2011 SKODA FABIA headlights

Button for display mode:
–
Set hours/minutes
– Activating/deactivating the second speed in mph or km/h
– Service interval - Display of the remaining number of days, kilometres or
miles to the next Inspection Service/Reset 1)
Button for:
– Reset trip counter for distance driven
– Resetting Service Interval Display
– Set hours/minutes
– Activate/deactivate display mode
Fuel gauge ⇒ page 11 
Engine revolutions counter The red zone of the rev counter scale
1 ⇒ fig. 2
indicates the range in which the
engine control unit begins to limit the engine speed. The engine control unit re-
stricts the engine speed to a steady limit value.
Shift into the next higher gear or select the selector lever position D of the auto-
matic gearbox before reaching the red zone of the rev counter scale.
Avoid high engine speeds during the driving time and before the engine has been
warmed up to operating temperature ⇒ page 135.For the sake of the environment
Shifting to a higher gear in good time helps to reduce the fuel consumption, mini-
mises operating noise levels, protects the environment and contributes to a lon-
ger life and reliability of the engine. 
Speedometer Warning against excessive speeds
An acoustic warning signal will sound when the vehicle speed exceeds 120 kilo-
metres per hour. The acoustic warning signal will switch off again when the vehi-
cle speed goes below this speed limit.

5 6
7 Coolant temperature gauge
The coolant temperature gauge
4 ⇒ fig. 2
operates only when the ignition is
switched on.
Please pay attention to the following guidelines regarding temperature ranges in
order to avoid damage to the engine:
Cold range
If the pointer is in the left-hand area of the scale it means that the engine has not
yet reached its operating temperature. Avoid running at high engine speeds, at
full throttle and at severe engine loads.
The operating range
The engine has reached its operating temperature as soon as the pointer moves
into the mid-range of the scale. The pointer may also move further to the right at
high engine loads and high outside temperatures. This is not critical provided the
warning symbol  in the instrument cluster does not flash.
If the symbol  in the instrument cluster flashes it means that either the coolant
temperature
is too high or the coolant level is too low. Please refer to the follow-
ing guidelines ⇒ page 23, Coolant temperature/ Coolant quantity  . WARNING
Pay attention to the warning notes ⇒ page 153, Working in the engine com-
partment before opening the bonnet and inspecting the coolant level. CAUTION
Additional headlights and other attached components in front of the fresh air inlet
impair the cooling efficiency of the coolant. There is then a risk of the engine
overheating at high outside temperatures and high engine loads! 
Fuel gauge The fuel gauge
7 ⇒
 fig. 2
only operates when the ignition is switched on. £1)
Valid for countries where the values are indicated in British measuring units. 11
Instruments and warning lights Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Lights and Visibility
Lights
Switching lights on and off Fig. 22 Dash panel: Light switch/fuse box: Switch for daylight driving lights
Switching on side lights
– Turn the light switch ⇒ fig. 22 - left into position
.
Switching on the low beam and main beam
– Turn the light switch into position .
– Press the main beam lever forward in order to switch on the main beam
⇒ fig. 26 .
Switching off lights (except daylight driving lights)
– Turn the light switch into position O.
During the engine start, the low beam lights are switched off automatically.
On vehicles fitted with right-hand steering the position of the switches differs to
some extent from the position shown on ⇒ fig. 22. The symbols which mark the
switch positions are identical, however. WARNING
Never drive with side lights on - risk of accident! The side lights are not bright
enough to light up the road sufficiently in front of you or to be seen by other
oncoming traffic. In this case, always switch on the low beam when it is dark
or if visibility is poor. Note
● In vehicles with separate lights for daylight driving lights (in the bumper below
the main headlights) these lights also serve as side lights.
● An audible warning will sound if you withdraw the ignition key and open the
driver's door when the vehicle lights are still on.
● The acoustic warning signal is switched off over the door contact when the
driver's door is closed (ignition off). The vehicle can be parked with the side lights
on.
● If the car is parked for a lengthy period, we recommend switching off all lights,
or leaving only the parking lights switched on.
● The switching on of the described lights should only be undertaken in accord-
ance with the legal requirements.
● In the event of cool or humid weather conditions, the headlights can be misted
up from inside.
–The temperature difference between interior and external area of the head-
light lenses is decisive.
– When the driving lights are switched on, the light outlet surfaces are free
from mist after a short period. The headlight lenses can possibly mist up at the
border areas.
– It also concerns reverse light and turn signal lights.
– This mist has no influence on the life of the lighting system. 
“DAY LIGHT” In some countries, the national legal provisions require that the vehicles are
equipped with the function daylight driving lights.
£ 41
Lights and Visibility Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Activating daylight driving lights
–
Remove the cover of the fuse box on the left side of the dash panel
⇒ page 182.
– Turn the light switch into position O ⇒ fig. 22 - left.
– Switch on the switch for daylight driving lights ⇒ fig. 22 - right.
Deactivating daylight driving lights
– Switch off the switch for daylight driving lights ⇒ fig. 22 - right.
– Turn the light switch to the position side lights  or low beam  ⇒ fig. 22
-
left.
Activating daylight driving lights on vehicles with “START-STOP”
– Switch off the ignition.
– Pull the turn signal light lever towards the steering wheel, at the same time
slide it to the top and hold it in this position.
– Switch on the ignition - wait until the right-turn signal light flashes 4x.
– Switch off the ignition - an audible signal sounds, which confirms the activa-
tion of the daylight driving lights.
– Release the turn signal light lever.
Deactivating daylight driving lights on vehicles with “START-STOP”
– Switch off the ignition.
– Pull the turn signal light lever towards the steering wheel, at the same time
slide it to the bottom and hold it in this position.
– Switch on the ignition - wait until the left -turn signal light flashes 4x.
– Switch off the ignition - an audible signal sounds, which confirms the deactiva-
tion of the daylight driving lights.
– Release the turn signal light lever.
On vehicles with separate lights for daylight driving lights in the fog lights or in
the front bumper, the parking lights and the licence plate light do not come on
when activating the function daylight driving lights (neither front nor rear).
If the vehicle is not equipped with separate lights for daylight driving lights, the
combination of the low beam, the parking lights (front and rear) including the li-
cence plate light is used as daylight driving lights. In some countries, the national legal provisions require that the rear parking lights
also come on together with the separate lights for daylight driving lights when ac-
tivating the function daylight driving lights.

