Get Driving -> Towing a trailer Guide for Skoda Fabia 4 Door Seecond Generation (2007-2013)





Error: start-stop system

ERROR START-STOP

Towing a trailer

Towing device

A system error is present. Seek help from a specialist garage.

 Introduction

This chapter contains information on the following subjects:

Description

121

122

123

Adjusting the ready position

Fitting the ball head

Check proper fitting

Removing the ball head

Use and care

If your vehicle has already been factory-fitted with towing equipment or is fit-

ted with towing equipment from ŠKODA Original Accessories, then it meets all

of the technical requirements and national legal provisions for towing a trailer.

Your vehicle is fitted with a 13-pin power socket for the electrical connection

between the vehicle and trailer. If the trailer that is to be towed has a 7-pin

connector, you can use a suitable adapter from ŠKODA Original Accessories.

The maximum trailer drawbar load is 50 kg.

WARNING

■

Check that the ball head is seated correctly and is secured in the mount-

ing recess before starting any journey.

■

Do not use the ball head if it is not correctly inserted in the mounting re-

cess.

■

Do not use the towing equipment if it is damaged or incomplete.

Do not modify or adapt the towing equipment in any way.

Never release the ball head while the trailer is still coupled.

■

CAUTION

Take care with the ball head to avoid damaging the paintwork on the bumper.

120

Driving

9

10

11

Release pin

Key

Locking ball

Description

Note

■

The tool for removing the wheel trim is part of the vehicle tool

kit » page 159 .

■

If you lose the key, please get in touch with a specialist garage.

Adjusting the ready position

Fig. 117 Remove cover cap: on the rear bumper / for the receiving shaft

Fig. 118

Ball head

Fig. 119 Setting the ready position/ready position

 Read and observe and on page 120 first.

Always adjust the ball head in the ready position before fitting.

 Read and observe and on page 120 first.

Turn the key so that its red mark

1

» Fig. 119 is visible.

›

The ball head can be removed and is kept in the spare wheel well or in a com-

partment for the spare wheel in the luggage compartment » page 159, Vehicle

tool kit.

Grip the ball head below the protective cap 2 .

Press the release pin 3 as far as the stop in the direction of the arrow - at

the same time push the lever 4 downwards as far as it will go in the direc-

tion of the arrow.

Image description » Fig. 117 and » Fig. 118

1

Tool for removing the wheel trims

Cover in the rear bumper

13-pin power socket

Cover for the mounting recess

Dust cap

Ball head

Operating lever

Lock cap

The lever remains locked in this position.

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

CAUTION

In the ready position, the key cannot be removed nor turned to a different po-

sition.

121

Towing a trailer

WARNING

Fitting the ball head

■

Carefully remove the cap for the mounting recess - there is a risk of hand

injury.

■

Keep your hands outside the lever's range of motion when attaching the

ball head – there is a risk of finger injury.

■

Never attempt to pull the operating lever upwards forcibly to turn the

key. Doing so would mean the ball head is not attached correctly.

CAUTION

■

After removing the key, always replace the cap on the lock of the operating

lever – there is a risk of dirt getting into the lock.

■

Keep the mounting recess of the towing equipment clean at all times. Such

Fig. 120 Insert the ball head/lock the lock, and put the lock cover on

 Read and observe and on page 120 first.

dirt prevents the ball head from being attached securely.

■

After removing the ball head, always place the cap on the mounting recess.

■

Remove the cover from the rear bumper with care - there is a risk of paint

damage to the bumper and the cap.

Remove the cover in the rear bumper 2 » Fig. 117 on page 121 in the direc-

tion of the arrow using the tool for removing the wheel trims.

Pull off the cover for the mounting recess 4 » Fig. 117 on page 121 in the di-

›

Note

›

Store cover 2 and cover 4 » Fig. 117 on page 121 in a suitable place in the lug-

gage compartment after removing them.

rection of the arrow »

.

Adjust the ball head to the ready position » page 121.

