Get Driving -> Starting-off and Driving Guide for Skoda Citigo SUV First Generation (2011-2020)

Electronic immobiliser and steering lock

Driving

 Read and observe and on page 88 first.

Starting-off and Driving

Starting and stopping the engine

 Introduction

The electronic immobiliser (hereinafter referred to as immobiliser) makes the

theft or unauthorised use of your vehicle more difficult.

Immobiliser

The immobilizer allows the engine to be started only with the original car key.

It is possible, with the key in the ignition, to switch the ignition off and on and

start/stop the engine.

Malfunction of the immobiliser

If the immobiliser in the key fails, it is not possible to start the engine.

Use the other vehicle key to start the engine; if necessary, seek help from a

specialist garage.

WARNING

■

Never switch off the engine before the vehicle is stationary – risk of acci-

dent!

Steering lock - lock

■

While driving with the engine stopped the ignition must always be

Remove the key and turn the steering wheel until the steering lock engages.

›

switched on. Otherwise, the steering may lock - danger of an accident!

Steering lock - unlock

■

Do not withdraw the ignition key from the ignition lock until the vehicle

Insert the key into the ignition and turn on the ignition. If this is not possible,

then move the steering wheel slightly back and forth, as a result of which the

steering lock should unlock.

›

has come to a stop » page 92, Parking. Otherwise, the steering may lock -

danger of an accident!

■

Never leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running - risk of acci-

dent, theft or similar.

Never (e.g. in garages) run the engine in a closed place - there is the dan-

ger of poisoning and death!

WARNING

■

Never let the vehicle roll with locked steering lock - danger of accident!

CAUTION

■

Only start the engine when the engine and the vehicle are stationary - there

is a danger of starter and engine damage!

■

Do not push-start the engine – risk of damaging the engine and the catalytic

converter. The battery from another vehicle can be used as a jump-start aid.

Note

Do not warm up the engine while the vehicle is stationary. If possible, start

your journey as soon as the engine has started. Through this, the engine rea-

ches its operating temperature faster.

88

Driving

Do not switch the engine off immediately at the end of your journey if the en-

gine has been working at high revs over a prolonged period, but leave it to run

at an idling speed for about 1 minute. This prevents any possible accumulation

of heat when the engine is switched off.

Ignition on / off

Fig. 120

Positions of the vehicle key in the ignition lock

Note

After switching off the ignition, the radiator fan may (also intermittently) con-

tinue to operate for approx. 10 minutes.

START-STOP system

 Introduction

 Read and observe and on page 88 first.

The START-STOP system (hereinafter referred to as: the system) reduces

Positions of the vehicle key in the ignition lock » Fig. 120

CO emissions and harmful emissions, and saves fuel.

2

1

Ignition switched off, engine switched off

Ignition switched on

If the system determine that the engine is not needed when the vehicle stops

(e.g. at the traffic lights), it turns off the engine and starts it again when mov-

ing off.

2

3

Starting engine

The system function depends on many factors. Some of them are down to the

driver, the others are systemic and can neither be influenced nor identified.

Starting / Stopping the engine

 Read and observe and on page 88 first.

Therefore the system may react differently in situations which seem identi-

cal from the driver's perspective.

Before starting the engine

Firmly apply the handbrake.

For vehicles with manual transmission, shift gear stick to neutral, depress

the clutch pedal and hold it there until the engine starts.

On vehicles with automatic gearbox, place the selector lever in position N

›

The system is automatically activated every time the ignition is switched on

(even where this has previously been manually deactivated with the button

).

›

and depress the brake pedal until the engine starts.

Note

If the engine has stopped due to the system, the ignition remains on.

Starting the engine

3

Turn the key to position

» Fig. 120 on page 89, the start-up process will

›

begin. Then release the key, the engine will start automatically.

1

If the engine does not start within 10 seconds, turn the key to position . Re-

peat the start-up process after 30 s.

Switching the engine off

Stop the vehicle.

Turn key to position

›

1

» Fig. 120 on page 89.

›

89

Starting-off and Driving

▶

The current consumption is too high.

High air conditioning or heating output (high fan speed, big difference be-

tween the desired and actual interior temperature).

Operation

Fig. 121

If the engine has shut down automatically but the system detects that the en-

gine is required to run (e.g. if the brake pedal is pressed repeatedly) then the

system automatically starts up the engine.

Display

Note

■

If the driver's seat belt is removed for more than 30 seconds or the driver's

door is opened after the engine has switched off automatically, the engine will

have to be restarted manually.

■

No automatic engine shut-down takes place when a vehicle with automatic

Vehicles with manual transmission

The engine is automatically switched off as soon as the vehicle comes to a

halt, the shift lever is moved into neutral and the clutch pedal is released.

transmission is moving at low speed (e.g. during a traffic jam) and remains sta-

tionary after pressing the brake pedal lightly. Automatic engine shutdown

takes place if you press the brake pedal down with more force.

