2011 SKODA FABIA warning light

WARNING (Continued)
● You must on no account unintentionally operate the throttle (e.g. by hand
from the engine compartment) if a drive position is engaged when the car is
stationary. The vehicle would otherwise immediately start off - also when the
handbrake is firmly applied - risk of an accident!
● You must move the selector lever into position P and firmly apply the
handbrake first before you or any other person opens the bonnet and starts
working on the engine when it is running - risk of accident! It is also essential
to observe all warnings ⇒ page 153, Working in the engine compartment. 
Selector lever lock Automatic selector lever lock

With the ignition on, the selector lever is locked when it is in the positions P and
N. You must first of all depress the brake pedal in order to move the selector lever
out of this position. The warning light  ⇒ page 25 lights up in the instrument
cluster as a reminder for the driver when the selector lever is in the positions P
and
N.
A time delay element ensures that the selector lever is not blocked when rapidly
switching over the position N (e.g. from R to D). This does, for example, allow one
to seesaw out a stuck vehicle. The selector lever lock will click into place if the lev-
er is in the N position for more than 2 seconds without the brake pedal being
pressed.
The selector lever lock is only active if the vehicle is stationary or moving at speed
of less than 5 km/hour. The lock is switched off automatically into position N
when the car is travelling at a higher speed.
Shiftlock button
The Shiftlock button in the handle of selector lever prevents certain selector lever
positions being engaged inadvertently. The selector lever lock is cancelled when
you press the Shiftlock button.
Keylock 1)
- Ignition key withdrawal lock
You can only withdraw the ignition key after switching off the ignition if the selec-
tor lever is in position P. If the ignition key is withdrawn, the selector lever is
blocked in position P. Kickdown function The kickdown function provides you with maximum acceleration
power.
Fully depressing the accelerator pedal allows the kickdown function to be activa-
ted in the desired driving program. This function has precedence over the driving
programme and serves for maximum acceleration of the vehicle when exploiting
the maximum power potential of the engine without taking into account the cur-
rent selector lever position ( D, S or Tiptronic ). The gearbox shifts down to one or
several gears in line with the driving state and the vehicle accelerates. The gear-
box does not shift up into the highest gear until the engine has reached its maxi-
mum revolutions for this gear range. WARNING
Please note that using the kickdown function can result in the driven wheels
spinning on a smooth or slippery road surface - risk of skidding! 
Dynamic shift programme The automatic gearbox of your vehicle is controlled electronically. Shifting up and
down through the gears is performed automatically on the basis of pre-defined
driving programmes.
Adopting a moderate style of driving
will cause the gearbox to select the most
economical driving programme. Shifting up into a higher gear as soon as possible
and shifting down as late as possible will have a favourable effect on your fuel
consumption.
Adopting a sporty style of driving with rapid movements of the accelerator pedal
combined with sharp acceleration and frequent changes in speed, exploiting the
top speed of the car or depressing the accelerator pedal (kickdown function), will
cause the gearbox to switch over to this style of driving and shift down earlier
with frequent changes in gears in comparison to the moderate style of driving.
Selecting the most appropriate driving programme for the particular style of driv-
ing is a continuous process. Irrespective of this it is, however, possible to switch or
shift down into a dynamic shift programme by depressing the accelerator rapidly.
The gearbox shifts down into a lower gear matching the speed of the car and this £1)
Only valid for some countries. 94
Automatic gearbox

