SKODA OCTAVIA TOUR 2010 1.G / (1U) Columbus Navigation System Manual
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Transporting children safely
120
Child safety seats in Group 2For children up to about 7 years of age weighing between 15 and 25 kg the optimal 
solution is a child safety seat in comb ination with the three-point seat belt  fig. 130 .
WARNING
When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply with 
the appropriate national regu lations regarding the use of child safety seats. If 
required, the airbag has to be deactivated,
in a specialist garage
 or by using the switch for the front passenger airbag*  page 113.
The shoulder part of the seat belt must run approximately across the middle 
of the shoulder and fit snugly against the chest. It must on no account run 
across the neck. The lap part of the seat belt must run across the pelvis and fits 
snugly; it must not run over the belly. Tighten the belt webbing over your hip if 
necessary.
Please comply with any differing nati onal legal regulations regarding the 
use of child safety seats.
Child safety seats in Group 3For children of about 7 years of age weighing between 22 and 36 kg and of a height of 
less than 150 cm, the optimal solution is a  child safety seat (seat bolster) in combina-
tion with the three-point seat belt  fig. 131 .
Children of more than 150 cm in height ma y use the seat belts fitted to the vehicle 
without a seat bolster.
WARNING
When transporting a child on the fron t passenger seat, please comply with 
the appropriate national regulations regard ing the use of child safety seats. If 
required, the airbag has to be deactivated,
in a specialist garage
 or by using the switch for  the front passenger airbag*  page 113.
The shoulder part of the seat belt mu st run approximately across the middle 
of the shoulder and fit snugly against the chest. It must on no account run 
across the neck. The lap part of the seat belt must run across the pelvis and fits 
snugly; it must not run over the belly. Tighten the belt webbing over your hip if 
necessary.
Please comply with any differing nati onal legal regulations regarding the 
use of child safety seats.
Fig. 130  Child seat in Group 2 
installed on the rear seat facing 
the direction of travel
Fig. 131  Child seat in Group 3 
installed on the rear seat facing 
the direction of travel
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Transporting children safely121
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Attaching a child seat using the “ISOFIX” systemThere are two locking eyes between the rear  exterior seat backrest and the surface of 
the seat itself on both sides for fixing the  ISOFIX system child seat in place. One can 
mount a child safety seat using the  ISOFIX system quickly, easily and reliably. The 
installation must be carried out according to the supplied instructions. The seat must 
click into place audi bly when installing.Install child seat– Insert the mounting funnels onto the lock ing eyes between the seat backrest and 
the seat cushion  fig. 132 .
– Push the notched arms of the child seat in to the locking eyes until they are heard 
to lock in place  fig. 133. –
Pull on both sides of the child seat!
One can mount a child safety seat using the  “ISOFIX” system quickly, easily and reli-
ably. Please pay close attention to instruct ions from the manufacturer of the child 
safety seat when installing and removing the seat.
Child seats fitted with the “ISOFIX” system  can only be mounted and fixed in a vehicle 
fitted with an “ISOFIX” system when these child seats have been released for this type 
of vehicle according to the ECE-R 44 standard.
You can obtain child seats with the “ISOFIX” attachment system from specialist garages 
who will also installed it as well.
Complete installation instructions are  enclosed with the child safety seat.
WARNING
The locking eyes have just been deve loped for child safety seats which use 
the “ISOFIX” system. You should therefore  never attach other child safety seats, 
seat belts or objects to the locking eyes - hazard!
Ask a specialist garage whether a child seat which you bought for another 
vehicle is recommended for use in your  vehicle before using a child seat with 
“ISOFIX” system.
Certain child seats which use the “ISO FIX” system can be attached with 
standard three-point seat belts. Please pay close attention to instructions from 
the manufacturer of the child safety seat when installing and removing the 
seat.Note
Child seats which use the “ISOFIX” system are currently available for children 
weighing from 9 up to 18 kg. This correspond s to an age range of from 9 months to 4 
years.
Fig. 132  Locking eyes (ISOFIX 
system)Fig. 133  The ISOFIX child seat is 
pushed into the mounting 
funnels
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Transporting children safely
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Intelligent Technology123
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Driving TipsIntelligent TechnologyElectronic stability programme (ESP)*GeneralGeneral
The ESP aids you in maintaining control of  your vehicle in situations in which the 
vehicle is driving at its dynamic limits, such as  entering a curve fast. The risk of skidding 
is reduced and your vehicle thus offers greater driving stability depending on the 
conditions of the road surface. The system operates at all speeds.
