2013 SKODA FABIA tow

Storage compartments
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Storage compartments on the front passenger side
72
Cooling the storage compartment on the front passenger side
73
Storage compartment on the driver's side
73
Map pockets in the front seats
73
Glasses storage box
74
Stowage compartment in centre console
74
Stowage compartment underneath the front passenger seat
74
Front armrest with storage compartment
75
Storage compartments in the doors
75
Storage compartments in the boot
75
Flexible storage compartment
76WARNING■ Do not place anything on the dash panel. These objects might slide or fall
down while you are driving (under acceleration or when cornering) and could
distract you from the traffic - there is a risk of an accident.■
Make sure that no objects from the centre console or from other storage
compartments can get into the driver's footwell while you are driving. You
would then no longer be able to apply the brakes or operate the clutch or ac-
celerator pedal – there is a risk of an accident.

Storage compartments on the front passenger sideFig. 66
Dash panel: Storage compart-
ments on the front passenger
side
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 72.
Open/close
›
Pull the cover handle in the direction of the arrow » Fig. 66 and fold down the
cover.
›
Lift the lid upwards until it clicks into place.
A pin holder is located inside the lower flap.
WARNINGThe storage compartments must always be closed when driving for safety
reasons.

72Using the system

Cooling the storage compartment on the front passenger sideFig. 67
Storage compartment: Using
cooling system
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 72.
›
Use the rotary switch » Fig. 67 to open and close the air supply.
Opening the air supply when the air conditioning system is switched on allows
cooled air to flow into the storage compartment.
Opening the air inlet when the air conditioning system is on causes fresh or inte-rior air to flow into the storage compartment.
We recommend closing the air supply if it is operated in heating mode or the cool-ing system for the storage compartment is not being used.

Storage compartment on the driver's side
Fig. 68
Dash panel: Storage compart-
ment on the driver's sideFirst read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 72.
The open stowage compartment below the light switch » Fig. 68.

Map pockets in the front seats
Fig. 69
Front seat rests: Map pockets
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 72.
Map pockets are located on the rear of the seat backrests » Fig. 69.
The map pockets are intended for storage of maps, magazines, etc.
WARNINGNever put heavy items in the map pockets – risk of injury.
CAUTION
Do not put any large items such as bottles or sharp objects into the map pockets,
as the pockets and the seat covers could be damaged.
73Seats and storage

Glasses storage boxFig. 70
Detail of the headliner: Glasses
storage box
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 72.
›
Press on the bar in the cover of the glasses storage. The compartment folds down » Fig. 70 .
WARNINGThe compartment must only be opened when removing or inserting the spec-
tacles and otherwise must be kept closed.
CAUTION
■ Do not put any heat-sensitive objects in the glasses storage box - they may be
damaged.■
The maximum permissible load of the glasses compartment is 250 g.

Stowage compartment in centre consoleFig. 71
Centre console: Stowage com-
partment
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 72.
The open stowage compartment in the centre console » Fig. 71.

Stowage compartment underneath the front passenger seat
Fig. 72
Front seat: Stowage compart-
ment
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 72.
›
Pull the handle to open the lid » Fig. 72.
›
When closing the lid, hold the handle until the compartment is closed.
WARNINGThe storage compartment must always be closed when driving for safety rea-
sons. 74Using the system

CAUTIONThe storage compartment is designed for storing small objects of up to 1 kg. in
weight.
Front armrest with storage compartment
Fig. 73
Armrest: Storage compartment/open storage compartment
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn- ings
on page 72.
Fold the armrest forwards
›
Press the lower button on the end of the armrest » Fig. 73 - 
.
›
Fold the arm rest forward and release the button again.
Opening the storage compartment
›
Press the upper button and open the cover of the stowage compartment up- wards » Fig. 73 - 
.
Note
The moving space of the arms can be restricted if the armrest is folded forwards.
In city traffic the armrest should not be folded forwards.
Storage compartments in the doorsFig. 74
Storage compartment: in the front door/in the rear door
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn- ings
on page 72.
There is a bottle holder at
B
» Fig. 74 of the pocket in the front doors.
WARNINGUse the section A » Fig. 74 of the door pocket only for storing objects which
do not project so that the effectiveness of the side airbag is not impaired.

