tow bar SKODA FABIA 2003 1.G / 6Y Owner's Manual

Seats and Stowage
76
Removing and installing net partition housing
Removing
– Fold the front seats forwards ⇒page 67.
– Open the right rear door.
– Push the net partition housing ⇒fig. 61 in the direction of
arrow and take it out of the mounts of the rear seat back-
rests in the direction of the arrow .
Installing
– Position the net partition housing into the mounts of the seat backrest.
– Push the net partition housing in the opposite direction of arrow as far as the stop.
– Fold the rear seats back into its original position.
The roof luggage rack system*
Description
Pay attention to the following points if you wish to transport luggage or
other items on the roof of your vehicle:
•A special roof luggage rack system was developed for the vehicle.
That is why you should only use one of the roof luggage rack which has
been released for use by Škoda Auto.
•The base carrier is the basis for a complete roof luggage rack system.
Separate additional holders are required for safety reasons for trans-
porting luggage, bikes, surfboards, skis and boats.
•The basic version of the roof luggage rack system and further compo-
nents are obtainable as accessories from Škoda dealers.
•The base carrier is fixed to the roof of the vehicle using special fixtures
which are located under the roof strip.
Caution
•If you use other roof rack systems or if the roof bars are not properly
fitted, then any damage which may result to your car is not covered by the
warranty agreements. It is therefore essential to pay attention to the fitting
instructions supplied with the roof luggage rack system.
•On models fitted with a power sliding/tilting roof, ensure that the
opened sliding/tilting roof does not strike any items of luggage transported
on the roof.
•Ensure that the opened tailgate does not collide with the roof load.
For the sake of the environment
The increased aerodynamic drag results in a higher fuel consumption.
One should therefore take off the roof bar system after use.
Fig. 61 Rear seats: Net
partition housing
AB
A1
A2
A1

Seats and Stowage77
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Note
A roof rail is obtainable from a Škoda dealer if hasn't been fitted onto an
estate car at the works.
Attachment points
Fitting
– Remove the plastic caps ⇒fig. 62 carefully using a plastic
auxiliary tool to avoid paint damage.
– The feet are inserted into the openings of the roof bars. Assembly is described by the manufacturer of the roof
luggage rack system. Note
•The figure is not valid for an estate car.
•If you have any questions, please contact a Škoda dealer.
Roof load
Distribute weight evenly over the roof luggage rack system. The maximum
permissible roof load (including roof rack system) of
75 kg and the
maximum permissible total weight of the vehicle should not be exceeded.
You cannot make full use of the permissible roof load if you use a roof
luggage rack system with a lower load carrying capacity. The load trans-
ported on the roof luggage rack system must not exceed the weight limit
which is stated in the fitting instructions.
Fig. 62 Attachment
points for roof bars
WARNING
•The items which you transport on the roof bar system must be
reliably attached - risk of accident!
•You must on no account exceed the permissible roof load, the
permissible axle loads and the permissible gross weight of your
vehicle - risk of accident!
•Please note that the handling properties of your vehicle change
when you transport heavy or bulky items on the roof bar system as
a result of the displacement of the centre of gravity and the
increased wind attack area - risk of accident! You must absolutely
adapt your style of driving and the speed of the vehicle to the
specific circumstances.

Starting-off and Driving
100
Parking aid*
The parking aid provides a warning of obstacles behind
the vehicle.
The audible parking aid determines the distance between the rear bumper
and an obstacle located behind the vehicle with the aid of ultrasound
sensors. The sensors are integrated in the rear bumper.
The parking aid is activated automatically when reverse gear is engaged
and the ignition is turned on. This is confirmed by a brief signal.
The clearance warning begins at a distance of about 160 cm from the
obstacle. The interval between the warning signals becomes shorter as
the clearance is reduced.
A continuous tone sounds from a clearance of just 30 cm - danger area.
You should not reverse any further after this signal sounds.
Note
•The parking aid does not operate if you are towing a trailer (applies to
models which feature a factory-fitted towing device*).
•A system fault is indicated if a warning signal sounds for about 5
seconds after switching the ignition on and engaging reverse gear and there is no obstacle close to your vehicle. Have the fault rectified by a
Škoda dealer.
•The sensors must be kept clean and free of ice to enable the parking
aid to operate properly.
Cruise control system (CCS)*
Introduction
The cruise control system makes it possible for the driver to maintain a
constant speed of his choosing from a speed of 30 km/h or higher. This,
of course, is only possible within the range which is permitted by the
power output and braking power of the engine. Using the cruise control
system - particularly on long journeys - makes it possible for you to rest
your “accelerator foot”.
Caution
Models fitted with a manual gearbox: Always depress the clutch pedal if
you switch on the cruise control system when the gearbox is in Neutral.
The engine will rev up and may even be damaged under certain circum-
stances.
WARNING
•The parking aid is not a substitute for the driver paying proper
attention. It is always the driver's responsibility to take care when
parking the vehicle or carrying out similar manoeuvres.
•You should therefore satisfy yourself, before reversing, that
there is no small obstacle, such as a rock, thin post, trailer drawbar
etc., behind your vehicle. Such an obstacle might not be within the
range detected by the sensors.
WARNING
The cruise control system must not, for safety reasons, be used in
dense traffic or on unfavourable road surfaces (such as icy roads,
slippery roads or loose chippings) - risk of accident!

