2011 SKODA FABIA deactivate airbag

The following situation applies if the front, side and head airbags or belt ten-
sioner have been switched off using the vehicle system tester:
●
The warning light  lights up for 3 seconds after switching on the ignition and
then flashes for 12 seconds afterwards in 2 second intervals.
The following text will be displayed in the information display:
Airbag/belt tensioner deactivated! .
If the passenger front airbag has been switched off using the switch (for switch-
ing off airbags) in the end face of the dash panel on the front passenger side:
● the warning light  comes on for 4 seconds after the ignition has been
switched on;
● switching off the airbag is indicated in the middle of the dash panel by the
lighting up of the yellow indicator light in display   
   ⇒ page 120. WARNING
Have the airbag system checked immediately by a specialist garage if a fault
exists. Otherwise, there is a risk of the airbag not being activated in the event
of an accident. Note
Further information about switching off airbags ⇒ page 119,
Deactivating airbags.
Diesel particle filter  (diesel engine) If the warning light
 comes on, this means that soot has accumulated in the
diesel particle filter because of the frequent short distances.
In order to clean the diesel particlulate filter, the vehicle should be driven at an
even speed of at least 60 km/h at engine speeds of 1 800 - 2 500 rpm for at least
15 minutes or until the warning light goes out with the 4th or 5th gear engaged
(automatic gearbox: position

S) when the traffic situation permits it. This increa-
ses the exhaust temperature and the soot deposited in the diesel particle filter is
burnt.
Always pay attention to the valid speed limits ⇒  .
The warning light 
goes out after the successful cleaning of the diesel particle
filter. If the filter is not properly cleaned, the warning light
 does not go out and the
warning light  begins to flash. In the information display Diesel-particle filter
owner's manual appears. Afterwards the engine control unit shifts the engine in-
to the emergency mode, which only has a reduced power output. After switching
the ignition off and on again the warning light  comes on.
Have the vehicle inspected without delay by your specialist garage. WARNING
● If you do not pay attention to the warning light coming on and the corre-
sponding descriptions and warning notes, this may result in injuries or major
vehicle damage.
● Always adjust your speed to suit weather, road, region and traffic condi-
tions. The route indicated by the warning light must not tempt you to disre-
gard the national regulations for road traffic. CAUTION
As long as the warning light  lights up, one must take into account an increased
fuel consumption and in certain circumstances a power reduction of the engine. Note
Further information about diesel particle filter ⇒ page 134
, Diesel particle filter
(diesel engine). 
Seat belt warning light  The warning light
 comes on after the ignition is switched on as a reminder for
the driver and front passenger to fasten the seat belt. The warning light only goes
out if the driver or front passenger has fastened his seat belt.
If the seat belt has not been fastened by the driver or front passenger, a perma-
nent warning signal sounds at vehicle speeds greater than 20 km/h and simulta-
neously the warning light  flashes.
If the seat belt is not fastened by the driver or front passenger during the next 90
seconds, the warning signal is deactivated and the warning light  lights up per-
manently.
In case of a load on the front passenger seat e.g. a bag (this is not recommended
for safety reasons) the warning light  indicates that the seat belt is not fastened.
For further information on the seat belts ⇒ page 109, Why seat belts?. 27
Instruments and warning lights Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Switching child safety lock off
–
On vehicles without central locking system, turn the slot of the safety lock on
the left door to the right, on the right door turn it to the left.
– On vehicles with central locking system, turn the slot of the safety lock on the
left door to the left, on the right door turn it to the right.
So long as the child safety lock is switched on it is not possible to open the door
from the inside with the door opening lever. In this case the door can be opened
only from the outside. 
Central locking system Description Unlocking or locking the vehicle causes
all doors to be unlocked or locked at the
same time by the central locking system. The boot lid is unlocked when opening. It
can be opened by pressing the hand grip above the licence plate ⇒ page 33.
Operation of the central locking system is possible:
● from the outside using the vehicle key ⇒ page 31 ;
● using the buttons for the central locking system ⇒ page 32;
● with a remote control key ⇒ page 34,
Indicator light in the driver's door
After locking the vehicle, the warning light flashes for around 2 seconds in quick
succession, afterwards it begins to flash evenly at longer intervals.
If the vehicle is locked and the safe securing system ⇒

