2016 SKODA FABIA battery

Opening and closing the bonnetFig. 167
Opening the bonnet
Read and observe
and on page 137 first.
Open flap
›
Ensure that the windscreen wipers are not raised away from the windscreen
- risk of damage to the bonnet.
›
Open the front door and pull the release lever below the dash panel in the
direction of arrow
1
» Fig. 167 .
›
Press the release lever in the direction of arrow
2
and the bonnet will be
unlocked.
›
Raise the bonnet in the direction of the arrow
3
.
›
Remove the lid prop in the direction of arrow
4
from the holder.
›
Secure the open flap inserting the end of the post into the opening in the di-
rection of arrow
5
.
Close the flap
›
Lift the bonnet.
›
Decouple the bonnet support and press into the holder designed to hold it.
›
Drop down the bonnet lid from a height of about 20 cm applying light pres-
sure until it clicks safely into place.
WARNING■ Never drive with the bonnet lid not properly closed - risk of accident!■Make sure that when closing the bonnet, no body parts are crushed -
there is danger of injury!Engine compartment overviewFig. 168
Arrangement (example) in the engine compartment
Read and observe
and on page 137 first.
Windscreen washer fluid reservoir
139
Coolant expansion reservoir
141
Engine oil dipstick
140
Engine oil filler opening
140
Brake fluid reservoir
142
Vehicle battery
142ABCDEF138General Maintenance

Brake fluidFig. 172
Brake fluid reservoir
Check the brake fluid under the following conditions.The vehicle is on a horizontal surface.
The engine is turned off.
Check brake fluid level - The brake fluid level must lie between the markings
“MIN” and “MAX” » Fig. 172.
Specification - The brake fluid must comply with the standard VW 501 14 (this
standard meets the requirements of FMVSS 116 DOT4).
WARNING■ The following instructions must be followed at all times when working on
the engine compartment » page 137.■
If the fluid level drops significantly within a short time or if it drops below
the “MIN” » Fig. 172mark, this may be an indication of a leak in the brake
system. 
Stop driving - There is a risk of an accident! Seek help from a
specialist garage.
Note
■ The brake fluid is changed as part of a compulsory inspection service.■A low brake fluid level which is too low is indicated by the warning light
 being shown on the display of the instrument cluster as well as the corre-
sponding message » page 29. We still recommend inspecting the brake fluid
level in the reservoir from time to time.Vehicle battery
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Check condition
143
Charging
144
Disconnect/reconnect and change
144
The vehicle battery represents a power source for the motor to start and for the supply of electrical consumers in the car.
Automatic shutdown of consumers - vehicle battery discharge protection
The on-board power supply system tries to prevent the vehicle battery from
discharging in the following ways when it is subject to heavy loading. ▶ By increasing the engine idle speed.
▶ Through the power limitation of certain loads.
▶ By switching off some loads(heated seats, heated rear window) for as long
as necessary.
Warning symbols on the vehicle battery
SymbolMeaningAlways wear eye protection.Battery acid is severely caustic. Always wear gloves and eye pro-
tection.Keep fire, sparks, open flames and lit cigarettes well clear of the
vehicle battery.When charging the vehicle battery, a highly explosive gas mixture
is produced.Keep children away from the vehicle battery.WARNINGBattery acid is highly corrosive - it can cause injury, chemical burns or poi-
soning! Corrosive vapours in the air irritate and damage the respiratory
tract and the eyes. The following guidelines must be observed.■
Always wear protective gloves, eye and skin protection when handling
the vehicle battery. 
142General Maintenance

