Seat belts 30
Incorrectly fastened seat belts
Incorrectly worn seat belts can cause severe injuries.
Seat belts can provide optimal protection only if the belt web is
properly worn. This is particularly true of seat belts with two buckles.
The seat belts must be fastened exactly in the order described in this
chapter. An incorrect sitting position impairs substantially the
protection a seat belt offers and can lead to severe or fatal injuries.
The risk of severe or fatal injuries is especially increased when a
deploying airbag strikes an occupant who has assumed an incorrect
sitting position. As driver, you are responsible for the safety of all
vehicle occupants, especially children. Therefore:
– Never permit anyone to assume an incorrect sitting position in
the vehicle while travelling Ÿ.
WARNING
An incorrectly worn seat belt increases the risk of severe injuries.
•Before every trip, instruct your passengers to adjust their seat belts
properly and to wear them during the trip.
•Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the use
of seat belts Ÿpage 22 and Ÿpage 27.
Belt tension devices
Function of the belt tension device
During a frontal collision, the seat belts on the front seats are
retracted automatically.
The seat belts for the front occupants are equipped with belt tension devices.
Sensors will trigger the belt tension devices during severe head-on, lateral
and rear collisions only if the seat belt is being worn. This retracts and
tightens the seat belts, reducing the forward motion of the occupants.
The belt tension device can be triggered only once.
The belt tension devices will not be triggered in the event of a light frontal,
side or rear collision, if the vehicle overturns, or in situations where no large
forces act on the front, side or rear of the vehicle.
Note
•If the belt tension devices are triggered, a fine dust is produced. This is
normal and is no indication that there was a fire in the vehicle.
•The relevant safety requirements must be observed when the vehicle or
components of the system are scrapped. A qualified workshop is familiar with
these regulations and will be pleased to pass on the information to you.
Service and disposal of belt tension devices
The belt tension devices are components of the seat belts that are installed
in the seats of your vehicle. If you work on the belt tension devices or remove
and install parts of the system when performing other repair work, the seat
belt may be damaged. The consequence may be that, in the event of an acci-
dent, the belt tension devices function incorrectly or not at all.
Airbag system43
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a
•Do not attempt to modify components of the airbag system in any way.
•The side and head airbags are managed through sensors located in the
interior of the front doors. To ensure the correct functioning of the side and
head airbags neither the doors nor the door panels should be modified in
any way (e.g. fitting loudspeakers). If the front door is damaged in any way,
this may affect the correct working of the system. All work carried out on
the front door must be made in a qualified workshop.
Deactivating airbags*
Disabling front passenger front and side airbags
The passenger airbags must be disconnected when a rear
facing child seat is fitted in the front passenger seat.The key switch can be used to disconnect the front and side airbag
for the passenger seat. All the other airbags in the vehicle remain
functional.
Disabling front and side airbags for front passenger
– Switch off ignition.
– Open centre compartment on instrument panel:
– Using the ignition key, turn the switch to OFF Ÿfig. 28.
– Check if, when the ignition is switched on, that the warning lamp
“PASS AIRBAG OFF” on the instrument panel Ÿfig. 29 remains lit
Ÿ.
– Close centre compartment on instrument panel:
Enabling front and side airbags for front passenger
– Switch off ignition.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 28 Interior of centre
compartment on instru-
ment panel: Key switch for
switching off the front
passenger airbags
Fig. 29 Warning lamp for
disabling airbag in dash
panel