2011 SKODA FABIA ESP

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

CAUTION
Vehicles with a “START-STOP” system are fitted with a special battery type which
allows the battery control unit to check the energy level for recurring engine start.
This battery must only be replaced by a battery of the same type. For the sake of the environment
Batteries contain poisonous substances such as sulphuric acid and lead. For this
reason, it must be disposed of properly. Under no circumstances must it be dis-
posed of in the communal rubbish. 
Automatic consumer shut-off Under heavy load on the vehicle battery, the vehicle electrical system manage-
ment automatically takes various measures to avoid draining the vehicle battery.
●
The idling speed is raised to allow the generator to deliver more electricity to
the electrical system.
● If necessary, some electrical consumers are limited in their performance or are
temporarily switched off completely. Note
Despite such intervention by the vehicle electric system management, the vehicle
battery may be drained. For example, when the ignition is switched on a long time
with the engine turned off or the side or parking lights are turned on during lon-
ger parking. 
Windshield washer system Fig. 134 Engine compartment: Wind-
shield washer fluid reservoirThe windshield washer fluid reservoir contains the cleaning fluid for the wind-
shield or rear window and for the headlamp cleaning system. The reservoir is loca-
ted in the front of the engine compartment on the right side of the vehicle
⇒ fig. 134. On some vehicles, the reservoir is located on the left side of the vehicle
next to the battery.
The filling level
of the container is about 3.5 litres and about 5.4 litres on vehicles
which have a headlight washing system.
Clear water is not sufficient to intensively clean the windscreen and headlights.
We therefore recommend using clean washing water together with the screen
cleaner from ŠKODA Original Accessories (in winter additionally with antifreeze)
which is capable of removing stubborn dirt. Follow the instructions for use on the
packaging when using screen cleaning products.
You should always add antifreeze to the cleaning water in winter even if your ve-
hicle is fitted with heated windscreen washer nozzles.
It is also possible in exceptional cases to use methylated spirits when no screen
cleaner with antifreeze is available. The concentration of methylated spirits must
not be more than 15 %. Please note, however, that the antifreeze protection at
this concentration is only adequate down to -5°C. WARNING
Read and observe the warning notes ⇒ page 153, Working in the engine com-
partment before working in the engine compartment. CAUTION
● On no account should you add radiator antifreeze or other additives to the
windscreen washer fluid.
● If the vehicle is fitted with a headlight cleaning system, you should only add
cleaning products which do not attack the polycarbonate glass of the headlights
to the windshield washer fluid. Please contact an authorised ŠKODA

Service Part-
ner who will help you select a suitable cleaning agent. Note
Do not take the filter out of the windscreen wash container when filling it up
again with liquid otherwise dirt can get into the liquid transportation system and
can lead to faults in operation of the windscreen wash system.  163
Inspecting and Replenishing Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

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 164.
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 exceptional cases 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 additional instructions ⇒ page 171,
Spare wheel.
You should have the defective tyre replaced as soon as possible and restore the
correct direction of rotation on all tyres Snow chains Snow chains must only be mounted on the front wheels.
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.
Wheel size Depth (D) Tyre size
5J x 14 35 mm 165/70
6J x 14 37 mm 185/60
6J x 15 43 mm 185/55
Only fit snow chains with links and locks not larger than
12 mm.
Remove the full wheel trims before installing the snow chains.
Observe the different national legal regulations 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
We recommend that you use snow chains from ŠKODA Original Accessories. 168
Wheels and Tyres

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
Breakdown assistance

Fuse assignment in the dash panel
Fig. 152 Schematic representation of the fuse box for vehicles with left-hand steering/right-
hand steering
Certain electrical components are only standard on certain vehicle model versions
or only suppliable as optional equipment for certain models. No. Power consumer
1 S-contact
2 START - STOP
3 Instrument cluster, headlight range adjustment
4 ABS control unit
5 Petrol engine: Speed regulating system
6 Reversing light (manual gearbox)
7 Ignition
Engine control unit, automatic gearbox
8 Brake pedal switch, coolant fan
9 Operating controls for the heating, control unit for air conditioning sys-
tem, parking aid, control unit for cornering lights, coolant fan
10 The air conditioning system
11 Mirror adjustment
12 Control unit for trailer detection
13 Control unit for automatic gearbox
14 Motor for halogen projector headlights with cornering light function
15 Radio navigation system PDA
16 Electrohydraulic power steering No. Power consumer
17 START - STOP - radio
Daylight driving lights
18 Mirror heater
19 S-contact
20 Anti-theft alarm system
21 Reversing light, fog lights with the function “CORNER”
22 Operating controls for the heating, control unit for air conditioning sys-
tem, parking aid, mobile phone, instrument cluster, steering angle
sender, ESP, vehicle voltage control unit, multifunction steering wheel
23 Interior lighting, storage compartment and luggage compartment, side
lights
24 Central control unit of the vehicle
25 Seat heaters
26 Rear window wiper
27 Telephone preinstallation
28 Petrol engine: AKF valve, petrol engine: Control flap
29 Injection, water pump
30 Fuel pump
Ignition
Cruise control system, operation of PTC relay
31 Lambda probe
32 High pressure pump, pressure valve
33 Engine control unit
34 Engine control unit
Vacuum pump
35 Power supply of ignition lock
36 Main beam
37 Rear fog light
38 Fog lights
39 Blower
40 Heatable windscreen washing nozzles, windscreen cleaning system
41 Not assigned
42 Rear window heater
£ 183
Fuses and light bulbs Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

