document_0900452a81793dcc.book Seite 169 Mittwoch, 21. März 2007 5:42 17
Airbag system
169
Important safety notes on the front airbag
system
WARNING (continued)
deactivated. However, if you have no alternative but to use a rear-
ward-facing child seat on the front passenger's seat, the front
passenger's airbag must be deactivated beforehand by means of
the key-operated switch* ⇒ page 173. Failure to observe this
precaution could result in serious or potentially fatal injury.
There are a number of safety points concerning the airbag
system which you should remember. This will help to
reduce the risk of injury in an accident.
• Occupants sitting in the front of the car must never carry any
objects or pets in the space between them and the airbags, or
allow children or other passengers to travel in this position.
• Do not cover or stick anything on the steering wheel hub or the
soft plastic surface of the airbag unit on the passenger's side of
the dashboard, and do not obstruct or modify them in any way.
These parts should only be cleaned with a dry cloth (or with a
cloth moistened with plain water). It is also important not to
attach any objects such as cup holders or telephone mountings to
the surfaces covering the airbag units.
Fig. 179 Minimum
distance from steering
wheel
• Any work on the airbag system or removal and installation of
the airbag components for other repairs (such as repairs to the
steering wheel) must be performed by a qualified workshop.
WARNING
• It is important for the driver and front passenger to maintain a
distance of at least 25 cm from the steering wheel or dashboard
⇒ page 169, fig. 179. The airbag system will not be able to give the
required protection if you sit too close to the steering wheel or
dashboard. There is also a risk of injury if the airbags are inflated.
The front seats and head restraints must always be positioned
correctly for the height of the occupant.
Note
If necessary, you can deactivate the front passenger's airbag by
means of the key-operated switch* ⇒ page 173.
• If you do not wear a seat belt, if you lean forward or to the side,
or are not seated correctly while the vehicle is in motion, you are
at greater risk of injury. Should the airbag system be triggered in
an accident there is an even greater risk of injury.
• Never let a child travel on the front seat without an appropriate
restraint system. If the airbag is triggered in an accident, the child
could sustain serious or fatal injuries ⇒ page 175, “Child safety”.
• Never install a rearward-facing child safety seat on the front
passenger's seat unless the front passenger's airbag has been
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