WARNING (Continued)■If your eyes or skin come into contact with the electrolytic fluid, immedi-
ately wash the affected area for a few minutes long with a lot of water. Get
medical assistance without delay.■
Keep the vehicle battery away from people who are not completely inde-
pendent (e.g. children).
■
Do not tilt the battery otherwise battery electrolyte may flow out of the
battery vent openings.
WARNINGWorking on the car battery may cause explosion, fire, injury or chemical
burn! The following guidelines must be observed.■
Do not smoke, use open flames or light or transmitting devices.
■
A discharged vehicle battery may freeze slightly. Never charge up a fro-
zen or thawed vehicle battery. Replace a frozen vehicle battery.
■
Never use a damaged vehicle battery.
■
Do not connect the battery terminals, bridging the two poles will cause a
short circuit.
CAUTION
Ensure that battery acid does not come into contact with the bodywork – risk
of damage to the vehicle.
Note
■ We recommend having all work on the vehicle battery carried out by a spe-
cialist garage.■
You should replace batteries older than 5 years.
Check conditionFig. 173
Vehicle battery: Open the cover / acid level indicator
Read and observe
and on page 142 first.
The battery condition is checked regularly by a specialist garage as part of the
inspection service.
Check the acid level
For car batteries with acid level indicator, acidity can be checked on the basis
of a colour display. In vehicle batteries with the label “AGM” there is no acid
level examination.
Depending on the equipment, the vehicle battery may be provided with a cov-
er, this can be opened in the direction of arrow » Fig. 173 -
 .
Air bubbles can influence the colour of the indicator. Therefore, carefully knock
on the display » Fig. 173 -
 .
Black colour - electrolyte level is correct.
Colourless or light yellow colour - electrolyte level too low, the battery must be replaced.
Battery discharge
If frequent short journeys are made, the vehicle battery does not recharge suf-
ficiently.
The battery capacity decreases at low temperatures.
If the vehicle is not used for longer than 3 to 4 weeks, then disconnect the
negative terminal  of the battery or charge the battery constantly with a very
low charging current.
143Inspecting and replenishing

ChargingRead and observe
and on page 142 first.
Only charge the battery when the ignition and all consumers are switched off.
Refer to the instructions of the charger manufacturer.
Charging
›
For vehicles withthe START-STOPsystem or auxiliary heater 
, connect the -
terminal of the charger on the battery’s 
-pole, 
the -terminal of the charg-
er to the ground point of the engine » page 157.
›
For vehicles without the START-STOPsystem or auxiliary heating, connect
the charger terminals to the corresponding battery poles (  to
,
 to
).
›
Plug the mains cable of the charger into the power socket and switch the
charger on.
›
Once charging is complete: Switch off the charger and remove the mains ca-
ble from the power socket.
›
Disconnect the terminals of the charger from the vehicle battery.
A charging current of 0.1 multiple of the total vehicle battery capacity (or low-
er) must be used until full charging is achieved.
WARNING■ When charging the vehicle battery, hydrogen is released - risk of explo-
sion. An explosion can be caused through sparking while unclamping or
loosening the cable plug.■
So-called“quick-charging” of the vehicle battery is dangerous and re-
quires a special charger and specialist knowledge. Therefore, have“Quick
loading” carried out by a specialist garage.
Disconnect/reconnect and change
Read and observe
and on page 142 first.
The new vehicle battery must have the same capacity, voltage, current and the
same size as the original battery.
We recommend you have the battery replaced by a specialist garage.
›
To disconnect , switch off the ignition and disconnect the negative terminal
first , then disconnect the positive terminal
.
›
When
reconnecting the battery, reconnect the positive terminal first
, then
connect the negative terminal .
After disconnecting and re-connecting the vehicle battery, the following func-
tions or devices are partially or completely inoperative.Function / deviceOperating measurePower windows» page 52Time settings» page 37
CAUTION
■ Disconnect the battery only with the ignition and consumers turned off - risk
of damaging the electrical system of the vehicle.■
Before disconnecting the battery, always close all electric windows other-
wise malfunctions of the window can occur.
■
Under no circumstances mix up the charging cables – risk of fire.
Note
After disconnecting and reconnecting the vehicle battery, we recommend hav-
ing the vehicle checked by a specialist to ensure that the full functionality of
the vehicle is guaranteed.144General Maintenance

