Unlocking and locking45
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
Emergency locking of the rear doors
An emergency locking mechanism which is visible after opening
the door is located on the face end of the rear doors. (Applies only
for vehicles with central locking.)
Locking
– Remove the panel ⇒fig. 24 .
– Insert the key into the opening under the panel and press the stopping lever as far as the stop toward the inside.
– Re-insert the panel.
After closing the door, you can no longer open it from outside. If the child
safety lock is not switched on, it is possible to open the door from the
inside by pulling twice on the door handle. If the child safety lock is
switched on, it is necesary to also open the door from outside besides
pulling twice on the inner door handle.
Boot lid
Opening the boot lid for vehicles without central locking
Opening of the boot lid is achieved by pulling on the actuation lever next
to the driver's seat ⇒fig. 25 and raising the boot lid.
Fig. 24 Rear door:
Emergency locking of
the door
AA
AB
Fig. 25 Lever for
unlocking the boot lid
Fig. 26 Handle of boot
lid
sqc.1.book Seite 45 Mittwoch, 13. April 2005 1:09 13
Lights and Visibility55
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
Lights and Visibility
Lights
Switching lights on and off
Switching on side lights
– Turn the light switch ⇒fig. 32 into position
.
Switching on the low beam and main beam
– Turn the light switch into position
.
– Press the main beam lever forward in order to switch on the main beam ⇒ page 58, fig. 36 . Switching off all lights
– Turn the light switch into position O.
Low beam comes on only if the ignition is switched on. The low beam is
switched off automatically when the engine is started and after switching
the ignition off; only the side lights come on.
On models fitted with
right-hand steering* the position of the switches
differs from that shown in ⇒fig. 32 . The symbols which mark the switch
positions are identical, however.
In certain countries, the low beam is on a reduced brightness as well as
the side lights, when the ignition is switched on.
WARNING
Never drive with side lights on - risk of accident! The side lights are
not bright enough to light up the road sufficiently in front of you or
to be seen by other oncoming traffic. In this case, always switch on
the low beam when it is dark or if visibilty is poor.
Note
•An audible warning will sound if you withdraw the ignition key and open
the driver's door when the vehicle lights are still on.
•The acoustic warning signal is switched off over the door contact when
the driver's door is closed (ignition off). The vehicle can be parked with the
side lights on.
•If you park the car for a lengthy period, we recommend switching off all
lights, or leaving only the side lights switched on.
Fig. 32 Dash panel:
Light switch
sqc.1.book Seite 55 Mittwoch, 13. April 2005 1:09 13
Lights and Visibility61
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
Interior lighting at the rear* (estate vehicle, sedan)
The lights ⇒fig. 38 are actuated by pressing the glass on the symbol ,
O or by switching to the middle position .
The same principles apply for the interior lighting at the rear as for the for
the interior lighting at the front ⇒page 60.
Note
We recommend having these bulbs replaced by a Škoda dealer.
Front door warning light*
The warning light is located in the door trim panel below ⇒fig. 39 .
The warning light goes on every time the door is opened.
If a door remains open, the battery will discharge.
There is a reflector installed on some vehicles instead of the warning
light.
Luggage compartment light*
The lighting comes on automatically when the boot lid is opened. The
luggage compartment lighting will switch off again automatically if the boot
lid remains open for more than about 30 minutes.
Fig. 38 Roof liner light
at the rearFig. 39 Front door:
Warning light
sqc.1.book Seite 61 Mittwoch, 13. April 2005 1:09 13
Seats and Stowage87
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
Storage compartments
An overview
You will find the following storage facilities in your vehicle:
WARNING
•Please do not place anything on top of the dash panel. Such
objects might slide or fall down when driving (when accelerating or
cornering) and may distract you from concentrating on the traffic
situation - risk of accident!
•Ensure that when driving no objects from the centre console of
from other storage possibilities may get into the footwell of the
driver. You would then no longer be able to apply the brakes,
operate the clutch or accelerator - risk of accident!
Storage compartment on the front passenger side*
There a further storage compartment in the inner room of the
storage compartment located under the tiltable partition wall*
⇒ fig. 75 .
Storage compartment on the front passenger
side*⇒page 87
Storage compartments on the driver's side⇒page 89
Storage drawer*⇒page 89
Storage compartment in the front seat*⇒page 90
Storage compartment in the front doors⇒page 90
Storage compartment in the luggage compart-
ment (estate car, sedan)*⇒page 91
Rear armrest with stowage compartment*⇒page 91
Clothes hooks*⇒page 92
Fig. 74 Dash panel:
Storage compartment
on the front passenger
side
Fig. 75 Storage
compartment: tiltable
partition wall
sqc.1.book Seite 87 Mittwoch, 13. April 2005 1:09 13
Seats and Stowage
90
•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. 79 .
– Tilt the lock to close the flap and press flap close.
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.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 79 Front seat:
Storage compartment
Fig. 80 Stowage
compartment in door
panel
sqc.1.book Seite 90 Mittwoch, 13. April 2005 1:09 13
Airbag system
138
•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
specialist garage 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 the 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)
sqc.1.book Seite 138 Mittwoch, 13. April 2005 1:09 13
Care and cleaning
178
WARNING
When washing your vehicle in the winter: Water and ice in the brake
system can affect the braking efficiency - risk of accident!
Automatic vehicle wash systems
The paintwork of the vehicle is sufficiently resistant that the vehicle can be
washed normally in automatic vehicle wash plants without any problem.
The actual stress to which the paintwork is subjected, however, depends
greatly on the design of the vehicle wash system, the filtering of the water
and the type of washing and care products used. If the paintwork of your
vehicle appears mat after being washed or even has scratches, point this
out to the operator of the vehicle wash plant. Use a different vehicle wash
plant, if necessary.
There are no particular points to note before washing your vehicle in such
a plant other than the usual precautionary measures (closing windows
and sliding/tilting roof, moving any factory-fitted aerials down flat against
the bodywork, etc.).
If you have any particular attached parts fitted to your car - such as spoiler,
roof rack system, two-way radio aerial - it is best to first of all consult the
operator of the car wash plant.
It is important to degrease the lips of the windscreen wiper rubbers after
passing through the automatic vehicle wash system.
Caution
Do not screw the swivelling down roof aerial tight before washing the
vehicle in an automatic vehicle wash system - risk of damage!
Washing vehicle by hand
It is important to first soften the dirt with plenty of water and rinse it off as
thoroughly as possible before washing your vehicle by hand.
One should then clean the vehicle using a soft washing sponge,
washing glove or a washing brush and only slight pressure. Work from
the top to the bottom - beginning with the roof. Only place slight pressure
on the vehicle paintwork during cleaning Only use a shampoo for stub-
born dirt.
Wash out the sponge or washing glove thoroughly at short intervals.
Clean wheels, door sills and similar parts last. Use a second sponge for
such areas.
Rinse off the vehicle well after giving it a wash and dry it off using a
chamois leather.
WARNING
•The ignition should always be switched off when you wash your
vehicle - risk of accident!
•Protect your hands and arms from sharp-edged metal parts
when you are cleaning the underfloor, the inside of the wheel hous-
ings or the wheel trims - risk of cuts.
Caution
•Do not wash your vehicle in bright sunlight - risk of paint damage.
•Ensure that the jet of water is not aimed directly at the locks or at the
door and panel joints if you spray your vehicle in winter down with a hose
- risk of freezing.
•Do not use any insect sponges, rough kitchen sponges or similar
cleaning products - risk of damage to the surface of paintwork.
sqc.1.book Seite 178 Mittwoch, 13. April 2005 1:09 13
Fuses and light bulbs243
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
– Take the faulty light bulb out of the interior light and insert a
new one.
– Pull the light bulb out of its holder and insert the new one.
– Press the diffusion disk back into the housing until it clicks into place (ensure that it is in the right position).
Licence plate light
– Open the tailgate and screw off the light glass.
– Take the faulty bulb out of the fixture and insert a new one.
– Re-insert the light glass. Press the light glass in up to the stop - check for correct seating of the sealing rubber.
– Screw on the light glass but not too tightly.
Front door warning light*
We recommend having the light bulb replaced by a Škoda dealer.
– Push in a knife or similar from the side between the light and the door panel ⇒fig. 182. Lever out the light carefully.
– Disconnect the plug connector.
– Replace the defect light bulb.
– Recreate the plug connection.
– Insert the door warning light into the door panel from the plug side and press in.
Fig. 181 Remove the
licence plate light
Fig. 182 Remove the
front door warning light
sqc.1.book Seite 243 Mittwoch, 13. April 2005 1:09 13