2013 SKODA YETI warning

At the same time, the tow bar latches into the ready position and is therefore
ready to be re-inserted into the mounting recess » .›
Attach the cover for the mounting recess
4
» Fig. 126 on page 152 » .
›
Grip the cover on the rear bumper
E
» Fig. 133 at the handle
D
and position in
the direction of the arrow
6
on the checkmark underneath the upper edge of
the bumper.
›
Push this cover onto the lower edge and onto the two sides in the direction of the arrow
7
.
WARNING■ Never allow the tow bar to remain unsecured in the boot. This could cause
damage on sudden braking, and could put the safety of the occupants at risk.■
Never remove the tow bar while the trailer is still coupled.
CAUTION
■ If the handwheel is not turned all the way to the stop, then it will return to its
initial position when the tow bar is removed, and will rest on the tow bar and not
engage into the ready position. The tow bar will then need to be brought into this position before the next time it is fitted.■
The mounting recess must be closed with the cover following removal. This pre-
vents foreign bodies from getting into the mounting recess.
■
Clean any dirt from the tow bar before stowing it away in the box with the vehi-
cle tool kit.
Note
We recommend putting the protective cover onto the ball head before removing
the tow bar.
Use and care
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 152.
Close the mounting recess with the cover to prevent any dirt from getting in.
Always check the tow bar before hitching a trailer. Apply suitable grease where
necessary.
Use the protective cover when stowing away the tow bar, in order to stop the boot from getting dirty.
In the event of dirt, clean the surfaces of the mounting recess and treat with a
suitable preservative.
CAUTION
Apply grease to the upper part of the mounting recess. Make sure you do not re-
move any grease.
Trailer
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Loading a trailer
156
Driving with a trailer
157
Trailer stabilisation (TSA)
158
Anti-theft alarm system
159WARNINGAlways drive particularly carefully with the trailer.

Loading a trailer
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 156.
The vehicle/trailer combination must be balanced, whereby the maximum permis-
sible drawbar load must be utilised. If the drawbar load is too low, it jeopardises
the performance of the vehicle/trailer combination.
Distribution of the load
Distribute the load in the trailer in such a way that heavy items are located as close to the axle as possible. Secure the items from slipping. 
156Driving

The distribution of the weight is very poor if your vehicle is unladen and the trail-
er is laden. Maintain a particularly low speed if you cannot avoid driving with this
combination.
Tyre pressure
Correct the tyre inflation pressure on your vehicle for a “full load” » page 213,
Service life of tyres .
Towing capacity and trailer weight
The permissible trailer load must not be exceeded under any circumstan- ces » page 244 , Technical data .
The trailer loads specified apply only to altitudes up to 1,000 metres above mean sea level.
The engine output falls as altitude increases, as does the vehicle's climbing pow- er. Therefore, for every additional 1000 m in height (or part), the maximum per-
missible towed weight must be reduced by 10%.
The towed weight is made up of the actual weights of the loaded towing vehicle
and the loaded trailer.
The trailer and drawbar load information on the type plate of the towing device is merely a test value for the towing device. The vehicle-specific values are detailed 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 trailerFig. 134
Swivel out the 13-pin power
socket
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 156.
Before the journey
›
Swing the 13-pin socket in the direction of arrow
A
» Fig. 134 .
›
Lift off protective cap
5
» Fig. 126 on page 152.
After the journey
›
Swivel the 13-pin power socket
A
» Fig. 134 back in in the opposite direction to
the arrow.
›
Place the protective cover
5
» Fig. 126 on page 152 onto the tow bar.
Safety eyelet
The purpose of the safety eyelet
B
» Fig. 134 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 in relation to the vehicle (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. 
157Towing a trailer

Adjust the headlights using the headlight beam control » page 48, Headlight
beam control 1)
.
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 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 indicator light 
in the instrument cluster
starts to flash. Wait a few minutes and check the level of coolant » page 205,
Checking the coolant level .
The following guidelines must be observed » page 16, 
Coolant .
The coolant temperature 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 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 the power socket, check that the rear
lights on the trailer are working correctly.■
If there is an error in the trailer lighting, check the fuses in the fuse box in the
dash panel » page 236.
■
Contact between the breakaway cable and the safety eyelet can result in me-
chanical 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 be-
tween service intervals.
■
The handbrake on the towing vehicle must be applied when coupling and un-
coupling the trailer.

