Selector lever-emergency unlocking
Fig. 109
Selector lever-emergency un-
locking
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 109.
In case of interruption of the power supply (e.g. flat vehicle battery, defective
fuse) or defect of the selector lever lock, the selector lever can no longer be shif-
ted from the position
P in the normal way and the vehicle can no longer be
moved. The selector lever must be unlocked in case of emergency.
› Firmly apply the handbrake.
› Carefully pull up the front left and right cover.
› Pull up rear cover.
› Use a finger to press the yellow plastic part in the direction of the ar-
row » Fig. 109 .
› Simultaneously press the Shiftlock button in the handle of the selector lever
and shift the lever into the position N (if the selector lever is shifted back into
the position P , it is blocked again). Ðä
113
Automatic gearbox
What influences the driving safety?
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 128.
The driver is fully responsible for himself and his occupants. If your driving safety
is effected, you place yourself and the oncoming traffic at risk.
The following guidelines must therefore be observed. › Do not get distracted from concentrating on the traffic situation, e.g. by your
passengers or mobile phone calls.
› Never drive when your driving ability is impaired, e.g. through medication, alco-
hol, drugs.
› Keep to the traffic regulations and the permissible speed limit.
› Always adjust the driving speed to the road, traffic and weather conditions.
› Take regular breaks on long journeys – at least every two hours. ÐCorrect seated position
ä
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Correct seated position for the driver 130
Correct seated position for the front passenger 130
Correct seated position for the occupants on the rear seats 130
Examples of an incorrect seated position 131
WARNING
■ 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 assume the correct seated position before setting off and do not
change this position while driving. Also advise your passengers to adopt the
correct seated position and not to change this position while the car is mov-
ing.
ä WARNING (Continued)
■ If the occupant adopts an incorrect seated position, he is exposed to life-
threatening injuries, in case he is hit by a deployed airbag.
■ If the occupants on the rear seats are not sitting upright, the risk of injury is
increased due to incorrect routing of the seat belt.
■ The driver must maintain a distance of at least 25 cm from the steering
wheel, and a distance of at least 10 cm between the legs and the dash panel
at the height of the knee airbag. The front passenger must maintain a dis-
tance of at least 25 cm to the dash panel. Not maintaining this minimum dis-
tance will mean that the airbag system will not be able to properly protect you
- hazard!
■ 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.
■ 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!
■ Ensure that there are no objects in the driver's footwell as they may get
caught behind the pedals when driving or applying the braking. You would
then no longer be able to operate the clutch, brake or accelerate.
■ 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. You will be exposed to increased risk of injury if it becomes nec-
essary to apply the brake or in the event of an accident. If an airbag is de-
ployed, you may suffer fatal injuries when adopting an incorrect seated posi-
tion! Ð
129
Passive Safety
Fastening and unfastening seat belts
Fig. 119
Fastening/unfastening the seat belt Fig. 120
Routing of belt webbing over the shoulders and the lap belt/Rout-
ing of belt webbing for an expectant mother
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 132.
Fasten
›
Correctly adjust the front seat and head restraint before fastening the seat
belt » page 59, Head restraints.
› Use the lock tongue to slowly pull the webbing over your chest and pelvis.
› Insert the lock tongue into the belt buckle
» Fig. 119 - that is part of the seat
until it clicks into place.
› Pull on the belt to check that it has engaged correctly in the lock.
A plastic knob in the belt webbing holds the belt tongue in a position which is
easy to get hold of.
ä It is important that the belt webbing is properly routed to ensure seat belts offer
the maximum protection. The shoulder part of the seat belt must never run
across the neck but must roughly run over the middle of the shoulder and fit
snugly against the chest. The lap part of the belt must run across the pelvis, must
not be positioned across the stomach and must always fit snugly
» Fig. 120 - .
Expectant women must also always wear a seat belt. This is the only way of en-
suring optimal protection for the unborn child. On expectant mothers, the lap part
of the belt must be positioned as low as possible on the pelvis to avoid exerting
any pressure on the lower abdomen » Fig. 120 - .
Release
Release the seat belt only when the vehicle is stationary.
› Press the red button in the belt buckle
» Fig. 119 - , the lock tongue pops out.
› Manually guide the belt back so that it is easier to fully roll up the webbing, the
seat belt does not twist.
