Airbag system
36that the airbag system can only help to protect you if you are wearing your
seat belt and wearing it properly.
Remember too that airbags will deploy only once and only in certain kinds of
accidents - your seat belts are always there to offer protection in those acci-
d e nts in whi ch ai r bags ar e n ot supp ose d to d e ploy o r whe n t he y hav e a lread y
deployed, for example when your vehicle strikes or is struck by another after
the first collision.
This is just one of the reasons why an airbag is not a substitute for the seat
belt. The airbag system works most effectively when used with the seat belts.
Therefore, always wear your seat belts correctly.
It is important to remember that while the airbag system is designed to
reduce the possibility of serious injuries, other injuries, for example,
swelling, bruising, and minor abrasions can also be associated with airbags.
The knee airbag system basically consists of:•The electronic control module•One inflatable airbag (airbag and gas generator) for the driver•An airbag indicator light on the instrument panel
The knee airbag system will not be triggered:•if the ignition is switched off•in frontal collisions when the deceleration measured by the control unit is
too low•in side collisions•in rear-end collisions•in rollovers•in the event of a system malfunction (hazard warning lights/turn signals
illuminated) ⇒page 65.
WARNING
•Seat belts and the airbag system can only provide protection when
occupants are in the proper seating position.•If the airbag indicator light comes on when the vehicle is being used,
have the system inspected immediately by your Authorised Service Centre.
The airbag may not work properly when the vehicle acceleration in a side
collision is high enough to deploy the airbag. See also ⇒page 65.
How knee airbags work
The risk of injury to the leg area is reduced by fully deployed
knee airbags.The knee airbag system has been designed so that the airbag for the driver is
deployed in certain but not all frontal collisions.
Fig. 22 Inflated airbags
protect in a frontal colli-
sion.
exeo_EN.book Seite 36 Montag, 30. August 2010 4:45 16
Airbag system
38Side airbags*Description of side airbags
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts.The front side airbags are located in the driver seat and front passenger seat
backrests ⇒fig. 23 . The rear side airbags* are located in the rear wheel
housing lining. The locations are identified by the text “AIRBAG” in the upper
region of the backrests and in the rear wheel housing lining.
Together with the seat belts, the side airbag system gives the front seat occu-
pants additional protection for the upper body in the event of a severe side
collision ⇒ page 40, “Safety notes on the operation of the side airbag
system”.
In a side collision, the side airbags reduce the risk of injury to passengers on
the front seats to the areas of the body facing the impact. In addition to their
normal function of protecting the occupants in a collision, the seat belts also hold the passengers in the front seats and the outer rear seats in a position
where the side airbags can provide maximum protection.
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. 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 side airbag system will not be triggered if:
•the ignition is switched off•there is a minor side collision•there is a frontal collision•there is a rear-end collision•the vehicle turns over
The main parts of the airbag system are:•an electronic control and monitoring system (control unit)•The front side airbags in the backrests of the front seats and the rear side
airbags in the lining of the rear wheel housing•a warning lamp
T on the instrument panel ⇒page 29
The airbag system operation is monitored electronically. The airbag warning
lamp will light up for approx. 4 seconds every time the ignition is switched on
(self-diagnosis).
WARNING
•In a side collision, the side airbags will not work, if the sensors do not
correctly measure the pressure increase on the interior of the doors, due to
air escaping through the areas with holes or openings in the door panel.•Never drive the vehicle if the interior panels have been removed.
Fig. 23 Side airbag in
driver seat
exeo_EN.book Seite 38 Montag, 30. August 2010 4:45 16
Airbag system
40The special design of the airbag allows the controlled escape of the propel-
lant gas when an occupant puts pressure on the bag. Thus, the head and
chest are surrounded and protected by the airbag.Safety 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 seats
with side airbags unless the covers have been 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 218, “Accessories, parts
replacement and modifications”.
•Any damage to the original seat upholstery or around the seams of the
side airbag units must be repaired immediately by a specialised 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 Montag, 30. August 2010 4:45 16
Airbag system
42Operation of curtain airbags
Fully inflated airbags reduce the risk of head or chest injury in
a side collision.During some side collisions the curtain airbag is triggered on the impact side
of the vehicle ⇒fig. 26 .
In certain types of accident the front, side and curtain airbags may be trig-
gered together.
When the system is triggered, the airbag is filled with propellant gas. In the
process, the curtain airbag covers the side windows and door pillars.
The airbags deploy extremely rapidly, within thousandths of a second, to
provide additional protection in the event of an accident. A fine dust may
develop when the airbag deploys. This is normal and it is not an indication of
fire in the vehicle.
The fully deployed airbags cushion the movement of the front occupants and
help to reduce the risk of injury to the upper body. The special design of the airbag allows the controlled escape of the propel-
lant gas when an occupant puts pressure on the bag. Thus, the head and
chest are surrounded and protected by the airbag.
Safety notes on the operation of the curtain airbag system
If you use airbags correctly, they can considerably reduce the
risk of injury in many kinds of accident.
WARNING
•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.•For safety reasons, the curtain airbag must be disconnected in those
vehicles fitted with a passenger compartment separation screen. See an
Authorised Service Centre to make this adjustment.•There must be no other persons, animals or objects between the occu-
pants of the outer seats and the deployment space of the curtain airbags
so that the curtain airbag can deploy without restriction and provide the
greatest possible protection. Therefore, sun blinds which have not been
expressly approved for use in your vehicle may not be attached to the side
windows ⇒page 218, “Accessories, parts replacement and modifica-
tions”.•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. Please, do not
hang the clothes on coat hangers.•The airbags provide protection for just one accident; replace them once
they have deployed.•Any work on the curtain airbag system or removal and installation of
the airbag components for other repairs (such as removal of the roof lining)
Fig. 26 Deployed curtain
airbags
exeo_EN.book Seite 42 Montag, 30. August 2010 4:45 16
Airbag system45
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
– Check that the warning lamp on the instrument panel
⇒page 44, fig. 28 does 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 on the front passenger
seat ⇒page 46, “Child safety”.•Never install a child seat facing backwards on the front passenger seat
unless the front passenger airbag has been disabled. Otherwise, there is a
risk of death. If under exceptional circumstances it is necessary to trans-
port 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, which could cause the airbag
to not deploy properly or not deploy at all.•When the passenger airbag is deactivated, if the warning lamp AIRBAG
OFF is not continuously lit up, 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 unpredictable whether the front passenger airbag will deploy in
the event of an accident. Warn all your passengers of this.
•When using the ignition key to activate/deactivate the front passenger
airbag, only the front passenger 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 Montag, 30. August 2010 4:45 16
Cockpit57
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Operating InstructionsCockpitOverviewDash panel overview
Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Door handle
Central locking switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electric control for exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air outlets with thumbwheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Light switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lever for turn signals and main beam headlights . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Levers and switches for:
−Windscreen wipers and washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Onboard computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Menu display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depending on equipment fitted:
− Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Warning lamp indicating that front passenger airbag has
been disabled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Switch for acoustic parking aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Sun blind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hazard warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Drink holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Storage compartment
Depending on equipment fitted: Sound system or navigation
system
Lockable glove compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front passenger airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air conditioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Switch for heated rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thumbwheel for seat heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ashtray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual gear lever
Cigarette lighter / Power socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Auxiliary socket
Tyre pressure monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Storage 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
− Driver airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A1
108
A2A3
100
A4
132
A5
163
A6
115
A7
122
A8
59
A9
129
85
87
A10
167
A11
68
44
171
128
A12
121
A13
147
A14A15A16
153
A17
32
A18
158
A19
126
A20
165
A21
148
A22A23
148
A24A25
66
A26A27
170
A28
138
A29
223
A30
119
118
A31
174
A32
32
exeo_EN.book Seite 57 Montag, 30. August 2010 4:45 16
Cockpit
58
− Controls for radio and telephone*
Adjustable steering column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On-board documentation compartment / knee airbag* . . . .Note
•Separate Instruction Manual is enclosed if the vehicle is equipped with a
factory-fitted radio or navigation system.•The arrangement of switches and controls on right-hand drive models*
may be slightly different from the layout shown in ⇒page 56, fig. 36 .
However, the symbols used to identify the controls are the same.A33
166
A34
32
exeo_EN.book Seite 58 Montag, 30. August 2010 4:45 16
Cockpit59
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
InstrumentsInstrument panel overview
The instrument panel is the driver’s information centre.Fig. 37 Overview of instrument panel
Coolant temperature gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rev counter incorporating digital clock and date . . . . . . . . . .
Warning and indicator lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Speedometer (incorporating odometer display) . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adjuster buttons for
−
Digital clock and date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Instrument lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Digital display with
− Service interval display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A1
60
A2
61, 61
A3
65
A4
63
A5
63
A6
61
62
A7
74
exeo_EN.book Seite 59 Montag, 30. August 2010 4:45 16