Get Driving Tips -> Intelligent Technology Guide for Skoda Superb SUV Second Generation (2009-2015)

Intelligent Technology 173

Driving Tips

Intelligent Technology

General information

●

Brake Assist,

Uphill Start Assist.



The ESP system cannot be switched off with the ⇒ꢀfig. 161 button; only the TCS

WARNING

system is switched off, the warning light  instrument cluster lights up.

Lack of fuel can cause irregular engine running or lead to shut down the en-

gine. Consequently, the systems described in this chapter may to lose their ef-

fectiveness, resulting in loss of vehicle control – risk of accident!

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 individual systems. It al-

so processes additional measurement data which are supplied by highly sensitive

sensors: the rotational velocity of the vehicle about its vertical axis, the lateral ac-

celeration of the vehicle, the braking pressure and the steering angle.

Electronic stability programme (ESP)

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 be-

haviour of the vehicle. If differences exist, such as the car beginning to skid, the

ESP will automatically brake the appropriate wheel.

General

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.

During an intervention of the system, the warning light  flashes in the instru-

ment cluster ⇒ꢀpage 28.

Fig. 161 ESP system: Switch for TCS

The ESP operates in combination with the ABS ⇒ꢀpage 177, Antilock brake system

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

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

skidding is reduced and your car thus offers greater driving stability depending on

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

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

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

the ESP  ⇒ꢀpage 28.

The following systems are integrated into the electronic stability programme:

●

Electronic Differential Lock (EDL),

Traction control system (TCS),

active driver-steering recommendation (DSR),

Antilock brake system (ABS),

Using the system

Safety

Driving Tips

General Maintenance

Breakdown assistance

Technical data

174 Intelligent Technology

WARNING

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

It is also not possible for the ESP to overcome the physical limits of the vehi-

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

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

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

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

accident!

WARNING

●

Depress the accelerator carefully when accelerating on uniformly slippery

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!

●

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

face 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 other-

wise - risk of an accident!

Note

●

All four wheels must be fitted with the same tyres in order to achieve prob-

lem-free operation of the ESP. Differing rolling circumferences of the tyres can

lead to an undesirable reduction in the engine output.

Note

●

If the ABS or ESP warning light comes on, this may also indicate a fault in the

●

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

EDL. Have the vehicle inspected by your specialist garage as soon as you can.

nation of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the ESP ⇒ꢀpage 215, Ac-



cessories, changes and replacement of parts.

●

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

nation of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the EDL ⇒ꢀpage 215, Ac-



cessories, changes and replacement of parts.

Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)

The electronic differential lock prevents an individual wheel from

slipping.

Traction control system (TCS)

The traction control system prevents the driven wheels from spin-

ning when accelerating.

General

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

ate and climb a steep hill when the conditions of the road surface are unfavoura-

ble.

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 sen-

sors. 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.

Fig. 162 TCS switch

Overheating of the brakes

General

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

avoid excessive heat generation in the disc brake on the wheel which is being

braked. The vehicle can continue to be driven and has the same characteristics as

a vehicle not fitted with EDL.

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

ate and climb a steep hill when the conditions of the road surface are unfavoura-

ble.

Intelligent Technology 175

Operating principle

Note

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

a 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 sur-

face is automatically adapted by reducing the engine speed. The system operates

at all speeds.

●

All four wheels must be fitted with the same tyres in order to achieve prob-

lem-free operation of the TCS. Differing rolling circumferences of the tyres can

lead to an undesirable reduction in the engine output.

●

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

nation of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the TCS ⇒ꢀpage 215, Ac-



The TCS operates in combination with the ABS ⇒ꢀpage 177, Antilock brake system

cessories, changes and replacement of parts.

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

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

the TCS  ⇒ꢀpage 27.

Active driver-steering recommendation (DSR)

This function indicates to the driver in critical situations a steering recommenda-

tion in order to stabilise the vehicle. The active driver-steering recommendation is

activated, for example, on the right and left vehicle side when braking sharply on

different road surfaces.

During an intervention of the system, the TCS warning light flashes  in the in-

strument cluster ⇒ꢀpage 27.

Switching off

You can also switch off the TCS system by pressing the ⇒ꢀfig. 162 button, or, in ve-

hicles with ESP, by pressing the ⇒ꢀfig. 161 button. The TCS warning light lights up

in the instrument cluster when the TCS is switched off .

WARNING

Even with this function the vehicle cannot steer itself! The driver is further-

more responsible for the steering of the vehicle!

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

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

system.



Brakes

Examples:

●

when driving with snow chains,

when driving in deep snow or on a loose surface,

when it is necessary to rock a car free when it has become stuck.

What has a negative effect on braking efficiency?

Wear-and-tear

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 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 service inspections.

