SKODA FABIA 2007 1.G / 6Y Owner's Manual

Airbag system130
Head airbags*
Description of the head airbags
The head airbag together with the side airbag offers enhanced occu-
pant protection in the event of a side collision.
The head airbags are positioned above the d oors on both sides in the interior of the car ⇒page 130, fig. 120. The installation positions of the head airbags are each marked with the “AIRBAG” logo.
The head airbag together with the three-point seat belts and the side airbags, offers additional protection for the head and neck area of the occupants in the event of a side collision of major severity ⇒ in “Important safety information on the head airbag” on page 131.
Apart from their normal protective function, a further task of the seat belts is to also hold the driver and the occupants in a correct seated position in the event of a side collision so as to enable the head airbags to offer the maximum protection.
You should therefore always fasten the seat belts, not only because this is required by law, but also for safety reasons and for your own protection ⇒page 118.
Together with other elements (such as cros s bars in the doors, stable vehicle struc- ture) the head airbags are the conseque nt further development of occupant protection in the case of side collisions.
Function of the head airbags
The risk of injury to the head and ne ck area is reduced in the event of
a side collision by fully inflated head airbags.
In the case of a side collision the head airbag is deployed together with the rele- vant side airbag on the side of th e car on which the accident occurs ⇒fig. 121.
If the head airbag is deployed, the airbag is filled with propellant gas and covers the entire area of the side window including the door pillars ⇒fig. 121.
The protection offered by the head airbags is thus available simultaneously both to the front occupants of the car seated on th e side on which the accident occurs, as well as to the rear occupants. Any impact of the head against par ts of the interior or objects outside of the car, is cushioned by the inflated head airbag. The reduction in any impact to the head and the result ant minimizing of any movements of the head additionally reduce the risk of injuries to the neck area. In certain accident situations both the front airbags as well as the side and head airbags may be deployed together.
Fig. 120 Installation position of the head airbags
Fig. 121 Inflated head airbag
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The airbags inflate in fractions of a second and at a high speed in order to be able to offer that additional protection in th e event of an accident. A grey white, non harmful gas is released when airbag is inflated. This is perfectly normal and is not an indication of a fire in the vehicle.
Important safety information on the head airbag
Correct use of the airbag system considerably reduces the risk of
injury!
WARNING
•It is essential to always switch off ⇒page 131 the front passenger airbag when attaching a child safety seat on the front passenger seat where the child is seated with its back facing in direction of travel (in some countries also when the child is facing the direction of travel). 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. In certai n countries national legal provisions also require that the side or head pa ssenger airbags be deactivated. When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply with the appropriate national regulations regarding the use of child safety seats.
•There must not be any objects in the deployment area of the head airbags which might prevent the ai rbags from inflating properly.
•Only hang light items of clothing on the clothes hooks to the vehicle. Never leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets of the items of clothing. In addition, it is not permitted to use clothes hangers for hanging up items of clothing.
•There must not be any other persons (e.g. children) or animals between the car occupant and the deployment ar ea of the head airbag. In addition, none of the occupants should lean their head out of the window when driving, or extend their arms and hands out of the window.
•The sun visors must not be swivelled to the side windows into the deployment area of the head airbags if any objects, such as ball-point pens etc. are attached to them. This might result in injuries to the occupants if the head airbag is deployed.
•Installing impermissible accessories in the area of the head airbags may considerably impair the protection offered by the head airbag in the event of it being deployed. When the deployed he ad airbag is inflated, parts of the accessories fitted may in certain circum stances be thrown into the interior of the car and cause injuries to the occupants ⇒page 192.
•Any work on the head airbag system including installing and removing system components because of other repair work (e.g. removing headliner) must only be carried out by a specialist garage.
Deactivating an airbag
Deactivating airbags
If any airbags have been deactivated, switch them on again as soon
as possible so that they are able to again provide their proper protec-
tion.
There is the technical means installed within your vehicle to switch off the front, side* or head airbag* (take out of commission).
This is why you should have the deacti vation of the airbags carried out by a specialist garage.
On vehicles equipped with the switch for de activation of the airbags, you can deac- tivate the front passenger airbag or passen ger side airbag by means of this switch ⇒ page 132.
Deactivation of airbags is envisaged only for particular instances, such as if:
•you must in exceptional cases use a child seat on the front passenger seat where the child has its back to the directio n of travel of the vehicle (in some coun- tries this must be in the direction of travel due to other legal regulations applying) ⇒ page 134, “Important safety information regarding the use of child safety seats”
•you are not able to maintain the distance of at least 25 cm between middle of steering wheel and chest, despite the driver seat being correctly adjusted,
WARNING (continued)
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•special attachments are required in the area of the steering wheel because of a physical disability,
•you have installed other seats (e.g. orthopaedic seats without side airbags).
