2006 SKODA ROOMSTER Owner's Manual

Airbag system
160
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.
Important safety informat ion on the side airbag
Correct use of the airbag system considerably reduces the
risk of injury!
WARNING
•It is essential to always switch off ⇒page 163, “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.
•Your head should never be positioned in the deployment area of
the side airbag. You might suffer severe injuries in the event of an
accident. This applies in particular to children who are transported
without using a suitable child safety seat ⇒page 169, “Child safety
and Side airbag*”.
•If children adopt an incorrect seated position when travelling,
they may be exposed to an increase d risk of injury in the event of an accident. This can result in serious injuries
⇒page 166, “What
you should know about transporting children!”.
•There must not be any further persons, animals as well as
objects positioned between the occupants and the deployment
area of the airbag. There must also be no accessories such as cup
holders, attached to the doors to enable the side airbags to activate
properly.
•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.
•Ensure that there are no excessive forces, such as violent
knocks, kicks etc., impact on the backrests of the seats otherwise
the system may be damaged. The side airbags would not be
deployed in such a case!
•Any seat or protective covers which you fit to the driver or front
passenger seats must only be of the type expressly authorized by
Škoda Auto. In view of the fact th at the airbag inflates out of the
backrest of the seat, use of non-approved seat or protective covers
would considerably impair the protective function of the side
airbag.
•Any damage to the original seat covers in the area of the side
airbag module must be repaired without delay by your specialist
garage.
•The airbag modules in the front seats must not display any
damage, cracks or deep scratches. It is not permissible to use force
in order to open the modules.
•Any work on the side airbag system including removing and
installing system components beca use of other repair work (e.g.
removing seats) must only be carried out by a specialist garage.
WARNING (continued)
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Airbag system161
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Head airbags*
Description of the head airbags
The head airbag together with the side airbag offers
enhanced occupant protection in the event of a side colli-
sion.
The head airbags are positioned above the doors on both sides in the inte-
rior of the car ⇒page 161, fig. 131 . The installation positions of the head
airbags are each marked with the “AIRBAG” logo.
The head airbag together with the three-point seat belts and the side
airbags, offers additional protection for the head and neck area of the
occupants in the event of a side collision of major severity ⇒ in “Impor-
tant safety information on the head airbag” on page 162.
Apart from their normal protective function, a further task of the seat belts
is to also hold the driver and the occupants in a correct seated position in the event of a side collision so as to enable the head airbags to offer the
maximum protection.
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 147.
Together with other elements (such as cross bars in the seats, stable
vehicle structure) the head airbags are the consequent further develop-
ment of occupant 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. 132 .
Fig. 131 Installation
position of the head
airbags
Fig. 132 Inflated head
airbag
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Airbag system
162
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. 132 .
The protection offered by the head airbags is thus available simultane-
ously both to the front occupants of the car seated 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 car, is cushioned
by the inflated head airbag. The reduction in any impact to the head and
the resultant minimizing of any movements of the head additionally reduce
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 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.
Important safety informat ion on the head airbag
Correct use of the airbag system considerably reduces the
risk of injury!
WARNING
•It is essential to always switch off ⇒page 163 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.
•There must not be any objects in the deployment area of the
head airbags which might prevent the airbags from inflating prop-
erly.
•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 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 232.
•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.
WARNING (continued)
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Airbag system163
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
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 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 164.
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 166, “Important safety informa-
tion regarding the use of 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.
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 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 164, fig. 134 .
Note
Your Škoda Service Partner will be able to advise you whether national
legislation in your country allows airbags in your vehicle to be deactivated,
and which ones.
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Airbag system
164
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. Deactivating
an airbag
– Switch off the ignition.
– Turn the slot of the airbag switch using the ignition key in the direction of the arrow to the position OFF ⇒ fig. 133 .
– Check whether the airbag indicator light
  
in the middle of the dash panel lights up ⇒fig. 134 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 direction of the arrow to the position ON ⇒ fig. 133 .
– Check whether the airbag indicator light
  
in the middle of the dash panel lights up ⇒fig. 134 when the
ignition is turned on.
The airbags should only be switched off under exceptional circumstances
⇒ page 163.
Indicator light
   (airbag switched off)
The airbag indicator light is located in the middle of the dash panel
⇒ fig. 134 .
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 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.
Fig. 133 Switch for the
front seat passenger
airbag(s)
Fig. 134 Indicator light
for a switched off front
seat passenger airbag
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Airbag system165
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
WARNING
•The driver is responsible for whether the airbags are switched
on or switched off.
•Only switch off the airbag when the ignition is switched off!
Otherwise a fault can occur in the system for the airbag deactiva-
tion.
•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 safely
166
Transporting children safely
What you should know about
transporting children!
An introduction to the subject
Accident statistics have revealed that children are gener-
ally 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 their age, body
size and weight. The child seat should be mounted behind the front
passenger seat for safety reasons.
The physical principle of an accident does, of course, also apply to chil-
dren ⇒page 148, “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 officially approved, suitable for chil-
dren and which comply with the ECE-R 44 standard, which classifies child
safety seats into 5 groups ⇒page 170, “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 use child safety seats from the Škoda genuine
accessories. These child seats were developed and also tested for use in
Škoda vehicles. They fulfil the standard ECE-R 44.
WARNING
Always comply with national le
gal 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 informatio n 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 particular children - must wear
a seat belt when the car is moving!
•Children less than 1.50 m in height or younger than 12 years
must not use a normal seat belt without a child restraint system
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Transporting children safely 167
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 170, “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 tran sported 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 150, “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 163 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)
NKO 20 A05.book Page 167 Wednesday, June 21, 2006 1:42 PM