2014 SKODA OCTAVIA check engine light

Safety
Passive Safety
General information
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Before setting off
8
Driving safety
8
Safety equipment
8
In this section you will find important information, tips and notes on the sub-
ject of passive safety in your vehicle.
We have combined everything here which you should be familiar with, for ex-
ample, regarding seat belts, airbags, child seats and safety of children.
WARNING■ This chapter contains important information on how to use the vehicle for
the driver and his occupants.■
You will find further information on safety, which concerns you and those
travelling with you, in the following chapters of this Owner's Manual.
■
The complete on-board literature should always be in the vehicle. This
applies in particular, if you rent out or sell the vehicle.
Before setting off
Read and observe
on page 8 first.
For your own safety and the safety of the people travelling with you, please
pay attention to the following points before setting off.
Ensure that the lighting and the turn signal system are functioning proper-
ly.
Ensure that the function of the wipers and the condition of the wiper
blades are free of any defects.
Ensure that all of the windows offer good visibility to the outside.
Adjust the rear-view mirror so that vision to the rear is guaranteed.
Ensure that the mirrors are not covered.
Check the tyre inflation pressure.
Check the engine oil, brake fluid and coolant level.
Secure all items of luggage.
Do not exceed the permissible axle loads and permissible gross weight of
the vehicle.
Close all doors as well as the bonnet and boot lid.
Ensure that no objects can obstruct the pedals.
Protect children in suitable child seats with correctly fastened seat
belts » page 22 , Transporting children safely .
Adopt the correct seated position » page 9, Correct and safe seated
position . Tell your passengers to assume the correct seated position.
Driving safety
Read and observe
on page 8 first.
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 get 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. through 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 condi-
tions.
Take regular breaks on long journeys – at least every two hours.
Safety equipment
Read and observe
on page 8 first.
The following list contains only part of the safety equipment in your vehicle.
› Three-point seat belts for all the seats.
› Belt force limiters for the front seats.
› Belt tensioners for the front seats.
› Seat belt height adjusters for front seats.
› Front airbag for the driver and the front passenger.
› Driver’s knee airbag.
› Front side airbags.
› Rear side airbags. 

8Safety

›Details of the information system
» page 45
› Messages of the Auto Check Control
» page 47
› Details of the service interval display
» page 53
CAUTION
Pull out the ignition key if coming in contact with the display (e.g. when clean-
ing) to prevent any possible damage. On vehicles with the KESSY system,
switch off the ignition and open the driver's door.
Note
Depending on vehicle equipment, the MAXI DOT display can be either mono-
chromatic “(black and white)” or color.
Speedometer
Read and observe
on page 30 first.
The speedometer
3
» Fig. 22 on page 31 displays the current speed.
Note
An audible warning signal will sound when the vehicle speed exceeds 120 km/
h 1)
. The audible warning signal is switched off when the vehicle speed falls be-
low 120 km/h.
Coolant temperature gauge
Fig. 24
Coolant temperature gauge
Read and observe on page 30 first.
The display » Fig. 24 provides information on the engine coolant temperature.
The fuel gauge only works if the ignition is switched on.
Cold range
If the pointer is still in the left area of the scale, this indicates that the engine
has not yet reached its operating temperature. Avoid high speeds, full throttle
and high engine loads. This prevents possible damage to the engine.
The operating range
The engine has reached its operating temperature as soon as the pointer
moves into the middle of the scale A
» Fig. 24 . At very high ambient tempera-
tures or heavy engine loads, the pointer may move even further to the right.
High temperature range
If the pointer reaches the red area of the scale, the coolant temperature is too
high.
For further information, see » page 41.
CAUTION
■
Additional headlights and other attached components in front of the air inlet
impair the cooling efficiency of the coolant.■
Never cover the radiator - there is a risk of the engine overheating.
Fuel reserve display - Natural gas
Fig. 25
Gas gauge
Read and observe on page 30 first.
The display » Fig. 25 provides information on the natural gas supply in the con-
tainer.
The fuel gauge only works if the ignition is switched on. 
1)
This function only applies to certain countries.
32Using the system

Viewing the charge level vehicle batteryRead and observe
on page 30 first.
›
Switch off the ignition.
›
Press and hold the button
6
» Fig. 22 on page 31 until the Battery status or
BATTERY SOC is shown in the display.
›
Release button
6
- the current charge level 1)
of the vehicle battery is dis-
played in %.
›
Wait about 4 seconds or press the
6
key, the system returns to the home
setting.
Warning lights
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:

