2011 SKODA FABIA gearbox

Shifting gears and saving energy
Shifting up early saves on fuel.
Fig. 121 Fuel consumption in litres/100
km. and speed in km/h.
Manual gearbox
– Drive no more than about one length of your vehicle in first gear.
– Shift into the next higher gear when approximately 2 000-2 500 revolutions
are achieved.
An effective way of achieving good fuel economy is to shift up early . You will con-
sume more fuel if you drive at unnecessarily high revolutions in any given gear. To
shift in a fuel-efficient manner, follow ⇒ 
page 13
, Shift recommendation for chang-
ing gears.
Automatic gearbox
– Depress the accelerator pedal slowly. Do not depress it beyond the kickdown
position, however.
Only depress the accelerator pedal slowly if your vehicle is fitted with an automat-
ic gearbox in order to automatically select an economic driving programme. You
will achieve good fuel economy by shifting up early and shifting down late.
General
The ⇒ fig. 121 shows the ratio of fuel consumption to the speed of your vehicle in
the relevant gears. Fuel consumption in 1st

gear is the highest, while that in 5th or
the 6th gear is the lowest. Note
Also use the information supplied by the multi-functional indicator ⇒ page 14.Avoiding full throttle Driving more slowly means saving fuel.
Fig. 122 Fuel consumption in litres/100
km. and speed in km/h.
Sensitive use of the accelerator will not only significantly reduce fuel consumption
but also positively influence environmental pollution and wear of your vehicle.
You should avoid exploiting the top speed of your vehicle wherever possible. Fuel
consumption, pollutant emissions and vehicle noises increase disproportionally at
high speeds.
The ⇒ fig. 122 shows the ratio of fuel consumption to the speed of your vehicle.
You will cut your fuel consumption by half if you only make use three-quarters of
the possible top speed of your vehicle. 
Reducing idling Idling also costs fuel.
It is worthwhile switching off the engine in a traffic jam or when waiting at a level
crossing or at traffic lights with a lengthy red phase. Even after just 30 - 40 sec-
onds you will have saved more fuel than that is needed when you start the engine
up again.
If an engine is only idling it takes much longer for it to reach its normal operating
temperature. Wear-and-tear and pollutant emissions, though, are particularly high
in the warming-up phase. This is why you should drive off right after starting the
engine. Do avoid high engine revolutions at this time, however.  137
Driving and the Environment Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Driving through bodies of water on roads
Fig. 124 Crossing bodies of water
In order to avoid damage to the vehicle when driving through bodies of water (e.g.
flooded roads), observe the following:
● Determine the depth of the water when driving through bodies of water. The
water can reach at the maximum the web on the lower sill of the vehicle
⇒ fig. 124.
● Drive no more than at walking speed. At a higher speed, a water wave can
form in front of the vehicle which can cause water to penetrate into the air induc-
tion system of the engine or into other parts of the vehicle.
● Never let the vehicle stand in the water, never drive backwards and do not
switch off the engine. WARNING
● Driving through water, mud, sludge etc. can reduce the braking power and
extend the braking distance - risk of accident!
● Avoid sudden and severe braking manoeuvres immediately after driving
through bodies of water.
● After driving through bodies of water, the brakes must be cleaned and
dried as soon as possible by intermittent braking. Only apply the brakes for
the purpose of drying and cleaning the brake discs if the traffic conditions per-
mit this. Do not place any other road users in jeopardy. CAUTION
● When driving through bodies of water, parts of the vehicle such as the engine,
gearbox, catalytic converter, chassis or electrics can be severely damaged.
● Oncoming vehicles can generate water waves which can exceed the permissi-
ble water level for your vehicle. ●
Potholes, mud or rocks can be hidden under the water making it difficult or im-
possible to drive through the body of water.
● Do not drive through salt water. The salt can lead to corrosion. Immediately
rinse all the parts of the vehicle, which came into contact with the salt water, with
fresh water. Note
After driving through a body of water, we recommend that the vehicle is checked
by a specialist garage.  141
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WARNING
● Never open the bonnet if you see that steam or coolant is flowing out of
the engine compartment - risk of scalding! Wait long enough until the steam
or coolant has stopped escaping.
● Switch off the engine and pull out the ignition key.
● Apply the handbrake firmly.
● If your vehicle is fitted with a manual gearbox, move the gearshift lever in-
to Neutral, or if it is fitted with automatic gearbox, move the selector lever in-
to position P
.
● Allow the engine to cool down.
● Keep children clear of the engine compartment.
● Do not touch any hot engine parts - risk of burns!
● Never spill oil and other fluids over the hot engine. Such fluids (e.g. the an-
tifreeze contained in the coolant) may ignite!
● Avoid short circuits in the electrical system - particularly on the battery.
● Never place your hand into the radiator fan as long as the engine is still
warm. The fan might suddenly start running!
● Never open the cap of the coolant expansion reservoir so long as the en-
gine is still warm. The cooling system is pressurized!
● Cover over the cap of the reservoir with a large cloth when opening it as
protection for your face, hands and arms from hot steam or hot coolant.
● Do not let objects, such as e.g cleaning cloth or tools lie in the engine com-
partment.
● If you wish to work under the vehicle, you must secure the vehicle from
rolling away and support it with suitable supporting blocks: the car jack is not
sufficient for this - risk of injury! WARNING (Continued)
● In cases where it be necessary to carry out inspection work when the en-
gine is running there is an additional risk from rotating parts (e.g. the V-ribbed
belt, alternator, radiator fan) and from the high-voltage ignition system.
Please observe in addition the following:
–Never touch the electrical cables of the ignition system.
– Absolutely avoid any jewellery, loose items of clothing or long hair from
getting into the rotating parts of the engine - Hazard! Therefore remove
any jewellery beforehand, tie up your hair and wear tight fitting clothing.
● Please also comply with the warning instructions stated below when car-
rying out any essential work on the fuel system or on the electrical system:
–Always separate the car battery from the electrical system.
– Do not smoke.
– Never carry out any work close to naked flames.
– Always keep a working fire extinguisher at hand. CAUTION
When replenishing fluids in the engine, always ensure that the fluids are on no ac-
count mixed up. This may result in major operating problems and also vehicle
damage! 
Overview of the engine compartment The main inspection points.
Fig. 128 Diesel engine 1.6 ltr./77 kW
£154
Inspecting and Replenishing

