2015 SKODA FABIA tow bar

Removing the bar ball - Step 1Fig. 158
Remove the cap from the lock
Fig. 159
Insert the key into the lock / unlock the lock
Read and observe
and on page 127 first.
›
Remove the cover
A
from the lock in the direction of the arrow
1
» Fig. 158 .
›
Insert the key
B
into the lock in the direction of arrow
2
, so that its green
marker points upward » Fig. 159.
›
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.Removing the bar ball - Step 2Fig. 160
Release tow bar
Read and observe and on page 127 first.
Removing
›
To begin with, follow the first step of the ball bar end assembly » page 131.
›
Grasp the ball head from underneath » Fig. 160 .
›
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. 154 on page 129 in the opposite direction to arrow
2
.
›
Fix the cap
A
» Fig. 154 on page 129 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 on sudden braking and could put the safety of the occu-
pants at risk! 131Hitch and trailer

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 128, 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.
Mount accessories
Fig. 161
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 127 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. 161 .
The total allowable weight of the accessory including load, changes with in-
creasing distance of the centre of gravity of the load from the ball head of the
towing device.
Distance of the load centre of gravity from the ball headPermissible total weight of the ac-cessories, including load0 cm50 kg30 cm50 kg60 cm25 kg70 cm0 kgWARNING■Never exceed the permissible gross weight of the accessory including
load - there is a risk of damaging the towing device.■
Never exceed the permissible protrusion of the ball head including towing
device - there is a risk of damaging the towing device.
Note
We recommend that you use the accessories from ŠKODA Original Accessories.
Trailer
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Trailer, connect and disconnect
133
Loading a trailer
133
Trailer
134
Towing a trailer
135
Anti-theft alarm system
135
The trailer can be hitched to the ball head of the towing device.
132Driving

WARNINGDo not exceed the maximum permissible axle and drawbar load and weight
of the trailer - risk of accident and serious injuries!
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.
WARNINGAlways drive particularly carefully with the trailer.
CAUTION
If you tow a trailer frequently, you should also have your vehicle inspected be-
tween service intervals.
Anti-theft alarm system
When the vehicle is locked, the alarm is activated when the electrical connec-
tion to the trailer is interrupted.
Always switch off the anti-theft alarm system before a trailer is coupled or un-
coupled » page 54 .
Conditions for including a trailer in the anti-theft alarm system. The vehicle is factory-fitted with an anti-theft alarm system and towing
equipment.
The trailer is electrically connected to the towing vehicle by means of the
trailer socket.
The electrical system of the vehicle and trailer is functional.
The vehicle is locked and the anti-theft alarm system is activated.
CAUTIONFor technical reasons, trailers with rear LED lights cannot be connected to the
anti-theft alarm system.135Hitch and trailer

NoteThe declaration of conformity is included with the jack or the log folder.
Changing a wheel
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Preparation
168
Remove/stow the wheel
168
Full wheel trim
168
Wheel bolts
169
Anti-theft wheel bolts
169
Loosening/tightening wheel bolts
170
Raising the vehicle
170
Remove the wheel / fix
171
Subsequent steps
171
For your own safety and the safety of the passengers, the following instruc-
tions must be observed before changing a wheel on the road.
Switch on the hazard lights.
Place the warning triangle at the prescribed distance.
Park the vehicle as far away as possible from the flow of traffic.
Choose a location with a flat, solid surface.
Have all the occupants get out. The passengers should not stand on the
road (instead they should remain behind a crash barrier, for instance) while
the wheel is being changed.
Preparation
Before changing the wheel, the following work should be carried out.
›
Switch off the engine.
›
For vehicles with Manual transmission , select 1st gear .
›
On vehicles with automatic transmission place the selector lever in the P po-
sition.
›
Firmly apply the handbrake.
›
Uncouple trailer, if attached.
Remove/stow the wheelFig. 180
Taking the wheel out
The wheel is located in a well under the floor covering in the boot and is fixed
in place with a special bolt » Fig. 180.
Taking the wheel out
›
Open the tailgate.
›
Lift up the floor in the luggage compartment.
›
Loosen the belt and take out the box with the tool kit.
›
Unscrew the nut in direction of arrow » Fig. 180.
›
Take out the wheel.
Stowing the wheel
›
Place the wheel into the wheel well with the wheel rim pointing downward.
›
Pull the fixing band through the opposite holes in the wheel rim.
›
Screw on the nut in the opposite direction to the arrow » Fig. 180 until the
wheel is safely secured.
›
Replace the box with the tool kit into the emergency or spare wheel and se-
cure it with the tape.
›
Fold back the floor in the luggage compartment.
›
Shut the boot lid.
Full wheel trim
Before removing the wheel bolts the wheel trim should be removed.
Pulling off
›
Hook the clamp found in the vehicle tool kit » page 167 into the reinforced
edge of the wheel trim.
›
Push the wheel wrench through the clamp, support on the tyre and pull off
the wheel trim. 
168Do-it-yourself

