2009 SKODA FABIA headlights

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights 16During the driving time and always before the engine has reached its operating
temperature, generally avoid high engine speeds ⇒page 163.
Caution
The needle of the revolutions counter must on no account move into the red zone
of the scale - risk of engine damage!
For the sake of the environment
Shifting to a higher gear in good time helps to reduce the fuel consumption, mini-
mises operating noise levels, protects the environment and contributes to a longer
life and reliability of the engine.Coolant temperature gauge*The coolant temperature gauge ⇒page 15, fig. 18 operates only when the igni-
tion is switched on.
In order to avoid any damage to the engine, please pay attention to the following
notes regarding the temperature ranges:
Cold range
If the pointer is in the left-hand area of the scale* it means that the engine has not
yet reached its operating temperature. Avoid running at high engine speeds, at full
throttle and at severe engine loads.
The operating range
The engine has reached its operating temperature as soon as the pointer has
reached the mid-range of the scale*. The pointer may also move further to the right
at high engine loads and high outside temperatures. This is not critical provided the
warning symbol
 in the instrument cluster does not flash.
If the symbol
 in the instrument cluster flashes it means that either the coolant
temperature is too high or the coolant level is too low. Observe the guidelines
⇒page 29, “Coolant temperature/coolant level ”.
WARNING
Pay attention to the warning notes ⇒page 185, “Working in the engine
compartment” before opening the bonnet and inspecting the coolant level.
Caution
Additional headlights and other attached components in front of the fresh air inlet
impair the cooling efficiency of the coolant. There is then a risk of the engine over-
heating at high outside temperatures and high engine loads!Fuel gaugeThe fuel gauge ⇒page 15, fig. 18 only operates when the ignition is switched
on.
The fuel tank has a capacity of about 45 litres. The warning symbol in the instrument
cluster lights up when the pointer drops to the reserve marking
. There are now
about 7 litres of fuel remaining in the tank. This symbol is a reminder for you, that
you must refuel.
The following will be displayed in the information display*:
PLEASE REFUEL
A peep sounds as an additional warning signal.
Caution
Never run the fuel tank completely empty! An irregular fuel supply can result in
poor ignition or misfiring. Unburnt fuel may get into the exhaust system and
damage the catalytic converter.
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Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights 28Low beam

The warning light
 comes on when low beam is selected ⇒page 51.
Rear fog light

The warning light
 comes on when the rear fog lights are operating ⇒page 53.
Alternator

The warning light
 comes on after the ignition has been switched on. It should go
out after the engine has started.
If the warning light does not go out after the engine has started, or comes on when
driving, drive to the nearest specialist garage. The vehicle battery will be discharged
in this case so switch off all non-essential electrical components.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
ALTERNATOR WORKSHOP!
Caution
If the warning light
 comes on when driving and in addition the warning light

(cooling system fault) also comes on in display, you must then stop the car imme-
diately and switch the engine off - risk of engine damage!
Fog lights*

The warning light
 comes on when the fog lights are operating ⇒page 52.
Cornering lights*

If the warning light
 flashes for 1 minute while driving or after switching on the
ignition and a warning signal sounds, a fault is confirmed.Further information ⇒page 52.
WARNING
f there is a fault in the cornering lights, the headlights are automatically
lowered to the emergency position. Thus the illuminated length of the road
is shortened. Drive carefully and have the car inspected immediately by a
specialist garage.Electrohydraulic power steering

