2014 SKODA FABIA tow bar

CAUTIONThe bike stowed in the rack must not touch either the boot lid or other vehicle
parts - there is a risk of damage to the vehicle occurring.
Place bicycle into the carrier
Fig. 98
Insert the front fork of the bicycle into the carrier / mounting ex-
ample of the front wheel
Read and observe
and on page 91 first.
›
Remove the front wheel from the bike.
›
Release the quick release
A
» Fig. 98 on the carrier and adjust according to
the bicycle fork width.
›
Place the bicycle fork on the fixing axle and tighten with the quick release
A
.
›
Set the left bicycle pedal towards the vehicle front to secure the front wheel
more easily.
›
If you want to transport two bicycles, loosen screw
A
» Fig. 97 on page 92
on the carrier and move the carrier along with attached bike to the left.
The handlebar must not touch the side window of the luggage compartment.
›
Tighten screw
A
» Fig. 97 on page 92 on the support.
›
Guide the boot lid gently downwards and check while doing this that there is
no contact between the handlebar and the rear window.
›
If necessary, the position of the sliding part
E
» Fig. 97 on page 92 can be
adjusted.
›
The dismantled front wheel can best be stowed between the left crank and
the bicycle frame.
›
Attach the front wheel with belt
B
to the front fork » Fig. 98 or to the bicy-
cle frame.
›
The second carrier is installed and the bicycle is secured in a similar way.
Ensure the stability of the bicycles with a beltFig. 99
Ensure the stability of the bicycles with a belt
Read and observe
and on page 91 first.
›
In order to loosen the rubber part of the clamp, push both parts against each
other and open the clamp.
›
Position the clamp with the rubber part in the direction of travel as low down
on the saddle support as possible and close it.
›
When transporting two bicycles, stretch the belt » Fig. 99 -
 between the
saddles by moving the bicycles apart.
›
Hook the carabiners on the ends of the belt into the lower lashing eyelets
behind the rear seats » Fig. 99 -
 .
›
Pull the belt through the tensioning clasps on both sides in turn.
›
If necessary, you can correct the position of the bicycles in the vehicle after-
wards.
Roof rack
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
fixing points for base support
94
Roof load
94

93Transporting and practical equipment

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

Adjusting the ready positionFig. 130
Remove cap from the lock / insert key into the lock
Fig. 131
Lock unlock / press release bolt and lever and push
Read and observe
and on page 129 first.
The tow bar must be set prior to installation to the standby position
» page 130 , A correctly set ready position .
If this is not in the standby position, then this is set to the standby position as follows.
›
Grip the tow bar below the protective cap.
›
Remove the cover
A
from the lock in the direction of the arrow
1
» Fig. 130 .
›
Insert the key
B
into the lock in the direction of arrow
2
, so that its green
marker points upward.
›
Turn the key
B
in the direction of arrow
3
so that the red marking points
upwards » Fig. 131.
›Push in the release bolt C in the direction of arrow 4 until it stops and si-
multaneously press the operating lever D in the direction of arrow 5 until it
stops.
The operating lever D
remains locked in this position.
A correctly set ready position
Fig. 132
Ready position
Read and observe and on page 129 first.
Correctly adjusted standby position » Fig. 132
The operating lever
A
is locked in the lower position.
The release bolts
B
can be moved.
The red mark on the key
C
is pointing upwards.
The ball bar is thus set ready for installation.
CAUTION
In the ready position, the key cannot be removed nor turned to a different po-
sition.130Driving

Assembling the bar ball - first stepFig. 133
Remove cap: on the rear bumper / for receiving shaft
Fig. 134
Insert ball rod / trigger bolt in the extended state
Read and observe
and on page 129 first.
Preliminary work
Before installing the tow bar the following work must be carried out.
›
Remove the cover cap
A
» Fig. 133 in the direction of arrow
1
using the on-
board tool clamp for pulling off the wheel trims » page 168.
›
Remove cover cap
B
in the direction of arrow
2
» .
The tow bar must be set to the standby position » page 130, A correctly set
ready position . If this is not in the standby position, then it must be set to the
standby position » page 130, Adjusting the ready position .
Fitting
›
Grip the tow bar from underneath » Fig. 134 and insert into the mounting re-
cess in arrow direction
3
until you hear it click into place » .
The operating lever C automatically turns upwards in the direction of arrow4 and the release pin D pops out (both its red and green parts are visible)
» .
If the operating lever
C
does not turn automatically, or if the release pin
D
does not pop out, remove the tow bar from the mounting recess by turning the
operating lever
C
downwards as far as it can go. Clean the contact surfaces
on the tow bar and the mounting recess.
WARNING■ Carefully remove the cap for the mounting recess B - there is a risk of
hand injury.■
Keep your hands outside the operating lever's range of motion when at-
taching the ball head – there is a risk of finger injury.
■
Never attempt to pull the operating lever upwards forcibly to turn the
key. Doing so would mean the ball head is not attached correctly.
CAUTION
Remove the cover A from the rear bumper with care - there is a risk of paint
damage to the bumper and the cap.
Note
Store the caps A and B » Fig. 133 in a suitable place in the luggage compart-
ment after removal.
Assembling the bar ball - second step
Fig. 135
Secure the lock and remove key / place cap on lock
Read and observe
and on page 129 first.
›
To begin with, perform the first step of the ball rod assembly » page 131.
131Hitch and trailer

