2014 SKODA OCTAVIA tow

The brake pads wear more quickly if a lot of journeys are completed in towns
and over short distances or if a very sporty style of driving is adopted.
If operated under severe conditions , the thickness of the brake pads must be
checked by a specialist garage between service appointments as well.
Wet roads or road salt
The performance of the brakes can be delayed as the brake discs and brake
pads may be moist or have a coating of ice or layer of salt on them in winter.
The brakes are cleaned and dried by applying the brakes several times »
.
Corrosion
Corrosion on the brake discs and dirt on the bake pads occur if the vehicle has
been parked for a long period and if you do not make much use of the braking
system. The brakes are cleaned and dried by applying the brakes several
times »
.
Long or steep slopes
Before travelling a long distance with a steep gradient, reduce speed and shift
into the next lowest gear. As a result, the braking effect of the engine will be
used, reducing the load on the brakes. Any additional braking should be com-
pleted intermittently, not continuously.
Emergency brake display
If the brakes are applied in full and the control unit for the braking system con-
siders the situation to be dangerous for the following traffic, the brake light
flashes automatically.
After the speed was reduced below around 10 km/h or the vehicle was stop-
ped, the brake light stops flashing and the hazard warning light system
switches on. The hazard warning light system is switched off automatically af- ter accelerating or driving off again.
Faults in the brake surface
If it is found that the braking distance has suddenly become longer and that
the brake pedal can be depressed further, the brake system may be faulty.
Visit a specialist garage immediately and adjust your style of driving appropri-
ately, as you will not know the exact extent of the damage.
Low brake fluid level
An insufficient level of brake fluid may result in problems in the brake system.
The level of the brake fluid is monitored electronically » page 35,
 Brake sys-
tem .
Brake booster
The brake booster increases the pressure generated with the brake pedal. The
brake booster only operates when the engine is running.WARNINGOnly apply the brakes for the purpose of drying and cleaning the brake
discs if the traffic conditions permit this. Do not place any other road users
in jeopardy.
Handbrake
Fig. 132
Handbrake
Read and observe and on page 130 first.
The hand brake is used when stopping and parking for securing the vehicle
against unwanted movement.
Apply
›
Pull the handbrake lever firmly upwards.
Release
›
Pull the handbrake lever up slightly and at the same time push in the lock
button » Fig. 132 .
›
Move the lever right down while pressing the lock button.
The handbrake warning light 
lights up when the handbrake is applied, pro-
vided the ignition is on.
A warning signal sounds if the vehicle is inadvertently driven off with the
handbrake applied.
The following message is shown in the information cluster display. Release the handbrake!
RELEASE HANDBRAKE 
131Starting-off and Driving

N – Neutral
The power transmission to the drive wheels is interrupted in this mode.D
/
S
- mode for driving forward (Normal program) / mode for driving
forward (Sport program)
The system switches from one mode to the other by moving the selector lever
into the spring-loaded position 
» Fig. 134 .
In mode D or S, the forward gears are shifted automatically depending on the
engine load, the operation of the accelerator pedal, the vehicle speed, and the
selected driving mode .
In mode S , the forward gears are shifted automatically up and down at high-
er engine speeds than in mode D.
If the Sport driving mode is selected with the engine running » page 160, Se-
lection of travel mode (Driving Mode Selection) , the transmission is automati-
cally set in the S mode.
E – Economical driving mode
If the driving mode Eco or Individual (engine - Eco) » page 160 is selected and
the selection lever is in the setting D/S, transmission is automatically set in
mode E . This mode cannot be selected with the selector lever.
In mode E , the forward gears are shifted automatically up and down at lower
engine speeds than in mode D.
Selector lever lock
Read and observe
and on page 133 first.
The selector lever is locked in mode P and N to prevent that the forward driv-
ing is selected accidentally, thereby setting the vehicle in motion.
The selector lever is locked only when the vehicle is stationary and at speeds
up to 5 km/h.
The selector lever lock is indicated by the illumination of the warning light .
The selector lever is not locked when quickly moving across the position N
(e.g. from R to D/S ). This, for example, helps to rock out a vehicle that is stuck,
e.g. in a bank of snow. The selector lever lock will engage if the lever is in posi-
tion N for more than approx. 2 seconds without the brake pedal being de-
pressed.
Releasing selector lever from mode P or N (selector lever lock)›Press the brake pedal and the lock button at the same time in the direction
of 1
» Fig. 134 on page 133 .
Just depress the brake pedal, if you would like to change from the mode N to
D/S .
Defective selector lever lock
If the selector lever lock is defective or its power supply is interrupted (e.g. dis-
charged vehicle battery, faulty fuse), the selector lever can no longer be moved
out of position P in the normal manner and the vehicle can no longer be driven.
The selector lever must be unlocked specially » page 226.
Note
If you want to move the selector lever from mode P to mode D/S or vice versa,
move the selector lever quickly. This prevents that you accidentally select
mode R or N.
Manual shifting of gears (Tiptronic)
Fig. 135
Selector lever/multi-function
steering wheel
Read and observe and on page 133 first.
Tiptronic mode makes it possible to manually shift gears with the selector lev-
er or multifunction steering wheel. This mode can be selected both while stop-
ping and while driving.
The currently selected gear is indicated in the display » Fig. 134 on page 133 .
The gearshift indicator must be observed when changing gear » page 46.
Switching to manual shifting
›
Push the gear selector from position D/S towards the right, or left in a right-
hand drive vehicle. 
134Driving

