NoteThe system can be impaired or may not be available, for example when driving
in “sharp ”curves or with an ESC engagement » page 101.
Distance warning
Fig. 145
Instrument cluster display: Distance warning
Read and observe and on page 114 first.
The display of the distance warning is for vehicles with MAXI DOT display.
If a safe distance from the vehicle ahead is fallen short of, the warning
light
» Fig. 145 appears in the display.
Immediately increase the proximity if the current traffic situation allows you
to do so!
The proximity at which the warning is displayed depends on the current speed.
The warning may occur when driving between about 60 km/h and 210 km/h.
Warning and automatic braking
Fig. 146
Instrument cluster display: Warning or emergency
braking at low speed
Read and observe and on page 114 first.
Emergency braking at low speed
If there is a risk of collision in a vehicle speed range of about 5 km/h to 30 km/h, the system triggers an automatic braking.
With automatic braking, the warning light
» Fig. 146 appears in the display.
Advance warning
If the system detects a risk of collision, the warning light
» Fig. 146 appears in
the display and you will hear an acoustic signal.
The pre-warning display can occur in the following situations.
▶ If there is a risk of collision with a moving obstacle at a driving speed range
of approx. 30 km/h to approx. 210 km/h.
▶ If there is a risk of collision with a stationary obstacle at a driving speed
range of approx. 30 km/h to approx. 85 km/h.
With a warning the brake pedal must be pressed or the moving obstacle is to
be avoided!
Acute alert
If the driver does not react to the advance warning when in danger of a colli-
sion with a moving obstacle, the system briefly applies the brake automatically
via an active brake intervention to draw attention to the potential danger of a
collision again.
Automatic Braking
If the driver does not respond to acute warning, the system begins to auto-
matically brake the vehicle.
If an automatic brake intervention is triggered by the system, the pressure in
the brake system increases and the brake pedal cannot be operated with the
normal pedal stroke.
The automatic braking interventions can be cancelled by pressing the acceler-
ator pedal or by steering intervention.
Brake assist
If the driver brakes inadequate with an impending collision, the system auto-
matically increases braking force.
The braking assistance only occurs as long as the brake pedal is being firmly
pressed down.
115Assist systems
With the engine switched off, the vehicle battery is discharged by the connec-
ted consumers.
At low charge state of the vehicle battery, the power supply to the trailer (ac-
cessories) is interrupted.WARNING■ An improperly connected electrical installation of the trailer (accessories)
may result in an accident or serious injury from electrical shock.■
Do not make any adjustments to the electrical installation of the vehicle
and the trailer (accessories) - risk of an accident or serious injury from elec-
trical shock.
■
After the electrical connection between the vehicle and trailer (accessory)
the trailer / accessory lights should be checked for function.
■
Never use the securing eye to tow - The is a risk of accident!
CAUTION
■ An improperly connected electrical installation of the trailer (accessories) can
lead to the inoperability of the vehicle electronics.■
The total power consumption of all the connected loads to the trailer power
supply must not exceed 350 watts, otherwise there is a risk of damage to the
electrical system of the vehicle.
Loading a trailer
Correct the tyre inflation pressure on the vehicle for “full load” » page 146.
Distribution of the cargo
Distribute the cargo in the trailer in such a way that heavy items are located as
close to the trailer axle as possible. Secure the load from slipping.
The distribution of the weight is very poor if your vehicle is unladen and the
trailer is laden. Nevertheless, maintain a particularly low speed if you cannot
avoid driving with this combination.WARNINGAn unsecured load can adversely affect stability and driving safety signifi-
cantly - there is a risk of accident!
Trailer
The permissible trailer load must not be exceeded under any circumstances.Permissible trailer load - FabiaEngineGearboxPermissible trailer weight, braked (kg)Permissible trailer weight, unbraked (kg)Gradients of up to 12%Gradients of up to 8% a)1.0 l/44 kW MPIMG80010005201.0 l./55 kW MPIMG80010005201.2 ltr./66 kW TSIMG100011005501.2 ltr./81 kW TSIMG11001100560DSG110011005701.6 l./66 kW MPIMG110012005401.6 l./81 kW MPIAG110012005601.4 l/55 kW TDI CRMG10001100570
124Driving
EngineGearboxPermissible trailer weight, braked (kg)Permissible trailer weight, unbraked (kg)Gradients of up to 12%Gradients of up to 8%a)1.4 l/66 kW TDI CRMG11001200570DSG110012005901.4 l/77 kW TDI CRMG11001200580a)
Only valid for some countries.
