
Note■The belt tensioners can also be deployed if the seat belts are not fastened.■Smoke is generated when the belt tensioners are deployed. This is not an in-
dication of a fire in the vehicle.Airbag system
Description of the airbag system
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
System description
17
Airbag deployment
18
Safety instructions
19
The airbag system provides, as a supplement to the seat belts, additional oc-
cupant protection during severe frontal and side-on collisions.
The airbag will only provide optimum protection in conjunction with wearing
the seat belt - the airbag is not a substitute for the seat belts .
The functional status of the airbag system is indicated by the indicator light
in the instrument cluster » page 35.
System description
Fig. 6
Airbag installation points
Airbag installation points » Fig. 6
Front airbags
Front side airbags Head-Thorax
AB17Airbag system

Front airbags - the forward thrust 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.
The front airbags can be identified by the lettering
featured on the steer-
ing wheel and on the dash panel on the passenger side.
Side airbags Head-Thorax - The stress on occupants’ bodies is cushioned
when they make contact with the fully-inflated airbag and the risk of injury to
head and the entire upper body (chest, stomach and pelvis) is reduced on the
side facing the door.
The side air bags can be identified by a label with the lettering
marked on
the front seat backrests.
Depending on the vehicle equipment, the airbag system consists of the
following parts. ▶ Individual airbags.
▶ Warning light in the instrument cluster
» page 35.
▶ Key switch for the front passenger airbag » page 20.
▶ Warning light for the front passenger airbag in the middle of the dash panel
» page 20 .
Airbag deployment
Fig. 7
Inflated airbags
The airbag system is only functional when the ignition is switched on.
When triggered, the airbag fills with gas and unfolds. The inflation of the air-
bag is carried out in a fraction of a second.
When the airbag inflates, smoke is released. This is not a sign of a fire in the
vehicle.
Triggering conditions
It is not possible to generally determine which deployment conditions apply to
the airbag system in every situation. The important factors here are the hard-
ness of the object with which the vehicle collides, the angle of impact, vehicle
speed etc.
A decisive factor in the deployment of the airbags is the degree of deceleration
at the time. 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. ▶ Head-Thorax side airbag on the crash side.
When an airbag is deployed, the following events occur. ▶ The hazard warning lights are switched on.
▶ All doors are unlocked.
▶ The fuel supply to the engine is interrupted.
▶ The interior light comes on (if the automatic operation of the interior light is
switched on - position ).
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.18Safety

Safety instructionsFig. 8
Safe distance from the steering
wheel and dash panel
WARNINGGeneral information■The seat belts and the airbag system can only offer optimum protection
if the driver and passengers are seated properly » page 12 .■
The airbag unleashes enormous force when triggered, which can lead to
serious injuries or fatalities if the driver and passengers are not seated
properly. This applies in particular to children who are transported without
using a suitable child safety seat » page 23.
■
If there is a fault, have the airbag system checked immediately by a spe-
cialist garage. Otherwise, there is a risk that the airbag will not be deployed
in the event of an accident.
■
If the airbag has been deployed, the airbag system must then be replaced.
■
The surface of the steering wheel and the dash panel should only be
cleaned with a dry or slightly dampened cloth in the area of the front air-
bags.
WARNINGInformation about the front airbags■For the driver and front passenger, it is important to maintain a distance
of at least 25 cm to the steering wheel or the panel » Fig. 8 - A
, If you do
not keep this distance, it means that the airbag system cannot protect you-
There is a risk to life! The front seats must always also be correctly adjus-
ted to match the body size of the occupant.
■
The front passenger airbag must be deactivated if using a rear-facing
child seat on the front passenger seat » page 20, Airbag deactivation . 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.
WARNING (Continued)■ No other persons, animals or objects should be placed in front of the oc-
cupants in the front seats in the deployment area of the front airbags.■
The steering wheel and the surface of the dash panel on the passenger
side must not be stickered, covered or modified in any way. No parts (e.g.
cup holders, mobile phone mounts and the like) may be mounted near the
airbag installation points and in the airbag deployment area.
■
Never place objects on the surface of the dash panel on the passenger
side.
WARNINGInformation about the side airbags■No objects (e.g. sun visors pivoted towards the windows) should be
placed in the deployment area of the side airbag, and no accessories (e.g.
cup holders and the like) should be mounted on the doors - danger of in-
jury!■
Hang only light clothing on the hooks in the vehicle, do not leave any
heavy or sharp objects in the pockets. Do not use hangers to hang up the
clothes.
■
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 111 .
■
No excessive force, e.g. through blows, kicks etc. should be applied to the
seat backrests - there is a risk of damage to the side airbags. The side air-
bags 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 a type expressly authorised by ŠKODA AUTO. 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
protective function of the side airbag.
■
Any damage to the original seat covers or stitching at the installation
points for the side airbags should be immediately repaired by a specialist
company.
19Airbag system

