2003 SKODA FABIA Light

Airbag system
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Airbag system
Description of the airbag system
General information on the airbag system
The front airbag system is complementary to the three-point seat belts
and offers additional protection for the head and chest area of the driver
and passenger in the event of a frontal collision.
In the event of a side collision, the side airbags reduce the risk of injury to
the occupants to the part of their body facing the side of the accident.
The airbag system is only functional after the ignition has been switched
on.
The operational readiness of the airbag system is monitored electroni-
cally. The airbag warning light comes on for a few seconds each time the
ignition is switched on.
The airbag system (according to vehicle equipment) essentially
consists of:
•an electronic control unit
•the front airbags for the driver and front passenger ⇒page 122
•the side airbags ⇒ page 124
•an airbag warning light in the instrument cluster ⇒page 35
•a front passenger airbag switch ⇒page 128
•an indicator light showing a switched-off front passenger airbag in the
middle of the dash panel ⇒ page 128
A fault in the airbag system exists if:
•the airbag indicator light does not light up when the ignition is switched
on
•the airbag indicator light does not go out after about 3 seconds after
the ignition is switched on
•the airbag indicator light goes out and comes on again after the ignition
is switched on
•the airbag indicator light comes on or flickers when driving
•an airbag indicator light showing a switched-off front passenger
airbag* in the middle of the dash panel flashes
WARNING
•To enable the occupants of a car to be protected with the
greatest possible effect when the airbag is deployed, the front
seats must be ⇒ page 63 correctly adjusted to match the body size
of the occupant.
•If you do not fasten the seat belts when driving, lean too far
forward or adopt an incorrect seated position, you are exposing
yourself to increased risk of injury in the event of an accident.
•Have the airbag system checked immediately by a Škoda Dealer
if a fault exists. Otherwise, there is a risk of the airbag not being
activated in the event of an accident.
•No modifications of any kind may be made to parts of the airbag
system.
•It is prohibited to manipulate individual parts of the airbag
system as this might result in the airbag being deployed.
•The protective function of the airbag system is sufficient for
only one accident. The airbag system must then be replaced if the
airbag has been deployed.
•The airbag system needs no maintenance during its working
life.

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Important safety information on the side airbag
Correct use of the airbag system considerably reduces the
risk of injury!
WARNING
•It is essential to always switch off ⇒page 127 the front
passenger airbag when attaching a child safety seat on the front
passenger seat where the child is seated with its back facing in
direction of travel (in some countries also when the child is facing
the direction of travel). If this is not done, there is a risk of the child
suffering severe or even fatal injuries if the front passenger airbag
is deployed. In certain countries national legal provisions also
require that the side passenger airbags be deactivated. When
transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply
with the appropriate national regulations regarding the use of child
safety seats.
•Your head should never be positioned in the deployment area
of the side airbag. You might suffer severe injuries in the event of
an accident. This applies in particular to children who are trans-
ported without using a suitable child safety seat ⇒page 133.
•If children adopt an incorrect seated position when travelling,
they may be exposed to an increased risk of injury in the event of
an accident. This can result in serious injuries ⇒page 130.
•There must not be any further persons, animals as well as
objects positioned between the occupants and the deployment
area of the airbag. There must also be no accessories such as cup
holders, attached to the doors to enable the side airbags to activate
properly.
•Only hang light items of clothing on the clothes hooks to the
vehicle. Never leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the
pockets of the items of clothing.
WARNING (continued)
•Ensure that there are no excessive forces, such as violent
knocks, kicks etc., impact on the backrests of the seats otherwise
the system may be damaged. The side airbags would not be
deployed in such a case!
•Any seat or protective covers which you fit to the driver or front
passenger seats must only be of the type expressly authorized by
Škoda Auto. In view of the fact that the airbag inflates out of the
backrest of the seat, use of non-approved seat or protective covers
would considerably impair the protective function of the side
airbag.
•Any damage to the original seat covers in the area of the side
airbag module must be repaired without delay by your Škoda
dealer.
•The airbag modules in the front seats must not display any
damage, cracks or deep scratches. It is not permissible to use
force in order to open the modules.
•Any work on the side airbag system including removing and
installing system components because of other repair work (e.g.
removing seats) must only be carried out by a Škoda dealer.

