2003 SKODA FABIA ignition
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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.
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Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights35
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Brake system
The warning light flashes or comes on if the brake fluid level is too low,
if there is a fault in the ABS or if the handbrake is applied.
If the warning light
flashes (handbrake is not applied), stop and check
the brake fluid level ⇒.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
STOP BRAKE FLUID SERVICE MANUAL
If there is a fault in the ABS which also influences the function of the
normal brake system (e.g. distribution of brake pressure), the ABS
warning light
comes on together with the brake system warning light . Visit the next Skoda dealer immediately and have the brake system
checked.
3 peeps sound as an additional warning signal.
One should get used to high pedal forces, long braking distances and long
free play of the brake pedal when driving to the next Škoda dealer. The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
STOP BRAKE FAULT SERVICE MANUAL
For further information on the brake system ⇒page 144.
Handbrake applied
The warning light
also comes on if the handbrake is applied. An audible
warning is also given if you drive the vehicle for at least 3 seconds at a
speed of more than 6 km/h.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
HANDBRAKE ON
Airbag system
Monitoring the airbag system
The warning light
comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is
switched on.
There is a fault in the system if the warning light does not go out or comes
on or flashes while driving ⇒. This also applies if the warning light
does not come on when the ignition is switched on.
WARNING
•If the brake system warning light comes on together with the
ABS warning light stop the vehicle immediately and check the
brake fluid level in the reservoir ⇒page 179. If the fluid has
dropped below the MIN marking, do not drive any further - risk of
accident! Contact a Škoda dealer to obtain professional assist-
ance.
•Pay attention to the following instructions before checking the
brake fluid level and opening the bonnet ⇒page 172.
WARNING
•Pay attention to the following instructions before checking the
brake fluid level and opening the bonnet ⇒page 172.
•If the brake system warning light does not go out a few
seconds after switching on the ignition or comes on when driving,
stop immediately and check the brake fluid in the reservoir
⇒ page 179. If the fluid has dropped below the MIN marking, do not
drive any further - risk of accident! Contact a Škoda dealer to
obtain professional assistance.
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Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
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The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
AIRBAG FAULT
The functionality of the airbag system is monitored electronically, also
when the front or side airbags for the front passenger have been
switchged off.
A front passenger airbag and also possibly the side airbag which
have been switched off by a Skoda dealer using the vehicle system
tester:
•The warning light lights up for 3 seconds after switching on the igni-
tion and then flashes for 12 seconds afterwards in 2 second intervals.
Front passenger airbags and also possibly the side airbag which
have been switched off using the switch (for switching off airbags)*
in the storage compartment on the front passenger side:
•The warning light comes on for 3 seconds after the ignition has
been switched on.
•Switching off airbags is indicated ⇒page 128 in the middle of the dash
panel by the lighting up of the indicator light (airbag switched
off).
Note
Further information about switching off airbags ⇒page 127.
Seat belt warning light*
The warning light comes on for a few seconds after the ignition is
switched on as a reminder to fasten the seat belt.
If you do not fasten the seat belt, a long warning signal sounds for 6
seconds.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
FASTEN SEATBELT
For further information on the seat belts ⇒page 112.
WARNING
Have the airbag system checked immediately by a Škoda Dealer if
a fault exists. Otherwise, there is a risk of the airbag not being acti-
vated in the event of an accident.
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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!
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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
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Unlocking and locking
42
Note
If the vehicle is equipped with an anti-theft alarm system*, you must
unlock the vehicle by inserting the key into the driver door you then have
to insert the key into the ignition lock and switch the ignition on within 15
seconds after opening the door. The alarm will be triggered if you do not
switch on the ignition within 15 seconds.
Closing the vehicle with the key
– Turn the key in the lock of the driver door to the right into the
closing position ⇒page 41, fig. 22 .
•All doors and the boot lid are locked (the securing knobs must move
downwards).
•The switched on interior lights will switch off over the door contact.
•The windows and the electric sliding/tilting roof* are closed provided
the key is held in the locking position.
•The safe securing system is activated immediately.
•The indicator light in the driver door begins flashing.
The warning light will not flash if the safe securing system is deactivated
⇒ page 40.
This is not the case, however, for vehicles with an anti-theft alarm system*
since the indicator light is showing that the system is active.
Note
The opened driver door cannot be locked. It must be locked separately
after closing it.
Buttons for central locking
All doors are unlocked and locked using the buttons or .
The buttons also operate if the ignition is switched off, but not if
the vehicle was locked from outside.
Locking all doors and the boot lid
– Press button ⇒fig. 23 or press the securing knob
downwards.
Unlocking all doors and the boot lid
– Press button ⇒fig. 23 .
The following applies if you have locked your vehicle using the button :
•It is not possible to open the doors or the boot lid from the outside
(safety feature, e.g. when stopping at traffic lights etc.).
ABFig. 23 Buttons for
central locking
A1A2
A1AA
A2
A1
Page 44 of 233
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•You can unlock the doors individually from the inside and open them
by pulling the door opening lever.
•Once the driver door is opened it cannot be locked again (after oper-
ating the lock function in the switch for the central locking switch) in order
to avoid inadvertently being locked out of the vehicle. You then have to
lock a door separately after closing it.
•In the event of an accident in which the airbags are deployed, the
locked doors are automatically unlocked from the inside in order to enable
rescuers to gain access to the vehicle.
Note
•The door opening lever and the buttons for the central locking system
do not operate if the safe securing system is activated.
•Figure ⇒page 42, fig. 23 shows operation of vehicles which are fitted
⇒ page 47 with the window convenience operation*.
Luggage compartment door
Opening the boot lid for vehicles without central locking
Opening of the boot lid is achieved by pulling on the actuation lever next
to the driver's seat ⇒fig. 24 and opening it.
The boot lid is closed by slamming it closed.
Open the boot lid by pulling on the actuating lever if it is not completely
closed and lift the boot lid right up. Slam the boot lid slightly closed.
Opening the boot lid for vehicles with a central locking system
The boot lid can be opened by pressing the hand grip above the licence
plate after unlocking the vehicle using the key or the remote control*.
The boot lid can also be opened by pressing on the button on the remote
control with the ignition switched off. Here one should press on the button
for the remote control for over one second. The boot lid springs open and
the anti-theft alarm system* is deactivated. The anti-theft alarm system is
reactivated after the boot lid is closed.
The boot lid is closed by slamming it closed.
WARNING
The central locking system also operates if the ignition is switched
off. All the doors and the boot lid are locked. Children should never
be left unattended in the vehicle since it is difficult to provide
assistance from the outside when the doors are locked. Locked
doors make it difficult for rescuers to get into the vehicle in an
emergency - hazard!
Fig. 24 Lever for
unlocking the boot lid
Page 46 of 233
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Unlocking the vehicle
– Press button for about 1 second.
Locking the vehicle
– Press button for about 1 second.
– Press button twice in 2 seconds and the safe securing
system will be deactivated. Further information ⇒page 40.
Unlocking the boot lid
– Press button for about 1 second ⇒page 44, fig. 26 .
Further information ⇒page 43.
Folding out of the key
– Press button .
Folding up of the key
– Press button and collapse the key bit in the housing.
The remote control allows activation of the anti-theft alarm system*
⇒ page 46 and locking of the vehicle or dectivation of the anti-theft alarm
system and unlocking of the vehicle.
The turn signal lights flash twice as confirmation that the vehicle has been
unlocked. The vehicle will lock again automatically if you unlock the
vehicle using button but do not open a door or the boot lid within the
next 30 seconds. This function is intended to prevent the vehicle being
unlocked unintentionally.
The safe securing system along with the anti-theft alarm system* are,
however, deactivated during these 30 seconds.
When the vehicle is unlocked or locked, the interior lights in the door
contact are automatically switched on or off. The turn signal lights flash once to confirm that the vehicle has been
correctly locked.
Note
•Operate the radio remote control only when the doors and boot lid are
closed and you have visual contact with the vehicle.
•Once in the car, you must not press the lock button of the master key
before inserting the key into the ignition lock in order to avoid the car being
inadvertently locked and, in addition, the anti-theft alarm system* being
switched on. Should this happen, press the unlock button
of the master
key.
•The remote control is automatically deactivated when the ignition is
switched on.
•The operating range of the remote control is 10 metres but this range
can be reduced if the battery is weak.
Synchronisation of the vehicle key code
If the vehicle cannot be unlocked by actuating the remote control system
then it is possible that the code in the key and the control unit in the vehicle
are no longer synchronised. This can occur when the buttons on the radio-
A1
A2
A2
A4
A3
A3
A1
WARNING
If the vehicle is locked from the outside and the safe securing
system is activated, there must not be any person in the vehicle as
it is then not possible to open either a door or a window from the
inside. The locked doors make it more difficult for rescuers to get
into the vehicle in an emergency - hazard!