Grip the tow bar from underneath » Fig. 120 and insert into the mounting re-

›

Check proper fitting

cess until you hear it click into place »

Lever » Fig. 120 automatically turns upwards and the release pin 2 pops

out (its red and green parts are visible) »

If the lever does not turn automatically, or if the release pin 2 does not

.

1

Fig. 121

.

Check that the ball head is fitted

properly

1

pop out, remove the ball head from the mounting recess by turning the lever

downwards as far as it can go. Clean the tapered surfaces on the ball head and

the mounting recess.

Lock the lock on the operating lever by turning the key by 180° to the right

(see green marking 3 is visible) and remove the key in the direction of the

›

arrow.

Push cap 4 » Fig. 120 onto the lock in the direction of the arrow »

.

 Read and observe and on page 120 first.

›

Check the ball head for secure mounting » page 122.

›

Check that the ball head is fitted properly each time before use.

Check the following points.



Lever

1

is up as far as it goes » Fig. 121.

The release pin 2 is completely exposed (both its red and green parts are



visible).

122

Driving



The key is removed.

The cap 3 is on the lock of the operating lever.

The ball head does not come out of the mounting recess even after heavy

“shaking”.

Offer up the cap to the rear bumper 2 » Fig. 117 on page 121 aligning it with

“check mark” in the lower bumper area.

Push the cap in first on the left and right and then at the top.

›

WARNING

Never allow the ball head to remain unsecured in the boot. This could

cause damage in a sudden braking manoeuvre and put the safety of the oc-

cupants at risk.

WARNING

Do not use the towing equipment unless the ball head was properly locked.

Removing the ball head

CAUTION

■

If the lever is held firm and not pushed downwards as far as it can go, it will

go back up after the ball head is removed and will not latch into the ready po-

sition. The ball head then needs to be brought into this position before the

next time it is fitted.

■

Stow the ball head in the ready position with the key inserted in the box.

When doing so, make the side opposite to the inserted key face downwards –

there is a risk of damaging the key.

■

Do not use excessive force when handling the operating lever (e.g. do not

step on it).

Note

Fig. 122 Unlock the operating lever of the ball head/removing the ball

head

■

We recommend that you put the protective cap on the ball before removing

the ball head.

■

Clean any dirt from the ball head before stowing it away in the box with the

 Read and observe and on page 120 first.

vehicle tool kit.

Remove the cap

the arrow.

1

» Fig. 122 from the lock on the tow bar in the direction of

›

Use and care

Unlock the lock on the operating lever by turning the key 180° to the left so

that the red marking 2 becomes visible.

Grasp the ball head from underneath.

Press the release pin 3 as far as the stop in the direction of the arrow - at

the same time push the lever 4 downwards as far as it will go in the direc-

tion of the arrow.

 Read and observe and on page 120 first.

Close the mounting recess with the cap to prevent any ingress of dirt.

›

Always check the ball head before hitching a trailer. Apply a suitable grease

where necessary.

Fit the protective cap when stowing away the ball head to protect the luggage

compartment against dirt.

The ball head is released in this position and falls freely into the hand. If it

does not fall freely into the hand, use your other hand to push it upwards.

In the event of dirt, clean the surfaces of the mounting recess and treat with a

suitable preservative.

At the same time, the ball head latches into the ready position and is thus



ready to be re-inserted into the mounting recess »

.

Fit the cover for the mounting recess 4 » Fig. 117 on page 121 in the opposite

direction to the arrow.

›

123

Towing a trailer

The engine output falls as altitude increases, as does the ability to climb.

Therefore, for every additional 1000 m in height (or part), the maximum per-

missible towed weight must be reduced by 10 %.

CAUTION

Apply grease to the upper part of the mounting recess. Make sure you do not

remove any grease.

The towed weight comprises the actual weights of the (loaded) towing vehicle

and the (loaded) trailer.

Trailer

The trailer and drawbar load information on the type plate of the towing

equipment are merely test data for the towing equipment. The vehicle-specific

values are detailed in the vehicle documents.

 Introduction

This chapter contains information on the following subjects:

Loading a trailer

124

WARNING

Towing a trailer

Anti-theft alarm system

124

125

■

Do not exceed the maximum permissible axle and drawbar load and the

maximum permissible total or towed weight of the vehicle and the trailer –

there is the risk of an accident and serious injury.

