2016 SKODA OCTAVIA steering

AbbreviationsAbbreviationDefinitionrpmEngine revolutions per minuteABSAnti-lock brake systemACCAdaptive cruise controlAGAutomatic gearboxAGMVehicle battery typeTCSTraction controlCNGcompressed natural gasCO2Carbon dioxideCOCDeclaration of conformityDPFDiesel particle filterDSGAutomatic double clutch gearboxDSRActive driver-steering recommendationEDLElectronic differential lockECEEconomic Commission for EuropeEPCEPC fault lightESCElectronic Stability ControlRDRim depthEUEuropean UnionG-TECLabelling for natural gas vehiclesHBAHydraulic brake assistHHCUphill start assistKESSYkeyless unlocking, starting and lockingkWKilowatt, measuring unit for outputLEDLighting element typeM1A passenger car constructed primarily for the transport of
peopleMCBMulti-collision brakeMGManual gearboxMPIGasoline engine with a multi-point fuel injectionMSREngine drag torque controlAbbreviationDefinitionN1Panel van intended exclusively or mainly for the transporta-
tion of goodsNmNewton meter, measuring unit for the engine torquePINpersonal identification numberQiStandard for wireless charging by electrical inductionTDI CRDiesel engine with turbo charging and common-rail injection
systemTSATrailer stabilisationTSIPetrol engine with turbo charging and direct injectionVINVehicle identification numberWWatt, unit of powerWi-FiWireless data networkXDSFunctional expansion of the electronic differential lock11Abbreviations

Safety
Passive Safety
General information
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Before setting off
12
Driving safety
12
In this section of the instructions you will find important information on the
subject of passive safety. We have combined everything here which you
should be familiar with, for example, regarding seat belts, airbags, safety of children and anything similar.
Other important safety information can also be found in the subsequent sec-
tions of this Owner's Manual. Therefore, the Owner's Manual should always be
kept in the vehicle.
Before setting off
For your own safety and the safety of the people travelling with you, please
pay attention to the following points before setting off.
▶ Check the lights and turn signal lights are functioning correctly.
▶ Check the wiper function and the wiper blades for wear. Check the wind-
screen washer fluid level.
▶ Ensure that all of the windows offer good visibility to the outside.
▶ Adjust the rear-view mirror so that vision to the rear is guaranteed. Ensure
that the mirrors are not covered.
▶ Check the tyre inflation pressure.
▶ Check the engine oil, brake fluid and coolant level.
▶ Secure all items of luggage.
▶ Do not exceed the permissible axle loads and permissible gross weight of the
vehicle.
▶ Close all doors as well as the bonnet and boot lid.
▶ Ensure that no objects can obstruct the pedals.
▶
Protect children using a suitable child seat » page 22, Transporting children
safely .
▶ Adopt the correct seated position. Tell your passengers to assume the cor-
rect seated position » page 12, Correct and safe seated position .
Driving safety
For safety in traffic, the following precautions must be observed. ▶ Do not become distracted from concentrating on the traffic situation, (e.g. by
your passengers or mobile phone calls).
▶ Never drive when your driving ability is impaired, (e.g. due to medication, al-
cohol, drugs or similar).
▶ Keep to the traffic regulations and the permissible speed limit.
▶ Always adjust the driving speed to the road, traffic and weather conditions.
▶ Take regular breaks on long journeys (at least every two hours).
Correct and safe seated position
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Driver’s correct seated position
13
Adjusting the steering wheel position
13
Passenger’s correct seating position
14
Passengers’ correct seating position on the rear seats
14
Always assume the correct seated position before setting off and do not
change this position while driving. Also advise your passengers to adopt the
correct seated position and not to change this position while the car is moving.
The following list contains instructions for the Passenger which, if not ob-
served, may cause serious injuries or death. ▶ Do not lean against the dash panel.
▶ Do not put your feet on the dash panel.
The following list contains instructions for all Passengers which, if not ob-
served, may cause serious injuries or death.
▶ Do not sit only on the front area of the seat.
▶ Do not sit facing to one side.
▶ Do not lean out of the window.
▶ Do not put your limbs out of the window.
▶ Do not put your feet on the seat upholstery. 
12Safety

