How to properly remove a seat on a Škoda Octavia Tour: instructions with photos and videos

Removing seats in Škoda Octavia Tour - a task that owners face when tuning the interior, repairing electronics or replacing upholstery. The process seems simple, but there are a number of nuances: from hidden fasteners to the risk of damaging heating wiring or passenger airbag sensors. In this article we will look at step-by-step instructions for the front and rear seats on models A5 (2004–2013), A7 (2013–2020) and restyled versions FL, and also tell you how to avoid common mistakes.

It is important to consider that the design of the fasteners may differ depending on the configuration. For example, in cars with electric adjustments or seat ventilation you will have to disconnect additional connectors. And if your Octavia Tour equipped with a system Side Assist or passenger weight sensors, special care will be required when working with under-seat wiring.

Preparing for dismantling: tools and safety precautions

Before you begin removing the seats, prepare your work area and tools. You will need:

• 🔧 Socket wrench or socket 13 mm (for front seats) and 10 mm (for the rear ones).
• 🔨 A flat-head screwdriver or a plastic clip remover (to avoid damaging the trim).
• 🔌 Multimeter or tester for checking circuits (if you plan to work with wiring).
• 📸 A camera or smartphone to record the location of connectors and bolts.

Required disconnect the negative terminal of the battery 10–15 minutes before the start of work! This will prevent the airbags from deploying and causing short circuits. If in your Octavia Tour An alarm with a tilt sensor is installed, turn it off or switch it to service mode - otherwise it may go off when the seat is raised.

⚠️ Attention: On models with seat settings memory (optional Memory Package) After disconnecting the battery, you will have to re-adjust the positions. Record the current settings or use the save function in the on-board computer menu (CAR → Seat Memory).

Also note that the power front seat can weigh up to 20–25 kg. Work with an assistant or use a telescopic jack to avoid injury. The rear seats are lighter (approx. 10–12 kg), but their fastenings often rust - prepare WD-40 or a similar lubricant.

Removing the front seat: step-by-step instructions

Front seat in Octavia Tour It is attached to the body with four bolts: two at the front and two at the rear. On models with longitudinal adjustment rails the bolts can be hidden with plastic plugs. Let's start with the driver's seat (the process for the passenger seat is similar, but there may be an occupancy sensor there).

1. Move the seat all the way back to gain access to the front bolts. They are located under plastic covers on the guides.

2. Remove the covers by prying them off with a screwdriver. Below them you will see bolts on 13 mm (sometimes on 14 mm in older models).

3. Unscrew the front bolts, but do not remove them completely - just loosen them 3-4 turns.

4. Move the seat forward and repeat the process for the rear bolts.

5. Disconnect the wiring connectors under the seat. Usually there are two: one for heating, second for electric drive (if any). On models with Side Assist There may be a third connector for sensors.

After disconnecting the connectors, carefully lift the seat and remove it from the passenger compartment. Be careful with airbag wiring — it runs along the back and can get caught on the trim.

⚠️ Attention: On Octavia Tour A7 with option ErgoActive (massage seats) an additional control cable runs under the trim. Don't pull the seat too hard - make sure all connectors are disconnected first!

If the seat is stuck to the guides, do not try to pull it out by force. Treat the bolts WD-40 and wait 10–15 minutes. As a last resort, use a lever (such as a pry bar), but be careful not to bend the guides.

Features of dismantling the passenger seat

The passenger seat is removed in the same way as the driver's seat, but there are three key differences:

• 🔍 There may be under the seat passenger weight sensor (for system Airbag Occupant Detection). Its connector is usually yellow - do not confuse it with others!
• 🔧 On some models the rear bolts are covered decorative overlay under the glove compartment. It needs to be removed by snapping off the clips.
• 🚗 If the car has cup holder in the central tunnel, it will have to be temporarily dismantled to access the bolts.

On Octavia Tour A5 with a manual transmission can be located under the passenger seat climate control control unit. Do not drop the seat on it when dismantling it - this may damage the board.

Model	Number of bolts	Bolt size	Features
Octavia Tour A5 (2004–2013)	4	13 mm (front) / 10 mm (rear)	Hidden clips under the casing are possible
Octavia Tour A7 (2013–2020)	4	13 mm (all)	Passenger weight sensor (yellow connector)
Octavia Tour FL (facelift)	4	13 mm (front) / 12 mm (rear)	Additional connector for Side Assist

After removing the seat, inspect the guides for corrosion or play. If the rails are worn out, it is better to replace them - this affects the reliability of the fastening and safety in an accident. Price of new guides for Octavia Tour - from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles per set.

How to remove the back seat: nuances and life hacks

Rear seat in Škoda Octavia Tour consists of two parts: bottom pillow and backrests. The pillow is attached to the body with two latches at the front and two bolts at the back (under the trunk). The backrest is held on by four bolts hidden under the casing.