Belt inertia reel
Each seat belt is equipped with an inertia reel. This inertia reel offers you com-
plete freedom of movement if the belt is unreeled slowly. If the brakes are ap-
plied suddenly, the inertia reel will block. The belts also block when the car accel-
erates, when driving downhill and when cornering. CAUTION
When releasing the seatbelt ensure that the tongue of the lock does not damage
the door trim or other parts of the interior. Ð
134 Safety
Driving Tips
Driving and the Environment
The first 1 500 km
New engine
The engine has to be run in during the first 1 500 kilometres.
Up to 1 000 kilometres › Do not drive faster than 3/4 of the maximum speed of the gear in use, i.e. 3/4 of
the maximum permissible engine speed.
› No full throttle.
› Avoid high engine speeds.
› Do not tow a trailer.
From 1 000 up to 1
500 kilometres
› Gradually
increase the power output of the engine up to the full speed of the
gear engaged, i.e. up to the maximum permissible engine speed.
During the first operating hours the engine has higher internal friction than later
until all of the moving parts have harmonized. The driving style which you adopt
during the first approx.1
500 kilometres plays a decisive part in the success of
running in your car.
Never drive at unnecessarily high engine speeds even after the running-in period
is complete. The maximum permissible engine speed is marked by the start of the
red scale area of the revolutions counter. On vehicles fitted with a manual gear-
box, at the very latest shift up into the next gear when the red area is reached.
During acceleration (depressing the accelerator) exceptionally high engine
speeds are automatically reduced, yet the engine is not protected against too
high engine speeds which are caused by incorrectly shifting down the gears re-
sulting in a sudden increase of the engine speeds above the permitted maximum
revolutions which can lead to engine damage.
For a vehicle fitted with a manual gearbox the converse situation also applies: Do
not drive at an engine speed that is too low. Shift down a gear when the engine
is no longer running smoothly. Observe the recommended gear » page 11, Recom-
mended gear . CAUTION
All the speed and engine revolution figures apply only when the engine is at its
normal operating temperature. Never rev up a cold engine when the vehicle is
stationary or when driving in individual gears. For the sake of the environment
Not driving at unnecessarily high engine revolutions and shifting to a higher gear
as early as possible are ways to minimise fuel consumption and operating noise
levels and protects the environment. Ð New tyres
New tyres have to be “
run in” since they do not offer optimal grip at first. Drive
especially carefully for the first 500 km or so. Ð New brake pads
New brake pads initially do not provide full braking efficiency. The brake pads
must initially be “run in
”. Drive especially carefully for the first 200 km or so. Ð Catalytic converter
Proper operation of the emission control system (catalytic converter) is of major
significance for driving your vehicle in an environmentally conscious way.
The following guidelines must be observed: › Vehicles fitted with a petrol engine must always be refueled with unleaded pet-
rol » page 168 , Unleaded petrol ;
› Do not pour too much oil into the engine
» page 172, Checking the engine oil
level ;
› Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
If you drive your vehicle in a country in which unleaded petrol is not available, you
must have the catalytic converter replaced later when driving the vehicle into a
country in which use of a catalytic converter is mandatory. £
146 Driving Tips
WARNING
■ In view of the high temperatures which can be produced in the catalytic con-
verter, the vehicle should be parked in such a way that the catalytic converter
cannot come into contact with easily flammable materials under the vehicle -
risk of fire!
■ Never use additional underbody protection or anti-corrosion agents for ex-
haust pipes, catalytic converters or heat shields - risk of fire! CAUTION
■ Never drive until the fuel tank is completely empty! The irregular supply of fuel
can cause misfiring, which can result in considerable damage to parts of the en-
gine and exhaust system. ■ Just filling the tank with leaded petrol once will damage the exhaust system! ÐEconomical and environmentally friendly driving
Introductory information
Your fuel consumption, any pollution of the environmental and the wear-and-tear
to the engine, brakes and tyres, depend essentially on three factors:
› your personal style of driving;
› the conditions under which your vehicle is operated;
› technical aspects.
The fuel economy by can be improved by 10
-15 % by always looking ahead and
driving in an economical way.
Fuel consumption is also be influenced by external factors which are beyond the
driver's control. Consumption increases during the winter or under difficult condi-
tions, on poor roads, etc.
Fuel consumption can vary considerably from the manufacturer's data, as a result
of outside temperatures, the weather and driving style.
The technical requirements for low fuel usage and economic efficiency of the ve-
hicle have already been built into the vehicle at the works. ŠKODA places a partic-
ular emphasis on minimising negative effects on the environment. It is necessary
to take note of the guidelines given in this chapter in order to make best use of
these characteristics and to maintain their effectiveness. The optimal engine speed should be obtained when accelerating, in order to
avoid a high fuel consumption and resonance of the vehicle.
