2015 SKODA RAPID SPACEBACK ignition

It is often the case in countries with different climatic conditions that diesel
fuels available have a different temperature characteristic. ŠKODA Partners
and filling stations in the relevant country will be able to provide you with in-
formation regarding the diesel fuels available.
Diesel fuel additives
The diesel fuel in accordance with the prescribed standards meets all the con-
ditions for a smooth running engine. We therefore recommend that no diesel
fuel additives are used. This can result in considerable damage to parts of the
engine or the exhaust system.
CAUTION
■ Just filling the tank once with diesel fuel that does not comply with the
standard, can cause severe damage to parts of the engine, the fuel and ex-
haust system.■
If a different fuel other than diesel fuel, which complies to the above men-
tioned standards (e.g. petrol) is used, do not start the engine or switch on the
ignition! Extensive damage to engine parts can occur.
■
Water which has collected in the fuel filter can cause engine faults.
CAUTION
■ The vehicle cannot be operated with biofuel RME, therefore this fuel must
not be filled in the tank and used for driving the vehicle. The use of biofuel
RME can cause considerable damage to parts of the engine or fuel system.■
Do not mix any fuel additives, so-called “flow improvers” (petrol and similar
agents) into the diesel. This can result in considerable damage to parts of the
engine or the exhaust system.
Engine compartment
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Opening and closing the bonnet
144
Engine compartment overview
145
Radiator fan
145
Windscreen washer system
145WARNINGInjuries or scolding or risks of accident or fire may occur when working in
the engine compartment. For this reason, it is essential to comply with the
warning instructions outlined below and with the general applicable safety
rules. The engine compartment of your car is a hazardous area!WARNINGInstructions before beginning work in the engine compartment■Turn off the engine and remove the ignition key.■
Firmly apply the handbrake.
■
For vehicles with manual transmission the lever into the neutral position.
■
On vehicles with automatic transmission, shift the selector lever into the
P position.
■
Allow the engine to cool.
■
Never open the bonnet if you can see steam or coolant escaping from the
engine compartment – risk of scalding! Wait until no more steam or coolant
is escaping.
WARNINGInformation for working in the engine compartment■Keep all people, especially children, away from the engine compartment.■
Never touch the radiator fan. The fan might suddenly start running!
■
Do not touch any hot engine parts – risk of burns!
WARNINGInformation for working in the engine compartment with the engine run-
ning■
Pay particular attention to moving engine parts, e.g. V-ribbed belt, gener-
ator, radiator fan - danger to life!
■
Never touch the electric wiring on the ignition system.
■
Avoid short circuits in the electrical system, particularly on the vehicle's
battery.
■
Always make sure that no jewellery, loose clothing or long hair can get
caught in rotating engine parts – risk to life! Always remove any jewellery,
tie back long hair and wear tight fitting clothing before completing any
work. 
143Inspecting and replenishing

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 !
Check that the bonnet is closed properly.
WARNING■ 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 bonnet, no body parts are crushed -
there is danger of injury!
CAUTION
Never open the bonnet by the locking lever » Fig. 151.
Engine compartment overview
Fig. 152
Principle sketch: Engine compartment
Read and observe
and on page 143 first.
Layout of the engine compartment » Fig. 152
Coolant expansion reservoir
148
Windscreen washer fluid reservoir
145
Engine oil dipstick
147
Engine oil filler opening
147ABCDBrake fluid reservoir150
Vehicle battery
150
Note
The location of the inspection points in the engine compartment of petrol and
diesel engines is practically identical.
Radiator fan
Read and observe
and on page 143 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.
Windscreen washer system
Fig. 153
Windscreen washer fluid reser-
voir
Read and observe and on page 143 first.
The windscreen washer fluid reservoir
A
is located in the engine compart-
ment » Fig. 153 .
The cleaning fluid is provided for the cleaning of the front and rear window as
well as the headlight. 
EF145Inspecting and replenishing