Halogen projector headlights with cornering light function For a better cornering illumination, the halogen projector headlights with corner-
ing light function are set in the optimal position in line with the vehicle speed and
the steering angle.
If the warning light
 comes on while driving or after the ignition is switched on, a
fault is confirmed. WARNING
If there is a fault in the halogen projector headlights with cornering light func-
tion, the warning light  lights up in the instrument cluster. The halogen pro-
jector headlights with cornering light function are automatically lowered to
the emergency position, which prevents a possible dazzling of oncoming traf-
fic. Thus the illuminated length of the road is shortened. Drive carefully and
have the car inspected immediately by a specialist garage. 
Tourist light Halogen projector headlights with cornering light function
This mode makes it possible to drive in countries with opposing traffic system,
driving on the left/right, without dazzling the oncoming vehicles. When the mode
“tourist light
”

is active, the side to side swivel of the headlights is deactivated.
Activating tourist light
Before activating the tourist light, the following conditions must be met:
Ignition switched off, light switched off (light switch in the position O), control dial
for the headlamp beam adjustment in the position -, no gear engaged or selector
lever in the position N (automatic gearbox), tourist light deactivated.
– Switch on the ignition.
Up to 10 seconds after the ignition is switched on:
– Turn the light switch to the position  ⇒ page 41.
– Engage the reverse gear (manual gearbox) or move the selector lever into the
position R (automatic gearbox). £42
Lights and Visibility

–
Turn the control dial for headlamp beam adjustment from the position - to the
position 3 ⇒ page 44.
Deactivating tourist light
Before deactivating the tourist light, the following conditions must be met:
Ignition switched off, light switched off (light switch in the position O), control dial
for the headlamp beam adjustment in the position 3, no gear engaged or selector
lever in the position N (automatic gearbox), tourist light activated.
– Switch on the ignition.
Up to 10 seconds after the ignition is switched on:
– Turn the light switch to the position  ⇒ page 41.
– Engage the reverse gear (manual gearbox) or move the selector lever into the
position R (automatic gearbox).
– Turn the control dial for headlamp beam adjustment from the position 3 to the
position
- ⇒ page 44.
The adaptation of the halogen projector headlights must be performed as follows
⇒ page 140. Note
When the “tourist light” mode is active, the warning light  flashes for about 10
seconds each time the ignition is switched on. 
Fog lights  Fig. 23 Dash panel: Light switchSwitch on the front fog lamp
–
First of all turn the light switch into position  or  ⇒ 

fig. 23.
– Pull the light switch out to the first detent 1 .
The warning light  lights up in the instrument cluster when the fog lights are
switched on ⇒ page 20. 
Fog lights with the function

