2008 SKODA FABIA temperature

Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle173
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Wheels
Steel wheels
You should also thoroughly wash the wheels and wheel trims when giving your vehicle its regular wash. This prevents any brake dust, dirt and road salt from sticking to the wheel hubs. You can remove stubborn brake abrasion adhering to t h e w h e e l s w i t h a n i n d u s tr i a l c l e a n e r. To u c h u p a n y d a m a g e to t h e p a i n tw o r k o n th e wheels before rust is able to form.
Light alloy wheels
Regular care of light alloy wheels is necessary in order to retain their decorative appearance over long periods. It is particularly important to remove any road salt and brake abrasion from light alloy wheels every two weeks, otherwise the surface will suffer. Wash thoroughly and then treat the wheels with a protective product for light alloy wheels which does not contain any acidic components. You should provide the wheel hubs with a hard wax layer every three months. You must not use any products which cause abrasion when treating the wheel hubs. Any damage to the paint layer on the wheel hubs must be touched up immediately.
We recommend using a preservative from Škoda genuine accessories offered by your Škoda dealer.
WARNING
One should remember when cleaning the wheels that moisture, ice and road salt may adversely affect braking efficiency - risk of an accident!
Note
Severe layers of dirt on the wheels can also result in wheel imbalance. This may show itself in the form of a wheel vibration which is transmitted to the steering wheel which, in certain circumstances, can cause premature wear of the steering. This means it is necessary to remove the dirt.
Underbody protection
The underside of your vehicle is protected for life against chemical and mechanical influences.
One cannot, however, completely rule out damage to the protective layer when driving so we recommend that you inspect the protective layer on the underside of your vehicle and on the chassis at certain intervals - this is best done at the begin-ning and end of the winter - and to touch up any damaged areas.
Škoda Service Partners have suitable spray products available as well as the neces-sary equipment and are familiar with the instructions for use. We therefore recom-mend to have repairs and additional corrosion protection measures preferably carried out by a Škoda Service Partner.
WARNING
Never use additional underbody protection or corrosion-protection agents for the exhaust pipes, catalytic converters or heat shields. Such substances might ignite when driving - risk of fire!
Protection of hollow spaces
All the cavities of your vehicle which are at risk from corrosion are protected for life by a layer of protective wax applied in the factory.
This wax protection does not require to be inspected or re-treated. Please remove any small amount of wax which flows out of the cavities at high temperatures with a plastic scraper and clean the spot using petroleum cleaner.
WARNING
Safety and environmental protection regulations should observed when using petroleum cleaner to remove wax - a risk of fire!
NKO A05F 20.book Page 173 Wednesday, April 2, 2008 1:02 PM

Fuel178
Operation in winter
Winter-grade diesel fuel
A different grade of diesel fuel is available at filling stations in winter than during the summer. Using “summer-grade diesel fuel” at temperatures below 0°C can result in operational problems because the diesel becomes viscous as a result of paraffin separation.
It is therefore the case that EN 590 prescribes diesel fuel class for certain periods of the year which can also be purchased at the corresponding time during the year. “Winter-grade diesel fuel” will still operate properly even at a temperature of -20°C.
It is often the case in countries with different climatic conditions that diesel fuels available have a different temperature characteristic. Škoda Service Partners and filling stations in the country concerned will be able to provide you with informa-tion regarding the diesel fuels available.
Prewarming fuel
The vehicle is fitted with a fuel filter prewarming system. This secures operation of a vehicle using diesel fuel down to an environmental temperature of -25°C.
Caution
It is not permitted to add the various fuel additives on the market, including petrol, to diesel fuel in order to improve its flow properties.
Refuelling
Opening the fuel filler cap
– Open the fuel filler flap with the hand ⇒fig. 165.
– Unlock the fuel filler cap on the fuel filler tube to the left using the
vehicle key.
– Unscrew the fuel filler cap anti-clockwise and place the fuel filler cap
from above on the fuel filler flap ⇒fig. 166.
Closing fuel filler cap
– Screw on the cap by turning it to the right until it is heard to lock.
Fig. 165 Right rear side of the vehicle: Fuel filler flap
Fig. 166 Filler flap with cap unscrewed
NKO A05F 20.book Page 178 Wednesday, April 2, 2008 1:02 PM

