2014 SKODA ROOMSTER ECU

Hitch and trailer
Hitch
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Description
126
Adjusting the ready position
127
Fitting the ball head
127
Check proper fitting
128
Removing the ball head
128
Accessories
129
The maximum trailer drawbar load is 50 kg/h.
WARNING■
Check that the ball head is seated correctly and is secured in the mount-
ing recess before starting any journey.■
Do not use the ball head, if it is not correctly inserted into the mounting
recess and secured.
■
Do not use the towing equipment if it is damaged or incomplete.
■
Do not modify or adapt the towing equipment in any way.
■
Never release the ball head while the trailer is still coupled.
■
Keep the mounting recess of the towing equipment clean at all times.
Such dirt prevents the ball head from being attached securely.
CAUTION
■ Take care with the ball bar - there is a risk of paint damage to the bumper.■After removing the ball head, always place the cap on the mounting recess.
Note
■Operation and maintenance of hitch » page 139.■Tow the vehicle by means of the detachable ball rod » page 174.DescriptionFig. 123
Remove cover cap: on the rear bumper / for the receiving shaft
Fig. 124
Ball head
Read and observe and on page 126 first.
The ball head can be removed and is kept in the spare wheel well or in a com-
partment for the spare wheel in the luggage compartment.
Support for the towing device » Fig. 123 and » Fig. 124
Clamps for removing the wheel trims
Cover in the rear bumper
13-pin power socket
Cover for the mounting recess
Dust cap
Ball head
Operating lever
Lock cap
Release pin 
123456789126Driving

Key
locking ball
Note
■ The tool for removing the wheel trim is part of the vehicle tool
kit » page 166 .■
If you lose the key, please get in touch with a specialist garage.
Adjusting the ready position
Fig. 125
Setting the ready position/ready position
Read and observe
and on page 126 first.
The coupling ball bar must be set prior to installation in the standby position. If this is not in the ready position, then this must be set to the standby posi-
tion as follows.
›
Grip the ball head below the protective cap
2
» Fig. 125 .
›
Insert the key
1
into the lock so that the green marking is pointing upwards.
›
Turn the key in direction of the arrow, so that the red marking is facing up-
wards.
›
Press the release bolts
3
as far as the stop in the direction of the arrow and
at the same time push the lever
4
downwards as far as it will go in the di-
rection of the arrow.
Lever
4
remains locked in this position.
CAUTION
In the ready position, the key cannot be removed nor turned to a different po-
sition.1011Fitting the ball headFig. 126
Insert the ball head/lock the lock, and put the lock cover on
Read and observe
and on page 126 first.
›
Remove the cover in the rear bumper
2
» Fig. 123 on page 126 in the direc-
tion of the arrow using the tool for removing the wheel trims.
›
Pull off the cover for the mounting recess
4
» Fig. 123 on page 126 in the
direction of the arrow » .
›
Adjust the ball head to the ready position » page 127.
›
Grip the tow bar from underneath » Fig. 126 and insert into the mounting re-
cess until you hear it click into place » .
Lever
1
» Fig. 126 automatically turns upwards and the release pin
2
pops
out (its red and green parts are both visible) » .
If the lever
1
does not automatically emerge, or if the release pin
2
does not
pop out, remove the ball head from the mounting recess by turning the lever
downwards as far as it will go. Clean the tapered surfaces on the ball head and
the mounting recess.
›
Lock the lock on the operating lever by turning the key by 180° to the right
(see green marking
3
is visible) and remove the key in the direction of the
arrow.
›
Push cap
4
» Fig. 126 onto the lock in the direction of the arrow » .
›
Check the ball head for secure mounting » page 128. 
127Hitch and trailer

