2011 SKODA FABIA maintenance

WARNING
● Only use those tyres or wheel rims which have been approved for your
model of ŠKODA
vehicle. Failure to observe this instruction will adversely af-
fect the road safety of your vehicle - risk of accident! Approval and licencing of
your vehicle on public roads may also become void as a result.
● You must on no account drive at a higher speed than is permissible for
your tyres - risk of an accident resulting from tyre damage and loss of control
over your vehicle.
● Tyres which are 6 years old or more should only be fitted in exceptional ca-
ses and when adopting an appropriately cautious style of driving.
● Never fit tyres which have already been used without having adequate
knowledge of their previous history. Tyres age even if they have not been
used at all or only very little. A spare tyre must only be used in exceptional ca-
ses and only then when adopting an appropriately cautious style of driving.
● Do not, where possible, replace individual tyres but at least replace them
on both wheels of a given axle at the same time. Always fit the tyres with the
deeper tread depth to the front wheels. For the sake of the environment
Old tyres must be disposed of in conformity with the appropriate regulations. Note
It is not normally possible to fit wheels from other models of cars for technical
reasons. This may also apply in certain circumstances to the wheels of the same
type of vehicle. 
Wheel bolts Wheels and
wheel bolts are matched to each other in terms of design. Each time
you fit other wheels - e.g. light alloy wheels or wheels with winter tyres - you
must therefore also use the matching wheel bolts of the correct length and shape
of spherical cap. This is essential to ensure that the wheels are tightly fitted and
that the brake system operates properly.
If you retrofit wheel trims (or have this done), please also ensure that an ade-
quate flow of air remains assured for cooling the brake system.
Authorised ŠKODA

Service Partners are instructed in the technical possibilities
which exist regarding converting or retrofitting tyres, wheels and wheel trims. WARNING
● In case of incorrect treatment of the wheel bolts, the wheel can loosen
when the car is moving - risk of accident!
● The wheel bolts must be clean and must turn easily. However, they must
never be treated with grease or oil.
● If the wheel bolts are tightened to a too low tightening torque, the rim can
lossen when the car is moving - risk of accident! A tightening torque which is
too high can damage the bolts and threads and this can result in permanent
deformation of the contact surfaces on the rim. CAUTION
The prescribed tightening torque of the wheel bolts for steel and light alloy
wheels is 120 Nm. 
Winter tyres The 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
characteristics.
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. Ap-
provals 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 164

.
Winter tyres no longer offer the same winter performance once the tyre tread has
worn down to a depth of about 4 mm.
Ageing also causes winter tyres to lose most of their winter performance proper-
ties - 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 166,
⇒  .
£ 167
Wheels and Tyres Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Accessories, changes and replacement of parts
General ŠKODA vehicles have been built according to the latest discoveries in safety engi-
neering. Thus one should not change the condition in which the vehicle was deliv-
ered from the manufacturer without some thought.
If you want to retrofit the vehicle with accessories, if a vehicle part is to be re-
placed with a new one, or when technical changes are to be made, the following
instructions must be observed:
●
Advise should always be obtained from an authorised ŠKODA Service Partner
before buying any accessories or parts and before making any technical changes
⇒  .
● The guidelines and instructions issued by ŠKODA must be observed when
making technical changes.
Adhering to the prescribed procedures will prevent any kind of damage to the ve-
hicle, and its travelling and operating safety will be maintained. The vehicle also
complies with German road transport regulations (StVZO). More information is
available from an authorised ŠKODA
Service Partner who can also perform the
necessary work properly.
Interference on the electronic components and their software can lead to opera-
tional faults. This interference can also impair systems that are not directly affec-
ted because the electronic components are networked. In other words, the vehi-
cle's road-worthiness may be put at risk and increased wear on parts may arise.
Any damage caused by technical changes made without consent by ŠKODA is ex-
cluded from the warranty – see the warranty certificate. WARNING
● Work or modifications on your vehicle, which have been carried out unpro-
fessionally, can cause operational faults - risk of accident!
● We advise you, in your own interest, to only use ŠKODA Original Accesso-
ries and ŠKODA Original Parts which have been expressly approved for use on
your vehicle. Reliability, safety and suitability have been established for
ŠKODA Original Accessories and ŠKODA Original Parts.
● Although we constantly monitor the market, we are not able to assess or
warrant the parts even though in some instances such parts may have a type
approval or may have been approved by a nationally recognised testing labo-
ratory. Note
● ŠKODA Original Accessories and ŠKODA
Original Parts can be bought from au-
thorised ŠKODA Service Partners who also professionally undertake the assembly
of parts which were purchased there.
● We recommend having all work undertaken by an authorised ŠKODA Service
Partner.
● All ŠKODA Original Accessories and Original Parts from the Original Accessories
catalogue, such as a towing device, child seats, etc. are authorised.
● We recommend that you also buy car stereos, aerials or other electrical acces-
sories from an authorised ŠKODA Service Partner, who should also carry out the
installation.  169
Accessories, changes and replacement of parts Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