WARNING

■

Slipping loads can significantly affect the stability and safety of the vehi-

Always drive particularly carefully with the trailer.

cle/trailer combination – there is the risk of an accident and serious injury.

Loading a trailer

Towing a trailer

 Read and observe on page 124 first.

The vehicle/trailer combination must be balanced, whereby the maximum per-

missible drawbar load must be utilised. If the drawbar load is too low, it jeop-

ardises the performance of the vehicle/trailer combination.

Exterior mirrors

You have to have additional exterior mirrors fitted if you are not able to see

the traffic behind the trailer with the standard rear-view mirrors. National legal

requirements must be observed.

Distribution of the load

Distribute the load in the trailer in such a way that heavy items are located as

close to the axle as possible. Secure the items from slipping.

Headlights

The front of the vehicle can be lifted when a trailer is being towed and the

headlights can dazzle other road users.

The distribution of the weight is very poor if your vehicle is unladen and the

trailer is laden. Maintain a particularly low speed if you cannot avoid driving

with this combination.

Adjust the headlight setting on the headlight range control » page 56, Head-

light beam adjustment.

Tyre pressure

Driving speed

Correct the tyre inflation pressure on your vehicle for a “full load” » page 151,

Tyre service life.

For safety reasons, do not drive faster than 80 km/h when towing a trailer.

Immediately reduce your speed as soon as even the slightest swaying of the

trailer is detected. Never attempt to stop the trailer from “swaying” by acceler-

ating.

Trailer load

The permissible trailer load must not be exceeded under any circumstan-

ces » page 176, Technical data.

Brakes

The trailer loads specified apply only to altitudes up to 1 000 metres above

Apply the brakes in good time! If the trailer is fitted with a trailer brake, apply

the brakes gently at first, then brake firmly. This will avoid brake jolts resulting

from the trailer wheels locking.

mean sea level.



124

Driving

On downhill sections shift down a gear in good time to also use the engine as

a brake.

Always switch off the anti-theft alarm system before a trailer is coupled or un-

coupled » page 49.

Conditions for including a trailer in the anti-theft alarm system.

Engine overheating

The speed must be reduced immediately if the needle for the coolant tempera-

ture gauge moves into the right-hand area or the red area of the scale.



The vehicle is factory-fitted with an anti-theft alarm system and towing

equipment.

Stop and switch off the engine if the warning light  in the instrument cluster

starts to flash. Wait a few minutes and check the level of coolant » page 144,

Checking the coolant level.



The trailer is electrically connected to the towing vehicle by means of the

trailer socket.

The electrical system of the vehicle and trailer is functional.

The vehicle is locked with the vehicle key and the anti-theft alarm system

is activated.



The following guidelines must be observed » page 37,   Coolant.

The coolant temperature can be reduced by switching on the heating.

Note

WARNING

For technical reasons, trailers with rear LED lights cannot be connected to the

anti-theft alarm system.

■

Adapt your speed to the conditions of the road surface and to the traffic

situation.

■

Improper or incorrectly connected electric cables can energise the trailer

and cause functional faults to the vehicle's entire electrical system as well

as accidents and severe injuries.

■

Work on the electrical system must only be carried out by specialist ga-

rages.

■

Never directly connect the trailer's electrical system with the electrical

connections for the tail lights or other current sources.

Note

■

After coupling the trailer and connecting up the power socket, check the rear

lights on the trailer to ensure they work.

■

If there is an error in the trailer lighting system, check the fuses in the fuse

box in the dashboard » page 168.

■

If you tow a trailer frequently, you should also have your car inspected be-

tween service intervals.

■

The handbrake on the towing vehicle must be applied when coupling and un-

coupling the trailer.

Anti-theft alarm system

 Read and observe on page 124 first.

When the vehicle is locked, the alarm is activated as soon as the electrical con-

nection to the trailer is interrupted.

125

Towing a trailer

Driving -> Towing a trailer for Your Skoda Fabia 4 Door Seecond Generation (2007-2013)

Related Topics

Driving

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals