
Airbag system
122
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 and the head airbag
on the side on which the collision occurs are deployed fig. 114 .
In certain accident situations, the front, side and head airbag are simultaneously
deployed.
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 page 124, “Deactivating airbags” the
front passenger airbag when attachin g 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 chil d is facing the direction of travel). If
this is not done, there is a risk of the ch ild suffering severe or even fatal injuries
if the front passenger airbag is deploy ed. 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 appro-
priate 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 128, “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 126, “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. 114 Side airbags deployed
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.
Head airbags*Description of the head airbags
The head airbag together with the side airbag offers enhanced occu-
pant protection in the event of a side collision.The head airbags are positioned above the d oors on both sides in the interior of the
car fig. 115 . The installation positions of the head airbags are each marked with the
“AIRBAG” logo.
The head airbag together with the three-poin t 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 124.
Apart from their normal protective function, a further task of the seat belts is to also
hold the driver and the occupants in a correc t seated position in the event of a side
collision so as to enable the head ai rbags 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 113. Together with other elements (such as cross bars in the seats, stable vehicle structure)
the head airbags are the consequent further development of occupant protection in
the case of side collisions.
Function of the head airbags
The risk of injury to the head and ne
ck 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 relevant
side airbag on the side on which the accident occurs fig. 116 .
If the system is deployed, the airbag is fille d with propellant gas and covers the entire
area of the side window including the door pillars fig. 116 .
The protection offered by the head airbags is thus available simultaneously both to the
front occupants of the car seated on the side on which the collision occurs, as well as
to the rear occupants. Any impact of the head against parts of the interior or objects
outside of the car, is cushioned by the in flated head airbag. The reduction in any
impact to the head and the resultant minimi zing of any movements of the head addi-
tionally reduce the risk of injuries to the neck area. In certain accident situations, the
front, side and head airbag are simultaneously deployed.
The airbags inflate in fractions of a second an d 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 indication
of a fire in the vehicle.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 115 Installation position of the
head airbags
Fig. 116 Inflated head airbag
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Airbag system
124
Important safety information on the head airbag
Correct use of the airbag system cons iderably reduces the risk of injury!
WARNING
It is essential to always switch off page 124 the front passenger airbag
when attaching a child safety seat on th e 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 inju ries if the front passenger airbag is
deployed. In certain countries national legal provisions also require that the
side or head passenger airbags be deac tivated. When transporting a child on
the front passenger seat, pl ease comply with the appropriate national regula-
tions regarding the use of child safety seats.
There must not be any objects in the deployment area of the head airbags
which might prevent the airbag s from inflating 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.
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 area 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 deploy-
ment area of the head airbags if any ob jects, 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 acces-
sories fitted may in certain circumstances be thrown into the interior of the car
and cause injuries to the occupants page 179.
Any work on the head airbag system including installing and removing
system components because of other repair work (e.g. removing headliner)
must only be carried out by a specialist garage.
Deactivating airbagsDeactivating airbags
If any airbags have been deactivated, switch them on again as soon as
possible so that they are able to ag ain provide their proper protection.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 deactivation of the airbags carried out by a specialist
garage.
On vehicles equipped with the switch for deactivation of the airbags, you can deacti-
vate the front passenger airbag by means of this switch page 125.
Deactivation of airbags is envisaged only for particular instances, such as if:
Yo u m u s t i n exceptional cases use a child seat on the front passenger seat where
the child is seated with its back to the direction of travel (in some countries this must
be in the direction of travel due to other legal regulations applying) page 126,
“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 al so monitored electronically when one airbag
has been switched off.
If the airbag was switched off using diagnostic equipment:
The airbag indicator light lights up for 3 seconds each time the ignition is switched
on 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 indicator light in the instrume nt cluster comes on for about 3 seconds
each time the igniti on is switched on;
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switching off the airbag is indicated in the middle of the dash panel on the right by
the lighting up of the indicator light in the display
fig. 117 .
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*Fig. 117 Switch for the front passenger airbag / indicator light for a switched off front seat
passenger airbagOnly the front passenger airbag is deactivated with the switch.Deactivating an airbag– Switch off the ignition.
– Turn the slot of the airbag switch using the ignition key in the direction of the arrow
to the position OFF fig. 117 .
– Check whether the airbag indicator light in the display
in
the middle of the dash panel on the right lights up when the ignition is switched on
fig. 117 .
Switching on an airbag– Switch off the ignition.
– Turn the slot of the airbag switch using the ignition key in the direction of the arrow
to the position ON fig. 117 . – Check whether the airbag indicator light in the display
in
the middle of the dash panel on the right lights up when the ignition is switched on
fig. 117 .
The airbag should only be switched off under exceptional circumstances page 124.
Indicator light in display
(airbag switched off)
The airbag indicator light is located in the middle of the dash panel fig. 117 on the
right.
If the airbag is switched on, the airbag indicator light comes on for a few seconds after
switching on the ignition.
In cases where the front passenger airbag is switched off the airbag indicator light
comes on for a few seconds after switching on the ignition, goes out for about a second
and then comes on again.
There is a system fault present in the airbag switch off if the indicator light
flashes.