Dismantling algorithm:

1. Open the trunk and remove the plastic trim above the seat back (it is secured with clips).

2. Unscrew the two bolts on 10 mm, which fix the pillow at the back.

3. Lift the front of the cushion and pull it forward to release the latches.

4. To remove the backrest, disconnect the trunk trim from the side (the bolts are hidden there).

On models with ISOFIX system There may be additional brackets under the backrest. Don't lose them during dismantling! Also note seat belts — they do not need to be disconnected if you are only removing the pillow.

B Octavia Tour A7 often located under the rear seat fuse box or audio amplifier. If you plan to work with wiring, study the component layout diagram in advance (it can be found in ETKA or on the forums SkodaClub).

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced car owners make mistakes when removing seats. Here are the most common:

• 🔌 Damage to connectors when disconnected. Always pull on the connector housing, not on the wires!
• 🔧 Lost bolts or nuts. Use a magnetic cup or container for fastening.
• 🚨 Passenger Weight Sensor Ignoring. If it is turned off incorrectly, the dashboard will light up Airbag.
• 🔩 Tightening the bolts during reassembly. Tightening torque for seats Octavia Tour — 25 Nm.

On models with leather upholstery, removing the seat may leave marks from the guides on the upholstery. To avoid this, use protective covers or masking tape when transporting.

Another typical problem is squeak after seat installation. It occurs if the guides are not lubricated or the bolts are tightened incorrectly. For lubrication use silicone grease (not lithol!), and tighten the bolts crosswise.

What should I do if the Airbag lights up after installation?

If the airbag light on the dashboard is on, it means you forgot to connect the yellow load cell connector or damaged the wiring. Check the circuit with a multimeter (resistance should be 1-3 ohms). If the error remains, a reset via the diagnostic scanner will be required (for example, VCDS).

Reinstallation: tips and testing

When installing the seats, follow the reverse algorithm, but keep a few points in mind:

• 🔄 Start with rear bolts - this makes it easier to align the holes.
• 🔌 Connect the connectors until the bolts are fully tightenedso as not to pinch the wires.
• 📏 Check seat play after installation. If it is loose, tighten the bolts or replace the guides.

After installation, be sure to check:

1. Job electric drive (if any) in all directions.

2. Function heating (whether both zones are heated).

3. Indication airbags on the dashboard (should go out 5-10 seconds after starting the engine).

If you removed the seat to repair the upholstery, treat the metal parts before installation. anticorrosive (for example, MoviL). This will prevent rust from forming at the fastening points.

Video instructions and useful resources

For clarity, we recommend watching a video with the dismantling of seats on Škoda Octavia Tour:

• 🎥 Removing the front seat on the A7 (channel Skoda Service).
• 🎥 Rear seat of Octavia Tour A5 (review with nuances).

Also useful materials:

• 📄 SkodaClub forum — topics on interior repairs with photo reports.
• 📖 ERWIN — official mounting diagrams (registration required).

If you are planning on tuning the seats (for example, installing sports chairs or heated covers), check the compatibility of the fasteners. On Octavia Tour A7 you can install seats from VW Golf or Audi A3, but will require adaptation of the connectors.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about seat removal

Is it possible to remove the seat without disconnecting the battery?

Technically yes, but it is extremely dangerous! The risk of airbag deployment or a short circuit in the heating circuits is very high. If you are in a hurry, at least wait until the car has cooled down (for example, after a trip) and remove the terminal for 5-10 minutes before starting work.

How to remove the seat if the bolts are rusty?

Use a penetrating lubricant (WD-40, Liqui Moly MoS2) and give it time to work (at least 30 minutes). If the bolt does not budge, try heating it with a hair dryer (do not overheat the plastic parts!). In extreme cases, you will have to drill out the bolt and cut a new thread.

What should I do if the heating does not work after installation?

Check:

1. Are both connectors connected under the seat (sometimes they are confused in places).
2. Fuse integrity F37 (10 A) in the block under the steering wheel.
3. Resistance of heating elements (should be 1–2 Ohms). If there is a break, the upholstery will need to be repaired.

Is it possible to repair the electric seat drive myself?

Yes, if the problem is gears or motors. Most often, plastic gears in the backrest tilt mechanism break. They can be replaced with metal ones (item no. 1K6 959 661 for A5/A7). To diagnose, disassemble the control unit and check the circuits with a multimeter.

Where can I buy original seat mounting bolts?

Original bolts can be ordered by catalog numbers:

• N 908 132 02 — bolt M8×25 (for front seats).
• N 908 106 01 — bolt M6×16 (for rear).

Analogues: Febi, SWAG or TRW. The average price is 50–150 rubles per piece.