2004 SKODA FABIA technical data

Airbag system133
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Function of the front airbags
Risk of injury to the head and chest area is reduced by fully
inflated airbags.
The airbag system is designed in such a way that the driver and front
passenger airbag* are deployed in the event of a frontal collision of major
severity.
It is also possible under certain special accident situations that the front
as well as the side airbags are deployed.
If the airbags are deployed, the airbags are filled with a propellant gas and
inflated in front of the driver and front passenger ⇒f i g . 111 . The airbags
inflate in fractions of a second and at a high speed in order to be able to
offer that additional protection in the event of an accident. The forward
movement of the driver and of the front passenger is cushioned when they
make contact with the fully inflated airbag and the risk of injury to head and
chest is thus reduced. The specially developed airbag allows the gas to flow out of the inflated
airbag in a controlled manner (depending on the load of the particular car
occupant) in order to cushion head and chest areas. The airbag then
deflates subsequently to such an extent, after an accident, to again
provide a clear view forward.
A grey white, non harmful gas is released when airbag is inflated. This is
perfectly normal and is not an indication of a fire in the vehicle.
The airbag develops enormous forces when triggered, which can lead to
injuries if the sitting position or seated position is not correct
⇒ in
“Important safety information regarding the front airbag system”.
Important safety information regarding the front
airbag system
Correct use of the airbag system considerably reduces the
risk of injury!
Fig. 111 Inflated
airbags
Fig. 112 Safe distance
to steering wheel

Airbag system135
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The side airbags are housed in the upholstery of the backrests of the front
seats and are marked
⇒fig. 113 with the lettering “AIRBAG” on the upper
part.
The side airbag system in combination with the three-point seat belts,
offers additional protection for the upper area of the body (chest, stomach
and pelvis) in the event of severe side collisions ⇒ in “Important safety
information on the side airbag” on page 136.
Apart from their normal protective function, a further task of the seat belts
is to also hold the driver and front passenger in a correct seated position
in the event of a side collision so as to enable the side airbags to offer the
maximum protection.
You should therefore always fasten ⇒page 123, “Why seat belts?” the
seat belts, not only because this is required by law, but also for safety
reasons and for your own protection.
Function of the side airbags
Risk of injury to the upper part of the body is reduced by
fully inflated side airbags.
In the case of a violent side crash the side airbags on the front seat of
vehicle on the side on which the collision occurs are deployed ⇒fig. 114 .
It is also possible under certain special accident situations that the front
as well as the side airbags are deployed.
If an airbag is deployed, the airbag is filled with propellant gas. The
airbags inflate in fractions of a second and at a high speed in order to be
able to offer that additional protection in the event of an accident.
A grey white, non harmful gas is released when airbag is inflated. This is
perfectly normal and is not an indication of a fire in the vehicle.
The load of the occupants is cushioned when plunging into the fully
inflated airbag and the risk of injury to the entire upper body (chest,
stomach and pelvis) is reduced on the side facing the door.
Fig. 114 Side airbags
deployed

Airbag system137
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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).
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 passenger airbag or passenger side airbag by
means of this switch ⇒page 138.
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 140, “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). Monitoring the airbag system
The functionality of the airbag system is also monitored electronically,
when one airbag has 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 warning light comes on in the instrument cluster 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   ⇒ fig. 116 .
Note
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.

Airbag system139
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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.
WARNING
•Only switch off the airbag when the ignition is switched off!
Otherwise a fault can occur in the airbag system. There is a risk of
the front passenger airbag or the side passenger airbag not being
deployed or incorrectly deployed in the event of an accident.
•The driver is responsible for whether the airbag is switched on
or switched off.
•If the indicator light flashes:
− It is also important to have the system inspected without
delay by a Škoda dealer.
− 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.

Transporting children safely 141
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otherwise this may result in injuries 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 144, “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.
•Certain outside climatic conditions can cause life-threatening
temperatures in the vehicle.
•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 webb ing is properly routed if the seat
belts are to offer their maximum protection ⇒page 126, “How are
seat belts correctly fastened?”. Pay particular attention to the infor-
mation 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.
•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 137 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 regul ations regarding the use of child
safety seats.
WARNING (continued)WARNING (continued)

Transporting children safely 143
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Child safety and side airbags*
Children must never be seated in the deployment area of
side airbags.Side airbags* offer the vehicle occupants enhanced protection in the
event of a collision from the side.
The side airbags are inflated in fractions of a second in order to be able to
provide this protection ⇒page 135, “Function of the side airbags”.
An airbag inflating develops such a strong force that an occupant who has
not adopted a correct seated position may suffer injuries. Also exposed
objects which are located within the area of the side airbag can cause inju-
ries.
This applies particularly to children if they are not transported in
accordance with legal requirements.
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.
WARNING
•It is essential to always switch off ⇒page 137 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 regul ations 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.
•Children must never be seated with their head in the deploy-
ment area of the side airbag - risk of injury!
Fig. 118 Seated posi-
tion of an unprotected
child at risk from side
airbag
Fig. 119 Child properly
protected by safety
seat

Transporting children safely 145
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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
⇒fig. 120 .
Child seats in which the child is facing with its back towards the
direction of travel should not be used on the front passenger seat
when the vehicle is fitted with a front passenger airbag ⇒ page 142,
“Use of child safety seats on the front passenger seat”
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 Škoda dealer to do this
− or by using the switch for the front passenger airbag*
⇒ page 138.
•The national legal provisions in certain countries require that
both the front and side passenger 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.
Child safety seats in Group 1
Fig. 120 Child seats of
group 0/0+
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 121 Child seat
with padded table in
Group 1 installed on
rear seat bench facing
the direction of travel

Transporting children safely 147
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belt must run across the pelvis and fits snugly; it must not run over
the belly. Tighten the belt webbing over your hip if necessary.
•Please comply with any differin
g national legal regulations
regarding the use of child safety seats.
Child safety seats in Group 3
For children of about 7 years of age weighing between 22 and 36 kg and
of a height of less than 150 cm, the optimal solution is a child safety seat
(seat bolster) in combination with the three-point seat belt ⇒fig. 123 .
Children of more than 150 cm in height may use the seat belts fitted to the
vehicle without a seat bolster.
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 front passenger airbag has to
be deactivated.
−by allowing a Škoda dealer to do this
− or by using the switch for the front passenger airbag*
⇒ page 138.
•The shoulder part of the seat belt must run approximately
across the middle of the shoulder and fit snugly against the chest.
It must on no account run across the neck. The lap part of the seat
belt must run across the pelvis and fits snugly; it must not run over
the belly. Tighten the belt webbing over your hip if necessary.
•Please comply with any differ ing national legal regulations
regarding the use of child safety seats.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 123 Child seat in
Group 3 installed on
the rear seat facing the
direction of travel