towing SKODA OCTAVIA 2005 1.G / (1U) User Guide

Automatic gearbox DSG
162
Selector lever-emergency unlocking (DSG)
In case of interruption of the power supply (e.g. flat vehicle
battery, defective fuse) or defect of the selector lever lock, the
selector lever can no longer be shifted from the position P in the
normal way and the vehicle can no longer be moved. The
selector lever must be unlocked in case of emergency.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Open the stowage compartment in front centre console* or the front ashtray.
– Carefully pull up the front left and right cover.
– Pull up rear cover.
– Press with a narrow object (e.g. ignition key) the yellow plastic hoop -arrow- to the left. – Simultaneously press the shiftlock button in the handle of the
selector lever in the position N
8).
Tow-starting and towing vehicle
Tow-starting a vehicle
It is not possible to tow-start vehicles fitted with automatic gearbox
⇒page 283.
you can use jump-start cables connected to the battery of another vehicle
for starting your car if the vehicle battery is flat ⇒page 281.
Towing a vehicle
Please pay attention to the following information if it comes necessary to
tow-in your car ⇒page 283.
Fig. 145 Selector
lever-emergency
unlocking
8)If the selector lever is moved again into the position P, it is once again blocked.
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Intelligent Technology
220
Tyre inflation pressure-control system*
The tyre inflation pressure-control system compares with the aid of the
ABS sensors the speed and also the rolling circumference of the individual
wheels. If the rolling circumference of a wheel is changed, the warning
light
 lights up in the dash panel insert ⇒page 38. The rolling circumfer-
ence of the tyre can change if:
•the tyre inflation pressure is too low,
•the structure of the tyre is damaged,
•the vehicle is loaded on one side,
•the wheels of an axle are loaded heavily (e.g. when towing a trailer or
when driving uphill or downhill),
•snow chains are mounted,
•the temporary spare wheel is mounted,
•one wheel per axle was changed. Basic setting of tyre inflation pressure-control system
After changing the tyre inflation pressures or after changing one or several
wheels, the button for the tyre inflation pressure-control system must be
pressed long enough until an acknowledegment tone sounds when the
ignition is switched on.
•Inflate all tyres to the specified inflation pressure
⇒page 264.
•Switch on the ignition.
•Press the button   ⇒ fig. 182 long enough, until an acknowledg-
ment tone sounds, which confirms the storage of the basic values. As long
as the button
  is pressed, the warning light lights up in the instru-
ment .
Warning light
 lights up
If the tyre inflation pressure of at least one wheel is insufficiently inflated
in comparison to the stored basic value, the warning light
 ⇒ lights
up.
Warning light
 flashes
If the warning light flashes, there is a system fault. Have the vehicle
inspected by your nearest specialist garage.
WARNING
•When the warning light  lights up, immediately reduce the
speed and avoid sudden steering and brake manoeuvres. Please
stop the vehicle without delay at the nearest possible stop and
inspect the tyres and their inflation pressures.
•The driver is responsible for the correct tyre inflation pressures.
For this reason, the tyre inflation pressures must be checked regu-
larly.
•Under certain circumstances (e.g. sporty style of driving, wintry
or unpaved roads) the warning light  can be delayed or does not
light up at all.
Fig. 182 Button for
setting the tyre infla-
tion pressure control
value
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Driving and the Environment223
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
For the sake of the environment
Even if the exhaust system is operating properly, a sulphur-like exhaust
odour may be produced under certain operating conditions of the engine.
This depends on the sulphur content of the fuel. It is often sufficient to
refuel with unleaded premium-grade petrol of a different brand or at a
different filling station.
Driving in an economical and
environmentally conscious manner
General
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, depend 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 economical way with foresight. This section is intended 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 conditions 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 negative effects on the environ-
ment. It is necessary to take note of the guidelines given in this chapter in
order to make best use of these characteristics and to maintain their
effectiveness.
Looking ahead when driving
A vehicle's highest fuel consumption occurs when it accel-
erates.
