Passive Safety
140
WARNING
•
T h e h e a d re s t ra i n t s m u s t a l w a y s b e a d j u s t e d t o m a t c h t h e b o d y s i z e , i n o rd e r
to offer an optimal protection for you and your occupants.•
Always keep your feet in the footwell
when the car is being driven - never
put your feet out of the window or on the surfaces of the seats. You will be exposed to increased risk of injury if it
becomes necessary to apply the brake or
in the event of an accident.
If an airbag is deployed, you may suffer fatal injuries
when adopting an incorrect seated position!•
If the occupants on the rear
seats are not sitting uprigh
t, the risk of injury is
increased due to incorrect routing of the seat belt.Examples of an incorrect seated position An incorrect seated position can lead to severe injuries or death for the occupants.Seat belts offer their optimum protection only
if the webbing of the seat belts is prop-
erly routed. Incorrect seated positions considerably reduce the protective functions of the seat belts and therefore increase the risk
of injury due to an incorrect routing of the
seat belt. The driver is fully responsible for himself and the occupants, in particular for the children. Do not permit an occupant to
adopt an incorrect seated position when
the car is moving. The following list contains
the examples of seated positions which are dangerous for
the occupants. This list is not complete, howe
ver we would like you to get interested in
this subject. Therefore, while the car is moving never:•
stand up in the vehicle,
•
stand up on the seats,
•
kneel onto the seats,
•
tilt the seat backrest fully to the back,
•
lean against the dash panel,
•
lie on the rear seats,
•
only sit on the front area of the seat,
•
sit to the side,
•
lean out of the window,
•
put the feet out of the window,
•
put the feet on the dash panel,
•
put the feet on the seat upholstery,
•
occupy the footwell,
•
have the seat belt not fastened,
•
occupy the luggage compartment.
WARNING
•
If the occupant adopts an incorrect seated position, he is exposed to life-
threatening injuries, in case he is hit by a deployed airbag.•
Before setting off, please adopt the correct seated position and do not
change this seated position while the car is moving. Also advise your occupants to adopt the correct seated position and not to change this seated position while the car is moving.
sgg.6.book Page 140 Thursday, September 24, 2009 2:32 PM
Seat belts
144
WARNING
Adjust the height of the belt in such a way that the shoulder part of the belt is positioned approximately across the middle of your shoulder - on no account across your neck.
Note
It is also possible to adapt the routing of the belt webbing at the front seats by adjusting the height of the seat.Taking seat belts off– Press the red button in the belt lock
⇒fig. 136
. The spring force causes the tongue
of the lock to jump out.
– Guide the belt back with your hand to en
able the inertia reel to wind up the belt
webbing more easily.
A plastic knob in the belt webbing holds the be
lt tongue in a position which is easy to
get hold of.Three-point seat belt for the rear middle seat The three-point seat belt for the rear middle seat is anchored in the area of the luggage compartment on the left side of the headliner.Your car is equipped as standard
with the three-point seat belt.
Fastening the seat belt– Pull the belt with both lock to
ngues out of the headliner mount.
– Insert the lock tongue at the end of the belt
into the seat belt buckle on the left side
until it is heard to lock in place.
– Pull the second lock tongue, which is move
able on the seat belt, over the chest and
insert it into the belt buckle on the right side until it is heard to lock in place.
– Pull on the belt to check that both lock
tongues are reliably engaged in the locks.
– The belt tongues for the rear middle seat are shaped differently so that they only fit
into the respective belt buckle. If you attempt to insert a lock tongue into the wrong belt lock it will not lock.
Taking seat belt off– Take off the seat belt in the reverse order to fastening.
WARNING
•
The three-point safety belt for the rear middle seat can only fulfil its func-
tion reliably when the backrests are correctly locked into position
⇒page 74.
•
After releasing the seat belt hold it tight and let it slowly reel up until both
lock tongues lock into the headliner mount and are secured with a magnet - risk of injury.•
Never release simultaneously both tongues of the lock.
Belt tensionersSafety for the driver and front passenger
wearing their seat belts
is enhanced by the
belt tensioners fitted to the inertia reels of
the front three-point seat belts, in addition
to the protection afforded
by the airbag system.
The three-point seat belts are automatically te
nsioned in the event of a frontal collision
of a certain severity. The belt tensioners can
also be deployed if the seat belts are not
fastened.
