
NoteAfter switching off the ignition, the radiator fan may intermittently continue to
operate for approx. 10 minutes.
Starting and stopping the engine at the push of the button
Introduction
Fig. 130
Starter button (
)
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Steering column lock locking / unlocking
115
Switch ignition on / off
116
Starting the engine
116
Switching off the engine
116
Problems starting the engine
117
The ignition can be switched on and off and the engine can be started / stop-
ped with the starter button » Fig. 130.
The key must be in the vehicle to unlock the steering wheel, start the vehicle
and drive.
WARNING■ Never leave the key in the vehicle when you exit the vehicle. Unauthor-
ized persons, such as children, for example, could lock the car, turn on the
ignition or start the engine - there is a danger of injury, damage and acci-
dents!■
Never leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running - there is a
risk of theft etc!
■
Never switch off the engine before the vehicle is stationary – risk of acci-
dent!
WARNINGNever (e.g. in garages) run the engine in a closed place - there is the danger
of poisoning and death!
CAUTION
■ The system can recognize the valid key, even if it has been accidentally left
on the vehicle roof - there is danger of loss or damage to the key!■
Only start the engine when the engine and the vehicle are stationary - there
is a danger of starter and engine damage!
■
Do not push-start the engine – risk of damaging the engine and the catalytic
converter. The battery from another vehicle can be used as a jump-start aid
» page 189 .
Note
■
Do not warm up the engine while the vehicle is stationary. If possible, start
your journey as soon as the engine has started. Through this, the engine rea-
ches its operating temperature faster.■
The system is protected against inadvertently switching off the engine while
driving, this means that the engine can only be switched off in an emergency
» page 116 .
Steering column lock locking / unlocking
Read and observe
and on page 115 first.
The steering lock (steering lock) deters any attempted theft of your vehicle.
Locking
›
Switch off the engine.
›
Open the driver door.
The steering lock is locked automatically.
If the driver's door is opened and the ignition is switched off afterwards, the
steering is only locked after the vehicle has been locked.
Unlocking
›
Open the driver's door and get into the vehicle.
›
Close the driver's door.
The steering is locked automatically.
115Starting-off and Driving

Under certain circumstances (e.g. after switching off the ignition and opening
the driver's door), the steering is enabled only when the ignition is switched on
or the engine is started.WARNINGNever let the vehicle roll with locked steering lock - there is a risk of acci-
dent!
Switch ignition on / off
Read and observe
and on page 115 first.
›
Press the button » Fig. 130 on page 115 briefly.
The ignition is switched on or off.
On vehicles fitted with a manual gearbox, the clutch pedal must not be de-
pressed while switching the ignition on or off, otherwise the system would try
to start.
On vehicles fitted with a automatic gearbox, the brake pedal must not be de-
pressed while switching the ignition on or off, otherwise the system would try
to start.
If the driver's door is opened while the ignition is on, an audible signal sounds
and the following message appears in the instrument cluster display.
Ignition on.IGNITION ON
When leaving the vehicle always switch off the ignition.
Starting the engine
Read and observe
and on page 115 first.
Starting the engine
›
Firmly apply the handbrake.
›
For vehicles with manual transmission , shift gear stick to neutral, depress
the clutch pedal and hold it there until the engine starts.
›
On vehicles with automatic transmission , place the selector lever in position
P or N and depress the brake pedal until the engine starts.
› Press and hold the starter button
» Fig. 130 on page 115 1)
until the engine
starts.
In vehicles with diesel engines after pressing the button, the glow plug warn-
ing light
lights up. The engine can be started after the indicator light goes
out.
Note
■ The engine running noises may louder at first be louder for a short time after
starting the cold engine. This is quite normal and is not an operating problem.■
You should not switch on any major electrical components during the heat-
ing period otherwise the vehicle battery will be drained unnecessarily.
Switching off the engine
Read and observe
and on page 115 first.
Switching off
›
Stop the vehicle » page 121, Parking .
›
Press the button » Fig. 130 on page 115 briefly.
The engine and the ignition are switched off simultaneously.
Emergency shutdown
If necessary and in exceptional cases, the engine may even be turned off while
driving.
›
Press the starter button » Fig. 130 on page 115 for longer than 1 second or
twice within 1 second.
After the emergency stop of the motor, the steering lock will remain unlocked.
CAUTION
Do not switch the engine off immediately at the end of your journey after the
engine has been operated over a prolonged period at high loads but leave it to
run at an idling speed for about 1 minute. This prevents any possible accumula-
tion of heat when the engine is switched off.
Note
After switching off the ignition, the radiator fan may intermittently continue to
operate for approx. 10 minutes.1)
On vehicles with the START-STOP system, it is sufficient to press the starter button briefly. The motor
will then automatically start.
116Driving

