Page 118 of 275

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING
THE SEAT BELTS
The driver must comply with (and have all car
passengers follow) any local regulations in force
concerning the use of seat belts. Always fasten the
seat belts before setting off.
Seat belts are also to be worn by pregnant women:
the risk of injury in the case of accident is greatly
reduced for them and the unborn child if they are
wearing a seat belt.
Pregnant women must position the lower part of the
belt very low down so that it passes over the pelvis
and under the abdomen (see fig. 102). The best
way to protect the unborn child is to protect the
mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it
is more likely that the unborn child will not be hurt
in a crash. For pregnant women, as for anyone,
the key to making safety belts effective is wearing
them properly.
WARNING
For maximum safety, keep the back of
your seat upright , lean back into it
and make sure the seat belt fits closely across
your chest and pelvis. Always fasten the seat
belts on both the front and the rear seats!
Travelling without wearing seat belts will
increase the risk of serious injury or even death
in the event of an accident . Removing or otherwise tampering with seat belt and
pretensioner components is strictly prohibited.
Any operations on these components must
be performed by qualified and authorised
technicians. Always go to a Fiat Dealership.
fig. 102
F0Q0885
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IMPORTANT The seat belt must not be twisted. The
upper part must pass over the shoulder and cross
the chest diagonally. The lower part must adhere to
the pelvis (as shown in fig. 103) rather than the
abdomen of the occupant. Never use devices (clips,
clamps, etc.) to hold the seat belt away from your
body.
IMPORTANT Each seat belt must be used by only
one person. Never travel with a child sitting on the
passenger's lap and a single belt to protect them
both fig. 104. In general, do not place any objects
between the person and the belt.
WARNING
If the belt has been subjected to a high
level of stress, for example after an
accident , it must be completely replaced
together with the attachments, attachment
fixing screws and the pretensioner. In fact , even
if the belt has no visible defects, it could have
lost its resilience.
fig. 103
F0Q0038
fig. 104
F0Q0039
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SEAT BELTS MAINTENANCE
Observe the following precautions for correct seat
belt maintenance:
❒always use the seat belt with the strap well
stretched and not twisted; make sure that it is free
to run without obstructions;
❒ check seat belt operation as follows: attach the
seat belt and pull it hard;
❒ replace the belt after an accident of a certain
severity even if it does not appear to be damaged.
Always replace the seat belt if the pretensioners
were deployed;
❒ to clean the seat belts, wash by hand with water
and neutral soap, rinse and leave to dry in the
shade. Never use strong detergents, bleach, paints
or any other substance which could damage the
belt fibres;
❒ prevent the reels from getting wet: their correct
operation is only guaranteed if water does not
get inside;
❒ replace the seat belt when it shows wear or cuts.
CARRYING CHILDREN SAFELYFor optimal protection in the event of an impact, all
occupants must be seated and wearing adequate
restraint systems, including newborn and other
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. Therefore, correct restraint systems
other than adult seat belts are necessary to reduce
as much as possible the risk of injuries in the event
of an accident, braking or a sudden manoeuvre.
Children must be seated safely and comfortably. As
far as the characteristics of the child restraint
systems used allow, you are advised to keep children
in rear facing restraint systems for as long as possible
(at least until 3–4 years old), since this is the most
protected position in the event of an impact.
The choice of the most suitable child restraint device
depends on the weight of the child; there are
various types of child restraint systems and you are
advised always to choose the one that is most
suitable for the child.
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When over 1.50 m in height, from the point of view
of restraint systems, children are considered as
adults and wear seat belts normally.
In Europe the characteristics of children restraint
systems are ruled by the regulation ECE-R44, dividing
them into five weight groups:GroupWeight groups
Group 0 up to 10 kg of weight
Group 0+ up to 13 kg of weight
Group 1 9-18 kg in weight
Group 2 15-25 kg in weight
Group 3 22-36 kg of weightAll child restraint devices must bear the certification
data, together with the control mark, on a label
solidly fixed to the seat which must never be
removed.
Lineaccessori Fiat offers child restraint systems for
each weight group. These devices are recommended
having been specifically designed for Fiat cars.
WARNING
SEVERE DANGER.When an active
passenger airbag is fitted, DO NOT
install rear facing child restraint systems
on the front seat . Deployment of the
airbag in an accident could cause fatal injuries
to the child regardless of the severity of the
impact . It is advisable to always carr y children
in a child restraint system on the rear seat ,
which is the most protected position in the
event of a collision.WARNING
On the sun visor there is a label with
suitable symbols reminding the user that
it is compulsory to deactivate the airbag if a
rear facing child restraint system is fitted.
Always comply with the instructions on the
passenger's side sun visor (see the "Front
airbag" paragraph).WARNING
Do not move the front or rear seat if a
child is seated on it or on the dedicated
child restraint system.
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FITTING "UNIVERSAL"
CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM
(with seat belts)GROUP 0 and 0+
WARNING
The diagram is indicative and for fitting
purposes only. Fit the child restraint
system according to the instructions, which must
be included.
Children up to 13 kg must be carried with rearward
facing restraint system of a type as shown in fig. 105
which, supporting the head, does not induce stress
on the neck in the event of sudden decelerations.
The rearward facing infant seat is restrained by the
car seat belts, as shown in fig. 105 and it must
restrain the child in turn with its own belts.
GROUP 1WARNING
The diagram is indicative and for fitting
purposes only. Fit the child restraint
system according to the instructions, which must
be included. Children of weight from 9 to 18 kg may be carried in
forward facing child restraint systems fig. 106.
fig. 105
F0Q0429
fig. 106
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WARNING
Child restraint systems with Isofix
attachments are available for a safe
anchoring to the seat without using the car seat
belts.
GROUP 2WARNING
The diagram is indicative and for fitting
purposes only. Fit the child restraint
system according to the instructions, which must
be included. Children from 15 to 25 kg may use the car seat belts
directly fig. 107.
In this case, the child restraint system is used to
position the child correctly with respect to the seat
belts so that the diagonal belt section crosses the
child’s chest and not the neck, and the lower part is
snug on the pelvis not the abdomen.
fig. 107
F0Q0431
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GROUP 3
WARNING
The diagram is indicative and for fitting
purposes only. Fit the child restraint
system according to the instructions, which must
be included.
For children between 22 kg and 36 kg, there are
dedicated restraint systems that allow the seat belt
to be worn correctly. The fig. 108 shows the correct child positioning on
the rear seat.
Children over 1.50 m in height can wear seat belts
like adults.
fig. 108
F0Q0432
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SUITABILITY OF PASSENGER SEATS FOR UNIVERSAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM USE
According to the European Directive 2000/3/EC the suitability of each passenger seat position for the fixing
of universal child restraint systems is shown in the following table:GroupWeight range Front passenger Rear side passengers Rear central
passenger
Group 0, 0+ up to 13 kg
UUU
Group 1 9–18 kg
UUU
Group 215–25 kg
UUU
Group 322–36 kg
UUU
U= suitable for child restraint systems in the "Universal" category, according to European Regulation EEC-R44 for the specified "Groups".
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