Monitoring the airbag system
The functionality of the airbag system is also monitored electronically, when one airbag has been switched off
If the airbag was switched off using diagnostic equipment:
•The airbag indicator light in the instrument cluster lights up for about 3 seconds after switching on the ignition and then flashes after that for about 12 seconds.
If the airbag was switched off using the airbag switch* on the side of the dash panel:
•The airbag warning light comes on in the instrument cluster for about 3 seconds each time the igniti on is switched on.
•Switching off airbags is indicated in the middle of the dash panel by the lighting up of the indicator light   ⇒page 132, fig. 123.
Note
Your Škoda Service Partner will be able to advise you whether national legislation in your country allows airbags in your vehicle to be deactivated, and which ones.
Switch for the front seat passenger airbag(s)*
The front passenger front as well as side airbag (if the vehicle is fitted with
side airbags) are switched off using the switch.
Deactivating an airbag
– Switch off the ignition.
– Turn the slot of the airbag switch us ing the ignition key in the direction
of the arrow to the position OFF ⇒fig. 122.
– Check whether the airbag indicator light   in the middle of the
dash panel lights up ⇒fig. 123 when the ignition is turned on.
Switching on an airbag
– Switch off the ignition.
– Turn the slot of the airbag switch us ing the ignition key in the direction
of the arrow to the position ON ⇒fig. 122.
– Check whether the airbag indicator light   in the middle of the
dash panel lights up ⇒fig. 123 when the ignition is turned on.
The airbags should only be switched off under exceptional circumstances ⇒ page 131.Fig. 122 Switch for the front seat passenger airbag(s)
Fig. 123 Indicator light for a switched off front seat passenger airbag
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Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Indicator light   (airbag switched off)
The airbag indicator light is located in the middle of the dash panel ⇒fig. 123.
If the front passenger airbag is switched on, the airbag warning light comes on for a few seconds each time the ignition is switched on.
In cases where the front passenger front airbag or side airbag is switched off the airbag indicator light comes on for a few seconds after switching on the ignition, goes out for about a second and then comes on again.
There is a system fault present in the airbag switch off ⇒ if the indicator light flashes.
WARNING
•The driver is responsible for whethe r the airbags are switched on or switched off.
•Only switch off the airbag when the ig nition is switched off! Otherwise a fault can occur in the system for the airbag deactivation.
•If the warning light   (airbag switched off) flashes:
− Front passenger airbag is not deployed in the event of an accident!
− It is also important to have the system inspected without delay by a specialist garage.
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Transporting children safely134
Transporting children safely
What you should know about transporting children!
An introduction to the subject
Accident statistics have revealed that children are generally more
safely transported on the rear seat s than on the front passenger seat.
Children younger than 12 years of age should normally travel on the rear seat of the vehicle (take note of any national legal pr ovisions which differ from this). They should be secured there by means of a child restraint system or by using the existing seat belts depending on their age, body si ze and weight. The child seat should be mounted behind the front passen ger seat for safety reasons.
The physical principle of an accident does, of course, also apply to children ⇒ page 119, “The physical principle of a frontal collision”. They differ from adults in that their muscles and bone structure of ch ildren are not yet fully developed. Thus children are exposed to increased risk of injury.
Children should be transported by using special child safety seats in order to reduce this risk of injury.
Only use child safety seats which are officially approved, suitable for children and which comply with the ECE-R 44 standard, which classifies child safety seats into 5 groups ⇒page 137, “Classification of child seats into groups”. Child restraint systems which have been tested for conf ormity with ECE-R 44 have a non-detach- able test seal (a large E within a circle and below this the test number) attached to the seat.
We recommend that you use child safety seats from the Škoda genuine accessories. These child seats were developed and also tested for use in Škoda vehicles. They fulfil the standard ECE-R 44.
WARNING
Always comply with national legal provisions and instructions from the rele-vant child safety seat manufacturer when installing and using a child seat ⇒ in “Important safety information regarding the use of child safety seats”.
Note
Any national legal provisions which vary from the information contained in this Owner's Manual take precedence over the information contained herein.
Important safety information regarding the use of child safety
seats
Correct use of child safety seats considerably reduces the risk of
injury!
WARNING
•All the occupants of the car - in particul ar children - must wear a seat belt when the car is moving!
•Children less than 1.50 m in height or younger than 12 years must not use a normal seat belt without a child restraint system otherwise this may result in injuries to the stomach and neck areas. Comply with the national legal requirements.
•One should never carry children, an d also not babies! - on one's lap.
•You can transport a child safely in a suitable child safety seat ⇒page 137, “Child seat”!
•Only one child may be fastened with a seat belt into a child safety seat.
•Never leave the child sitting unattended in the seat.
