2006 SKODA FABIA Owner's Manual

Wheels and Tyres216
tools and replacement parts available plus the required specialist knowledge and is also in a position to properly di spose of the old tyres. A large number of Škoda Service Partners also have an attractive range of tyres and wheels avail-able.
The tyre/wheel combinations which are ap proved for your vehicle are indicated in your vehicle documents. Approval an d licensing may differ according to the legislation prevailing in individual countries.
Proper knowledge of the tyre data makes it easier for you to select the correct type of tyre. Tyres do, for example, have the following inscription on their walls:
185 / 65 R 14 86 T
What this means is:
The following speed restrictions apply to tyres.
The date of manufacture is also stated on the tyre wall (possibly only on the inside of wheel):
DOT ... 05 06...
means, for example, that the tyre was manufactured in the th week of the year 2006.
Any spare wheel which differs from the tyres fitted to the vehicle (e.g. winter tyres or low-profile tyres) should only be used only for a short time in the event of a puncture and when adopting an appr opriately cautious style of driving. It should be replaced as quickly as possible by a normal wheel.
WARNING
•Only use those tyres or wheel rims which have been approved for your model of Škoda Auto a.s. vehicle. Failure to observe this instruction will adversely affect the road safety of your vehicle - risk of accident! Approval and licencing of your vehicl e on public roads may also become void as a result.
•You must on no account drive at a higher speed than is permissible 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 excep- tional 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
185Tyre wi dt h i n mm
65Height/width ratio in %
RCode letter for the type of tyre - Radial
14Diameter of wheel in inches
86Load index
TSpeed symbol
Speed symbolPermissible maximum speed
Q160 km/h
R170 km/h
S180 km/h
T190 km/h
H210 km/h
V240 km/h
W270 km/h
Speed symbolPermissible maximum speed
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Wheels and Tyres217
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
used in exceptional cases and only th en 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 conf ormity with the appropriate regulations.
Note
It is not normally possible to fit wheels from other models of cars for technical 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 allo y 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 essentia l 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.
The Škoda Service Partners are instructed in the technical possibilities which exist regarding converting or retrofitting wheels, tyres and wheel trim.
WARNING
•In case of incorrect treatment of th e 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 tightening torque which is too high can damage the bolts and threads and this can result in permanent 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.
Winter tyres
The handling of your vehi cle will be significantly improved when driving on wintry roads if you fit winter tyres. Summer tyres do not offer the same grip on ice, snow and at temperatures below 7 °C because of their construction (width, rubber blend, tread pattern). This applie s in particular to vehicles which are equipped with low-profile tyres or high-speed tyres (code index H, V or W on wall of tyre).
Winter tyres must be mounted on all four wheels to obtain the best handling characteristics.
You must only fit those types of winter ty re which are approved for your vehicle. The permissible sizes of winter tyres are stated in your vehicle documents. Approvals may differ becaus e of national legislation.
Please remember that the tyres should be inflated to 20 kPa (0.2 bar) more than is the case for summer tyres ⇒page 214.
WARNING (continued)
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Wheels and Tyres218
Winter tyres no longer offer the same winter performance once the tyre tread has worn down to a depth of about 4 mm.
Ageing also causes winter tyres to lose most of their winter performance prop- erties - even in cases where the remaining tread depth is still clearly more than 4 mm.
Speed restrictions apply to winter tyres as well as to summer tyres ⇒ page 215, ⇒.
You can fit winter tyres of a lower speed category to your vehicle provided that you also do not drive faster than the permissible maximum speed for such tyres, even if the possible maximum speed of your vehicle is higher. The corre- sponding tyre category can damage th e tyres when exceeding the permissible maximum speed.
Please pay attention to the notes if you decide to fit winter tyres ⇒page 213.
You can also fit so-called “all-year tyres” instead of winter tyres.
Please contact your specialist garage if there are any points which are not clear who will be able to provide you with information regarding the maximum speed for your tyres.
WARNING
You must on no account drive your car at more than the permissible maximum speed for your winter tyres - risk of an accident resulting from tyre damage and loss of control over your car.
