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Seat belts23
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
– Adjust the seat and head restraint correctly.
– To fasten the belt, take hold of the latch plate and pull it slowly
across your chest and lap.
– Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the appropriate seat and push it down until it is securely locked with an audible click
⇒page 22, fig. 11.
– Pull the belt to ensure that the latch plate is securely engaged in the buckle.The seat belts are equipped with an automatic retractor on the shoulder
strap. Full freedom of movement is permitted when the shoulder belt is pulled
slowly. However, during sudden braking, during travel in mountains or bends
and during acceleration, the automati c retractor on the shoulder belt is
locked.
The automatic belt retractors on the front seats are fitted with belt tension
devices ⇒page 26.
WARNING
•
An incorrectly worn seat belt web can cause severe injuries in the event
of an accident.
•
The seat belts offer best protection only when the backrests are in an
upright position and the seat belt s have been fastened properly.
•
Never put the latch plate in the buckle of another seat. If you do this, the
seat belt will not protect you properly and the risk of injury is increased.
•
If an occupant is incorrectly belted in, the belt cannot protect him or her
properly. An incorrectly positioned belt web can cause extremely severe
injuries.
•
Always engage the retractor lock when you are securing a child seat in
group 0, 0+ or 1 ⇒ page 43.
Seat belt position
Seat belts offer their maximum pr otection only when they are
properly positioned.
Fig. 12 Correct belt web
and head restraint posi-
tions, viewed from frontFig. 13 Correct belt web
and head restraint posi-
tions, viewed from side
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Seat belts
24The following features are available to adjust the seat belt in the shoulder
region:•
belt height ad justment for the front seats.
•
front seat height adjustment*.
WARNING
•
An incorrectly worn seat belt web c an cause severe injuries in the event
of an accident.
•
The shoulder part of the seat belt mu st lie on the centre of the shoulder,
never across the neck. The seat belt must lie flat and snugly on the torso
⇒ page 23, fig. 12 .
•
The lap part of the seat belt must lie across the pelvis, never across the
stomach. The seat belt must lie flat and snugly on the pelvis ⇒page 23,
fig. 13. Pull the belt tight if necessary to take up any slack.
•
Read and observe the warnings ⇒ page 21.
Pregnant women must also fasten their seat belts properly
The best protection for the unborn child is for the mother to
wear the seat belt properly at all times during the pregnancy.The seat belt provides maximum protection only when the belt web
is properly positioned ⇒page 23.
– Adjust the front seat and head restraint correctly ⇒page 9.
– Holding the latch plate, pull the belt evenly across your chest and as low as possible over the pelvis ⇒fig. 14 .
– Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the corresponding seat and push it down until it is secu rely locked with an audible click
⇒ .
– Pull the belt to ensure that the latch plate is securely engaged in the buckle.
Fig. 14 Positioning seat
belts during pregnancy
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Seat belts25
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
WARNING
•
An incorrectly worn seat belt web can cause severe injuries in the event
of an accident.
•
For pregnant women, the lap part of the seat belt must lie as low as
possible over the pelvis, never across the stomach, and always lie flat so
that no pressure is exerted on the abdomen.
•
Read and observe the warnings ⇒page 21.
Seat belt release
The seat belt must not be unfastened until the vehicle has
come to a standstill.– Press the red button on the belt buckle ⇒fig. 15. The latch plate
is released and springs out ⇒ . – Guide the belt back by hand so that it rolls up easily and the trim
is not damaged
WARNING
Never unbuckle a seat belt while the vehicle is in motion. If you do, you
increase the risk of sustaining severe or fatal injuries.Adjusting the seat belt height
Seat belt height adjusters can be used to adjust the position
of the seat belt at the shoulder.The seat belt adjuster for the front seats can be used to adjust the
proper belt position at the shoulder.
Fig. 15 Removing latch
plate from buckle
Fig. 16 Location of the
belt height adjuster
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Seat belts
26
– Press the upper part of the shoulder belt guide and hold it in this position ⇒page 25, fig. 16.
– Move the shoulder belt guide up or down until you have adjusted the seat belt ⇒page 23.
– After adjusting, pull the shoulder belt sharply to check that the catch on the shoulder belt guide is engaged securely.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. 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 all vehicle occupants, especially children. Therefore:
– Never permit anyone to assume an incorrect sitting position in the vehicle while travelling ⇒.
