Get Driving Tips -> Intelligent Technology Guide for Skoda Octavia 4 Door Third Generation (2013-2020)

Intelligent Technology

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Driving Tips

Intelligent Technology

Electronic stability programme (ESP)*

additional measurement data which are supplied by highly sensitive sensors: the rota-

tional velocity of the vehicle about its vertical axis, the lateral acceleration of the

vehicle, the braking pressure and the steering angle.

General

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 behav-

iour of the vehicle. If differences exist, such as the vehicle 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.

Fig. 134 ESP switch

The ESP operates in combination with the ABS  page 126, “Antilock brake system

(ABS)*”. If there is a fault in the ABS system, the ESP also does not operate.

General

The ESP warning light lights up in the instrument cluster when there is a fault on the

The ESP aids you in maintaining control of your vehicle in situations in which the

ESP  page 31.

vehicle is driving at its dynamic limits, such as entering a curve fast. The risk of skidding

Switching off

is reduced and your vehicle thus offers greater driving stability depending on the

conditions of the road surface. The system operates at all speeds.

You can switch the ESP off and on again as you wish, by pressing the button  fig. 134.

The ESP warning light lights up in the instrument cluster when the system is switched

The following systems are integrated into the electronic stability programme:

off  page 31.

 Electronic Differential Lock (EDL),

The ESP should normally always be switched on. It may be good practice in certain

 Traction control system (TCS),

exceptional cases, such as when you wish to have wheel slip, to switch off the system.

 Antilock brake system (ABS),

Examples:

 Brake Assist.

 when driving with snow chains

 when driving in deep snow or on a loose surface

Operating principle

 when it is necessary to rock a vehicle when it has become stuck.

The ESP switches on automatically when the engine is started and then conducts a self-

test. The ESP control unit processes data from the individual systems. It also processes

then you should switch on the ESP again.

Using the system

Safety

Driving Tips

General Maintenance

Breakdown assistance

Technical Data

124

Intelligent Technology

Overheating of the brakes

WARNING

The EDL switches off automatically if unusually severe stresses exist in order to avoid

It is also not possible for the ESP to overcome the physical limits of the vehicle.

excessive heat generation in the disc brake on the wheel which is being braked. The

Even if a vehicle fitted with ESP you should still always adapt your style of

vehicle can continue to be driven and has the same characteristics as a vehicle not

driving to the condition of the road surface and the traffic situation. This partic-

fitted with EDL.

ularly applies when driving on slippery and wet roads. The increased safety

The EDL switches on again automatically as soon as the brake has cooled down.

offered must not tempt you to take greater risks than otherwise - risk of an acci-

dent!

WARNING

 Carefully depress the accelerator when accelerating on uniformly slippery

Note

 All four wheels must be fitted with the same tyres in order to achieve problem-free

road surfaces, such as ice and snow. The driven wheels might still spin despite

the EDL and affect the stability of the vehicle - risk of an accident!

operation of the ESP. Differing rolling circumferences of the tyres can lead to an unde-

 You should always adapt your style of driving to the condition of road

sirable reduction in the engine output.

 Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or another combina-

surface and to the traffic situation even when your vehicle is fitted with EDL.

The increased safety offered must not tempt you to take greater risks than

tion of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the ESP  page 166, “Accesso-

otherwise - risk of an accident!

ries, changes and replacement of parts”.

Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)*

Note

 If the ABS warning light comes on, this may also indicate a fault in the EDL. Please

The electronic differential lock prevents an individual wheel from slip-

have the vehicle inspected as soon as possible by a specialist garage.

ping.

 Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or another combina-

tion of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the EDL  page 166, “Accesso-

Vehicles fitted with ABS* can be equipped with electronic differential lock (EDL).

ries, changes and replacement of parts”.

General

The EDL makes it much easier, and sometimes at all possible, to start off, accelerate

and climb a steep hill when the conditions of the road surface are unfavourable.

Operating principle

The EDL is activated automatically, that is without any action on the part of the driver.

It monitors the speeds of the driven wheels with the aid of the ABS sensors. Should

only one drive wheel begin spinning on a slippery surface there will be an appreciable

difference in the speed of the driven wheels. The EDL function brakes the slipping

wheel and the differential transmits a greater driving force to the other driven wheel.

This control process is also accompanied by noises.

Intelligent Technology

125

Traction control system (TCS)

Examples:

 when driving with snow chains

The traction control system prevents the driven wheels from spinning

 when driving in deep snow or on a loose surface

when accelerating.

 when it is necessary to rock a vehicle when it has become stuck.

then you should switch on the TCS again.

WARNING

You should always adjust your style of driving to the conditions of the road

surface and the traffic situation. The increased safety offered must not tempt

you to take greater risks than otherwise - risk of an accident!

Note

Fig. 135 TCS switch

 All four wheels must be fitted with the same tyres in order to achieve problem-free

operation of the TCS. Differing rolling circumferences of the tyres can lead to an unde-

General

sirable reduction in the engine output.

The TCS makes it much easier, and sometimes at all possible, to start off, accelerate

 Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or another combina-

and climb a steep hill when the conditions of the road surface are unfavourable.

tion of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the TCS  page 166, “Accesso-

ries, changes and replacement of parts”.

Operating principle

The TCS switches on automatically when the engine is started and then conducts a

Brakes

self-test. The system monitors the speeds of the driven wheels with the aid of the ABS

sensors. If the wheels are spinning, the force transmitted to the road surface is auto-

What has a negative effect on braking efficiency?

matically adapted by reducing the engine speed. The system operates at all speeds.

The TCS operates in combination with the ABS  page 126, “Antilock brake system

Wear-and-tear

(ABS)*”. The TCS will not function if a fault exists in the ABS system.

Wear-and-tear to the brake pads is greatly dependent on the operating conditions of

the vehicle and your style of driving. Particularly if you drive a great deal in towns and

The TCS warning light lights up in the instrument cluster when there is a fault on the

TCS  page 31.

over short distances or if you adopt a sporty style of driving, it may be necessary to

have the thickness of the brake pads inspected at a specialist garage between the

Switching off

service inspections.

You can switch the TCS off and on again as you wish by pressing the button  fig. 135.

Wet roads or road salt

The TCS warning light lights up in the instrument cluster when the system is switched

off  page 31.

There may be a certain delay before the brakes take full effect under certain conditions

such as when driving through water, during heavy rain showers or after the vehicle has

The TCS should normally always be switched on. It may be good practice in certain

been washed in an automatic vehicle wash, since the brake discs and brake pads may

exceptional cases, such as when you wish to have wheel slip, to switch off the system.

Using the system

Safety

Driving Tips

General Maintenance

Breakdown assistance

Technical Data

126

Intelligent Technology

be moist or even have a coating of ice on them in winter. You should dry the brakes as

WARNING (continued)

soon as possible by applying and releasing the brakes several times.

compensate for this slightly reduced braking force by increasing the pressure

There also may be a certain delay before the full braking efficiency is available when

on the brake pedal. This guideline also applies to any new brake pads installed

driving on roads which have been treated with road salt if you have not used the

at a future date.

brakes for some considerable time beforehand. The layer of salt on the brake discs and

brake pads must first be rubbed off when you apply the brakes.

Caution

Corrosion

 Never allow the brakes to rub by applying slight pressure if you do not wish to

Corrosion on the brake discs and dirt on the bake pads occur if the vehicle has been

brake the vehicle. This causes the brakes to overheat and can also result in a longer

parked for a long period and if you do not make much use of the braking system.

braking distance and excessive wear.

 Before negotiating a steep downhill section, reduce your speed, shift down into the

We recommend cleaning the brake discs by firmly applying the brakes at a fairly high

speed if you do not make much use of the braking system or if surface corrosion is

next lower gear. This enables you to make full use of the braking power of the vehicle

present 

and reduces the strain on the brakes. Any additional braking should be done intermit-

tently, not continuously.

Faults in the brake surface

If you notice that the braking distance has suddenly become longer and that the brake

Brake booster

pedal can be depressed further, it is possible that a brake circuit of the dual-circuit

brake system has failed. Drive, in such cases, to the nearest specialist garage without

The brake booster boosts the pressure which you generate with the brake pedal. The

delay in order to have the problem rectified. Drive at a reduced speed while on your

necessary pressure is only generated when the engine is running.

way to the dealer and adapt your style of driving to the higher brake pedal pressure

required.

WARNING

Low brake fluid level

 Never switch off the engine before the vehicle is stationary.

An insufficient level of brake fluid may result in problems in the brake system. The level

 The brake booster only operates when the engine is running. Greater phys-

of the brake fluid is monitored electronically  page 31, “Brake system ”.

ical 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.

WARNING

 Only apply the brakes for the purpose of drying and cleaning the brake discs

Antilock brake system (ABS)*

if the traffic conditions permit this. Do not place any other road users in jeop-

ardy.

ABS prevents the wheels locking when braking.

 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 other-

General

wise the braking system could run too hot.

The ABS contributes significantly to enhancing the active safety of your vehicle.

 Allow for the fact that new brake pads do not achieve their full braking effi-

Compared to a vehicle not fitted with the ABS brake system, you are able to retain

ciency until approximately 200 kilometres. New brake pads must be first “run

optimal steering ability even during a full brake application on a slippery road surface

in” before they develop their optimal friction force. You can, however,

because the wheels do not lock up.

Intelligent Technology

127

Brake Assist*

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.

During a severe brake application (e.g. if a hazard exists), the Brake Assist increases the

braking force and thus makes it possible to rapidly produce the pressure required in

Operating principle

the brake system.

The brake pressure will be reduced on a wheel which is rotating at a speed which is too

The majority of drivers do apply the brakes in good time in dangerous situations, but

low for the speed of the vehicle and tending to lock. This control cycle is noticeable

do not depress the brake pedal with sufficient pressure. Consequently, it is not

from a pulsating movement of the brake pedal which is accompanied by noises.

possible for the vehicle to achieve its maximum deceleration and the vehicle covers a

This is consciously intended to provide the driver with the information that the wheels

greater distance than necessary.

are tending to lock (ABS control range). You must always keep the brake pedal

depressed to enable the ABS to optimally control the brake application in this braking

The Brake Assist is activated by the very quick operation of the brake pedal. In such

range. Never interrupt the application of the brakes!

cases, a much greater braking pressure exists than during a normal brake application.

This makes it possible, even with a relatively low resistance of the brake pedal, to

produce an adequate pressure in the brake system in the shortest possible time, which

WARNING

is required for maximum deceleration of the vehicle. You must apply the brake pedal

 The ABS can also not overcome the physical limits of your vehicle. Please do

firmly and hold it in this position in order to achieve the shortest possible braking

not forget this, particularly when driving on icy or wet road surfaces. If the ABS

distance.

is operating within the control range, adapt your speed immediately to the

The Brake Assist is able to help you achieve a shorter braking distance in emergency

conditions of the road surface and the traffic situation. The increased safety

situations by rapidly producing the pressure required in the brake system. It fully

offered by the ABS must not tempt you to take greater risks than otherwise -

exploits the attributes of the ABS. After you release the brake pedal, the function of the

risk of an accident!

Brake Assist is automatically switched off and the brakes operate in the normal way.

 The normal braking system is still fully functional if there is an ABS fault.

Visit a specialist garage as quickly as possible and adjust your style of driving to

WARNING

take account of the ABS fault in the meantime since you will not know the

 The Brake Assist is also not able to overcome the physical limits of your

extent of the fault and in how far the braking efficiency is affected.

vehicle in terms of the braking distance required.

 Adapt your speed to the conditions of the road surface and to the traffic

Note

 A warning light comes on if a fault occurs in the ABS system  page 30.

situation.

 The increased safety offered by the Brake Assist must not tempt you to take

 Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or another combina-

tion of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the ABS  page 166, “Accesso-

a greater safety risk than otherwise.

ries, changes and replacement of parts”.

Using the system

Safety

Driving Tips

General Maintenance

Breakdown assistance

Technical Data

Driving Tips -> Intelligent Technology for Your Skoda Octavia 4 Door Third Generation (2013-2020)

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