Skoda Rapid Owner's Manual page 108

106 Starting, shifting gears, parking
Handbrake
ä
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 104.
Applying the handbrake
● Pull the handbrake lever firmly upward.
● The hand brake is applied if the indicator light
minates ⇒ p age 105 when the ignition is switched on.
Releasing the handbrake
● Pull the handbrake lever slightly upwards and press the lock button
● Move the handbrake lever down while pressing the lock button.
WARNING
Improper use of the handbrake can cause accidents and serious injuries.
● Never use the handbrake to slow down the vehicle, except in an emergen-
cy. The braking distance is much longer, because only the rear wheels are
braked. Always use the foot brake.
● Never drive with the handbrake slightly applied. This may overheat the
brake and negatively affect the brake system. In addition, this can result in
premature wear of the rear brake pads.
● Never operate the throttle from the engine compartment when a driving
stage has been selected or a gear has been engaged and the engine is run-
ning. The vehicle may start to move even when the handbrake is applied.
If the handbrake is not applied and the brake pedal is released in selector lev-
er position P while the vehicle is stationary, the vehicle may move a few in-
ches forward or backward.
When driving faster than approximately 4 mph (6 km/h) with the handbrake ap-
plied, an alarm will sound.
Parking
Fig. 72 Between the front
ä
seats: Handbrake.
Observe the legal provisions for parking of a vehicle.
Parking the vehicle
Perform the actions in the specified order.
● Park the vehicle on a suitable surface ⇒
in the instrument cluster illu-

● Depress and hold the brake pedal until the engine is switched off.
● Firmly pull the handbrake.
● With an automatic gearbox, move the selector lever to position P.
⇒ f ig.
72.
● Switch off the engine and take your foot off the brake pedal.
● Remove the vehicle key from the ignition lock.
● If necessary, turn the steering wheel slightly to engage the steering lock.
● With a manual gearbox, on a flat surface and an uphill slope, shift to the 1st
gear, or on a downhill slope, engage the reverse gear, and release the clutch ped-
al.
● Make sure that all passengers get off, especially children.
● Take all vehicle keys along when leaving the vehicle.
● Locking the vehicle
Additionally on uphill and downhill slopes
Before switching off the engine, turn the steering wheel such that the parked ve-
hicle will roll with the front wheels against the curb if it begins to move.
NOTICE
Note
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 104.
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