The engine is automatically started as soon as the clutch pedal is depressed.

■

For vehicles with automatic transmission there is no automatic engine shut-

down when the system detects a manoeuvring action due to a large steering

angle.

Vehicles with automatic transmission

The engine is automatically switched off as soon as the vehicle comes to a

standstill and the brake pedal is operated.

Manually deactivating/activating the system

The engine is automatically started as soon as the brake pedal is released.

Requirements for the system to function correctly

Fig. 122

The following conditions must be met for the system to function correctly.

Button for the START-STOP sys-

tem



The driver's door is closed.

The driver has fastened the seat belt.

The bonnet is closed.

The driving speed was higher than 4 km/h after the last stop.

System status

The system status is shown in the display when the vehicle comes to a halt

» Fig. 121.

To deactivate/activate the system, press the button  » Fig. 122.

›



The engine is automatically switched off; when the vehicle moves off the

ignition process will be automatically initiated.

When the system is deactivated, the symbol in the button lights up .

If the system is turned off, it will be automatically reactivated after turning the

ignition off and on.

.

The engine is not automatically switched off.

The engine does not shut down when the vehicle stops, if e.g. the following

applies.

The engine temperature for the proper function of the system has not yet

Note

If the system is deactivated when the engine is turned off automatically, then

the automatic start process takes place.

▶

been reached.

The charge state of the vehicle battery is too low.

▶

90

Driving

WARNING

Brakes and Parking

■

Greater physical effort is required for braking when the engine is switch-

 Introduction

ed off – risk of accident!

When braking in a vehicle with manual transmission, when the vehicle is in

■

gear and at low revs, the clutch pedal must be depressed. Otherwise, the

functionality of the brake system may be impaired – risk of accident!

Do not depress the brake pedal, if there is no requirement to slow down.

The wear and tear on the brake pads is dependent on the operating conditions

and driving style. In difficult conditions (e.g. urban, sporty driving), the condi-

tion of the brakes should be checked between services by a specialist garage.

■

This causes the brakes to overheat and can also result in a longer braking

distance and excessive wear - risk of accident!

Brake response can be slower if the brakes are covered in moisture or, in

winter, have a layer of ice or salt on them. The brakes should be cleaned and

■

Only brake for the purpose of drying and cleaning the brake discs if the

dried by applying the brakes many times over »

.

traffic conditions permit this. Do not place any other road users in jeopardy.

■

Corrosion on the brake discs and dirt on the brake pads can occur if the vehi-

cle has been parked for a long period and if you do not make much use of the

braking system. The brakes are cleaned by applying the brakes several times

Recommendations for new brake pads should be followed.

When stopping and parking, the parking brake should always be applied

■

firmly, otherwise the vehicle could move off - risk of accident!

■

over »

.

If a front spoiler, full wheel trim, etc. is mounted retrospectively, it must

be ensured that the air supply to the front wheel brakes is not reduced.

Otherwise, the front brakes could be in danger of overheating – risk of ac-

cident!

Before negotiating a long or steep gradient, reduce speed and shift down a

gear. As a result, the braking effect of the engine will be used, reducing the

load on the brakes. If, nevertheless, there is a need for additional braking, it

should be carried out at intervals.

Handbrake

Emergency braking warning - If it is necessary to brake hard, the system may

cause the brake lights to automatically flash, to alert the traffic behind.

Fig. 123

Handbrake

New brake pads must first be ““run in”” because these do not initially have the

best possible braking effect. Drive especially carefully for the first 200 km or

so.

If the brake fluid level is too low, it can cause faults in the braking system;

the warning light will light up in the instrument cluster  » page 26,  Braking

system. If the warning light does not light up, yet the stopping distance is per-

ceived to be longer than before, the driving style should be adapted in view of

the unknown cause of the problem, and braking kept to a minimum - seek the

help of a specialist garage without delay.

 Read and observe on page 91 first.

The brake booster increases the pressure generated with the brake pedal. The

brake booster only operates when the engine is running.

The handbrake secures the vehicle against unwanted movement when stop-

ping and parking.

Apply



Pull the handbrake lever firmly upwards.

›

91

Starting-off and Driving

Loosening

Manual gear changing and pedals

Pull the handbrake lever up slightly and at the same time push in the locking

button » Fig. 123 .

›

 Introduction

Move the lever right down while pressing the lock button.

›

CAUTION

The handbrake warning light  lights up when the handbrake is applied, provi-

ded the ignition is on.

When stopping on a slope, never try to hold the vehicle using the clutch and

the accelerator pedal – There is risk of damage to the clutch.

A warning signal sounds if the vehicle is inadvertently driven off with the hand-

brake applied. The handbrake warning is activated if the vehicle is driven at a

speed of over 5 km/h for more than 3 seconds.

Manual gear changing

WARNING

Fig. 124

Disengage the handbrake completely. A handbrake which is only partially

disengaged can result in the rear brakes overheating. This can have a nega-

tive effect on the operation of the brake system – risk of accident!

The shift pattern

Parking

 Read and observe on page 91 first.

When stopping and parking, look for a place with a suitable surface »

Only carry out the activities while parking in the specified order.

.

 Read and observe on page 92 first.

The shift pattern for the individual gear positions is shown on the gear lever

» Fig. 124.

Bring the vehicle to a stop and depress the brake pedal.

Firmly apply the handbrake.

For vehicles with automated gearbox shift the lever to position D or R.

Switch off the engine.

For vehicles with manual transmission, select 1st gear or Reverse gear R.

Release the brake pedal.

›

The gearshift indicator should be observed when changing gear » page 33.

›

Always depress the clutch pedal all the way down. This prevents uneven wear

to the clutch.

Reverse gear is engaged

Stop the vehicle.

The clutch pedal is fully depressed.

Move the shift lever to the N Position and wait for a short time.

Push down on the shift lever, then push fully over to the right and then back-

WARNING

›

■

The parts of the exhaust system can become very hot. Therefore, never

›

stop the vehicle in places where the underside of your vehicle could come

into contact with flammable materials (e.g. dry grass, leaves, spilled fuel or

the like). - Risk of fire and serious injury can occur!

›

wards, to position R » Fig. 124.

■

When leaving the vehicle never leave people unattended in the car who

The reversing lights will come on once reverse gear is engaged, provided the

ignition is on.

could, for example, lock the vehicle or release the brake - risk of accidents

and injury!

WARNING



Never engage reverse gear when driving – risk of accident!

92

Driving

CAUTION

If not in the process of changing gear, do not leave your hand on the gearshift

lever while driving. The pressure from the hand can cause the gearshift mecha-

nism to wear excessively.

When stopping on a slope, never try to hold the vehicle using the accelerator

pedal – this may lead to gear damage.

Note

■

The engine can only be left on in position N, when the brake pedal is de-

Pedals

pressed .

■

 Read and observe on page 92 first.

If the selector lever position N is accidentally selected while driving, it is first

necessary to release pressure on the accelerator pedal and wait for the idling

speed of the engine to be reached before the selector lever can be engaged in

the drive position.

If the N symbol flashes next to the selector lever, engage the selector lever

position N.

The operation of the pedals must not be hindered under any circumstances!

Only a floor mat (ex-factory or from the ŠKODA Original Accessories range)

which can be secured to the attachment points should be used in the driver's

footwell.

■

WARNING

Select lever position

There should be no objects in the driver's footwell, otherwise the pedal op-

eration can be impeded - risk of accident!

Fig. 125

Selector lever positions

Automated transmission

 Introduction

The automatic transmission changes gears automatically based on how the en-

gine and accelerator are being worked, the vehicle speed and the selected

driving mode.

 Read and observe and on page 93 first.

The automatic transmission modes are set by the driver by means of the selec-

tor lever.

The selector lever can be moved through shifting to one of the following posi-

tions » Fig. 125.

WARNING

N

Neutral (idle position) - Power transmission to the drive wheels is inter-

■

Do not accelerate when selecting drive mode prior to moving off - risk of

rupted.

accident!

R

Reverse gear - The position can only be selected when the vehicle is sta-

tionary and the engine is idling.

■

Never move the selector lever into position R when driving - risk of an ac-

cident!

The brake pedal must be depressed before setting into position R from

position N.

■

Always firmly apply the handbrake before leaving the vehicle! Otherwise,

the vehicle could be automatically set in motion - there is a risk of acci-

dents!

D

Forward drive mode

The brake pedal must be depressed before setting into position D from

position N.



M

Manual shifting (Tiptronic) - further information » page 94

93

Starting-off and Driving

With driving mode set, the vehicle will not start up

When accelerating, the gearbox automatically shifts up into the higher gear

just before the maximum permissible engine speed is reached. If a lower gear

is selected, the gearbox does not shift down until there is no risk of the engine

overrevving.

If the vehicle does not start off, the problem may be that the selector lever is

not completely in the selected position. In such an instance, press the brake

pedal and put the selector lever into the required position.

Note

Manual shifting (Tiptronic)

It may be beneficial, for example, when travelling downhill, to use manual shift-

ing of gears. Shifting to a lower gear reduces the load on the brakes and hence

the wear of the brakes.