 Automatic Transmission
35
 Handbrake
35
 Brake system
35
 Seat belt warning light
36
 Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
36

 Central warning light
36

 Power steering/steering lock (KESSY system)
36
 Traction Control System (ASR)
37
 Traction control system (TCS) deactivated
37
 Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
37
 Antilock brake system (ABS)
37
 Rear fog light
38
 Exhaust inspection system
38
 Glow plug system (diesel engine)
38
 Engine performance check (petrol engine)
38
 Security systems
38
 Tyre pressure
39
 Brake linings
39

 Lane following system (Lane Assist)
39

 Turn signal system
39
Trailer turn signal lights40 Fog lights40

Cruise control system
40
 Brake pedal (automatic transmission)
40
 Natural gas operation
40
 Main beam
40
The warning lights indicate certain functions or faults.
Some warning lights can be accompanied by acoustic signals and messages in
the display of the instrument cluster.
After switching on the ignition, some warning lights light up briefly as a func-
tion test.
If the tested systems are OK, the corresponding warning lights go out a few
seconds after switching on the ignition or after starting the engine.
The condition of some features and systems is shown by the warning icons on
the display » page 40.
The warning lights are at the following locations in the instrument clus-
ter » Fig. 22 on page 31 .
› Revolutions counter
1
›Speedometer
3
›Bar with warning lights
5WARNING■
Ignoring illuminated warning lights and related messages or instructions
in the display of the instrument cluster may lead to serious personal injury
or damage to the vehicle.■
If you have to stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe
distance from the traffic, switch off the engine and activate the hazard
warning light system » page 77. The warning triangle must be set up at
the prescribed distance - observe the national legal provisions when doing
so.
■
The engine compartment of your car is a hazardous area. While working in
the engine compartment, be sure to observe the following warn-
ings » page 192 , Engine compartment .
1)
Applies to vehicles with START-STOP system.
34Using the system

  Automatic TransmissionRead and observe on page 34 first.
The warning lights 

indicate a fault or the state of the automatic gearbox.

Warning lightMessageMeaning and Action
Error: gearbox. Reverse gear not available.
GEARBOX ERROR REV_ GEAR NOT AVAILFault in the automatic gearbox, the reverse cannot be appealed.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
Error: gearbox.
GEARBOX ERRORFault in the automatic gearbox.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
Gearbox overheated.
GEARBOX OVERHEATEDThe temperature of the automatic transmission clutches is too high.
 do not continue to drive!
Stop the vehicle and turn off the engine.
Switch on the ignition and wait until the 
warning light disappears – risk of gearbox
damage!
You can continue your journey as soon as the warning light disappears.
If the warning light does not go out, do not continue driving. Seek help from a specialist
garage.

Gearbox overheated. Stop! Owner's manual!
STOP VEHICLE GEARBOX OVERHEAT
Gearbox faulty. Workshop!
GEARBOX FAULTY WORKSHOPFault in the automatic gearbox.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately. Handbrake
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
The warning light 
illuminates if the handbrake is applied.
An acoustic signal will sound if you drive the vehicle above 5 km/h while the
handbrake is still on.
The following message is shown in the information cluster display. Release the handbrake!
RELEASE HANDBRAKE
 Brake system
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
If the warning light 
lights up , the brake fluid level in the brake system is too
low.
The following message is shown in the information cluster display.
Brake fluid: Owner's manual!
BRAKE FLUID PLEASE CHECK›
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and check the level of the brake flu-
id » page 199 » .
If the warning light, 
together with the warning light, 
lights up , there is a
problem with the ABS.
WARNING■ A fault to the ABS system or the braking system can increase the vehi-
cle's braking distance – risk of accident!■
If warning light 
illuminates simultaneously with warning light
 » page 37 , 
Antilock brake system (ABS) 
, do not continue your jour-
ney! Seek help from a specialist garage.
35Instruments and warning lights

