2014 SKODA SUPERB tow bar

Towing a trailer
Towing device
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Description
163
Adjusting the ready position
164
Fitting the ball head
164
Check proper fitting
165
Removing the ball head
165
Use and care
166
If your vehicle has already been factory-fitted with a towing device or is fitted
with a towing device from ŠKODA Original Accessories, then it meets all of the
technical requirements and national legal regulations for towing a trailer.
Your vehicle is fitted with a 13-pin power socket for the electrical connection
between the vehicle and trailer. If the trailer that is to be towed has a 7-pin
connector , you can use a suitable adapter from ŠKODA Original Accessories.
The maximum trailer drawbar load is 80 kg.
WARNING■
Check that the tow bar is seated correctly and is secured in the mounting
recess before the start of every journey.■
Do not use the tow bar if it is not correctly inserted and secured in the
mounting recess.
■
Do not use the towing device if it is damaged or if there are parts missing.
■
Do not modify or adapt the towing device in any way.
■
Never release the tow bar while the trailer is still coupled.
CAUTION
Take care when handling the tow bar so as to avoid damaging the paintwork
on the bumper.DescriptionFig. 153
Carrier for the towing device/tow bar
Read and observe
and on page 163 first.
The tow bar can be removed and is kept in the spare wheel compartment or in
a compartment for the spare wheel in the boot » page 201, Vehicle tool kit .
Image description » Fig. 153
13-pin power socket
Safety eyelet
Mounting recess
Cap
Dust cap
Tow ball
Operating lever
Lock cap
Release pin
Key
Locking ball
Note
If you lose the key, please get in touch with a specialist garage.1234567891011163Towing a trailer

Adjusting the ready positionFig. 154
Setting the ready position/ready position
Read and observe
and on page 163 first.
Always adjust the ball head in the ready position before fitting.
›
Turn the key
1
so that its red marking is visible » Fig. 154.
›
Grip the tow bar below the protective cap
2
.
›
Press the release pin
3
in the direction of the arrow to the stop, and simul-
taneously push the lever
4
downwards in the direction of the arrow to the
stop.
The lever remains locked in this position.
CAUTION
In the ready position, the key cannot be removed nor turned to a different po-
sition.Fitting the ball headFig. 155
Insert the ball head/lock the lock, and put the lock cover on
Read and observe
and on page 163 first.
›
Pull cap
4
» Fig. 153 on page 163 downwards.
›
Put the tow bar in the ready position » page 164.
›
Grip the tow bar from underneath » Fig. 155 and insert into the mounting re-
cess until you hear it click into place » .
The lever
1
automatically turns upwards and the release pin
2
pops out (its
red and green parts are visible) » .
If the lever
1
does not turn automatically, or if the release pin
2
does not
pop out, remove the tow bar from the mounting recess by turning the lever
downwards as far as it can go. Clean the tapered surfaces on the tow bar and
the mounting recess.
›
Lock the lock on the operating lever by turning the key
3
by 180° to the
right (see green marking 3 is visible) and remove the key in the direction of
the arrow.
›
Insert the cap
4
onto the lock in the direction of the arrow » .
›
Check that the tow bar is securely attached » page 165.
WARNING■
Keep your hands outside the lever's range of motion when attaching the
tow bar – risk of finger injuries!■
Never attempt to pull the operating lever upwards forcibly to turn the
key. Doing so would mean the ball head is not attached correctly. 
164Driving

