warning SKODA OCTAVIA 2010 2.G / (1Z) Owner's Manual

Intelligent Technology
172
The Brake Assist is able to help you achieve 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.
The Brake Assist is part of the ESP system. If a fault occurs in the ESP, the Brake Assist
function is also not available. Further information on the ESP page 167.
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 situ-
ation.

The increased safety offered by the Brake Assist must not tempt you to take
a greater safety risk than otherwise.
Uphill Start Assist*The uphill start assist makes it easier to start off on steep hills. The system assists a start
off by holding the brake pressure produced by the brake pedal actuation for approx. 2
seconds after releasing the brake pedal. The driver can therefore move his foot from
the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal and start off on the slope, without having to
actuate the handbrake. The brake pressure drops gradually the more you operate the
accelerator pedal. If the vehicle does not start off within 2 seconds, it starts to roll back.
The uphill start assist is active as of a 5 % slope, if the driver door is closed. It is always
active on slopes when in forward or reverse start off. When driving downhill, it is
inactive.Electromechanical power steeringThe power steering enables you to steer the vehicle with le ss physical force.
With the electromechanical power steering , the steering assist is automatically
adapted to the speed and to the steering angle. It is still possible to fully steer the vehicle if the power steering fails or if the engine is
not running (vehicle being towed in). The only difference is that greater physical effort
is required.
If there is a fault in the power steering, the warning light
 or  lights up in the instru-
ment cluster page 30.
WARNING
Contact your specialist garage if the power steering is defective.Tyre pressure monitoring system*The tyre pressure monitoring system compares with the aid of the ABS sensors the
speed and also the rolling circumference of the individual wheels. If the rolling circum-
ference of a wheel is changed, the warning light
 lights up in the instrument cluster
 page 33 and an audible signal sounds. The rolling circumference 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,
Fig. 151 Button for setting the tyre
inflation pressure control value
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Intelligent Technology173
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data

one wheel per axle was changed.
Basic setting of the system
After changing the tyre inflation pressures, after changing one or several wheels, the
position of a wheel on the vehicle (e.g. exch anging the wheels between the axles) or
when the warning light lights up while drivin g, a basic setting of the system must be
carried out as follows.

Inflate all tyres to the specified inflation pressure page 208.

Switch on the ignition.

Press button  page 172, fig. 151 for more than 2 seconds. While pressing
the button, the warning light
 lights up. At the same time the memory of the system
is erased and the new calibration is started, which is confirmed with an audible signal
and then the warning light
 goes out.

If the warning light
 does not go out after the basic setting, there is a fault in the
system. Have the vehicle inspected by your nearest specialist garage.
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 manoeuvr es. Please stop the vehicle without
delay at the nearest possible stop and in spect the tyres and their inflation pres-
sures.

The driver is responsible for the correct tyre inflation pressures. For this
reason, the tyre inflation pressu res must be checked regularly.

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.

The tyre pressure monitoring system does not take away the responsibility
from the driver for the correct tyre inflation pressure.
Note
The tyre pressure monitoring system:
does not replace the regular tyre inflatio n pressure control, because the system
cannot detect an even pressure loss,

cannot warn in case of very rapid tyre inflation pressure loss, e.g. in case of sudden
tyre damage. In this case ca refully bring the vehicle to a standstill without sudden
steering movements and without sharp braking.

In order to ensure a proper functioning of the tyre inflation pressure-control
system, it is necessary to carry out the ba sic setting again every 10 000 km or 1x a
year.
Diesel particle filter* (diesel engine)In the diesel particle filter the resu lting soot particles are collected and
burnt during the combustion of diesel fuel.Code 7GG, 7MB or 7MG on the vehicle data sticker, see fig. 152 , indicates that your
vehicle is equipped with a diesel particle fi lter. The vehicle data sticker is located on
the floor of the luggage compartment and is also stated in the Service schedule.
The diesel particle filter filters the soot particles completely from the exhaust. The soot
is collected in the diesel particle filter and burnt regularly. To assist this procedure, we
recommend not to drive regu larly over short distances.
 
Fig. 152 Vehicle data sticker
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Intelligent Technology
174
If the diesel particle filter is clogged or there is a fault, it is indicated by the warning light 
.
WARNING

The diesel particle filter achieves very high temp eratures. Therefore do not
park at points where the hot filter comes into direct contact with dry grass or
other combustible materials - risk of fire!

