Seats, interior43
zThe airbag system is additionally
triggered in the event of a serious
accident involving a frontal impact, and
forms a safety cushion for the driver and
front passenger. In the event of a side
impact, the side airbag system 3
protects the occupants in the front of the
vehicle, and the curtain airbag system
protects both front and rear outboard
seat occupants. Three-point seat belts
The front and rear seats are equipped with
three-point seat belts with automatic
retractors and locking devices, allowing
freedom of body movement when the
vehicle moves at a constant speed,
although the spring-tensioned belts are
always a snug fit.
The belt has a “vehicle sensitive retractor”
which is designed to lock during heavy
acceleration or deceleration in any
direction. In the event of an accident, persons not
wearing seat belts endanger their fellow
occupants and themselves.
Control indicator
X for driver’s seat belt
reminder - see page 72.
Control indicator k for front passenger’s
seat belt reminder 3 - see page 46.
Seat belts are designed to be used by only
one person at a time. They are only
suitable for children aged up to 12 or
smaller than 150 cm if used in conjunction
with a child restraint 3 .
For children up to 12 years of age, we
recommend the Opel child restraint
system 3 - see page 47.
9 Warning
The airbag system se rves to supplement
the three-point seat belts and belt
tensioners. The seat belts must therefore
always be worn.
Disregard of these notes can lead to
injuries which may be fatal. Vehicle
passengers must be informed
accordingly.
Be sure to read the descriptions of all the
restraint systems on the following pages. 9 Warning
Always wear your seat belt, and that
means also in urban traffic and when you
are a rear seat passenger. It can save
your life!
Pregnant women too must always wear a
seat belt, keeping the lap belt low and
snug on the hips and pelvis (not the waist
or abdomen, where actuating belt
tensioners could cause serious injury in
the event of a collision).
Seats, interior44
Belt force limitersLoad limiters on the front seats reduce the
impact on the seat occupant’s body from a
tensioning belt, in the event of a severe
frontal collision. The belt force is controlled,
to reduce the risk of belt-inflicted injury.
Inspection of belts
Periodically inspect all parts of the belt
system for damage and to make sure they
are functioning properly.
Have damaged parts replaced. After an
accident, belts and triggered belt
tensioners must be replaced by new ones.
Do not perform any alterations on the
belts, their anchorages, the automatic
retractors or the belt buckles.
Make sure that belts are not damaged or
trapped by sharp-edged objects. Belt tensioners
The seat belt systems on the front seats
incorporate belt tensioners housed in the
belt buckles and seat belt retractors.
In the event of frontal collisions or side
impacts of a certain severity, belt buckles
and seat belt retractors tighten the seat
belts; the shoulder and lap belts are
instantaneously tightened to fit the
occupant’s body
more snugly.
The belt buckles and seat belt retractors
will remain locked after actuation (where
some noise will occur and smoke may be
released).
Belt tensioners are not designed to activate
in the event of rear impacts, minor side
impacts, rollovers or minor frontal
collisions. Actuation of belt tensioners
The belt tensioners actuate only once and
must be replaced by a workshop after
activation.
The seat belts remain fully operational
even when the belt tensioners have been
actuated.
9 Warning
The belt tensioners are operational only
when control indicator
v is unlit.
If the control indicator does not flash
briefly when the igniti on is on, stays lit,
illuminates or flashes whilst driving, the
belt tensioners or the airbag systems may
not function correctly.
Have both systems inspected by a
workshop.
Seats, interior45
Belt tensioners control indicatorThe seat belt tensioners are monitored
electronically together with the airbags,
and their operational readiness shown by
the red control indicator v in the
instrument panel.
When the ignition is switched on, the
control indicator flashes several times then
extinguishes. If it does not flash, stays lit,
illuminates or flashes whilst driving, there is
a fault with the belt tensioners or in the
airbag systems. The systems might not
therefore be triggered in the event of an
accident (see also page 56). The system’s integrated self-diagnostics
allows faults to be quickly remedied.
Important
z
Accessories not released for your vehicle
type and other objects must not be fixed
or placed within the action zone of the
belt tensioners, as they may result in
injury if the belt tensioners are triggered.
z Do not make any modifications to the
components of the belt tensioners, as
this may result in unintended actuation
of the belt tensioners, rendering the
vehicle unroadwor thy and causing
serious personal injury. z
The belt tensioner and airbag system
control electronics can be found in the
centre console area. In order to avoid
malfunctions, do not store magnetic
objects in this area.
z When using the rear seats, ensure that
the front seat belt components are not
damaged by shoes or other objects.
Avoid dirt getting in the retractors.
z The belt tensioners only actuate once,
indicated by continuous illumination of
control indicator v in the instrument
panel. Deployed belt tensioners must be
replaced by a workshop.
z When disposing of the vehicle, observe
the applicable safety regulations. Take
the vehicle to a recycling company for
disposal.
9 Warning
Have the cause of the fault remedied by
a workshop.
9 Warning
Improper handling (e.g. removal or
installation) can activate the belt
tensioners – risk of injury.
Seats, interior52
Mounting brackets for ISOFIX child
restraint systems
The brackets located between the backrest
and seat cushion are used for mounting
ISOFIX child restraint systems.
The instructions accompanying the ISOFIX
child restraint system are to be expressly
followed.
Only ISOFIX child restraint systems
approved for the vehicle may be used.Anchors for Top-Tether child restraint
systems
The top tether anchors located on the rear
of the backrests are designed to hold child
restraints which come equipped with top
tether anchor attachments only.
Please be sure to follow the instructions
provided with the Top-Tether child
restraint system.
