2011 SKODA OCTAVIA TOUR technical data

Passive Safety81
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Safety
Driving Tips
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Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
SafetyPassive SafetyBasic informationDriving the safe way
Passive safety measures reduce the risk of injury in accident situa-
tions.In this section you will find important information, tips and notes on the subject of
passive safety in your vehicle. We have combined everything here which you should
be familiar with, for example, regarding seat belts, airbags, child seats and safety of
children. It is therefore important, in particular, to comply with the notes and warn-
ings in this section for your own interest and in the interest of those travelling with
you.
WARNING
•
This chapter contains important information on how to use the vehicle for
the driver and his occupants. You will find further information on safety, which
concerns you and those travelling with yo u, in the following chapters of this
Owner's Manual.
•
The complete on-board literature shou ld always be in the vehicle. This
applies in particular, if you rent out or sell the vehicle.
Safety equipment
The safety equipment is part of th e occupant protection and it can
reduce the risk of injuries in accident situations.“Do not put at risk” your safety and the safe ty of those travelling with you . In the
event of an accident, the safety equipment can reduce the risk of injuries. The
following list contains part of th e safety equipment in your vehicle:•
Three-point seat belts for all the seats,
•
belt force limiter for front seats and outer rear seats*,
•
belt tensioner for front seats,
•
seat belt height adjuster for front seats,
•
front airbag for the driver and the front seat passenger*,
•
side airbags*,
•
head airbags*,
•
anchoring points for child seat using the “ISOFIX” system,
•
anchoring points for child seat using the “Top Tether” system,
•
head restraint adjustable for height,
•
adjustable steering column.
The specified safety equipment works toge ther, in order to optimally protect you
and those travelling with yo u in accident situations. The safety equipment does not
protect you or the people travelling with you, if you or your occupants adopt an
incorrect seated position or the equipment is not correctly adjusted or used.
For this reason you will be provided with information on why this equipment is very
important, how it protects you and the occupants, what should be observed when
using the equipment and how you and the peop le travelling with you can make full
use of the existing safety equipment. This Owner's Manual contains important
warning notes, which you and those travelli ng with you should pay attention to in
order to reduce a risk of injury.
Safety concerns everybody!
Before setting off
The driver is always fully responsible for his occupants and for the
operating safety of the vehicle.For your own safety and the safety of the people travelling with you, please pay
attention to the following points before setting off:•
Ensure that the lighting and the turn signal system are functioning properly.
•
Inspect the tyre inflation pressure.
•
Ensure that all the windows offer a good visibility to the outside.
•
Safely attach the items of luggage page 53, “Loading the luggage compart-
ment”.
•
Ensure that no objects can obstruct the pedal.
•
Adjust the mirror, the front seat and the head restraint to match your body size.
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Passive Safety83
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•
The driver must maintain a distance of at least 25 cm to the steering wheel
 page 82, fig. 89 - left. 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 positi on. Never hold the steering wheel firmly
in the 12 o'clock position or in another way (e.g. in the middle of the steering
wheel or at the inner steering wheel edge). In such cases, injuries to the arms,
the hands and the head can occur when the driver airbag is deployed.
•
The seat backrests must not be angled too far back when driving otherwise
this will affect proper operation of the se at belts and of the airbag system - risk
of injury!
•
Ensure that there are no objects in the footwell as any objects may get
behind the pedals during a driving or braking manoeuvre. You would then no
longer be able to operate the clutch, to brake or accelerate.
Correct seated position for the front passenger
The front passenger must maintain a distance of at least 25 cm from
the dash panel so that the airbag offers him the greatest possible
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 page 82, fig. 89 - right.
•
Fasten the seat belt correctly page 87, “How are seat belts correctly
fastened?”.
In exceptional cases the front passenger airbag can be deactivated page 95,
“Deactivating an airbag”.
Manual front passenger adjustment page 11, “Adjusting the front seats”.
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 dist ance will mean that the airbag system
will not be able to prop erly protect you - hazard!
•
Keep your feet in the footwell at all times while driving. Never place your feet
on the dash panel, out of the window or on the seats. You will be exposed to
increased risk of injury if it becomes ne cessary to apply the brake or in the event
of an accident. If an airbag is deployed, you may suffer fatal injuries when
adopting an incorrect seated position!
