2011 SKODA FABIA Owner's Manual

Visibility
Rear window heater Fig. 30 Switch for rear window heater
– You can switch the rear window heater on or off by pressing the switch ⇒ 
fig. 30 - the indicator light in the switch comes on or goes out.
The rear window heater only operates when the engine is running.
The rear window heater switches off automatically after 7 minutes.
If the on-board voltage drops, the rear window heater is switched off automatical-
ly, the warning light flashes in the button. For the sake of the environment
As soon as the window is de-iced or free from mist, the heating should be switch-
ed off. The reduced current consumption will have a favourable effect on fuel
economy ⇒ page 139, Saving electricity. Sun visors Fig. 31 Sun visor: swivelling out
You can pull the sun visor for the driver or front passenger out of the fixture and
swivel it toward the door in the direction of the arrow 1 ⇒
 fig. 31 .
The vanity mirrors in the sun visors are provided with covers. Push the cover in di-
rection of arrow 2 .
WARNING
The sun visors must not be swivelled to the side windows into the deploy-
ment area of the head airbags if any objects, such as ball-point pens etc. are
attached to them. This might result in injuries to the occupants if the head air-
bag is deployed. 47
Lights and Visibility Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Windshield wiper and wash system
Windshield wiper You can operate the windscreen wipers and automatic wipe/wash
using the windscreen wiper lever.
Fig. 32 Windscreen wiper lever
The windscreen wiper lever ⇒ 
fig. 32 has the following positions:
Finger-operated wiping
– If you wish to wipe the windscreen only briefly, push the lever into the sprung
position 4 .
Intermittent wiping
– Position the lever up into position 1 .
– Set with the switch A the desired break between the individual wiper
strokes.
Slow wipe
– Position the lever up into position 2 .
Fast wipe
– Position the lever up into position 3 .
Automatic wipe/wash for windscreen
– Pull the lever towards the steering wheel into the spring-tensioned position
5 , the wash system and the windscreen wipers will operate. –
Release the lever. The windscreen wash system stops and the wiper contin-
ues for another 1 - 3 wiper strokes (depending on the period of spraying of the
windscreen).
Wiping the rear window pane
– Push the lever away from the steering wheel into position 6 ⇒ fig. 32, the
widescreen wiper will operate every 6 seconds.
Automatic wipe/wash for the rear window pane
– Push the lever away from the steering wheel into the spring-tensioned posi-
tion 7 , the windscreen wiper and wash system will operate.
– Letting go of the lever will cause the windscreen wash system to stop and the
windscreen wiper to continue for another 1 - 3 wiper strokes (depending on
the period of spraying of the windscreen). The lever will stay in position after
releasing it 6 .
Switching windscreen wipers off
– Move the lever back into its home position 0 .
The windscreen wipers and the windscreen washer system only operate if the ig-
nition is switched on.
The rear window will be wiped again if the window wipers are on when reverse
gear is selected.
The windscreen washer nozzles for the windscreen are heated when the ignition
is switched on.
Top up with wash liquid ⇒ page

163. WARNING
● Properly maintained windscreen wiper blades are essential for clear visibil-
ity and safe driving ⇒ 

page 49.
● Do not use the windscreen washer system at low temperatures, without
heating the windscreen beforehand. Otherwise the window cleaner could
freeze on the windscreen and restrict the view to the front.
● In the event of a freezing up of the windscreen, first of all remove the ice
⇒ 

page 146 and then operate the windscreen wiper otherwise the wind-
screen wiper blades could be damaged. £48
Lights and Visibility

