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112
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 airbag in the front seat is deployed on the
side of the vehicle on which the collision occurs fig. 122 .
In certain accident situations , the front and side airbags may be deployed together.
If an airbag is deployed, the airbag is filled with gas. 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 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 upper body (chest, stomach and pelvis) is reduced on the
side facing the door.Important safety information on the side airbag
Correct use of the airbag system cons iderably reduces the risk of injury!
WARNING
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 countries also
when the child is facing the direction of travel)
page 113, “Deactivating an
airbag”. If this is not done, there is a risk of the child suffering severe or even
fatal injuries if the front passenger ai rbag is deployed. In certain countries
national legal provisions also require th at the side passenger airbags be deac-
tivated. 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 suitable child
safety seat page 117, “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 115, “What you should know about transporting
children!”.
There must not be any further persons, animals as well as objects posi-
tioned between the occupants and the deployment area of the airbag. No
accessories, such as a can holder, should be attached to the doors.
Only hang light items of clothing on the clothes hooks to the vehicle. Never
leave any heavy or sharp-ed ged objects in the pockets of the items of clothing.
Ensure that there are no excessive forc es, 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 authorised 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.
Fig. 122 Inflated side airbag
WARNING (continued)
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Any work on the side airbag system including removing and installing
system components because of other repair work (e.g. removing seats) must
only be carried out by a specialist garage.
Deactivating an airbagDeactivating 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 protection.There is the technical means installed within your vehicle to switch off the front or
side* airbag using a diagnostic equipment (take out of commission).
This is why you should have the deactivation of the airbags carried out by a specialist
garage.
On vehicles equipped with the switch for de activation of the airbags, you can deacti-
vate the front passenger airbag and/or side airbag by means of this switch page 113.
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 is seated with its ba ck to the direction of travel (in some countries this must
be in the direction of travel due to other legal regulations applying) page 115,
“Important safety information regarding the use of child safety seats”;
you are not able to maintain the distan ce 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 ar ea 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 off 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.
The following situation applies if the ai rbag has been switched off using the
switch for the airbag* in the storage compartment:
the airbag indicator light in the instrume nt cluster comes on for about 4 seconds
each time the igniti on is switched on;
The deactivation of the airbag is indicated by the lighting up of the indicator light
at the front interior lighting of the vehicle page 113.
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)*
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 123 Storage compartment:
Switch for the front passenger
airbag(s)
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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 page 113,
fig. 123 - (vertical position).
– Check whether the indicator light
lights up in the lighting of the interior
of the vehicle (front) when the ignition is switched on page 114, fig. 124 .
Switching on an airbag– Switch off the ignition.
– Turn the slot of the airbag switch using the key in the position ON page 113,
fig. 123 - (horizontal position).
– Check whether the indicator light
does not light up in the lighting of the
interior of the vehicle (front) when the ignition is switched on page 114, fig. 124 .
The airbag should only be switched off under exceptional circumstances page 113.
Indicator light
(airbag switched off)
The indicator light is located at the front interior lighting of the vehicle page 114,
fig. 124 . In cases where the front passenger airbag and also possibly the side airbag* are
switched off
, the indicator light comes on about 4 seconds after the ignition is
switched on.
There is a system fault present in the airbag switch off if the indicator light
flashes. Please have the car inspected i mmediately by a specialist garage.
WARNING
The driver is responsible for whether th e airbag is switched on or switched
off.
Only switch off the airbag when the ignition is switched off! Otherwise a
fault can occur in the system for the airbag deactivation.
If the warning light
(airbag switched off) flashes:
There is a risk of the front passenger airbag not being activated in the
event of an accident. Therefore do not use any child safety seats on the front
passenger seat.
If the front passenger seat is occupied, there is a risk that the airbag is
deployed unexpectedly and thus the occupant of this seat may suffer
possible injuries.
It is also important to have the system inspected without delay by a
specialist garage.
Fig. 124 Indicator light for a
switched off front seat passenger
airbag
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Technical Data
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 provis ions 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 size and we ight. The child seat should be mounted
behind the front passenger seat for safety reasons.
The physical principle of an accident does, of course, also apply to children
page 103, “The physical principle of a fronta l collision”. They differ from adults in
that their muscles and bone structure of children are not yet fully developed. Thus chil-
dren are exposed to increased risk of injury.
Children should be transporte d by using special child safety seats in order to reduce
this risk of injury.
Use only child safety seats which are officia lly approved and are suitable for children
and which comply with the ECE-R 44 standard, which classifies child safety seats into
5 groups page 118, “Classification of child seats into groups”. Child restraint
systems which have been tested for conformity to ECE-R 44 standard have a non-
detachable test seal (a large E within a circ le 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 inst alling and using the child seat in
“Important safety information regard ing the use of child safety seats”.
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 cons iderably reduces the risk of injury!
WARNING
All the occupants of the car - in particular children - must wear a seat belt
when the car is moving.
Children less than 1.50 m in height or younger than 12 years must not use a
normal seat belt without a child restraint system otherwise this may result in
injuries to the stomach and neck areas. Comply with the national legal require-
ments.
One should never carry children, and also not babies! - on one's lap.
