Power to the trailer power grid
For the electrical connection between the vehicle and trailer, the power for the
trailer power grid is supplied by the vehicle.
The power supply works with ignition on or off.WARNING■ Incorrect or improperly connected electrical installation can cause acci-
dents and serious injury due to electric shock.■
Work 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 up the power socket, check the
rear lights on the trailer to ensure they work correctly.
■
The handbrake on the vehicle must be applied when coupling and uncou-
pling the trailer.
■
Never use the safety eyelet for towing!
CAUTION
Incorrect or improperly connected electrical installations may cause malfunc-
tion of the entire vehicle electronics.
Loading a trailer
The vehicle/trailer combination must be balanced, whereby the maximum per-
missible drawbar load must be utilised. If the drawbar load is too low, it jeop-
ardises 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 trailer axle as possible. Secure the items from slipping.
The distribution of the weight is very poor if your vehicle is unladen and the
trailer 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 162.
Towing capacity and trailer weight
The permissible trailer load must not be exceeded under any circumstances
» page 194 , Technical data .
The details given in the vehicle's technical documentation always take prece-
dence over the details in the Owner's Manual.
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 ability to climb.
Therefore, for every additional 1,000 m in height (or part), the maximum per-
missible towed weight must be reduced by 10 %.
The towed weight comprises 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
equipment are merely test data for the towing equipment. The vehicle-specific
values are detailed in the vehicle documents.WARNING■ Do not exceed the maximum permissible axle and drawbar load and
weight of the trailer - risk of accident and serious injuries!■
An unsecured load can adversely affect stability and driving safety signifi-
cantly - there is a risk of accident!
Towing a trailer
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 pointer of the coolant temperature gauge reaches the red scale range,
the speed should be reduced immediately.
Stop and switch off the engine if the warning light illuminates in the instru-
ment cluster display.
135Hitch and trailer
WARNING (Continued)■Never install any airbag parts into the vehicle that have been removed
from old cars or have been recycled.■
Never fit damaged airbag parts to a vehicle. The airbags may then not be
triggered properly or not at all in the event of an accident.
■
No modifications of any kind must be made to parts of the airbag system.
WARNING■ A change in the suspension of the vehicle including the use of non-ap-
proved wheels and tyre combinations can alter the functioning of the air-
bag system - there is a risk of accident and fatal injury.■
Never make any changes to the front bumper or bodywork.
WARNINGThe airbag control unit operates using pressure sensors located in the front
doors. For this reason, no adjustments may be carried out to the doors or
door panels (e.g. installation of additional loudspeakers). Resulting damage
can have a negative impact on the function of the airbag system. Any work
on the front doors and door panels must be carried out by a specialist ga-
rage. The following guidelines must be observed.■
Never drive with inner door panels removed.
■
Never drive if parts of the inner door panel have been removed and the
resulting openings have not been properly sealed.
■
Never drive if the loudspeakers in the doors have been removed, unless
the loudspeaker openings have been properly sealed.
■
Always make sure that the openings are covered or filled if additional
loudspeakers or other equipment parts have been installed in the inner
door panels.
Acceptance and recycling of used vehicles
Read and observe
on page 137 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.
In a lot of countries sufficient trade-in networks have been created, where you
can trade-in your vehicle. After you trade-in your vehicle, you will receive a
confirmation stating the recycling in accordance with environmental regula-
tions.
Note
Detailed information about the trade-in and recycling of end-of-life cars is
available from a specialist garage.
Washing vehicle
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Washing by hand
141
Automatic car wash systems
141
Washing with a high-pressure cleaner
141
The best protection for your vehicle against harmful environmental influences
is frequent washing.
The longer insect residues, bird droppings, tree sap, road and industrial dust,
tar, soot particles, road salt and other aggressive deposits remain adhering to
the paintwork of your vehicle, the more detrimental their destructive effect
can be. High temperatures, such as those caused by intensive sun's rays, ac-
centuate this caustic effect.
It is essential to also thoroughly clean the underside of the vehicle at the end
of the winter.
WARNINGWashing your vehicle in the winter: water and ice in the brake system can
affect the braking efficiency – there is the risk of an accident.
CAUTION
The temperature of the water used for cleaning must not exceed 60 °C – there
is a risk of damaging the vehicle.
For the sake of the environment
Only wash the vehicle at washing bays intended for this purpose.1)
Subject to fulfilment of the national legal requirements.
140General Maintenance
CAUTION■Despite such intervention by the vehicle electric system management, the
vehicle 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 which are supplied via a 12 V socket can cause the vehicle battery
to discharge when the ignition is switched off.
