Get Safety Guide for Fiat 500 C 2 Door First Generation (2009-2015)

SEAT BELTS AND PRETENSIONERS

SEAT BELTS

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9

Using the seat belts

• The belt should be worn keeping the torso

straight and rested against the backrest.

• To fasten the seat belts, hold the tongue A

and insert it into the buckle B, until it

clicks into position. On removal, if it

jams, let it rewind for a short stretch,

then pull it out again without jerking.

• To unfasten the seat belts, press button C.

• The reel may lock when the car is parked on a steep slope: this is normal.

Furthermore, the reel mechanism locks the belt if it is pulled sharply or in

the event of sudden braking, collisions and high-speed bends.

S.B.R. SYSTEM

(for versions/markets, where provided)

• The car is equipped with a system called S.B.R. (Seat Belt Reminder), which

warns the driver and front passenger if their seat belt is not fastened.

PRETENSIONERS

• To increase the efficiency of seat belts, the car is fitted with pretensioners

which, in the event of a violent frontal impact, rewind the belt a few

centimetres ensuring that it adheres perfectly to the occupant before the

restraining action begins. The reel locks to indicate that the device has

intervened; the seat belt cannot be drawn back up even when guiding it

manually.

• IMPORTANT: to obtain the highest degree of protection from the action of the

pretensioner, wear the seat belt keeping it tight to the chest and pelvis.

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Important general information for using the seat belts

• Always fasten the seat belts before setting off.

• Seat belts must also be worn by pregnant

women: the risk of injury in the event of

an accident is greatly 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.

• The belt must not be twisted. The upper

part must pass over the shoulder and cross

the chest diagonally. The lower part must

adhere to the pelvis, not to the abdomen.

Never use devices (clips, pegs, etc.) to

hold the seat belt away from the body.

• Each seat belt must be used by only one

person. Never travel with a child sitting

on a passenger’s lap using a single belt to

protect them both. In general, do not place

any objects between the person and belt.

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CARRYING CHILDREN SAFELY

20,21

9

• For optimal protection in the event of a collision, all passengers must be

seated and wearing adequate restraint systems.

• This is even more important for children.

• European Regulation ECE-R44 subdivides restraint systems into five groups:

Group 0

Group 0+

Group 1

Group 2

Group 3

up to 10 kg of weight

up to 13 kg of weight

9-18 kg of weight

15-25 kg of weight

22-36 kg of weight

• Over 1.50 m in height, from the point of view of restraint systems, children

are considered as adults and wear the seat belts normally. Lineaccessori Fiat

offers child restraint systems for each weight group.

• These devices are recommended, since they are specifically designed and tested

for Fiat cars.

Group 0 and 0+

• Babies up to 13 kg must be carried facing

backwards on a cradle seat, which, by

supporting the head, does not induce stress

on the neck in the event of sharp

deceleration.

• The cradle is held in place by the car seat

belts and it in turn must restrain the

child with its own built-in belts.

Group 1

• From 9 to 18 kg of weight, children may be

carried facing forwards.

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Group 2

• Children from 15 to 25 kg may use the car

seat belts directly.

Group 3

• For children from 22 to 36 kg the size of

the child’s chest means that a support to

space the child’s back from the backrest is

no longer required.

• The image illustrates a child positioned

correctly on the rear seat.

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SUITABILITY OF PASSENGER SEATS FOR THE USE OF CHILD SEATS

• The Fiat 500 complies with the new European Directive 2000/3/EC regulating the

arrangement possibilities for child seats on the various car seats according

to the following table:

Group

Weight range

Front passenger

seat

Rear passenger

seat

Group 0, 0+

Group 1

up to 13 kg

9-18 kg

U

Group 2

15-25 kg

22-36 kg

Group 3

U = suitable for restraint systems in the “Universal” category,

according to European Standard ECE-R44 for the specified “Groups”.

Below is a summary of the main safety rules to be followed when carrying

children:

• Install the child seats on the rear seat, which is the most protected position

in the event of an accident.

• Always check that the seat belt is well fastened by pulling on it.

• Each restraint system must only be used for one child.

• Always check that seat belts do not rest on the child’s neck.

• While travelling, do not let the child sit incorrectly or release the belts.

• Never carry children on your lap, even newborns. No-one can restrain a child

in the event of an accident.

• In the event of an accident, replace the child seat with a new one.

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ISOFIX CHILD SEAT SETUP

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• The car can be fitted with a Universal

Isofix child seat, a new European

standardised system for carrying children

safely.

• Isofix child seats can be fitted alongside

traditional child seats. An example of a

child seat is shown below. The Universal

Isofix child seat covers weight group 1.

The other weight groups are covered by the

specific Isofix child seat, which can be

used only if specifically designed, tested

and approved for this car (see car list

provided with the child seat).

• Due to its different anchoring system, the

child seat must be secured using the

specific lower metal rings A, set between

backrest and rear cushion. After removing

the parcel shelf, secure the upper belt

(provided with the child seat) to the

specific ring B set between the rear

backrest and the luggage compartment

carpet.

• Remember that in case of Universal Isofix

child seats, you can use all seats approved

with the marking ECE R44/03 “Universal

Isofix”.

• The Universal Isofix "Duo Plus" child seat

is available from Lineaccessori Fiat.

• For any further installation/usage details,

refer to the “Instruction Manual” provided

with the child seat.

