2014 SKODA FABIA maintenance

Table of Contents
Board literature4
Notes
5
Structure and more information about the
Operating Instructions
6
Abbreviations
Safety
Passive Safety
8
General information
8
Correct and safe seated position
9
Seat belts
12
Wearing seat belts
12
Inertia reel and belt pre-tensioners
15
Airbag system
16
Description of the airbag system
16
Airbag overview
17
Deactivating airbags
20
Transporting children safely
22
Child seat
22
Fastening systems
25
Operation
Cockpit
28
Overview
27
Instruments and warning lights
29
Instrument cluster
29
Warning lights
33
Warning icons in the display
38Information system43Driver information system43
Driving data (Multifunction display)
45
Service interval display
48
Unlocking and opening
49
Unlocking and locking
49
Anti-theft alarm system
54
Tailgate
55
Power windows
56
Mechanical windows
59
Lights and visibility
60
Lights
60
Interior lights
65
Visibility
66
Windscreen wipers and washers
67
Rear mirror
69
Seats and headrests
71
Seats and headrests
71
Seat features
73
Transporting and practical equipment
76
Useful equipment
76
Luggage compartment
84
Variable loading floor in the luggage
compartment
89
Bicycle carrier in the luggage compartment
91
Roof rack
93
Heating and air conditioning
95
Heating, ventilation, cooling
95
Communication
100
SmartGate
100Driving
Starting-off and driving103
Starting and stopping the engine using the
key
103
Start or stop the engine by pressing button
105
Brakes and parking
107
Manual gear shifting and pedals
109
Automatic transmission
110
Retraction and economical driving
112
Driving through water and driving off made-
up roads
113
Assist systems
115
Braking and stabilisation systems
115
Parking aid
117
Cruise control system
118
Speed Limiter
120
Front Assistant
121
START-STOP
124
Fatigue detection (break recommendation)
126
Tyre pressure monitoring
127
Hitch and trailer
129
Hitch
129
Trailer
134
General Maintenance
Care and maintenance
137
Services, modifications and technical
alterations
137
Washing vehicle
140
Cleaning vehicle exterior
141
Interior care
145
Inspecting and replenishing
148
Fuel
148
Engine compartment
150
Engine oil
1532Table of Contents

WARNING (Continued)■Many layers of clothing and loose clothing (e. g. a winter coat over a jack-
et) do not allow you to be correctly seated and impairs proper operation of
the seat belts.■
Do not use clamps or similar items, which prevent the lash-lock function
of the seat from operating. A seat belt which is hanging too loose can re-
sult in injuries, as your body is moved forward by the kinetic energy pro-
duced in an accident and is then abruptly held firm by the belt.
■
The seat belts for the rear seats can only fulfil their function reliably
when the seat backrests are correctly locked into position » page 74.
WARNINGInformation on the care and maintenance of the safety belts■The belt webbing must always be kept clean. Soiled belts may impair
proper operation of the inertia reel » page 147.■
The seat belts must not be removed or changed in any way. Do not at-
tempt to repair the seat belts yourself.
■
Check the condition of all the seat belts on a regular basis. If any damage
to the seat belts, seat belt connections, inertia reel or the lock is detected,
the seat belt concerned must be replaced by a specialist garage.
■
Damaged seat belts which have been subjected to stress in an accident
and were therefore stretched, must be replaced - this is best done by a
specialist garage. The anchorage points of the belts must also be inspec-
ted. The anchorage points for the belts should also be checked.
Note
The national legal requirements must be observed when using seat belts.The physical principle of a frontal collisionFig. 4
Driver without a fastened seat belt/rear seat passenger without a
fastened seat belt
Read and observe
on page 12 first.
As soon as the vehicle is moving, so-called kinetic energy (the energy of mo-
tion) is produced, both in terms of the car as well as in terms of the occupants.
The magnitude of this kinetic energy depends essentially on the speed at
which the vehicle is travelling and on the weight of the vehicle, including the
occupants. The greater the speed and weight increase, the greater the
amount of energy which has to be absorbed in the event of an accident.
The speed of the vehicle is the most important factor. Doubling the speed of
the vehicle from 25 km/h up to 50 km/hour increases the kinetic energy four
times.
