2006 SKODA FABIA warning

Airbag system151
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
You should therefore always fasten the seat belts, not only because this is required by law, but also for safety reasons and for your own protection ⇒ page 138.
Together with other elements (such as cross bars in the doors, stable vehicle structure) the head airbags are the co nsequent further development of occu- pant protection in the case of side collisions.
Function of the head airbags
The risk of injury to the head and neck area is reduced in the
event of a side collision by fully inflated head airbags.
In the case of a side collision the head airbag is deployed together with the relevant side airbag on the side of the car on which the accident occurs ⇒ fig. 120.
If the head airbag is deployed, the airbag is filled with propellant gas and covers the entire area of the side window including the door pillars ⇒fig. 120.
The protection offered by the head ai rbags is thus available simultaneously both to the front occupants of the car se ated on the side on which the accident occurs, as well as to the rear occupants. Any impact of the head against parts of the interior or objects outside of the ca r, is cushioned by the inflated head airbag. The reduction in any impact to th e head and the resultant minimizing of any movements of the head additionally re duce the risk of injuries to the neck area. In certain accident situations both the front airbags as well as the side and head airbags may be deployed together.
The airbags inflate in fractions of a seco nd 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.
Important safety information on the head airbag
Correct use of the airbag system considerably reduces the risk
of injury!
WARNING
•It is essential to always switch o ff 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) ⇒page 152. If this is not done, there is a risk of the child suffer ing severe or even fatal injuries if the front passenger airbag is deploy ed. In certain countries national legal provisions also require that th e 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.
•There must not be any objects in the deployment area of the head airbags which might prevent the ai rbags from inflating properly.
Fig. 120 Inflated head airbag
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•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. In addition, it is not permitted to use clothes hangers for hanging up items of clothing.
•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 injuries to the occu- pants if the head ai rbag 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 injuries to the occupants ⇒ page 220.
•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 specialist garage.
Deactivating an airbag
Deactivating airbags
If any airbags have been deacti vated, 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 deacti vation of the airbags carried out by a specialist garage.
On vehicles equipped with the switch fo r deactivation of the airbags, you can deactivate the front passenger airbag or passenger side airbag by means of this switch ⇒page 153.
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 direct ion of travel of the vehicle (in some countries this must be in the direction of travel due to other legal regulations applying) ⇒page 155, “Important safety information regarding the use of child safety seats”,
•you are not able to maintain the distan ce 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
WARNING (continued)
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Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
If the airbag was switched of f using diagnostic equipment:
•The airbag indicator light in the instrument cluster lights up for about 3 seconds after switching on the ignition an d then flashes after that for about 12 seconds.
If the airbag was switched off using the airbag switch* on the side of the dash panel:
•The airbag warning light comes on in the instrument cluster for about 3 seconds each time the ig nition is switched on.
•Switching off airbags is indicated in the middle of the dash panel by the lighting up of the indicator light    ⇒fig. 122.
Note
Your Škoda Service Partner will be able to advise you whether national legisla- tion in your country allows airbags in yo ur vehicle to be deactivated, and which ones.
Switch for the front seat passenger airbag(s)*
The front passenger front as well as side airbag (if the vehicle is fitted
with side airbags) are switched off using the switch.
Fig. 121 Switch for the front seat passenger airbag(s)
Fig. 122 Indicator light for a switched off front seat passenger airbag
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Deactivating an airbag
– Switch off the ignition.
– Turn the slot of the airbag switch using the ignition key in the direc-
tion of the arrow to the position OFF ⇒page 153, fig. 121.
– Check whether the airbag indicator light    in
the middle of the dash panel lights up ⇒page 153, fig. 122 when
the ignition is turned on.
Switching on an airbag
– Switch off the ignition.
– Turn the slot of the airbag switch using the ignition key in the direc-
tion of the arrow to the position ON ⇒page 153, fig. 121.
– Check whether the airbag indicator light    in
the middle of the dash panel lights up ⇒page 153, fig. 122 when
the ignition is turned on.
The airbags should only be switched off under exceptional circumstances ⇒ page 152.
Indicator light    (airbag switched off)
The airbag indicator light is located in the middle of the dash panel ⇒page 153, fig. 122 .
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 front airbag or side airbag is switched off the airbag indicator light comes on for a few seconds after switching on the igni- tion, goes out for about a second and then comes on again.
