2016 SKODA RAPID deactivate 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 hazard warning lights are 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 dashboard
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 21.
■
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 dashboard 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 to the dashboard » Fig. 9 - A
, If
you do not keep this distance, 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.
■
The front passenger airbag must be deactivated if using a rear-facing
child seat on the front passenger seat » 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 dashboard 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 dashboard on the passenger
side.
WARNINGInformation about for 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 the
clothes.
■
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. 
17Airbag 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 116 .■
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
18
Deactivating airbags
The front passenger airbag can be switched off with the key-operated switch
» Fig. 10 on page 18 -
 .
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 32.
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 19.
▶ 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. 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 has been deactivated - the warning light1)
 
» Fig. 10 lights up after switching on the ignition- 
The front passenger airbag is activated - the warning light does not light
up when the ignition is turned on 


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 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. 
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.
18Safety

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.
■
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 headrests still prevent the child seat from being installed, even in
the highest position, you will need to remove them » page 64. After re-
moving 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. 11
Warning labels
Read and observe
on page 19 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 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.
▶ 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. 
20Safety

 Traction control (TCS) deactivatedRead and observe
on page 30 first.
 illuminates – the TCS system is disabled.
 Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
Read and observe
on page 30 first.
 lights up – there is an ABS fault.
The vehicle will only be braked by the normal brake system without the ABS.
▶ It is possible to continue driving with due caution. Seek assistance from a
specialist garage immediately.
WARNING■ If the warning light  illuminates simultaneously with warning light 
» page 30 ,  Braking system ,  do not continue your journey! Seek help
from a specialist garage.■
A fault to the ABS system or the braking system can increase the vehi-
cle's braking distance – risk of accident!
 Rear fog light
Read and observe
on page 30 first.
 lights up – the rear fog light is switched on.
 Emission control system
Read and observe
on page 30 first.
 lights up – there is a fault in the emission control system. The system
makes it possible to drive on in emergency mode - there may be a noticeable
reduction in engine performance.
▶ It is possible to continue driving with due caution. Seek assistance from a
specialist garage immediately.
Preheating unit (diesel)
Read and observe
on page 30 first.
 flashes – there is a fault in the engine management system. The system
makes possible operation emergency mode - there may be a noticeable reduc-
tion in engine performance.
There is a fault in the glow plug system if the warning light 
does not come
on or illuminates continuously.
▶ It is possible to continue driving with due caution. Seek assistance from a
specialist garage immediately.
 Control of the engine electronics (petrol engine)
Read and observe
on page 30 first.
 lights up – there is a fault in the engine management system. The system
makes it possible to drive on in emergency mode - there may be a noticeable
reduction in engine performance.
▶ It is possible to continue driving with due caution. Seek assistance from a
specialist garage immediately.
 Airbag system
Read and observe
on page 30 first.
System fault
 lights up - there is a fault in the airbag system.
Error: AirbagAIRBAG ERROR
▶
Seek help from a specialist garage.
The front passenger airbag has been disabled with the key switch
 illuminates for around 4 seconds after the ignition has been switched on.
One of the airbags or a belt tensioner has been disabled by the diagnostic
tool
 illuminates for around 4 seconds after the ignition is switched on and then
flashes for approximately 12 seconds. 
32Using the system