2013 SKODA OCTAVIA tow bar

WARNING■Never use the safety eye to tow a vehicle!■Adapt your speed to the conditions of the road surface and to the traffic sit-
uation.■
Improper or incorrectly connected electric cables can energise the trailer and
cause functional faults to the vehicle's entire electrical system as well as acci-
dents and severe injuries.
■
Work on the electrical system must only be carried out by specialist garages.
■
Never directly connect the trailer's electrical system with the electrical con-
nections for the tail lights or other current sources.
Note
■ After coupling the trailer and connecting up the power socket, check the rear
lights on the trailer to ensure they work.■
If there is an error in the trailer lighting system, check the fuses in the fuse box
in the dashboard » page 253.
■
Contact between the breakaway cable and the safety eye can result in mechan-
ical wear on the protective surface of the eye. Such wear does not impair the
functioning of the safety eye and is not a fault. It is excluded from the warranty
coverage.
■
If you tow a trailer frequently, have your car inspected between service inter-
vals too.
■
The handbrake on the towing vehicle must be put on when coupling and decou-
pling the trailer.

Trailer stabilisation
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 172.
The trailer stabilisation is an extension of the stabilisation control that works in
conjunction with the counter-steering assistance to reduce the amount the trail-
er "sways".
After turning on the ignition, the ESC warning light 
in the instrument cluster
lights up for about 2 seconds longer than the ABS warning light.
Function requirements for trailer stabilisation.
The trailer was shipped from the factory or purchased from the ŠKODA genu-
ine accessories.
The ESC system is active. (The warning light  is lit up in the instrument clus-
ter or  not ).
The trailer is electrically connected to the towing vehicle by means of the
trailer socket.
The speed is higher than approx. 60 km/h.
The trailer has a rigid drawbar.WARNINGThe increased safety offered by the trailer stabilisation must not tempt you to take greater risks than otherwise.
CAUTION
■ The trailer stabilisation need not be able to correctly detect all of driving situa-
tions.■
Trailers that sway slightly may not always be detected by the trailer stabilisa-
tion and are thus not stabilised accordingly.
■
Release the pressure on the accelerator pedal if the system is being regulated.
■
Avoid abrupt and sudden driving/braking manoeuvres.
Note
The trailer stabilisation works for both braked and unbraked trailers.
Anti-theft alarm system
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 172.
If the vehicle is locked, the alarm is activated when the electrical connection to
the trailer is interrupted.
Always switch off the anti-theft alarm system before a trailer is coupled or uncou- pled » page 42 . 
174Driving

›Have
all of the occupants get out of the vehicle. While changing a tyre, the oc-
cupants of the vehicle should not stand on the road (they should instead remain
behind a crash barrier).›
Switch off the engine.
›
Move the gearshift lever into Neutral or move the selector lever for the auto-
matic gearbox into position P.
›
Firmly apply the handbrake.
›
Uncouple any trailers.
›
Remove the vehicle tool kit » page 236 and the spare wheel » page 232 from
the luggage compartment.

Changing a wheel
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 237.
›
Remove the full wheel trim » page 233 or caps » page 233 .
›
First of all slacken the anti-theft wheel bolt and then the other wheel
bolts » page 239 .
›
Jack up the vehicle until the wheel that needs changing is clear of the
ground » page 239 .
›
Unscrew the wheel bolts and place them on a clean surface (cloth, paper, etc.).
›
Remove the wheel carefully.
›
Attach the spare wheel and slightly screw on the wheel bolts.
›
Lower the vehicle.
›
Tighten the wheel bolts opposite each other using the wheel wrench (alternat-
ing crosswise). Tighten the anti-theft wheel bolt last » page 239.
›
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 228 .

Follow-up tasks
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 237.
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 bolt » page 232 .
›
Stow the tool kit in the space provided and secure using the band.
›
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.
›
Replace the damaged wheel or consult a specialist garage about repair options.
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.

238Do-it-yourself

Both batteries must have a rated voltage of 12 V. The capacity (Ah) of the battery
supplying the power must not be significantly less than the capacity of the dis-
charged battery in your vehicle.
Jump-start cables
Only use jump-start cables which have an adequately large cross-section and in-
sulated terminal clamps. Observe the instructions of the jumper lead manufactur-
er.
Positive cable – colour coding in the majority of cases is red.
Negative cable – colour coding in the majority of cases is black.
Jump-starting in vehicles with the START-STOP system
Fig. 204
Engine earth: START-STOP sys-
tem
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn- ings on page 243.
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 » Fig. 204.

