
The gearbox shifts down one or more gears depending on the vehicle speed
and engine speed, and the vehicle accelerates.
The gearbox does not shift up into the highest gear until the engine has
reached its maximum revolutions for this gear range.WARNINGRapid acceleration, particularly on slippery roads, can lead to loss of vehicle
control – risk of accident!
Running-in and economical driving
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Running-in
83
Tips for economical driving
83
The fuel consumption, degree of pollution and vehicle wear depend on driving
style, road condition, weather conditions and the like.
Running-in
Driving in the engine
The engine has to be run in during the first 1 500 kilometres. During this peri-
od, the driving style decides on the quality of the driving-in process.
During the first 1 000 km we recommend not driving faster than 3/4 of the
maximum permissible engine speed, not to drive at full throttle and to dis-
pense with the trailer.
In the area of 1,000 to 1,500 kilometres the engine load can be increased up
to the maximum permitted engine speed.
New tyres
New tyres must firstly be “run in” since they do not offer optimal grip at first.
Therefore, drive especially carefully for the first 500 km or so.
New brake pads
New brake pads have to first “grind in” because these do not initially have the
best possible braking effect.
Therefore, drive especially carefully for the first 200 km or so.
Tips for economical driving
To achieve the lowest possible fuel consumption, the following instructions
must be observed.
Looking ahead when driving
Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking.
Switch in an energy saving and timely manner Observe the recommended gear » page 30.
Avoid full throttle and high speeds
Fuel consumption can be reduced by half if only three-quarters of the possible
top speed of your vehicle is used.
Reducing idling
If the vehicle is fitted with the START - STOP system there is an automatic re-
duction of the idling. If the engine is stopped on vehicles without START-STOP
system, such as when waiting in a traffic jam, the fuel economy is already
greater after 30 - 40 s than the fuel quantity which is required for engine re-
start.
Avoid short distances
When driving a short distance of less than about 4 km, the engine cannot
reach its operating temperature. As long as the engine has not reached oper-
ating temperature, the fuel consumption is significantly higher than with the
engine hot.
Pay attention to the correct tyre inflation pressure being maintained
Further information » page 117.
Avoid unnecessary ballast
Per 100 kg of weight, consumption increases by about 0.3 l/100 km. 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.
Saving electricity
Only turn on electrical consumers (e.g. seat, window and mirror heating and
similar) for as long as necessary.
Use the cooling system economically
The air conditioning system compressor uses power from the engine when in
cooling mode, which will affect the fuel consumption. 83Starting-off and Driving

It recommended to open the windows or the doors of a vehicle for which the
interior has been strongly heated through the effect of direct sunlight in order
to allow the heated air to escape.
The cooling system should not be on if the windows are open.
Avoiding damage to your vehicle
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Driving Tips
84
Driving through water
84
This section of the manual contains important information on preventing dam-
age to the vehicle while driving.
Driving Tips
Only drive on such roads and in such terrain, which match the vehicle parame-
ters » page 142 , Technical data as well as your driving skills.
The driver is always responsible for deciding whether the vehicle can handle
travelling in the given terrain.
WARNING■ Always adjust your driving to the current terrain and weather conditions.
Excessive speed or incorrect driving manoeuvres can cause damage to the
vehicle and lead to serious injuries.■
Combustible objects such as dry leaves or twigs caught under the base of
the vehicle could ignite on hot vehicle parts - risk of fire!
CAUTION
■ Pay attention to the ground clearance of the vehicle! When driving over ob-
jects which are larger than the ground clearance, the vehicle can get damaged.■
Any objects that get trapped under the vehicle floor must be removed as
soon as possible. These objects can damage the fuel lines, the brake system,
seals and other parts of the vehicle.
■
Drive slowly in unknown terrain and watch out for unexpected obstacles,
such as potholes, rocks, stumps, etc.
■
Check up on confusing sections of unpaved roads before travelling on them
and consider whether such travelling is possible without risk.
Driving through waterFig. 96
Maximum permissible water lev-
el when driving through water
The following instructions must be observed if vehicle damage is to be avoided
when driving through water (e.g. flooded roads).
›
Therefore determine the depth of the water before driving through bodies of
water.
The water level must not reach above the web of the lower beam » Fig. 96.
›
Do not drive any faster than at a walking speed.
At a higher speed, a water wave can form in front of the vehicle, which can
cause water to penetrate into the engine's air induction system or other parts
of the vehicle.
›
Never stop in the water, do not reverse and do not switch the engine off.
CAUTION
■ Should water penetrate into the intake system of the engine, there is a
threat of serious damage being incurred by the engine parts!■
When driving through water, some vehicle parts such as chassis, electrics or
transmission can be severely damaged.
■
Oncoming vehicles can generate water waves which can exceed the permis-
sible water level for your vehicle.
■
Potholes, mud or rocks can be hidden under the water, making it difficult or
impossible to drive through the body of water.
■
Do not drive through salt water, as the salt can cause corrosion. An vehicle
coming into contact with salt water is to be thoroughly rinsed with fresh wa-
ter.
84Driving

