tow bar SKODA RAPID SPACEBACK 2014 1.G Owner's Manual

Hitch and trailer
Hitch
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Description
120
Adjusting the ready position
121
A correctly set ready position
121
Assembling the bar ball - 1. Step
122
Assembling the bar ball - 2. Step
122
Check proper fitting
123
Removing the bar ball - 1. Step
123
Removing the bar ball - 2. Step
123
Accessories
124
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 ball head, if it is not correctly inserted into the mounting
recess and secured.
■
Do not use the towing equipment if it is damaged or incomplete.
■
Do not modify or adapt the towing device in any way.
■
Never release the tow bar while the trailer is still coupled.
■
Keep the mounting recess of the towing equipment clean at all times.
Such dirt prevents the ball head from being attached securely.
CAUTION
■ Take care with the ball bar - there is a risk of paint damage to the bumper.■When the tow bar is removed always place the cover onto the mounting re-
cess - there is a danger of soiling the mounting recess.
Note
■ Operation and maintenance of hitch » page 135.■Tow the vehicle by means of the detachable ball rod » page 169.DescriptionFig. 111
Carrier for the towing device / tow bar
Read and observe
and on page 120 first.
The ball head can be removed and is kept in the spare wheel well or in a com-
partment for the spare wheel in the luggage compartment.
Support for the towing device and tow bar » Fig. 111
Cap
Mounting recess
Protective cap
Locking ball
Centring
Hand wheel
Key
Lock cap
Red marking on the hand wheel
Ball head
Green 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.123456789101112120Driving

Adjusting the ready positionFig. 112
Remove cap from the lock / insert key into the lock
Fig. 113
Setting the ready position
Read and observe
and on page 120 first.
The tow bar must be set prior to installation to the standby posi-
tion » page 121 , A correctly set ready position .
If this is not in the ready position, then this must be set to the standby posi- tion as follows.
›
Grip the tow bar below the protective cap.
›
Remove the cover
A
from the lock in the direction of the arrow
1
» Fig. 112 .
›
Insert the key into the lock
B
in the direction of arrow
2,
so that the arrow
on the key symbol 
shows.
›
Turn the key
B
to the stop in the direction of arrow
3,
so that the arrow on
the key symbol 
» Fig. 113 shows.
›
Pull the hand wheel
C
in the direction of the arrow
4
and turn in the direc-
tion of the arrow
5
to the stop.
The hand wheel C remains locked in this position.WARNINGIf the tow bar cannot be correctly placed in the ready position, then it must
not be used.
A correctly set ready position
Fig. 114
Ready position
Read and observe
and on page 120 first.
Correctly adjusted standby position » Fig. 114
The key
A
is in the unlocked position - the arrow on the key points to the
symbol 
.
The locking ball
B
can be pushed fully into the tow bar.
The red marking
C
on the hand wheel points to the white marking on the
ball bar.
There is a clear gap of approx. 4 mm
D
between the hand wheel and the
tow bar.
The ball bar is thus set ready for installation.
CAUTION
When in the ready position, the key cannot be removed from the lock.121Hitch and trailer

Assembling the bar ball - 1. StepFig. 115
Remove cap for receiving shaft / use ball bar
Read and observe
and on page 120 first.
Preliminary work
Before installing the tow bar the following work must be carried out.
›
Remove the end cap for receiving shaft
A
in the direction of arrow
1
» Fig. 115 .
The tow bar must be set to the standby position » page 121, A correctly set
ready position . If this is not in the standby position, then it must be set to the
standby position » page 121, Adjusting the ready position .
Fitting
›
Grip the tow bar from underneath » Fig. 115 and insert into the mounting re-
cess in arrow direction
2
until you hear it click into place » .
The hand wheel
B
rotates back automatically and rests on the ball rod » .
WARNING■
Do not hold the hand wheel with your hand when attaching the ball bar -
there is a risk of finger injury.■
If the tow bar is not in the ready position, it cannot be fitted in the
mounting recess.
Note
Store the cover of the mounting recess in a suitable place in the luggage com-
partment store after removal.Assembling the bar ball - 2. StepFig. 116
Secure the lock and remove key / place cap on lock
Read and observe
and on page 120 first.
›
Initially carry out the first step of the ball rod assembly » page 122.
›
Turn the key
A
in the direction of arrow
1,
so that the arrow on the key
symbol 
» Fig. 116 shows.
›
Remove the key in the direction of the arrow
2
.
›
Fit the cap
B
on the lock in the direction of the arrow
3
.
›
Check that the tow bar is securely attached » page 123.
WARNING■
After fitting the tow bar, always secure the lock and remove the key.■The tow bar must not be operated with the key inserted.
CAUTION
After removing the key, always replace the cover on the lock – there is a risk of
the lock getting dirty.122Driving