Battery cover
Fig. 132 The battery: Pull up the cover (automatic gearbox)/(manual gearbox)
The battery is located in the engine compartment below a plastic box.
– Unlock the interlock on the positive terminal side of the battery ⇒ fig. 132 -
left.
– Pull up the cover in direction of arrow ⇒ fig. 132
- left (automatic gearbox) or
⇒ fig. 132 - right (manual gearbox).
– The installation of the battery cover on the positive terminal side takes place
in the reverse order. 
Battery control Fig. 133 The battery: Electrolyte level
indicator
The battery is practically maintenance-free under normal operating conditions. We recommend you have the electrolyte level checked by a specialist garage from
time to time, especially in the following cases.
●
High outside temperatures.
● Long daily drives
● After each charge ⇒ 
page 162.
On vehicles with a vehicle battery fitted with a colour indicator, the so-called mag-
ic eye ⇒

 fig. 133 , the electrolyte level can be determined by looking at the change
in colour.
Air bubbles can influence the colour of the indicator. For this reason carefully
knock on the indicator before carrying out the check.
● Black colour - electrolyte level is correct.
● Colourless or light yellow colour - electrolyte level too low, the battery must be
replaced. Note
● The battery electrolyte level is periodically checked by an authorised ŠKODA
Service Partner as part of the Inspection Service.
● For technical reasons, on vehicles with the description

“AGM”, the electrolyte
level cannot be checked.
● Vehicles with a “START-STOP” system are fitted with a battery control unit for
checking the energy level for the recurring engine start. 
Operation in winter The battery has to provide greater amounts of electricity during the winter. It also
has only part of the initial power output at low temperatures that it has at normal
temperatures.
A discharged battery may already freeze at temperatures just below 0°C.
We therefore recommend that you have the battery checked by a specialist ga-
rage before the start of the winter, and recharged if necessary.
WARNING
Never charge a frozen or thawed battery - risk of explosion and caustic burns.
Replace a frozen battery. 161
Inspecting and Replenishing 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
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–
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
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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
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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 wip-
ers 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. CAUTION
● Do not tow start the engine - danger of damaging the engine. On vehicles with
a catalytic converter, unburnt fuel may get into the catalytic converter where it
may ignite. This in turn may damage or destroy the catalytic converter. You can
use the battery of another vehicle as a jump-start aid ⇒ page 178, Jump-starting.
● 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.
● The vehicle must be transported on a special vehicle or trailer if it is not possi-
ble to tow in the vehicle in the way described or if the towing distance is greater
than 50 km.
● To protect both vehicles when tow-starting or towing, the tow rope should be
elastic. Thus one should only use plastic fibre rope or a rope made out of a similar-
ly elastic material.
● 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 at-
tempt to tow a vehicle which is not standing on a paved road.
● Attach the tow rope or the tow bar only to the towing eyes
provided for this
purpose ⇒ page 180,

Front towing eye and ⇒ page 181, Rear towing eye.Note
● We recommend a tow rope from the range of ŠKODA Original Accessories that
you can purchase from an authorised
ŠKODA Service Partner.
● Towing another vehicle requires a certain amount of practice. Both drivers
should be familiar with the particular points about towing a vehicle. Unskilled driv-
ers should not attempt to tow in another vehicle or to be towed in. ●
When towing, respect the national legal provisions, especially those which re-
late to the identification of the towing vehicle and the vehicle being towed.
● 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 of the vehicle tool kit.
Fig. 149 Front bumper: Cover/installing the towing eye
–
Press on the left half of the cover at the point of the arrow ⇒ 
fig. 149 - left.
– Pull the cover out of the front bumper.
– Screw in the towing eye by hand to the left up to the stop ⇒ fig. 149 - right. For
tightening, we recommend that you use for example the wheel wrench, the
lashing eye of another vehicle or a similar object which you can push through
the eye.
– In order to reinstall the cover after screwing out the towing eye, insert it in the
mounts and then press on the right side of the cover. The cover must engage
firmly. CAUTION
The towing eye must always be screwed in fully and firmly tightened, otherwise
the towing eye can tear when towing. 180
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