Skoda Fabia: Deactivating airbags

Skoda Fabia Owners Manual

Deactivating an airbag should be considered only in the following cases, for example.

• When using a child seat on the front passenger seat, in which the child has its back to the vehicle's direction of travel (in some countries this must be in the direction of travel due to different legal regulations applying) » page 19, Transporting children safely.
• If it is not possible 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 adjusted.
• 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 airbags).

The front passenger airbag can be switched off with the key-operated switch » page 18.

We recommend that you ask a ŠKODA Service Partner to switch off any other airbags.

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 approximately 3 seconds after the ignition is switched on and then flashes again for approximately 12 seconds.

Front passenger airbag switched off with the key switch in the storage compartment

• The  warning light comes on for about 3 seconds after the ignition
  has been switched on
• The 
  3 » Fig. 12 on page 18 warning light comes on when the ignition is switched on.

Note

• The national regulations for switching off airbags must be observed.
• A ŠKODA Service Partner will be able to inform you which airbags in your vehicle can/must be deactivated.

Switching off the front passenger airbag

Fig. 12 Key-operated switch for the front passenger airbag/warning light for front seat passenger airbag deactivation

Only the front passenger airbag is deactivated with the key switch.

Switching off

• Switch off the ignition.
• Open the passenger door.
• Fold the key bit out completely for the radio key
• Carefully insert the key into the key slot in the key switch as far as the stop.
• Use the key to turn the slot of the key switch into position 2 » Fig. 12 OFF.
• Pull the key out of the slot in the key switch
• Close the passenger door
• Check whether the 3 1)
  warning light in the message
  in the centre of the dash panel lights up after the ignition has been switched on.

Switching on

• Switch off the ignition.
• Open the passenger door.
• Fold the key bit out completely for the radio key
• Carefully insert the key into the key slot in the key switch as far as the stop.
• Use the key to turn the slot of the key switch into position 1 » Fig. 12 ON.
• Pull the key out of the slot in the key switch
• Close the passenger door.
• Check whether the 3  warning light in the  message
  in the centre of the dash panel does not light up after the ignition is switched on.

WARNING

The driver is responsible for whether the airbag is switched on or switched off.

Only switch off the airbag when the ignition is switched off! Otherwise a fault can occur in the system for deactivating the airbag.

If the  warning light flashes, the front passenger airbag will not be
deployed in the event of an accident. Have the airbag system checked by a specialist garage immediately.

The key cannot be inserted in the key switch while driving.

• Shocks can cause the key to turn in the slot and trigger the airbag!
• The airbag can be triggered unexpectedly in an accident - it may result in injury or death!

CAUTION

An insufficiently folded out key bit can damage the key switch!