2003 SKODA FABIA steering wheel

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 Technology145
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
The brake pedal has to be depressed with a significantly greater force if
the brake booster is not operating because the vehicle has to be towed or
because there is damage to the brake booster, in order to balance out the
missing brake boosting effect.
If you notice that the braking distance has suddenly become longer and
that the brake pedal can be depressed further, it is possible that a brake
circuit of the dual-circuit brake system has failed. Drive, in such cases, to
the nearest Škoda dealer without delay in order to have the problem recti-
fied. Drive at a reduced speed while on your way to the dealer and adapt
your style of driving to the higher brake pedal pressure required.
Low brake fluid level
An insufficient level of brake fluid may result in problems in the brake
system. The level of the brake fluid is monitored electronically
⇒page 35.
Caution
•Never allow the brakes to rub by applying slight pressure if you do not
wish to brake the vehicle. This causes the brakes to overheat and can also
result in a longer braking distance and excessive wear.
•Before negotiating a steep downhill section, please reduce your
speed, shift down into the next lower gear (manual gearbox) or select a
lower driving stage (automatic gearbox). This enables you to make full use
of the braking power of the vehicle and reduces the strain on the brakes.
Any additional braking should be done intermittently, not continuously.
Antilock brake system (ABS)*
ABS prevents the wheels locking when braking.
General
The ABS contributes significantly to enhancing the active safety of your
vehicle. You are able to retain optimal steering ability even during full
braking on a slippery road surface, compared to a vehicle not fitted with
the ABS brake system, because the wheels do not lock up.
You must not expect, however, that the braking distance will be shorter
under all circumstances as a result of the ABS The braking distance for
example on gravel and fresh snow, when you should anyway be driving
slowly and cautiously, will be longer.
Operating principle
As soon as the vehicle speed has increased to about 20 km/hour an auto-
matic test procedure is conducted during which you will be able to hear a
pumping noise for about 1 second.
The brake pressure will be reduced on a wheel which is rotating at a speed
which is too low for the speed of the vehicle and tending to lock. This
control cycle is noticeable from a pulsating movement of the brake
WARNING
•Only apply the brakes for the purpose of drying and cleaning
the brake discs if the traffic conditions permit this. Do not place
any other road users in jeopardy.
•When retrospectively mounting a front spoiler, solid wheel
hubs etc. one must ensure that the air supply to the front wheel
brakes is not reduced otherwise the braking system could run too
hot.
•Allow for the fact that new brake pads do not achieve their full
braking efficiency until after the first 200 kilometres. New brake
pads must be first “run in” before they develop their optimal fric-
tion force. You can, however, compensate for this slightly reduced
braking force by increasing the pressure on the brake pedal. This
guideline also applies to any new brake pads installed at a future
date.

Intelligent Technology
146
pedal which is accompanied by noises. This is consciously intended to
provide the driver with the information that the wheels are tending to lock
(ABS control range). You must always keep the brake pedal depressed to
enable the ABS to optimally control the brake application in this braking
range. Never interrupt the application of the brakes!
Note
•A warning light comes on if a fault occurs in the ABS
system ⇒page 34.
•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 ABS
⇒ page 194.
Power steering*
The power steering enables you to steer the vehicle with less physical
force. The steering characteristics can be changed by a Škoda dealer.
You will place great stresses on the power steering system if the steering
is turned to full lock when the vehicle is stationary. Turning the steering to
full lock in such a situation will be accompanied by noises.
It is still possible to fully steer the vehicle if the power steering fails or if the
engine is not running (vehicle being towed in). The only difference is that
greater physical effort is required.
It is possible that the hydraulic pump of the power steering will not run due
to the low vehicle network voltage if the battery has gone flat and the
engine must started with the help off jump leads. This condition will be
indicated by lighting up of the warning light.
The power steering operates again if the battery is charged to a specific
range when engine is running. It also operates again, if the engine can be
started with its own battery.
Caution
Do not leave the steering at full lock for more than 15 seconds when the
engine is running - risk of damaging the power steering!
Note
Have the steering inspected as soon as possible by a Škoda dealer if
there is a leak or fault in the system.
WARNING
•The A BS can also not overcome the physical limits of your
vehicle. Please do not forget this, particularly when driving on icy
or wet road surfaces. If the ABS is operating within the control
range, adapt your speed immediately to the conditions of the road
surface and the traffic situation. The increased safety offered by
the ABS must not tempt you to take greater risks than otherwise -
risk of an accident!
•The normal braking system is still fully functional if there is an
ABS fault. Visit a Skoda dealer as quickly as possible and adjust
your style of driving to take account of the ABS fault in the mean-
time since you will not know how great the damage is.

