8
SAFETY
138
AIRBAGS
System designed to maximise the safety
of the occupants (with the exception of
the rear centre passenger) in the event
of violent collisions. It supplements the
action of the force-limiting seat belts
(with the exception of the rear centre
passenger).
If a collision occurs, the electronic de-
tectors record and analyse the front
and side impacts sustained in the im-
pact detection zones:
- in the case of a serious impact, the
airbags are triggered instantly and
protect the occupants of the vehicle
(with the exception of the rear cen-
tre passenger); immediately after the
impact, the airbags defl ate rapidly so
that they do not hinder visibility or the
exit of the occupants,
- in the case of a minor or rear impact
or in certain roll-over conditions, the
airbags will not be triggered; the
seat belt alone is suffi cient to pro-
vide optimum protection in these
situations.
The airbags do not operate when
the ignition is switched off.
This equipment will only deploy
once. If a second impact occurs
(during the same or a subse-
quent accident), the airbag will
not be triggered again.
A.
Front impact zone.
B.
Side impact zone.
Impact detection zones
Triggering of the airbag(s) is ac-
companied by a slight emission
of harmless smoke and a noise,
due to the activation of the pyro-
technic cartridge incorporated in
the system.
This smoke is not harmful, but
sensitive individuals may experi-
ence slight irritation.
The noise of the detonation may
result in a slight loss of hearing
for a short time.
Front airbags
System which protects the driver and
front passenger in the event of a seri-
ous front impact in order to limit the risk
of injury to the head and thorax.
The driver's airbag is fi tted in the centre
of the steering wheel; the front passen-
ger's airbag is fi tted in the dashboard
above the glove box.
Deployment
The airbags are deployed simultaneously,
unless the passenger's front airbag is de-
activated, in the event of a serious front
impact to all or part of the front impact
zone A
, in the longitudinal centreline of the
vehicle on a horizontal plane and directed
from the front to the rear of the vehicle.
The front airbag infl ates between the tho-
rax and head of the front occupant of the
vehicle and the steering wheel, driver's
side, and the dashboard, passenger's side
to cushion their forward movement.
9
DRIVING
142
ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE
The electric parking brake combines
2 operating modes:
- Automatic Application/Release
Application is automatic when the
engine stops, release is automatic
on use of the accelerator (activated
by default),
- Manual Application/Release
The parking brake can be applied/
released manually by pulling control
lever A
.
If this warning lamp comes on
in the instrument panel, the au-
tomatic mode is deactivated.
Programming the mode
Depending on the country of sale of the ve-
hicle, the automatic application when the
engine is switched off and the automatic
release when you press the accelerator
can be deactivated.
It is recommended that you do
not apply the parking brake in
very cold conditions (ice) and
during towing (breakdown, cara-
van...). Deactivate the automatic
functions and release the parking
brake manually.
Manual application
With the vehicle stationary, to apply the
parking brake whether the engine is
running or off, pull
control lever A
.
The application of the parking brake is
confi rmed by:
- lighting of the braking warn-
ing lamp and of the P
warning
lamp in the control lever A
,
- display of the message
"Handbrake on".
Before leaving the vehicle, check
that parking brake warning lamp
in the instrument panel is on
fi xed, not fl ashing.
When the driver’s door is opened with
the engine running, a loud beep is heard
and a message is displayed if the park-
ing brake has not been applied, unless
the gear lever is in position P
(Park) in
the case of an automatic gearbox.
Activation/deactivation is per-
formed using the vehicle confi gu-
ration menu, refer to the section
on parameter settings for the
systems of your vehicle.
The parking brake is then applied and
released manually. When the driver's
door is opened, there is an audible signal
and a message is displayed if the brake
is not applied.
Do not place any object (packet
of cigarettes, telephone...) be-
tween the gear lever and the
electric parking brake control
lever.