2011 SKODA FABIA maintenance

WARNING
● “Stale air ” may result in fatigue in the driver and occupants, reduce atten-
tion levels and also cause the windows to mist up. The risk of having an acci-
dent increases.
● Do not switch the Climatronic system off for longer than necessary.
● Switch the Climatronic system on as soon as the windows mist up. 
Recirculated air mode In recirculated air mode air is sucked out of the interior of the vehi-
cle and then fed back into the interior.
Recirculated air mode prevents polluted air outside the vehicle from getting into
the vehicle, for example when driving through a tunnel or when standing in a traf-
fic jam.
Switching recirculated air mode on
– Press the button 
17
⇒  fig. 80
,  appears in the display.
Switching recirculated air mode off
– Press button  again, the symbol  in the display goes out.
WARNING
You should not leave recirculated air mode on over a longer period of time, as
“stale ” air may result in fatigue in the driver and occupants, divert your atten-
tion and also cause the windows to mist up. The risk of having an accident in-
creases. Switch recirculated air mode off as soon as the windows begin mist-
ing up. Note
If recirculation mode is switched on for around 15 minutes, the symbol  will be-
gin to flash in the display as a sign that the recirculation mode is switched on
long-term. If the recirculation mode is not switch off, the symbol flashes for
around 5 minutes.  81
Heating and air conditioning system Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

3
- start engine
Applies to all models:
Position 1 To
lock the steering , with the ignition key withdrawn, turn the steering wheel un-
til the steering locking pin is heard to engage. You should always lock the steering
as a general rule if you leave your vehicle. This acts as a deterrent against possible
theft of your vehicle ⇒  .
Position 2 Move the steering wheel back and forward a little if the ignition key cannot, or
cannot easily be turned into this position, in order to release the steering lock.
Position
3 The engine is started in this position. At the same time switched on low beam or
main beam or other electrical components with major power consumption are
briefly switched off. The ignition key moves back into position
2 when one relea-
ses the key.
The ignition key must be turned back into position 1 each time before starting
the engine again. The starter repeat lock in the ignition lock prevents the starter
being engaged when the engine is running and thus getting damaged. WARNING
● When driving, the ignition key must always be in the position 2 (ignition
switched on) without the engine running. This position is indicated by the
warning lights coming on. If this is not the case, it could result in unexpected
locking of the steering wheel - risk of accident!
● Do not withdraw the ignition key from the lock until the car has come to a
stop. The steering lock can engage immediately - risk of accident!
● Always withdraw the ignition key if you are going to leave the vehicle,
even for a short time. This is particularly important if children are left in the
vehicle. The children might otherwise start the engine or operate electrical
equipment (e.g. power windows) - risk of injury! Starting the engine
General You can only start the engine only using an original ignition key.
● Place the gearshift lever into neutral (or place the selector lever to the posi-
tion P or N in the case of an automatic gearbox) and put on the handbrake firmly
before starting the engine.
● The clutch pedal should be fully depressed when starting the engine which
means that the starter only has to crank the engine.
● Let go of the key as soon as the engine starts otherwise there may be damage
to the starter.
The engine running noises may louder at first be louder for a short time after
starting the cold engine until oil pressure can be built up in the hydraulic valve
clearance compensation. This is quite normal and is not an operating problem.
If the engine does not start ...
You can use the battery of another vehicle as a jump-start aid ⇒ page 178. WARNING
● Never run the engine in non ventilated or enclosed areas. The exhaust
gases of the engine contain besides the odorless and colourless carbon mon-
oxide a poisonous gas - hazard! Carbon monoxide can cause unconsciousness
and death.
● Never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running. CAUTION
● The starter may only be operated (ignition key position 3 ), if the engine is not
running. If the starter is immediately operated after switching off the engine, the
starter or the engine can be damaged.
● Avoid high engine revolutions, full throttle and high engine loads as long as
the engine has not yet reached its normal operating temperature - risk of damag-
ing the engine!
● 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.£ 83
Starting-off and Driving Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Shifting (manual gearbox)
Fig. 83 Shift pattern on models fitted
with 5-speed manual gearbox
Shift into reverse only when the car is stationary. Depress the clutch pedal and
hold it fully depressed. Wait a moment before engaging reverse gear in order to
avoid any shift noises.
The reversing light will come on once reverse gear is engaged, provided the igni-
tion is on. WARNING
Never engage the reverse gear when driving - risk of accident! Note
● One should not lay the hand on the shift lever while driving the vehicle. The
pressure of the hand will be transferred to the gearshift forks in the gearbox. This
can, over a period of time, lead to early wear of the gearshift forks.
● Depress the clutch pedal fully when changing gears, in order to avoid unneces-
sary wear and damage. Pedals Operation of the pedals must not be hindered!
WARNING
● In the driver's footwell, only a footmat, which is attached to the two corre-
sponding attachment points, may be used.
● No objects are allowed in the driver's footwell – risk of obstruction or limi-
tation in operating the pedal! Note
● Greater brake pedal distances may be needed when there is a fault in the
brake system.
● Use only footmats from the range of ŠKODA Original Accessories, which are at-
tached at two attachment points. 
Handbrake Fig. 84 Centre console: Handbrake
Applying the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up fully.
Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up slightly and at the same time press in the locking
button ⇒  fig. 84
.
– Hold the button pressed and push the handbrake lever down fully ⇒  .
£ 85
Starting-off and Driving Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

