Passengers not wearing seat belts are not connected to the vehicle. In the event of a frontal
collision they will continue to move forwards at the same speed at which the vehicle was travelling
before impact, until something stops them. Because the passengers in our example are not
restrained by seat belts, the entire amount of kinetic energy will only be released at the point of
impact against the wall ⇒ Fig. 45.
Even at speeds of approximately 30 km/h (18 mphyf W R D S S U R [ L P D W H O \ b N P K b P S K \f, the forces
acting on bodies in a collision can easily exceed one tonne (1,000 kgyf 7 K H V H I R U F H V D U H H Y H Q
greater at higher speeds.
This example applies not only to frontal collisions, but to all accidents and collisions.
What happens to vehicle occupants who have not fastened their seat
belts
Fig. 46 An unbelted driver is thrown forwards
Fig. 47 The unbelted rear passenger is thrown forwards, hitting the belted driver
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Many people believe that they can brace their weight with their hands in a minor collision. This is
not true.
Even at low speeds, the forces acting on the body in a collision are so great that occupants cannot
brace themselves with their arms and hands. In a frontal collision, unbelted vehicle occupants are
thrown forwards and will make unchecked contact with parts of the vehicle interior, e.g. the steering
wheel, dash panel, or windscreen ⇒ Fig. 46.
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts. When triggered, the airbags only provide
additional protection. Airbags are not triggered in all kinds of accidents. Even if the vehicle is
equipped with an airbag system, all vehicle occupants, including the driver, must fasten their seat
belt and wear it correctly while the vehicle is in motion. This reduces the risk of severe or fatal
injuries in the event of an accident \f
Keep the air intake slots in front of the windscreen free of snow, ice and leaves to ensure
heating and cooling is not impaired, and to prevent the windows from misting over.
Controls
Fig. 112 In the centre console: rotary controls for the heating and fresh air system
Fig. 113 In the centre console: air conditioning controls
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Button,
control
Additional information. Heating and fresh air system
⇒ Fig. 112 and air conditioning system ⇒ Fig. 113.
Temperature ①.
Turn the regulator to set the temperature as required.
...
Blowers ②.Setting 0: blower and system switched off, setting 4: highest blower setting.
Air distribution ③.Turn the control to direct the airflow exactly as required.
④Air conditioning system: slider for the air recirculation mode ⇒ Air
recirculation mode.
Heating and fresh air system: defrost function. Air distribution to the
windscreen and the side windows around the exterior mirrors.
Air conditioning system: defrost function. Air distribution to the windscreen
and the side windows around the exterior mirrors. press the button,
increase the blower level and switch the air recirculation mode ⇒ Air
recirculation mode off, in order to remove condensation from the windscreen
as quickly as possible.
Air distribution to the upper body via the air vents in the dash panel.
Air distribution to the footwell.
Heating and fresh air system, air conditioning system: air distribution to the
windscreen and in the footwell.
Air conditioning system: Press the button to switch the cooling system on or
off.
Rear window heating
The button for the rear window heating is located in the centre console. The rear window
heating only functions when the engine is running and will switch off automatically after
approximately 10 minutes.
Stale air can quickly cause tiredness and lack of concentration in the driver, which in turn can
cause collisions, accidents and serious injuries.
\f
