2013 SKODA RAPID ESP

WARNING“Quick-charging” the vehicle battery is dangerous and requires a special
charger and specialist knowledge.
CAUTION
On vehicles with the START/STOP system, the pole terminal of the charger must
not be connected directly to the negative terminal of the vehicle battery, but only
to the engine earth » page 191, Jump-starting in vehicles with the START-STOP
system .
Note
We therefore recommend that vehicle batteries be rapid charged by a specialist
garage.
Replacing
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 171.
When replacing a battery, the new vehicle battery must have the same capacity,
voltage, amperage and be the same size. Suitable vehicle battery types can be
purchased from a specialist garage.
We recommend having the battery replaced by a specialist garage, where the
new vehicle battery will be installed properly and the original battery will be dis-
posed of in accordance with national regulations.

Disconnecting and reconnecting
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 171.
On disconnecting and reconnecting the vehicle battery, the following functions
are initially deactivated or are no longer able to operate fault-free:
OperationOperating measureEnter the radio/navigation system code num-
ber» User manual of the radio
or » user manual of the naviga-
tion systemSetting the clock» page 13Data in the multifunction display are deleted.» page 25
Note
We recommend having the vehicle checked by a specialist garage in order to en-
sure full functionality of all electrical systems.
Automatic load deactivation
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 171.
The vehicle voltage control unit automatically prevents the battery from discharg-
ing when the battery is put under high levels of strain. This manifests itself by the
following.
› The idling speed is raised to allow the generator to deliver more electricity to
the electrical system.
› Where necessary, large convenience consumers such as seat heaters and rear
window heaters have their power limited or are shut off completely in the event
of an emergency.
CAUTION
■ Despite such intervention by the vehicle electric system management, the vehi-
cle battery may be drained. For example, when the ignition is switched on a long
time with the engine turned off or the side or parking lights are turned on during longer parking.■
Consumers that are supplied via a 12-V power socket can cause the vehicle bat-
tery to discharge when the ignition is switched off.
Note
Driving comfort is not impaired by consumers being deactivated. The driver is of-
ten not aware of it having taken place.
174General Maintenance

Wheels
Tyres and wheel rims
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Service life of tyres
176
New tyres
177
Unidirectional tyres
178
Tyre pressure monitor
178
Spare wheel
179
Full wheel trim
180
Wheel bolts
180
Wheel bolts
180WARNING■ The national legal regulations must be observed for the use of tyres.■Observe the national legal regulations relating to the use of snow chains
and the maximum vehicle speed with snow chains.WARNINGThe following instructions for the use of tyres must be observed.■For the first 500 km, new tyres do not yet provide optimum grip, and appro-
priate care should therefore be taken when driving – risk of accident!■
Only use radial tyres of the same type, size (rolling circumference) and tread
pattern on all four wheels.
■
For reasons of driving safety, do not replace tyres individually.
■
Never exceed the maximum permissible load bearing capacity for fitted
tyres – risk of accident!
■
Never exceed the maximum permissible speed for fitted tyres – risk of acci-
dent!
■
Incorrect wheel alignment at the front or rear impairs handling – risk of acci-
dent!
WARNING (Continued)■ Unusual vibrations or pulling of the vehicle to one side could be a sign of
tyre damage. If there is any doubt that a wheel is damaged, immediately re-
duce your speed and stop! If no external damage is evident, drive slowly and
carefully to the nearest specialist garage to have the vehicle checked.■
Only use tyres or wheel rims that have been approved by ŠKODA for your
model of vehicle. Failure to observe this instruction may impair the road safety
of your vehicle – risk of accident!
WARNINGObserve the following information regarding tyre damage and wear.■Never use tyres if you do not know anything about the condition and age.■
Never drive with damaged tyres – risk of accident!
■
Immediately replace damaged wheel rims or tyres.
■
You must have your tyres replaced with new ones at the latest when the
wear indicators have been worn down.
■
Worn tyres impair necessary adhesion to the road surface, particularly at
high speeds on wet roads. This could lead to “aquaplaning” (uncontrolled ve- hicle movement – “swimming” on a wet road surface).
WARNINGObserve the following information regarding the tyre inflation pressure.■The tyre control display does not absolve the driver of the responsibility to
ensure the correct tyre inflation pressure. Check the tyre inflation pressure at
regular intervals.■
Insufficient or excessive inflation pressure impairs handling – risk of acci-
dent!
■
If the inflation pressure is too low, the tyre will have to overcome a higher
rolling resistance. This will cause a significant increase in the temperature of
the tyre, especially at higher speeds. This can result in tread separation and a
tyre blowout. 
175Wheels

Always check the inflation pressure when the tyres are cold. Do not reduce the
higher pressure of warm tyres.
With greater additional load, adjust the tyre inflation pressure accordingly.
Driving style
Fast cornering, sharp acceleration and braking increase the wear of your tyres.
Balancing wheels
The wheels of a new vehicle are balanced. When driving, however, there are a
range of factors that may result in an imbalance. This may become apparent by a
“vibration” in the steering.
Have the wheels rebalanced after replacing the tyres.
Wheel alignment errors
Incorrect wheel alignment at the front or rear leads to excess wear of the tyres.
Tyre damage
Drive over kerbs and other such obstacles slowly and at right angles wherever
possible in order to avoid damage to tyres and wheel trims.
We recommend checking your tyres and wheel rims for damage (punctures, cuts,
splits and bulges, etc.) on a regular basis. Remove foreign bodies (e.g. small
stones) from the tyre tread immediately.
Replacing wheels
If significantly greater wear is present on the front tyres, we recommend replac-
ing the front wheels with the rear wheels as shown in the diagram » Fig. 142 . You
will then obtain approximately the same life for all the tyres.
We recommend that you swap the tyres every 10,000 km in order to achieve even wear on all tyres and to ensure optimal service life for the tyres.
Storing tyres
Identify disassembled tyres so that the previous direction of rotation can be maintained if the tyres are reassembled.
Always store wheels or tyres in a cool, dry place that is as dark as possible. Tyres
which are not fixed to a wheel trim should be stored upright.
Wear indicators
The base of the tread of the tyres has 1.6 mm high wear indicators installed.
These wear indicators are evenly spaced around the circumference of the tyre, depending on the make » Fig. 141 - 
. Markings on the walls of the tyres through
the letters “TWI”, triangular symbols or other symbols identify the position of the
wear indicators.Tyre age
Tyres age and lose their original characteristics, even if they are not being used.
Therefore, we recommend not using summer or winter tyres older than 6 or 4
years old respectively.
New tyres
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 175.
Only use radial tyres of the same type, size (rolling circumference) and tread pat-
tern on one axle on all four wheels.
The tyre/wheel combinations which are approved for your vehicle are indicated in
your vehicle documents.
Where possible, replace tyres by axle. Always fit the tyres with the deeper tread
depth to the front wheels.
Explanation of tyre markings
195/55 R 15 85 H
What this means is:
195Tyre width in mm » Fig. 141 on page 176 - 65Height/width ratio in % » Fig. 141 on page 176 - RCode letter for the type of tyre – Radial » Fig. 141 on page 176 - 15Rim diameter in inches » Fig. 141 on page 176 - 85Load index » HSpeed symbol »
The date of manufacture is stated on the tyre wall (possibly on the inside). e.g.
DOT ... 10 13 ..
means, for example, that the tyre was manufactured in the 10th week of 2013.
Load index
This indicates the maximum permissible load for each individual tyre. 487 kg
500 kg
515 kg
530 kg 
83848586177Wheels

