2011 SKODA ROOMSTER technical data

It is also possible under certain special accident situations that the front as well as
the side airbags and head airbags are deployed simultaneously.
The airbags are not deployed in the case of minor frontal and side collisions, rear-
end collisions, tilting of the vehicle, and vehicle rollover.
Deployment factors
It is not possible to state globally which deployment conditions apply to the airbag
system in every situation as the circumstances which exist in the case of acci-
dents vary greatly. An important role in this case, for example, is played by factors
such as the type of object against which the vehicle impacts (hard, soft), the angle
of impact, the vehicle speed etc.
A decisive factor for the deployment of the airbags is the deceleration which oc-
curs during a collision. The control unit analyses the nature of the collision and ac-
tivates the relevant restraint system. If the vehicle deceleration which occurs and
is measured during the collision remains below the prescribed reference values
specified in the control unit, the airbags are not deployed although the vehicle
may well suffer severe damage to the bodywork as a consequence of the acci-
dent.
The airbags are not deployed if:
● ignition is switched off;
● a minor frontal collision;
● a minor side collision;
● a rear-end collision;
● Rollover of the vehicle. Note
● A grey white or red, non-harmful gas is released when the airbag is inflated.
This is perfectly normal and is not an indication of a fire in the vehicle.
● In the event of an accident in which the airbags are deployed:
– the interior lighting comes on (if the switch for the interior light is in the
door contact position),
– the hazard warning light is switched on;
– all the doors are unlocked;
– the fuel supply to the engine is interrupted. Front airbags
Description of the front airbags The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belt!
Fig. 97 Driver airbag in the steering wheel/front passenger airbag in the dash panel
The front airbag for the driver is housed in the steering wheel
⇒
 fig. 97 - left. The
front airbag for the front passenger is housed in the dash panel above the storage
compartment ⇒ fig. 97 - right. The installation positions are each marked with the
“AIRBAG” logo.
The front airbag system, in combination with three-point safety belts, offers addi-
tional protection for the head and chest area of the driver and front passenger in
the event of a frontal collision of major severity ⇒  in Important safety informa-
tion regarding the front airbag system

on page 112.
The airbag is not a substitute for the seat belt, but is part of the complete passive
vehicle safety concept. Please note that an airbag can only offer you optimal pro-
tection in combination with a seat belt which is fastened .
Apart from their normal protective function, a further task of the seat belts is to
also hold the driver and front passenger in a correct seated position in the event
of a frontal collision so as to enable the front airbags to offer the maximum pro-
tection.
You should therefore always fasten the seat belts, not only because this is re-
quired by law, but also for safety reasons and for your own protection ⇒ page 105,
Why seat belts?. £ 111
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WARNING (Continued)
● 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 oth-
er way. These parts should only be cleaned with a dry cloth or a cloth mois-
tened with water. No objects such as cup holders, mobile phone mounts, etc.
may be attached to the covers of the airbag modules or be located within the
immediate area.
● No modifications of any kind may be made to parts of the airbag system.
Any work on the airbag system including installing and removing system com-
ponents 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 dash panel on the front pas-
senger side. 
Side airbags Description of side airbags The side airbag increases protection of the passenger concerned in
the case of a side impact.
Fig. 100 Driver seat: Installation posi-
tion of airbag
The side airbags are housed in the upholstery of the seat backrests of the front
seats and are marked with the lettering “AIRBAG” ⇒ fig. 100 on the middle part. The side airbag system in combination with the three-point seat belts, offers addi-
tional protection for the upper area of the body (chest, stomach and pelvis) of the
occupants of the vehicle in the event of severe side collisions
⇒  in Important
safety information on the side airbag

on page 114.
Apart from their normal protective function, a further task of the seat belts is to
also hold the driver and front passenger in a correct seated position in the event
of a side collision so as to enable the side airbags to offer the maximum protec-
tion.
You should therefore always fasten the seat belts, not only because this is re-
quired by law, but also for safety reasons and for your own protection ⇒ page 105,
Why seat belts?. 
Function of the side airbags Risk of injury to the upper part of the body is reduced by fully infla-
ted side airbags.
Fig. 101 Inflated side airbag
When the side airbags are deployed, the head airbag and the belt tensioner are
also automatically deployed on the relevant side .
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 frac-
tions of a second and at a high speed in order to be able to offer that additional
protection in the event of an accident ⇒

 fig. 101 .
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. £ 113
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tance Praktik Technical data

The head airbag together with the three-point seat belts and the side airbags, of-
fers 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 115.
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 airbags to offer the maximum protection.
You should therefore always fasten the seat belts, not only because this is re-
quired by law, but also for safety reasons and for your own protection ⇒ page 105

