2004 SKODA FABIA power steering

Intelligent Technology155
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Low brake fluid level
An insufficient level of brake fluid may result in problems in the brake
system. The level of the brake fluid is monitored electronically
⇒page 35,
“Brake system ”.
WARNING
•Only apply the brakes for the purpose of drying and cleaning the
brake discs if the traffic conditions permit this. Do not place any
other road users in jeopardy.
•When retrospectively mounting a front spoiler, solid wheel hubs
etc. one must ensure that the air supply to the front wheel brakes
is not reduced otherwise the braking system could run too hot.
•Allow for the fact that new brake pads do not achieve their full
braking efficiency until approximately 200 kilometres. New brake
pads must be first “run in” before they develop their optimal fric-
tion force. You can, however, compensate for this slightly reduced
braking force by increasing the pressure on the brake pedal. This
guideline also applies to any new brake pads installed at a future
date.
Caution
•Never allow the brakes to rub by applying slight pressure if you do not
wish to brake the vehicle. This causes the brakes to overheat and can also
result in a longer braking distance and excessive wear.
•Before negotiating a steep downhill section, please reduce your
speed, shift down into the next lower gear (manual gearbox) or select a
lower driving stage (automatic gearbox). This enables you to make full use
of the braking power of the vehicle and reduces the strain on the brakes.
Any additional braking should be done intermittently, not continuously.
Brake booster
The braking force boosts the pressure which you generate with the brake
pedal. The necessary pressure is only generated when the engine is
running.
WARNING
•Never switch off the engine before the vehicle is stationary.
•The brake booster only operates when the engine is running.
Greater physical effort for braking is required when engine is
switched off. Because if you do not stop as normal, this can cause
an accident and severe injuries.
Antilock brake system (ABS)*
ABS prevents the wheels locking when braking.
General
The ABS contributes significantly to enhancing the active safety of your
vehicle. Compared to a car not fitted with the ABS brake system, you are
able to retain optimal steering ability even during a full brake application
on a slippery road surface because the wheels do not lock up.
You must not expect, however, that the braking distance will be shorter
under all circumstances as a result of the ABS. The braking distance for
example on gravel and fresh snow, when you should anyway be driving
slowly and cautiously, will be longer.

Intelligent Technology
156
Operating principle
As soon as the vehicle speed has increased to about 20 km/hour an auto-
matic test procedure is conducted during which you will be able to hear a
pumping noise for about 1 second.
The brake pressure will be reduced on a wheel which is rotating at a speed
which is too low for the speed of the vehicle and tending to lock. This
control cycle is noticeable from a pulsating movement of the brake
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!
WARNING
•The ABS 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 Škoda 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.
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 206, “Accessories, changes and replacement of parts”.
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.

Breakdown assistance
220
•Do not affix the cable end to parts of the fuel and brake
system.
•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!
Tow-starting and towing vehicle
General
Please pay attention to the following instructions if you are going
to use a tow rope:
Driver of the towing vehicle
– Do not drive off until the tow rope is taught.
– Release the clutch particularly gently when starting off or depress the accelerator particularly gently if your vehicle is
fitted with an automatic gearbox. Driver of the towed vehicle
– Switch the ignition on so that the steering wheel is not blocked
and you can also operate the turn signal lights, the headlight
flasher, the windscreen wipers and windscreen washer
system.
– Take the vehicle out of gear or move the selector lever into position N if your vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.
– Note that the brake servo unit and power steering only operate if the engine is running. You will require significantly greater
physical force to depress the brake pedal and to steer the
vehicle if the engine is not running.
– Ensure that the tow rope is always kept taught.
Tow rope or tow bar
A tow bar is safest way of towing a vehicle and also minimizes any
shocks. You can use a tow rope only if a suitable tow bar is not available.
The tow rope must be elastic to protect the vehicle. Thus one should only
use plastic fibre rope or a rope made out of a similarly elastic material.
Attach the tow rope or the tow bar only to the towing eyes provided for
this purpose ⇒ page 221, “Front towing eye” and ⇒page 222, “Rear
towing eye”.
Driving style
Towing another vehicle requires a certain amount of practice. Both drivers
should be familiar with the particular points about towing a vehicle.
Unskilled drivers should not attempt to tow in another vehicle or to be
towed in.
One should be constantly vigilant not to allow impermissibly high towing
forces or jerky loadings. There is always a risk of excessive stresses and
WARNING (continued)
A4

