2009 SKODA FABIA traction control

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights27
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
WARNING
•
If you do not pay attention to the warning lights coming on and the corre-
sponding descriptions and warning notes, this may result in severe body
injuries or major vehicle damage.
•
The engine compartment of your car is a hazardous area. 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. It is also
essential to observe all warnings ⇒page 185.Note
•
Arrangement of the indicator lights depends on the model and model version.
The symbols shown in the following functional description are to be found as indi-
cator lights in the instrument cluster.
•
Operational faults are shown in the instrument cluster as red symbols (priority
1 - danger) or yellow symbols (priority 2 - warning).
Turn signal system

Either the left
 or right
 indicator light flashes depending on the position of the
turn signal lever.
The indicator light flashes at twice its normal rate if a turn signal light fails. This does
not apply when towing a trailer.
Switching off the hazard warning light system is switched on will cause all of the
turn signal lights as well as both indicator lights to flash.
Further information about the turn signal system ⇒page 54.
Main beam

The indicator light
 comes on when the main beam is selected or also when the
headlight flasher is operated.
Further information about the main beam ⇒page 54.

Coolant temperature/coolant level
⇒page 29

Electronic immobiliser
⇒page 30

Fuel reserve
⇒page 30

Engine oil pressure
⇒page 30

Engine oil level
⇒page 30

Open door*
⇒page 31

Fluid level in windshield washer system*
⇒page 31

Control system for exhaust
⇒page 31

Traction control system (TCS)*
⇒page 31

Tyre pressure*
⇒page 32

Selector lever lock* (automatic gearbox)
⇒page 32

Electronic stability programme (ESP)*
⇒page 32

Antilock brake system (ABS)*
⇒page 32

Brake system
⇒page 33

Airbag system
⇒page 33

Diesel particle filter* (diesel engine)
⇒page 34

Seat belt warning light*
⇒page 35
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Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights31
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data The warning light

flashes yellow* (engine oil level sensor faulty)
A fault on the engine oil level sensor is indicated additionally by an audible signal
and the warning light coming on several times after the ignition has been switched
on.
In this case have the engine inspected without delay by a specialist garage.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
OIL SENSOR WORKSHOP!
WARNING
•
If you must stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe
distance from the traffic and switch off the engine and switch on the hazard
warning light system ⇒page 54.
•
The red oil pressure light

is not an oil level indicator! One should
therefore check the oil level at regular intervals, preferably after every refu-
eling stop.
•
Pay attention to the following instructions ⇒page 185, “Working in the
engine compartment” before checking the coolant fluid level and opening
the bonnet.
Open door*

The warning light
 comes on if one or several doors, the bonnet or boot lid is
opened.
The warning light comes on even when the ignition is switched off. The warning
light goes out 5 minutes after switching off the ignition if one or several doors, the
bonnet or boot lid is opened. The warning light goes out after closing the doors.
Windshield washer fluid level*

The warning light
 comes on when the ignition is switched on if there is insuffi-
cient fluid in the windshield washer system. Top up with liquid ⇒page 197.
A peep sounds as an additional warning signal.The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
REFILL WASHER LIQUID
Control system for exhaust

The warning light
 comes on after the ignition has been switched on.
If the warning light does not go out after starting the engine or it lights up when
driving, a fault exists in an exhaust relevant component. The engine management
system selects an emergency programme which enables you to drive to the nearest
specialist garage by adopting a gentle style of driving.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
EXHAUST WORKSHOP!
Traction control system (TCS) *

The warning light
 comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
The warning light flashes when a control cycle is activated while driving.
The warning light will come on and remains on if the TCS is switched off or if there
is a fault in the system.
The fact that the TCS system operates together with the ABS means that the TCS
warning light will also come on if the ABS system is not operating properly.
If the warning light  comes on immediately after starting the engine, the TCS
system can be switched off for technical reasons. In this case, the TCS system can
be switched on again by switching the ignition on and off. If the warning light goes
out, the TCS system is fully functional again.
Further information about the TCS ⇒page 156.
Note
If the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, the warning light
 comes
on after switching on the ignition. The warning light must go out after driving a short
distance.
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Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights 32Tyre inflation pressure*

The warning light
 lights up, if there is a substantial drop in inflation pressure in
one of the tyres. Reduce the speed and check or correct as soon as possible the
inflation pressure in the tyres ⇒page 198.
A peep sounds as an additional warning signal.
If the warning light flashes
, there is a system fault. Visit the nearest specialist
garage and have the fault rectified.
Further information about tyre pressure-control system ⇒page 160.
WARNING
•
When the warning light
 lights up, immediately reduce the speed and
avoid sudden steering and brake manoeuvres. Please stop the vehicle
without delay at the nearest possible stop and inspect the tyres and their
inflation pressures.
•
Under certain circumstances (e.g. sporty style of driving, wintry or
unpaved roads) the warning light
 can be delayed or does not light up at
all.
•
The tyre inflation pressure-control system does not take away the
responsability from the driver for the correct tyre inflation pressure.Note
If the battery has been disconnected, the warning light
 comes on after switching
on the ignition. The warning light must go out after driving a short distance.
Selector lever lock*

(automatic gearbox)
If the warning light
 lights up, operate the brake pedal. This is necessary, in order
to be able to move the selector lever out of the position P or N.
Electronic stability programme (ESP)*

