2003 SKODA SUPERB seats

Airbag system
154
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, side or head airbag (take out of commission).
This is why you should have the deactivation of the airbags carried out by
a Škoda dealer. On vehicles equipped with the switch for deactivation of the airbags, you
can deactivate the front and side passenger airbag by means of this
switch
⇒page 155.
Deactivation of airbags is envisaged only for particular instances,
such as if
•Yo u m u s t i n 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 157.
•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).
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 Skoda dealer using the
vehicle system tester:
•The warning light for the airbag system lights up for 3 seconds after
switching on the ignition and then flashes for 12 seconds afterwards in 2
second intervals.
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.
WARNING (continued)
•The sun visors must not be swivelled to the side windows into
the deployment area of the head airbags if any objects, such as
ball-point pens etc. are attached to them. This might result in inju-
ries to the occupants if the head airbag is deployed.
•Installing accessories in the area of the head airbag may
considerably impair the protection offered by the head airbag in
the event of it being deployed. When the deployed head airbag is
inflated, parts of the accessories fitted may in certain circum-
stances be thrown into the interior of the car and cause injuries to
the occupants.
•Any work on the head airbag system including installing and
removing system components because of other repair work (e.g.
removing headliner) must only be carried out by a Škoda Dealer.

Transporting children safely 157
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Transporting children safely
What you should know about
transporting children!
An introduction to the subject
Accident statistics have revealed that children are gener-
ally more safely transported on the rear seats than on the
front passenger seat.
Children younger than 12 years of age should normally travel on the rear
seat of the vehicle (take note of any national legal provisions which differ
from this). They should be secured there by means of a child restraint
system or by using the existing seat belts depending on their age, body
size and weight. The child seat should be mounted behind the front
passenger seat for safety reasons.
The physical principle of an accident does, of course, also apply to chil-
dren ⇒page 139. They differ from adults in that their muscles and bone
structure of children are not yet fully developed. Thus children are
exposed to increased risk of injury.
Children should be transported by using special child safety seats in order
to reduce this risk of injury.
Use only child safety seats which are officially approved and are suitable
for children and which comply with the ECE-R 44 Standard, which classi-
fies child safety seats into 5 groups ⇒page 161, “Classification of child
seats into groups”. Child restraint systems which have been tested for
conformity with ECE-R 44 have a non-detachable test seal (a large E
within a circle and below this the test number) attached to the seat. We recommend that you use child safety seats from the Škoda range of
genuine accessories. These child seats were developed and also tested
for use in Skoda vehicles. They fulfil the standard ECE-R 44.
Note
Any varying national legal regulations take priority over the information
provided in these instructions for use, or stated in this chapter.
Important safety informat
ion on using child safety
seats
Correct use of child safety seats considerably reduces the
risk of injury!
WARNING
Always comply with legal provis ions and instructions from the
relevant child safety seat manufacturer when installing and using
the child seat ⇒ in “Important safety information on using child
safety seats”.
WARNING
•All the occupants of the car - in particular children - must wear
a seat belt when the car is moving.