When switching to the manual shifting while driving, the current gear is main-
tained.
Shifting up gears›
Push the selector lever forwards
+
» Fig. 135 .
›
Pull the right-hand paddle +
» Fig. 135 briefly towards the steering wheel.
Shifting down gears
›
Push the selector lever backwards
-
» Fig. 135 .
›
Pull the left-hand paddle -
» Fig. 135 briefly towards the steering wheel.
Temporarily switching to manual shifting in position D/S
›
Pull one of the -/+ paddles
» Fig. 135 briefly towards the steering wheel .
If you do not pull one of the rocker switches -
/+ for more than 1 Minute, man-
ual shifting of gears is deactivated. You can also deactivate the temporary
switch to manual shifting by pulling the right rocker switch +
towards the
steering wheel for more than 1 second.
Note
■ It may be beneficial, for example, when travelling downhill, to use manual
shifting of gears. Shifting to a lower gear reduces the load on the brakes and
hence the wear of the brakes » page 130.■
When accelerating, the gearbox automatically shifts up into the higher gear
just before the maximum permissible engine speed is reached.
■
If a lower gear is selected, the gearbox does not shift down until there is no
risk of the engine overrevving.
Starting-off and driving
Read and observe
and on page 133 first.
Starting off
›
Start the engine.
›
Firmly depress and hold the brake pedal.
›
Press the lock button in the direction of
1
» Fig. 134 on page 133 and hold.
›
Move the selector lever into the desired position » page 133 and then release
the lock button.
›
Release the brake pedal and accelerate.
Stopping (while the car is moving)
›
Depress the brake pedal and bring the vehicle to a stop.
› Keep holding the brake pedal until driving is resumed.
The selector lever position N does not have to be selected when stopping for a
short time, such as at a cross roads.
Kickdown
The kickdown function allows you to achieve the maximum acceleration of
your vehicle while driving.
When the accelerator pedal is fully depressed, the kickdown function is activa-
ted in any forward driving mode.
The gearbox shifts down one or more gears depending on the vehicle speed
and engine speed, and the vehicle accelerates.
The gearbox does not shift up into the highest gear until the engine has
reached its maximum revolutions for this gear range.
Driving in neutral position in mode E (freewheel)›
Move the selector lever into the position D/S.
›
Select the Eco driving mode or Individual (Eco Engine) » page 160, Selection
of travel mode (Driving Mode Selection) .
›
Take the foot off the accelerator pedal.
The vehicle moves without the braking effect of the engine.
The gear is selected again automatically, when you briefly depress the acceler-
ator brake pedal or pull the left rocker switch -
towards the steering
wheel » page 134 , Manual shifting of gears (Tiptronic) .
This function is not available when towing a trailer.
Launch control 1)
The launch control function allows the vehicle in mode S or Tiptronic to reach
its maximum acceleration when starting off.
›
Disable the TCS » page 138, Braking and stabilisation systems .
›
START STOP deactivate » page 159, Manually deactivating/activating the
system .
›
Fully depress and hold the brake pedal with your left foot.
›
Fully depress the accelerator pedal with your right foot.
›
Release the brake pedal.
The vehicle starts off with maximum acceleration. 
1)
This function is only valid for some engines.
135Starting-off and Driving

Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)Read and observe
on page 138 first.
HBA increases the braking effect and helps to shorten the braking distance.
The HBA is activated by the very quick operation of the brake pedal. To ach-
ieve the shortest possible braking distance, the brake pedal must be applied
firmly until the vehicle has come to a complete standstill.
The HBA is automatically switched off when the brake pedal is released.
Hill Hold Control (HHC)
Read and observe
on page 138 first.
HHC allows you, when driving on slopes, to move your foot from the brake
pedal to the accelerator pedal without having to use the handbrake.
The system holds the brake pressure produced by the activation of the brake pedal for approx. 2 seconds after the brake pedal is released.
The brake pressure drops gradually the more you operate the accelerator ped-
al. If the vehicle does not start off within 2 seconds, it starts to roll back.
The HHC is active from a 5% slope if the driver's door is closed. HHC is always active on slopes when in forward or reverse start off.
Multi-collision brake (MCB)
Read and observe
on page 138 first.
The MCB helps to decrease speed after a collision through automatic braking
interventions and to stabilize the vehicle. This reduces the risk of a subse-
quent crash due to uncontrolled vehicle movement.
The automatic brake interventions can take place only if the following condi-
tions are met.
A head-on or side collision occurred.
The impact speed was higher than approx. 10 km/h.
The brakes, the ESL and other required electrical systems remain function-
al after impact.
The accelerator pedal is not actuated.
Trailer stabilisation (TSA)
Read and observe
on page 138 first.
The TSA helps the combination stable in situations where the trailer sways
and then the whole trailer combination.
TSA brakes the individual wheels of the towing vehicle in order to damp the
rocking motion of the entire vehicle combination.
The following conditions are required for the correct TSA function. The trailer was shipped from the factory or purchased from the ŠKODA
genuine accessories.
The trailer is electrically connected to the towing vehicle by means of the
trailer socket.
The parking aid is activated.
The speed is higher than approx. 60 km/h.
The activated TSA is shown by the fact that after switching on the ignition, the
indicator light  in the instrument cluster lights up for about 2 seconds longer
than the indicator light .
Further information » page 169, Hitch and trailer .
Parking aid

Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Function
141
Activation/deactivation
142
Road display
142
Automatic system activation when moving forward
143
The parking aid (hereinafter referred to only as system) draws attention via
acoustic signals or the Infotainment display when manoeuvring around obsta-
cles in the vicinity of the vehicle.
The system uses ultrasound waves to calculate the distance between the
bumper and an obstacle. Depending on the vehicle equipment, the ultrasonic
sensors are located in the back or in the front bumper » Fig. 139 on page 141 .
140Driving

Towing a trailer
On vehicles equipped with a factory-fitted towing device, only the areas A
and
B
» Fig. 138 of the system are active when operating a trailer, there is no
road display.
Note
■ If not all fields around vehicles with Version 3 are shown after the system is
activated, the vehicle will need to be moved a few metres forwards or back-
wards.■
The signal tones for front obstacle recognition are factory-set to be higher
than for rear obstacle recognition.
Activation/deactivation
Read and observe
and on page 141 first.
The system is automatically activated by selecting reverse gear or pressing
the symbol button 
» Fig. 138 on page 141 .
This is confirmed by a short acoustic signal (the symbol  in the button lights
up).
On vehicles with Version 1, the system can be deactivated by moving out of re-
verse gear.
For vehicles with Version 2 and 3, the system is deactivated by pressing the
symbol button or automatically at a speed over 10 km/h (the symbol
 in
the button goes out).
Fault display
If a warning signal sounds for about 3 seconds after activating the system and
there is no obstacle close to your car, this indicates a system fault. The fault is
also indicated by the symbol  flashing in the button. Seek help from a spe-
cialist garage.
Note
■ The system can only be activated via the symbol button  at a speed of be-
low 10 km/hr.■
By means of the key 
in the infotainment display » Fig. 140 on page 142
the display can be switched to the camera image » page 143, Optical Parking
Assistant (rear view camera) .
Road displayFig. 140
Infotainment display: Road dis-
play
Read and observe and on page 141 first.
The display of the upcoming road changes depending on the steering angle
A
» Fig. 140 .
Obstacles that are located on the road are represented by the following col-
ours.
› Red – the distance to the obstacle is less than about 30 cm.
› Yellow – the distance to the obstacle is more than about 30 cm.
Obstacles that are not located on the road are represented by the following
colours.
› Red – the distance to the obstacle is less than about 30 cm.
› White – the distance to the obstacle is more than about 30 cm.
The road ahead is displayed when a forward gear or Neutral is engaged or the
selector lever is in mode D/S or position N is set.
The road behind the vehicle is displayed when reverse gear is engaged or the
selector lever is in mode R.
142Driving

Towing a trailer
When towing a trailer, the ACC control will be less powerful. The manner of
driving should therefore be adapted to this limitation.
Information messages
Read and observe
and on page 150 first.
The information messages are shown in the instrument cluster display. ACC: No sensor view! 
The sensor is dirty or has no “visibility”. Stop the car, switch off the engine and
clean the sensor or remove the obstacle causing the lack of “visibili-
ty” » Fig. 148 on page 150 . Should the ACC still be unavailable after the engine
is restarted, push the lever into 
» Fig. 151 on page 152 position. Seek help
from a specialist garage.
ACC not available.

Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine and then start it again. If the ACC is still
not available, push the lever into position  . Seek help from a specialist ga-
rage.
Error: ACC

There is an ACC system error. Push the lever into position .  Seek help from a
specialist garage.
Speed limit
Increase the speed accordingly and start control » page 152.
Front Assistant

Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Radar sensor
155
Operation
156
proximity warning (dangerous proximity)
156
Warning and automatic braking
156
Activating/deactivating
157
Information messages
157The Front Assistant (from here on only referred to as the system) warns you of
the danger of a collision with a vehicle or another obstacle in front of the vehi-
cle, and tries to avoid a collision or mitigate its consequences by automatically
applying the brakes where necessary.
The area in front of the vehicle is monitored by a radar sensor » Fig. 154 on
page 155 .WARNING■
The system only serves to support and does not relieve the driver of the
responsibility for the vehicle operation.■
The system has physical and system-related limitations. For this reason,
the driver may experience some undesired or delayed system responses in
certain situations. You should therefore always be alert and ready to inter-
vene!
■
Always adapt your speed and safety proximity to the vehicle ahead to the
current visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions.
■
The increased passenger protection afforded through the system must
not tempt you to take greater risks than otherwise – risk of accident!
■
The system does not respond to crossing or oncoming objects.
CAUTION
In case of failure of more than one brake light on the vehicle or on the electri-
cally connected trailer, the system becomes unavailable.
Radar sensor
Fig. 154
Mounting location of the radar
sensor
Read and observe and on page 155 first.
The radar sensor » Fig. 154(hereinafter referred to simply as the sensor) can
detect objects by emitting and receiving electromagnetic waves. 
155Assist systems

The pre-warning display can occur in the following situations.› If there is a risk of collision with a moving obstacle at a driving speed range
of approx. 30 km/h to approx. 210 km/h.
› If there is a risk of collision with a stationary obstacle at a driving speed
range of approx. 30 km/h to approx. 85 km/h.
When the advance warning is issued, the brake pedal must be pressed or the
moving obstacle avoided!
Acute alert
If the driver does not react to the advance warning, the system briefly applies
the brake automatically via an active brake intervention to draw attention to
the potential danger of a collision again.
Automatic Braking
If the driver fails to respond to the acute warning, the system starts to apply
the brakes automatically with increasing stopping power in several stages.
Brake Support
If the driver does not brake sufficiently in the event of an impending collision,
the system automatically increases the braking force.
The brake support only occurs as long as the brake pedal is being firmly press-
ed down.
Note
■ If an automatic brake intervention is triggered by the system, the pressure in
the brake system increases and the brake pedal cannot be operated with the
normal pedal stroke.■
The automatic braking interventions can be cancelled by pressing the accel-
erator pedal or by means of a steering intervention.
Activating/deactivating
Read and observe
and on page 155 first.
The function is automatically activated each time the ignition is switched on.
The system should only be disabled in exceptional cases »
.
The system can be activated or deactivated in one of two ways. › In the instrument cluster display
» page 51, Menu item wizard .
› In Infotainment
» Infotainment operating instructions , chapter Vehicle set-
tings (CAR button) .
The following functions can be activated or deactivated separately in infotain-
ment.
› Distance warning
› Advance warning
Once one of these functions has been deactivated, it remains disabled even
after switching the ignition off and on.WARNINGIn the following situations, Front Assistant should be deactivated for safety
reasons.■
When the vehicle is being towed away.
■
When the vehicle is on a rolling test bench.
■
If an unfounded warning was issued or a system action carried out.
■
When on a truck, car ferry or similar.
Information messages
Read and observe
and on page 155 first.
The information messages are shown in the instrument cluster display. Front Assist: No sensor view.
The sensor is soiled or covered.
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine and clean the sensor or remove the
item causing the lack of visibility » Fig. 154 on page 155 .
If the message appears again after starting the engine, the system should be disabled » page 157 . Seek help from a specialist garage.
Front Assist not available.
The system is not available for an unknown reason.
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine and then start it again.
If the message appears again after starting the engine, the system should be
disabled » page 157 . Seek help from a specialist garage.
157Assist systems

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