2003 SKODA FABIA engine

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
34
The fact that the TCS system operates together with the ABS means that
the TCS warning light will also come on if the ABS system is not operating
properly.
Further information about the TCS ⇒ page 142.
Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)* 
The warning light  comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is
switched on.
The traction control system (TCS) is also part of the ESP system.
Components of the ESP system also include the Traction Control System
(TCS), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), and the Antilock Brake System
ABS (ABS).
The warning light comes on when driving when a control cycle is acti-
vated.
The warning light will come on and remains on if the ESP is switched off
or if there is a fault in the system.
The fact that the ESP system operates together with the ABS means that
the ESP warning light will also come on if the ABS system is not operating
properly.
Further information on the ESP ⇒page 141.
Antilock brake system (ABS)* 
The warning light  shows the functionality of the ABS and the Electronic
Differential Lock (EDL). The warning light comes on for a few seconds after the ignition has been
switched on or when starting the engine. The warning light goes out after
an automatic check sequence has been completed.
A fault in the ABS
The system is not functioning properly if the ABS warning light
 does
not go out a few seconds after switching on the ignition, does not light up
at all or lights up while driving. The vehicle will only be braked by the
normal brake system without the effect of the ABS function. Visit a Skoda
dealer as quickly as possible and adjust your style of driving in the mean-
time since you will not know how great the damage is.
Three additional warning tones will sound if there is a major fault in the
ABS.
Further information about ABS ⇒page 145.
A fault in the entire brake system
If the ABS warning light
 comes on together with the brake system
warning light  (handbrake must be released), there is a fault not only in
the ABS but also in another part of the brake system ⇒.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*: STOP BRAKE FAULT SERVICE MANUAL
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)*
The EDL is a part of the ABS. A fault in the EDL is indicated by the ABS
warning light
 in the instrument cluster. Have the vehicle inspected
without delay by a Škoda dealer. Further information on the EDL
⇒ page 143.

Unlocking and locking37
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
Unlocking and locking
KeysTw o k ey s ⇒fig. 17 or one radio-operated key* ⇒fig. 18 and one usual
key are provided with the vehicle. The keys fit in all vehicle locks.
Key ring
The key ring only has the key number on it which is essential for producing
other keys. This number can be used to order replacement keys from
Škoda dealers.
The key ring with the number should be separately and securely kept in
safe keeping since keys can only be replaced if they are lost or damaged
by giving this number. You should also therefore give this key ring to the
purchaser when selling the vehicle.
Note
•Keep the groove of the keys absolutely clean as impurities (textile
fibres, dust etc.) have a negative effect on proper operation of the keys
and the ignition lock.
•Please approach a Škoda dealer if you lose the ignition key since he
can obtain a new one or you.
Fig. 17 Set of keys
Fig. 18 Radio-oper-
ated key
WARNING
•Always withdraw the key whenever you leave the vehicle - even
if it is only for a short time. This is particularly important if children
are left in the vehicle. The children might otherwise start the engine
or operate electrical equipment (e.g. power windows) - risk of
injury!
•Do not withdraw the ignition key from the ignition lock until the
vehicle has come to a stop. The steering lock might otherwise
engage unintentionally - risk of accident!

Unlocking and locking39
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
Electronic immobiliser
The electronic immobiliser prevents the vehicle being
operated by an unauthorised person.
An electronic chip is integrated in the head of the key. The immobiliser is
deactivated with the aid of this chip when the key is inserted in the ignition
lock. The electronic immobiliser is automatically activated when you with-
draw the ignition key from the lock.
Note
It is only possible to start the engine of your car with a Genuine Škoda key
with the matching code ⇒page 31.
Locking
Valid for vehicles without a central locking system:
Locking from outside
The securing head will move upwards or downwards in the door when
unlocking or locking ⇒ page 42, fig. 23.
Locking from inside
All closed vehicle doors are locked by pressing in the securing knobs from
the inside. The doors cannot be opened from the outside when the
securing knobs have been pressed in. The vehicle doors can be opened
from the inside as follows:
•The door is unlocked by actuating the door-opening lever.
•The door opens upon actuating the door-opening lever again.
Note
•The opened door cannot be locked with the securing knob. This
prevents the possibility of forgetting the key in the locked vehicle.
•The opened side doors at the rear and the front passenger door are
locked by pressing in the securing knob and slamming the door closed.
•Please refer to the safety guidelines ⇒ in “Description” on
page 40.
Child safety locks
The child safety lock prevents the rear door from being
opened from the inside.
The rear doors are equipped with a child safety lock. You can
switch the child safety lock on and off using the vehicle key.
AA
Fig. 21 Child safety
locks on the rear doors

Lights and Visibility
52
Lights and Visibility
Lights
Switching lights on and off
Switching on side lights 
– Turn the light switch ⇒fig. 30 into position .
Switching on the low beam and main beam

