
Adjusting the ready positionFig. 151
Remove cap from the lock / insert key into the lock
Fig. 152
Lock unlock / press release bolt and lever and push
Read and observe
on page 119 first.
The tow bar must be set prior to installation to the standby position
» page 120 , Check the setting of the standby position .
›
Grip the tow bar below the protective cap.
›
Remove the cover
A
from the lock in the direction of the arrow
1
» Fig. 151 .
›
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. 152.
›
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.
Check the setting of the standby positionFig. 153
Ready position
Read and observe on page 119 first.
Correctly adjusted standby position » Fig. 153
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.
In the ready position, the key cannot be removed or turned into a different po-
sition.
Assembling the bar ball - Step 1
Fig. 154
Removing cap: on the rear bumper / for the receiving shaft
120Driving

Fig. 155
Insert ball rod / trigger bolt in the extended state
Read and observe
on page 119 first.
The tow bar must be set to the standby position » page 120.
Preparing installation
›
Remove the cover cap
A
in the direction of arrow
1
» Fig. 154 using the on-
board tool clamp for pulling off the wheel trims.
›
Remove cover cap
B
in the direction of arrow
2
» .
Fitting
›
Grip the tow bar from underneath » Fig. 155 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 arrow
4
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.
Assembling the bar ball - Step 2Fig. 156
Secure the lock and remove key / place cap on lock
Read and observe
on page 119 first.
›
Turn the key
A
in the direction of arrow
1
so that the green marking points
upwards » Fig. 156 .
›
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 121, Check proper fitting .
Check proper fitting
Fig. 157
Correctly secured ball head
Read and observe on page 119 first.
Correctly secured ball rod » Fig. 157
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.
121Towing device and trailer

The release pin B is completely exposed (both its red and green parts are
visible).
The key is removed and the cap C
attached to the lock.
Removing the bar ball - Step 1
Fig. 158
Remove the cap from the lock
Fig. 159
Insert the key into the lock / unlock the lock
Read and observe
on page 119 first.
No trailer or other accessory is connected to the tow bar. We recommend put- ting the protective cover onto the ball head before removing the tow bar.
›
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.
Removing the bar ball - Step 2Fig. 160
Release tow bar
Read and observe on page 119 first.
Removing
›
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.
Subsequent steps
›
Insert the cover
B
» Fig. 154 on page 120 in the opposite direction to arrow
2
.
›
Fix the cap
A
» Fig. 154 on page 120 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.
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 knee-joint bar will then need to be brought into this
position before the next time it is installed » page 120, Adjusting the ready po-
sition .
The knee-joint bar must be cleaned before storing in the box with the vehicle
tool always.
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! 122Driving

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

Anti-theft alarm system
The alarm is triggered if, with a vehicle with activated anti-theft alarm (herein-
after only warning system), the electrical connection to the trailer (accessory)
is interrupted.
Always switch off the anti-theft alarm system before a trailer (accessory) is
coupled or uncoupled » page 49.
Conditions for including a trailer (accessory) in the anti-theft alarm system. The vehicle is factory-fitted with an anti-theft alarm system and a towing
device.
The trailer (accessory) is electrically connected to the towing vehicle by
means of the trailer socket.
The electrical system of the vehicle and trailer (accessory) is functional.
The vehicle is locked and the anti-theft alarm system is activated.
The trailer (accessory) is not equipped with LED taillights.126Driving