WARNING
● The parking aid is not a substitute for the driver paying proper attention
and it is always the driver's responsibility to take care when parking the vehi-
cle or carrying out similar manoeuvres.
● You should therefore satisfy yourself, before reversing, that there is no
small obstacle, such as a rock, thin post, trailer drawbar etc., behind your vehi-
cle. Such an obstacle might not be within the range detected by the sensors.
● Under certain circumstances, surfaces of certain objects and types of
clothing cannot reflect the signal of the parking aid. Thus, these objects or
people who wear such clothing are not recognised by the sensors of the park-
ing aid. Note
● The parking aid does not operate if you are towing a trailer (applies to models
which feature a factory-fitted towing device).
● A system fault is indicated if a warning signal sounds for about 5 seconds after
switching the ignition on and engaging reverse gear and there is no obstacle close
to your vehicle. It is possible that the audible warning does not function correctly
(an obstacle behind the vehicle may not be detected - take extra care). Have the
fault rectified by a specialist workshop.
● If the audible warning sounds for 3 seconds after switching the ignition on and
engaging the reverse gear, a fault has occured in the system. It is possible that
the audible warning does not function correctly (an obstacle behind the vehicle
may not be detected - take extra care). Have the fault rectified by a specialist
workshop.
● The sensors must be kept clean and free of ice to enable the parking aid to
operate properly.
● If the parking aid is activated and the selector lever of the automatic gearbox
is in the position P , warning signal indicates interruption (vehicle can no longer
move). Cruise control system (CCS)
Introduction The cruise control system (CCS) maintains a constant speed, more than 30 km/h
(20 mph), once it has been set, without you having to depress the accelerator
pedal. This is only possible within the range which is permitted by the power out-
put and braking power of the engine. The cruise control system makes it possible
- particularly on long journeys - for you to rest your
“accelerator foot”
. WARNING
● For safety reasons, the cruise control system must not be used in dense
traffic or on unfavourable road surfaces (such as icy roads, slippery roads,
loose gravel) - risk of accident!
● In order to prevent unintentional use of the cruise control system, always
switch off the system after use. Note
● Models fitted with a manual gearbox: Always depress the clutch pedal if you
switch on the cruise control system when the gearbox is in Neutral! Otherwise the
engine can rev up unintentionally.
● The cruise control system is not able to maintain a constant speed when driv-
ing on steep downhill sections. The weight of the vehicle increases the speed at
which it travels. One should shift down in good time to a lower gear or slow the
vehicle down by applying the foot brake.
● It is not possible on vehicles fitted with an automatic gearbox to switch on the
cruise control system if the selector lever is in the position P, N or R.  87
Starting-off and Driving Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

WARNING
First ensure that it is not too high for the traffic conditions which exist at that
moment before resuming the stored speed. 
Switching off the cruise control system completely –
Press the switch A ⇒
 fig. 86 to the right into position OFF .
“START-STOP” Fig. 87 Centre console: START-STOP
System button
The “START-STOP” system helps you to save fuel while at the same time reducing
harmful exhaust emissions and CO 2 emissions.
The function is automatically activated each time the ignition is switched on.
In the start-stop mode, the engine automatically switches to the vehicle's idle
phase, e.g. when stopped at traffic lights.
Information regarding the current state of the “START-STOP