Check proper fittingFig. 117
Correctly secured ball head
Read and observe and on page 120 first.
Check that the tow bar is fitted properly before each use.
Correctly secured ball head » Fig. 117
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 lock is locked and the key is removed.
The cap
B
is on the lock.
WARNINGDo not use the towing device unless the tow bar has been properly locked!
Removing the bar ball - 1. Step
Fig. 118
Remove cap from the lock / insert key into the lock
Fig. 119
Unlock lock
Read and observe and on page 120 first.
›
Remove the cover
A
from the lock in the direction of the arrow
1
» Fig. 118 .
›
Insert the key into the lock
B
in the direction of arrow
2,
so that the arrow
on the key symbol  shows.
›
Turn the key
B
in the direction of arrow
3,
so that the arrow on the key
symbol 
» Fig. 119 shows.
WARNINGNever remove the tow bar while the trailer is still coupled.
Note
We recommend putting the protective cover onto the ball head before remov-
ing the tow bar.
Removing the bar ball - 2. Step
Fig. 120
Release tow bar
Read and observe and on page 120 first.
Removing
›
Initially carry out the first step of the ball rod disassembly » page 123.
123Hitch and trailer

›Grasp the ball bar from
below » Fig. 120 .›Pull the hand wheel A in the direction of the arrow 1.›
Turn the hand wheel in the direction of the arrow
2
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
3
.
At the same time, the ball head latches into the ready position and is thus
ready to be re-inserted into the mounting recess »
.
Subsequent steps
After removing the tow bar the following work must be carried out.
›
Fit the cover for the mounting recess
A
in the opposite direction to arrow
1
» Fig. 115 on page 122 .
WARNINGNever allow the tow bar to remain unsecured in the boot. This could cause
damage on sudden braking and could put the safety of the occupants at
risk!
CAUTION
■ If the hand wheel A 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 ball head then needs to be
brought into this position before the next time it is fitted » page 121, Adjusting
the ready position .■
The mounting recess must be closed with the cover following removal. This
prevents foreign bodies from getting into the mounting recess.
Note
Clean any dirt from the tow bar before stowing it away in the box with the ve-
hicle tool kit.AccessoriesFig. 121
Representation of the maximum
permissible level of the ball head
of the towing hitch and the per-
missible total weight of the ac-
cessories including the load de-
pending on the load centre of
gravity
Read and observe and on page 120 first.
An accessory can be mounted on the ball head of the towing hitch (e.g. bicycle carrier).
If this accessory is used, the maximum permissible overhang of the ball head
of the towing hitch and the permissible gross vehicle weight of the accesso-
ries including load are to be checked.
The maximum permissible overhang of the ball head of the towing hitch is 70
cm » Fig. 121 .
The total permitted weight of the accessory including load changes with in-
creasing distance of the centre of gravity of the load from the ball head of the
towing hitch.
Distance of the centre of gravity of the load from the ball headPermissible total weight of the ac- cessory, including load0 cm50 kg30 cm50 kg60 cm25 kg70 cm0 kgWARNING■Never exceed the permissible gross weight of the accessory including
load - there is a risk of damaging the ball head of the towing hitch.■
Never exceed the permissible overhang of the ball head of the towing
hitch - there is a risk of damaging the ball head of the towing hitch. 
124Driving

