2016 SKODA RAPID SPACEBACK tow bar

Towing device and trailer
Hitch
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Description
111
Adjusting the ready position
112
Check the setting of the standby position
112
Assembling the tow bar – Step 1
113
Assembling the tow bar – Step 2
113
Check proper fitting
114
Removing the tow bar – Step 1
114
Removing the tow bar – Step 2
114
Vertical load with mounted accessories
115
The maximum trailer nose weight when towing a trailer is 50 kg. Other infor-
mation (e.g. on the nameplate of the trailer device) provide only about the test
values of the device information.
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 used and properly secured in the receiving shaft,
this could be damaged or incomplete and must not be used - 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. 135
Carrier for the towing device / tow bar
Read and observe
on page 111 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. 135
Cap
Mounting recess
Protective cap
Locking ball
Centering
Hand wheel
Key
Lock cap
Red marking on the hand wheel
Tow bar
Green marking on the hand wheel
White marking on tow bar
123456789101112111Towing device and trailer

Adjusting the ready positionFig. 136
Remove cap from the lock / insert key into the lock
Fig. 137
Setting the ready position
Read and observe
on page 111 first.
The tow bar must be set prior to installation to the standby position
» page 112 , 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. 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
to the stop in the direction of arrow
3,
so that the arrow on
the key symbol shows 
» Fig. 137 .
›
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. 138
Ready position
Read and observe
on page 111 first.
Correctly adjusted standby position » Fig. 138
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.
112Driving

Assembling the tow bar – Step 1Fig. 139
Remove cap for receiving shaft / use ball bar
Read and observe
on page 111 first.
The tow bar must be set to the standby position » page 112, 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 112, Adjusting the ready position .
›
To prepare for the installation , remove the cap for the receiving shaft
A
in
the direction of arrow
1
» Fig. 139 .
›
To install , hold the ball rod from underneath » Fig. 139 .
›
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 hand wheel with your hand when attaching the ball bar -
there is a risk of finger injury.Assembling the tow bar – Step 2Fig. 140
Secure the lock and remove key / place cap on lock
Read and observe
on page 111 first.
›
First perform step 1 of the tow bar assembly » page 113.
›
Turn the key
A
in the direction of arrow
1,
so that the arrow on the key
symbol 
» Fig. 140 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 114.
WARNINGAfter fitting the tow bar, always secure the lock and remove the key. The
tow bar must not be operated with the key inserted.113Towing device and trailer

Check proper fittingFig. 141
Correctly secured ball head
Read and observe on page 111 first.
Correctly secured ball rod » Fig. 141
The tow bar does not come out of the mounting recess even after heavy
“shaking”.
The green marking
A
on the hand wheel points to the white marking on
the tow bar.
The steering wheel is tight against the ball rod.
The lock is locked and the key is removed.
The cap
B
is on the lock.
Removing the tow bar – Step 1
Fig. 142
Remove cap from the lock / insert key into the lock
Fig. 143
Unlock lock
Read and observe on page 111 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. 142 .
›
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. 143 shows.
Removing the tow bar – Step 2
Fig. 144
Release tow bar
Read and observe on page 111 first.
Removing
›
Grasp the ball bar from below » Fig. 144 .
›
Pull the hand wheel
A
in the direction of the arrow
1
.
›
Pull the steering wheel until it stops in the direction of arrow
2
. Hold in this
position. 
114Driving

›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

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

›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