SKODA ROOMSTER 2006 1.G Owner's Manual
Manufacturer: SKODA, Model Year: 2006, Model line: ROOMSTER, Model: SKODA ROOMSTER 2006 1.GPages: 274, PDF Size: 48.64 MB
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Starting-off and Driving
110
the steering wheel firmly in the 12 o'clock position or in another 
way (e.g. in the middle of the steering wheel or at the inner steering 
wheel edge). In such cases, injuries to the arms, the hands and the 
head can occur when the driver airbag is deployed.
Ignition lock
Petrol engines
 - ignition switched off, engine off
 - ignition switched on
 - start engine Diesel engines
 - interruption of fuel supply, ignition switched off, engine off, the 
steering can be locked.
 - heating glow plugs on, ignition switched on
•You should not switch on any major electrical components during the 
heating period otherwise the vehicle battery will be drained unnecessarily.
 - start engine
Applies to all models:
Position  
To   lock the steering , with the ignition key withdrawn, turn the steering 
wheel until the steering locking pin is heard to engage. You should always 
lock the steering as a general rule if you leave your vehicle. This acts as 
a deterrent against possible theft of your vehicle  ⇒.
Position  
Move the steering wheel back and forward a little if the ignition key cannot, 
or cannot easily be turned into this position, in order to release the 
steering lock.
Position  
The engine is started in this position. At the same time switched on low 
beam or main beam or other electrical components with major power 
consumption are briefly switched off. The ignition key moves back into 
position   when one releases the key.
The ignition key must be turned back into position   each time before 
starting the engine again. The starter repeat lock in the ignition lock 
prevents the starter being engaged when the engine is running and thus 
getting damaged.
Ignition key withdrawal lock (automatic gearbox)
You can only withdraw the ignition key after switching off the ignition if the 
selector lever is in position  P.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 100  Ignition lock 
positions
A1
A2
A3
A1
A2
A3
A1
A2
A3
A2
A1
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Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
WARNING
•When driving, the ignition key must always be in the position   
(ignition switched on) without the en gine running. This position is 
indicated by the warning lights coming on. If this is not the case, it 
could result in unexpected locking of the steering wheel - risk of 
accident!
•Do not withdraw the ignition key from the lock until the car has 
come to a stop. The steering lock can engage immediately - risk of 
accident!
•Always withdraw the ignition key if you are going to leave the 
vehicle, even for a short time. This is particularly important if chil-
dren are left in the vehicle. The children might otherwise start the 
engine or operate electrical equi pment (e.g. power windows) - risk 
of injury!
Starting the engine
General
You can only start the engine only using an original ignition 
key.
•Place the gearshift lever into neutral and put on the handbrake firmly 
before starting the engine.
•The clutch pedal should be fully depressed when starting the engine 
which means that the starter only has to crank the engine.
•Let go of the key as soon as the engine starts otherwise there may be 
damage to the starter. The engine running noises may louder at first be louder for a short time 
after starting the cold engine until oil pressure can be built up in the 
hydraulic valve clearance compensation. This is quite normal and is not 
an operating problem.
If the engine does not start ...
You can use the battery of another vehicle as a jump-start aid 
⇒
page 243.
It is only possible to tow-start vehicles fitted with a manual gearbox. The 
tow-starting distance must not be more than 50 metres  ⇒page 247.
WARNING
•Never run the engine in non ventilated or enclosed areas. The 
exhaust gases of the engine contain besides the odorless and 
colourless carbon monoxide a poisonous gas - hazard! Carbon 
monoxide can cause unconsciousness and death.
•Never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running.
Caution
•The starter may only be operated (ignition key position  ), if the 
engine is not running. If the starter is immediately operated after switching 
off the engine, the starter or the engine can be damaged.
•Avoid high engine revolutions, full throttle and high engine loads as 
long as the engine has not yet reached its normal operating temperature 
- risk of damaging the engine!
•Vehicles which are fitted with an exhaust gas catalytic converter 
should not be tow-started over a distance of more than 50 metres.
A2
A3
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Starting-off and Driving
112
For the sake of  the environment
Never warm up the engine when the vehicle is standing. Drive off right 
away. When driving the engine reaches its operating temperature more 
rapidly and the pollutant emissions are lower.
