2006 Alfa Romeo GT child restraint

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
32
CARRYING CHILDREN
SAFELY
For the best level of protection in the
event of a crash, all occupants must trav-
el seated and secured by suitable restraint
systems. This is even more important for
children.
According to 2003/20/EC Directive,
this prescription is compulsory for all
European Community countries.
Compared with adults, a child’s head is
proportionately larger and heavier than
the rest of the body, while muscles and
bone structure are not completely devel-
oped. Therefore, in order to restrain them
correctly in the event of a crash, different
systems are needed than adult seat belts.
The results of research on the best pro-
tection for a child are summarised in
European Standard ECE- R44, which in
addition to making them compulsory, sub-
divides restraint systems into five groups:
Group 0 - until 10 kg in weight
Group 0+ - until 13 kg in weight
Group 1 9 - 18 kg in weight
Group 2 15 - 25 kg in weight
Group 3 22 - 36 kg in weightAs it may be noted, the groups overlap
partly and in fact, in commerce it is possible
to find devices that cover more than one
weight group.
All the restraint devices must bear the
homologation data, together with the con-
trol brand, on a solidly fixed label which
must absolutely not be removed.
Over 1,50 m in height, from the point of
view of restraint systems, children are con-
sidered as adults and wear belt normally.
The Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo includes
seats for each weight group, which are the
recommended choice because they have
been designed and specifically experi-
mented for Alfa Romeo cars.
With passenger’s air bag
active, never place child’s
seats with the cradle fac-
ing backwards since the air bag ac-
tivation could cause to the child se-
rious injuries, even mortal, re-
gardless of the seriousness of the
crash that triggered it. You are ad-
vised to carry children always with
proper restraint systems on the
rear seats, as this is the most pro-
tected position in the case of a
crash.SERIOUS DANGER
If it is absolutely
necessary to carry a
child on the front passenger seat
with the cradle child’s seat facing
backwards, the front passenger’s
air bag must be deactivated using
the key switch. In this case it is ab-
solutely necessary to check the
warning light Fon the instru-
ment panel (see paragraph “Pas-
senger’s front air bag”) to make
sure that deactivation has actual-
ly taken place. Moreover, the front
passenger’s seat shall be adjust-
ed in the most backward position
to prevent any contact between
the child’s seat and the dashboard.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
35
PASSENGER SEAT COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS ON CHILD’S SEAT USE
The car omplies with the new EC Directive 2000/3 regulating child’s seat assembling on the different car seats according to the follow-
ing table:
Key:
U= suitable for child restraint systems of the “Universal category”, according to European Standard ECE-R44 for the specified “Group”.
Group
Group 0, 0+
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Range of weight
until 13 kg
9-18 kg
15-25 kg
22-36 kgFront
passenger
U
U
U
URear
passengers
U
U
U
UCentral
passenger
U
U
U
U

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
36
Below is a summary of the safe-
ty rules to be observed when car-
rying children:
– The recommended position for
installing a child’s seat is on the rear seat,
as it is the most protected in the event of
a crash.
– If the passenger’s air bag is deactivat-
ed,alwayscheck the warning light
F
on the cluster to make sure that it has
actually been deactivated.
– Carefully follow the instructions pro-
vided with the child’s seat, which the sup-
plier is obliged to attach. Keep them in the
car together with the documents and this
booklet. Do not use used seats without
the instructions for use.
– Always pull the tape to check that
belts are buckled.With passenger’s air bag
active, never place child’s
seats with the cradle fac-
ing backwards since the air bag ac-
tivation could cause to the child se-
rious injuries, even mortal, re-
gardless of the seriousness of the
crash that triggered it. You are ad-
vised to carry children always with
proper restraint systems on the
rear seats, as this is the most pro-
tected position in the case of a
crash.– All restraint systems are strictly for one
child only: never use for two children at
the same time.
– Always make sure that the belts do
not rest on the child’s neck.
– During the journey, do not allow the
child to stay in abnormal positions or
release the belts.
– Do not carry children in your arms, not
even small babies. No-one, however
strong, can keep hold od them in a crash.
– In the case of accidents, replace the
child’s seat with a new one.
PRESETTING FOR
MOUNTING THE
“TYPE ISOFIX” CHILD
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
The vehicle is fitted with rear seat
arranged for mounting type Isofix child
restraint system, a European standardised
system for mounting child restraints. Type
Isofix is an additional option that does not
prevent from using traditional child
restraint systems. The type Isofix child’s
seat covers three weight groups: 0, 0+
and 1.
Due to its different anchoring system,
the type Isofix child’s seat shall be
anchored just using the metal brackets
(A-fig. 47) set between rear seat back
and cushion.
fig. 47
A0A0671b

