2003 SKODA FABIA wheel

Seats and Stowage
64
– Release the lever and push the seat further until the lock is heard to engage.
Adjusting height of seat*
– Lift the seat if required by pulling or pumping lever upwards.
– Lower the seat if required by pushing or pumping lever downwards.
Adjusting angle of backrest
– Relieve any pressure on the backrest (do not lean on it) and turn the handwheel to adjust the angle of the backrest.
The driver's seat should be adjusted in such a way that the pedals can be
pressed to the floor with slightly bent legs.
The backrest on the driver's seat should be adjusted in such a way that
the upper point of the steering wheel can be easily reached with slightly
bent arms.
Caution
Vehicles in the Praktik version should not experience contact between the
backrest and the partition wall after adjusting the angle of the backrest
since there is danger of damage to the seat cover through rubbing when
driving.
WARNING
•Only adjust the driver seat when the vehicle is stationary - risk
of injury!
•Take care when adjusting the seat! Adjusting the seat without
care can lead to bruises or injuries.
•The backrests must not be angled too far back when driving
otherwise this will affect proper operation of the seat belts and of
the airbag system - risk of injury!
A1
A2
A2
A3

Seats and Stowage
70
– Distribute the items of luggage as evenly as possible.
– Heavy objects should be transported as near to the rear axle as possible or better still between the axles.
– Attach the items of luggage to the lashing eyes or the safety net* ⇒page 70.
Caution
Please ensure that the heating elements of the rear window heater are not
damaged as a result of objects sliding in this area.
Note
•Tyre pressure must be adjusted to the load ⇒page 187, fig. 135.
Lashing eyes
Eyes are located on the sides of the loading area for lashing the goods to
be loaded ⇒fig. 52 .
You can also attach a securing net* to these eyes for lashing small objects.
The securing net* and the fixing instruction is located in the well under the
floor covering of the lugagge compartment behind the spare wheel.
WARNING
•Please note that the handling properties of your vehicle may be
affected when transporting heavy objects as a result of the
displacement of the centre of gravity. The speed and style of
driving must be adjusted accordingly.
•The items carried in the luggage compartment should be stored
in such a way that no objects are able to slip forward if there are
any sudden driving or braking manoeuvres undertaken - risk of
injury!
•Never drive with the boot lid slightly ajar or even fully opened
otherwise exhaust gases may get into the interior of the vehicle -
risk of poisoning!
•On no account exceed the permissible axle loads and the
permissible gross weight of the vehicle - risk of accident!
WARNING
The load to be transported must be fixed in place in such a way that
it cannot move during the journey and when braking.
Fig. 52 Luggage
compartment: Lashing
eyes

Seats and Stowage71
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
Folding double hooks*
Folding double hooks for attaching small items of luggage, such as bags
etc., are provided on both sides of the luggage compartment ⇒fig. 53 .
An item of luggage weighing up to 5 kg can be attached to each side of
the double hook.
Fixing of the floor covering of the luggage
compartment (estate car, sedan)
A hook is fixed to the loop in the floor covering of the luggage compart-
ment ⇒fig. 54 .
It is, where necessary, possible to fixed the raised floor cover to a section
of the tailgate using hooks as if one needs to have access to the spare
wheel.
Fig. 53 Luggage
compartment: Folding
luggage double hooks
Fig. 54 Luggage
compartment: Fixing of
the floor covering

Seats and Stowage83
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
Cooling of storage compartment on front passenger
side*
The storage compartment is for vehicles fitted with an air-
conditioning system with a closable inlet for cooled air.
– You can switch the cooling system on or off using the control
dial ⇒ fig. 71.
Opening the air inlet when the air conditioning system is on causes fresh
or interior air to flow into the storage compartment.
The cooling of the storage compartment operates only if the air condi-
tioning system is switched on. We recommend that you switch off the
cooling (opening concealed) if it is operating in the heating mode or if you
are not using the cooling system for the storage compartment.
Storage compartments on the driver's side
- storage compartment below steering wheel.
The lockable storage compartment is opened by folding down the
cover in the direction of arrow ⇒fig. 72 .
Storage compartment is for vehicles fitted with an air conditioning
system with a closable inlet for thermally prepared air.
The air supply in the storage compartment is regulated through the pull
out cap . Pulling out the end cover in the direction of travel causes the
air inlet to open while pushing it in causes the air inlet to close.
At open air supply, air flows into the storage with a temperature which is
as high as the one out of the air outlet nozzles, depending on temperature
setting.
The air inlet in the storage compartment is connected to position

through adjustment of the control dial for air distribution. This position
causes the maximum amount of air to flow into the storage compartment
(depending on the rotary regulator position for the fan).
Fig. 71 Storage
compartment: Using
cooling system
Fig. 72 Dash panel:
Storage compartments
on the driver's side
AA
AB
AB
AC

