tow bar SKODA RAPID SPACEBACK 2013 1.G Owner's Manual

Hitch and trailer
Hitch
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Description
112
Adjusting the ready position
113
Fitting the ball head
113
Check proper fitting
114
Removing the ball head
115
Use and care
115
If your vehicle has already been factory-fitted with a towing device or is fitted
with a towing device from ŠKODA Original Accessories, then it meets all of the
technical requirements and national legal regulations for towing a trailer.
Your vehicle is fitted with a 13-pin power socket for the electrical connection
between the vehicle and trailer. If the trailer that is to be towed has a 7-pin
connector , you can use a suitable adapter from ŠKODA Original Accessories.
The maximum trailer drawbar load is 50 kg.
WARNING■
Check that the tow bar is seated correctly and is secured in the mounting
recess before the start of every journey.■
Do not use the tow bar if it is not correctly inserted and secured in the
mounting recess.
■
Do not use the towing device if it is damaged or if there are parts missing.
■
Do not modify or adapt the towing device in any way.
■
Never release the tow bar while the trailer is still coupled.
CAUTION
Take care when handling the tow bar so as to avoid damaging the paintwork
on the bumper.
Note
Tow the vehicle by means of the detachable ball rod » page 160.DescriptionFig. 110
Carrier for the towing device / tow bar
Read and observe
and on page 112 first.
The tow bar can be removed and is located in the spare wheel compartment or
in a compartment for the spare wheel in the boot » page 150.
Support for the towing device and tow bar » Fig. 110
13-pin power socket
Safety eyelet
Mounting recess
Cap
Protective cap
Ball head
Locking ball
Centring
Green marking on the hand wheel
Hand wheel
Key
Lock cap
Red marking on the hand wheel
White marking on ball head
Note
On the bottom of the key is a code number. If you lose a key, please contact a
specialist garage which will be able to use this code number to provide you
with a new one.1234567891011121314112Driving

Adjusting the ready positionFig. 111
Setting the ready position
Fig. 112
Ready position
Read and observe
and on page 112 first.
Always adjust the ball head in the ready position before fitting.
›
Turn the key
A
in direction of the arrow
1
to the stop » Fig. 111.
›
Pull the hand wheel
B
in the direction of the arrow
2
and turn in the direc-
tion of the arrow
3
to the stop.
The hand wheel remains locked in this position.
Correctly adjusted standby position » Fig. 112
The key
C
is in the unlocked position - the arrow on the key points to the
“padlock open” icon . The key cannot be removed.
The locking balls
D
can be pushed fully into the tow bar.
The red marking E on the hand wheel points to the white marking on the
ball bar.
There is a clear gap of approx. 4 mm F
between the hand wheel and the
tow bar.
The ball bar is thus set ready for installation.
WARNINGIf the tow bar cannot be correctly placed in the ready position, then it must
not be used.
CAUTION
When in the ready position, the key cannot be removed from the hand wheel
lock.
Fitting the ball head
Fig. 113
Insert the ball bar / lock the lock and remove the key 

113Hitch and trailer

Fig. 114
Fit the lock cap
Read and observe and on page 112 first.
›
Remove the cover for the mounting recess
4
» Fig. 110 on page 112 by pulling
it downwards.
›
Put the tow bar in the ready position » page 113.
›
Grip the tow bar from below » Fig. 113and insert into the mounting recess un-
til it audibly clicks into place » .
The hand wheel
A
rotates back automatically and rests on the ball rod » .
›
Lock the hand wheel lock by turning the key
B
right as far as the stop in the
direction of the arrow
1
- the arrow on the key points towards the “closed
padlock” icon.
›
Remove the key in the direction of the arrow
2
.
›
Fit the cap
C
on the hand wheel lock in the direction of the arrow
3
» Fig. 114 arrow.
›
Check that the tow bar is securely attached » page 114.
WARNING■
Do not hold the hand wheel with your hand when attaching the ball bar -
there is a risk of finger injury.■
After fitting the tow bar, always secure the lock and remove the key.
■
The tow bar must not be operated with the key inserted.
■
If the tow bar is not in the ready position, it cannot be fitted in the
mounting recess.
CAUTION
After removing the key, always replace the cover on the hand wheel lock – risk
of lock getting dirty.NoteStore the cover of the mounting recess in a suitable place in the luggage com-
partment store after removal.
Check proper fitting
Fig. 115
Correctly secured ball head
Read and observe and on page 112 first.
Check that the tow bar is fitted properly before each use.
Correctly secured ball head » Fig. 115
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 hand wheel lies flush with the tow bar - there is no gap.
The hand wheel is locked and the key is removed.
The cap
B
is on the hand wheel.
WARNINGDo not use the towing device unless the tow bar has been properly locked!114Driving

