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47
Seats, Interior
Picture no: 18103s.tif
Notes on loading the vehicle zHeavy objects in the luggage
compartment should be placed as far
forward as possible against the rear seat
backrests or, if the rear seat backrests
are folded down, against the front seat
backrests. If objects are to be stacked,
the heavier objects should be placed at
the bottom.
zSecure heavy objects with lashing
straps3 attached to lashing eyes 3
344.
zWhen transporting objects with the
backrests folded down, install the safety
net 3 345.
zClose the luggage compartment
cover3. zIf the seat backrests are not folded down
when transporting objects in the
luggage compartment, the backrests
must be fully upright and engaged in
position 342.
zDo not allow the load to protrude above
the upper edge of the backrests.
zThe warning triangle 3 and first-aid kit
(cushion) 3 must always be freely
accessible.
zDo not place any objects in front of the
rear window or on the instrument panel.
zNo objects must be placed in the area in
which the airbags inflate, as they could
cause injury when the systems are
deployed.
zThe load must not obstruct the operation
of the pedals, handbrake and gear
selector, or hinder the freedom of
movement of the driver. Do not place
any unsecured objects in the interior.
zDo not drive with luggage compartment
open when transporting bulky objects,
for example, since toxic exhaust fumes
could penetrate the interior.
zThe payload is the difference between
the permitted gross vehicle weight
(identification plate 3182) and the EC
kerb weight.
zTo calculate the EC kerb weight, enter
the data for your vehicle on page 189. zThe EC kerb weight includes allowances
for the driver (68 kg), luggage (7 kg) and
all fluids (tank 90 % full).
zOptional equipment and accessories
increase the kerb weight.
zWeights and payload 3189.
zDriving with a roof load increases the
sensitivity of the vehicle to cross-winds
and has a detrimental effect on vehicle
handling due to the vehicle’s higher
centre of gravity. Distribute the load
evenly and secure it properly with
retaining straps. Adjust the tyre pressure
to the load conditions. Do not drive
faster than 120 km/h. Check and
retighten the straps frequently. Observe
country-specific regulations.
zThe permissible roof load is 100 kg. The
roof load consists of the weight of the
roof rack plus the load carried.
zIf objects are transported in the load
compartment, the split load
compartment grille
3 must always be
locked in one of the retainers and the
lever must be engaged at its bottom
position 346.
zWhen stowing objects in the stowage
compartment above the front seats,
secure against falling out.
Page 54 of 212

48 Seats, InteriorThree-stage safety system Comprising:
zthree-point seat belts,
zbelt tensioners at the front seats,
zairbag systems for driver and front
passenger3.
The three stages are activated in sequence
depending on the severity of the accident:
zThe automatic seat belt locking devices
prevent the belt strap from being pulled
out and thus ensure that the vehicle
occupants are retained in their seats.
zThe seat belts of the front seats are
pulled downwards at the belt buckles.
This tightens the seat belt, the occupants
are slowed down at an early stage of
vehicle deceleration and stress on the
body is reduced.
zThe airbag systems are also triggered in
the event of severe accidents and form a
safety cushion for the occupants. Carefully follow the instructions
accompanying the child restraint system.
Picture no: 18531s.tif
Three-point seat belts The seat belts have an automatic retractor,
so that the belt is spring tensioned and
always lies against the body.
Information on the correct seat position
339.
The belts are locked during heavy
acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle.
This prevents the seat belt from extending,
keeping the occupant in his or her seat.
9 Warning
The airbag systems serve to supplement
the three-point seat belts and belt
tensioners. The seat belts must therefore
always be worn. Disregard of these
instructions may lead to injuries or
endanger life. Vehicle passengers
should be informed accordingly.
Page 56 of 212
50 Seats, InteriorBelt tensioners In the event of a head-on or rear-end
collision of a certain severity, the front seat
belts are pulled down at the buckles and
thereby tightened.
Picture no: 11594s.tif
Actuation of belt tensioners
is indicated by illumination of control
indicator v; see next column.
Triggered belt tensioners must be replaced
by a workshop. Belt tensioners can only be
triggered once.
Picture no: 11702s.tif
Control indicator v for belt tensioners
The functionality of the belt tensioner
system is monitored electronically together
with the airbag systems and indicated via
control indicator v. When the ignition is
switched on, the control indicator comes on
for approx. 4 seconds. If it does not come
on, does not go out after 4 seconds or
comes on while driving, there is a fault in
the belt tensioner system or the airbag
systems 359. The systems may fail to
deploy in the event of an accident.
Triggered belt tensioners are indicated by
steady illumination of v.
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51
Seats, Interior
The system’s integrated self-diagnostics
allows faults to be quickly remedied. Important
zDo not affix or place accessories or other
objects within the deployment zone of
the belt tensioners (in the area of the belt
buckle). Do not make any modifications
to belt tensioner components and the
inertia real device because this will
invalidate the vehicle type approval. zThe 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.
zWhen using the rear seat, make sure that
the components of the front seat belt are
not damaged by shoes or other objects.
Not dirt must get into the inertia reel of
the seat belt.
zWe recommend that you have the seats
removed by a workshop.
zThe belt tensioners only deploy once,
which can be detected by illumination of
the control indicator v. Have deployed
belt tensioners replaced by a workshop.
zThe applicable safety regulations must
be adhered to when the vehicle is
disposed of. The vehicle should therefore
be disposed of by a recycling company.
9 Warning
Have cause of fault remedied
immediately by a workshop.
9 Warning
Incorrect handling (e.g. removal or
fitting of seat belts or belt buckles) can
cause the belt tensioners to deploy, with
risk of injury.
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56 Seats, Interior
Picture no: 16424s.tif
Airbag system Front airbag
The front airbag system consists of one
airbag in the steering wheel and one in the
instrument panel. These can be identified
by the word AIRBAG.
The front airbag system comprises:
zan airbag with inflator in the steering
wheel and a second one in the
instrument panel 3,
zthe control electronics with impact
sensor,
zthe control indicator for airbag
systemsv in the instrument,
Picture no: 11734s.tif
The front airbag system will be triggered:
zdepending on the severity of the
accident,
zdepending on the type of impact,
zwithin the range shown in the illustration,
zindependently of the side airbag
system3.
The ignition must be switched on. Examples of events triggering the front
airbag system:
zImpact against a non-yielding obstacle:
the front airbags are triggered at low
vehicle speed.
zImpact against a yielding obstacle:
(such as another vehicle): the front
airbags are only triggered at a higher
vehicle speed.
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57
Seats, Interior
Picture no: 11600s.tif
When triggered, the front airbags inflate in
milliseconds to form a safety cushion for
the driver and front passenger. The
forward movement of the front seat
occupants is checked, thereby
substantially reducing the risk of injury to
the upper body and head.
No impairment of view will occur, because
the airbags inflate and deflate so quickly
that it is often not even noticed in an
accident.
Picture no: 18530s.tif Picture no: 18531s.tif
The front airbag system will not be
triggered in the event of
zthe ignition is switched off,
zminor frontal collisions,
zaccidents in which the vehicle overturns,
zcollisions involving a side or rear impact,
that is to say, if it would not be of benefit to
the occupants.
9 Warning
Optimum protection is only provided
with the seat in the proper position 339.
Keep the area in which the airbag
inflates clear of obstructions.
Wear the three-point seat belt properly
fastened. The front airbag system is an
additional safety device, not a
replacement for your seat belt.
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58 Seats, Interior
Picture no: 11601s.tif
Side airbag 3
The side airbag system consists of an
airbag in each front seat backrest. This can
be identified by the word AIRBAG.
The side airbag system comprises:
zan airbag with inflator in the back of the
driver’s and front passenger seat
respectively,
zthe control electronics,
zthe side impact sensors,
zthe control indicator for airbag
systemsv in the instrument.
Picture no: 13195s.tif
The side airbag system will be triggered:
zdepending on the severity of the
accident,
zdepending on the type of impact,
zwithin the range shown in the illustration
on the centre door pillar of the driver’s or
front passenger side,
zindependently of the front airbag
system.
The ignition must be switched on.
Picture no: 11602s.tif
When triggered, the side airbag inflates in
milliseconds to form a safety cushion for
the driver or front passenger in the
respective door area. This substantially
reduces the risk of injury to the upper body
in the event of a side-on collision.
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59
Seats, Interior
The side airbags will not be triggered in the
event of
zthe ignition is switched off,
zfrontal collisions,
zaccidents in which the vehicle overturns,
zcollisions involving a rear impact,
zcollisions involving a side impact outside
the passenger cell.
Picture no: 11702s.tif
Control indicator v for airbag systems
The functionality of the airbag systems is
monitored electronically together with the
belt tensioner system and indicated via
control indicator v. When the ignition is
switched on, the control indicator comes on
for approx. 4 seconds. If it does not come
on, does not go out after 4 seconds, or it
comes on while driving, there is a fault in
the airbag tensioner system or in the belt
tensioner systems 350. The systems may
fail to deploy in the event of an accident.
Triggered airbag systems are indicated by
steady illumination of v. The system’s integrated self-diagnostics
allows faults to be quickly remedied.
9 Warning
Keep the area in which the airbag
inflates clear of obstructions.
9 Warning
Have cause of fault remedied
immediately by a workshop.