For the sake of the environment
Fit your summer tyres on again in good time since summer tyres offer you better grip and handling on roads which are free of snow and ice as well as ar temperatures below 7 °C - the braking distance is shorter, there is less tyre noise, tyre wear is reduced and fuel consumption is reduced.
Note
Please observe the various differing legal requirements regarding tyres.
Unidirectional tyres*
The direction of rotation of the tyres is marked by arrows on the wall of the tyre . This indicates the direction of rotation of the tyre, and it is essential that the tyres are fitted on to run in this direction. Only then are the tyres able to provide the optimal properties in terms of grip, low noise, wear-and-tear and aqua- planing.
Should it be necessary to fit on a spar e wheel in exceptional cases with a tyre not dedicated to the running direction or in opposite running direction, please adopt a cautious style of driving as the tyre is no longer able to provide optimal grip and handling in such a situation. This particularly important on wet roads. Please refer to the notes ⇒page 223, “Spare wheel*”.
You should have the defective tyre replaced as soon as possible and restore the correct direction of rotation on all tyres
Snow chains
Snow chains must only be mounted on the front wheels.
When driving on wintry roads, snow chains improve not only traction, but also the braking performance.
For technical reasons, it is only permissi ble to fit snow chains with the following wheel/tyre combinations:
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Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Only use fine-link snow chains. They must not project more than 9 mm - including the chain lock.
Remove the full wheel trims before installing the snow chains.
Observe the national legal requirements relating to the use of snow chains and the maximum vehicle speed with snow chains.
WARNING
Please pay attention to the information in the supplied fitting instruc-tions of the snow chain manufacturer.
Caution
You must take the chains off as soon as you drive on roads which are free of snow. They adversely affect the handling of your vehicle, damage the tyres and are rapidly destroyed.
Note
•Only fit snow chains from the ra nge of Škoda genuine accessories.
•When driving with snow chains, switch off the traction control system (TCS).
Wheel sizeDepth (D)Tyre s iz e
5J x 1335 mm155/80
5J x 1435 mm165/70
6J x 1437 mm185/60
6J x 1543 mm185/55
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Accessories, changes and replacement of parts220
Accessories, changes and replacement of parts
Accessories and replacement parts
Škoda vehicles have been built according to the latest discoveries in safety engi- neering. Thus one should not change the condition in which the vehicle was delivered from the manufacturer without some thought.
The following guidelines should be observed when a vehicle is to be retrofitted with accessories, have technical changes ma de to it or a part has to be replaced at some time in the future.
•Advise should always be obtained from a Škoda Service Partner before buying any accessories and before making any technical changes ⇒.
•This is particularly the case when accessories are bought in a foreign country.
•Škoda Genuine Accessories which have been released for use and Skoda original parts can be obtained from Šk oda Service Partners. They will install them professionally and correctly.
•All Škoda original accessory which is li sted in the catalogue such as tilting roofs, spoilers, wheels etc. must ha ve an official stamp of approval.
•Radios, aerials and other electrical accessories should only be installed by an authorised workshop.
•The guidelines issued by Škoda Auto a.s. must be observed when making technical changes.
•This is to ensure that no technical damage occurs to the vehicle, that travel- ling and operating safety are maintained and that the chnages are permissible. Škoda Service Partners undertake this wo rk professionally or refer it to an specialist company in special cases.
Any damage which is done caused by technical changes made without consulting a Skoda a.s. dealer is excluded from the guarantee.
WARNING
•We advise you, in your own interest, to only use Škoda Genuine Accessories and Škoda original pa rts which have been expressly approved for use on your Škoda. Reliability, safety and suitabiliity have been established for these Škoda original parts.
•We cannot guarantee suitability of installation into your vehicle of other products despite keeping a constant eye on market developments (also not in the case where there is an attestation or permission can be produced).
Technical changes
Interference on the electronic components and their software can lead to oper- ational faults. This interfer ence can also impair not directly affected systems because of the networking of the elec tronic components. This means that the operating safety of your vehicle can be considerably jeopardized, a greater wear of vehicle parts can occur and finally th e vehicle registration documents expire.