Safety
Passive Safety
Basic information
Driving the safe way Passive safety measures reduce the risk of injury in accident situa-
tions.
In this section you will find important information, tips and notes on the subject of
passive safety in your vehicle. We have combined everything here which you
should be familiar with, for example, regarding seat belts, airbags, child seats and
safety of children. Therefore, please follow especially the notes and warnings in
this section in your own interest and in the interest of your passengers. WARNING
● This chapter contains important information on how to use the vehicle for
the driver and his occupants. You will find further information on safety, which
concerns you and those travelling with you, in the following chapters of this
Owner's Manual.
● The complete on-board literature should always be in the vehicle. This ap-
plies in particular, if you rent out or sell the vehicle. 
Safety equipment The safety equipment is part of the occupant protection and it can
reduce the risk of injuries in accident situations.
“Do not put at risk
” your safety and the safety of those travelling with you . In the
event of an accident, the safety equipment can reduce the risk of injuries.
The following list contains part of the safety equipment in your vehicle:
● three-point seat belts for all the seats;
● belt force limiters for front seats;
● belt tensioners for front seats; ●
seat belt height adjusters for front seats;
● front airbag for the driver and front passenger;
● side airbags;
● head airbags;
● anchoring points for child seat using the “ISOFIX” system;
● anchoring points for child seat using the “Top Tether” system;
● head restraints adjustable for height;
● adjustable steering column.
The specified safety equipment works together, in order to optimally protect you
and those travelling with you in accident situations. The safety equipment does
not protect you or the people travelling with you, if you or your occupants adopt
an incorrect seated position or the equipment is not correctly adjusted or used.
For this reason you will be provided with information on why these equipment
components are very important, how it protects you and the occupants, what
should be observed when using the equipment and how you and the people trav-
elling with you can make full use of the existing safety equipment. This Owner's
Manual contains important warning notes, which you and those travelling with
you should pay attention to in order to reduce a risk of injury.
Safety concerns everybody! 
Before setting off The driver is always fully responsible for his occupants and for the
operating safety of the vehicle.
For your own safety and the safety of the people travelling with you, please pay
attention to the following points before setting off.
● Ensure that the lighting and the turn signal systems are functioning properly.
● Inspect the tyre inflation pressure.
● Ensure that all the windows offer a good visibility to the outside.
● Safely attach the items of luggage ⇒ page 56, Loading the luggage compart-
ment . £ 105
Passive Safety Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Airbag system
Description of the airbag system General information on the airbag system The front airbag system is complementary to the three-point seat belts and offers
additional protection for the head and chest area of the driver and passenger in
the event of a frontal collision.
In the event of a side collision, the side airbags reduce the risk of injury to the oc-
cupants to the part of their body facing the side of the accident.
The airbag system is only functional after the ignition has been switched on.
The operational readiness of the airbag system is monitored electronically. The
airbag warning light comes on for a few seconds each time the ignition is switch-
ed on.
The airbag system (according to vehicle equipment) consists of:
●
an electronic control unit;
● the front airbags for the driver and front passenger ⇒ page 114;
● the side airbags ⇒ page 116;
● head airbags ⇒ page 117 ;
● an airbag indicator light in the instrument cluster ⇒ page 26;
● a front passenger airbag switch ⇒ page 120;
● an indicator light for a switched off front seat passenger airbag in the middle
of the dash panel ⇒ page 120.
A fault in the airbag system exists if:
● the airbag indicator light does not light up when the ignition is switched on;
● the airbag indicator light does not go out after about 3 seconds after the igni-
tion is switched on;
● the airbag indicator light goes out and comes on again after the ignition is
switched on;
● the airbag indicator light comes on or flickers when driving;
● the airbag indicator light showing a switched-off front passenger airbag in the
middle of the dash panel flashes. WARNING
● To enable the occupants of a car to be protected with the greatest possi-
ble effect when the airbag is deployed, the front seats must be ⇒ 

page 106,
Correct seated position correctly adjusted to match the body size of the occu-
pant.
● If you do not fasten the seat belts when driving, lean too far forward or
adopt an incorrect seated position, you are exposing yourself to increased risk
of injury in the event of an accident.
● Have the airbag system checked immediately by a specialist garage if a
fault exists. Otherwise, there is a risk of the airbag not being activated in the
event of an accident.
● No modifications of any kind may be made to parts of the airbag system.
● It is prohibited to manipulate individual parts of the airbag system as this
might result in the airbag being deployed.
● The protective function of the airbag system is sufficient for only one acci-
dent. The airbag system must then be replaced if the airbag has been de-
ployed.
● The airbag system needs no maintenance during its working life.
● If you sell your car, please hand over the complete vehicle documentation
to the new owener. Please note that the documents relating to the possibility
of deactivating the front passenger airbag are also part of the vehicle docu-
ments!
● If the vehicle or individual parts of the airbag system are scrapped, it is es-
sential to observe the relevant safety precautions. The authorised ŠKODA
Service Partners are familiar with these regulations.
● When disposing of vehicle or parts of the airbag system, it is important to
comply with the national legal requirements. 
When are the airbags deployed? The airbag system is designed in such a way that the driver and front passenger
airbag are deployed in the event of a violent frontal collision
.
In the case of a violent side crash , the side airbag in the front seat and the head
airbag on the side on which the collision occurs are deployed. £ 113
Airbag system Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

It is also possible under certain special accident situations that the front as well as
the side airbags and head airbags are deployed simultaneously.
The airbags
are not deployed in the case of minor frontal and side collisions, rear-
end collisions, tilting of the vehicle, and vehicle rollover.
Deployment factors
It is not possible to state globally which deployment conditions apply to the airbag
system in every situation as the circumstances which exist in the case of acci-
dents vary greatly. An important role in this case, for example, is played by factors
such as the type of object against which the vehicle impacts (hard, soft), the angle
of impact, the vehicle speed etc.
A decisive factor for the deployment of the airbags is the deceleration which oc-
curs during a collision. The control unit analyses the nature of the collision and ac-
tivates the relevant restraint system. If the vehicle deceleration which occurs and
is measured during the collision remains below the prescribed reference values
specified in the control unit, the airbags are not deployed although the vehicle
may well suffer severe damage to the bodywork as a consequence of the acci-
dent.
The airbags are not deployed if:
● ignition is switched off;
● a minor frontal collision;
● a minor side collision;
● a rear-end collision;
● Rollover of the vehicle. Note
● A grey white or red, non-harmful gas is released when the airbag is inflated.
This is perfectly normal and is not an indication of a fire in the vehicle.
● In the event of an accident in which the airbags are deployed:
– the interior lighting comes on (if the switch for the interior light is in the
door contact position),
– the hazard warning light is switched on;
– all the doors are unlocked;
– the fuel supply to the engine is interrupted. Front airbags
Description of the front airbags The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belt!
Fig. 102 Driver airbag in the steering wheel/front passenger airbag in the dash panel
The front airbag for the driver is housed in the steering wheel
⇒ fig. 102
- left. The
front airbag for the front passenger is housed in the dash panel above the storage
compartment ⇒ fig. 102 - right. The installation positions are each marked with the
“AIRBAG” logo.
The front airbag system, in combination with three-point safety belts, offers addi-
tional protection for the head and chest area of the driver and front passenger in
the event of a frontal collision of major severity ⇒  in Important safety informa-
tion regarding the front airbag system on page 115.
The airbag is not a substitute for the seat belt, but is part of the complete passive
vehicle safety concept.

Please note that an airbag can only offer you optimal pro-
tection in combination with a seat belt which is fastened .
Apart from their normal protective function, a further task of the seat belts is to
also hold the driver and front passenger in a correct seated position in the event
of a frontal collision so as to enable the front airbags to offer the maximum pro-
tection.
You should therefore always fasten the seat belts, not only because this is re-
quired by law, but also for safety reasons and for your own protection ⇒ page 109,
Why seat belts?. £114
Airbag system

The load of the occupants is cushioned when plunging into the fully inflated air-
bag and the risk of injury to the entire upper body (chest, stomach and pelvis) is
reduced on the side facing the door.

Important safety information on the side airbag Correct use of the airbag system considerably reduces the risk of
injury!
WARNING
● It is essential to always switch off ⇒ page 119, Deactivating airbags the
front passenger front airbag when attaching a child safety seat on the front
passenger seat where the child is seated with its back facing in direction of
travel (in some countries also when the child is facing the direction of travel).
If this is not done, there is a risk of the child suffering severe or even fatal in-
juries if the front passenger front airbag is deployed. When transporting a
child on the front passenger seat, please comply with the appropriate national
regulations regarding the use of child safety seats.
● Your head should never be positioned in the deployment area of the side
airbag. You might suffer severe injuries in the event of an accident. This ap-
plies in particular to children who are transported without using a suitable
child safety seat ⇒ page 123, Child safety and side airbag.
● If children adopt an incorrect seated position when travelling, they may be
exposed to an increased risk of injury in the event of an accident. This can re-
sult in serious injuries ⇒ page 121,