The warning light
 comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
Components of the ESP system also include the Traction Control System (TCS), the
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) and the Antilock Brake System (ABS).
The warning light flashes when a control cycle is activated while driving.
The warning light will come on and remains on if the ESP is switched off or if there
is a fault in the system.
The fact that the ESP system operates together with the ABS means that the ESP
warning light will also come on if the ABS system is not operating properly.
Further information on the ESP ⇒page 155, “Electronic stability programme
(ESP)*”.
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)*
The EDL is a part of the ESP. A fault in the EDL is indicated by the ESP warning light
 in the instrument cluster. Have the vehicle inspected immediately by your
specialist garage. Further information on the EDL ⇒page 157.Antilock brake system (ABS)*

The warning light
 shows the functionality of the ABS.
The warning light comes on for a few seconds after the ignition has been switched
on or when starting the engine. The warning light goes out after an automatic check
sequence has been completed.
A fault in the ABS
The system is not functioning properly if the ABS warning light
 does not go out
within a few seconds after switching on the ignition, does not light up at all or lights
up while driving. The vehicle will only be braked by the normal brake system. Visit
a specialist garage as quickly as possible and adjust your style of driving to take
account of the fault in the meantime since you will not know the extent of the fault
and in how far the effect of the antilock brakes is affected.
Three additional warning tones will sound if there is a major fault in the ABS.
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Intelligent Technology155
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Driving TipsIntelligent TechnologyElectronic stability programme (ESP)*GeneralGeneral
The ESP aids you maintain control of your vehicle in situations in borderline driving
situations such as when negotiating a curve too fast. The risk of skidding is reduced
and your vehicle thus offers greater driving stability depending on the conditions of
the road surface. This occurs at all speeds.
The following systems are integrated into the electronic stability programme:•
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL);
•
Traction control system (TCS);
•
Antilock brake system (ABS);
•
Brake Assist.Operating principle
The ESP switches on automatically when the engine is started and then conducts a
self-test. The ESP control unit processes data from the individual systems. It also
processes additional measurement data which are supplied by highly sensitive
sensors: the rotational velocity of the vehicle about its vertical axis, the lateral accel-
eration of the vehicle, the braking pressure and the steering angle.
The direction which the driver wishes to take is determined based on the steering
angle and the speed of the vehicle and is constantly compared with the actual
behaviour of the vehicle. If differences exist, such as the vehicle beginning to skid,
the ESP will automatically brake the appropriate wheel.
The car is stabilised again by the forces which take effect when the wheel is braked.
Intervention into the brake system takes place primarily on the outer front wheel of
a vehicle which tends to oversteer (tendency for the rear of the vehicle to break
away) while occurs this is on the inner rear wheel of a vehicle which tends to under-
steer (tendency to shift out of the curve). This braking control cycle is accompanied
by noises.
The ESP operates in combination with the ABS ⇒page 159, “Antilock brake system
(ABS)*”. If there is a fault in the ABS system, the ESP also does not operate.
The ESP warning light lights up in the instrument cluster when there is a fault on the
ESP
 ⇒page 32.
Switching off
You can switch the ESP off and on again as you wish, by pressing the button
⇒fig. 170. The ESP warning light lights up in the instrument cluster when the ESP is
switched off
 ⇒page 32.
The ESP should normally always be switched on. It may be good practice in certain
exceptional cases, such as when you wish to have wheel slip, to switch off the
system.
Examples:
Fig. 170 ESP switch
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Intelligent Technology 156•
when driving with snow chains;
•
when driving in deep snow or on a loose surface;
•
when it is necessary to rock a vehicle when it has become stuck.
then you should switch on the ESP again.
WARNING
It is also not possible for the ESP to overcome the physical limits of the
vehicle. Even if a vehicle fitted with ESP you should still always adapt your
style of driving to the condition of the road surface and the traffic situation.
This particularly applies when driving on slippery and wet roads. The
increased safety offered must not tempt you to take greater risks than other-
wise - risk of an accident!
Note
•
All four wheels must be fitted with the same tyres in order to achieve problem-
free operation of the ESP. Differing rolling circumferences of the tyres can lead to an
undesirable reduction in the engine output.
•
Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or another combi-
nation of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the ESP ⇒page 204,
“Accessories, changes and replacement of parts”.
Traction control system (TCS)*
The traction control system prevents the driven wheels from spinning
when accelerating.General
The TCS makes it much easier, and sometimes at all possible, to start off, accelerate
and climb a steep hill when the conditions of the road surface are unfavourable.
Operating principle
The TCS switches on automatically when the engine is started and then conducts a
self-test. The system monitors the speeds of the driven wheels with the aid of the
ABS sensors. If the wheels are spinning, the force transmitted to the road surface is
automatically adapted by reducing the engine speed. This occurs at all speeds.
The TCS operates in combination with the ABS ⇒page 159, “Antilock brake system
(ABS)*”. The TCS will not function if a fault exists in the ABS system.
The TCS warning light lights up in the instrument cluster when there is a fault on the
TCS
 ⇒page 31.
Switching off
You can switch the TCS off and on again as you wish by pressing the button
⇒fig. 171. The TCS warning light lights up in the instrument cluster when the TCS is
switched off
 ⇒page 31.
Fig. 171 TCS switch
s3f4.1.book Page 156 Thursday, June 18, 2009 11:07 AM

Wheels and Tyres203
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
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
s3f4.1.book Page 203 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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