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•Certain outside climatic conditions can cause life-threatening tempera- tures in the vehicle.
•Never allow your child to be transported in a vehicle without the use of a suitable restraint system.
•Children should also never stand up in a vehicle or kneel on the seats when the vehicle is moving. In the even t of an accident the child will be thrown through the vehicle and may as a result suffer fatal injuries, and also injure other occupants.
•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 if the airbag system deploys in the event of an accident. This can result in severe or even fatal injuries.
•It is important that the belt webbing is properly routed if the seat belts are to offer their maximum protection ⇒page 120, “How are seat belts correctly fastened?”. Pay pa rticular attention to the information provided by the manufacturer of the child safety seat regarding correct routing of the belt. Seat belts which are not correctl y adjusted can themselves cause inju- ries even in minor accidents.
•Safety belts must be checked to ensure that they are running properly. One should also ensure th at the belt is not damaged by sharp-edged fittings.
•It is essential to always switch off ⇒page 131 the front passenger airbag when attaching a child safety seat on the front passenger seat where the child is seated with its back facing in direction of travel (in some countries also when the child is facing the direction of travel). 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. In certai n countries national legal provisions also require that the side or head pa ssenger airbags be deactivated. When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply with the appropriate national regulations regarding the use of child safety seats.
Use of child safety seats on the front passenger seat
Child safety seats should always be attached to the rear seats.
We recommend, for safety reasons, that you always mount a child restraint systems on the rear seats whenever possible. If you still decide, however, to use a child safety seat on the front passenger seat then you must pay attention to the following warnings in connection with the use of th e airbag system on the front passenger seat.
WARNING
•Warning - particular hazard! 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. 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.
•This is also clearly stated on the sticker which is located on the centre column of the body on the front passenger side ⇒fig. 124. The sticker is visible upon opening th e front passenger door.
•It is essential to always switch off ⇒page 131, “Deactivating an airbag” the front passenger airbag when attaching a child safety seat on the front
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 124 Sticker on the centre column of the body on the front passenger side.
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Transporting children safely136
passenger seat where the child is seated with its back facing in direction of travel (in some countries also when the ch ild is facing the direction of travel). 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. In certain countries national legal provisions also requir e that the side or head passenger airbags be deactivated. When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply with the appropri ate national regulations regarding the use of child safety seats.
•If the front passenger airbag has been switched off by a specialist garage using the vehicle system tester, the si de passenger airbag* remains switched on. In certain countries national legal provisions require that besides the front passenger airbag also the side or head passenger airbags are deacti- vated. Please comply with any differin g national legal regulations regarding the use of child safety seats.
•If a child safety seat in which the child faces in the direction of travel is used on the front passenger seat, the front passenger seat must be moved back and to the top fully. Adjust the backrest to the vertical position.
•As soon as you no longer use the chil d safety seat on the front passenger seat, you should again have the front or the side passenger airbag activated.
Child safety and side airbag*
Children must never be seated in the deployment area of the side
airbags and head airbags.
Side airbags* offer the vehicle occupants enhanced protection in the event of a collision from the side.
The side airbags are inflated in fractions of a second in order to be able to provide this protection ⇒page 128, “Function of the side airbags”.
An airbag inflating develops such a strong force that an occupant who has not adopted a correct seated position may suff er injuries. Also exposed objects which are located within the area of th e side airbag can cause injuries.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 125 Seated position of an unprotected child at risk from side airbag
Fig. 126 Child properly protected by safety seat
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Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
This applies particularly to children if they are not transported in accordance with legal requirements.
The child is protected when seated in a child safety seat matching its age. Adequate room is available between the child and the deployment area of the side airbag and head airbag. The airbag offers optimal protection.
WARNING
•It is essential to always switch off ⇒page 131 the front passenger airbag when attaching a child safety seat on the front passenger seat where the child is seated with its back facing in direction of travel (in some countries also when the child is facing the direction of travel). 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. In certai n countries national legal provisions also require that the side or head pa ssenger airbags be deactivated. When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply with the appropriate national regulations regarding the use of child safety seats.
•When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply with the appropriate national regulations regarding the use of child safety seats.
•Children must never be seated with th eir head in the deployment area of the side airbag - risk of injury!
•Do not place any objects within the deployment area of the side airbag - risk of injury!
Child seat
Classification of ch ild seats into groups
Only child safety seats which have an official approval and are suit-
able for the child, may be used.
ECE-R 44 standard applies to child safety seats. ECE-R means: Economic Commis- sion of Europe - Regulation.
Child safety seats which have been tested for conformity with ECE-R 44 have a non- detachable test seal (a large E within a circle and below this the test number) attached to the seat.
Child safety seats are classified in 5 groups:
Children of more than 150 cm in height may use the seat belts fitted to the vehicle without a seat bolster.
