2009 SKODA OCTAVIA TOUR steering

Passive Safety
105
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
•
Adjust the seat 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
⇒page 104, fig. 112
.
•
Fasten the seat belt correctly
⇒page 110, “How are seat belts correctly
fastened?”. Manual driver seat adjustment
⇒page 60, “Adjusting the front seats”.
Electrical driver seat adjustment
⇒page 61, “Adjusting front seats electrically*”.
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 driver must maintain a distance of at least 25 cm to the steering
wheel
⇒page 104, fig. 111
. Not maintaining this minimum distance will
mean that the airbag system will not be able to properly protect you - hazard!•
When driving, hold the steering whee
l 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 another way (e.g. in the middle of the steering wheel or at the inner
steering wheel edge). In such cases,
injuries to the arms, the hands and the head can occur when the driver airbag is deployed.•
The seat backrests must not be angled too far back when driving other-
wise this will affect proper operation of the seat belts and of the airbag system - risk of injury!•
Ensure that there are no objects in the footwell as any objects may get
behind the pedals during a driving or
braking manoeuvre.
You would then
no longer be able to operate the
clutch, to brake or accelerate.
Correct seated position for the front passenger The front passenger must maintain a distance of at least 25°cm from the dash panel so that the combination of the airbag and the seat belt offers the greatest possible sa
fety 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
⇒page 104, fig. 112
.
•
Fasten the seat belt correctly
⇒page 110, “How are seat belts correctly
fastened?”. In exceptional cases the front pass
enger airbag can be deactivated
⇒page 120,
“Deactivating an airbag”. Manual front passenger adjustment
⇒page 60, “Adjusting the front seats”.
Electrical front passenger seat adjustment
⇒page 61, “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 mi
nimum 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 vehicle 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!
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Seat belts
109
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
The physical principle of a frontal collisionThe physical principle of a frontal a
ccident can be explained quite simply:
Motion energy, so-called kinetic energy, is
produced as soon as the vehicle is
moving, both for the vehicle and its occupants. The magnitude of this kinetic energy depends essentially on the speed at which the vehicle is travelling and on the weight of the vehicle and the occupants. The greater the speed and weight increase,
the greater the amount of energy which has to be absorbed in the event of an acci- dent. The speed of the vehicle is, nevertheless,
the most important factor. Doubling the
speed of the vehicle from 25 km/h up to
50 km/hour increases the kinetic energy
four times. The common opinion that it is possible to
support your body
in a minor accident
with your hands, is incorrect. Even in a
collision at only a low speed, the forces
acting on the body are such that it is
no longer possible to support your body.
Even if you only drive at a speed within the range from 30 km/hour to 50 km/hour, the forces which are produced on your body
in the event of an accident can easily
exceed 10.000 N (Newton). This equals a weight of one tonne (1 000 kg). In the event of a frontal collision, occupants of the car not wearing a seat belt, are thrown forward and strike in an uncontrolled way parts of the interior of the car, such as steering wheel, dash panel, windscreen,
⇒fig. 114
. The occupants of a
vehicle who have not fastened their seat belts may even be thrown out of the vehicle. This can resu
lt in fatal injuries.
It is also important that rear seat occupants fasten their seat belts as they will other- wise be thrown through the vehicle in an
uncontrolled manner in the event of an
accident A rear seat passenger who has not
fastened the seat belt is a danger not
only to himself but also fo
r those seated at the front
⇒fig. 115
.
Important safety information regarding the use of seat beltsThe correct use of the seat belts considerably reduces the risk of injury!
WARNING
•
The belt webbing must not be jammed in-between at any point or
twisted, or chafe ag
ainst any sharp edges.
•
It is important that the belt webbing is properly routed if the seat belts
are to offer their maximum protection
⇒page 110, “How are seat belts
correctly fa
stened?”.
Fig. 114 The driver is thrown forward if not wearing a beltFig. 115 The rear seat occu-pant is thrown forward if not wearing a belt
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Airbag system
116
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* is depl
oyed on the side of the
vehicle on which the collision occurs. In certain accident situations, the front as well as the side airbags are deployed at the same time. 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 wh
ich 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 vehicle 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 is switched off;
•
a minor frontal collision;
•
a minor side collision;
•
a rear-end collision;
•
Rollover of the vehicle.Note
•
A grey white, 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.
