Skoda Rapid Owner's Manual page 178

176 Care and maintenance of the vehicle
● Braking power.
● Seat belt query.
Under no circumstances are conversations in the vehicle recorded by the built-in
control units.
In vehicles with an alarm function via mobile phone or other connected devices,
the current location may be transmitted. In case of accidents in which the control
units recognise the deployment of one or more airbags, the system may automati-
cally transmit a signal. This depends on the service provider. In principle, the
transmission will only work in areas with adequate mobile network coverage.
Event data recorder
The vehicle is not equipped with an event data recorder.
An event data recorder temporarily stores information on the vehicle. In an acci-
dent, this will allow a detailed understanding of how the accident happened. In
vehicles with an airbag system, accident-related data such as impact velocity, seat
belt buckle statuses, seat positions, and deployment times may be stored. The
type of data that is recorded varies depending on the manufacturer.
The installation of such an event data recorder may be made only with the con-
sent of the owner and is regulated by law in some countries.
Reprogramming of control units
Basically, all data for the control of components are stored in the control units.
Some convenience functions, such as convenience flashing, single door opening,
and displays, can be reprogrammed using special workshop equipment. In this
case, the relevant information and descriptions in this Owner's Manual will no lon-
ger match the original functions. Škoda recommends that you have the reprog-
ramming registered in the service schedule under "Other workshop entries".
Information on possible reprogramming options can be obtained from your Škoda
partner.
Reading out the fault memory of the vehicle
There is a diagnostic port in the passenger compartment for reading out the fault
memory. The fault memory documents the problems and deviations encountered
from the nominal valuesof the electronic control units.
The diagnostic connector port is located behind a cover in the footwell on the
driver's side next to the lever to open the bonnet.
The fault memory should be read out and reset only by a specialist garage.
Using a mobile phone in the vehicle without connection to the
external aerial
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First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 172.
Mobiles phones transmit and receive radio waves both during a call and in standby
mode. The current scientific literature reports that radio waves can be harmful to
the human body if they exceed certain limits. Governmental and international
committees have adopted limits and guidelines to ensure that the electromagnet-
ic radiation emitted from mobile phones is in a range which is safe for human
health. However, there is no scientifically proven evidence that wireless phones
are absolutely safe.
For this reason, some experts are calling for a preventive attitude in regard to the
use of mobile phones while awaiting definitive results from the current research.
When a mobile phone is used inside the vehicle, which is not connected to the
phone external aerial of the vehicle, the electromagnetic radiation may be higher
than if the phone is connected to an integrated or other external aerial.
If the vehicle is equipped with a suitable hands-free system, this meets the legal
requirements of many countries that allow the use of a mobile phone in a vehicle
only via a hands-free system.
The factory-installed hands-free system has been designed for the use of tradi-
tional mobile phones and Bluetooth-compatible mobile phones. Mobile phones
must be in a suitable mobile phone mount. The mobile phone mount itself must
be securely snapped into its base. Only in this way, the mobile phone is securely
fastened to the instrument panel and always within the driver's reach while con-
nected to the phone external aerial of the vehicle.
A mobile phone that is connected to a vehicle-integrated phone aerial or an exter-
nal phone aerial reduces the emitted electromagnetic radiation from mobile
phones which acts on the human body. Moreover, this improves the connection
quality.
If a mobile phone is used inside the vehicle without this hands-free kit, it is not
securely fastened in the vehicle and not connected to the phone external aerial of
the vehicle. In addition, the mobile phone will not be charged by the mount. It can
also be expected that existing phone connections are interrupted and the connec-
tion quality is impaired.
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Use a mobile phone in the vehicle only if it is connected to a hands-free system
with an external phone aerial.
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