2009 SKODA FABIA wheels

Wheels and Tyres 202Winter tyresThe 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 198.
Winter tyres no longer offer the same winter performance once the tyre tread has
worn down to a depth of about 4 mm.
Ageing a l s o c a u s e s w i n t e r t y re s t o l o s e m o s t 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 200,
⇒.
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 198.
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 the event of a puncture 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 206, “Spare wheel*”.
You should have the defective tyre replaced as soon as possible and restore the
correct direction of rotation on all tyresSnow chainsSnow chains must only be mounted on the front wheels.
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Wheels and Tyres203
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Technical Data When driving on wintry roads, snow chains improve not only traction, but also the
braking performance.
For technical reasons, it is only permissible to fit snow chains with the following
wheel/tyre combinations:
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 instructions 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 range of Škoda genuine accessories.
•
When driving with snow chains, switch off the traction control system (TCS).
Wheel size
Depth (D)
Tyre s iz e
5J x 13
35 mm
155/80
5J x 14
35 mm
165/70
6J x 14
37 mm
185/60
6J x 15
43 mm
185/55
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Breakdown assistance 208
– Tighten the wheel bolts firmly, alternately and diagonally using the
wheel wrench ⇒page 209.
– Mount the full wheel trim/wheel trim cap or the caps.
Note•
All bolts must be clean and must turn easily.
•
You must never grease or oil the wheel bolts!
•
When fitting on unidirectional tyres, ensure that the tyres rotate in the correct
direction ⇒page 198.
Subsequent stepsAfter changing the wheel, you must perform the following steps.
– Stow and attach the replaced wheel in the spare wheel well.
– Stow the vehicle tool kit in the space provided.
–Check the tyre pressure on the spare wheel just mounted as soon as
possible.
– Have the tightening torque of the wheel bolts checked with a torque
wrench as soon as possible. The tightening torque for steel and light
alloy wheels must be 120 Nm.
– Have the defective tyre repaired as soon as possible.
WARNING
It is necessary to observe the guidelines given on ⇒page 200, “New tyres
and wheels” if the vehicle is subsequently fitted with tyres which are
different to those it was fitted with at the works.
Note
•
If you find, when changing the wheel, that the wheel bolts are corroded and
difficult to turn, the bolts must be replaced before checking the tightening torque.
•
Drive cautiously and only at a moderate speed to a workshop where the tight-
ening torque can be checked.
Full wheel trim*Pulling off
– Hook the clamp found in the vehicle tool kit into the reinforced edge
of the full wheel trim.
– Push the wheel key through the clamp, support the wheel key on the
tyre and pull off the wheel trim ⇒fig. 195.
Installing
– First press the full wheel trim onto the wheel at the valve opening
provided. Then press the full wheel trim into the wheel in such a way
that its entire circumference locks correctly in place.
Fig. 195 Removing the full
wheel trim
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Technical Data
Caution
•
Use the pressure of your hand, do not knock on the full wheel trim! Heavy
knocks mainly on the points where the full wheel trim has not been inserted into
the wheel, can result in damage to the guide and centering elements of the full
wheel trim.
•
First check for yourself that the theft-deterrent wheel bolt is located
⇒page 210, “Securing wheels against being stolen*” in the hole in the area of the
valve before fitting the full wheel trim onto a steel wheel which is attached with a
theft-deterrent wheel bolt.
Wheel bolts with caps*
The caps are designed to protect the wheel bolts.Pulling off
– Insert the plastic clip (in the car tool kit) sufficiently far onto the cap
until the inner catches of the clip are positioned at the collar of the
cap.
– Pull the cap off with the plastic clip ⇒fig. 196.
Installing
– Insert the caps onto the bolts.
Slackening and tightening wheel bolts
Slacken the wheel bolts before jacking up the vehicle.Slackening wheel bolts
– Insert the wheel wrench fully onto the wheel bolt
9).
