2011 SKODA OCTAVIA TOUR airbag

Airbag system91
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Function of the front airbags
Risk of injury to the head and ches t 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, si de and head airbag are 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. 96 . The airbags infl ate 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. 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
co ntr o ll ed m a nn er ( d ep e nd i ng o n th e lo a d o f th e p a rt ic ula r c a r o c cu pa n t) i n o r d e r t o
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 indicati on of a fire in the vehicle.
The airbag develops enormous forces when triggered, which can lead to injuries if
the sitting position or seat ed position is not correct page 91.
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. 97 . Not maintaining 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 occupant.
•
It is essential to always switch off the front passenger airbag when
attaching a child safety seat on the fr ont 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 95, “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 airbag is deployed . The national legal provisions in certain
countries require that both the front, side and head airbags be deactivated.
When transporting a child on the front pa ssenger seat, please comply with the
appropriate national legal pr ovisions regarding the use of child safety seats.
•
There must not by any further person s, 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 cleane d with a dry cloth or a cloth moistened
with water. No objects such as cup hold ers, mobile phone mounts, etc. may be
Fig. 96 Deployed front airbags
Fig. 97 Safe distance to steering wheel
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Airbag system
92
a t t a c h e d t o t h e c o v e r s o f t h e a i r b a g m o d u l e s o r b e l o c a t e d w i t h i n t h e i m m e d i a t e
area.•
No modifications of any kind may be ma de to parts of the airbag system. Any
work on the airbag system including installing and removing system compo-
nents 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.
side airbags*Description of the side airbags
The side airbag together with the head airbag offers enhanced
occupant protection in the event of a side collision.The front side airbags are housed in the upholstery of the seat backrests of the
front seats fig. 98 .
The side airbag system in combination with the three-point seat belts, offers addi-
tional protection for the upper area of th e body (chest, stomach and pelvis) of the
occupants of the vehicle in the event of severe side collisions page 93.
Apart from their normal protective function, a further task of the seat belts is to also
hold the occupants of the front or rear exterior seats in position so as to enable the
side airbag to offer the maximum protection in the event of a side collision. 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.
Each time the side airbags are deployed , the head airbag* and the front belt
tensioner on the side of the car on whic h the collision occurs, are automatically
deployed at the same time in order to provide the occupant with enhanced
protection.
Function of the side airbags
Risk of injury to the upper part of the body is reduced by fully inflated
side airbags.When the side airbags are deployed, the head airbag* and the belt tensioner are
also automatically deployed on the relevant side fig. 99 .
If an airbag is deployed, the airbag is fille d 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 indication 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.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 98 Installation position of side
airbag in driver seat
Fig. 99 Inflated side airbag
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Airbag system93
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Important safety information on the side airbag
Correct use of the airbag system considerably reduces the risk of
injury!
WARNING
•
It is essential to always switch off the front passenger airbag when
attaching a child safety seat on the fr ont 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 95, “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 airbag is deployed . The national legal provisions in certain
countries require that both the front, side and head airbags be deactivated.
When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply with the
appropriate national legal provisions re garding 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 99, “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 97, “What you should know about transporting chil-
dren!”.
•
There must not be any further persons, animals as well as objects positioned
between the occupants and the deployment area of the airbag. No accessories,
such as a can holder, should be attached to the doors.
•
The airbag control unit operates togeth er with the pressure sensors, which
are attached in the front doors. For this reason no modifications must be carried
out at the doors as well as at the door pa nels (for example additional installation
of loudspeakers). Resulting damages c an have a negative affect on the opera-
tion of the airbag system. All work on th e front doors and their panels must only
be carried out by a specialist garage.
•
In the event of a side collision, the side airbags will not function properly, if
the sensors cannot measure the increasing air pressure inside the doors,
because the air can escape through larg e, non-sealed openings in the door
panel.
−Never drive with removed inner door panels.
− Never drive, if parts of the inner door panel have been removed and the
remaining openings have not been properly sealed.
− Never drive, if the loudspeakers in the doors have been removed, only if
the loudspeaker openings have been properly sealed. −
Always make sure that the openings are covered or filled, if additional