Ð Looking ahead when driving
A vehicle's highest fuel consumption occurs when accelerating, therefore unnec-
essary accelerating and braking should be avoided. If looking ahead when driving,
less braking and consequently less accelerating are required. If possible, let your
vehicle coast to a stop, or use the engine brake, if you can see that the next set
of traffic lights is on red, for example. Ð Shifting to save energy
Fig. 131
Principle sketch: Fuel consump-
tion in litres/100 km depending
on the selected gear
Shifting up early saves on fuel.
Manual gearbox › Drive no more than about one length of your vehicle in first gear.
› Shift up into the next gear at approx. 2
000 revolutions.
An effective way of achieving good fuel economy is to shift up early. Observe the
recommended gear » page 11, Recommended gear .
A suitably selected gear can have an effect on fuel consumption » Fig. 131.
Automatic gearbox › Slowly
apply the accelerator pedal. However, do not depress it to the kickdown
position.
› If the accelerator pedal is only depressed slowly on a vehicle fitted with an au-
tomatic gearbox, an economic driving programme is automatically selected.
£
147
Driving and the Environment
Driving through water on the street
Fig. 134
Driving through water
The following must be observed to avoid damage to the vehicle when driving
through bodies of water (e.g. flooded roads): › Therefore determine the depth of the water before driving through bodies of
water. The water level must fit around the strut on the side member as a maxi-
mum » Fig. 134;
› Do not drive any faster than at a walking speed. At a higher speed, a water
wave can form in front of the vehicle which can cause water to penetrate into
the air induction system of the engine or into other parts of the vehicle;
› Never stop in the water, do not reverse and do not switch the engine off;
› Deactivate the START-STOP
system before driving through water » page 106,
START/STOP . WARNING
■ Driving through water, mud, sludge etc. can reduce the braking power and
extend the braking distance - risk of accident!
■ Avoid abrupt and sudden braking immediately after water crossings.
■ After driving through bodies of water, the brakes must be cleaned and dried
as soon as possible by intermittent braking. Only apply the brakes for the pur-
pose of drying and cleaning the brake discs if the traffic conditions permit this.
Do not place any other road users in jeopardy. CAUTION
■ When driving through bodies of water, parts of the vehicle such as the engine,
gearbox, chassis or electrics can be severely damaged.
■ Oncoming vehicles can generate water waves which can exceed the permissible
water level for your vehicle. ■
Potholes, mud or rocks can be hidden under the water making it difficult or im-
possible to drive through the body of water. ■ Do not drive through salt water. The salt can lead to corrosion. Any vehicle parts
that have come into contact with salt water must be rinsed immediately with
fresh water. Note
After driving through a body of water, we recommend that the vehicle is checked
by a
ŠKODA specialist garage. Ð Off-road driving
ä
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Explanation of technical terms 152
Before driving off-road 153
Off-road driving 154
Changing gear when driving off-road 154
Driving at an angle on a hillside 155
Stuck vehicle 155
After driving off-road 156
We cannot discuss all the possible driving situations in this manual, because
there are so many types of terrains which may hide different risks and dangers.
The examples listed in this manual are general rules for safe off-road driving. It is
however not possible to predict if these rules are valid for all the situations which
may occur. Before driving through unknown terrain, it is therefore important that
you know what lies ahead of you. This way you can estimate any possible danger
in advance.
When driving off-road, pay attention to the national legal regulations. £
151
Driving and the Environment
WARNING
■ Be very alert and look ahead when driving off-road. Always adjust your driv-
ing to the current of-road, traffic and weather conditions. Excessive speed or
incorrect driving manoeuvres can cause damage to the vehicle and lead to se-
rious injuries.
■ The Assistance systems of your vehicle cannot overcome the physical limits
of your vehicle.
■ Do not drive over embankments, ramps or hillsides at too high a speed. This
can lead to the wheels of the vehicle lifting off the ground so that you can no
longer steer and control the vehicle.
■ If the wheels lose contact with the ground, for example when the vehicle re-
bounds while driving over corrugations, steer straight ahead. If the wheels are
turned when making the contact with the ground again, the vehicle can roll
over.
■ There should never be any person in front or behind the vehicle when rocks,
scrub, wood pieces or other objects are placed under the wheels in order to
achieve traction on a sandy or slippery ground. Turning the wheels can trans-
form these objects into dangerous
“bullets” – risk of death!