Clean wheels, door sills and similar parts last. Use a second sponge for such
areas.
Give the vehicle a good rinse after washing it and dry it off using a chamois
leather.WARNINGProtect your hands and arms from sharp-edged metal parts when cleaning
the underfloor or the inside of the wheel housings or the wheel trims – risk
of cuts!
CAUTION
■ Only apply slight pressure when cleaning the vehicle's paintwork.■Do not wash your vehicle in bright sunlight – risk of paint damage.
Automatic car wash systems
Read and observe
and on page 95 first.
The usual precautionary measures must be taken before washing the vehicle
in an automatic car wash system (e.g. closing the windows and the sliding/tilt-
ing roof etc.).
If your vehicle is fitted with any particular attached parts, such as a spoiler,
roof rack system etc., it is best to consult the operator of the car wash system
beforehand.
After an automatic wash with wax treatment, the lips of the wipers should be
cleaned with cleaning agents specially designed for the purpose, and then de-
greased.
CAUTION
■ Before driving through a car wash fold in the exterior mirrors - there is a risk
of damage.■
Before driving through a car wash unscrew the antenna - there is a risk of
damage.
Washing the vehicle with high-pressure cleaners
Read and observe
and on page 95 first.
When washing the vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner, the instructions foruse of the equipment must be observed. This applies in particular to the pres-
sure used and to the spraying distance .
Maintain a sufficiently large distance to the parking aid sensors and soft mate-
rials such as rubber hoses or insulation material.
CAUTION
■ The films should not be washed with any high-pressure cleaners - there is
risk of damage » page 97.■
Do not aim the water jet directly at the lock cylinders or the door or opening
joints when washing the vehicle in the winter – there is a risk of freezing.
■
The sensors of the parking aid can be sprayed only for a short time and there
must be a minimum distance of 10 cm - there is a risk of damage.
Cleaning vehicle exterior
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Vehicle paintwork
97
Films
97
Plastic parts
98
Rubber seals
98
Chrome and anodized parts
98
Windows and external mirrors
98
Headlight glasses
98
Door closing cylinder
99
Cavity protection
99
Jack
99
Wheels
99
Under-body protection
99
Wiper blades
100
We recommend using vehicle care products from ŠKODA Original Accessories.
These are available from ŠKODA Partners. The usage instructions on the pack-
age must be observed.
96General Maintenance

WARNING■Vehicle care products may be harmful to your health if not used according
to the instructions.■
Always keep the vehicle care products safe from people who are not com-
pletely independent, e.g. children - there is a danger of poisoning!
■
Protect your hands and arms from sharp-edged metal parts when clean-
ing the underfloor, the inside of the wheel housings or the wheel trims –
risk of cuts!
CAUTION
■ Do not use any insect sponges, rough kitchen sponges or similar cleaning
products – risk of damaging the paintwork surface.■
Cleaner that contain solvents can damage the material being cleaned.
Note
Due to the special tools and knowledge required, and to avoid any potential
problems with the cleaning and care of your vehicle's exterior, we recommend
that the cleaning and care of your vehicle be carried out by a ŠKODA Service
Partner.
Vehicle paintwork
Read and observe
and on page 97 first.
Preserving the vehicle paintwork
A thorough wax treatment provides the vehicle's paintwork with highly effec-
tive protection against harmful environmental influences.
The vehicle must be treated with a high-quality hard wax polish at the latest, when no more drops form on the clean paintwork.
A new layer of a high-quality hard wax polish can be applied to the clean body- work after it has dried thoroughly.
Even if you use a wax preserver regularly we still recommend that you treat
the paintwork of the vehicle at least twice a year with hard wax.
Polishing
Polishing is necessary if the vehicle's paintwork has become unattractive and
if it is no longer possible to achieve a gloss with wax preservatives.
If the polish does not contain any preserving elements, the paint must be trea- ted with a preservative afterwards.
CAUTION■ Paint damage is to be repaired immediately.■Never apply wax to the windows.■
Mat painted or plastic parts must not be treated with polishing products or
hard waxes.
■
Do not polish the paintwork in a dusty environment - risk of paint scratches.
■
Do not apply any paint care products to door seals or window guides.
■
If possible, do not apply any paint care products to parts of the bodywork
that come into contact with door seals or window guides.
Films
Read and observe
and on page 97 first.
Cleaning
Films (eg. roofing, decorative, protective films and similar) require more careful
cleaning than paintwork cleaning.
The films may not be washed with a high-pressure cleaner.
Wash the films only with a soft sponge, mild soap solution and clean, warm
water.
Life
Environmental influences (eg. sunlight, humidity, air pollution, chipping) will af-
fect the life of the films.
The sunlight may also affect the strength of the film colour.
Films will age and become brittle - this is entirely normal; this is not a fault.
CAUTION
■ Never use aggressive cleaning agents or chemical solvents for the glued sur-
faces with films - there is a danger of film damage.■
Never use dirty cloths or chemical solvents for the glued surfaces with films -
there is a danger of damaging the film.
■
In the winter months, do not use an ice scraper to remove ice and snow from
the areas with films. Do not use any other objects to remove frozen layers of
snow or ice – risk of film damage.
■
Do not polish the films - risk of damage!
■
When transporting a load on the roof rack (e.g. roof box or similar) there is an
increased risk of film damage (e.g. of chipping from the secured load).
97Care and maintenance