The notion that it is possible to support your body with your hands in a minor
accident is incorrect. Even in a collision at only a low speed, the forces acting
on the body are such that it is no longer possible to support your body.
Even if you only drive at a speed of 30 km/h to 50 km/h, the forces that your body is exposed to in the event of an accident can exceed a ton (1,000 kg).
For example, a person's weight of 80 kg “increases” at 50 km/h to 4.8 tons (4,800 kg).
In the event of a frontal collision, occupants of the car not wearing a seat belt
are thrown forward and strike parts of the interior of the car, such as the
steering wheel, dash panel, windscreen in ways which cannot be controlled
» Fig. 4 - 
. In certain circumstances, you could even be thrown out of the ve-
hicle, which could cause life-threatening or even fatal injuries. 
13Seat belts

Airbag system
Description of the airbag system
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
System description
16
Airbag deployment
16
The airbag system as a supplement to the seat belts provides additional occu-
pant protection during severe frontal and side collisions.
WARNING■ An airbag can only offer you optimal protection in combination with a
fastened seat belt .■
The airbag is not a substitute for the seat belt, but instead forms part of
the complete passive vehicle safety concept.
■
To ensure passengers are protected with the greatest possible effect
when the airbag is deployed, the front seats must be correctly adjusted to
match body size » page 9, Correct and safe seated position .
■
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.
WARNINGInformation on the use of the airbag system■If there is a fault, the airbag system must be checked by a specialist ga-
rage immediately. Otherwise, there is a risk of the airbag not being activa-
ted in the event of an accident.■
No modifications of any kind must be made to parts of the airbag system.
■
Any work on the airbag system including the installation and removal of
system components due to other repair work (e.g. removal of the steering
wheel) must only be carried out by a specialist garage.
■
Never make any changes to the front bumper or bodywork.
■
It is prohibited to tamper with 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 ac-
cident. The airbag system must be replaced if an airbag has been deployed.
System description
Read and observe
on page 16 first.
The functional status of the airbag system is indicated by the 
indicator light
in the instrument cluster » page 36.
When the airbags are deployed, they fill with gas and inflate.
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.
The airbag system consists – depending on the vehicle equipment – of the
following modules.
› Electronic control unit.
› Front airbag for the driver and the front passenger
» page 17.
› Side airbags
» page 18.
› Head airbags
» page 19.
› Airbag indicator light in the instrument cluster
» page 36.
› Key switch for the front passenger airbag
» page 21.
› Warning light for front passenger airbag deactivation in dash panel centre
» page 21 .
Note
■
The airbag system needs no maintenance during its working life.■If you sell your vehicle, pass on the complete vehicle documentation to the
new owner. Take care to ensure that the information relating to the possibility
of deactivating the front passenger airbag must be included!■
When disposing of vehicle or parts of the airbag system, it is important to
comply with the national legal requirements.
Airbag deployment
Read and observe
on page 16 first.
The airbags inflate in fractions of a second and at a high speed in order to beable to offer that additional protection in the event of an accident.
The airbag system is only functional when the ignition is switched on.
In certain accident situations, several airbags may be 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 roll-over. 
16Safety

Hitch and trailer
Hitch
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Description
129
Adjusting the ready position
130
A correctly set ready position
130
Assembling the bar ball - first step
131
Assembling the bar ball - second step
131
Check proper fitting
132
Removing the bar ball - first step
132
Removing the bar ball - second step
133
Accessories
133
The maximum trailer drawbar load is 50 kg.
WARNING■
Check that the ball head is seated correctly and is secured in the mount-
ing recess before starting any journey.■
Do not use the ball head if it is not correctly inserted in the mounting re-
cess.
■
Do not use the towing equipment if it is damaged or incomplete.
■
Do not modify or adapt the towing equipment in any way.
■
Never release the ball head while the trailer is still coupled.
■
Keep the mounting recess of the towing equipment clean at all times.
Such dirt prevents the ball head from being attached securely.
CAUTION
■ Take care with the tow bar - there is a risk of damaging the paint on the
bumper.■
When the ball rod is removed, always place the cover onto the mounting re-
cess - there is a danger of soiling the mounting recess.
Note
■ Operation and maintenance of towing device » page 145.■Tow the vehicle by means of the detachable ball rod » page 179.DescriptionFig. 129
Carrier for the towing device / tow bar
Read and observe
and on page 129 first.
The ball head can be removed and is kept in the spare wheel well or in a com-
partment for the spare wheel in the luggage compartment.
Carrier for the towing device and ball rod » Fig. 129
Cover for the mounting recess
Mounting recess
Dust cap
Ball head
Operating lever
Lock cap
Release pin
Key
Locking ball
Note
If you lose the key, please get in touch with a specialist garage.123456789129Hitch and trailer

General Maintenance
Care and maintenance
Services, modifications and technical alterations
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Vehicle operating under different weather conditions
137
Statutory checks
137
ŠKODA Service Partners
138
ŠKODA Original parts
138
ŠKODA Original accessories
138
Spoiler
139
Component protection
139
Airbags
139
Acceptance and recycling of used vehicles
140
The instructions and guidelines issued by ŠKODA AUTO a.s. must be observed
when making any modifications, repairs or technical changes to your vehicle.
Compliance with these guidelines and instructions is in the interest of the
roadworthiness and technical condition of your vehicle. The vehicle will comply
with road traffic regulations following the modifications, repairs and technical
changes.
Always consult a ŠKODA Partner » page 138before buying accessories or
parts, or before carrying out any modifications, repairs or technical alterations
to your vehicle.
WARNING■ Works on your vehicle, which have been carried out unprofessionally, can
cause operational faults – risk of accident!■
Interference on the electronic components and their software can lead to
operational faults. This interference can also impair not directly affected
systems because of the networking of the electronic components. The op-
erational safety of the vehicle may be at significant risk and parts may suf-
fer increased wear.
For the sake of the environmentTechnical documents regarding changes carried out on the vehicle must be
kept by the vehicle user, in order to be handed over to the recyclers later. This
ensures that vehicle recycling is in accordance with environmental regulations.
Note
■ We recommend only having these modifications and technical changes per-
formed by a specialist garage.■
Any damage caused by technical alterations made without the approval of
the manufacturer is excluded from the » Service schedule warranty.
■
The ŠKODA Partner cannot assume any liability for products which have not
been approved by ŠKODA AUTO a.s. even though these may be products with a
type approval or have been approved by a nationally recognised testing labo-
ratory.
■
We advise you only to use ŠKODA Original Accessories and ŠKODA Original
Parts which have been expressly approved for use on your vehicle. Reliability,
safety and suitability for your vehicle are guaranteed with these.
■
ŠKODA Original Accessories and ŠKODA Original Parts can be purchased from
a ŠKODA Partner who will also fit the purchased parts correctly.
Vehicle operating under different weather conditions
Read and observe
on page 137 first.
If you would like you operate your vehicle in countries other than its intendedweather conditions, you should contact a ŠKODA Partner.
They will advise you on certain precautions that should be taken to ensure the
full functioning of the vehicle as well as to prevent damage.
For example coolant and battery replacement or similar.
Statutory checks
Read and observe
on page 137 first.
Many countries have legislation requiring the operational reliability and roadworthiness and/or exhaust gas properties of a vehicle to be tested at specific
intervals. These tests can be carried out by workshops or testing stations that
have been legally authorised for this purpose. 
137Care and maintenance

The ŠKODA Service Partners are up-to-date on the legally required tests and
will prepare the vehicle for the tests as part of a service operation if required,
or will be responsible for carrying out these tests. The specialist garages can
carry out the specified tests directly, if required by the customer, if they are
authorised to do so. This saves you time and money.
Even if you want to take your vehicle to an officially approved test centre for
prior checking in preparation of a legally required test, we recommend that you
consult the service consultant of your ŠKODA Service Partner beforehand.
Based on their appraisal, the service consultant will tell you which areas you
should focus on in order to ensure that your vehicle will pass the technical test
without any problems. This allows you to avoid additional expenses resulting
from a possible subsequent test.
ŠKODA Service Partners
Read and observe
on page 137 first.
ŠKODA Service Partners are equipped with modern, specially developed tools
and equipment. Here, trained specialists have access to a comprehensive
range of ŠKODA Original Parts and ŠKODA Original Accessories for carrying out
modifications, repairs and technical alterations.
