steering SKODA ROOMSTER 2006 1.G Owner's Guide

Communication
128
Note
The operation of the mobile phone fitted with multi-functional module* is
only possible on certain models of mobile phone. More detailed informa-
tion is available from your Škoda Service Partner.
Universal telephone preinstallation with
voice control*
The voice control is activated according to equipment installed on the
vehicle by pressing the button PTT (push to talk)  on the adapter
⇒ fig. 112 or the button  on the multi-functional module* ⇒page 127.
A phone phonebook is part of the mobile phone preinstallation with voice
control. In the phone phonebook there are 300 free memory locations
available. This phone phonebook can be used in line with the mobile tele-
phone. For vehicles fitted with multi-functional module*, the operation is
performed via the function buttons on the module
⇒page 127.
Furthermore the volume can be changed individually at any time with the
button for setting the radio or on vehicles fitted with multi-functional
module* with function buttons on the steering wheel.
If the system answers with the voice response “ Telephone is not ready”,
please check the operating state of the telephone as follows:
•Is the telephone switched on?
•Is the PIN code entered?
Dialogue
The period, in which the telephone system is ready to receive voice
commands and carry out the voice commands, is called DIALOGUE. The
system gives audible feedback and guides you if necessary through the
relevant functions. You can start or end the dialogue at any time by
pressing the PTT button. You can also end the dialogue with the voice
command CANCEL.
The dialogue is always automatically ended after carrying out an opera-
tion, e.g. after erasing the name from the phonebook.
The dialogue of the incoming call is immediately interrupted and you can
accept the call by pressing the button
.
If a voice command is not detected, the system answers with “ Pardon?”
and a new entry can be performed. After the 3rd error the answer “ Cancel”
is given and the dialogue is ended.
Optimum understanding of the voice commands depends on the
following factors:
•Speak with a normal tone of voice without intonation and excessive
voice pauses.
•Avoid insufficient articulation.
•Close the doors, windows and sliding roof, in order to reduce or stop
disturbing exterior noise.
Fig. 112 Button for
switching on the voice
control
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Passive Safety141
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Safety
Passive Safety
Basic information
Driving the safe way
Passive safety measures reduce the risk of injury in acci-
dent situations.
In this section you will find important information, tips and notes on the
subject of passive safety in your vehicle. We have combined everything
here which you should be familiar with, for example, regarding seat belts,
airbags, child seats and safety of children. It is therefore important, in
particular, to comply with the notes and warnings in this section for your
own interest and in the interest of those travelling with you.
WARNING
•This chapter contains important information on how to use the
vehicle for the driver and his occupants. You will find further infor-
mation on safety, which concerns you and those travelling with
you, in the following chapters of this Owner's Manual.
•The complete on-board literature should always be in the
vehicle. This applies in particular, if you rent out or sell the
vehicle.
Safety equipment
The safety equipment is part of the occupant protection
and it can reduce the risk of injuries in accident situations.
“Do not put at risk” your safety and the safety of those travelling with you
. In the event of an accident, the safety equipment can reduce the risk of
injuries. The following list contains part of the safety equipment in your
vehicle:
•three-point seat belts for all the seats,
•belt force limiter for front seats,
•belt tensioner for front seats,
•seat belt height adjuster for front seats,
•front airbag for the driver and the front seat passenger*
•side airbags*,
•head airbags*,
•anchoring points for child seat using the “ISOFIX” system,
•anchoring points for child seat using the “Top Tether” system,
•head restraint adjustable for height,
•adjustable steering column.
The specified safety equipment works together, in order to optimally
protect you and those travelling with you in accident situations. The safety
equipment does not protect you or the people travelling with you, if you or
your occupants adopt an incorrect seated position or the equipment is not
correctly adjusted or used.
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Correct seated position
Correct seated position for the driver
Correct seated position for the driver is important for safe
and relaxed driving.
For your own safety and to reduce the risk of injury in the event of an acci-
dent, we recommend the following setting.
•Adjust the steering wheel so that the distance between the steering
wheel and your chest is at least 25 cm ⇒fig. 116 .
•Position the driver seat in the forward/back direction so that you are
able to press the pedals with your legs at a slight angle .
•Adjust the backrest so that you are able to reach the highest point of
the steering wheel with your arms at a slight angle.
•Adjust the head restraint so that the top edge of the head restraint is
at the same level as the upper part of your head ⇒fig. 117 .
•Fasten the seat belt correctly ⇒page 150, “How are seat belts
correctly fastened?”.
Driver seat adjustment ⇒page 69, “Adjusting the front seats”.
WARNING
•The front seats and the head restraints must always be adjusted
to match the body size of the seat occupant as well as the seat belts
Fig. 116 The correct
distance of the driver
from the steering wheel
Fig. 117 The correct
head restraint adjust-
ment for the driver
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Passive Safety
144
must always be correctly fastened in order to provide an optimal
protection for you and your occupants.
•The driver must maintain a distan ce of at least 25 cm to the
steering wheel ⇒page 143, fig. 116 . Not maintaining this minimum
distance will mean that the airbag system will not be able to prop-
erly protect you - hazard!
•When driving, hold the steering wheel with both hands firmly on
the outer edge in the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock position. Never hold
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.
•The backrests must not be angled too far back when driving
otherwise this will affect proper operation of the seat belts and of
the airbag system - risk of injury!
•Ensure that there are no objects in the footwell as any objects
may get behind the pedals during a driving or braking manoeuvre.
You would then no longer be able to operate the clutch, to brake or
accelerate.
Correct seated position for the front passenger
The front passenger must maintain a distance of at least
25 cm from the dash panel so that the airbag offers the
greatest possible safety when an airbag is deployed.
For the safety of the front passenger and to reduce the risk of injury in the
event of an accident, we recommend the following setting.
•Adjust the front passenger seat as far as possible to the rear.
•Adjust the head restraint so that the top edge of the head restraint is
at the same level as the upper part of your head ⇒page 143, fig. 117 .
•Fasten the seat belt correctly ⇒page 150, “How are seat belts
correctly fastened?”.
In exceptional cases the front passenger airbag can be deactivated
⇒ page 163, “Deactivating an airbag”.
Adjusting the passenger seat ⇒page 69, “Adjusting the front seats”.
WARNING
•The front seats and the head restraints must always be adjusted
to match the body size of the seat occupant as well as the seat belts
must always be correctly fastened in order to provide an optimal
protection for you and your occupants.
•The front passenger must maintain a distance of at least 25 cm
to the dash panel. Not maintaining this minimum distance will mean
that the airbag system will not be able to properly protect you -
hazard!
•Always keep your feet in the footwell when the car is being
driven - never place your feet on the instrument panel, out of the
window or on the surfaces of the seats. You will be exposed to
increased risk of injury if it becomes necessary to apply the brake
or in the event of an accident. If an airbag is deployed, you may
suffer fatal injuries when adopting an incorrect seated position!
•The backrests must not be angled too far back when driving
otherwise this will affect proper operation of the seat belts and of
the airbag system - risk of injury!
WARNING (continued)
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Seat belts
148
The physical principle of a frontal
collision
The physical principle of a frontal accident can be explained quite simply: Motion energy, so-called kinetic energy, is produced as soon as the
vehicle is moving, both for the vehicle and its occupants. The magnitude
of this kinetic energy depends essentially on the speed at which the
vehicle is travelling and on the weight of the vehicle and the occupants.
The greater the speed and weight increase, the greater the amount of
energy which has to be absorbed in the event of an accident.
The speed of the vehicle is, nevertheless, the most important factor.
Doubling the speed of the vehicle from 25 km/h up to 50 km/hour
increases the kinetic energy four times.
The common opinion that it is possible to support your body in a minor
accident with your hands, is incorrect. Even in a collision at only a low
speed, the forces acting on the body are such that it is no longer possible
to support your body.
Even if you only drive at a speed within the range from 30 km/hour to 50
km/hour, the forces which are produced on your body in the event of an
accident can easily exceed 10.000 N (Newton). This equals a weight of
one tonne (1 000 kg).
In the event of a frontal collision, occupants of the car not wearing a seat
belt, are thrown forward and strike in an uncontrolled way parts of the inte-
rior of the car, such as steering wheel, dash panel, windscreen,
⇒fig. 119 .
The occupants of a vehicle who have not fastened their seat belts may
even be thrown out of the vehicle. This can result in fatal injuries.
It is also important that rear seat occupants fasten their seat belts as they
will otherwise be thrown through the vehicle in an uncontrolled manner in
the event of an accident A rear seat passenger who has not fastened the
seat belt is a danger not only to himself but also for those seated at the
front ⇒fig. 120 .
Fig. 119 The driver is
thrown forward if not
wearing a belt
Fig. 120 The rear seat
occupant is thrown
forward if not wearing a
belt
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Airbag system
156
− The interior lighting comes on (if the switch for the interior light is in
the door contact position),
− The hazard warning light is switched on,
− All the doors are unlocked.
Front airbags
Description of the front airbags
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belt!
The front airbag for the driver is housed in the steering wheel ⇒fig. 125 .
The front airbag for the front passenger* is housed in the dash panel
above the storage compartment ⇒fig. 126 . The installation positions are
each marked with the “AIRBAG” logo.
The front airbag system is complementary to the three-point seat belts
and offers additional protection in the head and chest area of the driver
and passenger in the event of a frontal collision ⇒ in “Important safety
information regarding the front airbag system” on page 158.
The airbag is not a substitute for the seat belt, but is part of the complete
passive vehicle safety concept. Please note that an airbag can only
offer you optimal protection in combination with a seat belt which is
fastened .
Apart from their normal protective function, a further task of the seat belts
is to also hold the driver and front passenger in a correct seated position
in the event of a frontal collision so as to enable the front airbags to offer
the maximum protection.
Fig. 125 Driver airbag
in the steering wheel
Fig. 126 Front
passenger airbag in the
dash panel
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Airbag system
158
Important safety informat ion regarding the front
airbag system
Correct use of the airbag system considerably reduces the
risk of injury!
WARNING
•Never transport children on the front seat of a vehicle without
using a proper restraint system. If airbags are deployed in the event
of an accident, the child might suff er severe or even fatal injuries!
•For the driver and front passenger it is important to maintain a
distance of at least 25 cm from the steering wheel or dash panel
⇒ page 158, fig. 128 . Not maintaining this minimum distance will
mean that the airbag sy stem will not be able to properly protect you
- hazard! The front seats and the head restraints must always also
be correctly adjusted to match the body size of the occupant.
•It is essential to always switch off ⇒page 163, “Deactivating an
airbag” the front passenger airbag when attaching a child safety seat on the front passenger seat where the child is seated with its
back facing in direction of travel (in some countries also when the
child is facing the direction of travel). If this is not done, there is a
risk of the child suffering severe or
even fatal injuries if the front
passenger airbag is deployed. In certain countries national legal
provisions also require that the side or head passenger airbags be
deactivated. When transporting a child on the front passenger seat,
please comply with the appropriat e national regulations regarding
the use of child safety seats.
•There must not by any further persons, animals or objects posi-
tioned between the front seated occupants and the deployment
area of the airbag.
•The steering wheel and the surface of the airbag module in the
dash panel on the passenger side must not be stuck onto, covered
or modified in any other way. Th ese parts should only be cleaned
with a dry cloth or a cloth moistened with water. No objects such as
cup holders, mobile phone mounts, etc. may be attached to the
covers of the airbag modules or be located within the immediate
area.
•No modifications of any kind may be made to parts of the airbag
system. Any work on the airbag system including installing and
removing system components because of other repair work (e.g.
removing the steering wheel) must only be carried out by a
specialist garage.
•Never carry out changes on the front bumper or on the body.
•Never place any objects on the dash panel on the front
passenger side.
Fig. 128 Safe distance
to steering wheel
WARNING (continued)
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Deactivating an airbag
Deactivating airbags
If any airbags have been deactivated, switch them on
again as soon as possible so that they are able to again
provide their proper protection.
There is the technical means installed within your vehicle to switch off the
front, side* or head airbag* (take out of commission).
This is why you should have the deactivation of the airbags carried out by
a specialist garage.
On vehicles equipped with the switch for deactivation of the airbags, you
can deactivate the front passenger airbag or passenger side airbag by
means of this switch ⇒page 164.
Deactivation of airbags is envisaged only for particular instances,
such as if:
•you must in exceptional cases use a child seat on the front
passenger seat where the child has its back to the direction of travel of the
vehicle (in some countries this must be in the direction of travel due to
other legal regulations applying) ⇒page 166, “Important safety informa-
tion regarding the use of child safety seats”
•you are not able to maintain the distance of at least 25 cm between
middle of steering wheel and chest, despite the driver seat being correctly
adjusted,
•special attachments are required in the area of the steering wheel
because of a physical disability,
•you have installed other seats (e.g. orthopaedic seats without side
airbags). Monitoring the airbag system
The functionality of the airbag system is also monitored electronically,
when one airbag has been switched off
If the airbag was switched off using diagnostic equipment:
•The airbag indicator light in the instrument cluster lights up for about 3
seconds after switching on the ignition and then flashes after that for about
12 seconds.
