Belt Tensioners - Skoda Fabia 2003 Owner's Manual

118 Seat belts
WARNING
•
The pelvic belt must always sit firmly across the pelvis; tighten
the belt webbing if necessary.
•
An unused pelvic belt should be stowed away together with the
lock for safety reasons.
Three-point safety belt for the middle rear seat*
It is used in the same way as the normal three-point seat belts on the left
and right (at front and rear). The middle three-point seat belt must be put
on first to allow the pelvic part of the belt to be pulled through between the
belt lock for the right three-point seat belt and the backrest, while avoiding
crossing the belt webbing of the middle and side seat belts.
WARNING
The three-point safety belt for the middle of the rear seat can only
fulfil its function reliably when the backrests of the rear seats are
correctly locked into position ⇒ page 29.

Belt tensioners

Safety for the driver and front passenger wearing their seat belts is
enhanced by the belt tensioners fitted to the inertia reels of the front three-
point seat belts.
The fastened three-point seat belts are automatically tensioned in the
event of a frontal collision of a certain severity. On vehicles fitted with side
airbags, a seat belt which is not fastened is also tensioned.
The belt tensioner is deployed in the event of a frontal collision of major
severity. A powder charge is ignited in the inertia reels during deployment.
The belt webbing is pulled into the inertia reels by a mechanical system
and the belt is tensioned.
Belt tensioners are not activated in the event of minor frontal collisions,
side and rear-end collisions, in the case of a rollover and also not in acci-
dents in which no major forces are produced from the front.
WARNING
•
The service life of seat belts and belt tensioners is 15 years from
the date of manufacture of the vehicle. It is then necessary to have
the seat belts replaced by a Škoda dealer.
•
Any work on the belt tightener system, including removal and
installation of system components because of other repair work,
must only be carried out by Škoda dealer.
•
The protective function of the system is only adequate for a
single accident. If the belt tensioners have been deployed, it is then
necessary to replace the entire system.
•
The Owner's Manual must also be handed over to the new
owner if the vehicle is sold.
Note
•
Smoke is generated when the belt tensioners are deployed. This is not
an indication of a fire in the vehicle.
•
It is essential to pay attention to relevant safety regulations if the
vehicle or individual parts of the system are scrapped. Škoda dealers are
familiar with these regulations and will be able to provide you with detailed
information in this respect.