2003 SKODA FABIA length

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

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.

Heating and air conditioning system91
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
Using the system
Setting temperature
– Turn the control dial ⇒fig. 80 to the right in order to
increase the temperature.
– Turn the control dial to the left in order to increase the temperature.
Controlling blower
– Turn the blower switch into one of the positions, 1 to 4, in order to switch the blower on.
– Turn the blower switch into position 0 in order to switch the blower off.
– Pressing button causes the recirculating air system ⇒page 93 to be switched on. Control for air distribution
– You can adjust the direction of the inlet air flow using air distri-
bution regulator ⇒page 93.
Switching air conditioning on/off
– Press the button . The symbol
 in the button comes
on.
– When you again press the button , the air conditioning system is switched off. The symbol
 in the button is no
longer illuminated.
The set temperature will be automatically maintained other than
when the control dial is on the extreme right or extreme left position:
Extreme right position - full heating
Extreme left position - full cooling
All controls apart from the control dial and buttons and can be
set to any desired intermediate position.
The blower should aways be on to prevent the windows from misting up.
Note
•The whole heat output will be needed to unfrost the windscreen and
side windows. No warm air will be fed to the footwell. This can lead to
restriction of the heating comfort.
•The used air streams out through the air removal openings in the
luggage compartment.
•If the air conditioning system has not been switched on for a lengthy
period, odours may be produced at the evaporator because of deposits.
Switch the air conditioning system on at least once a month for approxi-
mately 5 minutes at the highest blower stage - also during the cold season
Fig. 80 The air condi-
tioning system:
Controls
AA
AA
AB
AB
AD
AC
ACAE
AC
ABADAE

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.
A1
Fig. 84 The shift
pattern 5-speed or 6-
speed manual gearbox

Seat belts117
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
– Press the red button in the belt lock ⇒page 116, fig. 96 . The
spring force causes the tongue of the lock to jump out.
– Guide the belt back with your hand to enable the inertia reel to wind up the belt webbing more easily.
A plastic knob in the belt webbing holds the belt tongue in a position which
is easy to get hold of.
The pelvic belt
The rear middle seat section is fitted with a two-point
pelvic belt.
The lock part of the two-point pelvic belt is oper ated in the same
way as for a three-point safety belt.
Extending the pelvic belt
– Hold the lock tongue at right angles to the belt webbing and pull through the desired amount of belt webbing ⇒fig. 97 .
Shortening the pelvic belt
– Pull on the free end of the belt ⇒fig. 98 .
– Slide the excess belt length through the plastic slider.
A classic three-point safety belt is used on some vehicles instead of a
pelvic belt ⇒page 118.Fig. 97 Extending the
pelvic belt
Fig. 98 Shortening the
pelvic belt

Transporting children safely131
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
Use of child safety seats on the front passenger seat
Child safety seats should always be attached to the rear
seats.
We recommend, for safety reasons, that you always mount a child
restraint systems on the rear seats whenever possible. If you still decide,
however, to use a child safety seat on the front passenger seat then you
WARNING (continued)
•Children less than 1.50 metres in height or younger than 12
years must not use a normal seat belt without a child safety seat
otherwise this may result in injuries to the stomach and neck
areas.
•One should never carry children, and also not babies! - on one's
lap.
•You can transport a child safely in a suitable child safety seat
⇒ page 134, “Child seat”!
•Only one child may be fastened with a seat belt into a child
safety seat.
•Never leave the child sitting unattended in the seat.
•Never allow your child to be transported in a vehicle without the
use of a suitable restraint system.
•Children should also never stand up in a vehicle or kneel on the
seats when the vehicle is moving. In the event of an accident the
child will be thrown through the vehicle and may as a result suffer
fatal injuries, and also injure other occupants.
•Children are exposed to an increased risk of injury in the event
of an accident if they lean forward or adopt an incorrect seated
position when the vehicle is moving. This particularly applies to
children who are transported on the front passenger seat if the
airbag system deploys in the event of an accident. This can result
in severe or even fatal injuries.
•It is important that the belt webbing is properly routed if the seat
belts are to offer their maximum protection ⇒page 115. Pay partic-
ular attention to the information provided by the manufacturer of
the child safety seat regarding correct routing of the belt. Seat
belts which are not correctly adjusted can themselves cause inju-
ries even in minor accidents.
WARNING (continued)
•Safety belts must be checked to ensure that they are running
properly. One should also ensure that the belt is not damaged by
sharp-edged fittings.
•It is essential to always switch off ⇒page 127 the front
passenger airbag when attaching a child safety seat on the front
passenger seat where the child is seated with its back facing in
direction of travel (in some countries also when the child is facing
the direction of travel). Children transported on the front
passenger seat may suffer severe, or even fatal, injuries if the front
passenger airbag or airbags are deployed. In certain countries
national legal provisions also require that the side passenger
airbags be deactivated. When transporting a child on the front
passenger seat, please comply with the appropriate national regu-
lations regarding the use of child safety seats.
•Always comply with national legal provisions and instructions
from the relevant child safety seat manufacturer when installing
and using a child seat.
•Particular care is required if use is made of child restraint
systems which are attached together with the seat belts fitted to
the vehicle. It is important to ensure that the bolts are inserted into
the threaded hole over their entire length and are tightened to a
torque of 35 Nm.

Driving and the Environment
150
Shifting gears and saving energy
Shifting up early saves on fuel.
Manual gearbox
– Drive no more than about one length of your vehicle in first
gear. Shift up into the next higher gear at about 2 000 revs.
Automatic gearbox
– Depress the accelerator pedal slowly. Do not depress it
beyond the kickdown position, however.
An effective way of achieving good fuel economy is to shift up early. You
will consume more fuel if you drive at unnecessarily high revolutions in
any given gear.
The ⇒fig. 117 shows the ratio of fuel consumption to the speed of your
vehicle for the individual gears. Fuel consumption in 1st gear is the
highest, while that in 5th or the 6th gear is the lowest. Only depress the accelerator pedal slowly if your vehicle is fitted with an
automatic gearbox in order to automatically select an economic driving
programme. You will achieve good fuel economy by shifting up early and
shifting down late.
Note
Also use the information supplied by the multi-functional indicator*
⇒
page 17.
Avoiding full throttle
Driving more slowly means saving fuel.
Sensitive use of the accelerator will not only significantly reduce fuel
consumption but also positively influence environmental pollution and
wear of your vehicle.
Fig. 117 Fuel
consumption in
litres/100 km. and
vehicle speed in km/h.
Fig. 118 Fuel
consumption in
litres/100km. and
speed in km/h.

Driving and the Environment151
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
You should avoid fully exploiting the top speed of your vehicle wherever
possible. Fuel consumption, pollutant emissions and vehicle noises
increase disproportionally at high speeds.
The ⇒
page 150, fig. 118 shows the ratio of fuel consumption to the
speed of your vehicle. You will cut your fuel consumption by half if you
only make use three-quarters of the possible top speed of your vehicle.
Reducing idling
Idling also costs fuel.
It is worthwhile switching off the engine in a traffic jam or when waiting at
a level crossing or at traffic lights with a lengthy red phase. Even after just
30 - 40 seconds you will have saved more fuel than the extra that is
needed when you start the engine up again.
If an engine is only idling it takes much longer for it to reach its normal
operating temperature. Wear-and-tear and pollutant emissions, though,
are particularly high in the warming-up phase. This is why you should
drive off right after starting the engine. Do avoid high engine revolutions
at this time, however.
Regular servicing
A poorly tuned engine consumes an unnecessarily high
amount of fuel.
Having your vehicle serviced regularly at a Škoda Dealer enables you to
satisfy one of the requirements for economical motoring even before you
set off on your journey. Keeping your vehicle properly serviced not only
has a positive effect on the safety of your vehicle and maintaining its
value, but also saves on fuel. A poorly tuned engine can result in a fuel consumption which is 10%
higher than normal.
The foreseen maintenance work should be undertaken exactly according
to the service plan by a Škoda dealer.
Also check the
oil level after refueling. Oil consumption is dependent to
a considerable extent on the load and speed of the engine. Oil consump-
tion could be as high as 0.5 litres/1 000 km depending on your style of
driving.
It is quite normal that a new engine has a higher oil consumption at first,
and reaches its lowest level only after a certain running in time. It is there-
fore not possible to correctly assess the oil consumption of a new vehicle
until after you have driven about 5.000 km.
For the sake of the environment
•You can achieve additional improvements in your fuel economy by
using high-lubricity oils.
•Check the ground below your car at regular intervals to detect any
leakages in good time. Please have your vehicle inspected by a Škoda
dealer if you find any stains caused by oil or other fluids on the floor.