2016 SKODA RAPID tow bar

Towing device and trailer
Hitch
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Description
108
Adjusting the ready position
109
Check the setting of the standby position
109
Assembling the bar ball - Step 1
110
Assembling the bar ball - Step 2
110
Check proper fitting
111
Removing the bar ball - Step 1.
111
Removing the bar ball - Step 2.
111
Vertical load with mounted accessories
112
The maximum trailer nose weight when towing a trailer is 50 kg. Other infor-
mation (e.g. on the nameplate of the towing device) provide information only
about the test values of the device.
WARNING■ Check that the tow bar is seated correctly and is secured in the mounting
recess before the start of every journey.■
When the ball rod is not properly secured in the receiving shaft, it could
be damaged or incomplete, and should not be used - there is a risk of acci-
dent.
■
Do not modify or adapt the towing device in any way.
■
Keep the mounting recess of the towing equipment clean at all times.
Such dirt prevents the ball head from being attached securely.
DescriptionFig. 129
Carrier for the towing device/tow bar
Read and observe
on page 108 first.
The ball rod is detachable and is located in the stowage compartment for the
spare / emergency wheel.
Support for the towing device and tow bar » Fig. 129
Cap
Mounting recess
Protective cap
locking ball
Centering
Handwheel
Key
Lock cap
Red marking on the handwheel
Tow bar
Green marking on the handwheel
White marking on tow bar
123456789101112108Driving

Adjusting the ready positionFig. 130
Remove cap from the lock / insert key into the lock
Fig. 131
Setting the ready position
Read and observe
on page 108 first.
The tow bar must be set prior to installation to the standby position
» page 109 , Check the setting of the standby position .
›
Grip the tow bar below the protective cap.
›
Remove the cover
A
from the lock in the direction of the arrow
1
» Fig. 130 .
›
Insert the key into the lock
B
in the direction of arrow
2,
so that the arrow
on the key symbol 
shows.
›
Turn the key
B
to the stop in the direction of arrow
3,
so that the arrow on
the key points to the 
» Fig. 131 symbol.
›
Pull the hand wheel
C
in the direction of the arrow
4
and turn in the direc-
tion of the arrow
5
to the stop. The hand wheel
C
remains locked in this
position.
Check the setting of the standby positionFig. 132
Ready position
Read and observe
on page 108 first.
Correctly adjusted standby position » Fig. 132
The key
A
is in the unlocked position - the arrow on the key points to the
symbol .
The locking ball
B
can be pushed fully into the tow bar.
The red marking
C
on the hand wheel points to the white marking on the
ball bar.
There is a clear gap of approx. 4 mm
D
between the hand wheel and the
tow bar.
When in the ready position, the key cannot be removed from the lock. The ball
bar is thus set ready for installation.
109Towing device and trailer

Assembling the bar ball - Step 1Fig. 133
Remove cap for receiving shaft / use ball bar
Read and observe
on page 108 first.
The tow bar must be set to the standby position » page 109, Check the setting
of the standby position . If this is not in the standby position, then it must be
set to the standby position » page 109, Adjusting the ready position .
›
To prepare for the installation , remove the cap for the receiving shaft
A
in
direction of arrow
1
» Fig. 133 .
›
To install , hold the ball rod from underneath » Fig. 133 .
›
Push the ball rod into the receiving shaft in the direction of arrow
2
until it
stops. The ball rod must audibly snap into place » .
The hand wheel
B
rotates back automatically and rests on the ball rod » .
WARNINGDo not hold the handwheel with your hand when attaching the ball bar -
there is a risk of finger injury.Assembling the bar ball - Step 2Fig. 134
Secure the lock and remove key / place cap on lock
Read and observe
on page 108 first.
›
To begin with, follow the first step for the ball rod assembly » page 110.
›
Turn the key
A
in the direction of arrow
1,
so that the arrow on the key
symbol » Fig. 134
shows.
›
Remove the key in the direction of the arrow
2
.
›
Fit the cap
B
on the lock in the direction of the arrow
3
.
›
Check that the ball rod is securely attached » page 111.
WARNINGAfter fitting the tow bar, always secure the lock and remove the key. The
tow bar must not be operated with the key inserted.110Driving

