brakes SKODA OCTAVIA 2006 Owner´s Manual

Immediately reduce your speed as soon as even the slightest swaying of the trail-
er is detected. Never attempt to stop the trailer from “swaying” by accelerating.
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.
Trailer stabilisation
The trailer stabilisation is an extension of the stabilisation control that works in
conjunction with the counter-steering assistance to reduce the amount the trail-
er "sways". After turning on the ignition, the ESC warning light  in the instru-
ment cluster lights up for about 2 seconds longer than the ABS warning light.
Prerequisites for stabilising the trailer.
› The towing device is factory-fitted or a compatible towing device has been ret-
rofitted.
› The ESC is active. The warning light
 or  in the instrument cluster is not illu-
minated.
› The trailer is electrically connected to the towing vehicle by means of the trailer
socket.
› The speed is higher than approx. 60 km/h.
› Trailers must have a fixed drawbar.
› The ESC works for both braked and unbraked trailers.
Trailer is connected to the anti-theft alarm system. › If the vehicle is factory-fitted with an anti-theft alarm system and a towing de-
vice.
› If the trailer is electrically connected to the towing vehicle by means of the trail-
er socket.
› If the electrical system of the vehicle and trailer is fully functional.
› If the vehicle is locked with the car key and the anti-theft alarm system is acti-
vated.
When the vehicle is locked, the alarm is activated as soon as the electrical con-
nection to the trailer is interrupted.
Always deactivate the anti-theft alarm system before a trailer is connected/dis-
connected. Otherwise, the anti-theft alarm system could accidentally be trig-
gered » page 31 , Anti-theft alarm system . Engine overheating
If the needle for the coolant temperature gauge moves into the right-hand area
or the red area of the scale, the speed must be reduced immediately. Stop and
switch off the engine if the warning light
 in the instrument cluster starts to
flash. Wait a few minutes and check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion
bottle » page 163, Checking the coolant level .
The following guidelines must be observed » page 20, Coolant temperature/cool-
ant level  .
The coolant temperature can be reduced by switching on the heating. WARNING
■ The increased safety offered by the trailer stabilisation must not tempt you
to take greater risks than otherwise. ■ Adapt your speed to the conditions of the road surface and to the traffic sit-
uation.
■ Improper or incorrectly connected electric cables can energise the trailer and
cause functional faults to the vehicle's entire electrical system as well as acci-
dents and severe injuries.
■ Any work on the electrical system must be carried out only by ŠKODA spe-
cialist garages.
■ Never directly connect the trailer's electrical system with the electrical con-
nections for the tail lights or other current sources. CAUTION
■ The trailer stabilisation need not be able to correctly detect all of driving situa-
tions.
■ Trailers that sway slightly are not always detected by the trailer stabilisation
and thus are not stabilised accordingly.
■ Release the pressure on the accelerator pedal if the system is being regulated.
■ Avoid abrupt and sudden driving/braking manoeuvres.
■ When the ball rod is removed, the mounting shaft must be sealed with an ap-
propriate cover. This prevents foreign matter from penetrating into the mounting
shaft. See the fitting instructions for the towing device. £
146 Driving Tips

Radiator fan
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 158.
The radiator fan is driven by an electric motor and controlled according to the
coolant temperature.
After switching off the ignition, the radiator fan can intermittently continue to op-
erate for approx. 10 minutes.
ÐChecking the brake fluid
Fig. 136
Engine compartment: Brake fluid
reservoir
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 158.
The brake fluid reservoir is located in the engine compartment.
›
Switch off the engine.
› Open the bonnet
» page 160.
› Check the level of brake fluid in the reservoir
» Fig. 136. The level must be be-
tween the “MIN” and “MAX” markings.
When driving, a slight drop in the fluid level is caused by the wear-and-tear and
automatic adjustment of the brake pads, and is therefore perfectly normal.
There may be an indication of a leak in the brake system, however, if the fluid lev-
el drops significantly within a short time or if it drops below the “MIN” marking. If
the brake fluid level is too low, this is indicated by the warning light  lighting up
in the instrument cluster » page 19, Brake system .
ä
ä WARNING
If the fluid level has dropped below the MIN marking,  do not continue your
journey - risk of accident! Seek help from a
ŠKODA specialist garage.Ð Changing the brake fluid
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 158.
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. Over time it therefore absorbs moisture from the
environment. Excessive water in the brake fluid may be the cause of corrosion in
the brake system. The water content also lowers the boiling point of the brake
fluid.
The brake fluid must comply with the following standards or specifications:
› VW 50114;
› FMVSS 116 DOT4. WARNING
Using old brake fluid can result in severe stress on the brakes because of the
formation of vapour bubbles in the brake system. This greatly impairs the
braking efficiency and thus also the safety of your vehicle. CAUTION
Brake fluid damages the paintwork of the vehicle. Ð
ä
164 General Maintenance

Index
A
ABS 96
Warning light 22
Accessories 177
Active steering support 95
Adjusting Exterior mirror 52
Adjusting seats 122
Adjustment Seat 55
Aerial 149
see Radio reception 151
Airbag 129
Deployment 129
Front airbag 130
Head airbag 132
Side airbag 131
Airbag system 129
Air conditioning system Air outlet vents 80
Climatronic 85
Manual air conditioning system 82
Alarm 31
Anti-theft alarm system 31
Antilock brake system 96
Armrest Front 74
rear 60, 75
Ashtray 68
Assistance systems ESC 95
Assist systems ABS 22, 96
Cruise control systems (CCS) 99
EDS and XDS 97
ESC 22Parking aid 98
START/STOP 100
TCS 21, 96
Auto Check Control 17
Automatic driving lamp control 40
Automatic gearbox 102
Dynamic shift programme 105
Emergency programme 106
Information for driving 102
Kickdown 105
Manual shifting of gears on the multifunction steering wheel 104
Parking 103
Selector lever-emergency unlocking 106
Selector lever lock 105
Selector lever positions 103
Starting off 103
Stopping 103
Tiptronic 104
Automatic load deactivation 169
Auxiliary heating (auxiliary heating and ventila- tion) 87
Avoiding damage to your vehicle 143
B
Before setting off 121
Belt tensioners 128
Bonnet Closing 160
Opening 160
Warning light 20
Boot Class
N1 vehicles 61
Cover 63
Emergency unlocking 34
Fastening elements 61
Fixing nets 62
Fixing of the floor covering 63
foldable boot cover (Combi) 64
Light 47see Boot lid 33
Unlocking the boot lid 34
Variable loading floor 64
Boot lid 33
Automatic locking 33
Warning light 21
Brake booster 95
Brake fluid Checking 164
Brakes Brake assist systems 93
Handbrake 95
Running in 139
Warning light 19
Braking Brake fluid 164
Braking assistant 95
Breakdown kit 182
Bulbs Replacing 191
Button in the driver's door Electric power windows 34
C
Car computer see Multifunction display 12
Car jack 179
Carrier 66
Catalytic converter 139
CD changer 119
Central locking button 29
Central locking system 27
lock 29
unlock 28
Changes 177
Changing Engine oil 162
Wheel 179
Charging a vehicle battery 168
208 Index