“CORNER” The fog lights with the function “CORNER” are designed for a bet-
ter illumination of the surrounding area near the vehicle when
corning, parking etc.
The fog lights with the function “CORNER

” are adjusted according to the steering
angle or after switching on the turn signal light 1)
in the following circumstances:
● the vehicle is stationary and the engine is running or it moves with a speed of
maximum 40 km/h;
● the daylight driving lights are not switched on;
● Low beam switched on.
A fault in the system of the fog lights with the function “CORNER”

is confirmed by
the warning light  lighting up. Note
If the fog lights are switched on, the function “CORNER” is not active. 
Rear fog light  Switching on the rear fog light
–
First of all turn the light switch into position  or  ⇒ fig. 23
.
– Pull the light switch into position 2 . The fog lights light up at the same time.
If the vehicle is not fitted with fog lights, the rear fog light is switched on by turn-
ing the light switch to the position  and is pulled out directly to the position 2 .
This switch does not have two positions, but only one position. £1)
If both switch on versions are conflicting, for example if the steering wheel is turned to the left and
the right turn signal light is switched on, the turn signal light has the higher priority. 43
Lights and Visibility Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

The warning light
 lights up in the instrument cluster when the rear fog light is
switched on ⇒
 page 20.
Only the rear fog light of the trailer lights up if the vehicle is fitted with a towing
device from ŠKODA Original Accessories and when you are towing a trailer which
is fitted with the rear fog light. CAUTION
The rear fog light should only be switched on if visibility is particularly poor (con-
form with any varying legal provisions) to avoid dazzling vehicles behind your ve-
hicle. 
Headlamp range adjustment Once the low beam is switched on you can then adapt the range of
the headlights to the load of the vehicle.
Fig. 24 Dash panel: Lights and Visibility
– Turn the control dial ⇒ 
fig. 24
until you have adjusted the low beam so that on-
coming traffic is not dazzled.
Settings
The positions correspond approximately to the following vehicle loads: Front seats occupied, luggage compartment empty.
All seats occupied, luggage compartment empty.
All seats occupied, luggage compartment laden.
Driver seat occupied, luggage compartment laden.
- 1
2
3 CAUTION
Headlamp range adjustment should always be adjusted in a way that:
● it does not dazzle other road users, especially oncoming traffic,
● and the range is sufficient for safe driving. 
Switch for hazard warning lights  Fig. 25 Dash panel: Switch for hazard
warning lights
– Press switch  ⇒ fig. 25 to switch the hazard warning light system on or off.
All the turn signal lights on the vehicle flash at the same time when the hazard
warning light system is switched on. The indicator light for the turn signals and
the indicator light in the switch also flash at the same time. You can also switch
on the hazard warning light system if the ignition is switched off.
The hazard warning light system is switched on automatically if an airbag is de-
ployed in the event of an accident.
Please comply with any legal requirements when using the hazard warning light
system. Note
Switch on the hazard warning light system if, for example:
● you encounter traffic congestion;
● your vehicle breaks down or an emergency situation occurs. 44
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

been created, where you can trade-in your vehicle. After you trade-in your vehicle,
you will receive a confirmation stating the recycling in accordance with environ-
mental regulations.
Vehicles with special built-on types
Technical documents regarding changes carried out on the vehicle must be kept
by the vehicle user, in order to hand over later to the old car user. This ensures the
recycling in accordance with environmental regulations.
Note
Detailed information about the trade-in and recycling of old cars is available from
a ŠKODA Service Partner. 
Motoring abroad General Other circumstances may exist abroad.
It is also possible, in certain countries, that the ŠKODA
Service Partner network is
limited or has not been established yet. This is the reason why obtaining certain
spare parts may be somewhat complicated and specialist garage personnel may
only be able to make limited repairs. ŠKODA in the Czech Republic and its foreign
importers are happy to provide information about technical aspects of the vehicle,
required maintenance work and possibilities for getting repairs done. 
Unleaded petrol A vehicle fitted with a petrol engine must always be refuelled with unleaded pet-
rol
⇒ page 135. The automobile associations can provide you with information re-
garding the locations of filling stations which offer unleaded petrol. 
Headlights The low beam of your headlights is set asymmetrically. It illuminates the side of
the road on which you are driving to a greater extent. If you drive abroad on the
other side of the road, you will dazzle oncoming traffic. Halogen projector headlights
The adaptation of the headlights (valid for vehicles which are designed for driving
on the left and on the right) must be performed by switching over a bezel by a
specialist garage.
Halogen projector headlights with cornering light function
Headlight beam setting
⇒ page 42, Tourist light.
Halogen headlight
When using Halogen headlights, it is necessary to stick a sticker over a certain
part of the headlights in order to prevent the dazzling of oncoming traffic.
You can purchase headlight stickers from the range of the

