2008 SKODA FABIA Owner's Manual

Starting-off and Driving96
•Let go of the key as soon as the engine starts otherwise there may be damage to the starter.
The engine running noises may louder at first be louder for a short time after starting the cold engine until oil pressure can be built up in the hydraulic valve clearance compensation. This is quite normal and is not an operating problem.
If the engine does not start ...
You can use the battery of another vehicle as a jump-start aid ⇒page 208.
It is only possible to tow-start vehicles fitted with a manual gearbox. The tow-starting distance must not be more than 50 metres ⇒page 211.
WARNING
•Never run the engine in non ventilated or enclosed areas. The exhaust gases of the engine contain besides the odorless and colourless carbon monoxide a poisonous gas - hazard! Carbon monoxide can cause uncon-sciousness and death.
•Never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running.
Caution
•The starter may only be operated (ignition key position ), if the engine is not running. If the starter is immediately operated after switching off the engine, the starter or the engine can be damaged.
•Avoid high engine revolutions, full throttle and high engine loads as long as the engine has not yet reached its normal operating temperature - risk of damaging the engine!
•Vehicles which are fitted with an exhaust gas catalytic converter should not be tow-started over a distance of more than 50 metres.
For the sake of the environment
Never warm up the engine when the vehicle is standing. Drive off right away. When driving the engine reaches its operating temperature more rapidly and the pollutant emissions are lower.
Petrol engines
These engines are fitted with a starter system which selects the correct fuel/air mixture for every external air temperature.
•Do not operate accelerator before and when starting engine.
•Interrupt the attempt at starting after 10 seconds if the engine does not start right awayand wait for about 30 seconds before repeating the attempt.
•It is possible that the fuse on the electrical fuel pump is defect if the engine still does not start. Check the fuse and replace it if necessary ⇒page 213.
•If the engine does not start, contact the nearest specialist garage to obtain professional assistance.
It may be necessary, if the engine is very hot, to slightly depress the accelerator after the engine has started.
Diesel engines
Glow plug system
Diesel engines are equipped with a glow plug system, the preglow period being controlled automatically in line with the coolant temperature and outside temper-ature.
The preglow indicator light  comes on after the ignition has been switched on.
You should not switch on any major electrical components during the heating period otherwise the vehicle battery will be drained unnecessarily.
•You should start the engine immediately after the glow plug warning light  has gone out.
•The glow plug warning light will come on for about one 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.
•Interrupt the attempt at starting after 10 seconds if the engine does not start right awayand wait for about 30 seconds before repeating the attempt.
•It is possible that the fuse on the diesel preglow system is defect if the engine still does not start. Check the fuse and replace it if necessary ⇒page 213.
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Starting-off and Driving97
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
•Contact the nearest specialist garage to obtain professional assistance.
Starting the engine after fuel tank has run dry
It may take longer than normal to start the engine after refuelling if the fuel tank has run completely dry - up to one minute. This is because the fuel system must first of all be filled while the attempting to start the engine.
Switching off the engine
– The engine can be switched off by turning the ignition key from posi-
tion into ⇒page 95, fig. 113.
WARNING
•Never switch off the engine before the vehicle is stationary - risk of acci-dent!
•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 temperature 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 181, “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 light 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.
•Depress the clutch pedal fully when changing gears, in order to avoid unneces-sary wear and damage.
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Fig. 114 Shift pattern on models fitted with 5-speed manual gearbox
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Starting-off and Driving98
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. 115.
– 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 handbrake which is only partially released can result in the rear brakes overheating which will have a negative 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).
Parking aid*
The parking aid provides a warning of obstacles behind the vehicle.
The audible parking aid determines the distance between the rear bumper and an obstacle located behind the vehicle with the aid of ultrasound sensors. The sensors are integrated in the rear bumper.
Fig. 115 Centre console: Handbrake
Fig. 116 Parking aid: Range of sensors
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Starting-off and Driving99
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Range of sensors
The clearance warning begins at a distance of about 160 cm from the obstacle (area ⇒page 98, fig. 116). The interval between the warning signals becomes shorter as the clearance is reduced.
A continuous tone sounds from a clearance of just 30 cm (Bereich ) - danger area. You should not reverse any further after this signal sounds!
Activating
The parking aid is activated automatically when reverse gear is engaged and the ignition is turned on. This is confirmed by a brief acknowledgement signal.