loudspeakers or other equipment parts ar e installed in the inner door panels.
− Always work with an authorised Škoda dealer or have it carried out by a
competent specialist workshop.
•
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.
•
Ensure that there are no excessive forces, 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 wo uld 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 dee p s cr a tc h es. I t i s n o t p erm i ss i bl e to u se f or ce i n ord er t o op en th e m odu l es .
•
A n y w o r k o n t h e s i d e a i r b a g s y s t e m i n cluding removing and installing system
components because of other repair work (e.g. removing seats) must only be
carried out by a specialist garage.WARNING (continued)
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Head airbags*Description of the head airbags
The head airbag together with the side airbag offers enhanced
occupant 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 page 94, fig. 100 . The installation positions are each marked with the
“AIRBAG” logo.
The head airbag together with the three- point 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 page 95.
Apart from their normal protective function, a further task of the seat belts is to also
hold the driver and the occupants in a correct seated position in the event of a side
collision so as to enable the head airb ags 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 85, “Why seat
belts?”.
Together with other elements (such as cross bars in the seats, stable vehicle struc-
ture) the head airbags are the consequent further development of occupant protec-
tion in the case of side collisions.
Function of the head airbag
The risk of injury to the head and neck area is reduced in the event
of a side collision by fully inflated head airbags.I n t h e c a s e o f a side collision the head airbag is deployed together with the relevant
side airbag fig. 101 and the belt tensioner on the side of the car on which the acci-
dent occurs.
If the system is deployed, the airbags are filled with propellant gas and extend over
the entire area of the side wi ndow including the door pillar fig. 101 .
The protection offered by the head airbag is thus available simultaneously both to
the front occupants of the car seated on th e side on which the accident 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 inflated head airbag. The reduction in
any impact to the head and the resultant minimizing of any movements of the head
additionally reduce the risk of injuries to the neck area. The head airbag also offers
additional protection in the ca se of an offset impact by covering the front door pillar.
In certain accident situations, the front, side and head airbag are deployed simulta-
neously.
The airbags inflate in fraction s of a second and at a high speed in order to be able
to offer that additional protection in th e event of an accident. A grey white, non
harmful gas is released when airbag is infl ated. This is perfectly normal and is not
an indication of a fire in the vehicle.
Fig. 100 Installation position of head
airbag
Fig. 101 Inflated head airbag
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Airbag system95
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Important safety information on the head airbag
Correct use of the airbag system considerably reduces the risk of
injury!
WARNING
•
It is essential to always switch off the front passenger airbag when
attaching a child safety seat on the fr ont 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 95, “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 airbag is deployed . The national legal provisions in certain
countries require that both the front, side and head airbags be deactivated.
When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply with the
appropriate national legal provisions re garding the use of child safety seats.
•
There must not be any objects in the deployment area of the head airbags
which might prevent the airbags 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 us e clothes hangers for hanging up items of
clothing.
•
The airbag control unit operates to gether with the sensors, which are
attached in the front doors. For this reason no modifications must be carried out
at the doors as well as at the door panels (for example additional installation of
loudspeakers). Resulting damages can hav e a negative affect on the operation
of the airbag system. All work on the front doors and their panels must only be
carried out by a specialist garage.
•
There must not be any other persons (e.g. children) or animals between the
sitting 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 146, “Accessories, changing and
replacing parts”.
•
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 an airbagDeactivating airbags
If any airbags have been deactivate d, 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 deacti vation of the airbags carried out by a
specialist garage.
On vehicles equipped with the switch for deactivation of the airbags, you can deac-
tivate the front passenger airbag by means of this switch page 96.
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 has its back to the direction of travel of the vehicle (in some coun-
tries this must be in the direction of trav el due to other legal regulations applying)
 page 97, “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 o ff using diagnostic equipment:
•
The warning light for the airbag system lights up for 4 seconds after switching
on the ignition and then flashes for 12 seconds afterwards in 2 second intervals.WARNING (continued)
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96
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 instrument cluster comes on for about 4 seconds
each time the ignition is switched on,
•
if the airbags are switched off, this is indicated in the middle of the dash panel
by the lighting up of the indicator light

