maintenance SKODA SUPERB 2004 1.G / (B5/3U) Manual PDF

Seat belts145
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Seat belts
Why seat belts?
It is a proven fact that seat belts offer good protection in accidents
⇒fig. 124 . Thus wearing a seat belt is a legal requirement in most coun-
tries.
Seat belts which have been correctly fastened and adjusted hold the
occupants of the car in the correct seated position ⇒fig. 124 . The belts
reduce the kinetic energy (energy of motion) to a considerable extent.
They also prevent uncontrolled movements which, in turn, may well result
in severe injuries.
The occupants of a vehicle who have fastened and correctly adjusted their
seat belt, profit to a major extent from the fact that the kinetic energy is
optimally absorbed by the belts. The structure of the front end of the
vehicle and other passive safety measures, such as the airbag system, also contribute to reducing the kinetic energy. The energy produced is
thus absorbed and there is less risk of injury.
Accident statistics prove that seat belts which are fastened and properly
adjusted reduce the risk of an injury and enhance the chance of survival
in a major accident
⇒page 146.
It is important that you pay attention to safety measures, particularly when
transporting children in the vehicle ⇒page 164, “Transporting children
safely”.
WARNING
•Fasten your seat belt each time before setting off, also when
driving in town! This also applies to the people seated at the rear -
risk of injury!
•Expectant women must also always wear a seat belt. This is the
only way of ensuring optimal protection for the unborn child
⇒ page 148, “Fastening a three-point seat belt”.
•It is important for the belt webbing to be properly routed if the
seat belts are to offer the maximum protection. You can see a
description of how safety belts should be fitted properly on the
next pages.
Note
Please comply with any differing legal requirements when using the seat
belts.
Fig. 124 Driver
wearing seat belt

Seat belts147
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Important safety information regarding
the use of seat belts
The correct use of the seat belts considerably reduces the
risk of injury!
WARNING
•The belt webbing must not be jammed in-between at any point
or twisted, or chafe against any sharp edges.
•It is important that the belt webb ing is properly routed if the seat
belts are to offer their maximum protection ⇒page 148, “How are
seat belts correctly fastened?”.
•No two persons (also not children) should ever use a single seat
belt together.
•The maximum protection which seat belts can offer is only
achieved if you are correctly seated ⇒page 141, “Correct seated
position”.
•The belt webbing must not run across solid or fragile objects
(e.g. spectacles, ball-point pens, keys etc.) as this may be a cause
of injuries.
•Bulky, loose clothing (e.g. a winter coat over a jacket) does not
allow you to be correctly seated and impairs proper operation of
the seat belts.
•It is prohibited to use clamps or other objects to adjust seat
belts (e.g. for shortening the belts for smaller persons).
•The lock tongue should only be inserted into the lock which is
the correct one for your seat. Wrong use of the safety belt will
reduce its capacity to protect and the risk of injury increases.
•The backrests of the front seats must not be tilted too far to the
rear otherwise the seatbelts can lose their effectiveness.
•The belt webbing must always be kept clean. Soiled belt
webbing may impair proper operation of the inertia reel
⇒ page 203, “Seat belts”.
•The slot of the belt tongue must not be blocked by paper or
similar objects otherwise the belt tongue will not lock in place prop-
erly.
•Inspect the seat belts regularly to ensure they are in good condi-
tion. If you find seat belts which have damage to the seat belt
webbing, seat belt connections, to the inertia reels or to the lock,
the relevant safety belt must be replaced by a Škoda dealer.
•You must not remove or change the seat belts. Do not make an
attempt to repair the seat belts yourself.
•Damaged seat belts which have been subjected to stress in an
accident and were therefore stretched, must be replaced - this is
best done by a Škoda dealer. The anchorage points of the belts
must also be inspected. The anchorage points for the belts should
also be checked.
•In certain countries it is possible to use seat belts which differ
in terms of their operation from the seat belts which are described
on the pages which follow.
WARNING (continued)

