2016 SKODA FABIA Owner's Manual

›Insert the lock tongue into the belt buckle belonging to the seat
» Fig. 6 - 
until you hear it click into place.›
Pull on the belt to check that it has engaged correctly in the lock.
Release
›
Grip the lock tongue and press the red button in the buckle » Fig. 6 - 
, the
lock tongue pops out.
›
Guide the belt back by hand so that the seat belt does not twist and the
webbing rolls up fully.
WARNINGThe reel opening for the lock tongue must not be blocked otherwise the
lock tongue will not lock into place properly.
Inertia reel and belt pre-tensioners
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Inertia reel
15
Belt tensioners
15
Inertia reel
Each seat belt is equipped with an inertia reel.
The seat belt can move freely when it is pulled slowly. The seat belt is locked
by the inertia reel when it is pulled suddenly. The belts also lock under full
braking, under acceleration, when driving downhill and when cornering.
WARNINGIf the seat belt does not lock when pulling sharply on it, have it inspected
immediately by a specialist garage.
Belt tensioners
Safety for the driver and front passenger wearing their seat belts is enhanced
by the belt tensioners fitted to the inertia reels of the front three-point seat
belts.
If there is a collision of a certain severity, the seat belts are tightened by the
belt tensioner so that unwanted body motion is prevented.
Belt tensioners are not activated in the event of minor collisions, in the case
of a roll-over and also not in accidents in which no major forces are produced.WARNING■ Any work on the belt tensioner system, including the removal and instal-
lation of system components because of other repair work, must only be
carried out by a specialist garage.■
If the belt tensioners have been deployed, it is then necessary to replace
the entire system.
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.15Seat belts

Airbag system
Description of the airbag system
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
System description
16
Airbag deployment
17
Safety instructions
17
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 31.
System description
Fig. 7
Airbag installation points
Airbag installation points » Fig. 7
Front airbags
Side airbags
Head airbags
ABCFront 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 - The load of the occupants is cushioned when plunged into the
fully inflated airbag. The risk of injury to 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.
Head airbags - The forward movement of the body is cushioned when it
makes contact with the fully inflated airbag, and the risk of injury to head and
chest is thus reduced.
The head airbags are provided with the lettering marked on the B-pillar
cladding.
Depending on the vehicle equipment, the airbag system consists of the
following parts. ▶ Individual airbags.
▶ Warning light in the instrument cluster
» page 31.
▶ 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 .16Safety

Airbag deploymentFig. 8
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.
▶ Front side airbag.
▶ Head airbag.
When an airbag is deployed, the following events occur. ▶ The ignition is switched on.
▶ All the 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.
Safety instructions
Fig. 9
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 10 .■
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 22.
■
If there is a fault, have the airbag system checked immediately by a spe-
cialist garage. Otherwise, there is a risk of the airbag not being activated 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. 
17Airbag system

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 dashboard » Fig. 9 - 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 and the head restraints must
always also be correctly adjusted to match the body size of the occupant.
■
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, 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.
■
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 plastered, covered or modified in any way. No parts (e.g.
cup holders, mobile phone mounts etc.) 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 on side and head airbags■No objects (e.g. sun visors turned towards the windows) should be loca-
ted in the deployment area of the side and head airbags. No accessories
(e.g. cup holders etc.) should be fitted to the doors - risk of injury!■
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
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 128 .
■
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!
WARNING (Continued)■ 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.
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 128 .■
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
18
Deactivating the front passenger airbag
19
Deactivating airbags
The front passenger airbag can be switched off with the key-operated switch
» Fig. 10 on page 19 - 
.
We recommend that you ask a ŠKODA Service Partner to switch off any other
airbags.
A warning light 
indicates that the airbag has been deactivated » page 31.
18Safety

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 towards the rear » page 20.
▶ 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).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. 10
Key-operated switch for the front passenger airbag / warning
light for front seat passenger airbag deactivation
Switch positions » Fig. 10 - 
The front passenger airbag is deactivated - after the ignition is switched
on, the warning light illuminates 

» Fig. 10 - 
The front passenger airbag is switched on - after switching on the ignition,
the warning light illuminates for 65 seconds 

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 carefully into the position
.›
Pull the key out of the slot in the key switch » .
›
Close the storage compartment on the front passenger side.
›
Check that the warning light

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 carefully into the position 
.
›
Pull the key out of the slot in the key switch » .
›
Close the storage compartment on the front passenger side.
›
Check that the warning light
 lights up after the ignition is switched on.
WARNING■
The key cannot be inserted into 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!■
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.
CAUTION
An insufficiently folded out key bit can damage the key switch!19Airbag system

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
21
Use of a child seat on the front seat
21
Child safety and the side airbag
22
Classification of child seats
22
Use of child safety seats which are secured using a seat belt
22
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 in the
rear seats. Only transport a child in 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: Large E in a circle, the approval number is un-
derneath.
WARNING■ You should never carry children - including babies! - on your 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. Can be fatal at very high or very low tempera-
tures!■
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.
■
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.
■
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 64. Af-
ter 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.20Safety

Use of a child seat on the front passenger seat
Does not apply to TaiwanFig. 11
Warning labels
Read and observe
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.
This warning is also given on stickers that are located in the following places.
▶ On the passenger sun visor » Fig. 11 - 
.
▶ On the B-column on the front passenger side » Fig. 11 – 
.
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 deactivate the front passenger airbag if using a child seat in
which the child is transported with his/her 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.
▶ 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.
Adjust the height of the front passenger seat belt so that the belt does not
“jam” in the return pulley. In the event of an accident, there is the risk of in-
jury 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.■
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. 12
Warning labels
Read and observe 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. 12.
21Transporting children safely

Child safety and the side airbagFig. 13
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 on page 20 first.
The child must not be positioned in the deployment area of the side air-
bag » Fig. 13 -
 .
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. 13 -
 .
Classification of child seats
Read and observe
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 safety seats which are secured using a seat 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
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 center0
up to 10 kgUUU0
up to 13 kgUUU1
9-18 kgUUUGroupFront passenger seatRear seatsExternalRear seat center2
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.
U22Safety