Note
Driving comfort is not disrupted by any shutting off of consumers. Often the
driver is not aware of it having taken place.Wheels
Tyres and rims
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Notes on using wheels
161
Tyre pressure
162
Tyre wear
162
Tyre wear indicator and wheels exchange
163
Tyre damage
163
Unidirectional tyres
164
Only use those tyres or wheel rims which have been approved by ŠKODA for
your model of vehicle.
WARNINGNational legal requirements must be observed for the use of tyres.WARNINGFor safety reasons, do no replace tyres individually.
For the sake of the environment
Old and unserviceable tyres are a polluting hazardous waste. These must be disposed of in accordance with national legislation.
Note
■ We recommend that any work on the wheels or tyres is carried out by a spe-
cialist garage.■
We recommend that you use wheel rims, tyres, full wheel trims and snow
chains from ŠKODA Original Accessories.
Notes on using wheels
Read and observe
on page 161 first.
During the first 500 km, new tyres do not offer optimum grip and appropriate
care should therefore be taken when driving.
Always fit the tyres with the deeper tread depth to the front wheels.
161Wheels
Tyre storage
Mark the tyres as you remove them so that you are able to refit them to run in
the same direction.
Always store wheels or tyres in a cool, dry and, where possible, dark place.
Tyres which are not fixed to a wheel trim should be stored upright.
Tyre age
Tyres age losing their original characteristics, even if they are not used. The
service life of the tyres is 6 years. Therefore, we recommend not using tyres
older than 6 years.
Wheel bolts
Wheels and wheel bolts are matched to each other in terms of design. There-
fore we recommend that you use wheel rims and wheel bolts from ŠKODA
Original Accessories.WARNINGNever use tyres if you do not know anything about the condition and age.
Tyre pressure
Fig. 152
Label with a table of tyre sizes and tyre pressures / inflate tyres
Read and observe
on page 161 first.
Tyre pressure is always to match the load.
The specified tyre pressures are on a label
A
» Fig. 152 .
For some countries, the sticker is produced without pictograms, but only with
listed tyre inflation values.
Label with prescribed tyre inflation pressure values » Fig. 152
Position of the label
Inflation pressure for half load
Inflation pressure for increased driving comfort at half load
Inflation pressure for full load
As a result of adjusting pressure to the value C
for increased driving comfort,
fuel consumption can rise slightly.
Check tyre pressures
Check the tyre pressure, including that of the spare wheel, at least once a
month and also before setting off on a long journey.
Always check the inflation pressure when the tyres are cold. Do not reduce the
higher pressure of warm tyres.
In vehicles with tyre pressure monitoring tyre pressure values are to be stored
every time the tyre pressure changes » page 127.
WARNING■
The correct tyre pressure values is always the driver's responsibility.■Too low or too high inflation pressure impairs handling.■
If the pressure is too low, the tyre must overcome a greater rolling resist-
ance. This will heat the tyre up, especially at higher speeds. This can result
in tread separation and a tyre blowout.
■
For very fast tyre pressure loss, such as a sudden tyre failure try to bring
the vehicle carefully to a stop without sudden steering movements and
without any hard braking.
For the sake of the environment
Tyres which are insufficiently inflated increase your fuel consumption.
Tyre wear
Read and observe
on page 161 first.
Tyre wear depends on the pressure, driving style, and other circumstances.
Attention to the following notes may affect tyre wear.
Driving style
Fast cornering, sharp acceleration and braking increase the tyre wear.
ABCD162General Maintenance
Wheel balance
The wheels of a new vehicle are balanced. There are a wide range of influen-
ces when the car is being driven which may result in an imbalance. This may
become apparent by “vibration” in the steering. If this is the case, the wheels
have to be balanced at specialist garage.
Also have the wheels rebalanced after replacing or repairing the tyres.
Adjustment of the vehicle geometry
Incorrect wheel alignment at the front or rear leads to excess wear of the tyres
and negatively affects the driving safety. With a distinctive tyre wear, we rec-
ommend that you check the setting of the vehicle geometry in a specialist
workshop.WARNING■ An incorrect wheel alignment at the front or rear impairs handling.■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 tyre damage is evident, drive slow-
ly and carefully to the nearest specialist garage to have the vehicle
checked.
Tyre wear indicator and wheels exchange
Fig. 153
Principle sketch: Replace tyre tread with wear indicators /
wheels
Read and observe
on page 161 first.
Wear indicators
The base of the tread of the tyres has 1.6 mm high wear indicators installed » Fig. 153 -
. In some countries, different tyre wear rates may apply.
Markings on the walls of the tyres through the letters “TWI”, triangular sym-
bols or other symbols identify the position of the wear indicators.
Exchanging the wheels
For uniform wear on all tyres, we recommend that you change the wheels ev-
ery 10 000 km according to the scheme » Fig. 153-
. You will then obtain ap-
proximately the same life for all the tyres.
After swapping the wheels, the tyre pressure should be adjusted.
In vehicles with tyre pressure monitoring tyre pressure values are to be stored
» page 127 .WARNING■
You must have your tyres replaced with new ones at the latest when the
wear indicators have been worn down.■
Worn tyres do not provide the necessary grip particularly at high speeds
on wet roads. “Aquaplaning” (uncontrolled movements of the vehicle –
“swimming” on a wet road surface) could be the result.
Tyre damage
Read and observe
on page 161 first.
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 profile immediately.
Drive over kerbs and other such obstacles slowly and at right angles wherever
possible in order to avoid damage to tyres and wheel trims.
Immediately replace damaged wheel rims or tyres.
WARNINGNever drive with damaged tyres – there is the risk of an accident.
CAUTION
The tyres must be protected from contact with substances such as oil, grease
and fuel, which could damage them. If the tyres with these substances come
into contact, then we recommend that you check this in a specialist workshop.163Wheels
CAUTION■Screw the jack back to the starting position before storing in the box with
the tool kit screws.■
Ensure that the vehicle tool kit is safely secured in the boot.
■
Ensure that the box is always secured with the strap.
Note
The declaration of conformity is included with the jack or the log folder.
Reserve and temporary spare wheel
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Remove / store wheel
169
Spare wheel
169
When using an emergency or spare wheel make sure to mount a wheel with
the appropriate dimensions and design as soon as possible.
After changing the spare wheel, the tyre pressure should be adjusted. In vehi- cles with tyre pressure monitoring tyre pressure values are to be stored
» page 127 .
WARNING■
If, you get a puncture a spare tyre has to be mounted with a non-bound
direction or opposite direction of rotation when, then drive carefully. In this
situation the best properties of the tyre are no longer present.■
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.
■
If the dimensions or design of the temporary spare wheel differ from the
fitted tyres, never drive faster than 80 km/h (or 50 mph).
■
Never use the temporary spare wheel if it is damaged.
Remove / store wheelFig. 159
Taking the wheel out
Read and observe on page 169 first.
The wheel is located in a well under the floor covering in the boot and is fixed
in place with a special bolt » Fig. 159.
Taking the wheel out
›
Open the tailgate.
›
Lift up the floor in the luggage compartment.
›
Loosen the belt and take out the box with the tool kit.
›
Unscrew the nut in direction of arrow » Fig. 159.
›
Take out the wheel.
Stowing the wheel
›
Place the wheel into the spare wheel well with the wheel rim pointing down-
ward.
›
Pull the fixing band through the opposite holes in the wheel rim.
›
Screw on the nut in the opposite direction to the arrow » Fig. 159 until the
wheel is safely secured.
›
Replace the box with the tool kit into the spare wheel and secure it with the
tape.
›
Fold back the floor in the luggage compartment.
›
Close the tailgate.
Spare wheel
Read and observe
on page 169 first.
A yellow warning label is displayed on the rim of the temporary spare wheel.
169Emergency equipment, and self-help
Please note the following if you intend to use the temporary spare wheel.› The warning label must not be covered after installing the wheel.
› Be specially attentive when driving.
› The temporary spare wheel is inflated to the maximum inflation pressure for
the vehicle » page 162.
› Only use the temporary spare wheel to reach the nearest specialist garage
since it is not intended for permanent use.WARNING■ Never drive with more than one spare wheel mounted!■Only use the spare wheel while absolutely necessary.■
Avoid accelerating at full throttle, sharp braking and fast cornering.
■
The snow chains cannot be used on the spare wheel.
■
Observe the instructions on the warning sign of the temporary spare
wheel.
Changing a wheel
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Preparation
170
Full wheel trim
170
Wheel bolts
171
Changing a wheel
171
Subsequent steps
171
Loosening/tightening wheel bolts
172
Raising the vehicle
172
Anti-theft wheel bolts
173
For your own safety and the safety of the passengers, the following instruc-
tions must be observed before changing a wheel on the road.
Switch on the hazard lights.
The warning triangle must be set up at the prescribed distance - observe
the national legal provisions when doing so.