For use of ISOFIX and Top-Tether fixings,
universal ISOFIX child restraint systems
may be used.Airbag systems
Front airbags
The front airbag system
is identified by the
word “Airbag” on the steering wheel and
above the glove compartment.
The front airbag system comprises:
z an airbag with an inflator in the steering
wheel, and a second one behind a trim
panel above the glove compartment,
z the control electronics,
z the front impact sensor,
z the airbag system control indicator v in
the instrument panel.
Seats, interior53
The front airbag system is triggered:
zdepending on the severity of the
accident,
z depending on the type of impact,
z within the range shown in the illustration,
z independently of the side airbag 3 and
curtain airbag systems.
Examples:
z Impact against a non-yielding obstacle;
the front airbags are triggered at low
vehicle speeds,
z Impact against a yielding obstacle (such
as another vehicle); the front airbags are
only triggered at a higher vehicle speed. When triggered, the driver’s and front
passenger’s airbags inflate in milliseconds
and form safety cushions for the driver and
front passenger. Forward movement of
driver and front passenger is checked and
the risk of injuries to the upper body and
head thereby subs
tantially reduced.
z No impairment of view will occur, as
airbags inflate and deflate so quickly. The front airbag system will not be
triggered in the event of:
z
the ignition being switched off,
z minor frontal collisions,
z accidents in which the vehicle overturns,
z collisions involving a si de or rear impact
where it would not be of benefit to the
occupants.
9 Warning
The front airbag system provides
optimum protection when the seat, seat
belt, backrest and head restraint are
correctly adjusted.
Adjust the driver's seat according to the
occupant's height such that, with the
driver sitting upright, the steering wheel is
held in the area of its upper spokes with
the driver's arms slightly bent.
T h e d r i v e r ’ s s e a t s h o u l d b e a s f a r b a c k a s
possible without compromising the
driver’s ability to reach the pedals,
steering wheel or controls.
The front passenger’s seat should be as
far back as possible, with the backrest
upright. Do not place the head, body,
hands or feet on the cover of the airbag
system.
Do not place objects, children or pets in
the area in which the airbags inflate.
9 Warning
Seat belts must therefore always be worn.
The front airbag system serves to
supplement the three-point seat belts.
If you do not wear your seat belt, you risk
being seriously injure d, or even thrown
from the vehicle, in the event of an
accident.
The belts help to ma intain occupants in
the correct seating position for the front
airbag system to provide effective
protection in the event of an accident.
Seats, interior54
Side airbags 3
The side airbags are identified by the word
"Airbag" on the outboard sides of the front
seat backrests, and protect front seat
occupants in the event of a severe side
impact.
The side airbag system comprises:
z an airbag with inflator in the outboard
sides of the driver's and front
passenger's seat backrests,
z the control electronics,
z the side impact sensors,
z the airbag systems control indicator v in
the instrument panel. The side airbag system will be triggered:
z
depending on the severity of the
accident,
z depending on the type of impact,
z within the range show n in the illustration,
z independently of the front airbag
system. When triggered, the side
airbag inflates in
milliseconds and forms a safety cushion for
the driver and/or front passenger in the
respective door area. The risk of injury to
the upper body and pelvis in the event of a
side impact is thereby substantially
reduced.
9 Warning
There must be no objects in the area in
which the airbag inflates or in the area
between the seat backrests and the
vehicle body.
Do not place hands, arms or other body
parts on the covers of the airbag systems.
Important information - see page 57.
The three-point seat belt must always be
correctly fitted - see page 43.
Seats, interior55
The side airbags will not be triggered in the
event of:
zthe ignition being switched off,
z frontal collisions,
z accidents in which the vehicle overturns,
if lateral impact is insufficient for side
airbag deployment,
z collisions involving a rear impact,
z collisions involving a side impact outside
the passenger cell.
Curtain airbags
The curtain airbag system is identified by
the word "Airbag" on the roof frame, and
protects front seat and rear outboard seat
occupants in the event of a severe side
impact.
The curtain airbag system comprises:
zan airbag with inflator in the roof frame
above the doors on the driver’s and
passenger’s side respectively,
z the control electronics,
z the side impact sensors,
z the airbag systems control indicator v in
the instrument panel. The curtain airbag system will be triggered:
z
depending on the severity of the
accident,
z depending on the type of impact,
z within the range shown in the illustration,
z together with the side airbag system,
z independently of the front airbag
system.
Seats, interior56
When triggered, the curtain airbag inflates
in milliseconds and provides a safety
barrier in the head area on the respective
side of the vehicle. This reduces the risk of
injury to the head considerably in the event
of a side impact.The curtain airbags will not be triggered in
the event of:
z
the ignition being switched off,
z frontal collisions,
z accidents in which the vehicle overturns,
if lateral impact is insufficient for curtain
airbag deployment,
z collisions involving a rear impact,
z collisions involving a side impact outside
the passenger cell.
Airbag control indicator v
The front airbag system, side airbag
system 3 and curtain airbag system
are monitored electronically together with
the belt tensioners, and their operational
readiness is shown by the red control
indicator v in the instrument panel.
When the ignition is switched on, the
control indicator flashes several times then
extinguishes. If it does not flash, stays lit,
illuminates or flashes whilst driving, there is
a fault in the airbag systems or with the
belt tensioners. The systems might not
therefore be triggered in the event of an
accident (see also page 45).
9 Warning
There must be no objects in the area in
which the airbag inflates. Do not place
hands, arms or other body parts on the
covers of the airbag systems.
Never secure anything to the roof by
routing ropes through the doors or
windows, to avoid obst ructing inflation of
the curtain airbags.
Important information – see page 57.
The three-point seat belt must always be
correctly fitted – see page 43.