2009 SKODA OCTAVIA Owner's Manual

Transporting children safely
184
Transporting children safelyWhat you should know about transporting children!An introduction to the subject Accident statistics have revealed that children are generally more safely transported on the rear seat
s 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 pr
ovisions 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 si
ze and weight. The child seat should be
mounted behind the front passen
ger seat for safety reasons.
The physical principle of an
accident does, of course
, also apply to children
⇒ page 169, “The physical principle of a frontal collision”. They differ from adults in that their muscles and bone structure of ch
ildren 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. Use only child safety seats which are offici
ally approved and are suitable for chil-
dren and which comply with the ECE-R 44
standard, which classifies child safety
seats into 5 groups
⇒page 187. Child restraint systems which have been tested for
conformity to ECE-R 44 standard have a no
n-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 ECE-R 44 standard.
WARNING
Always comply with legal provisions and instructions from the relevant child safety seat manufacturer when in
stalling and usin
g the child seat
⇒ page 184.
Note
Any varying national legal regulations take
priority over the information provided in
these instructions for use,
or stated in this chapter.
Important safety information regarding the use of child safety seats Correct use of child safety seats
considerably reduces the risk of
injury!
WARNING
•
A l l t he o ccu pa nts of t he ca r - i n pa r t icul a r c hil d re n - m ust w ea r a s ea t b e lt
when the car is moving.•
Children who are less than 1.50 m in height and who weigh less than 36
kg must not use a normal seat belt without a child restraint system other-wise this may result in injuries to the stomach and neck areas. Comply with the national legal requirements.•
One should never carry children, an
d also not babies! - on one's lap.
•
You can transport a child safely in a suitable child safety seat
⇒page 187,
“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 tempera-
tures in the vehicle.•
Never allow your child to be transported 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 even
t of an accident the child will be
thrown through the vehicle and may as a
result suffer fatal injuries, and also
injure other occupants.
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Transporting children safely
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Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
•
Children are exposed to an increased risk of injury in the event of an acci-
dent 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 webbing is properly routed if the seat belts
are to offer their maximum protection
⇒page 170, “How are seat belts
correctly fastened?”. Pay pa
rticular attention to the information provided by
the manufacturer of the child safety seat regarding correct routing of the belt. Seat belts which are not correctl
y adjusted can themselves cause inju-
ries even in minor accidents.•
Safety belts must be checked to ensure that they are running properly.
One should also ensure th
at the belt is not damaged
by sharp-edged fittings.
•
It is essential to always switch off
⇒page 182 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 and head
airbags be deactivated. When trans-
porting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply with the appro- priate national regulations regarding the use of child safety seats.
Use of child safety seats on the front passenger seat Child safety seats should always
be attached to the rear seats.
We recommend, for safety reasons, that you always mount a child restraint systems on the rear seats whenever possible. If
you still decide, however, to use a child
safety seat on the front passenger seat th
en you must pay attention to the following
warnings in connection with the use of th
e airbag system on
the front passenger
seat.
WARNING
•
Warning - particular hazard! Never use a child safety seat on the front
passenger seat in which the child is seated with its back facing the direction of travel. This child safety seat is positioned in the deployment area of the front passenger airbag. The airbag may
cause the child severe, or even fatal
injuries, in the event
of it being deployed.
•
This is also clearly stated on the sticker which is located on the centre
column of the body on
the front passenger side
⇒fig. 186
. The sticker is
visible upon opening the front pass
enger door. For so
me countries, the
sticker is also affixed to the sun visor of the front passenger.•
It is essential to always switch off
⇒page 181, “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).
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 186 Sticker on the centre column of the body on the front passenger side.
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Transporting children safely
186
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 regula
tions regarding the
use of child safety seats.•
If the front passenger airbag has been
switched off by a specialist garage
using the vehicle system
tester, the side airbag and the head passenger
airbag* remain switched on. In certain countries national legal provisions require that besides the front passen
ger airbag also the side or head
passenger airbags are deactivated.
Please comply with any differing
national legal regulations regardin
g the use of child safety seats.
•
If a child safety seat in which the child faces in the direction of travel is
used on the front passenger seat, the
front passenger seat
must be moved
back fully. For vehicles with height adjustable front passenger seat, the seat must be put in the highest position.•
If this is not done, a child seated on the front passenger seat may suffer
severe or even fatal injuries if the
front passenger airbag or airbags are
deployed. Have the airbag (or ai
rbags) deactivated if necessary
⇒page 181,
“Deactivating an airbag”.•
You should have the front passenger ai
rbag (or airbags) reactivated just
as soon as you no longer use a child sa
fety seat on the front passenger seat.
Child safety and side airbag* Children must never be seated in
the deployment area of the side
airbags and head airbags.In the event of a side collision, the si
de airbags offer the vehicle occupants
enhanced protection. The side airbags are inflated in fractions of
a second in order to be able to provide
this protection
⇒page 178, “Function of the side airbags”.
An airbag inflating develops such a strong force that an occupant who has not adopted an upright seated position may suffer injuries from the airbag or as a result of objects which are located within the deployment area of the side airbag.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 187 Seated position of an unprotected child at risk from side airbagFig. 188 Child properly protected by safety seat
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Transporting children safely
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Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
This applies particularly to children if they are not transported in accordance with legal requirements. The child is protected when seated in a child safety seat matching its age. Adequate room is available between the child and the deployment area of the side airbag and head airbag. The airbag offers optimal protection.
WARNING
•
It is essential to always switch off
⇒page 181 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 and head
airbags be deactivated. When trans-
porting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply with the appro- priate national regulations regarding the use of child safety seats.•
When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply
with the appropriate national regulations regarding the use of child safety seats.•
Children must never be seated with th
eir head in the deployment area of
the side airbag - risk of injury!•
Do not place any objects within the deployment area of the side airbag -
risk of injury!Child seatClassification of ch
ild seats into groups
Only child safety seats which have
an official approval and are suit-
able for the child, may be used.ECE-R 44 standard applies to child safety seats. ECE-R means: Economic Commis- sion of Europe - Regulation.
Child safety seats which have been tested for conformity to ECE-R 44 standard have a non-detachable test seal (a large E within a circle and below this the test number) attached to the seat. Child safety seats are classified in 5 groups: Children of more than 150 cm in height may use the seat belts fitted to the vehicle without a seat bolster.Use of child safety seatsAn overview of the usefulness of child seats on each of the seats according to the ECE-R 44 standard:
Universal category - seat is suitable for all approved types of child safety seats. The seat can be fitted with fixing eyes for the “
ISOFIX
*”system.
The divided rear seat - seat can be fi
tted with fixing eyes for the system “
To p
Te t h e r
*” ⇒page 191.
Group
Weight
0
0 - 10 kg
⇒page 188
0+
up to 13 kg
⇒page 188
1
9 - 18 kg
⇒page 188
2
15 - 25 kg
⇒page 189
3
22 - 36 kg
⇒page 189
Child seat groups
Front passenger
seat
Rear seat outside
Rear seat middle
0


0+


1


2 and 3
AUA+
AUA+AT
AU
AUA+
AUA+AT
AU
AUA+
AUA+AT
AU
AU
AU
AU
AUA+AT
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Transporting children safely
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Child seats of group 0/0+The optimal solution for babi
es of up to about 9 months old weighing up to 10 kg
or babies up to about 18 months old weighi
ng up to 13 kg is a child safety seat
which can be adjusted into the reclining position
⇒fig. 189
.
In view of the fact that such child seats are
installed that the child is seated with its
back facing the direction of travel, they
must not be used on the front passenger
seat
⇒page 185, “Use of child safety seats on the front passenger seat”.WARNING
•
It is essential to always switch off the front passenger airbag (airbags)
when attaching in exceptional circumstances 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).
− in a specialist garage − or by using the switch for
the front passenger airbag*
⇒page 182,
“Switch for the front passenger airbag*”.
•
In certain countries national legal provisions require that besides the
front airbag also the side or head ai
rbags are deactivated. Please comply
with any differing national legal regula
tions regarding the use of child safety
seats.
•
If this is not done, a child seated on
the front passenger seat may suffer
severe or even fatal injuries if the
front passenger airbag or airbags are
deployed.•
You should have the front passenger airbag (or airbags) reactivated just
as soon as you no longer use a child sa
fety seat on the front passenger seat.
Child safety seats in Group 1Child seats in Group 1 are for babies and small children up to 4 years of age with a weight of between 9 and 18 kilograms. It is
best for children in the lower range of
this group, to use a child seat which allows
the child to sit with its back to the direc-
tion of travel. It is best for children in the upper range of the Group 0+, to use a child seat which allows the child to sit
⇒fig. 190
in the direction of travel.
Child safety seats in which the child is seated with its back facing the direction of travel, must not be used on the front passenger seat
⇒page 185, “Use of child
safety seats on the front passenger seat”.
WARNING
•
It is essential to always switch off the front passenger airbag (airbags)
when attaching in exceptional circumstan
ces a child safety seat on the front
Fig. 189 Child seats of group 0/0+
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 190 Child seat with padded table in Group 1 installed on rear seat bench facing the direction of travel
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Transporting children safely
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Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
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).
− in a specialist garage − or by using the switch for the front passenger airbag*
⇒page 182,
“Switch for the front passenger airbag*”.
•
In certain countries national legal provisions require that besides the
front airbag also the side or head ai
rbags are deactivated. Please comply
with any differing national legal regula
tions regarding the use of child safety
seats.•
If this is not done, a child seated on the front passenger seat may suffer
severe or even fatal injuries if the
front passenger airbag or airbags are
deployed.•
You should have the front passenger airbag (or airbags) reactivated just
as soon as you no longer use a child sa
fety seat on the front passenger seat.