CAUTION■After removing the key, always replace the cap on the lock of the operating
lever – risk of dirt getting into the lock.■
Keep the mounting recess of the towing equipment clean at all times. Such
dirt prevents the ball head from being attached securely.
■
After removing the ball head, always place the cap on the mounting recess.
Check proper fitting
Fig. 156
Check that the tow bar is attach-
ed properly
Read and observe and on page 163 first.
Check that the tow bar is fitted properly before each use.
Check the following points. Lever
1
is up as far as it goes » Fig. 156.
The release pin
2
is completely exposed (both its red and green parts are
visible).
The key is removed.
The cap
3
is on the lock of the operating lever.
The tow bar does not come out of the mounting recess even after heavy
“shaking”.
WARNINGDo not use the towing device unless the tow bar has been properly locked!Removing the ball headFig. 157
Unlock the operating lever of the ball head/removing the ball
head
Read and observe
and on page 163 first.
›
Remove the cap
1
» Fig. 157 from the lock on the tow bar in the direction of
the arrow.
›
Unlock the lock on the operating lever by turning the key
2
180° to the left
so that the red marking becomes visible.
›
Grasp the ball head from underneath.
›
Press the release pin
3
in the direction of the arrow to the stop, and simul-
taneously push the lever
4
downwards in the direction of the arrow to the
stop.
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 tow bar latches into the ready position and is therefore
ready to be re-inserted into the mounting recess »
.
›
Place the cap
4
» Fig. 153 on page 163 onto the mounting recess.
WARNINGNever allow the tow bar to remain unsecured in the boot. This could cause
boot damage on sudden braking, and could put the safety of the occupants
at risk. 165Towing a trailer

CAUTION■If the lever is held firm 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 tow bar will then need to be brought into this position before the
next time it is fitted.■
Stow the ball head in the ready position with the key inserted in the box.
When doing so, make the side opposite to the inserted key face downwards –
there is a risk of damaging the key.
■
Do not use excessive force when handling the operating lever (e.g. do not
step on it).
Note
■ We recommend putting the protective cover onto the ball head before re-
moving the tow bar.■
Clean any dirt from the tow bar before stowing it away in the box with the
vehicle tool kit.
Use and care
Read and observe
and on page 163 first.
Close the mounting recess with the cover to prevent any dirt from getting in.
Always check the tow bar before hitching a trailer. Apply suitable grease
where necessary.
Use the protective cover when stowing away the tow bar, in order to stop the
boot from getting dirty.
In the event of dirt, clean the surfaces of the mounting recess and treat with a
suitable preservative.
CAUTION
Apply grease to the upper part of the mounting recess. Make sure you do not
remove any grease.
Trailer
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Loading a trailer
166
Driving with a trailer
167Trailer stabilisation (TSA)168Anti-theft alarm system168WARNINGAlways drive particularly carefully with the trailer.
Loading a trailer
Read and observe
on page 166 first.
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 194,
Service life of tyres .
Trailer load
The permissible trailer load must not be exceeded under any circumstan- ces » page 224 , Technical data .
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 vehicle's climbing
power. Therefore, for every additional 1000 m in height (or part), the maximum
permissible towed weight must be reduced by 10%.
The towed weight is made up of the actual weights of the loaded towing vehi-
cle and the loaded trailer.
The trailer and drawbar load information on the type plate of the towing de-
vice is merely a test value for the towing device. The vehicle-specific values
are detailed in the vehicle documents. 
166Driving

WARNING■Do not exceed the maximum permissible axle and drawbar load and the
maximum permissible total or towed weight of the vehicle and the trailer –
risk of accident and serious injury.■
Slipping loads can significantly impair the stability and safety of the vehi-
cle/trailer combination – risk of accident and serious injury.
Driving with a trailer
Fig. 158
Swivel out the 13-pin power
socket
Read and observe on page 166 first.
Before the journey
›
Grip the 13-pin socket at point
A
and swing out in the direction of ar-
row » Fig. 158 .
›
Lift off protective cap
5
» Fig. 153 on page 163 .
After the journey
›
Grip the 13-pin socket at point
A
and swing in the opposite direction to the
arrow » Fig. 158 .
›
Place the protective cover
5
» Fig. 153 on page 163 onto the tow bar.
Safety eyelet
The purpose of the safety eyelet
B
» Fig. 158 is to attach the breakaway cable
of the trailer.
When attaching the breakaway cable to the safety eyelet, it must sag freely
against the vehicle in all trailer positions (sharp bends, in reverse etc.).
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 may lift up when a trailer is being towed and the head-
lights may dazzle other road users.
Adjust the headlights using the headlight beam control » page 66, Parking and
low beam lights .
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 indicator light  in the instrument cluster
lights up. Wait a few minutes and check the level of coolant » page 188,
Checking the coolant level .
The following guidelines must be observed » page 34,
 Coolant
.
The coolant temperature can be reduced by switching on the heating.WARNING■ Never use the safety eyelet for towing!■Adapt your speed to the conditions of the road surface and to the traffic
situation.■
Improper or incorrectly connected electric cables can energise the trailer
and cause functional faults to the vehicle's entire electrical system as well
as accidents and severe injuries.
■
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. 
167Towing a trailer