Petrol engines
These engines are fitted with a starter system which selects the correct 
fuel/air mixture for every external air temperature.
•Do not operate accelerator before and when starting engine.
•Interrupt the attempt at starting after 10 seconds if the engine does not 
start right awayand wait for about 30 seconds before repeating the 
attempt.
•It is possible that the fuse on the electrical fuel pump is defect if the 
engine still does not start. Check the fuse and replace it if necessary 
⇒ page 249.
•If the engine does not start, contact the nearest specialist garage to 
obtain professional assistance.
It may be necessary, if the engine is  very hot, to slightly depress the 
accelerator after the engine has started.
Diesel engines
Glow plug system
Diesel engines are equipped with a glow plug system, the preglow period 
being controlled automatically in line with the coolant temperature and 
outside temperature. The preglow indicator light 
 comes on after the ignition has been 
switched on.
You should not switch on any major electrical components during 
the heating period otherwise the vehicle battery will be drained 
unnecessarily.
•You should start the engine immediately after the glow plug warning 
light  has gone out.
•The glow plug warning light will come on for about one second if the 
engine is at a normal operating temperature or if the outside temperature 
is above +5°C. This means that you can start the engine  right away.
•Interrupt the attempt at starting after 10 seconds if the engine does not 
start right awayand wait for about 30 seconds before repeating the 
attempt.
•It is possible that the fuse on the diesel preglow system is defect if the 
engine still does not start. Check the fuse and replace it if necessary 
⇒ page 249.
•Contact the nearest specialist garage to obtain professional assist-
ance.
Starting the engine after fuel tank has run dry
It may take longer than normal to start the engine after refuelling if the fuel 
tank has run completely dry - up to one minute. This is because the fuel 
system must first of all be filled while the attempting to start the engine.
Switching off the engine
– The engine can be switched off by turning the ignition key from  position  ⇒page 110, fig. 100  into position  .
A1
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WARNING
•Never switch off the engine before the vehicle is stationary - risk 
of accident!
•The brake booster only operates  when the engine is running. 
Greater physical effort for brakin g is required when engine is 
switched off. Because if you do not stop as normal, this can cause 
an accident and severe injuries.
Caution
you should not switch the engine off right away at the end of your journey 
after the engine has been operated for a lengthy period at high loads but 
should be allowed it to run at idling speed for about 2 minutes. This 
prevents any accumulation of heat when the engine is switched off.
Note
•The radiator fan may continue running for a further 10 minutes or so 
after the engine and the ignition have been switched off. The coolant fan 
may, however, also switch on again after some time if the coolant temper-
ature rises because of an accumulation of heat in the engine or if the 
engine is warm and the engine compartment is additionally heated by 
strong sunlight.
•This is why particular care is required when carrying out any work in 
the engine compartment  ⇒page 210, “Working in the engine 
compartment”.
Shifting (manual gearbox)
Shift into reverse only when the car is stationary. Depress the clutch pedal 
and hold it fully depressed. Wait a moment before engaging reverse gear 
in order to avoid any shift noises.
The reversing lights will come on once reverse gear is engaged, provided 
the ignition is on.
WARNING
Never engage the reverse gear when driving - risk of accident!
Note
•One should not lay the hand on the shift lever while driving the vehicle. 
The pressure of the hand will be transferred to the gearshift forks in the 
gearbox. This can, over a period of time, lead to early wear of the gearshift 
forks.
Fig. 101  The shift 
pattern: 5-speed or 6-
speed manual gearbox
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Starting-off and Driving
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•Depress the clutch pedal fully when changing gears, in order to avoid 
unnecessary wear and damage.
Handbrake
Applying the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up fully.
Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up slightly  and at the same time  
press in the locking button  ⇒fig. 102 .
– Hold the button pressed and push the handbrake lever down  fully  ⇒ .
The handbrake warning light  lights up when the handbrake is applied, 
provided the ignition is on.
A warning signal sounds and the following text appears in the display* if 
you have inadvertently driven off with the handbrake applied:
HANDBRAKE ON
The handbrake warning is activated if you drive at a speed of more than 6 
km/h for more than 3 seconds.
WARNING
•Please note that the handbrake must be fully released. A hand-
brake which is only partially released can result in the rear brakes 
overheating which will have a negative effect on the operation of 
the brake system - risk of accident! In addition this can result in 
premature wear of the rear brake pads.
•Never leave children unattended in the vehicle. The children 
might, for example, release the handbrake or take the vehicle out of 
gear. The vehicle might then move off - risk of accident!
Caution
After the car has come to a stop, always first of all apply the handbrake 
firmly before then additionally engaging a gear (manual gearbox) or 
moving the selector lever into position  P (automatic gearbox).
Fig. 102  Centre 
console: Handbrake
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Parking aid*
The parking aid provides a warning of obstacles behind 
the vehicle.
The audible parking aid determines the distance between the rear bumper 
and an obstacle located behind the vehicle with the aid of ultrasound 
sensors. The sensors are integrated in the rear bumper.
Range of sensors
The clearance warning begins at a distance of about 160 cm from the 
obstacle (area   ⇒fig. 103 ). The interval between the warning signals 
becomes shorter as the clearance is reduced.
A continuous tone sounds from a clearance of just 30 cm (Bereich  ) - 
danger area.  You should not reverse any further after this signal 
sounds! Activating
The parking aid is activated automatically when 
reverse gear is engaged 
and the ignition is turned on. This is confirmed by a brief acknowledge-
ment signal.
Deactivating
The parking aid is deactivated by removing the reverse gear.
WARNING
•The parking aid is not a substitute for the driver paying proper 
attention and it is always the driver's responsibility to take care 
when parking the vehicle or carrying out similar manoeuvres.
•You should therefore satisfy yourself, before reversing, that 
there is no small obstacle, such as a rock, thin post, trailer drawbar 
etc., behind your vehicle. Such an  obstacle might not be within the 
range detected by the sensors.
Note
•The parking aid does not operate if you are towing a trailer (applies to 
models which feature a factory-fitted towing device*).
•A system fault is indicated if a warning signal sounds for about 5 
seconds after switching the ignition on and engaging reverse gear and 
there is no obstacle close to your vehicle. Have the fault rectified by a 
specialist workshop.
•The sensors must be kept clean and free of ice to enable the parking 
aid to operate properly.
•If the parking aid is activated and the selector lever of the automatic 
gearbox is in the position  , warning signal indicates interruption (vehicle 
can no longer move).
Fig. 103  Parking aid: 
Range of sensors
AA
AB
AP
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Cruise control system (CCS)*
Introduction
The cruise control system (CCS) maintains a constant speed, more than 
30 km/h, once it has been set, without you having to depress the acceler-
ator pedal. This is only possible within the range which is permitted by the 
power output and braking power of the engine. The cruise control system 
makes it possible - particularly on long journeys - for you to rest your 
“accelerator foot”.
WARNING
•The cruise control system must not, for safety reasons, be used 
in dense traffic or on unfavourable road surfaces (such as icy 
roads, slippery roads or loose chippings) - risk of accident!
•In order to prevent unintentional use of the cruise control 
system, always switch off the system after use.
Note
•Models fitted with a manual gearbox: Always depress the clutch pedal 
if you switch on the cruise control system when the gearbox is in Neutral. 
Otherwise the engine can rev up unintentionally.
•The cruise control system is not able to maintain a constant speed 
when driving on steep downhill sections. The weight of the vehicle 
increases the speed at which it travels. One should shift down in good time 
to a lower gear or slow the vehicle down by applying the foot brake.
•It is not possible on vehicles fitted with an automatic gearbox to switch 
on the cruise control system if the selector lever is in the position  P, N  or 
R .
Storing a speed
The cruise control system is operated by means of the slide 
switch   and rocker button   in the left lever of the multi-func-
tional switch.
– Press the switch    ⇒fig. 104  into the position  ON.
– After the desired speed has been reached, press the rocker  button  into the  SET position - the current speed is stored.
After you have released the rocker button   out of the position  SET, the 
speed you have just stored is maintained at a constant speed without 
having to depress the accelerator.
Yo u  c a n   increase  the speed by depressing the accelerator. Releasing the 
accelerator will cause the speed to  drop again to the set speed.