What you should know about transporting
children!.
● There must not be any further persons, animals as well as objects posi-
tioned between the occupants and the deployment area of the airbag. No ac-
cessories, such as a can holder, should be attached to the doors.
● Only hang light items of clothing on the clothes hooks to the vehicle. Nev-
er leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets of the items of cloth-
ing.
● Ensure that there are no excessive forces, such as violent knocks, kicks
etc., impact on the backrests of the seats otherwise the system may be dam-
aged. The side airbags would not be deployed in such a case! WARNING (Continued)
● Any seat or protective covers which you fit to the driver or front passenger
seats must only be of the type expressly authorized by ŠKODA
. In view of the
fact that the airbag inflates out of the backrest of the seat, use of non-ap-
proved seat or protective covers would considerably impair the protective
function of the side airbag.
● Any damage to the original seat covers in the area of the side airbag mod-
ule must be repaired without delay by your specialist garage.
● The airbag modules in the front seats must not display any damage, cracks
or deep scratches. It is not permissible to use force in order to open the mod-
ules.
● Any work on the side airbag system including removing and installing sys-
tem components because of other repair work (e.g. removing seats) must only
be carried out by a specialist garage. 
Head airbags
Description of the head airbags The head airbag together with the side airbag offers enhanced oc-
cupant protection in the event of a side collision.
Fig. 107 Installation position of the
head airbags
The head airbags are positioned above the doors on both sides in the interior of
the car ⇒ fig. 107. The installation positions of the head airbags are each marked
with the “AIRBAG

” logo. £ 117
Airbag system Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

The head airbag together with the three-point seat belts and the side airbags, of-
fers additional protection for the head and neck area of the occupants in the
event of a side collision of major severity
⇒  in Important safety information on
the head airbag on page 118.
Apart from their normal protective function, a further task of the seat belts is to
also hold the driver and the occupants in a correct seated position in the event of
a side collision so as to enable the head airbags to offer the maximum protection.
You should therefore always fasten the seat belts, not only because this is re-
quired by law, but also for safety reasons and for your own protection ⇒ page 109.
Together with other elements (such as cross bars in the doors, stable vehicle
structure) the head airbags are the consequent further development of occupant
protection in the case of side collisions. 
Function of the head airbags The risk of injury to the head and neck area is reduced in the event
of a side collision by fully inflated head airbags.
Fig. 108 Inflated head airbag
In the case of a side collision the head airbag is deployed together with the rele-
vant side airbag ⇒ 
fig. 108 and the belt tensioner on the side of the car on which
the accident occurs.
If the system is deployed, the airbag is filled with propellant gas and covers the
entire area of the side window including the door pillars ⇒ fig. 108.
The protection offered by the head airbags is thus available simultaneously both
to the front occupants of the car seated on the side on which the collision occurs,
as well as to the rear occupants. Any impact of the head against parts of the inte-
rior or objects outside of the car, is cushioned by the inflated head airbag. The re-
duction in any impact to the head and the resultant minimizing of any movements of the head additionally reduce the risk of injuries to the neck area. The head air-
bag also offers additional protection in the case of an offset impact by covering
the front door pillar.
In certain accident situations, the front, side and head airbag are simultaneously
deployed.
The airbags inflate in fractions of a second and at a high speed in order to be able
to offer that additional protection in the event of an accident. A grey white, non
harmful gas is released when airbag is inflated. This is perfectly normal and is not
an indication of a fire in the vehicle.

Important safety information on the head airbag Correct use of the airbag system considerably reduces the risk of
injury!
WARNING
● It is essential to always switch off ⇒ page 119 the front passenger front
airbag when attaching a child safety seat on the front passenger seat where
the child is seated with its back facing in direction of travel (in some countries
also when the child is facing the direction of travel). If this is not done, there is
a risk of the child suffering severe or even fatal injuries if the front passenger
front airbag is deployed. When transporting a child on the front passenger
seat, please comply with the appropriate national regulations regarding the
use of child safety seats.
● There must not be any objects in the deployment area of the head airbags
which might prevent the airbags from inflating properly.
● Only hang light items of clothing on the clothes hooks to the vehicle. Nev-
er leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets of the items of cloth-
ing. In addition, it is not permitted to use clothes hangers for hanging up
items of clothing.
● The airbag control unit operates together with the sensors, which are at-
tached in the front doors. For this reason no adjustments must be carried out
at the doors as well as at the door panels (for example additional installation
of loudspeakers). Resulting damages can have a negative affect on the opera-
tion of the airbag system. All work on the front doors and their panels must
only be carried out by a specialist garage. £118
Airbag system