Never use additional underbody protection or corrosion-protection agents
for the exhaust pipes, catalytic converters, diesel particle filter or heat shields.
When the engine reaches its operating temperature, these substances might
ignite - risk of fire.Note

When using diesel fuel with high sulphur content the life of the diesel particle filter
is clearly reduced. A specialist garage will be able to tell you which countries use only
diesel fuel with high sulphur content.
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Driving and the Environment
176
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 192,
“Grades of petrol”.
– 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 199, “Replenishing engine oil”.
– Do not tow-start the vehicle over a distance of more than 50 metres page 222,
“Tow-starting and towing 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 converte r, 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 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 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, 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 econom-
ical 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 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 negative effects on the environment. It is necessary to take note of the
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Driving and the Environment181
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Driving through bodies of water on roadsIn order to avoid damage to the vehicle wh en driving through bodies of water (e.g.
flooded roads), observe the following:
Determine the depth of the water when driv ing through bodies of water. The water
can reach at the maximum the web on the lower sill of the vehicle fig. 156 .

Drive no more than at walking speed. At a higher speed, a water wave can form in
front of the vehicle which can cause water to penetrate into the air induction system of
the engine or into other parts of the vehicle.

Never let the vehicle stand in the water, never drive backwards and do not switch
off the engine.
WARNING

Driving through water, mud, sludge etc. can reduce the braking power and
extend the braking distance - risk of accident!

Avoid sudden and severe braking manoeuvres immediately after driving
through bodies of water.

After driving through bodies of water, the brakes must be cleaned and dried
as soon as possible by intermittent braking. 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 jeopardy.
Caution

When driving through bodies of water, pa rts of the vehicle such as the engine,
gearbox, catalytic converter, chassis or electrics can be severely damaged.

Oncoming vehicles can generate water waves which can exceed the permissible
water level for your vehicle.

Potholes, mud or rocks can be hidden under the water making it difficult or impos-
sible to drive through the body of water.

Do not drive through salt water. The salt can lead to corrosion. Immediately rinse
all the parts of the vehicle, which came into contact with the salt water, with fresh
water.Note
After driving through a body of water, we recommend that the vehicle is checked by a
specialist garage.
Fig. 156 Crossing bodies of water
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Towing a trailer
182
Towing a trailerTo w i n g a t r a i l e rTechnical requirements
The towing device must satisfy certain technical requirements.Your vehicle is designed primarily for tr ansporting persons and luggage. It can,
however, also be used for towing a traile r - provided certain technical equipment is
fitted.
If your vehicle has already been supplied with a factory-fitted towing device then
everything that is nece ssary 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 connection between
the vehicle and trailer. If the tr ailer which you wish to tow has a 7-pin connector, you
can use a suitable adapter
16) from Škoda original accessories.
This work must be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications if
a towing device is retrofitted.
Authorised Škoda Service Partners 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 original accesso-
ries installed by an authorised Škoda Service Partner. 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.Trailer load
The permissible trailer load must on no account be exceeded.
You can negotiate appropriately steeper inclin es 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 engi ne power output drops with increasing height due to a
lowering of air pressure and thus the abil ity 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 docu-
ments.
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 th e items to prevent them slipping.
Tyre inflation pressure
Select the tyre inflation pressure on yo ur vehicle for that of “fully laden”, page 208.
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 ex terior mirrors fitted if you are not able to see the traffic
behind the trailer with the standard rear-view mirrors. Both exterior mirrors should be
attached to folding arms. Adjust the mirrors so that they provide you with an adequate
field of view to the rear.
16)In some countries the adapter is supplied with the towing device.s43s.1.book Page 182 Thursday, May 13, 2010 1:21 PM

Towing a trailer183
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Headlights
Before starting off with a hitched trailer, also check the setting of the headlights. Alter
the setting as necessary with the ai
d of the headlight beam adjuster page 56.
Detachable ball head
The ball rod is detachable on vehicles which feature a factory-fitted towing device. It is
stowed together with separate fitting instru ctions in the spare wheel well in the luggage
compartment of the vehicle.
Further information on the towing device page 184.
Note

We recommend that you also have your vehicle inspected between service inter-
vals if you tow a trailer frequently.

The handbrake on the towing vehicle must be put on when coupling and decou-
pling 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 combina-
tion.
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 cond
itions, particularly near accident black
spots.
You must always reduce your speed immediat ely 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 and then brake firmly. This will avoid brake jolts resulting from the
trailer wheels locking. Shift down gears in good time 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 engi ne speed when the outside temperature is
very high  page 16, “Coolant temperature gauge”.
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 201,
“Inspecting the coolant level”.
Please refer to the following guidelines  page 31, “Coolant temperature/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 th e slope without any drop in speed.
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Towing a trailer
184
Detachable towing device*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 remo val of the ball head of the towing device
is supplied with the ball head.
Inspect the ball head to ensure that it is prop erly locked each time before setting off.
The inspection is performed by turning th e closed locking lever downwards. If the
locking lever can only be turned around a small angle (approx. 5°), the locking mecha-
nism 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.
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 en counter any problems using the device.

Never unlock the ball head with a trailer coupled to it.

