2008 SKODA ROOMSTER Owner's Manual

Airbag system128
Airbag system
Description of the airbag system
General information on the airbag system
The front airbag system is complementary to the three-point seat belts and offers additional protection in the head and chest area of the driver and passenger in the event of a frontal collision.
In the event of a side collision, the side airbags reduce the risk of injury to the occu- pants to the part of their body facing the side of the accident.
The airbag system is only functional after the ignition has been switched on.
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.
The airbag system (according to vehicl e equipment) essentially consists of:
•an electronic control unit,
•the front airbags for the driver and front passenger ⇒page 130,
•the side airbags ⇒page 132,
•Head airbags ⇒page 133,
•an airbag warning light in the instrument cluster ⇒page 28,
•a front passenger airbag switch* ⇒page 136,
•an indicator light for a switched off front seat passenger airbag* in the middle of the dash panel ⇒page 136.
A fault in the airbag system exists if:
•the airbag indicator light does not light up when the ignition is switched on,
•the airbag indicator light does not go out after about 3 seconds after the ignition is switched on,
•the airbag indicator light goes out and comes on again after the ignition is switched on,
•the airbag indicator light comes on or flickers when driving,
•an airbag indicator light showing a swit ched-off front passenger airbag* in the middle of the dash panel flashes.
WARNING
•To enable the occupants of a car to be protected with the greatest possible effect when the airbag is deployed, the front seats must be ⇒ page 119, “Correct seated position” correctly adjusted to match the body size of the occupant.
•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.
•Have the airbag system checked imme diately by a specialist garage if a fault exists. Otherwise, there is a risk of the airbag not being activated in the event of an accident.
•No modifications of any kind may be made to parts of the airbag system.
•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 accident. The airbag system must then be replaced if the airbag has been deployed.
•The airbag system needs no maintenance during its working life.
•If you sell your car, please hand over the complete vehicle documenta-tion to the new owener. Please note that the documents relating to the possibility of deactivating the front passenger airbag are also part of the vehicle documents!
•If the vehicle or individual parts of the airbag system are scrapped, it is essential to observe the relevant safety precautions. Škoda Service Partners are familiar with these regulations.
•When disposing of vehicle or parts of the airbag system, it is important to comply with the national legal requirements.
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When are the airbags deployed?
The airbag system is designed in such a way that the driver and the front passenger airbag* are deployed in the event of a frontal collision of major severity.
In the case of a violent side crash, the side airbag* in the front seat and the head airbag* on the side of the car at which the collision occurs are deployed.
It is also possible under cert ain special accident situations that the front as well as the side airbags and head airbags* are deployed.
The airbags are not deployed in the case of minor frontal and side collisions, in the case of rear-end collisi ons and vehicle rollover.
Deployment factors
It is not possible to state globally which deployment conditions apply to the airbag system in every situation as the circumstances which exist in the case of accidents vary greatly. An important role in this case , for example, is played by factors such as the type of object against which the vehicle impacts (hard, soft), the angle of impact, the vehicle speed etc.
A decisive factor for the deployment of the airbags is the deceleration which occurs during a collision. The control unit analyses the nature of the collision and activates the relevant restraint system. If the vehi cle deceleration which occurs and is meas- ured during the collision remains below the prescribed reference values specified in the control unit, the airbags are not deployed although the vehicle may well suffer severe damage to the bodywork as a consequence of the accident.
The airbags are not deployed if:
•ignition off,
•a minor frontal collision,
•a minor side collision,
•a rear-end collision,
•rollover.
Caution
The dash panel must be replaced afte r the front passenger airbag has been deployed.
Note
•A grey white or red, non harmful gas is released when airbag is inflated. This is perfectly normal and is not an indi cation of a fire in the vehicle.
•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.
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Front airbags
Description of the front airbags
The airbag system is not a su bstitute for the seat belt!
The front airbag for the driver is housed in the steering wheel ⇒fig. 125. The front airbag for the front passenger* is housed in the dash panel above the storage compartment ⇒fig. 126. The installation positions are each marked with the “AIRBAG” logo.
The front airbag system is complementary to the three-point seat belts and offers additional protection in the head and chest area of the driver and passenger in the
event of a frontal collision ⇒ in “Important safety information regarding the front airbag system” on page 131.
The airbag is not a substitute for the seat belt, but is 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 fastened .
Apart from their normal protective function, a further task of the seat belts is to also hold the driver and front passenger in a correct seated position in the event of a frontal collision so as to enable the fr ont 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 122, “Why seat belts?”.
Caution
The dash panel must be replaced afte r the front passenger airbag has been deployed.
Function of the front airbags
Risk of injury to the head and chest area is reduced by fully inflated
airbags.
The airbag system is designed in such a way that the driver and front passenger airbag* are deployed in the event of a frontal collision of major severity.
Fig. 125 Driver airbag in the steering wheel
Fig. 126 Front passenger airbag in the dash panel
Fig. 127 Inflated airbags
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In certain accident situations both the front airbags as well as the head and side airbags may be deployed together.
If the airbags are deployed, the airbags are filled with a propellant gas and inflated in front of the driver and front passenger ⇒page 130, fig. 127. The airbags inflate in fractions of a second and at a high speed in order to be able to offer that addi- tional protection in the event of an acci dent. The forward movement of the driver and of the front passenger is cushioned when they make contact with the fully inflated airbag and the risk of injury to head and chest is thus reduced.
The specially developed airbag allows the gas to flow out of the inflated airbag in a controlled manner (depending on the load of the particular car occupant) in order to cushion head and chest areas. The airbag then deflates subsequently to such an extent, after an accident, to again provide a clear view forward.
