2016 SKODA RAPID SPACEBACK 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. 139 on page 113 .
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 112, Adjusting
the ready position .
The ball rod must be cleaned before storing in the box with the vehicle tool
always.
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. 145
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 111 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. 145 .
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.
Using the towing device
Trailer (accessory) connect and disconnect
Fig. 146
Swivel out the 13-pin power
socket, safety eyelet
Connect and disconnect
›
Install the ball rod and remove the protective cap
3
» Fig. 135 on page 111 .
›
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. 146 .
›
Insert the trailer / accessory cable into the 13-pin socket. (If the trailer / ac-
cessories 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. 
115Towing device and trailer

Exterior mirrors
You should have additional exterior mirrors fitted if you are not able to see the
traffic behind the trailer using the standard rear-view mirrors.
Headlights
The front of the vehicle may lift up when a trailer (accessory) is being towed
and the headlights may dazzle other road users. Set the range of the head-
lights » page 54 .
Power supply of the trailer / accessory power system
In the electrical connection between the vehicle and trailer (accessory), the
trailer (accessories) is supplied with power from the vehicle (with ignition
switched on and off).
With the engine switched off, the vehicle battery is discharged by the connec-
ted consumers.
At low charge state of the vehicle battery, the power supply to the trailer (ac-
cessories) is interrupted.WARNING■ An improperly connected electrical installation of the trailer (accessories)
may result in an accident or serious injury from electrical shock.■
Do not make any adjustments to the electrical installation of the vehicle
and the trailer (accessories) - risk of an accident or serious injury from elec-
trical shock.
WARNING (Continued)■ After the electrical connection between the vehicle and trailer (accessory)
the trailer / accessory lights should be checked for function.■
Never use the securing eye to tow - risk of accident!
CAUTION
■ An improperly connected electrical installation of the trailer (accessories) can
lead to the inoperability of the vehicle electronics.■
The total power consumption of all the connected consumers to the trailer
power supply must not exceed 350 watts, otherwise there is a risk of damage
to the electrical system of the vehicle.
Loading a trailer
Correct the tyre inflation pressure on the vehicle for “full load” » page 137.
Distribution of the cargo
Distribute the cargo in the trailer in such a way that heavy items are located as
close to the trailer axle as possible. Secure the load from slipping.
The distribution of the weight is very poor if your vehicle is unladen and the
trailer is laden. Nevertheless, maintain a particularly low speed if you cannot
avoid driving with this combination.
WARNINGA sliding cargo can significantly adversely affect stability and driving safety
- there is a risk of accident!
Trailer load
The permissible trailer load must not be exceeded under any circumstances.Permissible trailer loadEngineGearboxPermissible trailer load, braked (kg)Permissible trailer load, unbraked (kg)Gradients of up to 12 %Gradients of up to 8% a)1.2 l/66 kW TSIMG9001000580DSG90010005901.2 ltr./81 kW TSIMG110012005901.4 ltr./92 kW TSIDSG12001200600DSG (Green tec)12001200610
116Driving