We trust that you will understand that your Škoda Service Partner cannot be liable for damage resulting from unprofessional work.
We therefore recommend that you have all work carried out with Škoda original parts at your authorised Škoda Service Partners.
WARNING
Work or modifications on your vehicle, which have been carried out unprofessionally, can cause operatio nal faults - risk of accident!
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Breakdown assistance221
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Breakdown assistance
Breakdown assistance
First-aid box* and Warning triangle*
The first-aid box must be stored in such a way that it is immediately ready to hand.
A warning triangle with the maximum dimensions 39 x 68 x 450 mm can be attached to the trim panel of the rear wall with rubber straps ⇒fig. 153
If you wish to equip your vehicle additionally with a warning triangle, please contact a specialist garage.
WARNING
The first-aid box must be stored in such a way that the occupants do no suffer any injuries in the event of an emergency braking or a collision of the vehicle.
Note
•Pay attention to the use-by-date of the contents of the first-aid box.
Fire extinguisher*
The fire extinguisher is attached with straps under the driver seat.
Please read carefully the instructions which are attached to the fire extin- guisher.
The fire extinguisher must be checked by an authorised person or company annually (please observe th e various differing national legal requirements).
WARNING
If the fire extinguisher is not correctly attached, in case of sudden manoeuvres or an accident it can be “thrown” through the interior compartment and cause injuries.
Fig. 153 Placing of the warning triangle
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Breakdown assistance222
Note
•The fire extinguisher must comply with the relevant and valid legal require- ments.
•Pay attention to the expiration date of the fire extinguisher. If the fire extin- guisher is used after the expiration da te, its proper function is no longer assured.
•The fire extinguisher is only supplied in certain countries within the scope of delivery.
Vehicle tool kit
The vehicle tool kit and the lifting jack ar e stored in a locable plastic box in the spare wheel ⇒fig. 154. There is also space here for the removable ball for the trailer towing device.
The vehicle tool kit contains the foll owing parts (depending on equipment fitted):
•Torx wrench,
•Wheel wrench,
•Hook for pulling off a full wheel trim,
•To w i n g e y e ,
•Adapter for the wheel bolts lock.
After using the lifting jack, screw in the arm of the lifting jack fully before placing it back in its stowage area.
WARNING
•The hexagon socket in the handle of the screwdriver should only be used to fit on the wheel bolts. Neve r use the hexagon socket of the screw- driver for tightening the wheel bolt s because you will not be able to achieve the necessary tightening torque with the hexagon socket - risk of accident!
•The factory-supplied lifting jack is only intended for your model of vehicle. On no account attempt to lift a heavier vehicle or other loads - risk of injury!
•Ensure that the vehicle tool kit is safely attached in the luggage compartment.
Tyre repair kit*
The tyre repair kit is intended for the repair of minor tyre defects. The tyre repair kit contains a compressor, inflation bottle, operating instructions and accesso-ries.
Fig. 154 Luggage compartment: Storage compartment for vehicle too kit
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Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
The repair with the tyre repair kit is not at all intended to replace a permanent repair on the tyre, this repair only serves to reach the next workshop. The repair can be undertaken on th e vehicle immediately. Please read the attached instructions carefully before the repair.
The tyre repair kit is locate d in the luggage compartment.
Spare wheel*
The spare wheel is stowed in the spare wheel well in the
luggage compartment belo w 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. 155.
One should check the inflation pressure in the spare wheel (at best when gener- ally checking the tyre air pressures - see sign on the fuel filler flap ⇒page 195) to ensure that the spare wheel is always ready to use.
Unidirectional tyres*
If you have such tyres on your vehi cle, 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 accident. Avoid accelerating at full throttle, sharp braking and fast cornering.
•The inflation pressure for this spare wheel is identical to the inflation pres- sure of the standard tyres.
•Use this spare wheel only to reach the nearest specialist garage as it is not intended for co ntinuous use.
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 occu-
pants of the vehicle should not stand on the road (e.g. behind a
crash barrier).
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
Fig. 155 Luggage compartment: Spare wheel
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