2014 SKODA OCTAVIA instrument panel

WARNING■Always assume the correct seated position before setting off and do not
change this position while driving. Also advise your passengers to adopt
the correct seated position and not to change this position while the car is
moving.■
Maintain a distance of at least 25 cm from the steering wheel, and a dis-
tance of at least 10 cm between the legs and the dash panel at the height
of the knee airbag. Not maintaining this minimum distance will mean that
the airbag system will not be able to properly protect you – hazard!
■
When driving, hold the steering wheel with both hands firmly on the out-
er edge in the “9 o'clock” and “3 o'clock” position. Never hold the steering
wheel in the “12 o'clock” position or in any other way (e.g. in the middle or
inner edge of the steering wheel). In such cases, you could severely injure
the arms, hands and head when the driver airbag is deployed.
■
Ensure that there are no objects in the driver's footwell as they may get
caught behind the pedals when driving or applying the braking. You would
then no longer be able to operate the clutch, brake or acceleration pedals.
Adjusting the steering wheel position
Fig. 2
Adjusting the steering wheel position
Read and observe
on page 9 first.
The height and forward/back position of the steering wheel can be adjusted.
›
Swivel the safety lever under the steering wheel in the direction of arrow
1
» Fig. 2 .
›Adjust the steering wheel to the desired position. The steering wheel can be
adjusted in the direction of arrow 2.›
Pull the safety lever in the direction of arrow
3
to the stop.
WARNING■ The safety lever must be locked while you are driving so that the position
of the steering wheel cannot accidentally change during the journey – risk
of accident!■
Never adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is moving only when
the vehicle is stationary!
Correct seated position for the front passenger
Read and observe
on page 9 first.
For passenger safety and to reduce the risk of injury in an accident, the follow-ing instructions must be observed.
Position the front passenger seat back as far as possible. The front pas-
senger must maintain a distance of at least 25 cm to the dash panel so
that the airbag offers the greatest possible safety if it is deployed.
Adjust the head restraint so that the top edge of the head restraint is at
the same level as the upper part of your head 1)

C
» Fig. 1 on page 9 .
Correctly fasten the seat belt » page 12.
Adjust the seats and head restraints » page 86.
In exceptional cases the front passenger airbag can be deactiva-
ted » page 21 , Deactivating airbags .
WARNING■
Maintain a distance of at least 25 cm to the dash panel. Not maintaining
this minimum distance will mean that the airbag system will not be able to
properly protect you - hazard!■
Always keep your feet in the footwell when the car is being driven – nev-
er place your feet on the instrument panel, out of the window or on the
surfaces of the seats. You will be exposed to increased risk of injury if it be-
comes necessary to apply the brake or in the event of an accident. If an air-
bag is deployed, you could suffer fatal injuries by adopting an incorrect
seated position!
1)
Not valid for sport seats.
10Safety

