Get SAFETY DEVICES Guide for Fiat Punto SUV 1999-2010

SAFETY DEVICES

SEAT BELTS............................................................................ 135

PRETENSIONERS ................................................................. 139

CARRYING CHILDREN SAFELY ..................................... 143

FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS.......................................... 149

SIDE AIR BAGS (Side bag -

Front Window bag) .............................................................. 153

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SEAT BELTS

USING THE SEAT BELTS

The belt should be worn keeping the chest straight and rested against the

seat back.

To fasten the belt, take hold the tongue (A) and insert it into the buckle

(B), until hearing the locking click.

At removal, if it jams, let it rewind for a short stretch, then pull it out

again without jerking.

F0I0155m

To unfasten the seat belts, press button (C). Guide the seat belt with

your hand while it is rewinding, to prevent it from twisting.

Through the reel, the belt automatically adapts to the body of the

passenger wearing it, allowing freedom of movement.

When the car is parked on a steep slope the reel mechanism may block;

this is normal. The reel mechanism prevents the webbing coming out

when it is jerked or if the car brakes sharply, in a collision or when

cornering at high speeds.

Never press button (C) when travelling.

WARNING

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The rear seat is fitted with inertial seat belts with three anchor points

and reel for the side seats and adjustable lap belt with two anchor points

for the centre seat.

On certain versions the rear centre seat is fitted with seat belt with three

anchor points and reel.

In order to avoid incorrect fastening, the tabs of the side seats and the

buckle of the centre lap belt are incompatible.

Rear seat belts shall be worn as shown in the figure. To fold the seat

back, see paragraph “Extending the boot” in section “Dashboard and

controls”.

F0I0017m

IMPORTANT Remember that in the event of a violent collision, back seat

passengers not wearing seat belts also represent a serious danger for the

front seat passengers.

F0I0252m

F0I0018m

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FRONT SEAT BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT

Always adjust the height of the seat belt to fit the person wearing it. This

precaution could greatly reduce the risk of injury in case of collision.

Correct adjustment is obtained when the belt passes half way between

the end of the shoulder and the neck.

Four different adjustments in height are provided.

To adjust, press button (A) and lower or raise the grip (B).

F0I0057m

Make the height adjustment when the car is stationary.

WARNING

After adjustment, always check that the slider is anchored in one of the positions

provided. To do this, with the button (A) released, exert a further pressure to allow

the anchor device to catch if release did not take place at one of the preset

positions.

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USING THE REAR CENTRAL SEAT BELT

Seat belt without reel mechanism

To fasten the seat belt: insert the tongue (A) into the buckle (B), until

you hear it click.

To unfasten the seat belt: press button (C).

To adjust the belt: slide the webbing in adjuster (D). Pull length (E) to

tighten the belt and length (F) to loosen it.

F0I0170m

IMPORTANT The belt is adjusted properly when it fits closely across the

hips.

Seat belt with three anchor points and reel mechanism

The seat belt has two webbings and a double buckle.

To fasten the seat belt: pull the webbing from your reel gently. Slide the

webbing carefully through the retainer by the side of the head restraint

without twisting it. Then fasten tongue (A) in buckle (B) (grey with a

black button) making the two yellow spot references coincide (one on

the tongue and one on the buckle).

F0I0184m

Slide out more webbing and insert tongue (C) in buckle (D) (grey with

red button).

To unfasten the seat belt: press button (E) and lead the webbing to

buckle (B). Then press button (F) (black).

F0I0185m

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IMPORTANT To obtain the highest degree of

protection from the action of the pretensioning device,

wear the seat belt keeping it firmly close to the chest

and pelvis.

PRETENSIONERS

To increase the efficiency of the front seat belts, the

Fiat Punto is fitted with pretensioners. These devices

“feel”, through a sensor, that a violent crash is in

progress and rewind the seat belts a few centimetres.

In this way they ensure that the seat belt adheres

perfectly to the wearer before the restraining action

begins.

Front seat pretensioners activate only if front seat

belts are properly fitted into buckles.

A small amount of smoke may be produced. This

smoke is in no way toxic and presents no fire hazard.

The seat belt locks to indicate that the device has

intervened; the seat belt cannot be drawn back up

even when guiding it manually.

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The pretensioner does not require any maintenance or greasing.

Anything that modifies its original conditions invalidates its efficiency. If

due to unusual natural events (floods, seas storm, etc.) the device has

been affected by water and mud, it must necessarily be replaced.

F0I0262m

The pretensioner can only be used once. After a collision that has triggered it, have

it replaced at a Fiat Dealership. The validity of the device is written on the plate

located in the glove compartment. Contact Fiat Dealership to have pretensioners

replaced as this date approaches.

