Get Safety -> Airbag system Guide for Skoda Fabia 4 Door Seecond Generation (2007-2013)

System description

Airbag system

 Read and observe on page 14 first.

Description of the airbag system

The functional status of the airbag system is indicated by the  indicator light

in the instrument cluster » page 40.

 Introduction

This chapter contains information on the following subjects:

When the airbags are deployed they fill with gas and inflate.

System description

Airbag deployment

A grey white or red, non-harmful gas is released when the airbag is inflated.

This is perfectly normal and is not an indication of a fire in the vehicle.

The airbag system consists – depending on the vehicle equipment – of the

following modules.

WARNING

■

An airbag can only offer you optimal protection in combination with a fas-

tened seat belt.

The airbag is not a substitute for the seat belt, but instead forms part of

the complete passive vehicle safety concept.

To ensure passengers are protected with the greatest possible effect

when the airbag is deployed, the front seats must be correctly adjusted to

match the body size » page 7, Correct and safe seated position.

If you do not fasten the seat belts when driving, lean too far forward or

Electronic control unit.

Front airbag for the driver and the front passenger » page 15.

Side airbags » page 16.

Head airbags » page 17.

Airbag indicator light in the instrument cluster » page 40.

Key switch for the front passenger airbag » page 18.

Warning light for front passenger airbag deactivation in dash panel cen-

tre » page 18.

›

■

›

■

›

■

adopt an incorrect seated position, you are exposing yourself to increased

risk of injury in the event of an accident.

Note

■

The airbag system needs no maintenance during its working life.

If you sell your vehicle, provide the complete vehicle documentation to the

WARNING

■

Information on the use of the airbag system

If there is a fault, the airbag system must be checked by a specialist ga-

rage immediately. Otherwise, there is a risk of the airbag not being activa-

ted in the event of an accident.

No modifications of any kind must be made to parts of the airbag system.

Any work on the airbag system including the installation and removal of

system components due to other repair work (e.g. removal of the steering

wheel) must only be carried out by a specialist garage.

Never make any changes to the front bumper or bodywork.

It is prohibited to tamper with individual parts of the airbag system as this

might result in the airbag being deployed.

new owner. Please note that the information relating to the possibility of de-

activating the front passenger airbag must be included!

■

When disposing of vehicle or parts of the airbag system, it is important to

comply with the national legal requirements.

■

Airbag deployment

 Read and observe on page 14 first.

■

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 protective function of the airbag system is sufficient for only one ac-

cident. The airbag system must then be replaced if the airbag has been de-

ployed.

The airbag system is only functional when the ignition is switched on.

In certain accident situations, the several airbags may be deployed simultane-

ously.

The airbags are not deployed in the case of minor frontal and side collisions,

rear-end collisions, tilting of the vehicle and vehicle rollover.



Safety

Deployment factors

Front airbags

It is not possible to generally determine which deployment conditions apply to

the airbag system in every situation. An important role is played by factors

such as the type of object that the vehicle hits (hard/soft), the impact angle,

vehicle speed, etc.

A decisive factor for the deployment of the airbags is the deceleration which

occurs. The control unit analyses the nature of the collision and activates the

relevant restraint system.

If the vehicle deceleration 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 dam-

age to the bodywork as a consequence of the accident.

Fig. 8 Driver airbag in the steering wheel/front passenger airbag in the

The following airbags will be deployed in the event of a severe frontal

collision.

dashboard

Driver’s front airbag.

Front passenger airbag.

›

The following airbags will be deployed in the event of a severe side collision.

Front side airbag on the side of the accident.

Head airbags on the side of the accident.

›

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;

the fuel supply to the engine is interrupted.

›

Fig. 9 Safe distance to steering wheel/inflated airbags

›

In the event of a severe frontal collision, the front airbag system offers addi-

tional protection for the head and chest area of the driver and front passenger.

Airbag overview

The front airbag for the driver is housed in the steering wheel » Fig. 8 - .

 Introduction

The front airbag for the front seat passenger is located in the dash panel

above the glove compartment » Fig. 8 - .

This chapter contains information on the following subjects:

Front airbags

Side airbags

Head airbags

The airbags inflate in front of the driver and front passenger when they are

deployed » Fig. 9 - . 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.



Airbag system

WARNING

Side airbags

Information on correct seating position

For the driver and front passenger, it is important to maintain a distance

■

of at least 25 cm from the steering wheel or dashboard A » Fig. 9. Not

keeping to this minimum distance will mean that the airbag system will not

be able to properly protect you – risk of death. The front seats and the

head restraints must always also be correctly adjusted to match the body

size of the occupant.

■

The airbag develops enormous forces when triggered, which can lead to

injuries if the sitting position or seated position is not correct.

■

There must not by any further persons, animals or objects positioned be-

tween the front seated occupants and the deployment area of the airbag.

Fig. 10 Location of the side airbag in the driver's seat/gas-filled side air-

bag

WARNING

Front airbag and transporting children

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!

In the event of severe side collisions, the side airbag system provides addition-

al protection for the upper body (chest, stomach and pelvis) of passengers in

the vehicle.

■

It is essential to switch off the front passenger airbag if you are using a

The side airbags are housed in the upholstery of the seat backrests of the

child seat on the front passenger seat in which the child is carried with its

back facing the direction of travel » page 17, Deactivating airbags. 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. When transporting a child on the

front passenger seat, pay attention to any relevant national regulations re-

garding the use of child safety seats.

front seats » Fig. 10 – .

The head airbag and belt tensioner on the relevant side are also automatically

deployed when the side airbags » Fig. 10 -  are deployed.

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 pel-

vis) is reduced on the side facing the door.