Fitting›Press the wheel trim onto the wheel rim at the designated valve opening.›
Then press the trim into the wheel rim until its entire circumference latches
correctly into position.
Notes from the factory or from the ŠKODA Original accessory delivered trim. ▶ When using an anti-theft wheel bolt, make sure that this has been fitted ac-
cording to the position marked on the back of the wheel cover position.
▶ On the back of the wheel cover, the position for the anti-theft wheel bolt is
marked by means of a symbol. If the wheel cover is set outside the position
marked for the anti-theft wheel bolt, there is a risk of damaging the wheel
cover.
If wheel trims are fitted, it must be ensured that an adequate flow of air is as-
sured to cool the brake system.
CAUTION
Use the pressure of your hand only, do not strike the trim. The cover could be
damaged.
Note
We recommend that you use hub caps from ŠKODA Original Accessories.
Wheel bolts
Fig. 181
Remove the cap
Before removing the wheel bolts the caps are to be removed.
Pulling off
›
Push the extraction pliers » page 167 sufficiently far onto the cap until the
inner catches of the pliers are positioned at the collar of the cap.
›
Remove the cap in the direction of the arrow » Fig. 181.
Fitting
›
Push the cap onto the wheel bolt up to the stop.
Anti-theft wheel boltsFig. 182
Principle sketch: Anti-theft
wheel bolt with adapter
The anti-theft wheel bolts protect wheels from being stolen. These can only
be removed/tightened with the aid of the adapter
B
» Fig. 182 .
›
Remove the full wheel trim or the caps of the wheel bolts.
›
The adapter
B
» Fig. 182 with the toothed side all the way into the inner
teeth in the head of the anti-theft wheel bolts
A
stuck.
›
Push the wheel wrench onto the adapter
B
up to the stop.
›
Loosen or tighten the wheel bolt » page 170.
›
Remove the adapter.
›
Replace the wheel trim or the caps.
For a possible wheel change the adapter for the anti-theft wheel bolts
should always be kept in the vehicle. The adapter is stowed in the tool kit.
The position of the anti-theft wheel bolt is marked on the back of the wheel
cover with every ŠKODA supplied original equipment hub cap or directly at the
factors.
When using an anti-theft wheel bolt, make sure that this has been fitted ac-
cording to the position marked on the back of the wheel cover position.
Note
■ Note the embarked code number on both the adapter and at the end of each
anti-theft wheel bolt. This number can be used to purchase a ŠKODA Original
Parts replacement adapter, if necessary.■
The anti-theft wheel bolt set and adapter can be purchased from a ŠKODA
Partner.
169Emergency equipment, and self-help

›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.
Towing vehicle
 Introduction
Fig. 189
Braided tow ropes/spiral tow rope
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Front towing eye
176
Rear towing eye
177
Vehicles with a tow hitch
177
A braided tow rope must be used for towing » Fig. 189 -
 .
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! If possible, the vehicle should be towed with the
engine running or at least with the ignition on.
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. 
175Emergency equipment, and self-help

