2003 SKODA FABIA ESP

Intelligent Technology141
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
Driving Tips
Intelligent Technology
Electronic stability programme (ESP)*
General
General
The ESP aids you maintain control of your vehicle in situations in border-
line driving situations such as when negotiating a curve too fast. The risk
of skidding is reduced and your car thus offers greater driving stability
depending on the conditions of the road surface. This occurs at all speeds.
The following systems are integrated into the electronic stability
programme:
•Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)
•Traction control system (TCS)
•Antilock brake system (ABS)
Operating principle
The ESP switches on automatically when the engine is started and then
conducts a self-test. The ESP control unit processes data from the indi-
vidual systems. It also processes additional measurement data which are
supplied by highly sensitive sensors: the rotational velocity of the vehicle
about its vertical axis, the lateral acceleration of the vehicle, the braking
pressure and the steering angle.
The direction which the driver wishes to take is determined based on the
steering angle and the speed of the vehicle and is constantly compared
with the actual behaviour of the vehicle. If differences exist, such as the
car beginning to skid, the ESP will automatically brake the appropriate
wheel and reduce the engine speed.
The car is stabilised again by the forces which take effect when the wheel
is braked. Intervention into the brake system takes place primarily on the
outer front wheel of a vehicle which tends to oversteer (tendency for the
rear of the vehicle to break away) while occurs this is on the inner rear
wheel of a vehicle which tends to understeer (tendency to shift out of the
curve). This braking control cycle is accompanied by noises.
The ESP operates in combination with the ABS ⇒page 145. If there is a
fault in the ABS system, the ESP also does not operate.
The ESP warning light ⇒page 34 lights up in the instrument cluster when
there is a fault on the ESP.
Fig. 115 ESP switch

Intelligent Technology
142
Switching off
You can switch the ESP off and on again as you wish, by pressing the
button ⇒ page 141, fig. 115. The ESP warning light ⇒ page 34 lights up
in the instrument cluster when the ESP is switched off.
The ESP should normally always be switched on. It may be good practice
in certain exceptional cases, such as when you wish to have wheel slip,
to switch off the TCS.
Examples:
•when driving with snow chains,
•when driving in deep snow or on a loose surface,
•when it is necessary to rock a car free when it has become stuck.
Then you should switch on the ESP again.
Note
•All four wheels must be fitted with the same tyres in order to achieve
problem-free operation of the ESP. Differing rolling circumferences of the
tyres can lead to an undesirable reduction in the engine output.
•Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or other
assignment of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the ESP
⇒ page 194.
Traction control system (TCS)*
The traction control system prevents the driven wheels
from spinning when accelerating.
General
The TCS makes it much easier, and sometimes at all possible, to start off,
accelerate and climb a steep hill when the conditions of the road surface
are unfavourable.
Operating principle
The TCS switches on automatically when the engine is started and then
conducts a self-test. The system monitors the speeds of the driven wheels
with the aid of the ABS sensors. If the wheels are spinning, the force trans-
mitted to the road surface is automatically adapted by reducing the engine
speed. This occurs at all speeds.
The TCS operates in combination with the ABS ⇒page 145. The TCS will
not function if a fault exists in the ABS system.
WARNING
It is also not possible for the ESP to overcome the physical limits
of the vehicle. Even if a vehicle fitted with ESP you should still
always adapt your style of driving to the condition of the road
surface and the traffic situation. This particularly applies when
driving on slippery and wet roads. The increased safety offered
must not tempt you to take greater risks than otherwise - risk of an
accident!Fig. 116 TCS switch