Airbag system
Description of the airbag system
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
System description
16
Airbag deployment
16WARNING■ An airbag can only offer you optimal protection in combination with a
fastened seat belt .■
The airbag is not a substitute for the seat belt, but instead forms part of
the complete passive vehicle safety concept.
■
To ensure passengers are protected with the greatest possible effect
when the airbag is deployed, the front seats must be correctly adjusted to
match the body size » page 9, Correct and safe seated position .
■
If you do not fasten the seat belts when driving, lean too far forward or
adopt an incorrect seated position, you are exposing yourself to increased
risk of injury in the event of an accident.
WARNINGInformation on the use of the airbag system■If there is a fault, the airbag system must be checked by a specialist ga-
rage immediately. Otherwise, there is a risk of the airbag not being activa-
ted in the event of an accident.■
No modifications of any kind must be made to parts of the airbag system.
■
Any work on the airbag system including the installation and removal of
system components due to other repair work (e.g. removal of the steering
wheel) must only be carried out by a specialist garage.
■
Never make any changes to the front bumper or bodywork.
■
It is prohibited to manipulate individual parts of the airbag system as this
might result in the airbag being deployed.
■
The protective function of the airbag system is sufficient for only one ac-
cident. The airbag system must then be replaced if the airbag has been de-
ployed.
System description
Read and observe
on page 16 first.
The functional status of the airbag system is indicated by the indicator light 
in the instrument cluster » page 38.
When the airbags are deployed they fill with gas and inflate.
A grey white or red, non-harmful gas is released when the airbag is inflated.
This is perfectly normal and is not an indication of a fire in the vehicle.
The airbag system consists – depending on the vehicle equipment – of the
following modules.
› Electronic control unit.
› Front airbag for the driver and the front passenger
» page 17.
› Driver’s knee airbag
» page 18.
› Side airbags
» page 19.
› Head airbags
» page 20.
› Airbag warning light in the instrument cluster
» page 38.
› Key switch for the front passenger airbag
» page 21.
› Warning light for the front passenger airbag/activation in dash panel cen-
tre » page 21 .
Note
■
The airbag system needs no maintenance during its working life.■If you sell your vehicle, provide the complete vehicle documentation to the
new owner. Please note that the information relating to the possibility of de-
activating the front passenger airbag must be included!■
When disposing of vehicle or parts of the airbag system, it is important to
comply with the national legal requirements.
Airbag deployment
Read and observe
on page 16 first.
The airbags inflate in fractions of a second and at a high speed in order to beable to offer that additional protection in the event of an accident.
The airbag system is only functional when the ignition is switched on.
In certain accident situations, the several airbags may be deployed simultane-
ously. 
16Safety

The airbags are not deployed in the case of minor frontal and side collisions,
rear-end collisions, tilting of the vehicle and vehicle rollover.
Deployment factors
It is not possible to generally determine which deployment conditions apply to
the airbag system in every situation. An important role is played by factors
such as the type of object that the vehicle hits (hard/soft), the impact angle,
vehicle speed, etc.
A decisive factor for the deployment of the airbags is the deceleration which
occurs. The control unit analyses the nature of the collision and activates the
relevant restraint system.
If the vehicle deceleration which occurs and is measured during the collision
remains below the prescribed reference values specified in the control unit,
the airbags are not deployed although the vehicle may well suffer severe dam-
age to the bodywork as a consequence of the accident.
The following airbags will be deployed in the event of a severe frontal
collision.
› Driver’s front airbag.
› Front passenger airbag.
› Driver’s knee airbag.
The following airbags will be deployed in the event of a severe side collision.
› Front side airbag on the side of the accident.
› Rear side airbag on the side of the accident.
› Head airbags on the side of the accident.
When an airbag is deployed, the following occurs.
› The interior lighting illuminates (if the switch for the interior lighting is in the
door contact position).
› The hazard warning lights are switched on.
› All the doors are unlocked.
› The fuel supply to the engine is interrupted.
Airbag overview

Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Front airbags
17
Driver’s knee airbag
18Side airbags19Head airbags20
Front airbags
Fig. 8
Locations of the airbags / gas filled airbags
Fig. 9
Safe distance to steering wheel
In the event of a severe frontal collision, the front airbag system offers addi-
tional protection for the head and chest area of the driver and front passenger.
The driver's front airbag is located in the steering wheel, the front passenger
airbag is located in the instrument panel above the glove compartment » Fig. 8
-  .
The airbags inflate in front of the driver and front passenger when they are
deployed » Fig. 8 -
 . The forward movement of the driver and of the front
passenger is cushioned when they make contact with the fully inflated airbag
and the risk of injury to head and chest is thus reduced. 
17Airbag system

