2006 SKODA FABIA ESP

Passive Safety134
For this reason you will be provided with information on why this equipment is very important, how it protects you and the occupants, what should be observed when using the equipment and how you and the people travelling with you can make full use of the exis ting safety equipment. 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 75, “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 se ats with correctly fastened seat belts ⇒ page 155, “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 141, “How are seat belts correctly fastened?”.
What influences the driving safety?
The driving safety is primaril y determined by the style of
driving and the personal behaviour of all the occupants.
The driver is fully responsible for hims elf and his occupants. If your driving safety is effected, you place yourself an d 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 medication, 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 journe ys - at the latest every two hours.
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Passive Safety137
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
•Adjust the head restraints so that the top edge of the head restraints are at the same level as the upper part of your head ⇒page 135, fig. 105.
•Fasten the seat belt correctly ⇒page 141, “How are seat belts correctly fastened?”.
•If you are transporting ⇒page 155, “Transporting children safely” children in the vehicle, plea se use a suitable child restraint system.
WARNING
•The head restraints must always be adjusted to match the body size, in order to offer an optimal protection for you and your occupants.
•Always keep your feet in the footwell when the car is being driven - never put your feet out of the window or on the surfaces of the seats. You will be exposed to increased risk of injury if it becomes necessary to apply the brake or in the event of an accident. If the head airbag* is deployed and when adopting an in correct seated position, you are exposing yourself to an increased risk of injury and in the event of an accident you may suffer fatal injuries!
•If the occupants on the rear seats are not sitting upright, the risk of injury is increased due to inco rrect routing of the seat belt.
Examples of an incorrect seated position
An incorrect seated position can lead to severe injuries or
death for the occupants.
Seat belts offer their optimum protection on ly if the webbing of the seat belts is properly routed. Incorrect seated positi ons considerably reduce the protective functions of the seat belts and therefore increase the risk of injury due to an incorrect routing of the seat belt. The driver is fully responsible for himself and his occupants, in particular for the ch ildren. Do not permit an occupant to adopt an incorrect seated position when the car is moving.
The following list contains the examples of seated positions which are dangerous for the occupants. This list is not complete, however we would like you to get interested in this subject.
Therefore, while the car is moving never:
•stand up in the vehicle,
•stand up on the seats,
•kneel onto the seats,
•tilt the backrest fully to the back,
•lean against the dash panel,
•lie on the rear seats,
•only sit on the front area of the seat,
•sit to the side,
•lean out of the window,
•put the feet out of the window,
•put the feet on the dash panel,
•put the feet on the seat upholstery,
•occupy the footwell,
•have the seat belt not fastened,
•occupy the luggage compartment.
WARNING
•If the occupant adopts an incorrect seated position, he is exposed to life-threatening injuries, in case he is hit by a deployed airbag.
•Before setting off, please adopt the correct seated position and do not change this seated position while th e car is moving. Also advise your occupants to adopt the correct seated position and not to change this seated position while the car is moving.
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Seat belts143
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
A plastic knob in the belt webbing holds the belt tongue in a position which is easy to get hold of.
Three-point safety belt for the middle rear seat
It is used in the same way as the normal three-point seat belts on the left and right (at front and rear).
WARNING
•The three-point safety belt for the rear middle seat can only fulfil its function reliably when the backrests are correctly locked into position ⇒ page 73.
Belt tensioner
Safety for the driver and front passenger wearing their seat belts is enhanced by the belt tensioners fitted to the inertia reels of the front three-point seat belts.
The fastened three-point seat belts are automatically tensioned in the event of a frontal collision of a certain severity. The belts tensioners are also deployed if the seat belts are not fastened.
Belt tensioners are not activated in the event of minor frontal collisions, side and rear-end collisions, in the case of a rollover and also not in accidents in which no major forces are produced from the front.
WARNING
•Any work on the belt tightener sy stem, including removal and instal- lation of system components because of other repair work, must only be carried out by a specialist garage.
•The protective function of the system is only adequate for a single accident. If the belt tensioners have been deployed, it is then necessary to replace the entire system.
•The Owner's Manual must also be handed over to the new owner if the vehicle is sold.
Note
•Smoke is generated when the belt tensioners are deployed. This is not an indication of a fire in the vehicle.
