101
OCCUPANT
PROTECTION
SYSTEMS
Some of the most important safety
equipment of the vehicle comprise the
following protection systems:
❒ seat belts;
❒ SBR (Seat Belt Reminder) system;
❒ head restraints;
❒ child restraint systems;
❒ front airbags and side bags.
Read the information given the
following pages with the utmost care. It
is of fundamental importance that the
protection systems are used in the
correct way to guarantee the maximum
possible safety level for the driver and
the passengers.
For the description of the head restraint
adjustment see the “Head restraints”
paragraph in the
“Knowing your vehicle”
chapter.
SEAT BELTS AND
PRETENSIONERS
22) 12)
SEAT BELTS
All vehicle seats are equipped with seat
belts with three anchor points and a
retractor.
The retractor mechanism operates
locking the belt in the event of sharp
braking or strong deceleration due to
an impact.
This allows the belt strap to slide freely
and to adapt to the body of the
occupant. In the event of an accident,
the belt will lock reducing the risk of
impact inside the passenger
compartment and of being projected
outside the vehicle.
The driver is responsible for respecting,
and ensuring that all the other
occupants of the vehicle also respect,
the local laws in force in relation to the
use of the seat belts.
Always fasten the seat belts before
setting off.
Using the seat belts
The belt should be worn keeping the
torso straight and rested against the
backrest.
To fasten the seat belts, hold tongue A
fig. 60 and insert it into buckle B until it
locks into place.
On removal, if the belt jams, let it
rewind for a short stretch, then pull it
out again without jerking.
SAFETY
SAFETY
104
SEAT BELTS
MAINTENANCE
For keeping the seat belts in efficient
conditions, carefully observe the
following warnings:
❒ 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 seat 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;
❒ prevent the retractors from getting
wet: their correct operation is only
guaranteed if water does not get
inside;
❒ replace the seat belt when showing
significant wear or cut signs. 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.
In general, do not place any objects
between the person and the belt
fig. 71.
70DVDF0S043c
71DVDF0S044c
CHILD PROTECTION
SYSTEMS
CARRYING CHILDREN
SAFELY
23), 24 12)
For 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.
Children below the height of 1.50
metres and up to 12 years must be
protected with suitable restraint
systems and be seated on the rear
seats.
Statistics on accidents indicate that the
rear seats offer greater safety for
children.
Compared with an adult, a child’s head
is larger and heavier in proportion to
their body and the child’s muscular and
bone structures are not fully developed.
105
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. Depending on
the characteristics of the child restraint
systems used, you are advised to keep
children in rearward facing child
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.
It is recommended to always choose
the restraint system most suitable for
the child; for this reason always refer to
the Owner Handbook provided with
the child restraint system, to be sure
that it is of the right type for the
children it is intended for.In Europe the characteristics of child
restraint systems are ruled by the
regulation ECE-R44, dividing them into
five weight groups:
Group 0 up to 10 kg in weight
Group 0+ up to 13 kg in weight
Group 1 9-18 kg
Group 2 15-25 kg
Group 3 22-36 kg
All 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 Mopar
®includes child
restraint systems for each weight
group.
These devices are recommended
having been specifically designed for
Fiat cars.
FITTING A CHILD
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
WITH SEAT BELTS
The Universal child restraint systems
installed with the seat belts only are
type-approved on the basis of the
ECE R44 standard and are divided into
various weight groups.
WARNING The figures are indicative
and provided for assembly purposes
only.
Fit the child restraint system according
to the instructions, which must be
included.
IMPORTANT Following an accident of
a medium-to-high severity, it is
recommended to replace both the child
restraint system and the seat belt to
which it was bound.
Group 0 and 0+
Babies up to 13 kg must be carried
rearward facing on a cradle restraint
system, which, supporting the head,
does not induce stress on the neck in
the event of sharp decelerations.
SAFETY
106
The child restraint system must be
withheld using the car seat belts and
restrain the baby using the belts fitted in
the child restraint system.
Group 1
Children weighing from 9 to 18 kg may
be transported in forward facing child
restraint systems.
72DVDF0S045c
73
9-18 kg
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Group 2
Children from 15 to 25 kg may use the
vehicle seat belts directly.
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.
74DVDF0S047c
Group 3
For children between 22 kg and 36 kg,
there are boosters which allow the seat
belt to be worn correctly.
