2003 SKODA FABIA instrument panel

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
16
Resetting Service Interval Display
We recommend having this resetting performed by a Škoda Dealer.
Škoda dealer:
•resets the memory of the display after the appropriate inspection;
•makes an entry in the Service Schedule;
•affix the sticker to the side of the dash panel on the driver's side, where
the following service interval is shown.
The service interval displays can also be reset as follows by using the
reset button for the counter for distance driven:
Models with fixed service intervals (QG0)
Switch off the ignition, press the reset button of the trip counter for
distance driven and hold it down.
Switching the ignition on causes a service interval to appear in the display.
Holding the reset button down for 10 seconds will cause the counter to be
reset (the display shows “- - -” and then the trip counter readout).
The readout OIL will appear in the display after resetting the indicator
INSP and releasing the reset button when both service intervals (INSP
and OIL) were reached together.
Repress the reset button and hold it down for 10 seconds to also reset this
interval.
Vehicles with extended service intervals (QG1 and QG2)
Switch off the ignition, press the reset button of the trip counter for
distance driven and hold it down.
Switch the ignition on and release the reset button. Now turn the reset
button to the right. All counters will be reset to 0.
Caution
We recommend that you do not reset the Service Interval Display yourself
otherwise this can result in the service interval display being incorrectly
set, which may also result in problems with operation of your vehicle.
Note
•Information is retained in the Service Interval Display also after the
battery of the vehicle is disconnected.
•It is necessary to re-code the Service Interval Display if a new instru-
ment cluster is installed during repair work. this work is carried out by a
Škoda dealer.
•Never reset the display between service intervals otherwise this may
result in incorrect readouts.
•The data displayed is the same after resetting the display with flexible
service intervals (QG1) using the reset button as that for a vehicle with
fixed service intervals (QG2).
•We therefore recommend having the Service Interval Display reset
only by a Škoda dealer who is familiar with the procedure for resetting the
display with a vehicle system tester.
•Please refer to the brochure Service Plan for extensive information
about the service intervals.
Digital clock
A reset button is installed on the left below beside the speedom-
eter for adjusting the clock ⇒page 12, fig. 3 .
Set hours
– Turn the reset button to the left.

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
36
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.

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 Visibility53
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
Fog lights* 
Switching on the fog lights 
– First turn the light switch into position  or  ⇒ page 52,
fig. 30 .
– Pull the light switch out to the first notch .
The rear fog light warning light  ⇒ page 27 lights up in the instrument
cluster when the fog light is switched off.
The rear fog light 
– First turn the light switch into position  or  ⇒ page 52,
fig. 30 .
– Pull the light switch out to the second notch .
The rear fog light warning light  ⇒ page 27 lights up in the instrument
cluster when the fog light is switched off.
Only the rear fog light of the trailer lights up automatically when you are
towing a trailer using a factory-fitted towing device which is fitted with
the rear fog light .
The rear fog light is located in the rear light array on the driver's side.
Caution
The rear fog light should only be switched on if visibility is particularly poor
(conform with any varying legal provisions) to avoid dazzling vehicles
behind your vehicle.
Headlight range adjustment 
Once the low beam is switched on you can then adapt the
range of the headlights to the load of the vehicle.
– Turn the control dial ⇒fig. 31 until you have adjusted the
low beam so that oncomi ng traffic is not dazzled.
Settings
The positions correspond approximately to the following vehicle loads:
Front seats occupied, luggage compartment empty.
All seats occupied, luggage compartment empty.
All seats occupied, luggage compartment laden.
Driver seat occupied, luggage compartment laden.
Caution
Set the headlight beam adjustment in such a way as to avoid dazzling
oncoming traffic.
A1
AA
A1
AB
Fig. 31 Dash panel:
Lights and Visibility
A3
A-
A1
A2
A3

Seats and Stowage63
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
Seats and Stowage
Front seats
Basic information
The front seats have a wide range of different settings and can thus be
matched to the physical characteristics of the driver and front passenger.
Correct adjustment of the seats is particularly important for
•safely and quickly reaching the controls,
•a relaxed, fatigue-free body position,
•achieving the maximum protection offered by the seat belts and
the airbag system.
The chapters which follow describe the procedure which you should adopt
for adjusting the seats.
Adjusting the front seats
Adjusting a seat in a forward/back direction
– Pull the lever ⇒fig. 43 up and push the seat into the
desired position.
WARNING
•Always keep your feet in the footwell when the car is being
driven - never place your feet on the instrument panel or on the
surfaces of the seats. This is particularly important for the front
seat passenger. You will be exposed to increased risk of injury if it
becomes necessary to apply the brake or in the event of an acci-
dent.
•It is important for the driver and front passenger to maintain a
distance of at least 25 cm from the steering wheel or dash panel.
Not maintaining this minimum distance will mean that the airbag
system will not be able to properly protect you - hazard! The front
seats and the head restraints must always also be correctly
adjusted to match the body size of the occupant.
WARNING (continued)
•Ensure that there are no objects in the footwell as any objects
may get behind the pedals during a driving or braking manoeuvre.
You would then no longer be able to operate the clutch, to brake or
accelerate.
Fig. 43 Controls for
adjusting the seat
A1

Airbag system
120
Airbag system
Description of the airbag system
General information on the airbag system
The front airbag system is complementary to the three-point seat belts
and offers additional protection for the head and chest area of the driver
and passenger in the event of a frontal collision.
In the event of a side collision, the side airbags reduce the risk of injury to
the occupants to the part of their body facing the side of the accident.
The airbag system is only functional after the ignition has been switched
on.
The operational readiness of the airbag system is monitored electroni-
cally. The airbag warning light comes on for a few seconds each time the
ignition is switched on.
The airbag system (according to vehicle equipment) essentially
consists of:
•an electronic control unit
•the front airbags for the driver and front passenger ⇒page 122
•the side airbags ⇒ page 124
•an airbag warning light in the instrument cluster ⇒page 35
•a front passenger airbag switch ⇒page 128
•an indicator light showing a switched-off front passenger airbag in the
middle of the dash panel ⇒ page 128
A fault in the airbag system exists if:
•the airbag indicator light does not light up when the ignition is switched
on
•the airbag indicator light does not go out after about 3 seconds after
the ignition is switched on
•the airbag indicator light goes out and comes on again after the ignition
is switched on
•the airbag indicator light comes on or flickers when driving
•an airbag indicator light showing a switched-off front passenger
airbag* in the middle of the dash panel flashes
WARNING
•To enable the occupants of a car to be protected with the
greatest possible effect when the airbag is deployed, the front
seats must be ⇒ page 63 correctly adjusted to match the body size
of the occupant.
•If you do not fasten the seat belts when driving, lean too far
forward or adopt an incorrect seated position, you are exposing
yourself to increased risk of injury in the event of an accident.
•Have the airbag system checked immediately by a Škoda Dealer
if a fault exists. Otherwise, there is a risk of the airbag not being
activated in the event of an accident.
•No modifications of any kind may be made to parts of the airbag
system.
•It is prohibited to manipulate individual parts of the airbag
system as this might result in the airbag being deployed.
•The protective function of the airbag system is sufficient for
only one accident. The airbag system must then be replaced if the
airbag has been deployed.
•The airbag system needs no maintenance during its working
life.

Airbag system127
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
Deactivating an airbag
Deactivating airbags
If any airbags have been deactivated, switch them on
again as soon as possible so that they are able to again
provide their proper protection.
There is the technical means installed within your vehicle to switch off the
front passenger airbag or side airbag (take out of commission).
Have the airbags and also the side airbags deactivated by a Škoda
Dealer.
On Vehicles equipped with the switch for deactivation of the airbags, you
can deactivate the front passenger airbag or the front passenger side
airbag be means of this switch ⇒page 128.
Deactivation of airbags is envisaged only for particular instances,
such as if:
•You must in exceptional cases use a child seat on the front
passenger seat where the child is seated with its back to the direction of
travel (in some countries this must be in the direction of travel due to other
legal regulations applying) ⇒ page 130, “Important safety information on
using child safety seats”.
•You are not able to maintain the distance of at least 25 cm between
middle of steering wheel and chest, despite the driver seat being correctly
adjusted.
•Special attachments are required in the area of the steering wheel
because of a physical disability.
•You have installed other seats (e.g. orthopaedic seats without side
airbags). Your Škoda dealer will be able to advise you whether national legislation
in your country allows airbags in your vehicle to be deactivated, and which
ones.
Monitoring the airbag system
The functionality of the airbag system is monitored electronically, also
when the airbags have been switched off
An airbag which has been switched off by a Škoda dealer using the
vehicle system tester:
•The airbag indicator light in the instrument cluster lights up for about 3
seconds after switching on the ignition and then flashes after that for about
12 seconds.
Front passenger airbags switched off using the switch for front
passenger airbags* in stowage compartment on the front passenger
side:
•The airbag indicator light in the instrument cluster comes on for about
3 seconds each time the ignition is switched on.
•Switching off airbags is indicated in the middle of the dash panel by the
lighting up of the indicator light   ⇒ page 128.
Note
Your Škoda dealer can provide you with further information regarding the
possibility of deactivating airbags.