•
The dash panel must be replaced afte
r the front passenger airbag has been
deployed.•
In the event of an accident in which the airbags are deployed: − the interior lighting comes on (if the swit
ch for the interior light is in the door
contact position), − the hazard warning light is switched on; − All the doors are unlocked.
Front airbagsDescription of the front airbags The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belt!
Fig. 122 Driver airbag in the steering wheel
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Airbag system
117
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
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The front airbag for the driver is housed in the steering wheel
⇒page 116, fig. 122
.
The front airbag for the front passenger* is housed in the dash panel above the storage compartment
⇒fig. 123
. The installation positions are each marked with
the “AIRBAG” logo. The front airbag system, in combination with
three-point safety belts, offers addi-
tional protection for the head and chest ar
ea of the driver and front passenger in
the event of a frontal collision of major severity
⇒
in “Important safety informa-
tion regarding the front airbag system” on page 118. 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 front 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 108, “Why
seat belts?”.
Note
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 the front passenger
airbag* are deployed in the event of a frontal collision of major severity. In certain accident situations, the front an
d 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
⇒fig. 124
. The airbags inflate in fractions
of a second and at a high speed in order to
be able to offer that additional protec-
tion in the event of an accident. 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 118.
Fig. 123 Front passenger airbag in the dash panel
Fig. 124 Inflated airbags
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Airbag system
118
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. 125
. 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
the front passenger airbag and/or side
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 coun- tries also when the child is facing the direction of travel)
⇒page 120, “Deac-
tivating an airbag”. 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 deactivated. When transporting a child on the front
passenger seat, please comply with
the appropriate nati
onal 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 including 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
module in the dash panel.
Fig. 125 Safe distance to steering wheel
WARNING (continued)
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Airbag system
121
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
•
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 instrume
nt cluster lights up for about 3 seconds
after switching on the ignition and then
flashes after that for about 12 seconds.
Front passenger airbags switched off
using the switch for front passenger
airbags* in storage compartmen
t on the front passenger side:
•
the airbag indicator light in the inst
rument cluster comes on for about 4
seconds each time the ig
nition is switched on;
•
The deactivation of the airbag is indica
ted by the lighting up of the indicator
light

 at the front interior lighting of the vehicle
⇒page 121.
Note
A specialist garage will be able to advise you whether national legislation in your country allows airbags in your vehicl
e to be deactivated, and which ones.
Switch for the front passenger airbag(s)*The front passenger airbag 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 key in the position
OFF

⇒
fig. 128
- (vertical position).
Fig. 128 Storage compart- ment: Switch for the front passenger airbag(s)Fig. 129 Indicator light for a switched off front seat passenger airbag
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Intelligent Technology
131
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Driving TipsIntelligent TechnologyElectronic stability programme (ESP)*GeneralGeneral The ESP aids you maintain control of your vehicle in situations in borderline driving situations such as when negotiating a curve too fast. The risk of skidding is reduced and your vehicle thus offers greater driving stability depending on the conditions of the road surface. This occurs at all speeds. The following systems are integrated into the electronic stability programme:•
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL),
•
Traction control system (TCS),
•
Antilock brake system (ABS),
•
Brake Assist.
Operating principle The ESP switches on automatically when the engine is started and then conducts a self-test. The ESP control unit processes data from the individual systems. It also processes additional measurement data which are supplied by highly sensitive sensors: the rotational velocity of the vehi
cle about its vertical axis, the lateral accel-
eration of the vehicle, the brakin
g pressure and the steering angle.
