56CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENTIndicator/warning lightsThe position of the indicator/warning lights
depends on the model and engine versi-
on. You will find the symbols presented in
the description which follows on or at the
corresponding indicator/warning lights in
the instrument cluster.
When certain warning lights come on, this
is accompanied by an audible signal. A text
may also be shown in the information dis-
play* - see previous chapters.
Turn signal systemThe right or left indicator light flashes when
switching over the turn signal light upwards
or downwards.
If a turn signal fails, the warning light flashes
twice as fast. This does not apply when
towing a trailer. Both warning lights flash
when the hazard warning system is swit-
ched on.Main beamThe warning light comes on when main
beam is switched on or when the headlight
flasher is used.
Further details are given on page 67.Airbag system*The warning light comes on for a few sec-
onds when ignition is switched on.
If the lamp does not go out or if it comes on
again when driving, there is a fault in the
system. This is also valid if the warning light
does not come on when switching on the
ignition. Further information see page 103.
Text in the information display*: AIRBAG
FAULT (fault at airbag)
The operational readiness of the airbag
system is monitored electronically, also on
deactivated front passenger airbag or side
airbag.
WarningIf you do not pay attention to the warn-
ing lights coming on and the corre-
sponding descriptions and warning
notes, this may result in severe body
injuries or major vehicle damage.The engine compartment of your car
is a hazardous area.There is a risk of injuries, scalding,
accidents and fire when working in the
engine compartment, e.g. inspecting
and replenishing oil and other fluids.Absolutely pay attention to the warn-
ing notes - see page 137.
95
SAFETY
Adjust the backrest so that you are able
to reach the highest point of the steering
wheel with your arms at a slight angle.
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 - see
illustration.
Fasten the seat belt correctly - see page
100.
Driver seat adjustment - see page 19. Warning
The front seats and the head re-
straints must always be adjusted to
match the body size of the seat oc-
cupant. The seat belts must always
be correctly fastened in order to pro-
vide an optimal protection for you
and your occupants.
The driver must maintain a distance
of at least 25 cm to the steering wheel -
see illustration on page 94.
If you do not maintain this minimum
distance, the airbag system will not
be able to 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 an-
other way (e.g. in the middle of the
steering wheel or at the inner steer-
ing wheel edge).
When driving, the backrests must
not be angled too far back, otherwise
this will affect proper operation of the
seat belts and of the airbag system -
risk of injury!
Correct seated position for the
front passengerThe front passenger must maintain a
distance of at least 25 cm from the dash
panel so that the airbag offers the great-
est 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 - see
illustration on page 95.
Fasten the seat belt correctly - see page
100.
In exceptional cases the front passenger
airbag can be deactivated - see page 107.
Front passenger seat adjustment - see
page 19.
106SAFETYNever carry out changes on the
front bumper or on the body.
The protective function of the
airbag system only lasts for a single
accident. If the airbag has been de-
ployed, the system should be re-
placed.
No persons, animals or objects
should be located between the front
seat occupants and the effective ran-
ge of the airbags.
If the vehicle is sold, the complete
vehicle wallet should also be passed
onto the new owner.
Special features if front passenger
airbag is deactivatedAs soon as possible activate the airbags,
so that the safety of the vehicle is increa-
sed.
Your car offers you the technical facility of
deactivating the front passenger airbag and
also the side airbag.
Deactivating the front airbag and also the
side airbag can be carried out by your
Škoda Dealer.
On vehicles with the switch, the front pas-
senger airbag and also the front passen-
ger side airbag can be deactivated with this
switch in the glove box - see page 107. Warning
A child seat in which the child faces
with its back in the direction of travel,
may only be used in the front passen-
ger seat if the front passenger airbag
(in certain countries also on child
seats in which the child faces the di-
rection of travel) has been deacti-
vated - refer to page 107. Otherwise,
there is a risk of the child suffering
severe or even fatal injuries if the
airbag is deployed. In certain coun-
tries, legal requirements necessitate
deactivating the side airbag. If a child
is nevertheless seated on the front
passenger seat, observe the legal
requirements for the use of child
seats.
107
SAFETY
As soon as you no longer use the child
safety seat, you should reactivate the
front passenger airbag.
If using a child seat, please read the sec-
tion headed „Safety of Children“ on page
111 .
The operational readiness of the airbag
system is monitored electronically even if
the passenger airbag is deactivated.