›Turn the key A in the direction of arrow 1 so that the green marking points
upwards » Fig. 135.›
Remove the key in the direction of the arrow
2
.
›
Fit and press in the cap
B
on the hand-wheel lock in the direction of the ar-
row
3
» .
›
Check the ball head for secure mounting » page 132, Check proper fitting .
CAUTION
After removing the key, always replace the cover on the lock – risk of lock get-
ting dirty.
Check proper fitting
Fig. 136
Correctly secured ball head
Read and observe and on page 129 first.
Check that the ball head is fitted properly each time before use.
Correctly secured ball rod » Fig. 136
The ball head does not come out of the mounting recess even after heavy
“shaking”.
Operating lever
A
is located as far up as possible.
The release pin
B
is completely exposed (both its red and green parts are
visible).
The key is removed.
The cap
B
is on the hand-wheel.
WARNINGDo not use the towing equipment unless the ball head has been properly
locked - risk of accident.Removing the bar ball - first stepFig. 137
Remove the cap from the lock
Fig. 138
Insert the key into the lock / unlock the lock
Read and observe
and on page 129 first.
›
Remove the cover
A
from the lock in the direction of the arrow
1
» Fig. 137 .
›
Insert the key
B
into the lock in the direction of arrow
2
, so that its green
marker points upward » Fig. 138.
›
Turn the key in the direction of arrow
3
so that the red marking points up-
wards.
WARNINGNever remove the tow bar while the trailer is still coupled.
Note
We recommend that you put the protective cap on the ball before removing
the ball head.132Driving

Removing the bar ball - second stepFig. 139
Release tow bar
Read and observe and on page 129 first.
Removing
›
To begin with, perform the first step of the ball end assembly » page 132.
›
Grasp the ball head from underneath » Fig. 139 .
›
Push in the release bolt
A
in the direction of arrow
1
until it stops and si-
multaneously press the operating lever
B
in the direction of arrow
2
until it
stops.
The ball head is released in this position and falls freely into the hand. If it
does not fall freely into the hand, use your other hand to push it upwards.
At the same time, the ball head latches into the ready position and is thus
ready to be built-in »
.
Subsequent steps
After removing the tow bar the following work must be carried out.
›
Insert the cover
B
» Fig. 133 on page 131 in the opposite direction to arrow
2
.
›
Fix the cap
A
» Fig. 133 on page 131 aligning it with “check mark” in the low-
er bumper area.
›
Push the cap in first on the left and right and then at the top.
WARNINGNever allow the ball head to remain unsecured in the boot. This could
cause damage to the boot upon sudden braking, and could put the safety
of the occupants at risk.CAUTION■ If the operating lever B is held firm and not pushed downwards as far as it
can go, it will go back up after the ball head is removed and will not latch into
the ready position. The ball head then needs to be brought into this position
before the next time it is fitted » page 130, Adjusting the ready position .■
Place the tow bar in the standby position, with the key upwards, and store in
the box - otherwise there is a risk of damage to the key!
■
Do not use excessive force when handling the operating lever (e.g. do not
step on it).
Note
Clean any dirt from the ball head before stowing it away in the box with the
vehicle tool kit.
Accessories
Fig. 140
Depiction of the maximum per-
missible protrusion of the ball
head of the towing hitch and of
the permissible total weight of
the accessory including the load,
depending on the load centre of
gravity
Read and observe and on page 129 first.
An accessory can be mounted on the ball head of the towing device (such as a
bike carrier).
If this accessory is used, the maximum permissible protrusion of the towing
device ball head and the permissible gross vehicle weight of the accessory in-
cluding load is to be observed.
The maximum permissible protrusion for the ball head of the towing device is
70 cm » Fig. 140 .
The total allowable weight of the accessory including load, changes with in-
creasing distance of the center of gravity of the load from the ball head of the
towing device. 
133Hitch and trailer

