Safety
Passive Safety
General information
ä
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Safety equipment 128
Before setting off 128
What influences the driving safety? 129
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 warnings 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 you, in the following chapters of this
Owner's Manual.
■ The complete on-board literature should always be in the vehicle. This ap-
plies in particular, if you rent out or sell the vehicle. ÐSafety equipment
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 128.
The following list contains part of the safety equipment in your vehicle:
› three-point seat belts for all the seats;
› belt force limiters for the front seats;
ä ›
belt tensioners for front seats;
› seat belt height adjusters for front seats;
› Front airbag for the driver and the front seat passenger;
› driver’s knee airbag;
› front side airbags;
› rear side airbags;
› head airbags;
› anchoring points for child seat using the
ISOFIX system;
› anchoring points for child seat using the TOP TETHER system;
› head restraints adjustable for height;
› adjustable steering column.
The specified safety equipment works together, in order to optimally protect you
and those travelling with you 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. Ð Before setting off
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 128.
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.
› Check the tyre inflation pressure.
› Ensure that all of the windows offer good visibility to the outside.
› Secure all items of luggage
» page 62, Boot.
› Ensure that no objects can obstruct the pedals.
› Adjust the mirrors, the front seat and head restraint to your body size.
› Advise your passengers to adjust the head restraints to their body size.
› Protect children in suitable child seats with correctly fastened seat
belts
» page 143, Transporting children safely .
› Adopt the correct seated position
» page 129, Correct seated position . Tell your
passengers to assume the correct seated position.
› Correctly fasten the seat belt. Also inform passengers to fasten the seat belt
correctly » page 134, Fastening and unfastening seat belts .Ð
ä
128 Safety
What influences the driving safety?
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 128.
The driver is fully responsible for himself and his occupants. If your driving safety
is effected, you place yourself and the oncoming traffic at risk.
The following guidelines must therefore be observed. › Do not get distracted from concentrating on the traffic situation, e.g. by your
passengers or mobile phone calls.
› Never drive when your driving ability is impaired, e.g. through medication, alco-
hol, drugs.
› Keep to the traffic regulations and the permissible speed limit.
› Always adjust the driving speed to the road, traffic and weather conditions.
› Take regular breaks on long journeys – at least every two hours. ÐCorrect seated position
ä
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Correct seated position for the driver 130
Correct seated position for the front passenger 130
Correct seated position for the occupants on the rear seats 130
Examples of an incorrect seated position 131
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.
■ Always assume the correct seated position before setting off and do not
change this position while driving. Also advise your passengers to adopt the
correct seated position and not to change this position while the car is mov-
ing.
ä WARNING (Continued)
■ If the occupant adopts an incorrect seated position, he is exposed to life-
threatening injuries, in case he is hit by a deployed airbag.
■ 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.
■ The driver must maintain a distance of at least 25 cm from the steering
wheel, and a distance of at least 10 cm between the legs and the dash panel
at the height of the knee airbag. The front passenger must maintain a dis-
tance of at least 25 cm to the dash panel. Not maintaining this minimum dis-
tance 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 in
the 12 o'clock position or in any other way (e.g. in the middle or inner edge of
the steering wheel). In such cases, you could severely injure the arms, hands
and head 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 seat belts and of the airbag system -
risk of injury!
■ Ensure that there are no objects in the driver's footwell as they may get
caught behind the pedals when driving or applying the braking. You would
then no longer be able to operate the clutch, brake or accelerate.
■ 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! Ð
129
Passive Safety
Correct seated position for the driver
Fig. 116
The correct distance of the driver from the steering wheel and dash
panel/The correct head restraint adjustment
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 129.
For your own safety and to reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accident,
we recommend the following setting.
› Position the steering wheel so that there is a gap of at least 25
cm between the
steering wheel and the chest A
» Fig. 116
, and that the distance between the
legs and the dash panel at the height of the knee airbag is at least 10
cm B
.
› Adjust the driver’s seat in the forward/back direction so that the pedals can be
fully depressed with slightly bent legs.
› Adjust the seat backrest so that the highest point of the steering wheel can be
reached with your arms at a slight angle.