•
The seat backrests must not be angled too far back when driving otherwise
this will affect proper operation of the seat belts and of the airbag system - 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 correct ly 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 page 82, fig. 89 - on the right.
•
Fasten the seat belt correctly page 87, “How are seat belts correctly
fastened?”.
•
If you are transporting page 97, “Transporting children safely” children in the
vehicle, please use a suitable child restraint system.
WARNING
•
The head restraints must always be adju sted to match the body size, in order
to offer an optimal protection for you and your occupants.
•
Keep your feet in the footwell at all times while driving. Never place your feet
out of the window or on the seats. You will be exposed to increased risk of injury
if it becomes necessary to apply the brak e or in the event of an accident. If an
airbag is deployed, you may suffer fata l injuries when adopting an incorrect
seated position!
•
If the occupants on the rear seats are not sitting upright, the risk of injury is
increased due to incorrect routing of the seat belt.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
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Seat belts85
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Seat beltsWhy seat belts?It is a proven fact that seat belt s offer good protection in accidents  fig. 90. Thus
wearing a seat belt is a legal requirement in most countries.
Seat belts which have been correctly fast ened and adjusted hold the occupants of
the car in the correct seated position fig. 90. The seat belts reduce the kinetic
energy (energy of motion) to a considerable extent. They also prevent uncontrolled
movements which, in turn, may we ll result in severe injuries.
The occupants of a vehicle who have fastened and correctly adjusted their seat belt,
profit to a major extent from the fact that the kinetic energy is optimally absorbed
by the belts. The structure of the front end of the vehicle and other passive safety
measures, such as the airbag system, also contribute to reducing the kinetic energy.
The energy produced is thus absorbed and there is less risk of injury.
Accident statistics prove that seat belts which are fastened and properly adjusted
reduce the risk of an injury and enhance th e chance of survival in a major accident
 page 85.
It is important that you pay attention to safety measures, particularly when trans-
porting children in the vehicle page 97, “What you should know about trans-
porting children!”.
WARNING
•
F a s t e n y o u r s e a t b e l t e a c h t i m e b e f o r e s e t t i n g o f f , a l s o w h e n d r i v i n g i n t o w n !
This also applies to the people seat ed at the rear - risk of injury!
•
Expectant women must also always wear a seat belt. This is the only way of
ensuring optimal protection for the unborn child page 87.
•
It i s i m po rta n t f or th e b el t we bb in g to be p rop er ly rou te d i f th e s ea t be lts a re
to offer the maximum protection. You can see a description of how safety belts
should be fitted properly on the next pages.Note
Please comply with any differing legal requirements when using the seat belts.The physical principle of a frontal collisionFig. 91 The driver is thrown forward if not we aring a belt/the rear seat occupant is thrown
forward if not wearing a beltThe physical principle of a frontal accident can be explained quite simply:
Motion energy, so-called kinetic energy, is produced as soon as the vehicle is
moving, both for the vehicle and its occupants. The magnitude of this kinetic energy
depends essentially on the speed at which the vehicle is travelling and on the
weight of the vehicle and the occupants. The greater the speed and weight
increase, the greater the amount of energy which has to be absorbed in the event
of an accident.
The speed of the vehicle is, nevertheless, the most important factor. Doubling the
speed of the vehicle from 25 km/h up to 50 km/hour increases the kinetic energy
four times.
Fig. 90 Driver wearing seat belt
WARNING (continued)
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Seat belts87
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How are seat belts correctly fastened?Fastening three-point seat belts
Fasten your seat belt before starting!Fig. 92 Routing of webbing over the shoulders and the lap belt– Correctly adjust the front seat and the he ad restraint before fastening your seat
belt page 50.
– Slowly pull the belt webbing at the tongue of the lock over your chest and pelvis  .
– Insert the tongue of the lock into the seat belt buckle belonging to the seat until it is heard to lock in place.
– Pull on the seat belt to check that it has also reliably engaged in the lock.
Each three-point seat belt is equipped with an inertia reel. This inertia reel offers
you complete freedom of movement if the belt is unreeled slowly. If the brakes are
applied suddenly, the inertia reel will block. It also blocks the seat belts when the
car accelerates, when driving uphill and when cornering.
Expectant mothers must also wear seat belts .
