Skoda Fabia: Warning lights

Skoda Fabia Owners Manual

The warning lights show certain functions/faults and may be accompanied by audible signals.

WARNING

• If illuminated warning lights and the corresponding descriptions and warning notes are not observed, 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 compartment, e.g. inspecting and replenishing oil and other fluids. It is essential to observe safety notes » page 139, Engine compartment.

Handbrake

The warning light  comes on if the handbrake is applied. An audible warning
is also given if you drive the vehicle for at least 3 seconds at a speed of more than 6 km/h.

The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.

Release parking brake!

Brake
system

The indicator light comes on if
the brake fluid level in the braking system is too low or there is a fault in the ABS.

The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.

Brake
fluid: Log book!

Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and check the level of the brake fluid » page 146.

Further information » page 103, Brakes.

WARNING

• If you have to stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe distance from the traffic, switch off the engine and activate the hazard warning light system » page 60
• The following guidelines should be observed when opening the bonnet and checking the brake fluid level » page 139, Engine compartment
• If the warning light  is displayed
  simultaneously with warning light  »
  page 38,  Antilock brake system (ABS),
  do not continue your
  journey! Seek help from a specialist garage.
• A fault to the ABS system or the braking system can increase the vehicle's braking distance – there is a risk of accident.

Seat belt
warning light

The  indicator
light comes on after the ignition is switched on as a reminder for the driver and front passenger to fasten their seat belt. The indicator light only goes out once the driver and front passenger have fastened their seat belt.

A steady warning signal sounds at vehicle speeds greater than 20 km/h and the  flashes
if the driver and front passenger have not fastened their seat belts.

The warning signal is switched off and the  indicator
light is permanently lit if the driver and front passenger have not fastened their seat belts within the next 90 seconds.

Generator

If the warning light lights up  when the engine is running, the vehicle battery
is not being charged.

Seek help from a specialist garage. The electrical system requires checking.

WARNING

If you have to stop for technical reasons, park the vehicle at a safe distance from the traffic, switch off the engine and switch on the hazard warning lights system » page 60.

CAUTION

Do
not continue driving if the warning
light (coolant system fault) lights up in addition to the warning light
while you are driving. Stop the engine - there is a risk of engine damage.

Door open

The warning light comes on if
one or several doors are opened or if the boot lid is opened.

The warning light comes on even when the ignition is switched off. The warning light lights up for a maximum of 5 minutes.

WARNING

If you have to stop for technical reasons, park the vehicle at a safe distance from the traffic, switch off the engine and switch on the hazard warning lights system » page 60.

Engine oil

The warning light  lights up red (low oil pressure)
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.

Oil
pressure: Engine off! Log book!

The warning light  comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched
on1).

Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and check the engine oil level » page 143.

Even if the oil level is correct, do not drive any further if the warning light is
flashing. Also do not leave the engine running at an idling speed.

Seek help from a specialist garage.

The warning light  lights up yellow (oil quantity too low)
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.

Check oil
level!

Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and check the engine oil level » page 143.

An audible signal sounds as a warning signal.

The warning light will go out if the bonnet is left open for more than 30 seconds.

If no engine oil has been replenished, the warning light will come on again after driving about 100 km.

The warning light  flashes yellow (engine oil level sensor faulty)
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.

Oil sensor workshop! If the engine oil level sensor is faulty, the warning light flashes  several
times and an audible signal sounds when the ignition is turned on.

Seek help from a specialist garage.

Oil sensor
workshop!

If the engine oil level sensor is faulty, the warning light flashes    several
times and an audible signal sounds when the ignition is turned on.

Seek help from a specialist garage.

WARNING

If you have to stop for technical reasons, park the vehicle at a safe distance from the traffic, switch off the engine and switch on the hazard warning lights system » page 60.

CAUTION

The red oil pressure light  is not an oil level indicator! One should therefore
check the oil level at regular intervals, preferably after every refuelling stop.

Coolant

The indicator light lights up
until the engine reaches operating temperature2).

Avoid high speeds, full throttle and high engine loads.

If the warning light lights up or
flashes, either the coolant temperature is too high or the coolant level is too low.

An audible signal sounds as a warning tone.

The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.

Check engine coolant! Log book!

Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, check the level of the coolant » page 145, and refill the coolant if necessary » page 145.

If the coolant is within the specified range, the increased temperature may be caused by an operating problem at the radiator fan. Check the fuse for the radiator fan, replace if necessary » page 169, Fuses in the engine compartment.

Do not continue driving if the warning light does not go off even though
the coolant level is correct and the fuse for the fan is in working order! Seek help from a specialist garage.

WARNING

If you have to stop for technical reasons, park the vehicle at a safe distance from the traffic, switch off the engine and activate the hazard warning light system » page 60.