EngineGearboxPermissible trailer load, braked (kg)Permissible trailer load, unbraked (kg)Gradients of up to 12 %Gradients of up to 8%a)1.6 l./81 kW MPIMG10001100580AG100011006001.4 l/66 kW TDI CRMG10001100610DSG100011006201.6 l/85 kW TDI CRMG12001200630a)
Only valid for some countries.
WARNINGThe maximum vertical load and the maximum trailer load must not be ex-
ceeded - there is risk of accident!
Towing a trailer
Driving speed
For safety reasons, do not drive with the trailer any faster than 100 km/h
(when the towing vehicle is a passenger car of category M1) or 80 km/h (when
the towing vehicle is a truck of category N1).
Immediately reduce your speed as soon as even the slightest swaying of the
trailer is detected. Never attempt to stop the trailer from “swaying” by acceler-
ating.
Brakes
Apply the brakes in good time! If the trailer is fitted with a trailer brake, apply
the brakes gently at first, then brake firmly. This will avoid brake jolts resulting
from the trailer wheels locking.
On downhill sections shift down a gear in good time to also use the engine as
a brake.
WARNINGAlways drive particularly carefully with the trailer.
CAUTION
With frequent towing, the vehicle is excessively loaded so this must also be
checked between service intervals.Anti-theft alarm system
The alarm is triggered if, with a vehicle with activated anti-theft alarm (herein-
after only warning system), the electrical connection to the trailer (accessory)
is interrupted.
Always switch off the anti-theft alarm system before a trailer (accessory) is
coupled or uncoupled » page 49.
Conditions for including a trailer (accessory) in the anti-theft alarm system. The vehicle is factory-fitted with an anti-theft alarm system and a towing
device.
The trailer (accessory) is electrically connected to the towing vehicle by
means of the trailer socket.
The electrical system of the vehicle and trailer (accessory) is functional.
The vehicle is locked and the anti-theft alarm system is activated.
The trailer (accessory) is not equipped with LED taillights.117Towing device and trailer

WARNING■No changes may be made to airbag system components, the front bump-
er and the bodywork.■
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.
■
Do not manipulate individual parts of the airbag system, as this might re-
sult in the airbag being deployed.
■
If the airbag has been deployed, the airbag system must be replaced.
Acceptance and recycling of used vehicles
Read and observe
on page 118 first.
All new ŠKODA vehicles are 95% recyclable.
Service intervals
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Overview of service intervals
120
Fixed service intervals QI1 - QI4
121
Variable service interval QI6
121
Digital Service Plan
121
The service interval display in the display of the instrument cluster will remind
you to carry out every service stipulated by the manufacturer at the right time
in order to prevent you from forgetting any » page 42.
The completion of services can be verified through the printed verification
from the digital service schedule and the respective receipts.
The specified service intervals are tailored to normal operating conditions.
In the case of aggravated operating conditions, it will be necessary to have
some service work carried out before the date of the next regular service or
between the specified service intervals. This applies mainly to the cleaning or
the replacement of the air filter insert in regions with heavy dust pollution as
well as checking and replacing the toothed belt, but also to vehicles with die-
sel particle filters, which can put greater strain on the engine oil.
The following is taken to mean aggravated operating conditions:
▶ Fuel containing sulphur.
▶ Frequent short trips.
▶ Longer periods of engine idling (e.g. taxis).
▶ Operation in areas with heavy dust pollution.
▶ Frequent trailer operation.
▶ Predominantly stop-and-go traffic as is e.g. often the case in city driving.
▶ Operation predominantly during winter.
You will be told at the specialist garage whether the operating conditions of
your vehicle may make it necessary for service work to be carried out between
the normal service intervals.
Different service charges may apply according to the particular scope of work
required, the vehicle type and specification, and your vehicle’s condition.
Note
■ The customer is responsible for covering the cost of all services including
changing or replenishing the oil, even during the warranty period, unless sta-
ted otherwise in the ŠKODA AUTO warranty terms or other agreements.■
You will be informed about the service checks and actions at each service by
the specialist garage.
Overview of service intervals
Fig. 147
Vehicle data carrier: Service In-
terval
The service interval specified by the manufacturer is indicated on the vehicle
data carrier » Fig. 147 which can be found both in this Owner's Manual as well
as in the vehicle.
One of the following service intervals applies for your vehicle. ▶ Fixed service interval QI1.
▶ Fixed service interval QI2.
▶ Fixed service interval QI3. 
120General Maintenance

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. 163
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 142.
›
Remove the full wheel trim » page 143 or caps » page 143 .
›
Loosen the wheel bolts » page 144 » . 
141Emergency equipment and self-help

