Seat Belts - Skoda Rapid Owner's Manual

52 Sitting properly and safely

Seat belts

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Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Frontal collision and the laws of physics
What happens to occupants not wearing seat belts?
Seat belts protect
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Using the seat belts
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Fastening or releasing the safety belt
Routing of the belt webbing
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Seat belt height adjuster
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Inertia reel
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Regularly check the condition of all seat belts. In case of damage to the webbing,
the belt connections, the inertia reel or the lock, have the seat belt immediately
replaced by a specialist garage ⇒
. The specialist garage must use the correct
replacement parts that fit the vehicle, the equipment, and the model year. Škoda
recommends a Škoda partner for this purpose.
Additional information and warnings:
● Adjusting the seat position ⇒ p age 44
● Airbag system⇒ p age 60
● Child seats (optional) ⇒ p age 66
● Accessories, spare parts, repairs and modifications ⇒ p age 172
WARNING
Failure to wear seat belts or improperly adjusted seat belts increase the risk
of serious or fatal injuries. Optimal protection is achieved only if the seat belts
are fastened and used correctly.
● Safety belts are the most effective means to reduce the risk of serious and
fatal injuries in accidents. To protect the driver and all passengers, the seat
belts must always be fastened and adjusted correctly when the vehicle is
moving.
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WARNING (Continued)
● Before each journey, each occupant in the vehicle must always assume the
correct seated position and correctly fasten the seat belt belonging to his or
her seat and keep it properly fastened during the ride. This applies to all pas-
sengers and also in city traffic.
● Secure children in the vehicle during the ride with a restraint system ap-
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propriate to their body weight and body size and properly fastened seat belts
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⇒ p age 66.
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● Only depart when all the passengers are properly wearing their seat belt.
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● Always insert the lock tongue into the belt buckle of the associated seat
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and let it securely snap into place. Failure to use a belt buckle belonging to
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the seat reduces the protective effect and can cause serious injuries.
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● Never let objects and liquids enter into the slots of the belt buckles. This
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may impair the functions of the belt buckles and seat belts.
● Never release seat belts while driving.
● Always secure only one person with the same seat belt.
● Never carry children or babies on the lap and secure them with your seat
belt.
● Do not wear bulky, loose clothing, such as a coat over a jacket, during the
ride as it may impair the proper seating and the function of the seat belt.
WARNING
Damaged seat belts pose a great danger and can cause serious or fatal inju-
ries.
● Never damage a seat belt by getting it jammed in the door or in the seat
mechanism.
● If the fabric or other parts of the seat belt are damaged, the seat belts may
tear in an accident or sudden braking manoeuvre.
● Have damaged seat belts immediately replaced by seat belts that are ap-
proved by Škoda for the vehicle. Seat belts which have been subjected to
stress in an accident and were therefore stretched must be replaced by a spe-
cialist garage. The renewal may be necessary even if no damage is obvious.
The anchorage points for the belts should also be checked.
● Never try to repair, modify or remove the seat belts yourself. All repairs to
seat belts, inertia reels and lock parts must be performed only by a specialist
garage.
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