.
If the cooling system is switched on, the temperature and air humidity drops in
the vehicle. The well-being of the occupants of the car is enhanced as a result of
this particularly at high outside temperatures and a high air humidity. The system
prevents the windows misting up during the cold season of the year.
It is possible to briefly activate recirculated air mode to enhance the cooling ef-
fect.
The air inlet in front of the windscreen must be free of ice, snow or leaves to en-
sure that the heating and cooling system operates properly.
After switching on the cooling Condensation from the evaporator of the air condi-
tioning may drip down and form a puddle below the vehicle. This is quite normal
and not an indication of a leak! WARNING
■ For your own safety and that of other road users, ensure that all the win-
dows are free of ice, snow and misting. Please familiarize yourself about how
to correctly operate the heating and ventilation systems, how to demist and
defrost the windows, as well as with the cooling mode.
■ Do not leave recirculated air mode on over a longer period of time, as “stale”
air can cause fatigue of the driver and passengers, reduce attention levels and
also cause the windows to mist up. The risk of having an accident increases.
Switch off recirculated air mode as soon as the windows start to mist up. Note
■ The used air streams out through the vents in the boot.
■ We recommend that you do not smoke in the vehicle when the recirculating air
mode is operating since the smoke which is drawn at the evaporator from the in-
terior of the vehicle forms deposits in the evaporator of the air conditioning sys- tem. This produces a permanent odour when the air conditioning system is oper-
ating which can only be eliminated through considerable effort and expense (re-
placement of compressor). ■ To ensure that the heating and air conditioning systems work properly, do not
block up the air outlet vents with any objects. Ð Using the air conditioning system economically
The compressor on the air conditioning system uses power from the engine when
in cooling mode which will effect the fuel consumption.
It recommended to open the windows or the doors of a vehicle for which the inte-
rior has been strongly heated through the effect of direct sunlight in order to al-
low the heated air to escape.
The cooling system should not be switched on while travelling when the window
is open.
If the desired interior temperature can also be achieved without activating the
cooling system, fresh air mode should be selected. For the sake of the environment
Pollutant emissions are also reduced when fuel is saved. Ð Operational problems
If the cooling system does not operate at outside temperatures higher than +5 °C,
there is a problem in the system. The reasons for this may be.
› One of the fuses has blown. Check the fuse and replace if necessa-
ry »
page 156 .
› The cooling system has switched off automatically for a short time because the
coolant temperature of the engine is too hot » page 9.
If you cannot rectify the functional fault yourself, or the cooling capacity decrea-
ses, the cooling system must be switched off. Visit a ŠKODA specialist garage. Ð
59
Heating and air conditioning system

WARNING
Do not leave recirculated air mode on over a longer period of time, as “stale”
air can cause fatigue of the driver and passengers, reduce attention levels and
also cause the windows to mist up. The risk of having an accident increases.
Switch off recirculated air mode as soon as the windows start to mist up. ÐAir conditioning system (manual air conditioning
system) Introductory information
The cooling system only operates if the button AC 2
» Fig. 60 on page 62 is
pressed, and the following conditions are met:
› engine running;
› outside temperature above approx. +2 °C;
› blower switch switched on (positions 1 to 4).
Under certain circumstances, air at a temperature of about 5 °C can flow out of
the vents when the cooling system is switched on. Lengthy and uneven distribu-
tion of the air flow out of the vents and large differences in temperature, for ex-
ample when getting out of the vehicle, can result in chills in sensitive persons. Note
We recommend that you have the air conditioning system cleaned by a ŠKODA
specialist garage once every year. Ð Using the system
Fig. 60
The air conditioning system: Control elements
Setting temperature
› Turn the control dial A
» Fig. 60 to the right to increase the temperature.
› Turn the control dial A
to the left to decrease the temperature.
Controlling blower
› Turn the blower switch B

» Fig. 60 into one of the positions, 1 to 4, to switch
the blower on.
› Turn the blower switch B
into position 0 to switch the blower off.
› Press the button
 1
to close the fresh air supply.
Regulating the air distribution
› The direction of the inlet air flow is controlled with air distribution regulator C
» Fig. 60
» page 60.
Switching the cooling system on and off
› Press the button
AC 2

» Fig. 60 and the warning light in the button illumi-
nates.
› Pressing the button
AC 2
again switches off the cooling system – the indica-
tor light in the button goes out. £
62 Using the system

Note
■ The whole heat output will be needed to defrost the windscreen and side win-
dows. No warm air will be fed to the footwell. This can lead to restriction of the
heating comfort. ■ The warning light AC lights after activation, even if not all of the conditions for
the function of the cooling system have been met » page 62, Introductory infor-
mation . By lighting up of the warning light in the button, the operational readi-
ness of the cooling system is signalled. Ð 63
Heating and air conditioning system

Setting the air conditioning system
Recommended basic settings of the control elements of the air conditioning sys-
tem for the respective operating modes:
Set-up Setting of the control dial
Button
Air outlet vents 4 A B C 1 2
Defrost/defog windscreen and
side windows
a) Desired tempera-
ture 3 or 4
Do not switch on Automatically switched
on Open and align with the side
window
The fastest heating To the right up to
the stop 3
Briefly switch on Switched off
Opening
Comfortable heating Desired tempera-
ture 2 or 3
   Do not switch on Switched off
Opening
The fastest cooling To the left up to
the stop briefly 4, then
2 or 3 Briefly switch on
b)
Activated Opening
Optimal cooling Desired tempera-
ture 1, 2 or 3
Do not switch on Activated Open and align to the roof
Fresh air mode – ventilation To the left up to
the stop Desired position
Do not switch on Switched off
Openinga)
We recommend that you do not use this setting in countries with high humidity levels. This can result in heavy cooling of the window glass and the following fogging from outside.
b) Under certain conditions, recirculated air mode » page 64 may come on automatically;  the warning light will then light up in the button.
Note
■ Controls A
» Fig. 60
on page 62, B
, C
and buttons 1
and 2
.
■ Air outlet vents 4 » Fig. 58 on page 60.
■ We recommend that you leave the air outlet vents 3 » Fig. 58 on page 60 in the
opened position. ÐRecirculated air mode
Recirculated air mode prevents polluted air outside the vehicle from getting into
the vehicle, for example when driving through a tunnel or when standing in a
traffic jam.
Switching on
› Press the button
 1
» Fig. 60
on page
62 and the warning light in the but-
ton illuminates. Switching off
› Press the button
 1
» Fig. 60
on page
62again – the warning light in the
button goes out.
Recirculated air mode is switched off automatically if the air distribution control C
» Fig. 60

on page 62 is turned to position . Recirculated air mode can be
switched on again from this setting by repeatedly pressing the button  .
WARNING
Do not leave recirculated air mode on over a longer period of time, as “stale”
air can cause fatigue of the driver and passengers, reduce attention levels and
also cause the windows to mist up. The risk of having an accident increases.
Switch off recirculated air mode as soon as the windows start to mist up. Ð
64 Using the system