■ Luggage and other items, which are transported on the roof of the vehicle,
additionally raise the centre of gravity and thus increase the risk of a rollover. ■ Never attempt to drive uphill or downhill if it is too steep for your vehicle.
The vehicle could slip, tilt or roll over - risk of accident! » table on page 153
■ Never attempt to make a turn on a hillside. The vehicle could tilt or roll over.
This can result in serious accidents.
■ Never let the vehicle roll down the hillside at idling speed. You can lose the
control over your vehicle.
■ If the engine cuts out, stop and restart the engine.
■ Objects trapped under the floor of the vehicle can damage the fuel lines, the
brake system, the seals and other parts of the chassis. Check the underside of
the vehicle and remove the trapped objects. Combustible objects such as dry
leaves or twigs could ignite on hot vehicle parts - risk of fire! CAUTION
■ Pay attention to the ground clearance of the vehicle! When driving over objects
which are larger than the ground clearance, the chassis and its components can
get damaged. ■ Do not leave your foot on the clutch pedal or let the clutch slip when driving off-
road. Overwise you may unintentionally depress the clutch pedal on uneven
ground leading to a loss of control over the vehicle. For the sake of the environment
Pay attention to the environment when driving off-road. Ð Explanation of technical terms
Fig. 135
Embankment angle/slope angle Fig. 136
Ground clearance/ramp angle
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 151.
The technical data » table on page 153
refer to ideal conditions. These values
may differ depending on the load and composition of the soil and the environ-
ment. The driver is responsible to decide whether a vehicle can overcome a cer-
tain situation. £
ä
152 Driving Tips
Off-road driving
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 151.
Important information
› Switch on the
OFF ROADmode » page 98 , OFF ROAD mode.
› Drive slowly through tricky route sections. Shift up when driving up on slippery
surfaces, make sure the vehicle always remains in motion. Do not drive too fast
otherwise you may lose control over the vehicle.
› Drive slowly over hilltops. Make sure that the wheels of the vehicle do not lift
off the ground, as this could severely damage the vehicle and it may become
disabled.
› If your vehicle got stuck in sand, snow or sludge, it may be more effective to re-
verse the vehicle than trying to drive forwards.
› Place stones, footmats or pieces of wood under the spinning wheels in order to
achieve traction on a sandy or slippery ground.
› Read the instructions before driving through water
» page 151.
› Keep sufficient distance from other vehicles even at low speeds. When the first
vehicle suddenly gets stuck, the following vehicle can still stop in time without
getting stuck itself.
Driving uphill
› Drive slowly and steadily straight uphill.
› Do not shift gears or press the clutch pedal while climbing.
› Only press the accelerator enough to move up the hill.
› Do not stop or turn the vehicle around on the hillside.
› Prevent the engine from cutting out.
If you can go no further on a slope
› Never attempt to make a turn with the vehicle on a hillside.
› If the engine cuts out, stop and restart the engine.
› Shift into reverse gear and carefully move backwards in your own lane.
Downhill
› Shift into first gear or select the first driving stage, while in Tiptronic mode, to
drive downhill on steep hillsides. The Downhill Drive Support is optimally utilis-
ed in this way.
› Use the foot break carefully otherwise you may lose control over the vehicle.
› If it is feasible and safe, drive straight down.
› Do not press down on the clutch or shift into Neutral.
ä
Driving over rutted roads and troughs
› Only drive over rutted roads and troughs when they do not exceed your vehi-
cle's ground clearance. Your vehicle may
“sink” and get stuck in soft ground.
› Never drive over rutted roads and troughs which are too deep. If you cannot
avoid this, it is better that you turn back.
Crossing a trench › If possible, drive through the trench at an acute angle. Make sure when driving
through the trench that the tilt angle is not too steep.
Driving in sand and mud
› You should always drive at a constant speed through sand or mud whenever
possible and at the same time do not shift gears.
› Never drive too fast, otherwise the wheels may spin and the vehicle can get
stuck. If you feel that the tyres are losing grip, turn the steering wheel quickly
back and forth. This leads to an improved grip on the front tyres for a short peri-
od of time. Ð Changing gear when driving off-road
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 151.
The gear you must shift into depends on the terrain. Choosing the correct gear
contributes to safe driving.
Important information
› When the gear or the driving stage has been properly selected, it is unnecessary
to slow down the vehicle on a downhill section using the footbrake as in most
cases the engine braking power is sufficient.
› Depress the accelerator only as much as is necessary. A too great acceleration
may lead to the wheels spinning and thus results in the loss over the control of
the vehicle. £
ä
154 Driving Tips