Driving With A Trailer - Skoda 2013 Octavia A7 Owner's Manual

The engine output falls as the height increases, as does the ability to climb.
Therefore, for every additional 1000 m in height (or part), the maximum permissi-
ble towed weight must be reduced by 10%.
The towed weight is made up of the actual weights of the loaded towing vehicle
and the loaded trailer.
The trailer and drawbar load information on the type plate of the towing device
are merely test data for the towing device. The vehicle-specific values are de-
tailed in the vehicle documents.
WARNING
Do not exceed the maximum permissible axle and drawbar load and the
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maximum permissible total or towed weight of the vehicle and the trailer –
risk of accident and serious injury.
Slipping loads can significantly impair the stability and safety of the vehicle/
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trailer combination – risk of accident and serious injury.

Driving with a trailer


First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 167.
›
Before hitching the trailer to the vehicle, hold on to the 13-pin power socket in
the area » Fig. 158 and swivel it out in the direction of the arrow.
A
›
Remove the protective cap » Fig. 153
5
the trailer to the vehicle.
Safety eye
The purpose of the safety eyelet
B
the trailer.
168
Driving
Fig. 158
Swivel out the 13-pin power
socket
on page 164 upwards before hitching
» Fig. 158 is to attach the breakaway cable of
When attaching the breakaway cable to the safety eye, it must sag freely 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
low beam.
Driving speed
For safety reasons, do not drive faster than 80 km/h when hitching 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  in the display is lit. 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 eye to tow a vehicle!
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Adapt your speed to the conditions of the road surface and to the traffic sit-
■
uation.
» page 52, Side lights and
» page 213.
» page 21,  Coolant.