No. Power consumer
43 Horn
44 Front window wiper
45 Central control unit for convenience system
46 Engine control unit
Engine control unit
Fuel pump relay
Fuel pump control unit
47 Cigarette lighter, power socket in the luggage compartment
a)48 ABS, START-STOP - DC/DC converter ESP
49 Turn signal lights, brake lights
50 START-STOP - DC/DC converter infotainment
Radio
51 Electrical power window (front and rear) - left side
52 Electrical power window (front and rear) - right side
53 Parking light - left side
Electric sliding/tilting roof
54 START-STOP - instrument cluster
Anti-theft alarm system
55 Control unit for automatic gearbox DSG
56 Headlight cleaning system
Parking light - right side
57 Left low beam, headlight range adjustment
58 Low beam on the right
a)
If the engine is switched off already one electrical component which is connected can discharge the
battery. Replacing fuses at the battery (manual gearbox, automatic
gearbox DSG) Fig. 153 The battery: fuse cover
– Press together the interlocks of the fuse cover simultaneously in direction of
arrow A ⇒ fig. 153 and push out the cover in direction of arrow
B .
– Release the fixtures in the openings C using a flat screwdriver and fold the
cover upwards in direction of arrow D .
– Find out which fuse belongs to the component which is not operating.
– Defect fuses can be detected by their melted metal strips. Replace the defect
fuse by a new fuse of the same ampere number. WARNING
Read and observe the warning notes ⇒ page 153, Working in the engine com-
partment before working in the engine compartment. CAUTION
● Never attempt to “
repair” fuses and also do not replace them with a fuse of a
higher amperage - risk of fire! This may also cause damage at another part of the
electrical system.
● Have the electrical system checked as quickly as possible by a specialist ga-
rage if a newly inserted fuse blows again after a short time. Note
We recommend that you have these fuses replaced by a specialist garage. 184
Fuses and light bulbs

Fuse assignment at the battery (manual gearbox, automatic
gearbox DSG)
Fig. 154 Schematic representation of
fuse assignment at battery
Certain electrical components are only standard on certain vehicle model versions
or only suppliable as optional equipment for certain models. No. Power consumer
1 Generator
2 Not assigned
3 Interior
4 Electrical auxiliary heating system
5 Interior
6 Glow plugs, coolant fan
7 Electrohydraulic power steering
8 ABS or TCS or ESP
9 The radiator fan
10 Automatic gearbox
11 ABS or TCS or ESP
12 Central control unit
13 Electrical auxiliary heating system
CAUTION
Please refer to the following guidelines ⇒  in Replacing fuses at the battery
(manual gearbox, automatic gearbox DSG) on page 184 .Note
The fuses 1 - 7 can be replaced by a specialist garage. Replace fuses at the battery (automatic gearbox)
Fig. 155 The battery: Open the positive terminal cover/fuse cover
–
Open the positive terminal cover (+) ⇒ fig. 155 - left.
– Press onto the interlocks of the fuse covers A ⇒
 fig. 155 on the right and open
the covers.
– Press together the interlocks of the fuse cover B simultaneously and push
out the cover in the direction of the arrow.
– Find out which fuse belongs to the component which is not operating
⇒ page 186 ,
Fuse assignment at the battery (automatic gearbox).
– Defect fuses can be detected by their melted metal strips. Replace the defect
fuse by a new fuse of the same ampere number. WARNING
Read and observe the warning notes ⇒ page 153,
Working in the engine com-
partment before working in the engine compartment. CAUTION
● Never attempt to “
repair” fuses and also do not replace them with a fuse of a
higher amperage - risk of fire! This may also cause damage at another part of the
electrical system.
● Have the electrical system checked as quickly as possible by a specialist ga-
rage if a newly inserted fuse blows again after a short time. Note
● We recommend that you have these fuses replaced by a specialist garage.
● Some vehicles are only fitted with the cover B ⇒ fig. 155
on the right.  185
Fuses and light bulbs Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Fuse assignment at the battery (automatic gearbox)
Fig. 156 Schematic representation of
fuse assignment at battery
Certain electrical components are only standard on certain vehicle model versions
or only suppliable as optional equipment for certain models. No. Power consumer
1 Generator
2 Interior
3 Electrical auxiliary heating system
4 ESP
5 Electrohydraulic power steering
6 Glow plugs
7 ESP
8 The radiator fan
9 The air conditioning system
10 ABS
11 Central control unit
12 Automatic gearbox
electrical auxiliary heating system
CAUTION
Please refer to the following guidelines ⇒  in Replace fuses at the battery (auto-
matic gearbox) on page 185. Bulbs
Replacing bulbs The relevant lamp must always be switched off before a light bulb is replaced.
Do not take hold of the glass bulb with naked fingers (even the smallest amount
of dirt reduces the working life of the light bulb). Use a clean cloth, serviette or
something similar.
Defect light bulbs should only be replaced with light bulbs of the same type. The
designation is located on the light socket or the glass bulb.
Changing certain bulbs is not something which you can do yourself, but requires
to be done by a specialist. Other parts of the vehicle must be removed in order to
change the light bulbs. This applies, in particular, to bulbs which can only be
reached from the engine compartment.
We therefore recommend that you have any bulbs changed by a specialist garage
or, in exceptional cases, by calling on other professional assistance.
Please note that the engine compartment is a hazardous area
⇒ page 153, Work-
ing in the engine compartment .
We recommend that you always have a small box of replacement bulbs in your ve-
hicle. You can obtain replacement bulbs from
ŠKODA Original Accessories or from
a specialist garage.
A stowage place for spare bulbs is located in the box in the spare wheel.
Vehicles with LED separate daytime running lights
In vehicles with LED separate daytime running lights, the bulbs are replaced by a
specialist garage.
Bulb - Overview Front headlight Halogen headlight Halogen projector head-
lights Low beam H4 LL H7 LL
Main beam H4 LL H7 LL
Parking lights W5W LL, LED
a)
/W5W BL LL Turn signals PY21W
£186
Fuses and light bulbs