The following systems are integrated into the electronic stability programme:
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL),
Traction control system (TCS),
Antilock brake system (ABS),
Brake Assist.
Operating principle
The ESP switches on automatically when the engine is started and then conducts a self-
test. The ESP control unit processes data from the individual systems. It also processes  additional measurement data which are supplied by highly sensitive sensors: the rota-
tional velocity of the vehicle about its vert
ical axis, the lateral acceleration of the 
vehicle, the braking pressure and the steering angle.
The direction which the driver wishes to take is determined based on the steering 
angle and the speed of the vehicle and is co nstantly compared with the actual behav-
iour of the vehicle. If  differences exist, such as the vehi cle beginning to skid, the ESP will 
automatically brake the appropriate wheel.
The car is stabilised again by the forces wh ich take effect when the wheel is braked. 
Intervention into the brake system takes place primarily on the outer front wheel of a 
vehicle which tends to oversteer (tendency for the rear of the vehicle to break away) 
while occurs this is on the inner rear wh eel of a vehicle which tends to understeer 
(tendency to shift out of the curve). This braking control cycle is accompanied by 
noises.
The ESP operates in combination with the ABS  page 126, “Antilock brake system 
(ABS)*”. If there is a fault in the ABS system, the ESP also does not operate.
The ESP warning light lights up in the instrument cluster when there is a fault on the 
ESP  page 31.
Switching off
You can switch the ESP off and on agai n as you wish, by pressing the button fig. 134 . 
The ESP warning light lights up in the instrument cluster when the system is switched 
off  page 31.
The ESP should normally always be switched  on. It may be good practice in certain 
exceptional cases, such as when you wish to  have wheel slip, to switch off the system.
Examples:
when driving with snow chains
when driving in deep snow or on a loose surface
when it is necessary to rock a vehicle when it has become stuck.
then you should switch on the ESP again.
Fig. 134  ESP switch
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Intelligent Technology
124WARNING
It is also not possible for the ESP to overcome the physical limits of the vehicle. 
Even if a vehicle fitted with ESP you should still always adapt your style of 
driving to the condition of the road surface and the traffic situation. This partic-
ularly applies when driving on slippery  and wet roads. The increased safety 
offered must not tempt you to take greater risks than otherwise - risk of an acci-
dent!
Note
All four wheels must be fitted with the same tyres in order to achieve problem-free 
operation of the ESP. Differing rolling circum ferences of the tyres can lead to an unde-
sirable reduction in the engine output.
Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on th e brakes, on chassis or another combina-
tion of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the ESP  page 166, “Accesso-
ries, changes and replacement of parts”.
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)*
The electronic differential lock prev ents an individual wheel from slip-
ping.Vehicles fitted with ABS* can be equipped  with electronic differential lock (EDL).
General
The EDL makes it much easier, and sometimes  at all possible, to start off, accelerate 
and climb a steep hill when the conditions of the road surface are unfavourable.
Operating principle
The EDL is activated automaticall y, that is without any action on the part of the driver. 
It monitors the speeds of the driven wheels with the aid of the ABS sensors. Should 
only  one drive wheel begin spinning on a slippery surface there will be an appreciable 
difference in the speed of the driven wheels. The EDL function brakes the slipping 
wheel and the differential transmits a greate r driving force to the other driven wheel. 
This control process is also accompanied by noises. Overheating of the brakes
The EDL switches off automatica
lly if unusually severe stresses exist in order to avoid 
excessive heat generation in the disc brak e on the wheel which is being braked. The 
vehicle can continue to be driven and has  the same characteristics as a vehicle not 
fitted with EDL.
The EDL switches on again automatically  as soon as the brake has cooled down.
WARNING
Carefully depress the accelerator when  accelerating on uniformly slippery 
road surfaces, such as ice and snow. Th e driven wheels might still spin despite 
the EDL and affect the stability of  the vehicle - risk of an accident!
You should always adapt your style of driving to the condition of road 
surface and to the traffic situation even  when your vehicle is fitted with EDL. 
The increased safety offered must not tempt you to take greater risks than 
otherwise - risk of an accident!Note
If the ABS warning light comes on, this may  also indicate a fault in the EDL. Please 
have the vehicle inspected as soon as  possible by a specialist garage.
Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or another combina-
tion of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the EDL  page 166, “Accesso-
ries, changes and replacement of parts”.
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Intelligent Technology125
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Traction control system (TCS)
The traction control system prevents  the driven wheels from spinning 
when accelerating.General
The TCS makes it much easier, and sometimes  at all possible, to start off, accelerate 
and climb a steep hill when the conditions of the road surface are unfavourable.
