2015 SKODA FABIA Owner's Manual

System descriptionRead and observe
on page 14 first.
The inflation of the airbag is carried out in a fraction of a second.
When the airbags are deployed, they fill with gas and inflate.
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.
Depending on the vehicle equipment, the airbag system consists of the
following parts. ▶ Front airbag for the driver and the front passenger » page 15.
▶ Side airbags » page 17.
▶ Head airbags » page 17.
▶ Airbag indicator light in the instrument cluster » page 34.
▶ Key switch for the front passenger airbag » page 19.
▶ Warning light for the front passenger airbag in the middle of the dash panel
» page 19 .
Airbag deployment
Read and observe
on page 14 first.
The airbag system is only functional when the ignition is switched on.
Triggering conditions
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
occurs. 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 accident.
The following airbags will be deployed in the event of a severe frontal
collision.
▶ Driver’s front airbag.
▶ Front passenger airbag.
The following airbags will be deployed in the event of a severe side collision.
▶ Front side airbag on the side of the accident.
▶ Head airbags on the side of the accident.
When an airbag is deployed, the following events occur.
▶ The interior light comes on (if the automatic operation of the interior light is
switched on - switch 
).
▶ The ignition is switched on.
▶ All the doors are unlocked.
▶ The fuel supply to the engine is interrupted.
When there is no air bag deployment?
With minor frontal and side collisions, rear collision, overturning of the vehicle
or vehicle roll-over there is no airbag deployment.
Airbag overview
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Front airbags
15
Side airbags
17
Head airbags
17
Front airbags
Fig. 8
Locations of the airbags / gas filled airbags 
15Airbag system

Fig. 9
Safe distance to steering wheel
In the event of a severe frontal collision, the front airbags offer additional pro-
tection for the head and chest area of the driver and front passenger.
The driver's front airbag is located in the steering wheel, the front passenger airbag is located in the instrument panel above the glove compartment » Fig. 8
-  .
The airbags inflate in front of the driver and front passenger when they are
deployed » Fig. 8 -
 . 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.
WARNINGInformation on correct seating position■For the driver and front passenger, it is important to maintain a distance
of at least 25 cm from the steering wheel or dashboard A
» Fig. 9 . Not
keeping to this minimum distance will mean that the airbag system will not
be able to properly protect you – risk of death! 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
injuries if the sitting position or seated position is not correct.
■
There must not be any further persons, animals or objects positioned be-
tween the front seated occupants and the deployment area of the airbag.
WARNINGFront airbag and transporting children■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!■
It is essential to switch off the front passenger airbag if you are using a
child seat on the front passenger seat in which the child is carried with its
back facing the direction of travel » page 18, Deactivating airbags . 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.
WARNINGGeneral information■The steering wheel and the surface of the airbag module in the dash pan-
el on the passenger side must not have stickers attached, be covered or
modified 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 hold-
ers, mobile phone mounts, etc.) are to be attached to the covers of the air-
bag modules or be located within their immediate vicinity.■
Never place objects on the surface of the front passenger airbag module
in the dash panel.
Note
■ In vehicles with head airbags, the lettering  can be seen on the steering
wheel.■
In vehicles with front passenger airbags, the lettering 
is located on the
dash panel on the passenger side.
16Safety

Side airbagsFig. 10
Location of the side airbag in the driver's seat / gas-filled airbag
In the event of severe side collisions, the side airbags provide additional pro-
tection for the upper body (chest, stomach and pelvis) of passengers in the ve-
hicle.
The side airbags are housed in the upholstery of the seat backrests of the
front seats » Fig. 10 -
 .
The load of the occupants is cushioned when plunging into the fully inflated
airbag » Fig. 10 -
 the risk of injury to the entire upper body (chest, stomach
and pelvis) is reduced on the side facing the door.
WARNINGInformation on correct seating position■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 ap-
plies in particular to children who are transported without using a suitable
child safety seat » page 22, Child safety and side airbag .■
There must not be any further persons, animals or objects positioned be-
tween the occupants and the deployment area of the airbag. No accesso-
ries, such as cup holders, should be attached to the doors.
■
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 20, Child seat .
WARNING■
Do not place any objects within the deployment area of the side airbags –
there is a risk of injury!■
The airbag system operates using pressure sensors located in the front
doors. For this reason, no adjustments may be carried out to the doors or
door panels (e.g. installation of additional loudspeakers). Further informa-
tion » page 138 , Airbags .
■
Ensure that there are no excessive forces, such as violent knocks, kicks
etc., which 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 passen-
ger seats must only be of the type expressly authorized by ŠKODA. In view
of the fact that the airbag inflates out of the backrest of the seat, use of
non-approved seat or protective covers would considerably impair the pro-
tective function of the side airbag.
■
Any damage to the original seat covers in the area of the side airbag mod-
ule must be repaired without delay by your specialist garage.
■
The airbag modules in the front seats must not display any damage,
cracks or deep scratches. It is not permissible to use force in order to open
the modules.
Note
In vehicles with side airbags, a label with the lettering  is located on the
front seat backrests.
Head airbags
Fig. 11
Location of the head airbag / gas-filled head airbag
In the event of a severe side collision, the head airbags offer additional protec-
tion for the head and neck area of passengers. 
17Airbag system

