Hi Guys

I've got a 54 plate Mk1 VRS estate, as the family has expanded I've had a look at deactivating the passenger side airbag so we can (occasionally) put a babyseat on the front passenger seat. I had a quick look at the manual today which indicated a switch in the glovebox would sort it...well my VRS ain't got one.

Am I missing something (every possibility!) or do I have to go to a dealer with this? Is it because the VRS was not considered a 'family car' so wouldn't need this option?

Thanks in advance!

I think like the Seat Leon, there was an option on the Octavia to have a switch in the glovebox with a keyhole to turn the passenger airbag on/off with the car key. I don't think many Octavias have it though. You would probably need to install a switch yourself - although I'd take it to a specialist as fiddling with airbags can be a bit risky.

I saw an ex-police estate at the weekend that had the airbags de-activated - the other downside is you get a warning light on the dash!

if the switch is there you will see an ignition key like switch - you'd need to use your keys to disable it

if not installed as standard as stated above it will be a pain to get installed

if the switch is there you will see an ignition key like switch - you'd need to use your keys to disable it

if not installed as standard as stated above it will be a pain to get installed

Arse! Definitely no switch there! I'll speak to a contact at the local Police garage and see if they deactivate their Octys.

Thanks everyone for your help!

As long as your child seat is forward facing it shouldnt be an issue. Its not recommended for rearward facing ones, as the airbag would throw the child backwards.

As long as your child seat is forward facing it shouldnt be an issue. Its not recommended for rearward facing ones, as the airbag would throw the child backwards.

It's a rear-facing one.

I'm in the same boat as you ade. We are thinking of having our third child and I refuse to get rid of the vRS. There's no need to get a bigger car as some families with three kids get by with smaller cars. The only problem is these damn seats - they're so bulky! Like you, I don't have the airbag switch, so we may have to put our eldest daughter who's three in the passenger seat in her forward facing Recaro with ISOFIX. Whoever isn't driving in the back with the two youngest children.

It's a squeeze for whichever adult is in the back, but I cannot, repeat CANNOT bring myself to buy a people carrier. My mate from Barnsley calls them Spaz Wagons. It may not be the most politically correct of names, but he's not far off the mark in terms of how you look whilst driving one.

Dealers can deactivate them. I was offered this when we bought our car, but chose not to.

Indeed the dealer can deactivate it for you if the switch is not present in the glovebox. They hook up the diag equipment and code out the passenger bag.

The switch was standard on the Leon and an option on the Octavia. You can also turn off the passenger airbag with VCDS, no need to go to the dealer.

Don't forget you will need to inform your insurance company,if you disable the airbag permanently.

The switch was standard on the Leon and an option on the Octavia. You can also turn off the passenger airbag with VCDS, no need to go to the dealer.

'Scuse my ignorance, what's VCDS?

Thanks again everyone for the help so far.

VCDS is basically VAG-COM. A computer program that links through a cable to your ECU. You can reset and desifer fault codes, reprogram certain devices. Its about £25-£30 for a diagnositic check from garages. I have just downloaded the VCDS program for free, and bought a lead off ebay for £8. Going to have a play this weekend. Check out the VCDS and diagnostic forum.