  fig. 102 - right.
Note
Your authorised Škoda Servic e Partner will be able to advise you whether national
legislation in your country allows airbags in your vehicle to be deactivated, and
which ones.Switch for switching off the front passenger airbag*Fig. 102 Storage compartment: Switch for switching off the front passenger airbag/indicator
light for a switched off front seat passenger airbagThe front passenger airbag is deactivated with the switch.Deactivating an airbag– Switch off the ignition.
– Turn the switch for the front passenger ai rbag using the key in the position
( OFF) page 96, fig. 102 .
– Check whether the indicator light

 in the middle of the dash panel
lights up when the ignition is switched on page 96, fig. 102 - right.
Switching on an airbag– Switch off the ignition. – Turn the switch for the front passenger airbag using the key in the position
(ON )  page 96, fig. 102 .
– Check whether the indicator light

 in the middle of the dash panel
lights up when the ignition is switched on page 96, fig. 102 - right.
The airbag should only be switched off under exceptional circumstances
 page 95.
Indicator light

 (airbag switched off)
The indicator light for the front passenger ai rbag is located in the middle of the dash
panel page 96, fig. 102 - right.
If the front passenger airbag is switched off, the warning light for the front
passenger airbag switch-o ff 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
for the front passenger airbag switch off flashes. Please have the car inspected
immediately by a specialist garage.
WARNING
•
The driver is responsible for whether the front passenger airbag is switched
on or switched off.
•
Only switch off the front passenger airbag when the ignition is switched off!
Otherwise a fault can occur in the system for the front passenger airbag deacti-
vation.
•
If the warning light

 (airbag switched off) flashes:
− Front passenger airbag is not depl oyed in the event of an accident!
− It is also important to have the sy stem inspected without delay by a
specialist garage.
2
1
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Transporting children safely97
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
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 se ats 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 size and weight. 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 85, “The physical principle of a frontal collision”. They differ from adults in
that their muscles and bone structure of children 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 official ly approved and are suitable for children
and which comply with the ECE-R 44 standard . Child safety seats are classified in 5
groups page 99. 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 circle and
below this the test number) attached to the seat.
We recommend that you use child safety se ats 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 installing and using the child seat page 97.
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
•
All the occupants of the car - in particul ar children - must wear a seat belt
when the car is moving.
•
Children, who are less than 1.50 m in he ight and who weigh less than 36 kg,
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 requirements.
•
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 99,
“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 c an cause life-threatening temperatures
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 accident
if they lean forward or adopt an incorrec t seated position when the vehicle is
moving. This particularly applies to ch ildren 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 87, “How are seat belts correctly
fastened?”. Pay particular attention to the information prov ided by the manu-
facturer of the child safety seat regarding correct routing of the belt. Seat belts
which are not correctly adjusted can them selves cause injuries even in minor
accidents.
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Transporting children safely
98
•
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 when
attaching a child safety seat to the fr ont passenger seat where the child is
seated with its back facing in direction of travel page 96. 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 and head airbags be deactivated. When transporting a child
on the front passenger seat, please comp ly with the appropriate national regu-
lations 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.W e r e c o m m e n d , f o r s a f e t y r e a s o n s , t h a t 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 position ed 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. 103 . The sticker is visible
upon opening the front passenger door. Fo r some countries, the sticker is also
affixed to the sun visor of the front passenger.
•
However, if you still want to attach a child safety seat to the front passenger
seat where the child is seated with its back facing in direction of travel you must
switch off the front passenger airbag page 95, “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 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.
•
If the front passenger airbag has been switched off by a specialist garage
using the vehicle system tester, the si de and head passenger airbag* remains
switched on. In certain countries national legal provisions require that besides
the front passenger airbag also the side or head passenger airbags are deacti-
vated. Please comply with any differing national legal regulations 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 passenger seat must be moved back fully.
For vehicles with height adjustable fron t 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 95,
“Deactivating an airbag”.
•
You should have the front passenger airbag (or airbags) reactivated just as
soon as you no longer use a child safety seat on the front passenger seat.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 103 Sticker on the centre column of
the body on the front passenger side.
WARNING (continued)
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