Fig. 136 Releasing lock tongue from belt lock
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Seat belts
145
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
The belt tensioner is deployed in the event
of a frontal collision of major severity. A
powder charge is ignited in the inertia re
els during deployment. The belt webbing is
pulled into the inertia reels by a mechanical system and the belt is tensioned. The belt tensioners are not activated in case
of minor frontal and rear-end collisions,
in the case of vehicle rollover or accidents,
through which no long delays are incurred
to the vehicle. In the case of
a side collision, only the belt tensioner of the front seat on
the side on which the collision takes place is deployed.
WARNING
•
Any work on the system including removal and installation of system
components because of other repair work, must only be carried out by a specialist garage.•
The protective function of the system is
only adequate for a single accident.
If the belt tensioners have been deployed, it is then necessary to replace the entire system.•
The Owner's Manual must also be handed over to the new owner if the
vehicle is sold.
Note
•
Smoke is generated when the belt tensione
rs are deployed. This is not an indica-
tion of a fire in the vehicle.•
It is essential to pay attent
ion to relevant safety regulations if the vehicle or indi-
vidual parts of the system are scrapped. Specialist garages are familiar with these regu-lations and will be able to provide you with detailed information in this respect.•
When disposing of vehicle or parts of the system, it is important to comply with the
national legal requirements.
sgg.6.book Page 145 Thursday, September 24, 2009 2:32 PM
Airbag system
154
being deployed. When the deployed head
airbag is inflated, parts of the acces-
sories fitted may in certain circumstances be thrown into the interior of the car and cause injuries to the occupants
⇒page 221, “Accessories, changes and
replacement of parts”.•
Any work on the head airbag system
including installing and removing
system components because
of other repair work (e.g. removing headliner)
must only be carried out by a specialist garage.Deactivating an airbagDeactivating airbags If any airbags have been deactivated, switch them on again as soon as possible so that they are able to again provide their proper protection.There is the technical means installed within your vehicle to switch off the front, side* or head* airbag (take out of commission). This is why you should have the deactivation
of the airbags carried out by a specialist
garage. On vehicles equipped with the switch for de
activation of the airbags, you can deacti-
vate the front passenger airbag
by means of this switch
⇒page 154.
Deactivation of airbags is envisaged only for particular instances, such as if:•
Yo u m u s t i n
exceptional cases
use a child seat on the front passenger seat where
the child is seated with its back to the dire
ction of travel (in some countries this must
be in the direction of travel due to other legal regulations applying)
⇒page 156,
“Important safety information regarding the use of child safety seats”;•
you are not able to maintain the distance
of at least 25 cm between middle of
steering wheel and chest, despite the driver seat being correctly adjusted;•
special attachments are required in the ar
ea of the steering wheel because of a
physical disability;•
you have installed other seats (e.g. orthopaedic seats without side airbags).
Monitoring the airbag system The functionality of the airbag system is al
so monitored electronically when one airbag
has been switched off. If the airbag was switched off using diagnostic equipment:•
The warning light for the airbag system li
ghts up for 4 seconds after switching on
the ignition and then flashes for 12 seco
nds afterwards in 2 second intervals.
Front passenger airbags sw
itched off using the switch for front passenger
airbags* in storage compartmen
t on the front passenger side:
•
the airbag indicator light in the instrume
nt cluster comes on for about 4 seconds
each time the igniti
on is switched on;
•
switching off the airbag is indicated in the middle of the dash panel by the lighting
up of the yellow indicator light in display
⇒fig. 145
.
Note
A specialist garage will be able to advise you whether national legislation in your country allows airbags in
your vehicle to be deactivated, and which ones.
Switch for the front passenger airbagFig. 145 Storage compartment: Switch for the
front passenger airbag / indicator light for a
switched off front seat passenger airbagThe front passenger airbag is deactivated with the switch.
WARNING (continued)
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Airbag system
155
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Deactivating an airbag– Switch off the ignition. – Turn the slot of the airbag switch using the key in the position (
OFF
) ⇒fig. 145
.
– Check whether the yellow airbag indicator light in display
in the middle of the dash panel lights up when the ignition is turned on
⇒fig. 145
.
Switching on an airbag– Switch off the ignition. – Turn the slot of the airbag switch using the key in the position (
ON
) ⇒fig. 145
.