Heating and air conditioning system89
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
The control dial can be set to other positions as required.
Recirculated air mode
In recirculated air mode air is sucked out of the interior of
the vehicle and then fed back into the interior.
Recirculated air mode prevents po
lluted air outside the vehicle
from getting into the vehicle, for example when driving through a
tunnel or when standing in a traffic jam.
Switching recirculated air mode on
– Press button , the button symbol
 lights up ⇒page 87,
fig. 78 .
Switching recirculated air mode off
– Press button again, the button symbol
 goes out.
Recirculated air mode is switched off automatically if the air distribution
control is in position ⇒ page 87, fig. 78 ⇒page 87, fig. 78 .
Air outlet vents
Fig. 79 Air outlet vents
Warmed or unwarmed air will flow out of the air outlet vents according to
the setting of control dial ⇒page 87, fig. 78.
You can set the air supply to the individual air outlet vents using the control
dial .
Air outlet vents 3 and 4 can also be opened or closed individually:
•Air outlet vent fully open - knurled wheel vertically in position F
⇒ fig. 79
•Air outlet vent fully closed - knurled wheel vertically in position F or
G .
Turning the horizontal and vertical knurled wheels on the air outlet vents
3 and 4 allows one to change the direction of the inlet air flow .WARNING
•You should not leave recirculated air mode on over a longer
period of time. “Stale air” may result in fatigue in the driver and
passengers, reduce attention levels and also cause the windows to
mist up. The risk of having an accident increases. Switch recircu-
lated air mode off as soon as the windows begin misting up.
AC


AC
AA
AC

Heating and air conditioning system
94
You can set the air supply to the individual air outlet vents using the control
dial .
Air outlet vents 3 and 4 can also be opened or closed individually:
•Air outlet vent fully open - knurled wheel vertically in position F
•Air outlet vent fully closed - knurled wheel vertically in position F or
G.
Turning the horizontal and vertical knurled wheels on the air outlet vents
3 and 4 allows one to change the direction of the inlet air flow .
Using the air conditioning system economically
The compressor on the air conditioning system uses power from the
engine when in cooling mode which will effect the fuel consumption.
It recommended to open the windows or the doors of a vehicle for which
the interior has been strongly heated through the effect of direct sunlight
in order to allow the heated air to escape.
The air conditioning system should not be switched on while travelling
when the window is open.
The desired interior temperature can also be achieved without switching
in the air conditioning system just by switching to fresh air mode.
For the sake of the environment
When you economize on fuel, you also reduce pollutant emissions.
Operational problems
If the cooling system does not operate at outside temperatures higher
than +5°C, there is a problem in the system. The reasons for this may be:
•The fuse on the air conditioning system has blown. Check the fuse,
replace it if necessary ⇒page 209.
•The cooling system has switched off automatically for a short time
because the coolant temperature of the engine is too hot ⇒page 13.
If you are not able to rectify the operational problem yourself, or if the
cooling capacity decreases, switch the air conditioning system off. Please
contact your Škoda dealer.
AC

Starting-off and Driving95
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
Starting-off and Driving
Setting steering wheel position*
You can set the height and the forward/back position of the
steering wheel to the desired position.
– Adjust the driver seat ⇒page 63.
– Pull the lever below the steering column ⇒fig. 82 down
⇒ .
– Set the steering wheel to the desired position (concerning height and forward/back position).
– Then push the lever up against the steering column until it locks into place.
Ignition lock
Petrol engines
- ignition switched off, engine off
- ignition switched on
Fig. 82 Adjustable
steering wheel: Lever
below steering column
WARNING
•Only adjust the steering wheel when the car is stationary!
•For safety reasons the lever must always be firmly pushed up
to avoid the steering wheel altering its position unintentionally
when driving - risk of accident!
Fig. 83 Ignition lock
positions
A1
A2

Starting-off and Driving
96
- start engine
Diesel engines - fuel supply interrupted, ignition switched off, engine off
- heating glow plugs on, ignition switched on
•You should not switch on any major electrical components during the
heating period otherwise the vehicle battery will be drained unnecessarily.
- start engine
Applies to all models:
Position
To lock the steering , with the ignition key withdrawn, turn the steering
wheel until the steering locking pin is heard to engage. You should always
lock the steering as a general rule if you leave your vehicle. This acts as
a deterrent against possible theft of your vehicle ⇒.
Position
Move the steering wheel back and forward a little if the ignition key cannot,
or cannot easily be turned into this position, in order to release the
steering lock.
Position
The engine is started in this position. At the same time switched on low
beam or main beam or other electrical components with major power
consumption are briefly switched off. The ignition key moves back into
position when one releases the key.
The ignition key must be turned back into position each time before
starting the engine again. The starter repeat lock in the ignition lock
prevents the starter being engaged when the engine is running and thus
getting damaged. Ignition key withdrawal lock (automatic gearbox)
You can only withdraw the ignition key after switching off the ignition if the
selector lever is in position
P.
Starting engine
General
You can only start the engine only using an original ignition
key.
•Place the gearshift lever into neutral (or place the selector lever to the
position P or N in the case of an automatic gearbox) and put on the hand-
brake firmly before starting the engine.
A3
A1
A2
A3
A1
A2
A3
A2
A1
WARNING
•When driving, the ignition key must always be in the position
(ignition switched on) without the engine running. This position is
indicated by the warning lights coming on. If this is not the case, it
could result in unexpected locking of the steering wheel - risk of
accident!
•Only remove the ignition key from the ignition lock when the
vehicle has come to a standstill (put on the handbrake or select the
selector lever position P). The steering lock might otherwise
engage unintentionally - risk of accident!
•Always withdraw the ignition key if you are going to leave the
vehicle, even for a short time. This is particularly important if chil-
dren are left in the vehicle. The children might otherwise start the
engine or operate electrical equipment (e.g. power windows) - risk
of injury!
A2