– Grasp the end of the wrench and turn the bolt about one turn to the
left ⇒fig. 197.
Tightening wheel bolts
– Insert the wheel wrench fully onto the wheel bolt 9).
– Grasp the end of the wrench and turn the bolt to the right until it is
tight.
WARNING
Slacken the wheel bolts only a little (about one turn) as long as the vehicle
has not yet been jacked up - risk of an accident!.
Fig. 196 Changing a wheel:
Pull off cap from the wheel
bolt
9)Use the appropriate adapter for slackening and tightening the safety wheel bolts
⇒page 210.
Fig. 197 Changing a wheel:
Slackening wheel bolts
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Breakdown assistance 210
Note•
apply pressure carefully with your foot to the end of the wheel wrench if it
proves difficult to slacken the wheel bolts. Hold tight on the vehicle when doing this
and ensure that you have a steady position.
Raise vehicle
You have to raise the vehicle with a lifting jack in order to be able to
take off the wheel.– Position the lifting jack by selecting the jacking point - engraving in the
lower sill - which is closest to the wheel to be removed ⇒fig. 198.
– Position the lifting jack below the jacking point and move it up until its
claw is positioned directly below the vertical web of the lower sill.
– Align the lifting jack so that its claw grasps the vertical web on the
engraving of the lower sill and the bottom base plate of the lifting
jack is resting flat with its complete surface against firm ground.
– Turn the lifting jack up further until the wheel is just clear of the
ground.
Ground below the lifting jack which is soft and slippery can cause the vehicle to
slip off the jack. It is therefore always necessary to place the lifting jack on a solid
surface or use a wide and stable base. Use a non-slip base (e.g. a rubber foot mat)
if the surface is smooth, such as cobbled stones, a tiled floor, etc.
WARNING
•
Always raise the vehicle with the doors closed - risk of injury.
•
Take suitable measures to prevent the base of the lifting jack from slip-
ping off - risk of injury!
•
Place the lifting jack only on a solid and even surface.
•
Not positioning the lifting jack at the specified points can result in
damage to the vehicle. The jack can also slip off if it does not have sufficient
grip - risk of injury!
•
Never start the engine if the vehicle is lifted - risk of accident.
•
Never lie under the vehicle if the vehicle is only lifted with the vehicle
lifting jack.
•
It is important to support the vehicle with suitable supporting blocks if
you wish to work under the lifted vehicle - risk of injury!
Securing wheels against being stolen*
You need a special adapter for slackening the safety wheel bolts.
Fig. 198 Changing a wheel:
Jacking points for positioning
lifting jack
AA
AB
Fig. 199 Safety wheel bolt
with adapter
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Technical Data
– Pull off the full wheel trim/cap from the wheel hub or cap from the
safety wheel bolt.
– Insert the adapter with its toothed side fully into the inner toothing
of the safety wheel bolt right down in such a way that only the
outer hexagon is jutting out ⇒page 210, fig. 199.
– Insert the wheel wrench fully onto the adapter .
– Slacken the wheel bolt, or tighten it firmly ⇒page 209.
– Reinstall the full wheel trim/wheel cap after removing the adapter or
place the cap onto the safety wheel bolt.
–Have the tightening torque checked w i t h a t o rq u e w re n c h a s s o o n a s
possible. Steel and light alloy wheels must be tightened to a tightening
torque of 120 Nm.The safety wheel bolts on vehicles fitted with them (one safety wheel bolt per
wheel) can only be loosened or tighten up by using the adapter provided.
It is meaningful to note the code number hammered into the rear side of the
adapter or the rear side of the safety wheel bolts. You can obtain a replacement
adapter from a specialist garage, if necessary, by quoting this number.
We recommend that you always carry the adapter for the wheel bolts with you in
the vehicle. It should be stowed in the vehicle tool kit.
Caution
•
Damage can occur to the adapter and safety wheel bolt if the safety wheel bolt
is tightened up too much.