Avoid accelerating and braking unnecessarily. If you drive with forsight
you will not need to brake so often and will also then not have to accel-
erate so much. Let your vehicle coast to a stop, for example, if this is
possible, when you see that the next set of traffic lights is at red.
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Towing a trailer229
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Towing a trailer
Towing a trailer
Technical requirements
The towing device must satisfy certain technical require-
ments.
Your vehicle is designed primarily for transporting persons and luggage.
It can, however, also be used for towing a trailer - provided certain tech-
nical equipment is fitted.
If your vehicle has already been supplied with a factory-fitted towing
device then everything that is necessary for towing a trailer in technical
terms, and in terms of the law, has already been taken into account.
Your vehicle is fitted with a 13-pin power socket for the electrical connec-
tion between the vehicle and trailer. If the trailer which you wish to tow has
a 7-pin connector , you can use a suitable adapter
10) from Škoda original
accessories.
This work must be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's
specifications if a towing device is retrofitted.
Škoda dealers are familiar with details relating to retrofitting a towing
device and for any necessary modifications to the cooling system.
WARNING
We recommend that you have the towing device from Škoda orig-
inal accessories installed by a Škoda dealer. He is familiar with all
the relevant details relating to retrofitting such equipment. There is
a risk of an accident if the towing device is not properly fitted!
General Maintenance
There are a number of points to pay attention to when
towing a trailer.
Tr a i l e r l o a d
The permissible trailer load must on no account be exceeded.
You can negotiate appropriately steeper inclines and descents if you do
not make full use of the permissible trailer load.
The trailer loads specified only apply for altitudes up to 1 000 metres
above mean sea level. The fact that the engine power output drops with
increasing height due to a lowering of air pressure and thus the ability to
climb, means that the towed weight must be reduced by 10% for every
further increase of 1 000 metres in height above sea level. The towed
weight is the weight of the (laden) vehicle and the (laden) trailer together.
One should take this into account before driving up to higher altitudes.
The trailer and drawbar load information on the type plate of the
towing device are merely test data for the towing device The data
relating to your vehicle, which is often less than this test data, can
be found in your vehicle registration documents or in the brochure -
Technical Data .
10)In some countires the adapter is supplied with the towing device.
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Towing a trailer
230
Distribution of the load
Distribute the load in the trailer in such a way that any heavy items are
located as close as possible to the axle. Secure the items to prevent them
slipping.
Tyre inflation pressure
Select the tyre inflation pressure on your vehicle for that of “fully laden”,
⇒ page 264. The inflation pressure of the tyres fitted to the trailer adjust in
accordance with the manufacturer's recommendation.
Exterior mirrors
You have to have additional exterior mirrors fitted if you are not able to see
the traffic behind the trailer with the standard rear-view mirrors. Both exte-
rior mirrors should be attached to folding arms. Adjust the mirrors so that
they provide you with an adequate field of view to the rear.
Headlights
Before starting off with a hitched trailer, also check the setting of the head-
lights. Alter the setting as necessary with the aid of the headlight beam
adjuster ⇒page 67.
Detachable ball head
The ball rod is detachable on vehicles which feature a factory-fitted towing
device. It is stowed together with separate fitting instructions in the spare
wheel well in the luggage compartment of the vehicle.
Further information on the towing device ⇒page 231.
Note
•We recommend that you also have your vehicle inspected between
service intervals if you tow a trailer frequently.
•The handbrake on the towing vehicle must be put on when coupling
and decoupling the trailer.
Driving Tips
Particular caution is required when towing a trailer.
– Do not, as far as possible, drive with your vehicle unladen and the trailer laden.
– Do not make full use of the legal maximum speeds. This applies in particular to downhill sections.
– Apply the brakes in good time.
– Keep a check on the coolant temperature gauge if the outside temperature is high.
Distribution of weight
The distribution of the weight is very poor if your vehicle is unladen and
the trailer is laden. Maintain a particularly low speed if you cannot avoid
driving with this combination.
Driving speed
Do not drive faster than 80 km/hour for safety reasons. This also applies
for countries in which higher speeds are allowed.