Permissible trailer load - Fabia Combi
EngineGearboxPermissible trailer weight, braked (kg)Permissible trailer weight, unbraked (kg)Gradients of up to 12 %Gradients of up to 8% a)1.0 l./55 kW MPIMG80010005301.2 ltr./66 kW TSIMG100011005601.2 ltr./81 kW TSIMG11001100570DSG110011005801.6 l./66 kW MPIMG110012005501.6 l./81 kW MPIAG110012005701.4 l/55 kW TDI CRMG100011005901.4 l/66 kW TDI CRMG11001200590DSG110012006001.4 l/77 kW TDI CRMG11001200590a)
Only valid for some countries.
WARNINGThe maximum vertical load and the maximum trailer load must not be ex-
ceeded - there is risk of accident!
Towing a trailer
Driving speed
For safety reasons, do not drive with the trailer any faster than 100 km/h
(when the towing vehicle is a passenger car of category M1) or 80 km/h (when
the towing vehicle is a truck of category N1).
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
With frequent towing, the vehicle is excessively loaded so this must also be
checked between service intervals.125Towing device and trailer
Automatic Car Washes
The usual precautionary measures must be taken before washing the vehicle
(e.g. closing the windows and the tilt/slide roof etc.).
If your vehicle is fitted with any particular attached parts (e.g. spoiler, roof rack system, two-way radio aerial etc.), it is best to consult the operator of the car
wash system beforehand.
After an automatic wash with wax treatment, the wiper blades should be
cleaned with cleaning agents specially designed for the purpose, and then de-
greased.
Pressure Washers
When washing the vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner, the instructions for
use of the equipment must be observed. This particularly applies to instruc-
tions regarding the pressure and spraying distance from the vehicle surface.WARNING■
Washing your vehicle in the winter: Water and ice in the brake system can
affect the braking efficiency – there is the risk of an accident.■
Take care when cleaning the underbody or the inside of the wheel wells -
there is a risk of injury from sharp metal parts!
CAUTION
■ Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight, do not exert pressure on the body
while washing. The temperature of the washing water should be no more than
60 °C max. - otherwise there is a risk of damaging the vehicle paint.■
Before driving through a car wash fold in the exterior mirrors - There is a risk
of damage.
■
For vehicles with a roof antenna, the antenna rod should be unscrewed be-
fore driving through a car wash - there is a risk of damage.
CAUTION
Washing the vehicle with high-pressure cleaners■Films should not be washed with any high-pressure cleaners - risk of dam-
age.■
Do not aim the water jet directly at the lock cylinders or the door or opening
joints when washing the vehicle in the winter – there is a risk of freezing.
■
Hold a large spraying distance to the rear camera lens, to plastic parts (e.g.
Roof racks, spoilers, protective strips and the like), as well as soft materials
such as rubber hoses or insulation material.
■
The sensors of the parking aid can be sprayed only for a short time and there
must be a minimum distance of 10 cm - there is a risk of damage.
Exterior car care
Read and observe
and on page 131 first.
Vehicle compo- nentsCircumstancesRemedy
Paint
Spilled fuelClear water, cloth, (clean as soon as
possible)No water drop-
lets form on the
paintUse hard wax preserve (at least twice a
year), apply wax to clean and dry bodyPaint has gone
mattUse polish, then wax (if the polish does
not contain any preservative ingredi-
ents)Plastic partsSoilingClear water, cloth / sponge, possibly
cleaners provided for this purposeChrome
and anodised
partsSoilingclear water, cloth, possibly cleaners
provided for this purpose, clean then
polish with a soft dry clothFilmsSoilingSoft sponge and mild soap solution a)Windows
and door mirrorsSoilingWash with clean water and dry with a
wipe specifically for that purposeHead / tail lightsSoilingSoft sponge and mild soap solution a)
Reversing cameraSoilingWash with clean water and dry with a
soft clothSnow/iceHand brush / de-icerDoor lock cylin-
dersSnow/iceDe-icing fluid specifically for that pur-
poseWipers / wiper
bladesSoilingWindscreen cleaner, sponge or clothWheelsSoilingClear water, then apply appropriate
substancea)
Mild soap solution = 2 tablespoons of natural soap to 1 litre of lukewarm water.
The jack is maintenance-free. If necessary, the moving parts of the jack should
be lubricated with a suitable lubricant.
The towing device is maintenance-free. Coat the ball head of the towing de-
vice with a suitable grease whenever necessary.
132General Maintenance
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
142ABCDEF138General 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
SymbolMeaningAlways 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
CAUTIONScrew the jack back to its starting position prior to putting it back in its box -
risk of damage to the box.
Note
The declaration of conformity is included with the jack or the log folder.
Changing a wheel
Preliminary work
For safety's sake, the following instructions must be observed before
changing a wheel on the road.
›
Park the vehicle as far as possible away from the traffic flow - choose a place
with a flat and firm surface.
›
Switch off the engine.
›
For vehicles with manual transmission select1, gear .