NoteWe recommend that you use accessories from ŠKODA Original Accessories.
Trailer
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Attaching and detaching trailers
125
Loading a trailer
126
Towing a trailer
126
Anti-theft alarm system
126
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.
Note
If there is an error in the trailer lighting, check the fuses in the fuse box in the
dash panel » page 173.
Attaching and detaching trailers
Fig. 122
Swivel out the 13-pin power
socket, safety eyelet
Coupling
›
Install the tow bar.
›
Lift off protective cap
3
» Fig. 111 on page 120 towards the top.
›
Place the trailer onto the ball.
›
Grip the 13-pin socket on the handle
A
and swing out in the direction of the
arrow » Fig. 122 .
›
Insert the trailer cable into the 13-pin socket.
If the trailer that is to be towed has a 7-pin connector, you can use a suitable
adapter from ŠKODA Original Accessories to establish a connection to the elec-
tricity.›
Hook the breakaway cable of the trailer to the security lock slot
B
.
The breakaway cable of the trailer has to sag when mounted into the security
lock slot for all trailer positions relative to the vehicle (sharp curves, reverse
driving and the like).
Uncoupling
The uncoupling of the trailer is carried out in reverse order.
›
Unhook the breakaway cable of the trailer from the security lock slot
B
» Fig. 122 .
›
Pull the trailer cable out of the 13-pin socket.
›
Remove the trailer from the ball head.
›
Place the cover
3
on the ball head » Fig. 111 on page 120 .
›
Grip the 13-pin socket on the handle
A
and swing out against the direction
of the arrow » Fig. 122.
Exterior mirrors
You can have additional exterior mirrors fitted if you are not able to see the
traffic behind the trailer with the standard rear-view mirrors. The national legal
requirements must be observed.
Headlights
The front of the vehicle may lift up when a trailer is being towed and the head- lights may dazzle other road users.
Adjust the headlights using the headlight beam control » page 59.
WARNING■
Incorrectly or improperly connected electrical installations may cause mal-
function of the entire vehicle electronics and lead to accidents and serious
injury from electric shock.■
Works on the electrical system must only be carried out by specialist ga-
rages.
■
Never directly connect the trailer's electrical system with the electrical
connections for the tail lights or other current sources.
■
After coupling the trailer and connecting up the power socket, check the
rear lights on the trailer to ensure they are working.
■
The handbrake on the towing vehicle must be applied when coupling and
uncoupling the trailer.
■
Never use the safety eyelet for towing!
125Hitch and trailer

Loading a trailer
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 153.
Towing capacity and trailer weight
The permissible trailer load must not be exceeded under any circumstan-
ces » page 181 , 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■ The maximum permissible axle and drawbar load and the permissible
weight of the trailer must not exceed - this could cause an accident!■
A sliding cargo can significantly adversely affect stability and driving safe-
ty - there is a risk of accident!
Towing a trailer
Driving speed
For safety reasons, do not drive faster than 80 km/h when towing a trailer.
Immediately reduce your speed as soon as even the slightest swaying of the
trailer is detected. Never attempt to stop the trailer from “swaying” by acceler-
ating.
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.
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  illuminates or starts to
blink in the instrument cluster.
The following guidelines must be observed » page 36.
The coolant temperature level can be reduced by switching on the heating.WARNING■ Always drive particularly carefully with the trailer.■Adapt your speed to the conditions of the road surface and to the traffic
situation.
CAUTION
If you tow a trailer frequently, you should also have your vehicle inspected be-
tween service intervals.
Anti-theft alarm system
When the vehicle is locked, the alarm is activated when the electrical connec-
tion to the trailer is interrupted.
Always switch off the anti-theft alarm system before a trailer is coupled or un-
coupled » page 53 . 
126Driving