 page 30 is not operating,
the indicator light in the driver door flashes for about 2 seconds fast, goes out and
starts to flash evenly at longer intervals after about 30 seconds.
If the indicator light first of all flashes fast for about 2 seconds, afterwards lights
up for about 30 seconds and then flashes slowly, there is a fault in the system of
the central locking or the interior monitor ⇒ page 36. Visit a specialist garage to
obtain assistance.
Convenience operation of windows
One can open and close the electrically powered windows when unlocking and
locking the vehicle ⇒ page 37. Opening a single door
This function makes it possible to only unlock the driver's door. The other doors
remain locked and are only unlocked when the command is repeated.
This function can be activated/deactivated by a specialist garage.
Automatic locking and unlocking
All the doors and the boot lid are locked automatically once the car reaches a
speed of about 15 km/h.
If the ignition key is withdrawn, the car is then automatically unlocked again. The
driver can also unlock the vehicle by pressing the button
 of the central locking
system.
This function can be activated/deactivated by a specialist garage. WARNING
Locking the doors prevents that doors open on their own in an exceptional sit-
uation (accident). Locked doors also prevent unauthorised entry into the vehi-
cle from outside, for example at road crossings. Locked doors do, however,
make it more difficult for rescuers to get into the vehicle in an emergency -
danger to life! Note
● In the event of an accident in which the airbags are deployed, the locked doors
are automatically unlocked in order to enable rescuers to gain access to the vehi-
cle.
● Only the front door which is fitted with a locking cylinder can be unlocked and
locked using the key if the central locking system fails. You can lock or unlock
manually the other doors and the boot lid.
–Emergency locking of the door ⇒ page 32
.
– Emergency unlocking of the boot lid ⇒ page 33. 
Safe securing The central locking system can be equipped with a
safe securing system. Locking
the vehicle from the outside causes the door locks to be automatically blocked.
The warning light flashes for around 2 seconds in quick succession, afterwards it
begins to flash evenly at longer intervals. It is not possible to open the doors with
the door handle either from the inside or from the outside. This acts as an effec-
tive deterrent for attempts to break into your vehicle. £30
Unlocking and locking

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
⇒ fig. 96. 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 wheel 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 de-
ployed.
● 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 sys-
tem - risk of injury!
● Ensure that there are no objects in the footwell as any objects may get be-
hind 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 airbag offers him the greatest pos-
sible safety it 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 ⇒ fig. 96 - right.
● Fasten the seat belt correctly ⇒ page 111, How are seat belts correctly fas-
tened?.
In exceptional cases the front passenger airbag can be deactivated ⇒ page 119,
Deactivating airbags.
Adjusting the passenger seat ⇒ page 52, Adjusting the front seats - Variant 1. WARNING
● The front seats and the head restraints must always be adjusted to match
the body size of the seat occupant as well as the seat belts must always be
correctly fastened in order to provide an optimal protection for you and your
occupants.
● The front passenger must maintain a distance of at least 25 cm to the dash
panel. Not maintaining this minimum distance will mean that the airbag sys-
tem will not be able to properly protect you - hazard!
● Always keep your feet in the footwell when the car is being driven - never
place your feet on the instrument panel, out of the window or on the surfaces
of the seats. You will be exposed to increased risk of injury if it becomes nec-
essary to apply the brake or in the event of an accident. If an airbag is de-
ployed, you may suffer fatal injuries when adopting an incorrect seated posi-
tion!
● 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 sys-
tem - risk of injury! 
Correct seated position for the occupants on the rear seats Occupants on the rear seats must sit upright, keep the feet in the
footwell and must have their seat belts correctly fastened.
To reduce the risk of injury in the event of a sudden braking manoeuvre or an acci-
dent, the occupants on the rear seats must observe the following.
●
Adjust the head restraints so that the top edge of the head restraints is at the
same level as the upper part of your head ⇒ fig. 96
- on the right.
● Fasten the seat belt correctly
⇒ page 111, How are seat belts correctly fas-
tened?.
● If you are transporting
⇒ page 121, Transporting children safely children in the
vehicle, please use a suitable child restraint system. £ 107
Passive Safety Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

