
Passive Safety
152
Manual front passenger adjustment ⇒page 71, “Adjusting the front seats”.
Electrical front passenger seat adjustment ⇒page 72, “Adjusting front seats electri-
cally*”.
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.
•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 system will not be able to properly protect you - hazard!
•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 necessary to apply the brake or in the event of an accident. If an
airbag is deployed, you may suffer fata l injuries when adopting an incorrect
seated position!
•The backrests must not be angled too far back when driving otherwise
this will affect proper operation of th e seat belts and of the airbag system -
risk of injury!
Correct seated position for the occupants on the rear seats
Occupants on the rear seats must si t upright, keep the feet in the
footwell and must have their se at belts correctly fastened.
To reduce the risk of injury in the event of a sudden braking manoeuvre or an acci-
dent, the occupants on the rear seats must observe the following.
•Adjust the head restraints so that the top edge of the head restraints are at the
same level as the upper part of your head ⇒page 151, fig. 146 .
•Fasten the seat belt correctly ⇒ page 156, “How are seat belts correctly
fastened?”.
•If you are transporting ⇒page 171, “Transporting children safely” children in
the vehicle, please use a suitable child restraint system.
WARNING
•The head restraints must always be adjusted to match the body size, in
order to offer an optimal protection for you and your occupants.
•Always keep your feet in the footwell when the car is being driven - never
put your feet out of the window or on the surfaces of the seats. You will be
exposed to increased risk of injury if it becomes necessary to apply the brake
or in the event of an accident. If an airbag is deployed, you may suffer fatal
injuries when adopting an incorrect seated position!
•If the occupants on the rear seats are not sitting upright, the risk of injury
is increased due to incorrec t routing of the seat belt.
Examples of an incorrect seated position
An incorrect seated position can lead to severe injuries or death for
the occupants.
Seat belts offer their optimum protection on ly if the webbing of the seat belts is
properly routed. Incorrect seated positio ns considerably reduce the protective
functions of the seat belts and therefore incr ease the risk of injury due to an incor-
rect routing of the seat belt. The driver is fully responsible for himself and the occu-
pants, in particular for the children. Do not permit an occupant to adopt an incor-
rect seated position when the car is moving.
The following list contains the examples of seated positions which are dangerous
for the occupants. This list is not comple te, however we would like you to get inter-
ested in this subject.
Therefore, while the car is moving never:
•stand up in the vehicle,
•stand up on the seats,
•kneel onto the seats,
•tilt the backrest fully to the back,
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Passive Safety153
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
•lean against the dash panel,
•lie on the rear seats,
•only sit on the front area of the seat,
•sit to the side,
•lean out of the window,
•put the feet out of the window,
•put the feet on the dash panel,
•put the feet on the seat upholstery,
•occupy the footwell,
•have the seat belt not fastened,
•occupy the luggage compartment.
WARNING
•If the occupant adopts an incorrect seated position, he is exposed to life-
threatening injuries, in case he is hit by a deployed airbag.
•Before setting off, please adopt the correct seated position and do not
change this seated position while the car is moving. Also advise your occu-
pants to adopt the correct seated position and not to change this seated
position while the car is moving.
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Seat belts
156
•No two persons (also not children) should ever use a single seat belt
together.
•The maximum protection which seat belts can offer is only achieved if
you are correctly seated ⇒page 150, “Correct seated position”.
•The belt webbing must no t run across solid or fragile objects (e.g. spec-
tacles, ball-point pens, keys etc.) as this may be a cause of injuries.
•Bulky, loose clothing (e.g. a winter coat over a jacket) does 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).
•The lock tongue should only be insert ed into the lock which is the correct
one for your seat. Wrong use of the safety belt will reduce its capacity to
protect and the risk of injury increases.
•The 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 always be ke pt clean. Soiled belt webbing may
impair proper operation of the inertia reel ⇒page 203, “Seat belts”.
•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.
•Inspect the seat belts regularly to ensure they are in good condition. If
you find seat belts which have damage to the seat belt webbing, seat belt
connections, to the inertia reels or to the lock, the relevant safety belt must
be replaced by a specialist garage.
•The seat belts must not be removed or changed in any way. Do not make
an attempt to repair the seat belts yourself.
•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
specialist garage. The anchorage points of the belts must also be inspected.
The anchorage points for the be lts should also be checked.
•In certain countries it is possible to use seat belts which differ in terms of
their operation from the seat belts which are described on the pages which
follow.
How are seat belts correctly fastened?
Fastening three-point seat belts
Fasten your seat belt before starting!
– Correctly adjust the front seat and the head restraint before fastening
your seat belt ⇒page 75.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 150 Routing of webbing
over the shoulders and the
lap belt
Fig. 151 Routing of belt
webbing for an expectant
mother
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Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
– Slowly pull the belt webbing at the to ngue of the lock over your chest
and pelvis ⇒.
– Insert the tongue of the lock into th e seat belt buckle belonging to the
seat until it is heard to lock in place.
– Pull on the belt to check that it has also reliably engaged in the lock.
Each three-point seat belt is equipped with an inertia reel. This inertia reel offers
you complete freedom of movement if the belt is unreeled slowly. If the brakes are
applied suddenly, the inertia reel will block. It also blocks the belts when the car
accelerates, when driving uphill and when cornering.