Door closing cylinderRead and observe
and on page 132 first.
Specific products must be used for de-icing door lock cylinders.
CAUTION
Make sure that as little water as possible gets into the locking cylinder when
washing the vehicle - there is a risk of freezing the lock cylinder!
Cavity protection
Read and observe
and on page 132 first.
All the cavities of your vehicle which are at risk from corrosion are protectedfor life by a layer of protective wax applied in the factory.
This wax protection does not need to be inspected or re-applied.
If any small amount of wax flow out of the cavities at high temperatures, these
must be removed with a plastic scraper and the stains cleaned using a petrole-
um cleaner.
WARNINGSafety regulations should be observed when using petroleum cleaner to re-
move wax – risk of fire!
Jack
Read and observe
and on page 132 first.
The jack is maintenance-free.
If necessary, the moving parts of the jack should be lubricated with a suitable lubricant.
Wheels
Read and observe
and on page 132 first.
Wheel rims
Also thoroughly wash the wheel rims when washing the vehicle on a regular basis.
Regularly remove salt and brake abrasion, otherwise the rim material will be
corroded.
Light alloy wheels
After washing thoroughly, treat the wheel rims with a protective product for
light alloy wheels.
For the treatment of wheel rims do not use products which may cause damage
to the paint on the rims.
CAUTION
■ Damage to the paint layer on the wheel rims must be touched up immediate-
ly.■
Severe layers of dirt on the wheels can also result in wheel imbalance. This
may show itself in the form of a wheel vibration which is transmitted to the
steering wheel which, in certain circumstances, can cause premature wear of
the steering. This means it is necessary to remove the dirt.
Towing device and mounting recess
Read and observe
and on page 132 first.
Close the mounting recess with the cover to prevent any dirt from getting in.
If dirt is present, clean the inner surfaces of the mounting recess and treat
with a suitable preservative.
Always check the ball head before hitching a trailer. Apply a suitable grease, if
necessary.
Use the protective cover when stowing away the tow bar, in order to stop the
boot from getting dirty.
CAUTION
Apply grease to the inner part of the mounting recess. Make sure you do not
remove any grease.
Under-body protection
Read and observe
and on page 132 first.
The underside of your vehicle is already permanently protected by the factory
against chemical and mechanical influences.
It is not possible to guarantee that the protective coating will not suffer any
damage as the vehicle is driven. 
135Care and maintenance

WARNING■Do not clamp the jump-start cable to the negative terminal of the dis-
charged battery. There is the risk of detonating gas seeping out of the bat-
tery being ignited by the strong spark resulting from the engine being star-
ted.■
The non-insulated parts of the terminal clamps must never touch each
other – there is a risk of short circuit!
■
The jump-start cable connected to the positive terminal of the battery
must not come into contact with electrically conducting parts of the vehicle
– there is a risk of short circuit!
■
Route the jump-start cables so that they cannot be caught by any rotat-
ing parts in the engine compartment.
■
There must not be any contact between the two vehicles, otherwise cur-
rent may flow as soon as the negative terminals are connected.
Towing the vehicle
 Introduction
Fig. 148
Braided tow rope / Spiral tow rope
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Front towing eye
169
Rear towing eye
169
Vehicles with a tow hitch
169
For towing a braided tow rope is to be used » Fig. 148- 
.
When towing, the following guidelines must be observed.
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!
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, windscreen wipers and windscreen washer system 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.
Both drivers should be familiar with the problems which might possibly occur while a vehicle is being towed. Unskilled drivers should not attempt to tow an-
other 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.
WARNING■ When towing, respect the national legal provisions, especially those
which relate to the identification of the towing vehicle and the vehicle be- ing towed.■
When towing, exercise increased caution.
■
For towing no spiral tow rope is to be used » Fig. 148- 
, the towing eye
may unscrew out of the vehicle - there is a risk of accidents.
■
The tow rope should not be twisted - there is a risk of accidents. 
168Do-it-yourself

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 166, Jump-starting .■
If the gearbox no longer contains any oil, your vehicle must only be towed
with the front axle raised clear of the ground or on a 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.
■
Attach the tow rope or the tow bar to the towing eyes » page 169
or » page 169 to the detachable ball head of the towing equip-
ment » page 120 .
Note
We recommend using a tow rope from ŠKODA Original Accessories, which is
available from a ŠKODA Partner.
Front towing eye
Fig. 149
Removing the cap/installing the towing eye
Read and observe
and on page 168 first.
Removing/installing the cap
›
Press on the cap in the direction of the arrow
1
» Fig. 149 .
›
Remove the cap in the direction of the arrow
2
.
›
After unscrewing the cap of the towing eye, insert the cap in the region of
the arrow
1
and then press the opposite side of the cap.
The cap must engage firmly.
Removing/installing the towing eye›
Manually screw the towing eye as far as it will go in the direction of the ar-
row
3
» Fig. 149 » .
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
3
.
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. 150
Rear towing eye
Read and observe and on page 168 first.
The rear towing eye is located below the bumper on the right.
Remove the protective cap before using the towing eye. » Fig. 150. Replace the
protective cap after using the towing eye.
Vehicles with a tow hitch
Read and observe
and on page 168 first.
For vehicles with a factory-fitted towing device, the pre-installed detachable
tow-bar may be used » page 120, Hitch .
Towing the vehicle using the towing device is a viable alternative solution to
using the towing eye. 
169Emergency equipment and self-help