2004 SKODA FABIA steering wheel

Seats and Stowage87
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Cooling of storage compar tment on front passenger
side*
The storage compartment is for vehicles fitted with an air-
conditioning system with a closable inlet for cooled air.
– You can switch the cooling system on or off using the control
dial ⇒fig. 75.
Opening the air inlet when the air conditioning system is on causes fresh
or interior air to flow into the storage compartment.
The cooling of the storage compartment operates only if the air condi-
tioning system is switched on. We recommend that you switch off the
cooling (opening concealed) if it is operating in the heating mode or if you
are not using the cooling system for the storage compartment.
Storage compartments on the driver's side
- storage compartment below steering wheel
The lockable storage compartment is opened by folding down the
cover in the direction of arrow ⇒fig. 76.
Storage compartment is for vehicles fitted with an air conditioning
system with a closable inlet for thermally prepared air.
The air supply in the storage compartment is regulated through the pull
out cap . Pulling out the end cover in the direction of travel causes the
air inlet to open while pushing it in causes the air inlet to close.
At open air supply, air flows into the storage with a temperature which is
as high as the one out of the air outlet nozzles, depending on temperature
setting.
The air inlet in the storage compartment is connected to position

through adjustment of the control dial for air distribution. This position
causes the maximum amount of air to flow into the storage compartment
(depending on the rotary regulator position for the fan).
Fig. 75 Storage
compartment: Using
cooling system
Fig. 76 Dash panel:
Storage compartments
on the driver's side
AA
AB
AB
AC

Starting-off and Driving
100
Starting-off and Driving
Setting steering wheel position*You can set the height and the forward/back position of the
steering wheel to the desired position.
– Adjust the driver seat ⇒page 66.
– Pull the lever below the steering column ⇒fig. 88 down
⇒ .
– Set the steering wheel to the desired position (concerning height and forward/back position).
– Then push the lever up against the steering column until it locks into place.
WARNING
•You must not adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is
moving!
•The driver must maintain a distance of at least 25 cm to the
steering wheel ⇒fig. 89 . Not maintaining this minimum distance
will mean that the airbag system will not be able to properly protect
you - hazard!
•For safety reasons the lever must always be firmly pushed up to
avoid the steering wheel altering its position unintentionally when
driving - risk of accident!
•If you adjust the steering wheel further towards the head, you
will reduce the protection offered by the driver airbag in the event
of an accident. Check that the steering wheel is aligned to the
chest.
•When driving, hold the steering wheel with both hands firmly on
the outer edge in the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock position. Never hold
Fig. 88 Adjustable
steering wheel: Lever
below steering column
Fig. 89 Safe distance
to steering wheel

Starting-off and Driving101
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
the steering wheel firmly in the 12 o'clock position or in another
way (e.g. in the middle of the steering wheel or at the inner steering
wheel edge). In such cases, injuries to the arms, the hands and the
head can occur when the driver airbag is deployed.
Ignition lock
Petrol engines
- ignition switched off, engine off
- ignition switched on
- start engine
Diesel engines - fuel supply interrupted, ignition switched off, engine off - heating glow plugs on, ignition switched on
•You should not switch on any major electrical components during the
heating period otherwise the vehicle battery will be drained unnecessarily.
- start engine
Applies to all models:
Position
To lock the steering , with the ignition key withdrawn, turn the steering
wheel until the steering locking pin is heard to engage. You should always
lock the steering as a general rule if you leave your vehicle. This acts as
a deterrent against possible theft of your vehicle ⇒.
Position
Move the steering wheel back and forward a little if the ignition key cannot,
or cannot easily be turned into this position, in order to release the
steering lock.
Position
The engine is started in this position. At the same time switched on low
beam or main beam or other electrical components with major power
consumption are briefly switched off. The ignition key moves back into
position when one releases the key.
The ignition key must be turned back into position each time before
starting the engine again. The starter repeat lock in the ignition lock
prevents the starter being engaged when the engine is running and thus
getting damaged.
Ignition key withdrawal lock (automatic gearbox)
You can only withdraw the ignition key after switching off the ignition if the
selector lever is in position P.WARNING (continued)
Fig. 90 Ignition lock
positions
A1
A2
A3
A1
A2
A3
A1
A2
A3
A2
A1

