2005 SKODA FABIA deactivate airbag

Unlocking and locking
42
Convenience operation of windows
One can open and close the electrically powered windows when opening
and closing the vehicle ⇒page 51, “Convenience operation of windows”.
Opening a single door*
This function allows one to just unlock the driver's door. The other doors
remain locked and are only unlocked when the command is repeated. The
single door opening function can be first activated by recoding the control
unit of the central locking system. This work is undertaken by a Škoda
dealer which can give you more information.
Automatic locking*
All the doors and the boot lid are locked automatically once the car
reaches a speed of about 15 km/h.
If the ignition key is withdrawn, the car is then automatically unlocked
again. In addition, it is possible for the driver to unlock the car by pressing
the central locking button
 or by pulling the door opening lever.
If you wish, your Škoda Dealer can convert the central locking system of
your car to the automatic locking mode.
WARNING
•Locking the doors prevents involuntary opening in an excep-
tional situation (an accident). Locked doors prevent unwanted
entry into the vehicle from outside, for example at road crossings.
Locked doors do, however, make it more difficult for rescuers to
get into the vehicle in an emergency - danger to life!
Note
•After locking the vehicle see, if the securing knobs located on the front
doors are pushed down. On vehicles with central locking the rear doors
have no securing knobs.
•In the event of an accident in which the airbags are deployed, the
locked doors are automatically unlocked in order to enable rescuers to
gain access to the vehicle.
•Only the front doors can be unlocked and locked using the key if the
central locking system fails. You can operate the rear door manually.
−Emergency locking of the door ⇒page 45.
Safe securing
The central locking system is equipped with a safe securing system.
Locking the vehicle from the outside causes the door locks to be automat-
ically blocked. It is not possible to pull out the locking buttons. The indi-
cator light in the driver's door flashes. It is not possible to open the doors
with the door handle either from the inside or from the outside. This acts
as an effective deterrent for attempts to break into your vehicle.
You can deactivate the safe securing system. This is done by locking the
vehicle with the key or radio-operated key twice within 2 seconds.
Deactivating the safe securing system means that the warning light next
to the securing knob in the driver's door ⇒page 44, fig. 23 will not
flash. This is not the case, however, for an activated anti-theft alarm
system* since the indicator light is showing that the system is active.
The safe securing system is again activated the next time the vehicle is
unlocked and locked again.
The doors can be opened from the inside if the vehicle is locked and the
safe securing system is deactivated:
•The door is unlocked by actuating the door-opening lever,
•The door opens upon actuating the door-opening lever again.
AA
sqc.1.book Seite 42 Mittwoch, 13. April 2005 1:09 13

Passive Safety
126
must always be correctly fastened in order to provide an optimal
protection for you and your occupants.
•The driver must maintain a distan ce of at least 25 cm to the
steering wheel ⇒page 125, fig. 102 . Not maintaining this minimum
distance will mean that the airbag system will not be able to prop-
erly protect you - hazard!
•When driving, hold the steering wheel with both hands firmly on
the outer edge in the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock position. Never hold
the steering wheel firmly in the 12 o'clock position or in another
way (e.g. in the middle of the steering wheel or at the inner steering
wheel edge). In such cases, injuries to the arms, the hands and the
head can occur when the driver airbag is deployed.
•The backrests must not be angled too far back when driving
otherwise this will affect proper operation of the seat belts and of
the airbag system - risk of injury!
•Ensure that there are no objects in the footwell as any objects
may get behind the pedals during a driving or braking manoeuvre.
You would then no longer be able to operate the clutch, to brake or
accelerate.
Correct seated position for the front passenger
The front passenger must maintain a distance of at least
25 cm from the dash panel so that the airbag offers the
greatest possible safety when an airbag is deployed.
For the safety of the front passenger and to reduce the risk of injury in the
event of an accident, we recommend the following setting.
•Adjust the front passenger seat as far as possible to the rear.
•Adjust the head restraint so that the top edge of the head restraint is
at the same level as the upper part of your head ⇒page 125, fig. 103 .
•Fasten the seat belt correctly ⇒page 132, “How are seat belts
correctly fastened?”.
In exceptional cases the front passenger airbag can be deactivated
⇒ page 144, “Deactivating an airbag”.
Adjusting the passenger seat ⇒page 68, “Adjusting the front seats”.
WARNING
•The front seats and the head restraints must always be adjusted
to match the body size of the seat occupant as well as the seat belts
must always be correctly fastened in order to provide an optimal
protection for you and your occupants.
•The front passenger must maintain a distance of at least 25 cm
to the dash panel. Not maintaining this minimum distance will mean
that the airbag system will not be able to properly protect you -
hazard!
•Always keep your feet in the footwell when the car is being
driven - never place your feet on the instrument panel, out of the
window or on the surfaces of the seats. You will be exposed to
increased risk of injury if it becomes necessary to apply the brake
or in the event of an accident. If an airbag is deployed, you may
suffer fatal injuries when adopting an incorrect seated position!
•The backrests must not be angled too far back when driving
otherwise this will affect proper operation of the seat belts and of
the airbag system - risk of injury!
WARNING (continued)
sqc.1.book Seite 126 Mittwoch, 13. April 2005 1:09 13