Transporting children safely
158
Use of child safety seats on the front passenger seat
Child safety seats should always be attached to the rear
seats.
We recommend, for safety reasons, that you always mount a child
restraint systems on the rear seats whenever possible. If you still decide,
however, to use a child safety seat on the front passenger seat then you
must pay attention to the following warnings in connection with the use of
the airbag system on the front passenger seat:
WARNING (continued)
•Children less than 1.50 m in he ight or younger than 12 years
must not use a normal seat belt without a child restraint system
otherwise this may result in in juries to the stomach and neck
areas. Comply with the national legal requirements.
•One should never carry children, and also not babies! - on one's
lap.
•You can transport a child safely in a suitable child safety seat
⇒ page 161, “Child seat”!
•Only one child may be fastened with a seat belt into a child
safety seat.
•Never leave the child sitting unattended in the seat.
•Never allow your child to be transported in a vehicle without the
use of a suitable restraint system.
•Children should also never stand up in a vehicle or kneel on the
seats when the vehicle is moving. In the event of an accident the
child will be thrown through the vehicle and may as a result suffer
fatal injuries, and also injure other occupants.
•Children are exposed to an increased risk of injury in the event
of an accident if they lean forward or adopt an incorrect seated
position when the vehicle is moving . This particularly applies to
children who are transported on the front passenger seat if the
airbag system deploys in the event of an accident. This can result
in severe or even fatal injuries.
•It is important that the belt webbing is properly routed if the seat
belts are to offer their maximum protection ⇒page 141, “How are
seat belts correctly fastened?”. Pay particular attention to the
information provided by the manufacturer of the child safety seat
regarding correct routing of the belt. Seat belts which are not
correctly adjusted can themselves cause injuries even in minor
accidents.
WARNING (continued)
•Safety belts must be checked to ensure that they are running
properly. One should also ensure that the belt is not damaged by
sharp-edged fittings.
•It is essential to always switch off ⇒page 154 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 or head 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.
•Particular care is required if use is made of child restraint
systems which are attached together with the seat belts fitted to
the vehicle. It is important to ensure that the bolts are inserted into
the threaded hole over their entire length and are tightened to a
torque of 35 Nm.

Transporting children safely 159
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
WARNING
•Warning - particular hazard! Never use a child safety seat on the
front passenger seat in which the child is seated with its back
facing the direction of travel. This child safety seat is positioned in
the deployment area of the front passenger airbag. The airbag may
cause the child severe, or even fatal injuries, in the event of it being
deployed.
•This is also clearly stated on the sticker which is located on the
centre column of the front passenger side. The sticker is visible
upon opening the front passenger door. The next warning sticker
is located on the windscreen near the front passenger seat.
•It is essential to always switch off ⇒page 154 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 countri es 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 or head passenger airbags be deactivated.
When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please
comply with the appropriate nation al regulations regarding the use
of child safety seats.
•If the front passenger airbag has been switched off by a Škoda
dealer using the vehicle system tester, the side and head
passenger airbag* remains switched on. The national legal provi-
sions in certain countries require that both the front, side and head
airbags be deactivated. Please comply with any differing national
legal regulations regarding the use of child safety seats.
•If a child safety seat in which the child faces in the direction of
travel is used on the front passenger seat, the front passenger seat
must be moved back fully.
WARNING (continued)
•If this is not done, a child seated on the front passenger seat
may suffer severe or even fatal injuries if the front passenger
airbag or airbags are deployed. Have the airbag (or airbags) deac-
tivated if necessary ⇒page 154.
•You should have the front passenger airbag (or airbags) reacti-
vated by your Škoda dealer just as soon as you no longer use a
child safety seat on the front passenger seat.

Transporting children safely
160
Child safety and side airbags
Children must never be seated in the deployment area of
the side airbags and head airbags.In the event of a side collision, the side airbags offer the vehicle occupants
enhanced protection.
The side airbags are inflated in fractions of a second in order to be able to
provide this protection ⇒page 150, “Function of the side airbags”.
An airbag inflating develops such a strong force that an occupant who has
not adopted an upright seated position may suffer injuries from the airbag
or as a result of objects which are located within the deployment area of
the side airbag.
This applies particularly to children if they are not transported in
accordance with legal requirements.
Correct seated position of the child - a suitable child safety seat
protects the child.
The child is protected when seated in a child safety seat matching its age.
Adequate room is available between the child and the deployment area of
the side airbag and head airbag. The airbag offers optimal protection.
Fig. 137 Seated posi-
tion of an unprotected
child at risk from side
airbag
Fig. 138 Child properly
protected by safety
seat
WARNING
•It is essential to always switch off ⇒page 154 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 or head 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.
•When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please
comply with the appropriate national regulations regarding the use
of child safety seats.

Transporting children safely 161
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Child seat
Classification of child seats into groups
Only child safety seats which have an official approval and
are suitable for the child, may be used.
ECE-R 44 standard applies to child safety seats. ECE-R means:
Economic Commission of Europe - Regulation.
Child restraint systems which have been tested for conformity with ECE-
R 44 have a non-detachable test seal (a large E within a circle and below
this the test number) attached to the seat.
Child safety seats are classified in 5 groups: Children of more than 150 cm in height may use the seat belts fitted to the
vehicle without a seat bolster.
Use of child seats
An overview of the usefulness of child seats on each of the seats:
U - universal category - seat is suitable for all approved types of child
safety seats.
WARNING (continued)
•Children must never be seated with their head in the deploy-
ment area of the side airbag. Risk of injury!
•Do not place any objects within the deployment area of the side
airbag. Risk of injury!
GroupWeight
00 -10 kg⇒ page 162
0+up to 13 kg⇒page 162
19 -18 kg⇒page 162
215 -25 kg⇒page 163
322 -36 kg⇒page 164
Child seat
according to
groupFront passenger seatRear seat
on the sideRear seat middle
0UUU
0+UUU
1UUU
2 and 3UUU

Transporting children safely
162
Child seats of group 0/0+
The optimal solution for babies of up to about 9 months old weighing up
to 10 kg or babies up to about 18 months old weighing up to 13 kg is a
child safety seat which can be adjusted into the reclining position
⇒ page 162, fig. 139 .
In view of the fact that such child seats are installed that the child is seated
with its back facing the direction of travel, they must not be used on the
front passenger seat ⇒page 158, “Use of child safety seats on the front
passenger seat”.Child safety seats in Group 1
WARNING
•It is essential to always switch off the front passenger airbag
(airbags) when attaching in exceptional circumstances 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).
−by allowing a Skoda dealer to do this
Fig. 139 Child seats of
group 0/0+
WARNING (continued)
− or by using the switch for the front passenger airbag*
⇒ page 155.
•The national legal provisions in certain countries require that
both the front, side and head airbags be deactivated. Please
comply with any differing nationa l legal regulations regarding the
use of child safety seats.
•If this is not done, a child seated on the front passenger seat
may suffer severe or even fatal injuries if the front passenger
airbag or airbags are deployed.
•You should have the front passenger airbag (or airbags) reacti-
vated by your Škoda dealer just as soon as you no longer use a
child safety seat on the front passenger seat.
Fig. 140 Child seat
with padded table in
Group 1 installed on
rear seat facing the
direction of travel

Transporting children safely 163
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Child seats in Group 1 are for babies and small children up to 4 years of
age with a weight of between 9 and 18 kilograms. It is best for children in
the lower range of this group, to use a child seat which allows the child to
sit with its back to the direction of travel. It is best for children in the upper
range of the Group 0+, to use a child seat which allows the child to sit
⇒
fig. 140 in the direction of travel.
Child safety seats in which the child is seated with its back facing the
direction of travel, must not be used on the front passenger seat
⇒ page 158, “Use of child safety seats on the front passenger seat”.
Child safety seats in Group 2
For children up to about 7 years of age weighing between 15 and 25 kg
the optimal solution is a child safety seat in combination with the three-
point seat belt ⇒fig. 141 .
WARNING
•It is essential to always switch off the front passenger airbag
(airbags) when attaching in exceptional circumstances 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).
−by allowing a Skoda dealer to do this
− or by using the switch for the front passenger airbag*
⇒ page 155.
•The national legal provisions in certain countries require that
both the front, side and head airbags be deactivated. Please
comply with any differing national legal regulations regarding the
use of child safety seats.
•If this is not done, a child seated on the front passenger seat
may suffer severe or even fatal injuries if the front passenger
airbag or airbags are deployed.
•You should have the front passenger airbag (or airbags) reacti-
vated by your Škoda dealer just as soon as you no longer use a
child safety seat on the front passenger seat.
WARNING
•When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please
comply with the appropriate national regulations regarding the use
of child safety seats. If required, the airbag has to be deactivated,
−by allowing a Skoda dealer to do this
− or by using the switch for the front passenger airbag*
⇒ page 155.
Fig. 141 Child seat in
Group 2 installed on
the rear seat facing the
direction of travel