DerekU

If you look in "Wheels" in the index of your Owner's Manual, you'll find a "Changing" entry, and that entry provides the following guidance. (It's worth adding that the reinforced seam on the car's underside that the jack fits on to is (as the 3rd picture shows) well inwards from the door-sill. Don't lift/jack on the door-sill, it's metal is thin gauge and won't tolerate that.) You may also find this earlier discussion useful

I asked Brenda (my pet AI) what the 'reserve' of a modern car's fuel tank meant and her reply was as follows. In modern car fuel tanks, "reserve" refers to the amount of fuel remaining in the tank after the low fuel warning light (or a similar indicator) comes on, typically around 10-15% of the tank's capacity, allowing for a short distance of driving before running out of fuel. Brenda then added further detail. Low Fuel Warning: When the fuel gauge indicates that the tank is nearly empty, a low fuel warning light or a similar indicator will usually illuminate, signaling that the fuel level has reached the "reserve" or "empty" point. Reserve Fuel: The "reserve" or "empty" point is not a separate tank, but rather the point at which the fuel pump can still draw fuel from the bottom of the tank, allowing the car to continue running for a short distance. Distance on Reserve: The distance you can drive once the fuel light comes on (or the gauge hits the "empty" mark) varies depending on the vehicle, driving conditions, and fuel efficiency, but it's generally a few tens of miles. Importance of refueling: It's important to refill the fuel tank as soon as possible after the fuel light comes on to avoid running out of fuel and potentially damaging the fuel pump. No Separate Reserve Tank: Most modern cars do not have a separate reserve tank; the fuel gauge and fuel pump are designed to ensure that there is enough fuel in the main tank to operate the engine even when the gauge shows "empty".

Let's say my Fabia Mk 4's fuel tank capacity is 40 litres and (as it says in the Owner's Manual) this includes a 7 litres reserve. So, if I fill the tank completely, I'd expect a warning of some sort (light and/or message) to appear indicating that 33 litres of fuel had been used and 7 litres remained. Obviously, if the car has a 'range calculation' capability, there might be an indication of the distance the car might travel before the tank becomes empty, but that distance will depend on how it is driven. In the 1960s I owned a 600cc AJS motorbike that had a 'saddle' fuel tank with a fuel-tap on each side, with the fuel hoses connected to lead on to the carburettor. One day, knowing I was very low on fuel I turned off the main feed tap and turned on the reserve tap and, returning home later, and several miles from a petrol station, the bike ran out of fuel. I pushed the (heavy) bike for over a mile before thinking to turn the main tap back on, when the bike started immediately - another lesson learned!

The Owner's Manual for my UK-specification 2024-built Fabia Mk 4 SE L with 1.0litre motor provides the following advice on Page 121 The fuel tank capacity is approximately 40 litres or 50 litres (depending on vehicle equipment), including a 7 litres reserve. (A 45 litres capacity is widely quoted online, but I believe this relates to Fabia Mk 3 cars.)

A GOOGLE-search on skoda windows opening by themselves will retrieve a fair amount of online discussion about this phenomenon.

This image is of the centre console of a 2025 Fabia Mk 4 with manual transmission. It will be seen that a one-piece plastic trim surrounds the gear-shift lever's cover as on my 2024 DSG car's console.

Having looked more closely at my Fabia Mk 4 SE L DSG (build-date 16 January 2024) I notice that the videos I referred to above would not match where gaining access to the START-STOP switch is concerned. This image is of the centre console of a Fabia Mk 4 DSG "Monte Carlo" model Unlike on the videos, the shiny plastic trim that surrounds the gear-shift lever's flexible cover is one-piece and I'm guessing that's also the case when a Fabia Mk 4 has manual transmission. In my car's Owner's Manual is a section titled "Manually releasing an automatic gearbox". The initial step advised is to insert a flat-bladed screwdriver (or similar tool) in the narrow gap that I have green-arrowed and prise up the gear-shift lever cover. Hopefully - once the cover has been raised out of the way - there should be sufficient room to reach the underside of the START-STOP switch to allow the adapter cable to be attached without having to displace the one-piece trim.

Having noticed in passing that you are based in France, this video may be useful. I think the infotainment unit shown in the video is a "Bolero" model, but whatever unit your wife's car has, the installation procedure should be similar. (I've no idea what it would cost in France to install the system 'professionally', should you decide not to DIY the task.)

