2014 SKODA ROOMSTER tow

Each kilogramme of weight increases the fuel consumption. Therefore we rec-
ommend to carry no unnecessary weight.
It is particularly in town traffic, when one is accelerating quite often, that the
vehicle weight will have a significant effect upon the fuel consumption. A rule
of thumb here is that an increase in weight of 100 kilograms will cause an in-
crease in fuel consumption of about 1 litre/100 kilometres.
At a speed of 100 - 120 km/h, a vehicle fitted with a roof rack cross member without a load will use about 10 % more fuel than normal due to the increased
aerodynamic drag.
Regular maintenance
Read and observe
on page 114 first.
A poorly tuned engine uses an unnecessarily high amount of fuel.
By having your vehicle regularly maintained by a specialist garage, you create
the conditions needed for economical driving. The maintenance state of your
vehicle has a positive effect on traffic safety and value retention
A poorly tuned engine can result in a fuel consumption which is 10 % higher than normal.
Check the oil level at regular intervals, e.g. when filling up. Oil consumption is
dependent to a considerable extent on the load and speed of the engine. Oil
consumption could be as high as 0.5 litres/1 000 km depending on your style
of driving.
It is quite normal that a new engine has a higher oil consumption at first, and
reaches its lowest level only after a certain running in time. The oil consump-
tion of a new vehicle can therefore only be correctly assessed after driving
about 5 000 km.
For the sake of the environment
■ Additional improvements to the fuel economy can be made by using synthet-
ic high-lubricity oils.■
Regularly check the ground under the vehicle. Have your vehicle inspected by
a specialist garage if you find any stains caused by oil or other fluids on the
ground.
Note
We recommend that your vehicle be serviced on a regular basis by a ŠKODA
service partner.Saving electrical energy
Read and observe
on page 114 first.
When the engine is running, the alternator generates and supplies electricalpower. If more electrical components of the electrical system are switched on,
more fuel is needed to operate the alternator. We therefore recommend
switching off electrical components if these are no longer required.
Environmental compatibility
Read and observe
on page 114 first.
Environmental protection has played a major role in the design, material selec-
tion and production of your new ŠKODA. Particular emphasis has been placed
on the following points.
Design measures › Joints designed to be easily detached.
› Simplified disassembly due to the modular structure system.
› Improved purity of different classes of materials.
› Identification of all plastic parts in accordance with VDA Recommendation
260.
› Reduced fuel consumption and exhaust emission CO
2.
› Minimum fuel leakage during accidents.
› Reduced noise.
Choice of materials
› Extensive use of recyclable material.
› Air conditioning filled with CFC-free refrigerant.
› No cadmium.
› No asbestos.
› Reduction in the “vaporisation” of plastics.
Manufacture
› Solvent-free cavity protection.
› Solvent-free protection of the vehicle for transportation from the production
plant to the customer.
› The use of solvent-free adhesives.
› No CFCs used in the production process.
› Without use of mercury.
› Use of water-soluble paints. 
116Driving

WARNING■The parking aid is not a substitute for the driver paying proper attention
and it is always the driver's responsibility to take care when reversing the
vehicle or carrying out similar manoeuvres. Pay particular attention to small
children and animals as they are not recognised by the parking aid sensors.■
Before reversing, you should make sure that there are no small obstacles,
such as rocks, thin posts, trailer drawbars etc. behind your vehicle. Such ob-
stacles may not be recognised by the parking aid sensors.
■
Under certain circumstances, surfaces of certain objects and types of
clothing cannot reflect the system signals. Thus, these objects or people
who wear such clothing are not recognised by the System sensors.
■
External sound sources can have a detrimental effect on the system. Un-
der adverse conditions, this may cause objects or people to not be recog-
nised by the system.
CAUTION
■ 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. Have
the fault rectified by a specialist garage.■
The sensors must be kept clean (free of ice, etc.) to enable the parking aid to
operate properly.
■
Under adverse weather conditions (heavy rain, water vapour, very low or
high temperatures etc.), the system function may be limited - “incorrect recog-
nition of obstacle”.
■
Additionally fitted modules, such as a bicycle rack, can impair the function of
the parking aid.
Function
Fig. 118
Parking aid: Range of sensors
Read and observe and on page 121 first.
The parking aid (referred to below solely as system) only works when the igni- tion is switched on.
The system supports the driver via audible signals, via the display on the radio
or via the factory-installed navigation system when parking and manoeu-
vring » Radio user guide, Navigation system user guide.
The system uses ultrasound waves to calculate the distance between the
bumper and an obstacle. The ultrasonic sensors are integrated in the rear
bumper.
Range of sensors
The clearance warning begins at a distance of about 160 cm from the obstacle
(area
A
» Fig. 118 ). The interval between the warning signals becomes shorter
as the clearance is reduced.
A continuous tone sounds from a distance of approx. 30 cm (area
B
) - danger
area. You should not reverse any further after this signal sounds!
On vehicles with a factory-fitted towing device, the border of the danger area
starts (continuous tone) 5 cm further away from the vehicle. The length of the
vehicle can be increased with an installed detachable towing device.
Activation/deactivation
Read and observe
and on page 121 first.
The system is activated automatically by engaging reverse gear. This is con-
firmed by a brief audible signal.
The system is deactivated by disengaging reverse gear.
Note
The system cannot be activated on vehicles with a factory-fitted towing device
when towing a trailer.
Cruise Control System
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Storing a speed
122
Changing a stored speed
122


121Assist systems

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

The towed weight comprises the actual weights of the (loaded) towing vehicle
and the (loaded) trailer.
The trailer and drawbar load information on the type plate of the towing
equipment are merely test data for the towing equipment. The vehicle-specific
values are detailed in the vehicle documents.WARNING■ The maximum permissible axle and drawbar load and the permissible
weight of the trailer must not exceed - this could cause an accident!■
A sliding cargo can significantly adversely affect stability and driving safe-
ty - there is a risk of accident!
Towing a trailer
Driving speed
For safety reasons, do not drive faster than 80 km/h when towing a trailer.
Immediately reduce your speed as soon as even the slightest swaying of the
trailer is detected. Never attempt to stop the trailer from “swaying” by acceler-
ating.
Brakes
Apply the brakes in good time! If the trailer is fitted with a trailer brake, apply
the brakes gently at first, then brake firmly. This will avoid brake jolts resulting
from the trailer wheels locking.
On downhill sections shift down a gear in good time to also use the engine as
a brake.
Engine overheating
The speed must be reduced immediately if the needle for the coolant tempera-
ture gauge moves into the right-hand area or the red area of the scale.
Stop and switch off the engine if the warning light  in the instrument cluster
starts to flash. Wait a few minutes and check the level of coolant » page 151,
Checking the coolant level .
Further information » page 41,

 Coolant
.
The coolant temperature can be reduced by switching on the heating.
WARNING■ Always drive particularly carefully with the trailer.■Adapt your speed to the conditions of the road surface and to the traffic
situation.
Note
If you tow a trailer frequently, you should also have your vehicle inspected be-
tween service intervals.
Anti-theft alarm system
When the vehicle is locked, the alarm is activated when the electrical connec-
tion to the trailer is interrupted.
Always switch off the anti-theft alarm system before a trailer is coupled or un-
coupled » page 53 .
Conditions for including a trailer in the anti-theft alarm system. The vehicle is factory-fitted with an anti-theft alarm system and towing
equipment.
The trailer is electrically connected to the towing vehicle by means of the
trailer socket.
The electrical system of the vehicle and trailer is functional.
The vehicle is locked with the vehicle key and the anti-theft alarm system
is activated.
CAUTION
For technical reasons, trailers with rear LED lights cannot be connected to the
anti-theft alarm system.131Hitch and trailer