›Take the vehicle out of gear or move the selector lever into position
N if the
vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.
Please note that the brake servo unit and power steering only operate if the
engine is running. If the engine is not running, significantly more physical force
is required to depress the brake pedal and steer the vehicle.
If using a tow rope, ensure that it is always kept taught.
General information for the towing process
Both drivers should be familiar with the potential issues of towing a vehicle.
Unskilled drivers should not attempt to tow another vehicle or to be towed.
The vehicle must be transported on a special breakdown vehicle or trailer if it
is not possible to tow the vehicle in the way described or if the towing dis-
tance is greater than 50 km.
If the gearbox no longer contains any oil because of a defect, your vehicle
must only be towed with the drive wheels raised clear of the ground or on a
special breakdown vehicle or trailer.
To protect both vehicles when tow-starting or towing, the tow rope should be
elastic. Thus one should only use plastic fibre rope or a rope made out of a
similarly elastic material.
Attach the tow rope or the tow bar to the towing eyes » page 176 or
» page 177 to the detachable ball head of the towing equipment » page 127 .WARNING■
Exercise increased caution when towing.■Spiral tow ropes must not be used for towing » Fig. 189 -  , the towing
eye may unscrew out of the vehicle - risk of accident.■
The tow rope should not be twisted - risk of accident.
CAUTION
■ Do not start engine by towing - there is a risk of damaging the engine parts.
The battery from another vehicle can be used as a jump-start aid » page 174,
Jump-starting .■
There is always a risk of excessive stresses and damage resulting at the
points to which you attach the tow rope or tow bar when you attempt to tow a
vehicle which is not standing on a paved road.
Note
We recommend using a tow rope from ŠKODA Original Accessories available
from a ŠKODA Partner.Front towing eyeFig. 190
Removing the cap / installing the towing eye
Read and observe
and on page 176 first.
Removing/installing the cap
›
Press on the fuel filler flap in the direction of the arrow
1
» Fig. 190 .
›
Remove the cap in the direction of the arrow
2
.
›
After unscrewing the cap of the towing eye, insert the cap in the region of
the arrow
1
and then press the opposite side of the cap.
The cap must engage firmly.
Removing/installing the towing eye
›
Manually screw the towing eye as far as it will go in the direction of the ar-
row
3
» Fig. 190 » .
For tightening purposes, we recommend, for example, using the wheel
wrench, towing eye from another vehicle or a similar object that can be pushed through the eye.
›
Unscrew the towing eye against the direction of the arrow
3
.
WARNINGThe towing eye must always be screwed in fully and firmly tightened, oth-
erwise the towing eye can tear when towing in or tow-starting.176Do-it-yourself

Rear towing eyeFig. 191
Rear towing eye
Read and observe and on page 176 first.
The rear towing eye is located below the rear bumper on the right » Fig. 191.
Vehicles with a tow hitch
Read and observe
and on page 176 first.
The removable towing ball may be fitted and used for towing on vehicles with
a factory fitted tow hitch » page 127, Hitch .
Towing the vehicle using the towing device is a viable alternative solution to
using the towing eye.
CAUTION
The detachable ball rod and/or the vehicle can be damaged if an unsuitable
tow bar is used.
Remote control
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Replacing the battery in the remote control key
177
Synchronising the remote control
178
The key has to be synchronised if the vehicle cannot be unlocked or locked
with the key after replacing the battery » page 178.
CAUTION■
We recommend having faulty rechargeable batteries replaced by a ŠKODA
service partner.■
The replacement battery must have the same specification as the original
battery.
■
Pay attention to the correct polarity when changing the battery.
Note
If a key has an affixed decorative cover, this will be destroyed when the bat-
tery is replaced. A replacement cover can be purchased from a ŠKODA Partner.
Replacing the battery in the remote control key
Fig. 192
Remote control key: Remove cover/take out battery
Read and observe
on page 177 first.
The battery change is carried out as follows.
›
Flip out the key.
›
Press off the battery cover
A
» Fig. 192 with your thumb or by using a flat
screwdriver in region
B
.
›
Open the battery in the direction of the arrow
1
.
›
Remove the discharged battery in the direction of arrow
2.›
Insert the new battery.
›
Insert the battery cover
A
and press it down until it clicks audibly into place.
177Emergency equipment, and self-help