Inspecting and Replenishing188
Radiator fan
The radiator fan may switch on suddenly.
The radiator fan is driven by an electric motor and controlled by a thermostat according to the coolant temperature.
The radiator fan may continue running for up to 10 minutes after the engine has been switched off - even if the ignition is also off. It may also switch on suddenly after a certain time, if
•the coolant temperature has risen because of an accumulation of heat or
•the warm engine compartment is heated up additionally by strong sunlight.
WARNING
You must therefore be aware when working in the engine compartment that the fan may switch on suddenly - risk of injury!
Brake fluid
Inspecting the brake fluid level
The brake fluid reservoir is located on the left of the engine compartment.
The brake fluid reservoir on right-hand steering models is positioned on
the other side of the engine compartment.
– Switch the engine off.
– Open the bonnet ⇒ in “Working in the engine compartment” on
page 181.
– Inspect the brake fluid level in the reservoir ⇒fig. 173. The level must
be between the “MIN” and “MAX” markings.
A slight drop in the fluid level results when driving due to normal wear-and-tear and automatic adjustment of the brake pads, and is perfectly normal.
There may be an indication of a leak in the brake system, however, if the fluid level drops significantly within a short time or if it drops below the “MIN” marking. A situ-ation where the brake fluid level is too low is indicated by the warning light  lighting up in the instrument cluster ⇒page 28. In this case stop immediately and do not drive any further! Obtain professional assistance.
WARNING
•Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 181, “Working in the engine compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
•If the fluid level has dropped below the MIN marking, do not drive any further - risk of accident! Contact a Škoda dealer to obtain professional assistance.
Replacing brake fluid
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. This causes the fluid to absorb moisture from the surrounding air over a period of time. Excessive water in the brake fluid may be the cause of corrosion in the brake system. The water content also lowers the boiling point of the brake fluid. This is why brake fluid must be replaced every two years.
Fig. 173 Engine compart-ment: Brake fluid reservoir
NKO A05F 20.book Page 188 Wednesday, April 2, 2008 1:02 PM

Inspecting and Replenishing191
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Battery with a charge level indicator, the so-called magic eye*
There is a so-called magic eye ⇒fig. 175 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 discon-necting 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 189, “Working on the battery”.
Inspecting the electrolyte level
The battery is practically maintenance-free under normal operating conditions. We do, however, recommend that you have the electrolyte level inspected from time to time by a Škoda Service Partner when outside temperatures are high or when driving on long trips. You should also check the electrolyte level ⇒page 191 each time the battery is charged.
The battery acid level will also be checked 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 output at low temperatures that it has at normal temperatures.
A discharged battery may already freeze at temperatures just below 0°C.
We therefore recommend that you have the battery checked by a Škoda Service Partner before the start of the winter, and recharged if necessary.
Charging the battery
A properly charged battery is essential for reliably starting the
engine.
– Read the warning notes ⇒ in “Working on the battery” on
page 189 and ⇒.
– Switch the ignition and all electrical components off.
– Only for “quick-charging”: Disconnect both battery cables (first of all
“negative”, then “positive”).
– Carefully attach the terminal clamps of the charger to the battery
terminals (red = “positive”, black = “negative”).
– You can now plug the mains cable of the charger into the power socket
and switch on the charger.
Fig. 175 Battery with a charge level indicator
NKO A05F 20.book Page 191 Wednesday, April 2, 2008 1:02 PM

Inspecting and Replenishing192
– When charging is completed: switch the charger off and unplug the
mains cable from the power socket.
– Only then should you disconnect the terminal clamps of the charger.
– Reconnect the cables to the battery (first of all “positive”, then “nega-
tive”).
It is not normally necessary to disconnect the cables of the battery if you recharge the battery using low amperages (as for example from a mini-charger). Please also refer to the instructions from the charger manufacturer.
A charging current of 0.1 of the total battery capacity (or lower) is that which should be used until full charging is achieved.
It is, however, necessary to disconnect both cables before charging the battery with high amperages, so-called “quick-charging”.
“Quick-charging” a battery is dangerous ⇒ in “Working on the battery” on page 189. It requires a special charger and appropriate knowledge. We therefore recommend that you have your battery quick-charged only by your Škoda Service Par tner.
A discharged battery may already freeze at temperatures just below 0°C ⇒. We recommend that you no longer use a battery which has thawed out because the casing of the battery may be cracked through the formation of ice and this would allow battery electrolyte to flow out.
The vent plugs of the battery should not be opened for charging.
WARNING
Never charge a frozen or thawed battery - risk of explosion and caustic burns! Replace a frozen battery.
Disconnecting and reconnecting the battery
On disconnecting and reconnecting the battery the following functions are initially deactivated or are no longer able to operate fault-free.
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 suit-able batteries available.
We recommend that you only have an old battery disposed of by your Škoda Service Partner since it does require special disposal.
For the sake of the environment
Batteries contain poisonous substances such as sulphuric acid and lead. They must be disposed of in accordance with local environmental protection regulations and on no account as domestic waste.
OperationOperating measure
Electrical power window (operational faults)⇒page 42
Enter radio code numbersee Radio Operating Instructions
Set hours⇒page 13
Data in the multi-functional indicator* are deleted.⇒page 13
NKO A05F 20.book Page 192 Wednesday, April 2, 2008 1:02 PM

