
Seat belts
26The following features are available to adjust the seat belt in the shoulder 
region:•belt height adjustment for the front seats.•front seat height adjustment*.WARNING
•An incorrectly worn seat belt can cause severe injuries in the event of 
an accident.•The shoulder part of the seat belt must lie on the centre of the shoulder, 
never across the neck. The seat belt must lie flat and snugly on the torso 
⇒ page 25, fig. 13 .•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 25, 
fig. 14. Pull the belt tight if necessary to take up any slack.•Read and observe the warnings  ⇒page 23.
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 25.
– Adjust the front seat and head restraint correctly  ⇒page 10.
– Holding the latch plate, pull the belt evenly across your chest and  as low as possible over the pelvis  ⇒fig. 15 .
– 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.
Fig. 15  Positioning seat 
belts during pregnancy
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Seat belts27
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
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 23.
Seat belt release
The seat belt must not be unfastened until the vehicle has 
come to a standstill.– Press the red button on the belt buckle  ⇒fig. 16 . The latch plate 
is released and springs out ⇒ . – Guide the belt back by hand so that it rolls up easily and the trim 
is not damaged
WARNING
Never unbuckle a seat belt while the vehicle is in motion. If you do, you 
increase the risk of sustaining severe or fatal injuries.Adjusting the seat belt height
Seat belt height adjusters can be used to adjust the position 
of the seat belt at the shoulder.The seat belt adjuster for the front seats can be used to adjust the 
proper belt position at the shoulder.
Fig. 16  Removing latch 
plate from buckle
Fig. 17  Location of the 
belt height adjuster
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Seat belts
28
– Press the upper part of the shoulder  belt guide and hold it in this 
position  ⇒page 27, fig. 17 .
– Move the shoulder belt guide up or down until you have adjusted  the seat belt  ⇒page 25.
– After adjusting, pull the shoulder belt sharply to check that the  catch on the shoulder belt guide is engaged securely.Incorrectly fastened seat belts
Incorrectly worn seat belts can cause severe or even mortal 
injuries.Seat belts can provide optimal protection only if the belt web is 
properly worn. The seat belts must be fastened exactly in the order 
described in this chapter. An in correct sitting position impairs 
substantially the protection a seat belt offers and can lead to severe 
or fatal injuries. The risk of severe or fatal injuries is especially 
increased when a deploying airbag strikes an occupant who has 
assumed an incorrect sitting position. As the driver, you are respon-
sible for all vehicle occupants, especially children. Therefore:
– Never allow anyone to wear the seat belt incorrectly while the  vehicle is moving  ⇒.
WARNING
•An incorrectly worn seat belt increases the risk of severe injuries.•Before every trip, instruct your passengers to adjust their seat belts 
properly and to wear them for the whole journey.
•Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the use 
of seat belts  ⇒page 23.
Seat belt tensionersFunction of the seat belt tensioner
During a frontal collision, the seat belts on the front seats are 
retracted automatically.The seat belts for the front occupants are equipped with belt tensioners. 
Sensors will trigger the belt tensioners during severe head-on, lateral and 
rear collisions only if the seat belt is being worn. This retracts and tightens the 
seat belts, reducing the forward motion of the occupants.
The seat belt tensioner can be triggered only once.
The seat belt tensioners will not be triggered in the event of a light frontal, 
side or rear collision, if the vehicle overturns or in situations where no large 
forces act on the front, side or rear of the vehicle.
Note
•If the seat belt tensioners are triggered, a fine dust is produced. This is 
normal and it is not an indication of fire in the vehicle.•The relevant safety requirements must be observed when the vehicle or 
components of the system are scrapped. Specialised workshops are familiar 
with these regulations, which are also available to you.WARNING (continued)
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Seat belts29
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Service and disposal of belt tensionersThe belt tensioners are components of the seat belts that are installed in the 
seats of your vehicle. If you work on the belt tensioners or remove and install 
parts of the system when performing other repair work, the seat belt may be 
damaged. The consequence may be that, in the event of an accident, the belt 
tensioners function incorrectly or not at all.
So that the effectiveness of the seat belt tensioner is not reduced and that 
removed parts do not cause any injuries or environmental pollution, regula-
tions, which are known to the specialised workshops, must be observed.
WARNING
•Improper use or repairs not carried out by qualified mechanics increase 
the risk of severe or fatal injuries. The belt tensioners may fail to trigger or 
may trigger in the wrong circumstances.•Never attempt to repair, adjust, remove or install parts of the belt 
tensioners or seat belts.•The seat belt tensioner, seat belt and automatic retractor cannot be 
repaired.•Any work on the belt tensioners and seat belts, including the removal 
and refitting of system parts in conjunction with other repair work, must be 
performed by a specialised workshop only.•The belt tensioners will only provide protection for one accident and 
must be changed if they have been activated.
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Airbag system
30Airbag systemBrief introductionWhy wear a seat belt and assume the correct sitting position?
For the inflating airbags to achieve the best protection, the 
seat belt must always be worn properly and the correct sitting 
position must be assumed.For your own safety and the safety of the passengers, please ensure 
the following before driving:
– Always wear the seat belt properly  ⇒page 19.
– Adjust the driver seat and the steering wheel correctly  ⇒page 10.
– Adjust the front passenger seat correctly  ⇒page 11.
– Adjust the head restraint correctly  ⇒page 13.
– Use the correct child restraint system to protect children in your  vehicle  ⇒page 46.The airbag is deployed at high speed in fractions of a second. If you have an 
incorrect seating position at the time the airbag is deployed, it could cause 
you critical injuries. Therefore, it is essential that all passengers in the vehicle 
assume a correct sitting position while travelling.
A sharp braking before an accident may cause a passenger not wearing a seat 
belt to be thrown forward into the area of the deploying airbag. In this case,  the inflating airbag may inflict critical or fatal injuries on the occupant. This 
also applies to children.
Always maintain the greatest possible distance between yourself and the 
front airbag. This way, the front airbags can completely deploy when trig-
gered, providing their maximum protection.
The most important factors that will trigger an airbag are: the type of acci-
dent, the angle of collision and the speed of the vehicle.
Whether the airbags are triggered depends primarily on the vehicle deceler-
ation rate resulting from the collision and detected by the control unit. If the 
vehicle deceleration occurring during the collision and measured by the 
control unit remains below the specified reference values, the front, side 
and/or curtain airbag will not be triggered. Take into account that the visible 
damage in a vehicle involved in an accident, no matter how serious, is not a 
determining factor for the airbags to have been triggered.
WARNING
•Wearing the seat belt incorrectly or assuming an incorrect sitting posi-
tion can lead to critical or fatal injuries.•All occupants, including children, who are not properly belted can 
sustain critical or fatal injuries if the airbag is triggered. Children up to 12 
years old should always travel on the rear seat. Never transport children in 
the vehicle if they are not restrained or the restraint system is not appro-
priate for their age, size or weight.•I f  yo u  are  n o t  w ea r i ng  a  s ea t  b e l t ,  i f  yo u  l e an  fo r w a rd  o r  t o  t h e  s id e  w h il e  
travelling or assume an incorrect sitting position, there is a substantially 
increased risk of injury. This increased risk of injury will be further 
increased if you are struck by an inflating airbag.•To reduce the risk of injury from an inflating airbag, always wear the 
seat belt properly  ⇒page 19.
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Airbag system31
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
•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 transpor ted 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 44. 
When transporting children, use a child seat appropriate to the age and size 
of each child ⇒ page 46.
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 44, “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 given by the child seat manufac-
turer and observe the safety instructions  ⇒page 46, “Child safety”.
− 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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Airbag system
32Monitoring of airbag and belt tensioner system
Both the airbag and belt tensioner systems operation is constantly monitored 
electronically. Each time the ignition is switched on, the warning lamp 
 T 
lights for several seconds and the display in the instrument panel* shows 
AIRBAG / TENSIONER.
The system must be checked when the warning lamp 
 T :
•does not light up when the ignition is switched on,•after the ignition is switched on, it turns off after 4 seconds,•turns off and then lights up again after the ignition is switched on,•lights up or flashes while the vehicle is moving.
In the event of a malfunction, the warning lamp remains on continuously. In 
addition, depending on the malfunction, a fault message appears in the 
display of the instrument panel for approx. 10 seconds and a short acoustic 
signal is given. In this event, you should have a specialised workshop check 
the system immediately.
If any of the airbags are de-activated by the Authorised Service Centre, the 
indicator lights for several seconds more after the verification and will turn off 
if there is no fault.WARNING
•If there is a malfunction, the airbag and belt tensioner system cannot 
properly perform its protective function.•If a malfunction occurred, have the system checked immediately by a 
specialised workshop. Otherwise, in the event of an accident, the airbag 
system and belt tensioners may not be triggered, or may not be triggered 
correctly.
Repairs, maintenance and disposal of airbagsThe parts of the airbag system are installed in various places in your vehicle. 
If work is carried out on the airbag system or parts have to be removed and 
fitted on the system when performing other repair work, parts of the airbag 
system may be damaged. In the event of an accident this could cause the 
airbag to inflate incorrectly or not inflate at all.
The relevant safety requirements must be observed when the vehicle or 
components of the airbag are scrapped . Specialised workshops and vehicle 
disposal centres are familiar with these requirements.
WARNING
•If repairs are not carried out by a professional, or if the airbags are used 
incorrectl y, the  ris k of severe or fatal inju ries  is  increase d. T he airbags  may  
fail to inflate, or could inflate in the wrong circumstances.•Do not cover or stick anything on the steering wheel hub or the surface 
of the airbag unit on the passenger side of the dash panel, and do not 
obstruct or modify them in any way.•It is important not to attach any objects such as cup holders or tele-
phone mountings to the surfaces covering the airbag units.•To clean the steering wheel or dash panel, you may use only a dry or a 
water-moistened cloth. Never clean the dash panel and the airbag module 
surface with cleaners containing solvents. Solvents cause the surface to 
become porous. If the airbag triggered, plastic parts could become 
detached and cause injuries.•Never attempt to repair, adjust, remove or install parts of the airbag 
system.•Any work on the airbag system or removal and installation of the airbag 
components for other repairs (such as repairs to the steering wheel) should 
be performed only by a specialised workshop. Specialised workshops have 
the necessary tools, repair information and qualified personnel.
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Airbag system
34Front airbagsDescription of front airbags
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts.
The front airbag for the driver is located in the steering wheel  ⇒fig. 18  and 
the airbag for the front passenger is located in the dash panel  ⇒fig. 19. 
Airbags are identified by the word “AIRBAG”.
In conjunction with the seat belts, the front airbag system gives the front 
occupants additional protection for the head and chest in the event of a 
severe frontal collision ⇒ page 37, “Safety notes on the front airbag system”.
In addition to their normal function of restraining the occupants, the seat 
belts also hold the driver and front passenger in a position where the airbags 
can provide maximum protection in a frontal collision.
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 correctly and have adjusted the head restraints properly. 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 19, 
“Brief introduction”.
The main parts of the front airbag system are:•an electronic control and monitoring system (control unit)•the two front airbags (airbag with gas generator) for the driver and front 
passenger,•a warning lamp 
 T on the instrument panel  ⇒page 31
The airbag system operation is monitored electronically. The airbag warning 
lamp will light up for a few seconds every time the ignition is switched on 
(self-diagnosis).
There is a fault in the system if the warning lamp 
 T:
•does not light up when the ignition is switched on ⇒ page 31•after the ignition is switched on, it turns off after 4 seconds,•turns off and then lights up again after the ignition is switched on,•lights up or flashes while the vehicle is moving.
Fig. 18  Driver airbag 
located in steering wheelFig. 19  Front passenger 
airbag located in dash 
panel
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