The head airbags are positioned above the doors on both sides in the interior
of the car » Fig. 11 -  .
The airbag covers the windows of the front and rear doors, as well as the door
pillar when it is deployed » Fig. 11 - 
.
Head impact with interior parts is reduced by the inflated head airbag. The re-
duction in any impact to the head and the resultant minimizing of any move-
ments of the head additionally reduce the risk of injuries to the neck area.WARNING■ There must not be any objects in the deployment area of the head air-
bags 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
clothing. Additionally, clothes hangers must not be used to hang up items
of clothing.
■
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 accessories fitted could, conditions permitting, be thrown into
the interior of the car and injure the occupants » page 136.
■
When objects are attached to the sun visor, the visor can not be pivoted
to the side windows. 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 occupants and the deployment area of the airbag. In addition,
none of the occupants should lean their head out of the window when driv-
ing, 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
18
Switching off the front passenger airbag
19Deactivating airbags
If you sell your vehicle, pass on the complete vehicle documentation to the
new owner. Take care to ensure that the information relating to the possibility
of deactivating the front passenger airbag must be included!
If an airbag in the vehicle is to be turned off, then the buyer is to draw atten-
tion to this fact!
Deactivating an airbag should, for example, be considered only in the
following cases. ▶ If a child seat must be used on the front passenger seat, where the child is
transported facing rearward » page 20, 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
» Fig. 12 on page 19 -
 .
We recommend that you ask a ŠKODA Service Partner to switch off any other
airbags.
Deactivation indicator
Display of the airbag deactivation » page 34,
 Airbag system
.
Note
A ŠKODA Service Partner will be able to inform you which airbags in your vehi-
cle can/must be deactivated.18Safety

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.
Key switch positions » Fig. 12 -

Passenger front airbag deactivated
Passenger front airbag activated
Switch 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 » Fig. 12
 carefully into the
position .
›
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 » Fig. 12
 carefully into the
position .
›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.
■
Do not leave the key inserted in the key-operated switch while driving -
vibrations can cause the key to turn in the slot and switch on 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!19Airbag system

Transporting children safely
Child seat
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Use of a child seat on the front passenger seat
21
Use of the child seat on the front passenger seat
21
Child safety and side airbag
22
Classification of child seats
22
Use of child seats fastened with a seat belt
22
To avoid serious injury or death children are always to be in an appropriate
child safety seat with regards to height, weight, and age.
For safety reasons, we recommend that you always transport child seats on the rear seats.
Child seats complying with the ECE-R 44 Economic Commission for Europe
standard must be used.
Child seats that comply with the ECE-R 44 standard are identified with a test
mark that cannot be removed: a large E within a circle with the test number
below.
With child safety seats in groups 2 and 3, make sure that the loop-around fit-
tings attached to the child seat headrest is positioned in front of or at the
same height as the loop-around fittings on the B pillar on the passenger side.
WARNING■ You should never carry children - including babies! - on your lap.■Never leave children unattended in the vehicle. Certain outside climatic
conditions can cause life-threatening temperatures in the vehicle.■
The child must be secured in the vehicle throughout the journey! Other-
wise, in the event of an accident, the child would be thrown through the
vehicle and as a result may suffer fatal injuries and also injure other occu-
pants.
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
vehicle is moving. This particularly applies to children who are transported
on the front passenger seat, as they can suffer severe, or even fatal, inju-
ries if the airbag system is deployed!■
Pay particular attention to the information provided by the manufacturer
of the child safety seat regarding the correct routing of the belt. Seat belts
which are not correctly adjusted can themselves cause injuries even, in mi-
nor accidents.
■
Safety belts must be checked to ensure that they are positioned properly.
Care should also be taken to ensure that the belt is not damaged by sharp-
edged fittings.
■
It is essential to switch off the front passenger airbag if using a child seat
on the front passenger seat in which the child is carried with its back facing
the direction of travel. Further information » page 21, Use of a child seat
on the front passenger seat .
■
When installing the child seat on the back seat, the corresponding front
seat must be adjusted so that there is no contact between the front seat
and the child seat or the child being transported in a child seat.
CAUTION
■ When installing a child seat in which the child faces forward, adjust the head
restraints so that they are as high as possible.■
If the head restraints still prevent the child seat from being installed, even in
the highest position, you will need to remove them » page 70. After remov-
ing the child seat, refit the head restraints.
Note
We recommend that you use child seats from ŠKODA Original Accessories.
These child seats were developed and also tested for use in ŠKODA vehicles.
They meet the ECE-R 44 standard.20Safety

