2013 SKODA RAPID SPACEBACK brake

The gearbox shifts down one or more gears depending on the vehicle speed
and engine speed, and the vehicle accelerates.
The gearbox does not shift up into the highest gear until the engine has
reached its maximum revolutions for this gear range.WARNINGRapid acceleration, particularly on slippery roads, can lead to loss of vehicle
control – risk of accident!
Driving in an economical driving style
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Driving in
104
Tips for economical driving
104
The fuel consumption, degree of pollution and vehicle wear depend on driving
style, road condition, weather conditions and the like.
Driving in
Driving in the engine
The engine has to be run in during the first 1,500 kilometres. During this peri- od, the driving style decides on the quality of the driving-in process.
During the first 1,000 km ,we recommend not driving faster than 3/4 of the
maximum permissible engine speed, not to drive at full throttle and not to use
a trailer.
In the range of 1,000 to 1,500 kilometres, the engine load can be increased up
to the maximum permitted engine speed.
New tyres
New tyres must firstly be “run in”, as they do not offer optimal grip at first.
Therefore, drive with special care for the first 500 km or so.
New brake pads
New brake pads have to first “grind in” because these do not initially have the best possible braking effect.
Therefore, drive with special care for the first 200 km or so.
Tips for economical driving
To achieve the lowest possible fuel consumption, the following instructions
must be observed.
Looking ahead when driving
Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking.
Change gear in an energy saving and timely manner
Observe the recommended gear » page 38.
Avoid full throttle and high speeds
Fuel consumption will be halved if you drive at only 3/4 of the possible top
speed of your vehicle.
Reducing idling
When the engine is switched off, such as when waiting in a traffic jam, the fuel
economy is already greater after 30 - 40 s than the fuel quantity which is re-
quired for engine re-start.
Avoid short distances
When driving a short distance of less than about 4 km, the engine cannot
reach its operating temperature. As long as the engine has not reached oper-
ating temperature, the fuel consumption is significantly higher than with the
engine hot.
Pay attention to the correct tyre inflation pressure being maintained
Further information » page 143.
Avoid unnecessary ballast
Per 100 kg of weight, consumption increases by about 1 l/100 km. At a speed of
100-120 km/h, a vehicle fitted with a roof rack cross member without a load
will use about 10 % more fuel than normal due to the increased aerodynamic
drag.
Saving electricity
Electrical consumers (e.g. seat heating, air conditioning and the like) should
only be turned on for as long as necessary.104Driving

Driving through water and driving off made-up roads
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Driving through water
105
Driving off paved roads
105WARNINGImmediately after driving through water, mud, slush and the like, braking
effectiveness will be temporarily impaired » page 99, Information on brak-
ing . For this reason, sudden and violent braking manoeuvres are to be avoi-
ded - there is a risk of accident!
Driving through water
Fig. 104
Driving through water
Read and observe on page 105 first.
The following instructions must be observed if vehicle damage is to be avoided when driving through water (e.g. flooded roads).
›
Therefore, always determine the depth of the water before driving through
water.
The water level must not reach above the web of the lower beam » Fig. 104.
›
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 engine's air induction system or other parts
of the vehicle.
›
Never stop in the water, do not reverse and do not switch the engine off.
CAUTION■ When driving through water, some 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 permis-
sible water level for your vehicle.
■
Potholes, mud or rocks can be hidden under the water, making it difficult or
impossible to drive through water.
■
Do not drive through salt water, as the salt can cause corrosion. A vehicle
coming into contact with salt water is to be thoroughly rinsed with fresh wa-
ter.
Driving off paved roads
Read and observe
on page 105 first.
Only drive on such roads and in such terrain, which match the vehicle parame-ters » page 172 , Technical data as well as your driving skills.
The driver is always responsible for deciding whether the vehicle can handle
travelling in the given terrain.
WARNINGDrive particularly considerately and pro-actively when not on paved roads.■Always adjust your driving to the current terrain and weather conditions.
Excessive speed or incorrect driving manoeuvres can cause damage to the
vehicle and lead to serious injuries.■
Objects trapped under the base of the vehicle can damage the fuel lines,
the brake system, the seals and other parts of the chassis. Check the un-
derside of the vehicle and remove the trapped objects.
■
Combustible objects such as dry leaves or twigs caught under the base of
the vehicle could ignite on hot vehicle parts - risk of fire!
CAUTION
■ Pay attention to the ground clearance of the vehicle! When driving over ob-
jects which are larger than the ground clearance, the chassis and its compo-
nents can get damaged.■
Drive slowly in unknown terrain and watch out for unexpected obstacles,
such as potholes, rocks, stumps, etc.
■
Check up on confusing sections of unpaved roads before travelling on them
and consider whether such travelling is possible without risk.
105Starting-off and Driving

Assist systems
Braking and stabilisation systems
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
106
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
106
Traction Control System (TCS)
106
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)
107
Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)
107
Hill Hold Control (HHC)
107
This chapter deals with the functions of the braking and stabilisation systems,
with the error indicator referred to in chapter » page 30, Indicator lights .
The braking and stabilisation systems are automatically activated each time
the ignition is switched on.
WARNING■ A lack of fuel can cause irregular engine running or cause the engine to
shut down. The brake assist systems would then fail to function – risk of
accident!■
The increased safety provided by the brake assist systems must not
tempt you to take safety risks – risk of accident!
■
Adjust the speed and driving style to the current visibility, weather, road
and traffic conditions.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Fig. 105
Buttons for the ESC system: Acti-
vating/deactivating TCS
Read and observe on page 106 first.
The ESC improves vehicle stability in dynamic driving situations, such as when the vehicle starts to skid.
The ESC monitors whether the desired direction of the current vehicle motion
is occurring. In case of any deviation (e.g. oversteer), the ESC automatically
brakes individual wheels to maintain the desired direction.
During an intervention in the system, the control light will blink in 
the instru-
ment cluster.
The ESC system cannot be deactivated. The AST can only be 
» Fig. 105 deacti-
vated with the symbol key » page 106.
The warning light lights up in the instrument cluster when the ASR is deactiva- ted .
The TCS should normally always be enabled. The system should be deactivated
only in the following situations, for example.
› When driving with snow chains.
› When driving in deep snow or on a very loose surface.
› When “rocking a car free” when it has become stuck.
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Read and observe
on page 106 first.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking when braking. Thereby, it helps the
driver to maintain control of the vehicle.
The intervention of the ABS is noticeable from the pulsating movements of
the brake pedal which is accompanied by noises.
When the ABS system is active, do not brake periodically or reduce the pres-
sure on the brake pedal.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Read and observe
on page 106 first.
TCS prevents the spinning of the wheels of the driven axle. TCS reduces thedrive power transmitted to the wheels in the case of slipping wheels. Thereby,
for example, driving on road surfaces with low grip is made easier.
If your vehicle is fitted with the ESC system, the ASR is integrated into the ESC
system » page 106 . 

106Driving

NoteFor vehicles without stabilization control (ESC), during a TCS intervention the
control indicator blinks in the instrument cluster.
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)
Read and observe
on page 106 first.
EDL prevents the turning of the respective wheel of the driven axle. EDL
brakes the spinning wheel, if necessary, and transmits the driving force to the
other driving wheel. Driving becomes easier on road surfaces with different
traction under each wheel of the driven axle.
The EDL switches off automatically in order to avoid excessive heat generation
on the brake of the wheel being braked. The vehicle can continue to be driven
and has the same characteristics as a vehicle not fitted with EDL. Once the
brakes have cooled down, there is an automatic re-activation of EDL.
Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)
Read and observe
on page 106 first.
The HBA increases the braking effect and helps to reduce the braking dis-
tance.
The HBA is activated by the very quick operation of the brake pedal. In order to
achieve the shortest possible braking distance, the brake pedal must be ap-
plied firmly until the vehicle has come to a standstill.
The HBA function is automatically deactivated when the brake pedal is re-
leased.
Hill Hold Control (HHC)
Read and observe
on page 106 first.
When driving on slopes, HHC allows you to move your foot from the brake ped-al to the accelerator pedal without having to use the handbrake.
The system holds the brake pressure produced by the activation of the brake pedal for approx. 2 seconds after the brake pedal is released.
The brake pressure drops gradually the more you operate the accelerator ped-
al. If the vehicle does not start off within 2 seconds, it starts to roll back.
The HHC is active from a 5% slope if the driver's door is closed. HHC is always
only active on slopes when in forward or reverse start off.
Parking aid
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Function
108
Activation/deactivation
108
The parking aid (hereinafter referred to only as a system) draws attention via
acoustic signals and an indication in the radio or navigation display when ma-
noeuvring around obstacles in the vicinity of the vehicle.
The system uses ultrasound waves to calculate the distance between the
bumper and an obstacle. The ultrasonic sensors are integrated in the rear
bumper.
WARNING■ The system only serves as an assistance and does not relieve the driver
of the responsibility for the vehicle operation.■
Moving persons or objects may not be recognised by the system sensors.
■
Under certain circumstances, surfaces of certain objects and types of
clothing cannot reflect the system signals. For this reason, such people or
objects may not be recognised by the system sensors.
■
External noise sources may affect the signals of the system sensors. Un-
der adverse conditions, this may cause objects or people to be not recog-
nised by the system.
■
Before reversing, you should make sure that there are no small obstacles,
such as rocks, thin posts, trailer draw-bars etc. behind your vehicle. Such
obstacles may not be recognised by the system sensors.
CAUTION
■ Keep the system sensors clean, snow-and ice-free and do not cover with any
objects of any kind, otherwise the system functioning may be impaired.■
The system function may be limited under adverse weather conditions
(heavy rain, water vapour, very low or high temperatures etc.).
■
Additionally installed accessories such as e.g. bicycle carriers can impair the
function of the parking aid.
107Assist systems

WARNINGIf the engine power and engine braking effect is insufficient to maintain
the set speed, steering must be taken over!
Operating Description
Fig. 107
Operating lever: Cruise control
system controls
Read and observe on page 108 first.
Overview of the control elements of the CCS » Fig. 107ADeactivate CCS (delete stored speed) Interrupt control (sprung position) Activate CCS (control deactivated)BTake control again a)
/ Increase speedCStart control / reduce speeda)
If no speed is stored, then the current speed is adopted.
After starting the system, the current speed is stored and the indicator light
lights up in the 
instrument cluster.
After the interruption in the control, the stored speed can be resumed by
pressing the
B
button.
Automatic control interruption
Automatic control interruption occurs if any of the following conditions are
met.
› By pressing the brake or clutch pedal.
› When one of the brake assist systems (e.g. ESC) intervenes.
› Through an airbag deployment.
WARNING■
Always deactivate the cruise control system after use to prevent the sys-
tem being switched on unintentionally.■
Control may only be resumed if the stored speed is not too high for the
current traffic conditions.
Note
During control, speed can be increased by pressing the accelerator pedal. Re-
leasing the accelerator pedal will cause the speed to drop again to the set
speed.
START-STOP
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Operating conditions of the system
110
Operation in vehicles with manual gearbox
110
Operation in vehicles with automatic gearbox
110
System related automatic start-up
111
Manually deactivating/activating the system
111
Information messages
111
The START-STOP system (hereinafter referred to as the system) saves fuel and
reduces polluting emissions and CO 2 emissions by turning the engine off, e.g.
when stopping at traffic lights, and starting the engine again when moving off.
WARNING■ Never let the vehicle roll with the engine switched off.■The brake servo unit and power steering only operate if the engine is run-
ning.109Assist systems

Operating conditions of the systemFig. 108
MAXI DOT display: Engine is au-
tomatically switched off / auto-
matic engine cut off is not possi-
ble
Read and observe on page 109 first.
For system-dependent automatic engine shutdown
to work, the following conditions must be 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.
Some additional conditions for the system to function correctly cannot be in-
fluenced or recognised by the driver. Therefore, the system can react differ-
ently in situations which are identical from the driver's perspective.
If after stopping the car, the message START-STOP NOT POSSIBLE appears in
the segment display and/or in MAXI DOT-Display, » Fig. 108
then the condi-
tions for automatic engine shutdown have not been fulfilled.
Running the engine e.g. is essential for the following reasons.
› The engine temperature for the proper function of the system has not yet
been reached.
› The charge state of the vehicle battery is too low.
› The current consumption is too high.
› High air-conditioning or heating capacity (high fan speed, big difference be-
tween the desired and actual interior temperature).
Note■ If the vehicle remains outdoors for a long time in minus temperatures or in
direct sunlight, it can take several hours until the internal temperature of the
vehicle battery reaches a suitable temperature for proper operation of the
START STOP system.■
If the driver's seat belt is removed for more than approx. 30 seconds or the
driver's door is opened during stop mode, the engine will have to be started
manually.
■
After the manual engine start and with a manual gearbox the automatic en-
gine shutdown can take place only when a minimum distance required for the
system function has been covered.
Operation in vehicles with manual gearbox
Read and observe
on page 109 first.
In compliance with the operating conditions, automatic engine shutdown / au-
tomatic engine start takes place as described.
Automatic engine shutdown
›
Stop the vehicle.
›
Put the gear stick into Neutral.
›
Release the clutch pedal.
Automatic engine shutdown takes place, segment display shows START-STOP
ACTIVE or a check mark appears in the MAXI DOT display symbol
» Fig. 108
on
page 110 .
Automatic engine start
›
Depress the clutch pedal.
The automatic start procedure takes place again.
Operation in vehicles with automatic gearbox
Read and observe
on page 109 first.
In compliance with the operating conditions, automatic engine shutdown / au-
tomatic engine start takes place as described.
Automatic engine shutdown
›
Bring the vehicle to a stop and depress the brake pedal. 
110Driving

