
Airbag system
40Safety notes on the operation of the side airbag system
If airbags are used correctly, they can considerably reduce the
risk of injury in side impact collisions.
WARNING
•If you do not wear a seat belt, if you lean forward, or are not seated
correctly while the vehicle is in motion, you are at a greater risk of injury if
the side airbag system is triggered in an accident.•In order for the side airbags to provide their maximum protection, the
prescribed sitting position must always be maintained with seat belts
fastened while travelling.•Occupants of the outer seats must never carry any objects or pets in the
deployment space between them and the airbags, or allow children or
other passengers to travel in this position. It is also important not to attach
any accessories (such as cup holders) to the doors. This would impair the
protection offered by the side airbags.•The built-in coat hooks should be us ed only for lightweight clothing. Do
not leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets.•Great forces, such as hard blows or kicks, must not be exer ted upon the
backrest bolster because the system may be damaged. In this case, the
side airbags would not be triggered.•Under no circumstances should protective covers be fitted over the
driver seat or front passenger seat un less the covers have been expressly
approved for use in your vehicle. Because the airbag is triggered from the
side of the backrest, the use of non-approved seat covers would obstruct
the side airbag, seriously reducing the airbag's effectiveness ⇒page 214,
“Accessories, replacement of parts and modifications”.•Any damage to the original seat upholstery or around the seams of the
side airbag units must be repaired immediately by a qualified workshop.•The airbags provide protection for just one accident; replace them once
they have deployed.
•When children assume an incorrect sitting position, they expose them-
selves to an increased risk of injury in the event of an accident. This is
particularly the case if the child is travelling on the front passenger seat
and the airbag system is triggered in an accident; this could have critical
consequences including serious injury or death ⇒page 46, “Child safety”.•Any work on the side airbag system or removal and installation of the
airbag components for other repairs (such as removal of the front seat)
should only be performed by a qualif ied workshop. Otherwise, faults may
occur during the airbag system operation.•Do not attempt to modify components of the airbag system in any way.•The side and head airbags are managed through sensors located in the
interior of the front doors. To ensure the correct functioning of the side and
head airbags neither the doors nor the door panels should be modified in
any way (e.g. fitting loudspeakers). If the front door is damaged, the airbag
system may not work correctly. All work carried out on the front door must
be made in a qualified workshop.WARNING (continued)
Exeo_EN.book Seite 40 Freitag, 28. August 2009 10:14 10

Airbag system41
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Curtain airbagsDescription of curtain airbags
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts.The curtain airbags are located on both sides in the interior above the doors
⇒fig. 25 and are identified with the text “AIRBAG”.
In conjunction with the seat belts, the curtain airbag system gives the occu-
pants additional protection for the head and upper body in the event of a
severe side collision ⇒ page 42, “Safety notes on the operation of the
curtain airbag system”.
The airbag system is not a substitute for seat belts, but it is an integral part
of the vehicle's overall passive safety system. Please bear in mind that the
airbag system can only work effectively when the occupants are wearing their
seat belts correctly and have adjusted the head restraints properly. Therefore,
it is most important to wear the seat belts at all times, not only because this is required by law in most countries, but also for your safety
⇒page 18,
“Brief introduction”.
The main parts of the curtain airbag system are:
•an electronic control and monitoring system (control unit),•the curtain airbags (airbags with ga s generator) for the driver, front
passenger and passengers on the rear seats,•a warning lamp
in the dash panel insert ⇒page 29.
The airbag system operation is monitored electronically.
The curtain airbag system will not be triggered
•the ignition is switched off,•there is a frontal collision,•there is a rear-end collision,•if the vehicle rolls,•during a minor side collision,WARNING
If a fault has occurred in the airbag system, have the system checked imme-
diately by a qualified workshop. Otherwise there is a danger that during a
collision, the system may fail to trigger, or not trigger correctly.
Fig. 25 Location of left
curtain airbag
Exeo_EN.book Seite 41 Freitag, 28. August 2009 10:14 10

Airbag system
44Deactivating airbags*Disabling front passenger airbag
If you fit a rear-facing child seat to the front passenger seat,
the front passenger airbag must be de-activated.
When the passenger airbag is deactivated, this means that only the
frontal airbag is deactivated. Al l the other airbags in the vehicle
remain functional.
Disabling front passenger airbag
– Switch the ignition off.
– Turn the ignition switch in the key-operated switch in the glove
compartment to position OFF ⇒ fig. 27 .
– Check that the warning lamp “OFF” on the instrument panel ⇒fig. 28 remains lit when the ignition is switched on ⇒.
Enabling front passenger airbag
– Switch the ignition off.
– Turn the ignition switch in the key-operated switch in the glove
compartment to position ON ⇒ fig. 27 .
Fig. 27 In the glovebox:
key for enabling and disa-
bling front passenger
airbag
Fig. 28 Warning lamp for
deactivated passenger
airbag in centre console
A0A1
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Airbag system45
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
– Check that the warning lamp on the instrument panel does
⇒page 44, fig. 28 not light up when the ignition is switched on
⇒ .
WARNING
•The driver is responsible for the proper position of the key-operated
switch. •You should only deactivate the front passenger airbag when, in excep-
tional cases, you have to use a rear-facing child seat ⇒page 46, “Child
safety”•Never install a child seat facing backwards (or rear-facing) on the front
passenger seat unless the front passenger airbag has been disabled. This
represents a risk of fatal injuries to 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 is no longer needed on the front passenger
seat, enable the front passenger airbag again.•Only deactivate the passenger airbag when the ignition is off, other-
wise a fault may occur in the airbag system, this will create a danger that
in case of an accident, the airbag does not deploy properly or does not
deploy at all.•When the passenger airbag is deactivated, if the warning lamp AIRBAG
OFF is not continuously lit up when the front passenger airbag is disabled,
there may be 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
passenger airbag could be triggered despite the fact that there is a fault
in the system and, as a result, a child could sustain serious or fatal inju-
ries. −
It is predictable whether the front passenger airbag will deploy
during an accident! Warn all your passengers of this.
•When using the ignition key to activate / deactivate the passenger front
airbag, only the passenger front airbag will be activated / deactivated. The
side airbag and head airbag on the passenger side will remain active.WARNING (continued)
Exeo_EN.book Seite 45 Freitag, 28. August 2009 10:14 10

Child safety47
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
“Deactivating airbags*”. If the passenger seat has a height adjustment
option, move it to the highest position.
•For those vehicles that do not include a key lock switch to turn the
airbag off, an Authorised Service Centre must be consulted.•All passengers, especially children, must assume the proper sitting
position and be properly belted in while travelling.•Never hold children or babies on your lap, this can result in potentially
fatal injuries to the child!•Never allow a child to be transported in a vehicle without being properly
secured, or to stand up or kneel on a seat while travelling. In an accident,
the child could be flung through the vehicle, causing possibly fatal injuries
to themselves and to the other passengers.•If children assume an improper sitting position when the car is moving,
they expose themselves to greater risk of injury in the event of sudden
braking manoeuvre or in an accident. This is particularly important if the
child is travelling on the front passenger seat and the airbag system is trig-
gered in an accident; as this could cause serious injury or even death.•A suitable child seat can protect your child!•Never leave an unsupervised child alone on a child seat or in the
vehicle.•Depending on weather conditions, it may become extremely hot or cold
inside the vehicle. This can be fatal.•Children who are less than 1.5 metres tall must not wear a normal seat
belt without a child restraint system, as this could cause injuries to the
abdominal and neck areas during a sudden braking manoeuvre or in an
accident.•Do not allow the belt webbing to become twisted or jammed, or to rub
on any sharp edges.•Incorrectly worn seat belts can cause injuries even in a minor collision
or in sudden braking manoeuvres.
