2013 SKODA OCTAVIA Stop start

Advance warning
If Front Assist detects a risk of collision with a vehicle ahead, a symbol appears in
the display of the instrument cluster and an acoustic signal is heard » Fig. 142 -  .
At the same time, the braking system is prepared for possible emergency braking.
The advance warning may occur when driving between 30 km/h and 210 km/h.
Apply the brakes or avoid the obstacle!
Acute alert
If the driver does not react to the advance warning, Front Assist briefly applies
the brake automatically via an active brake intervention to draw attention to the
potential danger of a collision again.
Automatic Braking
If the driver fails to respond to the acute warning, Front Assist starts to apply the
brakes automatically with increasing stopping power in several stages.
Front Assist can help to mitigate the consequences of a potential accident by
means of a speed reduction.
Brake Support
If the driver does not brake sufficiently in case of an imminent collision, Front As-
sist can increase the braking power, thereby reducing the consequences of a po-
tential accident.
The brake support only occurs as long as the brake pedal is being firmly pressed
down.
CAUTION
The automatic braking interventions by Front Assist can be terminated by press-
ing the clutch or the accelerator, or by moving the steering wheel.
Note
If an automatic brake intervention is triggered by Front Assist, the pressure in the
brake system increases and the brake pedal cannot be operated with the normal
pedal stroke.
Activating/deactivating
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 154.
Front Assist is automatically activated each time the ignition is switched on.
Front Assist should only be disabled in exceptional cases.
Activate / deactivate front assist
Front Assist can be activated or deactivated in the Infotainment » Infotainment
manual , chapter Vehicle settings (CAR button) or in the MAXI-DOTDis-
play » page 32 , Menu item wizard .
By disabling the system, the proximity warning system and the advance warning are also deactivated.
Activate/deactivate proximity warning
The proximity warning indicator can be activated/deactivated in the Infotain-
ment » Infotainment manual , chapter Vehicle settings (CAR button) .
The set proximity warning remains active even after stopping and starting the ig-
nition.
Activate/deactivate advance warning
The advance warning can be activated/deactivated in the Infotainment » Info-
tainment manual , chapter Vehicle settings (CAR button) .
The set advance warning remains active even after stopping and starting the ig- nition.

“City”Emergency braking
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 154.
The “City”Emergency braking function (From here on referred to only as the emer-
gency brake function) is a component of the Front Assist system.
The emergency brake function assists the driver when driving as follows. › Prepares the brakes for emergency braking prior to a detected danger.
› If the driver fails to respond to a detected danger, an automatic brake action oc-
curs with stopping power that increases in several stages.
The emergency brake function intervenes when driving between about 5 km/h
and 34 km / h. 
157Assist systems

The emergency brake function is automatically activated or deactivated togetherwith the Front Assist system.
If the emergency brake function triggers an automatic brake action, the display of
the instrument cluster shows the symbol » Fig. 142 on page 156 - .WARNINGThe emergency brake function can slow down the vehicle to a complete
standstill. If the vehicle continues to roll forward after stopping, then it should
be stopped with the footbrake.
CAUTION
Automatic braking interventions by the emergency brake function can be termi-
nated by pressing the clutch or the accelerator, or by moving the steering wheel.
Note
If an automatic brake intervention is triggered by the emergency brake function,
the pressure in the brake system increases and the brake pedal cannot be oper-
ated with the normal pedal stroke.
Information messages
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 154.
The messages and information are indicated in the instrument cluster display.
Front Assist: no sensor view.
The sensor is dirty or has no “visibility”. Stop the car, switch off the engine and clean the sensor or remove the obstacle causing the lack of “visibility” » Fig. 135
on page 149 . If the message appears again after starting the engine, the system
should be disabled » page 157. Seek help from a specialist garage.
Front Assist not available.
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine and then start it again. If the message ap-
pears again after starting the engine, the system should be disabled » page 157.
Seek help from a specialist garage.

START-STOP
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Starting/shutting down the engine
159
Operating conditions of the system
160
Manually activating/deactivating the system
160
Information messages
161
The START-STOP system helps you to save fuel while at the same time reducing
harmful exhaust emissions and CO 2 emissions.
The function is automatically activated each time the ignition is switched on.
In the start-stop mode, the engine automatically switches to the vehicle's idle phase, e.g. when stopped at traffic lights. The engine restarts automatically
where necessary.
Information about the current status of the system can be displayed in the Info-
tainment display » operating instructions for Infotainment , chapter Vehicle set-
tings (CAR button) .
The system can work only if the following basic conditions are met. The driver's door is closed.
The driver has fastened the seat belt. The bonnet is closed.
The driving speed was higher than 4 km.h after the last stop.
No trailer is coupled.
WARNING■ The brake servo unit and power steering only operate if the engine is run-
ning.■
Never let the vehicle roll with the engine switched off.
CAUTION
Always deactivate the START-STOPsystem before driving through wa-
ter » page 135 . 158Driving

