2015 SKODA OCTAVIA 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.
▶ Driver’s knee airbag » page 17.
▶ Side airbags » page 17.
▶ Head airbags » page 18.
▶ Airbag warning light in the instrument cluster » page 35.
▶ 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.
▶ Driver’s knee airbag.
The following airbags 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.
When an airbag is deployed, the following occurs.
▶ The interior light comes on (if the automatic operation of the interior light is
switched on - switch 
).
▶ The hazard warning lights are 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
Driver’s knee airbag
17
Side airbags
17
Head airbags
18
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 seated position■It is important that the driver and front passenger maintain a distance of
at least 25 cm to the steering wheel or dashboard A
» Fig. 9 . 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 occu-
pant.
■
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 by 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!■
The front passenger airbag must be deactivated if using a rear-facing
child seat on the front passenger seat » page 19, 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 a driver's front airbag, the text  can be seen on the
steering wheel.■
In vehicles with a front passenger airbag, the text 
can be seen on the
dash panel on the passenger side.
16Safety

Driver’s knee airbagFig. 10
Installation of the airbag / Gas-filled Airbag / Safe distance be-
tween the legs and the instrument panel
The driver's knee airbag offers adequate protection for the driver's legs.
The driver's knee airbag
A
is located in the lower part of the dash panel below
the steering column » Fig. 10.
The forward movement of the body is cushioned when it makes contact with
the fully inflated airbag
B
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 C and the instrument panel in the vi-
cinity of the knee airbag » Fig. 10. If it is not possible to meet this require-
ment due to your body size, visit a specialist garage.■
The surface of the airbag module in the lower part of the dash panel be-
low 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. Nothing may 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.
Note
In vehicles with a driver's knee airbag, the text  can be seen on the side
panel on the driver's side.Side airbagsFig. 11
Installation locations of airbags: in the front seat/the rear
Fig. 12
Inflated airbags
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 front side airbags are housed in the upholstery of the seat backrests of
the front seats » Fig. 11 -
 .
The rear side airbags are located between the entrance area and the seat
backrest » Fig. 11-
 .
The load of the occupants is cushioned when plunging into the fully inflated
airbag » Fig. 12 and the risk of injury to the entire upper body (chest, stomach
and pelvis) is reduced on the side facing the door. 
17Airbag system

WARNINGInformation on correct seated 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 –
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 180 , Airbags .
■
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 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 immediately by a 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 front airbags, a label with the text  is located on
the front seat backrests.■
In vehicles with rear side airbags, the text 
can be seen between the en-
trance area and the rear seat rest.
Head airbagsFig. 13
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.
The head airbags are positioned above the doors on both sides of the vehicle
interior » Fig. 13 -
 .
When deployed, the airbag covers the window area of the front and rear doors,
as well as the area of the door pillar » Fig. 13 -
 .
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 178. 
18Safety

WARNING (Continued)■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 text  can be seen on the B column clad-
ding.
Deactivating airbags
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Deactivating airbags
19
Deactivating the front passenger airbag
19
Deactivating airbags
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!
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 be considered in cases such as the ones
outlined below. ▶ 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 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 ad-
justed.
▶ 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. 14 on page 19 -  .
We recommend that you ask a ŠKODA service partner to deactivate any other
airbags as appropriate.
Deactivation indicator
Display of the airbag deactivation » page 35, 
Safety systems .
Note
A ŠKODA service partner will be able to inform you which, if any, of your vehi-
cle's airbags can or must be deactivated.
Deactivating the front passenger airbag
Fig. 14
Key-operated switch for the front passenger airbag/warning light
for the front passenger airbag
Only the front passenger airbag is deactivated with the key switch.
Key switch positions » Fig. 14 - 
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. 14 
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. 
19Airbag system

›Check that the warning light
  underneath the text  
» Fig. 14 -  lights up after the ignition is switched on.
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. 14 
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

 underneath the text


» Fig. 14
-  lights up after the ignition is switched on.
The 
 warning light goes out 65 seconds after the key switch status has
changed or after the ignition is switched on.
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 could 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!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
22
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 have a test seal that can-
not 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■ One should never carry children, and also not babies! - on one's 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 during the entire travelling time!
Otherwise, 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 oc-
cupants. 
20Safety

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 injuries
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 running properly.
One should also ensure that the belt is not damaged by sharp-edged fit-
tings.
■
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 on
the front passenger seat. 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 82. After removing
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 ŠKODAvehicles.
They meet the ECE-R 44 standard.Use of a child seat on the front passenger seat
Does not apply to TaiwanFig. 15
Sticker on the B column on the
front passenger side.
Fig. 16
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 »
.
▶ If possible, adjust the front passenger seat backrest so that it is as vertical,
so as to ensure secure contact between the passenger seat backrest and the
back of the child seat.
▶ If possible, move the front passenger seat backwards so that there is no con-
tact between the front passenger seat and the child seat behind it.
▶ Set the height-adjustable front passenger seat as high up as possible. 
21Transporting children safely

▶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 rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat if the pas-
senger airbag is activated. This child safety seat is positioned in the deploy-
ment area of the front passenger airbag. The airbag may cause the child se-
vere, 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. 15. The sticker is
visible upon 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. 16.
■
Once the child seat, in which the child is transported with the back to the
direction of travel, is no longer used in the passenger seat, the front pas-
senger airbag should be switched on again.
Use of the child seat on the front passenger seat
Applies to Taiwan
Fig. 17
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. 17.
Child safety and side airbagFig. 18
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 deployment area of the side airbag
» Fig. 18 -
 .
There must be sufficient room between the child and the deployment area of
the side airbag to ensure that the airbag can provide as much protection as
possible » Fig. 18 -
 .
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 kg0+up 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 usefulness of child seats fastened with a seat belt on each ofthe seats in accordance with the ECE-R 16 standard. 
22Safety