Operating principle
The TCS switches on automatically when th e engine is started and then conducts a 
self-test. The system monitors the speeds of the driven wheels with the aid of the ABS 
sensors. If the wheels are spinning, the force transmitted to the road surface is auto-
matically adapted by reducing the engine speed. The system operates at all speeds.
The TCS operates in combination with the ABS  page 126, “Antilock brake system 
(ABS)*”. The TCS will not function if a fault exists in the ABS system.
The TCS warning light lights up in the instru ment cluster when there is a fault on the 
TCS  page 31.
Switching off
You can switch the TCS off and on again  as you wish by pressing the button fig. 135 . 
The TCS warning light lights up in the instru ment cluster when the system is switched 
off  page 31.
The TCS should normally always be switched  on. It may be good practice in certain 
exceptional cases, such as when you wish to  have wheel slip, to switch off the system. Examples:
when driving with snow chains
when driving in deep snow or on a loose surface
when it is necessary to rock a vehicle when it has become stuck.
then you should switch on the TCS again.
WARNING
You should always adjust your style of driving to the conditions of the road 
surface and the traffic situation. The increased safety offered must not tempt 
you to take greater risks than otherwise - risk of an accident!
Note
All four wheels must be fitted with the same tyres in order to achieve problem-free 
operation of the TCS. Differing rolling circumferences of the tyres can lead to an unde-
sirable reduction in the engine output.
Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or another combina-
tion of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the TCS  page 166, “Accesso-
ries, changes and replacement of parts”.
BrakesWhat has a negative effect on braking efficiency?Wear-and-tear
Wear-and-tear to the brake pa ds is greatly dependent on the operating conditions of 
the vehicle and your style of driving. Particularly if you drive a great deal in towns and 
over short distances or if you adopt a sporty  style of driving, it may be necessary to 
have the thickness of the brake pads insp ected at a specialist garage between the 
service inspections.
Wet roads or road salt
There may be a certain delay before the brakes take full effect un der certain conditions 
such as when driving through water, during  heavy rain showers or after the vehicle has 
been washed in an automatic vehicle wash , since the brake discs and brake pads may 
Fig. 135  TCS switch
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Intelligent Technology
126
be moist or even have a coatin g of ice on them in winter. Yo u  s h o u l d  d r y  t h e  b r a k e s  a s  
soon as possible by applying and  releasing the brakes several times.
There also may be a certain delay before the full braking efficiency is available when 
driving on roads which have been treated wi th road salt if you have not used the 
brake s for s ome cons ide ra bl e time  be foreha nd . T he la yer of s alt on the  brake di scs  a nd 
brake pads must first be rubbed off when you apply the brakes.
Corrosion
Corrosion on the brake discs and dirt on th e bake pads occur if the vehicle has been 
parked for a long period an d if you do not make much use of the braking system.
We recommend cleaning the brak e discs by firmly applying the brakes at a fairly high 
speed if you do not make much use of the braking system or if surface corrosion is 
present  .
Faults in the brake surface
If you notice that the braking distance ha s suddenly become longer and that the brake 
pedal can be depressed further, it is possible that a brake circuit of the dual-circuit 
brake system has failed. Drive, in such cases, to the nearest specialist garage without 
delay in order to have the problem rectified. Drive at a reduced speed while on your 
way to the dealer and adapt your style of driving to the higher brake pedal pressure 
required.
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 31, “Brake system  ”.
WARNING
Only 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 jeop-
ardy.
When retrospectively mounting a front spoiler, solid wheel hubs etc. one 
must ensure that the air supply to the  front wheel brakes is not reduced other-
wise the braking system could run too hot.
Allow for the fact that new brake pads  do not achieve their full braking effi-
ciency until approximately  200 kilometres. New brake pads must be first “run 
in” before they develop their optimal friction force. You can, however,  compensate for this slightly reduced br
aking force by increasing the pressure 
on the brake pedal. This guideline also  applies to any new brake pads installed 
at a future date.
Caution
Never allow the brakes to rub by applying  slight pressure if you do not wish to 
brake the vehicle. This causes the brakes to  overheat and can also result in a longer 
braking distance and excessive wear.
Before negotiating a steep downhill section, reduce your speed, shift down into the 
next lower gear. This enables you to make full use of the braking power of the vehicle 
and reduces the strain on the brakes. Any additional braking should be done intermit-
tently, not continuously.