ŠKODA Original Acces-
sories. Note
You can obtain further information regarding masking over or converting the
headlights from your specialist garage. 
Avoiding damage to your vehicle When driving on poor roads and lanes or when driving over kerbstones, steep
ramps etc., you must pay particular attention to ensuring that any low-slung parts
of the vehicle, such as spoiler and exhaust, do not touch the ground and get dam-
aged.
This particularly applies to models with a lowered suspension (sport suspension)
and also when your vehicle is fully laden.
140
Driving and the Environment

Towing a trailer
Towing a trailer
Technical requirements Your vehicle is designed primarily for transporting persons and luggage. It can,
however, also be used for towing a trailer - provided certain technical equipment
is fitted.
If your vehicle has been
factory-fitted with a towing device or has a towing device
from ŠKODA Original Accessories, the towing device satisfies all technical and le-
gal requirements.
Your vehicle is fitted with a 13-pin power socket for the electrical connection be-
tween the vehicle and trailer. If the trailer which you wish to tow has a 7-pin con-
nector , you can use a suitable adapter from
ŠKODA Original Accessories.
This work must be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's specifica-
tions if a towing device is retrofitted.
Authorised ŠKODA Service Partners can provide detailed information about retro-
fitting a towing device and for any necessary modifications to the cooling system. WARNING
We recommend that you have the towing device from ŠKODA Original Acces-
sories installed by an authorised ŠKODA Service Partner. He is familiar with all
the relevant details relating to retrofitting such equipment. There is a risk of
an accident if the towing device is not properly fitted! 
General Maintenance Trailer load
The permissible trailer load must on no account be exceeded.
You can negotiate appropriately steeper inclines and descents if you do not make
full use of the permissible trailer load.
The trailer loads specified only apply for
altitudes up to 1.000 metres above mean
sea level. The fact that the engine power output drops with increasing height due
to a lowering of air pressure and thus the ability to climb, means that the towed
weight must be reduced by 10% for every further increase of 1 000 metres in height above sea level. The towed weight is the weight of the (laden) vehicle and
the (laden) trailer together. One should take this into account before driving up to
higher altitudes.
The trailer and drawbar load information on the type plate of the towing device
are merely test data for the towing device The data relating to your vehicle,
which is often less than this test data, can be found in your vehicle registration
documents.
Distribution of the load
Distribute the load in the trailer in such a way that any heavy items are located as
close as possible to the axle. Secure the items to prevent them slipping.
Tyre pressure
Correct the tyre inflation pressure on your vehicle for that of
“fully laden

”
⇒ page 164. The inflation pressure of the tyres fitted to the trailer adjust in ac-
cordance with the manufacturer's recommendation.
Exterior mirrors
You have to have additional exterior mirrors fitted if you are not able to see the
traffic behind the trailer with the standard rear-view mirrors. Both exterior mirrors
should be attached to folding arms. Adjust the mirrors so that they provide you
with an adequate field of view to the rear.
Headlights
Before starting off with a hitched trailer, also check the setting of the headlights.
Alter the setting as necessary with the aid of the headlight beam adjuster
⇒ page 44.
Detachable ball head
The ball head is detachable on vehicles with towing device and can be obtained
from ŠKODA Original Accessories. It is stowed together with separate fitting in-
structions in the spare wheel well in the luggage compartment of the vehicle. Note
● We recommend that you also have your vehicle inspected between service in-
tervals if you tow a trailer frequently.
● The handbrake on the towing vehicle must be put on when coupling and de-
coupling the trailer. 142
Towing a trailer