Check proper fittingFig. 135
Correctly secured ball head
Read and observe on page 108 first.
Correctly secured ball rod » Fig. 135
The tow bar does not come out of the mounting recess even after heavy
“shaking”.
The green marking
A
on the handwheel points to the white marking on
the tow bar.
The handwheel is tight against the ball rod.
The lock is locked and the key is removed.
The cap
B
is on the lock.
Removing the bar ball - Step 1.
Fig. 136
Remove cap from the lock / insert key into the lock
Fig. 137
Unlock lock
Read and observe on page 108 first.
No trailer or other accessory is connected to the tow bar. We recommend put-
ting the protective cover onto the ball head before removing the tow bar.
›
Remove the cover
A
from the lock in the direction of the arrow
1
» Fig. 136 .
›
Insert the key into the lock
B
in the direction of arrow
2,
so that the arrow
on the key symbol  shows.
›
Turn the key
B
in the direction of arrow
3,
so that the arrow on the key
symbol » Fig. 137
shows.
Removing the bar ball - Step 2.
Fig. 138
Release tow bar
Read and observe on page 108 first.
Removal
›
Grasp the ball bar from below » Fig. 138 .
›
Pull the hand wheel
A
in the direction of the arrow
1
.
›
Turn the pulled handwheel in the arrow direction
2
until it stops. Hold it in
this position. 
111Towing device and trailer

›Remove the tow bar from the mounting recess downwards and in the direc-
tion of the arrow 3. At the same time, the ball rod latches into the ready po-
sition and is therefore ready to be re-fitted.
After removing the ball rod, insert the cap for the receiving shaft A
against
the direction of arrow
1
» Fig. 133 on page 110 .
If the hand wheel
A
is not turned all the way to the stop, then it will return to
its initial position when the tow bar is removed and will rest on the tow bar
and not engage into the ready position. The ball head then needs to be
brought into this position before the next time it is fitted » page 109, Adjusting
the ready position .
The ball rod must be cleaned before it is stored in the box with the tool kit.
WARNINGNever allow the tow bar to remain unsecured in the boot. This could cause
damage to the boot upon sudden braking, and could put the safety of the
occupants at risk.
Vertical load with mounted accessories
Fig. 139
Representation of the maximum
length of the mounted accesso-
ries and the permissible total
weight of the accessory depend-
ing on the load centre of gravity
Read and observe on page 108 first.
When using the accessories (e.g. bicycle carrier), the maximum length and the
permissible total weight including load must be considered.
The maximum length of the mounted accessories (from the ball of the towing
device) is 70 cm » Fig. 139 .
The total permitted weight of the accessories including load changes with in-
creasing distance of the load centre of gravity from the ball head of the towing
device.
Distance of the centre of gravity of the load from the ball headPermissible total weight of the ac- cessory, including load0 cm50 kg30 cm50 kg60 cm25 kg70 cm0 kg
CAUTION
Never exceed the permissible total weight of the accessories incl. load and
maximum length of the accessories - risk of damage to the towing device.
Note
We recommend that you use accessories from ŠKODA Original Accessories.
Use the towing device
Trailer (accessory) connect and disconnect
Fig. 140
Swivel out the 13-pin power
socket, safety eyelet
Connect and disconnect
›
Install the ball rod and remove the protective cap
3
» Fig. 129 on page 108 .
›
Place the trailer (the accessory) onto the ball head.
›
Grip the 13-pin socket on the handle
A
and swing out in the direction of the
arrow » Fig. 140 .
›
Insert the connector of the trailer cable into the 13-pin socket. (If the trailer /
accessories have a 7-pin connector, use a corresponding reduction piece
from the ŠKODA Original Accessories).
›
Suspend the breakaway cable of the trailer at the safety eyelet
B
(the
breakaway cable must sag in all trailer settings in view of the vehicle).
Uncoupling takes place in reverse order. 
112Driving

WARNINGAlways properly secure the fire extinguisher - there is a risk of injury in the
event of sudden braking or a vehicle collision.
Vehicle tool kit
Fig. 157
Vehicle tool kit
The box with the tool kit is located in the storage compartment for the spare
wheel and may be secured with tape, depending on specification.
Depending on the equipment, not all the components listed in the on-board
tool kit have to be contained in it.
Screwdriver
Spanner for removing and installing the tail light
Top section for the anti-theft wheel bolts
Towing eyelet
Clamps for removing the wheel trims
Jack with sign
Wheel wrench
Extraction pliers for the wheel bolt caps
Breakdown kit
123456789WARNING■ The factory-supplied lifting jack is only intended for your model of vehicle.
Under no circumstances attempt to lift other vehicles or loads with it –
there is a risk of injury.■
Always stow the tool safely in the box and make sure that it is attached
with the belt to the spare wheel - otherwise it could cause injury to the oc-
cupants if breaking suddenly or colliding with another vehicle.
CAUTION
Screw the jack back to its starting position prior to putting it back in its box -
risk of damage to the box.
Note
The declaration of conformity is included with the jack or the log folder.
Changing a wheel
Preliminary work
For safety's sake, the following instructions must be observed before
changing a wheel on the road.
›
Park the vehicle as far as possible away from the traffic flow - choose a place
with a flat and firm surface.
›
Switch off the engine.
›
For vehicles with manual transmission , select 1st gear .
›
For vehicles with automatic transmission , place the selector lever in the P
position.
›
Firmly apply the handbrake.
›
Switch on the hazard warning lights and set up the warning triangle at the
prescribed distance.
›
Have all the occupants get out . The passengers should not stand on the
road while the wheel is being changed (they should remain behind a crash
barrier, for instance).
›
Uncouple any trailers.
Changing a wheel
›
Take out the emergency or spare wheel » page 140.
›
Remove the full wheel trim » page 141 or caps » page 141 .
›
Loosen the wheel bolts » page 142 » . 
139Emergency equipment and self-help