The warning light
 comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
If the warning light after switching on the ignition or when driving lights up contin-
uously, a fault exists in the electrohydraulic power steering.
•
If the yellow warning light lights up, this indicates a partial or total failure of the
power steering and the steering forces can be greater.
Further information ⇒page 160.
WARNING
Contact your specialist garage if the power steering is defective.
Note
•
If the yellow warning light
 goes out after starting the engine again and a short
drive, it is not necessary to visit a specialist garage.
•
If the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, the yellow warning light
 comes on after switching on the ignition. The warning light must go out after
driving a short distance.•
There is no power-assisted steering support when the vehicle is being towed
without the engine running or when the power-assisted steering is defect. The
vehicle is fully steerable however. There is however increased force required to turn
the steering wheel.
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Lights and Visibility 52
WARNING
Never drive with side lights on - risk of accident! The side lights are not
bright enough to light up the road sufficiently in front of you or to be seen by
other oncoming traffic. In this case, always switch on the low beam when it
is dark or if visibility is poor.
Note
•
An audible warning will sound if you withdraw the ignition key and open the
driver's door when the vehicle lights are still on.
•
The acoustic warning signal is switched off over the door contact when the
driver's door is closed (ignition off). The vehicle can be parked with the side lights
on.
•
If the car is parked for a lengthy period, we recommend switching off all lights,
or leaving only the parking lights switched on.
•
The switching on of the described lights should only be undertaken in accord-
ance with the legal requirements.
•
In the event of cool or humid weather conditions, the headlights can be misted
up from inside.
−The temperature difference between interior and external area of the head-
light lenses is decisive.
−When the driving lights are switched on, the light outlet surfaces are free
from mist after a short period. The headlight lenses can possibly mist up at the
border areas.
−It also concerns reverse light and turn signal lights.
−This mist has no influence on the life of the lighting system.
Cornering lights*

For a better cornering illumination the cornering lights are controlled in the optimal
position in line with the vehicle speed and the steering angle.
If the warning light
 flashes for 1 minute while driving or after switching on the
ignition and a warning signal sounds, a fault is confirmed.
WARNING
If there is a fault in the cornering lights, the warning light
 flashes in the
instrument cluster. The cornering lights are automatically lowered to the
emergency position, which prevents a possible dazzling of oncoming traffic.
Thus the illuminated length of the road is shortened. Drive carefully and
have the car inspected immediately by a specialist garage.
Fog lights*

Switching on the fog lights
– First of all turn the light switch into position

or

⇒fig. 50.
– Pull the light switch out to the first detent .
The rear fog light warning light
 ⇒page 26 lights up in the instrument cluster
when the fog light is switched off.
Fig. 50 Dash panel: Light
switch
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Lights and Visibility53
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Fog lights with the function “Corner”*
The fog lights with the function “Corner” improve the illumination of
areas close to the vehicle when turning, parking etc.The fog lights with the function “Corner” are regulated according to the steering
angle or after switching on the turn signal light
4) in the following circumstances:
•
the vehicle is stationary and the engine is running or it moves with a speed of
maximum 40 km/h;
•
the daylight driving lights are not switched on
•
low beam switched on;
•
no reverse gear engaged;
•
no hazard warning light system switched on.
A fault in the system of the fog lights with the function “Corner” is confirmed by the
warning light lighting up or flashing
.
Note
If the fog lights are switched on, the function of the lights “Corner” is not active.Rear fog light

Switching on the rear fog light
– First of all turn the light switch into position

or

⇒page 52,
fig. 50.
– Pull the light switch out to the second detent . The fog lights* light
up at the same time.
If the vehicle is not fitted with fog lights*, the rear fog light is switched on by turning
the light switch to the position
 and is pulled out directly to the position . This
switch does not have two positions, but only one position.The rear fog light warning light
 ⇒page 26 lights up in the instrument cluster
when the fog light is switched off.
Only the rear fog light of the trailer lights up if the vehicle is fitted with a towing
device from Škoda original accessoriesand when you are towing a trailer which
is fitted with the rear fog light.
Caution
The rear fog light should only be switched on if visibility is particularly poor
(conform with any varying legal provisions) to avoid dazzling vehicles behind your
vehicle.Headlamp range adjustment

