technical data SKODA FABIA 2003 1.G / 6Y Workshop Manual

Automatic gearbox*105
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3 - Position when driving in hilly areas
We recommend selection of this position when the gearbox is often
changing gear under certain driving conditions with the selector lever at D.
The gearbox shifts up and down automatically into first, second and third
gear in line with engine load, driving style and vehicle speed. Fourth gear
remains locked out in this case. This makes it possible to exploit greater
engine braking power when the accelerator is released
⇒.
The Shiftlock on the selector lever grip must be pressed when moving out
of position 3 into position D.
2 - Position when driving in mountainous regions
This position of the selector lever is suitable for long sloping sections.
The gearbox shifts up and down automatically into first and second gear
in line with engine load, driving style and vehicle speed. The third and
fourth gears remain locked out in order to avoid unnecessary gear
changes. Enhanced engine braking power is thus available.
The Shiftlock on the selector lever grip must be pressed when moving out
of position 3 into position 2.
1 - Position for extreme mountainous sections
This position of the selector lever is suitable for very steep sections of
road.
The vehicle will only drive first gear. The second, third and fourth gears
remain locked out. This position offers you the maximum possible engine
braking power.
The Shiftlock on the selector lever grip must be pressed when moving out
of position 2 into position 1.
The cruise control system is locked in position 1.
Note
•Take your foot off the accelerator if you inadvertently shift into N when
driving and wait until the engine speed has dropped to the idling speed
range before shifting into D.
•If you shift gear manually it is possible to select positions 3, 2 and 1 ,
but the automatic gearbox will not shift down until there is no risk of the
engine overrevving.
WARNING
•Never move the selector lever into position R or P when driving
- risk of an accident!
•When the engine is running and the vehicle is stationary, it is
necessary to hold the car with the brake pedal in all the positions
of the selector lever (except P and N) since the power transmission
is never completely interrupted, also not when the engine is idling
- the vehicle "creeps".
•You must on no account unintentionally operate the throttle
(e.g. by hand from the engine compartment) if a drive position is
engaged when the car is stationary. The vehicle would otherwise
immediately start off - also when the handbrake is firmly applied -
risk of an accident!
•You must move the selector lever into position P and firmly
apply the handbrake first before you or any other person opens the
bonnet and starts working on the engine when it is running - risk
of accident!

Automatic gearbox*107
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down at higher engine speeds than is the case for the economy-oriented
programmes.
Selecting the most appropriate driving programme for the particular style
of driving is a continuous process. Irrespective of this it is, however,
possible to switch into a sporty driving programme by depressing the
accelerator rapidly. The gearbox shifts down into a lower gear matching
the speed of the car and this allows you to accelerate rapidly (e.g. when
overtaking) without having to depress the accelerator pedal fully into the
kickdown range. The original programme will be reactivated to match your
particular style of driving once the gearbox has shifted up again.
When driving in hilly regions, the gears are selected to match uphill and
downhill sections. This avoids the gearbox frequently shifting up and down
when negotiating an uphill stretch. Depressing the brake pedal while
driving downhill causes the gearbox to shift down into the next lower gear.
This makes it possible for you to exploit the engine braking power without
the need for shifting gears manually.
Emergency programme
An emergency programme exists in the event of a fault in
the system.
The gearbox operates in a corresponding emergency programme if there
are functional faults in the gearbox electronics.
•The gearbox still switches automaticallly but stronger switching shocks
are noticeable.
•The gearbox does not switch anymore automatically. The gearbox can
now only be switched manually but there are only 3 gears available over
the selector lever positions namely D, 3 and 2. The 1st gear and reverse
are available as before over the selector lever positions 1 and R. If the gearbox has switched over to emergency mode, drive to the
nearest Škoda dealer in order to have the fault rectified.
Tow-starting and towing vehicle
Tow-starting a vehicle
For technical reasons it is not possible to tow-start a car fitted with an auto-
matic gearbox
⇒page 205.
You can use jump-start cables connected to the battery of another vehicle
for starting your car if the vehicle battery is flat ⇒page 203.
Towing a vehicle
Please pay attention to the following information if it comes necessary to
tow-in your car ⇒page 205.