› 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 C
.
› Correctly fasten the seat belt
» page 134, Fastening and unfastening seat
belts.
Manual driver seat adjustment » page 56, Manually adjusting the front seats .
Electrical driver seat adjustment » page 57, Adjusting front seats electrically .Ð Correct seated position for the front passenger
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 129.ä
ä 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.
› Position the front passenger seat back as far as possible. The front passenger
must maintain a distance of at least 25 cm to the dash panel so that the airbag
offers the greatest possible safety if it is deployed.
› 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 C
» Fig. 116
on page 130.
› Correctly fasten the seat belt
» page 134, Fastening and unfastening seat
belts.
In exceptional cases the front passenger airbag can be deactivated » page 141,
Deactivating airbags .
Manual front passenger adjustment »
page 56 .
Electrical front passenger seat adjustment » page 57.Ð Correct seated position for the occupants on the rear seats
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 129.
To reduce the risk of injury in the event of a sudden braking manoeuvre or an ac-
cident, the occupants on the rear seats must observe the following.
› Adjust the head restraint so that the top edge of the head restraint is at the
same level as the upper part of the head C
» Fig. 116 on page 130.
› Correctly fasten the seat belt
» page 134, Fastening and unfastening seat
belts .
› Use a suitable child restraint system if transporting children in the vehi-
cle » page 143, Transporting children safely . Ð
ä
130 Safety
WARNING (Continued)
■ The seat belts for the rear seats can only fulfil their function reliably when
the seat backrests are correctly locked into position » page 62, Move seats in-
to the initial position .
■ The belt webbing must always be kept clean. Soiled belt webbing may im-
pair proper operation of the inertia reel » page 166, Seat belts.
■ The seat belts must not be removed or changed in any way. Do not attempt
to repair the seat belts yourself.
■ Check the condition of all the seat belts on a regular basis. If any damage to
the seat belts, seat belt tongue, inertia reel or the lock is detected, the rele-
vant seat belt must be replaced by a
ŠKODA specialist garage.
■ Damaged seat belts which have been subjected to stress in an accident and
were therefore stretched, must be replaced - this is best done by a
ŠKODA
specialist garage. The anchorage points for the belts should also be checked. Note
The national legal requirements must be observed when using seat belts. ÐThe physical principle of a frontal collision
Fig. 118
Driver without a fastened seat belt/rear seat passenger without a
fastened seat belt
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 132.
The physical principle of a frontal collision can be explained quite simply.
ä 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 en-
ergy depends essentially on the speed at which the vehicle is travelling and on
the weight of the vehicle including 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.
The common opinion that it is possible to support your body in a minor accident
with your hands, is incorrect. Even in a collision at only a low speed, the forces
acting on the body are such that it is no longer possible to support your body.
Even if you only drive at a speed of 30
km/h to 50 km/h, the forces that your body
is exposed to in the event of an accident can exceed a tonne (1 000 kg).
In the event of a frontal collision, occupants of the car not wearing a seat belt, are
thrown forward and strike in an uncontrolled way parts of the interior of the car,
such as steering wheel, dash panel or windscreen » Fig. 118 - . In certain circum-
stances you could even be thrown out of the vehicle, which could cause life
threatening or even fatal injuries.
It is also important that rear seat occupants fasten their seat belts as they will
otherwise be thrown through the vehicle in an uncontrolled manner in the event
of an accident A rear seat passenger who has not fastened the seat belt is a dan-
ger not only to himself but also for those seated at the front » Fig. 118 - . Ð
133
Seat belts
Airbag system
Description of the airbag system
Introductory information
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 »
page 24.
The airbags inflate in fractions of a second and at a high speed to offer additional
protection in the event of an accident.
The airbag system (according to vehicle equipment) consists of: › an electronic control unit;
› Front airbags for the driver and front seat passenger
» page 138;
› a driver’s knee airbag » page 139;
› side airbags » page 140;
› head airbags
» page 141;
› an airbag indicator light in the instrument cluster
» page 24;
› a key switch for the front seat passenger airbag
» page 142;
› an indicator light in the middle of the dash panel to indicate the front seat pas-
senger airbag is switched off » page 142.