WARNING■Carefully remove the cap for the mounting recess - there is a risk of hand
injury.■
Keep your hands outside the lever's range of motion when attaching the
ball head – there is a risk of fingers being injured!
■
Never attempt to pull the operating lever upwards forcibly to turn the
key. Doing so would mean the ball head is not attached correctly.
CAUTION
■ After removing the key, always replace the cover on the lock – there is a risk
of the lock getting dirty.■
Remove the cover from the rear bumper with care - there is a risk of paint
damage to the bumper and the cap.
Note
Store cover 2 and cover 4 » Fig. 123 on page 126 in a suitable place in the
luggage compartment after removing them.
Check proper fitting
Fig. 127
Correctly secured ball head
Read and observe and on page 126 first.
Check that the ball head is fitted properly each time before use.
Correctly secured ball head » Fig. 127
The ball head does not come out of the mounting recess even after heavy
“shaking”.
Lever
1
is up as far as it will go.
The release pin
2
is completely exposed (both its red and green parts are
visible).
The key is removed.
Cap 3
is on the lock.WARNINGDo not use the towing equipment unless the ball head was properly locked.
Removing the ball head
Fig. 128
Unlock the operating lever of the ball head/removing the ball
head
Read and observe
and on page 126 first.
›
Remove cover
1
from the lock in the direction of the arrow » Fig. 128 .
›
Insert the key into the lock, so that its green marking is pointing upwards.
›
Turn the key 180 ° to the left, so that its red marking
2
is visible.
›
Grasp the ball head from underneath.
›
Press the release pin
3
as far as the stop in the direction of the arrow and
at the same time push the lever
4
downwards as far as it will go in the di-
rection of the arrow.
The ball head is released in this position and falls freely into the hand. If it
does not fall freely into the hand, use your other hand to push it upwards.
At the same time, the ball head latches into the ready position and is thus
ready to be re-inserted into the mounting recess »
.
›
Fit the cover for the mounting recess
4
» Fig. 123 on page 126 in the oppo-
site direction to the arrow.
›
Offer up the cap to the rear bumper
2
» Fig. 123 on page 126 aligning it with
“check mark” in the lower bumper area.
›
Push the cap in first on the left and right and then at the top. 

128Driving

WARNING■Never allow the ball head to remain unsecured in the boot. This could
cause damage to the boot upon sudden braking, and could put the safety
of the occupants at risk.■
Never remove the tow bar while the trailer is still coupled.
CAUTION
■ If the lever is held firmly and not pushed downwards as far as it can go, it will
go back up after the ball head is removed and will not latch into the ready po-
sition. The ball head then needs to be brought into this position before the
next time it is fitted » page 127, Adjusting the ready position .■
Tuck the ball bar in the ready position, with the golden key up, in the box -
otherwise there is a risk of damage to the key!
■
Do not use excessive force when handling the operating lever (e.g. do not
step on it).
Note
■ We recommend that you put the protective cap on the ball before removing
the ball head.■
Clean any dirt from the ball head before stowing it away in the box with the
vehicle tool kit.
Accessories
Fig. 129
Representation of the maximum
permissible level of the ball head
of the towing hitch and the per-
missible total weight of the ac-
cessories including the load de-
pending on the load center of
gravity
Read and observe and on page 126 first.
An accessory can mounted on the ball head of the towing hitch (e.g. bike carri- ers).
If this accessory is used, the maximum permissible overhang of the ball head
of the towing hitch and the permissible gross vehicle weight of the accesso-
ries including load are to be checked.
The maximum permissible overhang of the ball head of the towing hitch is 70
cm » Fig. 129 .
The total permitted weight of the accessory including load changes changes
with increasing distance of the centre of gravity of the load from the ball head
of the towing hitch.Distance of the centre of gravity of the load from the ball headPermissible total weight of the ac- cessory, including load0 cm50 kg30 cm50 kg60 cm25 kg70 cm0 kgWARNING■Never exceed the permissible gross weight of the accessory including
load - there is a risk of damaging the ball head of the towing hitch.■
Never exceed the permissible overhang of the ball head of the towing
hitch - there is a risk of damaging the ball head of the towing hitch.
Note
We recommend that you use accessories from ŠKODA Original Accessories.
Trailer
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Attaching and detaching trailers
130
Loading a trailer
130
Towing a trailer
131
Anti-theft alarm system
131
If your vehicle has already been factory-fitted with towing equipment or is fit-
ted with towing equipment from ŠKODA Original Accessories, then it meets all
of the technical requirements and national legal provisions for towing a trailer.
Note
If there is an error in the trailer lighting system, check the fuses in the fuse box
in the dashboard » page 176.129Hitch and trailer