Towing the vehicle

Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Front towing eye
245
Rear towing eye
245
Vehicles with a tow hitch
246Vehicles with manual transmission may be towed in with a tow bar or a tow rope
or with the front or rear wheels raised.
Vehicles with automatic transmission may 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 used.
›
Take the vehicle out of gear or move the selector lever into position N if the ve-
hicle 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.
CAUTION
■ Do not tow start the engine – there is a risk of damaging the engine and the
catalytic converter. The battery from another vehicle can be used as a jump-start
aid » page 243 , Jump-starting .■
If the gearbox no longer contains any oil because of a defect, your vehicle must
only be towed with the driven wheels raised clear of the ground or on a special
breakdown vehicle or trailer.
■
The vehicle must be transported on a special breakdown vehicle or trailer if it is
not possible to tow in the vehicle in the way described or if the towing distance is
greater than 50 km.
■
To protect both vehicles when tow-starting or towing, the tow rope should be
elastic. Thus one should only use plastic fibre rope or a rope made out of a simi-
larly elastic material. 
244Do-it-yourself

■While towing, take care to avoid impermissibly high tensile forces or jerky loads.
There is always a risk of excessive stresses and damage resulting at the points to which you attach the tow rope or tow bar when you attempt to tow a vehicle
which is not standing on a paved road.■
Attach the tow rope or the tow bar to the towing eyes » page 245 , Front tow-
ing eye or » page 245 , Rear towing eye to the detachable ball head of the tow-
ing device » page 169 .
Note
■
We recommend using a tow rope from ŠKODA Original Accessories available
from a ŠKODA Partner.■
Towing another vehicle requires a certain amount of practice. Both drivers
should be familiar with the particular points about towing a vehicle. Unskilled
drivers should not attempt to tow in another vehicle or to be towed in.
■
When towing, respect the national legal provisions, especially those which re-
late to the identification of the towing vehicle and the vehicle being towed.
■
The tow rope must not be twisted as it may in certain circumstances result in
the front towing eye being unscrewed out of your vehicle.

Front towing eye
Fig. 205
Front bumper: Removing the cap/installing the towing eye
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn- ings
on page 244.
Removing/installing the cap
›
Press on the cap in the area
A
» Fig. 205 .
›
Remove the cap in the direction of the arrow
1
.
›After unscrewing the towing eye, insert the area B of the cap under the right-
hand side of the hole in the front bumper and then press on the opposite side
of the cap.
The cap must engage firmly.
Removing/installing the towing eye›
Manually screw the towing eye as far as it will go in the direction of the arrow
2
» Fig. 205 » .
For tightening purposes, we recommend, for example, using the wheel wrench,
towing eye from another vehicle or a similar object that can be pushed through
the eye.
›
Unscrew the towing eye against the direction of the arrow
2
.
CAUTION
The towing eye must always be screwed in fully and firmly tightened, otherwise
the towing eye can tear when towing in or tow-starting.
Rear towing eye
Fig. 206
Rear bumper: Removing the cap/installing the towing eye
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn- ings
on page 244.
Removing/installing the cap
›
Press on the cover in area
A
» Fig. 206 (for vehicles Octavia RS, Octavia Estate
RS on the right edge of the cap press).
›
Remove the cap in the direction of the arrow
1
. 
245Emergency equipment, and self-help

›Thread after unscrewing the towing area B of the cover under the upper side
of the hole in the rear bumper (for vehicles Octavia RS, Octavia Combi RS under
the right side of the hole).›
Press on the lower side of the cap (for vehicles Octavia RS, Octavia RS on the left side of the cap press).
The cap must engage firmly.
Removing/installing the towing eye
›
Manually screw the towing eye as far as it will go in the direction of the arrow
2
» Fig. 206 » .
For tightening purposes, we recommend, for example, using the wheel wrench,
towing eye from another vehicle or a similar object that can be pushed through
the eye.
›
Unscrew the towing eye against the direction of the arrow
2
.
CAUTION
The towing eye must always be screwed in fully and firmly tightened, otherwise
the towing eye can tear when towing in or tow-starting.
Vehicles with a tow hitch
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 244.
On vehicles with a factory-fitted towing device, there is no mount for the screw-
in towing eye behind the cap.
Use the built-in detachable ball rod for towing » page 169, Towing device .
Towing the vehicle using the towing device is a viable alternative solution to us-
ing the towing eye.
If the towing device is removed completely, it must be replaced with the standard
reinforcement of the rear bumper which is part of the mount for the towing eye.
If this procedure is not observed, the vehicle may not meet the national legal pro- visions.
CAUTION
The detachable ball rod and/or the vehicle can be damaged if an unsuitable towbar is used.NoteThe detachable ball rod must always be in the vehicle so that it can be used for
towing, if necessary.
Remote control
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Replacing the battery in the remote control key
247
Synchronising the remote control
247
Replace the battery in the remote control of the auxiliary heater (parking
heater)
247
CAUTION
■ The replacement battery must have the same specification as the original bat-
tery.■
When replacing the battery, pay attention to the correct polarity.
For the sake of the environment
Dispose of the used battery in accordance with national legal provisions.
246Do-it-yourself

