2013 SKODA RAPID SPACEBACK steering wheel

The vehicle is unlocked.
If the ignition switch cannot be turned on, then turn the steering wheel back
and forth slightly and thereby unlock the steering lock.
Switch on the ignition and start the engine
Fig. 98
Positions of the vehicle key in
the ignition lock
Read and observe and on page 97 first.
Positions of the vehicle key in the ignition lock » Fig. 98
Ignition switched off, engine switched off
Ignition switched on
Starting engine
In vehicles with diesel engines after switching on the ignition lights, the glow
plug warning lights  up. The engine can be started after the indicator light
goes out.
Procedure for starting the engine
›
Firmly apply the handbrake.
›
Move the gearshift lever into neutral or move the selector lever into position
P or N.
›
Switch on the ignition
2
» Fig. 98 .
›
For vehicles with manual transmission depress the clutch pedal and hold it
there until the engine starts.
›
On vehicles with automatic transmission, depress the brake pedal and hold
it until the engine has started.
›
Turn the key into position
3
to the stop and release immediately after the
engine has been started – do not apply the accelerator.
After letting go, the vehicle key will return to position
2
.
If the engine does not start within 10 seconds, turn the key to position
1
. Re-
peat the start-up process after approx. half a minute.
123Vehicles with the START-STOP system and manual gearbox
The engine will not start if the clutch pedal is not depressed.
The following message is shown in the information cluster display. Depress clutch to start.
CLUTCH
Vehicles with the START-STOP system and automatic gearbox
The engine will not start if the brake pedal is not depressed.
The following message is shown in the information cluster display. Depress brake to start.
BRAKE
Note
■ The engine running noises may louder at first be louder for a short time after
starting the cold engine. This is quite normal and is not an operating problem.■
You should not switch on any major electrical components during the heat-
ing period otherwise the vehicle battery will be drained unnecessarily.
Switching off the engine
Read and observe
and on page 97 first.
›
Stop the vehicle » page 100, Parking .
›
Turn the light switch to position
1
» Fig. 98 on page 98 .
The engine and the ignition are switched off simultaneously.
For vehicles with automatic transmission, the ignition key can only be removed
if the selector lever is in position P .
CAUTION
Do not switch the engine off immediately at the end of your journey after the
engine has been operated over a prolonged period at high loads but leave it to
run at an idling speed for about 1 minute. This prevents any possible accumula-
tion of heat when the engine is switched off.
Note
After switching off the ignition, the radiator fan may intermittently continue to
operate for approx. 10 minutes.98Driving

NoteThe accessories authorised by the company ŠKODA AUTO a.s. will be offered
by the ŠKODA Partners in all countries where the company ŠKODA AUTO a.s.
has a sales and after-sales service network. This will usually be in the form of a
printed catalogue of ŠKODA Genuine Accessories, in the form of separate prin-
ted brochures or in the form of ŠKODA Genuine Accessories on the ŠKODA
Partner websites.
Spoiler
Read and observe
on page 119 first.
If your new vehicle is fitted with a spoiler on the front bumper in combination
with the spoiler on the luggage compartment lid, then the following instruc-
tions must be adhered to.
› For safety reasons, the vehicle must only be fitted with a spoiler on the front
bumper in combination with the associated spoiler on the luggage compart-
ment lid.
› This kind of spoiler cannot be left on the front bumper either on its own, in
combination with another spoiler not on the luggage compartment lid or in
combination with an unsuitable spoiler on the luggage compartment lid.
› We recommend that you consult the ŠKODA Service Partner for any repairs
to or replacement, addition or removal of spoilers.
WARNING■ If work on your vehicle's spoilers is not carried out properly, this can lead
to operational faults - risk of accident and serious injuries!■
If a front spoiler, full wheel trim, etc. is mounted retrospectively, it must
be ensured that the air supply to the front wheel brakes is not reduced.
The front brakes may overheat, which can have a negative impact on the
functioning of the braking system – risk of accident!
Airbags
Read and observe
on page 119 first.
The system components of the airbag system can be situated in the front
bumper, doors, front seats, roof lining or body.
WARNINGAny work on the airbag system, including the installation and removal of
system components due to other repair work (e.g. removal of the steering
wheel), must only be carried out by a specialist garage.■
Modifications, repairs and technical alterations that have been carried out
unprofessionally can cause damage and operational faults, and can also se-
riously impair the effectiveness of the airbag system – risk of accident and
fatal injury!
■
The airbag system must then be replaced if the airbag has been deployed.
Airbag modules cannot be repaired.
WARNINGInformation on the use of the airbag system■It is prohibited to manipulate individual parts of the airbag system, as this
might result in the airbag being deployed.■
Never install any airbag parts into the vehicle that have been removed
from old cars or have been recycled.
■
Never install damaged airbag parts in the vehicle. The airbags may then
not be deployed properly or even at all in the event of an accident.
■
No modifications of any kind may be made to parts of the airbag system.
WARNING■ A change to the vehicle's wheel suspension, including the use of non-ap-
proved wheels and tyre combinations, can alter the functioning of the air-
bag system - risk of accident and fatal injury!■
Never make any changes to the front bumper or the bodywork.
Acceptance and recycling of used vehicles
Read and observe
on page 119 first.
ŠKODA meets the requirements of the brand and its products with regard to
protecting the environment and the preserving resources. All new ŠKODAvehi-
cles can be recycled by up to 95 % and can always 1)
be returned free of charge. 
1)
Subject to fulfilment of the national legal requirements.
121Care and maintenance