Care and cleaning163
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Note
When washing your vehicle, ensure that as little water as possible gets
into the locks.
Wheels
Steel wheels
You should also thoroughly wash the wheels and wheel trims when giving
your vehicle its regular wash. This prevents any brake dust, dirt and road
salt from sticking to the wheel hubs. You can remove stubborn brake abra-
sion adhering to the wheels with an industrial cleaner. Touch up any
damage to the paintwork on the wheels before rust is able to form.
Light alloy wheels
Regular care of light alloy wheels is necessary in order to retain their
decorative appearance over long periods. It is particularly important to
remove any road salt and brake abrasion from light alloy wheels every two
weeks, otherwise the surface will suffer. Wash thoroughly and then treat
the wheels with a protective product for light alloy wheels which does not
contain any acidic components. You should provide the wheel hubs with
a hard wax layer every three months. You must not use any products
which cause abrasion when treating the wheel hubs. Any damage to the
paint layer on the wheel hubs must be touched up immediately.
Note
Severe layers of dirt on the wheels can also result in wheel imbalance.
This may show itself in the form of wheel vibration which is transmitted to
the steering wheel which, in certain circumstances, can cause premature
wear of the steering. It is therefore important to clean dirty wheels.
Underbody protection
The underside of your vehicle is protected for life against chemical and
mechanical influences.
One cannot, however, completely rule out damage to the protective layer
when driving so we recommend that you inspect the protective layer on
the underside of your vehicle and on the chassis at certain intervals - this
is best done at the beginning and end of the winter - and to touch up any
damaged areas.
Škoda dealers have suitable spray products available as well as the
necessary equipment and are familiar with the instructions for its use. It is
therefore best to have such touch-up work or additional corrosion protec-
tion measures carried out by a Škoda dealer.
WARNING
One should remember when cleaning the wheels that moisture, ice
and road salt may adversely affect braking efficiency - risk of an
accident!
WARNING
Never use additional underbody protection or corrosion-protec-
tion agents for the exhaust pipes, catalytic converters or heat
shields. Such substances might ignite when driving - risk of fire!

Wheels and Tyres
188
The life of your tyres very much depends on the following points:
Tyre inflation pressure
The working life of tyres will be shortened considerably if the tyres are
insufficiently or over-inflated and this will have an adverse effect on the
handling of your vehicle.
Check the inflation pressure of the tyres at least once a month. The tyre
inflation pressures for summer tyres are indicated on the inside of the
fuel filler flap ⇒page 187, fig. 135 . The inflation pressures for winter
tyres are 0.2 bar higher than those for summer tyres ⇒page 191.
Correctly inflated tyres are of particular importance when travelling at high
speeds. It is therefore good to check the pressure at least once a month
and also before setting off on a long trip. Please do not forget the spare
wheel when checking the tyres.
The tyre pressure should be at the highest pressure specified for your
vehicle at all times.
Always check the inflation pressure of tyres when cold. Do not reduce the
higher pressure of warm tyres. Adapt the inflation pressure of the tyres
accordingly if your vehicle is carrying a significantly higher payload.
Driving style
Fast cornering, sharp acceleration and braking (squealing tyres) increase
wear-and-tear on your tyres.
Balancing wheels
The wheels of a new vehicle are balanced. There are a wide range of influ-
ences when driving which may result in an imbalance and which makes
themselves felt through vibration in the steering.
You should have the wheels rebalanced since any imbalance increases
wear-and-tear on the steering, the suspension and tyres. A wheel must
also be rebalanced when a new tyre is fitted and each time a tyre is
repaired. Wheel alignment errors
Incorrect wheel alignment at the front and rear will not only increase wear-
and-tear to the tyres, but also has an adverse effect on vehicle safety.
Contact your Škoda dealer if you notice any unusual tyre wear.
For the sake of the environment
Tyres which are insufficiently inflated increase your fuel consumption.
Wear indicators
WARNING
If the inflation pressure is too low, the tyre must perform a greater
flexing work. At higher speeds the tyre will warm up as a result of
this. This can result in tread separation and even a tyre blowout.
Fig. 136 Tyre tread
with wear indicators