Park the vehicle as far away as possible from the flow of traffic.
Find a location with a flat, solid surface.
Have all the occupants get out. The passengers should not stand on the
road (instead they should remain behind a crash barrier, for instance) while
the wheel is being changed.
If the vehicle has been retrofitted with tyres which are different from those it
was fitted with at the works, follow these guidelines » page 164, Explanation
of the tire labelling .
The national legal requirements must be observed when changing a wheel.
Preparation
Before changing the wheel, the following work should be carried out.
›
Switch off the engine.
›
Engage the first gear or place the selector lever of the automatic transmis-
sion in the P-position.
›
Apply the handbrake firmly.
›
Uncouple any trailer.
›
Remove the vehicle tool kit » page 168 and the spare wheel » page 169 from
the boot.
Full wheel trim
Before removing the wheel bolts the wheel trim should be removed.
Pulling off
›
Hook the clamp found in the vehicle tool kit » page 168 into the reinforced
edge of the wheel trim.
›
Push the wheel wrench through the clamp, support on the tyre and pull off
the wheel trim.
Fitting
›
Press the wheel trim onto the wheel rim at the designated valve opening
» .
›
Then press the trim into the wheel rim until its entire circumference latches
correctly into position.
CAUTION
Notes from the factory or from the ŠKODA Original accessory delivered trim..■When using an anti-theft wheel bolt, make sure that this has been fitted ac-
cording to the position marked on the back of the wheel cover position.■
On the back of the wheel cover, the position for the anti-theft wheel bolt is
marked by means of a symbol. If the wheel cover is set outside the position
marked for the anti-theft wheel bolt, there is a risk of damaging the wheel
cover.
170Do-it-yourself
CAUTION■Use the pressure of your hand only, do not strike the trim. The cover could be
damaged.■
If wheel trims are fitted, it must be ensured that an adequate flow of air is
assured to cool the brake system.
Note
We recommend that you use child seats from ŠKODA Original Accessories.
Wheel bolts
Fig. 160
Remove the cap
Before removing the wheel bolts the caps are to be removed.
Pulling off
›
Push the extraction pliers » page 168 sufficiently far onto the cap until the
inner catches of the pliers are positioned at the collar of the cap.
›
Remove the cap in the direction of the arrow » Fig. 160.
Fitting
›
Push the cap onto the wheel bolt up to the stop.
Changing a wheel
When changing a wheel, the following instructions must be followed.
›
Remove the full wheel trim or the caps of the wheel bolts.
›
First of all slacken the anti-theft wheel bolt and then the other wheel bolts.
›
Jack up the vehicle until the wheel that needs changing is clear of the
ground.
›
Unscrew the wheel bolts and place them on a clean surface (cloth, paper, etc.).
›
Remove the wheel carefully.
›
Attach the spare wheel and slightly screw on the wheel bolts.
› Lower the vehicle.›Tighten the opposite wheel bolts alternately (cross-wise) with the wheel
wrench. Tighten the anti-theft wheel bolt last.›
Replace the wheel trim or the caps.
When fitting unidirectional tyres, ensure that the direction of rotation is cor-
rect » page 164 .
WARNING■
Undo the wheel bolts only a little (about one turn) until the vehicle has
been jacked up. Otherwise the wheel could become loose and fall off.■
All bolts must be clean and must turn easily.
■
If it is established when changing a wheel that the wheel bolts are corro-
ded and difficult to move, then these must be replaced.
■
Under no circumstances grease or oil the wheel bolts!
Subsequent steps
After changing the wheel, the following work should be carried out.
›
Stow and attach the replaced wheel in the spare wheel well using a special
screw » page 169 , Reserve and temporary spare wheel .
›
Stow the tool kit in the space provided and secure using the strap.
›
Check the tyre pressure on the installed spare wheel as soon as possible.
›
Have the tightening torque of the wheel bolts checked with a torque
wrench as soon as possible.
After changing the wheel, the tyre pressure should be adjusted. In vehicles
with tyre pressure monitoring tyre pressure values are to be stored » page 127.
Change the damaged wheel or consult a specialist garage about repair possi-
bilities.
WARNINGInformation on the wheel bolts■The prescribed tightening torque of the wheel bolts for steel and light al-
loy wheels is 120 Nm.■
If the wheel bolts are tightened to a too low tightening torque, the rim
can come loose when the car is moving. A tightening torque which is too
high can damage the bolts and threads and this can result in permanent
deformation of the contact surfaces on the rim.
171Emergency equipment, and self-help