CAUTION
● In cold temperatures and in winter, check before the trip or before switching
on the ignition that the wiper blades are not frozen. Switching on windscreen
wipers when the blades are frozen to the windscreen may result in damage both
to the blades and the motor of the windscreen wipers!
● If you switch off the ignition while the windscreen wipers are on, the wipers
will sweep in the same mode the next time the ignition is switched on. At low
temperatures, the wipers may freeze to the window between switching off the ig-
nition and the next time you switch the ignition on again.
● Carefully detach frozen wiper blades from the front or rear window.
● Remove snow and ice from the window wipers before driving. Note
The content of the windscreen wiper reservoir is 3.5 litres. On vehicles which are
equipped with a headlight cleaning system, the content of the reservoir is 5.4 li-
tres. 
Headlight cleaning system The headlights are being cleaned after the windscreen washer system has been
operated for the fifth time, the low beam or main beam are switched on as well as
the windscreen wiper lever is held in the position
5 ⇒
 fig. 32 for about 1 second.
You should remove stubborn dirt (such as insect residues) from the headlight len-
ses at regular intervals, for example when refuelling. Please refer to the following
guidelines ⇒
  page 147, The headlight lenses.
You should remove any snow from the fixtures of the washer nozzles and clear ice
in winter with a de-icing spray in order to ensure proper operation of the cleaning
system. CAUTION
Never remove the nozzles from the headlamp cleaning system by hand - risk of
damage! Replacing wiper blades for the windscreen wipers Fig. 33 Wiper blade for the windscreen
wiper
Removing the wiper blade
– Fold windscreen wiper arm away from the windscreen.
– Press the locking button, in order to unlock the wiper blade and pull off in the
direction of arrow.
Attaching the wiper blade
– Push the wiper blade until it locks up to the stop.
– Check whether the wiper blade is correctly attached.
– Fold the windscreen wiper arm back onto the windscreen.
Windscreen wiper blades in proper condition are essential to obtain good visibility.
Wiper blades should not be allowed to become dirtied by dust, insect remains and
preserving wax.
Juddering or smearing of the wiper blades could then be due to wax residues left
on the windscreen by vehicle washing in automatic vehicle wash systems. It is
therefore important to degrease the lips of the winscreen wiper blades after ev-
ery pass through an automatic vehicle wash system .£ 49
Lights and Visibility Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

WARNING
● If the windscreen wipers are handled carelessly, there is a risk of damage
to the windscreen.
● You should clean the wiper blades regularly with a windscreen cleaner in
order to avoid any smears. Clean a wiper blade with a sponge or cloth if it is
very dirty, for example from insect residues.
● Replace the windscreen wiper blades once or twice a year for safety rea-
sons. Windscreen wiper blades are available at specialist garages. 
Replacing the rear window wiper blade- version 1 Fig. 34 Wiper blade for the rear window
Removing the wiper blade
– Fold windscreen wiper arm out from the windscreen and position the wiper
blade at right angles to the wiper arm ⇒ 
fig. 34
.
– Hold the window wiper arm at the top end with one hand.
– With the other hand unlock the locking button A in the direction of arrow and
remove the wiper blade.
Attaching the wiper blade
– Position the wiper blade onto the wiper arm and lock the locking button A .
– Check whether the wiper blade is correctly attached.
The same remarks apply here as for ⇒ page 49. Replacing the rear window wiper blade- version 2
Fig. 35 Wiper blade for the rear window
Removing the wiper blade
– Fold windscreen wiper arm out from the windscreen and position the wiper
blade at right angles to the wiper arm ⇒ 
fig. 35

.
– Hold the window wiper arm at the top end with one hand.
– With the other hand unlock the locking button 1 and remove the wiper blade
in the direction of arrow 2 .
Attaching the wiper blade
– Push the wiper blade until it locks up to the stop.
– Check whether the wiper blade is correctly attached.
– Fold the windscreen wiper arm back onto the windscreen.
The same remarks apply here as for ⇒ page 49. 
Rear-view mirror Manual dimming interior rear-view mirror Basic setting
–
Pull the lever on the bottom edge of the mirror forward.
Dimming mirror
– Pull the lever on the bottom edge of the mirror back. 50
Lights and Visibility

