2003 SKODA FABIA coolant level

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights13
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anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
Engine revolutions counter
The start of the red zone in the revolutions counter ⇒page 12, fig. 3
indicates the maximum permissible engine speed for all gears for an
engine which has been run in and operating at a normal temperature. You
should shift into the next higher gear before this red zone is reached, or
move the selector lever into position D if your car is fitted with an automatic
gearbox.
One should shift to the next lower gear at the latest when the engine is no
longer running smoothly.
Avoid high engine speeds during the running-in period ⇒page 147
Caution
The needle of the revolutions counter must on no account move into the
red zone of the scale: Risk of damage to the engine!
For the sake of the environment
Shifting up early helps you save fuel and reduce the operating noise of
your vehicle.
Coolant temperature gauge
The coolant temperature gauge ⇒ page 12, fig. 3 only operates when
the ignition is switched on.
Please pay attention to the following guidelines regarding temperature
ranges in order to avoid damage to the engine. Cold range
If the pointer is still in the left-hand area of the scale it means that the
engine has not yet reached its operating temperature. Avoid running at
high engine speeds, at full throttle and at severe engine loads.
The operating range
The engine has reached its operating temperature as soon as the pointer
moves into the mid-range of the scale. The pointer may also move further
to the right at high engine loads and high outside temperatures. This is not
critical provided the warning symbol
 in the instrument cluster does not
flash.
If the symbol
 in the instrument cluster flashes it means that either the
coolant temperature is too high or the coolant level is too low. Please
refer to the guidelines ⇒page 31, “Coolant temperature/coolant level ”.
Caution
Additional headlights and other attached components in front of the fresh
air inlet impair the cooling efficiency of the coolant. There is then a risk of
the engine overheating at high outside temperatures and high engine
loads!
A1
A2
WARNING
Pay attention to the warning notes ⇒page 172, “Working in the
engine compartment” before opening the bonnet and inspecting
the coolant level.

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights25
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– Investigate the function indicated.
– Obtain professional assistance.
Meaning of the red symbols:
Three successive warning signals will sound if a red symbol appears.
If several operational faults of priority 1 exist, the symbols appear one after
the other and are each illiminated for about 2 seconds.
Yellow symbols
A yellow symbol signals a warning.
The meaning of the yellow symbols:
Faults in the brake system⇒ page 35
Coolant level too low/coolant tempera-
ture too high⇒page 31
Engine oil pressure too low⇒page 32
Fuel level low⇒page 31
Check engine oil level, engine oil sensor
faulty⇒page 32
Brake pad worn⇒page 32
Washer fluid level low⇒page 33
Light bulb defect⇒page 33
Light bulb in the brake light defect⇒page 33
Fig. 15 Information
display: Brake pad
worn

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
28
Note
•Arrangement of the indicator lights depends on the model and model
version. The symbols shown in the following functional description are to
be found as indicator lights in the instrument cluster.
•Operational faults are shown in the instrument cluster as red symbols
(priority 1 - danger) or yellow symbols (priority 2 - warning).
Turn signal system 
Either the left  or right  indicator light flashes depending on the posi-
tion of the turn signal lever.
The indicator light flashes at twice its normal rate if a turn signal light fails.
This does not apply when towing a trailer.
Switching off the hazard warning light system is switched on will cause all
of the turn signal lights as well as both indicator lights to flash.
Further information about the turn signal system ⇒page 54.
!Power steering*⇒page 30
EPC fault light (petrol engine)⇒page 30
Glow plug system (diesel engine)⇒page 30
Turn signal system for vehicles towing
a trailer*⇒page 30
Coolant temperature/coolant level⇒page 31
Electronic immobiliser*⇒page 31
Fuel reserve⇒page 31
Engine oil⇒page 32
Brake pad wear*⇒page 32
Bulbs*⇒page 33
Open door*⇒page 33
Fluid level in windshield washer sys-
tem*⇒page 33
Luggage compartment door*⇒page 33
EPC fault light⇒page 33
Traction control system (TCS)*⇒page 33
Electronic stability programme (ESP)*⇒page 34
Antilock brake system (ABS)*⇒page 34
Brake system⇒page 35
Airbag system⇒page 35
Seat belt warning light*⇒page 36

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights31
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Coolant temperature/coolant level 
The warning light  comes on for a few seconds 1) when the ignition is
switched on.
The coolant temperature is too high or the coolant level too low if the
warning light
 does not go out after the engine is started or flashes while
driving.
3 peeps sound as an additional warning signal.
In this case stop and switch the engine off and check the coolant level;
top up the coolant as necessary.
Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under
the conditions prevailing to top up with coolant. Switch off the engine
and obtain professional assistance from a Škoda dealer.
If the coolant is within the specified range, the increased temperature may
be caused by an operating problem at the radiator fan. Check the fuse of
the fan and insert a new fuse, if necessary ⇒page 210.
Do not continue driving if the warning light does not go off although the
fluid is at the correct level and also the fuse of the fan is in proper order.
Contact a Škoda dealer to obtain assistance.
Please also refer to the additional instructions ⇒page 177, “Cooling
system”.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
STOP CHECK COOLANT SERVICE MANUAL
Electronic immobiliser 
Data is compared between the ignition key and the control unit when
switching on the ignition. The indicator light  will light up for a few
seconds when ignition key authorisation is confirmed.
The warning light will start flashing continuously if a non-authorised igni-
tion key (for example the wrong ignition key) has been used. The engine
cannot be started ⇒page 39.
It is only possible to start the engine of the vehicle with a Genuine Škoda
key with the matching code.
Fuel reserve \f
The warning light \f comes on, if the fuel level is still about 7 litres.
A peep sounds as an additional warning signal.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
PLEASE REFUEL
1)The warning light  on vehicles fitted with information display does not come on
after switching the ignition on, but only if a fault exists or the coolant level is too
low.
WARNING
•Take care when opening the coolant expansion bottle. If the
engine is hot, the cooling system is pressurized - risk of scalding.
It is best to allow the engine to cool down before removing the cap.
•Do not touch the coolant fan The coolant fan may switch on
automatically even if the ignition is off.

Heating and air conditioning system
90
The air conditioning system*
Description
The air conditioning system is a combined cooling and
heating system. It makes it possible to optimally control
the air temperature at any season of the year.
Description of the air conditioning system
It is important for your safety and for your driving comfort that the air condi-
tioning system is operating properly.
The air conditioning system operates when button ⇒page 91, fig. 80
is pressed and the following conditions are met:
•engine running,
•outside temperature above +5°C and
•blower switch switched on (positions 1 to 4).
If the air conditioning system is switched on, the temperature and air
humidity drops in the vehicle. The wellbeing of the occupants of the car is
enhanced as a result of this particularly at high outside temperatures and
a high air humidity. The system prevents the windows misting up during
the cold season of the year.
The heating effect is dependent upon the coolant temperature, thus full
heat output only occurs when the engine has reached its operating
temperature.
It is possible to briefly activate recirculated air mode in order to enhance
the cooling effect ⇒.
Air at a temperature of about 5°C may flow out of the vents under certain
circumstances when the air conditioning system is operating. Lengthy and
uneven distribution of the air flow out of the vents (in particular at the leg area) and large differences in temperature, for example when getting out
of the vehicle, can result in chills in sensitive persons.
The air inlet in front of the windscreen must be free of ice, snow or leaves
in order to ensure that the heating and ventilation systems operate prop-
erly.
Condensation from the evaporator of the air conditioning may drip down
and form a puddle below the vehicle. This is quite normal and not an indi-
cation of a leak!
Note
•We recommend that you do not smoke in the vehicle when the recir-
culating air mode is operating since the smoke which is drawn into the
evaporator from the interior of the vehicle forms deposits in the evapo-
rator of the air conditioning system. This produces a permanent odour
when the air conditioning system is operating which can only be elimi-
nated through considerable effort and expense (replacement of
compressor).
ACAE
WARNING
•For your own safety and that of other road users, ensure that all
the windows are free of ice, snow and misting. Please familiarize
yourself about how to correctly operate the heating and ventilation
systems, how to demist and defrost the windows, as well as with
the cooling mode.
•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.

Towing a trailer157
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before negotiating a downhill section to allow the engine to also act as a
brake.
Engine overheating
Please keep a check on the coolant temperature gauge if you have to
negotiate a lengthy downhill stretch in a low gear at a high engine speed
when the outside temperature is very high
⇒page 13. If the needle of the
coolant temperature gauge moves into the right-hand area or even the red
area of the scale, reduce your speed immediately. Stop and switch off the
engine if the warning light
 in the instrument cluster begins flashing.
Wait a few minutes and check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion
bottle ⇒page 177.
Please refer to the notes ⇒page 31.
The coolant temperature can be reduced by switching on the heating.
Any increase in the cooling effect of the coolant fan through shifting down
a gear and increasing the engine speed is not possible since the fan
speed is independent of the engine speed. One should also not drop a
gear for this reason when towing a trailer as long as the engine can
manage the slope without any drop in speed.
Detachable towing device*
The detachable ball head of the towing device is stowed in the spare
wheel well in the luggage compartment.
An instruction for correct installation and removal of the ball head of the
towing device is supplied with the ball head
Note
•Do not carry out any modifications or repairs to the ball head or to any
other components on the towing device.
WARNING
Do not use any aids or tools for installing or removing the ball
head. This might result in damage to the locking mechanism to the
extent that the safety of the towing device is no longer assured -
risk of an accident.
Fig. 120 Detachable
ball head

Inspecting and Replenishing177
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Note
You must not pour any additives into the oil - risk of engine damage!
Cooling system
Coolant
The job of the coolant is to cool the engine.
The cooling system does not require any maintenance under normal oper-
ating conditions. The coolant consists of water with a concentration of
antifreeze agent of 40 %. This mixture not only provides antifreeze protec-
tion down to - 25 °C but also protects the cooling and heating system from
corrosion. It also prevents the formation of scale and significantly
increases the boiling point of the coolant.
You must therefore not reduce the concentration of antifreeze agent in the
coolant by adding water, also not during the summer months or in coun-
tries with a warm climate. The concentration of antifreeze agent in the
coolant must be at least 40%.
You can increase the amount of antifreeze in the coolant iIf a higher
concentration of antifreeze is necessary for climatic reasons but only up
to 60% (antifreeze protection down to approx. -40°C). The antifreeze
protection tails off above that concentration.
Vehicles exported to countries with a cold climate (e.g. Sweden, Norway,
Finland) are already factory-filled with a coolant which offers antifreeze
protection down to about -35°C.
Coolant
The cooling system is factory-filled with TL 774-F (G12 PLUS) coolant,
which is purple in colour. We recommend that you use the same antifreeze agent - G12 PLUS
(purple in colour).
Please contact your Škoda dealer if you have any questions regarding the
coolant or if you wish to fill up with a different coolant.
Your Škoda dealer can also supply you with the correct coolant additives.
Caution
•Other coolant additives may cause operational problems which,
in particular, involves significantly reducing the anticorrosion effect.
•Any faults or problems resulting from corrosion may cause a loss
of coolant and, as a consequence of this, result in major engine
damage.
Inspecting the coolant level
Fig. 129 Engine
compartment: Coolant
expansion bottle

Inspecting and Replenishing
178
The coolant expansion bottle is located in the engine compart-
ment on the right.
– Switch the engine off.
– Open the bonnet ⇒ in “Working in the engine compart-
ment” on page 172.
– Check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion bottle ⇒page 177, fig. 129 . The coolant level when the engine is
cold must lie between the “MIN” and “MAX” markings. The
level may also rise slightly above the “MAX” marking when the
engine is warm.
A drop in coolant level in the bottle to too low will be indicated by the
warning light in the instrument cluster  ⇒ page 31. We nevertheless
recommend inspecting the coolant level directly at the reservoir from time
to time.
Loss of coolant
A loss of coolant is first and foremost an indication of a leak in the
system. Pne should not merely top up the coolant in the reservoir. It is also
important to have the cooling system inspected without delay by a Škoda
dealer.
Losses can only occur through the pressure relief in the cap of the coolant
expansion bottle which is completely free of leaks if the coolant boils as a
result of overheating and is forced out of the cooling system.
One should contact a Skoda dealer as soon as possible if the source of
overheating itself cannot be determined and removed, since there may be
grave damage to the engine.
Replenishing the coolant
– Switch the engine off.
– Allow the engine to cool down.
– Place a cloth over the cap of the coolant expansion reservoir ⇒page 177, fig. 129 and unscrew the cap carefully by
turning it to the left ⇒.
– Top up the coolant.
– Screw the cap on tight.
The coolant which you use for replenishing the system, must comply with
certain specifications ⇒page 177, “Coolant”. Do not use an alternative
additive if the coolant additive G12PLUS is not available in exceptional
cases. Just top up the system with water and as soon as possible arrange
adjustment to correct the mixing ratio of water and coolant additive again
by a Škoda dealer.
Only use fresh coolant for topping up the system.
Do not fill up over the “MAX” mark! Excess coolant which is heated up is
forced out of the cooling system through the pressure relief valve in the
cap of the coolant compensation bottle.
Wait until the engine has cooled down for a system which has suffered a
major loss of coolant before pouring in coolant. This is necessary to avoid
engine damage.
Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under
the conditions prevailing to top up with coolant. Switch off the engine
and obtain professional assistance from a Škoda dealer.