This does not apply, however, if you drive at a speed which is more than 
10 km/h higher than the set speed for a period of longer than 5 minutes. 
Fig. 104  Operating 
lever: Rocker button 
and slide switch on the 
cruise control system
AAAB
AA
AB
AB
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The stored speed will be cancelled in the memory. You then have to re-
store the desired speed.
One can 
reduce the speed in the usual manner. The system is switched 
off temporarily by actuating the brake or clutch pedal  ⇒page 117.
WARNING
First ensure that it is not too high for the traffic conditions which 
exist at that moment before resuming the stored speed.
Changing a stored speed
You can also change the speed of the vehicle without 
depressing the accelerator.
Faster
– You can  increase the stored speed without depressing the 
accelerator, by pressing the rocker button    ⇒page 116, 
fig. 104  into the  RES position.
– The speed of the car will increase continuously if you hold the  rocker button pressed in the  RES position. Once the car has 
reached the desired speed, release the rocker button. The set 
speed is then stored in the memory.
Slower
– You can  reduce the stored speed by pressing the rocker 
button  in the  SET position. – Holding down the rocker button pressed in the 
SET position 
will cause the speed of the vehicle to reduce continuously. 
Once the car has reached the desired speed, release the 
rocker button. The set speed is then stored in the memory.
– If you release the rocker button when the car is travelling at a  speed of less than 30 km/h, the speed is not stored, the 
memory is erased. It is then necessary to again store the 
speed with the rocker button   in the position  SET after an 
increase in speed of the vehicle to more than 30 km/hour.
Switching off the cruise co ntrol system temporarily
– You can switch off temporarily  the cruise control system, if 
you depress the brake or clutch pedal.
– You can switch off temporarily t he cruise control system, if you 
press the switch   in the middle position.
The set speed remains stored in the memory.
Press the rocker button   in the position  RES for the  resumption of the 
stored speed after releasing the clutch or brake pedal.
WARNING
First ensure that it is not too high for the traffic conditions which 
exist at that moment before resuming the stored speed.
AB
AB
AB
AA
AB
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Switching off the cruise control system completely
– Press the switch    ⇒page 116, fig. 104  to the right into posi-
tion  OFF .AA
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Automatic gearbox119
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Automatic gearbox
6-speed automatic gearbox*
Introduction
Your car is equipped with an electronically controlled 6-speed automatic 
gearbox. Shifting up and also down through the gears is performed auto-
matically.
At the same time this is a conventional automatic gearbox. The maximum 
speed is reached in the 5th gear. The 6th gear serves as an economic 
driving programme, which is intended to reduce the fuel consumption.
Information for driving wi th an automatic gearbox
Shifting up and down through the gears is performed auto-
matically.
You can also, however, switch the gearbox over into the 
Tiptronic mode . This mode makes it possible for you to also shift 
gears manually  ⇒page 123.
Starting-off and Driving
– Depress the brake pedal and hold it depressed.
– Press the Shiftlock button (button in handle of the selector  lever), move the selector lever into the desired position, e.g.  D 
⇒ page 120, and then release the Shiftlock button. – Wait a moment until the gearbox has shifted (a slight engage-
ment nudge can be felt).
– Release the brake pedal and depress the accelerator  ⇒.
Stopping for a short time
– The selector lever position  N does not have to be selected 
when stopping just for a short time, such as at a cross roads. 
It is sufficient to hold the vehicle stationary using the foot 
brake. The engine can, however, be allowed just to idle.
Parking
– Depress the brake pedal and hold it depressed.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Press and Shiftlock button in the selector lever, move the  selector lever to  P and then release the Shiftlock button.The engine can only be  started when the selector lever is in position  P or 
N  ⇒ p a g e 111 .
It is sufficient to engage selector lever position  P when parking on a flat 
surface. When parking on a slope you should first apply the handbrake 
firmly and then move the selector lever into position  P. This is to ensure 
that there is no excessive pressure acting on the lock mechanism and that 
it is easier to subsequently move the selector lever out of position  P.
If the selector lever position  N is selected by accident while driving it is first 
necessary to release pressure on the accelerator pedal and wait for idling 
speed of the engine to be reached before engaging a drive position in the 
selector lever.
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