All ŠKODA service partners operate according to the latest guidelines and in-
structions from ŠKODA AUTO a.s. All service and repair work is therefore car-
ried out on time and to the appropriate quality. Adhering to these instructions
and guidelines helps ensure road safety and helps keep your vehicle in a good
technical condition.
ŠKODA Service Partners are therefore properly prepared to service your vehicle
and to provide quality work. We therefore advise you to have all modifications,
repairs and technical alterations to your vehicle carried out by a ŠKODA Service
Partner.
ŠKODA Original parts
Read and observe
on page 137 first.
We recommend the use of ŠKODA Genuine Parts for your vehicle, since these
parts are approved by ŠKODA AUTO a.s. They correspond exactly to ŠKODA
AUTO a.s. specifications in respect of design, dimensional accuracy and materi-
al and are identical to the components used in the batch production.
ŠKODA AUTO a.s. can guarantee the safety, suitability, and long life of these
products. We therefore recommend that you only use ŠKODA Genuine Parts.
ŠKODA AUTO a.s. supplies the market with a complete range of ŠKODA Genu-
ine Parts not only while the model is still in production but with wear-and-tear parts for at least 15 years after the end of series production and with all other
vehicle parts for at least 10 years.
ŠKODA service partners are liable for any defects in ŠKODA original parts for a
period of 2 years after sale in accordance with materials defect liability under
the law unless otherwise agreed in the purchase agreement. You should keep
the confirmed warranty certificate and the receipt for these components for
this period, so that the commencement of the warranty term may be verified.
Body repairs
ŠKODA vehicles are designed so that if the body suffers damage, it is only nec-
essary to replace those parts which are in fact damaged.
Before you decide to have damaged body parts replaced, however, you should first contact your specialist garage to determine whether or not such parts can
also be repaired. Repairs to body parts are usually cheaper.
ŠKODA Original accessories
Read and observe
on page 137 first.
You should note the following if you wish to fit accessories to your vehicle:
We recommend that you use ŠKODA Genuine Accessories in your vehicle.
ŠKODA AUTO a.s. offers a warranty on the reliability, safety and suitability for
your particular vehicle of these accessories. Although we constantly monitor
the market, we are not able to assess or offer a warranty on other products
even though in some instances such products may have a type approval or
may have been approved by a nationally recognised approval authority.
All accessory products go through a fastidious process of technical develop-
ment (technical tests) and quality inspection (customer tests), and only if all
tests are positive does the product become a ŠKODA Genuine Accessory.
Our ŠKODA Genuine Accessories service also provides expert advice and pro-
fessional fitting if requested by the customer.
ŠKODA Service Partners are liable for any defects in ŠKODA Genuine Parts for a period of 2 years after installation or delivery in accordance with materials de-
fect liability legislation, unless otherwise agreed in the purchase contract or in 
138General Maintenance

any other agreements. You should keep the confirmed warranty certificate and
the receipt for these accessories for this period, so that the commencement of
the warranty term may be verified.
In addition, ŠKODA Service Partners also stock a range of suitable car care
products as well as those parts which are subject to natural wear and tear,
such as tyres, batteries, bulbs and wiper blades.
Note
The accessories authorized by ŠKODA AUTO a.s. will be offered by the ŠKODA
Partners in all countries where ŠKODA AUTO a.s. has a sales and service net- work. This will usually be in the form of a printed catalogue of Original ŠKODA
Accessories, in the form of separate printed brochures or in the form of offers
for ŠKODA Genuine Accessories on the ŠKODA Partner's website.
Spoiler
Read and observe
on page 137 first.
If your new vehicle is fitted with a spoiler on the front bumper in combination
with the spoiler on the luggage compartment lid, then the following instruc-
tions must be adhered to.
› For safety reasons the vehicle must only ever be equipped with a spoiler on
the front bumper in combination with the associated spoiler on the tailgate.
› A spoiler cannot be fitted alone on the front bumper nor in combination with-
out a spoiler on the tailgate or in combination with an inappropriate spoiler
on the tailgate.
› We recommend that you consult a ŠKODA Service Partner for any repairs, re-
placement, fitting or removal of spoilers.
