SBR (Seat Belt
Reminder) SYSTEM
This system consists of a device which
by means of the warning light
on
the instrument panel displayfig. 66,
warns the driver and front passenger if
their seat belts have not been fastened.
When the ignition key is turned to
MAR, the warning light
comes on for
a few seconds to indicate the warning
light is operating correctly.
The warning light is switched off if the
driver and passenger seat belt (the
latter, if present) are correctly fastened.
To deactivate the acoustic warning
permanently go to a Fiat Dealership.
The acoustic warning can be
reactivated at any time through the
display Setup Menu.DRIVER
If the driver is the only occupant and
the seat belt is not fastened, when 20
km/h is exceeded or when travelling
at a speed from 10 to 20 km/h for
longer than 5 seconds, a buzzer
sequence will be started for the front
seats (intermittent acoustic warning
lasting for approximately 105 seconds).
The warning lightwill flash.
At the end of the cycle, the warning
lights stays on with fixed light and the
engine is stopped. The acoustic signal
is interrupted immediately when the
driver and passenger seat belt is
fastened.
If the seat belt is unfastened again
when driving the car, the acoustic signal
and the flashing warning light resume
as described previously.
PASSENGER
A similar solution applies for the
passenger, but the indication is
interrupted when the passenger leaves
the car as well.
It both front seat belts are unfastened
while the car is travelling a few seconds
apart, the acoustic warning and the
warning light will refer to the most
recent event.
PRE-TENSIONERS
64) 65) 66) 67)37)
The car is equipped with front seat belt
pretensioners, which draw back the
seat belts by several centimetres in the
event of a severe frontal collision. This
guarantees the perfect adherence of
the seat belts to the occupant's bodies
before the retention action begins.
It is evident that the pretensioners have
been activated when the belt withdraws
toward the retractor.
This car is also equipped with a second
pretensioner (fitted in the kick plate
area). Its activation is signalled by the
shortening of the metal cable.
A slight discharge of smoke may be
produced during the activation of the
pretensioner which is not harmful and
does not involve any fire hazard.
The pretensioner does not require any
maintenance or lubrication: any
changes to its original conditions will
invalidate its efficiency.
If, due to unusual natural events (floods,
sea storms, etc.), the device has been
affected by water and/or mud, contact
a Fiat Dealership to have it replaced.
IMPORTANT To obtain the highest
degree of protection from the action of
the pretensioner, wear the seat belt
tight to the chest and pelvis.
66F0Y0612C
80
SAFETY
LOAD LIMITERS
To increase safety in the event of an
accident, the front seat belt retractors
contain a device which controls the
force acting on the chest and shoulders
during the belt restraining action in the
event of a frontal collision.
GENERAL
INSTRUCTIONS FOR
USING THE SEAT BELTS
Seat belts must also be worn by
pregnant women: the risk of injury in
the event of an accident is 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 fig. 67. While pregnancy
increases, the driver must adjust both
seat and steering wheel to have full
control over the vehicle (pedals and
steering wheel should be easily
accessed). The maximum clearance
should be kept between the abdomen
and the steering wheel.The seat belt strap must not be twisted.
The upper part must pass over the
shoulder and cross the chest diagonally
fig. 68. The lower part must adhere to
the pelvis, not to the abdomen of
the occupant. Never use devices (clips,
clamps, etc.) that hold the seat belt
away from your body.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.
69. In general, do not place any objects
between the person and the belt.
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;
67F0Y0700C
68F0Y0701C
69F0Y0702C
81
prevent the retractors 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.
WARNING
64)The pretensioner may be used only
once. Contact a Fiat Dealership to have it
replaced after it has been deployed.
65)Removing or otherwise tampering with
pretensioner and seat belt components
is strictly prohibited. Any intervention
on these components must be performed
by qualified and authorised technicians.
Always contact a Fiat Dealership.
66)For maximum safety, keep the backrest
upright, lean back into it and make sure
the seat belt fits closely across your chest
and pelvis. Always fasten the seat belts
for both the front and rear seats! Travelling
without wearing seat belts will increase
the risk of serious injury and even death in
the event of an accident.
67)If the belt has been subjected to high
levels of stress, for example after an
accident, it should be changed completely
together with the attachments, attachment
fixing screws and the pretensioner. In
fact, even if the belt has no visible defects,
it may have lost its resilience.
WARNING
37)Operations implying impacts, vibrations
or localised heating (over 100°C for a
maximum of six hours) in the area around
the pretensioner may damage or deploy
it. Contact a Fiat Dealership should
intervention be necessary on these
components.
CHILD PROTECTION
SYSTEMS
CARRYING CHILDREN
SAFELY
68) 69) 70) 71) 72) 73) 74)
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.
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 sudden
manoeuvre.
82
SAFETY
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.
Should a rearward facing child
restraint system be installed on the rear
seats, it is advisable to position it as
far forward as the position of the front
seat allows.
If the passenger's front airbag is
deactivated always check the LED
on the trim located on the
dashboard to make sure that it has
actually been deactivated.
Carefully follow the instructions
supplied with the child restraint system.