WARNING

General information

The steering wheel and the surface of the airbag module in the dash pan-

Information on correct seating position

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 ap-

plies in particular to children who are transported without using a suitable

child safety seat » page 21, Child safety and side airbag.

There must not be any further persons, animals or objects positioned be-

tween the occupants and the deployment area of the airbag. No accesso-

ries, such as cup holders, should be attached to the doors.

■

el on the passenger side must not have stickers attached, be covered or

modified in any other way. These parts should only be cleaned with a cloth

that is dry or has been moistened with water. No objects such as cup hold-

ers, mobile phone mounts, etc. must be attached to the covers of the air-

bag modules or be located within their immediate vicinity.

■

Never place objects on the surface of the front passenger airbag module

in the dash panel.

■

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 19, Child seat.



Safety

The airbag covers the windows of the front and rear doors, as well as the door

pillar when it is deployed » Fig. 11 - .

WARNING

■

Only hang light items of clothing on the hooks fitted in the vehicle. Never

leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets of the items of

clothing.

Ensure that there are no excessive forces, such as violent knocks, kicks

etc., impact on the backrests of the seats otherwise the system may be

damaged. The side airbags would not be deployed in such a case!

Head impact with interior parts is reduced by the inflated head airbag. The re-

duction in any impact to the head and the resultant minimizing of any move-

ments of the head additionally reduce the risk of injuries to the neck area.

■

WARNING

■

Any seat or protective covers which you fit to the driver or front passen-

■

There must not be any objects in the deployment area of the head air-

ger seats must only be of the type expressly authorized by ŠKODA. 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 pro-

tective function of the side airbag.

Any damage to the original seat covers in the area of the side airbag mod-

ule must be repaired without delay by your specialist garage.

bags which might prevent the airbags from inflating properly.

Only hang light items of clothing on the hooks fitted in the vehicle. Never

leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets of the items of

clothing. Additionally, clothes hangers must not be used to hang up items

of clothing.

■

The installation of impermissible accessories in the vicinity of the head

■

The airbag modules in the front seats must not display any damage,

airbags can 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 could be thrown into the interior of the car

and injure the occupants » page 126.

cracks or deep scratches. It is not permissible to use force in order to open

the modules.

■

The sun visors must not be swivelled towards the side windows in the

Head airbags

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.

■

There must not be any further persons, animals or objects positioned be-

tween the occupants and the deployment area of the airbag. In addition,

none of the occupants should lean their head out of the window when driv-

ing, or extend their arms and hands out of the window.

Note

In vehicles with head airbags, the word AIRBAG can be seen on the B column

cladding.

Fig. 11 Location of the head airbag/gas-filled head airbag

Deactivating airbags

In the event of a severe side collision, the head airbag system offers additional

protection for the head and neck area of passengers.

 Introduction

The head airbags are positioned above the doors on both sides in the interior

of the car » Fig. 11 - .

This chapter contains information on the following subjects:

Deactivating airbags

Switching off the front passenger airbag

In the event of a side collision the head airbag is deployed together with the

relevant side airbag and the front seat belt tensioner on the side of the car on

which the accident occurs.

Airbag system

Deactivating airbags

Switching off the front passenger airbag

Deactivating an airbag should be considered only in the following cases, for

example.

When using a child seat on the front passenger seat, in which the child has

›

its back to the vehicle's direction of travel (in some countries this must be in

the direction of travel due to different legal regulations applying) » page 19,

Transporting children safely.

If it is not possible to maintain a distance of at least 25 cm between the mid-

dle of the steering wheel and chest, despite the driver's seat being correctly

adjusted.

›

If special attachments are required in the area of the steering wheel because

of a physical disability.

›

Fig. 12 Key-operated switch for the front passenger airbag/warning light

for front seat passenger airbag deactivation

If other seats have been installed (e.g. orthopaedic seats without side air-

bags).

›

Only the front passenger airbag is deactivated with the key switch.

The front passenger airbag can be switched off with the key-operated

switch » page 18.

Switching off

Switch off the ignition.

Open the passenger door.

Fold the key bit out completely for the radio key »

Carefully insert the key into the key slot in the key switch as far as the stop.

We recommend that you ask a ŠKODA Service Partner to switch off any other

airbags.

›

Monitoring the airbag system

The functionality of the airbag system is monitored electronically even if one

of the airbags is switched off.

Use the key to turn the slot of the key switch into position 2 » Fig. 12 OFF.

Pull the key out of the slot in the key switch »

Close the passenger door.

Airbag was switched off using diagnostic equipment

Check whether the 3  ¹⁾warning light in the      mes-

sage in the centre of the dash panel lights up after the ignition has been

switched on.

The  warning light lights up for approximately 3 seconds after the ignition

is switched on and then flashes again for approximately 12 seconds.

›

Front passenger airbag switched off with the key switch in the storage com-

partment

Switching on

The  warning light comes on for about 3 seconds after the ignition has

been switched on.

The   3 » Fig. 12 on page 18 warning light comes on when the ignition

is switched on.

Switch off the ignition.

Open the passenger door.

Fold the key bit out completely for the radio key »

Carefully insert the key into the key slot in the key switch as far as the stop.

Use the key to turn the slot of the key switch into position

Pull the key out of the slot in the key switch »

Close the passenger door.

›

» Fig. 12 ON.

Note

■

The national regulations for switching off airbags must be observed.

A ŠKODA Service Partner will be able to inform you which airbags in your ve-



■

hicle can/must be deactivated.

The   airbag warning light comes on for a few seconds after the ignition is switched on, goes out for

about 1 second and then comes on again.

Safety

Safety -> Airbag system for Your Skoda Fabia 4 Door Seecond Generation (2007-2013)

Related Topics

Safety

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals