Skoda Rapid 2013 Owner's Manual page 75

WARNING
Solvent-based cleaning agents cause the surface of the airbag modules to be-
come porous. In an accident with airbag deployment, plastic parts coming
loose may cause serious injuries.
Never use solvent-based cleaning agents to clean the instrument panel and
■
the surface of the airbag modules.
Indicator light

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 72.
Illuminates Location Possible cause
Instrument Airbag system

cluster. disturbed.
When switching on the ignition, some warning and indicator lights illuminate
briefly as a function test. They will extinguish after a few seconds.
WARNING
If the airbag system is defective, the airbag may not deploy properly, not at all,
or unexpectedly, which can cause serious or fatal injuries.
Have the airbag system checked immediately by a specialist garage.
■
Never install a child seat in the passenger seat or remove the existing child
■
seat! The front passenger airbag could deploy in an accident despite the dis-
turbance.
CAUTION
Always take notice of illuminated indicator lights and corresponding descriptions
and instructions to avoid vehicle damage.
Remedy
Visit a specialist garage and have
the system checked immediately.
Description and function of the airbags

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 72.
The airbag can protect the vehicle occupants in an accident by damping the
movement of the occupants in frontal collisions in the direction of impact.

Each deployed airbag is inflated by a gas generator. This break opens the respec-
tive airbag covers and the airbags deploy under high force in milliseconds in their
deployment areas. When an occupant wearing a seat belt sinks into the inflated
airbag, the contained gas escapes to support and decelerate the occupant. This
reduces the risk of serious and fatal injuries. Other injuries such as swelling,
bruises and abrasions can not be excluded by the deployed airbag. The inflation
of the deployed airbag may also generate friction heat. Airbags do not protect the
arms and lower body parts.
The most important factors for deploying the airbag are the type of accident, the
impact angle, the vehicle speed and the nature of the object with which the vehi-
cle collides. Airbags therefore do not deploy in case of every visible vehicle dam-
age.
Whether or not an airbag is deployed depends on the vehicle's deceleration rate
caused by the impact, which is registered by an electronic control unit. If the val-
ue of the deceleration rate is below the reference value programmed in the con-
trol unit, the airbags are not deployed despite possible serious damage to the ve-
hicle by an accident. The vehicle damage, repair costs or even the lack of damage
to the vehicle in an accident must be no indication whether an airbag should de-
ploy or not. Since the situations of different collisions can vary widely, it is impos-
sible to define a range of vehicle speeds and reference values. Therefore, it is not
possible to cover every conceivable kind of impact and impact angle that would
lead to deploy the airbags. Important factors for deploying the airbags include the
nature of the object (hard or soft) with which the vehicle collides, the impact an-
gle and vehicle speed.
Airbags are used only as a supplement to the three-point seat belts in certain ac-

cident situations, if the deceleration of the vehicle is high enough to deploy the
airbags. Airbags deploy only once and only under certain conditions. The seat
belts are always there to provide protection in such situations in which airbags
should not deploy or if they have already deployed. For example, if the vehicle is
collided after the first collision with another vehicle or is hit by another vehicle.
The airbag system is part of the total passive vehicle safety concept. The best
possible protection by the airbag system can only be achieved in conjunction with
properly applied seat belts and a correct seated position » page 66.
 
73
Airbag system