Preparing to use the breakdown kitRead and observe
on page 145 first.
For safety's sake, the following instructions must be observed before
undertaking a wheel repair on a 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 . While the repair is being carried out, the pas-
sengers should not stand on the road (instead they should remain behind a
crash barrier, for instance).
›
Uncouple any trailers.
Sealing and inflating tyres
Read and observe
on page 145 first.
Sealing
›
Unscrew the valve cap from the damaged tyre.
›
Insert the valve remover
2
» Fig. 170 on page 145 on the valve insert, so that
the valve insert fits into the slot of the valve remover.
›
Unscrew the valve insert and place it on a clean base (rag, paper etc.).
›
Forcefully shake bottle
10
» Fig. 170 on page 145 several times.
›
Firmly screw the inflation hose
3
onto the tyre inflater bottle
10
. The film on
the bottle cap is pierced.
›
Remove the plug from the inflation hose
3
and insert the bottle onto the
tyre valve.
›
Hold the bottle
10
with the bottom facing upwards and fill all of the sealing
agent from the tyre inflater bottle into the tyre.
›
Remove the filler plug from the tyre valve.
›
Screw in the valve insert with the valve remover
2
.
Inflating
›
Screw the tyre inflation hose
7
» Fig. 170 on page 145 firmly onto the tyre
valve.
› For vehicles with
manual transmission , set the lever in the neutral position.›On vehicles with automatic transmission , place the selector lever in the P
position.›
Start the engine.
›
Plug the connector
6
into the 12-volt socket » page 71.
›
Switch on the air compressor with the ON and OFF switch
9
.
›
Once tyre inflation pressure of 2.0-2.5 bar has been reached, turn off the air
compressor. Maximum run time of 6 minutes » .
›
If you cannot reach an air pressure of 2.0 - 2.5 bar, unscrew the tyre inflation
hose
7
from the tyre valve.
›
Drive the vehicle 10 metres forwards or backwards to allow the sealing agent
to “distribute” in the tyre.
›
Firmly screw the tyre inflation hose
7
back onto the tyre valve and repeat
the inflation process.
›
Stick the sticker
1
» Fig. 170 on page 145 on the dashboard in the driver's
field of view.
At a tyre inflation pressure of 2.0 – 2.5 bar, the journey can be continued at a
maximum speed of 80 km/h or 50 mph.
WARNING■ If the tire does not inflate at least. 2.0 bar, the damage is too great. The
sealing agent cannot be used to seal the tyre.  Stop driving! Seek help
from a specialist garage.■
The tyre inflation hose and air compressor may get hot as the tyre is be-
ing inflated – there is a risk of burning.
CAUTION
Switch off the air compressor if it has been running for as much as 6 minutes –
risk of damage to the compressor! Allow the air compressor to cool a few mi-
nutes before switching it on again.
Information on driving with repaired tyres
Read and observe
on page 145 first.
The inflation pressure of the repaired tyre must be checked after driving for 10minutes.
If the tyre pressure is 1.3 bar or less
›
The tyre cannot be properly sealed with the breakdown kit. 
Do not contin-
ue to drive! Seek help from a specialist garage. 
146Do-it-yourself

›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. 171 .
›
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. 172 .
›
Unlock the lock buttons of the cover 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. 172 .
›
Clamp the negative terminal of the jumper cable to the earth point of the en-
gine
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. 173
Braided tow rope / Spiral tow rope
To tow with a tow rope, only use a braided synthetic fibre rope » Fig. 173 -
 »
.
Attach the tow rope or the tow bar to the towing eyes at the front
» page 149 , towing eyes at the rear » page 149 or to the towing device of
the trailer device » page 111 .
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. 
148Do-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. 173-  , 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 147, 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. 174
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. 174 .
›
To fit it, 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 fit, screw in the towing eye by hand in the direction of the arrow3
» Fig. 174 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 it, 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. 175
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. 175. Replace the
protective cap after using the towing eye.
Vehicles with a trailer device
For vehicles with a factory-fitted towing device, the pre-installed detachable
tow-bar may be used » page 111, Hitch .
149Emergency equipment and self-help