Airbag system
144
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 specialist garage.
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 145.
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 has its back to the direction of travel of the
vehicle (in some countries this must be in the direction of travel due to
other legal regulations applying) ⇒page 147, “Important safety informa-
tion 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
If the airbag was switched off using diagnostic equipment:
•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   ⇒ page 145, fig. 120 .
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.
sqc.1.book Seite 144 Mittwoch, 13. April 2005 1:09 13

Transporting children safely
148
otherwise this may result in injuries to the stomach and neck areas.
Comply with the nation al 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 151, “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 ve hicle 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 movi ng. 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 132, “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 144 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 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)
sqc.1.book Seite 148 Mittwoch, 13. April 2005 1:09 13

Transporting children safely 149
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
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
•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 ⇒page 149, fig. 121 . 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 144, “Deactivating an
airbag” 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 deacti-
vated. When transporting a child on the front passenger seat,
please comply with the appropriate national regulations regarding
the use of child safety seats.
•If the front passenger airbag has been switched off by a
specialist garage using the vehicle system tester, the side
passenger airbag* remains switched on. The national legal provi-
sions in certain countries require that both the front and side
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.
•As soon as you no longer use the child safety seat on the front
passenger seat, you should again have the front or the side
passenger airbag activated.
Fig. 121 Sticker on the
centre column of the
body on the front
passenger side.
WARNING (continued)
sqc.1.book Seite 149 Mittwoch, 13. April 2005 1:09 13

Transporting children safely
150
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 142, “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 144 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 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. 122 Seated posi-
tion of an unprotected
child at risk from side
airbag
Fig. 123 Child properly
protected by safety
seat
sqc.1.book Seite 150 Mittwoch, 13. April 2005 1:09 13

Transporting children safely
152
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. 124 .
Child seats in which th e 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 149,
“Use of child safety seats on the front passenger seat”.
WARNING
² It is essential to always switch off ⇒page 145 the front
passenger airbag (airbags) at a specialist garage or with the switch
for front passenger airbag(s)* 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).
•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. 124 Child seats of
group 0/0+
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 125 Child seat
with padded table in
Group 1 installed on
rear seat bench facing
the direction of travel
sqc.1.book Seite 152 Mittwoch, 13. April 2005 1:09 13

Transporting children safely 153
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assist-
anceTechnical DataFabia Praktik
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. 125 in the direction of travel.
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 149,
“Use of child safety seats on the front passenger seat”.
WARNING
•It is essential to always switch off the front passenger airbag
(airbags) at a specialist garage or with the switch for front
passenger airbag(s)* 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) ⇒page 145.
•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 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. 126 .
WARNING
•When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please
comply with the appropriate national regulations regarding the use
of child safety seats. Switch off the front passenger airbag if neces-
sary at a specialist garage or switch it off with the switch for front
passenger airbag(s)* ⇒page 145.
•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.
Fig. 126 Child seat in
Group 2 installed on
the rear seat facing the
direction of travel
sqc.1.book Seite 153 Mittwoch, 13. April 2005 1:09 13