WARNING (Continued)
● There must not be any other persons (e.g. children) or animals between
the car occupant and the deployment area of the head airbag. In addition,
none of the occupants should lean their head out of the window when driving,
or extend their arms and hands out of the window.
● 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.
● Installing impermissible accessories in the area of the head airbags may
considerably impair the protection offered by the head airbag in the event of it
being deployed. When the deployed head airbag is inflated, parts of the acces-
sories fitted may in certain circumstances be thrown into the interior of the
car and cause injuries to the occupants ⇒ page 169.
● Any work on the head airbag system including installing and removing sys-
tem components because of other repair work (e.g. removing headliner) must
only be carried out by a specialist garage. 
Deactivating airbags Deactivating airbags If any airbags have been deactivated, switch them on again as
soon as possible so that they are able to again provide their proper
protection.
There is the technical means installed within your vehicle to switch off the front,
side or head airbag (take out of commission).
This is why you should have the deactivation of the airbags carried out by a spe-
cialist garage.
On vehicles equipped with the switch for deactivation of the airbags, you can de-
activate the front passenger front airbag by means of this switch ⇒ page 120.Deactivation of airbags is envisaged only for particular instances, such as if:
●
You must in exceptional cases use a child seat on the front passenger seat
where the child is seated with its back to the direction of travel (in some countries
this must be in the direction of travel due to other legal regulations applying)
⇒ page 121, Important safety information regarding the use of child safety seats ;
● you are not able to maintain the distance of at least 25 cm between middle of
steering wheel and chest, despite the driver seat being correctly adjusted;
● special attachments are required in the area of the steering wheel because of
a physical disability;
● you have installed other seats (e.g. orthopaedic seats without side airbags).
Monitoring the airbag system
The functionality of the airbag system is also monitored electronically when one
airbag has been switched off.
If the airbag was switched off using diagnostic equipment:
● The airbag indicator light lights up for 3 seconds each time the ignition is
switched on and then flashes after that for about 12 seconds.
If the airbag was switched off using the airbag switch on the side of the dash
panel:
● the airbag indicator light in the instrument cluster comes on for about 3 sec-
onds each time the ignition is switched on;
● switching off the airbag is indicated by the lighting up of the indicator light in
the display       in the middle of the dash panel ⇒ fig. 109 - right. Note
Your authorised ŠKODA Service Partner will be able to advise you whether nation-
al legislation in your country allows airbags in your vehicle to be deactivated, and
which ones.  119
Airbag system Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Switch for the front passenger front airbag
Fig. 109 Switch for the front passenger airbag/indicator light for a switched off front seat
passenger airbag
Only the front passenger front airbag is deactivated with the switch.
Deactivating an airbag
– Switch off the ignition.
– Turn the slot of the airbag switch using the ignition key in the direction of the
arrow to the position OFF ⇒ fig. 109
- left.
– Check whether the airbag indicator light in the display       in
the middle of the dash panel lights up when the ignition is switched on
⇒  fig. 109 - right.
Switching on an airbag
– Switch off the ignition.
– Turn the slot of the airbag switch using the ignition key in the opposite direc-
tion of the arrow to the position ON ⇒ fig. 109 - left.
– Check whether the airbag indicator light in the display 
     in
the middle of the dash panel does not light up when the ignition is switched
on ⇒  fig. 109 - right.
The airbag should only be switched off under exceptional circumstances
⇒  page 119.
Indicator light in display 


  (airbag switched off)
The airbag indicator light is located in the middle of the dash panel ⇒ fig. 109 -
right. If the airbag is
switched on, the airbag indicator light comes on for a few seconds
after switching on the ignition.
In cases where the front passenger airbag is switched off the airbag indicator
light comes on for a few seconds after switching on the ignition, goes out for
about a second and then comes on again.
There is a system fault present in the airbag switch off ⇒  if the indicator light
flashes. WARNING
● The driver is responsible for whether the airbag is switched on or switched
off.
● Only switch off the airbag when the ignition is switched off! Otherwise a
fault can occur in the system for the airbag deactivation.
● If the warning light 
  (airbag switched off) flashes:
– Front passenger airbag is not deployed in the event of an accident!
– It is also important to have the system inspected without delay by a
specialist garage. 120
Airbag system