Use of a child seat on the front passenger seat
Does not apply to TaiwanFig. 13
Sticker on the B column on the
front passenger side
Fig. 14
Front passenger sun visor / label
Read and observe
and on page 20 first.
Never use a rearward-facing child restraint system on a seat which is protec-
ted by an active airbag. This could cause serious injury to the child, even
death.
The following advice must be heeded when using a child seat in which the
child is carried on the front passenger seat. ▶ It is essential to switch off the front passenger airbag if using a child seat in
which the child is carried with its back facing the direction of travel »
.
▶ Set the front passenger seat back as vertically as possible so that there is
firm contact between the passenger seat back and the child seat back.
▶ Where possible, move the front passenger seat back so that there is no con-
tact between the front seat and the child seat behind.
▶ Set the height-adjustable front passenger seat as high up as possible.
▶
Set the front passenger seat belt as high up as possible.
▶ When using a child seat where there is a height adjuster in the upper area,
the height of the passenger seat belt is to be set so that the belt is not
“kinked” in the height adjuster. In the event of an accident, there is the risk
of injury to the neck of the child carried due to the seat belt!WARNING■ 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, if the airbag is
switched on. 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 fact is also indicated by the label that can be found in one of the fol-
lowing locations. ■On the B-column on the front passenger side » Fig. 13. The sticker is
visible when opening the front passenger door. ■ On the front passenger's sun visor. In some countries, the sticker is lo-
cated on the front seat passenger's sun visor » Fig. 14.
■
The front passenger airbag should be switched on again once the child
seat, in which the child is transported with their back to the direction of
travel, is no longer in use on the passenger seat.
Use of the child seat on the front passenger seat
Applies to Taiwan
Fig. 15
Front passenger sun visor / label
Read and observe
and on page 20 first.
No babies, infants or children are to be carried on the passenger seat.
A label to this effect can also be found on the passenger's sun visor » Fig. 15.
21Transporting children safely

Child safety and side airbagFig. 16
Incorrect seated position of a
child who is not properly secured
– risk from the side airbag/Child
properly protected by safety seat
Read and observe and on page 20 first.
The child must not be positioned in the area into which the side airbag will de- ploy » Fig. 16 -
 .
There must be sufficient room between the child and the area into which the
side airbag will deploy to allow the airbag to provide as much protection as
possible » Fig. 16 -
 .
Classification of child seats
Read and observe
and on page 20 first.
Classification of child seats according to the ECE-R 44 standard.
GroupWeight of the child0up to 10 kg0up to 13 kg19 - 18 kg215 - 25 kg322 - 36 kg
Use of child seats fastened with a seat belt Read and observe
and on page 20 first.
Overview of the use of child seats fastened with a seat belt on each of the
seats in accordance with the ECE-R 16 standard.
GroupFront passenger seatRear seatsexternalRear seat Centre0
up to 10 kgUUU0
up to 13 kgUUU1
9 - 18 kgUUU2
15 - 25 kgUUU a)3
22 - 36 kgUUU a)a)
If the middle rear seat is not provided with a headrest, then a child seat of Group 2 or 3 is only to be used
if this has its own built-in headrest. If the child seat of Group 2 or 3 does not have its own built-in head-
rest, the child seat must be attached to the outer rear seat.
“Universal” child seat category - a child seat designed for fastening onthe seat with the seat belt.
Fastening systems
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Attachment points of the -system
22
Use of child seats with the
-system
23
Attachment points of the

 -system
24
Attachment points of the -system
Fig. 17
Labels of the system

U22Safety