Plastic partsRead and observe
and on page 97 first.
Clean plastic parts with a damp cloth.
If this method does not completely clean the plastic parts, use cleaning prod-
ucts specially designed for this purpose.
CAUTION
Do not use paint care products on plastic parts.
Rubber seals
Read and observe
and on page 97 first.
All door seals and window guides are factory-treated with a colourless matt
varnish layer to prevent the freezing of painted body parts and to protect
against driving noise.
CAUTION
■ Do not treat the door seals and window guides with any products.■Applying additional treatments to the seals can corrode the protective coat-
ing, and driving noise may occur.
Chrome and anodized parts
Read and observe
and on page 97 first.
First clean the chrome parts and anodized parts with a damp cloth and then
polish them with a soft, dry cloth.
If this method does not completely clean the parts, use cleaning products spe-
cially designed for this purpose.
CAUTION
■ Do not polish the chrome parts and anodized parts in a dusty environment -
risk of surface scratches.■
Never use aggressive cleaning agents or chemical solvents for these parts -
there is risk of damage.
Windows and external mirrors
Read and observe
and on page 97 first.
Removing snow and ice
Use a plastic ice scraper for removing snow and ice from the windows and mir-
rors.
Cleaning windows
Regularly clean windows from the inside with clean water.
Dry the glass surfaces with a clean chamois leather or a cloth intended for this
purpose.
CAUTION
Instructions for removing snow and ice■The ice scraper should not be moved forward and backward but in one direc-
tion to avoid any damage to the surface of the glass.■
Snow or ice that is contaminated with coarse dirt such as fine gravel, sand or
salt must not be removed from the windows and mirrors – there is a risk of
damage to the surface of the windows and mirrors.
■
Do not remove snow or ice from glass parts using warm or hot water – risk of
cracks forming in the glass.
■
Make sure that when removing snow and ice from the windows, the labels
attached to the vehicle by the factory are not damaged.
CAUTION
Information for cleaning windows■Do not clean the inside of the windows with sharp-edged objects or corro-
sive and acidic cleaning agents – there is a risk of damaging the heating ele-
ments or window aerial.■
When drying the windows after washing the vehicle, do not use window
leathers that have been used to polish the bodywork. Residues of preserva-
tives in the window leather can make the window dirty and reduce visibility.
Headlight glasses
Read and observe
and on page 97 first.
Clean plastic front headlight lenses using clean, warm water and soap.
98General Maintenance

Engine compartment overviewFig. 107
Principle sketch: Engine compartment
Read and observe
and on page 106 first.
Layout of the engine compartment » Fig. 107
Engine oil dipstick
109
Brake fluid reservoir
112
Vehicle battery
112
Engine oil filler opening
110
Coolant expansion reservoir
111
Windscreen washer fluid reservoir
108
Radiator fan
Read and observe
and on page 106 first.
The radiator fan is powered by an electric motor. Operation is controlled ac-
cording to the temperature of the coolant.
WARNINGAfter switching off the ignition, the fan may intermittently continue to op-
erate for approx. 10 minutes.ABCDEFWindscreen washer systemFig. 108
Windscreen washer fluid reser-
voir
Read and observe and on page 106 first.
The windscreen washer fluid reservoir
A
is located in the engine compart-
ment » Fig. 108 .
The cleaning fluid is provided for the cleaning of the front and rear window.
The capacity of the tank is about 3 litres.
Water alone is not sufficient to intensively clean the windscreen. We recom- mend using clean water together with a screen cleaner from the range of
ŠKODA Original Accessories (with antifreeze in winter), which will remove any
stubborn dirt.
Under exceptional circumstances, methylated spirits can also be used if no
screen cleaner with antifreeze is available. The concentration of methylated
spirits must not be more than 15 %. The freeze protection at this concentration
is sufficient only to -5 °C.
CAUTION
■ Under no circumstances must radiator antifreeze or other additives be added
to the windscreen washer fluid.■
Do not remove the filter from the windscreen washer fluid reservoir when re-
filling, as this may cause contamination of the liquid transportation system,
leading in turn to a windscreen washer system malfunction.
108General Maintenance

WARNING■When you charge a battery, hydrogen is released, and a highly explosive
gas mixture is also produced. An explosion can be caused through sparkling
over during unclamping or loosening of the cable plug while the ignition is
on.■
Creating a bridge between the poles on the battery (e.g. with metal ob-
jects - cables) creates a short circuit - risk of damage to the battery, explo-
sion and burning of the battery, jets of acid spurting out.
■
Avoid creating sparks when working with cables and electrical devices.
Strong sparking represents a risk of injury.
■
Before carrying out any work on the electrical system, switch off the en-
gine, the ignition and all electrical consumers and disconnect the negative
terminal
.
■
“Quick-charging” the vehicle battery is dangerous and requires a special
charger and specialist knowledge.
■
We therefore recommend that vehicle batteries be “rapidly charged” by a
specialist garage.
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 129.
Replace
Read and observe
and on page 113 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 you have the battery replaced by a specialist garage.
Disconnecting and reconnecting
Read and observe
and on page 113 first.
Disconnecting
›
Switch off the ignition.
›
Disconnect the negative terminal
first and then the positive
terminal of
the battery.
Connecting›Connect the positive terminal first, then the negative battery terminal.
After disconnecting and re-connecting the vehicle battery, the following func-
tions or devices are partially or completely inoperative.Function / deviceOperating measureRadioEnter code » Owner´s Manual
RadioTime settings» page 33
CAUTION
■ Disconnect the vehicle battery only with the ignition turned off - there is a
risk of damaging the electrical system of the vehicle.■
Under no circumstances must the battery cables be connected incorrectly –
risk of a cable fire.
Note
■ After disconnecting and re-connecting the vehicle battery, we recommend
having the vehicle checked by a specialist to ensure that the full functionality
of all electrical systems is guaranteed.■
The data of the multi-function display will be reset.
Automatic load deactivation
Read and observe
and on page 113 first.
The vehicle's electrical system automatically prevents the battery from dis-
charging when the battery is being heavily used. This manifests itself by the
following. ▶ The idling speed is raised to allow the generator to deliver more electricity to
the electrical system.
▶ Where necessary, large convenience consumers such as seat heaters and
rear window heaters have their power limited or are shut off completely in
the event of an emergency.
115Inspecting and replenishing

An emergency locking mechanism is located on the face side of the doors
which have no locking cylinder, it is only visible after opening the door.›
Remove the aperture
A
(applies to the rear door) » Fig. 129.
›
Insert the vehicle key into the slot and turn in the direction of the arrow
(sprung position).
›
Insert the aperture
A
(applies to the rear door).
Unlock the boot lid
Fig. 130
Unlocking the boot lid
The boot lid can be unlocked manually.
›
Fold the rear seat backrest forward » page 57.
›
Insert the vehicle key into the slot in the trim panel » Fig. 130 as far as it will
go.
›
Unlock the lid by moving it in the direction of the arrow.
›
Open the boot lid.
Replacing windscreen wiper blades
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Replacing the windscreen wiper blades
133
Replacing the rear window wiper blade
134WARNINGReplace the windscreen wiper blades once or twice a year for safety rea-
sons. These can be purchased from a ŠKODA Partner.Replacing the windscreen wiper bladesFig. 131
Setting the service position for
the wiper arms
Fig. 132
Windscreen wiper blade
Read and observe
on page 133 first.
Set the windscreen wiper arms to the service position before replacing the
windscreen wiper blades.
Service position for changing wiper blades
›
Closing the bonnet.
›
Switch the ignition on and off again.
›
Push the lever in the direction of the arrow » Fig. 131.
The windscreen wiper arms move into the service position.
Removing the wiper blade
›
Lift the wiper arm from the windscreen in the direction of arrow
1
» Fig. 132 .
›
Tilt the wiper blade as far as it will go in the same direction.
›
Hold the upper part of the wiper arm and press the securing mechanism
A
in the direction of arrow
2
.
›
Remove the wiper blade in the direction of the arrow
3
.
133Emergency equipment and self-help