A fault in the airbag system exists if:
› the indicator light
does not illuminate when the ignition is switched on;
› the indicator light
does not go out 4 seconds after the ignition is switched
on;
› the indicator light
goes out and comes on again after the ignition is switched
on;
› the indicator light
comes on or flashes when driving;
› the indicator light in the middle of the dash panel for the deactivated front seat
passenger airbag flashes. WARNING
■ The airbag is not a substitute for the seat belt, but instead forms part of the
complete passive vehicle safety concept. Please note that an airbag can only
offer you optimal protection in combination with a seat belt which is fas-
tened.
■ To ensure passengers are protected with the greatest possible effect when
the airbag is deployed, the front seats must be correctly adjusted to match
the body size »
page 129, 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. ■ If there is a fault, have the airbag system checked immediately by a ŠKODA
specialist garage. Otherwise, there is a risk of the airbag not being activated in
the event of an accident.
■ No modifications of any kind must be made to parts of the airbag system.
Any work on the airbag system including the installation and removal of sys-
tem components due to other repair work (e.g. removal of the steering wheel)
must only be carried out by a
ŠKODA specialist garage.
■ Never make any changes to the front bumper or bodywork.
■ It is prohibited to manipulate individual 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 de-
ployed.
■ The airbag system needs no maintenance during its working life.
■ If you sell your vehicle, provide the complete vehicle documentation to the
new owner. Please note that the information relating to the possibility of de-
activating the front passenger airbag must be included! ■ When disposing of vehicle or parts of the airbag system, it is important to
comply with the national legal requirements. Ð When are the airbags deployed?
The airbag system is only functional when the ignition is switched on.
In certain accident situations, the several airbags may be deployed simultaneous-
ly.
The airbags are not deployed in the case of minor frontal and side collisions, rear-
end collisions, tilting of the vehicle and vehicle rollover. £
137
Airbag system
Deployment factors
It is not possible to generally determine which deployment conditions apply to
the airbag system in every situation. An important role is played by factors such
as the type of object that the vehicle hits (hard, soft), the impact angle, vehicle
speed, etc.
A decisive factor for the deployment of the airbags is the deceleration which oc-
curs. The control unit analyses the nature of the collision and activates the rele-
vant 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 suf-
fer severe damage to the bodywork as a consequence of the accident.
The following will be deployed in the event of a severe frontal collision:
› driver’s front airbag;
› passenger’s front airbag;
› driver’s knee airbag.
The following will be deployed in the event of a severe side collision: › front side airbag on the side of the accident;
› rear side airbag on the side of the accident;
› head airbags on the side of the accident.
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. 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. Ð Front airbags
Fig. 122
Driver airbag in the steering wheel/front passenger airbag in the
dashboard Fig. 123
Safe distance to steering wheel/inflated airbags.
In the event of a severe frontal collision, the front airbag system offers additional
protection for the head and chest area of the driver and front passenger.
The front airbag for the driver is housed in the steering wheel » Fig. 122 - .
The front airbag for the front seat passenger is located in the dash panel above
the stowage compartment
- » Fig. 122.
If the airbags are deployed, the airbags are filled with a propellant gas and infla-
ted in front of the driver and front passenger » Fig. 123 - . The forward move-
ment of the driver and of the front passenger is cushioned when they make con-
tact with the fully inflated airbag and the risk of injury to head and chest is thus
reduced. £
138 Safety
The 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 order 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.
WARNING
■ For the driver and front passenger, it is important to maintain a distance of
at least 25 cm to the steering wheel or dashboard A
» Fig. 123
. 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
always also be correctly adjusted to match the body size of the occupant.
■ The airbag develops enormous forces when triggered, which can lead to in-
juries if the sitting position or seated position is not correct.
■ There must not by any further persons, animals or objects positioned be-
tween the front seated occupants and the deployment area of the airbag. ■ Never transport children on the front seat of a vehicle without using a prop-
er restraint system. If airbags are deployed in the event of an accident, the
child might suffer severe or even fatal injuries!