›
For vehicles with automatic transmission , place the selector lever in the P
position.
›
Firmly apply the handbrake.
›
Switch on the hazard warning lights and set up the warning triangle at the
prescribed distance.
›
Have all the occupants get out . The passengers should not stand on the
road while the wheel is being changed (they should remain behind a crash
barrier, for instance).
›
Uncouple any trailers.
Changing a wheel
›
Take out the emergency or spare wheel » page 152.
›
Remove the full wheel trim » page 152or caps» page 152 .
›
Loosen the wheel bolts » page 153 » .
›
Jack up the vehicle » page 153 until the wheel that needs changing is clear of
the ground.
›
Unscrew the wheel bolts and place them on a clean surface (cloth, paper,
etc.).
›
Remove the wheel carefully.
›
Attach the spare wheel and slightly screw on the wheel bolts.
›
Lower the vehicle.
›
Tighten the wheel bolts opposite each other using the wheel wrench (“pull- ing crossways”) » page 153.
›Replace the wheel trim
» page 152and caps» page 152 .
When fitting unidirectional tyres, ensure that the direction of rotation is cor-
rect » page 145 .
All bolts must be clean and must turn easily. If screws are corroded and diffi-
cult to move, these must be replaced.WARNING■ Undo the wheel bolts just a little (about one turn), provided the vehicle
has not yet been jacked up. Otherwise the wheel could come loose and fall
off – risk of injury.■
Under no circumstances must the bolts be greased or oiled - cause an ac-
cident.
Subsequent steps
After changing the wheel, the following work should be carried out.
›
Stow the replaced wheel in the well under the floor covering of the luggage
compartment and secure it with a nut.
›
Stow the tool kit in the space provided and secure using the strap.
›
Check tyre pressure on the mounted wheel and adjust if necessary and, with
vehicles with tyre pressure monitoring, save the tyre pressure values in the
system » page 117 .
›
Have the tightening torque of the wheel bolts checked as soon as possible.
The prescribed tightening torque is 120 Nm.
Change the damaged wheel or consult a specialist garage about repair possi-
bilities.
WARNINGTightening torque which is too high can damage the threads and this can
result in permanent deformation of the contact surfaces on the rim. Where
tightening torque is too low, the wheels may become loose while driving -
risk of accident. Therefore drive cautiously and only at a moderate speed
until the tightening torque has been checked.151Emergency equipment, and self-help
Description of the breakdown kitFig. 187
Description of the breakdown kit
Read and observe
on page 154 first.
The kit is located in a box under the floor covering in the luggage compart-
ment.
Sticker with “max. 80 km/h”/“max. 50 mph” speed designation
Valve remover
Inflation hose with plug
Air compressor (the layout of the controls may be different depending on
the type of air compressor delivered with the vehicle)
Button for tyre pressure reduction
12 volt cable connector
Tyre inflation hose
Tyre pressure indicator
ON and OFF switch
Tyre inflator bottle with sealant
Replacement valve core
Note
The declaration of conformity is included with the air compressor or the log
folder.1234567891011Preparing to use the breakdown kit
Read and observe
on page 154 first.
For safety's sake, the following instructions must be observed before
undertaking a wheel repair on a road.
›
Park the vehicle as far as possible away from the traffic flow - choose a place
with a flat and firm surface.
›
Switch off the engine.
›
For vehicles with manual transmission select 1st gear.
›
For vehicles with automatic transmission , place the selector lever in the P
position.
›
Firmly apply the handbrake.
›
Switch on the hazard warning lights and set up the warning triangle at the
prescribed distance.
›
Have all the occupants get out . While the repair is being carried out, the pas-
sengers should not stand on the road (instead they should remain behind a
crash barrier, for instance).
›
Uncouple any trailers.
Sealing and inflating tyres
Read and observe
on page 154 first.
Sealing
›
Unscrew the valve cap from the damaged tyre.
›
Insert the valve remover
2
» Fig. 187 on page 155 on the valve insert, so that
the valve insert fits into the slot of the valve remover.
›
Unscrew the valve insert and place it on a clean base (rag, paper etc.).
›
Forcefully shake bottle
10
» Fig. 187 on page 155 several times.
›
Firmly screw the inflation hose
3
onto the tyre inflater bottle
10
. The film on
the bottle cap is pierced.
›
Remove the plug from the inflation hose
3
and insert the bottle onto the
tyre valve.
›
Hold the bottle
10
with the bottom facing upwards and fill all of the sealing
agent from the tyre inflator bottle into the tyre.
›
Remove the filler plug from the tyre valve.
›
Screw in the valve insert with the valve remover
2
.
Inflating
›
Screw the tyre inflation hose
7
» Fig. 187 on page 155 firmly onto the tyre
valve.
155Emergency equipment, and self-help