2016 SKODA FABIA steering wheel

Safety
Passive Safety
General information
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Before every journey
10
Driving safety
10
In this section of the instructions you will find important information on the
subject of passive safety. We have combined everything here which you
should be familiar with, for example, regarding seat belts, airbags, safety of children and anything similar.
Other important safety information can also be found in the subsequent sec-
tions of this Owner's Manual. Therefore, the Owner’s Manual should always be
kept in the vehicle.
Before every journey
For your own safety and the safety of the people travelling with you, please
pay attention to the following points before setting off.
▶ Check the lights and turn signal lights are functioning correctly.
▶ Check the wiper function and the wiper blades for wear. Check the wind-
screen washer fluid level.
▶ Ensure that all of the windows offer good visibility to the outside.
▶ Adjust the rear-view mirror so that vision to the rear is guaranteed. Ensure
that the mirrors are not covered.
▶ Check the tyre inflation pressure.
▶ Check the engine oil, brake fluid and coolant levels.
▶ Secure all items of luggage.
▶ Do not exceed the permissible axle loads and permissible gross weight of the
vehicle – risk of accident.
▶ Close all doors and the engine compartment and luggage compartment lid.
▶ Ensure that no objects can obstruct the pedals.
▶
Protect children using a suitable child seat » page 20, Transporting children
safely .
▶ Adopt the correct seated position. Tell your passengers to assume the cor-
rect seated position » page 10, Correct and safe seated position .
Driving safety
For safety in traffic, the following precautions must be observed. ▶ Do not become distracted from concentrating on the traffic situation, (e.g. by
your passengers or mobile phone calls).
▶ Never drive when your driving ability is impaired, (e.g. due to medication, al-
cohol, drugs or similar).
▶ Keep to the traffic regulations and the permissible speed limit.
▶ Always adjust the driving speed to the road, traffic and weather conditions.
▶ Take regular breaks on long journeys (at least every two hours).
Correct and safe seated position
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
The correct seating position for the driver
11
Adjusting the steering wheel position
11
Correct seating position for the front passenger
12
Correct seating position for the passengers in the rear seats
12
Always assume the correct seated position before setting off and do not
change this position while driving. Also advise your passengers to adopt the
correct seated position and not to change this position while the car is moving.
The following list contains instructions for the Passenger which, if not ob-
served, may cause serious injuries or death. ▶ Do not lean against the dash panel.
▶ Do not put your feet on the dash panel.
The following list contains instructions for all Passengers which, if not ob-
served, may cause serious injuries or death.
▶ Do not sit only on the front edge of the seat.
▶ Do not sit facing to one side.
▶ Do not lean out of the window.
▶ Do not put your limbs out of the window.
▶ Do not put your feet on the seat upholstery. 
10Safety

WARNING■The front seats and all head restraints must be adjusted to match body
size at all times and the seat belt must always be fastened properly to pro-
vide the most effective levels of protection to passengers.■
Each occupant must correctly fasten the seat belt belonging to the seat.
Children must be fastened » page 20, Transporting children safely with a
suitable restraint system.
■
The seat backrests must not be tilted too far back when driving, as this
will impair the function of the seat belts and of the airbag system – risk of
injury!
WARNINGBy sitting incorrectly, the occupant is risking life-threatening injuries.
The correct seating position for the driver
Fig. 2
Correct seated position for the driver/correct steering wheel posi-
tion
Read and observe
on page 11 first.
For your own safety and to reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accident,we recommend the following settings.
Adjust the driver’s seat in the forward/back direction so that the pedals
can be fully depressed with slightly bent legs.
Adjust the seat backrest so that the highest point of the steering wheel
can be reached with your arms at a slight angle.
Adjust the steering wheel so that the distance between the steering
wheel and your chest is at least 25 cm » Fig. 2 -
A
.
Adjust the headrest so that the top edge of the headrest is, where possi-
ble, at the same level as the upper part of your head (not for seats with
integrated headrests) » Fig. 2 - B
.
Correctly fasten the seat belt » page 13, Wearing seat belts .
WARNING■
A distance of least 25 cm to the steering wheel should be maintained,
otherwise the airbag system will not be able to protect you - There is a risk
to life!■
When driving, hold the steering wheel with both hands firmly on the out-
er edge in the “9 o'clock” and “3 o'clock” position » Fig. 2. Never hold the
steering wheel in the “12 o'clock” position or in any other way (e.g. in the
middle, inner edge of the steering wheel or similar). Otherwise, you could
sustain serious injury to the arms, hands and head if the airbag is activated.
■
Ensure there are no objects in the driver's footwell as they may get be-
hind the pedals while driving. You would then no longer be able to operate
the clutch, brake or acceleration pedals.
Adjusting the steering wheel position
Fig. 3
Adjusting the steering wheel position
Read and observe
on page 11 first.
The height and forward/back position of the steering wheel can be adjusted.
›
Swing the safety lever under the steering wheel in the direction of arrow
1
» Fig. 3 .
›
Adjust the steering wheel to the desired position. The steering wheel can be
adjusted in direction of arrow
2
.
›
Pull the holder until it stops in arrow direction
3
. 

11Passive Safety

WARNING■Never adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is moving, but only
when the vehicle is stationary!■
The safety lever must always be locked so that the steering wheel cannot
accidentally change position – There is a risk of accident!
Correct seating position for the front passenger
Read and observe
on page 11 first.
For passenger safety and to reduce the risk of injury in an accident, the follow-ing instructions must be observed.
Position the front passenger seat back as far as possible. The front pas-
senger must maintain a distance of at least 25 cm to the dash panel so
that the airbag offers the greatest possible safety if it is deployed.
Adjust the head restraint so that the top edge of the head restraint is at
the same level as the upper part of your head » Fig. 2 on page 11 -
B
(not
for seats with integrated headrest).
Correctly fasten the seat belt » page 13.
WARNING■
A distance of least 25 cm to the dash panel should be maintained, other-
wise the airbag system will not be able to protect you - There is a risk to
life!■
Always keep your feet in the footwell when the car is being driven – nev-
er place your feet on the instrument panel, out of the window or on the
surface of the seats! You will be exposed to increased risk of injury if it be-
comes necessary to apply the brake or in the event of an accident. If an air-
bag is deployed, you may suffer fatal injuries when adopting an incorrect
seated position!
Correct seating position for the passengers in the rear seats
Read and observe
on page 11 first.
For the safety of the passengers in the rear seats, and to reduce the risk of
injury in an accident, the following instructions must be observed.
Adjust the head restraint such that the top edge of the head restraint is,
where possible, at the same level as the upper part of the head » Fig. 2 on
page 11 -
B
.
Correctly fasten the seat belt » page 13, Wearing seat belts .
12Safety

