SUITABILITY OF PASSENGER SEATS FOR THE USE OF CHILD RESTRAINT
SYSTEMS
The vehicles designed to carry people (homologation M1) comply with the new European Directive 2000/3/EC which governs
the arrangement possibilities for child restraint systems on the seats of the vehicle as shown in the following table:
Group Weight range Front passenger Rear passenger
Airbag enabled Airbag deactivated
Group 0, 0+ up to 13 kgXUU
Group 1 9 - 18 kgXUU
Group 2 15 - 25 kgUUU
Group 3 22–36 kgUUU
X Seat not suitable for children in this weight category.
U suitable for child restraint systems in the "Universal" category, according to European Standard ECE-R44 for the specified "Groups".
WARNING
67)SERIOUS 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
carry children in a child restraint system on the rear seat, which is the most protected position in the event of a collision.
68)Should it be necessary to carry a child on the passenger side front seat in a rearward-facing child restraint system, the passenger side
front airbag and side bag (for versions/markets, where provided) must be deactivated through the Setup menu. Deactivation should be
verified by checking whether the
warning light is switched on in the central dashboard. Move the passenger's seat as far back as possible
to avoid contact between the child seat and the dashboard.
69)On the sun visor there is a label with suitable symbols reminding the user that it is compulsory to deactivate the airbag if a rearward facing
child restraint system is fitted. Always comply with the instructions on the passenger side sun visor (see the "Supplementary Restraint
System (SRS) - Airbag" paragraph).
70)Do not move the front or rear seat if a child is seated on it or on the dedicated child restraint system.
71)Incorrect fitting of the child restraint system may result in an inefficient protection system. In the event of an accident the child restraint
system may become loose and the child may be injured, even fatally. When fitting a restraint system for newborns or children, strictly comply
with the instructions provided by the Manufacturer.
79
Below is a summary of
the main safety rules to
be followed when
carrying children
Main recommendations to carry
children safely:
Install the child restraint systems on
the rear seat, which is the most
protected position in the event of an
impact.
Keep children in rearward facing
child restraint systems for as long as
possible, until 3–4 years old if possible.
If the passenger's front airbag is
deactivated always check the
warning light always lighted on the
central dashboard to make sure that
it has actually been deactivated fig. 95.
Carefully follow the instructions
supplied with the child restraint system.
Keep the instructions in the vehicle
along with the other papers and this
handbook. Do not use second-hand
child restraint systems without
instructions.
Only one child is to be strapped into
each restraint system; never carry two
children using one child restraint
system.
Always check that the seat belts do
not rest on the child’s neck.
Always check that the seat belt is
well fastened by pulling on it.
While travelling, do not let the child
sit incorrectly or unfasten the belts.
Never allow a child to put the belt's
diagonal section under an arm or
behind their back.
Never carry children on your lap,
even newborns. No-one can hold
a child in the case of a crash.
If the vehicle has been involved in a
road accident, replace the child
restraint system with a new one. In
addition, and depending on the type of
child restraint system installed, replace
the Isofix anchorages or the seat belt
with which the child restraint system
was connected.
The rear head restraint can be
removed if needed to install a child
restraint system. The headrest must
always be fitted in the vehicle if the seat
is used by an adult passenger or a
child sitting in a restraint system without
a backrest.
WARNING
76)Fit the child restraint system only when
the vehicle is stationary. The child restraint
system is correctly fixed to the brackets
when you hear the click. Follow the
instructions for positioning, fitting and
removing which the child restraint system
manufacturer must supply together with
the restraint system. If a Universal/ISOFIX
child restraint system is not fixed to all
three anchorages, it will not be able to
protect the child correctly. In a crash, the
child could be seriously or fatally injured.
77)Do not use the same lower anchorage
to install more than one child restraint
system.
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SUPPLEMENTARY
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
(SRS) - AIRBAG
The vehicle may be equipped with:
driver front airbag;
front passenger airbag;
passenger chest-pelvis side bag.
The location of the airbags on the
vehicle is marked by the word
"AIRBAG" in the middle of the steering
wheel, on the dashboard, on the side
lining or on a label placed next to the
airbag deployment area.
FRONT AIRBAGS
The vehicle is fitted with front airbags
for driver and passenger (for
versions/markets where provided).
The front driver/passenger airbags (for
versions/markets, where provided)
are designed to protect the front-seat
occupants in the event of frontal
impacts of medium-high severity, by
placing the bag between the occupant
and the steering wheel or dashboard.
Therefore, non-activation in other types
of collisions (side collisions, rear shunts,
roll-overs, etc.) is not a system
malfunction.
An electronic control unit will make the
bag inflate in the event of a frontal
impact.
The bag will inflate instantaneously
placing itself between the front
occupants body and the structures
which could cause injury. It will deflate
immediately afterwards.
Front driver/passenger airbags (for
versions/markets, where provided) are
not a replacement for, but rather a
complement to, the seat belts, which
should be worn at all times as specified
by law in Europe and most non-
European countries.In the event of an impact, someone not
wearing a seat belt will move forward
and come into contact with the bag
which is still in the opening stage. The
protection offered by the bag is
compromised in these circumstances.
Front airbags may not activate in the
following situations:
frontal impacts against highly
deformable objects not involving the
front surface of the vehicle (e.g. wing
collision against guard rail, etc.);
vehicle wedging under other vehicles
or protective barriers (e.g. trucks or
guard rails);
Failure to activate in the conditions
described above is due to the fact that
they may not provide any additional
protection compared with seat belts, so
their activation would be inappropriate.
In these cases, non-deployment does
not indicate a system malfunction.
78)
The driver's and passenger's front
airbags have been designed and
calibrated to protect front seat
occupants wearing seat belts. At their
maximum inflation, their volume fills
most of the space between the steering
wheel and the driver and between the
dashboard and the passenger.
84
SAFETY
The airbags are not deployed in the
event of minor frontal impacts (for
which the restraining action of the seat
belts is sufficient). Seat belts must
always be worn. In the event of a frontal
collision, they ensure the correct
positioning of the occupant.
FRONT AIRBAG DRIVER'S
SIDE
It consists of an instantly inflating bag
contained in a special recess at the
centre of the steering wheel fig. 96.
PASSENGER SIDE FRONT
AIRBAG
(for versions/markets, where provided)
This consists of an instantly inflating
bag contained in a special recess in the
dashboard fig. 97 which has a larger
volume than that of the driver.
79)
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE
AIRBAG AND CHILD
RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
Rearward-facing child restraint systems
must NEVER be fitted on the front
seat with an active passenger's airbag
since in the event of an impact the
airbag activation may cause fatal
injuries to the transported child.
ALWAYScomply with the instructions
on the label fig. 98 stuck on the
passenger side sun visor.Manual deactivation of
front passenger airbag
and chest-pelvis side
bag
(for versions/markets, where provided)
If a child must necessarily be carried on
the front seat in a rear-facing child
restraint system, the front passenger
airbag and chest-pelvis side bag (for
versions/markets, where provided) can
be deactivated.
IMPORTANT To manually deactivate the
front passenger airbag and chest-pelvis
side bag (for versions/markets where
provided), refer to the "Display"
paragraph in the "Knowing the
instrument panel" chapter.
When the passenger front airbag and
chest-pelvis side bag (for versions/
markets where provided) are activated
again, the warning light switches off.
The warning light
on the central
dashboard fig. 99 shows the passenger
protection status.
When the vehicle is started (key in MAR
position), the warning light turns on
for approx. 8 seconds, provided that at
least 5 seconds have elapsed from
the previous switching off. If not,
contact a Fiat Dealership.
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WARNING
78)Do not apply stickers or other objects
to the steering wheel, the dashboard in the
passenger side airbag area and the seats.
Never put objects (e.g. mobile phones)
on the passenger side of the dashboard
since they could interfere with correct
inflation of the passenger airbag and also
cause serious injury to the passengers.
79)SERIOUS DANGER: When there is an
active passenger airbag, DO NOT install
rearward facing child restraint systems on
the front seat. Deployment of the airbag
in a crash could cause fatal injuries to the
child regardless of the severity of the
collision. Therefore, always deactivate the
passenger side airbag when a rearward
facing child restraint system is installed on
the front passenger seat. The front
passenger seat must also be positioned
back as far as possible in order to prevent
the child restraint system from coming
into contact with the dashboard.
Immediately reactivate the passenger
airbag as soon as the child restraint system
has been removed.
SIDE BAGS
(for versions/markets, where provided)
On some versions, the vehicle may
be fitted with driver and passenger
chest-pelvis protection side bags.
Side bags protect occupants from side
collisions of medium/high severity by
placing the bag between the occupant
and the internal parts of the side
structure of the vehicle.
Non-activation of side bags in other
types of collisions (front collisions, rear
shunts, roll-overs, etc.) is not a system
malfunction.
An electronic control unit causes the
bags to inflate in the event of a side-on
collision. The bags inflate
instantaneously, placing themselves
between the occupant's body and the
structures which could cause injury.
They deflate immediately afterwards.
Side bags are not a replacement of, but
rather a complement to, seat belts,
which you are recommended to wear at
all times, as specified by law in Europe
and most non-European countries.
For this reason, the seat belt must be
worn at all times. In the case of side
collisions, the seat belts hold the
occupant in the correct position and
prevent them from being thrown out of
the car by a very violent collision.SIDE BAGS
(for versions/markets, where provided)
It consists of an instantly inflating bag
housed in the front seat backrest fig.
101. It protects the chest and the pelvis
of the occupants in the event of side
collisions of medium-high severity.
IMPORTANT In the event of a
side crash, the system provides best
protection if the passenger sits on
the seat in a correct position,
thus allowing correct side bag
deployment.
IMPORTANT Do not wash the seats
with water or pressurised steam (wash
by hand or at automatic seat washing
stations).
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SAFETY
IMPORTANT NOTES
The front airbags and/or side bags (for
versions/markets, where provided)
may be deployed if the vehicle is
subject to heavy knocks or accidents
involving the underbody area, such
as for example violent shocks against
steps, kerbs or low obstacles, or the
vehicle falling into big potholes or
depressions in the road.
A small amount of dust will be released
when the airbags are deployed. The
dust is not harmful and does not
indicate the beginning of a fire.
Furthermore, the surface of the
deployed bag and the interior of the
vehicle may be covered in a dusty
residue: this may irritate your skin and
eyes. Wash with mild soap and water in
the event of exposure.
Should an accident occur in which any
of the safety devices are activated,
take the vehicle to a Fiat Dealership to
have the activated devices replaced
and to have the whole system checked.
Every control, repair and replacement
operation concerning the airbags must
be carried out only at Fiat Dealerships.If you are having the vehicle scrapped,
have the airbag system deactivated at a
Fiat Dealership first. If the vehicle
changes ownership, the new owner
must be informed of the method of use
of airbags and the above warnings
and also be given this "Owner
Handbook".
Pretensioners, front airbags and front
side bags are deployed differently
according to the type of collision.
Failure to activate one or more of the
devices does not indicate a system
malfunction.
80) 81) 82) 83) 84) 85) 86) 87) 88) 89)
WARNING
80)There may be an anomaly in the
restraint systems if the warning light
does not light up when the key is turn
to MAR or remains on while driving (on
some versions with a message on the
display). In this case, the airbags or the
pretensioners may not be activated in the
case of an accident or (in a lesser number
of cases) they may be activated incorrectly.
Contact a Fiat Dealership immediately to
have the system checked.