Rear mirror
You can adjust the exterior mirrors electrically.
Fig. 36 Inner part of door: Rotary knob
Adjust the rear mirror before commencing to drive so that there is a clear view to
the rear.
Dimming the interior mirror
– Pull the lever on the bottom edge of the mirror toward rear (the lever on the
interior mirror must point forwards in it home position).
Heating of the external mirror
– Turn the rotary knob to position  ⇒ 
fig. 36 .
Adjusting the left-hand exterior mirror
– Turn the rotary knob to position . The movement of the mirror surface is iden-
tical to the movement of the rotary knob.
Adjusting the right-hand exterior mirror
– Turn the rotary knob to position . The movement of the mirror surface is iden-
tical to the movement of the rotary knob. WARNING
● Convex (curved outward) exterior mirrors increase the field of vision. They
do, however, make objects appear smaller in the mirror. These mirrors are only
of limited use, therefore, for estimating distances to the following vehicles.
● Use whenever possible the interior rear mirror, for estimating the distan-
ces to the following vehicles. Note
● The exterior mirror heater only operates when the engine is running.
● Do not touch the surfaces of the exterior mirrors if the exterior mirror heater is
switched on.
● You can set the exterior mirrors by hand, if the power setting function fails at
any time, by pressing on the edge of the mirror surface.
● Contact your specialist garage if a fault exists with the power setting of the
exterior mirrors.  51
Lights and Visibility Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Seats and Stowage
Front seats
Basic information The front seats have a wide range of different settings and can thus be matched
to the physical characteristics of the driver and front passenger.
Correct adjustment of the seats is particularly important for:
●
safely and quickly reaching the controls;
● a relaxed, fatigue-free body position;
● achieving the maximum protection offered by the seat belts and the airbag
system.
The chapters which follow describe the procedure which you should adopt for ad-
justing the seats. WARNING
● Never transport more occupants than the maximum seating in the vehicle.
● Each occupant must correctly fasten the seat belt belonging to the seat.
Children must be fastened ⇒ 
page 121, Transporting children safely with a
suitable restraint system.
● The front seats and the head restraints must always be adjusted to match
the body size of the seat occupant as well as the seat belts must always be
correctly fastened in order to provide an optimal protection for you and your
occupants.
● Always keep your feet in the footwell when the car is being driven - never
place your feet on the instrument panel, out of the window or on the surfaces
of the seats. This is particularly important for the front seat passenger. You
will be exposed to increased risk of injury if it becomes necessary to apply the
brake or in the event of an accident. If an airbag is deployed, you may suffer
fatal injuries when adopting an incorrect seated position! WARNING (Continued)
● It is important for the driver and front passenger to maintain a distance of
at least 25 cm from the steering wheel or dash panel. Not maintaining this
minimum distance will mean that the airbag system will not be able to proper-
ly protect you - hazard! The front seats and the head restraints must always
also be correctly adjusted to match the body size of the occupant.
● Ensure that there are no objects in the footwell as any objects may get be-
hind the pedals during a driving or braking manoeuvre. You would then no
longer be able to operate the clutch, to brake or accelerate.
● Do not transport any objects on the front passenger seat except objects
(e.g. child safety seat) provided for this purpose - risk of accident! 
Adjusting the front seats - Variant 1 Fig. 37 Controls at seat
Adjusting a seat in a forward/back direction
– Pull the lever 1 ⇒
 fig. 37
up and push the seat into the desired position.
– Release the lever 1 and push the seat further until the lock is heard to en-
gage.
Adjusting height of seat
– Lift the seat if required by pulling or pumping lever 2 upwards.
– Lower the seat if required by pushing or pumping lever 2 downwards.
£52
Seats and Stowage