Use of child seats
An overview of the usefulness of child seats on each of the seats according to the EG guidelines 77/541 and ECE 44 standard:
Universal category - seat is suitable for all approved types of child safety seats.
The seat can be fitted with fixing eyes for the “ ISOFIX*”system.
The seat is equipped as standa rd with the fixing system “To p Te t h e r”.
GroupWeight
00 - 10 kg⇒page 138
0+up to 13 kg⇒page 138
19 - 18 kg⇒page 138
215 - 25 kg⇒page 139
322 - 36 kg⇒page 139
Child seat groupsFront passenger seatRear seat outsideRear seat middle
0
0+
1
2 and 3
AUAUA+ATAU
AUAUA+ATAU
AUAUA+ATAU
AUAUAU
AU
A+
AT
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Child seats of group 0/0+
The optimal solution for babies of up to about 9 months old weighing up to 10 kg or babies up to about 18 months old weighi ng up to 13 kg is a child safety seat which is fastened in the opposite direction of travel ⇒fig. 127.
Child seats in which the child is facing with its back towards the direction of travel should not be used on the front pa ssenger seat when the vehicle is fitted with a front passenger airbag ⇒page 135, “Use of child safety seats on the front passenger seat”.
WARNING
•It is essential to always switch off the front passenger airbag (airbags) at a specialist garage or with the switch for front passenger airbag(s)* when attaching in exceptional circumstances a child safety seat on the front passenger seat where the child is seated with its back facing in direction of travel (in some countries also when the child is facing the direction of travel) ⇒ page 132.
•In certain countries national legal provisions require that besides the front passenger airbag also the side or head passenger airbags are deacti- vated. Please comply with any differin g national legal regulations regarding the use of child safety seats.
•If this is not done, a child seated on the front passenger seat may suffer severe or even fatal injuries if the front passenger airbag or airbags are deployed.
•You should have the front passenger airbag (or airbags) reactivated just as soon as you no longer use a child sa fety seat on the front passenger seat.
Child safety seats in Group 1
Child seats in Group 1 are for babies and small children up to 4 years of age with a weight of between 9 and 18 kilograms. It is best for children in the lower range of this group, to use a child seat which allows the child to sit with its back to the direc- tion of travel. It is best for children in the upper range of the Group 0+, to use a child seat which allows the child to sit ⇒fig. 128 in the direction of travel.
Child seats in which the child is facing with its back towards the direction of travel should not be used on the front pa ssenger seat when the vehicle is fitted with a front passenger airbag ⇒page 135, “Use of child safety seats on the front passenger seat”.
Fig. 127 Child seats of group 0/0+
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 128 Child seat with padded table in Group 1 installed on rear seat bench facing the direc-tion of travel
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WARNING
•It is essential to always switch off the front passenger airbag (airbags) at a specialist garage or with the switch for front passenger airbag(s)* when attaching in exceptional circumstances a child safety seat on the front passenger seat where the child is seated with its back facing in direction of travel (in some countries also when the child is facing the direction of travel) ⇒ page 132.
•In certain countries national legal provisions require that besides the front passenger airbag also the side or head passenger airbags are deacti- vated. Please comply with any differin g national legal regulations regarding the use of child safety seats.
•If this is not done, a child seated on the front passenger seat may suffer severe or even fatal injuries if the front passenger airbag or airbags are deployed.
•You should have the front passenger airbag (or airbags) reactivated just as soon as you no longer use a child sa fety seat on the front passenger seat.
Child safety seats in Group 2
For children up to about 7 years of age weighing between 15 and 25 kg the optimal solution is a child safety seat in comb ination with the three-point seat belt ⇒ fig. 129.
WARNING
•When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply with the appropriate national regulati ons regarding the use of child safety seats. Switch off the front passenger airb ag if necessary at a specialist garage or switch it off with the switch for front passenger airbag* ⇒page 132.
•The shoulder part of the seat belt must run approximately across the middle of the shoulder and fit snugly agai nst the chest. It must on no account run across the neck. The lap part of the seat belt must run across the pelvis and fits snugly; it must not run over the belly. Tighten the belt webbing over your hip if necessary.
•Please comply with any differing nati onal legal regulations regarding the use of child safety seats.
Child safety seats in Group 3
For children of about 7 years of age weighing between 22 and 36 kg and of a height of less than 150 cm, the optimal solution is a child safety seat (seat bolster) in combination with the three-point seat belt ⇒fig. 130.
Children of more than 150 cm in height may use the seat belts fitted to the vehicle without a seat bolster.
Fig. 129 Child seat in Group 2 installed on the rear seat facing the direc-tion of travel
Fig. 130 Child seat in Group 3 installed on the rear seat facing the direc- tion of travel
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