Trailer stabilisation (TSA)
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 156.
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 indicator light 
in the instrument cluster
lights up for about 2 seconds longer than the ABS indicator light.
Function requirements for trailer stabilisation. The trailer was shipped from the factory or purchased from the ŠKODA genu-
ine accessories range.
The ESC system is active (in the instrument cluster, the warning lights illumi-
nates 
or 
) » page 18 does not .
The trailer is electrically connected to the towing vehicle via the trailer sock-
et.
The speed is higher than approx. 60 km/h.
The trailer has a rigid drawbar. 
1)
Applies to vehicles with bi-xenon headlights.
158Driving

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 156.
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 39 .
Conditions for including a trailer in the anti-theft alarm system. The vehicle is factory-fitted with an anti-theft alarm system and towing de-
vice.
The trailer is electrically connected to the towing vehicle via the trailer sock-
et.
The electrical system of the vehicle and trailer is functional.
The vehicle is locked with the vehicle key and the anti-theft alarm system is
activated.
Note
For technical reasons, trailers with rear LED lights cannot be connected to the an-
ti-theft alarm system.
159Towing a trailer

Safety
Passive Safety
General information
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Safety equipment
160
Before setting off
160
What influences driving safety?
161
In this section you will find important information, tips and notes on the subject
of passive safety in your vehicle.
We have combined everything here which you should be familiar with, for exam- ple, regarding seat belts, airbags, child seats and safety of children.
WARNING■ This chapter contains important information on how to use the vehicle for
the driver and his occupants.■
You can find further information on safety concerning you and those travel-
ling with you in the following chapters of this owner's manual.
■
The complete on-board literature should always be in the vehicle. This ap-
plies in particular, if you rent out or sell the vehicle.

Safety equipment
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 160.
The following list contains only part of the safety equipment in your vehicle.
› Three-point seat belts for all the seats.
› Belt force limiters for the front seats.
› Belt tensioners for the front seats.
› Seat belt height adjusters for the front seats.
›
Front airbag for the driver and the front passenger.
› Driver’s knee airbag.
› Front side airbags.
› Rear side airbags.
› Head airbags.
› Anchoring points for child seats using the ISOFIX system.
› Anchoring points for child seats using the TOP TETHER system.
› Head restraints adjustable for height.
› Adjustable steering column.
The specified safety equipment works together, in order to optimally protect you
and those travelling with you in accident situations.
The safety equipment does not protect you or the people travelling with you, if
you or your occupants adopt an incorrect seated position or the equipment is not correctly adjusted or used.
If the seat belt is not fastened properly, this may result in injuries if an airbag is
activated in the event of an accident.

Before setting off
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 160.
For your own safety and the safety of the people travelling with you, please pay
attention to the following points before setting off.
› Ensure that the lighting and the turn signal system are functioning properly.
› Check the tyre inflation pressure.
› Ensure that all of the windows offer good visibility to the outside.
› Secure all items of luggage
» page 81, Luggage compartment .
› Ensure that no objects can obstruct the pedals.
› Adjust the mirrors, the front seat and head restraint to your body size.
› Advise your passengers to adjust the head restraints to their body size.
› Protect children in suitable child seats with correctly fastened seat
belts » page 177 , Transporting children safely .
› Adopt the correct seated position
» page 161, Correct seated position . Tell your
passengers to assume the correct seated position.
› Correctly fasten the seat belt. Also inform passengers to fasten the seat belt
correctly » page 164 , Using seat belts .