 Seat belt warning lightRead and observe
on page 34 first.
The warning light 
illuminates as a reminder for the driver and front passen-
ger to fasten seat belts.
The indicator light 
goes off after the respective seat belt is fastened.
If the driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt and the vehicle
speed is more than 30 km/h, the warning light 
flashes and you will hear an
acoustic signal.
If the seat belt is not fastened by the driver or front passenger during the next
approx. 2 seconds, the warning signal is deactivated and the warning light 
lights up permanently .
 Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
If the warning light 
lights up , the delay of the ACC is not sufficient.
The following message is shown in the information cluster display. Apply the brake!
Further information » page 149, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) .
  Central warning light
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
When the warning light  or

lights up , the additional information in the dis-
play of the instrument cluster » page 40, Warning icons in the display
or » page 47 , Auto-check control must be observed.
  Power steering/steering lock (KESSY system)
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
Power steering
If the indicator light 
illuminates , this indicates a complete failure of the
power steering and the steering assist has failed (significantly higher steering
forces). Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
If the indicator light  illuminates , this indicates a partial failure of the power
steering and the steering forces can be greater. Seek assistance from a spe-
cialist garage immediately.
Steering lock (KESSY system)
As long as the warning light 
is flashing , the steering lock cannot be re-
leased.
The following message is shown in the information cluster display. Move the steering wheel!
MOVE STEERING WHEEL
› Move the steering wheel slightly back and forth, thereby facilitating unlock-
ing the steering lock.
If the steering does also not unlock then, the help of a specialist garage is re-
quired.
If the warning light 
flashes and a beep sounds, the electric steering lock is
faulty.
The following message is shown in the information cluster display. Steering lock: Workshop!
STEERING WORKSHOP
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
If the warning light 
flashes and a beep sounds, the electric steering lock is
faulty.
The following message is shown in the information cluster display. Steering lock faulty. Stop!
STOP VEHICLE STEERING FAULTY
Park the vehicle, 
stop driving . After switching off the ignition, it is then no
longer possible to lock the steering, to activate the electrical components (e.g.
radio, navigation system), to switch on the ignition again and to start the en-
gine. Seek help from a specialist garage.
Note
If the vehicle's battery has been disconnected and reconnected, the warning
light  comes on after switching on the ignition. The warning light should go
out after driving a short distance. If warning light 
does not go out once the
engine has been restarted and the vehicle has been driven for a short period
of time, this indicates a system error. Seek assistance from a specialist garage
immediately.36Using the system

Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
In the event of an ABS fault, the other braking and stabilization systems are
turned off » page 138 , Braking and stabilisation systems .WARNING■
A fault to the ABS system or the braking system can increase the vehi-
cle's braking distance – risk of accident!■
If warning light 
illuminates simultaneously with warning light
 » page 35 , 
Brake system 
, do not continue your journey! Seek help
from a specialist garage.
 Rear fog light
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
The warning light 
illuminates when the rear fog light is switched on.
 Exhaust inspection system
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
If the warning light 
illuminates , there is a fault in the exhaust inspection
system. The system allows the vehicle to run in emergency mode.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
 Glow plug system (diesel engine)
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
If the warning light 
does not come on or lights up continuously once the
ignition has been switched on, this indicates a fault in the glow plug system
If the warning light  begins to
flash while driving, a fault exists in the engine
control. The system allows the vehicle to run in emergency mode.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
 Engine performance check (petrol engine)
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
If the indicator light 
illuminates , there is a fault in the engine control. The
system allows the vehicle to run in emergency mode.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
 Security systems
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
Fault with airbag system
When the warning light 
lights up and the following message appears in the
instrument cluster display, there is a fault with the airbag system.
Error: Airbag
AIRBAG ERROR
The functionality of the airbag system is monitored automatically even if one
of the airbags is switched off.
The front passenger airbag has been disabled with the key switch
› The indicator light

illuminates for around 4 seconds after the ignition has
been switched on.
› The warning light
 in the display



 in the middle of the
dash panel lights up after switching on the ignition » page 21.
One of the airbags or a belt tensioner has been disabled by the diagnostic tool
› The warning

illuminates for approx. 4 seconds after switching on the igni-
tion and then flashes again for approx. 12 seconds.
› The following message is shown in the information cluster display.
Airbag/ belt tensioner deactivated.
AIRBAG/ BELT TENSIONER OFF
ProActive passenger protection
When the warning light 
lights up and the following message appears in the
instrument cluster display, there is a fault with the airbag system. Seek assis-
tance from a specialist garage immediately.
Proactive passenger protection not available.
PROACTIVE PASSENGER PROTECT NOT AVAIL
or Proactive passenger protection: funct. restricted.
LIMITED PROACTIVE PASSENGER PROTECT 
38Using the system