Attaching and detaching trailersFig. 130
13-pin socket and safety eye
Coupling
›
Lift off protective cap
5
» Fig. 124 on page 126 towards the top.
›
Place the trailer onto the ball.
›
Insert the trailer cable into the 13-pin socket
A
» Fig. 130 .
If the trailer that is to be towed has a 7-pin connector, you can use a suitable
adapter from ŠKODA Original Accessories to establish a connection to the elec-
tricity.
›
Hook the breakaway cable of the trailer to the security lock slot
B
.
Ensure that the breakaway cable of the trailer, when it is mounted into the
safety eye on all trailer positions relative to the vehicle (sharp curves, reverse
driving and the like), is seen to sag.
The uncoupling of the trailer is carried out in reverse order.
Exterior mirrors
You have to have additional exterior mirrors fitted if you are not able to see
the traffic behind the trailer with the standard rear-view mirrors. The national
legal requirements must be observed.
Headlights
The front of the vehicle can be lifted when a trailer is being towed and the
headlights can dazzle other road users.
Adjust the headlight setting on the headlight range control » page 60, Head-
light beam adjustment .
WARNING■
Incorrectly or improperly connected electrical installations may cause mal-
function of the entire vehicle electronics and lead to accidents and serious
injury from electric shock.■
Work on the electrical system must only be carried out by specialist ga-
rages.
■
Never directly connect the trailer's electrical system with the electrical
connections for the tail lights or other current sources.
■
After coupling the trailer and connecting up the power socket, check the
rear lights on the trailer to ensure they are working.
■
The handbrake on the towing vehicle must be applied when coupling and
uncoupling the trailer.
■
Never use the safety eyelet for towing!
Loading a trailer
The vehicle/trailer combination must be balanced, whereby the maximum per-
missible drawbar load must be utilised. If the drawbar load is too low, it jeop-
ardises the performance of the vehicle/trailer combination.
Distribution of the load
Distribute the load in the trailer in such a way that heavy items are located as
close to the axle as possible. Secure the items from slipping.
The distribution of the weight is very poor if your vehicle is unladen and the
trailer is laden. Maintain a particularly low speed if you cannot avoid driving
with this combination.
Tyre pressure
Correct the tyre inflation pressure on your vehicle for a “full load” » page 157.
Trailer load
The permissible trailer load must not be exceeded under any circumstan-
ces » page 183 , Technical data .
The details given in the vehicle's technical documentation always take prece-
dence over the details in the Owner's Manual.
The trailer loads specified apply only to altitudes up to 1,000 metres above
mean sea level.
The engine output falls as altitude increases, as does the ability to climb.
Therefore, for every additional 1000 m in height (or part), the maximum per-
missible towed weight must be reduced by 10 %. 
130Driving

WARNING (Continued)■Do not smoke.■Never work near open flames.■
Always have a functioning fire extinguisher nearby.
WARNING■Read and observe the information and warning instructions on the fluid
containers.■
Keep the working fluids in sealed original containers and safe from peo-
ple who are not completely independent, e.g. children.
■
If you intend to work underneath the vehicle, you must secure the vehicle
from rolling away and support it with suitable supporting blocks; the car
jack is not sufficient – risk of injury!
CAUTION
Always top up using the correct specification of fluids. This may result in major
operating problems and also vehicle damage!
For the sake of the environment
In view of the requirements for the environmentally friendly disposal of fluids and the special tools and knowledge required for such work, we recommend
that fluids be changed by a specialist garage.
Note
■ Please consult a specialist garage for any questions relating to fluids.■Fluids with the proper specifications can be purchased from the ŠKODA Origi-
nal Accessories or from the ŠKODA Genuine Parts ranges.Opening and closing the bonnetFig. 132
Bonnet release lever/release lever
Fig. 133
Securing the bonnet
Read and observe and on page 145 first.
Open flap
›
Pull the release lever under the dash panel in the direction of the arrow
1
» Fig. 132 .
Before opening the bonnet, ensure that the arms of the windscreen wipers
are correctly in place against the windscreen otherwise the paintwork could be
damaged.
›
Press the release lever in the direction of the arrow
2
to unlock the bonnet.
›
Grab hold of the bonnet and lift.
›
Take the bonnet prop out of its bracket and secure the opened bonnet by in-
serting the end of the prop in the opening
3
» Fig. 133 provided.
Close the flap
›
Lift the bonnet slightly and unhook the bonnet support. Press the bonnet
prop into the bracket provided. 
146General Maintenance

