2004 SKODA FABIA tow

Seats and Stowage
88
You can use the storage compartment, for example, to temper drinks
cans, etc.
If you do not use the air inlet in the storage compartment, the end
cover should always be kept closed.
There is a holder for a pen on the outside of the storage compartment
.
Storage drawer*
– Press in the middle of the storage compartment ⇒fig. 77 and
the storage compartment will come out.
WARNING
•The storage compartment is not a substitute for the ashtray and
must also not be used for such purposes - risk of fire!
•The pull-out storage compartment must always be kept closed
when driving for safety reasons.
Storage compartment in the front seat*
The storage compartment is foreseen for storing small objects of
up to 1 kg. in weight.
– Tilt the lock to open the flap and pull out the flap ⇒fig. 78 .
– Tilt the lock to close the flap and press flap close.
AB
Fig. 77 Dash panel:
Storage drawer
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 78 Front seat:
Storage compartment

Seats and Stowage89
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Storage compartment in the front doors
WARNING
Use the stowage compartments in the door panels only for small
items which do not project out of the compartment in order to avoid
any interference with the proper operation of the side airbags.
Storage compartment in the luggage compartment
(Estate car)*
There are storage compartments situated on the right and the left
in the luggage compartment.
– You can open the compartment by turning the locks in the
direction of arrow ⇒fig. 80.
Fig. 79 Stowage
compartment in door
panel
Fig. 80 Luggage
compartment: Storage
compartments

Seats and Stowage
90
Rear armrest with stowage compartment*
– You can fold down the armrest to enhance occupant comfort
⇒fig. 81 .
The armrest includes a stowage compartment. You open the compartment
by pressing the button on the front side of the armrest and raising the
cover ⇒fig. 82.
Clothes hooks*
A clothes hook is located above the rear doors ⇒fig. 83 .
WARNING
•Ensure that any clothes hanging from the hooks do not impair
your vision to the rear.
•Use the hooks for hanging only li ght items of clothing and
ensure that there are no heavy or sharp-edged objects in the
pockets.
Fig. 81 Rear seats:
Armrest
Fig. 82 Armrest:
Compartment for
stowing
Fig. 83 Area above
rear doors: Clothes
hooks

Heating and air conditioning system
92
up. The risk of having an accident increases. Switch recirculated
air mode off as soon as the windows begin 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.
Set heating
Recommended settings of heating controls for:
Defrosting the windscreen and side windows
•Turn control dial ⇒page 91, fig. 84 to the right up to the stop
•Blower switch in position 4
•Turn the air distribution control into the position 
•Close the air outlet vents 3
•Open air outlet vents 4 ⇒ page 93, fig. 85 and point towards the side
window.
Keeping windscreen and side windows demisted
We recommend that you use the following setting in cases where the
windows are misted up more than usual (e.g. when it is raining):
•Control dial where necessary to the heating range
•Blower switch in position 2 or 3
•Control dial to  or  as required or to any desired position
between these symbols
•Close the air outlet vents 3
•Open air outlet vents 4 and point towards the side window
Warming up the inside of the ve hicle as rapidly as possible
•Turn control dial to the right up to the stop
•Blower switch in position 4
•Turn the air distribution control into the position 
•Open the air outlet vents 3 and 4
•We recommend pressing button air recirculation mode. The
windows can steam up in this position however.
Heating the vehicle to a comfortable temperature
We recommend the following setting once the windows are no longer
misted up and the desired teperature has been reached:
•Control dial at the desired heat output
•Blower switch in position 2 or 3
•Turn the air distribution control into the position 
•Close the air outlet vents 3
•Open the air outlet vents 4
•Set the air distribution regulator as required between positions 
and , if the windscreen gets misted up again.
Fresh air mode - ventilation
Non pre-warmed fresh air streams through the air inlet nozzles 3 and 4 for
the following settings.
Recirculated air mode must not be switched on.
•Turn the control dial ⇒page 91, fig. 84 to the left up to the stop
•Blower switch in the desired position
•Turn the air distribution control into the position 
WARNING (continued)
AA
AB
AC
AA
AB
AC
AA
AB
AC
AD
AA
AB
AC
AC
AA
AB
AC

Heating and air conditioning system
96
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
of the year - in order to remove such odours. Also open a window for a
short time.
•Please refer to the information regarding recirculated air mode
⇒ page 97.
Setting air conditioning system
Recommended settings of air conditioning controls:
Defrosting the windscreen and side windows
•Turn control dial ⇒page 95, fig. 86 to the right up to the stop
•Blower switch in position 4
•Turn the air distribution control into the position 
•Close the air outlet vents 3
•Open air outlet vents 4 ⇒ page 98, fig. 87 and point towards the side
window.
Keeping windscreen and side windows demisted
We recommend that you use the following setting in cases where the
windows are misted up more than usual (e.g. when it is raining): Blower switch in position
2
Turn the air distribution control into the position

Close the air outlet vents 3
Open air outlet vents 4 ⇒ page 98, fig. 87 and point towards the side
window.
Switch on the air conditioning system by pressing button
Warming up the inside of the ve hicle as rapidly as possible
•Turn control dial to the right up to the stop
•Blower switch in position 4
•Turn the air distribution control into the position 
•Open the air outlet vents 4
•We recommend pressing button air recirculation mode. The
windows can steam up in this position however.
Heating the vehicle to a comfortable temperature
We recommend the following setting once the windows are no longer
misted up and the desired teperature has been reached:
•Control dial at the desired heat temperature
•Blower switch in position 2 or 3
•Turn the air distribution control into the position 
•Open the air outlet vents 4
•Set the air distribution regulator as required between positions 
and , if the windscreen gets misted up again.
Cooling down the inside of the vehicle as rapidly as possible
•Close all windows and the sliding/tilting roof
•Turn the control dial to the left up to the stop
•Blower switch in position 4
•Turn the air distribution control into the position 
AA
AB
AC
AB
AC
AE
AA
AB
AC
AD
AA
AB
AC
AC
AA
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 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

Starting-off and Driving
106
Parking aid*
The parking aid provides a warning of obstacles behind
the vehicle.
The audible parking aid determines the distance between the rear bumper
and an obstacle located behind the vehicle with the aid of ultrasound
sensors. The sensors are integrated in the rear bumper.
Range of sensors
The clearance warning begins at a distance of about 160 cm from the
obstacle (area ⇒fig. 93 ). The interval between the warning signals
becomes shorter as the clearance is reduced.
A continuous tone sounds from a clearance of just 30 cm (area ) -
danger area. You should not reverse any further after this signal
sounds! Activating
The parking aid is activated automatically when reverse gear
is engaged
and the ignition is turned on. This is confirmed by a brief acknowledge-
ment signal.
Deactivating
The parking aid is deactivated by removing the reverse gear.
WARNING
•The parking aid is not a substitute for the driver paying proper
attention. It is always the driver's responsibility to take care when
parking the vehicle or carrying out similar manoeuvres.
•You should therefore satisfy yourself, before reversing, that
there is no small obstacle, such as a rock, thin post, trailer drawbar
etc., behind your vehicle. Such an obstacle might not be within the
range detected by the sensors.
Note
•The parking aid does not operate if you are towing a trailer (applies to
models which feature a factory-fitted towing device*).
•A system fault is indicated if a warning signal sounds for about 5
seconds after switching the ignition on and engaging reverse gear and
there is no obstacle close to your vehicle. Have the fault rectified by a
Škoda dealer.
•The sensors must be kept clean and free of ice to enable the parking
aid to operate properly.
Fig. 93 Parking aid:
Range of sensors
AA
AB