If the airbag was switched off with a diag-
nostic unit , the warning light comes on in
the dash panel insert for about 3 seconds
after the ignition is switched on and then
flashes for a further 12 seconds.
If the airbag was deactivated with an
Airbag switch* in the glove box, the airbag
warning light comes on in the dash panel
insert for about 3 seconds and the deacti-
vation of the airbag is signaled if the warn-
ing light “AIRBAG “ OFF” comes on in the
interior light - see page 108.
Switch for front passenger airbags*You can deactivate the passenger-side
front airbag and if the vehicle is equipped
with side airbags, also the passenger-side
side airbag with the switch
The airbag(s) may be deactivated only if,
in exceptional cases, it is necessary to in-
stall a child seat on the front passenger
seat.
It is preferable to place the child seat al-
ways at the rear.
For safety reasons the driver of the car is
under the obligation to have the airbag
switched on when driving.
Warning
Deactivate the airbag only when the
ignition is switched off! Failure to ob-
serve this instruction may result in a
fault in the airbag system and con-
sequently cause subsequent deploy-
ment of the airbag.
Deactivating airbag Switch the ignition off.
Use the ignition key to turn the airbag
switch -arrow- into the „OFF“ position. The
ignition key must be in the vertical position.
Check whether the airbag warning light
in the interior lighting (front) lights up when
the ignition is switched on.
Warning
The driver of the car is responsible
for ensuring that the airbag is deacti-
vated or activated.
108SAFETYSwitching on airbagSwitch the ignition off.
Use the ignition key to turn the airbag
switch - arrow - into the „ON“ position. The
ignition key must be in the horizontal posi-
tion.
Check whether the airbag warning light
in the interior lighting (front) goes out when
the ignition is switched on.
After activating the airbag and then switch-
ing on the ignition, the airbag warning light
comes on for about 3 seconds.
Warning
The driver of the car is responsible
for ensuring that the airbag is deac-
tivated or activated.
„Airbag OFF“ warning light
(airbag deactivated)*The warning light is located in the front in-
terior lighting of the car.
Each time the ignition is switched on, the
warning light comes on in the dash panel
for a few seconds (self diagnosis).
The warning light comes on if the passen-
ger- side airbag or also the side airbag has
been deactivated.
If the warning light in the instrument panel
flashes, there is a fault in the airbag sys-
tem. Contact a Škoda Dealer immediately
to have this rectified Warning
If the warning light flashes:
There is a risk of the passenger-
side airbag being deployed in the
event of an accident. For this reason,
do not install a child seat on the front
passenger seat.
If the front passenger seat is oc-
cupied, there is a risk of the airbag
being deployed unexpectedly and
also causing possible injuries to the
occupant of the front passenger seat.
111
SAFETY
Only light items of clothing should
be hung up on the clothes hooks in
the car. No heavy or sharp-edged
objects should be stowed in the
pockets of the items of clothing.
Avoid any excessive force acting
on the side panels of the seats, such
as a sudden knock, or pressing with
your foot etc., otherwise the system
may be damaged. In this case, the
side airbags would not deploy!
On no account may seat or protec-
tive covers be fitted over the driver
or front passenger seats fitted with
side airbags. As the airbag inflates
out of the backrest of the seat, the
protective function offered by the
side airbags would be restricted if
seat protective covers were used.
If the original seat cover or the stit-
ching in the module area of the side
airbag is damaged, the seat cover in
question should be replaced imme-
diately by a Škoda Dealer.
The protection offered by the air-
bag system is sufficient only for one
accident. If the airbag has been de-
ployed, the system should be rene-
wed.
If the occupants lean forward or
adopt an incorrect seated position
when driving, they are exposing
themselves to an increased risk of an
injury in the event of an accident.
A child seat in which the child
faces with its back in the direction of
travel, may only be used in the front
passenger seat if the front passen-
ger airbag (in certain countries also
on child seats in which the child
faces the direction of travel) has
been deactivated - refer to page 107.
Otherwise, there is a risk of the child
suffering severe or even fatal injuries
if the airbag is deployed. In certain
countries, legal requirements neces-
sitate deactivating the side airbag. If
a child is nevertheless seated on the
front passenger seat, observe the le-
gal requirements for the use of child
seats.
