
CAUTION■The running auxiliary heater consumes fuel from the vehicle tank and auto-
matically controls the filling level. If only a low quantity of fuel is present in the
fuel tank, the auxiliary heating switches off.■
The exhaust pipe of the auxiliary heating, which is located on the underside
of the vehicle, must not be clogged and the exhaust flow must not be blocked.
■
If the auxiliary heating is running, the vehicle battery discharges. If the auxili-
ary heating and ventilation has been operated several times over a longer peri-
od, the vehicle must be driven a few kilometres in order to recharge the vehi-
cle battery.
■
The air inlet in front of the windscreen must be free (e.g. of ice, snow or
leaves) to ensure that the auxiliary heating operates properly.
Note
■ The auxiliary heating switches on the blower B » Fig. 125 on page 119 orC » Fig. 126 on page 119 only if it has achieved a coolant temperature of ap-
prox. 50 °C.■
At low outside temperatures, this can result in a formation of water vapour in
the area of the engine compartment. This is quite normal and is not an operat-
ing problem.
■
So that warm air can flow into the vehicle interior after switching on the aux-
iliary heating, you must maintain the comfort temperature normally selected
by you, leave the fan switched on and leave the air outlet vents in an open po-
sition. It is recommended to put the air flow in the position
or
.
Switching on/off
Fig. 127
Button for switching on/off the system directly on the operating
part of the air conditioning/Climatronic
Read and observe and on page 121 first.
The auxiliary heating can be switched on/off as follows.
Manually switching on Using the button on the operating part of the manual air conditioning/Cli-
matronic. The indicator light in the button illuminates » Fig. 127.
By using the radio remote control » page 123.
Manually switching off Using the button on the operating part of the manual air conditioning/Cli-
matronic. The indicator light in the button goes out » Fig. 127.
By using the radio remote control » page 123.
After switching the system off, the auxiliary heating will continue running a lit- tle while longer in order to burn the remaining fuel in the auxiliary heater.
After switching off the auxiliary heating, the coolant pump still runs for a short
period.
Switching on automatically
The auxiliary heater is switched on according to the Infotainment set-
tings » Infotainment manual , chapter Vehicle settings .
When automatic switching on is activated, the indicator light in the symbol
button lights up for about 10 seconds after the ignition is turned off.
Switching off automatically
Turning off the auxiliary heating occurs in the following cases.
› The switch-off time set in Infotainment has been achieved
» Operating in-
structions for Infotainment , chapter Vehicle settings .
› The fuel level has reached the reserve area (the warning icon
illuminates).
› The charge state of the vehicle battery has reduced too much
» page 200.
122Using the system

The handbrake warning is activated if the vehicle is driven at a speed of more
than around 5 km/h for more than 3 seconds.WARNINGPlease note that the handbrake must be fully released. A handbrake which
is only partially released can result in the rear brakes overheating. This can
have a negative effect on the operation of the brake system – risk of acci-
dent!
Parking
Read and observe
and on page 130 first.
When stopping and parking, look for a place with a suitable surface » .
Only carry out the activities while parking in the specified order.
›
Bring the vehicle to a stop and depress the brake pedal.
›
Firmly apply the handbrake.
›
On vehicles with automatic transmission place the selector lever in the P po-
sition.
›
Switch off the engine.
›
For vehicles with manual transmission , select 1st gear or reverse gear
›
Release the brake pedal.
WARNINGThe parts of the exhaust system can become very hot. Therefore, never
stop the vehicle at places where the underside of your vehicle can come in-
to contact with flammable materials such as dry grass, undergrowth,
leaves, spilled fuel or such like. - Risk of fire and serious injury can occur!
Manual shifting of gears and pedals
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Manual gear changing
132
Pedals
132Manual gear changingFig. 133
Gearshift pattern of 5 gear or
6 gear manual gearbox
On the shift lever, the individual gear positions are shown » Fig. 133.
The gearshift indicator must be observed when changing gear » page 46.
Always depress the clutch pedal all the way down. This prevents uneven wear
on the clutch.
Reverse gear is engaged
›
Stop the vehicle.
›
The clutch pedal is fully depressed.
›
Move the shift lever to the idle position switch and press down.
›
Move the shift lever fully to the left and then forward into R posi-
tion » Fig. 133 .
The reversing lights will come on once reverse gear is engaged, provided the ignition is on.
WARNINGNever engage reverse gear when driving – risk of accident!
CAUTION
■ If not in the process of changing gear, do not leave your hand on the gear-
shift lever while driving. The pressure from the hand can cause the gearshift
mechanism to wear excessively.■
When stopping on a slope, never try to hold the vehicle using the accelerator
pedal – this may lead to gear damage.
Pedals
The operation of the pedals must not be hindered under any circumstances!
132Driving