Deactivating/activating›Press the symbol button » Fig. 133 .
When system is deactivated, the warning light in the button illuminates.
If the system is turned off, it will be automatically reactivated after turning the
ignition off and on.
Note
If the system is deactivated when the engine is turned off automatically, then
the automatic start process takes place.
Information messages
The warning symbols are shown in the instrument cluster display.
Start engine manually!START MANUALLY
If for example the driver's seat belt is stored, the engine must be started man-
ually.
On vehicles with the starter button the ignition is turned off by the first press
of the start button, only after pressing for the second time is the start process
initiated.
Error: Start-StopERROR START-STOP
A system error is present. Seek help from a specialist garage.
Brakes and parking
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Information on braking
119
Handbrake
120
Parking
121WARNING■ Greater physical effort is required for braking when the engine is switch-
ed off – risk of accident!■
During the braking procedure on a vehicle with manual transmission,
when the vehicle is in gear and at low revs, press the clutch pedal. Other-
wise, the functionality of the brake system may be impaired – risk of acci-
dent!
■
When leaving the vehicle never leave persons leave unattended in the
vehicle who could release the brake. The vehicle could then start to move –
risk of accident!
■
Observe the recommendations on the new brake pads » page 125, New
brake pads .
CAUTION
Never let the brakes slip with light pressure on the pedal if braking is not nec-
essary. This causes the brakes to overheat and can also result in a longer brak-
ing distance and excessive wear.
Information on braking
Read and observe
and on page 119 first.
Wear-and-tear
The wear of the brake pads is dependent on the operating conditions and driv-
ing style.
The brake pads wear more quickly if a lot of journeys are completed in towns
and over short distances or if a very sporty style of driving is adopted.
If operated under severe conditions , the thickness of the brake pads must be
checked by a specialist garage between service appointments as well.
Wet roads or road salt
The performance of the brakes can be delayed as the brake discs and brake
pads may be moist or have a coating of ice or layer of salt on them in winter.
The brakes are cleaned and dried by applying the brakes several times »
.
Corrosion
Corrosion on the brake discs and dirt on the bake pads occur if the vehicle has
been parked for a long period and if you do not make much use of the braking
system. The brakes are cleaned by applying the brakes several times »
.
119Starting-off and Driving

Long or steep slopes
Before travelling a long distance with a steep gradient, reduce speed and shift
into the next lowest gear. As a result, the braking effect of the engine will be
used, reducing the load on the brakes. Any additional braking should be com-
pleted intermittently, not continuously.
Emergency brake display
If the brakes are applied in full and the vehicle systems evaluate the situation
as dangerous for the traffic following behind, the brake light flashes automati-
cally.
After the speed was reduced below around 10 km/h or the vehicle was stop-
ped, the brake light stops flashing and the hazard warning light system
switches on. The hazard warning light system is switched off automatically af-
ter accelerating or driving off again.
Faults in the brake surface
If it is found that the braking distance has suddenly become longer and that
the brake pedal can be depressed further, the brake system may be faulty.
Visit a specialist garage immediately and adjust your style of driving appropri-
ately, as you will not know the exact extent of the damage.
Low brake fluid level
An insufficient level of brake fluid may result in problems in the brake system.
The level of the brake fluid is monitored electronically » page 33,
Brake sys-
tem .
Brake booster
The brake booster increases the pressure generated with the brake pedal. The
brake booster only operates when the engine is running.WARNINGOnly apply the brakes for the purpose of drying and cleaning the brake
discs if the traffic conditions permit this. Do not place any other road users
in jeopardy.HandbrakeFig. 134
Handbrake
Read and observe and on page 119 first.
The hand brake is used when stopping and parking for securing the vehicle
against unwanted movement.
Apply
›
Pull the handbrake lever firmly upwards.
Release
›
Pull the handbrake lever up slightly and at the same time push in the lock
button » Fig. 134 .
›
Move the lever right down while pressing the lock button.
The handbrake indicator light lights up when the handbrake is applied, pro-
vided the ignition is on.
A warning signal sounds if the vehicle is inadvertently driven off with the
handbrake applied.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.
Release parking brake!
The handbrake warning is activated if the vehicle is driven at a speed of more
than around 5 km/h for more than 3 seconds.
WARNINGPlease note that the handbrake must be fully released. A handbrake which
is only partially released can result in the rear brakes overheating. This can
have a negative effect on the operation of the brake system – risk of acci-
dent!120Driving