Communication109
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Mobile phones and two-way radio
systems
The installation of mobile phones and two-way radio systems in a vehicle
should generally be undertaken by a Škoda dealer.
Škoda Auto permits the operation of mobile phones and two-way radio
systems with a professionally installed external aerial and a maximum
transmission power of up to 10 watts.
Our Škoda dealers are also happy to inform you about the possibilities
available for installing and operating mobile telephones and radio trans-
mitters which have an output greater than 10 watts. The Škoda dealers
can provide you with details about the technical possibilities for retrofitting
of mobile telephones and radio transmitters.
Operation of mobile phones or two-way radio systems may interfere with
functioning of the electronic systems of your vehicle. The reasons for this
may be:
•no external aerial
•external aerial incorrectly installed
•transmission power greater than 10 watts.
You should therefore not operate a mobile phone or two-way radio
system inside the vehicle without the use of an external aerial, or with
an external aerial which has been incorrectly installed.
You should also note that only an external aerial makes it possible to
achieve the optimal range of such equipment.
Note
Please also refer to the operating instructions of the mobile phones and
two-way radio systems.
The CD changer*
The CD changer for the car radio and navigation system is located under
the front passenger seat. A description of how to change the CD can be
found in the operating instructions for the CD changer.
WARNING
•If a mobile phone or two-way radio system is operated inside
the vehicle without using an external aerial, or with an external
aerial which has been incorrectly installed, the result can be exces-
sive electromagnetic fields which may cause harm to your health.
•Please always pay full attention to the traffic situation around
you!
•You must not install two-way radio systems, mobile phones or
mounts on the covers of the airbags or within the immediate
deployment range of airbags. This might result in injuries to the
occupants in the event of an accident.

Passive Safety111
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Safety
Passive Safety
Driving the safe way
Passive safety measures reduce the risk of injury in acci-
dent situations.
In this section you will find important information, tips and notes on the
subject of passive safety in your vehicle. We have combined everything
here which you should be familiar with, for example, regarding seat belts,
airbags, child seats and safety of children. It is therefore important, in
particular, to comply with the notes and warnings in this section for your
own interest and in the interest of all those travelling with you.
The information provided in this section applies to all models of your type
of vehicle. It is also possible that equipment is described here which does
not necessarily apply to your vehicle.
Requirements for maximum safety
It is important that you comply with the following requirements in order to
ensure that the seat belts and the airbag systems offer you and the occu-
pants of your vehicle maximum protection:
•front seats correctly adjusted ⇒page 63
•head restraints adjusted to match your body size ⇒page 65
•seat belts correctly fastened and adjusted ⇒page 115
•adopting a correct seated position
WARNING
Please do not forget to give the new owner the complete vehicle
documentation, if you sell your vehicle, including the service
schedule and documents relating to the possible deactivation of
airbags.

Seat belts113
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The physical principle of a frontal
collision
The physical principle of a frontal accident can be explained quite simply: As soon as the vehicle is moving, so-called kinetic energy (the energy of
motion) is produced both in terms of the car as well as in terms of the
occupants. The magnitude of this kinetic energy depends essentially on
the speed at which the vehicle is travelling and on the weight of the vehicle
and the occupants. The greater the speed and weight increase, the
greater the amount of energy which has to be absorbed in the event of an
accident.
The speed of the vehicle is, nevertheless, the most important factor.
Doubling the speed of the vehicle from 25 km/h up to 50 km/hour
increases the kinetic energy four times.
The common opinion that it is possible to support your body in a minor
accident with your hands, is incorrect. Even in a collision at only a low
speed, the forces acting on the body are such that it is no longer possible
to support your body.
Even if you only drive at a speed within the range from 30 km/hour to 50
km/hour, the forces which are produced on your body in the event of an
accident can easily exceed 10,000 N (Newton). This equals a weight of
one tonne (1.000 kg).
In the event of a frontal collision, occupants of the vehicle not wearing a
seat belt are thrown forward and strike parts of the interior of the vehicle,
such as the steering wheel, dash panel, windscreen in an uncontrolled
manner
⇒fig. 91. The occupants of a vehicle who have not fastened their
seat belts may even be thrown out of the vehicle. This can result in fatal
injuries.
It is also important that rear seat passengers fasten their seat belts as they
will otherwise be thrown through the vehicle in an uncontrolled manner in
the event of an accident. A rear seat passenger who has not fastened the
seat belt is a danger not only to himself but also for those seated at the
front ⇒fig. 92 .
Fig. 91 The driver is
thrown forward if not
wearing a belt
Fig. 92 The rear seat
occupant is thrown
forward if not wearing a
belt

Seat belts115
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How are seat belts correctly fastened?
Fastening a three-point seat belt
Fasten your seat belt before starting!
– Correctly adjust the front seat and the head restraint before
fastening your seat belt ⇒page 63.
– Slowly pull the belt webbing at the tongue of the lock over your chest and pelvis ⇒.
– Insert the tongue of the lock into the seat belt buckle belonging
to the seat until it is heard to lock in place.
– Pull on the belt to check that it has also reliably engaged in the lock.
Each three-point seat belt is equipped with an inertia reel. This inertia reel
offers you complete freedom of movement if the belt is unreeled slowly. If
the brakes are applied suddenly, the inertia reel will block. It also blocks
the seat belts when the vehicle accelerates, is driving uphill, is in a tilted
position and when cornering.
Expectant mothers must also wear the seat belt ⇒.
Fig. 93 Routing of
webbing over the
shoulders and the lap
belt
Fig. 94 Routing of belt
webbing for an
expectant mother
WARNING
•The shoulder part of the seat belt must never run across your
neck but must run approximately over the middle of the shoulder
and fit snugly against the chest. The lap part of the belt must run
across the hip and must never be routed across the stomach. It
must always fit snugly ⇒fig. 93 . Adjust the belt webbing as
required.
•The lap part of the belt should be positioned as low as possible
at the pelvis of an expectant mother in order to avoid exerting any
pressure on the lower abdomen.
•Always ensure that the webbing of the seat belts is properly
routed. Seat belts which are not correctly adjusted can themselves
cause injuries even in minor accidents.