Reactivate the TCS and START-STOP when the desired speed has been
reached.WARNINGRapid acceleration, particularly on slippery roads, can lead to loss of control
of the vehicle – risk of accident!
Retraction and economical driving
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Driving in
136
Tips for economical driving
136
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 1500 kilometres. During this period,
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 to dis-
pense with the trailer.
In the area of 1,000 to 1,500 kilometres the engine load can be increased up
to the maximum permitted engine speed.
New tyres
New tyres have to be “run in” since they do not offer optimal grip at first.
Drive especially carefully 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.
Drive especially carefully 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.
Switch in an energy saving and timely manner Observe the recommended gear » page 46.
Avoid full throttle and high speeds
Fuel consumption will be halved if only three-quarters of the possible top
speed of your vehicle is used.
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 204.
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) only turn
on for as long as necessary.
In Infotainment, the display is shown of up to three consumers which are cur-
rently showing the highest degree of fuel consumption » Infotainment operat-
ing instructions , chapter Vehicle settings (CAR button) .136Driving

Driving through water and driving off of made-up roads
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Driving through water
137
Driving off paved roads
137WARNINGImmediately after driving through water, mud, slush and the like, braking
effectiveness will be temporarily impaired » page 130, Information on brak-
ing . For this reason, sudden and violent braking manoeuvres are to be
avoided - there is a risk of accident!
Driving through water
Fig. 136
Maximum permissible water lev-
el when driving through water
Read and observe on page 137 first.
The following must be observed to avoid damage to the vehicle when driving through bodies of water (e.g. flooded roads).
›
Therefore determine the depth of the water before driving through bodies of
water.
The water level must not reach above the web of the lower beam » Fig. 136.
›
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 air induction system of the engine or into
other parts of the vehicle.
›
Never stop in the water, do not reverse and do not switch the engine off.
CAUTION■ If water penetrates into the intake system of the engine, there is a risk of se-
rious damage to the engine parts!■
When driving through water, some vehicle parts such as the chassis, the
electrics or the transmission 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 the body of water.
■
Do not drive through salt water, as the salt can cause corrosion. An 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 137 first.
Only drive on such roads and in such terrain, which match the vehicle parame-ters » page 238 , 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 aware and pro-actively outside 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 floor 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.
137Starting-off and Driving

Assist systems
Braking and stabilisation systems
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
138
Antilock Braking System (ABS)
138
Traction Control System (TCS)
139
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL and XDS)
139
Driver Steering Recommendation (DSR)
139
Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)
140
Hill Hold Control (HHC)
140
Multi-collision brake (MCB)
140
Trailer stabilisation (TSA)
140
This chapter deals with the functions of the braking and stabilisation systems,
with the error indicator referred to in chapter » page 34, Warning 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!
■
Always adjust your speed and driving style to the current visibility, weath-
er, road and traffic conditions.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Read and observe
on page 138 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 of the system, the warning light flashes in the instru-
ment cluster.
Enable/disable ESC Sport
ESC Sport allows for sportier driving style. The activation of the ESC sport
leads to the ASR being deactivated and no ESC interventions will occur in the
event of slight over- or under-steering occurring.
The activation or deactivation of the ESC sports can be done in one of two
ways.
› By pressing the Symbol key
for the activation and briefly pressing the but-
ton for the deactivation » Fig. 137 on page 139 .
› In Infotainment
» Operating instructions for Infotainment , chapter Vehicle
settings (CAR button) .
Upon activation, in the instrument cluster the indicator light comes on and
the display shows the following message.
ESC sport: Limited driving stability.
ESC SPORT
Upon deactivation, in the instrument cluster the control indicator turns off
and the display shows the following message.
Stabilisation control (ESC) activated.
ESC ON
Antilock Braking System (ABS)
Read and observe
on page 138 first.
ABS prevents the wheels locking when braking. Thus helping 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.
138Driving

START-STOP
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Operating conditions of the system
158
Operation in vehicles with manual gearbox
158
Operation in vehicles with automatic gearbox
159
System related automatic start-up
159
Manually deactivating/activating the system
159
Information messages
160
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.
Operating conditions of the system
Fig. 156
Engine is automatically switched
off / automatic engine cut off is
not possible
Read and observe on page 158 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 vehicle, the check icon
» Fig. 156 appears on the dis-
play, then the conditions for automatic engine shutdown are not met.
Running the engine is essential for the following reasons, for example.
› 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).
Information about the current status of the system can be displayed in the In-
fotainment display » operating instructions for Infotainment , chapter Vehicle
settings (CAR button) .
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 158 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.
158Driving