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
37
Mount the child restraint
system only with the car
stationary. The Isofix child
restraint system is properly an-
chored to the mounting brackets
when clicks are heard. In any case,
keep to the installation instructions
that must be provided by the child
restraint system Manufacturer.– push the child restraint system until
hearing the locking clicks;
– check proper locking by moving the
child’s seat with force: the built-in safety
mechanism actually inhibits proper cou-
pling with only one coupling locked.
It is possible to mount both the tradi-
tional restraint system and the type Isofix
one, one on the left and the other on the
right, for example.
Since sizes are different, it is possible to
install max two traditional child’s seats on
the rear seats, or two type Isofix child’s
seats. On the front passenger’s seat it is
possible to mount only traditional child’s
seats.
These child’s seats are recommended
since they have been designed and exper-
imented expressely for this car.
fig. 48
A0A0663b
FITTING THE TYPE ISOFIX
CHILD’S SEAT
Groups 0 and 0+
For children of the 0 and 0+ group
(babies up to 13 Kg), the child’s seat is
facing backwards and the child is restrained
by the child’s seat belts (D-fig. 48).
As the child grows, passing to weight
group 1, the child’s seat shall be fitted fac-
ing forwards.
For proper mounting proceed as follows:
– check whether the release lever (B) is
at rest position (inward);
– find the presetting brackets (A), then
position the child restraint system with the
fastening devices (C) aligned with the
brackets;

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
38
Group 1
For proper mounting proceed as follows:
– check whether the release lever (B-
fig. 49) is at rest position (inward);
– find the presetting brackets (A), then
position the child restraint system with fas-
tening devices (C) aligned with the brack-
ets;
– push the child restraint system until
hearing the locking clicks;
– check proper locking by moving the
child’s seat with force: the built-in safety
mechanism actually inhibits improper cou-
pling with only one coupling locked.FRONT AND SIDE
AIR BAGS
The car is fitted with front air bags for
the driver and for the passenger (side
bags - window bags).
FRONT AIR BAGS
The front air bag (driver’s and passen-
ger’s) has been designed to protect the
occupants in the event of of head-on
crashes of medium-high severity by plac-
ing the cushion between the occupant and
the steering wheel or dashboard.
Front air bags are designed to protect
the car occupants in front crashes and
therefore non-activation in other types of
collisions (side collisions, rear-end shunts,
roll-overs, etc...) is not a system malfunc-
tion.
In the case of a crash, an electronic con-
trol unit, when necessary, triggers inflation
of the cushion.
The cushion inflates instantaneously, set-
ting itself between the body of the front
occupants and the structures that could
cause injury. The cushion then deflates
immediately afterwards. With this configuration, the child is
secured also by the car seat belt and by
the upper belt. To apply car seat belts to
child’s seat refer to the child’s seat hand-
book.
fig. 49
A0A0664b

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
40
PASSENGER’S FRONT AIR BAG
It is formed of a cushion contained in a
special recess of the dashboard that inflates
instantaneously and a cushion of bigger vol-
ume than the driver’s one
(fig. 51).
MANUAL DEACTIVATION OF
PASSENGER’S FRONT AIR BAG
(
fig. 52)(optional for versions /
markets where applicable)
Should it be absolutely necessary to
carry a child on the front seat, the pas-
senger’s font air bag can be deactivated.
Deactivation/reactivation takes place
with ignition key at STOPand through
the key operating the switch in the glove
compartment. SERIOUS DANGER
If it is absolutely
necessary to carry a
child on the front passenger seat
with the cradle child’s seat facing
backwards, the front passenger’s
air bags must be deactivated using
the key switch. In this case it is ab-
solutely necessary to check the
warning light Fon the instru-
ment panel (see paragraph “Pas-
senger’s front air bag”) to make
sure that deactivation has actual-
ly taken place. Moreover, the front
passenger’s seat shall be adjust-
ed in the most backward position
to prevent any contact between
the child’s seat and the dashboard.
fig. 51
A0A0392b
fig. 52
A0A0392b
With passenger’s air bag
active, never place child’s
seats with the cradle fac-
ing backwards since the air bag ac-
tivation could cause to the child se-
rious injuries, even mortal, re-
gardless of the seriousness of the
crash that triggered it. You are ad-
vised to carry children always with
proper restraint systems on the
rear seats, as this is the most pro-
tected position in the case of a
crash.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
41
The key can be inserted and removed in
both positions.
IMPORTANTUse the switch only with
the engine off and the ignition key
removed.
The key-operated switch has two posi-
tions:
– passenger’s front air bag activated
(ONpositionP): warning light
Fon
instrument cluster off; it is absolutely pro-
hibited to carry a child on the front seat.
– passenger’s front air bag deactivated
(OFFposition
F): warning light Fon
instrument cluster on; it is possible to
carry a child protected by special restraint
systems on the front seat.
The warning light
Fon the cluster
stays on permanently until the passen-
ger’s air bag is reactivated.
Deactivation of the passenger’s front air
bag does not inhibit operation of the side
air bag.
SIDE AIR BAGS
(SIDE BAG - WINDOW BAG)
SIDE BAG (
fig. 53)
The side bag is formed of an instanta-
neously-inflating cushion housed in the
back rest of the front seat and protects the
chest of occupants in case of a side crash
of medium-high severity.
WINDOW BAG (fig. 54)
The window bag is formed of two “cur-
tain” cushions housed in the side roof lin-
ing covered by a special trim, which pro-
tects the head of front and rear occupants
in the event of a side crash thanks to the
wide cushion inflation surface.
IMPORTANTIn the event of side
crash, you can obtain the best protection
by the system keeping a correct position
on the seat, thus allowing correct window
bag unfolding.
fig. 53
A0A0614b
fig. 54
A0A0615b