Checking the battery electrolyte levelFig. 158
Vehicle battery: Electrolyte level
indicator
Read and observe and on page 151 first.
On vehicles with a vehicle battery fitted with a colour indicator, the electrolyte
level can be determined by looking at the change in colour of this display.
Air bubbles can influence the colour of the indicator. For this reason carefully
knock on the indicator before carrying out the check.
Check
Black colour – electrolyte level is correct.
Colourless or light yellow colour – electrolyte level too low, the battery must
be replaced.
For technical reasons, on vehicles with the description “AGM”, the electrolyte
level cannot be checked.
Vehicles with the START STOPsystem are fitted with a battery control unit for
checking the energy level for recurring engine starts.
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 a proportion of the starting power in lower tem-
peratures. A discharged vehicle battery may already 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.
NoteThe battery acid level is also checked regularly by a specialist garage as part of
the inspection service.
Charging
Read and observe
and on page 151 first.
A properly charged vehicle battery is essential for reliably starting the engine.
A charging operation can be performed if the following conditions are satis-
fied.
The engine is turned off.
The ignition is switched off.
All consumers are turned off.
The bonnet is open.
“Fast charging” with high currents
›
Disconnect both battery cables (first of all “negative”, then “positive”).
›
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 on the
device.
›
After charging has been successful: Switch off the charger and remove the
mains cable from the power socket.
›
Only then disconnect the charger's terminal clamps.
›
Reconnect the cables to the battery (first “positive”, then “negative”).
Charging with low voltages
It is not necessary to disconnect the cables from the battery if you recharge
the vehicle battery, for example from a mini-charger.
Refer to the instructions of the charger manufacturer .
A charging current of 0.1 multiple of the total vehicle battery capacity (or low-
er) must be used until full charging is achieved.
The vent plugs of the vehicle battery should not be opened for charging. 
152General 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 168, Jump-starting using the battery from
another vehicle .
Replacing
Read and observe
and on page 151 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 151 first.
Disconnecting
›
Switch off the ignition.
›
First, disconnect the negative terminal 
first, then the positive 
terminal
of the battery.
Connecting›First, connect the positive  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 / deviceCommissioningTime settings» page 31
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 151 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.
CAUTION
■ Despite such intervention by the vehicle electric system management, the
vehicle battery may be drained. For example, when the ignition is switched on
a long time with the engine turned off or the side or parking lights are turned
on during longer parking.■
Consumers that are supplied via a 12-V power socket can cause the vehicle
battery to discharge when the ignition is switched off. 
153Inspecting and replenishing

If the tyre pressure is 1.3 bar or more›Set the tyre pressure back to the correct value.›
Continue driving carefully to the nearest specialist garage at a maximum
speed of 80 km/h (50 mph).
WARNING■ A tyre filled with sealant has the same driving characteristics as a stand-
ard tyre.■
Do not drive faster than 80 km/h (50 mph).
■
Avoid accelerating at full throttle, sharp braking and fast cornering.
Jump-starting
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Jump-starting using the battery from another vehicle
168
The battery of another vehicle can be used to jump-start your vehicle if the en-
gine will not start because the battery is flat.
WARNING■ Pay attention to the warning instructions relating to working in the en-
gine compartment » page 143.■
A discharged vehicle battery may already freeze at temperatures just be-
low 0 °C. If the battery is frozen, do not jump start with the battery of an-
other vehicle – there is a risk of explosion!
■
Keep any sources of ignition (naked flame, smouldering cigarettes, etc.)
away from the battery – risk of explosion!
■
Never jump-start vehicle batteries with insufficient acid levels – risk of
explosion and chemical burns.
■
The vent screws of the battery cells must be tightened firmly.
Note
We recommend you buy jump-start cables from a car battery specialist.Jump-starting using the battery from another vehicleFig. 172
A – discharged battery, B – power-providing battery / C - earthing
point of the engine / D - earthing point of vehicles with the vehicle bat-
tery in the luggage compartment
Fig. 173
Positive terminal on vehicles with the vehicle battery in the lug-
gage compartment
Read and observe
on page 168 first.
The starting process using the battery of another vehicle requires the use of
jumper cables.
The jump-start cables must be attached in the following sequence.
›
Attach clamp
1
to the positive terminal of the discharged battery
A
» Fig. 172 .
›
Attach clamp
2
to the positive terminal of the battery supplying power
B
.
›
Attach clamp
3
to the negative terminal of the battery supplying power
B
.
›
Attach the clamp
4
to a solid metal component firmly connected to the en-
gine block or to the engine block itself. 
168Do-it-yourself

The jump-start cable must be connected to the engine earthing point C» Fig. 172 only on vehicles with the START-STOP system.
Starting engine›
Start the engine on the vehicle providing the power and allow it to idle.
›
Start the engine of the vehicle with the discharged battery.
›
If the engine does not start, halt the attempt to start the engine after 10 sec-
onds and wait for 30 seconds before repeating the process.
›
Remove the jump start cables in the reverse order as attachment.
Engines in vehicles with the vehicle battery in the boot
The positive terminal
A
is located under a cover in the engine compartment
» Fig. 173 .
›
Unlock the retainer tab on the cover in direction of arrow
1
.
›
Open the cover in the direction of the arrow
2
.
›
Clamp the positive terminal of the jumper cable to the position
A
» Fig. 173 .
›
Clamp the negative terminal of the jumper cable to the earthing point of the
engine
D
» Fig. 172 or to a metal part firmly connected to the engine block or
directly to the engine block.
›
Remove the jump start cables in the reverse order as attachment.
Both batteries must have a rated voltage of 12 V. The capacity (Ah) of the bat-
tery supplying the power must not be significantly less than the capacity of
the discharged battery in your vehicle.
Jump-start cables
Only use jump-start cables which have an adequately large cross-section and
insulated terminal clamps. Observe the instructions of the jumper lead manu-
facturer.
Positive cable – colour coding in the majority of cases is red.
Negative cable – colour coding in the majority of cases is black.
WARNING■
Do not clamp the jump-start cable to the negative terminal of the dis-
charged battery. There is the risk of detonating gas seeping out of the bat-
tery being ignited by the strong spark resulting from the engine being star-
ted.■
The non-insulated parts of the terminal clamps must never touch each
other – there is a risk of short circuit!
WARNING (Continued)■ The jump-start cable connected to the positive terminal of the battery
must not come into contact with electrically conducting parts of the vehicle
– there is a risk of short circuit!■
Route the jump-start cables so that they cannot be caught by any rotat-
ing parts in the engine compartment.
Towing the vehicle
 Introduction
Fig. 174
Braided tow rope / Spiral tow rope
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Front towing eye
170
Rear towing eye
171
Vehicles with a tow hitch
171
For towing a braided tow rope is to be used » Fig. 174- 
.
When towing, the following guidelines must be observed.
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 the rear, the au-
tomatic gearbox will be damaged! If possible, the vehicle should be towed with
the engine running or at least with the ignition on.
Driver of the tow vehicle
›
Engage the clutch gently when starting off or depress the accelerator partic-
ularly gently if the vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox. 
169Emergency equipment and self-help