WARNING
•
An incorrectly worn seat belt incr eases 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 ⇒ page 21.
Belt tension devices*Function of the belt tension device
During a frontal collision, the se at belts on the front seats are
tensioned 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 ca n 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 devicesThe 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.
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Seat belts27
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
So that the effectiveness of the belt tension device is not reduced and that
removed parts do not cause
any injuries or environmental pollution, regula-
tions, which are known to the qualifi ed workshops, must be observed.
WARNING
•
If repairs are not carried out by a professional, or if the belt tension
devices are used incorrectly, the risk of severe or fatal injuries increases.
The belt tension devices may fail to trigger or may trigger in the wrong
circumstances.
•
Never attempt to repair, adjust, remove or install parts of the belt
tension devices or seat belts.
•
The belt tension device and seat be lt including its automatic retractor
cannot be repaired.
•
Any work on the belt tension devi ces and seat belts, including the
removal and refitting of system parts in conjunction with other repair work,
must be performed by a qualified workshop only.
•
The belt tension devices will only provide protection for one accident
and must be changed it they have been activated.
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Airbag system
28Airbag systemBrief introductionWhy wear a seat belt and assume the correct sitting position?
For the inflating airbags to achieve the best protection, the
sea t b el t m u st al w ay s b e w o rn p ro p e rly a nd t h e co rrec t s i tt i n g
position must be assumed.For your own safety and the safety of the passengers, please ensure
the following before you drive:
– Always wear the seat belt properly ⇒page 17.
– Adjust the driver seat and the steering wheel correctly ⇒page 9.
– Adjust the front passenger seat correctly ⇒page 10.
– Adjust the head restraint correctly ⇒page 12.
– Use the correct child restraint system to protect children in your vehicle ⇒page 43.The airbag deploys in fractions of a second and with a high velocity. If you
have assumed an incorrect seating po sition at that moment, you could
sustain critical injuries. Therefore, it is essential that all occupants maintain
a correct sitting position while travelling.
Braking heavily the moment before an accident may cause an occupant not
wearing a seat belt to be thrown forwar d into the area of the deploying airbag. In this case, the inflating airbag may infl
ict critical or fatal injuries upon the
occupant. This applies particularly to children.
Always maintain the greatest possible distance between yourself and the
front airbag. This way, the front airbags can completely deploy when trig-
gered, providing their maximum protection.
The most important factors for triggering the airbag are the type of accident,
the angle of impact and the vehicle speed.
Whether the airbags are triggered depends primarily on the vehicle deceler-
ation rate resulting from the collision an d detected by the control unit. If the
vehicle deceleration occurring duri ng the collision and measured by the
control unit remains below the specifie d reference values, the front, side
and/or curtain airbag will not be triggered. Take into account that the visible
damage in a vehicle following an accident, for whatever reason, are not an
indication as to why the airbags were triggered.
WARNING
•
Wearing the seat belt incorrectly or assuming an incorrect sitting posi-
tion can lead to critical or fatal injuries.
•
All occupants, including children, who are not properly belted can
sustain critical or fatal injuries if the airbag is triggered. You should always
transport all children up to 12 years of age on the rear seat. Never transport
children in the vehicle if they are not restrained or the restraint system is
not appropriate for their weight.
•
If you are not wearing a seat belt or if you lean forward or to the side or
assume an incorrect sitting position, the risk of injury is increased
substantially. This increased risk of injury will be further increased if you
are struck by an inflating airbag.
•
To reduce the risk of injury from an inflating airbag, always wear the
seat belt properly ⇒ page 17.
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Airbag system29
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
•
Always properly adjust the front seats.
The danger of fitting a child seat on the front passenger seat
Rear-facing child seats must never be used on the front
passenger seat when the front passenger airbag is enabled.An enabled front airbag on the front passenger side is potentially a major
danger to a child. The front passenger seat is life threatening to a child if you
transport the child in a rear-facing child seat. You should always transport all
children up to 12 years of age on the rear seat.
If a rear-facing child seat is secured to the front passenger seat, an inflating
airbag can strike it with such great force that critical or fatal injuries may
result.
Therefore we urgently recommend that you transport children on the rear
seats. That is the safest place in the vehicle for children. Alternatively, the
front passenger airbag can be disabled with a key-operated switch
⇒page 41. When transporting children, use a child seat appropriate to the
age and size of each child ⇒ page 43.