160Safety

What influences driving safety?First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 160.
The driver is fully responsible for himself and his occupants. If your driving safety is effected, you place yourself and the oncoming traffic at risk.
The following guidelines must therefore be observed. › Do not become distracted from concentrating on the traffic situation, e.g. by
your passengers or mobile phone calls.
› Never drive when your driving ability is impaired, e.g. due to medication, alcohol
or drugs.
› Keep to the traffic regulations and the permissible speed limit.
› Always adjust the driving speed to the road, traffic and weather conditions.
› Take regular breaks on long journeys – at least every two hours.

Correct seated position

Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Correct seated position for the driver
162
Correct seated position for the front passenger
162
Correct seated position for the passengers in the rear seats
162
Examples of an incorrect seating position
162WARNINGGeneral information■The front seats and head restraints must be adjusted to match the body
size at all times and the seat belt must always be fastened properly to provide the most effective levels of protection to the passengers.■
If the occupant adopts an incorrect seated position, he is exposed to life-
threatening injuries, in case he is hit by a deployed airbag.
■
If the occupants on the rear seats are not sitting upright, the risk of injury is
increased due to incorrect routing of the seat belt.
■
The seat backrests must not be tilted too far back when driving, as this will
impair the function of the seat belts and of the airbag system – risk of injury!
WARNINGInformation for the driver■Always assume the correct seated position before setting off and do not
change this position while driving. Also advise your passengers to adopt the
correct seated position and not to change this position while the car is mov-
ing.■
Maintain a distance of at least 25 cm from the steering wheel, and a dis-
tance of at least 10 cm between the legs and the dash panel at the height of
the knee airbag. Not maintaining this minimum distance will mean that the airbag system will not be able to properly protect you - hazard!
■
When driving, hold the steering wheel with both hands firmly on the outer
edge in the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock position. Never hold the steering wheel in
the 12 o'clock position or in any other way (e.g. in the middle or inner edge of the steering wheel). In such cases, you could severely injure the arms, hands
and head when the driver airbag is deployed.
■
Ensure that there are no objects in the driver's footwell, as these may get
caught in the pedal apparatus when driving or braking. You would then no
longer be able to operate the clutch, brake or acceleration pedals.
WARNINGInformation for the front passenger■Maintain a distance of at least 25 cm to the dash panel. Not maintaining this
minimum distance will mean that the airbag system will not be able to proper-
ly protect you – hazard!■
Always keep your feet in the footwell when the car is being driven – never
place your feet on the instrument panel, out of the window or on the surfaces of the seats. You will be exposed to increased risk of injury if it becomes nec-
essary to apply the brake or in the event of an accident. If an airbag is de-
ployed, you may suffer fatal injuries when adopting an incorrect seated posi- tion!

161Passive Safety

Seat belts
Using seat belts
Introduction
Fig. 136
Driver wearing seat belt
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
The physical principle of a head-on collision
165
Fastening and unfastening seat belts
166
Belt height adjustment on the front seats
167
Seat belt for the rear middle seat
167
Seat belts that are fastened correctly offer good protection in the event of an ac-
cident. They reduce the risk of an injury and increase the chance of survival in the
event of a major accident.
Correctly fastened seat belts hold occupants of the car in the correct seated posi-
tion » Fig. 136 .
The seat belts reduce the kinetic energy (energy of motion) to a considerable ex-
tent. They also prevent uncontrolled movements which, in turn, may well result in
severe injuries.
Occupants of a vehicle who have correctly fastened their seat belts have the ma-
jor benefit of the fact that the kinetic energy is absorbed as effectively as possi-
ble by the belts.
The structure of the front end of the vehicle and other passive safety measures,
such as the airbag system, also contribute to the kinetic energy being reduced as
effectively as possible. The energy produced is thus absorbed and there is less
risk of injury.
Particular safety aspects must be observed when transporting children in the ve-
hicle » page 177 .WARNING■
Fasten your seat belt before each journey - even when driving in town! This
also applies to the passengers seated at the rear – risk of injury!■
Expectant women must also always wear a seat belt. This is the only way of
ensuring optimal protection for the unborn child » page 166, Fastening and
unfastening seat belts .
■
Maximum seat belt protection is only achieved if you are correctly seat-
ed » page 161 , Correct seated position .
■
The seat backrests of the front seats must not be tilted too far to the rear
otherwise the seatbelts can lose their effectiveness.
WARNINGInformation on the correct routing of the belt■Always ensure that the webbing of the seat belts is properly routed. Seat
belts which are not correctly adjusted can themselves cause injuries even in
minor accidents.■
Adjust the height of the belt in such a way that the shoulder part of the belt
is roughly positioned across the middle of your shoulder - on no account across your neck.
■
A seat belt which is hanging too loose can result in injuries as your body is
moved forward by the kinetic energy produced in an accident and is then sud-
denly held firm by the belt.
■
The belt webbing must not run across solid or fragile objects (e.g. specta-
cles, ball-point pens, bunches of keys etc.). Such objects can cause injury.
WARNINGInformation on dealing with the safety belts■The belt webbing must not be jammed in-between at any point or twisted,
or chafe against any sharp edges.■
Make sure you do not catch the seat belt in the door when closing it. 
164Safety

