Skoda Rapid Owner's Manual page 118

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.
Trailer is connected to the anti-theft alarm system.
›
If the vehicle is factory-fitted with an anti-theft alarm system and a towing de-
vice.
›
If the trailer is electrically connected to the towing vehicle by means of the trail-
er socket.
›
If the electrical system of the vehicle and trailer is fully functional.
›
If the vehicle is locked with the car key and the anti-theft alarm system is acti-
vated.
When the vehicle is locked, the alarm is activated as soon as the electrical con-
nection to the trailer is interrupted.
Always deactivate the anti-theft alarm system before a trailer is connected/dis-
connected. Otherwise, the anti-theft alarm system could accidentally be trig-
gered » page 29, Anti-theft alarm system.
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
flash. Wait a few minutes and check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion
bottle » page 130, Checking the coolant level.
The following guidelines must be observed
ant level
 .
The coolant temperature can be reduced by switching on the heating.
116
Driving Tips
in the instrument cluster starts to

» page 19, Coolant temperature/cool-
WARNING
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.
Any work on the electrical system must be carried out only by ŠKODA spe-
■
cialist garages.
Never directly connect the trailer's electrical system with the electrical con-
■
nections for the tail lights or other current sources.
CAUTION
Avoid abrupt and sudden driving/braking manoeuvres.
■
When the ball rod is removed, the mounting shaft must be sealed with an ap-
■
propriate cover. This prevents foreign matter from penetrating into the mounting
shaft. See the fitting instructions for the towing device.
Note
We recommend that you also have your vehicle inspected between service in-
■
tervals if you tow a trailer frequently.
The handbrake on the towing vehicle must be put on when coupling and decou-
■
pling the trailer.
For technical reasons, trailers with rear LED lights cannot be connected to the
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anti-theft alarm system.
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