2015 SKODA RAPID SPACEBACK 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 16.
▶ Head airbags » page 17.
▶ Airbag warning light in the instrument cluster » page 34.
▶ Key switch for the front passenger airbag » page 18.
▶ Warning light for the front passenger airbag in the middle of the dash panel
» page 18 .
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 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
Side airbags
16
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 seated position■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. 9 . Not main-
taining this minimum distance will mean that the airbag system will not be
able to properly protect you – hazard! The front seats and the head re-
straints 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 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 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.
Side airbags
Fig. 10
Location of the side airbag in the driver's seat / gas-filled airbag 
16Safety

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 front seat backrests
» 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 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 21, 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 19, Child seat .
WARNING■
Do not place any objects within the deployment area of the side airbags –
risk of injury!■
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.
NoteIn 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.
The head airbags are positioned above the doors on both sides of the vehicle
interior » Fig. 11 - 
.
When deployed, the airbag covers the window area of the front and rear doors,
as well as the area of the door pillar » 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. 
17Airbag system

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 accessories fitted could be thrown into the interior of the car
and injure the occupants » page 130.■
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
Deactivating the front passenger airbag
18
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 below. ▶ If a rear-facing child seat must be used on the front passenger seat
» page 19 , 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 different seats have been fitted (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 18 - 
.
We recommend that you ask a ŠKODA service partner to deactivate 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, if any, of your vehi-
cle's airbags can or must be deactivated.
Deactivating the front passenger airbag
Fig. 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. 
18Safety

›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 

1)
under the text 


» Fig. 12 - 
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. 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

 under the text


 » Fig. 12
-

does not illuminate 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 light is flashing, the front passenger airbag will not
be deployed in 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
20
Use of the child seat in the front passenger seat
21
Child safety and side airbag
21
Classification of child seats
21
Use of child seats fastened with a seat belt
21
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 capital E in a circle, with the test number be-
low.
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 journey! Other-
wise, the child would be thrown through the vehicle in the event of an acci-
dent, causing fatal injuries to both the child and other occupants. 
1)
The warning light
  comes on for a few seconds after the ignition is switched on, goes out for about
1 second and then comes on again.
19Transporting children safely

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.
■
The front passenger airbag must be deactivated if using a rear-facing
child seat on the front passenger seat. Further information » page 20,
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.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 19 first.
Never use a rear-facing child restraint system on a seat which is protected by
an active airbag positioned in front. This could cause serious or fatal injury to
the child.
The following instructions must be followed when using a child seat on the
front passenger seat.
▶ The front passenger airbag must be deactivated if using a rear-facing child
seat »
.
▶ 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. 
20Safety

▶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. 13. 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. 14.
■
As soon as the rear-facing child seat is no longer being used on the pas-
senger seat, the front passenger airbag should be re-activated again.
Use of the child seat in the front passenger seat
Applies to Taiwan
Fig. 15
Front passenger sun visor / label
Read and observe
and on page 19 first.
No babies, infants or children are to be carried on the passenger seat.
This is also clearly stated on the sticker which is located on the front passen- ger side sun visor » Fig. 15.
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 19 first.
The child must not be positioned in the deployment area of the side airbag
» Fig. 16 -
 .
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. 16 -
 .
Classification of child seats
Read and observe
and on page 19 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 19 first.
Overview of the usability of child seats fastened with a seat belt on each ofthe seats in accordance with the ECE-R 16 standard. 
21Transporting children safely

GroupFront passengerseatRear 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 to be attached to
the seat using 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

U
is a system for securing child seats quickly and safely.
There are two locking eyes between the rear exterior seats for fixing the child in place using the 
-system » Fig. 17.WARNING■
Always refer to the instructions from the manufacturer of the child seat
when installing and removing a child seat with the -system.■
Never attach other child seats, belts or objects to the attachment points
eyes intended for the installation of a child seat with the 
-system – risk
of death!
Note
■ A child seat fitted with the  system can only be mounted in a vehicle fit-
ted with a  system if the child seat has been approved for this type of ve-
hicle. Further information is available from a ŠKODA Partner.■
Child seats with the 
-system can be purchased from ŠKODA Original Ac-
cessories.
22Safety