2014 SKODA FABIA deactivate passenger airbag

WARNING (Continued)■When driving, hold the steering wheel with both hands firmly on the out-
er 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
your arms, hands and head when the driver airbag is deployed.■
Ensure that there are no objects in the driver's footwell, as these may get
caught in the pedal apparatus when driving or braking. You would then no
longer be able to operate the clutch, brake or acceleration pedals.
Adjusting the steering wheel position
Fig. 2
Adjusting the steering wheel position
Read and observe
on page 9 first.
The height and forward/back position of the steering wheel can be adjusted.
›
Swing the safety lever under the steering wheel in the direction of arrow
1
» Fig. 2 .
›
Adjust the steering wheel to the desired position. The steering wheel can be
adjusted in direction of arrow
2
.
›
Pull the holder until it stops in arrow direction
3
.
WARNING■ The lever for adjusting the steering wheel must be locked while you are
driving so that the position of the steering wheel cannot accidentally
change during the journey – there is the risk of an accident!■
Never adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is moving, but only
when the vehicle is stationary!
Correct seated position of the front passenger
Read and observe
on page 9 first.
For passenger safety and to reduce the risk of injury in an accident, the follow-ing instructions must be observed.
Position the front passenger seat back as far as possible. The front pas-
senger 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 top of your head 1)

B
» Fig. 1 on page 9 .
Correctly fasten the seat belt » page 12, Wearing seat belts .
Setting the seats and head restraints » page 71.
In exceptional cases, the front passenger airbag can be deactivated
» page 20 , Deactivating airbags .
WARNING■
Maintain a distance of at least 25 cm to the dash panel. Not keeping to
this minimum distance will mean that the airbag system will not be able to
properly protect you – risk of death!■
Always keep your feet in the footwell when the car is being driven – nev-
er 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 be-
comes necessary to apply the brake or in the event of an accident. If an air-
bag is deployed, you may suffer fatal injuries when adopting an incorrect
seated position!
1)
Not valid for sports seats.
10Safety

WARNING (Continued)■The installation of impermissible accessories in the vicinity of the head
airbags 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.■
The sun visors must not be swivelled towards the side windows in the
deployment 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.
■
There must not be any further persons, animals or objects positioned be-
tween the seated occupants and the deployment area of the airbag. In ad-
dition, none of the occupants should lean their head out of the window
when driving, or extend their arms and hands out of the window.
Note
In vehicles with head airbags, the lettering  can be seen on the B column
cladding.
Deactivating airbags
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Deactivating airbags
20
Switching off the front passenger airbag
21
Deactivating airbags
Deactivating an airbag should, for example, be considered only in the
following cases.
› When 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 22 , Transporting children safely .
› If it is not possible to maintain a distance of at least 25 cm between the mid-
dle of the steering wheel and chest, despite the driver's seat being correctly
adjusted.
› If special attachments are required in the area of the steering wheel because
of a physical disability.
› If other seats have been installed (e.g. orthopaedic seats without side air-
bags).
The front passenger airbag can be switched off with the key-operated switch
» page 21 .
We recommend that you ask a ŠKODA Service Partner to switch off any other
airbags.
Monitoring the airbag system
The operational capability of the airbag system is monitored electronically,
even if one of the airbags is switched off.
Airbag was switched off using diagnostic equipment
› The
 warning light lights up for approximately 4 seconds after the ignition
is switched on and then flashes again for approximately 12 seconds.
Front passenger airbag switched off with the key switch in the storage com-
partment
› The
 warning light comes on for about 4 seconds after the ignition has
been switched on.
› The indicator light
 under the text
» Fig. 12
on page 21 -
 lights up after switching on the ignition.
Note
■
The national regulations for switching off airbags must be observed.■A ŠKODA Service Partner will be able to inform you which airbags in your ve-
hicle can/must be deactivated.20Safety

Switching off the front passenger airbagFig. 12
Key-operated switch for the front passenger airbag / warning
light for front seat passenger airbag deactivation
Only the front passenger airbag is deactivated with the key switch.
Switching off
›
Switch off the ignition.
›
Open the storage box on the front passenger's side.
›
Fold the key bit out completely for the radio key » .
›
Carefully insert the key into the key slot in the key switch as far as the stop.
›
Use the key to turn the slot of the key switch carefully into the position

