2007 Alfa Romeo 156 child restraint

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR35
CARRYING CHILDREN SAFELYfig. 55
A0B0001m
For the best level of protection in the event
of a crash, all occupants must travel 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 pro-
portionately larger and heavier than the rest
of the body, while muscles and bone struc-
ture are not completely developed. There-
fore, in order to restraint them correctly in
the event of a crash, different systems are
needed then adult seat belts.
SERIOUS DANGER: Never place cradle child’s seats on the
front passenger seats of cars equipped with passenger air
bag since the air bag activation could cause serious injuries, even mortal.
You are advised to carry children always on the rear seat, as this is the
most protected position in the case of a crash. In any case, child’s seats
must absolutely not be positioned on the front seat of car’s with passen-
ger’s air bag, which during inflation could cause serious injury, even mor-
tal, regardless of the seriousness of the crash that triggered it. Children
may placed on the front seat of cars fitted with passenger’s air bag deac-
tivation. In this case, it is absolutely necessary to check the warning light
Fon the check panel to make sure that deactivation has actually took
place (see paragraph “Front and side air bags” at item ”Front passenger
air bag”). The front passenger seat shall be adjusted in the most backward
position to prevent any contact between the child’s seat and the dashboard.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR36
The results of research on the best pro-
tection for a child are summarised in Euro-
pean Standard ECE-R44, which in addition
to making them compulsory, subdivides re-
straint systems into five groups:
Group 0 0-10 kg in weight
Group 0+ 0-13 kg in weight
Group 1 9-18 kg in weight
Group 2 15-25 kg in weight
Group 3 22-36 kg in weight
As it may be noted, the groups partially
overlap and in fact, in commerce it is pos-
sible to find devices that cover more than
one weight group (fig. 56).
All the restraint devices must bear the ho-
mologation data, together with the control
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 belts normally.
The Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo includes
seats for each weight group, which are the
recommended choice because they have
been designed and specifically experimented
for Alfa Romeo cars.
GROUP 0 and 0+Babies up to 13 kg must be carried fac-
ing behind (fig. 56) on a cradle seat,
which, supporting the head, does not induce
strain on the neck in the event of sharp de-
celeration.
The cradle is restrained by the car safety
belts, as illustrated, and it should in turn
restrain the child with the belts incorporated
on it.fig. 56
A0B0005m
GROUP 1Starting from 9 kg to 18 kg in weight, chil-
dren may be carried facing forwards with
seats fitted with front cushion (fig. 57),
through which the car seat belt restrains both
child and seat.fig. 57
A0B0006m
Illustrations is indicative
only for assembly. As-
semble the seat according to the
compulsory instructions provided
with it.
WARNING
Illustrations is indicative
only for assembly. As-
semble the seat according to the
compulsory instructions provided
with it.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR38
Group 0, 0+Group 1Group 2Group 3 PASSENGER SEAT COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS ON CHILD’S SEAT USEAlfa 156complies with the new EC Directive 2000/3 regulating child’s seat assembling on the different car seats according to the
following table:
Front and rear seat (saloon and Sportwagon versions)
Key:
U= suitable for child restraint systems of the “Universal” category, according to European Standard ECE-R44 for the specified “Groups”
L= suitable for certain child’s restraint systems available at Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo for the specified group
(*)= child’s seats cannot be installed on the rear centre seat with lap belt with two anchor points
U
U
U
U(*)
(*)
(*)
(*) U
U
U
U L
L
L
L until to 13 kg
9 -18 kg
15 - 25 kg
22 - 36 kg
Group Range of weight SEAT
Front passenger Rear side passenger Rear centre passenger Rear centre passenger
seat Seat (inertial seat belt Seat (centre lap belt
with three anchor points) with two anchor points)