There is a system fault present in the airbag switch off ⇒ if the indicator light flashes.
WARNING
•The driver is responsible for whethe r the airbags are switched on or switched off.
•Only switch off the airbag when the ignition is switched off! Other- wise a fault can occur in the system for the airbag deactivation.
•If the warning light    (airbag switched off) flashes:
− Front passenger airbag is not deployed in the event of an accident!
− It is also important to have the system inspected without delay by a specialist garage.
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Transporting children safely155
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Tr a n s p o r t i n g c h i l d r e n s a f e l y
What you should know about transporting
children!
An introduction to the subject
Accident statistics have revealed that children are generally
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 thei r age, body size and weight. The child seat should be mounted behind the fr ont passenger seat for safety reasons.
The physical principle of an accident do es, of course, also apply to children ⇒ page 139, “The physical principle of a frontal collision”. 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.
Only use child safety seats which are offi cially approved, suitable for children and which comply with the ECE-R 44 stan dard, which classifies child safety seats into 5 groups ⇒page 159, “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 us e child safety seats from the Škoda genuine acces- sories. These child seats were developed and also tested for use in Škoda vehi- cles. They fulfil the standard ECE-R 44.
WARNING
Always comply with national legal provisions and instructions from the relevant child safety seat manufacturer when installing and using a child seat ⇒ in “Important safety information regarding the use of child safety seats”.
Note
Any national legal provisions which vary from the information contained in this Owner's Manual take precedence over the information contained herein.
Important safety information regarding the use of child
safety seats
Correct use of child safety seats considerably reduces the risk
of injury!
WARNING
•All the occupants of the car - in part icular children - must wear a seat belt when the car is moving!
•Child ren less than 1.50 m in height or younger than 12 years must not use a normal seat belt without a child restraint system otherwise this
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Transporting children safely156
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 159, “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 ev ent 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 trans- ported 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 partic ular 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 them- selves cause injuries even in minor accidents.
•Safety belts must be checked to ensure that they are running prop- erly. One should also ensure that the belt is not damaged by sharp-edged fittings.
•It is essential to always switch off ⇒page 152 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 th e child is facing the direction of travel). If this is not done, there is a risk of the chil d suffering severe or even fatal inju- ries 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 approp riate national regulations regarding the use of child safety seats.
Use of child safety seats on the front passenger seat
Child safety seats should always be attached to the rear seats.
WARNING (continued)WARNING (continued)
Fig. 123 Sticker on the centre column of the body on the front passenger side.
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Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
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 passenge r 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 direc- tion of travel. This child safety seat is positioned in the deployment area of the front passenger airbag. The ai rbag 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 body on the front passenger side ⇒page 156, fig. 123. The sticker is visible upon opening the front passenger door.
•It is essential to always switch off ⇒page 152, “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 or head passenger airbags be deactivated. When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please comp ly with the appropriate national regulations regarding the use of child safety seats.
•If the front passenger airbag has b een switched off by a specialist garage using the vehicle system te ster, the side passenger airbag* remains switched on. In certain countries national legal provisions require that besides the front passen ger airbag also the side or head passenger airbags are deactivated. Please comply with any differing national legal regulations regardin g 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 and to the top fully. Adjust the backrest to the vertical posi- tion.
•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.
WARNING (continued)
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Child safety and side airbag*
Children must never be seated in the deployment area of the
side airbags and head airbags.
Side airbags* offer the vehi cle occupants enhanced protection in the event of a collision from the side.
The side airbags are inflated in fraction s of a second in order to be able to provide this protection ⇒page 149, “Function of the side airbags”.
An airbag inflating develops such a stro ng 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 injuries.
This applies particularly to children if they are not transported in accord- ance 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 152 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 th e child is facing the direction of travel). If this is not done, there is a risk of the chil d suffering severe or even fatal inju- ries 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 approp riate national regulations regarding the use of child safety seats.
•When transporting a child on the fr ont passenger seat, please comply with the appropriate national regu lations regarding the use of child safety seats.
•Children must never be seated with their head in the deployment area of the side airbag - risk of injury!
•Do not place any objects within the deployment area of the side airbag - risk of injury!
Fig. 124 Seated position of an unprotected child at risk from side airbag
Fig. 125 Child properly protected by safety seat
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