Adjust the angle of the seat backrest
–
Relieve any pressure on the seat backrest (do not lean on it) and turn the
handwheel 3 to adjust the angle of the backrest.
The driver's seat should be adjusted in such a way that the pedals can be fully
pressed to the floor with slightly bent legs.
The seat backrest on the driver's seat should be adjusted in such a way that the
upper point of the steering wheel can be easily reached with slightly bent arms. WARNING
● Only adjust the driver seat when the vehicle is stationary - risk of injury!
● Take care when adjusting the seat! Adjusting the seat without care can
lead to bruises or injuries.
● The seat backrests must not be angled too far back when driving other-
wise this will affect proper operation of the seat belts and of the airbag sys-
tem - risk of injury! 
Adjusting the front seats - Variant 2 Fig. 38 Controls at seat
This front seat variant is only available in some countries.
Adjusting a seat in a forward/back direction
– Pull the lever (in the middle section) 1 ⇒ fig. 38
up and push the seat into the
desired position.
– Release the lever 1 and push the seat further until the lock is heard to en-
gage. Adjusting height of seat
–
Lift the seat if required by pulling or pumping lever 2 upwards.
– Lower the seat if required by pushing or pumping lever 2 downwards.
Adjust the angle of the seat backrest
– Remove the pressure of the backrest (do not lean on it), pull the lever 3 to-
wards the rear and set the desired angle of the seat backrest with the back
– After releasing the lever 3 , the seat backrest will remain in the set position.
The driver's seat should be adjusted in such a way that the pedals can be fully
pressed to the floor with slightly bent legs.
The seat backrest on the driver's seat should be adjusted in such a way that the
upper point of the steering wheel can be easily reached with slightly bent arms. WARNING
● Only adjust the driver seat when the vehicle is stationary - risk of injury!
● Take care when adjusting the seat! Adjusting the seat without care can
lead to bruises or injuries.
● The seat backrests must not be angled too far back when driving other-
wise this will affect proper operation of the seat belts and of the airbag sys-
tem - risk of injury! 
Head restraints Fig. 39 Head restraint: Adjusting/pulling out
Best protection is achieved if the top edge of the head restraint is at the same
level as the upper part of your head.
£ 53
Seats and Stowage Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Adjusting the height of a head restraint
–
Grasp the side of the head restraint with both hands and push it in upward di-
rection as desired ⇒ fig. 39 - left.
– Move the head restraint downwards if required by pressing and holding the
safety button with one hand ⇒ fig. 39 - right and by pressing with the other
hand the head restraint downwards.
Removing and installing a head restraint
– Pull the head restraint out of the seat backrest as far as the stop.
– Press the locking button in the direction of arrow ⇒  fig. 39 - right and pull the
head restraint out.
– To re-insert the head restraint, push it down into the seat backrest far enough
until you hear the locking button engage.
The position of the front, rear outer head restraints and the rear middle head re-
straint is adjustable for height.
The head restraints must be adjusted to match the size of the seat occupant. Cor-
rectly adjusted head restraints together with the seat belts offer effective protec-
tion for the occupants ⇒ page 106.WARNING
● The head restraints must be correctly adjusted in order to offer effective
protection for the occupants in the event of an accident.
● Do not drive under any circumstance with removed head restraints - risk of
injury!
● If the rear seats are occupied, the rear head restraint must not be in the
lower position. Heating the front seats Fig. 40 Rocker switch: Front seat heat-
ing
You can electrically heat the seat cushions and the seat backrests of the front
seats.
– By pressing the rocker switch in the position 1 or 2 switch on the front seat
heating to 25 % or 100 % of its power output ⇒ fig. 40.
– To switch off the heating shift the rocker switch into the horizontal position. WARNING
● If, as an occupant, you have a subdued pain and/or temperature sensitivi-
ty, e.g. through medication, paralysis or because of chronic illness (e.g. diabe-
tes), we recommend not to use the seat heating of the driver or front passen-
ger seat. This can lead to burns on the back, the posterior and the legs which
are difficult to heal. If the seat heating is used, we recommend to make regu-
lar breaks in your journey when driving long distances, so that the body can
recuperate from the stress of the journey. Please consult your doctor, who can
evaluate your specific condition. CAUTION
● You should not kneel on the seats or otherwise apply pressure at specific
points in order to avoid damaging the heating elements of the seat heaters.
● Do not use the seat heating if the seats are not occupied by persons or if ob-
jects are fastened or stored on them, for example a child seat, a bag etc. A fault of
the heating elements in the seat heating can occur.
● Do not clean the seats moist ⇒ page 148. £54
Seats and Stowage