2006 SKODA FABIA service indicator

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights36
WARNING
Have the airbag system checked immediately by a specialist garage if a fault exists. Otherwise, there is a risk of the airbag not being activated in the event of an accident.
Note
Further information about switching off airbags ⇒page 152, “Deactivating an airbag”.
Diesel particle filter*  (diesel engine)
In the diesel particle filter the resulting soot particles are
collected and burnt during the combustion of diesel fuel.
Code 7GG on the vehicle data sticker ⇒fig. 16 indicates that your
vehicle is equipped with a diesel particle filter. The vehicle data sticker
⇒ page 247, fig. 182 is located on the floor of the luggage compart-
ment and is also stated in the Service schedule.
The soot particles, which result from the combustion of diesel fuel, are collected in the diesel particle filter. The diesel particle filter filters the soot particles completely from the exhaust. If th e filter is full, it is cleaned automati- cally in favourable conditions by burning the soot particle. To assist this proce- dure, we recommend not to drive regularl y over short distances. If the engine control unit detects that the operating co nditions for a cleaning (combustion of deposited soot particles) of the diesel particle fiter are not optimal, e.g. slow city driving, a warning light in the instrument cluster is illuminated .
In order to clean the diesel particle filter, the vehicle should be driven at an even speed of at least 60 km/h for 15 minutes when the traffic situation permits it. Always pay attention to the valid speed limi ts. The diesel particle filter is most effectively cleaned if the vehicle is driven in the 4th or 5th gear with an engine speed of approx. of 2 000 rpm. The soot ca n be burned in the filter due to this temperature increase.
As long as the warning light  lights up, one must take into account an increased fuel consumption and in certain circumstances a power reduction of the engine.
In addition a message can be shown in th e display of the instrument cluster, which informs you or requests necessary actions.
Have the vehicle inspected without delay by your specialist garage.
WARNING
•If you do not pay attention to the warning lights coming on and the corresponding descriptions and warning notes, this increases the risk of an accident. This may result in bo dy injuries or major vehicle damage.
•Always adjust your speed to suit weather, road, region and traffic conditions. The route indicated by th e warning light must not tempt you to disregard the national regulations for road traffic.
Fig. 16 Vehicle data sticker
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Unlocking and locking42
Indicator light in the driver's door on vehicles with anti-theft alarm system
After locking the vehicle the indicator light flashes for 2 seconds fast, then more slowly.
If the vehicle is locked and the safe securing system ⇒page 42 is not operating, the indicator light in the driver door flashes for about 2 seconds fast, goes out and starts to flash slowly after about 30 seconds.
If the indicator light first of all flashes fast for about 2 seconds, afterwards lights up for about 30 seconds and then flashes slowly, there is a fault in the system of the central locking or the interior monitor* ⇒page 49. Contact a specialist garage to obtain assistance.
Convenience operation of windows
One can open and close the electrically powered windows when unlocking and locking the vehicle ⇒page 52, “Window convenience operation”.
Opening a single door*
This function allows one to just unlock the driver's door. The other doors remain locked and are only unlocked when the command is repeated. The single door opening function can be first activate d by recoding the control unit of the central locking system. This work is und ertaken by a Škoda Service Partner can give you more information.
Automatic locking*
All the doors and the tailgate are locked automatically once the car reaches a speed of about 15 km/h.
If the ignition key is withdrawn, the ca r is then automatically unlocked again. In addition, it is possible for the driver to unlock the car by pressing the central locking button  or by pulling the door opening lever.
If you wish, your Škoda Service Partner can convert the central locking system of your car to the automatic locking mode.
WARNING
•Locking the doors prevents involu ntary opening in an exceptional situation (an accident). Locked doors prevent unwanted entry into the vehicle from outside, for example at road crossings. Locked doors do, however, make it more difficult for rescuers to get into the vehicle in an emergency - danger to life!
Note
•In the event of an accident in which the airbags are deployed, the locked doors are automatically unlocked in order to enable rescuers to gain access to the vehicle.
•Only the front doors can be unlocked an d locked using the key if the central locking system fails. You can operate the rear door manually.
− Emergency locking of the door ⇒page 45.
Safe securing
The central locking system is equipped with a safe securing system. Locking the vehicle from the outside causes the d oor locks to be automatically blocked. The indicator light in the driver's door fl ashes. It is not possible to open the doors with the door handle either from th e inside or from the outside. This acts as an effective deterrent for atte mpts to break into your vehicle.
