Get Starting and driving Guide for Skoda Octavia 4 Door Fourth Generation (2021-2026)

Starting and driving › Start 147

Starting issues

Troubleshooting

NOTICE

Starting and driving

Start

Notes on starting

Danger of engine damage!

Do not start the vehicle by towing.

DANGER

▶

Danger of poisoning by exhaust gases!

The engine does not start

Do not run the engine in an enclosed space.

▶

Switch oﬀ the ignition.

Wait 30 seconds and repeat the starting proce-

›

Operating conditions

✓ The vehicle key is located in the vehicle interior.

dure.

If the engine does not start, use the jump start ca-

›

NOTICE

bles with the 12 volt vehicle battery of another ve-

hicle » page 186 or seek the help of a specialist ga-

rage.

Risk of key loss, possibly of key damage!

The system can detect the key even if it has been

forgotten on the vehicle roof.

Always keep the key with you.

▶

The engine does not start, the display shows a

message regarding the immobilizer

Switching the ignition on and oﬀ

Use the other vehicle key.

If the engine does not start, seek the help of a spe-

›

Press the starter button.

›

cialist garage.

Starting is not possible with the starter button, the

system did not detect the key

illuminates

Starting the vehicle with manual transmission

Secure the vehicle with the parking brake.

Move the shift lever to the neutral position.

Keep the clutch pedal depressed.

Press the starter button.

›

Insert the key into the cup holder at the front.

Press the starter button.

If the engine does not start, seek the help of a spe-

›

cialist garage.

Starting the vehicle with automatic transmission

Secure the vehicle with the parking brake.

Keep the brake pedal depressed.

Press the starter button.

›

The key might not be detected if the battery in

the key is nearly discharged or the signal is faulty.

›

The engine cannot be turned oﬀ with the starter

button

In vehicles with diesel engines, the warning light

Hold the starter button or press twice.

›

lights up after the ignition is switched

system on. The engine starts after

- glow plug

.

The radiator fan keeps running even after the en-

gine has stopped

The radiator fan can continue to run for approxi-

mately 10 minutes after the engine is stopped. This

is not a defect.

Stopping the engine

Secure the vehicle with the parking brake.

Press the starter button.

›

WARNING

Steering lock hazard!

The engine makes noises after the cold start

The increased running noise is due to the brieﬂy in-

creased engine speed. This is not a defect.

During a journey with the engine stopped, the igni-

tion must always be switched on.

▶

NOTICE

Risk of engine overheating!

START STOP

Usage

Do not switch the engine oﬀ immediately at the

end of your journey after the engine has been run-

ning at high loads. Leave it to run at an idling speed

for about 1 minute.

▶

The START-STOPP system reduces polluting emis-

sions and the CO₂emissions and saves fuel.

148 Starting and driving › Manual gearbox

Functionality

Troubleshooting

If the system determine that the engine is not nee-

ded when the vehicle stops, it turns oﬀ the engine

and starts it again when moving oﬀ.

The engine does not switch oﬀ when stopping, or

it starts before starting up

The system has detected that the engine is running.

Vehicle with manual transmission

A system-related engine switch-oﬀ occurs when

stopping, when switching the gear lever into the

neutral position, and when releasing the clutch pedal.

Manual gearbox

Operation

A system-related engine start occurs when the

clutch pedal is pressed down.

NOTICE

Danger of engine damage!

Vehicle with automatic transmission

A system-related engine switch-oﬀ occurs when the

brake pedal is actuated and the engine is stopped.

Shift into higher gear before reaching the red area

of the rev counter scale.

▶

NOTICE

A system-related engine start occurs when the ac-

celerator pedal is pressed down. When the Auto

Hold function is deactivated, a system-related en-

gine start occurs after releasing the brake pedal.

Danger of gearbox damage!

Depress the clutch pedal all the way down.

▶

If not in the process of changing gear, do not leave

your hand on the gearshift lever.

▶

Status display in the instrument cluster display

- Engine is switched oﬀ via the START-STOPP

system

Engaging reverse gear

Stop the vehicle.

Depress the clutch pedal completely.

Move the shift lever to the neutral position.

Push the gearshift lever down.

Set this completely to the left.

Wait brieﬂy.

›

- Engine is not switched oﬀ via the START-

STOPP system due to operating conditions

that are not met

›

Engage reverse gear.

›

Operating conditions

Some conditions are systemic and can neither be in-

ﬂuenced nor recognised. Therefore, the system may

react diﬀerently in situations which seem identical

from the driver's perspective.

Automatic gearbox

Automatic gearbox modes

The driver must fulﬁl the following conditions.

