2004 SKODA FABIA brake

Inspecting and Replenishing
192
The brake fluid reservoir is located on the left of the engine
compartment. The brake fluid reservoir on right-hand steering
models is positioned on the other side of the engine compart-
ment.
– Switch the engine off.
– Open the bonnet ⇒ in “Working in the engine compart-
ment” on page 183.
– Inspect the brake fluid level in the reservoir ⇒page 191,
fig. 141. The level must be between the “MIN” and “MAX”
markings.
A slight drop in the fluid level results when driving due to normal wear-and-
tear and automatic adjustment of the brake pads, and is perfectly normal.
There may be an indication of a leak in the brake system, however, if the
fluid level drops significantly within a short time or if it drops below the
“MIN” marking. A situation where the brake fluid level is too low is indi-
cated by the warning light
 lighting up in the instrument cluster
⇒ page 35. You should drive carefully and immediately to the nearest
Škoda Dealer and have the brake system inspected.
WARNING
•Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 183 before
working in the engine compartment.
•If the fluid level has dropped below the MIN marking, do not
drive any further - risk of accident! Contact a Škoda dealer to obtain
professional assistance.
Replacing brake fluid
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. This causes the fluid to absorb moisture
from the surrounding air over a period of time. Excessive water in the
brake fluid may be the cause of corrosion in the brake system. The water
content also lowers the boiling point of the brake fluid. This is why brake
fluid must be replaced every two years.
One may only use new genuine brake fluid from Škoda Auto. The specifi-
cation for the brake fluid is “FMVSS 116 DOT 4”.
We recommend that you have the brake fluid replaced by a Škoda dealer
as part of an Inspection Service.
WARNING
•Using old brake fluid can result in severe stress on the brakes
because of the formation of vapour bubbles in the brake system.
This greatly impairs the braking efficiency and thus also the safety
of your vehicle.
•Brake fluid is toxic! It must therefore be kept safely in closed
original containers and well away from children and unauthorized
persons.
Caution
Brake fluid damages the paintwork of the vehicle.
For the sake of the environment
In view of the problems involved with proper disposal of brake fluid, the
special tools and the professional knowledge required, you should have
the brake fluid replaced by a Škoda dealer.

Wheels and Tyres203
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
WARNING
•Only use those tyres or wheel rims which have been approved
for your model of Škoda Auto vehicle. Failure to observe this
instruction will adversely affect the road safety of your vehicle -
risk of accident! Approval and li cencing of your vehicle on public
roads may also become void as a result.
•You must on no account drive at a higher speed than is permis-
sible for your tyres - risk of an accident resulting from tyre damage
and loss of control over your vehicle.
•Tyres which are 6 years old or more should only be fitted in
exceptional cases and when adopting an appropriately cautious
style of driving.
•Never fit tyres which have already been used without having
adequate knowledge of their previous history. Tyres age even if
they have not been used at all or only very little. A spare tyre must
only be used in exceptional cases and only then when adopting an
appropriately cautious style of driving.
•Do not, where possible, replace individual tyres but at least
replace them on both wheels of a given axle at the same time.
Always fit the tyres with the deeper tread depth to the front wheels.
For the sake of the environment
Old tyres must be disposed of in conformity with the appropriate regula-
tions.
Note
It is not normally possible to fit wheels from other models of cars for tech-
nical reasons. This may also apply in certain circumstances to the wheels
of the same type of vehicle.
Wheel bolts
Wheels and wheel bolts are matched to each other in terms of design.
Each time you fit other wheels - e.g. light alloy wheels or wheels with
winter tyres - you must therefore also use the matching wheel bolts of the
correct length and shape of spherical cap. This is essential to ensure that
the wheels are tightly fitted and that the brake system operates properly.
If you retrofit wheel trims (or have this done), please also ensure that an
adequate flow of air remains assured for cooling the brake system.
Škoda dealers are instructed in the technical possibilities which exist
regarding converting or retrofitting wheels, tyres and wheel trim.
WARNING
•In case of incorrect treatment of the wheel bolts, the wheel can
loosen when the car is moving - risk of accident!
•The wheel bolts must be clean and must turn easily. However,
they must never be treated with grease or oil.
•If the wheel bolts are tightened to a too low tightening torque,
the rim can lossen when the car is moving - risk of accident! A tight-
ening torque which is too high can damage the bolts and threads
and this can result in perman ent deformation of the contact
surfaces on the rims.
Caution
The prescribed tightening torque of the wheel bolts for steel and light alloy
wheels is 120 Nm.