WARNINGInformation on correct seated position■It is important that the driver and front passenger maintain a distance of
at least 25 cm to the steering wheel or dashboard A
» Fig. 9 . Not maintain-
ing this minimum distance will mean that the airbag system will not be able
to properly protect you – hazard! The front seats and the head restraints
must always also be correctly adjusted to match the body size of the occu-
pant.
■
The airbag develops enormous forces when triggered, which can lead to
injuries if the sitting position or seated position is not correct.
■
There must not by any further persons, animals or objects positioned be-
tween the front seated occupants and the deployment area of the airbag.
WARNINGFront airbag and transporting children■Never transport children on the front seat of a vehicle without using a
proper restraint system. If airbags are deployed in the event of an accident,
the child might suffer severe or even fatal injuries!■
The front passenger airbag must be deactivated if using a rear-facing
child seat on the front passenger seat » page 21, Deactivating airbags . If
this is not done, there is a risk of the child suffering severe or even fatal
injuries if the front passenger airbag is deployed. When transporting a child
on the front passenger seat, pay attention to any relevant national regula-
tions regarding the use of child safety seats.
WARNINGGeneral information■The steering wheel and the surface of the airbag module in the dash pan-
el on the passenger side must not have stickers attached, be covered or
modified in any other way. These parts should only be cleaned with a cloth
that is dry or has been moistened with water. No objects such as cup hold-
ers, mobile phone mounts, etc. must be attached to the covers of the air-
bag modules or be located within their immediate vicinity.■
Never place objects on the surface of the front passenger airbag module
in the dash panel.
Note■ In vehicles with a driver's front airbag, the text  can be seen on the
steering wheel.■
In vehicles with a front passenger airbag, the text 
can be seen on the
dash panel on the passenger side.
Driver’s knee airbag
Fig. 10
Installation of the airbag / Gas-filled Airbag / Safe distance be-
tween the legs and the instrument panel
The driver's knee airbag offers adequate protection for the driver's legs.
The driver's knee airbag
A
is located in the lower part of the dash panel below
the steering column » Fig. 10.
In the event of a severe frontal collision, the driver's knee airbag and front air-
bags are deployed.
The forward movement of the body is cushioned when it makes contact with
the fully inflated airbag
B
and the risk of injury to the legs of the driver is thus
reduced. 
18Safety

WARNING■Adjust the driver's seat in a forward/back direction so that there is a gap
of at least 10 cm between the legs C and the instrument panel in the vi-
cinity of the knee airbag » Fig. 10. If it is not possible to meet this require-
ment due to your body size, visit a specialist garage.■
The surface of the airbag module in the lower part of the dash panel be-
low the steering column not have stickers attached, be covered or modified
in any other way. This part should only be cleaned with a cloth that is dry or
has been moistened with water. No objects must be attached to the cover
of the airbag module or located within the immediate vicinity.
■
Do not attach any bulky and heavy objects (bunch of keys etc.) to the igni-
tion key. These can be ejected by the knee airbag when it is deployed and
can cause injuries.
Note
In vehicles with a driver's knee airbag, the text  can be seen on the side
panel on the driver's side.
Side airbags
Fig. 11
Installation of airbags in front/rear seat
Fig. 12
Inflated airbags
In the event of severe side collisions, the side airbag system provides addition-
al protection for the upper body (chest, stomach and pelvis) of passengers in
the vehicle.
The front side airbags are housed in the upholstery of the seat backrests of
the front seats » Fig. 11 -
 .
The rear side airbags are located between the entrance area and the seat
backrest » Fig. 11-
 .
When the side airbags are deployed, the head airbag and belt tensioner are al-
so automatically deployed on the relevant side.
The load of the occupants is cushioned when plunging into the fully inflated
airbag » Fig. 12 and the risk of injury to the entire upper body (chest, stomach
and pelvis) is reduced on the side facing the door.
WARNINGInformation on correct seated position■Your head should never be positioned in the deployment area of the side
airbag. You might suffer severe injuries in the event of an accident. This ap-
plies in particular to children who are transported without using a suitable
child safety seat » page 24, Child safety and side airbag .■
There must not be any further persons, animals or objects positioned be-
tween the occupants and the deployment area of the airbag. No accesso-
ries, such as cup holders, should be attached to the doors.
■
If children adopt an incorrect seated position when travelling, they may
be exposed to an increased risk of injury in the event of an accident. This
can result in serious injuries » page 22, Child seat . 
19Airbag system

