2008 SKODA FABIA radiator

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.
A1
Fig. 114 Shift pattern on models fitted with 5-speed manual gearbox
NKO A05F 20.book Page 97 Wednesday, April 2, 2008 1:02 PM

Inspecting and Replenishing180
Inspecting and Replenishing
Engine compartment
Bonnet remote release
Bonnet remote release
– Pull the unlocking lever on the left below the dash panel ⇒fig. 167.
The bonnet jumps out of its lock as a result of the spring force.
Opening and closing the bonnet.
Opening the bonnet
– Unlock the bonnet ⇒fig. 167.
– Ensure that the arms of the windscreen wipers are correctly in place
against the windscreen before opening the bonnet otherwise
damage could occur to the paintwork.
– Press the locking button ⇒fig. 168, the bonnet unlocks itself.
Fig. 167 Bonnet release lever
Fig. 168 Radiator grille: Fuse
Fig. 169 Securing the bonnet with the bonnet support
NKO A05F 20.book Page 180 Wednesday, April 2, 2008 1:02 PM

Inspecting and Replenishing181
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
– Grip the bonnet and lift it up.
– Take the bonnet support out of its holder and set it in the opening
designed for it ⇒page 180, fig. 169.
Closing the bonnet
– Lift the bonnet slightly and unhook the bonnet support. Press the
bonnet support into the holder designed to hold it.
– Allow the bonnet to drop from a height of about 30 cm into the lock -
bonnet do not press down on it!
WARNING
•Never open the bonnet if you see that steam or coolant is flowing out of the engine compartment - risk of scalding! Wait long enough until the steam or coolant has stopped escaping.
•For safety reasons, the bonnet must always be properly closed when driving. One should therefore check that the lock has in fact engaged prop-erly after closing the bonnet.
•Stop your vehicle immediately while driving if you notice that the lock is not properly engaged and close the bonnet properly - risk of an accident!
Caution
•Before opening the bonnet, ensure that the arms of the windscreen wipers are correctly in place against the windscreen. Otherwise, there is a risk of damage to the paintwork.
Working in the engine compartment
Particular care is required when carrying out any work in the engine
compartment!
There is a risk of injuries, scalding, accidents and fire when working in the engine compartment, e.g. inspecting and replenishing oil and other fluids. For
this reason, it is essential to comply with the warning instructions stated below and with the general applicable rules of safety. The engine compart-ment of your car is a hazardous area ⇒.
WARNING
•Never open the bonnet if you see that steam or coolant is flowing out of the engine compartment - risk of scalding! Wait long enough until the steam or coolant has stopped escaping.
•Switch off the engine and pull out the ignition key.
•Apply the handbrake firmly.
•If your vehicle is fitted with a manual gearbox, move the gearshift lever into Neutral, or if it is fitted with automatic gearbox, move the selector lever into position P.
•Allow the engine to cool down.
•Keep children clear of the engine compartment.
•Do not touch any hot engine parts - risk of burns!
•Never spill oil and other fluids over the hot engine. Such fluids (e.g. the antifreeze contained in the wash liquid) may ignite!
•Avoid short circuits in the electrical system - particularly on the battery.
•Never place your hand into the radiator fan as long as the engine is still warm. The fan might suddenly start running!
•Never open the cap of the coolant expansion bottle as long as the engine is still warm. The cooling system is pressurized!
•Cover over the cap of the coolant expansion reservoir with a large cloth when opening it as protection for your face, hands and arms from hot steam or hot coolant.
•Do not let objects, such as e.g cleaning cloth or tools lie in the engine compartment.
•If you wish to work under the vehicle, you must secure the vehicle from rolling away and support it with suitable supporting blocks: the car jack is not sufficient for this - risk of injury!
•In cases where it be necessary to carry out inspection work when the engine is running there is an additional risk from rotating parts (e.g. the V-
NKO A05F 20.book Page 181 Wednesday, April 2, 2008 1:02 PM