Brake boosterThe brake booster boosts the pressure whic h you generate with the brake pedal. The 
necessary pressure is only genera ted when the engine is running.
WARNING
Never switch off the engine befo re the vehicle is stationary.
The brake booster only operates when the engine is running. Greater phys-
ical effort for braking is required when en gine is switched off. Because if you do 
not stop as normal, this can cause an accident and severe injuries.
Antilock brake system (ABS)*ABS prevents the wheels locking when braking.General
The ABS contributes significan tly to enhancing the active safety of your vehicle. 
Compared to a vehicle not fitted with the ABS brake system, you are able to retain 
optimal steering ability even during a full br ake application on a slippery road surface 
because the wheels do not lock up.
WARNING (continued)
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Intelligent Technology127
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
You must not expect, however, that the br
aking distance will be shorter under all 
circumstances as a result of the ABS. The  braking distance for example on gravel and 
fresh snow, when you should anyway be driving slowly and cautiously, will be longer.
Operating principle
The brake pressure will be reduced on a wheel which is rotating at a speed which is too 
low for the speed of the vehicle and tending  to lock. This control cycle is noticeable 
from a  pulsating movement of the brake pedal  which is accompanied by noises. 
This is consciously intended to provide the driver with the information that the wheels 
are tending to lock (ABS control range) . You must always keep the brake pedal 
depressed to enable the ABS to optimally control the brake application in this braking 
range. Never interrupt the application of the brakes!
WARNING
The ABS can also not overcome the physical  limits of your vehicle. Please do 
not forget this, particularly when driving on icy or wet road surfaces. If the ABS 
is operating within the control range,  adapt your speed immediately to the 
conditions of the road surface and the traffic situation. The increased safety 
offered by the ABS must not tempt you to take greater risks than otherwise - 
risk of an accident!
The normal braking system is  still fully functional if there is an ABS fault. 
Visit a specialist garage as quickly as poss ible and adjust your style of driving to 
take account of the ABS fault in the meantime since you will not know the 
extent of the fault and in how far  the braking efficiency is affected.Note
A warning light comes on if a fault occurs in the ABS system  page 30.
Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on th e brakes, on chassis or another combina-
tion of tyres and wheels) can in fluence the function of the ABS  page 166, “Accesso-
ries, changes and replacement of parts”.
Brake Assist*During a severe brake application (e.g. if a hazard exists), the Brake Assist increases the 
braking force and thus makes it possible to rapidly produce the pressure required in 
the brake system.
The majority of drivers do a pply the brakes in good time  in dangerous situations, but 
do not depress the brake pedal with suffi cient pressure. Consequently, it is not 
possible for the vehicle to achieve its maximum deceleration and the vehicle covers a 
greater distance than necessary.
The Brake Assist is activated by the very qu ick operation of the brake pedal. In such 
cases, a much greater braking pressure exists than during a normal brake application. 
This makes it possible, even with a relatively low resistance of the brake pedal, to 
produce an adequate pressure in the brake system in the shortest possible time, which 
is required for maximum dece leration of the vehicle. You must apply the brake pedal 
firmly and hold it in this position in or der to achieve the shortest possible braking 
distance.
The Brake Assist is able to help you achi eve a shorter braking distance in emergency 
situations by rapidly producing the pressure required in the brake system. It fully 
exploits the attributes of the ABS. After you release the brake pedal, the function of the 
Brake Assist is automatically switched off  and the brakes operate in the normal way.
WARNING
The Brake Assist is also not able to overcome the physical limits of your 
vehicle in terms of the braking distance required.
Adapt your speed to the conditions of the road surface and to the traffic 
situation.
The increased safety offered by the Brake Assist must not tempt you to take 
a greater safety risk than otherwise.
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Driving and the Environment
128
Driving and the EnvironmentThe first 1 500 kilometres and then afterwardsA new engine
The engine has to be run in du ring the first 1 500 kilometres.Up to 1 000 kilometres– Do not drive faster than 3/4 of the maximum speed of the gear in use, that is 3/4 of 
the maximum permissi ble engine speed.
– Do not use full throttle.
– Avoid high engine revolutions.
– Do not tow a trailer.From 1 000 up to 1 500 kilometres– Increase the power output of the engine  gradually up to the full speed of the gear 
engaged, that is up to the maxi mum permissible engine revolutions.
During the first operating hours the engine ha s higher internal friction than later until 
all of the moving parts have harmonized. Th e driving style which you adopt during the 
first approx.1 500 kilometres  plays a decisive part in the success of running in your 
vehicle.