Vehicles with a START-STOP system are fitted with a battery control unit for
checking the energy level for the recurring engine start.
We recommend that you have the acid level checked regularly by a specialist garage, especially in the following cases.
› High external temperatures.
› Longer day trips.
› After each charge.
Winter time
The vehicle battery only has some of its starting power at low temperatures. A
discharged vehicle battery may freeze at temperatures just below 0 °C .
We therefore recommend that you have the battery checked and, if necessary,
recharged by a specialist garage before the start of the winter.
CAUTION
For technical reasons, on vehicles with the description “AGM”, the electrolyte
level cannot be checked.
Note
The battery acid level is also checked regularly by a specialist garage as part of
the inspection service.
Charging
Read and observe
and on page 153 first.
A properly charged vehicle battery is essential for reliably starting the engine.
›
Switch off the ignition and all of the electrical components.
›
Disconnect both battery cables (“negative” first, then “positive”) only when“rapid charging” the battery.
›
Attach the terminal clamps of the charger to the battery terminals (red =
“positive”, black = “negative”).
›
Plug the mains cable of the charger into the power socket and switch the
charger on.
›
Once charging is complete: Switch off the charger and remove the mains ca-
ble from the power socket.
›
Only then disconnect the charger's terminal clamps.
›
Reconnect the cables to the battery (first “positive”, then “negative”).
It is not necessary to disconnect the battery cables if you are recharging the
vehicle battery using low amperages (for example from a mini-charger). Refer
to the charger manufacturer's instructions .
A charging current of 0.1 multiple of the total vehicle battery capacity (or low-
er) must be used until full charging is achieved.
Both cables must be disconnected before charging the battery with high
amperages, known as “ rapid charging”.
The vent plugs of the vehicle battery should not be opened for charging.WARNING“Quick-charging” the vehicle battery is dangerous and requires a special
charger and specialist knowledge.
CAUTION
On vehicles with the START/STOP system, the pole terminal of the charger
must not be connected directly to the negative terminal of the vehicle battery,
but only to the engine earth » page 173, Jump-starting in vehicles with the
START-STOP system .
Note
We therefore recommend that vehicle batteries be rapid charged by a special-
ist garage.
Replacing
Read and observe
and on page 153 first.
The new vehicle battery must have the same capacity, voltage, current and
size as the original battery. Suitable vehicle battery types can be purchased
from a specialist garage.
We recommend having the battery replaced by a specialist garage, where the
new vehicle battery will be installed properly and the original battery will be
disposed of in accordance with national regulations.
Disconnecting or reconnecting
Read and observe
and on page 153 first.
The following functions are initially deactivated or are no longer able to oper-
ate faultlessly after the vehicle battery has been disconnected and reconnec-
ted. 
155Inspecting and replenishing

Spare and temporary spare wheelFig. 143
Fixing the spare or temporary
spare wheel
Read and observe and on page 156 first.
The spare wheel is located in a well under the floor covering in the boot and is
fixed in place with a special bolt » Fig. 143.
Taking the wheel out
›
Open the tailgate.
›
Lift up the floor in the luggage compartment.
›
Remove the box with the tool kit.
›
Unscrew the nut » Fig. 143 anticlockwise.
›
Take out the wheel.
Stowing the wheel
›
Place the wheel into the spare wheel well with the wheel rim pointing down-
ward.
›
Screw on the nut » Fig. 143 clockwise until the wheel is safely secured.
›
Replace the box with the tool kit into the spare wheel and secure it with the
tape.
›
Fold back the floor in the luggage compartment.
›
Close the boot lid.
Fit a wheel in the appropriate dimensions and design as soon as possible.
If the dimensions or design of the spare wheel differ from the tyres fitted to
the vehicle (e.g. winter tyres or low-profile tyres), it must only be used briefly
in the event of a puncture and if an appropriately cautious style of driving is
adopted »
.
Temporary spare wheel
A warning label is displayed on the rim of the temporary spare wheel.
Please note the following if you intend to use the temporary spare wheel.
› The warning label must not be covered after installing the wheel.
› Be particularly observant when driving.
› The temporary spare wheel is inflated to the maximum inflation pressure for
the vehicle » Fig. 141 on page 157 .
› Only use this temporary spare wheel to reach the nearest specialist garage,
since it is not intended for permanent use.WARNING■ Never drive with more than one temporary spare wheel mounted!■Only use the temporary spare wheel when absolutely necessary.■
Never use the temporary spare wheel if it is damaged.
■
If the dimensions or design of the temporary spare wheel differ from the
fitted tyres, never drive faster than 80 km/h (or 50 mph).
■
Avoid accelerating at full throttle, sharp braking and fast cornering.
■
The snow chains cannot be used on the temporary spare wheel.
■
Observe the instructions on the warning sticker on the temporary spare
wheel.
Full wheel trim
Read and observe
and on page 156 first.
Before removing the wheel bolts, remove the wheel cover.
Pulling off
›
Hook the clamp found in the vehicle tool kit » page 166 into the reinforced
edge of the wheel trim.
›
Push the wheel wrench through the clamp, support on the tyre and pull off
the wheel trim.
Fitting
›
Press the wheel trim onto the wheel rim at the designated valve opening.
›
Then press the trim into the wheel rim until its entire circumference locks
correctly in place. 
159Wheels