You should take off the ball head if yo u 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.
Fig. 157 Detachable ball head
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Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle185
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
General MaintenanceTaking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicleGeneralProper care retains the value of your vehicle.Regular and proper care retains the value of your vehicle. It may also be one of the
requirements for the acceptance of warranty claims relating to corrosion damage and
paint defects on the bodywork.
We recommend using a preserva tive from Škoda genuine accessories offered by your
Škoda dealer. Please follow the instructions for use on the package.
WARNING

Care products may be harmful to your health if not used according to the
instructions.

Always store care products in a safe place, out of the reach of children - risk
of poisoning!For the sake of the environment

Always select environmentally-friendly products when purchasing vehicle care
products.

Do not dispose of the packages with residues of care products in domestic waste.
Care of the exterior of vehicleWashing the vehicle
Frequent washing protects your vehicle.The best protection for your vehicle agai nst harmful environmental influences is
frequent washing and wax treatment. How of ten you should wash your vehicle
depends on a wide range of factors, such as:

Frequency of use,

The parking situation (garage, below trees etc.),

Season of the year,

Weather conditions,

Environmental influences.
The longer insect residues, bird droppings, tree sap, road and industrial dust, tar, soot
particles, road salt and other aggressive deposits remain adhering to the paintwork of
your vehicle, the more detrimental their destructive effect can be. High temperatures,
such as those caused by intensive sun' s rays, accentuate this caustic effect.
It may therefore be necessary, in ce rtain circumstances, to wash the car once a week.
It may also be sufficient, however, to wash the car once a month followed by appro-
priate wax treatment.
It is essential to also thoroughly wash the underside of your vehicle at the end of the
winter road salting and gritting period.
WARNING
When washing your vehicle in the winter : Water and ice in the brake system can
affect the braking efficiency - risk of accident!Automatic vehicle wash systemsThe paintwork of the vehicle is sufficiently resistant that the vehicle can be washed
normally in automatic vehicle wash plants without any problem. The actual stress to
which the paintwork is subjected, however, depends greatly on the design of the
vehicle wash system, the filtering of the wa ter and the type of washing and care prod-
ucts used. If the paintwork of your vehicle appears mat after being washed or even has
scratches, point this out to the operator of the vehicle wash plant. Use a different
vehicle wash plant, if necessary.
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Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle
186
There are no particular points to note be fore washing your vehicle in an automatic
vehicle wash system other than the usua l precautionary measures (closing the
windows and the sliding/tilting roof etc.).
If you have any particular attached parts fitted to your car - such as spoiler, roof rack
system, two-way radio aerial - it is best to first of all consult the operator of the car
wash plant.
It is important to degrease the lips of the windscreen wiper rubbers after passing
through the automatic vehicle wash system.Washing vehicle by handIt is important to first soften the dirt with plenty of water and rinse it off as thoroughly
as possible before washin g your vehicle by hand.
One should then clean the vehicle using a soft washing sponge, washing glove or a
washing brush and only slight pressure. Work from the top to the bottom - beginning
with the roof. Only place slight pressure on the vehicle paintwork during cleaning Only
use a car shampoo for stubborn dirt.
Wash out the sponge or washing glove thoroughly at short intervals.
Clean wheels, door sills and similar parts last. Use a second sponge for such areas.
Rinse off the vehicle well after giving it a wash and dry it off using a chamois leather.
WARNING

The ignition should always be switched off when you wash your vehicle -
risk of accident!

Protect your hands and arms from sharp-edged metal parts when you are
cleaning the underfloor, the inside of the wheel housings or the wheel trims -
risk of cuts.Caution

Do not wash your vehicle in bright sunlight - risk of paint damage.

Ensure that the jet of water is not aimed di rectly at the locking cylinders or at the
door and panel joints if you spray your vehi cle in winter down with a hose - risk of
freezing.

Do not use any insect sponges, rough kitc hen sponges or similar cleaning products
- risk of damage to the surface of paintwork.For the sake of the environment
Only wash your vehicle at wa shing bays specifically reserved for this purpose. This
ensures that no water which may be contaminated by oil flows into the sewage system.
It is not even permitted to wash your vehicl e in certain areas except at such specific
washing bays.Washing with a high-pressure cleanerWhen you wash your vehicle with a high-press ure cleaner, it is essential to comply with
the instructions for use of the cleaning equi pment. This applies in particular to the
pressure used and to the spraying distance . Maintain a sufficiently large distance to
soft materials such as rubber hoses or insulation material.
On no account use circular spray nozzles or so-called dirt cutters!
WARNING
It is particularly important that you do not clean tyres with circular spray jets.
Visible but also invisible damage to tyres may occur even at a relatively large
spraying distance and if sprayed only for a short time - risk of accident!
Caution
The water containing wax must be no hotter than 60°C, otherwise the vehicle can be
damaged.Wax treatmentGood wax treatment is an effective way of protecting the paintwork from harmful envi-
ronmental influences and minor mechanical damage.
The vehicle must be treated with a high-quali ty hard wax polish at the latest, when no
more drops form on the clean paintwork.
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