Towing a trailer155
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Towing a trailer
Towing a trailer
Technical requirements
The towing device must satisfy certain technical require-
ments.
Your vehicle is designed primarily for transporting persons and luggage.
It can, however, also be used for towing a trailer, provided certain tech-
nical equipment is fitted.
If your vehicle has already been supplied with a factory-fitted towing
device then everything that is necessary for towing a trailer in technical
terms, and in terms of the law, has already been taken into account.
Your vehicle is fitted with a 13-pin power socket for the electrical connec-
tion between the vehicle and trailer. If the trailer which you wish to tow has
a 7-pin connector , you can use a suitable adapter cable.You can obtain
such an adapter from a Škoda dealer.
This work must be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's
specifications if a towing device is retrofitted.
Škoda dealers are familiar with details relating to retrofitting a towing
device and for any necessary modifications to the cooling system.
General Maintenance
There are a number of points to pay attention to when
towing a trailer.
Trailer load
The permissible trailer load must on no account be exceeded.
You can negotiate appropriately steeper inclines and descents if you do
not make full use of the permissible trailer load.
The trailer loads specified only apply for altitudes up to 1 000 metres
above mean sea level. The fact that the engine power output drops with
increasing height due to a lowering of air pressure and thus the ability to
climb, means that the towed weight must be reduced by 10% for every
further increase of 1 000 metres in height above sea level. One should
take this into account before driving up to higher altitudes. The towed
weight is the weight of the (laden) vehicle and the (laden) trailer together.
The trailer and drawbar load information on the type plate of the
towing device are merely test data for the towing device The data
relating to your vehicle, which is often less than this test data, can
be found in your vehicle registration documents or in the brochure -
Technical Data .
Distribution of the load
Distribute the load in the trailer in such a way that any heavy items are
located as close as possible to the axle. Secure the items to prevent them
slipping.
You can make full use of the permissible drawbar load indicated on the
ball head of the towing device, but you must not exceed this.
WARNING
We recommend that you have the towing device installed by a
Škoda dealer. He is familiar with all the relevant details relating to
retrofitting such equipment. There is a risk of an accident if the
towing device is not properly fitted.

Breakdown assistance205
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Tow-starting and towing vehicle
General
Please pay attention to the following instructions if you are going
to use a tow rope:
Driver of the towing vehicle
– Do not drive off until the tow rope is taught.
– Release the clutch particularly gently when starting off or
depress the accelerator particularly gently if your vehicle is
fitted with an automatic gearbox.
Driver of the towed vehicle
– Switch the ignition on so that the steering wheel is not blocked and you can also operate the turn signal lights, the headlight
flasher, the windscreen wipers and windscreen washer
system.
– Take the vehicle out of gear or move the selector lever into position N if your vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.
– Note that the brake servo unit and power steering only operate if the engine is running. You will require significantly greater
physical force to depress the brake pedal and to steer the
vehicle if the engine is not running.
– Ensure that the tow rope is always kept taught.
Tow rope or tow bar
A tow bar is safest way of towing a vehicle and also minimizes any
shocks. You can use a tow rope only if a suitable tow bar is not available.
The tow rope must be elastic to protect the vehicle. Thus one should only
use plastic fibre rope or a rope made out of a similarly elastic material.
Only attach the tow rope to the towing eyes provided for this purpose
⇒ page 206, “Front towing eye” and ⇒page 207, “Rear towing eye”.
Driving style
Towing another vehicle requires a certain amount of practice. Both drivers
should be familiar with the particular points about towing a vehicle.
Unskilled drivers should not attempt to tow-start or tow in another vehicle.
One should be constantly vigilant not to allow impermissibly high towing
forces or jerky loadings. There is always a risk of excessive stresses and
damage resulting at the points to which you attach the tow rope or tow bar
when you attempt to tow a vehicle which is not standing on a paved road.
Caution
If the gearbox of your vehicle no longer contains any oil because of a
defect, your vehicle must only be towed in with the driven wheels raised
clear of the ground, or on a special vehicle transporter or trailer.
Note
•Please comply with any legal requirements particularly regarding the
switched on signal systems, when towing in or tow-starting another
vehicle.
•The tow rope must not be twisted as it may in certain circumstances
result in the front towing eye being unscrewed out of your vehicle.

Breakdown assistance
208
The car can be towed in with a tow bar or a tow rope or with the front or
rear wheels raised. The maximum towing speed is 50 km/h.
Towing of a vehicle with an automatic gearbox
Please refer to the notes ⇒page 205.
The car can be towed in with a tow bar or a tow rope. Refer at the same
time to the following guidelines:
•Move selector lever into N .
•The maximum towing speed is 50 km/h.
•The maximum permissible towing distance is 50 km. The gear oil
pump does not operate when the engine is not running and the gear would
not be adequately lubricated at higher speeds and over longer towing
distance.
If the vehicle is towed in by a recovery vehicle, the vehicle should only be
towed in with the front wheels raised. The drive shafts drive the front
wheels. The drive shafts will rotate backwards when the vehicle is raised
at the rear - that is it runs backwards. Here the planetary gears in the auto-
matic gearbox will rotate at such a high speed that the gearbox will suffer
severe damage within a short time.
Note
The vehicle must be transported on a special vehicle or trailer if it is not
possible to tow in the vehicle in the way described or if the towing distance
is greater than 50 km.