2004-2012 Skoda Octavia 4 Door Safety -> Airbag system User Manual
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Safety -> Airbag system for Your Skoda Octavia 4 Door Second Generation (2004-2012)

174 Airbag system  
Airbag system  
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the airbag indicator light comes on or flickers when driving,  
Description of the airbag system  
an airbag indicator light showing a switched-off front passenger airbag* in the  
middle of the dash panel flashes.  
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 chest area of the driver and passenger in the  
event of a frontal collision.  
WARNING  
•
To enable the occupants of a vehicle to be protected with the greatest  
possible effect when the airbag is deployed, the front seats must be  
⇒ page 164, “Correct seated position” correctly adjusted to match the body  
size of the occupant.  
In the case of a violent side crash, the side* and head* airbags reduce the risk of  
injuries to the occupants on the part of the body facing the side of the accident  
⇒
.
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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.  
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.  
•
Have the airbag system checked immediately 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.  
The airbag system (according to vehicle equipment) essentially consists of:  
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•
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  
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•
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an electronic control unit,  
front airbag for the driver and the front seat passenger*,  
side airbags*,  
might result in the airbag being deployed.  
•
The protective function of the airbag system is sufficient for only one  
head airbags*,  
accident. The airbag system must then be replaced if the airbag has been  
deployed.  
an airbag warning light in the instrument cluster,  
a front passenger airbag switch* ⇒ page 182,  
an indicator light for a switched off front seat passenger airbag* in the middle  
•
•
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!  
of the dash panel ⇒ page 182.  
A fault in the airbag system exists if:  
•
•
the airbag indicator light does not light up when the ignition is switched on,  
•
If the vehicle or individual parts of the airbag system are scrapped, it is  
essential to observe the relevant safety precautions. The authorised Škoda  
Service Partners are familiar with these regulations.  
the warning light does not go out after about 4 seconds after the ignition is  
switched on,  
•
When disposing of vehicle or parts of the airbag system, it is important  
to comply with the national legal requirements.  
•
the airbag indicator light goes out and comes on again after the ignition is  
switched on,  
Airbag system 175  
When are the airbags deployed?  
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.  
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 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 the case of a violent side crash, the side airbag* on the side on which the colli-  
sion occurs, is deployed together with the head airbag*.  
−
In certain accident situations, the front airbags, side airbags as well as the relevant  
head airbag may be deployed together.  
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The hazard warning light is switched on,  
All the doors are unlocked,  
The airbags are not deployed in the case of minor frontal and side collisions, in the  
case of rear-end collisions and vehicle rollover.  
the fuel supply to the engine is interrupted.  
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 (hard, soft) against which the vehicle impacts or the type of object  
against which the vehicle impacts, the angle of impact, the relative vehicle speed  
during the accident etc.  
Front airbag  
Description of the front airbags  
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belt!  
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 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:  
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•
•
•
•
ignition off,  
Fig. 176 Driver airbag in the  
steering wheel  
a minor frontal collision,  
a minor side collision,  
a rear-end collision,  
Rollover of the vehicle.  
Using the system  
Safety  
Driving Tips  
General Maintenance  
Breakdown assistance  
Technical Data  
176 Airbag system  
Function of the front airbags  
Risk of injury to the head and chest area is reduced by fully inflated  
airbags.  
Fig. 177 Front passenger  
airbag in the dash panel  
The front airbag for the driver is housed in the steering wheel ⇒ page 175, fig. 176.  
The front airbag for the front passenger* is housed in the dash panel above the  
storage compartment ⇒ fig. 177. The installation positions are each marked with  
the “AIRBAG” logo.  
Fig. 178 Inflated airbags  
The front airbag system, in combination with three-point safety belts, offers addi-  
tional protection for the head and chest area of the driver and front passenger in  
the event of a frontal collision of major severity ⇒ page 177.  
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 certain accident situations, the front, side and head airbag are deployed  
together.  
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.  
If the airbags are deployed, the airbags are filled with a propellant gas and inflated  
in front of the driver and front passenger ⇒ fig. 178. 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.  
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 front 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 168, “Why  
seat belts?”.  
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.  
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.  
The airbag develops enormous forces when triggered, which can lead to injuries if  
the seat adjustment or seated position is not correct ⇒ page 177.  
Airbag system 177  
Important safety information regarding the front airbag system  
WARNING (continued)  
Correct use of the airbag system considerably reduces the risk of  
injury!  
seat, please comply with the appropriate 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.  