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SUITABILITY OF PASSENGER SEATS FOR THE USE OF UNIVERSAL ISOFIX

CHILD SEATS

The table below shows the different installation possibilities for Universal

Isofix child seats on the seats fitted with Isofix attachments, in accordance

with European regulation ECE 16.

Weight group

Child seat

position

Isofix size

class

Rear side Isofix

position

Portable cradle

Facing backwards

Facing forwards

F

G

E

D

C

D

C

B

BI

A

X

Group 0 up to 10 kg

Group 0+ up to 13 kg

X

Group 1 from 9 up to

18 kg

X

IUF

• IUF: suitable for forward-facing Isofix child restraint systems,

universal class (fitted with third upper fastener), approved for the

weight group.

• X: Isofix position not suitable for Isofix child restraint systems in

this weight group and/or size class.

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SUITABILITY OF PASSENGER SEATS FOR THE USE OF UNIVERSAL ISOFIX

CHILD SEATS

The table below shows the different installation possibilities for Universal

Isofix child seats on the seats fitted with Isofix attachments, in accordance

with European regulation ECE 16.

Weight group

Child seat

position

Isofix size

class

Rear side Isofix

position

Group 0 up to 10 kg

Group 0+ up to 13 kg

Facing backwards

E

X

Facing backwards

Facing forwards

E

X

D

X

C

X

Group 1 from 9 up to

18 kg

D

X

C

X

B

IUF

X

BI

A

• IUF: suitable for forward-facing Isofix child restraint systems,

universal class (fitted with third upper fastener), approved for the

weight group.

• X: Isofix position not suitable for Isofix child restraint systems in

this weight group and/or size class.

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AIRBAG

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The car is equipped with front airbags for the driver and passenger, driver side

knee bag and side bags - window bags.

FRONT AIRBAGS

• The front airbags (driver, passenger, driver knee bag) protect the occupants

of the front seats in the event of moderate to high severity front impacts by

positioning the cushion between the occupant and the steering wheel or the

dashboard.

• Therefore non-activation in other types of collisions (side collisions, rear

shunts, roll-overs, etc.) is not a system malfunction.

• The front airbags (driver, passenger, driver knee bag) do not replace but

rather complement the seat belts, which you are always advised to wear, as

specified by law in Europe and most non-European countries.

• Front airbags may not activate in the following situations:

• frontal impacts against highly deformable objects not involving the front

surface of the car (e.g. bumper collision against guard rail, etc.);

• car wedging under other vehicles or protective barriers (e.g. trucks or

guard rails);

they may not provide any additional protection compared with seat belts, so

their activation would not be appropriate. In these cases, non-deployment

does not indicate a system malfunction.

• The airbags are not deployed in the event of minor frontal impacts (for which

the restraining action of the seat belts is sufficient). Safety belts must

always be worn. In the event of frontal impact they guarantee correct

positioning of the occupant.

FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG (A)

• This consists of an instantly inflating cushion contained in a special recess

in the centre of the steering wheel.

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FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG (B)

• This consists of an instantly inflating cushion contained in a special recess

in the dashboard: this bag has a larger volume than that on the driver’s side.

DRIVER SIDE KNEE BAG (for versions/markets, where provided) (C)

• This consists of an instantly inflating cushion housed into a special

compartment under the lower steering column guard at driver’s knee level,

designed to give further protection in the event of a frontal impact.

Manual deactivation of front passenger side airbag and side bag

• If a child must be carried on the front seat, the front passenger side airbag

and side bag for chest protection (for versions/markets where provided) must

be deactivated.

• The warning light

on the instrument panel will stay on constantly until the

front passenger side airbag and side bag for chest protection (for

versions/markets where provided) are reactivated.

• To manually deactivate the front passenger side airbag and side bag for chest

protection (for versions/markets, where provided) refer to page 10.

SIDE BAGS (Side bag - Window bag)

Side bag (for versions/markets, where provided)

• This consists of an instantly inflating

cushion housed in the front seat backrest.

It protects the chest and the pelvis of the

occupants in the event of side crash of

moderate to high severity.

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Window bags (for versions/markets, where provided)

• These consist of two “drop-down” cushions,

housed behind the side trim of the roof and

covered with finishing elements, which

protect the heads of front occupants in the

event of a side impact, thanks to a wide

cushion deployment area.

• IMPORTANT: in the event of side impact, you

can obtain the best protection from the

system by maintaining a correct position on

the seat, thereby allowing the window bag

to deploy correctly.

• IMPORTANT: the front airbags and/or side

bags may be deployed if the car is subject

to violent impacts or accidents involving

the underbody area, such as for example

violent impacts against steps, kerbs or low

obstacles, big holes or dips in the road.

• IMPORTANT: a small amount of dust will be released when the airbags are

deployed. The dust is harmless and does not indicate the beginning of a fire.

Furthermore, the surface of the deployed bag and the interior of the car may

be covered with dusty residue. This dust can irritate skin and eyes. Wash with

mild soap and water in the event of exposure. The expiry date of the explosive

charge and the clock spring are shown on a specific label on the edge of the

door. Contact a Fiat Dealership to have them replaced when the expiry date

approaches.

• IMPORTANT: should an accident occur in which any of the safety devices is

activated, contact a Fiat Dealership to have the activated devices replaced

and to have the system checked.

• IMPORTANT: pretensioners, front airbags and side bags are deployed in

different ways, according to the type of collision. Failure to deploy of one

or more of the devices does not indicate a system malfunction.

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Safety for Your Fiat 500 C 2 Door First Generation (2009-2015)

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