The fact that the driving stability of the vehicle + trailer combination
reduces with increasing speed means that the legally allowed speed
should not be used when there are unfavourable road, weather or wind
conditions, particularly near accident black spots.
You must always reduce your speed immediately as soon as you detect
even just the slightest swaying of the trailer. On no account attempt to
stop the trailer from “swaying” by accelerating.
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. Shift down gears in good time
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Towing a trailer231
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
before negotiating a downhill section to allow the engine to also act as a
brake.
Engine overheating
Please keep a check on the coolant temperature gauge if you have to
negotiate a lengthy slope in a low gear at a high engine speed when the
outside temperature is very high
⇒page 14.
If the needle of the coolant temperature gauge moves into the right-hand
area or even the red area of the scale, reduce your speed immediately.
Stop and switch off the engine if the warning light
 in the instrument
cluster begins flashing. Wait a few minutes and check the level of coolant
in the coolant expansion bottle ⇒page 254, “Inspecting the coolant level”.
Please refer to the following guidelines ⇒page 35, “Coolant tempera-
ture/coolant level ”.
The coolant temperature can be reduced by switching on the heating.
Any increase in the cooling effect of the coolant fan through shifting down
a gear and increasing the engine speed is not possible since the fan
speed is independent of the engine speed. One should also not drop a
gear for this reason when towing a trailer as long as the engine can
manage the slope without any drop in speed.
Detachable ball head*
The detachable ball head of the towing device is stowed in a box for the
car tool kit in the spare wheel well in the luggage compartment.
An instruction for correct installation and removal of the ball head of the
towing device is supplied with the ball head
Inspect the ball head to ensure that it is properly locked each time before
setting off. The inspection is performed by turning the closed locking lever
downwards. If the locking lever can only be turned around a small angle
(approx. 5°), the locking mechanism is O.K. After the inspection pull the
locking lever back again to its stop. The towing device must not be used,
if it does not wish to close or the locking lever turns slightly in the closed
position.
Fig. 186 Detachable
ball head
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Towing a trailer
232
WARNING
Do not use any aids or tools for installing or removing the ball
head. This might result in damage to the locking mechanism to the
extent that the safety of the towing device is no longer assured -
risk of an accident.
Note
•Do not carry out any modifications or repairs to the ball head or to any
other components on the towing device.
•Contact a specialist garage if you encounter any problems using the
device.
•Never unlock the ball head with a trailer coupled to it.
•You should take off the ball head if you drive without towing a trailer.
Inspect whether the end cover properly seals off the mounting shaft.
•Remove the ball head beforehand if you wish to clean your vehicle
using a steam jet. Ensure that the end cover properly seals the mounting
shaft.
•It is recommended to wear gloves when installing and removing.
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Inspecting and Replenishing
252
Oil level within range
– You may top up the oil. It is possible that the oil level may then
be within range after doing this.
Oil level within range
– You must top up the oil ⇒page 252. It is sufficient, once this
is done, to keep the oil level is within range .
It is normal for the engine to consume oil. The oil consumption may be as
much as 0.5 l/1 000 km depending on your style of driving and the condi-
tions under which you operate your vehicle. The oil consumption may be
slightly higher than this during the first 5 000 kilometres.
One should therefore check the oil level at regular intervals, preferably
every time after the fuel tank is filled or after driving for long stretches.
We recommend maintaining the oil level within the range if the engine
has been operating at high loads, for example during a lengthy motorway
trip during the summer months, towing a trailer or negotiating a high
mountain pass, but not above this .
The warning light in the instrument cluster* will indicate ⇒page 38,
“Engine oil level* ” whether the oil level is too low. In this case, check
the oil level as soon as possible. Top up with an appropriate quantity of oil.
Caution
•The oil level must on no account extend beyond the range . Danger
of damaging the catalytic converter.
•Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible
under the conditions prevailing to top up with oil. Switch of the engine
and contact and obtain professional assistance from a specialist
garage.
Replenishing engine oil
– Inspecting the engine oil level ⇒page 251.
– Unscrew the cap of the engine oil filler opening.