WARNING■The front seats and all head restraints must be adjusted to match the
body size at all times and the seat belt must always be fastened properly to
provide the most effective levels of protection to the passengers.■
Each occupant must correctly fasten the seat belt belonging to the seat.
Children must be fastened » page 22, Transporting children safely with a
suitable restraint system.
■
The seat backrests must not be tilted too far back when driving, as this
will impair the function of the seat belts and of the airbag system – risk of
injury!
WARNINGBy sitting incorrectly, the occupant is risking life-threatening injuries.
Driver’s correct seated position
Fig. 2
Correct seated position for the driver/correct steering wheel posi-
tion
Read and observe
on page 13 first.
For your own safety and to reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accident,
the following instructions must be observed.
Adjust the driver’s seat in the forward/back direction so that the pedals
can be fully depressed with slightly bent legs.
For vehicles equipped with driver knee airbags, adjust the driver's seat in a
forward/back direction so that there is a gap of at least 10 cm between the
legs and the dashboard in the vicinity of the knee airbag » Fig. 2 -
B
.
Adjust the seat backrest so that the highest point of the steering wheel
can be reached with your arms at a slight angle.
Adjust the steering wheel so that the distance between the steering
wheel and your chest is at least 25 cm » Fig. 2 - A.
Adjust the headrest so that the top edge of the headrest is at the same
level as the upper part of your head (not for seats with integrated headr-
ests) » Fig. 2 - C
.
Correctly fasten the seat belt » page 15, Using seat belts .
WARNING■
Maintain a distance of at least 25 cm from the steering wheel, and a dis-
tance of at least 10 cm between the legs and the dash panel at the height
of the knee airbag. Not maintaining this minimum distance will mean that
the airbag system will not be able to properly protect you – hazard!■
When driving, hold the steering wheel with both hands firmly on the out-
er edge in the “9 o'clock” and “3 o'clock” position » Fig. 2. Never hold the
steering wheel in the “12 o'clock” position or in any other way (e.g. in the
middle, inner edge of the steering wheel or similar). Otherwise, you could
sustain serious injury to the arms, hands and head if the airbag is activated.
■
Ensure there are no objects in the driver's footwell as they may get be-
hind the pedals while driving. You would then no longer be able to operate
the clutch, brake or acceleration pedals.
Adjusting the steering wheel position
Fig. 3
Adjusting the steering wheel position
Read and observe
on page 13 first.
The height and forward/back position of the steering wheel can be adjusted.
›
Swing the safety lever under the steering wheel in the direction of arrow
1
» Fig. 3 . 

13Passive Safety

›Adjust the steering wheel to the desired position. The steering wheel can be
adjusted in the direction of arrow 2.›
Pull the safety lever in the direction of arrow
3
to the stop.
WARNING■ Never adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is moving only when
the vehicle is stationary!■
The safety lever must always be locked so that the steering wheel cannot
accidentally change position – There is a risk of accident!
Passenger’s correct seating position
Read and observe
on page 13 first.
For passenger safety and to reduce the risk of injury in an accident, the follow-
ing instructions must be observed.
Position the front passenger seat back as far as possible. The front pas-
senger must maintain a distance of at least 25 cm to the dash panel so
that the airbag offers the greatest possible safety if it is deployed.
Adjust the headrests so that the top edge of the headrest is at the same
level as the upper part of your head » Fig. 2 on page 13 -
C
(not for seats
with integrated headrests).
Correctly fasten the seat belt » page 15, Using seat belts .
WARNING■
A distance of least 25 cm to the dash panel should be maintained, other-
wise the airbag system will not be able to protect you - There is a risk to
life!■
Always keep your feet in the footwell when the car is being driven – nev-
er place your feet on the instrument panel, out of the window or on the
surface of the seats! You will be exposed to increased risk of injury if it be-
comes necessary to apply the brake or in the event of an accident. If an air-
bag is deployed, you could suffer fatal injuries by adopting an incorrect
seated position!
Passengers’ correct seating position on the rear seats
Read and observe
on page 13 first.
For the safety of the passengers in the rear seats, and to reduce the risk of
injury in an accident, the following instructions must be observed.
Adjust the headrests so that the top edge of the headrest is at the same
level as the upper part of the head » Fig. 2 on page 13 -
C
.
Correctly fasten the seat belt » page 15, Using seat belts .
14Safety