Child safety seats in Group 2For children up to about 7 years of age
weighing between 15 and 25 kg the optimal
solution is a child safety seat in comb
ination with the three-point seat belt
⇒ fig. 191
.
WARNING
•
When transporting a child on the fr
ont passenger seat, please comply
with the appropriate national regulati
ons regarding the use of child safety
seats. If required, the airb
ag has to be deactivated,
− in a specialist garage − or by using the switch for the front passenger airbag*
⇒page 182,
“Switch for the front passenger airbag*”.
•
The shoulder part of the seat belt
must run approximately across the
middle of the shoulder and fit snugly agai
nst the chest. It must on no account
run across the neck. The lap part of the seat belt must run across the pelvis and fits snugly; it must not run over the belly. Tighten the belt webbing over your hip if necessary.•
Please comply with any differing nati
onal legal regulations regarding the
use of child safety seats.Child safety seats in Group 3For children of about 7 years of age weighing between 22 and 36 kg and of a height of less than 150 cm, the optimal solution is a child safety seat (seat bolster) in combination with the three-point seat belt
⇒fig. 192
.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 191 Child seat in Group 2 installed on the rear seat facing the direction of travel
Fig. 192 Child seat in Group 3 installed on the rear seat facing the direction of travel
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Transporting children safely
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Children of more than 150 cm in height may use the seat belts fitted to the vehicle without a seat bolster.
WARNING
•
When transporting a child on the fr
ont passenger seat, please comply
with the appropriate national regulations regarding the use of child safety seats. If required, the airbag has to be deactivated,
− in a specialist garage − or by using the switch for
the front passenger airbag*
⇒page 182,
“Switch for the front passenger airbag*”.
•
The shoulder part of the seat belt
must run approximately across the
middle of the shoulder and fit snugly agai
nst the chest. It must on no account
run across the neck. The lap part of the
seat belt must run across the pelvis
and fits snugly; it must not run over th
e belly. Tighten the belt webbing over
your hip if necessary.•
Please comply with any differing nati
onal legal regulations regarding the
use of child safety seats.Attaching a child seat using the “ISOFIX” system
There are two fixing eyes* between the seat backrest and the seat cushion of the front passenger seat for fixing
the “ISOFIX” system child seat in
place. The locking eyes on the rear
outside seats are located below the
upholstery. The places are marked with signs with the “ISOFIX” logo ⇒
fig. 193
.
Install child seat – Open the zip fasteners between the se
at cushion and the seat backrest
of the rear exterior seat.
– Insert the mounting funnels onto the locking eyes between the
seat backrest and the seat cushion
⇒
fig. 193
.
– Push the notched arms of the chil
d seat over the mounting funnels
into the locking eyes, until it is heard to lock
⇒
fig. 194
.
–
Pull on both sides of the child seat!
One can mount a child safety seat using the “ISOFIX” system quickly, easily and reli- ably. Please pay close attention to instru
ctions from the manufacturer of the child
safety seat when installing and removing the seat. Child seats fitted with the “ISOFIX” syst
em can only be mounted and fixed in a
vehicle fitted with an “ISOFIX” system when these child seats have been released for this type of vehicle accordin
g to the ECE-R 44 standard.
Fig. 193 Locking eyes (ISOFIX system)
Fig. 194 The ISOFIX child seat is pushed into the mounting funnels
AA
AB
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Using the system
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Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
You can obtain child seats with the “ISOFI
X” attachment system from specialist
garages who will also installed it as well. Complete installation instructions are enclosed with the child safety seat.
WARNING
•
The locking eyes have just been de
veloped for child safety seats which
use the “ISOFIX” system. You should
therefore never attach other child
safety seats, seat belts or objects to the locking eyes - hazard!•
Ask an authorised Škoda Service Part
ner whether a child seat which you
bought for another vehicle is recommend
ed for use in a Škoda before using
an “ISOFIX” system.•
Certain child seats which use the “ISO
FIX” system can be attached with
standard three-point seat belts. Please pay close attention to instructions from the manufacturer of the child safety seat when installing and removing the seat.
Note
•
Child seats which use the “ISOFIX” system are currently available for children
weighing from 9 up to 18 kg.
This corresponds to an age
range of from 9 months to
4 years.•
The child seats can also be fitted with the “Top Tether” system
⇒page 191.
Attaching child seat using the “Top Tether” systemIIn certain countries national
legal provisions also requir
e the equipment of the rear
seat with fixing eyes for child seat using the “Top Tether” system
⇒fig. 195
.
Always perform the installation and removal
of the child seat using the “Top Tether”
system as stated in the instructions fr
om the manufacturer of the child seat.
WARNING
•
Attach the child seats with the “Top Tether” system only to the points
provided for this purpose
⇒fig. 195
.
•
On no account should you equip your vehicle, e.g. mount screws or other
anchorage points.•
Pay attention to the important safety
information regarding the use of
child seats.
Note
Store the remaining part of the belt for the “Top Tether” system in a textile pocket, which is located at the child seat.
Fig. 195 Rear seat: Top Te t h e r
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