Head Airbags - Skoda Fabia Owner's Manual

WARNING (continued)

Any work on the side airbag system including removing and installing
system components because of other repair work (e.g. removing seats) must
only be carried out by a specialist garage.

Head airbags*

Description of the head airbags
The head airbag together with the side airbag offers enhanced occu-
pant protection in the event of a side collision.
The head airbags are positioned above the doors on both sides in the interior of the
 fig.
car 119. The installation positions of the head airbags are each marked with the
"AIRBAG" logo.
The head airbag together with the three-point seat belts and the side airbags, offers
additional protection for the head and neck area of the occupants in the event of a side
collision of major severity 
on page 128.
Apart from their normal protective function, a further task of the seat belts is to also
hold the driver and the occupants in a correct seated position in the event of a side
collision so as to enable the head 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 117.
Using the system Safety
Fig. 119 Installation position of the
head airbags
in "Important safety information on the head airbag"
Driving Tips
Together with other elements (such as cross bars in the doors, stable vehicle structure)
the head airbags are the consequent further development of occupant protection in
the case of side collisions.
Function of the head airbags
The risk of injury to the head and neck area is reduced in the event of a
side collision by fully inflated head airbags.
In the case of a side collision the head airbag is deployed together with the relevant
side airbag on the side on which the accident occurs
If the system is deployed, the airbag is filled with propellant gas and covers the entire
area of the side window including the door pillars
The protection offered by the head airbags is thus available simultaneously both to the
front occupants of the car seated on the side on which the collision occurs, as well as
to the rear occupants. Any impact of the head against parts of the interior or objects
outside of the car, is cushioned by the inflated head airbag. The reduction in any
impact to the head and the resultant minimizing of any movements of the head addi-
tionally reduce the risk of injuries to the neck area. In certain accident situations, the
front, side and head airbag are simultaneously deployed.
The airbags inflate in fractions of a second and at a high speed in order to be able to
offer that additional protection in the event of an accident. A grey white, non harmful
gas is released when airbag is inflated. This is perfectly normal and is not an indication
of a fire in the vehicle.
General Maintenance Breakdown assistance
Airbag system 127
Fig. 120 Inflated head airbag
 fig.
120.
 fig.
120.
Technical Data