For those vehicles that do not include a key lock switch to turn the airbag off,
an Authorised Service Centre must be consulted.
WARNING
•
If a child seat is secured to the front passenger seat, the risk to the child
of sustaining critical or fatal injuries in the event of an accident increases.
•
Never secure a rear-facing child seat to the front passenger seat if the
front passenger airbag is enabled. The child can suffer critical or fatal inju-
ries when the front passenger airbag is triggered.
•
An inflating front passenger airbag can strike the rear-facing child seat
and hurl it with great force against the door, the roof or the backrest.
•
If, under special circumstances, it should be necessary to transport a
child in a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat, it is absolutely
essential that you observe the following safety measures:
−Disable the front passenger airbag ⇒page 41, “Deactivating
airbags*”.
− The child seat must be approved by the child seat manufacturer for
use on a front passenger seat with front or side airbag.
− Follow the installation instructio ns of the child seat manufacturer
and absolutely observe the warnings ⇒page 43, “Child safety”.
− Before properly installing the child seat, push the front passenger
seat all the way to the rear so that the greatest possible distance to the
front passenger airbag is ensured.
− Ensure that no objects prevent the front passenger seat from being
pushed completely back.
− The backrest of the front passenger seat must be in an upright
position.
Warning lamp for airbag and belt tension device system
This warning lamp monitors the airbag and belt tension
device system.The warning lamp monitors all airbags and belt tension devices in the
vehicle, including control units and wiring connections.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
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Airbag system
30Monitoring of airbag and belt tension device system
The functionality of the airbag and belt tension device system is constantly
monitored electronically. The warning lamp
will light up for a few seconds
every time the ignition is switched on (self-diagnosis).
The system must be checked when the warning lamp
:
•
does not come on when the ignition is switched on,
•
does not go out about 4 seconds after the ignition is switched on,
•
goes out and then comes on again after the ignition is switched on,
•
or if it comes on or flickers while the car is moving.
In the event of a malfunction, the warning lamp remains on continuously.
Have the airbag system inspected immediately by a qualified workshop.
If one airbag has been disconnected by the Authorised Service Centre, the
indicator flashes for some seconds after the self diagnosis and will turn off if
there is no fault.
WARNING
•
If there is a malfunction, the air bag and belt tension device system
cannot properly perform its protective function.
•
If a malfunction should occur, have the system checked immediately by
a qualified workshop. Otherwise there is a risk that, in the event of an acci-
dent, the airbag system and belt tension devices may not be triggered, or
may not be triggered correctly.
Repair, care and disposal of the airbagsThe parts of the airbag system are installed in various places in your vehicle.
If you work on the airbag system or remove and install parts of the system
when performing other repair work, parts of the airbag system may be damaged. The consequence may be that, in the event of an accident, the
airbag inflates incorrectly
or does not inflate at all.
The relevant safety requirements must be observed when the vehicle or
components of the airbag are scrapped. The specialist workshops and the
Vehicle disposal centres are familiar with these requirements.
WARNING
•
If repairs are not carried out by a professional, or if the airbags are used
incorrectly, the risk of severe or fatal injuries is increased. The airbags may
fail to inflate, or could inflate in the wrong circumstances.
•
Do not cover or stick anything on the steering wheel hub or the soft
plastic surface of the airbag unit on the passenger side of the dashboard,
and do not obstruct or modify them in any way.
•
It is important not to attach any objects such as cup holders or tele-
phone mountings to the surfaces covering the airbag units.
•
To clean the steering wheel or dash panel, you may use only a dry cloth
or one moistened with water. Never clean the dash panel and surface of the
airbag module with cleansers containing solvents. Solvents cause the
surface to become porous. If the airbag inflates, disintegrating plastic
parts can cause substantial injuries.
•
Never attempt to repair, adjust, remove or install parts of the airbag
system.
•
Any work on the airbag system or re moval and installation of the airbag
components for other repairs (such as repairs to the steering wheel) should
be performed only by a qualified workshop. Qualified workshops have the
necessary tools, repair information and qualified personnel.
•
We urgently recommend that you go to a qualified workshop for all work
on the airbag system.
•
Never attempt to alter the front bumper or the body.
•
The airbags provide protection for one accident only, if they have been
deployed they must be replaced.
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