traction control SKODA FABIA 2011 2.G / 5J Owner's Manual



Engine oil ⇒ 
page 23  Open door ⇒ page 24
 Fluid level in windshield washer system ⇒ page 24
 Control system for exhaust ⇒ page 24
 Switch off traction control system (TCS) ⇒ page 24
 Tyre pressure monitoring system ⇒ page 24
 Selector lever lock ⇒ 
page 25  Traction control system (TCS) ⇒ 
page 25  Electronic stability programme (ESP) ⇒ 
page 25  Antilock brake system (ABS) ⇒ 
page 25  Brake system ⇒ 
page 26  Handbrake ⇒ 
page 26  Speed regulating system ⇒ 
page 26  Airbag system ⇒ 
page 26  Diesel particle filter (diesel engine) ⇒ page 27
 Seat belt warning light ⇒ page 27 WARNING
● If you do not pay attention to the warning lights coming on and the corre-
sponding descriptions and warning notes, this may result in severe injuries or
major vehicle damage.
● The engine compartment of your car is a hazardous area. There is a risk of
injuries, scalding, accidents and fire when working in the engine compart-
ment, e.g. inspecting and replenishing oil and other fluids. It is also essential
to observe all warnings ⇒ page
153, Working in the engine compartment. Note
● Arrangement of the indicator lights depends on the model and model version.
● Operational faults are shown in the instrument cluster as red symbols (priority
1 - danger) or yellow symbols (priority 2 - warning). 
Turn signal system   Either the left
 or right
 indicator light flashes depending on the position of the
turn signal lever.
The indicator light flashes at twice its normal rate if a turn signal light fails.
Switching off the hazard warning light system is switched on will cause all of the
turn signal lights as well as both indicator lights to flash.
Further information about the turn signal system ⇒ page 45. 
Main beam  The indicator light
 comes on when the main beam is selected or also when the
headlight flasher is operated.
Further information about the main beam ⇒ page 45. 
Low beam  The indicator light
 comes on when low beam is selected
⇒ page 41. 
Rear fog light  The warning light
 comes on when the rear fog lights are operating
⇒ page 43.  21
Instruments and warning lights Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

WARNING
● When the warning light  lights up, immediately reduce the speed and
avoid sudden steering and brake manoeuvres. Please stop the vehicle without
delay at the nearest possible stop and inspect the tyres and their inflation
pressures.
● Under certain circumstances (e.g. sporty style of driving, wintry or unpaved
roads) the warning light  can be delayed or does not light up at all.Note
If the battery has been disconnected, the warning light  comes on after switch-
ing on the ignition. The warning light must go out after driving a short distance. 
Selector lever lock (automatic gearbox)If the
green warning light
 lights up, operate the brake pedal. This is necessary,
in order to be able to move the selector lever out of the position P or N.
Further information about the selector lever lock ⇒ page 94.
Traction control system (TCS) The warning light
 comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
The warning light comes on when driving when a control cycle is activated.
The warning light  lights up permanently if there is a fault in the TCS system.
The fact that the TCS system operates together with the ABS means that the TCS
warning light will also come on if the ABS system is not operating properly.
If the warning light  comes on immediately after starting the engine, the TCS
system can be switched off for technical reasons. In this case, the TCS system can
be switched on again by switching the ignition on and off. If the warning light
goes out, the TCS system is fully functional again.
Further information about the TCS ⇒ page 129, Traction control system (TCS)
.Note
If the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, the warning light  comes
on after switching on the ignition. The warning light must go out after driving a
short distance. Electronic stability programme (ESP)
 The warning light
 comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
If the ESP helps to stabilise the vehicle (for example when applying and releasing
a braking force to an individual wheel), then the indicator light  flashes.
The warning light  lights up permanently if there is a fault in the ESP system.
The fact that the ESP system operates together with the ABS means that the ESP
warning light will also come on if the ABS system is not operating properly.
If the warning light  comes on immediately after starting the engine, the ESP
system can be switched off for technical reasons. In this case, the ESP system can
be switched on again by switching the ignition on and off. If the warning light
goes out, the ESP system is fully functional again.
Further information on the ESP ⇒ page 128,
Electronic stability programme (ESP). Note
If the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, the warning light  comes
on after switching on the ignition. The warning light must go out after driving a
short distance. 
Antilock brake system (ABS)  The warning light
 shows the functionality of the ABS.
The warning light comes on for a few seconds after the ignition has been switch-
ed on or when starting the engine. The warning light goes out after an automatic
check sequence has been completed.
A fault in the ABS
The system is not functioning properly if the ABS warning light  does not go out
within a few seconds after switching on the ignition, does not light up at all or
lights up while driving. The vehicle will only be braked by the normal brake sys-
tem. Visit a specialist garage immediately and adjust your style of driving appropri-
ately as you will not know how great the damage is.
Further information about ABS ⇒ page 131, Antilock brake system (ABS) .
A fault in the entire brake system
If the ABS warning light  comes on together with the brake system warning
light , there is a fault not only in the ABS but also in another part of the brake
system ⇒