WARNING
The driver is responsible for whethe r the airbags are 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:
Front passenger airbag is not deployed in the event of an accident!
It is also important to have the system inspected without delay by a
specialist garage.
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Transporting children safely127
Using the system
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is moving. This particularly applies to children who are transported on the front
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 115, “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 th e front passenger airbag when attaching
a child safety seat to the front passenger seat where the child is seated with its
back facing in direction of travel page 124. 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. 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 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 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 stat ed on the sticker which is located on the centre
column of the body on the front passenger side fig. 118 . The sticker is visible
upon opening the front passenger door. For some countries, the sticker is also
affixed to the sun visor of the front passenger.
It is essential to always switch off the front passenger airbag when a child
safety seat is nevertheless attached to the front passenger seat where the child
is seated with its back facing in direction of travel page 124, “Deactivating
airbags”. If this is not done, there is a ri sk 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 that the front passenger side airbag or the
front passenger head airbag 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.
If the front passenger airbag has been switched off by a specialist garage
using the vehicle system te ster, the side airbag* or the head airbag* and the
passenger belt tensioner re main switched on. 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 pa ssenger seat must be moved back and
to the top fully. Move the seat backrest into the vertical position.
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.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 118 Sticker on the centre column of
the body on the front passenger side.
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Transporting children safely
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Child safety and side airbag*
Children must never be seated in the deployment area of the side
airbags and head airbags.Fig. 119 Unprotected child / Child properly protected by safety seatSide airbags* offer the vehicle occupants en hanced protection in the event of a colli-
sion from the side.
The side airbags are inflated in fractions of a second in order to be able to provide this
protection page 122, “Function of the side airbags”.
An airbag inflating develops such a strong force that an occupant who has not adopted
a correct seated position may suffer injuri es. Also exposed objects which are located
within the area of the side airbag can cause injuries.
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 th e front passenger airbag when attaching
a child safety seat to the front passenger seat where the child is seated with its
back facing in direction of travel page 124. 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. 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 thei r 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 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: Economic Commission
for 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:
Group
Weight
0
0 - 10 kg
page 129
0+
up to 13 kg
page 129
1
9 - 18 kg
page 129
2
15 - 25 kg
page 130
3
22 - 36 kg
page 130
WARNING (continued)
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Children who are more than 1.50 m in height or who weigh more than 36 kg can use
the normal seat belts without a seat bolster.
Use of child seatsAn overview of the usefulness
of child seats on each of the seats according to the ECE-
R44 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 seat is equipped as standa rd with the fixing system “To p Te t h e r”.Child seats of group 0/0+
The optimal solution for babies of up to about 9 months old weighing up to 10 kg or
children up to about 18 months old weighing up to 13 kg is a child safety seat which is
fastened in the opposite direction of travel fig. 120 .
Child seats in which the child is facing with its back towards the direction of travel
should not be used on the front passenger seat when the vehicle is fitted with a
front passenger airbag page 127, “Use of child safety seats on the front passenger
seat”.
WARNING
It is essential to always switch off the front passenger airbag at a specialist
garage or with the switch for front passenger airbag* when attaching in excep-
tional circumstances a child safety seat on the front passenger seat where the
child is seated with its back facing in direction of travel page 125.
Please comply with any differing nati onal 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
Child seat
of the group
Front passenger seat
Rear seat outside
Rear seat middle
0
a)
a)Only valid for some countries.
0+
a)
1
a)
2 and 3
AU
AUA+AT
AUAT
AU
AUA+AT
AUAT
AU
AUA+AT
AUAT
AU
AU
AU
AUA+AT
Fig. 120 Child seats of group 0/0+
Fig. 121 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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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. 121 in the direction of travel.
Child seats in which the child is facing with its back towards the direction of travel
should not be used on the front passenger seat when th e vehicle is fitted with a
front passenger airbag page 127, “Use of child safety seats on the front passenger
seat”.
WARNING
It is essential to always switch off the front passenger airbag at a specialist
garage or with the switch for front passenger airbag* when attaching in excep-
tional circumstances a child safety seat on the front passenger seat where the
child is seated with its back facing in direction of travel page 125.
Please comply with any differing nati onal 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 airb ag (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 2For children up to about 7 years of age weighing between 15 and 25 kg the optimal
solution is a child safety seat in combination with the three-point seat belt fig. 122 .
WARNING
When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply with
the appropriate national regulations rega rding the use of child safety seats.
Switch off the front passenger airbag if necessary at a specialist garage or
switch it off with the switch for front passenger airbag* page 125.
The shoulder part of the seat belt mu st run approximately across the middle
of the shoulder and fit snugly against 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 combina-
tion with the three-point seat belt fig. 123 .
Children who are more than 1.50 m in heig ht or who weigh more than 36 kg can use
the normal seat belts without a seat bolster.
WARNING
When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply with
the appropriate national regulations rega rding the use of child safety seats.
Fig. 122 Child seat in Group 2 installed
on the rear seat facing the direction of
travel
Fig. 123 Child seat in Group 3 installed
on the rear seat facing the direction of
travel
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