•The seat belt provides maximum protection only when the belt web is
properly positioned ⇒page 22, “Seat belts”.•Only one child may occupy a child seat ⇒page 48, “Child seats”.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
Exeo_EN.book Seite 47 Freitag, 28. August 2009 10:14 10

Cockpit57
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Controls and equipmentCockpitOverviewInstrument panel overview
Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Door handle
Central locking switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electric adjuster for exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air outlets with thumbwheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Light switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lever for indicators and main beam headlights . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Levers and switches for:
−Windscreen wipers and washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− On-board computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Menu display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depending on equipment fitted:
− Electronic stabilisation programme (ESP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Warning lamp indicating that front passenger's airbag has
been disabled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Switch for acoustic parking aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Sun blind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hazard warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drink holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stowage compartments
Depending on equipment fitted: Sound system or navigation
system
Lockable glove compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front passenger's airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Climate control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Switch for heated rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thumbwheel for seat heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ashtray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual gear lever
Cigarette lighter / Socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Auxiliary socket
Tyre pressure monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stowage compartment
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seat memory* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bonnet lock release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
−
coming home and leaving home: delayed lights off and
anticipated lights on function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lever for cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering wheel with:
− Horn
A1
108
A2A3
100
A4
131
A5
161
A6
115
A7
122
A8
59
A9
128
85
87
A10
165
A11
68
44
169
127
A12
121
A13
147
A14A15A16
151
A17
31
A18
156
A19
126
A20
163
A21
148
A22A23
148
A24A25
66
A26A27
168
A28
137
A29
220
A30
119
118
A31
172
A32
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Unlocking and locking101
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
•The doors and the tailgate cannot be opened from the outside (for secu-
rity reasons, e.g. when stopped at traffic lights).•You can open the doors individually from the inside by pulling the inside
door handle.•When the driver's door is open, it cannot be locked by pressing the central
locking switch and then closing the door. This helps to prevent you from
being locked out of the vehicle. The door has to be locked separately after it
has been closed.•In the event of an accident in which the airbags inflate, doors locked from
the inside will be automatically unlocked to facilitate access and assistance.WARNING
The central locking switch is still operative when the ignition is switched
off. This switch can be used to automatically lock all the doors and the tail-
gate. However, since this makes it difficult to enter the car from the
outside, you should never leave children unattended in the vehicle. Locked
doors could delay assistance in an emergency, potentially putting lives at
risk.
Note
The central locking switch inside the vehicle will not be operative if the anti-
theft mechanism has been enabled.
Security central locking*
The security central locking feature allows you to only unlock
the driver's door and the tank flap. All other doors and the
tailgate remain locked.Unlocking the driver's door and tank flap
–Turn the key once to the unlock position, or press the unlock
button on the remote control once.
Unlocking all the doors, the tailgate and the tank flap
simultaneously.
–Turn the key twice within five seconds, or press the unlock button
on the remote control twice within five seconds.The security system and the anti-theft alarm* are immediately disabled if you
unlock only the driver's door, without unlocking the other doors
⇒page 106.
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Lights and visibility
122
–Press the switch
⇒ page 121, fig. 91 to switch the hazard
warning lights on or off.
All four indicators flash simultaneously when the hazard warning lights are
switched on. The hazard warning light indication lamps
and the turn
signal indication lamp itself
flash at the same time. The hazard warning
lights also work when the ignition is switched off.
In an accident in which the airbags are triggered, the hazard warning lights
are switched on automatically.
Note
You should switch on the hazard warning lights to warn other road users, e.g.•When reaching the tail end of a traffic jam•If your vehicle breaks down or there is an emergency•If your vehicle is being towed away or if you are towing another vehicle
Indicator
and main beam headlight lever
The turn signal and main beam headlight lever also operates
the parking lights and the headlight flasher.The turn signal and main beam headlight lever has the following
functions:
Indicators
– Move the lever all the way up to indicate right or all the way down to indicate left ⇒fig. 92 .
– Move the lever up or down just as far as the point of resistance and hold it there: the indicators flash for as long as you hold the
lever (for instance when changing a lane).
– Move the lever briefly up or down as far as the point of resistance and release it to signal briefly (the indicators flash three times).
Fig. 92 Turn signal and
main beam headlight
lever
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