Technical data
Technical data
Vehicle data
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Vehicle identification data
263
Dimensions
265
Vehicle-specific information depending on engine type
267
The details given in the vehicle's technical documentation always take prece-
dence over the details in the Owner's Manual.
The listed performance values were determined without performance-reducing
equipment, e.g. air conditioning system.

Vehicle identification data
Fig. 236
Vehicle data sticker/type plate
First read and observe the introductory information given on page 263.
Vehicle data sticker
The vehicle data sticker » Fig. 236 -  is located underneath the floor covering in
the boot.
The vehicle data sticker contains the following data: Vehicle identification number (VIN)
Vehicle type
Gearbox code/paint number/interior equipment/engine output/engine code Partial vehicle description
Operating weight (in kg) Fuel consumption (in ltr./100 km) - intra-urban/extra-urban/combined
CO 2 emission levels - combined (in g/km)
The indicated positions
5
,
6
and
7
on the vehicle data sticker are only valid for
some countries.
Type plate
The type plate » Fig. 236 - 
is located at the bottom of the B-pillar on the driv-
er's side.
The type plate lists the following weights: Maximum permissible gross weight
Maximum permissible towed weight (towing vehicle and trailer)
Maximum permissible front axle load
Maximum permissible rear axle load
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
The vehicle identification number - VIN (vehicle body number) is stamped into the
engine compartment on the right hand suspension strut dome. This number is al- so located on a sign on the lower left hand edge below the windscreen (together
with a VIN bar code).
The VIN can also be displayed in Infotainment » Operating instructions for Info-
tainment , chapter Setting vehicle systems (CAR button) .
Engine number
The engine number (three-digit identifier and serial number) is stamped on the engine block. 

1234567891011263Technical data

Cleaning the wheels208
Decorative films206
Door lock cylinders207
Headlight lenses207
High-pressure cleaner204
Plastic parts206
Polishing the paintwork205
Rubber seals206
Taking care of the interior208
Taking care of your vehicle exterior205
Washing203
Washing by hand204
Wash system204
Wax treatment205
Taking care of your vehicles Fabric covers
210
TCS Operation
138
Warning light18
Technical data263
Temporary spare wheel232
Tiptronic128
Tools236
TOP TETHER197
Towing244
Towing a trailer169
Towing device Description
169
Drawbar load169
Use and care172
Towing eye front
245
Rear245
Towing protection43
Traction Control System (TCS)138
Traffic sign recognition166
Function166
Information messages167
Traffic Sign Recognition Notifications and settings
167
Traffic signssee Traffic sign recognition166
Trailer169, 172
13-pin power socket173
driving with a trailer173
loading172
Safety eye173
Trailer stabilisation174
Transmission warning messages
16
Transport Luggage compartment
91
Roof rack system103
Transporting children safely193
Turn signal56
Turn signal system Warning light
20
Type plate263
Tyre control display Calibration
231
Tyre inflation pressure Warning light
20
Tyre load-bearing capacity see Wheels
230
Tyre repair Check pressure
242
Preparations241
Sealing and inflating the tyre242
Tyres228
Inflation pressure229
New230
See Wheels230
Sizes229
Tyre wear indicator229
U
Underbody protection
208
Unleaded petrol136
Unlocking Individual settings39
KESSY38
Key36
Remote control37
Vehicle key36
Unlocking and locking35
Useful equipment 12-volt power outlet
84
230-volt power socket89
Ashtray83
Car park ticket holder80
Cigarette lighter83
Clothes hook88
Cup holders82
Glasses storage box86
Holder for reflective vest81
Multimedia holder85
Removable ski bag90
Seat backrest with long-cargo channel90
Storage compartment in the front centre console 82
Storage compartment on the driver's side
80
Storage compartments in the doors81
Storage compartment under the front armrest86
Using the information system26
Using the selector lever127
V
Variable loading floor
99
Dividing the luggage compartment101
Folding up101
Position change100
Vehicle battery Automatic load deactivation
227
Charge level indicator14
charging226
Checking the battery electrolyte level226
Cover225
Operation in winter226
Replacing227
280Index