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CARRYING CHILDREN SAFELYFor optimal protection in the event of a collision, all pas-
sengers must be seated and wearing adequate restraint
systems.
This is even more important for children.
This prescription is compulsory in all EC countries ac-
cording to EC Directive 2003/20/EC.
Compared with adults, a child’s head is proportionally larg-
er and heavier than the rest of the body, while muscles and
bone structure are not fully developed.
Therefore, correct restraint systems are necessary other
than adult seat belts.
The results of research on the best child restraint system
are contained in the European Standard ECE-R44, which
enforces the use of restraint systems classified 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
SERIOUS DANGER: never place cradle
child’s seats facing backwards on the front
passenger’s seat of cars fitted with pas-
senger’s air bag. Deployment of the airbag
in an accident could cause fatal injuries
to the baby. It is advisable to carry children always
on the rear seat which is the most protected po-
sition in the event of an accident. Never fit child
seats systems on the front seat if the car is pro-
vided with passenger’s air bag: as the airbag could
cause even fatal injury independently from the
severity of the collision which caused its deploy-
ment. If necessary, children can stay on the front
seat, only if the passenger’s airbag can be disabled.
It is absolutely necessary to check the warning
light
F
on the dashboard to make sure that the
deactivation has actually taken place (see “Pas-
senger’s front air bag”, paragraph “Front air
bags”). Move the passenger’s seat as far back as
possible to avoid contact between the child seat
and the dashboard.
WARNING
All child restraint devices must bear the certification da-
ta, together with the control brand, on a solidly fixed la-
bel which must absolutely never be removed.
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F0Z0047m
fig. 106
F0Z0048m
fig. 107
GROUP 1
From 9 to 18 kg of weight, children may be carried facing
forward, as shown in fig. 107. Over 1.50 m in height, from the point of view of restraint
systems, children are considered as adults and wear the
seat belts normally.
Lineaccessori Fiat offers child restraint systems for each
weight group. These devices are recommended having
been specifically designed for Fiat cars.
GROUP 0 and 0+
Babies up to 13 kg must be carried facing backwards on
a cradle seat, which, supporting the head, does not induce
stress on the neck in the event of sharp decelerations.
The cradle is restrained by the car seat belts, as shown in
fig. 106 and in turn it must restrain the child with its own
belts.
The figures are only examples for fasten-
ing purposes. Refer to the instructions sup-
plied with the child restraint for the fastening.
WARNING
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F0Z0049m
fig. 108
F0Z0050m
fig. 109
GROUP 2
Children from 15 to 25 kg may use the car seat belts di-
rectly, see fig 108.
The only function of the seat is to position the child cor-
rectly in relation to the belts, so that the diagonal part
adheres to the chest and not to the neck and that the hor-
izontal part clings to the child’s pelvis and not the abdomen.
The figures are only examples for fasten-
ing purposes. Refer to the instructions sup-
plied with the child restraint for the fastening.
WARNING
Child seats with Isofix attachment are avail-
able for a safe anchoring to the seat with-
out using the car seat belts. Follow the assembly
instructions carefully.
WARNING
GROUP 3
For children from 22 kg up to 36 kg suitable risers make
the seat belt fastening easier.
Figure fig. 109 shows proper child seat positioning on the
rear seat.
Children taller than 1.50 m can wear seat belts like adults.
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101KNOW YOUR
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PASSENGER’S SEAT COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS ON CHILD SEAT USE
Fiat Panda complies with the new European Directive 2000/3/EC regulating the arrangement possibilities for child re-
straints on the various seats of the car according to the following table:GroupRange of weight Front passenger’s seat Rear passenger’s seat Central passenger’s seatGroup 0, 0+ up to 13 kg U U *Group 1 9 – 18 kg U U *Group 2 15 – 25 kg U U *Group 3 22 – 36 kg U U *Key:
U = suitable for child restraint systems of the “Universal” category, according to European Standard EEC-R44 for the
specified “Groups”.
(*) No child’s seat can be installed on the central rear seat with lap belt (without reel).
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Below is a summary of the safety rules to be followed for
carrying children.❒
Install the child seats on the rear seat, which is the most
protected position in the event of an accident.
❒
If the passenger’s air bag is deactivated always check the
amber warning light
F
on the instrument panel to
make sure that it has actually been deactivated.