– Check whether the yellow airbag indicator light in display
in the middle of the dash panel lights up when the ignition is turned on
⇒fig. 145
.
The warning light
goes out 65 seconds after th
e ignition is switched on.
The airbag should only be switched off under exceptional circumstances
⇒page 154.
Indicator light in display
(airbag switched off)
The airbag indicator ligh
t is located in the middle of the dash panel
⇒fig. 145
.
If the front passenger airbag is
switched off
, the warning light comes on about 4
seconds after the ignition is switched on. There is a system fault present in the airbag switch off
⇒
if the indicator light
flashes.
Please have the car inspected immediately by a specialist garage.WARNING
•
The driver is responsible
for whether the airbag is switched on or switched
off.•
Only switch off the airbag when the ignition is switched off! Otherwise a
fault can occur in the system for the airbag deactivation.•
If the yellow indicator light in display
(airbag
switched off) flashes:
− Front passenger airbag is not deployed in the event of an accident! − It is also important to have the system inspected without delay by a specialist garage.
A2A1
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Transporting children safely
162
– Push the notched arms of the
child seat into the locking eyes in direction of arrow
, until they are heard to lock in place
⇒fig. 152
.
–
Pull on both sides of the child seat!
One can mount a child safety seat using the “I
SOFIX” system quickly, easily and reliably.
Please pay close attention to instructions
from the manufacturer of the child safety
seat when installing and removing the seat. Child seats fitted with the “ISOFIX” system
can only be mounted and fixed in a vehicle
fitted with an “ISOFIX” system when these child seats have been released for this type of vehicle according to
the ECE-R 44 standard.
You can obtain child seats with the “ISOFIX” attachment system from specialist garages who will also installed it as well. Complete installation instructions are enclosed with the child safety seat.
WARNING
•
The locking eyes have just been deve
loped for child safety seats which use
the “ISOFIX” system. You should therefore never attach other child safety seats, seat belts or objects to th
e locking eyes - hazard!
•
Ask a specialist garage whether a child seat which you bought for another
vehicle is recommended for use in your vehicle before using a child seat with “ISOFIX” system.•
Certain child seats which use the “ISO
FIX” system can be attached with
standard three-point seat belts. Please
pay close attention to instructions from
the manufacturer of the child safety seat
when installing and
removing the seat.
Note
•
Child seats which use the “ISOFIX” system are currently available for children
weighing from 9 up to 18 kg. This correspond
s to an age range of from 9 months to 4
years.•
The child seats can also be fitted with the “Top Tether” system
⇒page 162.
Attaching child seat using the “Top Tether” systemThe rear exterior seats and/or the middle seat (only valid for some countries) are equipped as standard with the attachment syst
em “Top Tether” at the rear of the seat
backrest for enhancing the child safety
⇒fig. 153
.
Always perform the installation and removal of the child seat using the “Top Tether” system as stated in the instructions from the manufacturer of the child seat.
WARNING
•
Attach the child seats with the “Top Tether” system only to the points
provided for this purpose
⇒fig. 153
.
•
On no account should you equip your vehicle, e.g. mount screws or other
anchorage points.•
Pay attention to the important safety
information regarding the use of child
seats.
Note
Store the remaining part of the belt for the “Top Tether” system in a textile pocket, which is located at the child seat.
A1
Fig. 153 Rear seat: Top Tether
sgg.6.book Page 162 Thursday, September 24, 2009 2:32 PM
Intelligent Technology
163
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Driving TipsIntelligent TechnologyElectronic stability programme (ESP)*GeneralGeneral The ESP aids you in maintaining control of
your vehicle in situations in which the
vehicle is driving at its dynamic limits, such as
entering a curve fast. The risk of skidding
is reduced and your vehicle thus offers greater driving stability depending on the conditions of the road surface. The system operates at all speeds. The following systems are integrated into the electronic stability programme:•
electronic Differential Lock (EDL),
•
traction control system (TCS),
•
active driver-steering recommendation (DSR),
•
antilock brake system (ABS),
•
brake Assist,
•
uphill-Start off-Assist.
The ESP system cannot be switched off, the
TCS system can only be switched off by
pressing the button
⇒fig. 154
, then the ESP warning light flashes slowly
.