ParkingRead and observe
and on page 119 first.
When stopping and parking, look for a place with a suitable surface » .
Only carry out the activities while parking in the specified order.
›
Bring the vehicle to a stop and depress the brake pedal.
›
Firmly apply the handbrake.
›
On vehicles with automatic transmission place the selector lever in the P po-
sition.
›
Switch off the engine.
›
For vehicles with Manual transmission select the 1st gear or the Reverse
gear R .
›
Release the brake pedal.
WARNINGThe exhaust system components can become very hot. Therefore, never
stop the vehicle at places where the underside of your vehicle can come in-
to contact with flammable materials such as dry grass, undergrowth,
leaves, spilled fuel or such like. - Risk of fire and serious injury can occur!
Manual gear changing and pedals
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Manual gear changing
121
Pedals
121
Manual gear changing
Fig. 135
Gearshift pattern of 5 gear or
6 gear manual gearbox
The shift pattern for the individual gear positions is shown on the gear lever » Fig. 135 .
The gearshift indicator should be observed when changing gear » page 40.
Always depress the clutch pedal all the way down. This prevents uneven wear
on the clutch.
Reverse gear is engaged›
Stop the vehicle.
›
The clutch pedal is fully depressed.
›
Move the shift lever to the idle position switch and press down.
›
Move the shift lever fully to the left and then forward into R position
» Fig. 135 .
The reversing lights will come on once reverse gear is engaged, provided the
ignition is on.
WARNINGNever engage reverse gear when driving – risk of accident!
CAUTION
■ If not in the process of changing gear, do not leave your hand on the gear-
shift lever while driving. The pressure from the hand can cause the gearshift
mechanism to wear excessively.■
When stopping on a slope, never try to hold the vehicle using the accelerator
pedal and the clutch pedal – this may lead to damage of the clutch parts.
Pedals
The operation of the pedals must not be hindered under any circumstances!
In the driver's footwell, only a format may be used, which is attached to the
two corresponding attachment points.
Only use factory-supplied foot mats or foot mats from the range of
ŠKODAOriginal Accessories, which are fitted to two attachment points.
WARNINGNo objects may be placed in the driver's footwell – risk due to obstruction
or limitation of pedal operation.121Starting-off and Driving

Automatic transmission
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Modes and use of selector lever
122
Selector lever lock
123
Manual shifting of gears (Tiptronic)
123
Starting-off and driving
124
The automatic transmission performs automatic gear changes.
The modes of the automatic transmission can be adjusted by the driver by
means of the selector lever.
WARNING■ No throttle when it is set before starting the mode for moving forward
with the selector lever - there is a risk of accident!■
Never move the selector lever to mode R or P when driving – risk of an
accident!
■
If the vehicle is in the mode selected D, S , R or Tiptronic and the engine
stops when at idle speed, then the brake pedal must be pressed. Even
when the engine is idling, the power transmission is never completely in-
terrupted – the vehicle creeps.
■
When leaving the vehicle, the selector lever is always to put in the P
mode. Otherwise, the vehicle could be set in motion - risk of accident!
CAUTION
■ If the selector lever is moved to mode N while driving, the accelerator pedal
must be released and you will need to wait until the engine has reached its
idling speed before moving the selector lever to a forward driving mode again.■
When the outdoor temperature is below -10 ° C, the selector lever when
starting must always be in P mode.
■
When stopping on a slope, never try to hold the vehicle using the accelerator
pedal – this may lead to gear damage.
Note
After the ignition is switched off, the ignition key can only be withdrawn if the
selector lever is in the position P.Modes and use of selector leverFig. 136
Selector lever/display
Read and observe and on page 122 first.
When the ignition is switched on, the gearbox mode and the currently selected
gear are indicated in the display » Fig. 136.
The following modes can be selected with the selector lever » Fig. 136.
P
– Parking mode
The driven wheels are locked mechanically in this mode.
The parking mode must only be selected when the vehicle is stationary.
R
- Reverse gear
Reverse gear can only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary and the en-
gine is at idling speed.
N
- Neutral
The power transmission to the drive wheels is interrupted in this mode.
D
- Mode for forwards travel (normal programme)
In mode D, the forward gears are automatically changed according to the en-
gine load, accelerator pedal actuation and driving speed.
S
- Mode for forwards travel (sports programme)
In mode S , the forward gears are shifted automatically up and down at high-
er engine speeds than in mode D.
Before changing to mode S from mode D, press the lock button in the direction
of arrow
1
» Fig. 137 on page 123 .
122Driving