If the airbag was switched off using the airbag switch* on the side of
the dash panel:
•The airbag warning light comes on in the instrument cluster for about
3 seconds each time the ignition is switched on.
•Switching off airbags is indicated in the middle of the dash panel by the
lighting up of the indicator light    ⇒ page 164, fig. 134 .
Note
Your Škoda Service Partner will be able to advise you whether national
legislation in your country allows airbags in your vehicle to be deactivated,
and which ones.
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Driving Tips
Intelligent Technology
Electronic stability programme (ESP)*
General
General
The ESP aids you maintain control of your vehicle in situations in border-
line driving situations such as when negotiating a curve too fast. The risk
of skidding is reduced and your car thus offers greater driving stability
depending on the conditions of the road surface. This occurs at all speeds.
The following systems are integrated into the electronic stability
programme:
•Electronic Differential Lock (EDL),
•Traction control system (TCS),
•Antilock brake system (ABS),
•Brake Assist.
Operating principle
The ESP switches on automatically when the engine is started and then
conducts a self-test. The ESP control unit processes data from the indi-
vidual systems. It also processes additional measurement data which are
supplied by highly sensitive sensors: the rotational velocity of the vehicle
about its vertical axis, the lateral acceleration of the vehicle, the braking
pressure and the steering angle.
The direction which the driver wishes to take is determined based on the
steering angle and the speed of the vehicle and is constantly compared
with the actual behaviour of the vehicle. If differences exist, such as the
car beginning to skid, the ESP will automatically brake the appropriate
wheel.
The car is stabilised again by the forces which take effect when the wheel
is braked. Intervention into the brake system takes place primarily on the
outer front wheel of a vehicle which tends to oversteer (tendency for the
rear of the vehicle to break away) while occurs this is on the inner rear
wheel of a vehicle which tends to understeer (tendency to shift out of the
curve). This braking control cycle is accompanied by noises.
The ESP operates in combination with the ABS ⇒page 181, “Antilock
brake system (ABS)*”. If there is a fault in the ABS system, the ESP also
does not operate.
Fig. 145 ESP switch
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Low brake fluid level
An insufficient level of brake fluid may result in problems in the brake
system. The level of the brake fluid is monitored electronically
⇒page 36,
“Brake system ”.
WARNING
•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.
•When retrospectively mounting a front spoiler, solid wheel hubs
etc. one must ensure that the air supply to the front wheel brakes
is not reduced otherwise the braking system could run too hot.
•Allow for the fact that new brake pads do not achieve their full
braking efficiency until approximately 200 kilometres. New brake
pads must be first “run in” before they develop their optimal fric-
tion force. You can, however, compensate for this slightly reduced
braking force by increasing the pressure on the brake pedal. This
guideline also applies to any new brake pads installed at a future
date.
Caution
•Never allow the brakes to rub by applying slight pressure if you do not
wish to brake the vehicle. This causes the brakes to overheat and can also
result in a longer braking distance and excessive wear.
•Before negotiating a steep downhill section, please reduce your speed
and shift down into the next lower gear (manual gearbox) or select a lower
driving stage (automatic gearbox). This enables you to make full use of
the braking power of the vehicle and reduces the strain on the brakes. Any
additional braking should be done intermittently, not continuously.
Brake booster
The brake booster boosts the pressure which you generate with the brake
pedal. The necessary pressure is only generated when the engine is
running.
WARNING
•Never switch off the engine before the vehicle is stationary.
•The brake booster only operates when the engine is running.
Greater physical effort for braking is required when engine is
switched off. Because if you do not stop as normal, this can cause
an accident and severe injuries.
Antilock brake system (ABS)*
ABS prevents the wheels locking when braking.
General
The ABS contributes significantly to enhancing the active safety of your
vehicle. Compared to a car not fitted with the ABS brake system, you are
able to retain optimal steering ability even during a full brake application
on a slippery road surface because the wheels do not lock up.
You must not expect, however, that the braking distance will be shorter
under all circumstances as a result of the ABS. The braking distance for
example on gravel and fresh snow, when you should anyway be driving
slowly and cautiously, will be longer.
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