Fuses and light bulbs225
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Caution
•Never attempt to “repair” fuses and also do not replace them with a
fuse of a higher amperage - risk of fire! This may also cause damage at
another part of the electrical system.
•Have the electrical system checked as quickly as possible by a Škoda
dealer if a newly inserted fuse blows again after a short time.
Fuse assignment at battery
Certain electrical components are only standard on certain vehicle model
versions or only suppliable as optional equipment for certain models.
Fuse assignment in the dash panel
Certain electrical components are only standard on certain vehicle model
versions or only suppliable as optional equipment for certain models.
yellow20
white25
green30
No.Power consumerAmperes
1Dynamo175
2Interior11 0
3Power steering50
4Glow plugs40
5The radiator fan40
6ABS or TCS or ESP40
7ABS or TCS or ESP25
8The radiator fan30
ColourMaximum amperage
9Not assigned
10Central control unit5
11The air conditioning system5
12Not assigned
13Automatic gearbox5
14Not assigned
15Not assigned
16Not assigned
No.Power consumerAmperes
1
2
3
4
5 6
7
8
9
10 12
13
14
15
1611
18
19
20
21
22 17 24
25
26
27
28 23
32
33
34
35
36 31
29 37
30 38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48 49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
5859
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
Fig. 164 Schematic
representation of fuse
carrier

Fuses and light bulbs
226
No.Power consumerAmperes
1Instrument cluster, ESP5
2Brake lights10
3Power supply for the diagnostics, air-conditioning
system5
4Interior lighting10
5Door warning light 5
6Lights and Visibility5
7Engine electronics, power-assisted steering5
8Not assigned
9Lambda probe10
10S-contact a)5
11Electrically adjustable rear mirror b)5
12Ventilation system, air-conditioning system, Xenon
headlight5
13Reversing light10
14Diesel engine control unit10
15Headlight cleaning system, window wiper10
16Instrument cluster5
17Petrol engine - control unit c)5
18Telephone5
19Automatic gearbox10
20Control unit for lamp failure5
21Heated windscreen washer nozzles5
22Not assigned
23Right main beam10
24Engine electronics10
25Control unit for ABS, TCS
control unit for ESP5
10
26Not assigned
27Not assigned
28Cruise control, switch for the brake and clutch pedal5
29Not assigned
30Main beam on the left and indicator light10
31Central locking system - door lock for the boot lid10
32Rear window wiper10
33Parking light on the right5
34Parking light on the left5
35Injector - petrol engine10
36Licence plate light5
37Rear fog light and indicator light5
38Heating of the external mirror5
39Rear window heater20
40Horn20
41Front window wiper20
42Cigarette lighter, power socket15
43Central control unit, selector lever lock for the auto-
matic gearbox20
44Turn signals15
No.Power consumerAmperes

Index
242
Locking of the door
in an emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Low beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Folding double hooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Lashing eyes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Luggage net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
M
Main beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54, 57 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Manual shifting of gears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Memory for the on-board computer . . . . . . . 17
Mobile phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115, 116
Motoring abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164 Headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Multi-functional indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
N
Navigation system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
New tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Note holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
O
Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Onboard computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Opening a single door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Operation in winter Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
De-icing windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
The battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Overview of the engine compartment . . . . . 185
P
Paint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Paint damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Parking aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Parking light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Parking lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Passive Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Pedals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Petrol engines Starting engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Polishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Power socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Power steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Power windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Operational problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
R
Radio systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Raise vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Rear fog light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Rear window heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Rear-view mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Recharge battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Recirculated air mode Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
The air conditioning system . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Synchronisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Replacing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Replacing fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Replacing the wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Roof aerial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Running in the car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
S
Safe securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

Index243
Safety instructions
Engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Safety wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Saving electrical energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Seat belt height adjuster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Seat belt warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
fasten . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Height adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
taking off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Selector lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Selector lever positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Service Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Service Interval Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Setting temperature Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
The air conditioning system . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Setting the clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Shifting of gears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Spare wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Stability programme (ESP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Starting engine Petrol engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Diesel engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Steering force assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Storage compartment Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Storage facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Sun visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Switch on the driver's door Power windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Switching lights on and off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Switching off the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
T
Taking care of your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
TCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Telephone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Temperature Outside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
The air conditioning system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
The automatic wiper/washer system . . . . . . . 61
The battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29, 193 changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Inspecting the electrolyte level . . . . . . . . 195
Operation in winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
The electronic immobiliser . . . . . . . . . . . . 31, 39
The outside temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
The radiator fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 The roof luggage rack system . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Thickness of brake pads
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Towing a vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Towing device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Towing eye at the front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
at the rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Tow-starting a vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Traction control system (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . 152 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 General Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Transporting children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Tread depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Turn signal system for vehicles towing a trailer Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Turn signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Two-way radio systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Type plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 Winter tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204