» Fig. 12 -
 .
›
Pull the key out of the slot in the key switch
» .
›
Close the storage box on the front passenger's side.
›
Check that the warning light
 in the text


» Fig. 12 -
 lights
up after the ignition is switched on.
When the airbag is switched off, the indicator light  illuminates continu-
ously with the ignition on. This disappears after switching off the ignition.
Switching on
›
Switch off the ignition.
›
Open the storage box on the front passenger's side.
›
Fold the key bit out completely for the radio key » .
›
Carefully insert the key into the key slot in the key switch as far as the stop.
›
Use the key to turn the slot of the key switch carefully into the position

» Fig. 12 -
 .
›
Pull the key out of the slot in the key switch
» .
›
Close the storage box on the front passenger's side.
›
Check that the warning light
 in the text


» Fig. 12 -
 lights
up after the ignition is switched on.
When the airbag is switched on again, the indicator light  will go out 65
seconds after switching on the ignition.WARNING■ The driver is responsible for whether the airbag is switched on or switch-
ed off.■
Only switch off the airbag when the ignition is switched off! Otherwise a
fault can occur in the system for deactivating the airbag.
■
If the 



warning lights flash, the front passenger airbag will not be
deployed in the event of an accident! Have the airbag system checked by a
specialist garage immediately.
■
The key cannot be inserted in the key switch while driving.
■ Shocks can cause the key to turn in the slot and trigger the airbag!
■ The airbag can be triggered unexpectedly in an accident - it may result
in injury or death!
CAUTION
An insufficiently folded out key bit can damage the key switch!21Airbag system

 Anti brake system (ABS)Read and observe
on page 34 first.
If the warning light 
is illuminated , there is a fault in the ABS.
The following message is shown in the information cluster display. Error: ABS
ABS ERROR
The vehicle will only be braked by the normal brake system without the ABS.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
WARNING■ A fault to the ABS system or the braking system can increase the vehi-
cle's braking distance – there is a risk of an accident occurring!■
If warning light 
illuminates simultaneously with warning light 
» page 34 , 
Brake system , 
do not continue your journey! Seek help
from a specialist garage.
 Rear fog light
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
The warning light 
lights up when the rear fog light is switched on.
 Exhaust inspection system
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
If the warning light 
is illuminated , there is a fault in the exhaust inspection
system. The system allows the vehicle to run in emergency mode.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
 Glow plug system (diesel engine)
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
There is a fault in the glow plug system if the warning light 
does not come
on or lights up continuously .
If the warning light  begins
to flash while driving, a fault exists in the engine
control. The system allows the vehicle to run in emergency mode.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
 Engine performance check (petrol engine)
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
If the warning light 
illuminates , there is a fault in the engine control. The
system allows the vehicle to run in emergency mode.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
 Airbag system
Read and observe
on page 34 first.
Fault with airbag system
If the warning light 
is illuminated and the following message appears in the
instrument cluster display, there is a fault with the airbag system.
Error: Airbag
AIRBAG ERROR
The functionality of the airbag system is monitored automatically even if one
of the airbags is switched off.
The front passenger airbag has been disabled with the key switch
› The warning light

lights up for about 4 seconds after the ignition has been
switched on.
› The warning light
 beneath the text

 in the centre of the
dash panel lights up after the ignition is switched on » page 21, Switching off
the front passenger airbag .
One of the airbags or a belt tensioner has been disabled by the diagnostic tool
› The warning light

lights up for approximately 4 seconds after the ignition
is switched on and then flashes again for approximately 12 seconds.
› The following message is shown in the information cluster display.
Airbag / belt tensioner deactivated.
AIRBAG/ BELT TENSIONER OFF
WARNINGIf a fault in the airbag system occurs, there is a risk of the system not being
triggered in the event of an accident! Therefore, this must be checked im-
mediately by a specialized garage.36Operation