2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta child restraint

138
GETTING
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YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
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CONTENTS
CARRYING CHILDREN SAFELY
For optimum protection in the event of a crash, all passengers must
be seated and wearing adequate restraint systems. This is even
more important for children. This prescription is compulsory in all
EC countries according to EC Directive 2003/20/EC. Compared
with an adult, a child’s head is larger and heavier in proportion to
his/her body and the child’s muscular and bone structures are
not fully developed. For this reason, they require restraint systems
which are different from those used by adults to protect them in
the event of an accident.
The result of research in relation to the best protection for chil-
dren is illustrated in European Regulation ECE-R44, which divides
child seats into five groups in addition to making their use com-
pulsory:
Group 0 up to 10 kg
Group 0+ up to 13 kg
Group 1 9-18 kg
Group 2 15-25 kg
Group 3 22-36 kg
All restraint devices must bear the type-approval data along with
the control mark on a label firmly secured to the child seat which
must never be removed. When over 1.50 m in height, from the
point of view of restraint systems, children are considered as adults
and have to wear the standard seat belts.
Should it be absolutely necessary to carry a child
on the front seat in a cradle seat facing backwards,
the passenger’s front air bag and side bag should
be deactivated by using the Set-Up Menu. Deacti-
vation can be verified by checking the
“warn-
ing light in the instrument panel. Also, the passenger seat
should be adjusted as far back as possible to avoid con-
tact between the child seat and the dashboard.
Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo includes child seats for each weight group.
These devices are recommended, having been specifically designed
for Alfa Romeo cars.
Do not arrange child seats facing backwards if the
front air bag on the passenger’s side is enabled.
Deployment of the air bag in an accident could
cause fatal injuries to the baby regardless of the severity
of the collision. It is advisable to carry children in dedi-
cated child seats on the rear seat, which is the most pro-
tected position in the event of an accident.

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SUITABILITY OF PASSENGER SEATS FOR CHILD SEAT USE
The car complies with the new European Directive 2000/3/EC which governs the arrangement possibilities for child seats on the var-
ious seats of the car as shown in the following table:
Key:
U = suitable for restraint systems in the “Universal” category, according to European Standard ECE-R44 for the specified “Groups”.
(*) With seat adjustable in height, position the backrest upright.
Front Rear side and middle
Group Weight range passenger passenger
Group 0, 0+ up to 13 kg U (*) U
Group 1 9-18 kg U (*) U
Group 2 15-25 kg U (*) U
Group 3 22-36 kg U (*) U

150
GETTING
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YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
If the warning light ¬does not turn on when the key
is turned to MAR, or if it stays on when travelling (to-
gether with the message on the display on some ver-
sions), there could be a failure in the restraint systems. If
this is the case, the air bags or pretensioners may not be de-
ployed in the event of an accident or, less likely, they may
be deployed accidentally. Do not drive the car and contact
a Alfa Romeo Authorised Service Provider to have the sys-
tem checked immediately.
The expiry dates of the pyrotechnic charge and
clock contact are shown in the plate installed in-
side the glove compartment. Go to an Alfa Romeo
Authorised Service Provider when the time to have them
replaced approaches.
Do not travel with objects on your lap, in front of
your chest, or between your lips (e.g. pipes, pen-
cils, etc.): you may be seriously injured in the event
of a crash with air bag deployment.
If someone tries to steal or damage your car, and
in the event of floods, have the air bag system
checked by an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service
Provider.
With the ignition key inserted and turned to MAR,
the air bags can be deployed also with the car at
a standstill, if it is hit by another vehicle even if the
engine is off. For this reason, children must never sit on
the front seat, even if the car is not moving. Remember
that no safety device (airbag or pretensioner) will be de-
ployed in a crash if the key is inserted and turned to the
STOP position. Failure to deploy in such cases must not
be considered a sign of malfunction.
When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the “
warning light turns on (front airbag on passenger’s
side enabled) and will blinks for a few seconds as
a reminder that the passenger airbag will be deployed
in the event of a crash and then go off.
The front air bags are deployed in the event of
more severe collisions than those required for de-
ploying the pretensioners.
For collisions in the range between the two thresholds, it
is normal for only the pretensioners to be activated.