Note■After coupling the trailer and connecting the power socket, check that the
rear lights on the trailer are working correctly.■
If there is an error in the trailer lighting, check the fuses in the fuse box in
the dash panel » page 216.
■
Contact between the breakaway cable and the safety eyelet can result in
mechanical wear on the surface protection of the eyelet. Such wear does not
impair the functioning of the safety eyelet and does not constitute a fault. It is
excluded from the warranty coverage.
■
If you tow a trailer frequently, you should also have your vehicle inspected
between service intervals.
■
The handbrake on the towing vehicle must be applied when coupling and un-
coupling the trailer.
Trailer stabilisation (TSA)
Read and observe
on page 166 first.
The trailer stabilisation is an extension of the stabilisation control that works
in conjunction with the counter-steering assistance to reduce the amount the
trailer "sways".
After turning on the ignition, the ESC indicator light  in the instrument clus-
ter lights up for about 2 seconds longer than the ABS indicator light.
Function requirements for trailer stabilisation. The coupling device was factory-fitted or purchased from the ŠKODA Origi-
nal Accessories.
The ESC is active. (Warning lights  or
 do
not illuminate in the instru-
ment cluster).
The trailer is electrically connected to the towing vehicle via the trailer
socket.
The speed is higher than approx. 60 km/h.
The trailer has a rigid drawbar.
WARNINGThe increased safety offered by the trailer stabilisation must not tempt you to take greater risks than otherwise.CAUTION■ The trailer stabilisation need not be able to correctly detect all of driving sit-
uations.■
Light trailers that sway are not always detected and therefore stabilised ac-
cordingly by the trailer stabilisation.
■
Release the pressure on the accelerator pedal if the system is being regula-
ted.
■
Avoid abrupt and sudden driving/braking manoeuvres.
Note
The trailer stabilisation works for both braked and unbraked trailers.
Anti-theft alarm system
Read and observe
on page 166 first.
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 54 .
Conditions for including a trailer in the anti-theft alarm system. The vehicle is factory-fitted with an anti-theft alarm system and towing
device.
The trailer is electrically connected to the towing vehicle via 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.
Note
For technical reasons, trailers with rear LED lights cannot be connected to the
anti-theft alarm system.168Driving