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 airbag develops enormous forces when triggered, which can lead to injuries if the sitting position or seated position is not correct ⇒ in “Important safety information regarding the front airbag system” on page 131.
Important safety information regarding the front airbag system
Correct use of the airbag system considerably reduces the risk of
injury!
WARNING
•Never transport children on the front seat of a vehicle without using a proper restraint system. If airbags are deployed in the event of an accident, the child might suffer severe or even fatal injuries!
•For the driver and front passenger it is important to maintain a distance of at least 25 cm from the steering wheel or dash panel ⇒fig. 128. Not main- taining this minimum distance will mean that the airbag system will not be able to properly protect you - hazard! The front seats and the head restraints must always also be correctly adjusted to match the body size of the occu- pant.
•It is essential to always switch off ⇒page 135, “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 al so 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 requir e that the side or head passenger airbags be deactivated. When transpor ting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply with the appropriate national regulations regarding the use of child safety seats.
•There must not by any further persons, animals or objects positioned between the front seated occupants and the deployment area of the airbag.
•The steering wheel and the surface of the airbag module in the dash panel on the passenger side must not be stuck onto, covered or modified in any other way. These parts should only be cleaned with a dry cloth or a cloth moistened with water. No objects such as cup holders, mobile phone mounts, etc. may be attached to the covers of the airbag modules or be located within the immediate area.
•No modifications of any kind may be made to parts of the airbag system. Any work on the airbag system includ ing installing and removing system components because of other repair work (e.g. removing the steering wheel) must only be carried out by a specialist garage.
•Never carry out changes on the front bumper or on the body.
•Never place any objects on the dash panel on the front passenger side.
Fig. 128 Safe distance to steering wheel
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Side airbags*
Description of side airbags
The side airbag increases protection of the passenger concerned in
the case of a side impact.
The side airbags are housed in the upholstery of the backrests of the front seats and are marked ⇒fig. 129 with the lettering “AIRBAG” on the middle part.
The side airbag system in combination with the three-point seat belts, offers addi- tional protection for the upper area of th e body (chest, stomach and pelvis) in the event of severe side collisions ⇒ in “Important safety information on the side airbag” on page 133.
Apart from their normal protective function, a further task of the seat belts is to also hold the driver and front passenger in a correct seated position in the event of a side collision so as to enable the side 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 122, “Why seat belts?”.
Function of the side airbags
Risk of injury to the upper part of the body is reduced by fully inflated
side airbags.
In the case of a violent side crash, the side airbags in the front seat and the head airbags on the side of the car at wh ich the collision occurs, are deployed ⇒fig. 130.
In certain accident situations both the front airbags as well as the head and side airbags may be deployed together.
If an airbag is deployed, th e airbag is filled with propellant gas. The airbags inflate in fractions of a second and at a high spee d in order to be able to offer that addi- tional 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 indicati on 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 up per body (chest, stomach and pelvis) is reduced on the side facing the door.
Fig. 129 Driver seat: Installation position of airbag
Fig. 130 Side airbags deployed
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Important safety information 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 135, “Deactivating an airbag” the front passenger airbag when attach ing 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 ch ild 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 requir e 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.
•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 suit-able child safety seat ⇒page 139, “Child safety and side airbag*”.
•If children adopt an incorrect seated position when travelling, they may be exposed to an increased risk of injury in the event of an accident. This can result in serious injuries ⇒page 137, “What you should know about trans- porting children!”.
•There must not be any further persons, animals as well as objects posi- tioned between the occupants and the de ployment 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 fo rces, 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 that 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 se ats 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 because of other repa ir work (e.g. removing seats) must only be carried out by a specialist garage.
Head airbags*
Description of the head airbags
The head airbag together with the side airbag offers enhanced occu-
pant protection in the ev ent of a side collision.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 131 Installation position of the head airbags
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The head airbags are positioned above the doors on both sides in the interior of the car ⇒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 “Important safety information on the head airbag” on page 134.
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 122.
Together with other elements (such as cros s bars in the seats, stable vehicle struc- ture) the head airbags are the conseque nt further development 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 rele- vant side airbag on the side of th e car on which the accident occurs ⇒fig. 132.
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 simultaneously both to the front occupants of the car seated on th e side on which the accident occurs, as well as to the rear occupants. Any impact of the head against par ts 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 result ant 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 infl ated. 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 off ⇒page 135 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 certai n countries national legal provisions also require that the side or head pa ssenger airbags be deactivated. When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply with the appropriate national regulations rega rding 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 properly.
•Only hang light items of clothing on the clothes hooks to the vehicle. Never leave any heavy or sh arp-edged objects in the pockets of the items of
Fig. 132 Inflated head airbag
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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 ar ea 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 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 injuries to the occupants ⇒page 193.
•Any work on the head airbag system including installing and removing system components because of other re pair work (e.g. removing headliner) must only be carried ou t by a specialist garage.
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 protec-
tion.
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 deactiva tion of the airbags carried out by a specialist garage.
On vehicles equipped with the switch for de activation of the airbags, you can deac- tivate the front passenger airbag or passen ger side airbag by means of this switch ⇒ page 136.
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 directio n of travel of the vehicle (in some coun- tries this must be in the direction of travel due to other legal regulations applying) ⇒ page 137, “Important safety information 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 of f 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 136, fig. 134.
Note
Your Škoda Service Partner will be able to advise you whether national legislation in your country allows airbags in your vehi cle to be deactivated, and which ones.
WARNING (continued)
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