You can deactivate the safe securing syst em. This is done by locking the vehicle with the key or radio-operated key twice within 2 seconds.
The safe securing system is again activate d the next time the vehicle is unlocked and locked again.
The doors can be opened from the inside if the vehicle is locked and the safe securing system is deactivated:
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Airbag system153
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
If the airbag was switched of f using diagnostic equipment:
•The airbag indicator light in the instrument cluster lights up for about 3 seconds after switching on the ignition an d then flashes after that for about 12 seconds.
If the airbag was switched off using the airbag switch* on the side of the dash panel:
•The airbag warning light comes on in the instrument cluster for about 3 seconds each time the ig nition is switched on.
•Switching off airbags is indicated in the middle of the dash panel by the lighting up of the indicator light    ⇒fig. 122.
Note
Your Škoda Service Partner will be able to advise you whether national legisla- tion in your country allows airbags in yo ur vehicle to be deactivated, and which ones.
Switch for the front seat passenger airbag(s)*
The front passenger front as well as side airbag (if the vehicle is fitted
with side airbags) are switched off using the switch.
Fig. 121 Switch for the front seat passenger airbag(s)
Fig. 122 Indicator light for a switched off front seat passenger airbag
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Inspecting and Replenishing202
The warning light in the instrument cluster* will indicate ⇒page 31 whether the oil level is too low. In this case, check the oil level as soon as possible. Top up with an appropriate quantity of oil.
WARNING
Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 198, “Working in the engine compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
Caution
•Always check the oil level on vehicles with engine 1.2 l/47 kW when the engine is warm. Otherwise the measuring result is incorrect und oil could be incorrectly replenished - risk of engine damage!
•The oil level must on no account ex tend beyond the range . Danger of damaging the catalytic converter.
•Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under the conditions prevailing to top up with oil. Switch the engine off and obtain professional assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it could lead to severe engine damage.
Replenishing engine oil
– Inspect the oil level ⇒page 201.
– Unscrew the cap of the engine oil filler opening.
– Pour in a suitable grade of oil in portions of 0.5 litres ⇒page 200,
“Engine oil specifications”.
– Inspect the oil level ⇒page 201.
– Carefully screw on the cap of the filler opening and push the
dipstick in fully.
WARNING
•Avoid dripping oil onto hot parts of the engine when topping up will oil - a risk of fire!
•Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 198, “Working in the engine compartment” before work ing in the engine compartment.
For the sake of the environment
The oil level must on no account be above the range ⇒page 201. Oil will otherwise be drawn in through the cran kcase ventilation and may pass through the exhaust system to atmosphere. The oil may combust in the catalytic converter and damage it.
Changing engine oil
The engine oil must be changed at the intervals stated in the Service schedule or according to the service interval indicator ⇒page 16.
WARNING
•Only carry out the engine oil change, if you have the required profes- sional knowledge!
•Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 198, “Working in the engine compartment” before work ing in the engine compartment.
•Let the engine cool down - risk of burning from hot oil.
•Wear an eye protection - risk of caustic burns due to oil splashes.
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Inspecting and Replenishing209
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Note
•Please also refer to the guidelines ⇒page 210, “Disconnecting and recon- necting the battery”, also after connecting the battery.
Battery with a charge level in dicator, the so-called magic
eye*
There is a so-called magic eye ⇒fig. 149 located on the top of the battery. The “magic eye” changes its colour in line with the charge state of and electrolyte level in the battery.
Air bubbles can influence the colour of the “magic eye”. For this reason carefully knock on the “magic eye” before carrying out the check.
•Green colour - the battery is adequately charged.
•Dark colour - the battery has to be charged
•Colourless or yellow colour - we recommend you have the battery checked by a Škoda Service Partner.
Batteries, which are more than 5 years old, must be replaced. We recommend you have the electrolyte level inspected and adjusted to the correct level or the battery replaced if necessary by a Škoda Service Partner.
Caution
If the vehicle has not been driven for more than 3 to 4 weeks, the battery will discharge because certain electrical components consume electricity (e.g. control units) also in idle state. You can prevent the discharging of the battery by disconnecting the negative terminal or charging the battery constantly with a very low charging current. Please also refer to the notes when working on the battery ⇒page 207, “Working on the battery”.