This link includes a short video showing the installation process https://tinyurl.com/5x5w6syy (There are 10 reviews - but not all of them are positive!!) This video relates to a VW Golf, but the installation procedure is much the same. It will be noticed that the START-STOP system was originally disabled by using 'code hacking', but (if it works!) the adapter cable ploy should br less controversial.

An inexpensive adapter cable is offered by AliExpress to allow a driver to choose whether the START-STOP system is ON or OFF when a Fabia Mk 4's motor is started. GOOGLE-search on aliexpress skoda fabia mk 4 2020-2024 cable See also When I remember, I turn off START-STOP on my car, but if I forget this is easy enough to do via the dedicated button on the centre console. I also turn off the loathsome "Lane Assist" at engine start-up, but this is less simple as - unlike my previous Hyundai i20 - there is no dedicated button. Lane Assist selection is 'tweakable' using OBDeleven but that would be more expensive. Earlier Fabia Mk 4 dash-cam forum discussions https://www.briskoda.net/forums/search/?&q=dash%20camera&type=forums_topic&quick=1&nodes=402&search_and_or=or&sortby=relevancy

CageyH This advert is for an OEM retro-fit kit (Part number 6VE054634) for a rear-view camera for a Fabia Mk 4. Rear view camera Fabia IV | Offi...Rear view camera Fabia IVThe rear view camera is automatically activated when the vehicle is shifted into reverse gear.I notice that the camera has a washer nozzle (that would further complicate installation) and the advert warns: Considering the difficulty of the installation and subsequent activation of the parking camera (the 5-digit activation code can be found in the ETKA parts catalogue), the installation needs to be completed by Škoda auto authorized service partners. My previous car - a 3rd-generation Hyundai i20 - had a rear-view camera as standard, but my Fabia Mk 4 does not. Although I miss the i20's camera and although I'm a reasonably competent car DIYer, I definitely don't miss it enough to attempt to retro-fit the kit myself. You should be able to decide from the video (which appears not to use the OEM kit) whether you feel able to DIY the task yourself (there are YouTube guides about retro-fitting a camera to other Skoda models). The advert below quotes £600 for retro-fitting a camera to a Skoda Fabia and that doesn't seem excessive (to me) for a 'professional' installation of the OEM kit. AutologicsŠKODA REVERSE CAMERASThe Škoda Reverse Camera is a cutting-edge automotive accessory designed to enhance your driving experience. This advanced Škoda camera system assists you while reversing by providing a clear and w...

This MIGHT help...

It's perhaps worth mentioning that this discussion began 2 years ago (March 2023) and varoom (who was sending people software updates) last visited the BRISKODA forum on 27 August 2023. No harm in asking, but - realistically - you are not going to get a reply.

This 2019 BRISKODA link relates to Karoq models https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/474088-car-microphone-for-phone/ The advice given was that the microphone for the phone was in the ceiling unit that is to the rear of the rear-view mirror and (in a Fabia Mk 4) houses map lights, sunglasses storage, etc.

Apparently neither VCDS nor OBDeleven are capable of programming the remote key-fobs used with recent-ish VAG Group vehicles. An ODIS system is required, which means either using an 'official' VAG group dealership or a business specialising in VAG Group vehicles.

In the Good Old Days it was often relatively simple to switch off things like oil-change/servicing dashboard warnings and to program key-fobs using procedures that involved no supplementary equipment. (Example here) http://www.freefordradiocode.co.uk/key/content/skoda-key-fob-programming.php That's generally not the case with recent cars's remote key-fobs that will require specialised equipment for the programming task. This 2023 BRISKODA thread related to Superb Mk 3 models Contacting Timpsons was suggested and it was said that "they won't do KESSY but will supply older keys". My local Timpsons branch could not provide remote key-fobs and, although some Timpsons branches can do this, the original poster has now been told by Timpsons that, due to security coding, they cannot provide/recode remote key-fobs for newer VAG group vehicles. Regarding replacement keys for Skoda cars, there are plenty of businesses advertising that capability online. This firm https://www.autolocksltd.com/auto-locksmith/car-key-replacement/skoda/ advertises Whether they can actually do this for a Fabia Mk 4 would need to be checked.