Storage compartments in the boot
Fig. 75
Boot: Storage compartments
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 72.
The cover for the side compartment can be removed, thus enlarging the boot. 
75Seats and storage

›Grasp the top part of the cover and carefully remove it in the direction of the
arrow » Fig. 75 .
CAUTION
The storage compartments are designed for storing small objects of up to 2.5 kg.
in weight in total.
Flexible storage compartment
Fig. 76
Flexible storage compartment
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 72.
The flexible storage compartment » Fig. 76 can be fitted to the right-hand side of
the luggage compartment.
Fitting
›
Insert both ends of the flexible storage compartment into the openings of the right side trim panel of the boot and push it downwards until it locks.
Removing
›
Grasp the flexible storage compartment on the two upper corners.
›
Press the upper corners inwards and release the storage compartment by pull-
ing upwards.
›
Remove by pulling towards you.
CAUTION
The storage compartment is designed for storing small objects with a maximum
total weight of 8 kg.NoteIf the variable loading floor » page 62 is installed in the luggage compartment, no
flexible storage compartment can be installed.
76Using the system

We recommend that you leave the air outlet vents 3 » Fig. 77 on page 77 in the
open position in all operating modes.
Note
If the air distribution is directed only towards the windows, the total amount of
air is used to defrost the windows and thus no air will be fed to the footwell. This
can limit the heating comfort.
Recirculated air mode
First read and observe the introductory information given on page 78.
Recirculated air mode prevents polluted air from outside the vehicle getting into
the vehicle, for example when driving through a tunnel or when standing in a
traffic jam.
Switching on/off
›
Press the 
button.
The indicator light in the button lights up.
›
Press the 
button again.
The indicator light in the button goes out.
Recirculated air mode is switched off automatically if the air distribution control
C
» Fig. 78 on page 79 is turned to the 
position. Recirculated air mode can be
switched on again from this setting by pressing the 
button again.
WARNINGNever leave recirculated air mode on over a longer period, as “stale air” can
cause fatigue in the driver and the passengers, reduce attention levels and al-
so cause the windows to mist up. The risk of having an accident increases.
Switch off recirculated air mode as soon as the windows start to mist up.

Air conditioning system (manual air conditioning
system)
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects: Operation
81
Setting the air conditioning system
82
Recirculated air mode
82
The cooling system operates only if the following conditions are met. The cooling system is switched on » page 81.
The engine is running.
The outside temperature is above approximately +2 °C.
The blower switch is switched on (positions 1-4).
If the desired interior temperature can also be achieved without activating the cooling system, fresh air mode should be selected.
If the coolant temperature is too high, the cooling system is switched off to en-
sure that the engine cools down.
CAUTION
■ Under certain circumstances, air at a temperature of about 5 °C can flow out of
the vents when the cooling system is switched on.■
Lengthy and uneven distribution of the air flow out of the vents (especially
around the feet) and large differences in temperature, for example, when getting
out of the vehicle, can cause susceptible individuals to catch a cold.
Note
We recommend that you have the air conditioning system cleaned by a specialist
garage once every year.80Using the system

Driving
Starting-off and Driving
Steering
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Adjusting the steering wheel position
95
Power steering
95WARNING■ When driving, hold the steering wheel with both hands firmly on the outer
edge in the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock position. Never hold the steering wheel in
the 12 o'clock position or in any other way (e.g. in the middle or inner edge of
the steering wheel). In such cases, you could severely injure your arms, hands
and head when the driver airbag is deployed.■
Never adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is moving only when the
vehicle is stationary!
■
Adjust the steering wheel so that the distance
1
» Fig. 85 on page 95
between the steering wheel and your chest is at least 25 cm. Not maintaining
this minimum distance will mean that the airbag system will not be able to
properly protect you - there is a risk that you could be killed.
■
If the steering wheel is adjusted further towards the head, the protection
provided by the driver airbag in the event of an accident is reduced. Check
that the steering wheel is aligned to the chest.

Adjusting the steering wheel positionFig. 85
Adjustable steering wheel: Lever below the steering column/safe
distance to the steering wheel
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 95.
The height and forward/back position of the steering wheel can be adjusted.
›
First of all adjust the driver's seat » page 54, Front seats .
›
Pull the lever below the steering wheel down » Fig. 85 - 
.
›
Adjust the steering wheel to the desired position (with regard to the height and
forward/back position).
›
Push the lever upwards to the stop.
WARNINGThe lever for adjusting the steering wheel must be locked while you are driv- ing so that the position of the steering wheel cannot accidently change duringthe journey – there is the risk of an accident.

Power steering
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 95.
The power steering enables you to steer the vehicle with less physical force.
The power steering only works when the engine is running. 
95Starting-off and Driving

It is still fully possible to steer the vehicle if the power steering fails or if the en-gine is not running (e.g. when towing). However, greater physical effort is re-
quired to turn the steering wheel.
CAUTION
You will place great stresses on the power steering system if the steering is
turned to full lock when the vehicle is stationary. Turning the steering to full lock
in such a situation will be accompanied by noises. Never leave the steering wheel at full lock for more than 15 seconds when the engine is running - there is a risk of
damaging the power steering.
Starting and stopping the engine
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Electronic immobilizer
97
Ignition lock
97
Starting the engine
97
Switching off the engine
98
The engine can only be started using a correctly coded original key. The engine running noises may louder at first be louder for a short time afterstarting the cold engine. This is quite normal and is not an operating problem.
WARNING■ When the vehicle is travelling with the engine off, the ignition key must al-
ways be in position 2 » Fig. 86 on page 97 (ignition switched on). This posi-
tion is indicated by the warning lights coming on. If this is not the case, it
could result in unexpected locking of the steering wheel – there is the risk of
an accident.■
Only pull the ignition key from the ignition lock when the vehicle has come
to a complete stop (by applying the handbrake). Otherwise the steering wheel
could lock – there is the risk of an accident.
WARNING (Continued)■ When leaving the vehicle, the ignition must always be removed. This is par-
ticularly important if children are left in the vehicle. Otherwise the children
could, for example, start the engine – there is the risk of an accident or injury.■
Never leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running.
■
Never switch off the engine before the vehicle has come to a halt – there is
the risk of an accident.
WARNING■ Never leave the engine running in unventilated or closed rooms. The en-
gine's exhaust gases also contain the odourless and colourless carbon mon-
oxide, a poisonous gas – risk of death. ■ Carbon monoxide can cause unconsciousness and death.
CAUTION
■The starter must only be operated when the engine is not running and the vehi-
cle is at a standstill. The starter or engine can be damaged if the starter is activa-
ted when the engine is running 3
» Fig. 86 on page 97.
■
If the engine does not start up after a second attempt, the fuse for the fuel
pump may have a fault. Check the fuse and replace, if necessary » page 192 or
seek assistance from a specialist garage.
■
Let go of the ignition key as soon as the engine starts otherwise the starter
could be damaged.
■
Do not tow start the engine – there is a risk of damaging the engine and the
catalytic converter. The battery from another vehicle can be used as a jump-start
aid » page 187 , Jump-starting .
CAUTION
■
Avoid high engine speeds, full throttle and high engine loads until the engine
has yet reached its operating temperature – there is a risk of damaging the en-
gine.■
Do not switch the engine off immediately at the end of your journey after the
engine has been operated over a prolonged period at high loads but leave it to
run at an idling speed for about 1 minute. This prevents any possible accumulation
of heat when the engine is switched off. 
96Driving