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Deactivating an airbag
Deactivating airbags
If any airbags have been deactivated, switch them on
again as soon as possible so that they are able to again
provide their proper protection.
There is the technical means installed within your vehicle to switch off the
front passenger airbag or side airbag (take out of commission).
Have the airbags and also the side airbags deactivated by a Škoda
Dealer.
On Vehicles equipped with the switch for deactivation of the airbags, you
can deactivate the front passenger airbag or the front passenger side
airbag be means of this switch ⇒page 128.
Deactivation of airbags is envisaged only for particular instances,
such as if:
•You must in exceptional cases use a child seat on the front
passenger seat where the child is seated with its back to the direction of
travel (in some countries this must be in the direction of travel due to other
legal regulations applying) ⇒ page 130, “Important safety information on
using child safety seats”.
•You are not able to maintain the distance of at least 25 cm between
middle of steering wheel and chest, despite the driver seat being correctly
adjusted.
•Special attachments are required in the area of the steering wheel
because of a physical disability.
•You have installed other seats (e.g. orthopaedic seats without side
airbags). Your Škoda dealer will be able to advise you whether national legislation
in your country allows airbags in your vehicle to be deactivated, and which
ones.
Monitoring the airbag system
The functionality of the airbag system is monitored electronically, also
when the airbags have been switched off
An airbag which has been switched off by a Škoda dealer using the
vehicle system tester:
•The airbag indicator light in the instrument cluster lights up for about 3
seconds after switching on the ignition and then flashes after that for about
12 seconds.
Front passenger airbags switched off using the switch for front
passenger airbags* in stowage compartment on the front passenger
side:
•The airbag indicator light in the instrument cluster comes on for about
3 seconds each time the ignition is switched on.
•Switching off airbags is indicated in the middle of the dash panel by the
lighting up of the indicator light   ⇒ page 128.
Note
Your Škoda dealer can provide you with further information regarding the
possibility of deactivating airbags.

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Switch for the front seat passenger airbags*The front passenger airbag as well as the side passenger airbag
(if the vehicle is fitted with a side airbag) are switched off using
the switch.
Deactivating airbags
– Switch off the ignition.
– Turn the slot of the airbag switch using the ignition key in the
direction of the arrow to the position OFF ⇒fig. 105 . The slot
of the airbag switch must be located in the vertical position.
– Check whether the airbag indicator light
  in the
middle of the dash panel lights up ⇒fig. 106 when the ignition
is turned on.
Switching on airbags
– Switch off the ignition.
– Turn the slot of the airbag switch using the ignition key in the direction of the arrow to the position ON ⇒fig. 105 . The slot
of the airbag switch must be located in the horizontal position.
– Check whether the airbag indicator light
  in the
middle of the dash panel lights up ⇒fig. 106 when the ignition
is turned on.
The airbags should only be switched off under exceptional circumstances
⇒ page 127.
Indicator light
  (airbag switched off)
The airbag indicator light in the middle of the dash panel does not light up
⇒ page 128, fig. 106 .
Fig. 105 Storage
compartment: Switch
for the front seat
passenger airbags
Fig. 106 Indicator light
for a switched off front
seat passenger airbag

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If the front passenger airbag is
switched on, the airbag warning light
comes on for a few seconds each time the ignition is switched on.
In cases where the front passenger airbag or side passenger airbag is
switched off the airbag indicator light comes on for a few seconds after
switching on the ignition, goes out for about a second and then comes on
again.
There is a system fault present in the airbag switch off ⇒ if the indi-
cator light flashes. Please have the vehicle inspected without delay by
a Škoda dealer.
WARNING
•Only switch off the airbag when the ignition is switched off!
Otherwise a fault can arise on the airbag system which could cause
the airbag to trigger.
•The driver is responsible for whether the airbag is switched on
or switched off.
•If the indicator light flashes:
− There is a risk of the front passenger airbag or the side
passenger airbag not being deployed in the event of an acci-
dent.
− There is the risk, if someone is sitting on the front passenger
seat, that the front passenger will suffer injury if the airbag is
suddenly deployed.