›Only then approach correctly when the rope is taut.
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, windscreen wipers and windscreen washer system 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.
If using a tow rope, ensure that it is always kept taught.
General information for the towing process
Both drivers should be familiar with the problems which might possibly occur while a vehicle is being towed. Unskilled drivers should not attempt to tow an-
other vehicle or to be towed in one.
The vehicle must be transported on a special breakdown vehicle or trailer if it
is not possible to tow the vehicle in the way described or if the towing dis-
tance is greater than 50 km.
If the gearbox no longer contains any oil, your vehicle must only be towed with
the front axle raised clear of the ground or on a breakdown vehicle or trailer.
To protect both vehicles when tow-starting or towing, the tow rope should be
elastic. Thus only plastic fibre rope or a rope made out of a similarly elastic ma-
terial should be used.
Attach the tow rope or the tow bar to the towing eyes » page 170 or
» page 171 to the detachable ball head of the towing equipment » page 121 .
WARNING■
When towing, exercise increased caution.■For towing no spiral tow rope is to be used » Fig. 174-  , the towing eye
may unscrew out of the vehicle - there is a risk of accidents.■
The tow rope should not be twisted - there is a risk of accidents.
CAUTION■ Do not start engine by towing - there is a risk of damaging the engine parts.
The battery from another vehicle can be used as a jump-start aid » page 168,
Jump-starting .■
There is always a risk of excessive stresses and damage resulting at the
points to which you attach the tow rope or tow bar when you attempt to tow a
vehicle which is not standing on a paved road.
Note
We recommend using a tow rope from ŠKODA Original Accessories, which is
available from a ŠKODA Partner.
Front towing eye
Fig. 175
Removing the cap/installing the towing eye
Read and observe
and on page 170 first.
Removing/installing the cap
›
Press on the cap in the direction of the arrow
1
» Fig. 175 .
›
Remove the cap in the direction of the arrow
2
.
›
After unscrewing the cap of the towing eye, insert the cap in the region of
the arrow
1
and then press the opposite side of the cap.
The cap must engage firmly.
Removing/installing the towing eye
›
Manually screw the towing eye as far as it will go in the direction of the ar-
row
3
» Fig. 175 » .
For tightening purposes, we recommend, for example, using the wheel
wrench, towing eye from another vehicle or a similar object that can be pushed through the eye. 
170Do-it-yourself

›At the same time lift the cover on the selector lever gaiter with the other
hand in direction of arrow 2.›
With one finger, push the yellow plastic element in the direction of arrow
3
down to the stop.
›
At the same time, press the locking button in the selector lever and move
the selector lever to position N.
If the selector lever is moved again to position P, it is once again blocked.
Replacing windscreen wiper blades
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Replacing the windscreen wiper blades
173
Replacing the rear window wiper blade
173WARNINGReplace 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 blades
Fig. 181
Windscreen wiper blade
Read and observe
on page 173 first.
Before replacing the windscreen wiper blade, put the windscreen wiper arms
into the service position.
Service position for changing wiper blades
›
Close the bonnet.
› Switch the ignition on and off again.›Place the operating lever in position 4
» page 66 , Activating the windscreen
wipers and washers .
The windscreen wiper arms move into the service position.
Removing the wiper blade›
Lift the wiper arm from the window in the direction of
1
» Fig. 181 .
›
Tilt the wiper blade to the stop 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
.
Attaching the windscreen wiper blade
›
Push the windscreen wiper blade to the stop until it locks into place.
›
Check that the windscreen wiper blade is correctly attached.
›
Fold the windscreen wiper arm back to the windscreen.
›
Turn on the ignition and press the lever into position
4
» page 66 , Activat-
ing the windscreen wipers and washers .
The windscreen wiper arms move into the home position.
Replacing the rear window wiper blade
Fig. 182
Rear window wiper blade
Read and observe
on page 173 first.
Removing the wiper blade
›
Lift the wiper arm from the window in the direction of
1
» Fig. 182 .
›
Tilt the wiper blade to the stop 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
. 
173Emergency equipment and self-help