Note■If the driver's seat belt is removed for more than approx. 30 seconds or the driv-
er's door is opened during stop mode on vehicles with manual transmission or au- tomatic transmission (when the selector lever in position P), the engine must be
started manually » page 121.■
After manually starting the engine on vehicles with manual transmission, auto-
matic engine shut down is not possible until the vehicle has travelled the re-
quired minimum distance for START-STOPP mode.
■
If on vehicles with automatic transmission, the selector lever D/S or N is selec-
ted after moving in reverse, the vehicle will first need to achieve a speed greater
than 10 km/h before automatic engine shut down takes place again.
■
Changes to the outdoor temperature can have an effect on the internal temper-
ature of the vehicle battery even after several hours. If the vehicle remains out-
doors for a long time in minus temperatures or in direct sunlight, it can take sev-
eral hours until the internal temperature of the vehicle battery reaches a suitable
temperature for proper operation of the START STOP system.
■
If the Climatronic is running in automatic mode, it is possible that under certain
conditions the engine may not switch off automatically.

Starting/shutting down the engine
Fig. 143
Instrument cluster display: En-
gine shut down (STOP phase)
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn- ings on page 158.
Vehicles with manual transmission
›
Stop the vehicle (where necessary, apply the handbrake).
›
Put the gear stick into Neutral.
›
Release the clutch pedal.
Automatic engine shut down (STOP phase) takes place. A check warning icon ap-
pears in the display  » Fig. 143 .›
Depress the clutch pedal.
The automatic start procedure takes place again (START phase). The warning icon
goes out.
Vehicles with automatic transmission
›
Bring the vehicle to a stop and depress the brake pedal.
Automatic engine shut down takes place. A check warning icon appears in the display  » Fig. 143 .
›
Release the brake pedal.
The automatic start procedure takes place again. The warning icon goes out.
Further information on automatic transmissionEngine shut down takes place when the selector lever is in positions P, D/S , N
and in Tiptronic mode.
When the selector lever is in position P the engine remains shut down after you
release the brake pedal. Start the engine by pressing the gas pedal or by moving
the selector lever into a different mode and releasing the brake pedal.
If the selector lever is moved into position R during the STOP phase , the engine
will re-start.
There is no automatic engine shutdown if the system detects a vehicle move-
ment due to a large steering angle, or when the selector lever is moved to posi-
tion R (e.g. when parking).
No automatic engine shutdown takes place when the vehicle is moving at low speed (e.g. during a traffic jam or when tuning) and remains stationary after
pressing the brake pedal lightly. Automatic engine shutdown takes place if you press the brake pedal down with more force.

159Assist systems

Operating conditions of the systemFig. 144
Instrument cluster display: En-
gine shut down is not currently
available
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 158.
The START-STOP system is very complex. Some of the procedures are hard to
check without servicing.
No engine shut down is carried out
Before each STOP phase, the system checks whether certain conditions have
been met. No engine shut down takes place in the following situations.
› The engine has not reached the minimum temperature for START STOP mode.
› The temperature inside the vehicle has not reached the desired temperature
set in the air-conditioning system/heating.
› The external temperature is very low/high.
› The windscreen heater is switched on.
› The intensive windscreen heater (Climatronic) or windscreen heater/ventilation
is switched on with the maximum air temperature setting (manual air condition-
ing system).
› The parking aid/Park Assist is switched on.
› The charge state of the vehicle battery is too low.
› The stationary vehicle is on a steep slope or a steep downhill section.
› The idling speed is too high.
A check warning icon appears in the display 
» Fig. 144 .
The automatic start procedure takes place again
During the STOP phase, the engine fires up without any active driver intervention,
e.g. in the following situations.
› The vehicle begins to roll, e.g. on a slope.
› The difference between the temperature setting of the air-conditioning sys-
tem/heating and the temperature of the interior is too large.
› The windscreen heater is switched on.
› The intensive windscreen heater (Climatronic) or windscreen heater/ventilation
is switched on with the maximum air temperature setting (manual air condition-
ing system).
› The brake pedal was pressed several times (the pressure in the braking system
is too low).
› The charge state of the vehicle battery is too low.
› The current consumption is too high.

Manually activating/deactivating the system
Fig. 145
Button for the START-STOP sys-
tem
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 158.
Activation/deactivation
›
Press the symbol button 
» Fig. 145 .
When start-stop mode is deactivated, the warning light in the button lights up.
Note
■ If the system is deactivated during the STOP phase, the automatic start proce-
dure takes place.■
Selecting the driving mode Eco when the system is deactivated will automati-
cally activate the system » page 161.

160Driving

Information messagesFirst read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 158.
The messages and information are indicated in the instrument cluster display.
Start the engine manually!
START MANUALLY
The driver sees this message when the conditions for the automatic start proce-
dure are not met during the STOP phase. The engine must be started manual-
ly » page 121 .
Error: start-stop system
START STOP ERROR
Error in the START-STOP system. Seek help from a specialist garage.

Driving mode
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Selecting driving mode
161
Normal Mode
162
Sportmode
162
Ecomode
162
Individualmode
163
Selecting the driving mode allows you to adjust a range of different driving pa-
rameters for the vehicle.
The set driving mode remains stored even after switching the ignition on and off.
WARNING■ Setting the driving mode while driving can distract you from other traffic –
risk of accident.■
Concentrate fully at all times on your driving! As the driver you are fully re-
sponsible for the operation of your vehicle.
■
Adjust the speed and driving style to the current visibility, weather, road and
traffic conditions.
Note
The driver can change some vehicle functions irrespective of the selected driving
mode. For instance, in the driving mode Eco, the driver can switch the automatic
transmission to the mode S.
Selecting driving mode
Fig. 146
Button for selecting the driving mode: Octavia, Octavia Combi / Fa-
bia RS Octavia RS
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 161.
The menu for selecting the driving mode allows you to set the vehicle to one of
the three preset driving modes Normal, Sportand Eco, or to the driving mode
Individual which allows individual settings.
The selected driving mode is accessed by pressing the symbol button 
or
 » Fig. 146 , and the menu is opened in the Infotainment display. More informa-
tion about setting the driving mode » operating instructions for Infotainment ,
chapter Vehicle settings . 
161Assist systems

If a driving mode other than Normal is selected, then the symbol lights up on the
button  or  » Fig. 146 .
Normal Mode
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 161.
The relevant systems are set for a general type of vehicle use.
This mode is suitable for common everyday use.

Sportmode
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 161.
This mode is suitable for a sporty driving style.
Selecting this mode primarily affects the function of the following systems.
Engine (drive)
The accelerator pedal is more responsive to depressing the pedal, and the accel-
eration is more dynamic than in mode Normal.
The automatic gearbox is set automatically to mode S » page 126 .
The engine noise is noticeable in the interior more intensely than in
normalmode 1)
.
Steering
The power steering is reduced slightly, i.e., the driver needs to exert more force for steering » page 119.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
The acceleration is quicker than normal mode with distance control » page 148.
Adaptive headlights (AHL)
The headlights adapt to the driving style more dynamically than in mode
Normal » page 57 .
ProActive passenger protection
The first level of protection is deactivated » page 163.
Ecomode
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 161.
This mode is suitable for a relaxed style of driving and helps to save fuel.
Selecting this mode primarily affects the function of the following systems.
Engine (drive)
The accelerator pedal is less responsive to depressing the pedal, and the acceler-
ation is more relaxed than in mode Normal.
After pressing the button, the acceleration occurs more relaxed than in mode
Normal » page 146 , Cruise Control System .
The recommended gear is controlled such to achieve the lowest possible fuel consumption » page 27.
When the START-STOP system was deactivated manually » page 158, it is auto-
matically activated.
The automatic gearbox is set automatically to mode E » page 126 .
The engine noise is felt less intensely in the interior less than in normalmode 1)
.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
The acceleration occurs more relaxed than in Normal » page 148mode with dis-
tance control.
Adaptive headlights (AHL)
The system is automatically deactivated » page 57.
Air conditioning (Climatronic)
The air conditioning is controlled so as to save energy. For this reason, for exam-
ple, it may take longer to reach the desired interior temperature in mode Normal. 

1)
Applies to Octavia RS, Octavia RS.
162Driving

CAUTION■Just filling the tank once with diesel fuel that does not comply with the stand-
ard, can cause severe damage to parts of the engine, the fuel and exhaust sys-
tem!■
If a different fuel other than diesel fuel, which complies to the above mentioned
standards (e.g. petrol) is used by mistake do not start the engine or switch on the
ignition! Extensive damage to engine parts can occur! We recommend that you
have the fuel system cleaned by a specialist garage.
■
Water which has collected in the fuel filter can cause engine faults.
CAUTION
■ Your vehicle cannot be operated with biofuel RME, therefore this fuel must not
be refuelled and driven. The use of biofuel RME can cause considerable damage
to parts of the engine or fuel system.■
Do not mix any fuel additives, so-called “flow improvers” (petrol and similar
agents) into the diesel. This can result in considerable damage to parts of the en-
gine or the exhaust system.

