Skoda Octavia Owner's Manual page 154

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 stabilisation
The trailer stabilisation is an extension of the stabilisation control that works in
conjunction with the counter-steering assistance to reduce the amount the trail-
er "sways". The activated trailer stabilisation can be identified by the fact that the
ESC indicator light in the instrument cluster is illuminated approx. 2 seconds

longer than the ABS indicator light.
Prerequisites for stabilising the trailer.
›
The towing device is factory-fitted or a compatible towing device has been ret-
rofitted.
›
The ESC is active. The indicator light
minated.
›
The trailer is electrically connected to the towing vehicle by means of the trailer
socket.
›
The speed is higher than approx. 60 km/h.
›
The maximum drawbar load is fully exploited.
›
Trailers must have a fixed drawbar.
›
Trailers with brakes must include a mechanical towing gear.
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 36, Anti-theft alarm system.
or in the instrument cluster is not illu-
 
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 indicator light
flash. Wait a few minutes and check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion
bottle » page 169, Checking the coolant level.
The following guidelines must be observed
ant level .
The coolant temperature can be reduced by switching on the heating.
WARNING
The increased safety offered by the trailer stabilisation must not tempt you
■
to take greater risks than otherwise.
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 only be carried out by specialist ga-
■
rages.
Never directly connect the trailer's electrical system with the electrical con-
■
nections for the tail lights or other current sources.
CAUTION
The trailer stabilisation need not be able to correctly detect all of driving situa-
■
tions.
Trailers that sway slightly are not always detected by the trailer stabilisation
■
and thus are not stabilised accordingly.
Release the pressure on the accelerator pedal if the system is being regulated.
■
Avoid abrupt and sudden driving/braking manoeuvres.
■
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
■
anti-theft alarm system.
in the instrument cluster starts to

» page 26, Coolant temperature/cool-
Towing a trailer

153