Front Airbags - Skoda Octavia Owner's Manual

Deployment factors
It is not possible to generally determine which deployment conditions apply to
the airbag system in every situation. An important role is played by factors such
as the type of object that the vehicle hits (hard, soft), the impact angle, vehicle
speed, etc.
A decisive factor for the deployment of the airbags is the deceleration which oc-
curs. The control unit analyses the nature of the collision and activates the rele-
vant restraint system. If the vehicle deceleration which occurs and is measured
during the collision remains below the prescribed reference values specified in
the control unit, the airbags are not deployed although the vehicle may well suf-
fer severe damage to the bodywork as a consequence of the accident.
The following will be deployed in the event of a severe frontal collision:
›
driver's front airbag;
›
passenger's front airbag.
The following will be deployed in the event of a severe side collision:
›
front side airbag on the side of the accident;
›
head airbags on the side of the accident.
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 fuel supply to the engine is interrupted.
Note
A grey white or red, non-harmful gas is released when the airbag is inflated. This
is perfectly normal and is not an indication of a fire in the vehicle.
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Safety

Front airbags

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Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Description of the front airbags
Function of the front airbags
WARNING
For the driver and front passenger it is important to maintain a distance of
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at least 25 cm to the steering wheel or dash panel
ing this minimum distance will mean that the airbag system will not be able to
properly protect you - hazard! The front seats and the head restraints must
always also be correctly adjusted to match the body size of the occupant.
The airbag develops enormous forces when triggered, which can lead to in-
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juries if the sitting position or seated position is not correct.
There must not by any further persons, animals or objects positioned be-

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tween the front seated occupants and the deployment area of the airbag.
Never transport children on the front seat of a vehicle without using a prop-
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er restraint system. If airbags are deployed in the event of an accident, the
child might suffer severe or even fatal injuries!
It is essential to always switch off the front passenger airbag when attach-
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ing a child safety seat to the front passenger seat where the child is seated
with its back facing in direction of travel
Fig. 116
Safe distance to steering wheel
» Fig. 116 . Not maintain-
A
» page 140, Deactivating airbags. If
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