2004 SKODA FABIA Warning light

Starting-off and Driving105
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
•Depress the clutch pedal fully when changing gears, in order to avoid
unnecessary wear and damage.
Handbrake
Applying the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up fully.
Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up slightly and at the same time
press in the locking button ⇒fig. 92 .
– Hold the button pressed and push the handbrake lever down fully ⇒ .
The handbrake warning light  lights up when the handbrake is applied,
provided the ignition is on.
A warning signal sounds and the following text appears in the display* if
you have inadvertently driven off with the handbrake applied:
"Handbrake on"
The handbrake warning is activated if you drive at a speed of more than 6
km/h for more than 3 seconds.
WARNING
•Please note that the handbrake must be fully released. A hand-
brake which is only partially released can result in the rear brakes
overheating which will have a nega tive effect on the operation of
the brake system - risk of accident! In addition this can result in
premature wear of the rear brake pads.
•Never leave children unattended in the vehicle. The children
might, for example, release the handbrake or take the vehicle out of
gear. The vehicle might then move off - risk of accident!
Caution
After the car has come to a stop, always first of all apply the handbrake
firmly before then additionally engaging a gear (manual gearbox) or
moving the selector lever into position P (automatic gearbox).
Fig. 92 Centre
console: Handbrake

Automatic gearbox*
110
Automatic gearbox*
4-speed automatic gearbox
Information for driving wi th an automatic gearbox
Shifting up and down through the gears is performed auto-
matically.
Starting-off and Driving
– Depress the brake pedal and hold it depressed.
– Press the Shiftlock button (button in handle of the selector lever), move the selector lever into the desired position, e.g. D
⇒ page 111, fig. 95, and then release the Shiftlock button.
– Wait a moment until the gearbox has shifted (a slight engage- ment nudge can be felt).
– Release the brake pedal and depress the accelerator ⇒.
Stopping for a short time
– The selector lever position N does not have to be selected
when stopping just for a short time, such as at a cross roads.
It is sufficient to hold the vehicle stationary using the foot
brake. The engine can, however, be allowed just to idle.
Parking
– Depress the brake pedal and hold it depressed.
– Apply the handbrake firmly. – Press and Shiftlock button in the selector lever, move the
selector lever to P and then release the Shiftlock button.
The engine can only be started when the selector lever is in position P or
N ⇒ page 102.
It is sufficient to engage selector lever position P when parking on a flat
surface. When parking on a slope you should first apply the handbrake
firmly and then move the selector lever into position P. This is to ensure
that there is no excessive pressure acting on the lock mechanism and that
it is easier to subsequently move the selector lever out of position P.
If the selector lever position N is selected by accident while driving it is first
necessary to release pressure on the accelerator pedal and wait for idling
speed of the engine to be reached before engaging a drive position in the
selector lever.
WARNING
•Do not depress the accelerator when changing the position of
the selector lever if the car is stationary and the engine is running
- risk of accident!
•Never move the selector lever into position R or P when driving
- risk of an accident!
•When the engine is running and the vehicle is stationary, it is
necessary to hold the car with the brake pedal in all the positions
of the selector lever (except P and N) since the power transmission
is never completely interrupted, also not when the engine is idling
- the vehicle "creeps".

Automatic gearbox*113
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Selector lever lock
Automatic selector lever lock 
With the ignition on, the selector lever is locked when it is in the positions
P and N. You must depress the brake pedal first and press the Shiftlock
button at the same time in order to move the selector lever out of these
positions. The following will be displayed in the information display*:
P LOCKED
or
N LOCKED
Symbol
 also lights up in the selector lever cover until the brake pedal
is actuated.
A time delay element ensures that the selector lever is not blocked when
rapidly switching over the position N (e.g. from R to D). This does, for
example, allow one to seesaw out a stuck vehicle. The selector lever lock
will click into place if the lever is in the N position for more than 2 seconds
without the brake pedal being pressed.
The selector lever lock is only active if the vehicle is stationary or moving
at speed of less than 5 km/hour. The lock is switched off automatically into
position N when the car is travelling at a higher speed.
Shiftlock button
The Shiftlock button in the handle of selector lever prevents certain
selector lever positions being engaged inadvertently. The selector lever
lock is cancelled when you press the Shiftlock button.
Kickdown function
The kickdown function provides you with maximum accel-
eration power.
Depressing the accelerator pedal beyond the pressure point casues the
automatic gearbox to shift down into a lower gear (in line with vehicle
speed and engine speed). The gearbox shifts up into the next higher gear
when the engine has reached its maximum revolations.
WARNING
Please note that using the kickdown function can result in the
driven wheels spinning on a smooth or slippery road surface - risk
of skidding!
Dynamic shift programme
The automatic gearbox of your vehicle is controlled electronically. Shifting
up and down through the gears is performed automatically on the basis of
pre-defined driving programmes.
Adopting a moderate style of driving will cause the gearbox to select the
most economical driving programme. Shifting up into a higher gear as
soon as possible and shifting down as late as possible will have a favour-
able effect on your fuel consumption.
Adopting a faster style of driving with rapid movements of the acceler-
ator pedal combined with sharp acceleration and frequent changes in
speed, exploiting the top speed of the car or operating the kickdown func-
tion, will cause the gearbox to switch over to the sporty driving
programme. Shifting up later into a higher gear makes it possible to fully
exploit the power reserves of the engine. The gearbox also then shifts