WARNINGInformation on the use of the airbag system■Any work on the airbag system, including the installation and removal of
system components due to other repair work (e.g. removal of the steering
wheel), must only be carried out by a specialist garage. Further information
» page 111 .■
No changes of any sort should be made to parts of the airbag system, the
front bumper or the bodywork.
■
Do not manipulate individual parts of the airbag system, as this might re-
sult in the airbag being deployed.
Airbag deactivation
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Deactivating airbags
20
Deactivating the front passenger airbag
20
Deactivating airbags
The front passenger airbag can be switched off with the key-operated switch
» Fig. 9 on page 20 -
.
We recommend that you ask a ŠKODA service partner to deactivate any other
airbags.
A warning light indicates that the airbag has been deactivated
» page 35.
Deactivating an airbag should be considered in cases such as the ones below. ▶ If a child seat must be used on the front passenger seat, where the child is
transported facing towards the rear » page 21.
▶ 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).
WARNINGIf an airbag is deactivated at the time of the vehicle being sold, the pur-
chaser must be informed!
Deactivating the front passenger airbag
Fig. 9
Key-operated switch for the front passenger airbag / warning light
for front passenger airbag
Switch positions » Fig. 9 -
The front passenger airbag is activated - the warning light does not light
up when the ignition is turned on
» Fig. 9 -
The front passenger airbag has been deactivated - the warning light lights
up after switching on the ignition
Switch off
›
Switch off the ignition.
›
Open the passenger door.
›
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
.
›
Pull the key out of the slot in the key switch » .
›
Close the passenger door.
›
Check that the warning light
lights up after the ignition is switched on.
Switching on
›
Switch off the ignition.
›
Open the passenger door.
›
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
.
20Safety

›Pull the key out of the slot in the key switch
» .›Close the passenger door.›
Check that the warning light
does not light up 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.
CAUTION
An insufficiently folded out key bit can damage the key switch!Transporting children safely
Child seat
Introduction
To reduce the risk of injury in an accident, children should only be transported
in child seats!
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Use of a child seat on the front passenger seat
22
Use of a child seat on the front seat
23
Child safety and the side airbag
23
Classification of child seats
23
Use of child safety seats which are secured with a safety belt
24
Please refer to the instructions in this Owner's Manual and the child seat man-
ufacturer's instructions with regard to the installation and use of the child
seat.
For safety reasons, we recommend that you always transport children on the
rear seats. Only transport a child on the passenger seat in exceptional circum-
stances.
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.
WARNING■ One should never carry children, and also not babies! - on one's lap.■When leaving the vehicle, do not leave children unattended in the vehicle.
In an emergency, they might not be able to get out of the vehicle on their
own or to help themselves. Danger to life at very high or very low tempera-
tures!■
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.
21Transporting 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.
■
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 (valid for the rear seats).■
If the head restraints still prevent the child seat from being installed, even in
the highest position, you will need to remove them (valid for the rear seats)
» page 58 . 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 ŠKODA vehicles.
They meet the ECE-R 44 standard.Use of a child seat on the front passenger seat
Does not apply to TaiwanFig. 10
Warning labels
Read and observe
and on page 21 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.
This warning is also given on stickers that are located in the following places.
▶ On the passenger sun visor » Fig. 10 -
.
▶ On the B-column on the front passenger side » Fig. 10 –
.
The following instructions must be followed when using a child seat on the
front passenger seat.
▶ It is essential to deactivate the front passenger airbag if using a child seat in
which the child is transported 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.
▶ 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.
22Safety

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.■
Once a child seat in which the child is transported with its back to the di-
rection of travel is no longer being used on the passenger seat, the front
passenger airbag should be reactivated.
Use of a child seat on the front seat
Applies to Taiwan
Fig. 11
Warning labels
Read and observe and on page 21 first.
No babies, infants or children to be carried on the passenger seat.
A label to this effect can also be found on the passenger's sun visor » Fig. 11.
Child safety and the side airbag
Fig. 12
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 21 first.
The child must not be positioned in the deployment area of the side airbag
» Fig. 12 -
.
There must be sufficient room between the child and the deployment area of
the side airbag that the airbag can provide as much protection as possible
» Fig. 12 –
.
Classification of child seats
Read and observe
and on page 21 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 kg23Transporting children safely

Use of child safety seats which are secured with a safety belt
Never use a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat if the passenger airbag is activated. 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.
Read and observe
and on page 21 first.
Overview of the usability of child seats fastened with a seat belt on the different seat types, in accordance with the ECE-R 16 standard.GroupFront passenger seatRear seats0
up to 10 kgUU0
up to 13 kgUU1
9-18 kgUU2
15-25 kgUU3
22-36 kgUU
The seat is suitable for the use of approved child seats in the “Universal”
weight group category.
Fastening systems
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Attachment points of the system
24
Use of child safety seats with the
system
25
Attachment points of the
system
26UAttachment points of the systemFig. 13
Attachment points of the
system
is a system for securing child seats quickly and safely.
There are two fixing eyes between the seat backrest and the seat cushion of the rear passenger seat for fixing a child seat with the system
» Fig. 13 .
WARNING■
Always refer to the instructions of 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
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.
24Safety