•It is essential to pay attention to releva nt safety regulations if the vehicle or individual parts of the system are scrapped. Škoda Service Partners are familiar with these regulations and will be able to provide you with detailed information in this respect.
•When disposing of vehicle or parts of the system, it is important to comply with the national legal requirements.
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Airbag system152
•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. In addition, it is not permitted to use clothes hangers for hanging up items of clothing.
•There must not be any other persons (e.g. children) or animals between the car occupant and the deployment area of the head airbag. In addition, none of the occupants should lean their head out of the window when driving, or extend their arms and hands out of the window.
•The sun visors must not be swivelled to the side windows into the deployment area of the head airbags if any objects, such as ball-point pens etc. are attached to them. This might result in injuries to the occu- pants if the head ai rbag is deployed.
•Installing impermissible accessories in the area of the head airbags may considerably impair the protection offered by the head airbag in the event of it being deployed. When the deployed head airbag is inflated, parts of the accessories fitted may in certain circumstances be thrown into the interior of the car and cause injuries to the occupants ⇒ page 220.
•Any work on the head airbag system including installing and removing system components because of other repair work (e.g. removing headliner) must only be carried out by a specialist garage.
Deactivating an airbag
Deactivating airbags
If any airbags have been deacti vated, switch them on again as
soon as possible so that they are able to again provide their
proper protection.
There is the technical means installed within your vehicle to switch off the front, side* or head airbag* (take out of commission).
This is why you should have the deacti vation of the airbags carried out by a specialist garage.
On vehicles equipped with the switch fo r deactivation of the airbags, you can deactivate the front passenger airbag or passenger side airbag by means of this switch ⇒page 153.
Deactivation of airbags is envisaged only for particular instances, such as if:
•you must in exceptional cases use a child seat on the front passenger seat where the child has its back to the direct ion of travel of the vehicle (in some countries this must be in the direction of travel due to other legal regulations applying) ⇒page 155, “Important safety information regarding the use of child safety seats”,
•you are not able to maintain the distan ce of at least 25 cm between middle of steering wheel and chest, despite the driver seat being correctly adjusted,
•special attachments are required in the area of the steering wheel because of a physical disability,
•you have installed other seats (e.g. orthopaedic seats without side airbags).
Monitoring the airbag system
The functionality of the airbag system is also monitored electronically, when one airbag has been switched off
WARNING (continued)
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Airbag system154
Deactivating an airbag
– Switch off the ignition.
– Turn the slot of the airbag switch using the ignition key in the direc-
tion of the arrow to the position OFF ⇒page 153, fig. 121.
– Check whether the airbag indicator light    in
the middle of the dash panel lights up ⇒page 153, fig. 122 when
the ignition is turned on.
Switching on an airbag
– Switch off the ignition.
– Turn the slot of the airbag switch using the ignition key in the direc-
tion of the arrow to the position ON ⇒page 153, fig. 121.
– Check whether the airbag indicator light    in
the middle of the dash panel lights up ⇒page 153, fig. 122 when
the ignition is turned on.
The airbags should only be switched off under exceptional circumstances ⇒ page 152.
Indicator light    (airbag switched off)
The airbag indicator light is located in the middle of the dash panel ⇒page 153, fig. 122 .
If the front passenger airbag is switched on, the airbag warning light comes on for a few seconds each time the ignition is switched on.
In cases where the front passenger front airbag or side airbag is switched off the airbag indicator light comes on for a few seconds after switching on the igni- tion, goes out for about a second and then comes on again.
There is a system fault present in the airbag switch off ⇒ if the indicator light flashes.
WARNING
•The driver is responsible for whethe r the airbags are switched on or switched off.
•Only switch off the airbag when the ignition is switched off! Other- wise a fault can occur in the system for the airbag deactivation.
•If the warning light    (airbag switched off) flashes:
− Front passenger airbag is not deployed in the event of an accident!
− It is also important to have the system inspected without delay by a specialist garage.
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Transporting children safely164
instructions from the manufacturer of the child safety seat when installing and removing the seat.
Note
•Child seats which use the “ISOFIX” system are currently available for chil-dren weighing up to about 18 kg. This co rresponds to an age range up to 4 years.
•The child seats can also be fitted with the “Top Tether” system ⇒ page 164.
Attaching child seat using the “Top Tether”
system
On vehicles with divided rear seats* the exterior seats are equipped ⇒fig. 132 with the attachment system “Top Tether ” for enhancing the safety of the chil- dren when being transported.
