Airbag system161
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•There must not be any other persons (e.g. children) or animals
between the car occupant and the deployment area of the head
airbag. In addition, none of the occupants should lean their head
out of the window when driving, or extend their arms and hands out
of the window.
•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 impermissible accessories in the area of the head
airbags 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
circumstances be thrown into the interior of the car and cause inju-
ries to the occupants ⇒ page 233, “Accessories, changes and
replacement of parts”.
•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.
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 162.
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 164, “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).
WARNING (continued)
Airbag system163
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Deactivating airbags
– Switch off the ignition.
– Turn the slot of the airbag switch using the master key in the
direction of the arrow to the position OFF ⇒ fig. 139. 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. 140 when the ignition
is turned on.
Switching on airbags
– Switch off the ignition.
– Turn the slot of the airbag switch using the master key in the direction of the arrow to the position ON ⇒ page 162, fig. 139.
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 ⇒page 162, fig. 140 when
the ignition is turned on.
The airbags should only be switched off under exceptional circumstances
⇒ page 161.
Indicator light
(airbag switched off)
The airbag indicator light is located in the middle of the dash panel
⇒ page 162, fig. 140 .
If the airbags are switched on , the airbag indicator light comes on for a
few seconds after the ignition is switched on.
When the front and side passenger airbag is switched off, the indicator
light comes on after the ignition is switched on. 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 airbags when the ignition is switched off!
Otherwise a fault can arise on the airbag system and therefore
could cause the airbag to trigger.
•The driver is responsible for whether the airbags are 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.
Transporting children safely 165
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
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 168, “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 148, “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.
•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 161 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.
WARNING (continued)WARNING (continued)
Transporting children safely 167
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
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 157, “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 161 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.
•Children must never be seated with their head in the deploy-
ment area of the side airbag - risk of injury!
Fig. 142 Seated posi-
tion of an unprotected
child at risk from side
airbag
Fig. 143 Child properly
protected by safety
seat
Transporting children safely 169
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
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. 144 .
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 166, “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 162.
•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.
Child safety seats in Group 1
Fig. 144 Child seats of
group 0/0+
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 145 Child seat
with padded table in
Group 1 installed on
rear seat facing the
direction of travel
Transporting children safely 171
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
•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. 147 .
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 airbag has to be deactivated,
−by allowing a Škoda dealer to do this
− or by using the switch for the front passenger airbag*
⇒ page 162.
•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.
Attaching child safety seat
Child seat protection
You can block the three-point seat belt in order to attach a
child safety seat.
You can permanently block the three-point seat belt in order to
attach a child safety seat. Blocking the belt in this way ensures
that the child seat is held firmly in position in the car.
Activating child seat protection
– Attach the child safety seat with the three-point seat belt as stated in the instructions of the manufacturer of the child seat.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 147 Child seat in
Group 3 installed on
the rear seat facing the
direction of travel
Transporting children safely 173
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Attaching child seat using the “ISOFIX” system
There are two fixing eyes between the backrest and the seat itself
on both of the outer rear seats for fixing the “ISOFIX” system child
seat in place. – Insert the mounting funnels onto the locking eyes
between the backrest and seat cushion ⇒ page 173, fig. 148.
– Push the notched arms of the child seat over the mounting funnels into the locking eyes, until it is heard to lock
⇒page 173, fig. 149.
– Pull on both sides of the child seat!
One can mount a child safety seat using the “ISOFIX” system quickly,
easily and reliably. Please pay close attention to instructions from the
manufacturer of the child safety seat when installing and removing the
seat.
Child seats fitted with the “ISOFIX” clamping system can only be mounted
and fixed in a vehicle fitted with an “ISOFIX system” when these child
seats have been released for your type of vehicle according to the ECE-
R 44 standard.
You can obtain child seats with the “ISOFIX” attachment system from
Škoda dealers who will also installed it as well.
Complete installation instructions are enclosed with the child safety seat.
WARNING
•The locking eyes have just been developed for child safety
seats which use the “ISOFIX” system. You should therefore never
attach other child safety seats, seat belts or objects to the locking
eyes - hazard!
•Ask a Škoda dealer whether a child seat which you bought for
another vehicle is recommended for use in a Škoda before using an
“ISOFIX” system.
•Certain child seats which use the “ISOFIX” system can be
attached with standard three-point seat belts. Please pay close
Fig. 148 Locking eyes
(ISOFIX system)
Fig. 149 The ISOFIX
child seat is pushed
into the mounting
funnels
AAAB
Intelligent Technology175
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
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
•Brake Assist
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.
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 179, “Antilock
brake system (ABS)”. If there is a fault in the ABS system, the ESP also
does not operate.
Fig. 150 ESP switch