Front Airbags - Skoda Superb Owner's Manual

162 Airbag system
The airbags are not deployed in the case of minor frontal and side collisions, rear-
end collisions, tilting of the vehicle and vehicle rollover.
Deployment factors
It is not possible to state globally which deployment conditions apply to the airbag
system in every situation as the circumstances which exist in the case of accidents
vary greatly. An important role in this case, for example, is played by factors such as
the type of object against which the vehicle impacts (hard, soft), the angle of impact,
the vehicle speed etc.
A decisive factor for the deployment of the airbags is the deceleration which occurs
during a collision. The control unit analyses the nature of the collision and activates
the relevant restraint system. If the vehicle deceleration which occurs and is meas-
ured 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 airbags are not deployed if:

ignition off,

a minor frontal collision,

a minor side collision,

a rear-end collision,

Rollover of the vehicle.
Note

A grey white or red, non harmful gas is released when airbag is inflated. This is
perfectly normal and is not an indication of a fire in the vehicle.

The dash panel must be replaced after the front passenger airbag has been
deployed.

In the event of an accident in which the airbags are deployed:
 The interior lighting comes on (if the switch for the interior light is in the door
contact position),
 The hazard warning light is switched on,
 All the doors are unlocked,
 the battery in the luggage compartment is switched off,
 the fuel supply to the engine is interrupted.

Front airbags

Description of the front airbags
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belt!
Fig. 157 Driver airbag in the steering wheel/front passenger airbag in the dash panel
The front airbag for the driver is housed in the steering wheel
front airbag for the front passenger is housed in the dash panel above the storage
compartment  fig. 157 - right. The installation positions are each marked with the
"AIRBAG" logo.
The front airbag system, in combination with three-point safety belts, offers addi-
tional protection for the head and chest area of the driver and front passenger in
the event of a frontal collision of major severity  page 163, "Important safety infor-
mation regarding the front airbag system".
The airbag is not a substitute for the seat belt, but is part of the complete passive
vehicle safety concept. Please note that an airbag can only offer you optimal
protection in combination with a seat belt which is fastened.
Apart from their normal protective function, a further task of the seat belts is to also
hold the driver and front passenger in a correct seated position in the event of a
frontal collision so as to enable the front airbags to offer the maximum protection.
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 157, "Why
seat belts?".
Note
The dash panel must be replaced after the front passenger airbag has been
deployed.
 fig. 157
- left. The