Engine (drive)
The vehicle acceleration is more dynamic than in Normal mode.
The engine noise is noticeable in the interior more intensely than in
normalmode 1)
.
Steering
The power steering is reduced slightly, i.e., the driver needs to exert more
force for steering .
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
The acceleration is quicker than in normal mode with distance con-
trol » page 149 .
Adaptive headlights (AHL)
The headlights adapt to the driving style more dynamically than in mode
Normal » page 74 .
ProActive passenger protection
The first level of protection is deactivated » page 161.
Ecomode
Read and observe
on page 160 first.
This mode is suitable for a relaxed style of driving and helps to save fuel.
Selecting this mode primarily affects the function of the following systems.
Engine (drive)
Vehicle acceleration is more relaxed than in Normal mode.
The recommended gear is controlled such to achieve the lowest possible fuel
consumption » page 46.
When the START-STOP system was deactivated manually » page 158, it is au-
tomatically activated.
The automatic gearbox is set automatically to mode E » page 133 .
The engine noise is felt less intensely in the interior less than in normalmode 1)
.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Acceleration occurs more relaxed than in Normal » page 149mode with dis-
tance control.
Adaptive headlights (AHL)
The system is automatically deactivated » page 74.
Air conditioning (Climatronic)
The air conditioning is controlled so as to save energy. For this reason, for ex-
ample, it may take longer to reach the desired interior temperature in mode
Normal.
Note
■ The Eco driving mode is not available when towing a trailer. When the vehicle
is connected electrically to a trailer and is in the Eco driving mode, the Normal
driving mode is configured automatically.■
The maximum vehicle acceleration (kickdown function) is possible also in
driving mode Eco.
Individualmode
Read and observe
on page 160 first.
In mode Individual you can select between Normal, Sport and Eco for each sys-tem separately » Operating instructions for Infotainment , chapter Vehicle set-
tings .
ProActive passenger protection
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Function
162
ProActive passenger protection (From here on referred to only as system) in-
creases passenger protection in the front seats in situations that could lead to
vehicle impact or overturning.
WARNING■ The increased safety by ProActive passenger protection must not tempt
you to take greater risks than otherwise – risk of accident!■
Adjust the speed and driving style to the current visibility, weather, road
and traffic conditions.
1)
Applies to Octavia RS, Octavia RS.
161Assist systems

Rubber sealsRead and observe
and on page 182 first.
All door seals and window guides are factory-treated with a colourless matt
varnish layer to prevent the freezing of painted body parts and to protect
against driving noise.
CAUTION
■ Do not treat the door seals and window guides with any products.■Applying additional treatments to the seals can corrode the protective coat-
ing, and driving noise may occur.
Chrome parts
Read and observe
and on page 182 first.
First clean the chrome parts with a damp cloth and then polish them with a
soft, dry cloth.
If this method does not completely clean chrome parts, use a specific chrome
care product.
CAUTION
Do not polish the chrome parts in a dusty environment - risk of surface
scratches.
Decorative films
Read and observe
and on page 182 first.
Wash the films with a mild soap solution and clean, warm water.
The following instructions must be followed when washing the vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner:
› The minimum distance between the nozzle and the vehicle body should be
50 cm.
› Keep jet perpendicular to the film surface.
› The maximum water temperature is 50 °C.
› The maximum water pressure is 80 bar.
CAUTION■
Never use aggressive cleaning agents or chemical solvents for the glued sur-
faces with films - there is a danger of film damage.■
In the winter months, do not use an ice scraper to remove ice and snow from
the areas with films. Do not use any other objects to remove frozen layers of
snow or ice – risk of film damage.
Windows and external mirrors
Fig. 179
Fuel filler flap: Remove ice scra-
per
Read and observe and on page 182 first.
Removing snow and ice
Use a plastic ice scraper for removing snow and ice from the windows and mir-
rors.
The ice scraper can be found on the inside of the fuel filler flap.
›
Open the fuel filler flap.
›
Slide out the ice scraper in the direction of the arrow » Fig. 179.
Cleaning windows
Regularly clean windows from the inside with clean water.
Dry the glass surfaces with a clean chamois leather or a cloth intended for this
purpose.
CAUTION
Instructions for removing snow and ice■The ice scraper should not be moved forward and backward but in one direc-
tion to avoid any damage to the surface of the glass.■
Snow or ice that is contaminated with coarse dirt such as fine gravel, sand or
salt must not be removed from the windows and mirrors – there is a risk of
damage to the surface of the windows and mirrors.
183Care and maintenance