” system is indicated
in the display of the instrument cluster.
Automatic engine shut down (stop phase)
– Stop the vehicle (where necessary, apply the handbrake).
– Take the vehicle out of gear.
– Take your foot off the clutch.
Automatic engine restart (start phase).
– Push down on the clutch. Switching the “START-STOP” system on and off
You can switch the “START STOP

” system on/off by pressing the button ⇒ fig. 87.
When start-stop mode is deactivated, the warning light in the button lights up.
If the vehicle is in the stop phase when manually switching off the system, the en-
gine starts immediately.
The START-STOP system involves complicated switching conditions, some of
them cannot be correctly determined without servicing. The general conditions
for the proper functioning of the START-STOP system are listed in the following
overview.
Conditions for the automatic engine shut down (stop phase) The gearshift lever is in Neutral.
The clutch pedal is not pressed!
The driver has fastened the seat belt.
The driver's door is closed.
The bonnet is closed.
The vehicle is at a standstill.
The factory-fitted towing device is not electrically connected to a trailer.
The engine is at operating temperature.
The charge state of the vehicle battery is sufficient.
The stationary vehicle is not on a steep slope or a steep downhill section.
The engine speed is less than 1200 1/min.
The temperature of the vehicle battery is not too low or too high.
The pressure in the brake system is sufficient.
The difference between the outdoor- and the set temperature in the interior is
not too great.
The vehicle speed since the last time the engine was switched off was greater
than 3 km/h.
No cleaning of the diesel particle filter takes place
⇒ page 27 The front wheels are not turned excessively (the steering angle is less than 3/4
of a steering wheel revolution).
Conditions for an automatic restart (start phase)
The clutch is pressed.
The max./min. temperature is set.
£ 89
Starting-off and Driving Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Automatic gearbox
Automatic gearbox Information for driving with the 6-speed automatic gearbox The maximum speed is reached in the 5th gear. The 6th gear serves as an eco-
nomic driving programme, which is intended to reduce the fuel consumption.
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 95.
Starting-off and Driving
– Depress the brake pedal fully and keep 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 93, 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 ⇒  .
Stop
– The selector lever position N does not have to be selected when stopping just
for a short time, such as at a cross roads. It is sufficient to hold the vehicle sta-
tionary 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 . If the
selector lever is not in the P or N positions when locking the steering, switching
the ignition on or off or when leaving the engine on, the following message will
appear in the Information display Move selector lever to position P/N! or, in the
instrument cluster display:  P/N. 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 is not in the P positin
when the driver's door is open and the ignition is switched off, or if it is not in the
P position when the ignition is switched off and the driver's door is opened, the
following message will appear in the Information display: Move selector lever to
position P! or, in the instrument cluster display:  P. The message disappears af-
ter a few seconds by switching on the ignition or by moving the selector lever into
the position P .
If the selector lever position N is selected by accident while driving it is first nec-
essary 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 accident!
● Never move the selector lever into position R or P when driving - risk of an
accident!
● When the engine is running and the vehicle is stationary, it is necessary to
hold the car with the brake pedal in all the positions of the selector lever (ex-
cept P and N) since the power transmission is never completely interrupted,
also not when the engine is idling - the vehicle creeps. 
Information for driving with the automatic gearbox DSG The abbreviation DSG means Direct shift gearbox (Direct shift gear-
box).
Two independent clutches are needed for the power transmission between the
engine and the gearbox. These replace the torque converter of the conventional
automatic gearbox. Their shifting is matched in such a way that there are no jerks
when shifting the gear and the power transmission of the engine to the front
wheels is not interrupted. Shifting up and down through the gears is performed £ 91
Automatic gearbox Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Selector lever positions
Fig. 88 Selector lever/information display: Selector lever positions
The selector lever position you have engaged is shown in the information display
of the instrument cluster with the corresponding gear symbol highlighted
⇒ fig. 88 - on the right. In the positions D and S the gear you have already engag-
ed will be additionally displayed on the display.
P - Parklock
The driven wheels are locked mechanically in this position.
The Parklock must only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary ⇒  .
If you wish to move the selector lever into or out of this position, you must press
the Shiftlock button in the handle of the selector lever and at the same time de-
press the brake pedal.
R - Reverse gear
Reverse gear must only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary and the engine
idling ⇒  .
The brake pedal must be depressed and at the same time the Shiftlock must be
pressed, if you wish to obtain the selector lever positions R, P or N.
When the ignition is switched on and the selector lever is in position R, the re-
verse lights will come on.
N - Neutral
The transmission is in Neutral in this position. The brake pedal must be depressed (if the lever is in its position for longer than 2
seconds) in order to move the selector lever out of the position
N into the position
D, with the ignition switched on, on a vehicle travelling at less than 5 km/hour or
on a stationary vehicle.
D - Position for driving forward
When the selector lever is in this position, the forward gears are shifted up and
down automatically in line with engine load, vehicle speed and the dynamic shift
programme.
You must depress the brake pedal ⇒  if you wish to move the selector lever into
position D from N when the vehicle is travelling at less than 5 km/hour or is sta-
tionary.
In certain circumstances (e.g. when driving in mountainous regions or when tow-
ing a trailer) it may be beneficial to select the manual shift programme
⇒ page 95 for a short time in order to adapt the gearbox ratios manually to the
driving situations.
S - Position for sporty style of driving
Shifting up later into a higher gear makes it possible to fully exploit the power po-
tential of the engine. The gearbox also then shifts down at higher engine speeds
as in the position D .
The gearbox does not shift into the 6th gear in the position S, because the maxi-
mum speed is reached with the 5th gear 1)
.
The Shiftlock on the selector lever grip must be pressed when moving the selec-
tor lever out of the position D into the position S. WARNING
● Never move the selector lever into position R or P when driving - risk of an
accident!
● When the engine is running and the vehicle is stationary, it is necessary to
hold the car with the brake pedal in all the positions of the selector lever (ex-
cept P and N) since the power transmission is never completely interrupted,
also not when the engine is idling - the vehicle creeps. £1)
Not valid for vehicles with automatic gearbox DSG. 93
Automatic gearbox Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