Inspecting the electrolyte level
The battery is practically maintenance-free under normal operating condi- tions. We do, however, recommend th at you have the electrolyte level inspected from time to time by a Škod a Service Partner when outside tempera- tures are high or when driving on long trips. You should also check the electro- lyte level ⇒page 210 each time the battery is charged.
The battery acid level will also be chec ked as part of the Inspection Service.
Operation in winter
The battery has to provide greater amounts of electricity during the winter. It also has only part of the initial power ou tput at low temperatures that it has at normal temperatures.
A discharged battery may already freez e at temperatures just below 0°C.
Fig. 149 Battery with a charge level indicator
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Inspecting and Replenishing211
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
We recommend having the vehicle checked by a Škoda Service Partner to ensure full functionality of all electrical systems.
Replacing the battery
You should only replace a battery with a new battery of the same capacity, voltage (12 V), amperage and of the same size. Škoda Service Partners have a range of suitable batteries available.
We recommend that you only have an ol d battery disposed of by your Škoda Service Partner since it does require special disposal.
For the sake of the environment
Batteries contain poisonous substances su ch as sulphuric acid and lead. They must be disposed of in accordance with local environmental protection regula- tions and on no account as domestic waste.
Windshield washer system
The windshield washer reservoir contains the cleaning fluid for the windscreen or rear window and for the headlamp clea ning system*. The reservoir is located in the front left of the engine compartment ⇒fig. 150.
The filling level of the container is 2 litres, 5.5 litres on vehicles which also have a headlight washing system.
Clear water is not sufficient to intensiv ely clean the windscreen and headlights. We therefore recommend using clean washing water together with the screen cleaner from Škoda genuine accessories (i n winter additionally with antifreeze) which is capable of removing stubborn dirt. Follow the instructions for use on the packaging when using screen cleaning products.
You should always add antifreeze to the cleaning water in winter even if your vehicle is fitted with heated windscreen washer nozzles*.
It is also possible in exceptional cases to use methylated spirits when no screen cleaner with antifreeze is available. The concentration of methylated spirits
OperationOperating measure
Electrical power window (operational faults)⇒ page 52
Enter radio code numbersee Radio Operating Instruc- tions
Set hours⇒ page 17
Data in the multi-functional indicator* are deleted.⇒ page 17
Fig. 150 Engine compartment: Wind-shield washer fluid reser-voir
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Wheels and Tyres215
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Wear indicators
The base of the tread of the original tyres has wear indicators 1.6 mm high, installed at right angles to the direction of travel. These wear indicators are located at 6 - 8 points depending on th e make and are evenly spaced around the circumference of the tyre ⇒fig. 152. Markings on the walls of the tyres through the letters “TWI”, triangular symbols or other symbols identify the posi-tion of the wear indicators.
A remaining tread of just 1.6 mm, measured in the grooves of the tread next to the wear indicators, means that your ty res have reached their legally permis- sible minimum tread depth.
WARNING
•You must have your tyres replaced with new ones at the latest when the wear indicators have been wo rn down. The legally permissible minimum tread depth should be observed.
•Worn tyres do not provide the necessary adhesion to the road surface at high speeds on wet roads. One could experience “aquaplaning”
(uncontrolled movements of the vehicle - “swimming” on a wet road surface).
Changing wheels around
If significantly greater wear is present on the front tyres, we recommend changing the front wheels around with the rear wheels. You will then obtain approximately the same life for all the tyres.
It may be advantageous to swap the tyres over “crosswise” when certain types of wear characteristic aris e on the running surface of the tyres (but not in the case of unidirectional tyres). Škoda Se rvice Partners can provide you with details.
We recommend that you change the wheels around every 10 000 km in order to achieve even wear on all wheels and to obtain optimal tyre life.
New tyres and wheels
Tyres and wheel rims are important design elements. One should therefore use the tyres and wheel rims which have been released for use by Škoda Auto. They are exactly matched to the vehicle type an d therefore contribute significantly to good road holding and safe driving characteristics ⇒.
Only fit radial tyres of the same type on all 4 wheels, size (rolling circumference) and, if possible, the same tread pattern on one axle.
Škoda Service Partners have access to the most current information about which tyres we have released for use on your vehicle.
We recommend that you have any work relating to tyres or wheels carried out by your Škoda Service Partner. Your dealer has all of the necessary special
Fig. 152 Tyre tread with wear indicators
WARNING (continued)
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