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

Airbag system
140
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.
•There must not by any further persons, animals or objects positioned
between the front seated occupants and the deployment area of the airbag.
•The steering wheel and the surface of the airbag module in the dash
panel on the passenger side must not be stuck onto, covered or modified in
any other way. These parts should only be cleaned with a dry cloth or a cloth
moistened with water. No objects such as cup holders, mobile phone
mounts, etc. may be attached to the covers of the airbag modules or be
located within the immediate area.
•No modifications of any kind may be made to parts of the airbag system.
Any work on the airbag system including installing and removing system
components because of other repair work (e.g. removing the steering
wheel) must only be carried out by a specialist garage.
•Never carry out changes on the front bumper or on the body.
•Never place any objects on the surfac e of the front passenger airbag in
the dash panel.
Side airbag
Description of side airbags
The side airbag together with the head airbag offers enhanced occu-
pant protection in the ev ent of a side collision.
The side airbags are housed in the upholstery of the backrests of the front seats and
are marked ⇒fig. 148 with the lettering “AIRBAG” on the middle part.
The side airbag system in combination with the three-point seat belts, offers addi-
tional 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 141.
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 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?”.
Each time the side airbag is deployed, the head airbag* on the relevant side is auto-
matically deployed at the same time in order to provide the occupant with
enhanced protection ⇒page 142.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 148 Installation
position of side airbag in
driver seat
NKO B5 20.book Page 140 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM

Airbag system141
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
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. 149 .
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 addi-
tional protection in the 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.
The load of the occupants is cushioned when plunging into the fully inflated airbag
and the risk of injury to the entire u pper body (chest, stomach and pelvis) is
reduced on the side facing the door.
Important safety information on the side airbag
Correct use of the airbag system considerably reduces the risk of
injury!
WARNING
•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).
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 transpor ting a child on the front passenger
seat, please comply with the appropriate national regulations regarding the
use of child safety seats.
•Your head should never be positioned in the deployment area of the side
airbag. You might suffer severe injuries in the event of an accident. This
applies in particular to children who are transported without using a suit-
able child safety seat ⇒page 148, “Child safety and side airbag”.
•If children adopt an incorrect seated position when travelling, they may
be exposed to an increased risk of injury in the event of an accident. This can
result in serious injuries ⇒page 146, “What you should know about trans-
porting children!”.
•There must not be any further persons, animals as well as objects posi-
tioned between the occupants and the de ployment area of the airbag. There
must also be no accessories such as cup holders, attached to the doors to
enable the side airbags to activate 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.
•Ensure that there are no excessive fo rces, such as violent knocks, kicks
etc., impact on the backrests of th e seats otherwise the system may be
damaged. The side airbags would not be deployed in such a case!
Fig. 149 Inflated side
airbag
NKO B5 20.book Page 141 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM

Airbag system
142
•Any seat or protective covers which you fit to the driver or front
passenger seats must only be of the type expressly authorized 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 in the area of the side airbag
module must be repaired without delay by your specialist garage.
•The airbag modules in the front se ats must not display any damage,
cracks or deep scratches. It is not permissible to use force in order to open
the modules.
•Any work on the side airbag system including removing and installing
system components be cause of other repair work (e.g. removing seats) must
only be carried out by a specialist garage.
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 ⇒fig. 150 . 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 “Important safety information on the head
airbag” on page 143.
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 130, “Why
seat belts?”.
Together with other elements (such as cros s bars in the seats, 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 side
airbag on the side of the car on which the accident occurs ⇒fig. 151 .
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 150 Installation
position of the head
airbags
Fig. 151 Inflated head
airbag
NKO B5 20.book Page 142 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM

Airbag system143
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
⇒fig. 151 .
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 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 injuri es 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 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 144, “Deactivating an airbag”
the front passenger airbag when attach ing 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 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.
•There must not be any objects in the deployment area of the head
airbags which might prevent the airbags 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 resu lt 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 205, “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 specialist garage.
WARNING (continued)
NKO B5 20.book Page 143 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM

Airbag system
144
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 deactiva tion of the airbags carried out by a
specialist garage.
On vehicles equipped with the switch for deactivation of the airbags, you can deac-
tivate the front and side passenger airbag by means of this switch ⇒page 144.
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 trav el due to other legal regulations applying)
⇒ page 146, “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,
•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 warning light for the airbag system lights up for 3 seconds after switching
on the ignition and then flashes for 12 seconds afterwards in 2 second intervals.
Front passenger airbags sw itched off using the switch for front passenger
airbags* in stowage compartmen t on the front passenger side:
•The airbag warning light comes on in th e instrument cluster for about 3 seconds
each time the ignition is switched on.
•Switching off airbags is indicated in the middle of the dash panel by the lighting
up of the indicator light   ⇒ fig. 153 .
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 airbags*
Fig. 152 Storage
compartment: Switch for
the front seat passenger
airbags
Fig. 153 Indicator light
for a switched off front
seat passenger airbag
NKO B5 20.book Page 144 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM

Airbag system145
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
The front and side passenger airbag is deactivated with the switch.
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. 152 . 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 ⇒page 144, fig. 153 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 144, fig. 152 . 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 144, fig. 153 when the ignition is
turned on.
The airbags should only be switched off under exceptional circumstances
⇒ page 144.
Indicator light
  (airbag switched off)
The airbag indicator light is located in the middle of the dash panel ⇒page 144,
fig. 153 .
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 indicator light
flashes. On vehicles without the function windscre
en heater* the indicator light showing a
switched-off front passenger airbag* is at the position 15 windscreen heater* see
⇒ page 8, fig. 1 .
WARNING
•The driver is responsible for whethe r the airbags are switched on or
switched off.
•Only switch off the airbag when the ignition is switched off! Otherwise a
fault can occur in the airbag deactivation system.
•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.
NKO B5 20.book Page 145 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM

Transporting children safely
146
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 131, “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.
Use only child safety seats which are offici ally approved and are suitable for chil-
dren and which comply with the ECE-R 44 Standard, which classifies child safety
seats into 5 groups ⇒page 149, “Classification of child seats into groups”. Child
restraint systems 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.
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 149,
“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.
NKO B5 20.book Page 146 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM

Transporting children safely147
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
•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 132, “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 144 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 and head airbags be deactivated. When trans-
porting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply with the appro-
priate 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. 154 . The sticker is
visible upon opening the front passenger door. The next warning sticker is
located on the windscreen near the front passenger seat.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 154 Sticker on the
centre column of the
body on the front
passenger side.
NKO B5 20.book Page 147 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM

Transporting children safely
148
•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 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 side and head 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 deactivated. Please comply with any differing 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 fully. For vehicles with height adjustable front passenger seat, the seat
must be put in the highest position.
•You should have the front passenger ai rbag (or airbags) reactivated just
as soon as you no longer use a child sa fety seat on the front passenger seat.
Child safety and side airbag
Children must never be seated in the deployment area of the side
airbags and head airbags.
In the event of a side collision, the si de airbags offer the vehicle occupants
enhanced protection.
The side airbags are inflated in fractions of a second in order to be able to provide
this protection ⇒page 141, “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. 155 Seated position
of an unprotected child at
risk from side airbag
Fig. 156 Child properly
protected by safety seat
NKO B5 20.book Page 148 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM

Transporting children safely149
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 144 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 and head airbags be deactivated. When trans-
porting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply with the appro-
priate 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 safety 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.
GroupWeight
00 - 10 kg⇒page 150
0+up to 13 kg⇒page 150
19 - 18 kg⇒page 150
215 - 25 kg⇒page 151
322 - 36 kg⇒page 151
Child seat
according to groupFront passenger seatRear seat
on the sideRear seat middle
0
0+
1
2 and 3
AUAUA+AU
AUAUA+AU
AUAUA+AU
AUAUAU
AU
A+
NKO B5 20.book Page 149 Friday, March 2, 2007 1:46 PM