Airbag deploymentFig. 8
Inflated airbags
The airbag system is only functional when the ignition is switched on.
When triggered, the airbag fills with gas and unfolds. The inflation of the air- bag is carried out in a fraction of a second.
When the airbag inflates, smoke is released. This is not a sign of a fire in the
vehicle.
Triggering conditions
It is not possible to generally determine which deployment conditions apply to
the airbag system in every situation. The important factors here are the hard-
ness of the object with which the vehicle collides, the angle of impact, vehicle
speed etc.
A decisive factor in the deployment of the airbags is the degree of deceleration
at the time. If the vehicle deceleration which occurs and is measured during
the collision remains below the prescribed reference values specified in the
control unit, the airbags are not deployed although the vehicle may well suffer
severe damage to the bodywork as a consequence of the accident.
The following airbags will be deployed in the event of a severe frontal
collision.
▶ Driver’s front airbag.
▶ Front passenger airbag.
The following airbags will be deployed in the event of a severe side collision.
▶ Front side airbag.
▶ Head airbag.
When an airbag is deployed, the following events occur. ▶ The ignition is switched on.
▶ All the doors are unlocked.
▶ The fuel supply to the engine is interrupted.
▶ The interior light comes on (if the automatic operation of the interior light is
switched on - position 
).
When there is no air bag deployment?
With minor frontal and side collisions, rear collision, overturning of the vehicle
or vehicle roll-over there is no airbag deployment.
Safety instructions
Fig. 9
Safe distance from the steering
wheel and dash panel
WARNINGGeneral information■The seat belts and the airbag system can only offer optimum protection
if the driver and passengers are seated properly » page 10 .■
The airbag unleashes enormous force when triggered, which can lead to
serious injuries or fatalities if the driver and passengers are not seated
properly. This applies in particular to children who are transported without
using a suitable child safety seat » page 22.
■
If there is a fault, have the airbag system checked immediately by a spe-
cialist garage. Otherwise, there is a risk of the airbag not being activated in
the event of an accident.
■
If the airbag has been deployed, the airbag system must then be replaced.
■
The surface of the steering wheel and the dash panel should only be
cleaned with a dry or slightly dampened cloth in the area of the front air-
bags. 
17Airbag system

WARNINGInformation about the front airbags■For the driver and front passenger, it is important to maintain a distance
of at least 25 cm to the steering wheel or the dashboard » Fig. 9 - A
, If you
do not keep this distance, it means that the airbag system cannot protect
you - There is a risk to life! The front seats and the head restraints must
always also be correctly adjusted to match the body size of the occupant.
■
It is essential to switch off the front passenger airbag if you are using a
child seat on the front passenger seat in which the child is carried with its
back facing the direction of travel » page 18, Airbag deactivation . If this is
not done, there is a risk of the child suffering severe or even fatal injuries if
the front passenger airbag is deployed.
■
No other persons, animals or objects should be placed in front of the oc-
cupants in the front seats in the deployment area of the front airbags.
■
The steering wheel and the surface of the dash panel on the passenger
side must not be plastered, covered or modified in any way. No parts (e.g.
cup holders, mobile phone mounts etc.) may be mounted near the airbag
installation points and in the airbag deployment area.
■
Never place objects on the surface of the dash panel on the passenger
side.
WARNINGInformation on side and head airbags■No objects (e.g. sun visors turned towards the windows) should be loca-
ted in the deployment area of the side and head airbags. No accessories
(e.g. cup holders etc.) should be fitted to the doors - risk of injury!■
Hang only light clothing on the hooks in the vehicle, do not leave any
heavy or sharp objects in the pockets. Do not use hangers to hang up
clothes.
■
The airbag system operates using pressure sensors located in the front
doors. For this reason, no adjustments may be carried out to the doors or
door panels (e.g. installation of additional loudspeakers). Further informa-
tion » page 128 .
■
No excessive force, e.g. through blows, kicks etc. should be applied to the
seat backrests - there is a risk of damage to the side airbags. The side air-
bags would not be deployed in such a case!
WARNING (Continued)■ Any seat or protective covers which you fit to the driver or front passen-
ger seats must only be of a type expressly authorised by ŠKODA AUTO. In
view of the fact that the airbag inflates out of the backrest of the seat, use
of non-approved seat or protective covers would considerably impair the
protective function of the side airbag.■
Any damage to the original seat covers or stitching at the installation
points for the side airbags should be immediately repaired by a specialist
company.
WARNINGInformation on the use of the airbag system■Any work on the airbag system, including the installation and removal of
system components due to other repair work (e.g. removal of the steering
wheel), must only be carried out by a specialist garage. Further information
» page 128 .■
No changes of any sort should be made to parts of the airbag system, the
front bumper or the bodywork.
■
Do not manipulate individual parts of the airbag system, as this might re-
sult in the airbag being deployed.
Airbag deactivation
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Deactivating airbags
18
Deactivating the front passenger airbag
19
Deactivating airbags
The front passenger airbag can be switched off with the key-operated switch
» Fig. 10 on page 19 - 
.
We recommend that you ask a ŠKODA Service Partner to switch off any other
airbags.
A warning light 
indicates that the airbag has been deactivated » page 31.
18Safety