You can transport a child safely in a suitable child safety seat page 118,
“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 event of an accident the child will be thrown
through the vehicle and may as a result suffer fatal injuries, and also injure
other occupants.
Children are exposed to an increased risk of injury in the event of an acci-
dent if they lean forward or adopt an in correct seated position when the vehicle
is moving. This particularly applies to children who are transported on the front
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passenger seat if the airbag system deploy s 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 104, “How are seat belts correctly
fastened?”. Pay particular attention to the information provided by the manu-
facturer of the child safety seat regarding correct routing of the belt. Seat belts
which are not correctly adjusted can themselves cause injuries even in minor
accidents.
Safety belts must be checked to ensure that they are running properly. One
should also ensure that the belt is not damaged by sharp-edged fittings.
It is essential to always switch off the front passenger airbag and possibly
the side airbag* when attaching a child safety seat on the front passenger seat
where the child is seated wi th its back facing in direction of travel (in some
countries also when the child is facing the direction of travel) page 113. If this
is not done, there is a risk of the child su ffering severe or even fatal injuries if
the front passenger airbag is deployed . In certain countries national legal
provisions also require that the side 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.
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 yo u 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 then you must pay attention to the following warnings in
connection with the use of the 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 th e 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. 125 . The sticker is visible
upon opening the front pass enger door. For some countri es, the sticker is also
affixed to the sun visor of the front passenger.
It is essential to always switch off the front passenger airbag or the side
passenger airbag* as well if you neverthe less wish to use a child safety seat on
the front passenger seat where the child is seated with its back facing in direc-
tion of travel (in some countries also when the child is facing the direction of
travel) page 113, “Deactivating an airbag”. If this is not done, there is a risk of
the child suffering severe or even fatal in juries if the front passenger airbag is
deployed. In certain countries national legal provisions also require that the
side 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.
If the front passenger airbag has been switched off by a specialist garage
using the vehicle system te ster, the side passenger airbag* remains switched
on. In certain countries national legal provisions require that besides the front
passenger airbag also the side airbag is deactivated. Please comply with any
differing national legal r egulations regarding 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 pass enger seat must be moved back fully.
For vehicles with height adjustable front passenger seat, the seat must be put in
the highest position.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 125 Sticker on the centre
column of the body on the front
passenger side.
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Technical Data
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 airbags) deactivated if necessary page 113.
You should have the front passenger airbag (or airbags) reactivated just as
soon as you no longer use a child safe ty seat on the front passenger seat.
Child safety and side airbag*
Children must never be seated in the deployment area of side airbags.In the event of a side collision, the side ai rbags 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 112, “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.
This applies particularly to children if they are not transported in accordance
with legal requirements.
The child is protected when seated in a chil d 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 the front passenger airbag and possibly
the side airbag* when attaching a child safety seat on the front passenger seat
where the child is seated wi th its back facing in direction of travel (in some
countries also when the child is facing the direction of travel) page 113. If this
is not done, there is a risk of the child su ffering severe or even fatal injuries if
the front passenger airbag is deployed. In certain countries national legal
provisions also require that the side 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.
When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply with
the appropriate national regulations r egarding 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!
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 126 Seated position of an
unprotected child at risk from
side airbagFig. 127 Child properly
protected by safety seat
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Child seatClassification of child seats into groups
Only child safety seats which have an official approval and are suitable
for the child, may be used.ECE-R 44 standard applies to child safety seats. ECE-R means: Standard Economic
Commission 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 seat s on each of the seats according to the EG
guidelines 77/541 and ECE 44 standard: Universal category - seat is suitable for all approved types of child safety seats.
The seat can be fitted wi
th fixing eyes for the “ISOFIX*”system.
Child seats of group 0/0+The optimal solution for babies of up to about 9 months old weighing up to 10 kg or
babies up to about 18 months old weighing up to 13 kg is a child safety seat which can
be adjusted into the reclining position fig. 128 .
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 mu st not be used on the front passenger
seat page 116, “Use of child safety se ats on the front passenger seat”.
Group
Weight
0
0 - 10 kg
page 118
0+
up to 13 kg
page 118
1
9 - 18 kg
page 119
2
15 - 25 kg
page 120
3
22 - 36 kg
page 120
Child seat
of the group
Front passenger seat
Rear seat outside
Rear seat middle
0
0+
1
2 and 3
AUA+
AUA+
AU
AUA+
AUA+
AU
AUA+
AUA+
AU
AU
AU
AU
AUA+
Fig. 128 Child seats of group
0/0+
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WARNING
It is essential to always switch off th e 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 113.
In certain countries national legal provisions require that besides the front
passenger airbag also the front passenger side airbag is deactivated. Please
comply with any differing national legal regulations 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 safe ty 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 ch ild to sit with its back to the direction of travel. It is best for children in the uppe
r range of the Group 0+, to use a child seat
which allows the child to sit fig. 129 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 th e front passenger seat page 116, “Use of child safety seats
on the front passenger seat”.
WARNING
It is essential to always switch off th e 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 113.
In certain countries national legal provisions require that besides the front
passenger airbag also the front passenger side airbag is deactivated. Please
comply with any differing national legal regulations 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 safe ty seat on the front passenger seat.
Fig. 129 Child seat with padded
table in Group 1 installed on rear
seat bench facing the direction of
travel
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