Expectant mothers must also wear the seat belt ⇒.
WARNING
•The shoulder part of the seat belt must never run across your neck but
must run approximately over the middl e of the shoulder and fit snugly
against the chest. The lap part of the belt must run across the hip and must
never be routed across the stomach. It must always fit snugly ⇒page 156,
fig. 150 . Adjust the belt webbing as required.
•The lap part of the belt should be positioned as low as possible at the
pelvis of an expectant mother in order to avoid exerting any pressure on the
lower abdomen ⇒page 156, fig. 151 .
•Always ensure that the webbing of the seat belts is properly routed. Seat
belts which are not correctly adjusted ca n themselves cause injuries even in
minor accidents.
•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
suddenly held firm by the belt.
•Only insert the lock tongue into the lo ck which is the correct one for your
seat. This will affect the protection whic h the belt offers and increase the risk
of an injury.
Seat belt height adjuster
The seat belt height adjuster makes it possible for you to adapt the
routing of the three-point seat belt in the area of the shoulder to match
your body size.
– Move the height adjuster in the desired direction up or down ⇒fig. 152 .
– Then pull firmly on the belt to ensure that the seat belt height adjuster
has correctly locked in place.
WARNING
Adjust the height of the belt in such a way that the shoulder part of the belt
is positioned approximately across the middle of your shoulder - on no
account across your neck.
Note
It is also possible to adapt the routing of the belt webbing at the front seats by
adjusting the height of the seat.
Fig. 152 Front seat: Seat belt
height adjuster
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Airbag system
160
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 for the head and ches t area of the driver and passenger in the
event of a frontal collision.
In the case of a violent side crash, the si de* and head* airbags reduce the risk of
injuries to the occupants on the part of the 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,
•front airbag for the driver and front passenger,
•Driver's knee airbag*,
•front side airbags,
•Rear side airbags*,
•head airbags*,
•an airbag warning light in the instrument cluster,
•a front passenger airbag switch*,
•an indicator light for a switched off fron t seat passenger airbag* in the middle
of the dash panel.
A fault in the airbag system exists if:
•the airbag indicator light does not light up when the ignition is switched on,
•the warning light does not go out after about 4 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 150, “Correct seated position” co rrectly 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.
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Airbag system163
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
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. 157 . 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 168, “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 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 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 surface of the front passenger airbag in
the dash panel.
Fig. 157 Safe distance to
steering wheel
WARNING (continued)
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Airbag system165
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Side airbags*
Description of side airbags
The side airbag together with the head airbag offers enhanced occu-
pant protection in the event of a side collision.
The front side airbags are housed in the upholstery of the backrests of the front
seats ⇒fig. 159 .
The rear side airbags* are located between the entrance area and the seat backrest.
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) of the
occupants of the car in the event of a side collision of major severity.
Apart from their normal protective function, a further task of the seat belts is to
also hold the occupents of the front or rear exterior seats in a correct seated posi-
tion in the event of a side collision so as to enable the side airbag 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.
Each time the side airbags are deployed , the head airbag* and the front belt
tensioner on the side of the car at whic h the collision occures, are automatically
deployed at the same time in order to provide the occupant with enhanced
protection.
Function of the side airbags
Risk of injury to the upper part of the body is reduced by fully inflated
side airbags.
When the side airbags are deployed, the head airbag and the belt tensioner are also
automatically deployed on the relevant side ⇒fig. 160 .
If an airbag is deployed, the airbag is fill ed 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 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 up per body (chest, stomach and pelvis) is
reduced on the side facing the door.Fig. 159 Installation position
of side airbag in driver seat
Fig. 160 Inflated side airbag
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Airbag system
166
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 168, “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 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 or head passenger
airbags be deactivated. When transporting a child on the front passenger
seat, please comply with the appropri ate 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 173, “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 171, “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.
•The airbag control unit operates to gether with the pressure sensors,
which are attached in the front doors. For this reason no adjustments must
be carried out at the doors as well as at the door panels (for example addi-
tional installation of loudspeakers). Resulting damages can have a negative
affect on the operation of the airbag system. All work on the front doors and
their panels must only be carried out by a specialist garage.
•In the event of a side collision, the side airbags will not function properly,
if the sensors cannot measure the increasing air pressure inside the doors,
because the air can escape through lar ge, non-sealed openings in the door
panel.
−Never drive with removed inner door panels.
− Never drive, if parts of the inner door panel have been removed and
the remaining openings have not been properly sealed.
− Never drive, if the loudspeakers in the doors have been removed, only
if the loudspeaker openings have been properly sealed.
− Always make sure that the openings are covered or filled, if additional
loudspeakers or other equipment part s are installed in the inner door
panels.
− Always work with a Škod a dealer or have it carried out by a competent
specialist workshop.
•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
clothing.
•Ensure that there are no excessive forces, such as violent knocks, kicks
etc., impact on the backrests of th e 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 seats must not display any damage,
cracks or deep scratches. It is not permissible to use force in order to open
the modules.
WARNING (continued)
NKO B6 20.book Page 166 Wednesday, March 26, 2008 3:15 PM