•
On steel wheels, the theft-deterrent wheel bolt must always be installed in the
hole, which is close to the valve. Otherwise the full wheel trim cannot be mounted
and the full wheel trim can be damaged during the assembly.Note
The set of safety wheel bolts can be obtained from a specialist garage.
Jump-startingInitial stepsYou 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 185.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.
AB
AA
AB
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Technical Data
Tow-starting and towing vehicleGeneralPlease pay attention to the following instructions if you are going to use a
tow rope:
Driver of the towing vehicle
– Do not drive off until the tow rope is taught.
– Release the clutch particularly gently when starting off.
Driver of the towed vehicle
– Switch the ignition on so that the steering wheel is not blocked and
you can also operate the turn signal lights, the headlight flasher, the
windscreen wipers and windscreen washer system.
– Take the vehicle out of gear or move the selector lever into position N
if your vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.
– Note that the brake servo unit and power steering only operate if the
engine is running. You will require significantly greater physical force
to depress the brake pedal and to steer the vehicle if the engine is not
running.
– Ensure that the tow rope is always kept taught.Tow rope or tow bar
A tow bar is safest way of towing a vehicle and also minimizes any shocks. You can
use a tow rope only if a suitable tow bar is not available.
The tow rope must be elastic to protect the vehicle. Thus one should only use
plastic fibre rope or a rope made out of a similarly elastic material.
Attach the tow rope or the tow bar only to the towing eyes provided for this
purpose ⇒page 213, “Front towing eye” and ⇒page 214, “Rear towing eye”.Driving style
Towing another vehicle requires a certain amount of practice. Both drivers should
be familiar with the particular points about towing a vehicle. Unskilled drivers
should not attempt to tow in another vehicle or to be towed in.
One should be constantly vigilant not to allow impermissibly high towing forces or
jerky loadings. There is always a risk of excessive stresses and damage resulting at
the points to which you attach the tow rope or tow bar when you attempt to tow a
vehicle which is not standing on a paved road.
Caution
If the gearbox of your vehicle no longer contains any oil because of a defect, your
vehicle must only be towed in with the driven wheels raised clear of the ground, or
on a special vehicle transporter or trailer.
Note
•
Please comply with any legal requirements particularly regarding the switched
on signal systems, when towing in or tow-starting another vehicle.
•
The tow rope must not be twisted as it may in certain circumstances result in the
front towing eye being unscrewed out of your vehicle.
Front towing eye
The towing eye is stored in the box for the vehicle tool kit.
Fig. 201 Front bumper:
Protective grille
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Technical Data
WARNING
There is high risk of having an accident when tow-starting a vehicle, when
for example the towed vehicle runs into the towing vehicle.
Caution
Vehicles which are fitted with a catalytic converter should not be tow-started over
a distance of more than 50 metres. Unburnt fuel may get into the catalytic converter
and damage it.Towing in a vehicle fitted with a manual gearboxPlease refer to the notes ⇒page 213.
The vehicle can be towed in with a tow bar or a tow rope or with the front or rear
wheels raised. The maximum towing speed is 50 km/h.Towing of a vehicle with an automatic gearboxPlease refer to the notes ⇒page 213.
The car can be towed in with a tow bar or a tow rope. Refer at the same time to the
following guidelines:•
Move selector lever into N.
•
The maximum towing speed is 50 km/h.
•
The maximum permissible towing distance is 50 km. The gear oil pump does
not operate when the engine is not running; the gearbox would not be adequately
lubricated at higher speeds and over longer towing distance.Caution
If the vehicle is towed in by a recovery vehicle, it should only be towed in with the
front wheels raised. If the vehicle is raised at rear, the automatic gearbox is
damaged!
Note
The vehicle must be transported on a special vehicle or trailer if it is not possible to
tow in the vehicle in the way described or if the towing distance is greater than
50 km.
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