Winter tyresFirst read and observe the introductory information given on page 180.
Fitting winter tyres will significantly improve the handling of your vehicle whendriving in wintry road conditions. Summer tyres have less grip on ice, snow and attemperatures below 7 °C. This is especially true of vehicles fitted with wide tyres
or high-speed tyres .
In order to achieve the best possible handling properties, winter tyres must be fit-
ted on all four wheels, the minimum tread depth must be 4 mm and tyres must be
no older than 4 years.
Winter tyres of a lower speed category can be used provided that the permissible
maximum speed of these tyres is not exceeded even if the possible maximum
speed of the vehicle is higher.
The speed limit for winter tyres can be set in the MAXI DOT display in the menu
item Winter tyres » page 28 .
For the sake of the environment
Fit the summer tyres on again in good time as they provide better handling prop-
erties, a shorter braking distance, less tyre noise, and reduced tyre wear on roadswhich are free of snow and ice as well as at temperatures above 7 °C. The fuel
consumption is also lower.
Snow chains
First read and observe the introductory information given on page 180.
When driving in wintry road conditions, snow chains improve not only traction,but also the braking performance.
Snow chains must only be mounted on the front wheels.
For technical reasons, it is only permissible to fit snow chains with the following wheel/tyre combinations.
Wheel sizeDepth (D)Tyre size5J x 14 a)35 mm175/706J x 15 b)38 mm185/606J x 15b)38 mm195/55a)
Only fit snow chains with links and locks not larger than
9 mm.
b)
Only fit snow chains with links and locks not larger than 13 mm.
CAUTION
■
The chains must be removed when driving on roads which are free of snow.
They adversely affect the handling of your vehicle, damage the tyres and are rap-
idly destroyed.■
Remove the full wheel trims before installing the snow chains.

181Wheels

Note■We recommend using a tow rope from ŠKODA Original Accessories, which is
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. 157
Front bumper: Removing the cap/installing the towing eye
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn- ings
on page 191.
Removing/installing the cap
›
Press on the cap in the area
A
» Fig. 157 .
›
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. 157 » .
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. 158
Rear towing eye
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 191.
The rear towing eye is located below the bumper on the right.
Remove the protective cap before using the towing eye. » Fig. 158. Replace the
protective cap after using the towing eye.

Vehicles with a tow hitch
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 191.
For vehicles with a factory-fitted towing device, the pre-installed detachable tow- bar may be used » page 119, Towing device .
Towing the vehicle using the towing device is a viable alternative solution to us- ing the towing eye. 
192Do-it-yourself

Fuses and light bulbs
Fuses
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Fuses in the dash panel
197
Assignment of the fuses in the dash panel
198
Fuses in the engine compartment
199
Fuse assignment in the engine compartment
200
Individual electrical circuits are protected by fuses. Switch off the ignition and the corresponding power consuming device before re-
placing a fuse.
Find out which fuse belongs to the component that is not operating » page 198
or » page 200 .
Fuse colourMaximum amperagelight brown5dark brown7.5red10blue15yellow20white25green30orange40WARNINGAlways read and observe the warning notes before completing any work in
the engine compartment » page 162, Engine compartment .CAUTION■
“Never repair” fuses, and do not replace them with fuses of a higher amperage –
risk of fire! This may also cause damage at other points in the electrical system.■
If a newly inserted fuse blows again after a short time, have the electrical sys-
tem checked as quickly as possible by a specialist garage.
■
A blown fuses is recognisable by the molten metal strip. Replace the faulty fuse
with a new one of the same amperage.
Note
■
We recommend always carrying replacement fuses in the vehicle. A box of re-
placement fuses can be purchased from ŠKODA Original Accessories.■
There can be several power consuming devices for one fuse.
■
There can be several consumer devices for one fuse, depending on the vehicle's
equipment.
■
Multiple fuses may exist for a single power consuming device.
■
Multiple power consuming devices can share a single fuse.

Fuses in the dash panel
Fig. 165
Underside of the dash panel:
Distribution board cover.
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 197.
The fuses are located on the bottom left of the dash panel behind a cover.
Replacing fuses
›
Remove the cover of the fuse box » Fig. 165 in the direction of the arrow.
›
Remove the plastic clip from the holder in the fuse box cover in the dash panel.
›
Place the clip on the respective fuse and pull this fuse out.
›
Insert a new fuse. 
197Fuses and light bulbs