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 petrole-
um cleaner.WARNINGSafety regulations should be observed when using petroleum cleaner to re-
move wax – risk of fire!
Wheels
Read and observe
and on page 123 first.
Wheel rims
Also thoroughly wash the wheel rims when washing the vehicle on a regular basis.
Regularly remove salt and brake abrasion, otherwise the rim material will be
corroded.
Light alloy wheels
After washing thoroughly, 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.
CAUTION
■ Damage to the paint layer on the wheel rims must be touched up immediate-
ly.■
Severe 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.
Under-body protection
Read and observe
and on page 123 first.
The underside of your vehicle is already permanently protected by the factory
against chemical and mechanical 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 under-body 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 may
ignite - risk of fire!
Wiper blades
Read and observe
and on page 123 first.
Clean the wiper blades regularly with a glass cleaner. The wiper blades shouldbe cleaned with a sponge or cloth if they are heavily soiled by insect residues,
for example.
The wiper blades can become soiled with wax residues after washing in auto-
matic vehicle wash systems for example » page 122.
Interior care
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Natural leather
127
Artificial leather, materials and Alcantara ®
128
Seat covers
128
Safety belts
128
We recommend using vehicle care products from ŠKODA Original Accessories.
These are available from ŠKODA Partners. The usage instructions on the pack-
age must be observed. 
126General Maintenance