Removing the ball headFig. 116
Removing the lock cover/releasing the lock
Fig. 117
Release tow bar
Read and observe and on page 112 first.
›
Remover the cover
A
from the hand wheel lock in the direction of the
1
» Fig. 116 arrow.
›
Insert the key
B
into the lock.
›
Unlock the hand wheel lock by turning the key
B
left as far as the stop in
the direction of the arrow
2
- the arrow on the key points towards the “pad-
lock open” icon.
›
Grip the tow bar from below » Fig. 117and with the other hand, pull the hand
wheel
C
in the direction of the arrow
3
accordingly.
›
Turn the hand wheel in the direction of the arrow
4
to the stop, and hold in
this position.
›
Remove the tow bar from the mounting recess downwards and in the direc-
tion of the arrow
5
.
At the same time, the tow bar latches into the ready position and is therefore
ready to be re-inserted into the mounting recess »
.
›Attach the cover for the mounting recess 4
» Fig. 110 on page 112 .WARNING■
Never allow the tow bar to remain unsecured in the boot. This could
cause damage on sudden braking and could put the safety of the occu-
pants at risk!■
Never remove the tow bar while the trailer is still coupled.
CAUTION
■ If the hand wheel 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 tow bar will then need to be
brought into this position before the next time it is fitted.■
The mounting recess must be closed with the cover following removal. This
prevents foreign bodies from getting into the mounting recess.
Note
■ We recommend putting the protective cover onto the ball head before re-
moving the tow bar.■
Clean any dirt from the tow bar before stowing it away in the box with the
vehicle tool kit.
Use and care
Read and observe
and on page 112 first.
Close the mounting recess with the cover to prevent any dirt from getting in.
Always check the tow bar before hitching a trailer. Apply suitable grease
where necessary.
Use the protective cover when stowing away the tow bar, in order to stop the
boot from getting dirty.
In the event of dirt, clean the surfaces of the mounting recess and treat with a
suitable preservative.
CAUTION
Apply grease to the upper part of the mounting recess. Make sure you do not
remove any grease.115Hitch and trailer

Trailer
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Loading a trailer
116
Driving with a trailer
116
Anti-theft alarm system
117WARNINGAlways drive particularly carefully with the trailer.
Loading a trailer
Read and observe
on page 116 first.
The vehicle/trailer combination must be balanced. Whereby the maximum per-missible draw bar load must be utilised. If the draw bar load is too low, it jeop-
ardises the performance of the vehicle/trailer combination.
Distribution of the load
Distribute the load in the trailer in such a way that heavy items are located as
close to the axle as possible. Secure the items from slipping.
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.
Tyre pressure
Correct the tyre inflation pressure on your vehicle for a “full load” » page 143,
Service life of tyres .
Towing capacity and trailer weight
The permissible trailer load must not be exceeded under any circumstan-
ces » page 172 , Technical data .
The details given in the vehicle's technical documentation always take prece-
dence over the details in the Owner's Manual.
The trailer loads specified apply only to altitudes up to 1,000 metres above
mean sea level.
The engine output falls as altitude increases, as does the vehicle's climbing
power. Therefore, for every additional 1,000 m in height (or part), the maximum
permissible towed weight must be reduced by 10%.
The towed weight is made up of the actual weights of the loaded towing vehi-
cle and the loaded trailer.
The trailer and draw bar load information on the type plate of the towing de-
vice is merely a test value for the towing device. The vehicle-specific values
are detailed in the vehicle documents.WARNING■ Do not exceed the maximum permissible axle and draw bar load and the
maximum permissible total or towed weight of the vehicle and the trailer -
risk of accident and serious injuries!■
A sliding cargo can adversely affect stability and driving safety significant-
ly - there is a risk of accident!
Driving with a trailer
Fig. 118
Swivel out the 13-pin power
socket
Read and observe on page 116 first.
Before starting off
›
Grip the 13-pin socket on the handle
A
and swing out in the direction of the
arrow » Fig. 118 .
›
Lift off protective cap
5
» Fig. 110 on page 112 towards the top.
After the journey
›
Grip the 13-pin socket on the handle
A
and swing out against the direction
of the arrow » Fig. 118.
›
Place the protective cover
5
» Fig. 110 on page 112 on the ball head. 
116Driving