Deactivating
The parking aid is deactivated by removing the reverse gear.
WARNING
•The parking aid is not a substitute for the driver paying proper attention and it is always the driver's responsibility to take care when parking the vehicle or carrying out similar manoeuvres.
•You should therefore satisfy yourself, before reversing, that there is no small obstacle, such as a rock, thin post, trailer drawbar etc., behind your vehicle. Such an obstacle might not be within the range detected by the sensors.
Note
•When operating with a trailer, the parking aid is without function.
•A system fault is indicated if a warning signal sounds for about 5 seconds after switching the ignition on and engaging reverse gear and there is no obstacle close to your vehicle. It is possible that the audible warning does not function correctly (an obstacle behind the vehicle may not be detected - take extra care). Have the fault rectified by a specialist workshop.
•The sensors must be kept clean and free of ice to enable the parking aid to operate properly.
•If the parking aid is activated and the selector lever of the automatic gearbox is in the position , warning signal indicates interruption (vehicle can no longer move).
Cruise control system (CCS)*
Introduction
The cruise control system (CCS) maintains a constant speed, more than 30 km/h, once it has been set, without you having to depress the accelerator pedal. This is only possible within the range which is permitted by the power output and braking power of the engine. The cruise control system makes it possible - particularly on long journeys - for you to rest your “accelerator foot”.
WARNING
•The cruise control system must not, for safety reasons, be used in dense traffic or on unfavourable road surfaces (such as icy roads, slippery roads or loose chippings) - risk of accident!
•In order to prevent unintentional use of the cruise control system, always switch off the system after use.
Note
•Models fitted with a manual gearbox: Always depress the clutch pedal if you switch on the cruise control system when the gearbox is in Neutral. Otherwise the engine can rev up unintentionally.
•The cruise control system is not able to maintain a constant speed when driving on steep downhill sections. The weight of the vehicle increases the speed at which it travels. One should shift down in good time to a lower gear or slow the vehicle down by applying the foot brake.
•It is not possible on vehicles fitted with an automatic gearbox to switch on the cruise control system if the selector lever is in the position P, N or R.
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Starting-off and Driving100
Storing a speed
The cruise control system is operated by means of the switch and
rocker button in the left lever of the multi-functional switch.
– Press the switch ⇒fig. 117 into the position ON.
– After the desired speed has been reached, press the rocker button
into the SET- position - the current speed is stored.
After you have released the rocker button out of the position SET-, the speed you have just stored is maintained at a constant speed without having to depress the accelerator.
You can increase the speed by depressing the accelerator. Releasing the acceler-ator will cause the speed to drop again to the set speed.
This does not apply, however, if you drive at a speed which is more than 10 km/h higher than the set speed for a period of longer than 5 minutes. The stored speed will be cancelled in the memory. You then have to re-store the desired speed.
One can reduce the speed in the usual manner. The system is switched off tempo-rarily by actuating the brake or clutch pedal ⇒page 101.
WARNING
First ensure that it is not too high for the traffic conditions which exist at that moment before resuming the stored speed.
Changing a stored speed
You can also change the speed of the vehicle without depressing the
accelerator.
Fa st e r
– You can increase the stored speed without depressing the acceler-
ator, by pressing the rocker button ⇒fig. 117 into the RES+ posi-
tion.
– The speed of the car will increase continuously if you hold the rocker
button pressed in the RES+ position. Once the car has reached the
desired speed, release the rocker button. The set speed is then stored
in the memory.
Slower
– You can decrease the stored speed by pressing the rocker button
in the SET- position.
– Holding down the pushbutton pressed in the SET- position will cause
the speed of the vehicle to reduce continuously. Once the car has
reached the desired speed, release the rocker button. The set speed is
then stored in the memory.
– If you release the rocker button when the car is travelling at a speed of
less than 30 km/h, the speed is not stored, the memory is erased. It is
then necessary to again store the speed with the rocker button in
the position SET- after an increase in speed of the vehicle to more
than 30 km/hour.
Fig. 117 Operating lever: Rocker button and switch of cruise control system
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Starting-off and Driving101
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Switching off the cruise control system temporarily
–You can switch off temporarily the cruise control system, if you
depress the brake or clutch pedal.
The set speed remains stored in the memory.