Breakdown assistance
212
Spare wheel*
The spare wheel is stowed in the spare wheel well in the
luggage compartment below the floor covering.
The spare wheel lies in a well under the luggage compartment floor and is
fixed in place along with the vehicle tool kit box using special screws
⇒ fig. 152 .
One should check the inflation pressure in the spare wheel (at best when
generally checking the tyre air pressures - see sign on the fuel filler flap
⇒ page 180) to ensure that the spare wheel is always ready to use.
Unidirectional tyres*
If you have such tyres on your vehicle, please refer to the notes below:
•The spare wheel provided with a car fitted with unidirectional tyres has
different dimensions. The wheel is provided with a warning sticker.
•After fitting on the wheel, the warning sticker must not be concealed
(e.g. by the wheel trim).
•Do not drive with this spare wheel at more than 80 km/h - risk of acci-
dent. Avoid accelerating at full throttle, sharp braking and fast cornering.
•The inflation pressure for this spare wheel is identical to the inflation
pressure of the standard tyres.
•Use this spare wheel only to reach the nearest service station as it is
not intended for continuous use.
Note
Some vehicles are only fitted with spray to make tyre repairs
⇒ page 211.
Changing a wheel
Preliminary work
The following steps should be carried out before actually
changing the wheel.
– If it is necessary to change a wheel, park the vehicle as far
away as possible from the traffic flow. The place you choose
should be level.
– Have all the occupants get out. While changing a wheel, the
occupants of the vehicle should not stand on the road (it is
better behind a crash barrier).
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Engage 1st gear or if your vehicle is fitted with an automatic
gearbox, position the selector lever into position P .
Fig. 152 Luggage
compartment: Spare
wheel

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 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

Fuses and light bulbs
228
The set of light bulbs can be stowed in the spare wheel well.
Fitted with a xenon headlight
Change of light bulbs on Xenon lights (low beam lights, parking lights and
main beam lights) should be undertaken by a Škoda dealer.
Overview of bulbs
WARNING
•Bulbs H7 and H3 are pressurised and may burst when changing
the bulb - risk of injury!
•It is recommended to wear gloves and eye protection when
changing a light bulb.
•Gas discharge bulbs* (xenon bulbs) operate with a high voltage,
professional knowledge is required - danger to life!
Note
This Owner's Manual only describes the replacement of bulbs where it is
assumed that no major complications will arise. Other light bulbs should
be changed by your Škoda dealer.
7)Replacement light bulbs are, on the other hand, part of the basic equipping of the
vehicle in some countries.
Front headlightHalogen headlightXenon headlight
Low beamH7D2S
Main beamH3H7
Parking lightsW5W
Turn signalsPY21W
Fog lightsHB4
Rear light unitBulb
Reversing lightP21W
Turn signalsPY21W
Brake lightsP21W
Parking light and rear fog lightP21/4W
OthersBulb
Side turn signal lightsWY5W
Licence plate lightC5W
3. Brake lightLED
Interior lightC10W
Reading lightsW5W
Luggage compartment lightW5W
Door warning lightW5W
Storage compartment light - front pas-
senger sideC3W
OthersBulb

Index239
Index
A
Abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
ABS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Adjusting seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67, 119
Adjusting the steering wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Air outlet vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 Deployment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
An overview Cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Antilock Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Antilock brake system - ABS Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Anti-theft alarm system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Ashtray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Auto Check Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Auto Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Emergency programme . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Kickdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Automatic vehicle wash systems . . . . . . . . . 170
Avoiding damage to your vehicle . . . . . . . . . 164
B
Before setting off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Boot lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Brake Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Brake booster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Brake pads Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Brake system Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Button on the driver's door
Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
C
Car jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Changing a wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Changing the engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Changing wheels around . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Charging the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Chassis number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Child safety locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Child safety seats ISOFIX system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Child seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Classification into groups . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
on the front passenger seat . . . . . . . . . . 142
Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Children and safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Chrome parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Cigarette lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Index241
Fog lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29, 30
For the first 1 500 kilometres . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Fuel consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 159 Saving energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Fuel reserve Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Full wheel trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Fuse Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
G
Gearbox Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
mechanical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Glass roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Glow plug system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
H
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Hazard warning light system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Hazard warning lights system . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Head restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Headlight cleaning system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Headlight flasher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Headlights Fog lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Headlight cleaning system . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
heated windscreen washer nozzles . . . . . . . . 61
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Heating of the external mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Heating the front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
I
Ignition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Information display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Inspecting the engine oil level . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Instrument cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Instrument lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Interior light Luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Interior lighting at the front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
at the rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Intermittent wipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Isofix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 ISOFIX system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
J
Jacking points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218, 219
K
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
L
Lashing eyes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Leather care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Lighting of the interior of the vehicle
at the front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Lights Converting/masking over . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Range adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
switching them on and off . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Lights and Visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Liquid in reservoir for windscreen washer system Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39, 40 Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
locking Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Locking and unlocking from inside . . . . . . . . . 43