Intelligent Technology
144
Heating up of the brakes
The EDL switches off automatically if unusually severe stresses exist in
order to avoid excessive heat generation in the disc brake on the wheel
which is being braked. The vehicle can continue to be driven and has the
same characteristics as a vehicle not fitted with EDL.
The EDL switches on again automatically as soon as the brake has cooled
down.
Note
•If the ABS or TCS or ESP warning light comes on, this may also indi-
cate a fault in the EDL. Please have the vehicle inspected as soon as
possible by a Škoda dealer.
•Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or other
assignment of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the EDL
⇒ page 194.
Brakes
What has a negative effect on braking efficiency?
Wear-and-tear
Wear-and-tear to the brake pads is greatly dependent on the operating
conditions of the vehicle and your style of driving. Particularly if you drive
a great deal in towns and over short distances or if you adopt a sporty style
of driving, it may be necessary to have the thickness of the brake pads
inspected at a Škoda Dealer between the service inspections.
Wet roads or road salt
There may be a certain delay before the brakes take full effect under
certain conditions such as when driving through water, during heavy rain
showers or after the vehicle has been washed in an automatic vehicle
wash, since the brake discs and brake pads may be moist or even have a
coating of ice on them in winter. You should dry the brakes as soon as
possible (by applying and releasing the brakes several times, if the road
conditions and the traffic situation allows it).
There also may be a certain delay before the full braking efficiency is
available when driving on roads which have been treated with road salt if
you have not used the brakes for some considerable time beforehand.
The layer of salt on the brake discs and brake pads must first be rubbed
off when you apply the brakes.
Corrosion
We recommend cleaning the brake discs by firmly applying the brakes at
a fairly high speed if you do not make much use of the braking system or
if surface corrosion is present ⇒.
Faults in the brake surface
The brake booster operates using vacuum which is only generated
when the engine is running. This is why you should not drive off with
engine switched off!
WARNING
•Depress the accelerator carefully when accelerating on
uniformly slippery road surfaces, such as ice and snow. The driven
wheels might still spin despite the EDL and affect the stability of
the vehicle - risk of an accident!
•You should always adapt your style of driving to the condition
of road surface and to the traffic situation even when your vehicle
is fitted with EDL. The increased safety offered must not tempt you
to take greater risks than otherwise - risk of an accident!

Accessories, changes and replacement of parts
194
Accessories, changes and replacement of parts
General
Skoda vehicles have been built according to the latest discoveries in
safety engineering. Thus one should not change the condition in which the
vehicle was delivered from the manufacturer without some thought.
The following guidelines should be observed when a vehicle is to be retro-
fitted with accessories, have technical changes made to it or a part has to
be replaced at some time in the future.
•Advise should always be obtained from a Skoda dealer before buying
any accessories and before making any technical changes ⇒.
•This is particularly the case when accessories are bought in a foreign
country.
•Skoda accessories which have been released for use and original
Skoda parts can be obtained from Skoda dealers. They will install them
professionally and correctly.
•All original accessories which are listed in the catalogue such as tilting
roofs, spoilers, wheels etc. must have an official stamp of approval.
•Radios, aerials and other electrical accessories should only be
installed by an authorised workshop.
•The guidelines issued by Škoda Auto must be observed when making
technical changes.
•This is to ensure that no technical damage occurs to the vehicle, that
travelling and operating safety are maintained and that the chnages are
permissible. Skoda dealers undertake this work professionally or refer it
to an specialist company in special cases.
Any damage which is done caused by technical changes made
without consulting a Skoda dealer is excluded from the warranty.
WARNING
•We advise you, in your own interest, to only use Skoda acces-
sories and original Skoda parts which have been expressly
approved for use on your Skoda. Reliability, safety and suitabiliity
have been established for these parts.
•We cannot guarantee suitability of installation into your vehicle
of other products despite keeping a constant eye on market devel-
opments (also not in the case where there is an attestation or
permission can be produced).