Deactivating an airbag should, for example, be considered only in the
following cases.
▶ If a child seat must be used on the front passenger seat, where the child is
transported facing towards the rear » page 20.
▶ If it is not possible to maintain a distance of at least 25 cm between the mid-
dle of the steering wheel and chest, despite the driver's seat being correctly
adjusted.
▶ If special attachments are required in the area of the steering wheel because
of a physical disability.
▶ If other seats have been installed (e.g. orthopaedic seats without side air-
bags).WARNINGIf an airbag is deactivated at the time of the vehicle being sold, the pur-
chaser must be informed!
Deactivating the front passenger airbag
Fig. 10
Key-operated switch for the front passenger airbag / warning
light for front seat passenger airbag deactivation
Switch positions » Fig. 10 - 
The front passenger airbag is deactivated - after the ignition is switched
on, the warning light illuminates 

» Fig. 10 - 
The front passenger airbag is switched on - after switching on the ignition,
the warning light illuminates for 65 seconds 

Switch off
›
Switch off the ignition.
›
Open the storage box on the front passenger's side.
›
Fold the key bit out completely for the radio key » .
›Carefully insert the key into the key slot in the key switch as far as the stop.›Use the key to turn the slot of the key switch carefully into the position
.›
Pull the key out of the slot in the key switch » .
›
Close the storage compartment on the front passenger side.
›
Check that the warning light

lights up after the ignition is switched on.
Switching on
›
Switch off the ignition.
›
Open the storage box on the front passenger's side.
›
Fold the key bit out completely for the radio key » .
›
Carefully insert the key into the key slot in the key switch as far as the stop.
›
Use the key to turn the slot of the key switch carefully into the position 
.
›
Pull the key out of the slot in the key switch » .
›
Close the storage compartment on the front passenger side.
›
Check that the warning light
 lights up after the ignition is switched on.
WARNING■
The key cannot be inserted into the key switch while driving. Shocks can
cause the key to turn in the slot and trigger the airbag! The airbag can be
triggered unexpectedly in an accident - it may result in injury or death!■
The driver is responsible for whether the airbag is switched on or switch-
ed off.
■
Only switch off the airbag when the ignition is switched off! Otherwise a
fault can occur in the system for deactivating the airbag.
■
If the 



warning lights flash, the front passenger airbag will not be
deployed in the event of an accident! Have the airbag system checked by a
specialist garage immediately.
CAUTION
An insufficiently folded out key bit can damage the key switch!19Airbag system