.
Together with other elements (such as cross bars in the doors, 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 neck area is reduced in the event
of a side collision by fully inflated head airbags. Fig. 103 Inflated head airbag
In the case of a side collision the head airbag is deployed together with the rele-
vant side airbag ⇒

 fig. 103 and the belt tensioner on the side of the car on which
the accident occurs.
If the system is deployed, the airbag is filled with propellant gas and covers the
entire area of the side window including the door pillars ⇒ fig. 103 .
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 inte-
rior or objects outside of the car, is cushioned by the inflated head airbag. The re-
duction 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 air-
bag also offers additional protection in the case of an offset impact by covering
the front door pillar.
In certain accident situations, the front, side and head airbag are simultaneously
deployed.
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. 
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 ⇒ page 116 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 injuries if the front passenger
front 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.
● 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. Nev-
er leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets of the items of cloth-
ing. In addition, it is not permitted to use clothes hangers for hanging up
items of clothing.
● The airbag control unit operates together with the sensors, which are at-
tached in the front doors. For this reason no adjustments must be carried out
at the doors as well as at the door panels (for example additional installation
of loudspeakers). Resulting damages can have a negative affect on the opera-
tion of the airbag system. All work on the front doors and their panels must
only be carried out by a specialist garage. £ 115
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Switch for the front passenger front airbag
Fig. 104 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. 104 - 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. 104 - 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. 104 - 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. 104 - right.
The airbag should only be switched off under exceptional circumstances
⇒  page 116.
Indicator light in display 



 (airbag switched off)
The airbag indicator light is located in the middle of the dash panel ⇒ fig. 104 -
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. 117
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WARNING (Continued)
● Children are exposed to an increased risk of injury in the event of an acci-
dent if they lean forward or adopt an incorrect seated position when the vehi-
cle is moving. This particularly applies to children 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 107, How are seat belts correctly
fastened?. Pay particular attention to the information provided by the manu-
facturer of the child safety seat regarding correct routing of the belt. Seat
belts which are not correctly adjusted can themselves cause injuries even in
minor accidents.
● Safety belts must be checked to ensure that they are running properly.
One should also ensure that the belt is not damaged by sharp-edged fittings.
● It is essential to always switch off the front passenger front 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 116. If this is not done,
there is a risk of the child suffering severe or even fatal injuries if the front
passenger front airbag is deployed. When transporting a child on the front
passenger seat, please comply with the appropriate national regulations re-
garding 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.
Fig. 105 Sticker on the centre column of
the body on the front passenger side. We recommend, for safety reasons, that you always mount a child restraint sys-
tems 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 pas-
senger 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 the 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 col-
umn of the body on the front passenger side ⇒ fig. 105. 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 front 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 116, Deacti-
vating airbags. If this is not done, there is a risk of the child suffering severe or
even fatal injuries if the front passenger front airbag is deployed. When trans-
porting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply with the appropri-
ate national regulations regarding the use of child safety seats.
● If the front passenger front airbag has been switched off by a specialist
garage using the vehicle system tester, the side and head passenger airbag
remains switched on. Please comply with any differing national legal regula-
tions 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 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 safety seat on the front passenger seat. 119
Transporting children safely Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assis-
tance Praktik Technical data

Children who are more than 1.50 m in height or who weigh more than 36 kg can
use normal seat belts without a seat bolster. 
Use of child seats An overview of the usefulness of child seats on each of the seats according to the
ECE-R 44 standard: Child seat of
the group Front passenger
seat Rear seat
outside Rear seat
middle 0 U U

+
T U

+ T
0+ U U

+
T U

+ T
1 U U

+
T U

+ T
2 and 3 U U U
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 standard with the fixing system “Top Tether ”.
Child seats of group 0/0+ Fig. 107 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. 107.
U +
T 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 119, Use of child safety seats on the front
passenger seat. WARNING
● It is essential to always switch off the front passenger front airbag at a
specialist garage or with the switch for front passenger airbag when attaching
in exceptional circumstances a child safety seat on the front passenger seat
where the child is seated with its back facing in direction of travel ⇒

 page 117.
● Please comply with any differing national legal regulations regarding the
use of child safety seats.
● If this is not done, a child seated on the front passenger seat may suffer
severe or even fatal injuries if the front passenger airbag or airbags are de-
ployed.
● 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. 
Child safety seats in Group 1 Fig. 108 Child seat with padded table in
Group 1 installed on rear seat bench fac-
ing the direction of travel
Child seats in Group 1 are for babies and small children up to 4 years of age with a
weight of between 9 and 18 kilograms. It is best for children in the lower range of
this group, to use a child seat which allows the child to sit with its back to the di-
rection of travel. It is best for children in the upper range of the Group 0+, to use a
child seat which allows the child to sit ⇒ fig. 108 in the direction of travel. £ 121
Transporting children safely Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assis-
tance Praktik Technical data