– Pour in a suitable grade of oil in portions of 0.5 litres ⇒page 250, “Engine oil specifications”.
– Inspect the oil level ⇒page 251.
– Carefully screw on the cap of the filler opening and push the dipstick in fully.
WARNING
•Avoid dripping oil onto hot parts of the engine when topping up
will oil - a risk of fire!
•Read and observe the warning notes ⇒ page 248, “Working in
the engine compartment” before working in the engine compart-
ment.
For the sake of the environment
The oil level must on no account be above the range ⇒page 251. Oil
will otherwise be drawn in through the crankcase ventilation and may pass
through the exhaust system to atmosphere. The oil may combust in the
catalytic converter and damage it.
Ab
Aa
Ac
Ab
Aa
Aa
Aa
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Breakdown assistance
274
compartment. You can open the compartment by turning the locks in the
direction of arrow ⇒fig. 203 .
If you wish to equip your vehicle additionally with a warning triangle,
please contact a specialist garage.
Note
Pay attention to the use-by-date of the contents of the first-aid box.
Fire extinguisher*
The fire extinguisher is attached with straps in a holder under the driver
seat.
Please read carefully the instructions which are attached to the fire
extinguisher.
The fire extinguisher must be checked by an authorised person or
company annually (please observe the differing legal equirements).
WARNING
If the fire extinguisher is not correctly attached, in case of sudden
manoeuvres or an accident it can be “thrown” through the interior
compartment and cause injuries.
Note
•The fire extinguisher must comply with the relevant and valid legal
requirements.
•Pay attention to the expiration date of the fire extinguisher. If the fire
extinguisher is used after the expiration date, its proper function is no
longer assured.
•The fire extinguisher is only supplied in certain countries within the
scope of delivery.
Vehicle tool kit
The vehicle tool kit and the lifting jack are stored in a locable box in the
spare wheel ⇒fig. 204 . There is also space here for the removable ball for
the trailer towing device*. The box is attached with a strap on the spare
wheel.
The vehicle tool kit contains the following parts (depending on equipment
fitted):
•Hook for pulling off a full wheel trim,
•Plastic clip for a wheel bolt cover,
•Wheel wrench,
•Towing eye,
Fig. 204 Luggage
compartment: Storage
compartment for
vehicle too kit
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Breakdown assistance283
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
– Attach the other end to a solid metal part which is
connected firmly to the engine block, or to the engine block
itself.
Starting engine
– Start the engine of the vehicle providing current and run the engine at idling speed.
– Now start the engine of the vehicle with the discharged battery.
– Interrupt the attempt at starting an engine after 10 seconds if it does not start right away and wait for about 30 seconds
before repeating the attempt.
– Disconnect the cables on the engine in exactly the reverse
order they were connected up.
WARNING
•The non-insulated parts of the terminal clamps must never
make contact with each other. Furthermore, the cable connected to
the positive terminal of the battery must not come into contact with
electrically conducting parts of the vehicle - risk of a short circuit!
•Do not affix the jump starting cables to the negative terminal of
the discharged battery. There is the risk of detonating gas seeping
out the battery being ignited by the strong spark which results from
the engine being started.
•Run the jump-start cables so that they cannot be caught by any
rotating parts in the engine compartment.
•Do not bend over the batteries - risk of caustic burns!
•The vent screws of the battery cells must be tightened firmly.
•Keep any sources of ignition (naked flame, smouldering ciga-
rettes etc.) away from the battery - risk of an explosion!
Tow-starting and towing vehicle
General
Please pay attention to the following instructions if you are going
to use a tow rope:
Driver of the towing vehicle
– Do not drive off until the tow rope is taught.
– Release the clutch particularly gently when starting off or depress the accelerator particularly gently if your vehicle is
fitted with an automatic gearbox.
Driver of the towed vehicle
– Switch the ignition on so that the steering wheel is not blocked and you can also operate the turn signal lights, the headlight
flasher, the windscreen wipers and windscreen washer
system.
– Take the vehicle out of gear or move the selector lever into position N if your vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.
A4WARNING (continued)
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