You should not drive at unnecessarily  high engine revolutions even after the 
running-in period is complete . The maximum permissible en gine speed is marked by 
the beginning of the red zone on the scale of the revolutions counter. Shift up into the 
next higher gear on a vehi cle fitted with manual gearbox before the red zone is 
reached.  Extremely  high engine revolutions are automatically governed, by the way.
For a vehicle fitted with a manual gearbox the  converse situation also applies: Do not 
drive at engine revolutions which are  too low. Shift down as soon as the engine is no 
longer running smoothly.
Caution
All the speed and engine revolution figures apply only when the engine is at its normal 
operating temperature. Never rev up an engine which is cold, neither when the vehicle 
is stationary nor when driving in individual gears.
For the sake of the environment
Not driving at unnecessari ly high engine revolutions and  shifting to a higher gear as 
early as possible are ways to minimise fu el consumption and operating noise levels 
and protects the environment.New tyresNew tyres have to be “run in” since they do  not offer optimal grip at first. You should 
take account of this fact for the first 500  kilometres and drive particularly carefully.New brake padsAllow for the fact that new brake pads do no t achieve their full braking efficiency until 
approximately 200 kilometres. New brake pads must be first “run in” before they 
develop their optimal friction force. You ca n, however, compensate for this slightly 
reduced braking force by increasing the pressure on the brake pedal.
This guideline also applies to any new brake pads installed at a future date.
During the running-in pe riod, you should avoid excessive stresses on the brakes. This 
includes, for example, violent braking, part icularly from very high speeds, and also 
when crossing mountain passes.
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Driving and the Environment129
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Catalytic converterProper operation of the emission cont rol system (catalytic converter) is 
of major significance for driving your vehicle in an environmentally 
conscious way.Please refer to the following guidelines:
– For vehicles with petrol engine only refuel with unleaded petrol  page 144.
– Never run the fuel tank completely empty.
– Do not switch off the ignition while you are driving the vehicle.
– Do not pour too much oil into the engine  page 151, “Replenishing engine oil”. 
– Do not tow-start the vehicle over a distance of more than 50 metres  page 175, 
“Tow-starting a vehicle”.
If you drive your vehicle in a country in  which unleaded petrol is not available, you 
must have the catalytic converter replaced la ter when driving the vehicle into a country 
in which use of a catalyti c converter is mandatory.
WARNING
In view of the high temperatures which may be produced in the catalytic 
converter, one should always park a vehicle in such a way that the catalytic 
converter cannot come into contact with easily flammable materials below the 
vehicle - a risk of fire!
Never use additional underbody protection or corrosion-protection agents 
for the exhaust pipes, catalytic converters or heat shields. Such substances 
might ignite when driving - risk of fire!Caution
On vehicles fitted with a catalytic converter, never let the fuel tank run completely 
empty. An irregular fuel supply can result in poor ignition or misfiring. Unburnt fuel 
may get into the exhaust system an d damage the catalytic converter.
Filling the tank even only once with le aded petrol will result in the catalytic 
converter being destroyed.
If you detect misfir ing, a drop in performance or  irregular engine running when 
driving, reduce your speed immediately and have the vehicle inspected by the nearest 
specialist garage. The symptoms described ma y be caused by a fault in the ignition 
system. Unburnt fuel may get into the exhaust system and damage the catalytic 
converter.For the sake of the environment
Even if the exhaust system is operating pr operly, a sulphur-like exhaust odour may be 
produced under certain oper ating conditions of the engine. This depends on the 
sulphur content of the fuel. It is often su fficient to refuel with unleaded premium-
grade petrol of a different brand or at a different filling station.Driving in an economical and environmentally 
conscious mannerGeneral
Your personal style of driving is a major factor.Your fuel consumption, any pollution of  the environmental and the wear-and-tear to 
the engine, brakes and tyres, depe nd essentially on three factors:
your personal style of driving,
the conditions under which your vehicle is operated,
technical aspects.
You can easily improve your fuel economy by  10 - 15 percent by driving in an econom-
ical way with foresight. This section is in tended to provide you with a number of tips 
on how to protect the environment  and at the same time save money.
The fuel consumption can naturally also be  influenced by factors which are beyond the 
driver's control. It is, for example, normal  for the fuel consumption to increase in 
winter and under worsened cond itions such as poor road conditions, towing a trailer, 
etc.
The technical requirements for low fuel usage and economic efficiency of the vehicle 
have already been built into the vehicle at the works. Special attention has been given 
to minimising nega tive effects on the environment. It is necessary to take note of the 
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