SKODA SUPERB 2007 1.G / (B5/3U) Owner's Manual

Seat belts
130
Seat belts
Why seat belts?
It is a proven fact that seat belt s offer good protection in accidents ⇒fig. 137 . Thus
wearing a seat belt is a legal requirement in most countries.
Seat belts which have been correctly fastened and adjusted hold the occupants of
the car in the correc t seated position ⇒fig. 137 . The belts reduce the kinetic energy
(energy of motion) to a considerable extent. They also prevent uncontrolled move-
ments 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 131. It is important that you pay attention to
safety measures, particularly when trans-
porting children in the vehicle ⇒ page 146, “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 132, “Fastening
three-point seat belts”.
•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 pr operly on the next pages.
Note
Please comply with any differing legal requirements when using the seat belts.
Fig. 137 Driver wearing
seat belt
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Seat belts131
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
The physical principle of a frontal collision
The physical principle of a frontal a ccident can be explained quite simply:
Motion energy, so-called kinetic energy, is produced as soon as the vehicle is
moving, both for the vehicle and its occupants. The magnitude of this kinetic energy
depends essentially on the speed at which the vehicle is travelling and on the
weight of the vehicle and the occupants. The greater the speed and weight increase, the greater the amount of energy which has to be absorbed in the event of an acci-
dent.
The speed of the vehicle is, nevertheless,
the most important factor. Doubling the
speed of the vehicle from 25 km/h up to 50 km/h increases the kinetic energy four
times.
The common opinion that it is possible to support your body in a minor accident
with your hands, is incorrect. Even in a collision at only a low speed, the forces
acting on the body are such that it is no longer possible to support your body.
Even if you only drive at a speed within the range from 30 km/h to 50 km/h, the
forces which are produced on your body in the event of an accident can easily
exceed 10.000 N (Newton). This equals a weight of one tonne (1 000 kg).
In the event of a frontal collision, occupants of the car not wearing a seat belt, are
thrown forward and strike in an uncontrolle d way parts of the interior of the car,
such as steering wheel, dash panel, windscreen, ⇒fig. 138 . The occupants of a
vehicle who have not fastened their seat belts may even be thrown out of the
vehicle. This can resu lt in fatal injuries.
It is also important that rear seat occupants fasten their seat belts as they will other-
wise be thrown through the vehicle in an uncontrolled manner in the event of an
accident A rear seat passenger who has not fastened the seat belt is a danger not
only to himself but also fo r those seated at the front ⇒fig. 139 .
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 webbing is properly routed if the seat belts
are to offer their maximum protection ⇒page 132, “How are seat belts
correctly fa stened?”.
Fig. 138 The driver is
thrown forward if not
wearing a belt
Fig. 139 The rear seat
occupant is thrown
forward if not wearing a
belt
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Seat belts
132
•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 127, “Correct seated position”.
•The belt webbing must no t run across solid or fragile objects (e.g. spec-
tacles, 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 insert ed 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 ke pt clean. Soiled belt webbing may
impair proper operation of the inertia reel ⇒page 179, “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 properly.
•Inspect the seat belts regularly to ensure they are in good condition. 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 specialist garage.
•The seat belts must not be removed or changed in any way. 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
specialist garage. The anchorage points of the belts must also be inspected.
The anchorage points for the be lts 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.
How are seat belts correctly fastened?
Fastening three-point seat belts
Fasten your seat belt before starting!
– Correctly adjust the front seat and the head restraint before fastening
your seat belt ⇒page 127, “Correct seated position”.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 140 Routing of
webbing over the shoul-
ders and the lap belt
Fig. 141 Routing of belt
webbing for an expectant
mother
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Seat belts133
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
– Slowly pull the belt webbing at the to ngue of the lock over your chest
and pelvis ⇒.
– Insert the tongue of the lock into th e seat belt buckle belonging to the
seat until it is heard to lock in place.
– Pull on the belt to check that it has also reliably engaged in the lock.
Each three-point seat belt is equipped with an inertia reel. This inertia reel offers
you complete freedom of movement if the belt is unreeled slowly. If the brakes are
applied suddenly, the inertia reel will block. It also blocks the belts when the car
accelerates, when driving uphill and when cornering.
