2006 SKODA OCTAVIA warning

Filling the CD changer with CDs
›
Press and hold the button C
» Fig. 109 for longer than 2
seconds and guide the
CDs one after the other (maximum 6 CDs) into the CD case B
. The warning
lights in the buttons D
stop flashing.
Inserting a CD at a specific position
› Press the button C
» Fig. 109. The warning lights in the buttons D
illuminate
the memory spaces that are already assigned and flash in the case of free mem-
ory spaces.
› Touch the desired button D
and guide the CD into the CD-case B
.
Ejecting a CD
› Press the button A
» Fig. 109 to eject a CD. For assigned memory spaces, the
warning lights now illuminate in the buttons D
.
› Press the corresponding button D
. The CD is ejected.
Ejecting all CDs
› Press and hold the button A
» Fig. 109 for more than 2

seconds to eject the
CDs. All CDs in the CD-changer are ejected consecutively. Note
■ Always guide the CD into the CD case B
» Fig. 109 with the printed side facing
upwards.
■ Never force the CD into the CD case as it is drawn in automatically.
■ After loading a CD into the CD changer, wait until the warning light of the corre-
sponding button D
is illuminated. Then the CD case B
is free to load the next
CD.
■ If a position is selected, on which a CD is already located, this CD is ejected. Re-
move the ejected CD and load the desired CD. Ð
120 Using the system

Safety
Passive Safety
General information
ä
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Safety equipment 121
Before setting off 121
What influences the driving safety? 122
In this section you will find important information, tips and notes on the subject
of passive safety in your vehicle. We have combined everything here which you
should be familiar with, for example, regarding seat belts, airbags, child seats and
safety of children. It is therefore important, in particular, to comply with the notes
and warnings in this section for your own interest and in the interest of those
travelling with you. WARNING
■ This chapter contains important information on how to use the vehicle for
the driver and his occupants. You will find further information on safety, which
concerns you and those travelling with you, in the following chapters of this
Owner's Manual.
■ The complete on-board literature should always be in the vehicle. This ap-
plies in particular, if you rent out or sell the vehicle. ÐSafety equipment
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 121.
The following list contains part of the safety equipment in your vehicle:
› three-point seat belts for all the seats;
› belt force limiter for front and outer rear seats;
ä ›
belt tensioners for front seats;
› seat belt height adjusters for front seats;
› Front airbag for the driver and the front seat passenger;
› side airbags;
› head airbags;
› anchoring points for child seat using the
ISOFIX system;
› anchoring points for child seat using the TOP TETHER system;
› head restraints adjustable for height;
› adjustable steering column.
The specified safety equipment works together, in order to optimally protect you
and those travelling with you in accident situations. The safety equipment does
not protect you or the people travelling with you, if you or your occupants adopt
an incorrect seated position or the equipment is not correctly adjusted or used. Ð Before setting off
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 121.
For your own safety and the safety of the people travelling with you, please pay
attention to the following points before setting off.
›
Ensure that the lighting and the turn signal system are functioning properly.
› Check the tyre inflation pressure.
› Ensure that all of the windows offer good visibility to the outside.
› Secure all items of luggage
» page 60, Boot.
› Ensure that no objects can obstruct the pedals.
› Adjust the mirrors, the front seat and head restraint to your body size.
› Advise your passengers to adjust the head restraints to their body size.
› Protect children in suitable child seats with correctly fastened seat
belts
» page 135, Transporting children safely .
› Adopt the correct seated position
» page 122, Correct seated position . Tell your
passengers to assume the correct seated position.
› Correctly fasten the seat belt. Also inform passengers to fasten the seat belt
correctly » page 125, Seat belts . Ð
ä
121
Passive Safety