WARNING■Vehicle care products may be harmful to your health if not used according
to the instructions.■
Always keep the vehicle care products safe from people who are not com-
pletely independent, e.g. children - there is a danger of poisoning!
■
Air fresheners and scents can be hazardous to heath when the tempera-
ture inside the vehicle is high.
CAUTION
■ Be sure to check clothing for colour fastness to avoid any damage or visible
stains on the material (leather), panels and textiles.■
Remove fresh stains such as those from ball-point pens, ink, lipstick, shoe
polish, etc., from the material (leather), panels and textiles as quickly as possi-
ble.
■
Do not attach scents or air fresheners to the dash panel – there is a risk of
damage to the dash panel.
■
Do not attach any stickers to the filaments or glass antenna - there is risk of
damage.
■
Do not clean the roof panelling with a brush – risk of damage to the surface
of the panelling.
■
Cleaners that contain solvents can damage the material being cleaned.
■
Apply only a small amount of the cleaning and care product.
For the sake of the environment
Used vehicle care product cans represent hazardous waste that is harmful to the environment. These must be disposed of in accordance with national legal
regulations.
Note
Due to the special tools and knowledge required, and to avoid any potential
problems with the cleaning and care of the interior of your vehicle, we recom-
mend that cleaning and care of the interior of your vehicle be carried out by a
ŠKODA service partner.
Natural leather
Read and observe
and on page 127 first.
The leather needs, depending on the strain placed on it, regular cleaning and
maintenance.
Dust and dirt in pores and creases cause abrasions on the surface and lead to
premature brittling of the leather surface. Therefore, they must be removed
regularly at short intervals with a cloth or vacuum cleaner.
Clean soiled leather surfaces with a water-dampened cotton or woollen cloth
and then dry with a clean, dry cloth »
.
Clean severely soiled areas with a cloth soaked in a mild soap solution (2 ta-
blespoons of neutral soap to 1 litre of water).
To remove stains , use a cleaning agent specially designed for this purpose.
Treat the leather periodically with a suitable leather protector and use a skin
care cream with light blocker and impregnation after each cleaning.
CAUTION
■ Ensure that no part of the leather is soaked through during cleaning and that
no water gets into the seams! Otherwise, the leather could become brittle or
cracked.■
Avoid leaving the vehicle for lengthy periods in bright sunlight to avoid
bleaching the leather. If the vehicle is parked in the open for lengthy periods,
protect the leather from direct sunlight by covering it.
■
The use of a mechanical steering wheel lock may damage the leather surface
of the steering wheel.
■
Some clothing materials, e.g. dark denim, do not have sufficient colour fast-
ness. This can cause damage or clearly visible discolouration to seat covers,
even when used correctly. This applies particularly to light-coloured seat cov-
ers. This does not relate to a fault in the seat cover, but rather to poor colour
fastness of the clothing textiles.
■
Sharp-edged objects on items of clothing such as zip fasteners, rivets, sharp-
edged belts etc. may leave permanent scratches or signs of rubbing on the
surface or damage these. Such damage cannot be subsequently recognised as
a justified complaint.
Note
When using the vehicle, minor visible changes may occur to the leather parts
of the covers (e.g. wrinkles or creases) as a result of the stress applied to the
covers.127Care and maintenance

Always check the inflation pressure when the tyres are cold. Do not reduce the
higher pressure on 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 re-balanced 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
swapping the front wheels with the rear wheels as shown in the dia-
gram » Fig. 130 -
 . 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. 130- 
. Markings on the walls of the tyres
through the letters “TWI”, triangular symbols or other symbols identify the po-
sition 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
Read and observe
and on page 142 first.
Only use radial tyres of the same type, size (rolling circumference) and tread
pattern on one axle on all four wheels.
The tyre/wheel combinations which are approved for your vehicle are indica-
ted 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. 131 on page 14365Height/width ratio in % » Fig. 131 on page 143RCode letter for the type of tyre – Radial » Fig. 131 on page 14315Diameter of wheel in inches » Fig. 131 on page 14385Load index » HSpeed symbol »
The date of manufacture is stated on the tyre wall (possibly on the inside). e.g.
DOT ... 11 14...
means, for example, that the tyre was manufactured in the week 11 of 2014. 
144General Maintenance

Load index
The load index indicates the maximum permissible load for each individual
tyre.Load index838485868791929395Load
(In kg)487500515530545615630650690
Speed symbol
The maximum speed symbol indicates the maximum permissible vehicle speed
with fitted tyres in each category.
Speed iconRSTUHVWMaximum speed
(in km/h)170180190200210240270
CAUTION
The information about the load index and the speed symbol is listed in your
vehicle documents.
Unidirectional tyres
Read and observe
and on page 142 first.
The direction of rotation of the tyres is marked by arrows on the wall of the
tyre .
The indicated direction of rotation must be adhered to in order to ensure the
optimal characteristics of these tyres.
These characteristics mainly relate to the following.
› Increased driving stability.
› Reduced risk of aquaplaning.
› Reduced tyre noise and tyre wear.
Tyre control display

Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Setting
146
Display
146
Monitors the tyre pressure display and warns of a change in tyre pressure.
The system must be calibrated if one of the following is evident. › Change of tyre inflation pressure.
› Change one or more wheels.
› Change in position of a wheel on the vehicle.
› The warning light comes on while driving.
WARNINGInformation on tyre pressure■The tyre control display does not absolve the driver of the responsibility
to ensure the correct tyre inflation pressure. Check the tyre inflation pres-
sure at regular intervals.■
Too low or too high inflation pressure impairs handling.
■
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 blow out.
■
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.
CAUTION
■ To ensure a proper functioning of the tyre control display, it is necessary to
repeat the basic setting every 10,000 km or once a year.■
The tyre pressure monitor does not replace the need to check tyre pressure
regularly.
145Wheels