allows you to accelerate rapidly (e.g. when overtaking) without having to depress
the accelerator pedal fully into the kickdown range. The original programme will
be reactivated to match your particular style of driving once the gearbox has shif-
ted up again.
When driving in hilly regions, the gears are selected to match uphill and downhill
sections. This avoids the gearbox frequently shifting up and down when negotiat-
ing an uphill stretch. When driving downhill, it is possible to shift down into the
Tiptronic position, in order to exploit the engine brake torque.

Tiptronic The Tiptronic allows the driver to also shift gears manually.
Fig. 89 Selector lever: manual shifting/large information display: Manual shifting of gears
The selector lever position you have engaged is indicated in the information dis-
play of the instrument cluster together with the engaged gear
⇒ fig. 89 on the
right.
Switching over to manual shifting
– Push the selector lever to the right out of position D. After switching over, the
current engaged gear is indicated in the display.
Shifting up gears
– One-touch forward of the selector lever (in the Tiptronic position) ⇒ 
fig. 89 + .
Shifting down gears
– One-touch back of the selector lever (in the Tiptronic position) - .
It is possible to switch over to manual both when the car is stationary and also
when driving. When you accelerate, the gearbox shifts up automatically into the higher gear just
before the maximum permissible engine speed is reached.
If you select a lower gear, the automatic gearbox does not shift down until there
is no risk of the engine overrevving.
When you operate the kickdown feature, the gearbox shifts into a lower gear in
line with the vehicle speed and engine speed.

Manual shifting on the multifunction steering wheel Fig. 90 Multifunction steering wheel:
Manual shifting of gears
Switching over to manual shifting
– Push the selector lever to the right out of position D. After switching over, the
current engaged gear is indicated in the display.
Shifting up gears
– Press the right rocker switch + ⇒
 fig. 90 for the multifunction steering wheel.
Shifting down gears
– Press the left rocker switch - ⇒
 fig. 90 for the multifunction steering wheel.
Temporarily switching over to manual shifting
– If the selector lever is in position D or
S, press the left rocker switch - or the
right rocker switch + for the multifunction steering wheel.
– If the rocker switches - or
+ are not pressed for some time, the manual shift-
ing switches off. You can also switch off the temporary switch-over to manual
shifting by pressing the right rocker switch + for more than 1 second.
 95
Automatic gearbox Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data