WARNING
● When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply with
the appropriate national regulations regarding 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 117.
● The shoulder part of the seat belt must run approximately across the mid-
dle 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 national legal regulations regarding the
use of child safety seats. 
Attaching a child seat using the “ISOFIX” system Fig. 111 Push locking eyes (ISOFIX system)/ISOFIX child seat into the installed mounting fun-
nels
There are two locking eyes between the rear exterior seat backrest and the sur-
face of the seat itself on both sides for fixing the

“ISOFIX” system child seat in
place.
– Insert the mounting funnels A onto the locking eyes
B between the seat
backrest and the seat cushion ⇒

  fig. 111.
– Push the notched arms of the child seat into the locking eyes until they are
heard to lock in place ⇒

 fig. 111.
– Pull on both sides of the child seat! One can mount a child safety seat using the “ISOFIX” system quickly, easily and
reliably. Please pay close attention to instructions from the manufacturer of the
child safety seat when installing and removing the seat.
Child seats fitted with the

“ISOFIX” system can only be mounted and fixed in a ve-
hicle fitted with an “ISOFIX” system when these child seats have been released
for this type of vehicle according to the ECE-R 44 standard.
Child safety seats with the fixing system “ISOFIX” can be obtained from ŠKODA
Original Accessories.
Complete installation instructions are enclosed with the child safety seat. WARNING
● The locking eyes have just been developed for child safety seats which use
the
“ISOFIX” system. You should therefore never attach other child safety
seats, seat belts or objects to the locking eyes - hazard!
● Before using a child seat with an “ISOFIX” system that you bought for an-
other vehicle, it is recommended that you consult an authorised
ŠKODA Serv-
ice Partner whether the child seat is suitable for your vehicle.
● Certain child seats which use the “ISOFIX” system can be attached with
standard three-point seat belts. Please pay close attention to instructions
from the manufacturer of the child safety seat when installing and removing
the seat. Note
● Child seats which use the
“ISOFIX” system are currently available for children
weighing up to about 18 kg. This corresponds to an age range up to 4 years.
● The child seats can also be fitted with the “Top Tether” system ⇒
 page 124.  123
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Driving Tips
Intelligent Technology Electronic stability programme (ESP)
General General
The ESP aids you in maintaining control of your vehicle in situations in which the
vehicle is driving at its dynamic limits, such as entering a curve fast. The risk of
skidding is reduced and your car thus offers greater driving stability depending on
the conditions of the road surface. The system operates at all speeds.
The following systems are integrated into the electronic stability programme:
● Electronic Differential Lock (EDL),
● Traction control system (TCS),
● Antilock brake system (ABS),
● Brake Assist,
● Uphill Start Assist.
Operating principle
The ESP switches on automatically when the engine is started and then conducts
a self-test. The ESP control unit processes data from the individual systems. It al-
so processes additional measurement data which are supplied by highly sensitive
sensors: the rotational velocity of the vehicle about its vertical axis, the lateral ac-
celeration of the vehicle, the braking pressure and the steering angle.
The direction which the driver wishes to take is determined based on the steering
angle and the speed of the vehicle and is constantly compared with the actual be-
haviour of the vehicle. If differences exist, such as the car beginning to skid, the
ESP will automatically brake the appropriate wheel.
The car is stabilised again by the forces which take effect when the wheel is
braked. Intervention into the brake system takes place primarily on the outer front
wheel of a vehicle which tends to oversteer (tendency for the rear of the vehicle
to break away) while occurs this is on the inner rear wheel of a vehicle which
tends to understeer (tendency to shift out of the curve). This braking control cycle
is accompanied by noises. During an intervention of the system, the warning light
 flashes quickly in the
instrument cluster.
The ESP system cannot be switched off, only the TCS system can be switched off
by pressing the button ⇒
 fig. 113. The warning light  ⇒ page 25 lights up if the
TCS system is switched off.
The warning light  lights up permanently if there is a fault in the ESP system.
The fact that the ESP system operates together with the ABS means that the ESP
warning light will also come on if the ABS system is not operating properly.
If the warning light  comes on immediately after starting the engine, the ESP
system can be switched off for technical reasons. In this case, the ESP system can
be switched on again by switching the ignition on and off. If the warning light
goes out, the ESP system is fully functional again. WARNING
It is also not possible for the ESP to overcome the physical limits of the vehi-
cle. Even if a vehicle fitted with ESP you should still always adapt your style of
driving to the condition of the road surface and the traffic situation. This par-
ticularly applies when driving on slippery and wet roads. The increased safety
offered must not tempt you to take greater risks than otherwise - risk of an
accident! Note
● All four wheels must be fitted with the same tyres in order to achieve prob-
lem-free operation of the ESP. Differing rolling circumferences of the tyres can
lead to an undesirable reduction in the engine output.
● Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or another combi-
nation of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the ESP ⇒

 page 166, Ac-
cessories, changes and replacement of parts.  125
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