2004 SKODA FABIA stop start

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
24
The red symbols indicate danger (priority 1) while the yellow symbols indi-
cate a warning (priortity 2). Information for the driver may also appear in
addition to the symbols ⇒page 27.
Investigate the displayed faults as soon as possible. If several operational
faults exist at the same time, the symbols will appear one after the other
and are each visible for about 2 seconds.
The error messages are faded out after 10 seconds or by actuating the
rocker switch ⇒page 22, fig. 11 and are stored under the information
CAR STATUS.
There is at least one error message to be read when the term CAR
STATUS is flashing in the main menu. The display will show STATUS 1/2
(for example) if a number of error messages are present. This display indi-
cates that the first of a total of two error messages should be displayed.
Actuate the rocker switch , to call up the individual error messages.
If a fault occurs, a warning signal will also sound in addition to the symbol
and text in the display:
•Priority 1 - three warning signals
•Priority 2 - one warning signal
Operational check of the automatic gearbox
When the ignition is switched on, the Auto Check Control automatically
carries out an operational check. The following text will appear first in the
display if the selector lever is the position P or N:
P LOCKED
or N LOCKED 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 text will disappear once you select a drive position (
R, D etc.), and the
Auto Check Control function is displayed.
If the Auto Check Control detects faults, these will be displayed about 15
seconds after starting the engine in place of the text shown above. A
warning signal sounds at the same time.
Red symbols
A red symbol signals danger.
Proceed as follows if a red symbol is displayed:
– Stop the vehicle.
– Switch the engine off.
AA
AA
Fig. 14 Information
display: Oil pressure is
low

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
30
stop the car immediately and switch the engine off - risk of engine
damage!
Fog lights* 
The warning light  comes on when the fog lights are operating
⇒ page 55.
Power steering* 
The warning light  comes on for 2 seconds after the ignition is switched
on. There is a fault in the electronics for the power-assisted steering if the
warning light lights up while driving or does not go out 2 seconds after
switching on the ignition. Contact a Škoda dealer to obtain assistance.
The warning light does not come on when there is a lack of oil.
Further information ⇒page 156, “Power steering*”.
Note
There is no power-assisted steering support when the vehicle is being
towed without the engine running or when the power-assisted steering is
defect. The vehicle is fully steerable however. There is simply increased
force required to turn the steering wheel.
 fault light (petrol engine)
The  (Electronic Power Control) warning light comes on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched on. There is a system fault in the engine control system if the warning light

does not go out or comes on or flashes while driving. The engine manage-
ment system selects an emergency programme which enables you to
drive to the nearest Škoda dealer while adopting a gentle style of driving.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
ENGINE WORKSHOP!
Glow plug system  (diesel engine)
The indicator light  lights up for a cold engine when switching on the
igntion (pre-heat position) 2 ⇒ page 101. Start the engine just as soon as
the indicator light goes out.
The glow plug indicator light will come on for about 1 second if the engine
is at a normal operating temperature or if the outside temperature is
above +5°C. This means that you can start the engine right away.
There is a fault in the glow plug system if the indicator light
 does not
come on at all or lights up continuously. Contact as soon as possible a
Škoda Dealer to obtain professional assistance.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
ENGINE WORKSHOP!
Turn signal system for vehicles towing a trailer* 
The indicator light  on vehicles towing a trailer flashes together with the
respective indicator light for the turn signal system.
The indicator light
 does not flash if a turn signal light on the trailer or
on the vehicle is not operating.

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights31
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Coolant temperature/coolant level 
The warning light  comes on for a few seconds 1) when the ignition is
switched on.
The coolant temperature is too high or the coolant level too low if the
warning light
 does not go out after the engine is started or flashes while
driving.
3 peeps sound as an additional warning signal.
In this case stop and switch the engine off and check the coolant level;
top up the coolant as necessary.
Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under
the conditions prevailing to top up with coolant. Keep the engine
switched off and obtain professional assistance from a Škoda dealer.
If the coolant is within the specified range, the increased temperature may
be caused by an operating problem at the coolant fan. Check the fuse for
the coolant fan, replace it if necessary ⇒page 225, “Fuse assignment at
battery”.
Do not continue driving if the warning light does not go off although the
fluid is at the correct level and also the fuse of the fan is in proper order.
Contact a Škoda dealer to obtain assistance.
Please also refer to the additional instructions ⇒page 189, “Cooling
system”.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
STOP CHECK COOLANT SERVICE MANUAL
WARNING
•Take care when opening the coolant expansion bottle. If the
engine is hot, the cooling system is pressurized - risk of scalding.
It is best to allow the engine to cool down before removing the cap.
•Do not touch the coolant fan The coolant fan may switch on
automatically even if the ignition is off.
Electronic immobiliser 
Data is compared between the ignition key and the control unit when
switching on the ignition. The indicator light  will light up for a few
seconds when ignition key authorisation is confirmed.
The warning light will start flashing continuously if a non-authorised igni-
tion key (for example the wrong ignition key) has been used. The engine
cannot be started ⇒page 39.
It is only possible to start the engine of the vehicle with a Genuine Škoda
key with the matching code.
Fuel reserve 
The warning light  comes on, if the fuel level is still about 7 litres.
A peep sounds as an additional warning signal.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*: PLEASE REFUEL
1)The warning light  on vehicles fitted with information display does not come on
after switching the ignition on, but only if the coolant temperature is to\
o high or the
coolant level is too low.

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
32
Engine oil 
The warning light  lights up red (low oil pressure)
The warning light comes on for a few seconds 2) when the ignition is
switched on.
Stop the vehicle and switch the engine off if the warning light does not
go off after the engine has started or flashes while driving. Check the oil
level and top up with oil as necessary ⇒page 186.
3 peeps sound as an additional warning signal.
Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under
the conditions prevailing to top up with coolant. Keep the engine
switched off and obtain professional assistance from a Škoda dealer.
Do not drive any further if the warning light blinks even when the oil is at
the correct level. Do not run the engine not at idling speed either. Contact
the nearest Škoda dealer to obtain professional assistance.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
STOP! OIL PRESS. STOP MOTOR! SERVICE MANUAL
The warning light
 lights up yellow* (oil quantity too low)
If the warning light lights up yellow, the quantity of oil in the engine is prob-
ably too low. Check as soon as possible the oil level or top up ⇒page 186
with engine oil.
A peep sounds as an additional warning signal.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
CHECK OIL LEVEL The warning light will go out if the bonnet is left open for more than 30
seconds. If no engine oil has been replenished, the warning light will come
on again after driving about 100 km.
The warning light
 flashes yellow* (engine oil level sensor faulty)
A fault on the engine oil level sensor is indicated additionally by an audible
signal and the warning light coming on several times after the ignition has
been switched on.
In this case have the engine inspected without delay by a Škoda
dealer.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
OIL SENSOR WORKSHOP!
WARNING
The red oil pressure light  is not an oil level indicator! One
should therefore check the oil level at regular intervals, preferably
after every refueling stop.
Thickness of the brake pads* 
If the warning light  comes on, contact a Škoda dealer immediately and
have the brake pads on all of the wheels inspected.
A peep sounds as an additional warning signal.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*: CHECK BRAKE PADS
2)The warning light  on vehicles fitted with information display does not come on
after switching the ignition on, but only if a fault exists or the engine oil level is too
low.

