flat tire SKODA SUPERB 2003 1.G / (B5/3U) Owner's Manual

Airbag system
150
The side airbags are housed in the upholstery of the backrests of the front
seats ⇒page 149, fig. 131 .
The side airbag system in combination with the three-point seat belts,
offers additional protection for the upper area of the body (chest, stomach
and pelvis) of the occupants of the car in the event of a side collision of
major severity ⇒ in “Important safety information on the side airbag”
on page 151.
Apart from their normal protective function, a further task of the seat belts
is to also hold the driver and front passenger in a correct seated position
in the event of a side collision so as to enable the side airbags to offer the
maximum protection.
You should therefore always fasten ⇒page 138 the seat belts, not only
because this is required by law, but also for safety reasons and for your
own protection.
Each time the side airbags are deployed, the head airbag* on the relevant
side is automatically deployed at the same time in order to provide the
occupant with enhanced protection ⇒page 152.Function of the side airbags
Risk of injury to the upper part of the body is reduced by
fully inflated side airbags.
In case of violent side collision the side airbag on the side of the vehicle
on which the collision takes place, is also deployed ⇒ fig. 132.
In certain accident situations both the front airbags as well as the head
and side airbags may be deployed together.
If an airbag is deployed, the airbag is filled with propellant gas. The
airbags inflate in fractions of a second and at a high speed in order to be
able to offer that additional protection in the event of an accident.
A fine dust is produced when airbag inflated. This is perfectly normal and
is not an indication of a fire in the vehicle.
The load of the occupants is cushioned when plunging into the fully
inflated airbag and the risk of injury to the entire upper body (chest,
stomach and pelvis) is reduced on the side facing the door.
Fig. 132 Inflated side
airbag

Airbag system153
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
If the head airbag is deployed, the airbag is filled with propellant gas and
extends over the entire area of the side window including the door pillars
⇒
page 152, fig. 134 . The protection offered by the head airbags is thus
available simultaneously both to the front occupants of the car seated on
the side on which the accident occurs, as well as to the rear occupants.
Any impact of the head against parts 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 resultant minimizing of any movements of the
head additionally reduce the risk of injuries to the neck area. The head
airbag also offers additional protection in the case of an offset impact by
covering the front door pillar.
In certain accident situations both the front airbags as well as the side and
head airbags may be deployed together.
The airbags inflate in fractions of a second and at a high speed in order to
be able to offer that additional protection in the event of an accident. A fine
dust is produced when airbag inflated. This is perfectly normal and is not
an indication of a fire in the vehicle.
Important safety informat ion 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 154 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 certain countries national legal provisions also
require that the side or head passenger 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 airbags from inflating prop-
erly.
•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 area 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.