Passive Safety
118
should be observed when using the equipment and how you and the
people travelling with you can make full use of the existing safety equip-
ment. This Owner's Manual contains important warning notes, which you
and those travelling with you should pay attention to in order to reduce a
risk of injury.
Safety concerns everybody!
Before setting off
The driver is always fully responsible for his occupants
and for the operating safety of the vehicle.
For your own safety and the safety of the people travelling with you,
please pay attention to the following points before setting off.
•Ensure that the lighting and the turn signal system are functioning
properly.
•Inspect the tyre inflation pressure.
•Ensure that all the windows offer a good visibility to the outside.
•Safely attach the items of luggage ⇒page 72, “Loading the luggage
compartment”.
•Ensure that no objects can obstruct the pedal.
•Adjust the mirror, the front seat and the head restraint to match your
body size.
•Point out to your occupants that the head restraints must be adjusted
to match their body size.
•Protect the children in suitable child seats with correctly fastened seat
belts ⇒page 140, “Transporting children safely”.
•Adopt the correct seated position. Also inform your occupants to adopt
the correct seated position.
•Fasten the seat belt correctly. Also inform your occupants to properly
fasten the seat belts ⇒page 126, “How are seat belts correctly
fastened?”.
What influences the driving safety?
The driving safety is primarily determined by the style of
driving and the personal behaviour of all the occupants.
The driver is fully responsible for himself and his occupants. If your driving
safety is effected, you place yourself and the oncoming traffic at risk.
Please refer to the following guidelines.
•Do not get distracted from concentrating on the traffic situation, e.g. by
your occupants or mobile phone calls.
•Never drive when your driving ability is impaired, e.g. through medica-
tion, alcohol, drugs.
•Keep to the traffic regulations and the permissible speed limit.
•Adjust the driving speed at all times to the road condition as well as to
the traffic and weather conditions.
•Take regular breaks on long journeys - at the latest every two hours.

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

Airbag system
130
Airbag system
Description of the airbag system
General information on the airbag system
The front airbag system is complementary to the three-point seat belts
and offers additional protection for the head and chest area of the driver
and passenger in the event of a frontal collision.
In the event of a side collision, the side airbags reduce the risk of injury to
the occupants to the part of their body facing the side of the accident.
The airbag system is only functional after the ignition has been switched
on.
The operational readiness of the airbag system is monitored electroni-
cally. The airbag warning light comes on for a few seconds each time the
ignition is switched on.
The airbag system (according to vehicle equipment) essentially
consists of:
•an electronic control unit
•the front airbags for the driver and front passenger ⇒page 132
•the side airbags ⇒page 134
•an airbag warning light in the instrument cluster ⇒page 35
•a front passenger airbag switch* ⇒page 138
•an indicator light showing a switched-off front passenger airbag* in the
middle of the dash panel ⇒page 138
A fault in the airbag system exists if:
•the airbag indicator light does not light up when the ignition is switched
on
•the airbag indicator light does not go out after about 3 seconds after
the ignition is switched on
•the airbag indicator light goes out and comes on again after the ignition
is switched on
•the airbag indicator light comes on or flickers when driving
•an airbag indicator light showing a switched-off front passenger
airbag* in the middle of the dash panel flashes
WARNING
•To enable the occupants of a car to be protected with the
greatest possible effect when the airbag is deployed, the front
seats must be ⇒page 119, “Correct seated position” correctly
adjusted to match the body size of the occupant.
•If you do not fasten the seat belts when driving, lean too far
forward or adopt an incorrect seated position, you are exposing
yourself to increased risk of injury in the event of an accident.
•Have the airbag system checked immediately by a Škoda dealer
if a fault exists. Otherwise, there is a risk of the airbag not being
activated in the event of an accident.
•No modifications of any kind may be made to parts of the airbag
system.
•It is prohibited to manipulate individual parts of the airbag
system as this might result in the airbag being deployed.
•The protective function of the airbag system is sufficient for
only one accident. The airbag system must then be replaced if the
airbag has been deployed.
•The airbag system needs no maintenance during its working
life.

Airbag system131
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
•The service life of the airbag system is 15 years from the date of
manufacture of the vehicle. Have the airbag system replaced by a
Škoda dealer after this period. If the modules of the system are
replaced before the expiry of the term (e.g. because of an accident),
the new change interval has to be entered in the service brochure.
•If you sell your car, please hand over the complete vehicle docu-
mentation to the new owener. Please note that the documents
relating to the possibility of deactivating the front passenger airbag
are also part of the vehicle documents!
•If the vehicle or individual parts of the airbag system are
scrapped, it is essential to observe the relevant safety precautions.
Škoda dealers are familiar with these regulations.
•When disposing of vehicle or parts of the airbag system, it is
important to comply with th e national legal requirements.
When are the airbags deployed?
The airbag system is designed in such a way that the driver and the front
passenger airbag* are deployed in the event of a frontal collision of
major severity.
In the case of a violent side crash the side airbags* on the front seat of
the vehicle on the side on which the collision occurs are deployed.
It is also possible under certain special accident situations that the front
as well as the side airbags are deployed.
The airbags are not deployed in the case of minor frontal and side colli-
sions, in the case of rear-end collisions and vehicle rollover. Deployment factors
It is not possible to state globally which deployment conditions apply to the
airbag system in every situation as the circumstances which exist in the
case of accidents vary greatly. An important role in this case, for example,
is played by factors such as the type of object against which the vehicle
impacts (hard, soft), the angle of impact, the vehicle speed etc.
A decisive factor for the deployment of the airbags is the deceleration
which occurs during a collision. The control unit analyses the nature of the
collision and activates the relevant restraint system. If the vehicle decel-
eration which occurs and is measured during the collision remains below
the prescribed reference values specified in the control unit, the airbags
are not deployed although the vehicle may well suffer severe damage to
the bodywork as a consequence of the accident.
The airbags are not deployed if:
•ignition off
•a minor frontal collision
•a minor side collision
•a rear-end collision
•rollover.
Note
•A grey white, non harmful gas is released when airbag is inflated. This
is perfectly normal and is not an indication of a fire in the vehicle.
•The dash panel must be replaced after the front passenger airbag has
been deployed.
•In the event of an accident in which the airbags are deployed:
− The interior lighting comes on (if the switch for the interior light is in
the door contact position)
− The hazard warning light is switched on
− All the doors are unlocked.
WARNING (continued)

Airbag system
136
Important safety information on the side airbag
Correct use of the airbag system considerably reduces the
risk of injury!
WARNING
•It is essential to always switch off ⇒page 137, “Deactivating an
airbag” 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). If this is not done, there is a
risk of the child suffering severe or even fatal injuries if the front
passenger airbag is deployed. In certain countries national legal
provisions also require that the side passenger airbags be deacti-
vated. When transporting a child on the front passenger seat,
please comply with the appropriate national regulations regarding
the use of child safety seats.
•Your head should never be positioned in the deployment area of
the side airbag. You might suffer severe injuries in the event of an
accident. This applies in particular to children who are transported
without using a suitable child safety seat ⇒page 143, “Child safety
and side airbags*”.
•If children adopt an incorrect seated position when travelling,
they may be exposed to an increase d risk of injury in the event of
an accident. This can result in serious injuries ⇒page 140, “Trans-
porting children safely”.
•There must not be any further persons, animals as well as
objects positioned between the occupants and the deployment
area of the airbag. There must also be no accessories such as cup
holders, attached to the doors to enable the side airbags to activate
properly.
•Only hang light items of clothing on the clothes hooks to the
vehicle. Never leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the
pockets of the items of clothing.
•Ensure that there are no excessive forces, such as violent
knocks, kicks etc., impact on the backrests of the seats otherwise
the system may be damaged. The side airbags would not be
deployed in such a case!
•Any seat or protective covers which you fit to the driver or front
passenger seats must only be of the type expressly authorized by
Škoda Auto. In view of the fact that the airbag inflates out of the
backrest of the seat, use of non-approved seat or protective covers
would considerably impair the protective function of the side
airbag.
•Any damage to the original seat covers in the area of the side
airbag module must be repaired without delay by your Škoda
dealer.
•The airbag modules in the front seats must not display any
damage, cracks or deep scratches. It is not permissible to use force
in order to open the modules.
•Any work on the side airbag system including removing and
installing system components beca use of other repair work (e.g.
removing seats) must only be carried out by a Škoda dealer.
WARNING (continued)