2003 SKODA FABIA warning light

Seats and Stowage75
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
Use behind the front seats
Unrolling
– Fold the front seats forwards ⇒page 67. – Pull the net partiton net at the plate out of the housing
⇒fig. 59 .
– Insert the cross rod into the mount first on the one side and push the cross rod forward.
– In the same way, fix the cross rod to the other side of the vehicle, mount .
Rolling up
– Pull the cross rod back slightly, first on the one side then on the other side and take the cross rod out of the mount
⇒fig. 60 .
– Hold the cross rod in such a way that the net partition can roll
up slowily and without damage into housing .
– Fold the rear seats back into its original position.
Fig. 59 Unrolling net
partition
Fig. 60 Rolling up net
partition
WARNING
First check for yourself that the cross road is inserted into the
mounts in the front position!
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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the ignition is switched off or the ignition key withdrawn.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.

Heating and air conditioning system89
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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


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Heating and air conditioning system93
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Fresh air mode - ventilation
Non- pre-warmed fresh air streams through the air inlet nozzles
3 and 4
for the following settings.
•Turn the control dial ⇒page 91, fig. 80 to the left up to the stop
•Control dial into the desired position
•Control dial in the position 
•Open air outlet vents 3 and 4 ⇒ fig. 81
•Switch off the recirculated air mode by pressing button .
•Switch off the cooling by pressing button
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 ⇒page 91, fig. 80 , the button symbol

lights up.
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 91, fig. 80 . You can also switch recir- culated air mode on again from this setting by repeatedly pressing button
.
Air outlet vents
Fig. 81 Air outlet vents
Unwarmed or cooled air will flow out of the air outlet vents according to the
setting of control dial ⇒page 91, fig. 80 and the atmospheric condi-
tions.
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AC
AD
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AC


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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 passen-
gers, reduce attention levels and also cause the windows to mist
up. The risk of having an accident increases. Switch recirculated
air mode off as soon as the windows begin misting up.
AD
AA

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.
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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!
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•The clutch pedal should be fully depressed when starting the engine
which means that the starter only has to crank the engine.
•Let go of the key as soon as the engine starts otherwise there may be
damage to the starter.
The engine running noises may louder at first be louder for a short time
after starting the cold engine until oil pressure can be built up in the
hydraulic valve clearance compensation. This is quite normal and is not
an operating problem.
If the engine does not start ...
You can use the battery of another vehicle as a jump-start aid
⇒ page 203.
It is only possible to tow-start vehicles fitted with a manual gearbox. The
tow-starting distance must not be more than 50 metres ⇒page 207.
Caution
•Avoid high engine revolutions, full throttle and high engine loads as
long as the engine has not yet reached its normal operating temperature
- risk of damaging the engine!
•Vehicles which are fitted with an exhaust gas catalytic converter
should not be tow-started over a distance of more than 50 metres.
For the sake of the environment
Never warm up the engine when the vehicle is standing. Drive off right
away. This enables you to avoid unnecessary pollutant emissions.
Petrol engines
These engines are fitted with a starter system which selects the correct
fuel/air mixture for every external air temperature.
•Do not operate the accelerator before and when starting engine if the
engine is cold or at normal operating temperature.
•Interrupt the attempt at starting after 10 seconds if the engine does not
start right awayand wait for about 30 seconds before repeating the
attempt.
•It is possible that the fuse on the electrical fuel pump is defect if the
engine still does not start ⇒page 209.
Contact the nearest Škoda dealer to obtain professional assistance.
•It may be necessary, if the engine is very hot, to slightly depress the
accelerator after the engine has started.
Diesel engines
Glow plug system
Diesel engines are equipped with a glow plug system, the preglow period
being controlled automatically in line with the coolant temperature and
outside temperature.
The preglow indicator light
 comes on after the ignition has been
switched on.
You should not switch on any major electrical components during
the heating period otherwise the vehicle battery will be drained
unnecessarily.
•You should start the engine immediately after the glow plug warning
light  has gone out.
WARNING
There is the danger of poisoning if the engine is left running in an
enclosed space!

Starting-off and Driving
98
•The glow plug warning light will come on for about one second if the
engine is at a normal operating temperature or if the outside temperature
is above +5°C. This means that you can start the engine right away.
•Interrupt the attempt at starting after 10 seconds if the engine does not
start right awayand wait for about 30 seconds before repeating the
attempt.
•It is possible that the fuse on the diesel preglow system is defect if the
engine still does not start ⇒page 209.
Contact the nearest Škoda dealer to obtain professional assistance.
Starting the engine after the fuel tank has run dry
It may take longer than normal to start the engine after refuelling if the fuel
tank has run completely dry - up to one minute. This is because the fuel
system must first of all be filled while the attempting to start the engine.
Switching the engine off
– The engine can be switched off by turning the ignition key from position ⇒page 95, fig. 83 into position .
Caution
you should not switch the engine off right away at the end of your journey
after the engine has been operated for a lengthy period at high loads but
should be allowed it to run at idling speed for about 2 minutes. This
prevents any accumulation of heat when the engine is switched off.
Note
•The radiator fan may continue running for a further 10 minutes or so
after the engine and the ignition have been switched off. The coolant fan
may, however, also switch on again after some time if the coolant temper- ature rises because of an accumulation of heat in the engine or if the
engine is warm and the engine compartment is additionally heated by
strong sunlight.
•This is why particular care is required when carrying out any work in
the engine compartment ⇒ page 172, “Working in the engine
compartment”.
Shifting gear ( on a manual gearbox)
Shift into reverse only when the car is stationary. Depress the clutch pedal
and hold it fully depressed. Wait a moment before engaging reverse gear
in order to avoid any shift noises.
The reversing lights will come on once reverse gear is engaged, provided
the ignition is on.
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Fig. 84 The shift
pattern 5-speed or 6-
speed manual gearbox

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Note
One should not lay the hand on the shift lever while driving the vehicle.
The pressure of the hand will be transferred to the gearshift forks in the
gearbox. This can, over a period of time, lead to early wear of the gearshift
forks.
Handbrake
Applying the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up fully.
Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up slightly and at the same time
press in the locking button ⇒fig. 85 . – Hold the button pressed and push the handbrake lever down
fully ⇒ .
The handbrake warning light  lights up when the handbrake is applied,
provided the ignition is on.
A warning signal (buzzer) sounds and the following text appears in the
display* if you have inadvertently driven off with the handbrake applied:
"Handbrake on"
The handbrake warning is activated if you drive at a speed of more than 6
km/h for more than 3 seconds.
Caution
After the car has come to a stop, always first of all apply the handbrake
firmly before then additionally engaging a gear (manual gearbox) or
moving the selector lever into position P (automatic gearbox).
Fig. 85 Centre
console: Handbrake
WARNING
•Please note that the handbrake must be fully released. A hand-
brake which is only partially released can result in the rear brakes
overheating which will have a negative effect on the operation of
the brake system - risk of accident!
•Never leave children unattended in the vehicle. The children
might, for example, release the handbrake or take the vehicle out
of gear. The vehicle might then move off - risk of accident!