91GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
The cushion immediately inflates,
placing itself as a protection between
the body of the front occupants and
the structure that could cause injuries.
Immediately after, the cushion deflates.
The front air bag (driver and pas-
senger) is not a replacement of but
complementary to the use of belts,
which should always be worn, as spec-
ified by law in Europe and most non-
European countries.
In case of crash, a person not wear-
ing the seat belt moves forward and
may come into contact with the cush-
ion while it is still inflating. Under this
circumstance the protection offered
by the airbag is reduced.
Front airbags may not activate in the
following situations:
– in collisions against highly de-
formable objects not affecting the ve-
hicle front surface (e.g. bumper colli-
sion against guard rail); If the xbrake fluid low
warning light comes on,
stop the vehicle immedi-
ately and contact the nearest Fi-
at Dealership. Fluid leaks from
the hydraulic system, in fact, can
compromise brake system oper-
ation, both traditional systems
and systems with ABS.FRONT AND SIDE
AIRBAGS
The vehicle can be fitted with front
air bags for the driver and passenger
and with side bags.
FRONT AIRBAGS
Front airbags (driver and passenger)
have been designed to protect the oc-
cupants in the event of head-on crash-
es of medium-high severity, by plac-
ing the cushion between the occupant
and the steering wheel or dashboard.
Front airbags are designed to protect
vehicle’s occupants in front crashes
and therefore non-activation in other
types of collisions (side collisions, rear
shunts, roll-overs, etc.) is not a system
malfunction.
In case of crash, an electronic con-
trol unit, when required, triggers the
inflation of the cushion according to
the severity of the collision. Warning light >alone,
with the engine running,
normally indicates a fault
in the ABS system only. In this
case, the braking system is still ef-
ficient, though without the anti-
locking device. Under these con-
ditions, performance of the EBD
system may be reduced. Also in
this case, you are advised to go
immediately to the nearest Fiat
Dealership, driving in such a way
to avoid sharp braking to have
the system checked.
92GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
– in case of wedging under other ve-
hicles or protective barriers (for ex-
ample under a truck or guard rail), the
air bag is not triggered as it offers no
additional protection compared with
the seat belts, consequently it would
be pointless.
Therefore, failure to come into ac-
tion in the above circumstance does
not mean that the system is not work-
ing properly.At their maximum inflation, their vol-
ume fills most of the space between
the steering wheel and the driver and
between the dashboard and the pas-
senger.
In minor crashes (for which the re-
straining action of the seat belts is suf-
ficient), the air bags are not deployed.
Also in this case it is of vital impor-
tance to wear the seat belts since in
case of front crash they guarantee
proper positioning of the occupant.DRIVER’S FRONT AIR BAG
fig. 140
It consists of an instant-inflating cush-
ion contained in a special recess in the
centre of the steering wheel.
PASSENGER’S FRONT AIR
BAG fig. 141
It consists of an instant-inflating cush-
ion contained in a special recess in the
dashboard; its volume is bigger than
the driver’s one.
Do not apply stickers or
other objects to the
steering wheel or to the
air bag cover on the passenger’s
side or on the side roof lining.
Never put objects on the dash-
board on passenger side since
they could interfere with proper
air bag inflation.
The driver and passenger front
airbags have been designed and cali-
brated to protect a person wearing
seat belts.
fig. 140
F0A0711b
fig. 141
F0A0409b
93GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
Manual deactivation
The passenger side airbag can be de-
activated if it is absolutely necessary to
carry a child in the front passenger
seat.
Deactivation / reactivation shall be
carried out with ignition device at
STOP. Turn the specific switch fig.
142on the dashboard on passenger
side with the ignition key.IMPORTANTOperate the switch
only with engine off and ignition key
removed.
The switch fig. 142has two posi-
tions:
– Passenger front airbag on: (position
ON P): instrument panel warning
light
Foff. Do not carry children on
the front seat.
– Passenger front airbag off: (position
OFF F): instrument panel warning
light Fon. A child can be carried on
the front seat with a suitable restraint
system.
Warning light Fon the cluster
stays on permanently until the pas-
senger’s airbag is reactivated.
Deactivation of the passenger’s front
air bag does not inhibit operation of
the side air bag.SERIOUS DANGER:
With passenger’s
air bag active (ON),
never place child’s seats with the
cradle facing backwards since the
air bag activation could cause to
the child serious injuries, even
mortal. In the case of need, al-
ways deactivate the passenger’s
air bag when a child’s seat is
placed on the front seat. The
front passenger’s seat shall be ad-
justed in the most backward po-
sition to prevent any contact be-
tween child’s seat and dashboard.
Even if not compulsory by law,
you are recommended to reac-
tivate the air bag immediately as
soon as child transport is no
longer necessary.
ON OFF
PASS.
AIR BAG
fig. 142
F0A0213b