■ It is essential to always switch off the front passenger airbag when attach-
ing a child safety seat to the front passenger seat where the child is seated
with its back facing in direction of travel » page 141, Deactivating airbags. If
this is not done, there is a risk of the child suffering severe or even fatal inju-
ries if the front passenger airbag is deployed. When transporting a child on
the front passenger seat, pay attention to any relevant national regulations
regarding the use of child safety seats.
■ The steering wheel and the surface of the airbag module in the dash panel
on the passenger side must not have stickers attached, be covered or modi-
fied in any other way. These parts should only be cleaned with a cloth that is
dry or has been moistened with water. No objects such as cup holders, mobile
phone mounts, etc. must be attached to the covers of the airbag modules or
be located within their immediate vicinity.
■ Never place objects on the surface of the front passenger airbag module in
the dash panel. Ð Driver’s knee airbag
Fig. 124
Driver's knee airbag below the
steering column
The driver's knee airbag offers adequate protection for the driver's legs.
The driver's knee airbag is located in the lower part of the dash panel below the
steering column » Fig. 124.
In the event of a severe frontal collision, the driver's knee airbag and the belt ten-
sioner are deployed.
The forward movement of the body is cushioned when it makes contact with the
fully inflated airbag and the risk of injury to the legs of the driver is thus reduced. WARNING
■ Adjust the driver's seat in a forward/back direction so that there is a gap of
at least 10 cm between the legs and the dash panel in the vicinity of the knee
airbag B
» Fig. 116 on page 130. If it is not possible to meet this requirement
due to your body size, visit a ŠKODA specialist garage.
■ The surface of the airbag module in the lower part of the dash panel below
the steering column not have stickers attached, be covered or modified in any
other way. This part should only be cleaned with a cloth that is dry or has
been moistened with water. No objects must be attached to the cover of the
airbag module or located within the immediate vicinity. ■ Do not attach any bulky and heavy objects (bunch of keys etc.) to the igni-
tion key. These can be ejected by the knee airbag when it is deployed and can
cause injuries. Ð
139
Airbag system
Head airbags
Fig. 126
Location of the head airbag/gas-filled head airbag
In the event of a severe side collision, the head airbag system offers additional
protection for the head and neck area of passengers.
The head airbags are positioned above the doors on both sides in the interior of
the car » Fig. 126 - .
In the event of a side collision the head airbag is deployed together with the rele-
vant side airbag and the belt tensioner on the side of the car on which the acci-
dent occurs.
When deployed, the airbags cover the entire side window and door pil-
lar »
Fig. 126 - .
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 protec-
tion in the case of an offset impact by covering the front door pillar. WARNING
■ 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 hooks fitted in the vehicle. Never
leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets of the items of cloth-
ing. Additionally, clothes hangers must not be used to hang up items of cloth-
ing. WARNING (Continued)
■ The airbag control unit operates with sensors located in the front doors. For
this reason no adjustments must be carried out to the doors and door panels
(e.g. additional installation of loudspeakers). Resulting damages can have 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
ŠKODA specialist garage.
■ There must no other persons (e.g. children) or animals between the passen-
ger and the deployment area of the head airbag. In addition, none of the occu-
pants 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 towards the side windows in the de-
ployment 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
airbag is deployed.
■ The installation of impermissible accessories in the vicinity of the head air-
bags can 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 fitted accessories could be thrown into the interior of the car and injure
the occupants » page 189, Accessories, changes and replacement of parts .Ð Deactivating airbags
Deactivating airbags
Deactivation of airbags is envisaged only for particular instances, such as if:
› using a child seat on the front passenger seat, in which the child has its back to
the vehicle's direction of travel (in some countries this must be in the direction
of travel due to different legal regulations applying) » page 143, Transporting
children safely ;
› not being able to maintain a distance of at least 25 cm between the middle of
the steering wheel and chest, despite the driver's seat being correctly adjusted;
› special attachments are required in the area of the steering wheel because of a
physical disability;
› other seats have been installed (e.g. orthopaedic seats without side airbags).
The front passenger airbag can be switched off with the key-operated
switch » Fig. 127 on page 142.
We recommend that you ask a
ŠKODA Service Partner to switch off any other air-
bags. £
141
Airbag system