Operating principle The ESP switches on automatically when the engine is started and then conducts a self-test. The ESP control unit processes data from the individual systems. It also proc- esses additional measurement data which are supplied by highly sensitive sensors: the rotational velocity of the vehicle about its ve
rtical axis, the lateral acceleration of the
vehicle, the braking pressure and the steering angle. The direction which the driver wishes to take is determined based on the steering angle and the speed of the vehicle and is co
nstantly compared with the actual behav-
iour of the vehicle. If
differences exist, such as the vehi
cle beginning to skid, the ESP will
automatically brake the appropriate wheel. The car is stabilised again by the forces wh
ich take effect when the wheel is braked.
Intervention into the brake system takes place primarily on the outer front wheel of a vehicle which tends to oversteer (tendency for the rear of the vehicle to break away) while occurs this is on the inner rear wh
eel of a vehicle whic
h tends to understeer
(tendency to shift out of the curve). This braking control cycle is accompanied by noises. During an intervention of the system, the warning light
flashes quickly in the instru-
ment cluster
⇒page 35.
The ESP operates in combination with the ABS
⇒page 167, “Antilock brake system
(ABS)”. If there is a fault in the ABS system, the ESP also does not operate. The ESP warning light lights up in the inst
rument cluster when there is a fault on the
ESP
⇒page 35.WARNING
It is also not possible for the ESP to overcome the physical limits of the vehicle. Even if a vehicle fitted with ESP you should still always adapt your style of driving to the condition of the road surfac
e and the traffic situation. This partic-
ularly applies when driving on slippery
and wet roads. The increased safety
Fig. 154 ESP switch
sgg.6.book Page 163 Thursday, September 24, 2009 2:32 PM
Intelligent Technology
164
offered must not tempt you to take greater risks than otherwise - risk of an acci- dent!
Note
•
All four wheels must be fitted with the same tyres in order to achieve problem-free
operation of the ESP. Differing rolling circum
ferences of the tyres can lead to an unde-
sirable reduction in the engine output.•
Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on th
e brakes, on chassis or another combina-
tion of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the ESP
⇒page 221, “Accesso-
ries, changes and replacement of parts”.Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)* The electronic differential lock prev
ents an individual wheel from slip-
ping.Models fitted with ESP ar
e equipped with electronic differential lock (EDL).
General The EDL makes it much easier, and sometimes
at all possible, to start off, accelerate
and climb a steep hill when the conditions of the road surface are unfavourable. Operating principle The EDL is activated automaticall
y, that is without any action
on the part of the driver.
It monitors the speeds of the driven wheels with the aid of the ABS sensors. Should only
one
drive wheel begin spinning on a slippery surface there will be an appreciable
difference in the speed of the driven wheels. The EDL function brakes the slipping wheel and the differential transmits a greate
r driving force to the other driven wheel.
This control process is also accompanied by noises. Overheating of the brakes The EDL switches off automatica
lly if unusually severe stresses exist in order to avoid
excessive heat generation in the disc brake on the wheel which is being braked. The vehicle can continue to be driven and has
the same characteristics as a vehicle not
fitted with EDL.
The EDL switches on again automatically
as soon as the brake has cooled down.
EDL Off-road* After switching on the Off-road mode
⇒page 170, EDL Off-road is activated.
EDL Off-road is matched in such a way that it assists the traction of the vehicle when driving on an unfirm ground. EDL is activated earlier in the Off-road mode than in the normal mode. The brake pres- sure builts up more quickly on the slipping
wheel, on one axle, as well as diagonally.
WARNING
•
Carefully depress the accelerator when
accelerating on uniformly slippery
road surfaces, such as ice and snow. Th
e driven wheels might still spin despite
the EDL and affect the stability of
the vehicle - risk of an accident!
•
You should always adapt your style of driving to the condition of road
surface and to the traffic situation even
when your vehicle is fitted with EDL.
The increased safety offered must not tempt you to take greater risks than otherwise - risk of an accident!
Note
•
If the ABS or ESP warning light comes on, this may also indicate a fault in the EDL.
Please have the vehicle inspected as soon
as possible by a specialist garage.
•
Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or another combina-
tion of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the EDL
⇒page 221, “Accesso-
ries, changes and replacement of parts”.
WARNING (continued)
sgg.6.book Page 164 Thursday, September 24, 2009 2:32 PM