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
34
The fact that the TCS system operates together with the ABS means that
the TCS warning light will also come on if the ABS system is not operating
properly.
Further information about the TCS ⇒page 152, “Traction control system
(TCS)*”.
Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)* 
The warning light  comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is
switched on.
Components of the ESP system also include the Traction Control System
(TCS), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), and the Antilock Brake System
ABS (ABS).
The warning light comes on when driving when a control cycle is acti-
vated.
The warning lig ht will come on an d remains on if the ESP is switched off
or if there is a fault in the system.
The fact that the ESP system operates together with the ABS means that
the ESP warning light will also come on if the ABS system is not operating
properly.
Further information on the ESP ⇒page 151, “Electronic stability
programme (ESP)*”.
Antilock brake system (ABS)* 
The warning light  shows the functionality of the ABS and the Electronic
Differential Lock (EDL). The warning light comes on for a few seconds after the ignition has been
switched on or when starting the engine. The warning light goes out after
an automatic check sequence has been completed.
A fault in the ABS
The system is not functioning properly if the ABS warning light
 does
not go out within a few seconds after switching on the ignition, does not
light up at all or lights up while driving. The vehicle will only be braked by
the normal brake system without the effect of the ABS function. Visit a
Škoda dealer as quickly as possible and adjust your style of driving in the
meantime since you will not know how great the damage is.
Three additional warning tones will sound if there is a major fault in the
ABS.
Further information about ABS ⇒page 155, “Antilock brake system
(ABS)*”.
A fault in the entire brake system
If the ABS warning light
 comes on together with the brake system
warning light  (handbrake must be released), there is a fault not only in
the ABS but also in another part of the brake system ⇒.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*: STOP BRAKE FAULT SERVICE MANUAL
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)*
The EDL is a part of the ABS. A fault in the EDL is indicated by the ABS
warning light
 in the instrument cluster. Have the vehicle inspected
without delay by a Škoda dealer. Further information on the EDL
⇒ page 153.
WARNING
•If the brake system warning light  comes on together with the
ABS warning light  stop the vehicle immediately and check the

Unlocking and locking
38
WARNING
•Always withdraw the key whenever you leave the vehicle - even
if it is only for a short time. This is particularly important if children
are left in the vehicle. The children might otherwise start the engine
or operate electrical equipment (e.g. power windows) - risk of
injury!
•Do not withdraw the ignition key from the ignition lock until the
vehicle has come to a stop. The steering lock might otherwise
engage unintentionally - risk of accident!
Caution
•Each key contains electronic components; therefore protect them
against moisture and severe shocks.
•Keep the groove of the keys absolutely clean as impurities (textile
fibres, dust etc.) have a negative effect on proper operation of the keys
and the ignition lock.
Note
Please approach a Škoda dealer if you lose a key since he can obtain a
new one for you.
Changing the key battery
Each radio-operated key contains a battery which is housed in
the cover of the transmitter housing ⇒fig. 19 . We recom-
mend that you have the batteries of the key replaced by a Škoda
Fig. 19 Disconnect key
with radio remote
control
Fig. 20 Cover of the
transmitter housing
AB

Starting-off and Driving
104
•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.
Caution
you should not switch the engine off right away at the end of your journey
after the engine has been operated for a lengthy period at high loads but
should be allowed it to run at idling speed for about 2 minutes. This
prevents any accumulation of heat when the engine is switched off.
Note
•The radiator fan may continue running for a further 10 minutes or so
after the engine and the ignition have been switched off. The coolant fan
may, however, also switch on again after some time if the coolant temper-
ature rises because of an accumulation of heat in the engine or if the
engine is warm and the engine compartment is additionally heated by
strong sunlight.
•This is why particular care is required when carrying out any work in
the engine compartment ⇒page 183, “Working in the engine
compartment”.
Shifting (manual gearbox)
Shift into reverse only when the car is stationary. Depress the clutch pedal
and hold it fully depressed. Wait a moment before engaging reverse gear
in order to avoid any shift noises.
The reversing lights will come on once reverse gear is engaged, provided
the ignition is on.
WARNING
Never engage the reverse gear when driving - risk of accident!
Note
•One should not lay the hand on the shift lever while driving the vehicle.
The pressure of the hand will be transferred to the gearshift forks in the
gearbox. This can, over a period of time, lead to early wear of the gearshift
forks.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 91 The shift
pattern: 5-speed or 6-
speed manual gearbox

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