Using the system
Cockpit
OverviewElectrical power windows
64
Electric exterior mirror adjustment
85
Door opening lever
56
Air outlet vent
116
Parking ticket holder
95
Operating lever:
› Turn signal light, headlight and parking light, headlight
flasher
73
› Speed regulating system
148
›Activating the Assist systems menu item
51
Steering wheel:
› With horn
› With driver’s front airbag
17
›With buttons for the operation of the information system
45
›With buttons for the Infotainment Control
» Infotainment
Manual , chapter Device Operation
Instrument cluster
30
Operating lever: › Windscreen wiper and wash system
81
›Multifunction display
47
›Information system
51
Infotainment
» owner's manual for the Infotainment radio or
navigation
Air outlets in the central part of the dash panel
116
Button for hazard warning light system
77
Warning light for the deactivated front seat passenger airbag
21
Interior rear-view mirror
84
Storage compartment on the front passenger side
100
Front passenger airbag
17
CD/DVD drive and memory card slot (in the passenger-side stor-
age compartment) » owner's manual for the Infotainment radio
and/or navigation
1234567891011121314151617Key switch for switching off the front passenger airbag (in front
passenger storage compartment)21
Air outlet vent
116
Door opening lever
56
Power window in the front passenger door
65
Light switch
71
Bonnet release lever
194
Storage compartment on the driver's side
95
Fuse box (behind the storage compartment on the driver's
side)
228
Operating lever for adaptive cruise control
152
Lever for adjusting the steering wheel
10
Ignition lock
127
Pedals
132
Handbrake lever
131
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Gearshift lever (manual gearbox)
132
›Selector lever (automatic gearbox)
133
Depending on equipment fitted:
› 12-Volt power socket
98
›Cigarette lighter
97
Bar with keys depending on the equipment fitted:
› 
Central locking system
58
› 
START STOP
158
› 
Traction control TCS
139
›
Electronic Stability Control ESC
138
› 
/
 Selection of travel mode
160
›
Park Assist
144
› 
Parking aid
140
› 
Tyre control display
167
Shelf/phonebox
96

1819202122232425262728293031323329Cockpit

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

Opening and closing the bonnetFig. 184
Open the bonnet
Read and observe
and on page 193 first.
Open flap
›
Open the front door.
›
Pull the release lever underneath the dash panel in the direction of the ar-
row
1
» Fig. 184 .
Before opening the bonnet, ensure that the arms of the windscreen wipers
are correctly in place against the windscreen, otherwise the paintwork on the
flap could be damaged.
›
Push the release lever in the direction of arrow
2
.
The bonnet is then unlocked.
›
Grasp the bonnet catch and lift in the direction of arrow
3
.
›
Remove the lid prop in the direction of arrow
4
from the holder.
›
Secure the open flap inserting the end of the post into the opening in the di-
rection of arrow
5
.
Close the flap
›
Lift the bonnet.
›
Decouple the bonnet support and press into the holder designed to hold it.
›
Let the bonnet drop into the lock carrier lock from a height of around 20 cm – do not push it in!
WARNING■
Check whether the bonnet has been closed properly. Also make sure that
a vehicle with an opened bonnet does not appear in the instrument cluster
display » page 47 .■
If you notice that the lock is not properly engaged while driving, stop the
vehicle immediately and close the bonnet – risk of accident!
■
Make sure that when closing the boot lid, no body parts are crushed -
there is danger of injury!
CAUTION
Never open the bonnet by the locking lever » Fig. 184.
Engine compartment overview
Fig. 185
Principle sketch: Engine compartment
Read and observe
and on page 193 first.
Arrangement in the engine compartment » Fig. 185
Coolant expansion reservoir
198
Engine oil dipstick
196
Engine oil filler opening
197
Brake fluid reservoir
199
Battery (below a cover)
200
Windscreen washer fluid reservoir
195

ABCDEF194General Maintenance