Keep the instructions in the vehicle
along with the other documents and
this handbook. Do not use second-
hand child seats 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 car 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
anchors 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 head restraint
must always be present in the vehicle
and fitted if the seat is used by an adult
passenger or a child sitting in a restraint
system without backrest.
WARNING
68)SEVERE DANGER When a front
passenger airbag is fitted, do not install
rearward facing child restraint systems on
the front passenger seat. Deployment of
the airbag in a crash could cause fatal
injuries to the child regardless of the
severity of the collision. 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.
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)Should it be necessary to carry a child
on the passenger side front seat in a rear
facing child restraint system, the passenger
side front airbag and side bag must be
deactivated through the display main menu
(see the "Display" paragraph, "Knowing
the dashboard" chapter), verifying
deactivation by checking whether the
OFF LED has switched on in the trim
located on the dashboard. Move the
passenger's seat as far back as possible to
avoid contact between the child seat and
the dashboard.
71)Do not move the front or rear seat if a
child is seated on it or on the dedicated
child restraint system.
94
SAFETY
PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG AND CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS: WARNING
84F0Y0709C
98
SAFETY
SIDE BAGS
To help increase occupant protection in
the event of certain side impact
collisions, the vehicle is equipped with
front side bags (for versions/markets,
where provided) and window bags.
Side bag
(for versions/markets, where provided)
These comprise two types of bags
located in the front seat backrests fig.
85 which protect the pelvic, chest
and shoulder area of the occupants in
the event of a side impact of
medium-high severity.
Window bag
This consists of a "curtain" bag housed
behind the roof side linings and covered
by special trims fig. 86.It is designed to protect the head of
front and rear occupants in the event of
a side collision, thanks to the wide
cushion inflation surface.
The deployment of side bags in the
event of side impacts of low severity is
not required.
In the event of a side impact, the
system provides best protection if the
passenger sits on the seat in a correct
position, thus allowing correct window
bag deployment.
Important notes
86) 87) 88) 89) 90) 91) 92) 93) 94)
Do not wash the seats with water or
pressurised steam (wash by hand or at
automatic seat washing stations).The front airbags and/or side bags may
be deployed in the event of sharp
impacts to the underbody of the car
(e.g. impact with steps, pavements,
potholes or road bumps etc.).
When the airbag deploys it emits a
small amount of dust: the dust is
harmless and does not indicate the
beginning of a fire. The dust may irritate
the skin and eyes however: in this
case, wash with neutral soap
and water.
Airbag checking, repair and
replacement must be carried out at a
Fiat Dealership.
If the car is scrapped, have the airbag
system deactivated at a Fiat Dealership.
Pretensioners and airbags are
deployed in different ways on the basis
of the type of collision. Failure to
activate one or more of the devices
does not indicate a system malfunction.
WARNING
79)Do not apply stickers or other objects
on the steering wheel, on the dashboard in
the passenger side airbag area, on side
upholstery on the roof or on 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.
85F0Y0090C
86F0Y0206C
99
80)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.
81)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.
82)To deactivate the airbags using the
instrument panel display menu, see the
description in the "Knowing the instrument
panel" chapter, "Setup Menu" paragraph.
83)Do not affix rigid objects to the garment
hooks or support handles.
84)Do not rest your head, arms or elbows
on the door, on the windows or in the
window bag area to prevent injury during
deployment.
85)Never lean your head, arms or elbows
out of the window.86)If, when the key is turned to MAR, thewarning light does not switch on or
stays on whilst driving, a fault may have
occurred in the restraint systems. In this
case the airbags or pretensioners may not
be deployed in an impact or, in a lower
number of cases, they may be deployed
accidentally. Contact a Fiat Dealership
immediately to have the system checked.
87)On some versions, in the event of
warning light failure, thewarning
light switches on and the explosive charges
of the passenger airbag are deactivated.
88)On vehicles with side bags, do not
cover the front seat backrests with extra
covers.
89)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.
90)If the car has been stolen or in
the event of an attempt to steal it, if it has
been subjected to vandalism or floods,
have the airbag system checked by a Fiat
Dealership.91)The airbags may also be deployed
when the car is not moving, if the key is in
the ignition and turned to MAR or when the
engine is off, if the car is hit by another
moving vehicle. Therefore, even if the
vehicle is stationary, when an active front
passenger airbag is fitted, DO NOT install
rearward 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 key is turned 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.
100
SAFETY
92)TheLED warning light indicates the
passenger airbag protection status. If the
LED is off, passenger side protection is
active: to deactivate it, use the Setup Menu
(in this case the LED lights up). When the
engine is started (ignition key turned to
MAR position), the LED turns on for about
8 seconds, provided that at least 5
seconds have elapsed from when it was
switched off. If not, contact a Fiat
Dealership. If the engine is switched off/on
again in less than 5 seconds the LED
may remain off. In this case, to check
correct LED operation, switch the engine
off, wait for at least 5 seconds and switch
the engine on again. The LED may light
up with various intensity levels depending
on the vehicle conditions. The intensity may
also vary during the same key cycle.
93)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.
94)The airbag does not replace seat belts
but increases their efficiency. Because
front airbags are not deployed for
low-speed crashes, side collisions,
rear-end shunts or rollovers, occupants are
protected, in addition to any side bags,
only by their seat belts, which must
therefore always be fastened.
101