Safety of childrenAccident statistics reveal that children
who sit at the rear are generally better
protected than when seated on the front
passenger seat. Children younger than
12 years should normally travel on the
rear seat of the car
1). They should be
protected by a child restraint system or
by the standard car seat belts, depend-
ing on age, body size and weight. For
safety reasons, the child restraint sys-
tem should be installed behind the front
passenger seat.
Warning
All vehicle occupants, in particu-
lar children, must fasten their seat
belt when the car is moving.
Never allow your child to stand in
the car or to kneel on the seats when
the car is moving. If an accident oc-
curs, your child will be thrown through
the car and may suffer fatal injuries.
1)Pay attention to any varying legal requirements.
115
SAFETY
Attention should be paid to legal
regulations and the instructions of
the relevant manufacturer for the in-
stallation and use of child restraint
systems.Use of child seats on front passen-
ger seatFor safety reasons, we recommend install-
ing child restraint systems on the rear
seats, whenever possible. If a child seat is
nevertheless used on the front passenger
seat, it is important to observe the follow-
ing instruction in connection with the front
passenger airbag:
Warning
A child seat in which the child
faces with its back in the direction of
travel, may only be used in the front
passenger seat if the front passen-
ger airbag (in certain countries also
on child seats in which the child
faces the direction of travel) has
been deactivated - refer to page 107.
Otherwise, there is a risk of the child
suffering severe or even fatal injuries
if the airbag is deployed.
In certain countries, legal require-
ments necessitate deactivating the
side airbag. If a child is nevertheless
seated on the front passenger seat,
observe the legal requirements for
the use of child seats.
This is also clearly stated on the sticker,
which is located on the centre column of
the front passenger side. The sticker is vis-
ible upon opening the front passenger door.
Another warning sticker is located on the
windscreen near the front passenger seat. Warning
If a child seat is used in which the
child is seated in the direction of
travel, the front passenger seat must
be moved fully back.
Child safety and side airbag*In addition to the driver and front passen-
ger airbags your Škoda car may also be
equipped with 2 side airbags which offer
enhanced protection to the occupants in the
event of a side impact.
To ensure that the occupants can benefit
from this additional protective function, the
side airbag must be inflated in fractions of
a second in the event of a collision (refer
also to page 109 of the Owner’s Manual).
When the airbag is deployed, a consider-
able force is generated which may result
in injuries being caused to occupants by the
airbag or by any objects which are within
the inflation range of the side airbag if the
occupant is not correctly seated.
This applies particularly to children if
they are not transported in accordance
with legal provisions.
116SAFETYWarning
To avoid severe injuries, therefore,
children must always be transported
safely in the vehicle with a restraint
system which matches the age, body
size and weight of the child.
Children must never be positioned
with their head in the inflation range
of the side airbag. Risk of injury!
Do not place any objects in the in-
flation range of the side airbag. Risk
of injury!
A child seat in which the child
faces with its back in the direction of
travel, may only be used in the front
passenger seat if the front passen-
ger airbag (in certain countries also
on child seats in which the child
faces the direction of travel) has
been deactivated - refer to page 107.
Otherwise, there is a risk of the child
suffering severe or even fatal injuries
if the airbag is deployed. In certain
countries, legal requirements neces-
sitate deactivating the side airbag. If
a child is nevertheless seated on the
front passenger seat, observe the
legal requirements for the use of
child seats.
Attaching child seats („ISOFIX“
system)Two eyes for attaching a child seat with the
„ISOFIX“ system are provided between
backrest and seat cushion at the two outer
rear seats.
Child seats with the „ISOFIX“ system can
be installed quickly, conveniently and
safely. The seat should be installed as
specified in the installation instructions
enclosed with the „ISOFIX“ child seat. Al-
ways ensure that the child seat engages
properly when installed (pull as a check!).
Notes
An „ISOFIX“ child seat must only be at-
tached in the vehicle using the „ISOFIX“
system if the child seat bears an official seal
of approval for the particular vehicle model
in conformity with the ECE-R 44 Standard.
Warning
Before using an „ISOFIX“ child
seat which you have acquired for an-
other vehicle, please check with yourŠkoda dealer whether your child seat
is recommended for the Škoda-Octavia. Certain child seats with “ISOFIX”
attachment system can also be at-
tached with the usual three-point
seat belt. Attention should be paid to
the instructions of the child seat
manufacturer for the installation and
removal.