✓ The driver's door is closed.

✓ The driving speed was higher than 4 km/h after

Select automatic gearbox mode

To change the automatic gearbox mode, move the

›

selector lever forwards or backwards.

the last stop.

The selector lever then returns to the starting po-

sition.

› ^{Press the key}P to choose the mode

.

Settings

The selector lever can be moved forwards or

backwards between two positions. As a result, the

Automatic activation

Upon start-up of the engine.

▶

mode

for example can be directly selected from

By selecting the driving mode Eco » page 150, Op-

eration.

▶

mode and vice versa.

The selected mode is displayed in the instrument

cluster.

Deactivate/activate system

Press the button under the Infotainment.

›

Parked vehicle

In the displayed menu in the Infotainment, the func-

tion can be deactivated or activated.

The drive wheels are

locked.

Select the mode

only when the vehi-

cle is stationary.

Reverse gear

If a system-related engine switch-oﬀ occurs and the

system is deactivated, the engine will start.

Starting and driving › Automatic gearbox 149

For vehicles with the e-TEC drive, the engine can

also be switched oﬀ. will be displayed in the in-

strument cluster.

The mode can be selected at a speed below 10

km/h.

Neutral

There is no transmission of engine power to the

wheels.

Forward drive / sports program

In mode, the gear is changed at higher speeds

than in mode.

Requirements for driving in neutral position

✓

mode is chosen.

✓ Neither the accelerator nor the brake pedal is

pressed.

✓ The vehicle speed is 20-130 km/h.

The choice between and is made by moving

the selector lever to the rear.

✓ There is no device connected to the trailer sock-

et.

To choose mode

,

or , the engine must be al-

Acceleration on start-up (launch control)

This function allows maximum acceleration during

start-up.

ready started. Only mode can be selected with the

engine stopped and the ignition switched on. This

can, for example, be useful when towing the vehicle

or when driving through a car wash.

Select mode or manual shift mode.

Disable the TCS » page 157.

Keep the brake pedal depressed.

Fully depress the accelerator.

›

Unlock automatic gearbox from mode

›

is lit up - the automatic gearbox is in mode

›

Release the brake pedal.

›

Press the brake pedal and select the desired mode.

›

The vehicle drives with maximum acceleration.

WARNING

Manually changing gear with the shift paddles on

the steering wheel

Risk of the stationary vehicle rolling away automati-

cally!

▶ When the mode

,

or is selected, secure the

Changing down a

gear

-

vehicle with the brake.

Changing up a gear

+

Operation

Starting up

To switch on the shift

›

+

paddle, press - or

.

To turn oﬀ the shift

Keep the brake pedal depressed.

Start the engine.

Use the selector lever to select the desired mode.

Release the brake pedal and press the accelerator

pedal lightly.

›

+

paddle, hold

or se-

lect another mode.

If none of the shift paddles are pressed in mode

for a certain time, manual shift mode turns oﬀ auto-

matically.

Speeding up while driving (kick-down)

In mode , there is no automatic switch-oﬀ of the

manual switching mode.

Fully depress the accelerator.

›

Stopping temporarily (e.g. at a junction)

Leave the selected mode

cle with the brake pedal.

If the engine threatens to over-rev

and secure the vehi-

›

The gearbox automatically changes to the next

higher gear.

▶

Stopping

Keep the brake pedal depressed.

Secure the vehicle with the parking brake.

Choose the mode.

The transmission prevents changing to the next

lower gear.

▶

›

Troubleshooting

Turn oﬀ the engine.

›

When turning oﬀ the engine in mode

then mode is automatically selected.

,

or

The automatic transmission mode cannot be set in

the usual way

Manually unlock the selector lever » page 150.

›

Driving in neutral

If the system detects that no gear is engaged while

driving, it automatically switches to neutral position.

Gearbox overheated

illuminates together with

Message regarding the gearbox overheating

will be displayed in the instrument cluster.

You may continue driving, exercising appropriate

caution.

›

150 Starting and driving › Vehicle driving mode

illuminates together with

Message regarding the gearbox overheating

Vehicle driving mode

Usage

Stop driving! Stop the vehicle and stop the engine.

›

After the indicator light goes out, your journey can

continue.

The driving mode oﬀers the possibility of adapting

the driving behaviour to the desired driving style.

If the warning light does not go out, stop driving!

Seek the help of a specialist garage.

›

Overview

Gearbox impaired

Information about the selected driving mode is dis-

played in the status bar in the digital instrument clus-

ter.

illuminates together with

Message regarding the gearbox in emergency

mode

You may continue driving, exercising appropriate

caution.

Immediately seek the help of a specialist garage.

›

Eco mode

Eco mode is suitable for a relaxed style of driving and

helps to save fuel.

›

illuminates together with

Message regarding a gearbox fault

Comfort mode

Comfort mode is suitable for driving on roads with

poorer surface or for long motorway journeys.

Stop driving! Seek the help of a specialist garage.

›

Starting up a vehicle that is stuck

Normal mode

Adjust the selector lever between

and . The

›

vehicle will then start to rock and be easier to free.

The Normal mode is suitable for a conventional driv-

ing.

Manual release of automatic gearbox

Sport mode

Secure the vehicle with the parking brake.

The Sport mode is suitable for a sporty driving.

›

Insert a ﬂat-head

›

Individual mode

screwdriver or push a

similar tool into the

gap in the area of ar-

row A .

The Individual mode allows the individual conﬁgura-

tion of certain vehicle systems.

Oﬀroad mode

Carefully loosen and

lift the quadrant cover.

Take out the foam.

›

Oﬀroad mode is suitable for driving on non-paved

roads. But even with Oﬀroad mode switched on,

your vehicle is never a true SUV.

›

The following brake and stabilisation systems

change in Oﬀroad mode.

ESC.

ASR.

EDL.

ABS.

▶

When switched on Oﬀroad mode lights up

and

in the instrument cluster.

Operation

Loosen the drawbar in the direction of the arrow

1 .

›

Select driving mode

Pull the drawbar until it stops in the direction of ar-

row 2 .

›

Press the

button.

In the Infotainment, a driving mode menu appears.

Press the button again and the menu is closed.

›

Starting and driving › Economical driving style 151

Active cylinder management has temporarily disa-

bled some cylinders in the engine (applies to cer-

tain engine types).

A vehicle with automatic transmission rolls in neu-

tral position.

▶

Towing a trailer

What you should be mindful of

A

B

Information on the system settings of the cur-

rently selected mode/system settings for the se-

lected Individual mode

WARNING

When driving with a trailer, special care is required!

NOTICE

Driving mode menu

With frequent towing, the vehicle is excessively loa-

ded so this must also be checked between service

intervals.

› ^{Tap the relevant function surface}B .

After switching on the ignition, Normal mode is

automatically selected.

Recommendations for using a trailer

Adjust the tyre pressure on the vehicle for full load.

▶

Do not exceed the maximum permissible total

weight of the vehicle and the combination weight

speciﬁed in the technical vehicle documentation

(e.g. in the vehicle registration documentation, in

the COC document) and on the type plate.

For trailer operation, consider the current load con-

dition of the vehicle as well as the distribution of

the load in the trailer. The coupled trailer increases

the rear axle load and can therefore reduce the

payload.

Adjust the headlight range of the headlights ac-

cording to the load status of the vehicle. The front

of the vehicle may lift up when a trailer is being

towed and the headlights may dazzle other road

users.

▶

Troubleshooting

Adaptive DCC suspension faulty

illuminates together with

Drive on, exercising appropriate caution. Seek

the help of a specialist garage.

›

▶

Economical driving style

Tips for economical driving and evaluation of

driving economy

Tips for economical driving

Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking.

▶

A speed of 100 km/h should not be exceeded.

▶

Follow the gear recommendation in the display of

the instrument cluster.

▶

Reduce the speed by releasing the accelerator

pedal as soon as a pendulum movement of the

trailer is noticeable. Never attempt to stop the

trailer from swaying by accelerating.

If the traﬃc area behind the trailer can not be

viewed, install additional exterior mirrors.

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 result-

ing from the trailer wheels locking.

Select a lower gear before descending to also use

the braking force of the engine.

Avoid full acceleration and too high speeds.

Avoid engine idling during longer periods of sta-

tionary time.

▶

Do not warm up the engine while the vehicle is sta-

tionary. If possible, start your journey as soon as

the engine starts.

▶

Observe the prescribed tyre pressure » page 195.

Remove unnecessary ballast.

Remove the roof rack when it is not needed.

Switch on electric consumers only for as long as

necessary.

▶

Distribution of the load over the vehicle and trailer

combination

Do not leave the windows open while driving.

▶

Secure heavy objects against slipping, as close to

the trailer axle as possible.

▶

Consumption-friendly driving

In the following situations, a small reduction in fuel

consumption occurs.

cluster.

lights up in the instrument

Transport small and light objects in the luggage

compartment.

▶

152 Starting and driving › Towing a trailer

Permitted trailer loads

The details in the technical vehicle documentation take precedence over the information in this Owner's Man-

ual.

WARNING

Risk of an accident!

Do not exceed the permissible trailer load.

▶

Permissible trailer load,

braked (kg) ^a)

Permissible trailer load, un-

braked (kg)

Engine type

Gearbox

Octavia

Combi

Octavia

Combi

Manual gear-

box

b)

-

1.5 l/96 kW TSI G-TEC

DSG ^c)

1400

1300

1500

1400

1300

1500

700

670

680

710

670

690

DSG ^c)

1.0 l/81 kW TSI e-TEC

1.5 l/110 kW TSI e-TEC

Manual gear-

box

1.0 l/81 kW TSI

1300

650

Manual gear-

box

1500

650

670

660

670

1.4 l/110 kW TSI

Automatic

gearbox

Manual gear-

box

670/690 ^d)

710

1.5 l/110 kW TSI

2.0 l/140 kW TSI

1.6 l/81 kW MPI

1500

1600

1500

1600

660

710

DSG ^c)

DSG ^c)4x4

Automatic

gearbox

Manual gear-

box

-

b)

1200

650

660

710/730 ^d)

720

1500

1600

1500

1600

710

2.0 l/85 kW TDI CR

DSG ^c)

Manual gear-

box

710

2.0 l/110 kW TDI CR

2.0 l/147 kW TDI CR

DSG ^c)

1600

2000

1600

2000

730

750

730

750

DSG ^c)4x4

a)

With gradients up to 12%.

b)

The values were not available at the time of going to press.

Automatic dual-clutch transmission.

c)

d)

Applies to the vehicles Octavia Combi Scout.

Permissible trailer load,

braked (kg) ^a)

Permissible trailer load, un-

braked (kg)

Engine type

Gearbox

Octavia RS

Octavia

Octavia RS

Octavia

Combi RS

Manual gear-

box

1600

740

750

2.0 l/180 kW TSI

DSG ^b)

1600

2000

1600

2000

750

DSG ^b)

DSG ^b)4x4

2.0 l/147 kW TDI CR

a)

With gradients up to 12%.

b)

Automatic dual-clutch transmission.

Starting and driving › Towing eye and towing procedure 153

Towing eye and towing procedure

Towing lug

Removing the front cap

Press on the cap and

remove it.

›

WARNING

Risk of accident!

Use a braided synthetic ﬁbre rope for towing. Do

▶

not use a twisted tow rope.

NOTICE

Removing the rear cap

Installing the towing eye

After the towing process

Always keep the tow rope taut during towing.

Do not exceed a towing distance of 50 km.

▶

Press on the cap and

remove it.

›

NOTICE

Danger of gearbox damage!

If the gearbox no longer contains any oil, the vehi-

cle must only be towed with the front axle raised

clear of the ground or transported on a special

breakdown vehicle.

Vehicles with automatic transmission must not be

towed without the ignition switched on or with the

rear axle raised.

▶

Where should the tow rope or the tow bar be se-

cured?

At the front towing eye

At the rear towing eye

On the ball bar of the factory-installed towing

hitch

Screw in the towing

eye.

Insert the wheel

wrench or similar ob-

ject through the tow-

ing eye.

›

▶

For vehicles with factory-ﬁtted towing device, at

the back there is no mount for a screw-in towing

eye.

Tighten the towing

eye.

›

Information for the driver of the towing vehicle

Drive slowly and smoothly.

Only accelerate once the rope is taut.

›

Unscrew the towing eye.

›

Insert the cover cap.

›

Information for the driver of the towed vehicle

Move the shift lever to the neutral position or the

selector lever to the position.

›

Towing the vehicle

If it is not possible to start the engine, switch on

the ignition!

›

WARNING

Risk of accident!

WARNING

Risk of accident!

When the ignition is switched oﬀ, the brake booster

and the power steering do not work. In addition,

there is a risk that the steering lock will engage.

The tow rope must not be twisted.

▶

When towing, drive at a speed of max. 50 km/h.

▶

If it is not possible to start the engine, switch on

the ignition!

▶

154 Starting and driving › Brakes

WARNING

Danger of brake failure!

If the brake ﬂuid change date is exceeded, heavy

braking may cause vapour bubbles to form in the

brake system.

Brakes

What you should be mindful of

WARNING

Problems and faults with the brake system can ex-

tend the braking distance of the vehicle!

Troubleshooting

DANGER

Danger of a functional restriction of the brake boos-

ter!

Brake ﬂuid level is too low

illuminates

When braking in a vehicle with manual transmis-

sion, when the vehicle is in gear and at low revs,

depress the clutch pedal.