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR39
4)Always pull the tape to check that the
belts are buckled.
5)All restraint systems are strictly for one
child only: never use for two children at the
same time.
6)Always make sure that the belts do not
rest on the child’s neck.
7)During the journey, do not allow the
child to stay in abnormal positions or release
the belts.
8)Do not carry children in your arms, not
even small babies. No-one, however strong,
can keep hold of them in a crash.
9)In the case of accidents, replace the
child’s seat with a new one.
PRESETTING FOR INSTALLING
THE “ISOFIX TYPE” CHILD
RESTRAINT SYSTEMThe car is created preset for mounting the
Isofix type child restraint system. Isofix is
a new European standardised system for car-
rying children. Isofix type child restraint sys-
tem is an additional option that does not
prevent from using traditional child restraint
systems. Isofix type child restraint system
covers three weight groups: 0, 0+ and 1.
Due to its different anchoring system, the
Isofix type child’s seat should be anchored
using only the proper brackets provided for
the purpose in the car.
It is possible to mount both the traditional
restraint system and the Isofix type one, one
on the left and the other on the right, for ex-
ample.
Since sizes are different, it is possible to
install max two Isofix type child's seats us-
ing the proper couplings on the rear seat
or three traditional child's seats using the
seat belts. On the front passenger seat it is
possible to mount only traditional child's
seats. Below is a summary of the safety
rules to be observed when carry-
ing children:
1)The recommended position for in-
stalling a child’s seat is on the rear seat, as
it is the most protected in the event of a
crash.
2)If the passenger’s air bag is deactivated
always check that deactivation has taken
place through the special warning light
F
.
3)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.
If a passenger’s air bag is
installed, children should
never travel on the front seat.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR40
fig. 60Isofix type child’s seats are to be anchored
to two metal brackets, set between the rear
seat back and the cushion and that can be
identified through the slots in the seat cover
(A-fig. 60). Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo provides the
Kiddy Isofix seat for babies up to 13 kg
weight to be positioned facing backwards
(groups 0 and 0+) and the seat for babies
from 9 to 18 kg weight to be positioned fac-
ing the running direction (group 1). The
Kiddy Isofix seat has been certified accord-
ing to the European Standard ECE-R44/03.
A0B0298m
Install the child restraint
system only with the car
stationary. The Isofix child re-
straint system is properly anchored
to the preset brackets when clicks
are heard. In any case, keep to the
installation instructions that must
be provided by the child restraint
system’s Manufacturer.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR41
For proper installation proceed as follows:
– check whether the release lever (B-
fig. 61) is at rest position (inward)
– find the presetting brackets (A), then
position the child’s seat with the fastening
devices (C) aligned with the brackets
– push the child restraint system until hear-
ing the locking clicks.As the child grows up, passing to weight
group 1the child’s seat should be mounted
facing forwards (running direction).
Installation of the seat for
weight group 1
For proper installation proceed as follows:
– check whether the release lever (B-
fig. 62) is at rest position (inward);
– find the presetting brackets (A), then
position the child’s seat with the fastening
devices (C) aligned with the brackets;
– push the child restraint system until hear-
ing the locking clicks.
If the Isofix type seat is positioned facing
backwards, the passenger’s seat must be
positioned completely back until touching
the child’s seat back. Installation of the seat for
the 0 and 0+ groups
For children of the 0, 0+weight group,
the child’s seat is facing backwards (babies
up to 13 kg) and the child is restrained by
the child’s seat belts (D-fig. 61).
fig. 61
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fig. 62
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR44
MANUAL DEACTIVATION OF
PASSENGER’S FRONT AIR BAGShould it be absolutely necessary to carry
a child on the front seat, the passenger’s
front air bag can be deactivated.
Deactivation/reactivation takes place with
ignition key at STOPand operating it in the
special key switch on the right-hand side of
the dashboard (fig. 67). Access to the
switch is only possible with the door open.The key switch (fig. 67) has two posi-
tions:
1) Passenger’s front Air bag active: (ON
position
P) warning light on check panel
off; it is absolutely prohibited to carry chil-
dren on the front seat.
2) Passenger’s front Air bag deactivated:
(OFFposition
F
) warning light
F
on
check panel on; it is possible to carry chil-
dren protected by special restraint systems
on the front seat.
The warning light
F
on the check panel
glows steadily until the passenger’s Air bag
is reactivated.
Deactivation of the front passenger’s air
bag does not prevent operation of the side
Air bags.
With the door open the key can be inserted
and removed in both positions.
SIDE AIR BAGS
(SIDE BAG - WINDOW BAG)The side bag and window bag have the
task of increasing protection of the occu-
pants in the event of a side crash of medium-
high severity.
They are formed of an instantaneously-in-
flating cushion:
– the side bag is housed in the back rest
of the front seats; with this solution it is al-
ways possible to have the cushion in the op-
timum position in relation to the passenger,
regardless of the adjustment of the seat;
– the window bags, which are “curtain”
cushions, are housed in the side roof lining
covered by a special trim, which makes it
possible to extend the cushion downwards.
This solution, designed to protect the head,
makes it possible to offer the highest degree
of protection to the front and rear occupants
in the event of side crash, thanks to the wide
cushion inflation surface.
In the event of a side crash, an electronic
control unit processes the signals leading
from a deceleration sensor and activates,
when necessary, inflation of the bags.
fig. 67
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Use the switch only with
the engine off and the ig-
nition key removed.
WARNING

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
192
SAFE DRIVINGIn designing your Alfa 156, Alfa
Romeo has worked thoroughly to achieve a
vehicle able to offer top levels of safety to
its passengers. However, the behaviour of
the driver is still a decisive factor for road
safety.
Below you will find a few simple rules for
travelling safely under different conditions.
You are certainly familiar with many of them
but it is still helpful to read them all care-
fully.BEFORE DRIVING OFF– Make sure the lights and headlights are
working properly.
– Adjust the seat, steering wheel and
rearview mirrors, in order to obtain a correct
position for driving.
– Adjust the seat back upright and keep
your head as close as possible to the head
restraint.– Carefully adjust the headrests so that
the head and not the neck rests on them.
Check that nothing (mats, etc.) can get un-
der the foot pedals.
– Make sure that any child restraint sys-
tem (seats, cradles, etc.) are correctly fas-
tened on the rear seat.
– Place any objects in the boot with care
to prevent abrupt braking from throwing
them forwards.
– Avoid heavy meals before a journey. A
light meal will help to keep reflexes ready.
Above all avoid alcohol.
Routinely remember to check:
– tyre pressure and conditions;
– engine oil level;
– engine coolant level and system condi-
tions;
– brake fluid level;
– power steering oil level;
– windscreen washer fluid level.
WHEN TRAVELLING– The first rule for safe driving is care.
– Care also means being able to predict
the actions of other road users.
– Strictly respect the traffic regulations in
all countries, especially the speed limits.
– Ensure that both yourself and your pas-
sengers are wearing their seat belts, that
children are carried with the appropriate
seats and that any animals are in appropri-
ate compartments.
– Long distances should be trackled in
good health.
Driving under the influence
of drugs and/or some
medicines is highly dangerous for
oneself and for others.
WARNING