The direction which the driver wishes to ta
ke is determined based on the steering
angle and the speed of the vehicle and is constantly compared with the actual behaviour of the vehicle. If differences exis
t, such as the vehicle beginning to skid,
the ESP will automatically brake the appropriate wheel. The car is stabilised again by the forces which take effect when the wheel is braked. Intervention into the brake system takes place primarily on the outer front wheel of a vehicle which tends to oversteer (tendency for the rear of the vehicle to break away) while occurs this is on the inner re
ar wheel of a vehicle which tends to under-
steer (tendency to shift out of the curve). This braking control cycle is accompanied by noises. The ESP operates in combination with the ABS
⇒page 135, “Antilock brake system
(ABS)*”. If there is a fault in the ABS system, the ESP also does not operate. The ESP warning light
⇒page 33 lights up in the instrument cluster when there is a
fault on the ESP. Switching off You can switch the ESP off and on again
as you wish, by pressing the button
⇒ fig. 139
. The ESP warning light
⇒page 33 lights up in the instrument cluster
when the ESP is switched off. The ESP should normally always be switched
on. It may be good practice in certain
exceptional cases, such as when you wish
to have wheel slip, to switch off the
system. Examples:
Fig. 139 ESP switch
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Intelligent Technology
135
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Antilock brake system (ABS)*ABS prevents the wheels locking when braking.General The ABS contributes significan
tly to enhancing the active
safety of your vehicle.
Compared to a vehicle not fitted with the ABS brake system, you are able to retain optimal steering ability even during a fu
ll brake application on a slippery road
surface because the wheels do not lock up. You must not expect, however, that the br
aking distance will be shorter under all
circumstances as a result of the ABS. Th
e braking distance for example on gravel
and fresh snow, when you should anyway be driving slowly and cautiously, will be longer. Operating principle The brake pressure will be reduced on a wheel which is rotating at a speed which is too low for the speed of the vehicle and tend
ing to lock. This control cycle is notice-
able from a
pulsating movement of the brake pedal
which is accompanied by
noises. This is consciously intended to provide the driver with the information that the wheels are tending to lock (ABS control range). You must always keep the brake pedal depressed to enable the ABS to optima
lly control the brake application in this
braking range. Never interrupt the application of the brakes!
WARNING
•
The ABS can also not overcome the physic
al limits of your
vehicle. Please
do not forget this, particularly when driv
ing on icy or wet road surfaces. If the
ABS is operating within the control ra
nge, adapt your speed immediately to
the conditions of the road surface an
d the traffic situation. The increased
safety offered by the ABS must not tempt you to take greater risks than otherwise - risk of an accident!•
The normal braking system is
still fully functional if there is an ABS fault.
Visit a specialist garage as
quickly as possible and adju
st your style of driving
to take account of the ABS fault in the meantime since you will not know the extent of the fault and in how far
the braking efficiency is affected.
Note
•
A warning light comes on if a fault occurs in the ABS system
⇒page 32.
•
Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on
the brakes, on chassis or another combi-
nation of tyres and wheels) can in
fluence the function of the ABS
⇒page 179,
“Accessories, changes and replacement of parts”.Brake Assist*During a severe brake application (e.g. if a hazard exists), the Brake Assist increases the braking force and thus makes it possible to rapidly produce the pressure required in the brake system. The majority of drivers do apply the brakes in good time in dangerous situations, but do not depress the brake pedal with suff
icient pressure. Consequently, it is not
possible for the vehicle to achieve its maximum deceleration and the vehicle covers a greater distance than necessary. The Brake Assist is activated by the very quick operation of the brake pedal. In such cases, a much greater braking pressure ex
ists than during a
normal brake applica-
tion. This makes it possible, even with a relatively low resistance of the brake pedal, to produce an adequate pressure in the brake system in the shortest possible time, which is required for maximum decelerati
on of the vehicle. You must apply the
brake pedal firmly and
hold it in this position in order to achieve the shortest
possible braking distance. The Brake Assist is able to help you achi
eve a shorter braking distance in emergency
situations by rapidly producing the pressure
required in the brake system. It fully
exploits the attributes of the ABS. After yo
u release the brake peda
l, the function of
the Brake Assist is automatically switched off and the brakes operate in the normal way.
WARNING
•
The Brake Assist is also not able to overcome the physical limits of your
vehicle in terms of the br
aking distance required.
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