Carefully open the coolant expansion bottle. If the engine is hot, the cooling system is pressurized - risk of scalding! It is therefore best to allow the engine to cool down before removing the cap.

Do not touch the radiator fan. The radiator fan may switch itself on automatically even if the ignition is off.

CAUTION

• Additional headlights and other attached components in front of the air inlet impair the cooling efficiency of the coolant.
• Never cover the radiator - there is a risk of the engine overheating.

Power
steering

The warning light comes on for a
few seconds when the ignition is switched on.

If the warning light after switching on the ignition or when driving lights up continuously, a fault exists in the electrohydraulic power steering. The power steering operates with reduced steering assist or does not function at all.

Seek help from a specialist garage.

Note

• If the yellow warning light goes out after the engine is
  restarted and a short drive, it is not necessary to visit a specialist garage.
• If the vehicle battery has been disconnected and reconnected, the yellow warning light  comes on after switching on the ignition. The warning light
  should go out after driving a short distance.
• There is no power-assisted steering support when the vehicle is being towed without the engine running or when the power-assisted steering is defect.

  The vehicle is fully steerable however. There is however increased force required to turn the steering wheel.

Electronic
Stability Control (ESC)

The warning light flashes  to show that the ESC is currently operating.

If the warning light  comes on immediately after you start the engine, the
ESC might be switched off due to technical reasons. Switch the ignition off and on again. The ESC is fully functional again if the  warning
light does not light up after you switch the engine back on.

There is a fault in the ESC system if the  warning
light lights up.

The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.

Error: Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Seek help from a specialist garage.

The ESC system cannot be turned off, the » page 116 button only switches
the TCS off, the  warning light in the instrument cluster lights up.

As the ESC operates in conjunction with the ABS, the ESP indicator light will also come on if the ABS system fails.

Further information » page 115, Stabilisation control (ESC).

Note

The warning light comes on
after the ignition is switched on if the vehicle's battery has been disconnected and reconnected. The warning light should go out after the vehicle has driven a short distance.

Traction
Control System (ASR)

The warning light flashes  to show that the ASR is currently operating.

If the warning light comes on
immediately after starting the engine, the ASR can be switched off for technical reasons. Switch the ignition off and on again.

The TCS is fully functional again if the warning light does not light up
after you switch the engine back on.

If the warning light lights up,
there is a fault in the ASR.

The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.

Error: Traction control (ASR)

Seek help from a specialist garage.

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.

Further information » page 116, Traction Control System (ASR).

Note

The warning light comes on
after the ignition is switched on if the vehicle's battery has been disconnected and reconnected. The warning light should go out after the vehicle has driven a short distance.

Antilock
brake system (ABS)

If the warning light lights up,
there is a fault in the ABS.

The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.

Error: ABS

The vehicle will only be braked by the normal brake system without the ABS.

Seek help from a specialist garage.

WARNING

• If you have to stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe distance from the traffic, switch off the engine and activate the hazard warning light system » page 60.
• If the warning light » page 36 is displayed
  simultaneously with the ABS warning light do not continue
  your journey! Seek help from a specialist garage.
• A fault to the ABS system or the braking system can increase the vehicle's braking distance – there is a risk of accident.

The rear
fog light

The warning light  comes on when the rear fog lights are operating
» page 59.

Bulb
failure

The warning light comes on if a
bulb is faulty:

• within a few seconds of the ignition being switched on;
• when a light with a defective bulb is switched on.

The following message may be shown in the MAXI DOT display, for example.

INFORMATION Check front right low beam!

Note

The rear side lights and the licence plate lighting have several light bulbs. The indicator light only lights up if
all light bulbs of the licence plate lighting or the parking light (in one rear light) are defective. For this reason, regular check that these light bulbs are working correctly.

Exhaust
inspection system

If the warning light   lights up, there is a fault in the exhaust inspection system.

The engine control unit allows the vehicle to run in emergency mode.

Seek help from a specialist garage.

Glow plug
system (diesel engine)

The warning light comes on after
the ignition has been switched on. The engine can be started immediately after the pre-glow warning light goes out.

There is a fault in the glow plug system if the warning light does not come
on at all or lights up continuously.

If the warning light begins to
flash while driving, a fault exists in the engine control. The engine control unit allows the vehicle to run in emergency mode.

Seek help from a specialist garage.

EPC fault
light (petrol engine)

If the warning light   comes on or begins to flash
while driving, a fault exists in the engine control unit. The engine control unit allows the vehicle to run in emergency mode.

Seek help from a specialist garage.

Diesel
particulate filter (diesel engine)

The diesel particulate filter separates the soot particles from the exhaust. The soot particles collect in the diesel particulate filter where they are burnt on a regular basis.