Seat belts117
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– Press the red button in the belt lock ⇒page 116, fig. 96 . The
spring force causes the tongue of the lock to jump out.
– Guide the belt back with your hand to enable the inertia reel to wind up the belt webbing more easily.
A plastic knob in the belt webbing holds the belt tongue in a position which
is easy to get hold of.
The pelvic belt
The rear middle seat section is fitted with a two-point
pelvic belt.
The lock part of the two-point pelvic belt is oper ated in the same
way as for a three-point safety belt.
Extending the pelvic belt
– Hold the lock tongue at right angles to the belt webbing and pull through the desired amount of belt webbing ⇒fig. 97 .
Shortening the pelvic belt
– Pull on the free end of the belt ⇒fig. 98 .
– Slide the excess belt length through the plastic slider.
A classic three-point safety belt is used on some vehicles instead of a
pelvic belt ⇒page 118.Fig. 97 Extending the
pelvic belt
Fig. 98 Shortening the
pelvic belt

Seat belts119
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•When disposing of vehicle or parts of the system, it is important to
comply with the national legal requirements.

Airbag system121
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When are the airbags deployed?
The airbag system is designed in such a way that the driver and the front
passenger airbag* are deployed in the event of a frontal collision of
major severity.
In the case of a violent side crash the side airbags* on the front seat of
the vehicle on the side on which the collision occurs are deployed.
It is also possible under certain special accident situations that the front
as well as the side airbags are deployed.
The airbags are not deployed in the case of minor frontal and side colli-
sions, in the case of rear-end collisions and vehicle rollover.
Deployment factors
It is not possible to state globally which deployment conditions apply to the
airbag system in every situation as the circumstances which exist in the
case of accidents vary greatly. An important role in this case, for example, is played by factors such as the type of object against which the vehicle
impacts (hard, soft), the angle of impact, the vehicle speed etc.
A decisive factor for the deployment of the airbags is the deceleration
which occurs during a collision. The control unit analyses the nature of the
collision and activates the relevant restraint system. If the vehicle decel-
eration 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 airbags are not deployed if:
•ignition off
•a minor frontal collision
•a minor side collision
•a rear-end collision
•rollover
Note
•A fine dust is produced when airbag inflated. This is perfectly normal
and is not an indication of a fire in the vehicle.
•The dash panel must be replaced after the front passenger airbag has
been deployed.
WARNING (continued)
•The service life of the airbag system is 15 years from the date of
manufacture of the vehicle. Have the airbag system replaced by a
Škoda Dealer after this period.
•If you sell your car, please hand over the complete vehicle
documentation to the new owener. Please note that the documents
relating to the possibility of deactivating the front passenger
airbag are also part of the vehicle documents!
•If the vehicle or individual parts of the airbag system are
scrapped, it is essential to observe the relevant safety precautions.
Škoda dealers are familiar with these regulations.
•When disposing of vehicle or parts of the airbag system, it is
important to comply with the national legal requirements.

Airbag system123
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Function of the front airbags
Risk of injury to the head and chest area is reduced by fully
inflated airbags.
The airbag system is designed in such a way that the driver and the front
passenger airbag* are deployed in the event of a frontal collision of major
severity.
It is also possible under certain special accident situations that the front
as well as the side airbags are deployed.
If the airbags are deployed, the airbags are filled with a propellant gas and
inflated in front of the driver and front passenger ⇒fig. 101. The airbags
inflate in fractions of a second and at a high speed in order to be able to
offer that additional protection in the event of an accident. The forward
movement of the driver and of the front passenger is cushioned when they
make contact with the fully inflated airbag and the risk of injury to head and
chest is thus reduced. The specially developed airbag allows the gas to flow out of the inflated
airbag in a controlled manner under the load of the vehicle occupant's
body in order to cushion the head and chest areas. The airbag then
deflates subsequently to such an extent, after an accident, to again
provide a clear view forward.
A fine dust is produced when airbag inflated. This is perfectly normal and
is not an indication of a fire in the vehicle.
The airbag develops enormous forces when triggered, which can lead to
injuries if the sitting position or seated position is not correct
⇒ in
“Important safety information regarding the front airbag system”.
Important safety information regarding the front
airbag system
Correct use of the airbag system considerably reduces the
risk of injury!
Fig. 101 Deployed
airbags
Fig. 102 Safe distance
to steering wheel