
Towing a trailer
Towing device
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Description
152
Setting the ready position
153
Installing the ball rod
154
Check proper fitting
155
Removing the ball rod
155
Use and care
156
If your vehicle has already been factory-fitted with a towing device or is fitted
with a towing device from ŠKODA Original Accessories, then it meets all of the
technical requirements and national legal regulations for towing a trailer.
Your vehicle is fitted with a 13-pin power socket for the electrical connection be-
tween the vehicle and trailer. If the trailer that is to be towed has a 7-pin connec-
tor , you can use a suitable adapter from ŠKODA Original Accessories.
The maximum trailer nose weight is 80 kg and 85 kg 1)
.
WARNING■ Check that the tow bar is seated correctly and is secured in the mounting
recess before the start of every journey.■
Do not use the tow bar if it is not correctly inserted and secured in the
mounting recess.
■
Do not use the towing device if it is damaged or if there are parts missing.
■
Do not modify or adapt the towing device in any way.
■
Never release the tow bar while the trailer is still coupled.
CAUTIONTake care when handling the tow bar so as to avoid damaging the paintwork on
the bumper.
Description
Fig. 126
Carrier for the towing device/tow bar
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 152.
Explanation of graphic » Fig. 126
13-pin power socket
Mounting recess
Safety eyelet
Cover for the mounting recess
Dust cap
Locking ball
Green marking on the handwheel
Handwheel
Key
Lock cap
Red marking on the handwheel
12345678910111)
Applies to vehicles 4x4 with the 2.0 l/103 kW TDI CR and 2.0 L/125 kW TDI CR engine. Applies in multi-
purpose vehicles (AF) for vehicles with the 2.0 l/125 kW TDI CR engine and automatic transmission.
152Driving

Green box on the tow bar
Tow ball
The tow bar can be removed and is kept in the spare wheel compartment or in a
compartment for the spare wheel in the boot » page 220, Vehicle tool kit .
Note
On the bottom of the key is a code number. If you lose a key, please contact a
specialist garage, who will be able to use this code number to provide you with a new one.
Setting the ready position
Fig. 127
Setting the ready position
Fig. 128
Ready position
1213First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 152.
Always set the ready position before fitting the tow bar.
›
Turn the key
A
in direction of the arrow
1
to the stop » Fig. 127.
›
Hold the tow bar with your left hand.
›
Using your right hand, pull the handwheel
B
in the direction of the arrow
2
and drag in the direction of the arrow
3
to the stop.
The handwheel remains locked in this position.
Correctly adjusted standby position » Fig. 128 .
The key
C
is in the unlocked position and cannot be removed.
The locking balls
D
can be pushed fully into the tow bar.
The red marking
E
on the handwheel is located in the green box on the tow
bar.
There is a clear gap of approx. 5 mm
F
between the handwheel and the tow
bar.
The tow bar is now ready to be inserted into the mounting recess.
WARNINGIf the tow bar cannot be correctly placed in the ready position, then it must
not be used.
CAUTION
When in the ready position, the key cannot be removed from the handwheel lock.
153Towing a trailer

Installing the ball rodFig. 129
Removing the cap on the rear bumper/inserting the tow bar
Fig. 130
Locking the lock and removing the the key/replacing the lock cap
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 152.
›
Grip the cap on the rear bumper
B
» Fig. 129 at the handle
A
, release in the
direction of the arrow
1
and remove in the direction of the arrow
2
.
›
Remove the cover for the mounting recess
4
» Fig. 126 on page 152 in a down-
wards direction.
›
Put the tow bar in the ready position » page 153.
›
Grip the tow bar from underneath » Fig. 129 and insert into the mounting recess
in arrow direction
3
until you hear it click into place » .
The handwheel
C
» Fig. 129 returns automatically and rests on the tow bar » .
›Lock the handwheel lock by turning the key D
» Fig. 130 to the left in the direc-
tion of the arrow 4 to the stop, and remove the key in the direction of the ar-
row 5
.
›
Put the cap
E
onto the handwheel lock in the direction of the arrow
6
» .
›
Check that the tow bar is securely attached » page 155.
WARNING■
When attaching the tow bar, do not hold the handwheel by hand - risk of
injuring fingers!■
When removing the cover for the mounting recess, watch out for your hand
coming into contact with the opening of the bumper - risk of injuring hand!
■
After fitting the tow bar, always secure the lock and remove the key.
■
The tow bar must not be operated with the key inserted.
■
If the tow bar is not in the ready position, it cannot be fitted in the mounting
recess.
CAUTION
■ When removing the cover on the rear bumper, please note that there is a risk of
paint damage to the bumper or cover.■
After removing the key, always replace the cover on the handwheel lock – risk
of lock getting dirty.
Note
Store the cover for the rear bumper and the cover for the mounting recess in a
suitable location in the boot after removal.
154Driving

Check proper fittingFig. 131
Check that the tow bar is attach-
ed properly
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 152.
Check that the tow bar is fitted properly before each use.
Check the following points. The tow bar does not come out of the mounting recess even after heavy
“shaking”.
The green marking
A
» Fig. 131 on the handwheel is located in the green box
on the tow bar.
The handwheel lies flush with the tow bar - there is no gap. The cover
B
is attached to the locked handwheel lock.
WARNINGDo not use the towing device unless the tow bar has been properly locked!
Removing the ball rodFig. 132
Removing the lock cover/releasing the lock
Fig. 133
Removing the two bar/placing the cover on the rear bumper
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 152.
›
Remover the cover
A
from the handwheel lock in the direction of the arrow
1
» Fig. 132 .
›
Insert the key into the handwheel lock.
›
Release the handwheel lock by turning the key
B
to the right in the direction
of the arrow
2
to the stop.
›
Grip the tow bar from below and with the other hand pull the handwheel
C
in
the direction of the arrow
3
» Fig. 133 .
›
Turn the handwheel in the direction of the arrow
4
to the stop , and hold in
this position.
›
Remove the tow bar from the mounting recess downwards and in the direction
of the arrow
5
.
155Towing 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

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

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