Press the rocker button in the position RES+ for the resumption of the stored speed after releasing the clutch or brake pedal.
WARNING
First ensure that it is not too high for the traffic conditions which exist at that moment before resuming the stored speed.
Switching off the cruise control system completely
– Press the switch ⇒page 100, fig. 117 to the right into position
OFF.
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Automatic gearbox102
Automatic gearbox
6-speed automatic gearbox*
Introduction
Your car is equipped with an electronically controlled 6-speed automatic gearbox. Shifting up and also down through the gears is performed automatically.
At the same time this is a conventional automatic gearbox. The maximum speed is reached in the 5th gear. The 6th gear serves as an economic driving programme, which is intended to reduce the fuel consumption.
Information for driving with an automatic gearbox
Shifting up and down through the gears is performed automatically.
You can also, however, switch the gearbox over into the Tiptronic mode.
This mode makes it possible for you to also shift gears manually
⇒page 105.
Starting-off and Driving
– Depress the brake pedal and hold it depressed.
– Press the Shiftlock button (button in handle of the selector lever),
move the selector lever into the desired position, e.g. D ⇒page 103,
and then release the Shiftlock button.
– Wait a moment until the gearbox has shifted (a slight engagement
nudge can be felt).
– Release the brake pedal and depress the accelerator ⇒.
Stopping for a short time
– The selector lever position N does not have to be selected when stop-
ping just for a short time, such as at a cross roads. It is sufficient to hold
the vehicle stationary using the foot brake. The engine can, however,
be allowed just to idle.
Parking
– Depress the brake pedal and hold it depressed.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Press and Shiftlock button in the selector lever, move the selector
lever to P and then release the Shiftlock button.
The engine can only be started when the selector lever is in position P or N ⇒page 95.
It is sufficient to engage selector lever position P when parking on a flat surface. When parking on a slope you should first apply the handbrake firmly and then move the selector lever into position P. This is to ensure that there is no excessive pressure acting on the lock mechanism and that it is easier to subsequently move the selector lever out of position P.
If the selector lever position N is selected by accident while driving it is first neces-sary to release pressure on the accelerator pedal and wait for idling speed of the engine to be reached before engaging a drive position in the selector lever.
WARNING
•Do not depress the accelerator when changing the position of the selector lever if the car is stationary and the engine is running - risk of acci-dent!
•Never move the selector lever into position R or P when driving - risk of an accident!
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Automatic gearbox103
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
•When the engine is running and the vehicle is stationary, it is necessary to hold the car with the brake pedal in all the positions of the selector lever (except P and N) since the power transmission is never completely inter-rupted, also not when the engine is idling - the vehicle "creeps".
Selector lever positions
The selector lever position you have engaged is shown in the information display of the instrument cluster with the corresponding gear symbol highlighted
⇒fig. 119. In the positions D and S the gear you have already engaged will be addi-tionally displayed on the display.
P - Parklock
The driven wheels are locked mechanically in this position.
The Parklock must only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary ⇒.
If you wish to move the selector lever into or out of this position, you must press the Shiftlock button in the handle of the selector lever and at the same time depress the brake pedal.
R - Reverse
Reverse gear must only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary and the engine idling ⇒.
The brake pedal must be depressed and at the same time the Shiftlock must be pressed, if you wish to obtain the selector lever positions R, P or N.
When the ignition is switched on and the selector lever is in position R, the reverse lights will come on.
N - Neutral
The transmission is in Neutral in this position.
The brake pedal must be depressed (if the lever is in its position for longer than 2 seconds) in order to move the selector lever out of the position N into the position D, with the ignition switched on, on a vehicle travelling at less than 5 km/hour or on a stationary vehicle.
The brake pedal must be depressed (if the lever is in its position for longer than 2 seconds) in order to move the selector lever out of the position N into the position R, with the ignition switched on, on a vehicle travelling at less than 5 km/hour or on a stationary vehicle.
D - Drive, position for driving forward
When the selector lever is in this position, the forward gears are shifted up and down automatically in line with engine load, vehicle speed and the dynamic shift programme.
You must depress the brake pedal if you wise to move into position D from N when the vehicle is travelling at less than 5 km/hour or is stationary ⇒.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 118 Selector lever
Fig. 119 Information display: Selector lever posi-tions
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