SettingFig. 132
Button for setting the tyre infla-
tion pressure control value
Read and observe and on page 145 first.
›
Inflate all of the tyres to the specified inflation pressure » page 143.
›
Switch on the ignition.
›
Press the symbol button

» Fig. 132 for longer than 2 seconds.
If the warning light in the instrument cluster lights up and does not go out
after the system configuration, this indicates a system fault.
If there is a blinking light in the instrument cluster, then there is a system
fault.
Display
Read and observe
and on page 145 first.
The control light in the instrument cluster lights up when any of the follow-
ing conditions are met.
› The tyre inflation pressure is low.
› The structure of the tyre is damaged.
› The vehicle is loaded on one side.
› 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.
WARNING■
When illuminated control lights light up in the instrument cluster lights,
immediately reduce speed and avoid violent steering and brake manoeu-
vres. 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 un-
paved roads) the warning light 
in the instrument cluster may be delayed
or not light up at all.
Reserve and temporary spare wheel
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Change
147
Spare wheel
147
Fit a wheel in the appropriate dimensions and design as soon as possible.
WARNING■ If, in the event of a puncture, it is necessary to fit a spare wheel with a
tyre without a dedicated running direction or with the opposite direction of
rotation, drive carefully as the optimal characteristics of the tyre are no lon-
ger applicable in this situation.■
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 adopted.
146General Maintenance

Driver of the tow vehicle›Engage the clutch gently when starting off or depress the accelerator partic-
ularly gently if the vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.›
Only then, approach correctly when the rope is taut.
The maximum towing speed is 50 km/h.
Driver of the towed vehicle
›
Switch on the ignition so that the steering wheel is not locked and so that
the turn signal lights, horn, windscreen wipers and windscreen washer sys-
tem can be used.
›
Take the vehicle out of gear or move the selector lever into position N if the
vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.
Please note that the brake servo unit and power steering only operate if the
engine is running. If the engine is not running, significantly more physical force
is required to depress the brake pedal and steer the vehicle.
If using a tow rope, ensure that it is always kept taught.
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 another vehicle or to be towed in one.
The vehicle must be transported on a special breakdown vehicle or trailer if it
is not possible to tow the vehicle in the way described or if the towing dis-
tance is greater than 50 km.
Attach the tow rope or the tow bar to the towing eyes » page 159
or » page 160 to the detachable ball head of the towing equip-
ment » page 112 .
WARNING■
The tow rope must not be twisted as it may in certain circumstances re-
sult in the front towing eye becoming unscrewed from your vehicle.■
Do not use one-sided twisted tow rope, because the towing eye could
become unscrewed on the vehicle under certain circumstances.
■
When towing, respect the national legal provisions, especially those
which relate to the identification of the towing vehicle and the vehicle be- ing towed.
CAUTION■ Do not start the engine by towing – 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 157, Jump-starting .■
If the gearbox no longer contains any oil because of a defect, your vehicle
must only be towed with the drive wheels raised clear of the ground or on a
special breakdown vehicle or trailer.
■
To protect both vehicles when tow-starting or towing, the tow rope should
be elastic. Thus only plastic fibre rope or a rope made out of a similarly elastic
material should be used.
■
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.
Note
We recommend using a tow rope from ŠKODA Original Accessories, which is
available from a ŠKODA Partner.
Front towing eye
Fig. 146
Removing the cap/installing the towing eye
Read and observe
and on page 159 first.
Removing/installing the cap
›
Press on the cap in the area
A
» Fig. 146 .
›
Remove the cap in the direction of the arrow
1
.
›
After unscrewing the cap of the towing eye
B
, insert the cap in area
A
and
then press the opposite side of the cap.
The cap must engage firmly. 
159Emergency equipment and self-help