Once the low beam is switched on you can then adapt the range of
the headlights to the load of the vehicle.– Turn the control dial ⇒fig. 51 until you have adjusted the low beam
so that oncoming traffic is not dazzled.Settings
The positions correspond approximately to the following vehicle loads:
Front seats occupied, luggage compartment empty.
All seats occupied, luggage compartment empty.
4)If both switch on versions are conflicting, for example if the steering wheel is turned to the
left and the right turn signal light is switched on, the turn signal light has the higher priority.
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Fig. 51 Dash panel: Lights
and Visibility
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Lights and Visibility59
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data The windscreen wipers and the windscreen washer system only operate if the igni-
tion is switched on.
The rear window will be wiped again if the window wipers are on when reverse gear
is selected.
The windscreen washer nozzles are heated* when the ignition is switched on.
Top up with wash liquid ⇒page 197.
WARNING
•
Properly maintained windscreen wiper blades are essential for clear visi-
bility and safe driving ⇒page 59.
•
Do not use the windscreen washer system at low temperatures, without
heating the windscreen beforehand. Otherwise the window cleaner could
freeze on the windscreen and restrict the view to the front.
•
In the event of a freezing up of the windscreen, first of all eliminate the ice
⇒page 176 and then operate the windscreen wiper otherwise the wind-
screen wiper blades could be damaged.Caution
In frosty weather, please first of all check whether the windscreen wiper blades are
not frozen to the windscreen before switching them on. Switching on windscreen
wipers when the blades are frozen to the windscreen may result in damage both to
the blades and the motor of the windscreen wipers!Headlight cleaning system*The headlights are being cleaned after the windscreen washer system has been
operated for the fifth time, the low beam or main beam are switched on as well as
the windscreen wiper lever is held in the position ⇒page 58, fig. 60 for about 1
second.
You should remove stubborn dirt (such as insect residues) from the headlight
lenses at regular intervals, for example when refuelling. Please refer to the following
guidelines ⇒page 176, “The headlight lenses”.You should remove any snow from the fixtures of the washer nozzles and clear ice
in winter with a de-icing spray in order to ensure proper operation of the cleaning
system.
Replacing wiper blades for the windscreen wipersTaking off the wiper blade
– Fold windscreen wiper arm away from the windscreen.
– Press the locking button, in order to unlock the wiper blade and pull
off in the direction of arrow.
Attaching a wiper blade
– Push the wiper blade until it locks up to the stop.
– Check whether the wiper blade is correctly attached.
– Fold the windscreen wiper arm back onto the windscreen.Wiper blades in proper condition are essential to obtain good visibility. Wiper
blades should not be allowed to become dirtied by dust, insect remains and
preserving wax.
Juddering or smearing of the wiper blades could then be due to wax residues left
on the windscreen by vehicle washing in automatic vehicle wash systems. It is
A5
Fig. 61 Wiper blade for the
windscreen wiper
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Driving and the Environment 168•
Simplified disassembly due to the modular structure system
•
Improved purity of different classes of materials
•
Identification of all plastic parts in accordance with VDA Recommendation 260
•
Reduced fuel consumption and exhaust emission CO
2
•
Minimum fuel leakage during accidents
•
Reduced noise
Choice of materials
•
Extensive use of recyclable material
•
Air conditioning filled with CFC-free refrigerant
•
No cadmium
•
No asbestos
•
Reduction in the “vaporisation” of plastics
Manufacture
•
Solvent-free cavity protection
•
Solvent-free protection of the vehicle for transportation from the production
plant to the customer
•
The use of solvent-free adhesives
•
No CFCs used in the production process
•
Without use of mercury
•
Use of water-soluble paints
•
No use of hexavalent chromium
Trade-in and recycling of old cars
Škoda Auto meets the requirements of the brand and its products regarding envi-
ronment and ressource protection. All new Škoda vehicles can be utilized up to
95 % and always
7) be returned. In a lot of countries sufficient trade-in networks
have been created, where you can trade-in your vehicle. After you trade-in your
vehicle, you will receive a confirmation stating the recycling in accordance with
environmental regulations.Vehicles with special built-on types
Technical documents regarding changes carried out on the vehicle must be kept by
the vehicle user, in order to hand over later to the old car user. This ensures the
recycling in accordance with environmental regulations.
Note
Detailed information about the trade-in and recycling of old cars is available from
your Škoda Service Partner.Motoring abroadGeneral
Other circumstances may exist abroad.It is also possible, in certain countries, that the Škoda Service Partner network is
limited or has not been established yet. This is the reason why obtaining certain
spare parts may be somewhat complicated and specialist garage personnel may
o n l y b e a b l e t o m a ke l i m i te d re p a i rs . Š ko d a A u to i n t h e C z e c h R e pu b l i c a n d re l e v a n t
importers are happy to provide information about technical aspects of the vehicle,
required maintenance work and possibilities for getting repairs done.Unleaded petrolA vehicle fitted with a petrol engine must always be refuelled with unleaded petrol
⇒page 164. The automobile associations can provide you with information
regarding the locations of filling stations which offer unleaded petrol.HeadlightsThe low beam of your headlights is set asymmetrically. It illuminates the side of the
road on which you are driving to a greater extent. If you drive abroad on the other
side of the road, you will dazzle oncoming traffic.
7)Subject to fulfilment of the national legal regulations.
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Driving and the Environment169
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data In order to prevent the dazzling of oncoming traffic, it is necessary to stick a sticker
over a certain part of the headlights.
Headlight stickers can be obtained as a spare part from the specialist garages.
The adaptation of the headlights with module (applies to vehicles which are
designed for driving on the left and on the right) is performed by switching over a
bezel in the module for low beam by a specialist garage.
Note
You can obtain further information regarding masking over or converting the head-
lights from your specialist garage.Avoiding damage to your vehicleWhen driving on poor roads and lanes or when driving over kerbstones, steep
ramps etc., you must pay particular attention to ensuring that any low-slung parts
of the vehicle, such as spoiler and exhaust, do not touch the ground and get
damaged.
This particularly applies to models with a lowered suspension (sport suspension)
and also when your vehicle is fully laden.
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Towing a trailer171
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data should be attached to folding arms. Adjust the mirrors so that they provide you with
an adequate field of view to the rear.
Headlights
Before starting off with a hitched trailer, also check the setting of the headlights.
Alter the setting as necessary with the aid of the headlight beam adjuster
⇒page 53.
Detachable ball head
The ball rod is detachable on vehicles with towing device and suppliable from
Škoda original accessories. It is stowed together with separate fitting instructions in
the spare wheel well in the luggage compartment of the vehicle.
Note
•
We recommend that you also have your vehicle inspected between service
intervals if you tow a trailer frequently.
•
The handbrake on the towing vehicle must be put on when coupling and
decoupling the trailer.
•
Keep the mechanism of the ball head of the towing device clean and take
proper care of it with a suitable preservative.
Driving Tips
Particular caution is required when towing a trailer.– Do not, as far as possible, drive with your vehicle unladen and the
trailer laden.
– Do not make full use of the legal maximum speeds. This applies in
particular to downhill sections.
– Apply the brakes in good time.
– Keep a check on the coolant temperature gauge if the outside temper-
ature is high.
Distribution of weight
The distribution of the weight is very poor if your vehicle is unladen and the trailer
is laden. Maintain a particularly low speed if you cannot avoid driving with this
combination.
Driving speed
Do not drive faster than 80 km/h for safety reasons. This also applies for countries
in which higher speeds are allowed.
The fact that the driving stability of the vehicle + trailer combination reduces with
increasing speed means that the legally allowed speed should not be used when
there are unfavourable road, weather or wind conditions, particularly near accident
black spots.
You must always reduce your speed immediately as soon as you detect even just
the slightest swaying of the trailer. On no account attempt to stop the trailer from
“swaying” by accelerating.
Apply the brakes in good time! If the trailer is fitted with a trailer brake, apply the
brakes gently at first and then brake firmly. This will avoid brake jolts resulting from
the trailer wheels locking. Shift down gears in good time before negotiating a down-
hill section to allow the engine to also act as a brake.
Engine overheating
Please keep a check on the coolant temperature gauge if you have to negotiate a
lengthy slope in a low gear at a high engine speed when the outside temperature is
very high ⇒page 16.
If the needle of the coolant temperature gauge moves into the right-hand area or
even the red area of the scale, reduce your speed immediately. Stop and switch off
the engine if the warning light
 in the instrument cluster begins flashing. Wait a
few minutes and check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion bottle
⇒page 189, “Inspecting the coolant level”.
Please refer to the following guidelines ⇒page 29, “Coolant temperature/coolant
level ”.
The coolant temperature can be reduced by switching on the heating.
Any increase in the cooling effect of the coolant fan through shifting down a gear
and increasing the engine speed is not possible since the fan speed is independent
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