WARNINGWhen a fault in the airbag system occurs, there is a risk of the system not
being triggered in the event of an accident. Therefore, this must be
checked immediately by a specialized garage.
 Tyre pressure
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
The warning light  lights up
If the warning light  illuminates while driving, this means that one of the
tyres has undergone a pressure change.
An audible signal sounds as a warning signal.
›
Immediately reduce speed and avoid sudden steering and braking manoeu-
vres.
›
Stop the vehicle, turn the ignition off and check the tyres and their inflation
pressure » page 204 .
›
Correct the tyre pressure if necessary or replace the affected
wheel » page 214 or use the repair kit » page 218.
›
Store the tyre pressure values in the system » page 167.
The indicator light  flashes for about 1 min. and then remains lit
If the warning light  flashes for approximately 1 minute and then remains lit,
there may be a fault in the tyre pressure monitoring system.
›
Stop the vehicle, turn the ignition off and start the engine again.
If the warning light  flashes after starting the engine again, there is a system
error.
Seek help from a specialist garage.
The illumination of the warning light  can have the following reasons.
› The vehicle is loaded on one side. Distribute loads as evenly as possible.
› The wheels of one axle are loaded more heavily (e.g. when towing a trailer or
when driving uphill or downhill).
› Snow chains are mounted.
› A wheel has been changed.
Store the tyre pressure values in the system » page 167.
CAUTIONUnder certain circumstances (e.g. sporty style of driving, wintry or unpaved
roads) the warning light  in the instrument cluster can be delayed or does
not light up at all.
Note
If the vehicle's battery has been disconnected and reconnected, the warning
light  comes on after switching on the ignition. If the warning light does not
go out after moving a short distance, this means there is an error in the sys-
tem. Seek help from a specialist garage.
 Brake linings
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
If the indicator light 
is illuminated , the brake pads are worn.
The following message is shown in the information cluster display. Check brake wear!
BRAKE PADS PLEASE CHECK
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
  Lane following system (Lane Assist)
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
The warning lights 

indicates the state of the Lane Assist system.
Further information » page 162, Lane Assist .
  Turn signal system
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
Either the left 
or the right 
warning light flashes depending on the position
of the turn signal lever.
If there is a fault in the turn signal system, the warning light flashes at twice
its normal rate. This does not apply when towing a trailer.
Switching off the hazard warning light system is switched on will cause all of
the turn signal lights as well as both warning lights to flash.
39Instruments and warning lights

 Trailer turn signal lightsRead and observe
on page 34 first.
If the warning light 
flashes , the trailer turn signal lights are turned on.
If a trailer is hitched and the warning light 
is not flashing , one of the trailer
turn signal lights has failed.
The following message is shown in the information cluster display, for exam-
ple.
Trailer: check left turn signal!
TRAILER TURN SIG_ CHECK LEFT
The trailer must be unhitched properly » page 169, Hitch and trailer .
 Fog lights
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
The warning light 
illuminates when the fog lights are operating.
 Cruise control system
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
The indicator light 
is illuminated when the cruise control system and auto-
matic distance control are switched on.
 Brake pedal (automatic transmission)
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
If the warning light 
illuminates , operate the brake pedal.
 Natural gas operation
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
If the warning light 
is lit, the vehicle is powered by natural gas.
 Main beam
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
The warning light 
illuminates when the main beam or the headlight flasher
is operated.
Warning icons in the display
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:

 Rear seat belt warning
41
 Alternator
41
 Coolant
41
 Engine oil pressure
42
 Engine oil level
42
 Lamp failure
43
 Diesel particulate filter (diesel engine)
43
 Windscreen washer fluid level
43
 Fuel reserve
43
 Headlight assist
44

 START-STOP-system
44
 Display of a low temperature
44

Water in the fuel filter (diesel engine)
44


 Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
44
 Distance warning (Front Assistant)
44
 Advance warning/emergency brake (Front Assistant)
45
The warning icons indicate the status of certain functions or faults.
The warning icons are indicated in the display of the instrument clus-
ter » page 31 .
Depending on the meaning, the symbol  or
 in the bar lists up simultane-
ously with the corresponding control symbol, with indicator lights
5
» Fig. 22
on page 31 .
SymbolMeaningDangerWarning 40Using the system