Deactivating Airbags - Skoda Octavia Owner's Manual

WARNING (Continued)
Only hang light items of clothing on the hooks fitted in the vehicle. Never
■
leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets of the items of
clothing. Additionally, clothes hangers must not be used to hang up items
of clothing.
The installation of impermissible accessories in the vicinity of the head
■
airbags can considerably impair the protection offered by the head airbag in
the event of it being deployed. When the deployed head airbag is inflated,
parts of the accessories fitted could, conditions permitting, be thrown into
the interior of the car and injure the occupants
The sun visors must not be swivelled towards the side windows in the
■
deployment area of the head airbags if any objects, such as ball-point pens,
etc. are attached to them. This might result in injuries to the occupants if
the head airbag is deployed.
There must not be any further persons, animals or objects positioned be-
■
tween the occupants and the deployment area of the airbag. In addition,
none of the occupants should lean their head out of the window when driv-
ing, or extend their arms and hands out of the window.
WARNING
The airbag control unit operates using pressure sensors located in the front
doors. For this reason, no adjustments may be carried out to the doors or
door panels (e.g. installation of additional loudspeakers). Resulting damage
can have a negative impact on the function of the airbag system. Any work
on the front doors and door panels must be carried out by a specialist ga-
rage. The following guidelines must be observed.
Never drive with inner door panels removed.
■
Never drive if parts of the inner door panel have been removed and the
■
resulting openings have not been properly sealed.
Never drive if the loudspeakers in the doors have been removed, unless
■
the loudspeaker openings have been properly sealed.
Always make sure that the openings are covered or filled if additional
■
loudspeakers or other equipment parts have been installed in the inner
door panels.
Always have work carried out by a ŠKODA service partner or a professio-
■
nal specialist garage.
Note
In vehicles with head airbags, the word AIRBAG can be seen on the B column
cladding.
» page 173.

Deactivating airbags


Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Deactivating airbags
Deactivating the front passenger airbag
Deactivating airbags
Deactivating an airbag should be considered in cases such as the ones
outlined below.
›
If using a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat (due to different
legal regulations, the airbag must be deactivated if using a forward-facing
child seat in some countries) » page
›
If not being able to maintain a distance of at least 25 cm between the middle
of the steering wheel and chest, despite the driver's seat being correctly ad-
justed.
›
If special attachments are required in the area of the steering wheel because
of a physical disability.
›
If other seats have been installed (e.g. orthopaedic seats without side air-
bags).
The front passenger airbag can be switched off with the key-operated
switch » page 20, Deactivating the front passenger airbag.
We recommend that you ask a ŠKODA service partner to deactivate any other
airbags as appropriate.
Monitoring the airbag system
The functionality of the airbag system is monitored electronically even if one
of the airbags is switched off.
Airbag was switched off using diagnostic equipment
›
The warning light lights up for approx. 4 seconds after switching on the

ignition and then flashes again for approx. 12 seconds.
Front passenger airbag switched off with the key switch in the storage com-
partment
›
The warning light comes on for about 4 seconds after the ignition has

been switched on.
›
The indicator light » Fig. 14
3
 
is switched on.
21, Transporting children safely.
on page 20 lights up after the ignition
Airbag system
19
20

19