Fig. 75 shows proper child seat
positioning on the rear seat.
Children over 1.50 m in height can
wear seat belts like adults.
75DVDF0S048c
107
PASSENGER SEAT COMPLIANCE WITH
REGULATIONS ON UNIVERSAL CHILD SEAT USE
Fiat 500 complies with the new European Directive 2000/3/EC which governs the
arrangement possibilities for child restraints on the various seats of the car as
shown in the following table:
GroupWeight
groupFront passenger ()
Airbag onAirbag offRear passenger
Group 0, 0+ up to 13 kg X U U
Group 1 9-18 kg X U U
Group 2 15-25 kg U U U
Group 3 22-36 kg U U U
U = suitable for child restraint systems of the “Universal” category, according to European
Standard EEC-R44 for the specified Groups”.
X = restraint system not suitable for children in this weight category.
(
) IMPORTANT: NEVER fit rearward facing child restraint systems on the front seat
with an active passenger side airbag. Deactivate the respective airbag to install a rearward facing
child restraint system
(see instructions in the “Supplementary Restraint System
(SRS) - Airbag” paragraph).
INSTALLING AN
ISOFIX CHILD
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
24)
The vehicle is equipped with ISOFIX
anchorages, a new standard which
makes fitting a child restraint system
quick, simple and safe.
The ISOFIX system lets you install the
ISOFIX child restraining system without
using the car seat belts but connecting
them directly to the carseat with three
anchors in the car.
Traditional child restraint systems can
be fitted alongside ISOFIX child restraint
systems on different seats in the same
vehicle.
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108
To install an ISOFIX child restraint
system, attach it to the two metal
anchor points A fig. 76, located behind
the rear seat cushion,where the rear
seat cushion meets the backrest and
highlighted by the symbol.
Then remove the parcel shelf and fix
the upper strap (available together with
the child restraint system) to the anchor
point B fig. 77, located behind the
backrest, at the bottom.
77DVDF0S051c
76DVDF0S227c
78DVDF0S049c
An example of an Universal Isofix child
seat for weight group 1 is shown in
fig. 78.The other weight groups are covered
by the specific Isofix child restraint
system, which can be used only if
specifically designed, tested and
approved for this car (see car list
provided with the child seat).
WARNING The figure is indicative and
for assembly purposes only.
Fit the child restraint system
according to the instructions, which
must be included.
NOTE When a Universal ISOFIX child
restraint system is used, only ECE
R44 “ISOFIX Universal” (R44/03 or
further upgrades) type-approved child
restraint systems can be used.
The Universal Isofix “Duo Plus” child
restraint system and the special “G
0/1” restraint system are available from
Lineaccessori Mopar
®.
For any further details on
installation/use, refer to the
instruction manual provided with the
child seat.
109
PASSENGER SEAT COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS ON ISOFIX CHILD
RESTRAINT SYSTEM USE
The table below shows the various installation possibilities for Isofix child restraint systems on seats fitted with Isofix attachments
in accordance with European standard ECE 16.
Weight groupChild restraint system
orientationIsofix size classIsofix position
Rear side
Group 0 up to 10 kg Facing backwards E X
Group 0+ up to 13 kg Facing backwards E X
Facing backwards D X
Facing backwards C X
Group 1 from 9 to 18 kg Facing backwards D X
Facing backwards C X
Facing forwards B IUF
Facing forwards B1 IUF
Facing forwards A IUF (*)
X: Isofix position not suitable for Isofix child restraint system in this weight group and/or size class.
IUF: Suitable for forward facing Isofix child restraint systems in the Universal category and type-approved for the use in the weight group.
(*): This Isofix position is not suitable for Isofix child restraint systems in this group of weight and/or size class.
SAFETY
110
SUITABILITY OF PASSENGER SEATS FOR USE WITH i-SIZE
CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS (for versions/markets, where provided)
The following table, according to European standard ECE 129, indicates the possibility of i-Size child restraint system installation.
DeviceFront
passengerRear right passenger
i-Size child restraint system ISO/R2 X i-U(*) X ISO/F2 X i-U(*) X
X: seat not suitable for Universal i-Size child restraint systems.
i-U(*): installation only possible by moving the corresponding front seat forward. In this configuration, the seat must not be occupied.
Rear left passenger
i-Size POSITIONS IN THE VEHICLE