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!

Wet roads or road salt

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

ditions such as when driving through water, during heavy rain showers or after

the vehicle has been washed in an automatic vehicle wash, since the brake discs

and brake pads may be moist or even have a coating of ice on them in winter. You

should dry the brakes as soon as possible by applying and releasing the brakes

several times.

Using the system

Safety

Driving Tips

General Maintenance

Breakdown assistance

Technical data

176 Intelligent Technology

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

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

used the 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

●

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 lon-

ger braking distance and excessive wear.

●

Before negotiating a steep downhill section, please reduce your speed, shift

Corrosion

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.

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

been parked for a long period and if you do not make much use of the braking sys-

tem.

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 corro-

Note

sion is present ⇒ꢀ

The brake light flashes automatically in case of an emergency braking at speeds

greater than 60 km/h or with the intervention of the ABS, which lasts longer than

1.5 seconds. After the speed was reduced below 10 km/h or the vehicle was stop-

ped, the brake light stops flashing and the hazard warning light system switches

on. The hazard warning light system is switched off automatically after accelerat-

ing or driving off again.

Faults in the brake surface

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

brake 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 ga-

rage without delay in order to have the problem rectified. Drive at a reduced

speed while on your way to the dealer and adapt your style of driving to the high-

er brake pedal pressure required.



Brake booster

Low brake fluid level

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

The necessary pressure is only generated when the engine is running.

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

level of the brake fluid is monitored electronically ⇒ꢀpage 30, Brake system .

WARNING

●

Never switch off the engine before the vehicle is stationary.

●

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.

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.

●

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 oth-

erwise the braking system could run too hot.

●

While stopping or braking with a vehicle with a petrol engine and manual

transmission in the low rev range, press down on the clutch pedal. If you fail

to do so, the result may be an impairment of the function of the power brake.

You will apply a greater force to the brake pedal which you are usde to - dan-

ger of accident!

●

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

ficiency until approximately 200 kilometres. New brake pads must be first

“run in” before they develop their optimal friction 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.



Intelligent Technology 177

Note

Antilock brake system (ABS)

ABS prevents the wheels locking when braking.

General

●

A warning light comes on if a fault occurs in the ABS system  ⇒ꢀpage 28.

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

nation of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the ABS ⇒ꢀpage 215, Ac-



cessories, changes and replacement of parts.

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 op-

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

because the wheels do not lock up.

Brake Assist

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

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

required in the brake system.

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.

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

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

not possible for the car to achieve its maximum deceleration and the car covers a

greater distance than necessary.

Operating principle

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

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

noticeable from a pulsating movement of the brake pedal which is accompanied

by noises. This is consciously intended to provide the driver with the information

that the wheels are tending to lock (ABS control range). You must always keep the

brake pedal depressed to enable the ABS to optimally control the brake applica-

tion in this braking range. Never interrupt the application of the brakes!

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

such cases, a much greater braking pressure exists than during a normal brake ap-

plication. 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 possi-

ble time, which is required for maximum deceleration of the car. You must apply

the brake pedal firmly and hold it in this position in order to achieve the shortest

possible braking distance.

As soon as the vehicle speed has increased to about 20 km/hour an automatic

test procedure is conducted during which you will be able to hear a pumping noise

for about 1 second.

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

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

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

function of the Brake Assist is automatically switched off and the brakes operate

in the normal way.

WARNING

●

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

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

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

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

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

erwise - risk of an accident!

The Brake Assist is part of the ESP system. If a fault occurs in the ESP, the Brake

Assist function is also not available. Further information on the ESP ⇒ꢀpage 173.

WARNING

●

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

in terms of the braking distance required.

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

situation.

●

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

Visit a specialist garage immediately and adjust your style of driving according

to the damage to the ABS as you will not know how great the damage is and

the limitation it is placing on the braking efficiency.

●

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

take a greater safety risk than otherwise.



Using the system

Safety

Driving Tips

General Maintenance

Breakdown assistance

Technical data

178 Intelligent Technology

Uphill Start Assist

Tyre pressure monitoring system

The uphill start assist makes it easier to start off on steep hills. The system assists

a start off by holding the brake pressure produced by the brake pedal actuation

for approx. 2 seconds after releasing the brake pedal. The driver can therefore

move his foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal and start off on the

slope, without having to actuate the handbrake. The brake pressure drops gradu-

ally the more you operate the accelerator pedal. If the vehicle does not start off

within 2 seconds, it starts to roll back.

The uphill start assist is active as of a 5 % slope, if the driver door is closed. It is

always active on slopes when in forward or reverse start off. When driving down-

hill, it is inactive.

Fig. 163 Button for setting the tyre in-

flation pressure control value



The tyre pressure monitoring system compares with the aid of the ABS sensors

the speed and also the rolling circumference of the individual wheels. If the rolling

circumference of a wheel is changed, the warning light  in the instrument clus-

ter ⇒ꢀpage 28 and an acoustic signal sounds.

Electromechanical power steering

The power steering enables you to steer the vehicle with less physical force.

The rolling circumference of the tyre can change if:

With the electromechanical power steering, the steering assist is automatically

adapted to the speed and to the steering angle.

●

the tyre inflation pressure is too low,

the structure of the tyre is damaged,

the vehicle is loaded on one side,

the wheels of an axle are loaded heavily (e.g. when towing a trailer or when

It is still possible to fully steer the vehicle if the power steering fails or if the en-

gine is not running (vehicle being towed in). The only difference is that greater

physical effort is required.

driving uphill or downhill),

If there is a fault in the power steering, the warning light  or  lights up in the

instrument cluster ⇒ꢀpage 25.

●

snow chains are mounted,

the temporary spare wheel is mounted,

one wheel per axle was changed.

WARNING

Contact your specialist garage if the power steering is defective.



Basic setting of the system

After changing the tyre inflation pressures, after changing one or several wheels,

the position of a wheel on the vehicle (e.g. exchanging the wheels between the

axles) or when the warning light lights up while driving, a basic setting of the sys-

tem must be carried out as follows:

●

Inflate all tyres to the specified inflation pressure ⇒ꢀpage 210.

Switch on the ignition.

Intelligent Technology 179

 

●

Press button

⇒ꢀfig. 163 for more than 2 seconds. While pressing the but-

Diesel particle filter (diesel engine)

ton, the warning light  lights up. At the same time the memory of the system is

erased and the new calibration is started, which is confirmed with an audible sig-

nal and then the warning light  goes out.

In the diesel particle filter the resulting soot particles are collected

and burnt during the combustion of diesel fuel.

●

If the warning light  does not go out after the basic setting, there is a fault in

the system. Have the vehicle inspected by your nearest specialist garage.

Warning light  lights up

If the tyre inflation pressure of at least one wheel is insufficiently inflated in com-

parison to the stored basic value, the warning light  ⇒ꢀ lights up.

Warning light  flashes

If the warning light flashes, there is a system fault. Have the vehicle inspected by

your nearest specialist garage.

Fig. 164 Vehicle data sticker

WARNING

Code 7GG, 7MB or 7MG on the vehicle data sticker, see ⇒ꢀfig. 164, indicates that

your vehicle is equipped with a diesel particle filter. The vehicle data sticker is lo-

cated on the floor of the luggage compartment and is also stated in the Service

schedule.

●

When the warning light  lights up, immediately reduce the speed and

avoid sudden steering and brake manoeuvres. Please stop the vehicle without

delay at the nearest possible stop and inspect the tyres and their inflation

pressures.

●

The driver is responsible for the correct tyre inflation pressures. For this

reason, the tyre inflation pressures must be checked regularly.

Under certain circumstances (e.g. sporty style of driving, wintry or unpaved

roads) the warning light  can be delayed or does not light up at all.

The tyre pressure monitoring system does not take away the responsibility

The diesel particle filter filters the soot particles completely from the exhaust. The

soot is collected in the diesel particle filter and burnt regularly. To assist this pro-

cedure, we recommend not to drive regularly over short distances.

●

If the diesel particle filter is full or there is a fault, it is indicated by the warning

light .

●

from the driver for the correct tyre inflation pressure.

WARNING

Note

●

The diesel particle filter achieves very high temperatures. Therefore do not

The tyre pressure monitoring system:

park at points where the hot filter comes into direct contact with dry grass or

other combustible materials - risk of fire!

●

does not replace the regular tyre inflation pressure control, because the sys-

tem cannot detect an even pressure loss;

cannot warn in case of very rapid tyre inflation pressure loss, e.g. in case of

●

Never use additional underbody protection or corrosion-protection agents

●

for the exhaust pipes, catalytic converters, diesel particle filter or heat shields.

When the engine reaches its operating temperature, these substances might

ignite - risk of fire.

sudden tyre damage. In this case carefully bring the vehicle to a standstill without

sudden steering movements and without sharp braking.

●

In order to ensure a proper functioning of the tyre inflation pressure-control

system, it is necessary to carry out the basic setting again every 10 000 km or 1x a

year.

Note



When using diesel fuel with high sulphur content the life of the diesel particle fil-

ter is clearly reduced. A specialist garage will be able to tell you which countries

use only diesel fuel with high sulphur content.



Using the system

Safety

Driving Tips

General Maintenance

Breakdown assistance

Technical data

Driving Tips -> Intelligent Technology for Your Skoda Superb SUV Second Generation (2009-2015)

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