Starting-off and driving

 Read and observe and on page 93 first.

Moving off and pausing temporarily

Firmly depress and hold the brake pedal.

Start the engine.

Press the selector lever towards the left in the spring-tensioned position in

the direction of the arrow » Fig. 125 on page 93 and insert into position D .

›

Fig. 126 Selector lever / display

 Read and observe and on page 93 first.

Release the brake pedal and accelerate.

›

The selector lever position N does not have to be selected when stopping for a

short time (e.g. at a crossroads). However, the brake pedal should be de-

pressed, in order to prevent the vehicle from rolling.

Tiptronic mode makes it possible to manually shift gears on the selector lever.

Switching to manual shifting when the vehicle is stationary

Depress the brake pedal.

Press the selector lever twice to the left in the spring-tensioned position.

›

Accelerating hard while in motion (kick-down function)

If the accelerator pedal is depressed while the vehicle is in forward drive mode,

the kick-down function is turned on.

›

Gear changing

+

To change up, tap the selector lever forwards

» Fig. 126.

›

The gear change is adjusted accordingly to achieve maximum acceleration.

-

To change down, tap the selector lever backwards

» Fig. 126.

›

WARNING

Switching to manual shifting during driving

Rapid acceleration ( e.g. on slippery roads) can lead to a loss of control over

the vehicle – risk of accident!

Press the selector lever towards the left in the spring-tensioned position in

the direction of the arrow and set in position M. The selector lever position

you have engaged is shown in the instrument cluster display » Fig. 126.

›

Running in the engine

Temporarily switching to manual shifting in position D

+

-

Tilt the selector lever forward

or rearwards

» Fig. 126.

›

During the first 1,500 km, the driving style is decisive for successful the run-

ning in process is.

If in a short time, no manual gear change takes place, then the temporary man-

ual shifting switches off.

During the first 1,000 km the engine should not be pushed to more than 3/4



of the maximum permitted engine speed.

The gearshift indicator should be observed when changing gear » page 33.

94

Driving

From about 1,000 to 1,500 km the engine can be pushed up to the maximum

permitted engine speed.

CAUTION

■

Pay attention to the ground clearance of the vehicle! When driving over ob-

jects which are larger than the ground clearance, the vehicle can get damaged.

Any objects that get trapped under the vehicle floor must be removed as

Tips on economical driving

■

soon as possible. These items can cause damage to the vehicle (e.g. to parts of

the fuel or brake system).

Fuel consumption depends on the driving style, road and weather conditions,

and similar such factors.

For an economical driving style, the following instructions must be observed.

Driving through water

▶

Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking.

Engage the recommended gear » page 33.

Avoid full throttle and high speeds.

Reduce idling.

Avoid short distances.

Ensure the correct tyre inflation pressure is maintained » page 120.

Avoid unnecessary ballast.

Remove the roof rack before driving if it is not needed.

▶

Fig. 127

▶

Maximum permissible water lev-

el when driving through water

▶

Only turn on electrical consumers (e.g. seat heating) for as long as necessary.

▶

Briefly ventilate before turning on the cooling system, do not use the cooling

system with the windows open.

Do not leave windows open at high speeds.

The following instructions must be observed if vehicle damage is to be avoided

when driving through water (e.g. flooded roads).

▶

Therefore determine the depth of the water before driving through bodies of

water. The water level must not go above the web of the lower beam

» Fig. 127.

Drive at no more than walking pace, otherwise a wave may form in front of

the vehicle, which could cause the water to enter into the vehicle’s systems

(e.g. the air intake system for the engine).

›

Avoiding damage to your vehicle

Driving Tips

›

Only drive on roads and terrain that are appropriate to the vehicle parameters

» page 141, Technical data.

Never stop in the water, do not reverse and do not switch the engine off.

›

The driver is always responsible for deciding whether the vehicle can cope

with the conditions and the terrain.

CAUTION

■

If water gets into the vehicle’s systems (e.g. the air intake system for the en-

WARNING

gine) it can cause serious damage to the vehicle!

■

Always adjust the speed and driving style to the visibility, weather, road

and traffic conditions applying at the time. Too high a speed or an errone-

ous manoeuvre may cause serious injury and damage to the vehicle.

Combustible objects such as dry leaves or twigs caught under the base of

the vehicle could ignite on hot vehicle parts - risk of fire!

Oncoming vehicles can generate water waves which can exceed the permis-

sible water level for your vehicle.

■

Do not drive through salt water, as the salt can cause corrosion. An vehicle

■

coming into contact with salt water is to be thoroughly rinsed with fresh wa-

ter.

95

Starting-off and Driving

Driving -> Starting-off and Driving for Your Skoda Citigo SUV First Generation (2011-2020)

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