›For vehicles with
manual transmission , set the lever in the neutral position.›On vehicles with automatic transmission , place the selector lever in the P
position.›
Start the engine.
›
Plug the connector
6
into 12 volt socket » page 70.
›
Switch on the air compressor with the ON and OFF switch
9
.
›
Once tyre inflation pressure of 2.0-2.5 bar has been reached, turn off the air
compressor. Maximum run time of 6 minutes » .
›
If you cannot reach an air pressure of 2.0 - 2.5 bar, unscrew the tyre inflation
hose
7
from the tyre valve.
›
Drive the vehicle 10 metres forwards or backwards to allow the sealing agent
to “distribute” in the tyre.
›
Firmly screw the tyre inflation hose
7
back onto the tyre valve and repeat
the inflation process.
›
Stick the corresponding sticker
1
» Fig. 187 on page 155 on the dashboard in
the driver's field of view.
At a tyre inflation pressure of 2.0–2.5 bar, the journey can be continued at a maximum speed of 80 km/h or 50 mph.
WARNING■ If the tire does not inflate at least. 2.0 bar, the damage is too great. The
sealing agent cannot be used to seal the tyre.  Stop driving! Seek help
from a specialist garage.■
The tyre inflation hose and air compressor may get hot while the tyre is
being inflated – there is a risk of injury.
CAUTION
Switch off the air compressor if it has been running for as much as 6 minutes –
risk of damage to the compressor! Allow the air compressor to cool a few mi-
nutes before switching it on again.
Information on driving with repaired tyres
Read and observe
on page 154 first.
The filling pressure of the repaired tyre is a 10-minute test drive.
If the tyre pressure is 1.3 bar or less
›
You cannot properly seal the tyre using the breakdown kit. 
Do not contin-
ue to drive! Seek help from a specialist garage.
If the tyre pressure is 1.3 bar or more›Set the tyre pressure back to the correct value » page 146.›
Continue driving carefully to the nearest specialist garage at a maximum
speed of 80 km/h (50 mph).
WARNINGA tyre filled with sealant has the same driving characteristics as a standard
tyre. The following guidelines must therefore be observed.■
Do not drive faster than 80 km/h (50 mph).
■
Avoid accelerating at full throttle, sharp braking and fast cornering.
Jump-starting
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Jump-starting using the battery from another vehicle
157WARNING■ The following instructions must be followed at all times when working on
the engine compartment » page 137.■
When handling the vehicle battery, the following warnings must be ob-
served » page 142 .
■
A discharged vehicle battery can freeze at temperatures just below 0 °C.
If the battery is frozen, do not carry out a jump start with the battery of an-
other vehicle – risk of explosion and injury!
■
Never jump-start vehicle batteries with an electrolyte level that is too low
– risk of explosion and caustic burns!
156Do-it-yourself

Jump-starting using the battery from another vehicleFig. 188
Jump-starting: 
- Discharged battery, 
- power-supplying bat-
tery / ground point of the engine for the START-STOP system
Read and observe
on page 156 first.
If, because of a discharged battery, it is not possible to start the engine, the
battery of another vehicle can be used to start the engine. To do this, jump-
start cables are required which have a sufficiently large cross-section and in-
sulated terminal clamps.
The rated voltage of the two batteries must be 12 V. The capacity (Ah) of the
power-supplying battery must not be significantly lower than the capacity of
the discharged battery.
The jump-start cables must be attached in the following sequence.
›
Attach clamp
1
to the positive terminal of the discharged battery.
›
Attach clamp
2
to the positive terminal of the power-supplying battery.
›
Attach clamp
3
to the negative terminal of the power-supplying battery.
›
For vehicles with the START-STOPsystem, attach clamp
4
to the ground
point of the engine
A
» Fig. 188 .
›
For vehicles without the START-STOPsystem, attach clamp
4
to a solid
metal part firmly attached to the engine block or directly to the engine block.
Starting engine
›
Start the engine on the vehicle providing the power and allow it to idle.
›
Initiate the starting process in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
›
If the engine does not start within 10 s, then cancel the starting procedure
and repeat after half a minute.
›
Detach the jumper cables in the exact reverse order that they were attached.
WARNING■
Never clamp the jump cable to the negative terminal of the discharged
battery - risk of explosion.■
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.
■
Position the jump cables so that they cannot be caught in rotating parts
in the engine compartment - danger of injuries and the risk of vehicle dam-
age.
Towing the vehicle
Information about the towing process
Fig. 189
Braided tow ropes/spiral tow rope
To tow with a tow rope, only use a braided synthetic fibre rope » Fig. 189 -
 »
.
Attach the tow rope or the tow bar to the towing eyes at the front
» page 158 ,towing eyes at the rear » page 159or to thetowing device of the
trailer device » page 119 .
Conditions for towing. Cars with automatic gearboxes must not be towed with the rear wheels
raised - there is a risk of gearbox damage!
If the gearbox has no oil, your vehicle must be towed with the front axle
raised clear of the ground or on a breakdown vehicle or trailer. 
157Emergency equipment, and self-help