Wheels and Tyres198
Winter tyres
The handling of your vehicle 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 applies 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 char-acteristics.
You must only fit those types of winter tyre which are approved for your vehicle. The permissible sizes of winter tyres are stated in your vehicle documents. Approvals may differ because 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 194.
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 properties - 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 196, ⇒.
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 corresponding tyre category can damage the tyres when exceeding the permissible maximum speed.
Please pay attention to the notes if you decide to fit winter tyres ⇒page 194.
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 tempera-tures 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 aquaplaning.
Should it be necessary to fit on a spare 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 202, “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.
NKO A05F 20.book Page 198 Wednesday, April 2, 2008 1:02 PM

Breakdown assistance208
Jump-starting
Initial steps
You can use the battery of another vehicle for jump-starting yours if the engine does not start because the battery on your vehicle is flat. You will require jump-start cables for this purpose.
Both batteries must have a rated voltage of 12 V. The capacity (Ah) of the battery supplying the power must not be significantly less than the capacity of the discharged battery in your vehicle.
Jump-start cables
Only use jump-start cables which have an adequately large cross-section and insu-lated terminal clamps. Please pay attention to the manufacturer's instructions.
Positive cable - colour coding in the majority of cases red.
Negative cable - colour coding in the majority of cases black.
WARNING
•A discharged battery may already freeze at temperatures just below 0°C. In case of frozen battery carry out no jump-starting - risk of explosion! Also after thawing of the battery there is a risk of caustic burns due to leaking acid. Replace the frozen battery.
•Please pay attention to the warning instructions relating to working in the engine compartment ⇒page 181.
Note
•There must not be any contact between the two vehicles otherwise current may flow as soon as the negative terminals are connected.
•The discharged battery must be properly connected to the system of the vehicle.
•Switch off any installed telephone and also pay attention to the instructions for use of the telephone in such a situation.
•We recommend purchasing jump-start cables from Škoda Service Partners as a Škoda original accessory or from retailers who sell branded batteries.
Start engine
It is important to connect the jump-start cables in the correct order.
Connecting positive terminals
– Attach one end to the positive terminal ⇒fig. 188 of the
discharged battery .
– Attach the other end to the positive terminal of the battery
supplying the power .
Connecting negative terminal and engine block
– Attach one end to the negative terminal of the battery supplying
the power .
– Attach the other end to a solid metal part which is connected
firmly to the engine block, or to the engine block itself ⇒.
Fig. 188 Jump-starting using the battery from another vehicle: A - flat vehicle battery, B - battery providing current
A1
AA
A2
AB
A3
AB
A4
NKO A05F 20.book Page 208 Wednesday, April 2, 2008 1:02 PM

Index244
Child safety seat
on the front passenger seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Safety information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Child seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Classification into groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
ISOFIX system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Children and safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Chrome parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Cigarette lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Climatronic
Air outlet vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Defrosting windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Recirculated air mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Setting temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Clothes hooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Cockpit
General view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Convenience operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Converting/masking over headlights . . . . . . . . . . 164
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
replenishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Coolant level
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Coolant temperature gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Coolant temperature/coolant level
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Cornering lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Correct seated position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Counter for distance driven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Cruise control system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Cup holder
front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
D
Deactivating an airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Defrosting rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Defrosting windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84, 87
De-icing the windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Diesel engines
Starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Diesel particle filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Digital clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Direction indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Distance driven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Door
Child safety lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Door, luggage compartment door and bonnet ajar warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Driving economically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Driving time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
E
EDL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Electric power-operated window
Operational faults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Electric sliding/tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Electrically adjustable rear mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Electronic Differential Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Electronic immobiliser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24, 31
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Electronic stability programme (ESP) . . . . . . . . . . 151
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Emergency locking of the door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Engine
starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
switching off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Engine compartment
Safety information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Engine electronics
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
replenishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Engine revolutions counter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Environmental compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160, 163
ESP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
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