Fault in the automatic gearbox
A fault in the automatic gearbox can, for example, be noticeable by the follow-
ing.
▶ Only certain gears are selected.
▶ The reverse gear R cannot be used.
▶ Shifting gears in Tiptronic mode is not possible.
CAUTION
If an error occurs on the automatic transmission the help of a specialist firm
should be sought immediately - there is a risk of damaging the vehicle.
Selector lever lock
Fig. 137
Shift lock button
Read and observe and on page 122 first.
The selector lever is locked in mode P and N to prevent that the forward driv-
ing is selected accidentally, thereby setting the vehicle in motion.
The selector lever is locked only when the vehicle is stationary and at speeds
up to 5 km/h.
The selector lever lock is indicated by the illumination of the warning light
.
The selector lever is not locked when quickly moving across the position N
(e.g. from R to D). This, for example, helps to rock out a vehicle that is stuck,
e.g. in a bank of snow. The selector lever lock will engage if the lever is in posi-
tion N for more than approx. 2 seconds without the brake pedal being de-
pressed.
Releasing selector lever from mode P or N (selector lever lock)
›
Press the brake pedal and the lock button at the same time in the direction
of
1
» Fig. 137 .
Just depress the brake pedal, if you would like to change from the mode N to
D .
Defective selector lever lock
If the selector lever lock is defective or its power supply is interrupted (e.g. dis-
charged vehicle battery, faulty fuse), the selector lever can no longer be moved
out of position P in the normal manner and the vehicle can no longer be driven.
The selector lever must be unlocked specially » page 195.
Note
If you want to move the selector lever from mode P to mode D or vice versa,
move the selector lever quickly. This prevents that you accidentally select
mode R or N.
Manual shifting of gears (Tiptronic)
Fig. 138
Selector lever
Read and observe and on page 122 first.
Tiptronic mode makes it possible to manually shift gears on the selector lever.
This mode can be selected both while stopping and while driving.
The currently selected gear is indicated in the display » Fig. 136 on page 122 .
The gearshift indicator should be observed when changing gear » page 40.
Switching to manual shifting
›
Push the gear selector from mode D towards the right, or left in a right-hand
drive vehicle.
Shifting up gears
›
Push the selector lever forwards
+
» Fig. 138 .
Shifting down gears
›
Push the selector lever backwards
-
» Fig. 138 .
123Starting-off and Driving

Note■It may be beneficial, for example, when travelling downhill, to use manual
shifting of gears. Shifting to a lower gear reduces the load on the brakes and
hence the wear of the brakes » page 119, Information on braking .■
When accelerating, the gearbox automatically shifts up into the higher gear
just before the maximum permissible engine speed is reached.
■
If a lower gear is selected, the gearbox does not shift down until there is no
risk of the engine overrevving.
Starting-off and driving
Read and observe
and on page 122 first.
Starting off
›
Start the engine.
›
Firmly depress and hold the brake pedal.
›
Press the lock button in the direction of
1
» Fig. 137 on page 123 and hold.
›
Move the selector lever into the desired position » page 122 and then release
the lock button.
›
Release the brake pedal and accelerate.
Stopping (while the car is moving)
›
Depress the brake pedal and bring the vehicle to a stop.
›
Keep holding the brake pedal until driving is resumed.
The selector lever position N does not have to be selected when stopping for a
short time, such as at a cross roads.
Kickdown
The kickdown function allows you to achieve the maximum acceleration of
your vehicle while driving.
When the accelerator pedal is fully depressed, the kickdown function is activa-
ted in any forward driving mode.
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.
Driving in Neutral (Coasting) 1)›In the MAXI DOT display in the menu
Settings
activate the menu item
Coasting
» page 44
.
›
Move the selector lever into the position D.
›
Remove your foot from the accelerator pedal (the speed is higher than 20
km/h).
The vehicle moves without the braking effect of the engine.
The gear is automatically inserted again by depressing either the accelerator
or brake pedal.
WARNINGRapid acceleration, particularly on slippery roads, can lead to loss of control
of the vehicle – risk of accident!
Running-in and economical driving
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Running-in
124
Tips for economical driving
125
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.
1)
This function is only valid for some engines.
124Driving