Fuse assignment in the engine compartmentFig. 169
Schematic representation of fuse box in engine compartment: Ver-
sion 1/version 2
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 197.
No.Power consumer1Generator2Not assigned (version 1), auxiliary electric heater (version 2)3Interior (version 1) » Fig. 169
Power supply for fuse block (version 2) » Fig. 1694Auxiliary electric heating (version 1) » Fig. 169
Interior (version 2) » Fig. 1695Interior6Engine cooling fan, control unit for preheating unit7Electrohydraulic power steering8ABS9Radiator fan10Automatic gearbox11ABS12Central control unit13Electrical auxiliary heating system
Note
Fuses 1-7 are replaced by a specialist garage.
Bulbs
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Bulb arrangement in the headlights
201
Replacing the low beam bulb
201
Replacing bulb for main beam, daytime running lights and parking light
202
Changing the front turn signal bulb
202
Replacing the bulb for the fog light
203
Replacing the bulb for the licence plate light
203
Rear light (Rapid)
204
Replacing bulbs in rear light (Rapid)
204
Tail lamp (Rapid Spaceback)
205
Replacing bulbs in rear light (Rapid Spaceback)
206
Some manual skills are required to change a bulb. For this reason, we recommend
having bulbs replaced by a specialist garage or seeking other expert help in the
event of any uncertainties.
› Switch off the ignition and all of the lights before replacing a bulb.
› Faulty bulbs must only be replaced with the same type of bulbs. The designa-
tion is located on the light socket or the glass bulb.
› A stowage compartment for replacement bulbs is located in a plastic box in the
spare wheel or underneath the floor covering in the boot.
WARNING■ Always read and observe the warning notes before completing any work in
the engine compartment » page 162, Engine compartment .■
Accidents can be caused if the road in front of the vehicle is not sufficiently
illuminated and the vehicle cannot or can only be seen with difficulty by other
road users.
■
H7 and H15 bulbs are pressurised and may burst when changing the bulb -
risk of injury! We therefore recommended wearing gloves and safety glasses
when changing a bulb.
■
Gas discharge bulbs (xenon bulbs) operate with a high voltage, professional
knowledge is required – risk of death!
■
The corresponding lamp must always be switched off when replacing a light
bulb. 
200Do-it-yourself

The operating weight also contains the weight of the driver (75 kg), the weight ofthe operating fluids, the tool kit, and a fuel tank filled to 90 % capacity.
It is possible to calculate the approximate loading capacity from the differencebetween the permissible total weight and the operating weight »
.
The payload consists of the following components: › Passengers
› All items of luggage and other loads
› Roof load including roof rack system
› Equipment not included in the operating weight
› Trailer drawbar load when towing a trailer (max. 50 kg).
Fuel consumption and CO 2 emissions according to ECE regulations and EU
directives
The measurement of the intra-urban cycle begins with a cold start of the engine. Afterwards standard urban driving is simulated.
In the extra-urban driving cycle, the vehicle is accelerated and decelerated in all
gears, corresponding to daily routine driving conditions. The driving speed varies
between 0 and 120 km/h.
The calculation of the combined fuel consumption considers a weighting of about 37 % for the intra-urban cycle and 63 % for the extra-urban cycle.
WARNINGDo not exceed the specified maximum permissible weights – risk of accident
and damage!
Note
■ If required, you can find out the precise weight of your vehicle at a specialist ga-
rage.■
The fuel consumption and emission values have been determined in accordance
with rules and under conditions set out by legal or technical requirements for de-
termining operational and technical data for motor vehicles.
■
Depending on the range of equipment, style of driving, traffic situation, weather
influences and vehicle condition, consumption values may deviate from the indi-
cated values.

Dimensions
First read and observe the introductory information given on page 207.
Vehicle dimensions (mm)
RapidRapid SpacebackLength44834304Width17061706Width including exterior mirror19401940Height1461/1488 a)
(1474/1500 a)
) b)1459/1471 a)
(1472/1484 a)
) b)Clearance136/143 b)134/141b)Wheel base26022602Track gauge front/rear1457/1494
(1463/1500) c)1457/1494
(1463/1500) c)a)
Valid for vehicles with the Amundsen+ navigation system.
b)
Applies to vehicles with a rough road package.
c)
Applies to cars fitted with the 1.2 l/55 kW MPI and 1.2 l/63 kW TSI engines and 14" wheel rims.

208Technical data