What influences the driving safety?
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 121.
The driver is fully responsible for himself and his occupants. If your driving safety
is effected, you place yourself and the oncoming traffic at risk.
The following guidelines must therefore be observed. › Do not get distracted from concentrating on the traffic situation, e.g. by your
passengers or mobile phone calls.
› Never drive when your driving ability is impaired, e.g. through medication, alco-
hol, drugs.
› Keep to the traffic regulations and the permissible speed limit.
› Always adjust the driving speed to the road, traffic and weather conditions.
› Take regular breaks on long journeys – at least every two hours. ÐCorrect seated position
ä
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Correct seated position for the driver 123
Correct seated position for the front passenger 123
Correct seated position for the occupants on the rear seats 123
Examples of an incorrect seated position 124
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.
■ Always assume the correct seated position before setting off and do not
change this position while driving. Also advise your passengers to adopt the
correct seated position and not to change this position while the car is mov-
ing.
ä WARNING (Continued)
■ If the occupant adopts an incorrect seated position, he is exposed to life-
threatening injuries, in case he is hit by a deployed airbag.
■ If the occupants on the rear seats are not sitting upright, the risk of injury is
increased due to incorrect routing of the seat belt.
■ The driver must maintain a distance of at least 25 cm to the steering wheel.
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 sys-
tem will not be able to properly 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 in
the 12 o'clock position or in any other way (e.g. in the middle or inner edge of
the steering wheel). In such cases, you could severely injure the arms, hands
and head when the driver airbag is deployed.
■ The seat 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 driver's footwell as they may get
caught behind the pedals when driving or applying the braking. You would
then no longer be able to operate the clutch, brake or accelerate.
■ 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 nec-
essary to apply the brake or in the event of an accident. If an airbag is de-
ployed, you may suffer fatal injuries when adopting an incorrect seated posi-
tion! Ð
122 Safety

Seat belts
Seat belts
ä
Introduction Fig. 111
Driver wearing seat belt
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
The physical principle of a frontal collision 126
Fastening and unfastening seat belts 127
Seat belt height adjuster on the front seats 128
Belt tensioners 128
Seat belts that are fastened correctly offer good protection in the event of an ac-
cident. They reduce the risk of an injury and increase the chance of survival in the
event of a major accident.
Correctly fastened seat belts hold occupants of the car in the correct seated posi-
tion » Fig. 111.
The seat belts reduce the kinetic energy (energy of motion) to a considerable ex-
tent. They also prevent uncontrolled movements which, in turn, may well result in
severe injuries.
The occupants of a vehicle who have fastened and correctly adjusted their seat
belt, profit to a major extent from the fact that the kinetic energy is optimally ab-
sorbed by the belts. The structure of the front end of the vehicle and other pas-
sive safety measures, such as the airbag system, also contribute to reducing the
kinetic energy. The energy produced is thus absorbed and there is less risk of in-
jury. Particular safety aspects must be observed when transporting children in the ve-
hicle
» page 135. WARNING
■ Fasten your seat belt before each journey - even when driving in town! This
also applies to the people seated at the rear - risk of injury!
■ Expectant women must also always wear a seat belt. This is the only way of
ensuring optimal protection for the unborn child » page 127, Fastening and
unfastening seat belts .
■ Adjust the height of the belt in such a way that the shoulder part of the belt
is roughly positioned across the middle of your shoulder - on no account
across your neck.
■ Always ensure that the webbing of the seat belts is properly routed. Seat
belts which are not correctly adjusted can themselves cause injuries even in
minor accidents.
■ The maximum protection which seat belts can offer is only achieved if you
are correctly seated » page 122, Correct seated position .
■ The seat backrests of the front seats must not be tilted too far to the rear
otherwise the seatbelts can lose their effectiveness.
■ The belt webbing must not be jammed in-between at any point or twisted,
or chafe against any sharp edges.
■ Make sure you do not catch the seat belt in the door when closing it.
■ A seat belt which is hanging too loose can result in injuries as your body is
moved forward by the kinetic energy produced in an accident and is then sud-
denly held firm by the belt.
■ The belt webbing must not run across solid or fragile objects (e.g. specta-
cles, ball-point pens, keys etc.) as this may be a cause of injuries.
■ No two persons (also not children) should ever use a single seat belt togeth-
er.
■ The lock tongue should only be inserted into the lock which is the correct
one for your seat. Wrong use of the safety belt will reduce its capacity to pro-
tect and the risk of injury increases.
■ The slot of the belt tongue must not be blocked by paper or similar objects
otherwise the belt tongue will not lock in place properly.
■ Many layers of clothing and loose clothing (e. g. a winter coat over a jacket)
do not allow you to be correctly seated and impairs proper operation of the
seat belts.
■ It is prohibited to use clamps or other objects to adjust seat belts (e. g. for
shortening the belts for smaller persons). £
125
Seat belts