The   warning light comes on if
soot has accumulated in the filter.

In order to clean the filter, and where traffic conditions permit » , the vehicle should be driven for at least 15 minutes or until the warning light goes out with the 4th or 5th gear (automatic gearbox: in position S) engaged at a speed of at least 60 km/h with engine revolutions of between 1,800 - 2,000 per minute.

The   warning light only goes
out once the diesel particulate filter has been successfully cleaned.

If the filter is not properly cleaned, the warning light   does not go out and
the warning light   begins to
flash.

The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.

Diesel
particulate filter: Log book!

The engine control unit allows the vehicle to run in emergency mode. After switching the ignition off and on again the indicator light, the indicator light  also lights up.

Seek help from a specialist garage.

WARNING

• The diesel particulate filter reaches very high temperatures - there is a fire hazard and serious injury could be caused. Therefore, never stop the vehicle at places where the underside of your vehicle can come into contact with flammable materials such as dry grass, undergrowth, leaves, spilled fuel or such like.
• Always adjust your speed to suit weather, road, region and traffic conditions.

  The recommendations indicated by the warning light must not tempt you to disregard the national regulations for road traffic.

CAUTION

As long as the warning light   lights up, one must take into
account an increased fuel consumption and in certain circumstances a power reduction of the engine.

Note

• We recommend avoiding regularly driving short distances to assist the combustion process of the soot particles in the filter.
• Using diesel fuel with an increased sulphur content can considerably reduce the service life of the filter. A ŠKODA Service Partner will be able to tell you which countries use diesel fuel with a high sulphur content.
• If the engine is turned off during the filter cleaning process or shortly afterwards, the cooling fan may turn on automatically for a few minutes.

Fuel
reserve

The indicator light  will come on if the fuel level is less than 7 litres.

An audible signal sounds as a warning signal.

The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.

Please refuel. Range: ... km

Note

The text in the MAXI DOT display only goes out after the vehicle has been refuelled and driven a short distance.

Airbag
system

If the warning light  lights up, there is a fault in the airbag system.

The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.

Error: Airbag

The operational capability of the airbag system is monitored electronically, even if one of the airbags is switched off.

If a front, side or head airbag or belt tensioner has been switched off using the vehicle system tester:

• The warning light comes on
  for around 4 seconds after the ignition is switched on and then flashes for approximately another 12 seconds at 2 second intervals.

The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.

Airbag/belt tensioner deactivated.

If the front passenger's front airbag was switched off using the key-operated switch on the side of the dash panel on the passenger side:

• The warning light comes on for around 4 seconds after the ignition has
  been switched on.
• switching off the airbag is indicated in the middle of the dash panel by the lighting up of the yellow indicator light in display
  » page 18.

WARNING

When a fault of the airbag system occurs, there is a risk of the system not being triggered in the event of an accident. Therefore, this is to be checked immediately by a specialized company.

Tyre
pressure

The warning light  
lights up, if there is a substantial drop in inflation pressure in one of the tyres. Check and adjust the pressure in all tyres.

If the indicator light  flashes, there is a fault in the tyre pressure monitoring
system. Stop the car, turn the ignition off and on again.

If the warning light  flashes again after re-starting the engine, then the help
of a professional service provider is to be sought.

Further information » page 154, Tyre pressure monitor.

WARNING

If you have to stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe distance from the traffic, switch off the engine and activate the hazard warning lights system » page 60.

Note

If the battery has been disconnected, the warning light  illuminates
after the ignition is switched on. The warning light should go out after driving a short distance.

Windscreen washer fluid level

If the windscreen washer fluid level is too low, the warning light    comes
on.

The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.

Top up wash fluid!

Top up with liquid » page 141.

Traction control (TCS) switched off

The ASR is switched off by pressing the button » page 116 and the warning light  illuminates.

The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.

Traction control (ASR) deactivated.

Turn
signal system

Either the left  or right warning
light flashes depending on the position of the turn signal lever.

If a turn signal light fails, the warning light flashes at twice its normal rate.

Switching off the hazard warning light system is switched on will cause all of the turn signal lights as well as both warning lights to flash.

Further information » page 58, Turn signal and main beam lights.

Low beam

The warning light comes on when
low beam is selected » page 56.

Fog lights

The warning light  comes on when the fog lights are operating » page 58.

Cruise
control system

The warning light  comes on when the cruise control is operating
» page 118.

Selector
lever lock

If the warning light lights up,
operate the brake pedal. This is necessary to be able to move the selector lever from position P or N » page 107.

 
Main beam

The warning light comes on when
the main beam or headlight flasher are selected » page 58.