WARNING■ Work not properly performed on the spoilers on your vehicle can result in
faults - there is a risk of an accident and serious injury.■
If a front spoiler, full wheel trim, etc. is mounted retrospectively, it must
be ensured that the air supply to the front wheel brakes is not reduced.
The front brakes may overheat, which can have a negative impact on the
functioning of the braking system – there is a risk of an accident.
Component protection
Read and observe
on page 137 first.
Some electronic vehicle components (such as the instrument cluster) are fac-
tory-equipped with component protection.
Component protection has been developed as a protection mechanism for the
following situations.
› Impairment of factory- or garage-fitted electronic components after installa-
tion in another vehicle (for example, after a theft).
› Impairment of electronic components used outside the vehicle.
› The possibility of a legitimate installation or change of electronic compo-
nents for repairs at a specialist garage.
The activated component protection can be realized by functional limitations
of the specific electronic component. Seek help from a specialist garage.
Airbags
Read and observe
on page 137 first.
The system components for the airbag system may be found in the front
bumper, doors, front seats, the roof lining or in the bodywork.
WARNINGAny work on the airbag system including the installation and removal of
system components due to other repair work (e.g. removal of the steering
wheel) must only be carried out by a specialist garage.■
Adjustments, repairs and modifications which have been carried out un-
professionally can cause damage, operational faults, and can also seriously
impair the effectiveness of airbag system – there is the risk of an accident
and fatal injury.
■
The airbag system must be replaced if an airbag has been deployed. Air-
bag modules cannot be repaired.
WARNINGInformation on the use of the airbag system■It is prohibited to tamper with individual parts of the airbag system as this
might result in the airbag being deployed. 139Care and maintenance

WARNING (Continued)■Never install any airbag parts into the vehicle that have been removed
from old cars or have been recycled.■
Never fit damaged airbag parts to a vehicle. The airbags may then not be
triggered properly or not at all in the event of an accident.
■
No modifications of any kind must be made to parts of the airbag system.
WARNING■ A change in the suspension of the vehicle including the use of non-ap-
proved wheels and tyre combinations can alter the functioning of the air-
bag system - there is a risk of accident and fatal injury.■
Never make any changes to the front bumper or bodywork.
WARNINGThe airbag control unit operates using pressure sensors located in the front
doors. For this reason, no adjustments may be carried out to the doors or
door panels (e.g. installation of additional loudspeakers). Resulting damage
can have a negative impact on the function of the airbag system. Any work
on the front doors and door panels must be carried out by a specialist ga-
rage. The following guidelines must be observed.■
Never drive with inner door panels removed.
■
Never drive if parts of the inner door panel have been removed and the
resulting openings have not been properly sealed.
■
Never drive if the loudspeakers in the doors have been removed, unless
the loudspeaker openings have been properly sealed.
■
Always make sure that the openings are covered or filled if additional
loudspeakers or other equipment parts have been installed in the inner
door panels.
Acceptance and recycling of used vehicles
Read and observe
on page 137 first.
ŠKODA meets the requirements of the brand and its products with regard to
protecting the environment and the preserving resources. All new ŠKODAvehi-
cles can be recycled by up to 95 % and can always 1)
be returned free of charge.
In a lot of countries sufficient trade-in networks have 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 environmental regula-
tions.
Note
Detailed information about the trade-in and recycling of end-of-life cars is
available from a specialist garage.
Washing vehicle
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Washing by hand
141
Automatic car wash systems
141
Washing with a high-pressure cleaner
141
The best protection for your vehicle against harmful environmental influences
is frequent washing.
The longer insect residues, bird droppings, tree sap, road and industrial dust,
tar, soot particles, road salt and other aggressive deposits remain adhering to
the paintwork of your vehicle, the more detrimental their destructive effect
can be. High temperatures, such as those caused by intensive sun's rays, ac-
centuate this caustic effect.
It is essential to also thoroughly clean the underside of the vehicle at the end
of the winter.
WARNINGWashing your vehicle in the winter: water and ice in the brake system can
affect the braking efficiency – there is the risk of an accident.
CAUTION
The temperature of the water used for cleaning must not exceed 60 °C – there
is a risk of damaging the vehicle.
For the sake of the environment
Only wash the vehicle at washing bays intended for this purpose.1)
Subject to fulfilment of the national legal requirements.
140General Maintenance