▶

Stop driving! Seek the help of a specialist ga-

›

rage.

DANGER

Danger of the brakes overheating!

Do not depress the brake pedal unless braking is

required.

If the original front spoiler is damaged, ensure the

air supply to the front brakes is guaranteed.

Brake system and anti-lock braking system faulty

illuminates together with

▶

Stop driving! Seek the help of a specialist ga-

›

rage.

▶

Worn brake pads

illuminates

Drive to a specialist garage, exercising ap-

propriate caution.

›

Inspecting the brake ﬂuid level

Test conditions

✓ The vehicle is on a horizontal surface

Reduced braking eﬀect

Damp, frozen, salt-aﬀected or corroded brakes can

impair the braking eﬀect.

✓ The engine is oﬀ

Checking

Clean the brakes by braking several times if traﬃc

conditions allow it.

›

The ﬁll level must be

within the marked range.

When the engine is stopped, the brake booster

does not work

If the level is below the

›

mark

tinue.

, do not con-

Depress the brake pedal more forcefully.

›

Do not reﬁll liquid.

Seek the help of a spe-

cialist garage.

›

Electric parking brake

Operation

If the brake ﬂuid level is

too low, this will be indi-

WARNING

cated in the instrument cluster by the illumination of

is displayed in the status bar. Nevertheless, we

recommend checking the brake ﬂuid level regularly

directly at the reservoir.

Danger of key locking!

The recessed grip for the ﬁngers in front of the

▶

button

must remain empty.

Manual switch on

WARNING

Danger of brake failure!

If the ﬂuid level falls signiﬁcantly within a short time

Pull the button

hold it.

and

›

or drops below the mark

have become leaky.

, the brake system may

The following symbols

light up.

Stop driving! Seek the help of a specialist garage.

▶

in the button.

Speciﬁcation

in the instrument

The brake ﬂuid must comply with standard

VW 501 14. This standard complies with the re-

quirements of the FMVSS 116 DOT4 standard.

cluster.

Changing

Have the brake ﬂuid replaced by a specialist garage.

Starting and driving › Auto Hold automatic holding function 155

Automatic switching on, after switching oﬀ the ig-

nition

For vehicles with manual transmission, the parking

brake is automatically switched on after switching

oﬀ the ignition.

Noise when using the parking brake

Noise when using the parking brake is normal. This is

not a defect.

The 12 volt vehicle battery is discharged, the park-

ing brake cannot be switched oﬀ

The function is activated or deactivated as follows in

the Infotainment system.

Connect the 12 volt vehicle battery to a power

source, such as the 12 volt vehicle battery of an-

other vehicle.

›

Outside

.

›

By moving your ﬁnger sideways, choose the screen

with the menu item Brakes

.

Emergency braking in case of faulty brake

system

Select Brakes menu item and activate or deactivate

the function.

›

Switching on

NOTICE

Danger of damage to vehicle!

Pull the button

hold it.

and

›

Switch oﬀ the parking brake in situations when it is

▶

necessary to roll the vehicle.

The vehicle starts to

brake sharply and an

acoustic signal is soun-

ded.

Automatic shut-oﬀ

The parking brake switches oﬀ automatically when

starting up.

If automatic switch-oﬀ is to be prevented, e.g. when

starting oﬀ on a slope, keep the button

pulled.

Conditions for automatic shutting down

✓ Driver's door is closed, in some cases, the driver's

Switching oﬀ

seat belt is also fastened

Release the button

.

›

Manual shut-down

Or:

With the ignition

Depress the accelerator pedal.

›

switched on, press the

brake pedal and at the

same time push the

button.

Auto Hold automatic holding function

Usage

Auto Hold automatically secures the vehicle from

rolling away when stopped.

Functionality

Troubleshooting

Parking brake error

WARNING

Risk of an accident!

Auto Hold is not able to stop the vehicle under all cir-

cumstances, such as on slippery ground, or on gradi-

ents.

illuminates

Message regarding a parking brake error

Secure and release the vehicle

With Stop, the vehicle is automatically secured us-

Seek the help of a specialist garage.

›

ing Auto Hold.

cluster. The brake pedal can be released.

lights up in the instrument

Parking on a steep slope

ﬂashes

With Start, the vehicle is automatically released us-

ing Auto Hold.

Notiﬁcation regarding parking position on a steep

slope

Automatic protection from the parking brake

Under certain circumstances, the vehicle can be se-

cured using the parking brake.

strument cluster.

Go to another parking spot where there is less of a

slope.

›

lights up in the in-

Starting and driving for Your Skoda Octavia 4 Door Fourth Generation (2021-2026)

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