  .
£ 25
Instruments and warning lights Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Driving Tips
Intelligent Technology Electronic stability programme (ESP)
General General
The ESP aids you in maintaining control of your vehicle in situations in which the
vehicle is driving at its dynamic limits, such as entering a curve fast. The risk of
skidding is reduced and your car thus offers greater driving stability depending on
the conditions of the road surface. The system operates at all speeds.
The following systems are integrated into the electronic stability programme:
●
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL),
● Traction control system (TCS),
● Antilock brake system (ABS),
● Brake Assist,
● Uphill Start Assist.
Operating principle
The ESP switches on automatically when the engine is started and then conducts
a self-test. The ESP control unit processes data from the individual systems. It al-
so processes additional measurement data which are supplied by highly sensitive
sensors: the rotational velocity of the vehicle about its vertical axis, the lateral ac-
celeration of the vehicle, the braking pressure and the steering angle.
The direction which the driver wishes to take is determined based on the steering
angle and the speed of the vehicle and is constantly compared with the actual be-
haviour of the vehicle. If differences exist, such as the car beginning to skid, the
ESP will automatically brake the appropriate wheel.
The car is stabilised again by the forces which take effect when the wheel is
braked. Intervention into the brake system takes place primarily on the outer front
wheel of a vehicle which tends to oversteer (tendency for the rear of the vehicle
to break away) while occurs this is on the inner rear wheel of a vehicle which
tends to understeer (tendency to shift out of the curve). This braking control cycle
is accompanied by noises. During an intervention of the system, the warning light
 flashes quickly in the
instrument cluster.
The ESP system cannot be switched off, only the TCS system can be switched off
by pressing the button ⇒ fig. 118 . The warning light 
⇒ page 24 lights up if the
TCS system is switched off.
The warning light  lights up permanently if there is a fault in the ESP system.
The fact that the ESP system operates together with the ABS means that the ESP
warning light will also come on if the ABS system is not operating properly.
If the warning light  comes on immediately after starting the engine, the ESP
system can be switched off for technical reasons. In this case, the ESP system can
be switched on again by switching the ignition on and off. If the warning light
goes out, the ESP system is fully functional again. WARNING
It is also not possible for the ESP to overcome the physical limits of the vehi-
cle. Even if a vehicle fitted with ESP you should still always adapt your style of
driving to the condition of the road surface and the traffic situation. This par-
ticularly applies when driving on slippery and wet roads. The increased safety
offered must not tempt you to take greater risks than otherwise - risk of an
accident! Note
● All four wheels must be fitted with the same tyres in order to achieve prob-
lem-free operation of the ESP. Differing rolling circumferences of the tyres can
lead to an undesirable reduction in the engine output.
● Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or another combi-
nation of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the ESP ⇒ page 169,
Accessories, changes and replacement of parts

.128
Intelligent Technology

Electronic Differential Lock (EDL and XDL)
The electronic differential lock prevents an individual wheel from
slipping.
Models fitted with ESP are equipped with electronic differential lock (EDL).
General
The EDL makes it much easier, and sometimes at all possible, to start off, acceler-
ate and climb a steep hill when the conditions of the road surface are unfavoura-
ble.
Operating principle
The EDL is activated automatically, that is without any action on the part of the
driver. It monitors the speeds of the driven wheels with the aid of the ABS sen-
sors. Should only
one drive wheel begin spinning on a slippery surface there will
be an appreciable difference in the speed of the driven wheels. The EDL function
brakes the slipping wheel and the differential transmits a greater driving force to
the other driven wheel. This control process is also accompanied by noises.
Overheating of the brakes
The EDL switches off automatically if unusually severe stresses exist in order to
avoid excessive heat generation in the disc brake on the wheel which is being
braked. The vehicle can continue to be driven and has the same characteristics as
a vehicle not fitted with EDL.
The EDL switches on again automatically as soon as the brake has cooled down.
XDL function (Fabia RS and Fabia Combi RS only)
The XDL function is an extension to the electronic differential lock. The XDL func-
tion does not respond to traction, but to the relief of the inner front wheel during
fast cornering. An active brake intervention on the brake of the inner wheel pre-
vents it from spinning. Thus, the traction is improved and the vehicle continues to
follow the desired track. WARNING
● Depress the accelerator carefully when accelerating on uniformly slippery
road surfaces, such as ice and snow. The driven wheels might still spin despite
the EDL and affect the stability of the vehicle - risk of an accident!
● You should always adapt your style of driving to the condition of road sur-
face and to the traffic situation even when your vehicle is fitted with EDL. The
increased safety offered must not tempt you to take greater risks than other-
wise - risk of an accident! Note
● If the ABS or ASR or, where applicable, ESP indicator light lights up, the EDl
may have a fault. Have the vehicle inspected by your specialist garage as soon as
you can.
● Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or another combi-
nation of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the EDL ⇒
 page 169
,
Accessories, changes and replacement of parts. 
Traction control system (TCS) The traction control system prevents the driven wheels from spin-
ning when accelerating.
Fig. 118 TCS switch
General
The TCS makes it much easier, and sometimes at all possible, to start off, acceler-
ate and climb a steep hill when the conditions of the road surface are unfavoura-
ble. £ 129
Intelligent Technology Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