›Attach clamp 3 to the negative terminal of the power-supplying battery.›For vehicles
with the START-STOPsystem, attach clamp 4 to the earth point
of the engine A
» Fig. 165 .
›
For vehicles without the START-STOPsystem, attach clamp
4
to a solid
metal part firmly attached to the engine block or directly to the engine block.
Installation location of the positive terminal and the earth point in vehicles
with the vehicle battery in the luggage compartment
The positive terminal
B
is located under a cover in the engine compartment
» Fig. 166 .
›
Press together the lock buttons of the cover simultaneously in the direction
of arrow
1
and remove the cover in the direction of arrow
2
.
›
Clamp the positive terminal of the jumper cable to the position
B
» Fig. 166 .
›
Clamp the negative terminal of the jumper cable to the earthing point of the
engine
A
or on a metal part firmly connected to the engine block or directly
on the engine block.
Starting engine
›
Start the engine on the vehicle providing the power and allow it to idle.
›
Initiate the starting process in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
›
If the engine does not start within 10 s, then cancel the starting procedure
and repeat after half a minute.
›
Remove the jump start cables in the reverse order as attachment.
WARNING■
Never clamp the jump cable to the negative terminal of the discharged
battery - risk of explosion.■
The non-insulated parts of the terminal clamps must never touch each
other – there is a risk of short circuit.
■
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.
■
Position the jump cables so that they cannot be caught in rotating parts
in the engine compartment - danger of injuries and the risk of vehicle dam-
age.
Towing the vehicle
Information about the towing process
Fig. 167
Braided tow rope / Spiral tow rope
To tow with a tow rope, only use a braided synthetic fibre rope » Fig. 167 -

»
.
Attach the tow rope or the tow bar to the towing eyes at the front
» page 147 , towing eyes at the rear » page 147 or to the towing device of
the trailer device » page 108 .
Conditions for towing. Cars with automatic gearboxes must not be towed with the rear wheels
raised - there is a risk of gearbox damage!
If the gearbox has no oil, your vehicle must be towed with the front axle
raised clear of the ground or on a breakdown vehicle or trailer.
The maximum towing speed is 50 km/h.
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
distance is greater than 50 km.
Driver of the tow vehicle
›
On vehicles with manual transmission , engage gear slowly when starting.
›
On vehicles with automatic transmission , accelerate with particular care.
›
Only then approach correctly when the rope is taut.
Driver of the towed vehicle
›
If possible, the vehicle should be towed with the engine running. The brake
booster and power steering only operate if the engine is running, otherwise
much greater force has to be applied to the brake pedal and more power has
to be expended for steering. 
146Do-it-yourself

›If it is not possible to start the engine, switch on the ignition so that the
steering wheel does not lock 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.
›
Keep the tow rope taut at all times during the towing procedure.
WARNING■ Spiral tow ropes must not be used for towing » Fig. 167-  , the towing
eye may unscrew out of the vehicle - risk of accident.■
The tow rope should not be twisted - there is a risk of accidents.
CAUTION
■ Do not tow-start the engine – risk of damaging the engine! The battery from
another vehicle can be used as a jump-start aid » page 145, Jump-starting .■
For off-road towing manoeuvres, there is a risk to both vehicles that the fas-
teners may become overloaded and damaged.
Note
We recommend that you use a tow rope from ŠKODA Original Accessories.
Front towing eye
Fig. 168
Remove cap / install towing eye
Cap removal/fitting
›
To remove , press down on the cap in the direction of arrow
1
and remove it
in the direction of arrow
2
» Fig. 168 .
›
To fit, insert the cap in arrow range
1
and then press on the opposite edge
of the cap. The cap must engage firmly.
Removing/installing the towing eye›To install , screw in the towing eye by hand in the direction of the arrow3
» Fig. 168 until it clicks into place » .
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.
›
To remove , unscrew the towing eye in the opposite direction to arrow
3
.
WARNINGThe towing eye must always be firmly in place, otherwise the towing eye
could break whilst being towed.
Towing eye rear
Fig. 169
Rear towing eye
The rear towing eye is located below the bumper on the right.
Remove the protective cap before using the towing eye. » Fig. 169. After using
the towing eye, the protective cap can be used again.
Vehicles with a trailer device
For vehicles with a factory-fitted towing device, the pre-installed detachable tow-bar may be used » page 108, Hitch .
147Emergency equipment and self-help