Skoda Octavia COMBI 2007 Owner's Manual page 171

170 Airbag system
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 158, "Why
seat belts?".
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
The risk of injury to the head and neck 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 rele-
vant side airbag on the side of the car on which the accident occurs
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
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.
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 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.
Important safety information on the head airbag
Correct use of the airbag system considerably reduces the risk of
injury!
•
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
Fig. 171 Inflated head
airbags be deactivated. When transporting a child on the front passenger
airbag
seat, please comply with the appropriate national regulations regarding the
use of child safety seats.
•
⇒ fig.
171.
airbags which might prevent the airbags from inflating properly.
•
⇒ fig.
171.
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.
•
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.
WARNING
It is essential to always switch off ⇒ page 171, "Deactivating an airbag"
There must not be any objects in the deployment area of the head
Only hang light items of clothing on the clothes hooks to the vehicle.
The airbag control unit operates together with the sensors, which are