Fig. 179 Safe distance to  
steering wheel  
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.  
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•
Never carry out changes on the front bumper or on the body.  
WARNING  
Never place any objects on the surface of the front passenger airbag in  
the dash panel.  
•
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. 179. 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 181, “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 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  
Using the system  
Safety  
Driving Tips  
General Maintenance  
Breakdown assistance  
Technical Data  
178 Airbag system  
Function of the side airbags  
Side airbags*  
Risk of injury to the upper part of the body is reduced by fully inflated  
side airbags.  
Description of side airbags  
The side airbag together with the head airbag offers enhanced occu-  
pant protection in the event of a side collision.  
Fig. 181 Inflated side airbag  
Fig. 180 Installation position  
of side airbag in driver seat  
When the side airbags are deployed, the head airbag* and the belt tensioner are  
also automatically deployed on the relevant side ⇒ fig. 181.  
The front side airbags are housed in the upholstery of the backrests of the front  
seats ⇒ fig. 180.  
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.  
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 ⇒ page 179.  
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.  
Apart from their normal protective function, a further task of the seat belts is to  
also hold the occupents of the front or rear exterior seats in a correct seated posi-  
tion in the event of a side collision so as to enable the side airbag to offer the  
maximum protection.  
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.  
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.  
Each time the side airbags are deployed, the head airbag* and the front belt  
tensioner on the side of the car on which the collision occures, are automatically  
deployed at the same time in order to provide the occupant with enhanced  
protection.  
Airbag system 179  
Important safety information on the side airbag  
WARNING (continued)  
Correct use of the airbag system considerably reduces the risk of  
injury!  
•
In the event of a side collision, the side airbags will not function properly,  
if the sensors cannot measure the increasing air pressure inside the doors,  
because the air can escape through large, non-sealed openings in the door  
panel.  
WARNING  
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Never drive with removed inner door panels.  
•
It is essential to always switch off ⇒ page 181, “Deactivating an airbag”  
Never drive, if parts of the inner door panel have been removed and  
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.  
the remaining openings have not been properly sealed.  
Never drive, if the loudspeakers in the doors have been removed, only  
if the loudspeaker openings have been properly sealed.  
Always make sure that the openings are covered or filled, if additional  
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loudspeakers or other equipment parts are installed in the inner door  
panels.  
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Always work with an authorised Škoda dealer or have it carried out by  
a competent specialist workshop.  
•
Your head should never be positioned in the deployment area of the side  
•
Only hang light items of clothing on the clothes hooks to the vehicle.  
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 186, “Child safety and side airbag*”.  
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  
•
If children adopt an incorrect seated position when travelling, they may  
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!  
be exposed to an increased risk of injury in the event of an accident. This can  
result in serious injuries ⇒ page 184, “What you should know about trans-  
porting children!”.  
•
Any seat or protective covers which you fit to the driver or front  
passenger seats must only be of the type expressly authorised 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.  
•
There must not be any further persons, animals as well as objects posi-  
tioned between the occupants and the deployment 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.  
•
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 seats must not display any damage,  
•
The airbag control unit operates together with the pressure sensors,  
which are attached in the front doors. For this reason no adjustments must  
be carried out at the doors as well as at the door panels (for example addi-  
tional installation of loudspeakers). Resulting damages can have a negative  
affect on the operation of the airbag system. All work on the front doors and  
their panels must only be carried out by a specialist garage.  
•
cracks or deep scratches. It is not permissible to use force in order to open  
the modules.  
Using the system  
Safety  
Driving Tips  
General Maintenance  
Breakdown assistance  
Technical Data  
180 Airbag system  
law, but also for safety reasons and for your own protection ⇒ page 168, “Why seat  
belts?”.  
WARNING (continued)  
•
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 specialist garage.  
Together with other elements (such as cross bars in the seats, stable vehicle struc-  
ture) the head airbags are the consequent further development of occupant  
protection in the case of side collisions.  
Function of the head airbags  
Head airbags*  
The risk of injury to the head and neck area is reduced in the event of  
a side collision by fully inflated 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.  
Fig. 183 Inflated head airbag  
Fig. 182 Installation position  
of the head airbags  
In the case of a side collision the head airbag is deployed together with the rele-  
vant side airbag ⇒ fig. 183 and the belt tensioner on the side on which the accident  
occurs.  
