2009 SKODA FABIA run flat

Automatic gearbox107
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Safety
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General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Automatic gearbox6-speed automatic gearbox*IntroductionYour 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 110.
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 108,
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 100.
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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Intelligent Technology 160brake pedal firmly and hold it in this position in order to achieve the shortest
possible braking distance.
The Brake Assist is able to help you achieve a shorter braking distance in emergency
situations by rapidly producing the pressure required in the brake system. It fully
exploits the attributes of the ABS. After you release the brake pedal, the function of
the Brake Assist is automatically switched off and the brakes operate in the normal
way.
The Brake Assist is part of the ESP system. If a fault occurs in the ESP, the Brake Assist
function is also not available. Further information on the ESP ⇒page 155.
WARNING
•
The Brake Assist is also not able to overcome the physical limits of your
vehicle in terms of the braking distance required.
•
Adapt your speed to the conditions of the road surface and to the traffic
situation.
•
The increased safety offered by the Brake Assist must not tempt you to
take a greater safety risk than otherwise.
Electrohydraulic power steeringThe power steering enables you to steer the vehicle with less physical force.
The steering characteristics can be changed by a specialist garage.
You will place great stresses on the power steering system if the steering is turned
to full lock when the vehicle is stationary. Turning the steering to full lock in such a
situation will be accompanied by noises.
It is still possible to fully steer the vehicle if the power steering fails or if the engine
is not running (vehicle being towed in). The only difference is that greater physical
effort is required.
It is possible that the hydraulic pump of the power steering will not run due to the
low vehicle network voltage if the battery has gone flat and the engine must started
with the help off jump leads. This condition will be indicated by lighting up of the
warning light.The power steering operates again if the battery is charged to a specific range when
engine is running. It also operates again, if the engine can be started with its own
battery.
If there is a fault in the power steering, the warning light lights up in the instrument
cluster
 ⇒page 26.
Caution
Do not leave the steering at full lock for more than 15 seconds when the engine is
running - risk of damaging the power steering!
Note
Have the steering inspected as soon as possible by a specialist garage if there is a
leak or fault in the system.Tyre inflation pressure-control system*The tyre inflation pressure-control system compares with the aid of the ABS sensors
the speed and also the rolling circumference of the individual wheels. If the tyre
inflation pressure is significantly changed and thus the rolling circumference of a
wheel, the warning light
 lights up in the instrument cluster ⇒page 32. The tyre
inflation pressure-control system functions late or too sensitively if:
Fig. 172 Button for setting
the tyre inflation pressure
control value
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Driving and the Environment167
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data The engine and catalytic converter must first have reached their optimal operating
temperature in order to effectively reduce fuel consumption and pollutant emis-
sions.
The cold engine vehicle consumes approx. 15 - 20 litres/100 km of fuel immediately
after starting. Fuel consumption drops to 10 litres/100 km after just 1 kilometre. The
engine reaches its operating temperature (outside temperature and engine
dependent) only after about 4 to 10 kilometres and the fuel consumption then
stabilizes. You should therefore avoid driving short distances whenever possible.
An important factor in this connection is also the ambient temperature. The
⇒page 166, fig. 176 shows the different fuel consumptions for the same distance,
on the one hand at +20°C and on the other hand at -10°C. Your vehicle has a higher
fuel consumption in winter than in summer.
Checking tyre inflation pressures
Tyres which are correctly inflated save fuel.Always ensure that your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure at all times. The
rolling resistance will be increased if the tyre filling pressure is too low. This will not
only increase fuel consumption but also tyre wear and the driving behaviour will
worsen.
Always check the inflation pressure of the tyres when cold.
Do not drive with winter tyres all year round for this costs about 10 % more fuel.
Winter tyres are also louder.No unnecessary ballast
Transporting ballast costs fuel.The fact that every kilogram of extra weight increases your fuel consumption
means that it is worth taking a look in the luggage compartment to avoid trans-
porting any unnecessary ballast.
It is par ticularly i n town tra ffi c, whe n one is accelerating quite often, that the vehicle
weight will have a significant effect upon the fuel consumption. A rule of thumb here is that an increase in weight of 100 kilograms will cause an increase in fuel
consumption of about 1 litre/100 kilometres.
You may frequently also leave a roof rack fitted on just out of convenience,
although you no longer need it. The increased aerodynamic drag of your vehicle
causes it to use about 1 l more fuel than normal at a speed of 100 - 120 km/h, even
when you are not carrying a load on the roof.
Saving electricity
Generating electricity costs fuel.– Switch off electrical components as soon as you no longer need them.When the engine is running, the alternator generates and supplies electrical power.
If more electrical components of the electrical system are switched on, more fuel is
needed to operate the alternator.Keeping a log of your fuel consumptionIf you really wish to keep a close check on your fuel consumption, it is best to enter
the figures in a logbook. This does not take much time but is a very worthwhile exer-
cise. It enables you to detect any change (positive and negative) at an early stage
and to take any appropriate action.
If you find that your fuel consumption is too high, you should reflect on how, where
and in what conditions you have driven the vehicle since you last refuelled.Environmental compatibilityEnvironmental protection has played a major role in the design, selection of mate-
rials and manufacture of your new Škoda. Particular emphasis has been paid to a
number of aspects, including:
Design measures•
Joints designed to be easily detached
s3f4.1.book Page 167 Thursday, June 18, 2009 11:07 AM

Wheels and Tyres 198Wheels and TyresWheelsGeneral information•
New tyres do not offer optimal grip at first and should therefore be run in for
about 500 km at a moderate speed and an appropriately cautious style of driving.
You will also profit from longer tyre life.
•
The tread depth of new tyres may differ because of design features and the
configuration of the tread (depending on the type of tyre and the manufacturer).
•
Drive over curbs on the side of the road and other such obstacles slowly and,
where possible, at a right angle in order to avoid damage to tyres and wheel trims.
•
Inspect your tyres from time to time for damage (punctures, cuts, splits and
bulges). Remove foreign bodies from the tyre profile.
•
Damage to tyres and wheels is frequently not visible. Unusual vibrations or
pulling of the vehicle to one side could be a sign of tyre damage. Please reduce
your speed immediately and stop if you suspect that a wheel is damaged.
Inspect the tyres for signs of damage (bulges, splits, etc.). If no visible damage is
present, please drive at an appropriately slow speed and carefully to the nearest
specialist garage in order to have your vehicle inspected.
•
Also protect your tyres from contact with oil, grease and fuel.
•
Immediately replace any dust caps of the valves which have got lost.
•
Mark wheels before removing them so that their previous direction of running
can be maintained when mounted them again.
•
Always store wheels or tyres which been removed in a cool, dry and, where
possible, dark place. Tyres which are not fixed to a wheel trim should be stored
upright.
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.Further information concerning the use of unidirectional tyres ⇒page 202.
WARNING
•
New tyres during the first 500 km do not offer optimal grip and should
therefore be run appropriately - risk of accident!
•
Never drive with damaged tyres - risk of accident!Note
Please observe the various differing legal requirements regarding tyres.Tyre lifeThe life of your tyres very much depends on the following points:
Tyre pressure
The working life of tyres will be shortened considerably if the tyres are insufficiently
or over-inflated and this will have an adverse effect on the handling of your vehicle.
Correctly inflated tyres are of particular importance when travelling at high speeds.
It is therefore good to check the pressure at least once a month and also before
Fig. 190 An opened fuel filler
flap with a tyre size and tyre
inflation pressure table
s3f4.1.book Page 198 Thursday, June 18, 2009 11:07 AM

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.
s3f4.1.book Page 202 Thursday, June 18, 2009 11:07 AM

Breakdown assistance 212•
We recommend purchasing jump-start cables from Škoda Service Partners as a
Škoda original accessory or from retailers who sell branded batteries.
Start engineIt is important to connect the jump-start cables in the correct order.
Connecting positive terminals
– Attach one end to the positive terminal ⇒fig. 200 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 ⇒.Starting engine
– Start the engine of the vehicle providing current and run the engine at
idling speed.
– Now start the engine of the vehicle with the discharged battery.
– Interrupt the attempt at starting an engine after 10 seconds if it does
not start right away and wait for about 30 seconds before repeating
the attempt.
– Disconnect the cables on the engine in exactly the reverse order they
were connected up.
WARNING
•
The non-insulated parts of the terminal clamps must never make contact
with each other. Furthermore, the cable connected to the positive terminal
of the battery must not come into contact with electrically conducting parts
of the vehicle - risk of a short circuit!
•
Do not affix the jump starting cables to the negative terminal of the
discharged battery. There is the risk of detonating gas seeping out the
battery being ignited by the strong spark which results from the engine
being started.
•
Do not affix the cable end to parts of the fuel and brake system.
•
Run the jump-start cables so that they cannot be caught by any rotating
parts in the engine compartment.
•
Do not bend over the batteries - risk of caustic burns!
•
The vent screws of the battery cells must be tightened firmly.
•
Keep any sources of ignition (naked flame, smouldering cigarettes etc.)
away from the battery - risk of an explosion!
•
Never jump-start the batteries which have a too low electrolyte level -
risk of explosion and caustic burns!
Fig. 200 Jump-starting using
the battery from another
vehicle: A - flat vehicle
battery, B - battery providing
current
A1AAA2AB
A3
AB
A4
A4
s3f4.1.book Page 212 Thursday, June 18, 2009 11:07 AM

Index251
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data Recirculated air mode
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Synchronisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Replacing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Replacing fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Replacing the wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Roof aerial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Running in the car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
SSafe securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Safety information
Engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Saving electrical energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Seat belt height adjuster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Seat belt warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
fastening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Height adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Safety information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
taking off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Selector lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Selector lever positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Service Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Service Interval Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Setting temperature
Air conditioning system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Setting the clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Shifting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Side airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Side lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Spare wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Stability programme (ESP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Diesel engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Petrol engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Steering force assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Storage facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Stowage compartment
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Sun visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Switching lights on and off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Switching off the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
TTailgate
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Taking care of your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
TCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Telephone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114Temperature
outside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
the first 1 500 kilometres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
The roof luggage rack system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Tiptronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Towing eye
front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Towing protection monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
towing vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Tow-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Tow-starting and towing vehicle
Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Traction control system (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
General Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Transporting children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Tread depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Turn signal light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Turn signal system for vehicles towing a trailer
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Two-way radio system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Tyre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Tyre inflation pressure
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Tyre repair kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
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