How do you turn them on?

The manual implies if DRLs are off and lights are on auto, then when cornering and indicating, the appropriate light should come on, but on my Octavia Elegance they certainly aint

Are you sure you have cornering fog lights as an option on your car?
In Switzerland they are an extra option on all models (140CHF) so its possible you don't have them.

Whilst only a software configuration is required to active them you will probably find it difficult to convince a dealer to enable them for you.

 

If you think you should have this option, did you look in the vehicle settings->lights menu in the navigation unit?
I will check when I go to the car tonight but there is possibly a checkbox to enable/disable the cornering fog lights.

They are also an additional option here in the UK on vRS anyways. The good news is they can be activated via software alone - see the mk3 tweaks thread.

I think it is a £50 option here :-[

Its optional on elegance also.

Yep optional extra on my Elegance. Bit annoying having paid extra & now find someone with VCDS could have done it for me for a few beers.

I can enable them for beers, depending on location! Did another member's here the other week.

How do you turn them on?

The manual implies if DRLs are off and lights are on auto, then when cornering and indicating, the appropriate light should come on, but on my Octavia Elegance they certainly aint

The headlights have to be on and cornering fogs are only standard on Elegance with Xenons

I have them on my Elegance as standard (via the Xenon option), can't say I find them that great tbh. Have seen some members talking about upgrading the front fogs to LED - maybe this would improve them?

 

Enabled them via VCDS on my previous Octy II and they worked much better than on the current model.