Airbag deploymentFig. 8
Inflated airbags
The airbag system is only functional when the ignition is switched on.
When triggered, the airbag fills with gas and unfolds. The inflation of the air- bag is carried out in a fraction of a second.
When the airbag inflates, smoke is released. This is not a sign of a fire in the
vehicle.
Triggering conditions
It is not possible to generally determine which deployment conditions apply to
the airbag system in every situation. The important factors here are the hard-
ness of the object with which the vehicle collides, the angle of impact, vehicle
speed etc.
A decisive factor in the deployment of the airbags is the degree of deceleration
at the time. If the vehicle deceleration which occurs and is measured during
the collision remains below the prescribed reference values specified in the
control unit, the airbags are not deployed although the vehicle may well suffer
severe damage to the bodywork as a consequence of the accident.
The following airbags will be deployed in the event of a severe frontal
collision.
▶ Driver’s front airbag.
▶ Front passenger airbag.
▶ Driver’s knee airbag.
The following airbags will be deployed in the event of a severe side collision.
▶ Front side airbag.
▶ Rear side airbag.
▶ Head airbag.
When an airbag is deployed, the following occurs.
▶ The hazard warning lights are switched on.
▶ All the doors are unlocked.
▶ The fuel supply to the engine is interrupted.
▶ The interior light comes on (if the automatic operation of the interior light is
switched on - switch 
).
When there is no air bag deployment?
With minor frontal and side collisions, rear collision, overturning of the vehicle
or vehicle roll-over there is no airbag deployment.
Safety instructions
Fig. 9
Safe distance from the steering
wheel and dash panel
WARNINGGeneral information■The seat belts and the airbag system can only offer optimum protection
if the driver and passengers are seated properly » page 12 .■
The airbag unleashes enormous force when triggered, which can lead to
serious injuries or fatalities if the driver and passengers are not seated
properly. This applies in particular to children who are transported without
using a suitable child safety seat » page 24.
■
If there is a fault, have the airbag system checked immediately by a spe-
cialist garage. Otherwise, there is a risk of the airbag not being activated in
the event of an accident. 
19Airbag system

WARNING (Continued)■If the airbag has been deployed, the airbag system must then be replaced.■In the area of the front airbag and the knee airbag, the surface of the
steering wheel and the dashboard should be cleaned using only a dry cloth
or one that has been dampened with water.WARNINGInformation about the front airbags■For the driver and front passenger, it is important to maintain a distance
of at least 25 cm to the steering wheel or the panel » Fig. 9 - A
, If you do
not keep this distance, it means that the airbag system cannot protect you
- There is a risk to life! The front seats and the head restraints must always
also be correctly adjusted to match the body size of the occupant.
■
The front passenger airbag must be deactivated if using a rear-facing
child seat on the front passenger seat » page 21, Airbag deactivation . If
this is not done, there is a risk of the child suffering severe or even fatal
injuries if the front passenger airbag is deployed.
■
No other persons, animals or objects should be placed in front of the oc-
cupants in the front seats in the deployment area of the front airbags.
■
The steering wheel and the surface of the dash panel on the passenger
side must not be plastered, covered or modified in any way. No parts (e.g.
cup holders, mobile phone mounts etc.) may be mounted near the airbag
installation points and in the airbag deployment area.
■
Never place objects on the surface of the dash panel on the passenger
side.
WARNINGInformation about knee airbags■Adjust the driver's seat in a forward/back direction so that there is a gap
of at least 10 cm between the legs and the dashboard in the vicinity of the
knee airbag » Fig. 9 - B
. If it is not possible to meet this requirement due to
your body size, visit a specialist garage.
■
The surface of the airbag module in the lower part of the dash panel be-
low the steering column not have stickers attached, be covered or modified
in any other way. Nothing may be attached to the cover of the airbag mod-
ule or located within the immediate vicinity.
■
Do not attach any bulky and heavy objects (bunch of keys etc.) to the igni-
tion key. These can be ejected by the knee airbag when it is deployed and
can cause injuries.
WARNINGInformation on side and head airbags■No objects (e.g. sun visors turned towards the windows) should be loca-
ted in the deployment area of the side and head airbags. No accessories
(e.g. cup holders etc.) should be fitted to the doors - risk of injury!■
Hang only light clothing on the hooks in the vehicle, do not leave any
heavy or sharp objects in the pockets. Do not use hangers to hang up
clothes.
■
The airbag system operates using pressure sensors located in the front
doors. For this reason, no adjustments may be carried out to the doors or
door panels (e.g. installation of additional loudspeakers). Further informa-
tion » page 241 .
■
No excessive force, e.g. through blows, kicks etc. should be applied to the
seat backrests - there is a risk of damage to the side airbags. The side air-
bags would not be deployed in such a case!
■
Any seat or protective covers which you fit to the driver or front passen-
ger seats must only be of a type expressly authorised by ŠKODA AUTO. In
view of the fact that the airbag inflates out of the backrest of the seat, use
of non-approved seat or protective covers would considerably impair the
protective function of the side airbag.
■
Any damage to the original seat covers or stitching at the installation
points for the side airbags should be immediately repaired by a specialist
company.
WARNINGInformation on the use of the airbag system■Any work on the airbag system, including the installation and removal of
system components due to other repair work (e.g. removal of the steering
wheel), must only be carried out by a specialist garage. Further information
» page 241 .■
No changes of any sort should be made to parts of the airbag system, the
front bumper or the bodywork.
■
Do not manipulate individual parts of the airbag system, as this might re-
sult in the airbag being deployed.
20Safety

