2014 SKODA OCTAVIA ignition

Under certain circumstances (e.g. after switching off the ignition and opening
the driver's door), the steering is enabled only when the ignition is switched on
or the engine is started.WARNINGNever let the vehicle roll with locked steering lock - there is a risk of acci-
dent!
Switching ignition on / off
Read and observe
and on page 128 first.
›
Press the button » Fig. 130 on page 128 briefly.
The ignition is switched on or off.
On vehicles fitted with a manual gearbox, the clutch pedal must not be de-
pressed while switching the ignition on or off, otherwise the system would try
to start.
On vehicles fitted with a automatic gearbox, the brake pedal must not be de-
pressed while switching the ignition on or off, otherwise the system would try
to start.
If the driver's door is opened while the igition is on, an audible signal sounds
and the following message appears in the instrument cluster display.
Ignition on!
IGNITION STILL ON
When leaving the vehicle always switch off the ignition.
Starting the engine
Read and observe
and on page 128 first.
Procedure for starting the engine
›
Firmly apply the handbrake.
›
For vehicles with manual transmission , shift gear stick to neutral, depress
the clutch pedal and hold it there until the engine starts.
›
On vehicles with automatic transmission , place the selector lever in position
P or N and depress the brake pedal until the engine starts.
›
Press the starter button » Fig. 130 on page 128 briefly – the engine starts au-
tomatically.
In vehicles with diesel engines after pressing the button, the glow plug warn-
ing light  lights up. The engine can be started after the indicator light goes
out.
Note
■ The engine running noises may louder at first be louder for a short time after
starting the cold engine. This is quite normal and is not an operating problem.■
You should not switch on any major electrical components during the heat-
ing period otherwise the vehicle battery will be drained unnecessarily.
Switching off the engine
Read and observe
and on page 128 first.
Switching off
›
Stop the vehicle » page 132, Parking .
›
Press the button » Fig. 130 on page 128 briefly.
The engine and the ignition are switched off simultaneously.
Emergency shutdown
If necessary, the engine in exceptional cases may also be turned off while driv-
ing.
›
Press the starter button » Fig. 130 on page 128 for longer than 1 second or
twice within 1 second.
After the emergency stop of the engine, the steering lock will remain un-
locked.
CAUTION
Do not switch the engine off immediately at the end of your journey after the
engine has been operated over a prolonged period at high loads but leave it to
run at an idling speed for about 1 minute. This prevents any possible accumula-
tion of heat when the engine is switched off.
Note
After switching off the ignition, the radiator fan may intermittently continue to
operate for approx. 10 minutes.129Starting-off and Driving

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

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
132Manual 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

In the driver's footwell, only a footmat, which is attached to the two corre-
sponding attachment points may be used.
Only use factory-supplied footmats or footmats from the range of ŠKODAOrigi-
nal Accessories, which are fitted to two attachment points.WARNINGNo objects may be placed in the driver's footwell – risk due to obstruction
or limitation of pedal operation.
Automatic gearbox
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Modes and use of selector lever
133
Selector lever lock
134
Manual shifting of gears (Tiptronic)
134
Starting-off and driving
135
The automatic transmission performs automatic gear changes.
The modes of the automatic transmission can be adjusted by the driver by
means of the selector lever.
WARNING■ No throttle when it is set before starting the mode for moving forward
with the selector lever - there is a risk of accident!■
Never move the selector lever to mode R or P when driving – risk of an
accident!
■
When the vehicle is stationery and the engine is running, you need to
hold the vehicle with the brake pedal in mode D, S or R. Even when the en-
gine is idling, the power transmission is never completely interrupted – the
vehicle creeps.
■
When leaving the vehicle, the selector lever is always to put in the P
mode. Otherwise the vehicle could then start to move and potentially cause
an accident.
CAUTION■ If the selector lever is moved to mode N while driving, the accelerator pedal
must be released and you will need to wait until the engine has reached its
idling speed before moving the selector lever to a forward driving mode again.■
When the outdoor temperature is below -10 ° C, the selector lever when
starting must always be in P mode.
■
When stopping on a slope, never try to hold the vehicle using the accelerator
pedal – this may lead to gear damage.
Note
After the ignition is switched off, the ignition key can only be withdrawn if the
selector lever is in the position P.
Modes and use of selector lever
Fig. 134
Selection lever / lock button / display
Read and observe
and on page 133 first.
When the ignition is switched on, the gearbox mode and the currently selected
gear are indicated in the display » Fig. 134.
The following modes can be selected with the selector lever » Fig. 134.
P
– Parking mode
The driven wheels are locked mechanically in this mode.
The parking mode must only be selected when the vehicle is stationary.
R
– Reverse gear
Reverse gear can only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary and the en-
gine is at idling speed. 
133Starting-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

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

The area behind the vehicle is displayed when the following conditions are
met.
The ignition is switched on.
Reverse gear is engaged. 1)
The luggage compartment lid is completely closed.
The vehicle is not travelling at more than about 10 km/h.
Note
■ The display can be interrupted by pressing the symbol key  » Fig. 138 on
page 141 .■
After disengaging the reverse gear, automatic display of the parking aid is
carried out (variant 2, 3) » page 141.
Orientation lines and function keys
Fig. 143
Infotainment display: Orientation lines / function keys
Read and observe
and on page 143 first.
Orientation lines are shown along with the monitored area behind the vehicle
in the display.
Distance of the orientation lines behind the vehicle » Fig. 143
The distance is about 40 cm (safety distance limit).
The distance is approximately 100 cm.
The distance is approximately 200 cm.
The distance between the lateral guide bars corresponds to the vehicle width including mirrors.
ABCFunction keys » Fig. 143
Turns off the display of the area behind the vehicle.
Display settings - brightness, contrast, colour. Switch the audible parking signals on/off.
Enabling and reduced park assistance display.
Change to park assistance display.
CAUTION
The objects shown in the display can be closer or even further away than they
appear. This is especially the case in the following situations.■
Protruding objects, such as a hitch, the rear of a truck and the like.
■
When driving from a horizontal surface into a slope or a depression.
■
When driving from a slope or a depression onto a horizontal surface.
Note
The orientation lines are immobile, and therefore the spacing of the bars be-
hind the vehicle will vary, depending on the vehicle load state and the road in-
clination.
Park assist
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Functioning
145
Finding a parking space
145
Parking
146
Departing from a parallel parking space
147
Automatic emergency braking
147
Information messages
147
Park Assist (in the following referred to as the system) helps drivers park in
suitable parallel and perpendicular parking places and also to manoeuvre out
of parallel parking spaces.
The system takes over the steering movements when parking or driving out of
the parking space, the driver operates the pedals as well as the gear lever. 

   1)
The area behind the vehicle can be displayed for a few seconds more after disengaging the reverse gear.
144Driving

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