Tow-Starting And Towing Vehicle - Skoda Fabia Owner's Manual

192 Breakdown assistance
WARNING

The non-insulated parts of the terminal clamps must never make contact
with each other. Furthermore, the cable connected to the positive terminal of
the battery must not come into contact with electrically conducting parts of the
vehicle - risk of a short circuit!

Do not affix the jump starting cables to the negative terminal of the
discharged battery. There is the risk of detonating gas seeping out the battery
being ignited by the strong spark which results from the engine being started.

A
Do not affix the cable end

Run the jump-start cables so that they cannot be caught by any rotating
parts in the engine compartment.

Do not bend over the batteries - risk of caustic burns!

The vent screws of the battery cells must be tightened firmly.

Keep any sources of ignition (naked flame, smouldering cigarettes etc.)
away from the battery - risk of an explosion!

Never jump-start the batteries which have a too low electrolyte level - risk
of explosion and caustic burns!
Jump-starting on vehicles with the "START-STOP" system
On vehicles with the "START-STOP" system, the jump-starting cable must not be
connected directly to the negative terminal of the vehicle battery, but only to the
 fig.
engine earth 158.
to parts of the fuel and brake system.
4
Fig. 158 Jump-starting - START-STOP
system

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.
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.
Attach the tow rope or the tow bar only to the towing eyes provided for this purpose
 page 193, "Front towing eye" and  page 193, "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 in another vehicle or to be towed in.