2013 SKODA OCTAVIA brake light

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

The engine output falls as the height increases, as does the ability to climb.
Therefore, for every additional 1000 m in height (or part), the maximum permissi- ble towed weight must be reduced by 10%.
The towed weight is made up of the actual weights of the loaded towing vehicleand the loaded trailer.
The trailer and drawbar load information on the type plate of the towing device are merely test data for the towing device. The vehicle-specific values are de-
tailed in the vehicle documents.WARNING■ Do not exceed the maximum permissible axle and drawbar load and the
maximum permissible total or towed weight of the vehicle and the trailer –
risk of accident and serious injury.■
Slipping loads can significantly impair the stability and safety of the vehicle/
trailer combination – risk of accident and serious injury.

Driving with a trailer
Fig. 157
Swivel out the 13-pin power
socket
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn- ings on page 172.
Before the journey
›
Grip the 13-pin socket at point
A
and swing out in the direction of ar-
row » Fig. 157 .
›
Lift off protective cap
5
» Fig. 152 on page 169 .
After the journey
›
Grip the 13-pin socket at point
A
and swing in the opposite direction to the ar-
row » Fig. 157 .
›Place the protective cover 5
» Fig. 152 on page 169 onto the tow bar.
Safety eye
The purpose of the safety eyelet B
» Fig. 157 is to attach the breakaway cable of
the trailer.
When attaching the breakaway cable to the safety eye, it must sag freely in all
trailer positions (sharp bends, in reverse, etc.).
Exterior mirrors
You have to have additional exterior mirrors fitted if you are not able to see the
traffic behind the trailer with the standard rear-view mirrors. The national legal requirements must be observed.
Headlights
The front of the vehicle may lift up when a trailer is being towed and the head-
lights may dazzle other road users.
Adjust the headlights using the headlight beam control » page 55, Side lights and
low beam .
Driving speed
For safety reasons, do not drive faster than 80 km/h when hitching a trailer.
Immediately reduce your speed as soon as even the slightest swaying of the trail- er is detected. Never attempt to stop the trailer from “swaying” by accelerating.
Brakes
Apply the brakes in good time! If the trailer is fitted with a trailer brake, apply the
brakes gently at first, then brake firmly. This will avoid brake jolts resulting from
the trailer wheels locking.
On downhill sections shift down a gear in good time to also use the engine as a
brake.
Engine overheating
If the needle for the coolant temperature gauge moves into the right-hand area
or the red area of the scale, the speed must be reduced immediately.
Stop and switch off the engine if the warning light 
in the display » page 22 is
lit. Wait a few minutes and check the level of coolant » page 222.
The following guidelines must be observed » page 22, 
Coolant .
The coolant temperature can be reduced by switching on the heating. 
173Towing a trailer

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

CAUTIONWhen washing your vehicle, ensure as little water as possible gets into the lock-
ing cylinders.
Cavity protection
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 205.
All the cavities of your vehicle which are at risk from corrosion are protected for
life by a layer of protective wax applied in the factory.
Wax protection does not require to be inspected or re-treated.
If any small amount of wax flow out of the cavities at high temperatures, these
must be removed with a plastic scraper and the stains cleaned using a petroleum
cleaner.
WARNINGSafety regulations should be observed when using petroleum cleaner to re-
move wax – risk of fire!

Wheels
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 205.
Wheel rims
Also thoroughly wash the wheel rims when washing the vehicle on a regular ba-
sis.
Regularly remove salt and brake abrasion, otherwise the rim material will be cor-
roded.
Damage to the paint layer on the wheel rims must be touched up immediately.
Light alloy wheels
After washing thoroughly and treat the wheel rims with a protective product for
light alloy wheels. Products which cause abrasion must not be used to treat the
wheel rims.
CAUTIONSevere layers of dirt on the wheels can also result in wheel imbalance. This may
show itself in the form of a wheel vibration which is transmitted to the steering
wheel which, in certain circumstances, can cause premature wear of the steering.
This means it is necessary to remove the dirt.
Underbody protection
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 205.
The underside of your vehicle is protected for life against chemical and mechani-
cal influences.
It is not possible to guarantee that the protective coating will not suffer any
damage as the vehicle is driven.
We recommend having the protective coating underneath the vehicle and the
chassis checked — preferably before the beginning of winter and at the end of
winter.
WARNINGNever use additional underbody protection or anti-corrosion agents for ex-
haust pipes, catalytic converters, diesel particle filters or heat shields. When
the engine reaches its operating temperature, these substances might ignite -
risk of fire!

Taking care of the interior
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Natural leather
209
Artificial leather, cloths and Alcantara ®
210
Seat covers
210
Seat belts
211

208General Maintenance

Engine compartment overviewFig. 182
Principle sketch: Engine compartment
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn- ings
on page 215.
Coolant expansion reservoir
222
Engine oil dipstick
220
Engine oil filler opening
221
Brake fluid reservoir
223
Battery (below a cover)
224
Windscreen washer fluid reservoir
218
Note
The location of the inspection points in the engine compartment of petrol and
diesel engines is practically identical.
Radiator fan
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 215.
The radiator fan is powered by an electric motor. Operation is controlled accord-
ing to the temperature of the coolant.
123456WARNINGAfter switching off the ignition, the fan can intermittently continue to operate
for approx. 10 minutes.

Windscreen washer system
Fig. 183
Engine compartment: Wind-
screen washer fluid reservoir
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn- ings on page 215.
The windscreen washer fluid reservoir is located in the engine compartment and
contains the cleaning fluid for the windscreen or rear window and for the head-
lights.
The capacity of the reservoir is about 3 litres or about 4.7 litres on vehicles that
have a headlight cleaning system.
Clear water is not sufficient to intensively clean the windscreen and headlights.
We recommend using clean washing water together with the screen cleaner from
the range of ŠKODA Original Accessories (in winter additionally with antifreeze)
which is capable of removing stubborn dirt.
In Winter, the washing water should always be mixed with antifreeze even if the
vehicle has heated windscreen washer nozzles.
Under exceptional circumstances, methylated spirits can also be used if no screen
cleaner with antifreeze is available. The concentration of methylated spirits must
not be more than 15 %. The freeze protection at this concentration is sufficient
only to -5 °C. 
218General Maintenance

Do not use an alternative additive if the specified coolant is not available in anemergency. In this case, use just water and have the correct mixing ratio of waterand coolant additive restored by a specialist garage as soon as possible.
Brake fluid
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Checking the brake fluid level
223
Changing
223WARNING■ The engine compartment of your car is a hazardous area. The following
warning instructions must be followed at all times when working in the en-
gine compartment » page 215.■
If the fluid level has dropped below the MIN marking » Fig. 186 on page 223,
 do not continue your journey - risk of accident! Seek help from a specialist
garage.
■
Do not use used brake fluid - the function of the brake system may be im-
paired – risk of accident!
CAUTION
Brake fluid damages the paintwork of the vehicle.
Note
The brake fluid is changed as part of a prescribed inspection services.
Checking the brake fluid levelFig. 186
Engine compartment: Brake fluid
reservoir
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 223.
The brake fluid reservoir is located in the engine compartment.
›
Switch off the engine.
›
Open the bonnet.
›
Check the level of brake fluid in the reservoir » Fig. 186.
The level must be between the “MIN” and “MAX” markings.
A slight drop in the fluid level results when driving due to normal wear-and-tear and automatic adjustment of the brake pads.
There may be an indication of a leak in the brake system, however, if the fluid lev-
el drops significantly within a short time or if it drops below the “MIN” marking.
If the brake fluid level is too low, this is indicated by the indicator light  » page 16 , 
Brake system lighting up in the instrument cluster.

Changing
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 223.
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. Over time it therefore absorbs moisture from the
environment.
Excessive water in the brake fluid may be the cause of corrosion in the brake sys-
tem.
The water content lowers the boiling point of the brake fluid. 
223Inspecting and replenishing

The brake fluid must comply with the following standards or specifications:› VW 50114;
› FMVSS 116 DOT4.
Vehicle battery

Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Opening the cover
225
Checking the battery electrolyte level
226
Charging
226
Replacing
227
Disconnecting and reconnecting
227
Automatic load deactivation
227
Warning symbols on the vehicle battery
SymbolMeaningAlways wear eye protection!Battery acid is severely caustic. Always wear gloves and eye protec- tion!Keep fire, sparks, open flames and lit cigarettes well clear of the ve-
hicle battery!When charging the vehicle battery, a highly explosive gas mixture is produced!Keep children away from the vehicle battery!WARNINGThere is a risk of injuries, poisoning, chemical burns, explosions or fire when
carrying out any work on the battery and on the electrical system. The general
applicable safety rules and the following warnings must be observed without
exception.■
Keep children away from the vehicle battery.
■
Do not tilt the battery otherwise battery electrolyte may flow out of the bat-
tery vent openings. Protect your eyes by safety glasses or a face shield – risk
of blindness!
■
Always wear protective gloves, eye and skin protection when handling the
vehicle battery.
■
The battery acid is strongly corrosive and must, therefore, be handled with
the greatest of care.
■
Corrosive fumes in the air irritate the air passages and lead to conjunctivitis
and inflammation of the air passages in the lungs.
■
Battery acid corrodes dental enamel and creates deep wounds after contact
with the skin which take a long time to heal. Repeated contact with diluted
acids causes skin diseases (inflammations, ulcers, skin cracks).
■
If any battery electrolyte comes into contact with your eyes, rinse the rele-
vant eye immediately with clear water for several minutes - consult a doctor
immediately!
■
Splashes of acid on your skin or clothes should be neutralised as soon as
possible using soap suds and then rinsed with plenty of water. If you swallow
battery acid, seek immediate medical assistance!
WARNING■ It is prohibited to work with a naked flame and light.■Smoking or to carrying out any activities which produce sparks are prohibi-
ted.■
Never use a damaged vehicle battery – risk of explosion!
■
Never charge a frozen or thawed vehicle battery – risk of explosion and
caustic burns!
■
Replace a frozen vehicle battery.
■
Never jump-start vehicle batteries with an electrolyte level that is too low –
risk of explosion and caustic burns. 
224General Maintenance

›The wheels of one axle are loaded more heavily (e.g. when towing a trailer or
when driving uphill or downhill).
› Snow chains are mounted.
› The spare wheel is mounted.
› One wheel per axle was changed.
For vehicles with Infotainment 1)
it can be determined which tyres should be
checked » Manual Infotainment , chapter Vehicle settings (key CAR) .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  may light up after a delay, or not at all.
CAUTION
■
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 system cannot warn in case of very rapid tyre inflation pressure loss, e.g. in
case of sudden tyre damage. In this case carefully 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 10000 km or once a year.

Spare wheel
Fig. 192
Luggage compartment: Spare
wheel
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 228.
The spare wheel is located in a well under the floor covering in the boot and is
fixed in place with a special bolt » Fig. 192.
Take out wheel
›
Open the boot lid.
›
Raise the floor covering in the boot » page 99.
›
Remove the box with the tool kit.
›
Pull out safety lock
1
» Fig. 192 in the direction of the arrow.
›
Unscrew the
2
bolt in a counterclockwise direction.
›
Remove the wheel.
Store wheel away
›
Place the replaced wheel into the spare wheel well with the wheel rim pointing
downward.
›
Screw in bolt
2
» Fig. 192 in a clockwise direction, until the wheel is secure.
›
Insert safety lock
1
» Fig. 192 in the opposite direction to which the arrow is
pointing.
›
Place the box with the tool kit back into the spare wheel and secure it with the
tape.
›
Fold back the floor covering in the boot » page 99.
›
Shut the boot lid.
Install a wheel having the appropriate version and dimensions as soon as possi-
ble.
If the dimensions or design of the spare wheel differ from the tyres fitted to the
vehicle (e.g. winter tyres or low-profile tyres), it must only be used briefly in the
event of a puncture and if an appropriately cautious style of driving is adop-
ted »
.
Temporary spare wheel
A yellow warning label is displayed on the rim of the temporary spare wheel.
Please note the following if you intend to use the temporary spare wheel. › The warning label must not be covered after installing the wheel.
› Be specially attentive when driving.
› The inflation pressure for the temporary spare wheel is identical to the maxi-
mum inflation pressure of the standard tyres.
› Only use this temporary spare wheel to reach the nearest specialist garage, as it
is not intended for long-term use. 

1)
Does not apply to vehicles with the Infotainment Blues and Swing system.
232General Maintenance