WARNINGInformation on the proper use of safety belts■Never use one seat belt to secure two persons (including children). The
seatbelt must not be placed over a child who is sitting on the lap of another
passenger.■
The lock tongue should only be inserted into the lock which is the correct
one for your seat. Wrong use of the safety belt will reduce its capacity to pro-
tect and the risk of injury increases.
■
The slot of the belt tongue must not be blocked, otherwise the belt tongue
will not lock in place properly.
■
Many layers of clothing and loose clothing (e. g. a winter coat over a jacket)
do not allow you to be correctly seated and impairs proper operation of the
seat belts.
■
It is prohibited to use clamps or other objects to adjust seat belts (e. g. for
shortening the belts for smaller persons).
■
The seat belts for the rear seats can only fulfil their function reliably when
the seat backrests are correctly locked into position » page 68.
WARNINGInformation on the care and maintenance of safety belts■The belt webbing must always be kept clean. Soiled belt webbing may im-
pair proper operation of the inertia reel » page 195, Seat belts .■
The seat belts must not be removed or changed in any way. Do not attempt
to repair the seat belts yourself.
■
Check the condition of all the seat belts on a regular basis. If any damage to
the seat belts, seat belt connections, inertia reel or the lock is detected, the
relevant seat belt must be replaced by a specialist garage.
■
Damaged seat belts which have been subjected to stress in an accident and
were therefore stretched, must be replaced – this is best done by a specialist
garage. The anchorage points of the belts must also be inspected. The an-
chorage points for the belts should also be checked.
Note
The national legal requirements must be observed when using seat belts.
The physical principle of a head-on collisionFig. 137
Driver without a fastened seat belt/rear passenger without a fas-
tened seat belt
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 164.
Motion energy, so-called kinetic energy, is produced as soon as the vehicle is
moving, both for the vehicle and its occupants.
The magnitude of this kinetic energy depends essentially on the speed at which
the vehicle is travelling and on the weight of the vehicle including the occupants. The greater the speed and weight increase, the greater the amount of energy
which has to be absorbed in the event of an accident.
The speed of the vehicle is the most important factor. Doubling the speed of the
vehicle from 25 km/h up to 50 km/hour increases the kinetic energy four times.
The idea that it is possible to support your body with your hands in a minor acci- dent is incorrect. Even in a collision at only a low speed, the forces acting on the
body are such that it is no longer possible to support your body.
Even if you only drive at a speed of 30-50 km/h, the forces that your body is ex-
posed to in the event of an accident can exceed a metric ton (1000 kg).
For example, a person's weight of 80 kg “increases” to 4.8 tons (4800 kg) at
50 km/h.
In the event of a frontal collision, occupants of the car not wearing a seat belt, are thrown forward and strike in an uncontrolled way parts of the interior of the car,
such as steering wheel, dash panel or windscreen » Fig. 137 - 
. In certain circum-
stances you could even be thrown out of the vehicle, which could cause life threatening or even fatal injuries. 
165Seat belts