– Turn the light switch into position .
– Press the main beam lever forward in order to switch on the main beam ⇒page 54, fig. 33 . Switching off all lights O
– Turn the light switch into position O.
Instrument lighting*
– Switch on the headlights.
– Turn the control dial
⇒fig. 30 , until you have set the inten-
sity you require for the instrument lighting.
Low beam comes on only if the ignition is switched on. The low beam is
switched off automatically when the engine is started and after switching
the ignition off; only the side lights come on.
On models fitted with right-hand steering* the position of the switches
differs from that shown in ⇒fig. 30. The symbols which mark the switch
positions are identical, however.
In certain export countries, the low beam is on a reduced brightness as
well as the side lights, when the ignition is switched on.
Note
•An audible warning will sound if you withdraw the ignition key and open
the driver's door when the vehicle lights are still on.
•The acoustic warning signal is switched off over the door contact when
the driver's door is closed (ignition off). The vehicle can be parked with the
side lights on.
•We recommend switching off all lights or leaving only the side lights
switched on if you park the vehicle for a lengthy period.
•The switching on of the described lights should only be undertaken in
accordance with the legal requirements.
Fig. 30 Dash panel:
Light switch
A1
A1
A1
A2

Lights and Visibility
58
Visibility
Rear window heater
– Press switch  to switch on the rear window heater ⇒fig. 37 .
The rear window heater only operates when the engine is running. An indi-
cator light in the switch is illuminated when the rear window heater is
switched on.
The rear window heater switches off automatically after 20 minutes.
For the sake of the environment
You should switch off the rear window heater as soon as the rear window
is clear. The reduced current consumption will have a favourable effect on
fuel economy ⇒ page 153.
Sun visors
You can pull the sun visors for the driver and front passenger out of their
fixture and swivel them toward the doors in the direction of the arrow
⇒fig. 38. The visor above the interior mirror* can only be folded down.
The vanity mirrors* in the sun visors are provided with covers.Fig. 37 Switch for rear
window heater
Fig. 38 Sun visor:
swivelling out

Lights and Visibility
62
Rear-view mirror
You can adjust the exterior mirrors electrically*.
Adjust the reverse view mirror before commencing to drive so
that there is a clear view to the rear.
Dimming the interior mirror
– Pull the lever on the bottom edge of the mirror toward rear (the
lever on the interior mirror must point forwards in it home posi-
tion).
Heating of the external mirror*
– Turn the rotary knob to position
 ⇒ fig. 42 . Adjusting left and right exterior mirrors*
– Turn the rotary knob to position
. The movement of the mirror
surface is identical to the movement of the rotary knob. The
right hand exterior mirror is adjusted at the same time on vehi-
cles with electrically operated power windows.
Adjusting the right-hand exterior mirror*
– Turn the rotary knob to position
. The movement of the mirror
surface is identical to the movement of the rotary knob.
The exterior mirror heater only operates when the engine is running.
Note
•Do not touch the surface of the exterior mirrors if the exterior mirror
heater is switched on.
•Contact your Škoda dealer if a fault exists with the power setting of the
exterior mirrors.
•You can set the exterior mirrors by hand, if the power setting function
fails at any time, by pressing on the edge of the mirror surface.
Fig. 42 Inner part of
door: Rotary knob
WARNING
Convex (curved outward) or aspherical exterior mirrors increase
the vision field. They do, however, make objects appear smaller in
the mirror. These mirrors are only of limited use, therefore, for esti-
mating distances to the following vehicles.

Seats and Stowage67
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
Front seats
– Heating on the driver's ⇒page 66, fig. 47 and front
pasenger's seat can be switched on and regulated by turning
the control dial as required.
– The system is switched off by turning the control dial to the home position “0”.
Caution
•You should not kneel on the seats and avoid applying pressure at
specific points in order to avoid damaging the heating elements of the seat
heaters.
•Do not clean the seats moist ⇒page 164.
Note
The seat heating should only be switched on when the engine is running.
This has a significant effect of saving on the battery capacity.
Rear seats
Folding the rear seats forwards
Fig. 48 Folding the
rear seats forwards
Fig. 49 Unlock the seat
backrests

Seats and Stowage
80
Cigarette lighter* and power socket*
Cigarette lighter
You can also use the socket on the cigarette lighter for
other electrical appliances.
Using the cigarette lighter
– Press in the button of the cigarette lighter ⇒fig. 67 .
– Wait until the button jumps forward.
– Remove the cigarette lighter immediately and use it.
– Insert the cigarette lighter again into the socket.
Using the power socket
– Take out the cigarette lighter. – Insert the plug of the electrical appliance into the socket of the
cigarette lighter.
The 12 volt power socket or the lighter holder can also be used for further
electrical appliance with a power uptake of up to 180 watts.
Caution
Only use matching plugs, which fulfils the DIN - ISO Standard 4165, to
avoid damaging the power sockets.
Note
Connecting electrical components when the engine is not running
will drain the battery of the vehicle - risk of battery draining!
Fig. 67 Centre
console: Cigarette
lighter
WARNING
•Take care when using the cigarette lighter! Not paying proper
attention or incorrect use the cigarette lighter in an uncontrolled
manner may result in burns.
•The cigarette lighter and the power socket also operates when
the ignition is switched off or the ignition key withdrawn. This is
why you should never leave children unattended in the vehicle.