WARNING
•
The shoulder part of the seat belt must never run across your neck but must
run approximately over the middle of th e shoulder and fit snugly against the
chest. The lap part of the belt must run across the hip and must never be routed
across the stomach. It must always fit snugly page 87, fig. 92 - left. Adjust the
belt webbing as required.
•
The lap part of the belt should be positi oned as low as possible at the pelvis
of an expectant mother in order to avoid exerting any pressure on the lower
abdomen page 87, fig. 92 - right.
•
Always ensure that the webbing of the seat belts is properly routed. Seat
belts which are not correctly adjusted c an themselves cause injuries even in
minor accidents.
•
A seat belt which is hanging too loose can result in injuries as your body is
moved forward by the kinetic energy pr oduced in an accident and is then
suddenly held firm by the belt.
•
Only insert the lock tongue into the lock which is the correct one for your
seat. This will affect the protection which th e b el t of f ers a n d i n c rea s e th e ri sk of
an injury.
Seat belt height adjusterThe seat belt height adjuster makes it po ssible for you to adapt the routing of the
three-point seat belt in the area of the shoulder to match your body size.
– Move the height adjuster in the desired direction up or down fig. 93 .
– Then pull firmly on the belt to ensure that the seat belt height adjuster has correctly locked in place.
WARNING
Adjust the height of the belt in such a wa y that the shoulder part of the belt is
positioned approximately ac ross the middle of your shoulder - on no account
across your neck.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 93 Front seat: Seat belt height
adjuster
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Airbag system89
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Airbag systemDescription of the airbag systemGeneral information on the airbag systemThe front airbag system is complementary to the three-point seat belts and offers
additional protection for the head and ches t area of the driver and passenger in the
event of a frontal collision.
In the case of a violent side crash, the si de airbags* and head airbags* reduce the
risk of injuries to the occupant s on the side of the collision .
The airbag system is only functional after the ignition has been switched on.
The operational readiness of the airbag system is monitored electronically. The
airbag indicator light comes on for a few seconds each time the ignition is switched
on.
The airbag system (according to vehicle equipment) consists of:•
an electronic control unit,
•
front airbag for the driver and the front seat passenger*,
•
side airbags*,
•
head airbags*,
•
an airbag warning light in the instrument cluster,
•
a key-operated switch for switching on /off the front seat passenger airbag*
 page 96,
•
an indicator light for a switched off front seat passenger airbag* in the middle
of the dash panel page 96.
A fault in the airbag system exists if:
•
the airbag indicator light does not light up when the ignition is switched on,
•
the airbag indicator light does not go ou t after about 4 seconds after the ignition
is switched on,
•
the airbag indicator light goes out and comes on again after the ignition is
switched on,
•
the airbag indicator light comes on or flickers when driving,
•
an airbag indicator light showing a swit ched-off front passenger airbag* in the
middle of the dash panel flashes.
WARNING
•
To enable the occupants of a vehicle to be protected with the greatest
possible effect when the airbag is depl oyed, the front seats must be correctly
adjusted to match the body size of the occupant page 82, “Correct seated
position”.
•
If you do not fasten the seat belts when driving, lean too far forward or adopt
an incorrect seated position, you are exposing yourself to increased risk of injury
in the event of an accident.
•
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.
•
No modifications of any kind may be made to parts of the airbag system.
•
It is prohibited to manipulate individu al parts of the airbag system as this
might result in the airbag being deployed.
•
The protective function of the airbag system is sufficient for only one acci-
dent. The airbag system must then be replaced if the airbag has been deployed.
•
The airbag system needs no maintenance during its working life.
•
If you sell your car, please hand over the complete vehicle documentation to
the new owner. Please note that the do cuments relating to the possibility of
deactivating the front passenger airbag are also part of the vehicle documents!
•
If the vehicle or individual parts of the airbag system are scrapped, it is
essential to observe the relevant safety precautions. The authorised Škoda
Service Partners are familiar with these regulations.
•
When disposing of vehicle or parts of the airbag system, it is important to
comply with the national legal requirements.
When are the airbags deployed?The airbag system is designed in such a way that the driver and front passenger
airbag are deployed in the event of a violent frontal collision .
In the case of a violent side collision , the side airbag* on the side of the vehicle at
which the collision occurs, is deployed together with the relevant head airbag*.
In special accident scenarios, the front as well as the relevant side and head airbags
may be deployed together.
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Airbag system91
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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 system93
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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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Airbag system95
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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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