Fig. 141
Attach lifting jack
Read and observe
on page 151 first.
Position the lifting jack below the jacking point closest to the faulty
wheel » Fig. 140 .
The mounting points are located on the metal bar of the lower sill on the un-
derside of your vehicle » Fig. 140.
›
Support the base plate of the jack with its full area resting on level ground
and ensure that the jack is located in a vertical position at the jacking
point » Fig. 141 -
 .
›
Position the lifting jack below the jacking point with the crank and move it up
until its claw encloses the web » Fig. 141 -
 .
›
Continue turning up the jack until the wheel is just about lifted off the
ground.
WARNING■ Only raise the vehicle at the attachment points.■Choose a flat and firm surface for jacking the vehicle.Securing wheels against theftFig. 142
Principle illustration: Anti-theft
wheel bolt with adapter
Read and observe on page 151 first.
The anti-theft wheel bolts can only be removed/tightened with the aid of the
adapter » page 150 .
›
Remove the cover from the anti-theft wheel bolt.
›
Insert the adapter
B
» Fig. 142 with its toothed side fully into the inner
toothing of the anti-theft wheel bolt
A
until the stop so that only the outer
hexagon is jutting out.
›
Push the wheel wrench onto the adapter
B
up to the stop.
›
Loosen or tighten the wheel bolt » page 153.
›
After removing the adapter, replace the cap on the anti-theft wheel bolt.
›
Have the tightening torque checked with a torque wrench as soon as possi-
ble.
Note
■ Make a note of the code number hammered into the rear side of the adapter
or the rear side of the anti-theft wheel bolt. This number can be used to pur-
chase a replacement adapter from ŠKODA Genuine Parts if required.■
We recommend that you always carry the adapter for the wheel bolts with
you in the vehicle. It should be stowed in the vehicle tool kit.
■
The anti-theft wheel bolt set and adapter can be purchased from a ŠKODA
Partner.
154Do-it-yourself

Jump-starting using the battery from another vehicleFig. 144
Jump-starting: A – flat battery, B
– battery providing current
Read and observe and on page 157 first.
The starting process using the battery of another vehicle requires the use of
jumper cables.
The jump-start cables must be attached in the following sequence.
›
Attach clamp
1
to the positive terminal of the discharged battery
A
» Fig. 144 .
›
Attach clamp
2
to the positive terminal of the battery supplying power
B
.
›
Attach clamp
3
to the negative terminal of the battery supplying power
B
.
›
Attach the clamp
4
to a solid metal component firmly connected to the en-
gine block or to the engine block itself.
Starting engine
›
Start the engine on the vehicle providing the power and allow it to idle.
›
Start the engine of the vehicle with the discharged battery.
›
If the engine does not start, halt the attempt to start the engine after 10 sec-
onds and wait for thirty seconds before repeating the process.
›
Disconnect the cables in exactly the reverse order to the one described
above.
Both batteries must have a rated voltage of 12 V. The capacity (Ah) of the bat-
tery supplying the power must not be significantly less than the capacity of
the discharged battery in your vehicle.
Jump-start cables
Only use jump-start cables which have an adequately large cross-section and
insulated terminal clamps. Observe the instructions of the jumper lead manu-
facturer.
Positive cable – colour coding in the majority of cases is red.
Negative cable – colour coding in the majority of cases is black.
Jump-starting in vehicles with the START-STOP system
Fig. 145
Engine earth: START-STOP system
Read and observe
and on page 157 first.
On vehicles with the START-STOP system, the jump-start cable of the charger
must never be connected directly to the negative pole of the vehicle battery,
but only to the engine earth.
› 1.2 l./63 kW TSI and 1.2 l./77 kW TSI engines
» Fig. 145 -

› 1.4 l./90 kW engine
» Fig. 145 -

› 1.6 l./77 kW TDI CR engine
» Fig. 145 -

Towing the vehicle
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Front towing eye
159
Rear towing eye
160
Vehicles with a tow hitch
160
Vehicles with manual transmission may be towed in with a tow bar or a tow
rope or with the front or rear wheels raised.
Vehicles with automatic transmission may be towed in with a tow bar or a tow
rope or with the front wheels raised. If the vehicle is raised at the rear, the au-
tomatic gearbox will be damaged!
When towing, the following guidelines must be observed. 
158Do-it-yourself

