2008 DODGE SPRINTER belt

52 SafetyOccupant safety
2
The purpose of the thorax/sidebags
is
to increase the level of protection for the
thorax (but not the head, neck and arms)
of the occupants on the side of the vehi-
cle on which the impact occurs.
The thorax / sidebags are installed in the
outer sides of the backrests on the driv-
er’s seat and the passenger’s individual
seat
1Thorax sidebagThe thorax sidebags are triggered:\4
in the initial stages of an accident
with a high rate of vehicle accelera-
tion or deceleration in a lateral direc-
tion, for example in the event of a
side impact
\4
on the side on which an impact oc-
curs
\4
if the system determines that airbag
deployment can offer additional pro-
tection to that provided by the seat
belt
\4
independently of the front airbags
In the event of an accident, the thorax
sidebag next to the outer seat side in-
flates between the door and the chest
area of the occupant.
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53 Safety
Occupant safety
2
Windowbags*
iYou will find additional information
about airbag deployment on
(\2
page 48).
You will find additional information
about the triggering of emergency
tensioning retractors and belt force
limiters on (
\2
page 44).
Warning
G
To ensure that windowbags can provide
the intended degree of protection when
deployed, make sure that no persons, an-
imals or objects are present between the
vehicle occupants and the deployment
range of the windowbags.
Warning
G
Observe the following to reduce the risk
of serious or fatal injury if the windowbag
is triggered:
\4Vehicle occupants – in particular,
children – must never lean their head
against the area of the window in
which the windowbag inflates.
\4Vehicle occupants must wear their
seat belt correctly at all times.
\4Always secure children who are less
than 5 ft (1.50 m) tall or under
12 years of age in a suitable child re-
straint system.
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54 SafetyOccupant safety
2
The windowbags are designed to in-
crease protection to the head (but not to
the chest or arms) of the vehicle occu-
pants on the side on which the impact
occurs.
The relevant windowbag is installed in
the side of the roof frame behind the
trim panel between the A and B-pillar.
1WindowbagThe windowbags
are triggered:
\4
in the initial stages of an accident
with a high rate of vehicle accelera-
tion or deceleration in a lateral direc-
tion
\4
on the side on which an impact oc-
curs
\4
independently of the front airbagsiYou will find additional information
about airbag deployment on
(\2
page 48).
You will find additional information
about the triggering of emergency
tensioning retractors and belt force
limiters on (
\2
page 44).
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56 SafetyOccupant safety
2
Child restraint systemsWe recommend all infants and children
be properly restrained at all times while
the vehicle is in motion.
All lap-shoulder belts except the driver’s
seat belt have special seat belt retrac-
tors for secure fastening of child re-
straints.To fasten a child restraint, follow child
restraint instructions for mounting. Then
pull the shoulder belt out completely
and let it retract. During seat belt retrac-
tion, a ratcheting sound can be heard to
indicate that the special seat belt retrac-
tor is activated. The belt is now locked.
Push down on child restraint to take up
any slack.
Warning (Continued)
G
Do not carry heavy or hard objects inside
the vehicle or load compartment unless
they are secured. You will find further in-
formation under “Transporting”
(\2page 276) and “Features”
(\2page 287) in the “Controls in detail”
section.An unsecured or incorrectly positioned load
increases the risk of injury to occupants, par-
ticularly children, in the event of:\4sharp braking
\4a sudden change of direction
\4an accident
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57 Safety
Occupant safety
2
To deactivate, release seat belt buckle
and let seat belt retract completely. The
seat belt can again be used in the usual
manner.Warning
G
Never release the seat belt buckle while
the vehicle is in motion, since the special
seat belt retractor will be deactivated.
Warning
G
T o r e d u c e t h e r i s k o f s e r i o u s o r f a t a l i n j u r y
to a child in the event of an accident,
sharp braking or a sudden change in di-
rection:\4Always secure children less than 5 ft
(1.50 m) tall or under 12 years of age
in a special child restraint system in-
stalled on a suitable vehicle seat,
since the seat belts are not designed
for this body size.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
It is not permitted to secure a child in the
passenger’s seat or the center position of
the front bench seat if the vehicle is
equipped with a passenger’s airbag.Only secure a rearward-facing child re-
straint system on a suitable rear seat.
Continued
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58 SafetyOccupant safety
2
Warning (Continued)
G
A child must never be carried sitting on
the lap of a vehicle occupant. It would not
be possible to restrain the child as a result
of the forces acting in the event of an ac-
cident, braking or abrupt changes in di-
rection. The child would be thrown
against parts of the vehicle interior and be
seriously or fatally injured.Vehicle occupants must wear their seat
belt correctly at all times.
Warning
G
If the child restraint system is not in-
stalled correctly on a suitable vehicle
seat, the child may not be restrained in
the event of an accident or sudden brak-
ing and may be seriously or fatally injured.
For this reason, always observe the instal-
lation instructions issued by the child re-
straint system manufacturer and the
intended use for the child restraint sys-
tem when fitting it.It is advisable to install the child restraint
system on one of the rear seats. The child
is generally better protected there.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
Do not place objects (for example a cush-
ion) underneath the child restraint sys-
tem. The entire base of the child restraint
system must be in contact with the seat
cushion at all times.Child restraint systems must not be used
without the original cover. Replace dam-
aged covers only with original covers.On the rear seats, only use child restraint
systems recommended by the manufac-
turer.
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59 Safety
Occupant safety
2
Warning
G
If you no longer require the child restraint
system, remove it from the vehicle or se-
cure it with the seat belt.
The restraint system could otherwise be
thrown through the vehicle interior in the
event of an accident.
Warning
G
A child secured in a child restraint system
could be seriously or fatally injured in the
event of an accident, braking or a sudden
change in direction if the child restraint
system or its securing system is already
damaged or has been subjected to a load
in an accident.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
Have restraint systems and their securing
systems which have been damaged or
subjected to a load in an accident
checked and, if necessary, replaced im-
mediately at a qualified specialist work-
shop which has the necessary specialist
knowledge and tools for the work re-
quired.The manufacturer recommends that you
use an authorized Sprinter Dealer for this
purpose. All work relevant to safety or on
safety-related systems must be carried
out at a qualified specialist workshop.
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60 SafetyOccupant safety
2
The use of infant or child restraints is re-
quired by law in all 50 states, the District
of Columbia, the U.S. territories and all
Canadian provinces.
Infants and small children should be
seated in an appropriate infant or child
restraint system properly secured by a
lap / shoulder belt or, if so equipped, a
top tether anchorage point and a child
restraint lower anchorage system that
complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehi-
cle Safety Standards 213 and 225 and
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
213 and 210.2.A statement by the child restraint manu-
facturer of compliance with this stan-
dard can be found on the instruction
label on the restraint and in the instruc-
tion manual provided with the restraint.
When using any infant or child restraint
system, make sure to carefully read and
follow all manufacturer’s instructions for
installation and use.
Please read and observe warning labels
affixed to inside of vehicle and to infant
or child restraints.
Passenger sun visor with warning sticker
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