Power to the trailer power grid
For the electrical connection between the vehicle and trailer, the power for the
trailer power grid is supplied by the vehicle.
The power supply works with ignition on or off.WARNING■ Incorrect or improperly connected electrical installation can cause acci-
dents and serious injury due to electric shock.■
Work on the electrical system must only be carried out by specialist ga-
rages.
■
Never directly connect the trailer's electrical system with the electrical
connections for the tail lights or other current sources.
■
After coupling the trailer and connecting up the power socket, check the
rear lights on the trailer to ensure they work correctly.
■
The handbrake on the vehicle must be applied when coupling and uncou-
pling the trailer.
■
Never use the safety eyelet for towing!
CAUTION
Incorrect or improperly connected electrical installations may cause malfunc-
tion of the entire vehicle electronics.
Loading a trailer
The vehicle/trailer combination must be balanced, whereby the maximum per-
missible drawbar load must be utilised. If the drawbar load is too low, it jeop-
ardises the performance of the vehicle/trailer combination.
Distribution of the load
Distribute the load in the trailer in such a way that heavy items are located as
close to the trailer axle as possible. Secure the items from slipping.
The distribution of the weight is very poor if your vehicle is unladen and the
trailer is laden. Maintain a particularly low speed if you cannot avoid driving
with this combination.
Tyre pressure
Correct the tyre inflation pressure on your vehicle for a “full load” » page 162.
Towing capacity and trailer weight
The permissible trailer load must not be exceeded under any circumstances
» page 194 , Technical data .
The details given in the vehicle's technical documentation always take prece-
dence over the details in the Owner's Manual.
The trailer loads specified apply only to altitudes up to 1,000 metres above
mean sea level.
The engine output falls as altitude increases, as does the ability to climb.
Therefore, for every additional 1,000 m in height (or part), the maximum per-
missible towed weight must be reduced by 10 %.
The towed weight comprises the actual weights of the (loaded) towing vehicle
and the (loaded) trailer.
The trailer and drawbar load information on the type plate of the towing
equipment are merely test data for the towing equipment. The vehicle-specific
values are detailed in the vehicle documents.WARNING■ Do not exceed the maximum permissible axle and drawbar load and
weight of the trailer - risk of accident and serious injuries!■
An unsecured load can adversely affect stability and driving safety signifi-
cantly - there is a risk of accident!
Towing a trailer
Driving speed
For safety reasons, do not drive faster than 80 km/h when towing a trailer.
Immediately reduce your speed as soon as even the slightest swaying of the
trailer is detected. Never attempt to stop the trailer from “swaying” by acceler-
ating.
Brakes
Apply the brakes in good time! If the trailer is fitted with a trailer brake, apply
the brakes gently at first, then brake firmly. This will avoid brake jolts resulting
from the trailer wheels locking.
On downhill sections shift down a gear in good time to also use the engine as
a brake.
Engine overheating
If the pointer of the coolant temperature gauge reaches the red scale range,
the speed should be reduced immediately.
Stop and switch off the engine if the warning light  illuminates in the instru-
ment cluster display. 
135Hitch and trailer

›If the engine does not start, halt the attempt to start the engine after 10 sec-
onds and wait for 30 seconds before repeating the process.›
Detach the jumper cables in the exact reverse order that they were attached.
Both batteries must have a rated voltage of 12 V. The capacity (Ah) of the bat-
tery supplying the power must not be significantly less than the capacity of
the discharged battery in your vehicle.
Jump-start cables
Only use jump-start cables which have an adequately large cross-section and
insulated terminal clamps. Obey the instructions of the jump start cable manu-
facturer.
Positive cable - colour coding in the majority of cases is red.
Negative cable - colour coding in the majority of cases is black.
WARNING■
Do not clamp the jump-start cable to the negative terminal of the dis-
charged battery. There is the risk of detonating gas seeping out the battery
being ignited by the strong spark which results from the engine being star-
ted.■
The non-insulated parts of the terminal clamps must never touch each
other – risk of short circuit.
■
The jump-start cable connected to the positive terminal of the battery
must not come into contact with electrically conducting parts of the vehicle
– risk of short circuit.
■
Route the jump-start cables so that they cannot be caught by any rotat-
ing parts in the engine compartment.
■
There must not be any contact between the two vehicles otherwise cur-
rent may flow as soon as the negative terminals are connected.
Towing the vehicle
 Introduction
Fig. 168
Braided tow ropes/spiral tow rope
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Front towing eye
178
Rear towing eye
179
Vehicles with a tow hitch
179
A braided tow rope must be used for towing » Fig. 168 -
 .
The following guidelines must be observed when towing.
Vehicles with manual transmission may be towed with a tow bar or a tow rope
or with the front or rear wheels raised.
Vehicles with automatic transmission may be towed with a tow bar or a tow
rope or with the front wheels raised. If the vehicle is raised at rear, the auto-
matic gearbox is damaged!
Driver of the tow vehicle
›
Engage the clutch gently when starting off or depress the accelerator partic-
ularly gently if the vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.
›
Only then, approach correctly when the rope is taut.
The maximum towing speed is 50 km/h.
Driver of the towed vehicle
›
Switch on the ignition so that the steering wheel is not locked and so that
the turn signal lights, windscreen wipers and windscreen washer system can
be used. 
177Emergency equipment, and self-help