Breakdown assistance205
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anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
Tow-starting and towing vehicle
General
Please pay attention to the following instructions if you are going
to use a tow rope:
Driver of the towing vehicle
– Do not drive off until the tow rope is taught.
– Release the clutch particularly gently when starting off or
depress the accelerator particularly gently if your vehicle is
fitted with an automatic gearbox.
Driver of the towed vehicle
– Switch the ignition on so that the steering wheel is not blocked and you can also operate the turn signal lights, the headlight
flasher, the windscreen wipers and windscreen washer
system.
– Take the vehicle out of gear or move the selector lever into position N if your vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.
– Note that the brake servo unit and power steering only operate if the engine is running. You will require significantly greater
physical force to depress the brake pedal and to steer the
vehicle if the engine is not running.
– Ensure that the tow rope is always kept taught.
Tow rope or tow bar
A tow bar is safest way of towing a vehicle and also minimizes any
shocks. You can use a tow rope only if a suitable tow bar is not available.
The tow rope must be elastic to protect the vehicle. Thus one should only
use plastic fibre rope or a rope made out of a similarly elastic material.
Only attach the tow rope to the towing eyes provided for this purpose
⇒ page 206, “Front towing eye” and ⇒page 207, “Rear towing eye”.
Driving style
Towing another vehicle requires a certain amount of practice. Both drivers
should be familiar with the particular points about towing a vehicle.
Unskilled drivers should not attempt to tow-start or tow in another vehicle.
One should be constantly vigilant not to allow impermissibly high towing
forces or jerky loadings. There is always a risk of excessive stresses and
damage resulting at the points to which you attach the tow rope or tow bar
when you attempt to tow a vehicle which is not standing on a paved road.
Caution
If the gearbox of your vehicle no longer contains any oil because of a
defect, your vehicle must only be towed in with the driven wheels raised
clear of the ground, or on a special vehicle transporter or trailer.
Note
•Please comply with any legal requirements particularly regarding the
switched on signal systems, when towing in or tow-starting another
vehicle.
•The tow rope must not be twisted as it may in certain circumstances
result in the front towing eye being unscrewed out of your vehicle.

Index227
Index
A
Abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
ABS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Adjusting seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Adjusting the steering wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Deployment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Antilock Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Antilock brake system (ABS) Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Anti-theft alarm system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Ashtray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Auto Check Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Automatic vehicle wash systems . . . . . . . . . 160
B
Belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 Bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Brake
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Brake booster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Brake pads Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Buttons on the driver's door Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
C
Car jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196, 201
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Changing a wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Changing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Changing oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Changing wheels around . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Charging the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Chassis number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Child safety locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Child safety seats
ISOFIX system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Child seat on the front passenger seat . . . . . . . . . . 131
Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Cigarette lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Convenience operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Coolant temperature gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Coolant temperature/coolant level Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Counter for distance driven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Cruise control system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
D
Deactivating an airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Defrosting windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88, 92
De-icing windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Detachable towing device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Digital clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175

Index229
L
Lashing eyes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Leather care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Lighting of the interior of the vehicle . . . . . . . 56
Lights
Converting/masking over headlights . . . 154
switching them on and off . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Lights and Visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39, 40
Low beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Luggage compartment door . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
M
Main beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52, 54Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Manual shifting of gears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Memory for the on-board computer . . . . . . . . 17
Mobile phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108, 109
Motoring abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Multi-functional indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
N
Navigation system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Note holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
O
Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Onboard computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Open door Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Operation in winter Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
De-icing windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
The battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Overview of the engine compartment . . . . . 173
P
Paint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Paint damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Parking aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Parking light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Parking lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Pedals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Power socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Power steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Power windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Operational problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
R
Rear fog light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Rear window heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Rear-view mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Recirculated air mode Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
The air conditioning system . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Replacing fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Roof aerial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Running in the car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
S
Safety wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Saving energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Seat belt height adjuster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Seat belt warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Fasten . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Height adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Service Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Service Interval Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15