❒
Carefully follow the instructions supplied with the child
restraint system which are mandatory by law. Keep the
instructions in the car along with the other papers and
this handbook. Do not use second-hand child seats with-
out instructions.
❒
Always check the seat belt is well fastened by pulling the
webbing.
❒
Only one child is to be strapped to each retaining system.
❒
Always check the seat belts do not fit around the child’s
throat.
❒
While travelling, do not let the child sit incorrectly or
release the belts.
❒
Never carry children on your lap, even newborns. No-one
can hold a child in the event of an accident.
❒
In case of an accident, replace the child seat with a new
one.
In cars fitted with passenger’s air bag nev-
er place child restraint systems on the front
seat, since children must never travel on the
front seat.
WARNING
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F0Z0055m
fig. 110
PRESETTING FOR MOUNTING
THE “ISOFIX” TYPE CHILD
RESTRAINT SYSTEM (for versions/markets where provided)
The car is preset for mounting the Universal Isofix child
restraint system, a new European standardised system for
carrying children safely. Isofix type is an additional option
that does not prevent from using traditional child restraint
systems.
Due to its different anchoring system, the child seat shall
be anchored using the proper metal brackets set between
backrest and cushion or in the rear seat cover, identified
by slots A-fig. 110.
It is possible to mount both the traditional restraint sys-
tem on the left and the Isofix type on the right.Since sizes are different, it is possible to install max. two
Isofix type seats on the rear seats using the proper fas-
tening devices or three traditional child seats secured by
the seat belts. Only traditional child seats can be installed
on front seats.
Use only Isofix type child seats that have been designed,
tested and approved expressly for this car.
Fit the child seat when the car is station-
ary. The child seat is correctly anchored
to the brackets when you hear the click. Follow
the instructions for assembly, disassembly and po-
sitioning that the manufacturer must supply with
the child restraint system seat.
WARNING
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AIR BAGThe car is fitted with front air bags (for versions/markets
where provided) for the driver and the passenger and front
side bags (side bag – window bag).
FRONT AIR BAGS
The front driver/passenger air bags have been designed to
protect the occupants in the event of head-on crashes of
medium-high severity, by placing the cushion between the
occupant and the steering wheel or dashboard.
Front air bags are designed to protect car’s passengers in
head-on crashes and therefore non-activation in other
types of collisions (side collisions, rear shunts, roll-overs,
etc.) is not a system malfunction.
An electronic control unit will make the bag inflate in the
event of a front crash.
The bag will inflate instantaneously placing itself between
the front passengers’ body and the structures which could
cause injury. It will deflate immediately afterwards.
Driver and passenger front airbags are not a replacement
of but complementary to the seat belts, which should al-
ways be worn, as specified by law in Europe and most non-
European countries.
In the event of an impact, those not wearing a seat belt will
move forward and come into contact with the bag which
is still inflating. The protection offered by the air bag cush-
ion is reduced in such a case.Front air bags may not be activated in the following situ-
ations:
❒
in collisions against highly deformable objects not af-
fecting the car front surface (e.g. bumper collision against
guard rail, etc.);
❒
car wedging under other vehicles or protective barri-
ers (e.g. trucks or guard rails);
they could not provide any additional protection compared
with seat belts, so their activation would be improper.
Therefore, failure to come into action in the above cir-
cumstances does not mean that the system is not work-
ing properly.
Do not apply stickers or other objects to
the steering wheel, to the passenger’s side
air bag cover side or on the side roof lining. Nev-
er put objects (e.g. mobile phones) on the pas-
senger’s side dashboard since they could interfere
with proper air bag inflation and also cause seri-
ous injury to the passengers.
WARNING
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F0Z0693m
fig. 111
F0Z0057m
fig. 112
DRIVER’S FRONT AIR BAG fig. 111
It consists of an instant inflating bag contained in a special
recess in the centre of the steering wheel.
PASSENGER’S FRONT AIR BAG fig. 112
This consists of an instant inflating bag contained in a spe-
cial recess in the dashboard: this bag has a larger volume
than that of the driver’s. The driver’s and passenger’s front air bags have been de-
signed and calibrated to protect front seat occupants wear-
ing seat belts.
At their maximum inflation, their volume fills most of
the space between the steering wheel and the driver and
between the dashboard and the passenger.
The airbags are not deployed in the event of minor front
collisions (for which the withholding action of the seat belts
is sufficient). Safety belts must always be worn. In the event
of front crash they guarantee correct positioning of
the passenger.
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