The vehicle tool kit and the lifting jack with sticker are housed in a plastic box in
the spare wheel
⇒ fig. 138 or in the compartment for the spare wheel. There is al-
so space here for the removable ball for the trailer towing device.
The vehicle tool kit contains the following parts (depending on equipment fitted):
● Wheel wrench,
● Wire clamps for removing the full wheel trims,
● Towing eye,
● Adapter for the wheel bolts lock,
● Extraction pliers for wheel bolt caps,
● Replacement lamp,
● Screwdriver.
Before placing the lifting jack back in its storage area, screw in the arm of the lift-
ing jack fully. WARNING
● The factory-supplied lifting jack is only intended for your model of vehicle.
On no account attempt to lift a heavier vehicle or other loads - risk of injury!
● Ensure that the vehicle tool kit is safely attached in the luggage compart-
ment. 
Spare wheel The spare wheel is stowed in the spare wheel well in the luggage
compartment below the floor covering.
Fig. 139 Luggage compartment: Spare
wheelThe spare wheel lies in a well under the floor covering of the luggage compart-
ment and is fixed in place along with a vehicle tool kit box using a special screw
⇒ fig. 139
.
One should check the inflation pressure in the spare wheel (at best when general-
ly checking the tyre air pressures - see sign on the fuel filler flap ⇒ page 151) to
ensure that the spare wheel is always ready to use.
Unidirectional tyres
If you have such tyres on your vehicle, please refer to the notes below:
● The spare wheel provided with a car fitted with unidirectional tyres has differ-
ent dimensions. The wheel is provided with a warning sticker.
● The warning label must not be covered after installing the wheel.
● Do not drive faster than 80 km/h with this spare wheel and pay particular at-
tention while driving. Avoid accelerating at full throttle, sharp braking and fast
cornering.
● The inflation pressure for this spare wheel is identical to the inflation pressure
of the standard tyres.
● Use this spare wheel only to reach the nearest specialist garage as it is not in-
tended for continuous use. 
Changing a wheel Preliminary work The following steps should be carried out before actually changing the wheel.
–
If it is necessary to change a wheel, park the vehicle as far away as possible
from the traffic flow. The place you choose should be level.
– Have all the occupants get out. While changing a tyre, the occupants of the
vehicle should not stand on the road (instead they should remain behind a
crash barrier, for example).
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Engage 1st gear or if your vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox, position
the selector lever into position P .
– If a trailer is coupled, uncouple it.
– Take the vehicle tool kit and the spare wheel ⇒ page 170 out of the luggage
compartment. £ 171
Breakdown assistance Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Full wheel trim
Fig. 140 Removing the 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. 140.
Install
– 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 cir-
cumference locks correctly in place. 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.
● Check for yourself that the safety wheel bolt is located in the hole in the area
of the valve before fitting the full wheel trim onto a steel wheel which is attached
with a safety wheel bolt ⇒  
page 175, Securing wheels against being stolen. Wheel bolts with caps The caps are designed to protect the wheel bolts.
Fig. 141 Changing a wheel: Pull off cap
from the wheel bolt
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. 141.
Install
– Insert the caps onto the bolts. 
Slackening and tightening wheel bolts Loosen the wheel bolts before jacking up the vehicle.
Fig. 142 Changing a wheel: Loosening
the wheel bolts
£ 173
Breakdown assistance Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

WARNING (Continued)
● Secure the base plate of the lifting jack with suitable means to prevent
possible moving. A soft and slippery ground under the base plate may move
the lifting jack, causing the vehicle to fall down. It is therefore always neces-
sary 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.
● Attach the lifting jack only at the attachment points provided for this pur-
pose. 
Securing wheels against being stolen You need a special adapter for loosening the safety wheel bolts.
Fig. 145 Illustration image: Safety wheel
bolt with adapter
– Pull off the full wheel trim/cap from the wheel hub or cap from the safety
wheel bolt.
– Insert the adapter B with its toothed side into the inner toothing of the head
of the safety wheel bolt A ⇒
 fig. 145 .
– Insert the wheel wrench fully onto the adapter B .
– Slacken the wheel bolt, or tighten it firmly ⇒ page 173.
– 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 with a torque wrench as soon as possi-
ble. 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 an authorised ŠKODA Service Partner, 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. 
Tyre repair kit General information The tyre repair kit is located in a box under the carpet in the luggage compart-
ment.
Use the tyre repair kit to reliably repair tyre damage caused by foreign bodies or a
puncture with diameters up to 4 mm. Do not remove foreign bodies, e.g. screws or
nails, from the tyre!
The repair can be undertaken on the vehicle immediately.
The repair with the tyre repair kit is
not at all intended to replace a permanent
repair on the tyre, this repair only serves to reach the next specialist garage.
Do not use the tyre repair kit:
● to repair wheel damage,
● in outside temperatures of less than -20 °C (-4 °F),
● with tears or punctures greater than 4 mm in size,
● to repair damage to the tyre wall, £ 175
Breakdown assistance Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