I called into the local Timpsons branch this morning and asked about this. I was told that they could only provide non-remote keys, though certain larger Timpsons branches had the equipment and expertise to deal with remote keys (and the quoted prices would include programming the new key). I also said that, while I had been able to obtain from the Timpsons website key-related information for a 2021 Skoda Fabia (data shown in my previous posting) I had not been able to do this for a 2022 Fabia. As there had been a significant specification change around then - I thought it quite likely that Timpsons could not deal with the remote keys of current-model Fabias and Cookiedudeuk has now confirmed this is so.

Cookiedudeuk Timpsons can supply and code replacement remote key-fobs. https://www.timpson.co.uk/autokeysonline/autokeys/findkey For a 2021 Fabia, the details I found were as follows: You'd need to confirm whether the prices quoted for new remote keys include programming and (apparently) not all Timpsons branches can provide this service. If there's a Timpsons branch near you, I suggest you discuss this (preferably face-to-face) with them, asking what's involved and what the overall cost would be. Also ask a friendly Skoda deakership. While my local Timpsons branch changes my watch batteries and I know they can provide replacement remote key-fobs for some cars, I've never explored obtaining a replacement key-fob from them for my vehicles. I do recall - it was years ago - asking if they would cut a simple 'dead' metal key for a motorhome I owned. (I planned to hide that key on the vehicle so that I could get in if the remote key-fobs were somehow locked inside.) But, although they would sell me another complete key-fob, they would not (or could not) provide just the key.

You were quite right - I did work in IT in GCHQ, but had ceased programming in the 1980s. I've no real problem with Skoda's policy regarding Owner's Manuals. The company's approach for the Fabia Mk 4 involves a 'just the basics' printed Manual with a 'full' Manual available online and/or from within the car. It's an elegant solution and I'm sure most buyers of recent Skoda Fabia cars would find it acceptable/tolerable. Chris's complaint is that he was not provided with a 'just the basics' printed Manual and that's bound to be a real negative for a buyer of a new Skoda car. I can appreciate your preference for a 'full' printed Owner's Manual but - if the Manual is to also be available through the car's infotainment system - I can't see how that would be worthwhile or necessary. My 2021 Hyundai i20 had a 'quick start' printed Owner's Manual (just a few pages) and a 648-page 'full' printed Manual with a pitiful index. The car's infotainment system was not covered by the latter Manual and was only held online. In 2021 there was no official online copy of the 'full' printed Manual and, although Hyundai now provides an online 'full' copy, this is out of date and does not reflect specification changes made to more recent models. None of the data in the Manual(s) were accessible through the car's infotainment system. Dare I say this, but you don't own a recent Skoda car that uses this multi-level approach, so you don't know how well, or badly it works in practice. I'm comfortable with Skoda's approach (and I'm notoriously picky) but then I have a 'just the basics' printed Manual for my Fabia that Chris does not have for his Octavia. How many desktop computers, tablets or smartphones bought today are provided with a comprehensive printed manual explaining how to use the device and how to exploit its full capabilities? My newish iPad came with no documentation whatsoever and, if I wanted guidance, I'd need to find it online or buy an expensive bulky aftermarket book with a title like "iPads for mentally-challenged octogenarians". It seems to be assumed with modern cars that the buyer will be reasonably smartphone literate and at least Skoda does (or has been) providing basic printed user-guidance.

I believe Chris has little difficulty accessing the appropriate online digital Owner's Manual for his Octavia. Even I can do this when Skoda's system deigns to allow me.. It's the lack of a printed Owner's Manual for his Octavia that he was complaining about earlier (he said "...it really is a pain that there's no physical copy of the manual available"). My Fabia came with a printed Manual and Chris's Octavia did not. (Incidentally, you said about me "you deal with computers". I retired in 1996 when the organisation I worked for was using IBM mainframe computers the size of an office block and the internet was in its infancy. For the last 29 years I've been a drone (not the flying kind) on society, never earned a wage and spent far too much time on forums.)