CAUTION
The dash panel must be replaced after the front passenger airbag has been de-
ployed. 
Function of the front airbags Risk of injury to the head and chest area is reduced by fully inflated
airbags.
Fig. 103 Inflated airbags
The airbag system is designed in such a way that the airbags for the driver and
front passenger are deployed in the event of a violent frontal collision.
In certain accident situations, the front, side and head airbag are simultaneously
deployed.
If the airbags are deployed, the airbags are filled with a propellant gas and inflated
in front of the driver and front passenger ⇒ fig. 103. 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 air-
bag 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 or-
der 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 infor-
mation regarding the front airbag system on page
115. Important safety information regarding the front airbag system Correct use of the airbag system considerably reduces the risk of
injury!
Fig. 104 Safe distance to steering wheel
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. 104. Not maintain-
ing 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 al-
ways also be correctly adjusted to match the body size of the occupant.
● It is essential to always switch off ⇒ page 119,
Deactivating airbags the
front passenger front 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 in-
juries if the front passenger front airbag is deployed. In certain countries na-
tional legal provisions also require that the side or head passenger airbags be
deactivated. When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please
comply with the appropriate national regulations regarding the use of child
safety seats.
● There must not by any further persons, animals or objects positioned be-
tween the front seated occupants and the deployment area of the airbag. £ 115
Airbag system Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

WARNING (Continued)
● 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 objects, such as ball-point pens etc. are
attached to them. This might result in injuries to the occupants if the head air-
bag 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 169.
● Any work on the head airbag system including installing and removing sys-
tem components because of other repair work (e.g. removing headliner) must
only be carried out by a specialist garage. 
Deactivating airbags Deactivating 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,
side or head airbag (take out of commission).
This is why you should have the deactivation of the airbags carried out by a spe-
cialist garage.
On vehicles equipped with the switch for deactivation of the airbags, you can de-
activate the front passenger front airbag by means of this switch ⇒ page 120.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 back to the direction of travel (in some countries
this must be in the direction of travel due to other legal regulations applying)
⇒ page 121, 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 also 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 instrument cluster comes on for about 3 sec-
onds each time the ignition is switched on;
● switching off the airbag is indicated by the lighting up of the indicator light in
the display       in the middle of the dash panel ⇒ fig. 109 - right. Note
Your authorised ŠKODA Service Partner will be able to advise you whether nation-
al legislation in your country allows airbags in your vehicle to be deactivated, and
which ones.  119
Airbag system Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Switch for the front passenger front airbag
Fig. 109 Switch for the front passenger airbag/indicator light for a switched off front seat
passenger airbag
Only the front passenger front 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. 109
- left.
– Check whether the airbag indicator light in the display       in
the middle of the dash panel lights up when the ignition is switched on
⇒  fig. 109 - right.
Switching on an airbag
– Switch off the ignition.
– Turn the slot of the airbag switch using the ignition key in the opposite direc-
tion of the arrow to the position ON ⇒ fig. 109 - left.
– Check whether the airbag indicator light in the display 
     in
the middle of the dash panel does not light up when the ignition is switched
on ⇒  fig. 109 - right.
The airbag should only be switched off under exceptional circumstances
⇒  page 119.
Indicator light in display 


  (airbag switched off)
The airbag indicator light is located in the middle of the dash panel ⇒ fig. 109 -
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 whether the 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:
– 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. 120
Airbag system