–
Have all the occupants get out. While changing a tyre, the occupants of the
vehicle should not stand on the road (instead they should remain behind a
crash barrier, for example).
– Switch off the engine and engage 1st gear or if your vehicle is fitted with an
automatic gearbox, position the selector lever into position P .
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Check whether you can carry out the repairs with the tyre repair kit
⇒ page 175, General information.
– If a trailer is coupled, uncouple it.
– Remove the
tyre repair kit from the luggage compartment.
– Stick the sticker 2 ⇒
 fig. 146 on the dash panel in view of the driver.
– Do not remove the foreign body, e.g. screw or nail, from the tyre.
– Unscrew the valve cap.
– Use the valve remover 1 to remove the valve core and place it down on a
clean surface. 
Seal and inflate tyres Sealing tyres
–
Forcefully shake the tyre inflator bottle 10 ⇒ fig. 146
several times.
– Firmly screw inflation hose 3 onto the tyre inflator bottle in a clockwise direc-
tion 10 . The film on the cap is pierced automatically.
– Remove the plug from the inflation hose 3 and plug the open end fully into
the tyre valve.
– Hold the bottle 10 with the floor facing upwards and fill the whole sealing
agent in the tyre inflator bottle into the tyres.
– Remove the empty tyre inflator bottle from the valve.
– Screw the valve core back into the tyre valve using the valve remover 1 .
Pumping up the tyres
– Screw the tyre inflation hose 5 ⇒
 fig. 146 of the air compressor firmly onto
the tyre valve.
– Check whether the air release valve 7 is closed.–
On vehicles fitted with a manual gearbox, move the gearshift lever into Neu-
tral.
– Start the engine and run it in idle.
– Insert the plug 9 into the 12 Volt socket.
– Switch on the air compressor with the ON and OFF switch 8 .
– Allow the air compressor to run until reaching a pressure of 2.0 - 2.5 bar. Maxi-
mum run time of 8 minutes ⇒  !
– Switch off the air compressor with the ON and OFF switch.
– If you cannot reach an air pressure of 2.0 – 2.5 bar, unscrew the tyre inflation
hose 5 from the tyre valve.
– Drive the vehicle approx. 10 metres forwards or backwards to allow the sealing
agent to distribute in the tyre.
– Screw the tyre inflation hose of the air compressor 5 firmly back onto the
tyre valve and repeat the inflation procedure.
– If you cannot reach the required tyre inflation pressure here either, this means
the tyre has sustained too much damage. You cannot seal with tyre with the
breakdown kit ⇒  .
– Switch off the air compressor with the ON and OFF switch.
– Remove the tyre inflation hose 5 from the tyre valve.
After reaching a tyre inflation pressure of 2.0 – 2.5 bar, drive at a maximum speed
of 80 km/h (50 mph).
Check the tyre inflation pressure after driving 10 minutes ⇒

 page 178, Check after
driving for 10 minutes. WARNING
● During inflation, the tyre inflation hose and air compressor may get hot-
risk of injury!
● Do not place hot tyre inflation hoses or hot air compressors on flammable
materials - risk of fire!
● If you cannot inflate the tyre to at least 2.0 bar, this means the damage
sustained was too serious. The sealing agent cannot be used to seal the tyre.
Do not drive the vehicle. Get professional assistance. £ 177
Breakdown assistance Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Connecting negative terminal and engine block
–
Attach one end 3 to the negative terminal of the battery supplying the power
B .
– Attach the other end 4 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 in exactly the reverse order they were connected. WARNING
● The non-insulated parts of the terminal clamps must never make contact
with each other. In addition, the jump-start cable connected to the positive
terminal of the battery must not come into contact with electrically conduct-
ing parts of the vehicle - risk of short circuit!
● Do not affix the jump starting cables to the negative terminal of the dis-
charged 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 4 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! Jump-starting on vehicles with the “START-STOP” system
Fig. 148 Jump-starting on vehicles with
the START-STOP system
One vehicles with the “START STOP” system, the negative cable of the charger
must never be connected directly to the negative pole of the vehicle battery, but
only to the engine earth ⇒ fig. 148. 
The vehicle General Vehicles with manual transmission can be towed in with a tow bar or a tow rope
or with the front or rear wheels raised.
Vehicles with automatic transmission can be towed in with a tow bar or a tow
rope or with the front wheels raised. If the vehicle is raised at rear, the automatic gearbox is damaged!
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.
Refer to the following guidelines when towing:
Driver of the towing vehicle
– Release the clutch particularly gently when starting off or depress the acceler-
ator particularly gently if your vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.
– On vehicles with manual transmission, only push down on the accelerator ped-
al once the rope is taught.
The maximum towing speed is 50 km/h. £ 179
Breakdown assistance Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Rear towing eye
Fig. 150 Rear towing eye
The rear towing eye is located below the rear bumper on the right ⇒ fig. 150
. 181
Breakdown assistance Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data