Safe driving
10
– Fasten your seat belt correctly ⇒ page 17.
– Keep both feet in the foot well so that you have the vehicle under control at all times.Adjustment of the driver's seat ⇒page 121.
WARNING
•
An incorrect sitting position of the driver can lead to severe injuries.
•
Adjust the driver's seat so that there is at least 25 cm distance between
the centre of the chest and the hub of the steering wheel ⇒page 9, fig. 1 .
If you are sitting nearer than 25 cm, the airbag system cannot protect you
properly.
•
If your physical constitution prevents you from maintaining the
minimum distance of 25 cm, contact a qualified workshop. The workshop
will help you decide if special specific modifications are necessary.
•
When driving, always hold the steering wheel with both hands on the
outside of the ring at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions. This reduces the
risk of injury when the driver airbag is triggered.
•
Never hold the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position, or in any other
manner (e.g. in the centre of the steering wheel). In such cases, you may
sustain injuries to the arms, hands and head.
•
To red uce the r isk o f in jur y to t he d riv e r d ur in g su dde n bra kin g ma n oeu -
vres or an accident, never drive with the backrest tilted far back! The airbag
system and seat belts can only provide optimal protection when the back-
rest is in an upright position and the driver is wearing his or her seat belt
properly. The further the backrests are tilted to the rear, the greater the risk
of injury due to incorrect positioning of the belt web or the incorrect sitting
position!
•
Adjust the head restraint properly to achieve optimal protection.
Proper sitting position for front passenger
The front passenger must sit at least 25 cm away from the
dash panel so that the airbag can provide the greatest
possible protection in the event that it is triggered.For your own safety and to reduce the risk of injury in the event of an
accident, we recommend the following adjustments for the front
passenger:
– Move the front passenger seat back as far as possible ⇒.
– Move the backrest to an upright position so that your back rests completely against it.
– Adjust the head restraint so that its upper edge is at the same level as the top of your head, or as close as possible to the same
level as the top of your head ⇒page 12.
– Keep both feet in the foot well in front of the front passenger seat.
– Fasten your seat belt correctly ⇒page 17.It is possible to deactivate the passenger airbag in exceptional circum-
stances ⇒page 24.
Adjusting the front passenger's seat.
WARNING
•
An incorrect sitting position of the front passenger can lead to severe
injuries.
•
Adjust the front passenger seat so that there is at least 25 cm between
your breastbone and the dash panel. If you are sitting nearer than 25 cm,
the airbag system cannot protect you properly.
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Airbag system
34Monitoring 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 four seconds
every time the ignition is switched on (selfdiagnosis).
If at least one airbag has been deactivated in a specialised workshop, the
warning light
flashes for 12 seconds before starting the engine. This does
not apply when the front and side airbags have been deactivated using the
key switch ⇒ page 43.
The system must be checked when the warning lamp
:
•
does not come on when the ignition is switched on,
•
does not go off after four seconds, after switching on the ignition,
•
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. In
addition, depending on the malfunction, an appropriate fault message
appears in the display
1) of the instrument panel. In this event, you should
have a qualified workshop check the system immediately.
WARNING
If there is a malfunction, the airbag 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 removal 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.
1)Depending on the version of the model.
alhambra_ingles_0708 Seite 34 Mittwoch, 10. September 2008 10:55 10
Airbag system
44
– Open centre compartment on instrument panel.
– Using the ignition key, turn the switch to ON ⇒page 43, fig. 28.
– Check if, when the ignition is switched on, that the warning lamp “PASS AIRBAG OFF” on the instrument panel ⇒page 43, fig. 29
does not light up ⇒ .
– Close centre compartment on instrument panel.
WARNING
•
The driver is responsible for the proper position of the key-operated
switch.
•
You should only disable the front and side passenger airbags if, in
exceptional cases, you have to use a rear-facing child seat on the front
passenger seat ⇒page 45.
•
Never fit a child seat in the passenger seat, where the child faces back-
wards to the direction of travel and the frontal airbag has not been deacti-
vated. This is highly dangerous for the child. However, if it is necessary in
exceptional circumstances to transport a child in a rear-facing child seat on
the front passenger seat, you must always disable the front passenger
airbag.
•
As soon as the child seat will no longer be used on the front passenger
seat, enable the front and side passenger airbag again.
•
Only deactivate the front and side passenger airbag when the ignition
is off, otherwise a fault may occur in the airbag system, this will create the
risk of the front, curtain or side airbag not deploying properly or not at all
in the event of an accident.
•
If, while the front and side passenger airbag are turned off, the indi-
cator PASS. AIRBAG OFF does not remain lit, this could indicate a fault in
the airbag system: −
Have the airbag system inspected immediately by a qualified work-
shop.
− Do not use a child seat on the front passenger seat! The front and
side passenger airbag may deploy during an accident in spite of the
fault.
− It is impossible to determine whether the front or side airbags will be
triggered in case of accident. Inform your passengers of this.
WARNING (continued)
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