WARNING (Continued)
■ The seat belts for the rear seats can only fulfil their function reliably when
the seat backrests are correctly locked into position » page 59, Rear seats.
■ The belt webbing must always be kept clean. Soiled belt webbing may im-
pair proper operation of the inertia reel » page 154, Seat belts.
■ The seat belts must not be removed or changed in any way. Do not attempt
to repair the seat belts yourself.
■ Check the condition of all the seat belts on a regular basis. If any damage to
the seat belts, seat belt connections, inertia reel or the lock is detected, the
relevant seat belt must be replaced by a
ŠKODA specialist garage.
■ Damaged seat belts which have been subjected to stress in an accident and
were therefore stretched, must be replaced - this is best done by a
ŠKODA
specialist garage. The anchorage points for the belts should also be checked. Note
The national legal requirements must be observed when using seat belts. ÐThe physical principle of a frontal collision
Fig. 112
Driver without a fastened seat belt/rear seat passenger without a
fastened seat belt
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 125.
The physical principle of a frontal collision can be explained quite simply.
ä As soon as the vehicle is moving, so-called kinetic energy (the energy of motion)
is produced both in terms of the car as well as in terms of the occupants. The
magnitude of this kinetic energy depends essentially on the speed at which the
vehicle is travelling and on the weight of the vehicle including the occupants. The
greater the speed and weight increase, the greater the amount of energy which
has to be absorbed in the event of an accident.
The speed of the vehicle is, nevertheless, the most important factor. Doubling the
speed of the vehicle from 25 km/h up to 50 km/hour increases the kinetic energy
four times.
The common opinion that it is possible to support your body in a minor accident
with your hands, is incorrect. Even in a collision at only a low speed, the forces
acting on the body are such that it is no longer possible to support your body.
Even if you only drive at a speed of 30

km/h to 50 km/h, the forces that your body
is exposed to in the event of an accident can exceed a tonne (1 000 kg).
In the event of a frontal collision, occupants of the car not wearing a seat belt, are
thrown forward and strike in an uncontrolled way parts of the interior of the car,
such as steering wheel, dash panel or windscreen » Fig. 112 - . In certain circum-
stances you could even be thrown out of the vehicle, which could cause life
threatening or even fatal injuries.
It is also important that rear seat occupants fasten their seat belts as they will
otherwise be thrown through the vehicle in an uncontrolled manner in the event
of an accident A rear seat passenger who has not fastened the seat belt is a dan-
ger not only to himself but also for those seated at the front » Fig. 112 - . Ð
126 Safety

Seat belt height adjuster on the front seats
Fig. 115
Front seat: Seat belt height ad-
juster
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 125.
The seat belt height adjuster makes it possible to adjust the routing of the front
seat belts in the area of the shoulder to the body size.
›
Press the height adjuster and move up or down in the desired direc-
tion » Fig. 115.
› Then pull firmly on the belt to ensure that the seat belt height adjuster has cor-
rectly locked in place. ÐBelt tensioners
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 125.
Safety for the driver and front passenger
wearing their seat belts is enhanced by
the belt tensioners fitted to the inertia reels of the front three-point seat belts.
The three-point seat belts are automatically tensioned in the event of a frontal
collision of a certain severity. The belt tensioners can also be deployed if the seat
belts are not fastened.
The fastened three-point seat belts are automatically tensioned in the event of a
frontal or side collision of a certain severity.
Belt tensioners are not activated in the event of minor frontal collisions, side and
rear-end collisions, in the case of a rollover and also not in accidents in which no
major forces are produced from the front.
ä
ä WARNING
■ Any work on the belt tensioner system including removal and installation of
system components because of other repair work, must only be carried out by
a
ŠKODA specialist garage.
■ The protective function of the system is only adequate for a single accident.
If the belt tensioners have been deployed, it is then necessary to replace the
entire system. Note
■ Smoke is generated when the belt tensioners are deployed. This is not an indi-
cation of a fire in the vehicle. ■ When disposing of the vehicle or parts of the belt tensioner system, it is impor-
tant to comply with national legal requirements.
ŠKODA Service Partners are fa-
miliar with these regulations and will be able to provide you with detailed infor-
mation. Ð128
Safety

