Seat belts21
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Seat belt protection
Passengers not wearing seat belts risk severe injuries in the
event of an accident.Properly worn seat belts hold the vehicle occupants in the correct sitting posi-
tions and substantially reduce the kinetic energy in the event of an accident.
Seat belts also help to prevent uncontrolled movements that could lead to
severe injuries. In addition, properly worn seat belts reduce the danger of
being thrown from the vehicle.
Passengers wearing their seat belts correctly benefit greatly from the ability
of the belts to absorb kinetic energy. The front part of your vehicle and other
passive safety features (such as the airbag system) are also designed to
absorb the kinetic energy released in a collision. Taken together, all these
features reduce the releasing kinetic energy and consequently, the risk of
injury.
Our examples describe frontal collisions. Of course, properly worn seat belts
substantially reduce the risk of injury in all other types of accidents. This is why it is so important to fasten seat belts before every trip, even when "just
driving around the corner".
Ensure that your passengers wear their seat belts as well. Accident statistics
have shown that wearing seat belts is an effective means of substantially
reducing the risk of injury and improving the chances of survival in a serious
accident. Furthermore, properly worn seat belts improve the protection
provided by airbags in the event of an accident. For this reason, wearing a
seat belt is required by law in most countries.
Although your vehicle is equipped with airbags, the seat belts must be
fastened and worn. The front airbags, for example, are only triggered in some
frontal accidents. The front airbags will
not be triggered during minor frontal
collisions, minor side collisions, rear collisions, overturns or accidents in
which the airbag trigger threshold value in the control unit is not exceeded.
Therefore, you should always wear your seat belt and ensure that your
passengers have fastened their seat belts properly before you drive off!
Safety instructions on using seat belts
If seat belts are used correctly, they can reduce the risk of
injury in an accident.– Always wear the seat belt as described in this section.
– Ensure that the seat belts can be fastened at all times and are not damaged.
WARNING
•If the seat belts are worn incorrectly or not at all, the risk of severe inju-
ries increases. The optimal protection from seat belts can be achieved only
if you use them properly.
Fig. 10 A driver wearing
the seat belt properly is
secured by the belt in
sharp braking
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Seat belts
22•Fasten your seat belt before every trip - even when driving in town. The
o t h e r pass e n ge rs m u s t al s o w ea r t h e s ea t b e l ts a t all t i m e s , o t h e r w is e t h e y
run the risk of being injured.•The seat belt cannot offer its full protection if the seat belt is not posi-
tioned correctly.•Never allow two passengers (even children) to share the same seat belt.•Ke e p b o t h fe e t i n t h e fo o t w e ll i n f ro n t o f yo u r s ea t as l o n g as t h e ve h ic l e
is in motion.•Never unbuckle a seat belt while the vehicle is in motion. Risk of fatal
injury.•The seat belt must never be twisted while it is being worn.•The seat belt should never lie on hard or fragile objects (such as glasses
or pens, etc.) because this can cause injuries.•Do not allow the seat belt to be damaged or jammed, or to rub on any
sharp edges.•Never wear the seat belt under the arm or in any other incorrect posi-
tion.•Loose, bulky clothing (such as an overcoat over a jacket) impairs the
proper fit and function of the belts, reducing their capacity to protect.•The slot in the seat belt buckle must not be blocked with paper or other
objects, as this can prevent the latch plate from engaging securely.•Never use seat belt clips, retaining rings or similar instruments to alter
the position of the belt webbing.•Frayed or torn seat belts or damage to the connections, belt retractors
or parts of the buckle could cause severe injuries in the event of an acci-
dent. Therefore, you must check the condition of all seat belts at regular
intervals.•Seat belts which have been worn in an accident and stretched must be
replaced by a specialised workshop. Renewal may be necessary even if
there is no apparent damage. The belt anchorage should also be checked.
•Do not attempt to repair a damaged seat belt yourself. The seat belts
must not be removed or modified in any way.•The belts must be kept clean, otherwise the retractors may not work
properly.
Seat beltsSeat belt adjustment
The seat belts for the front and rear occupants are locked into
position by a latch.The seat belt cannot offer its full protection if the seat belt is not
positioned correctly.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 11 Belt buckle and
latch plate of seat belt
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Seat belts23
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
– Adjust the seat and head restraint correctly.
– To fasten the belt, take hold of the latch plate and pull it slowly
across your chest and lap.
– Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the appropriate seat and push it down until it is securely locked with an audible click
⇒page 22, fig. 11 .
– Pull the belt to ensure that the latch plate is securely engaged in the buckle.The seat belts are equipped with an automatic retractor on the shoulder
strap. Full freedom of movement is permitted when the shoulder belt is pulled
slowly. However, during sudden braking, during travel in steep areas or
bends and during acceleration, the automatic retractor on the shoulder belt
is locked.
The automatic belt retractors on the front seats are fitted with seat belt
tensioners ⇒page 26.
WARNING
•An incorrectly worn seat belt can cause severe injuries in the event of
an accident.•The seat belts offer best protection only when the backrests are in an
upright position and the seat belts have been fastened properly.•Never put the latch plate in the buckle of another seat. If you do this, the
seat belt will not protect you properly and the risk of injury is increased.•I f a n o ccu p an t is i n co r re c t l y be l te d i n , t h e b e l t ca n n o t p ro te c t h i m o r h e r
properly. An incorrectly positioned seat belt can cause extremely severe
injuries.
Seat belt position
Seat belts offer their maximum protection only when they are
properly positioned.
Fig. 12 Correct seat belt
and head restraint posi-
tions, viewed from frontFig. 13 Correct seat belt
and head restraint posi-
tions, viewed from side
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Seat belts
24
WARNING
•An incorrectly worn seat belt can cause severe injuries in the event of
an accident.•The shoulder belt must be positioned around the middle of the
shoulder. The seat belt must lie flat and snugly on the torso ⇒page 23,
fig. 12.•The lap par t of the seat belt must lie across the pelvis, never across the
stomach. The seat belt must lie flat and snugly on the pelvis ⇒page 23,
fig. 13. Pull the belt tight if necessary to take up any slack.•Read and observe the warnings ⇒page 21.
Pregnant women must also fasten their seat belts properly
The best protection for the unborn child is for the mother to
wear the seat belt properly at all times during the pregnancy.
The seat belt provides maximum protection only when the seat belt
is properly positioned ⇒page 23.
– Adjust the front seat and head restraint correctly.
– Holding the latch plate, pull the belt evenly across your chest and as low as possible over the pelvis ⇒fig. 14 .
– Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the corresponding seat and push it down until it is securely locked with an audible click
⇒ .
– Pull the belt to ensure that the latch plate is securely engaged in the buckle.
WARNING
•An incorrectly worn seat belt can cause severe injuries in the event of
an accident.•For pregnant women, the lap part of the seat belt must lie as low as
possible over the pelvis, never across the stomach, and always lie flat so
that no pressure is exerted on the abdomen.•Read and observe the warnings ⇒page 21.
Fig. 14 Positioning seat
belts during pregnancy
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Airbag system
28•Always adjust the front seats properly.
The danger of fitting a child seat on the front passenger seat
Rear-facing child seats must never be used on the front
passenger seat when the front passenger airbag is enabled.The front passenger airbag is a serious risk for a child if it is activated. The
front passenger seat is life threatening to a child if he/she is transported in a
rear-facing child seat. Children up to 12 years old should always travel on the
rear seat.
If a rear-facing child seat is secured to the front passenger seat, an inflating
airbag can strike it with such force that it can cause critical or fatal injuries.
Therefore we strongly recommend you to transport children on the rear seats.
That is the safest place for children in the vehicle. Alternatively, the front
passenger airbag can be disabled with a key-operated switch ⇒page 37.
When transporting children, use a child seat appropriate to the age and size
of each child.
For those vehicles that do not include a key lock switch to disconnect the
airbag, the vehicle must be taken to a Technical Service.
WARNING
•If a child seat is secured to the front passenger seat, the risk to the child
of sustaining critical or fatal injuries in the event of an accident increases.•Never secure a rear-facing child seat to the front passenger seat if the
front passenger airbag is enabled. The child can suffer critical or fatal inju-
ries if the front passenger airbag is triggered.
•An inflating front passenger airbag can strike the rear-facing child seat
and hurl it with great force against the door, the roof or the backrest.•If, under special circumstances, it is necessary to transport a child in a
rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat, it is absolutely essential
that you observe the following safety measures:
−Deactivate the front passenger airbag ⇒page 37, “Deactivating
airbags*”.
− The child seat must be approved by the child seat manufacturer for
use on a front passenger seat with front or side airbag.
− Follow the installation instructions of the child seat manufacturer
and absolutely observe all warnings
− Before properly installing the child seat, push the front passenger
seat completely backwards so that the greatest possible distance to
the front passenger airbag is ensured.
− Ensure that no objects prevent the front passenger seat from being
pushed completely back.
− The backrest of the front passenger seat must be in an upright
position.
Warning lamp for airbag and seat belt tensioner
T
This warning lamp monitors the airbag and seat belt
tensioner system.The warning lamp monitors all airbags and seat belt tensioners in the vehicle,
including control units and wiring connections.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
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Child safety
40airbags*”. 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 disconnect
the airbag, the vehicle must be taken to a Technical Service.•All passengers, especially children, must assume the proper sitting
position and be properly be lted 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 vehicle is
moving, they expose themselves to greater risk of injury in the event of a
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 triggered 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 seat, as this could cause injuries to the abdominal and
neck areas during a sudden braking manoeuvre or in an accident.•Do not allow the seat belt 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 seat belt is
properly positioned ⇒page 22, “Seat belts”.•Only one child may occupy a child seat ⇒page 41, “Child seats”.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
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Child safety
44Securing child seatsWays to secure a child seat
A child seat can be secured differently on the rear seat and on
the front passenger seat.You can secure a child seat to the rear seat or front passenger seat in the
following ways:•Child seats in groups 0 to 3 can be secured with a seat belt.•Child seats for groups 0, 0+ and 1 with the “ISOFIX” system can be
secured, without fastening seat belts, with the “ISOFIX” securing rings
⇒ page 44.
U: Suitable for universal approved restraining systems for use in this age category (universal retention systems are those fitted using the adult
seat belt).
UF Suitable for universal forward-facing retention systems approved for use with this age group.
*: Move the front passenger seat as far back as possible, as high as possible and always deactivate the airbag.
L: Suitable for retention systems using the “ISOFIX” anchors.
X Seat position not suitable for children in this age group.
WARNING
•When travelling, children must be secured in the vehicle with a
restraint system suitable for age, weight and size.•Never install a child seat facing backwards on the front passenger seat
unless the front passenger airbag has been disabled. This could cause fatal
injuries to the child! However, if, in exceptional cases, it is necessary to
transport a child in the front passenger seat, the front passenger airbag
⇒ page 37, “Deactivating airbags*” must always be disabled and the seat
adjusted to its highest position, where possible.•Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the use
of child seats ⇒ in “Safety notes on using child seats” on page 39.
Securing a child seat with the “ISOFIX” system
Child seats can be secured quickly, easily and safely on the
rear outer seats with the “ISOFIX” system.
Category
Weight
Seat locations
Front
passenger
Rear outer
Rear centre
Group 0
<10 kg
U*
U
U
Group 0+
<13 kg
U*
U
U
Group 1
9-18 kg
U*
U/L
U
Group 2 / 3
15-36 kg
X
UF
UF
Fig. 26 ISOFIX securing
rings
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Child safety45
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
When removing or fitting the child seat, please be sure to follow the
manufacturer’s instructions.
– Press the child seat onto the “ISOFIX” retaining rings until the
child seat can be heard to engage securely. If the child seat is
fitted with any other anti-rotation system, follow the manufac-
turer instructions carefully.
– Pull on both sides of the child seat to ensure that it is secure.Two ISOFIX retaining rings are fitted on each rear seat. In some vehicles, the
rings are secured to the seat frame and, in others, they are secured to the rear
floor. The access to the “ISOFIX” rings is between the rear seat backrest and
the seat cushioning.
Child seats with “ISOFIX” mountings are available in your Authorised Service
Centres.
WARNING
•The retaining rings are designed to only be used with “ISOFIX” child
seats.•Never secure child seats without the “ISOFIX” system, retaining belts
or objects to the fastening rings – this can result in potentially fatal injuries
to the child.•Ensure that the child seat is secured correctly to the “ISOFIX” anchor
points.
To p Te t h e r r e t a i n e r s t r a p s
Some child restraint seats have a third Top Tether anchoring
point, apart from both “ISOFIX” anchoring points, which
allow better child retention.Child seats with the Top Tether system come with a strap for securing the seat
to the vehicle anchor point, located at the back of the rear backrest.
The retainer strap is used to reduce forwards movements of the safety seat in
a crash, helping reduce the risk of injuries to the head from hitting the inside
of the vehicle.
It is foreseen that an EU Directive will introduce requirements related to the
retention of child restraint systems by means of ISOFIX and Top Tether anchor-
ages (probably compulsory for new types from 2010), which will entail
improved retention of the child restraint seat and less head movement in
case of frontal collisions.
Fig. 27 Position of the
To p Te t h e r r i n g s o n t h e
back of the rear seat
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