Inspecting and Replenishing182
ribbed belt, alternator, radiator fan) and from the high-voltage ignition system. Please observe in addition the following:
−Never touch the electrical cables of the ignition system.
−Absolutely avoid any jewellery, loose items of clothing or long hair from getting into the rotating parts of the engine - Hazard! Therefore remove any jewellery beforehand, tie up your hair and wear tight fitting clothing.
•Please also comply with the warning instructions stated below when carrying out any essential work on the fuel system or on the electrical system:
−Always separate the car battery from the electrical system.
−Do not smoke.
−Never carry out any work close to naked flames.
−Always keep a working fire extinguisher at hand.
Caution
When replenishing fluids in the engine, always ensure that the fluids are on no account mixed up. This may result in major operating problems and also vehicle damage!
Overview of the engine compartment
The main inspection points.
Fig. 170 Diesel engine 1.9 litre/77 kW
Coolant expansion bottle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield washer fluid reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine oil filler opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine oil dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake fluid reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery (below a cover) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Note
The location of the inspection points in the engine compartment of petrol and diesel engines is practically identical.
WARNING (continued)
B5J-0061H
A1186
A2193
A3185
A4184
A5188
A6189
NKO A05F 20.book Page 182 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 Replenishing193
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Windshield washer system
The windshield washer reservoir contains the cleaning fluid for the windscreen or rear window and for the headlamp cleaning system*. The reservoir is located in the front left of the engine compartment ⇒fig. 176.
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 intensively clean the windscreen and headlights. We therefore recommend using clean washing water together with the screen cleaner from Škoda genuine accessories (in 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 must not be more than 15 %. Please note, however, that the antifreeze protection at this concentration is only adequate down to -5°C.
WARNING
Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 181, “Working in the engine compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
Caution
•On no account should you add radiator antifreeze or other additives to the windscreen washer fluid.
•If the vehicle is fitted with headlight cleaning system, you should only add cleaning products which do not attack the polycarbonate coating of the headlights to the windscreen washer fluid. Please contact your specialist garage, who will tell you which cleaning agent you can use.
Note
Do not take the filter out of the windscreen wash container when filling it up again with liquid otherwise dirt can get into the liquid transportation system and can lead to faults in operation of the windscreen wash system.
Fig. 176 Engine compart-ment: Windshield washer fluid reservoir
NKO A05F 20.book Page 193 Wednesday, April 2, 2008 1:02 PM

Fuses and light bulbs217
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Bulbs
Replacing bulbs
The relevant lamp must always be switched off before a light bulb is replaced.
Do not take hold of the glass bulb with naked fingers (even the smallest amount of dirt reduces the working life of the light bulb). Use a clean cloth, serviette or some-thing similar.
Defect light bulbs should only be replaced with light bulbs of the same type. The designation is located on the light socket or the glass bulb.
Changing certain bulbs is not something which you can do yourself, but requires to be done by a specialist. Other parts of the vehicle must be removed in order to change the light bulbs. This applies, in particular, to bulbs which can only be reached from the engine compartment.
We therefore recommend that you have any bulbs changed by a Škoda Service Partner or, in exceptional cases, by calling on other professional assistance.
Please note that the engine compartment is a hazardous area ⇒page 181, “Working in the engine compartment”.
We recommend that you carry the set of light bulbs with you which was delivered in your vehicle. Replacement light bulbs 9) are available at a Škoda Service Partner.
The set of light bulbs can be stowed in the locable box in the spare wheel.
Overview of bulbs
No.Power consumerAmperes
1Dynamo175
2Interior80
3Electrical auxiliary heating system60
4ABS or TCS or ESP40
5Electrohydraulic power steering50
6Glow plugs50
7ABS or TCS or ESP25
8The radiator fan30
9The air conditioning system5
10The radiator fan40
11Central control unit5
12Automatic gearboxelectrical auxiliary heating system530
9)Replacement light bulbs are, on the other hand, part of the basic equipping of the vehicle insome countries.
Front headlightReflectorModule
Low beam and main beamH4H7
Parking lightsW5W
Tu r n s i g n a l sPY21W
Fog lightsHB4
Fog lights with turning lightH8
Rear light unitBulb
Reversing lightP21W
Tu r n s i g n a l sPY21W
Brake lightsP21W
Rear fog lightP21W
Parking lights2 x W5W
NKO A05F 20.book Page 217 Wednesday, April 2, 2008 1:02 PM

Index246
Lighting
Interior light and reading light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Storage compartment lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Lighting of the interior of the vehicle
front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Lights
converting/masking over . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Range adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
switching on and off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Lights and Visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Liquid in reservoir for windscreen washer system
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Lock
Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
lock
Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32, 33
Remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Locking and unlocking from inside . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Locking of the door
in an emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Low beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45, 219
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Folding hooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Lashing eyes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Luggage compartment - variable loading floor . . 66
Luggage compartment cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64, 65
Luggage compartment door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Luggage rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
M
Main beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45, 48, 219
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Manual shifting of gears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Memory for the on-board computer . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Mobile phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109, 117
Mobiltelefon
Bluetooth™ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Motoring abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Multi-functional indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
N
Navigation system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
New tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Note holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
O
Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Oil dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Onboard computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Opening a single door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Opening doors
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Operating the radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Operation in winter
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
De-icing windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Outside temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Overview of the engine compartment . . . . . . . . . 182
P
Paint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Paint damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Parking aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Parking light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Passive Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Pedals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Petrol engines
Starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Polishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Power steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Power windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
R
Radiator fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Radio
Operating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Radio systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Raise vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
NKO A05F 20.book Page 246 Wednesday, April 2, 2008 1:02 PM