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Driving Tips
Intelligent Technology
Electronic stability programme (ESP)*
General
General
The ESP aids you maintain control of your vehicle in situations in border-
line driving situations such as when negotiating a curve too fast. The risk
of skidding is reduced and your car thus offers greater driving stability
depending on the conditions of the road surface. This occurs 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)
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 indi-
vidual systems. It also processes additional measurement data which are
supplied by highly sensitive sensors: the rotational velocity of the vehicle
about its vertical axis, the lateral acceleration 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 behaviour of the vehicle. If differences exist, such as the
car beginning to skid, the ESP will automatically brake the appropriate
wheel and reduce the engine speed.
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.
The ESP operates in combination with the ABS ⇒page 145. If there is a
fault in the ABS system, the ESP also does not operate.
The ESP warning light ⇒page 34 lights up in the instrument cluster when
there is a fault on the ESP.
Fig. 115 ESP switch

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Switching off
You can switch the ESP off and on again as you wish, by pressing the
button ⇒ page 141, fig. 115. The ESP warning light ⇒ page 34 lights up
in the instrument cluster when the ESP is switched off.
The ESP should normally always be switched on. It may be good practice
in certain exceptional cases, such as when you wish to have wheel slip,
to switch off the TCS.
Examples:
•when driving with snow chains,
•when driving in deep snow or on a loose surface,
•when it is necessary to rock a car free when it has become stuck.
Then you should switch on the ESP again.
Note
•All four wheels must be fitted with the same tyres in order to achieve
problem-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 other
assignment of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the ESP
⇒ page 194.
Traction control system (TCS)*
The traction control system prevents the driven wheels
from spinning when accelerating.
General
The TCS makes it much easier, and sometimes at all possible, to start off,
accelerate and climb a steep hill when the conditions of the road surface
are unfavourable.
Operating principle
The TCS switches on automatically when the engine is started and then
conducts a self-test. The system monitors the speeds of the driven wheels
with the aid of the ABS sensors. If the wheels are spinning, the force trans-
mitted to the road surface is automatically adapted by reducing the engine
speed. This occurs at all speeds.
The TCS operates in combination with the ABS ⇒page 145. The TCS will
not function if a fault exists in the ABS system.
WARNING
It is also not possible for the ESP to overcome the physical limits
of the vehicle. 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 particularly 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!Fig. 116 TCS switch

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The TCS warning light
⇒page 33 lights up in the instrument cluster when
there is a fault on the TCS.
Switching off
You can switch the TCS off and on again as you wish by pressing the
button ⇒page 142, fig. 116 . The TCS warning light ⇒page 33 lights up
in the instrument cluster when the TCS is switched off.
The TCS should normally always be switched on. It may be good practice
in certain exceptional cases, such as when you wish to have wheel slip,
to switch off the TCS.
Examples:
•when driving with snow chains
•when driving in deep snow or on a loose surface
•when it is necessary to rock a car free when it has become stuck
then you should switch on the TCS again.
The EDL ⇒page 143 is a part of the TCS. THE EDL operates independ-
ently of the TCS (also when the TCS has been switched off using the TCS
button).
Note
•All four wheels must be fitted with the same tyres in order to achieve
problem-free operation of the TCS. 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 other
assignment of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the TCS
⇒ page 194.
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)*
The electronic differential lock prevents an individual
wheel from slipping.
Models fitted with TCS can be also equipped with electronic differential
lock (EDL).
General
The EDL makes it much easier, and sometimes at all possible, to start off,
accelerate and climb a steep hill when the conditions of the road surface
are unfavourable.
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 sensors. 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.
WARNING
You should always adjust your style of driving to the conditions of
the road surface and the traffic situation. The increased safety
offered must not tempt you to take greater risks than otherwise -
risk of an accident!