2003 SKODA FABIA jump start

Contents
4
Driving Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Intelligent Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic stability programme (ESP)* . . . . . .
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Antilock brake system (ABS)* . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power steering* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving and the Environment. . . . . . . . . . . .
The first 1 500 kilometres and then afterwards
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving in an economical and environmentally
conscious manner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Environmental compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Motoring abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Detachable towing device* . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General Maintenance . . . . . . . . . .
Care and cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Care of the exterior of vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . .
Care of the interior of vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inspecting and Replenishing. . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cooling system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windscreen Wiper and Washer System . . . . Spark plugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
V-ribbed belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The dust and pollen filter* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheels and Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accessories, changes and replacement of
parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Breakdown assistance . . . . . . . .
Breakdown assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
First-aid box* and warning triangle* . . . . . . . .
Fire extinguisher* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle tool kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spray for repairing a tyre* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tyre repair kit* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spare wheel* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing a wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tow-starting and towing vehicle . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuses and light bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electric fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Technical Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Identification data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fabia Praktik . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Praktik . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The fold-away storage compartment . . . . . . .
Lashing eyes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fixing the loading area floor in place . . . . . .
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
141
141
141
144
145
146
147
147
148
149
153
154
155
155
157
159
159
159
159
164
166
167
167
167
169
171
171
174
177
179
181
185 186
186
186
187
187
194
194
195
195
195
195
196
196
197
197
198
203
205
209
209
212
223
223
223
225
225
225
225
226
227

Starting-off and Driving97
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
•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!

Automatic gearbox*107
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
down at higher engine speeds than is the case for the economy-oriented
programmes.
Selecting the most appropriate driving programme for the particular style
of driving is a continuous process. Irrespective of this it is, however,
possible to switch into a sporty driving programme by depressing the
accelerator rapidly. The gearbox shifts down into a lower gear matching
the speed of the car and this allows you to accelerate rapidly (e.g. when
overtaking) without having to depress the accelerator pedal fully into the
kickdown range. The original programme will be reactivated to match your
particular style of driving once the gearbox has shifted up again.
When driving in hilly regions, the gears are selected to match uphill and
downhill sections. This avoids the gearbox frequently shifting up and down
when negotiating an uphill stretch. Depressing the brake pedal while
driving downhill causes the gearbox to shift down into the next lower gear.
This makes it possible for you to exploit the engine braking power without
the need for shifting gears manually.
Emergency programme
An emergency programme exists in the event of a fault in
the system.
The gearbox operates in a corresponding emergency programme if there
are functional faults in the gearbox electronics.
•The gearbox still switches automaticallly but stronger switching shocks
are noticeable.
•The gearbox does not switch anymore automatically. The gearbox can
now only be switched manually but there are only 3 gears available over
the selector lever positions namely D, 3 and 2. The 1st gear and reverse
are available as before over the selector lever positions 1 and R. If the gearbox has switched over to emergency mode, drive to the
nearest Škoda dealer in order to have the fault rectified.
Tow-starting and towing vehicle
Tow-starting a vehicle
For technical reasons it is not possible to tow-start a car fitted with an auto-
matic gearbox
⇒page 205.
You can use jump-start cables connected to the battery of another vehicle
for starting your car if the vehicle battery is flat ⇒page 203.
Towing a vehicle
Please pay attention to the following information if it comes necessary to
tow-in your car ⇒page 205.

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.

Breakdown assistance203
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
– Have the tightening torque checked with a torque wrench as
soon as possible. Steel and light alloy wheels must be tight-
ened to a tightening torque of 120 Nm.
The safety wheel bolts on vehicles fitted with them (one safety wheel bolt
per wheel) can only be loosened or tighten up by using the adapter
provided.
It is meaningful to note the code number hammered into the rear side of
the adapter or the rear side of the safety wheel bolts. You can obtain a
replacement adapter from a Škoda Dealer, if necessary, by quoting this
number.
We recommend that you always carry the adapter for the wheel bolts with
you in the vehicle. It should be stowed in the vehicle tool kit.
Caution
Damage can occur to the adapter and safety wheel bolt if the safety wheel
bolt is tightened up too much.
Note
The set of safety wheel bolts can be obtained from your Skoda dealer as
an original accessory.
Jump-starting
Initial steps
You can use the battery of another vehicle for jump-starting yours if the
engine does not start because the battery on your vehicle is flat. You will
require jump-start cables for this purpose. Both batteries must have a rated voltage of 12 V. The
capacity (Ah) of the
battery supplying the power must not be significantly less than the
capacity of the discharged battery in your vehicle.
Jump-start cables
Only use jump-start cables which have an adequately large cross-section
and insulated terminal clamps. Please pay attention to the manufacturer's
instructions.
Positive cable - colour coding in the majority of cases red.
Negative cable - colour coding in the majority of cases black.
Note
•There must not be any contact between the two vehicles otherwise
current may flow as soon as the negative terminals are connected.
•The discharged battery must be properly connected to the system of
the vehicle.
•Switch off any installed telephone and also pay attention to the instruc-
tions for use of the telephone in such a situation.
•We recommend purchasing jump-start cables from a Skoda dealer as
an original accessory or from retailers who sell branded batteries.
WARNING
•A discharged battery may already freeze at temperatures just
below 0°C. It is essential to thaw out a frozen battery before you
connect the jump-start cables - risk of an explosion!
•Please pay attention to the warning instructions relating to
working in the engine compartment ⇒page 172.

Breakdown assistance
204
Starting engine
It is important to connect the jump-start cables in the correct
order.
Connecting positive terminals
– Attach one end to the positive terminal ⇒fig. 147 of the
discharged battery .
– Attach the other end to the positive terminal of the battery supplying the power .
Connecting negative terminal and engine block
– Attach one end to the negative terminal of the battery supplying the power .
– Attach the other end to a solid metal part which is connected firmly to the engine block, or to the engine block
itself. Starting engine
– Start the engine of the vehicle providing current and run the
engine at idling speed.
– Now start the engine of the vehicle with the discharged battery.
– Interrupt the attempt at starting an engine after 10 seconds if it does not start right away and wait for about 30 seconds
before repeating the attempt.
– Disconnect the cables on th e engine in exactly the reverse
order they were connected up.
Fig. 147 Jump-starting
using the battery from
another vehicle: A - flat
vehicle battery, B -
battery providing
current
A1
AA
A2
AB
A3
AB
A4
WARNING
•The non-insulated parts of the terminal clamps must never
make contact with each other. Furthermore, the cable connected to
the positive terminal of the battery must not come into contact with
electrically conducting parts of the vehicle - risk of a short circuit!
•Do not affix the jump starting cables to the negative terminal of
the discharged battery. There is the risk of detonating gas seeping
out the battery being ignited by the strong spark which results
from the engine being started.
•Run the jump-start cables so that they cannot be caught by any
rotating parts in the engine compartment.
•Do not bend over the batteries - risk of caustic burns!
•The vent screws of the battery cells must be tightened firmly.
•Keep any sources of ignition (naked flame, smouldering ciga-
rettes etc.) away from the battery - risk of an explosion!

Breakdown assistance207
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
Rear towing eye
The rear towing eye is located below the rear bumper on the right
⇒fig. 150 .
Tow-starting a vehicle
The following points should be observed by the driver of the
vehicle vehicle being towed before tow-starting begins:
– Engage 2nd or 3rd gear with the vehicle stationary.
– Depress the clutch pedal fully and keep it depressed.
– Switch on the ignition.
– Wait until both vehicles are moving then release the clutch
pedal slowly. – Depress the clutch pedal fully when the engine fires and take
the vehicle out of gear.
First make an attempt to start the engine using the battery of another
vehicle if the engine does not start ⇒page 203. You can try tow-starting
the vehicle if this attempt to start the engine does not prove successful.
Towing your vehicle causes the engine to start through the motion of the
driven wheels.
Models fitted with an automatic gearbox must not be tow-started at all for
technical reasons
Caution
•Vehicles which are fitted with a catalytic converter should not be tow-
started over a distance of more than 50 metres. Unburnt fuel may get into
the catalytic converter and damage it.
•Tow-starting a vehicle is not recommended (even when observing the
guidelines outlined in this chapter) since it may, under certain circum-
stances, lead to major damage to the engine. One should attempt to start
the engine using jump start cables or call on the services of the SERVICE
mobile.
Towing in a vehicle fitted with a manual gearbox
Please refer to the notes ⇒page 205.
Fig. 150 Rear towing
eye
WARNING
There is high risk of having an accident when tow-starting a
vehicle, when for example the towed vehicle runs into the towing
vehicle.

Index
228
Direction indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Drinks can holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Driving in an economical and environmentally conscious manner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Dynamo Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
E
EDL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Electric sliding/tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Electronic Differential Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Electronic immobiliser Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Electronic stability programme . . . . . . . . . . 141
Engine compartment Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Engine electronics Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30, 33
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
replenishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Engine revolutions counter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Environmental compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Environmental note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
ESP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
F
First-aid box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Fog lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29, 30
For the first 1500 kilometres . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Fuel consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Fuel reserve Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
G
Glow plug system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
H
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Hazard warning light system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Head restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Headlight cleaning system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Headlight flasher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Heating of the external mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Heating the front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
I
Identification data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Information display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Instrument cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Instrument lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Interior light
Luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Interior lighting at the front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
at the rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Intermittent wipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Isofix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
ISOFIX system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
J
Jacking points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203, 204
K
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37