Expectant mothers must also wear the seat belt ⇒.
WARNING
•The shoulder part of the seat belt must never run across your neck but
must run approximately over the middl e of the shoulder and fit snugly
against the chest. The lap part of the belt must run across the hip and must
never be routed across the stomach. It must always fit snugly ⇒page 132,
fig. 140 . Adjust the belt webbing as required.
•The lap part of the belt should be positioned as low as possible at the
pelvis of an expectant mother in order to avoid exerting any pressure on the
lower abdomen.
•Always ensure that the webbing of the seat belts is properly routed. Seat
belts which are not correctly adjusted ca n themselves cause injuries even in
minor accidents.
•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 lo ck which is the correct one for your
seat. This will affect the protection whic h 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. 142 .
– 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.
Fig. 142 Front seat: Seat
belt height adjuster
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Seat belts
134
Taking seat belts off
– Press the red button in the belt lock ⇒fig. 143 . The spring force causes
the tongue of the lock to jump out.
– Guide the belt back with your hand to enable the inertia reel to wind
up the belt webbing more easily.
A plastic knob in the belt webbing holds the belt tongue in a position which is easy
to get hold of.
Three-point safety belt for the middle rear seat
Your car is equipped as standa rd with the three-point seat belt in the middle rear
seat. It is used in the same way as the three-point seat belts on the left and right (at
front and rear). The three-point seat belt for the rear middle seat must be put on
first to allow the pelvic part of the belt to run between the belt lock for the right
three-point seat belt and the backrest, whil e avoiding crossing the belt webbing of
the right and middle seat belts.
WARNING
The three-point safety belt for the rear middle seat can only fulfil its function
reliably when the backrests are correctly locked into position ⇒page 70.
Blocking seat belts
The three-point seat belts for the front passenger and for the rear seats can be
blocked for attaching a child safety seat ⇒ page 152, “Attaching child safety seat”.
Blocking the belt in this way ensures that th e child seat is held firmly in position in
the car.
WARNING
Never attach a child safety seat on the front passenger seat if the child is
seated with its back facing in direct ion of travel when the front passenger
airbag is still activated ⇒page 147, “Use of child safety seats on the front
passenger seat”. Risk of severe or even fatal injuries!
Belt tensioners
Safety for the driver and passengers wearing their seat belts, is enhanced by the
belt tensioners fitted to the inertia reels of the front and rear side three-point seat
belts, in addition to the protecti on afforded by the airbag system.
The fastened three-point seat belts are au tomatically tensioned in the event of a
frontal collision of a certain severity. Th e rear outside belt tensioners are also
deployed if the seat belt is not fastened.
The belt tensioner is deployed in the event of a frontal collision of major severity. A
powder charge is ignited in the inertia reels during deployment. The belt webbing
is pulled into the inertia reels by a mech anical system and the belt is tensioned.
Belt tensioners are not activated in the ev ent of minor frontal collisions, side and
rear-end collisions, in the ca se of a rollover and also not in accidents in which no
major forces are produced from the front.
WARNING
•The service life of seat belts and belt tensioners is 15 years from the date
of manufacture of the vehicle. It is then necessary to have the seat belts
replaced by a specialist garage.
Fig. 143 Releasing lock
tongue from belt lock
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Seat belts135
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
•Any work on the belt tightener syst em, including removal and installa-
tion of system components because of other repair work, must only be
carried out by a specialist garage.
•The protective function of the system is only adequate for a single acci-
dent. If the belt tensioners have been deployed, it is then necessary to
replace the entire system.
•The Owner's Manual must also be ha nded over to the new owner if the
vehicle is sold.
Note
•Smoke is generated when the belt tensioners are deployed. This is not an indi-
cation of a fire in the vehicle.
•It is essential to pay attention to relevant safety regulations if the vehicle or indi-
vidual parts of the system are scrapped. Škoda Service Partners 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)
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Airbag system
136
Airbag system
Description of the airbag system
General information on the airbag system
The front airbag system is complementary to the three-point seat belts and offers
additional protection for the head and ches t area of the driver and passenger in the
event of a frontal collision.
In the case of a violent side crash, the side and head airbags* reduce the risk of inju-
ries to the occupants on the part of th e body facing the side of the accident ⇒.