The head airbags are positioned above the doors on both sides in the interior of the  
If the system is deployed, the airbags are filled with propellant gas and extend over  
car ⇒ fig. 182. The installation positions are each marked with the “AIRBAG” logo.  
the entire area of the side window including the door pillar ⇒ fig. 183.  
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 ⇒ page 181.  
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.  
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  
Airbag system 181  
In certain accident situations, the front, side and head airbag are simultaneously  
deployed.  
WARNING (continued)  
•
There must not be any other persons (e.g. children) or animals between  
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 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 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 injuries to the occupants if the  
head airbag is deployed.  
Important safety information on the head airbag  
Correct use of the airbag system considerably reduces the risk of  
injury!  
•
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 injuries to the occupants ⇒ page 244, “Accessories,  
changes and replacement of parts”.  
WARNING  
•
It is essential to always switch off ⇒ page 181, “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 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.  
•
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.  
Deactivating an airbag  
Deactivating airbags  
•
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.  
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.  
•
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 is the technical means installed within your vehicle to switch off the front,  
side* or head* airbag (take out of commission).  
•
The airbag control unit operates together with the sensors, which are  
This is why you should have the deactivation of the airbags carried out by a  
specialist garage.  
attached in the front doors. For this reason no adjustments must be carried  
out at the doors as well as at the door panels (for example additional instal-  
lation of loudspeakers). Resulting damages can have a negative affect on the  
operation of the airbag system. All work on the front doors and their panels  
must only be 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 182.  
Using the system  
Safety  
Driving Tips  
General Maintenance  
Breakdown assistance  
Technical Data  
182 Airbag system  
Deactivation of airbags is envisaged only for particular instances, such as if:  
Switch for the front passenger airbag*  
•
you must in exceptional cases use a child seat on the front passenger seat  
where the child has its back to the direction of travel of the vehicle (in some coun-  
tries this must be in the direction of travel due to other legal regulations applying)  
⇒ page 184, “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).  
•
•
Fig. 184 Storage compart-  
ment: Switch for the front  
passenger airbag  
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 4 seconds after switching  
on the ignition and then flashes for 12 seconds afterwards in 2 second intervals.  
Front passenger airbags switched off using the switch for front passenger  
airbags* in storage compartment on the front passenger side:  
•
the airbag indicator light in the instrument cluster comes on for about 4  
seconds each time the ignition is switched on,  
switching off the airbag is indicated in the middle of the dash panel by the  
Fig. 185 Indicator light for  
the front passenger airbag  
•
lighting up of the indicator light   ⇒ fig. 185.  
The front passenger airbag is deactivated with the switch.  
Note  
Deactivating an airbag  
Your authorised 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 off the ignition.  
2
Turn the slot of the airbag switch using the key in the position A(OFF)  
⇒ fig. 184.  
–
Check whether the airbag indicator light   in the middle of  
the dash panel lights up when the ignition is switched on ⇒ fig. 185.  
Airbag system 183  
Switching on an airbag  
–
–
Switch off the ignition.  
1
Turn the slot of the airbag switch using the key in the position A(ON)  
⇒ page 182, fig. 184.  
–
Check whether the airbag indicator light   in the middle of  
the dash panel does not light up when the ignition is switched on  
⇒ page 182, fig. 185.  
The airbags should only be switched off under exceptional circumstances  
⇒ page 181.  
Indicator light   (airbag switched off)  
The airbag indicator light is located in the middle of the dash panel ⇒ page 182,  
fig. 185.  
If the front passenger airbag is switched off, the warning light comes on about 4  
seconds after the ignition is switched on.  
There is a system fault present in the airbag switch off ⇒  
if the indicator light  
flashes. Please have the car inspected immediately by a specialist garage.  
WARNING  
•
The driver is responsible for whether the airbag is switched on or  
switched off.  
•
Only switch off the airbag when the ignition is switched off! Otherwise a  
fault can occur in the system for the airbag deactivation.  
•
If the warning light   (airbag switched off) flashes:  
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−
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.  
Using the system  
Safety  
Driving Tips  
General Maintenance  
Breakdown assistance  
Technical Data  

Related Topics

Safety
Passive Safety Basic information Correct seated position Seat belts Why seat belts? The physical principle of a frontal collision Important safety information regarding the use of seat belts How are seat belts correctly fastened? Description of the airbag system Front airbag Side airbags* Head airbags* Deactivating an airbag Transporting children safely What you should know about transporting children! Child seat Attaching a child seat using the ?ISOFIX? system Attaching child seat using the ?Top Tether? system

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