81)Always drive with your hands on the
rim of the steering wheel so that the airbag
can inflate freely if required. Do not drive
bent over the steering wheel, but rather sit
upright with your back firmly resting against
the seat back.82)In some versions, in the event of a LED
failure (located on the dashboard
panel), thewarning light on the
instrument panel turns on and the
passenger side airbags are deactivated.
83)On cars with side bags, do not cover
the front seat backrests with extra covers.
84)Do not travel carrying objects in your
lap, in front of your chest or between your
lips (pipe, pencils, etc.): they could cause
severe injury if the airbag is deployed.
85)If the ignition device is at MAR, even if
the engine is switched off, airbags may
be deployed when the vehicle is stationary
and hit by another vehicle. Therefore,
even if the car is stationary, when an active
front passenger airbag is fitted, DO NOT
install rear facing child restraint systems on
the front passenger seat. Deployment of
the airbag following an impact could cause
fatal injuries to the child. Therefore, always
deactivate the passenger side airbag
when a rearward facing child restraint
system is installed on the front passenger
seat. The front passenger seat must also
be positioned back as far as possible in
order to prevent the child restraint system
from coming into contact with the
dashboard. Immediately reactivate the
passenger airbag as soon as the child
restraint system has been removed. Also
remember that, if the ignition device is
set to STOP, none of the safety devices
(airbags or pretensioners) will be deployed
in the event of collision. Non-deployment
in such cases does not indicate a system
malfunction.
89
86)Have the airbag system checked by a
Fiat Dealership if the car was stolen, if theft
was attempted, or if the car was subjected
to vandalism or flooding.
87)When the ignition key is turned to MAR,
the
warning light (with front passenger
side airbag activated) on the central
dashboard switches on and flashes for a
few seconds as a reminder that the
passenger airbag will be deployed in the
event of a crash, then it should switch off.
88)The airbag deployment threshold is
higher than that of the pretensioners. For
collisions in the range between the two
thresholds, it is normal for only the
pretensioners to be activated.
89)The airbag does not replace seat belts
but increases their efficiency. Furthermore,
since front airbags are not deployed in
low-speed frontal impacts, side impacts,
rear shunts or roll-overs, the passengers
are protected only by the seat belts which
must therefore be fastened at all times.
90
SAFETY
Versions with Comfort-matic
transmission
With the vehicle stationary and the
brake pedal pressed, the engine stops
if the gear lever is in position other
thanR. In the event of stops uphill,
engine switching off is disabled to make
the "Hill Holder" function available
(works only with the engine running).
The warning light on the instrument
panel switches on to signal that the
engine has stopped.
Restarting the engine
Versions with manual transmission
Depress the clutch pedal to restart
the engine.
Versions with Comfort-matic
transmission
Releasing the brake pedal the engine
restarts automatically; the icon switches
off on the display. If the engine is
restarted with the “Hill Holder” function
off, move the lever towards (+), (-)or
Rand the engine restarts.MANUAL ACTIVATION
AND DEACTIVATION
The device can be turned on/off by
means of the button shown in fig. 112
on the dashboard. When the function is
not active, the button LED is on. In
addition, on some versions, additional
information concerning the deactivation
or activation of the Start&Stop system
is given through a message on the
display.
SAFETY FUNCTIONS
In engine cut-out conditions through
the Start&Stop system, if the driver
unfastens his/her seat belt and opens
the driver's door or the passenger door,
the engine can be restarted only by
using the key. The driver is notified of
this condition by a buzzer, through the
instrument panel warning light fig.
113 flashing and, where provided, by a
message in the display.VEHICLE INACTIVITY
In the event of vehicle inactivity, special
attention must be paid to the
disconnection of the battery power
supply. Proceed as follows: detach the
connector A fig. 114 (by pressing
button B) from battery status
monitoring sensor C installed on the
negative battery pole D. This sensor
should never be disconnected from the
pole except if the battery is replaced.
IMPORTANT After turning the ignition
key to STOP, wait at least 1 minute
before disconnecting the electrical
supply to the battery.
100)
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