Starting-off and Driving
102
WARNING
•When driving, the ignition key must always be in the position
(ignition switched on) without the engine running. This position is
indicated by the warning lights coming on. If this is not the case, it
could result in unexpected locking of the steering wheel - risk of
accident!
•Only remove the ignition key fr om the ignition lock when the
vehicle has come to a standstill (put on the handbrake or select the
selector lever position P). The steering lock might otherwise
engage unintentionally - risk of accident!
•Always withdraw the ignition key if you are going to leave the
vehicle, even for a short time. This is particularly important if chil-
dren are left in the vehicle. The children might otherwise start the
engine or operate electrical equi pment (e.g. power windows) - risk
of injury!
Starting engine
General
You can only start the engine only using an original ignition
key.
•Place the gearshift lever into neutral (or place the selector lever to the
position P or N in the case of an automatic gearbox) and put on the hand-
brake firmly before starting the engine.
•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 218.
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 222.
WARNING
•Never run the engine in non ventilated or enclosed areas. The
exhaust gases of the engine contain besides the odorless and
colourless carbon monoxide a poisonous gas - hazard! Carbon
monoxide can cause unconsciousness and death.
•Never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running.
Caution
•The starter may only be operated (ignition key position ), if the
engine is not running. If the starter is immediately operated after switching
off the engine, the starter or the engine can be damaged.
•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.
A2
A3

Passive Safety119
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Correct seated position
Correct seated position for the driver
Correct seated position for the driver is important for safe
and relaxed driving.
For your own safety and to reduce the risk of injury in the event of an acci-
dent, we recommend the following setting.
•Adjust the steering wheel so that the distance between the steering
wheel and your chest is at least 25 cm ⇒fig. 98 .
•Position the driver seat in the forward/back direction so that you are
able to press the pedals with your legs at a slight angle .
•Adjust the backrest so that you are able to reach the highest point of
the steering wheel with your arms at a slight angle.
•Adjust the head restraint so that the top edge of the head restraint is
at the same level as the upper part of your head ⇒fig. 99 .
•Fasten the seat belt correctly ⇒page 126, “How are seat belts
correctly fastened?”.
Driver seat adjustment ⇒page 67, “Adjusting the front seats”.
WARNING
•The front seats and the head restraints must always be adjusted
to match the body size of the seat occupant as well as the seat belts
Fig. 98 The correct
distance of the driver
from the steering wheel
Fig. 99 The correct
head restraint adjust-
ment for the driver

Passive Safety
120
must always be correctly fastened in order to provide an optimal
protection for you and your occupants.
•The driver must maintain a distan ce of at least 25 cm to the
steering wheel ⇒page 119, fig. 98 . Not maintaining this minimum
distance will mean that the airbag system will not be able to prop-
erly protect you - hazard!
•When driving, hold the steering wheel with both hands firmly on
the outer edge in the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock position. Never hold
the steering wheel firmly in the 12 o'clock position or in another
way (e.g. in the middle of the steering wheel or at the inner steering
wheel edge). In such cases, injuries to the arms, the hands and the
head can occur when the driver airbag is deployed.
•The backrests must not be angled too far back when driving
otherwise this will affect proper operation of the seat belts and of
the airbag system - risk of injury!
•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.
Correct seated position for the front passenger
The front passenger must maintain a distance of at least
25 cm from the dash panel so that the airbag offers the
greatest possible safety when an airbag is deployed.
For the safety of the front passenger and to reduce the risk of injury in the
event of an accident, we recommend the following setting.
•Adjust the front passenger seat as far as possible to the rear.
•Adjust the head restraint so that the top edge of the head restraint is
at the same level as the upper part of your head ⇒page 119, fig. 99 .
•Fasten the seat belt correctly ⇒page 126, “How are seat belts
correctly fastened?”.
In exceptional cases the front passenger airbag can be deactivated
⇒ page 137, “Deactivating an airbag”.
Passenger seat adjustment ⇒page 67, “Adjusting the front seats”.
WARNING
•The front seats and the head restraints must always be adjusted
to match the body size of the seat occupant as well as the seat belts
must always be correctly fastened in order to provide an optimal
protection for you and your occupants.
•The front passenger must maintain a distance of at least 25 cm
to the dash panel. Not maintain ing this minimum distance will
mean that the airbag system will not be able to properly protect you
- hazard!
•Always keep your feet in the footwell when the car is being
driven - never place your feet on the instrument panel, out of the
window or on the surfaces of the seats. You will be exposed to
increased risk of injury if it becomes necessary to apply the brake
or in the event of an accident. If an airbag is deployed, you may
suffer fatal injuries when adopting an incorrect seated position!
•The backrests must not be angled too far back when driving
otherwise this will affect proper operation of the seat belts and of
the airbag system - risk of injury!
WARNING (continued)