Engine compartment
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Opening and closing the bonnet
217
Engine compartment overview
218
Radiator fan
218
Windscreen washer system
218WARNINGWhen working in the engine compartment, injuries, scolding, accident or fire
hazards may arise. For this reason, it is essential to comply with the warning
instructions stated below and with the general applicable rules of safety. The
engine compartment of your car is a hazardous area!WARNINGBefore beginning work in the engine compartment, please read the following
advice.■
Turn off the engine and withdraw the ignition key.
■
Firmly apply the handbrake.
■
If the vehicle is fitted with a manual gearbox, move the gearshift lever into
Neutral, or if the vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox, move the selec-
tor lever into position P.
■
Allow the engine to cool.
■
Never open the bonnet if you can see steam or coolant flowing out of the
engine compartment – risk of scalding! Wait until the steam or coolant has
stopped escaping.
WARNINGWhile working in the engine compartment, please read the following advice.■Keep children clear of the engine compartment.■
Never touch the radiator fan while the engine is still warm. The fan might
suddenly start running!
■
Do not touch any hot engine parts – risk of burns!
■
The coolant additive and thus all of the coolant is harmful to your health.
■
Avoid contact with the coolant.
■
Coolant vapours are harmful to health.
■
Never open the end cover of the coolant expansion reservoir while the en-
gine is still warm. The cooling system is pressurized!
■
When opening the end cover of the coolant expansion reservoir, cover it
with a cloth to protect your face, hands and arms from hot steam or hot cool-
ant.
■
If any coolant splashes into your eyes, immediately rinse out your eyes with
clear water and contact a doctor as soon as possible.
■
Always safely store the coolant additive in its original container out of the
reach of children – risk of poisoning!
■
If coolant is swallowed, consult a doctor immediately.
■
Do not leave any items (e.g. cloths or tools) in the engine compartment.
■
Never spill fluids on the hot engine. Such fluids (e.g. the antifreeze con-
tained in the coolant) may ignite! 
215Inspecting and replenishing

Checking the battery electrolyte levelFig. 188
Vehicle battery: Electrolyte level
indicator
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 224.
On vehicles with a vehicle battery fitted with a colour indicator, the so-called
magic eye » Fig. 188, the electrolyte level can be determined by looking at the
change in colour.
Air bubbles can influence the colour of the indicator. For this reason carefully
knock on the indicator before carrying out the check.
› Black colour – electrolyte level is correct.
› Colourless or light yellow colour – electrolyte level too low, the battery must be
replaced.
Vehicles with a START-STOP system are fitted with a battery control unit for checking the energy level for the recurring engine start.
We recommend that you have the acid level checked regularly by a specialist ga-
rage, especially in the following cases.
› High external temperatures.
› Longer day trips.
› After each charge.
Winter time
The vehicle battery only has a proportion of the starting power in lower tempera-
tures. A discharged vehicle battery may already freeze at temperatures just be-
low 0 °C .
We therefore recommend that you have the battery checked and, if necessary, re-
charged by a specialist garage before the start of the winter.
CAUTIONFor technical reasons, on vehicles with the description “AGM”, the electrolyte lev- el cannot be checked.
Note
The battery acid level is also checked regularly by a specialist garage as part of
the inspection service.
Charging
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 224.
A properly charged vehicle battery is essential for reliably starting the engine.
›
Switch off the ignition and all of the electrical components.
›
Only when performing a “quick-charge”, disconnect both battery cables (first of
all “negative”, then “positive”).
›
Attach the terminal clamps of the charger to the battery terminals (red = “posi- tive”, black = “negative”).
›
Plug the mains cable of the charger into the power socket and switch on the
device.
›
After charging has been successful: Switch off the charger and remove themains cable from the power socket.
›
Only then disconnect the charger's terminal clamps.
›
Reconnect the cables to the battery (first of all “positive”, then “negative”).
It is not necessary to disconnect the cables of the battery if you recharge the ve- hicle battery using low amperages (for example from a mini-charger). Refer to the
instructions of the charger manufacturer .
A charging current of 0.1 multiple of the total vehicle battery capacity (or lower) must be used until full charging is achieved.
It is necessary to disconnect both cables before charging the battery with high
amperages, so-called “ quick-charging”.
The vent plugs of the vehicle battery should not be opened for charging. 
226General Maintenance