Skoda Rapid Owner's Manual page 20

Depending on the vehicle equipment, the airbag system consists of the
following parts.
▶
Individual airbags.
▶
Indicator light in the instrument cluster

Airbag deployment
Fig. 8 Inflated airbags
The airbag system is only functional when the ignition is switched on.
When triggered, the airbag fills with gas and unfolds. The airbag inflates in a
fraction of a second.
When the airbag inflates, smoke is released. This is not a sign of a fire in the
vehicle.
Triggering conditions
It is not possible to generally determine which deployment conditions apply to
the airbag system in every situation. The important factors here are the hard-
ness of the object with which the vehicle collides, the angle of impact, vehicle
speed etc.
A decisive factor in the deployment of the airbags is the degree of deceleration
at the time. 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 damage to the bodywork as a consequence of the accident.
The following airbags will be deployed in the event of a severe frontal
collision.
▶
Driver's front airbag.
▶
Front passenger airbag.
18
Safety
» page 30.
The following events occur when an airbag deploys.
▶
The hazard warning lights are switched on.
▶
All the doors are unlocked.
▶
The fuel supply to the engine is cut off.
▶
The interior light illuminates (if the automatic operation of the interior light is
switched on – switch ).
When is the airbag not deployed?
In the event of minor frontal and side collisions, rear-end collisions, the airbag
is not deployed, or if the vehicle overturns or rolls over.
Safety instructions
WARNING
General information
The seat belts and the airbag system can only offer optimum protection
■
if the driver and passengers are seated properly
The airbag unleashes enormous force when triggered, which can lead to
■
serious injuries or fatalities if the driver and passengers are not seated
properly. This applies in particular to children who are transported without
using a suitable child safety seat.
If there is a fault, have the airbag system checked immediately by a spe-
■
cialist garage. Otherwise, there is a risk of the airbag not being activated in
the event of an accident.
If the airbag has been deployed, the airbag system must then be replaced.
■
The surface of the steering wheel and the dash panel should only be
■
cleaned with a dry or slightly dampened cloth in the area of the front air-
bags.
Fig. 9
Safe distance from the steering
wheel and dashboard
» page 12.
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