WARNINGNotes for vehicle lifting■If the wheel has to be changed on a slope, first of all block the opposite
wheel with a stone or similar object to prevent the vehicle from unexpect-
edly rolling away.■
Secure the base plate of the lifting jack with suitable means to prevent
possible moving. A soft and slippery ground under the base plate may move
the lifting jack, causing the vehicle to fall down. It is therefore always nec-
essary to place the lifting jack on a solid surface or use a wide and stable
base. Use a non-slip base (e.g. a rubber foot mat) if the surface is smooth,
such as cobbled stones, tiled floor, etc.
■
Only attach the lifting jack to the attachment points provided for this pur-
pose.
■
Always raise the vehicle with the doors closed.
■
Never position any body parts, such as arms or legs under the vehicle,
while the vehicle is raised with a lifting jack.
■
Never start the engine when the vehicle is raised – risk of injury.
WARNINGInformation on the wheel bolts■The wheel bolts must be clean and must turn easily. Never treat them
with grease or oil.■
The prescribed tightening torque of the wheel bolts for steel and light al-
loy wheels is 120 Nm.
■
If the wheel bolts are tightened to a too low tightening torque, the rims
could come loose when the car is moving – risk of accident! A tightening
torque which is too high can damage the bolts and threads and this can re-
sult in permanent deformation of the contact surfaces on the rims.
■
In case of incorrect treatment of the wheel bolts, the wheel can loosen
when the car is moving – risk of accident!
Note
The national legal requirements must be observed when changing a wheel.
Preliminary work
Read and observe
on page 201 first.
Always change a wheel on a level surface as far as possible.
The following steps must be carried out before actually changing the wheel:
› Have
all the occupants get out. The passengers should not stand on the
road (instead they should remain behind a crash barrier, for instance) while
the wheel is being changed.›
Switch off the engine.
›
Move the gearshift lever into Neutral or move the selector lever for the auto-
matic gearbox into position P .
›
Apply the handbrake firmly.
›
Uncouple a trailer.
›
Remove the vehicle tool kit » page 201 and the spare wheel » page 197 from
the boot.
Changing a wheel
Read and observe
on page 201 first.
›
Remove the full wheel trim » page 198 or caps » page 198 .
›
First of all slacken the anti-theft wheel bolt and then the other wheel
bolts » page 203 .
›
Jack up the vehicle until the wheel that needs changing is clear of the
ground » page 203 .
›
Unscrew the wheel bolts and place them on a clean surface (cloth, paper,
etc.).
›
Remove the wheel carefully.
›
Attach the spare wheel and slightly screw on the wheel bolts.
›
Lower the vehicle.
›
Alternately tighten wheel bolts opposite (diagonally) with the wheel wrench.
Tighten the anti-theft wheel bolt last » page 203.
›
Replace the wheel trim or the caps.
Note
■
All bolts must be clean and must turn easily.■Under no circumstances grease or oil the wheel bolts!■
When fitting unidirectional tyres, ensure that the direction of rotation is cor-
rect » page 193 .
Follow-up work
Read and observe
on page 201 first.
The following steps must also be performed after changing the wheel.
›
Stow and attach the replaced wheel in the spare wheel well using a special
bolt » page 197 . 
202Do-it-yourself

Negative cable - colour coding in the majority of cases is black.
Jump-starting in vehicles with the START-STOP system
Fig. 183
Engine earth: START-STOP sys-
tem
Read and observe and on page 207 first.
On vehicles with the START-STOP system, the jump-start cable of the charger
must never be connected directly to the negative pole of the vehicle battery,
but only to the engine earth » Fig. 183.
Jump-starting vehicles with the vehicle battery in the boot
Fig. 184
Detail of the engine compart-
ment: Jump-starting point
Read and observe and on page 207 first.
On vehicles with the vehicle battery in the boot, the positive terminal of the
battery supplying the power can only be connected to the jump-starting point
in the engine compartment of the vehicle being started by means of a jump-
start cable » Fig. 184.
›
Open the protective cap of the jump-starting point in the direction of the ar-
row » Fig. 184 .
›
Connect the positive terminal of the battery supplying the power with the
jump-starting point.
› Attach the negative terminal of the battery supplying the power to a solid
metal part firmly connected to the engine block or to the engine block itself.›
Start the engine.
›
After starting the engine, close the protective cap of the jump-starting point.
Towing the vehicle
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Front towing eye
209
Rear towing eye
210
Vehicles with a tow hitch
210
Vehicles with manual transmission may be towed in with a tow bar or a tow
rope or with the front or rear wheels raised.
Vehicles with automatic transmission may be towed in with a tow bar or a tow
rope or with the front wheels raised. If the vehicle is raised at rear, the auto-
matic gearbox is damaged!
A tow bar is the safest way of towing a vehicle and also minimises any shocks.
Only use a tow rope if a suitable tow bar is not available.
When towing, the following guidelines must be observed.
Driver of the tow vehicle
›
Release the clutch particularly gently when starting off or depress the accel-
erator particularly gently if the vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.
›
On vehicles with a manual transmission, only push down on the accelerator
pedal once the rope is taught.
The maximum towing speed is 50 km/h.
Driver of the towed vehicle
›
Switch on the ignition so that the steering wheel is not locked and so that
the turn signal lights, horn, windscreen wipers and windscreen washer sys-
tem can be used.
›
Take the vehicle out of gear or move the selector lever into position N if the
vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.
Please note that the brake servo unit and power steering only operate if the
engine is running. If the engine is not running, significantly more physical force
is required to depress the brake pedal and steer the vehicle. 
208Do-it-yourself