Airbag system
Description of the airbag system
Introductory information
The operational readiness of the airbag system is monitored electronically. The
airbag warning light  comes on for a few seconds each time the ignition is
switched on »
page 24.
The airbags inflate in fractions of a second and at a high speed to offer additional
protection in the event of an accident.
The airbag system (according to vehicle equipment) consists of: › an electronic control unit;
› Front airbags for the driver and front seat passenger
» page 130;
› side airbags » page 131;
› head airbags » page 132;
› an airbag warning light in the instrument cluster
» page 24;
› a key switch for the front seat passenger airbag
» page 133;
› an warning light in the middle of the dash panel to indicate the front seat pas-
senger airbag is switched off » page 133.
A fault in the airbag system exists if:
› the warning light
 does not illuminate when the ignition is switched on;
› the warning light
 does not go out 4 seconds after the ignition is switched on;
› the warning light
 goes out and comes on again after the ignition is switched
on;
› the warning light
 comes on or flashes when driving;
› the warning light in the middle of the dash panel for the deactivated front seat
passenger airbag flashes. WARNING
■ The airbag is not a substitute for the seat belt, but instead forms part of the
complete passive vehicle safety concept. Please note that an airbag can only
offer you optimal protection in combination with a seat belt which is fas-
tened.
■ To ensure passengers are protected with the greatest possible effect when
the airbag is deployed, the front seats must be correctly adjusted to match
the body size »
page 122, Correct seated position .
■ If you do not fasten the seat belts when driving, lean too far forward or
adopt an incorrect seated position, you are exposing yourself to increased risk
of injury in the event of an accident. ■ If there is a fault, have the airbag system checked immediately by a ŠKODA
specialist garage. Otherwise, there is a risk of the airbag not being activated in
the event of an accident.
■ No modifications of any kind must be made to parts of the airbag system.
Any work on the airbag system including the installation and removal of sys-
tem components due to other repair work (e.g. removal of the steering wheel)
must only be carried out by a

ŠKODA specialist garage.
■ Never make any changes to the front bumper or bodywork.
■ It is prohibited to manipulate individual parts of the airbag system as this
might result in the airbag being deployed. ■ The protective function of the airbag system is sufficient for only one acci-
dent. The airbag system must then be replaced if the airbag has been de-
ployed.
■ The airbag system needs no maintenance during its working life.
■ If you sell your vehicle, provide the complete vehicle documentation to the
new owner. Please note that the information relating to the possibility of de-
activating the front passenger airbag must be included! ■ When disposing of vehicle or parts of the airbag system, it is important to
comply with the national legal requirements. Ð When are the airbags deployed?
The airbag system is only functional when the ignition is switched on.
In certain accident situations, the several airbags may be deployed simultaneous-
ly.
The airbags are not deployed in the case of minor frontal and side collisions, rear-
end collisions, tilting of the vehicle and vehicle rollover. £
129
Airbag system

Deployment factors
It is not possible to generally determine which deployment conditions apply to
the airbag system in every situation. An important role is played by factors such
as the type of object that the vehicle hits (hard, soft), the impact angle, vehicle
speed, etc.
A decisive factor for the deployment of the airbags is the deceleration which oc-
curs. The control unit analyses the nature of the collision and activates the rele-
vant restraint system. If the vehicle deceleration which occurs and is measured
during the collision remains below the prescribed reference values specified in
the control unit, the airbags are not deployed although the vehicle may well suf-
fer severe damage to the bodywork as a consequence of the accident.
The following will be deployed in the event of a severe frontal collision:
› driver’s front airbag;
› passenger’s front airbag.
The following will be deployed in the event of a severe side collision: › front side airbag on the side of the accident;
› head airbags on the side of the accident.
In the event of an accident in which the airbags are deployed:
› the interior lighting comes on (if the switch for the interior light is in the door
contact position),
› the hazard warning light is switched on;
› all the doors are unlocked;
› the fuel supply to the engine is interrupted. Note
A grey white or red, non-harmful gas is released when the airbag is inflated. This
is perfectly normal and is not an indication of a fire in the vehicle. Ð Front airbags
Fig. 116
Driver airbag in the steering wheel/front passenger airbag in the
dashboard Fig. 117
Safe distance to steering wheel/inflated airbags.
In the event of a severe frontal collision, the front airbag system offers additional
protection for the head and chest area of the driver and front passenger.
The front airbag for the driver is housed in the steering wheel » Fig. 116 - .
The front airbag for the front seat passenger is located in the dash panel above
the stowage compartment 
- » Fig. 116.
If the airbags are deployed, the airbags are filled with a propellant gas and infla-
ted in front of the driver and front passenger » Fig. 117 - . The forward move-
ment of the driver and of the front passenger is cushioned when they make con-
tact with the fully inflated airbag and the risk of injury to head and chest is thus
reduced. £
130 Safety