Operation
cockpit
OverviewElectric windows
51
Door opening lever
47
Electric exterior mirror adjustment
61
Air outlet vents
88
Ticket holder
66
Operating lever (depending on equipment):
▶ Direction and high beam
54
▶Speed regulating system
107
▶Speed limiter
108
Steering wheel with horn / with driver's front airbag
16
Buttons for operating the information system
36
Instrument cluster
27
Operating lever:
▶ Windscreen wipers and washers
59
▶Information system
36
Depending on equipment fitted:
▶ Storage compartment
68
▶Infotainment » User Owner's Manual for Infotainment
Bar with keys depending on the equipment fitted:
▶  Left seat heating
65
▶
 Rear window heating
58
▶
 Central locking system
46
▶
 Hazard lights
56
▶
Warning light for the front passenger airbag
19
▶
 Right seat heating
65
Interior rear-view mirror
61
Memory card slot (in the front passenger storage compartment)
» Infotainment Owner's Manual
Front passenger airbag
16
Storage compartment on the front passenger side
71
Key switch for switching off the front passenger airbag (in front
passenger storage compartment)
191234567891011121314151617Electric window in the front passenger door51
Storage compartment
67
Bar with keys depending on the equipment fitted:
▶  START STOP
92
▶
 Traction control (TCS)
102
▶
 Parking aid
103
▶
 Tyre Press. Loss Indicator
117
Light switch
53
Bonnet release lever
138
Regulator for headlamp beam adjustment for the headlights
53
Operating lever for adaptive cruise control
111
Steering wheel locking lever
11
Depending on equipment fitted:
▶ Ignition lock
91
▶Starter button
91
Cup holder
68
Coin and card holders
67
Handbrake lever
94
Depending on equipment fitted:
▶ Gearshift lever (manual gearbox)
95
▶Selector lever (automatic gearbox)
96
Storage compartment
67
USB input / AUX input
67
Depending on equipment fitted:
▶ 12-Volt power socket
70
▶Cigarette lighter
69
Controls for heating / air conditioning
85
Note
The layout of the controls on right-hand drive vehicles differs partially from
that shown in this layout » Fig. 16.181920212223242526272829303132333426Operation

At a speed of over 30 km/h the warning lightflashes and an audible warning
sounds at the same time.
If the seat belt is not fastened by the driver or front passenger during the next
approx. 2 minutes, the warning signal is deactivated and the warning light 
il-
luminates permanently.
 Adaptive cruise control (ACC)
Read and observe
on page 29 first.
 illuminates - the ACC delay is not sufficient.
▶ Apply the brake.
For more information about the ACC system » page 110.
 Power steering / steering lock (Motor start-up with button
press)
Read and observe
on page 29 first.
Fault in the power steering
 lights up – this indicates a complete failure of the power steering and the
steering assist is no longer working (significantly higher steering forces).
 lights up – this indicates a partial failure of the power steering and the
steering forces can be greater.
▶ Switch off the ignition, start the engine again and travel a short distance.
▶ If the warning light does not go off, stop the vehicle,
stop driving
. Seek
help from a specialist garage.
▶ If the warning light does not go off, you can drive on, exercising appropriate
caution. Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
Steering lock defective (engine start push-button)
An audible signal sounds as a warning.
 flashes
Steering column lock faulty. Stop!STOP VEHICLE STEERING FAULTY
▶ Park the vehicle, and 
stop driving . After switching off the ignition, it is no
longer possible to lock the steering, to activate the electrical components
(e.g. Infotainment ), to switch on the ignition again and to start the engine.
Seek help from a specialist garage.
 flashes
Steering lock: Workshop!STEERING WORKSHOP
▶ You can drive on, exercising appropriate caution. Seek assistance from a spe-
cialist garage immediately.
Steering lock not unlocked (engine start push-button)
 flashes
Move the steering wheel!MOVE STEERING WHEEL
▶ Move the steering wheel slightly back and forth, thereby facilitating unlock-
ing the steering lock.
▶ If the steering does also not unlock then, the help of a specialist garage is
required.
Disconnecting the vehicle battery
If the vehicle's battery has been disconnected and reconnected, the indicator
light  comes on after switching on the ignition.
The warning light should go out after driving a short distance.
If, after the motor is restarted and a short drive, the indicator light does not go
out, there is a system error.
▶ You can drive on, exercising appropriate caution. Seek assistance from a spe-
cialist garage immediately.
 Stability control (ESC) / Traction control (TCS)
Read and observe
on page 29 first.
 flashes – the ESC or TCS is currently active.
System fault
 lights up – there is an ESC or TCS fault.
▶ You can drive on, exercising appropriate caution. Seek assistance from a spe-
cialist garage immediately.
If the warning light  comes on after starting the engine, the TCS may be
switched off for technical reasons. ▶ Switch the ignition off and on again.
If the warning light  does not illuminate after you switch the engine back on,
the ASR is fully functional again. 
30Operation