Seat belts149
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•A seat belt which is hanging too loose can result in injuries as
your body is moved forward by the kinetic energy produced in an
accident and is then suddenly held firm by the belt.
•Only insert the lock tongue into the lock which is the correct one
for your seat. This will affect the protection which the belt offers
and increase the risk of an injury!
Seat belt height adjuster
The seat belt height adjuster makes it possible for you to adapt
the routing of the three-point seat belt in the area of the shoulder
to match your body size.
– Move the height adjuster in the desired direction up or down ⇒fig. 129 . – Then pull firmly on the belt to ensure that the seat belt height
adjuster has correctly locked in place.
WARNING
Adjust the height of the belt in such a way that the shoulder part of
the belt is positioned approximately across the middle of your
shoulder - on no account across your neck.
Note
It is also possible to adapt the routing of the belt webbing at the front seats
by adjusting the height of the seat.
Taking seat belts off
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 129 Front seat:
Seat belt height
adjuster
Fig. 130 Releasing
lock tongue from belt
lock

Seat belts151
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•Any work on the belt tightener system, including removal and
installation of system components because of other repair work,
must only be carried out by Škoda dealer.
•The protective function of the system is only adequate for a
single accident. If the belt tensioners have been deployed, it is then
necessary to replace the entire system.
•The Owner's Manual must also be handed over to the new
owner if the vehicle is sold.
Note
•Smoke is generated when the belt tensioners are deployed. This is not
an indication of a fire in the vehicle.
•It is essential to pay attention to relevant safety regulations if the
vehicle or individual parts of the system are scrapped. Škoda dealers are
familiar with these regulations and will be able to provide you with detailed
information in this respect.
•When disposing of vehicle or parts of the system, it is important to
comply with the national legal requirements.
WARNING (continued)

Airbag system153
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•The protective function of the airbag system is sufficient for
only one accident. The airbag system must then be replaced if the
airbag has been deployed.
•The airbag system needs no maintenance during its working
life.
•The service life of the airbag system is 15 years from the date of
manufacture of the vehicle. Have the airbag system replaced by a
Škoda dealer after this period. If the modules of the system are
replaced before the expiry of the term (e.g. because of an accident),
the new change interval has to be entered in the service brochure.
•If you sell your car, please hand over the complete vehicle docu-
mentation to the new owener. Please note that the documents
relating to the possibility of deactivating the front passenger airbag
are also part of the vehicle documents!
•If the vehicle or individual parts of the airbag system are
scrapped, it is essential to observe the relevant safety precautions.
Škoda dealers are familiar with these regulations.
•When disposing of vehicle or parts of the airbag system, it is
important to comply with th e national legal requirements.
When are the airbags deployed?
The airbag system is designed in such a way that the driver and the front
passenger airbag are deployed in the event of a frontal collision of major
severity.
In the case of a violent side crash , the side airbags on the side of the car
at which the collision occurs, are deployed together with the head airbag*.
In certain accident situations it is possible that both the front as well as the
side airbags and the relevant head airbag are deployed at the same time. The airbags
are not deployed in the case of minor frontal and side colli-
sions, in the case of rear-end collisions and vehicle rollover.
Deployment factors
It is not possible to state globally which deployment conditions apply to the
airbag system in every situation as the circumstances which exist in the
case of accidents vary greatly. An important role in this case, for example,
is played by factors such as the type of object against which the vehicle
impacts (hard, soft), the angle of impact, the vehicle speed etc.
A decisive factor for the deployment of the airbags is the deceleration
which occurs during a collision. The control unit analyses the nature of the
collision and activates the relevant restraint system. If the vehicle decel-
eration 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 airbags are not deployed if:
•ignition off
•a minor frontal collision
•a minor side collision
•a rear-end collision
•rollover
Note
•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.
•The dash panel must be replaced after the front passenger airbag has
been deployed.
•In the event of an accident in which the airbags are deployed:
− The interior lighting comes on (if the switch for the interior light is in
the door contact position)
WARNING (continued)

Airbag system155
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You should therefore always fasten
⇒page 145, “Why seat belts?” the
seat belts, not only because this is required by law, but also for safety
reasons and for your own protection.
Note
The dash panel must be replaced after the front passenger airbag has
been deployed.
Function of the front airbags
Risk of injury to the head and chest area is reduced by fully
inflated airbags.
The airbag system is designed in such a way that the driver and front
passenger airbag are deployed in the event of a frontal collision of major
severity. In certain accident situations both the front airbags as well as the head*
and side airbags may be deployed together.
If the airbags are deployed, the airbags are filled with a propellant gas and
inflated in front of the driver and front passenger
⇒fig. 133 . 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. The forward
movement 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 specially developed airbag allows the gas to flow out of the inflated
airbag in a controlled manner (depending on the load of the particular car
occupant) in order to cushion head and chest areas. The airbag then
deflates subsequently to such an extent, after an accident, to again
provide a clear view forward.
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.
The airbag develops enormous forces when triggered, which can lead to
injuries if the sitting position or seated position is not correct ⇒ in
“Important safety information regarding the front airbag system” on
page 156.
Fig. 133 Inflated
airbags

Airbag system157
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Side airbags
Description of side airbags
The side airbag together with the head airbag offers
enhanced occupant protection in the event of a side colli-
sion.
The side airbags are housed in the upholstery of the backrests of the front
seats and are marked ⇒fig. 135 with the lettering “AIRBAG” on the upper
part.
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 158.
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 145, “Why seat belts?” 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 airbag is 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 159.
Function of the side airbags
Risk of injury to the upper part of the body is reduced by
fully inflated side airbags.
In the case of a violent side crash the side airbag on the front seat on the
side on which the collision occurs is deployed ⇒fig. 136 .
Fig. 135 Installation
position of side airbag
in driver seat
Fig. 136 Inflated side
airbag

Airbag system159
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•Any work on the side airbag system including removing and
installing system components because of other repair work (e.g.
removing seats) must only be carried out by a Škoda dealer.
Head airbags*
Description of the head airbags
The head airbag together with the side airbag offers
enhanced occupant protection in the event of a side colli-
sion.
The head airbags are positioned above the doors on both sides in the inte-
rior of the car ⇒ fig. 137. The installation positions 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 “Impor-
tant safety information on the head airbag” on page 160.
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 ⇒page 145 the seat belts, not only
because this is required by law, but also for safety reasons and for your
own protection.
Together with other elements (such as cross bars in the seats, stable
vehicle structure) the head airbags are the consequent further develop-
ment of occupant protection in the case of side collisions.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 137 Installation
position of the head
airbags above the door,
shown inflated, and
Airbag logo on the
pillar cover panel

Airbag system161
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•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.
•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 inju-
ries 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 head
airbag is inflated, parts of the accessories fitted may in certain
circumstances be thrown into the interior of the car and cause inju-
ries to the occupants ⇒ page 233, “Accessories, changes and
replacement of parts”.
•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 Škoda dealer.
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 protection.
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 deactivation of the airbags carried out by
a Škoda dealer.
On vehicles equipped with the switch for deactivation of the airbags, you
can deactivate the front and side passenger airbag by means of this
switch ⇒page 162.
Deactivation of airbags is envisaged only for particular instances,
such as if
•Yo u m u s t i n exceptional cases use a child seat on the front
passenger seat where the child is seated with its back to the direction of
travel (in some countries this must be in the direction of travel due to other
legal regulations applying) ⇒page 164, “Important safety information on
using 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.
•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).
WARNING (continued)

Airbag system163
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Deactivating airbags
– Switch off the ignition.
– Turn the slot of the airbag switch using the master key in the
direction of the arrow to the position OFF ⇒ fig. 139. The slot
of the airbag switch must be located in the vertical position.
– Check whether the airbag indicator light
  in the
middle of the dash panel lights up ⇒fig. 140 when the ignition
is turned on.
Switching on airbags
– Switch off the ignition.
– Turn the slot of the airbag switch using the master key in the direction of the arrow to the position ON ⇒ page 162, fig. 139.
The slot of the airbag switch must be located in the horizontal
position.
– Check whether the airbag indicator light
  in the
middle of the dash panel lights up ⇒page 162, fig. 140 when
the ignition is turned on.
The airbags should only be switched off under exceptional circumstances
⇒ page 161.
Indicator light
  (airbag switched off)
The airbag indicator light is located in the middle of the dash panel
⇒ page 162, fig. 140 .
If the airbags are switched on , the airbag indicator light comes on for a
few seconds after the ignition is switched on.
When the front and side passenger airbag is switched off, the indicator
light comes on after the ignition is switched on. There is a system fault present in the airbag switch off
⇒ if the indi-
cator light flashes. Please have the vehicle inspected without delay by
a Škoda dealer.
WARNING
•Only switch off the airbags when the ignition is switched off!
Otherwise a fault can arise on the airbag system and therefore
could cause the airbag to trigger.
•The driver is responsible for whether the airbags are switched
on or switched off.
•If the indicator light flashes:
− There is a risk of the front passenger airbag or the side
passenger airbag not being deployed in the event of an acci-
dent.
− There is the risk, if someone is sitting on the front passenger
seat, that the front passenger will suffer injury if the airbag is
suddenly deployed.