Since Skoda changed to having a 'short' printed Owner's Manual with a 'comprehensive' digital Owner's Manual online (and/or accessible through the car's infotainment system) no 'comprehensive' Owner's Manual is available as a printed version and the digital Owner's Manual is not a .pdf file and is unsuitable for downloading. As far as I can make out, any buyer of a new Fabia Mk 4 OUGHT to be provided with the 'short' printed Owner's Manual free of charge and in the language of the country in which the car is being marketed. That booklet covers the basics and Skoda says (at the start of my Fabia Mk 4's printed Manual) Printed version of the Owner's Manual With the environment in mind, the printed Owner's Manual only contains the most important information regarding vehicle operation and maintenance, and only some technical parameters. (It's perhaps worth adding that my Fabia's 'short' Owner's Manual printed booklet still has 164 pages in a compact typeface.) Crisclip has said that he does not have a printed Owner's Manual for his Octavia, though it's evident that such a Manual exists. He plans to explore this with a Skoda dealership.

Thats somewhat academic, as all the indications are that new Skoda Fabia Mk 4 cars have been provided as standard with a printed 'short' Owner's Manual. This June 2024 thread related to a new 2023 Skoda Fabia Mk 4 purchased in Sweden. The lady owner said that the car had been provided with a printed 'short' Owner's Manual., but (as one would expect) that Manual was in Swedish. The owner wanted an English-language version of the 'short' Manual, but (perhaps again not surprisingly) this could not be obtained in Sweden. The ebay link you gave indicates that the seller of the Fabia Mk 4 Manual is a vehicle dismantler, and it's likely this will also be so when hardcopy Owner's Manuals for other recent Skoda models are occasionally advertised online. The Skoda Owner's Manuals downloadable from this website https://carmanuals2.com/ stop at 2021, which appears to be when Skoda adopted the approach of having a printed 'short' Owner's Manual with a comprehensive digital version held online and/or accessible via the car's infotainment system. Interestingly (perhaps!) this approach may be unique to Skoda within the VAG Group, as much later Manuals in .pdf format for Audi, SEAT and VW are downloadable from the carmanuals2.com website. (Obviously it is not practicable to download the comprehensive digital version of the Manual.) (Just had a go at accessing the 2023/6 version of the Fabia Mk 4 digital Owner's Manual that is appropriate to my car. Sometimes successful: sometimes not. I'm beginning to think this is not an Apple-related thing, and that the Skoda system is access or 'load' sensitive and won't allow connection if too many attempts to connect are being made. The printed 'short' Manual is generally adequate and, as long as I can reach the digital version one way or another, that's OK as far as I'm concerned.)

Interesting... Evidently the hardcopy Owner's Manual for 2019-2024 Octavia models exists as a copy is advertised on ebay, and the advert's photo of the Octavia Manual's index suggests that the booklet's 'scope' is similar to my Fabia Mk 4 Manual eBayGENUINE SKODA OCTAVIA 2019-2025 OWNERS MANUAL HANDBOOK QU...SKODA OCTAVIA. MAIN DRIVERS HANDBOOK / OWNERS MANUAL. +QUICK GUIDE. +GENUINE WALLET. TO OPERATE YOUR CAR SAFELY AND PROPERLY. INCLUDES DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT OIL LEVELS, TYRE PRESSURE, CENTER...I believe I recall once reading that hardcopy Owner's Manuals could be purchased through a Skoda dealership, but I don't know if that's still the case (or what the cost might be). It makes some sense providing a hardcopy 'short' version of the Owner's Manual to the buyer of a new car, with a softcopy comprehensive version available online (and/or through the car's electronics) but not providing a hardcopy version at all can't be a great idea.

I don't know if this will be relevant to Fabia Mk 4 cars, but there is a LONG (July 2022 to March 2025) BRISKODA forum thread about updating Fabia Mk 3 "Swing" infotainment systems.

According to your Profile you own a 2024 Octavia IV FL SEL 1.4 Eco 1.5DSG. When I wrote "hardcopy manual", I was referring to the PRINTED Owner's Manual that (in my case) was one of the documents given me when I bought my new Fabia. In my 2024 Fabia's case, the hardcopy Manual has 164 pages. It is not comprehensive and its front cover looks like this: The information in my hardcopy Manual is repeated in the (softcopy) digital version of the Manual that includes complete information regarding vehicle operation. It's POSSIBLE (though I'd be surprised) that a printed Manual is not being provided to all buyers of all Skoda models. This December 2023 BRISKODA forum thread refers: