2016 RENAULT ESPACE Owners Manual

1.27
METHODS OF RESTRAINT IN ADDITION TO THE FRONT SEAT BELTS (1/4)
Depending on the vehicle, they are
composed of:
– seat belt inertia reel pretension-ers;
– central seat belt pretensioners;
– chest-level load limiter;
– air bags for driver and front pas- senger.
These systems are designed to act in-
dependently or together when the vehi-
cle is subjected to a frontal impact.
Depending on the severity of the
impact, the system can trigger:
– seat belt locking;
– the seat belt inertia reel pretensioner (which engages to correct seat belt
slack);
– the lap belt pretensioners to hold the occupant in his seat;
– the front airbag.
Pretensioners
The pretensioners hold the seat belt
against the body, holding the occupant
more securely against the seat, thus in-
creasing the seat belt’s efficiency.
In the event of a severe frontal impact
and if the ignition is switched on, the
system may engage the following de-
pending on the force of the impact:
– the seat belt inertia reel preten- sioner 1 which instantly retracts the
seat belt;
– the lap pretensioner 2 on the front
seats.
– Have the entire restraint
system checked following
an accident.
– No operation whatso-
ever is permitted on any part of
the system (pretensioners, air
bags, computers, wiring) and the
system components must not
be reused on any other vehicle,
even if identical.
– To avoid incorrect triggering of the system which may cause
injury, only qualified personnel
from an approved Dealer may
work on the pretensioner and air
bag system.
– The electric trigger system may only be tested by a specially
trained technician using special
equipment.
– When the vehicle is scrapped, contact an approved Dealer for
disposal of the pretensioner and
air bag gas generators.
12

1.28
METHODS OF RESTRAINT IN ADDITION TO THE FRONT SEAT BELTS (2/4)
Load limiter
Above a certain severity of impact, this
mechanism is used to limit the force of
the belt against the body so that it is at
an acceptable level.
airbags for driver and
passenger
Fitted to the driver and passenger side.
The presence of this equipment is in-
dicated by the word “Air bag” on the
steering wheel and dashboard (air bag
zone A) and, depending on the vehicle,
a symbol on the lower section of the
windscreen.
Each air bag system consists of:
– an air bag and gas generator fitted on the steering wheel for the driver
and in the dashboard for the front
passenger;
– an electronic unit for system monitor- ing which controls the gas generator
electrical trigger system;
– remote sensors;
– a single warning light
å on the
instrument panel.
A
The air bag system uses
pyrotechnic principles. This
explains why, when the air
bag inflates, it will gener-
ate heat, produce smoke (this does
not mean that a fire is about to start)
and make a noise upon detonation.
In a situation where an air bag is
required, it will inflate immediately
and this may cause some minor, su-
perficial grazing to the skin or other
problems.

1.29
METHODS OF RESTRAINT IN ADDITION TO THE FRONT SEAT BELTS (3/4)
Operation
This system is only operational when
the ignition is switched on.
In a severe frontal impact, the air bags
inflate rapidly, cushioning the impact
of the driver’s head and chest against
the steering wheel and of the front pas-
senger against the dashboard. The air
bags then deflate immediately so that
the passengers are not in any way hin-
dered from leaving the vehicle.
Operating faults
å This warning light comes on
when the engine is started and then
goes out after approximately three sec-
onds.
If it does not come on when the ignition
is switched on or if it stays on, there is a
fault in the system.
Contact your approved Dealer as soon
as possible.
Your protection will be reduced until this
fault is rectified.

1.30
METHODS OF RESTRAINT IN ADDITION TO THE FRONT SEAT BELTS (4/4)
Warnings concerning the driver’s air bag
– Do not modify the steering wheel or the steering wheel boss.
– Do not cover the steering wheel boss under any circumstances.
– Do not attach any objects (badge, logo, clock, telephone holder, etc.) to the steering wheel boss.
– The steering wheel must not be removed (except by qualified personnel f\
rom our Network).
– Do not sit too close to the steering wheel when driving: Sit with your a\
rms slightly bent (see the information on “Adjusting your driving position” in Section 1). This will allow sufficient space for the air bag to deploy correctly and to be fully effe ctive.
Warnings concerning the passenger air bag
– Do not attach or glue any objects (badge, logo, clock, telephone holder\
, etc.) to the dashboard on or near the air bag.
– Do not place anything between the dashboard and the passenger (pet, umb\
rella, walking stick, parcels, etc.).
– The passenger must not put his or her feet on the dashboard or seat as t\
here is a risk that serious injuries may be sustained .
In general, parts of the body should be kept away from the dashboard (k\
nees, hands, head, etc.)
– The devices in addition to the front passenger seat belt should be react\
ivated as soon as a child seat is removed, to ensure the protection of the passenger in the event of an impact.
A REAR-FACING CHILD SEAT MUST NOT BE FITTED TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT UNLESS THE ADDITIONAL RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, I.E. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG, ARE DEACTIVATED.
(refer to the information on “Child safety: deactivating/activating \
the front passenger air bag” in Section 1)
All of the warnings below are given so that the air bag is not obstructe\
d in any way when it is inflated and also to prevent
the risk of serious injuries caused by items which may be dislodged when\
the air bag inflates.

1.31
METHODS OF RESTRAINT IN ADDITION TO THE REAR SEAT BELTS
Force limiter
Above a certain severity of impact, this
mechanism is used to limit the force of
the belt against the body so that it is at
an acceptable level.
– Have the entire restraint
system checked following
an accident.
– No operation whatsoever
is permitted on any part of the
system (air bags, electronic con-
trol units, wiring) and the system
components must not be reused
on any other vehicle, even if iden-
tical.
– Only qualified personnel from our Network may work on the air
bags; otherwise the system may
trigger accidentally and cause
injury.

1.32
SIDE PROTECTION DEVICES
Warning concerning the side air bag
– Fitting seat covers: seats equipped with an air bag require covers
specifically designed for your vehicle. Contact an approved Dealer to fi\
nd
out if these covers are available. The use of any covers other than those
designed for your vehicle (including those designed for another vehicle\
) may
affect the operation of the air bags and reduce your protection.
– Do not place any accessories, objects or even pets between the seatback,\
the door and the internal fittings. Do not cover the seatback with any items\
such as
clothes or accessories. This may prevent the air bag from operating correctly
or cause injury when the air bag is deployed.
– No work or modification whatsoever may be carried out on the seat or int\
ernal fittings, except by qualified personnel from an approved dealer.
Side air bags
These air bags are fitted to the front
seats and are activated at the sides of
the seats (door side) to protect the oc-
cupants in the event of a severe side
impact.
Curtain air bags
These are airbags fitted along the sides
of the vehicle in the ceiling which trigger
along the front and rear door side win-
dows to protect the passengers in case
of a severe side impact.
Depending on the vehicle, a mark-
ing on the windscreen informs you
of the presence of additional means
of restraint (airbags, pretensioners,
etc.) in the passenger compartment.

1.33
ADDITIONAL METHODS OF RESTRAINT
The airbag is designed to complement the action of the seat belt. Both t\
he air bags and seat belts are integral parts of
the same protection system. It is therefore essential to wear seat belts\
at all times. If seat belts are not worn, the oc-
cupants are exposed to the risk of serious injury in the event of an acc\
ident. It may also increase the risk of minor su-
perficial injuries occurring when the airbag is deployed, although such \
minor injuries are always possible with air bags.
If the vehicle should overturn or in the event of a rear impact, however\
severe, the pretensioners and airbags are not always
triggered. Impacts to the underside of the vehicle, e.g. from pavements,\
potholes or stones, can all trigger these systems.
– No work or modification whatsoever may be carried out on any part of the airbag system (airbags, pretensi\
oners, computer,
wiring harness, etc.), except by qualified Network personnel.
– To ensure that the system is in good working order and to avoid accidenta\
l triggering of the system which may cause injury, only qualified Network personnel may work on the airbag system.
– As a safety precaution, have the airbag system checked if your vehicle h\
as been involved in an accident, or is stolen or broken into.
– When selling or lending the vehicle, inform the user of these points and\
hand over this handbook with the vehicle.
– When scrapping your vehicle, contact your approved Dealer for disposal o\
f the gas generator(s).
All of the warnings below are given so that the airbag is not obstructed in any way when it is inflated and also to prevent
the risk of serious injuries caused by items which may be dislodged when\
it inflates.

1.34
STEERING WHEEL/POWER-ASSISTED STEERING
Power-assisted steering
Variable power-assisted steering
The variable power assisted steering
system is equipped with an electronic
control system which alters the level of
assistance to suit the vehicle speed.
Steering is made easier during parking
manoeuvres (for added comfort) while
the force needed to steer increases
progressively as the speed rises (for
enhanced safety at high speeds).
Stop and Start feature
With the engine on standby, power-as-
sisted steering is no longer operational.
It returns to its original state when the
engine is restarted or when the speed
moves above 1 mph or 1 km/h (hill,
slope, etc.).
Adjusting the steering wheel
height and depth
Lower the lever 1 and position the
steering wheel in the required position.
Then, raise the lever fully, beyond the
point of resistance to lock the steering
wheel.
Make sure that the steering wheel is
correctly locked.
For safety reasons, only
adjust the steering wheel
when the vehicle is station-
ary.
Never leave the steering wheel at
full lock while stationary.
Do not switch off the engine
when driving downhill and,
as a general rule, when
driving (the power-assisted
steering and brake cannot operate
normally).
With the engine switched off, or if
there is a system fault, it is still pos-
sible to turn the steering wheel. The
force required will be greater.
1
Engine on standby - power-
assisted steering is no
longer operational.
NB: power-assisted steering depends
on the mode selected in the “Multi-
Sense” menu (please refer to the infor-
mation in “Multi-Sense” in Section 3).