The airbag system is only functional after the ignition has been switched on.
The operational readiness of the airbag system is monitored electronically. The
airbag warning light comes on for a few seconds each time the ignition is switched
on.
The airbag system (according to vehicl e equipment) essentially consists of:
•an electronic control unit,
•the two front airbags,
•the side airbags,
•Head airbags*
•an airbag warning light in the instrument cluster,
•a front passenger airbag switch* ⇒page 144,
•an indicator light for a switched off fron t seat passenger airbag* in the middle
of the dash panel ⇒page 144.
A fault in the airbag system exists if:
•the airbag indicator light does not light up when the ignition is switched on,
•the warning light does not go out after about 3 seconds after the ignition is
switched on,
•the airbag indicator light goes out and comes on again after the ignition is
switched on,
•the airbag indicator light comes on or flickers when driving,
•an airbag indicator light showing a swit ched-off front passenger airbag* in the
middle of the dash panel flashes.
WARNING
•To enable the occupants of a car to be protected with the greatest
possible effect when the airbag is deployed, the front seats must be
⇒ page 127, “Correct seated position” co rrectly adjusted to match the body
size of the occupant.
•If you do not fasten the seat belts when driving, lean too far forward or
adopt an incorrect seated position, you are exposing yourself to increased
risk of injury in the event of an accident.
•Have the airbag system checked imme diately by a specialist garage if a
fault exists. Otherwise, there is a risk of the airbag not being activated in the
event of an accident.
•No modifications of any kind may be made to parts of the airbag system.
•It is prohibited to manipulate individual parts of the airbag system as this
might result in the airbag being deployed.
•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.
•If you sell your car, please hand over the complete vehicle documenta-
tion 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 Service Partners
are familiar with these regulations.
•When disposing of vehicle or parts of the airbag system, it is important
to comply with the national legal requirements.
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Airbag system137
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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 collisions, in the
case of rear-end collisi ons 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 vehi cle deceleration which occurs and is meas-
ured 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 indi cation of a fire in the vehicle.
•The dash panel must be replaced afte r 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),
− The hazard warning light is switched on,
− All the doors are unlocked.
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Airbag system
138
Front airbag
Description of the front airbags
The airbag system is not a su bstitute for the seat belt!
The front airbag for the driver is housed in the steering wheel ⇒fig. 144 . The front
airbag for the front passenger is housed in the dash panel above the storage
compartment ⇒fig. 145 . The installation positions are each marked with the
“AIRBAG” logo. The front airbag system, in combination with three-point safety belts, offers addi-
tional protection for the head and chest ar
ea of the driver and front passenger in
the event of a frontal colli sion of major severity ⇒ in “Important safety informa-
tion regarding the front airbag system” on page 139.
The airbag is not a substitute for the seat belt, but is part of the complete passive
vehicle safety concept. Please note that an airbag can only offer you optimal
protection in combination with a seat belt which is fastened .
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 frontal collision so as to enable the fr ont 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 130, “Why
seat belts?”.
Note
The dash panel must be replaced afte r the front passenger airbag has been
deployed.Fig. 144 Driver airbag in
the steering wheel
Fig. 145 Front passenger
airbag in the dash panel
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Airbag system139
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
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. 146 . The airbags inflate in fractions
of a second and at a high speed in order to be able to offer that additional protec-
tion 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”.
Important safety information r egarding the front airbag system
Correct use of the airbag system considerably reduces the risk of
injury!
WARNING
•Never transport children on the front seat of a vehicle without using a
proper restraint system. If airbags are deployed in the event of an accident,
the child might suffer severe or even fatal injuries!
•For the driver and front passenger it is important to maintain a distance
of at least 25 cm from the steering wheel or dash panel ⇒fig. 147 . Not main-
taining this minimum distance will mean that the airbag system will not be
able to properly protect you - hazard! The front seats and the head restraints
must always also be correctly adjusted to match the body size of the occu-
pant.
•It is essential to always switch off ⇒page 144, “Deactivating an airbag”
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 al so when the child is facing the direction of travel).
Fig. 146 Inflated airbagsFig. 147 Safe distance to
steering wheel
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