Automatic engine shutdown takes place, segment display shows START-STOP
ACTIVE or a check mark appears in the MAXI DOT display symbol » Fig. 108 on
page 110 .
Automatic engine start›
Release the brake pedal.
The automatic start procedure takes place again.
Further information on automatic transmission
The automatic engine shut down takes place when the selector lever is in po-
sitions P, D , S and N and in Tiptronic mode.
When the selector lever is in position P, the engine remains shut down even
after you release the brake pedal. The engine starts automatically by pressing
the gas pedal or by moving the selector lever into a different mode and releas-
ing the brake pedal.
If the engine is off due to the automatic and the selector lever is put to the R
position, then the automatic start up of the engine.
If the gear selector is moved from position R to the position D, S or N, the vehi-
cle must reach a speed of more than 10 km / h before the automatic engine
shutdown starts.
There is no automatic engine shutdown when the system detects a vehicle
moving due to a large steering angle.
No automatic engine shutdown takes place when the vehicle is moving at low
speed (e.g. during a traffic jam or when turning) and remains stationary after
pressing the brake pedal lightly. Automatic engine shutdown takes place if you
press the brake pedal down with more force.
System related automatic start-up
Read and observe
on page 109 first.
When the engine is off, the system can automatically start the engine beforethe desired journey continues. Some possible reasons for this are.
› The vehicle begins to roll, e.g. on a slope.
› The brake pedal has been actuated several times.
› The current consumption is too high.
Manually deactivating/activating the systemFig. 109
Button for the START-STOP sys-
tem
Read and observe on page 109 first.
Deactivating/activating
›
Press the symbol » Fig. 109
button.
When start-stop mode is deactivated, the warning light in the button lights up.
Note
If the system is deactivated when the engine is turned off automatically, then
the automatic start process takes place.
Information messages
Read and observe
on page 109 first.
The warning icons are indicated in the display of the instrument cluster. Start engine manually!
START MANUALLY
One of the conditions for automatic engine start is not satisfied or the driver's
seat belt is not fastened. The engine must be started manually.
Error: Start-stop system
ERROR START-STOP
A system error is present. Seek help from a specialist garage.
111Assist systems

Safety eyelet
The safety eyelet B» Fig. 118 serves to attach the breakaway cable of the
trailer.
When attaching the breakaway cable to the safety eyelet, it must sag freely
against the vehicle in all trailer positions (sharp bends, in reverse etc.) sag .
Exterior mirrors
You can 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 54.
Driving speed
For safety reasons, do not drive faster than 80 km/h when towing a trailer.
Immediately reduce your speed as soon as even the slightest swaying of the
trailer is detected. Never attempt to stop the trailer from “swaying” by acceler-
ating.
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 lights up and/or starts to
blink in the instrument » page 32cluster. Wait a few minutes and check the
level of coolant » page 137.
The following guidelines must be observed » page 32.
The coolant temperature level can be reduced by switching on the heating.WARNING■ Never use the safety eyelet for towing!■Adapt your speed to the conditions of the road surface and to the traffic
situation.■
Improper or incorrectly connected electrical installations can energise the
trailer and cause functional faults to the vehicle's entire electrical system
as well as accidents and severe injuries.
■
Works on the electrical system must only be carried out by specialist ga-
rages.
■
Never directly connect the trailer's electrical system with the electrical
connections for the tail lights or other current sources.
■
After coupling the trailer and connecting the power socket, check that
the rear lights on the trailer are working correctly.
Note
■ If there is an error in the trailer lighting, check the fuses in the fuse box in
the dash panel » page 164.■
Contact between the breakaway cable and the safety eyelet can result in
mechanical wear on the surface protection of the eyelet. Such wear does not
impair the functioning of the safety eyelet and does not constitute a fault. It is
excluded from the warranty coverage.
■
If you tow a trailer frequently, you should also have your vehicle inspected
between service intervals.
■
The handbrake on the towing vehicle must be applied when coupling and un-
coupling the trailer.
Anti-theft alarm system
Read and observe
on page 116 first.
When the vehicle is locked, the alarm is activated when the electrical connec-tion to the trailer is interrupted.
Always switch off the anti-theft alarm system before a trailer is coupled or un-
coupled » page 49 .
Conditions for including a trailer in the anti-theft alarm system. The vehicle is factory-fitted with an anti-theft alarm system and towing
device.
The trailer is electrically connected to the towing vehicle via the trailer
socket. 
117Hitch and trailer