Driver of the tow vehicle›Engage the clutch gently when starting off or depress the accelerator partic-
ularly gently if the vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.›
Only then, approach correctly when the rope is taut.
The maximum towing speed is 50 km/h.
Driver of the towed vehicle
›
Switch on the ignition so that the steering wheel is not locked and so that
the turn signal lights, horn, windscreen wipers and windscreen washer sys-
tem 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.
Please note that the brake servo unit and power steering only operate if the
engine is running. If the engine is not running, significantly more physical force
is required to depress the brake pedal and steer the vehicle.
If using a tow rope, ensure that it is always kept taught.
Towing another vehicle requires a certain amount of practice. Both drivers
should be familiar with the particular points about towing a vehicle. Unskilled
drivers should not attempt to tow another vehicle or to be towed in one.
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 dis-
tance is greater than 50 km.
Attach the tow rope or the tow bar to the towing eyes » page 159
or » page 160 to the detachable ball head of the towing equip-
ment » page 112 .
WARNING■
The tow rope must not be twisted as it may in certain circumstances re-
sult in the front towing eye becoming unscrewed from your vehicle.■
Do not use one-sided twisted tow rope, because the towing eye could
become unscrewed on the vehicle under certain circumstances.
■
When towing, respect the national legal provisions, especially those
which relate to the identification of the towing vehicle and the vehicle be- ing towed.
CAUTION■ Do not start the engine by towing – there is a risk of damaging the engine
and the catalytic converter! The battery from another vehicle can be used as a
jump-start aid » page 157, Jump-starting .■
If the gearbox no longer contains any oil because of a defect, your vehicle
must only be towed with the drive wheels raised clear of the ground or on a
special breakdown vehicle or trailer.
■
To protect both vehicles when tow-starting or towing, the tow rope should
be elastic. Thus only plastic fibre rope or a rope made out of a similarly elastic
material should be used.
■
There is always a risk of excessive stresses and damage resulting at the
points to which you attach the tow rope or tow bar when you attempt to tow a
vehicle which is not standing on a paved road.
Note
We recommend using a tow rope from ŠKODA Original Accessories, which is
available from a ŠKODA Partner.
Front towing eye
Fig. 146
Removing the cap/installing the towing eye
Read and observe
and on page 159 first.
Removing/installing the cap
›
Press on the cap in the area
A
» Fig. 146 .
›
Remove the cap in the direction of the arrow
1
.
›
After unscrewing the cap of the towing eye
B
, insert the cap in area
A
and
then press the opposite side of the cap.
The cap must engage firmly. 
159Emergency equipment and self-help

Removing/installing the towing eye›Manually screw the towing eye as far as it will go in the direction of the ar-
row 2
» Fig. 146 » .
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.
›
Unscrew the towing eye against the direction of the arrow
2
.
WARNINGThe towing eye must always be screwed in fully and firmly tightened, oth-
erwise the towing eye can tear when towing or tow-starting.
Rear towing eye
Fig. 147
Rear towing eye
Read and observe and on page 159 first.
The rear towing eye is located below the bumper on the right.
Remove the protective cap before using the towing eye. » Fig. 147. Replace the
protective cap after using the towing eye.
Vehicles with a tow hitch
Read and observe
and on page 159 first.
For vehicles with a factory-fitted towing device, the pre-installed detachable
tow-bar may be used » page 112, Hitch .
Towing the vehicle using the towing device is a viable alternative solution to using the towing eye.
CAUTIONThe detachable ball rod and/or the vehicle can be damaged if an unsuitable
tow bar is used.
Note
The detachable ball rod must always be in the vehicle so that it can be used for
towing, if necessary.
Remote control
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Replacing the battery in the remote control key
161
Synchronising the remote control
161
CAUTION
■ The replacement battery must have the same specification as the original
battery.■
We recommend having faulty rechargeable batteries replaced by a ŠKODA
service partner.
■
Pay attention to the correct polarity when changing the battery.
For the sake of the environment
Dispose of the used battery in accordance with national legal provisions.160Do-it-yourself

Technical data
Technical data
Vehicle data
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Vehicle characteristics
172
Operating weight and payload
172
Measurement of fuel consumption and CO 2 emissions according to ECE
Regulations and EU Directives
173
Dimensions
174
Angle
175
Vehicle-specific details per engine type
176
The details given in the vehicle's technical documentation always take prece-
dence over the details in the Owner's Manual.
The listed performance values were determined without performance-reduc- ing equipment, e.g. air conditioning system.
Vehicle characteristics
Fig. 169
Vehicle data sticker/type plate
Vehicle data sticker
The vehicle data sticker » Fig. 169 -
 is located on the base of the luggage
compartment and is also stuck into the service schedule.
The vehicle data sticker contains the following data.
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
Vehicle type
Gearbox code/paint number/interior equipment/engine output/engine
code
Partial vehicle description
Type plate
The type plate » Fig. 169 - 
is located at the bottom of the B-pillar on the
driver's side.
The type plate contains the following data. Vehicle identification number (VIN)
Maximum permissible gross weight
Maximum permissible towed weight (towing vehicle and trailer)
Maximum permissible front axle load
Maximum permissible rear axle load
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
The vehicle identification number - VIN (vehicle body number) is stamped into
the engine compartment on the right hand suspension strut dome. This num-
ber is also located on a sign on the lower left hand edge below the windscreen
(together with a VIN bar code), and on the type plate.
Engine number
The engine number (three-digit identifier and serial number) is stamped on the engine block.WARNINGDo not exceed the specified maximum permissible weights – risk of acci-
dent and damage!
Operating weight and payload
Operating weight
This value represents the minimum operating weight without additional
weight-increasing equipment such as air conditioning system, spare wheel, or
trailer hitch.
The specified operating weight is for orientation purposes only. 
123456789172Technical data