On vehicles with non divided rear seats* the lashing eyes in the luggage compartment ⇒page 76, fig. 57 are used to fasten the child seats with the system “Top Tether”.
Always perform the installation and removal as stated in the instructions from the manufacturer of the child seat.
WARNING
•Attach the child seats with the “Top Tether” system only to the points provided for this purpose ⇒fig. 132.
•On no account should you equip your vehicle, e.g. mount screws or other anchorage points.
•Pay attention to the important safety information regarding the use of child seats ⇒page 155.
Note
Store the remaining part of the belt for the “Top Tether” system in a textile pocket, which is located at the child seat.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 132 Rear seat: Top Te t h e r
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Intelligent Technology165
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Driving Tips
Intelligent Technology
Electronic stability programme (ESP)*
General
General
The ESP aids you maintain control of your vehicle in situations in borderline driving situations such as when negotiatin g a curve too fast. The risk of skidding is reduced and your car thus offers greater driving stability depending on the conditions of the road surface. This occurs at all speeds.
The following systems are integrated in to the electronic stability programme:
•Electronic Differential Lock (EDL),
•Traction control system (TCS),
•Antilock brake system (ABS),
•Brake Assist.
Operating principle
The ESP switches on automatically wh en the engine is started and then conducts a self-test. The ESP control uni t processes data from the individual systems. It also processes additional measurement data which are supplied by highly sensitive sensors: the rotational velocity of the vehicle about its vertical axis, the lateral acceleration of the vehicle, the braking pressure and the steering angle.
The direction which the driver wishes to take is determined based on the steering angle and the speed of the vehicle and is constantly compared with the actual behaviour of the vehicl e. If differences exist, such as the car beginning to skid, the ESP will automatically brake the appropriate wheel.
The car is stabilised again by the forces which take effect when the wheel is braked. Intervention into the brake system takes place primarily on the outer front wheel of a vehicle which tends to oversteer (tendency for the rear of the vehicle to break away) while occurs this is on the inner rear wheel of a vehicle which tends to understeer (tendency to shift out of the curve). This braking control cycle is accompanied by noises.
The ESP operates in combination with the ABS ⇒page 169, “Antilock brake system (ABS)*”. If there is a fault in the ABS system, the ESP also does not operate.
The ESP warning light ⇒page 33 lights up in the instrument cluster when there is a fault on the ESP.
Fig. 133 ESP switch
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Intelligent Technology166
Switching off
You can switch the ESP off and on again as you wish, by pressing the button ⇒ page 165, fig. 133. The ESP warning light ⇒page 33 lights up in the instru- ment cluster when the ESP is switched off.
The ESP should normally al ways be switched on. It may be good practice in certain exceptional cases, such as when you wish to have wheel slip, to switch off the system.
Examples:
•when driving with snow chains,
•when driving in deep snow or on a loose surface,
•when it is necessary to rock a car free when it has become stuck.
then you should switch on the ESP again.
WARNING
It is also not possible for the ESP to overcome the physical limits of the vehicle. Even if a vehicle fitted with ESP you should still always adapt your style of driving to the condition of the road surface and the traffic situation. This particularly applies when driving on slippery and wet roads. The increased safety offered must not tempt you to take greater risks than otherwise - risk of an accident!
Note
•All four wheels must be fitted with the same tyres in order to achieve problem-free operation of the ESP. Differ ing rolling circumferences of the tyres can lead to an undesirable reduction in the engine output.
•Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or other assignment of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the ESP ⇒ page 220, “Accessories, changes and replacement of parts”.
Traction control system (TCS)*
The traction control system prevents the driven wheels from
spinning when accelerating.
General
The TCS makes it much easier, and sometimes at all possible, to start off, accel- erate and climb a steep hill when the co nditions of the road surface are unfa- vourable.
Operating principle
The TCS switches on automatically when the engine is started and then conducts a self-test. The system monitors the speeds of the driven wheels with the aid of the ABS sensors. If the wheels are spinning, the force transmitted to the road surface is automatically adap ted by reducing the engine speed. This occurs at all speeds.
The TCS operates in combination with the ABS ⇒page 169, “Antilock brake system (ABS)*”. The TCS will not function if a fault exists in the ABS system.
Fig. 134 TCS switch
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