The maximum towing speed is 50 km/h.
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
distance is greater than 50 km.
Driver of the tow vehicle›
On vehicles with manual transmission , engage gear slowly when starting.
›
On vehicles with automatic transmission , accelerate with particular care.
›
Only then, approach correctly when the rope is taut.
Driver of the towed vehicle
›
If possible, the vehicle should be towed with the engine running. The brake
booster and power steering only operate if the engine is running, otherwise
much greater force has to be applied to the brake pedal and more power has
to be expended for steering.
›
If it is not possible to start the engine, switch on the ignition so that the
steering wheel does not lock and so that the turn signal lights, windscreen
wipers and windscreen washer system can be used.
›
Take the vehicle out of gear or move the selector lever into position N if the
vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.
›
Keep the tow rope taut at all times during the towing procedure.
WARNING■ Spiral tow ropes must not be used for towing » Fig. 189-  , the towing
eye may unscrew out of the vehicle - There is a risk of an accident.■
The tow rope should not be twisted - risk of accident.
CAUTION
■ Do not tow-start the engine – There is a risk of damaging the engine. The
battery from another vehicle can be used as a jump-start aid » page 156, Jump-
starting .■
For off-road towing manoeuvres, there is a risk to both vehicles that the fas-
teners may become overloaded and damaged.
Note
We recommend that you use a tow rope from ŠKODA Original Accessories.Front towing eyeFig. 190
Remove cap / install towing eye
Cap removal/fitting
›
To remove , press down on the cap in the direction of arrow
1
and remove it
in the direction of arrow
2
» Fig. 190 .
›
To fit it, insert the cap in arrow range
1
and then press on the opposite
edge of the cap. The cap must engage firmly.
Removing/installing the towing eye
›
To fit, screw in the towing eye by hand in the direction of the arrow
3
» Fig. 190 until it clicks into place » .
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.
›
To remove it, unscrew the towing eye in the opposite direction to arrow
3
.
WARNINGThe towing eye must always be firmly in place, otherwise the towing eye
could break whilst being towed.158Do-it-yourself

Towing eye rearFig. 191
Rear towing eye
The rear towing eye is located below the rear bumper on the right » Fig. 191.
Vehicles with a trailer device
For vehicles with a factory-fitted towing device, the pre-installed detachable
tow-bar may be used » page 119, Hitch .
Remote control - change battery
Fig. 192
Remove cover/take out battery
›
Pop out the key bit.
›
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
and install a new
battery.
›
Insert the battery cover
A
and press it down until it clicks audibly into place.
The key has to be synchronised if the vehicle cannot be unlocked or locked
with the key after replacing the battery » page 48.
CAUTION■
The replacement battery must correspond to the original specification.■Pay attention to the correct polarity when changing the battery.
Note
■We recommend you have the battery replaced by a specialist garage.■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.
Emergency unlocking / locking of doors
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Unlocking/locking the driver's door
159
Locking the door without locking cylinders
160
Unlock the boot lid
160
Selector lever-emergency unlocking
160
Unlocking/locking the driver's door
Fig. 193
Handle on the driver's door: opening lock cover / lock cylinder
with key
The driver's door can be emergency unlocked / emergency locked using the key via the lock cylinder.
›
Pull on the door handle and hold.
›
Insert the key into the recess on the lower side of the cover and fold up the
cover in the direction of arrow » Fig. 193.
›
Release the door handle. 
159Emergency equipment, and self-help