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

Protection of cavities
All the cavities of your vehicle which are at risk from corrosion are protected by
a layer of long-lasting protective wax applied in the factory.
If any small amount of wax flow out of the cavities at high temperatures, these
must be removed with a plastic scraper and the stains cleaned using a petrole-
um cleaner.
Underbody
The underside of your vehicle is already permanently protected by the factory
against chemical and mechanical influences.
We recommend having the protective coating — preferably before the begin-
ning of winter and at the end of winter.
Product life of the films
Environmental influences (e.g. sunlight, humidity, air pollution, rockfall) affect
the life of the films. The films age and become brittle, which is normal; this
shall not be considered a fault.
The sunlight may also affect the depth of the film colour.
When transporting a load on the roof rack (e.g. roof box, etc.), there is an in- creased risk of film damage (e.g. due to rockfall from the secured load).
CAUTION
■ Vehicle paint
■ Repair damaged areas as soon as possible.
■ Matt-painted parts should not be treated with polishes or hard waxes.
■ Do not polish in a dusty environment - risk of paint scratches.
■ Do not apply polish to door seals or window guides.■
Plastic parts
■ Do not use paint polish.
■
Chromed and anodised parts
■ Do not polish in a dusty environment - risk of surface scratches.
■
Films
The following instructions must be observed, otherwise there is a risk of film
damage.
■ Do not use dirty cloths or sponges for cleaning.
■ Do not use a scraper or other means to remove ice and snow.
■ Do not polish the films
■ Do not use a high pressure cleaner on the films.
■
Rubber seals
■ Do not treat the door seals and window guides deal with anything - the
protective varnish coating could be damaged.
■ Windows and door mirrors
■ Do not clean the insides of the windows/mirrors with sharp objects - risk of
damage to the filaments or the antenna. ■ Do not use a cloth which has been used to polish the body - this could dirty
the window and impair visibility.■
Head / tail lights
■ Do not wipe head/tail lamps dry, do not use any sharp objects - risk of dam-
age to the protective coating and cracks forming on the headlamp glass cov-
ers.
■
Reversing camera
The following instructions must be observed, otherwise there is a risk of
camera damage.
■ Do not remove snow / ice with warm / hot water.
■ To wash, never use a pressure washer or steam jet.
■ For cleaning, do not use abrasive cleaners.
■
Door lock cylinders
■ Make sure that as little water as possible gets into the locking cylinder
when washing the vehicle - there is a risk of freezing the lock cylinder!
■
Wheels
■ Heavy soiling of the wheels can affect the balance of the wheels - the re-
sult can be a vibration, which can cause premature wear of the steering.
Removing ice and snow from the windows
Fig. 164
Installation location of the ice
scraper, removing the scraper
Read and observe and on page 131 first.
Use a plastic ice scraper for removing snow and ice from the windows and mir-
rors. This can be on the inside of the fuel filler flap.
›
Open the fuel filler flap and slide the scraper in the direction of arrow
» Fig. 164 .
133Care and maintenance

CAUTION■Move the scraper in one direction only, otherwise there is a risk of damage to
the glass surface.■
Do not remove snow / ice on the surface that is soiled (e.g. pea gravel, sand,
road salt) - there is a risk of damaging the surface.
■
Remove snow / ice carefully, otherwise there is a risk of damaging the labels
that have been fitted to the vehicle by the factory.
Caring for the interior
Read and observe
and on page 131 first.
Vehicle compo- nentsCircumstancesRemedy
Natural leather /
Faux leather /
Alcantara ®
/
Material
Dust, surface
soilingVacuum cleanerSoiling (fresh)Water, slightly damp cotton / wool
cloth, if necessary, mild soap solution a)
,
then wipe off with a soft clothStubborn stainsCleaning fluid specifically for this taskCare (natural
leather)Treat the leather periodically with a
leather protecting fluid / use a care
cream with light blocker and impregna-
tion after each cleaningCare (Alcan-
tara ®
/ material)Remove stubborn hair using a “cleaning
glove”
Remove pills from materials with a
brushPlastic partsSoilingWater, slightly damp cloth or sponge, if
necessary cleaners specifically for this
purposeWindowsSoilingWash with clean water and dry with a
wipe specifically for that purposeCovers on electri-
cally heated seatsSoilingCleaners specifically for this purposeSeat belts » Soilingsoft cloth and mild soap solution a)a)
Mild soap solution = 2 tablespoons of natural soap to 1 litre of lukewarm water.
WARNING■
Never clean the seat belts chemically as chemical cleaning products could
destroy the fabric.■
Air fresheners and scents can be hazardous to heath when the tempera-
ture inside the vehicle is high.
CAUTION
■ Natural leather /Faux leather / Alcantara ®
/ material
■ Avoid standing for lengthy periods in bright sunlight, and protect the mate-
rials by covering to prevent them from fading.
■ Remove fresh stains (e.g. from pens, lipstick, shoe polish and similar) as
soon as possible.
■ Ensure that no part of the leather is soaked through during cleaning and
that no water gets into the seams - risk of damaging the leather!
■ Do not clean the roof panelling with a brush – risk of damage to the surface
of the panelling.
■ Do not use leather cleaners, floor wax, shoe cream, stain remover or similar
agents on Alcantara ®
seat upholstery.
■ Some clothing fabrics (e.g. dark denim) do not have sufficient colour fast-
ness - this could lead to clearly visible discolouration on the upholstery. This
is not a defect in the fabric.
■ Sharp objects on garments (e.g. zips, rivets, sharp- edged belts) can dam-
age the upholstery fabrics in the vehicle. Such damage will not be recognised
as a justified complaint.■
Plastic parts
■ Do not attach scents or air fresheners to the dash panel – risk of damage to
the dash panel.
■
Windows
■ Do not attach any stickers to the filaments or glass antenna - there is risk
of damage.
■
Covers on electrically heated seats ■ Do not clean either with water or with other liquids - risk of damage to the
heating system. ■ Do not dry by switching on the heating.
■
Seat belts
■ After cleaning the belts, allow them to dry before retracting them.
Note
During vehicle use, some minor changes may become visible on the leather
and Alcantara ®
(due to e.g. folds, discolouration).134General Maintenance