You can fit winter tyres of a lower speed category to your vehicle provided that
you also do not drive faster than the permissible maximum speed for such tyres,
even if the possible maximum speed of your vehicle is higher. The corresponding
tyre category can damage the tyres when exceeding the permissible maximum
speed.
Please pay attention to the notes if you decide to fit winter tyres
⇒ page 164.
You can also fit so-called
“all-year tyres” instead of winter tyres.
Please contact your specialist garage if there are any points which are not clear
who will be able to provide you with information regarding the maximum speed
for your tyres. WARNING
You must on no account drive your car at more than the permissible maximum
speed for your winter tyres - risk of an accident resulting from tyre damage
and loss of control over your car. For the sake of the environment
Fit your summer tyres on again in good time since summer tyres offer you better
grip and handling on roads which are free of snow and ice as well as ar tempera-
tures below 7 °C - the braking distance is shorter, there is less tyre noise, tyre
wear is reduced and fuel consumption is reduced. Note
Please observe the various differing legal requirements regarding tyres. 
Unidirectional tyres The direction of rotation of the tyres is marked by arrows on the wall of the tyre
.
This indicates the direction of rotation of the tyre, and it is essential that the tyres
are fitted on to run in this direction. Only then are the tyres able to provide the
optimal properties in terms of grip, low noise, wear-and-tear and aquaplaning.
Should it be necessary to fit on a spare wheel in exceptional cases with a tyre not
dedicated to the running direction or in opposite running direction, please adopt a
cautious style of driving as the tyre is no longer able to provide optimal grip and
handling in such a situation. This particularly important on wet roads. Please refer
to the additional instructions ⇒ page 171,
Spare wheel.
You should have the defective tyre replaced as soon as possible and restore the
correct direction of rotation on all tyres Snow chains Snow chains must only be mounted on the front wheels.
When driving on wintry roads, snow chains improve not only traction, but also the
braking performance.
For technical reasons, it is only permissible to fit snow chains with the following
wheel/tyre combinations.
Wheel size Depth (D) Tyre size
5J x 14 35 mm 165/70
6J x 14 37 mm 185/60
6J x 15 43 mm 185/55
Only fit snow chains with links and locks not larger than
12 mm.
Remove the full wheel trims before installing the snow chains.
Observe the different national legal regulations relating to the use of snow chains
and the maximum vehicle speed with snow chains. WARNING
Please pay attention to the information in the supplied fitting instructions of
the snow chain manufacturer. CAUTION
You must take the chains off as soon as you drive on roads which are free of
snow. They adversely affect the handling of your vehicle, damage the tyres and
are rapidly destroyed. Note
We recommend that you use snow chains from ŠKODA Original Accessories. 168
Wheels and Tyres

Paint damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Parking
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Parking aid
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Parking light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Parking ticket holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Passive Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Payload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Pedals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56, 85
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Petrol engines Starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Polishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Power socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Power steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Power windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Operational faults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
R
Radiator fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Rear-view mirror Interior mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Rear fog light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Rear mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Rear window heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Recharge battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Recommendation for changing gears . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Synchronisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Removing the seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Replacement of parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Replacing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Replacing fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 Replacing the wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Roof aerial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Roof luggage rack system
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Running in the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
S Safe securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Safety information Engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Saving electrical energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Seat belt height adjuster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
fastening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Height adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Safety information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
taking off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Seat belt warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Selector lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Selector lever-emergency unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Selector lever lock Indicator light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Selector lever positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Service reminder indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Setting temperature Air conditioning system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Setting the clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Shifting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Side airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Side lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Spare wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Stability system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Start-stop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
83
Diesel engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Petrol engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Steering force assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Storage compartment Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Storage facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Sun visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Switching off the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Switch off Anti-spin regulation (ASR) Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Systems Start-stop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
T
Tailgate Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Taking care of your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
TCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Telephone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Temperature outside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
The first 1 500 kilometres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Tiptronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Top Tether . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Tourist light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Towing eye front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Towing protection monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Traction control system (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 211
Index Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data