Skoda Rapid Owner's Manual page 122

Driving with a trailer

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 119.
Before the journey
›
Grip the 13-pin socket on the handle
row» Fig. 112.
›
Lift off protective cap » Fig. 104
5
After the journey
›
Grip the 13-pin socket on the handle
the arrow» Fig. 112.
›
Place the protective cover » Fig. 104
5
Safety eyelet
The purpose of the safety eyelet
B
the trailer.
When attaching the breakaway cable to the safety eyelet, it must sag freely
against the vehicle in all trailer positions (sharp bends, in reverse etc.).
Exterior mirrors
You have to have additional exterior mirrors fitted if you are not able to see the
traffic behind the trailer with the standard rear-view mirrors. The national legal
requirements must be observed.
Headlights
The front of the vehicle may lift up when a trailer is being towed and the head-
lights may dazzle other road users.
Adjust the headlights using the headlight beam control
120
Driving
Fig. 112
Swivel out the 13-pin power
socket
and swing out in the direction of ar-
A
on page 115.
and swing in the opposite direction to
A
on page 115 onto the tow bar.
» Fig. 112 is to attach the breakaway cable of
» page 38.
Driving speed
For safety reasons, do not drive faster than 80 km/h when towing a trailer.
Immediately reduce your speed as soon as even the slightest swaying of the trail-
er is detected. Never attempt to stop the trailer from "swaying" by accelerating.
Brakes
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 resulting from
the trailer wheels locking.
On downhill sections shift down a gear in good time to also use the engine as a
brake.
Engine overheating
If the needle for the coolant temperature gauge moves into the right-hand area
or the red area of the scale, the speed must be reduced immediately.
Stop and switch off the engine if the warning light
starts to flash. Wait a few minutes and check the level of coolant
The following guidelines must be observed
The coolant temperature can be reduced by switching on the heating.
WARNING
Never use the safety eyelet for towing!
■
Adapt your speed to the conditions of the road surface and to the traffic sit-
■
uation.
Improper or incorrectly connected electric cables can energise the trailer and
■
cause functional faults to the vehicle's entire electrical system as well as acci-
dents and severe injuries.
Work on the electrical system must only be carried out by specialist garages.
■
Never directly connect the trailer's electrical system with the electrical con-
■
nections for the tail lights or other current sources.
Note
After coupling the trailer and connecting the power socket, check that the rear
■
lights on the trailer are working correctly.
If there is an error in the trailer lighting, check the fuses in the fuse box in the
■
dash panel » page 190.
in the instrument cluster

» page 162.
» page 14.
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