Fuses and light bulbs
210
Caution
•Never attempt to “repair” fuses and also do not replace them with a
fuse of a higher amperage - risk of fire! This may also cause damage at
another part of the electrical system.
•Have the electrical system checked as quickly as possible by a Škoda
dealer if a newly inserted fuse blows again after a short time.
Fuse assignment at battery
Certain electrical components are only standard on certain vehicle model
versions or only suppliable as optional equipment for certain models.
Fuse assignment in the dash panel
Certain electrical components are only standard on certain vehicle model
versions or only suppliable as optional equipment for certain models.
yellow20
white25
green30
No.Power consumerAmperes
1Dynamo175
2Interior11 0
3Power steering50
4Glow plugs40
5The radiator fan40
6ABS or TCS or ESP40
7ABS or TCS or ESP25
8The radiator fan30
ColourMaximum amperage
9Not assigned
10Central control unit5
11The air conditioning system5
12Not assigned
13Automatic gearbox5
14Not assigned
15Not assigned
16Not assigned
No.Power consumerAmperes
Fig. 152 Schematic
representation of fuse
carrier

Fuses and light bulbs211
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
No.Power consumerAmperes
1Instrument cluster, ESP5
2Brake lights10
3Power supply for the diagnostics, air-conditioning
system5
4Interior lighting10
5Door warning light5
6Lights and Visibility5
7Engine electronics, power-assisted steering5
8Not assigned
9Lambda probe10
10S-contact a)5
11Electrically adjustable rear mirror b)5
12Ventilation system, air-conditioning system, Xenon
headlight5
13Reversing light10
14Diesel engine control unit10
15Headlight cleaning system, window wiper10
16Instrument cluster5
17Petrol engine - control unit c)5
18Telephone5
19Automatic gearbox10
20Control unit for lamp failure5
21Heated windscreen washer nozzles5
22Not assigned
23Right main beam10
24Engine electronics10
25Control unit for ABS, TCS
control unit for ESP5
10
26Not assigned
27Not assigned
28Cruise control, switch for the brake and clutch pedal5
29Not assigned
30Main beam on the left and indicator light10
31Central locking system - door lock for the boot lid10
32Rear window wiper10
33Parking light on the right5
34Parking light on the left5
35Injector - petrol engine10
36Licence plate light5
37Rear fog light and indicator light5
38Heating of the external mirror5
39Rear window heater20
40Horn20
41Front window wiper20
42Cigarette lighter, power socket15
43Central control unit, selector lever lock for the auto-
matic gearbox20
44Turn signals15
No.Power consumerAmperes

Fuses and light bulbs215
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
Main beam
– Open the bonnet.
– Remove the protective cover at the rear of the headlight
⇒page 214, fig. 153 .
– Disconnect the plug connector .
– Press together the sprung wire clamp on the lamp holder and swing down.
– Remove the halogen lamp with cable. Insert the new halogen lamp in such a way that the fixing lug on the reflector lies in the
corresponding recess in the lamp lplate.
– Close the sprung wire clamp over the plate. Press together the sprung wire clamp and lock together again.
– Plug into the plug connector . – Get the headlight setting checked by a Skoda dealer after
replacing the light bulb.
Parking light at the front
– Open the bonnet.
– Remove the protective cover at the rear of the headlight ⇒page 214, fig. 153 .
– Pull the lamp holder with light bulb for the parking light out of the headlight ⇒fig. 156 .
– Pull the defect light bulb out of the lamp holder.
– Insert the new light bulb.
Fig. 155 Structure of
the light bulb of the
main beam light
AB
AA
AB
Fig. 156 Structure of
the light bulb of the
parking light

Fuses and light bulbs217
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
– Insert the new light bulb and turn it fully to the right.
– Insert the lamp holder with new light bulb into the headlight.
Secure the lamp holder by turning it to the right.
Fog lights*
We recommend having the light bulb replaced by a Škoda dealer.
– Remove the protective grille next to the light.
– Unscrew the screws on the fog light holder. The upper screw holds the outer air temperature sensor* in place on the light
⇒fig. 159
– Remove the end cover of the light.
– Disconnect plug connector ⇒fig. 160 .
– Press together the sprung wire clamp on the lamp holder and swing down.
– Remove the light bulb with cable.
– Insert the new halogen lamp in such a way that the fixing lug on the reflector lies in the corresponding recess in the lamp
plate.
Fig. 159 Removing the
fog light
Fig. 160 Structure of
the light bulb of the fog
light
A1
AB
AA