Airbag deactivation
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Deactivating airbags
21
Deactivating the front passenger airbag
21
Deactivating airbags
The front passenger airbag can be switched off with the key-operated switch
» Fig. 10 on page 21 -
 .
We recommend that you ask a ŠKODA service partner to deactivate any other
airbags as appropriate.
A warning light  indicates that the airbag has been deactivated
» page 35.
Deactivating an airbag should be considered in cases such as the ones
outlined below. ▶ If a child seat must be used on the front passenger seat, where the child is
transported facing towards the rear » page 22.
▶ If not being able to maintain a distance of at least 25 cm between the middle
of the steering wheel and chest, despite the driver's seat being correctly ad-
justed.
▶ If special attachments are required in the area of the steering wheel because
of a physical disability.
▶ If other seats have been installed (e.g. orthopaedic seats without side air-
bags).
WARNINGIf an airbag is deactivated at the time of the vehicle being sold, the pur-
chaser must be informed!Deactivating the front passenger airbagFig. 10
Key-operated switch for the front passenger airbag/warning light
for the front passenger airbag
Switch positions » Fig. 10 -

The front passenger airbag is deactivated - after the ignition is switched
on, the indicator light » Fig. 10
illuminates -

The front passenger airbag is switched on - after switching on the ignition,
the warning light illuminates for 65 seconds 

Switch off
›
Switch off the ignition.
›
Open the storage box on the front passenger's side.
›
Fold the key bit out completely for the radio key » .
›
Carefully insert the key into the key slot in the key switch as far as the stop.
›
Use the key to turn the slot of the key switch carefully into the position
.
›
Pull the key out of the slot in the key switch
» .
›
Close the storage compartment on the front passenger side.
›
Check that the warning light

 lights up after the ignition is switched on.
Switching on
›
Switch off the ignition.
›
Open the storage box on the front passenger's side.
›
Fold the key bit out completely for the radio key » .
›
Carefully insert the key into the key slot in the key switch as far as the stop.
›
Use the key to turn the slot of the key switch carefully into the position
.
›
Pull the key out of the slot in the key switch
» .
›
Close the storage compartment on the front passenger side.
›
Check that the warning light

 lights up after the ignition is switched on. 
21Airbag system

Using the system
cockpit
OverviewElectric windows
59
Electric exterior mirror adjustment
74
Door opening lever
54
Air outlet vents
108
Ticket holder
83
Operating lever (depending on equipment):
▶ Direction and high beam
65
▶Speed regulating system
212
▶Headlight assist
67
Steering wheel with horn / with driver's front airbag
18
Buttons for operating the information system
41
Instrument cluster
30
Operating lever:
▶ Windscreen wipers and washers
72
▶Information system
41
Infotainment
113
Button for hazard warning light system
68
Warning light for the front passenger airbag
21
Interior rear-view mirror
74
Storage compartment on the front passenger side
87
Front passenger airbag
18
External Infotainment module (in the front passenger storage
compartment)
115
Key switch for switching off the front passenger airbag (in front
passenger storage compartment)
21
Power window in the front passenger door
60
Storage compartment
83
Light switch
64
Bonnet release lever
253
Storage compartment
83
Operating lever for adaptive cruise control
216123456789101112131415161718192021222324Steering wheel locking lever13
Depending on equipment fitted:
▶ Ignition lock
189
▶Starter button
189
Handbrake lever
192
Depending on equipment fitted:
▶ Gearshift lever (manual gearbox)
193
▶Selector lever (automatic gearbox)
194
Depending on equipment fitted:
▶ 12-Volt power socket
90
▶Cigarette lighter
91
Bar with keys depending on the equipment fitted:
▶  Central locking system
53
▶
 START STOP
190
▶
 Traction control TCS
201
▶
 Electronic Stability Control ESC
200
▶
/
 Selection of travel mode
221
▶
 Park Assist
209
▶
 Parking aid
204
▶
 Tyre pressure monitoring system
229
Storage compartmenttelephone box
84, 84
USB and AUX inputs
85
Controls for heating / air conditioning
105
Note
The layout of the controls on right-hand drive vehicles differs partially from
that shown in this layout » Fig. 16.25262728293031323329cockpit