Seat belts
124
The physical principle of a frontal
collision
The physical principle of a frontal accident can be explained quite simply: As soon as the vehicle is moving, so-called kinetic energy (the energy of
motion) is produced both in terms of the car as well as in terms of the
occupants. The magnitude of this kinetic energy depends essentially on
the speed at which the vehicle is travelling and on the weight of the vehicle
and the occupants. The greater the speed and weight increase, the
greater the amount of energy which has to be absorbed in the event of an
accident.
The speed of the vehicle is, nevertheless, the most important factor.
Doubling the speed of the vehicle from 25 km/h up to 50 km/hour
increases the kinetic energy four times.
The common opinion that it is possible to support your body in a minor
accident with your hands, is incorrect. Even in a collision at only a low
speed, the forces acting on the body are such that it is no longer possible
to support your body.
Even if you only drive at a speed within the range from 30 km/hour to 50
km/hour, the forces which are produced on your body in the event of an
accident can easily exceed 10,000 N (Newton). This equals a weight of
one tonne (1 000 kg).
In the event of a frontal collision, occupants of the car not wearing a seat
belt, are thrown forward and strike in an uncontrolled way parts of the inte-
rior of the car, such as steering wheel, dash panel, windscreen,
⇒fig. 101 .
The occupants of a vehicle who have not fastened their seat belts may
even be thrown out of the vehicle. This can result in fatal injuries.
It is also important that rear seat occupants fasten their seat belts as they
will otherwise be thrown through the vehicle in an uncontrolled manner in
the event of an accident A rear seat passenger who has not fastened the
seat belt is a danger not only to himself but also for those seated at the
front ⇒fig. 102 .
Fig. 101 The driver is
thrown forward if not
wearing a belt
Fig. 102 The rear seat
occupant is thrown
forward if not wearing a
belt

Airbag system
132
Front airbags
Description
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belt!
Vehicles with an airbag system for the driver and front passenger* are
recognisable by the lettering “AIRBAG” on the padded centre of the
steering wheel ⇒fig. 109 and on the right hand side of the dash panel
⇒ fig. 110 .
The front airbag system, in combination with three-point safety belts,
offers additional protection for the head and chest area of the driver and
front passenger in the event of a frontal collision of major severity ⇒ in
“Important safety information regarding the front airbag system” on
page 133.
The airbag is not a substitute for the seat belt, but is part of the complete
passive vehicle safety concept. Please note that an airbag can only
offer you optimal protection in combination with a seat belt which is
fastened. .
Apart from their normal protective function, a further task of the seat belts
is to also hold the driver and front passenger in a correct seated position
in the event of a frontal collision so as to enable the front airbags to offer
the maximum protection.
You should therefore always fasten ⇒page 123, “Why seat belts?” the
seat belts, not only because this is required by law, but also for safety
reasons and for your own protection.
Note
The dash panel must be replaced after the front passenger airbag has
been deployed.
Fig. 109 Driver airbag
in the steering wheel
Fig. 110 Front
passenger airbag in the
dash panel