WARNING

Operations which lead to knocks, vibrations or localised heating (over 100°C for a maximum of 6

hours) in the area around the pretensioners may cause damage or trigger them. These devices are

not affected by vibrations caused by irregularities of the road surface or low obstacles such as

kerbs, etc. Contact a Fiat Dealership for any assistance.

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LOAD LIMITERS

To increase passenger’s safety, front and rear (where provided) seat belt

reels contain a load limiter which allows controlled sag in such a way as

to dose the force acting on the shoulders during the belt restraining

action in case of front crash.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING

THE SEAT BELTS

The driver must comply with (and have the vehicle occupants follow) all

the local legal regulations concerning the use of seat belts.

F0I0019m

Always fasten the seat belts before starting.

Seat belts are also to be worn by expectant mothers: the risk of injury in

the case of accident is greatly reduced for them and the unborn child if

they are wearing a seat belt. Of course they must position the lower part

of the belt very low down so that it passes under the abdomen (as

illustrated in the figure).

IMPORTANT The belt should not be twisted. The upper part should

pass over the shoulder and cross the chest diagonally. The lower part

should adhere to the pelvis and to the abdomen of the passenger (as

illustrated in the figure). Do not use any objects (pegs, stoppers, etc.) to

keep the belts away from the body.

F0I0020m

For maximum safety, keep the back of your seat upright, lean back into it and

make sure the seat belt fits closely across your chest and hips. Make sure that the

seat belts of the front and rear passengers are fastened at all times! You increase

the risk of serious injury or death in a collision if you travel with the belts

unfastened.

WARNING

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IMPORTANT Never travel with a child sitting on the passenger’s lap with

a single belt to protect them both. Do not fasten other objects to the

body.

F0I0021m

Under no circumstances should the components of the seat belts and pretensioners

be tampered with or removed. Any operation should be carried out by qualified

and authorised personnel. Always contact a Fiat Dealership.

WARNING

If the belt has been subjected to heavy stress, for example after an accident, it

should be changed completely together with the anchors, anchor fastening screws

and the pretensioners. In fact, even if the belt has no visible defects, it could have

lost its resilience.

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HOW TO KEEP THE SEAT BELTS

ALWAYS IN EFFICIENT CONDITIONS

CARRYING CHILDREN

SAFELY

Observe the following:

For optimal protection in the event of a crash, all

passengers must be seated and wearing adequate

restraint systems.

❒ Always use the belt with the tape taut and never

twisted; make sure that it is free to run without

impediments;

This is even more important for children.

❒ After a serious accident, replace the belt being worn

at that time, even if it does not appear damaged.

Always replace the seat belts if pretensioners have

been activated;

According to 2003/20/EC Directive, this prescription

is compulsory for all European Community countries.

Compared with adults, their head is proportionally

larger and heavier than the rest of the body, while the

muscles and bone structure are not completely

developed. Therefore, correct restraint systems are

necessary, other then adult seat belts.

❒ To clean the belts, wash by hand with neutral soap,

rinse and leave to dry in the shade. Never use

strong detergents, bleach or dyes or other chemical

substance that might weaken the fibres;

❒ Prevent the reels from getting wet: their correct

operation is only guaranteed if water does not get

inside;

The results of research on the best child restraint

systems are contained in the European Standard ECE-

R44. This Standard enforces the use of restraint

systems classified in five groups:

❒ Replace the seat belt when showing significant wear

or cut signs.

Group 0

Group 0+

Group 1

Group 2

Group 3

0-10 kg in weight

0-13 kg in weight

9-18 kg in weight

15-25 kg in weight

22-36 kg in weight

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As it may be noted, the groups overlap partly and in

fact, in commerce it is possible to find devices that

cover more than one weight group.

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.

All restraint devices must bear the certification data,

together with the control brand, on a solidly fixed

label which must absolutely never be removed.

Lineaccessori Fiat offers seats for each weight group.

These seats are the recommended choice, as they

have been designed and experimented specifically for

Fiat cars.

SERIOUS DANGER: Never place cradle child’s seats on the front passenger seat of

cars fitted with passenger’s air bag since the air bag could cause serious injuries, even

mortal. You are advised to carry children always on the rear seat, as this is the most

protected position in the case of a crash. In any case, children’s seats must absolutely

not be fitted on the front seat of cars with passenger’s air bag, which during inflation

could cause serious injury, even mortal, regardless of the seriousness of the crash that

triggered it.

WARNING

In case of need, on cars provided with front passenger's air bag deactivation, a

child can be carried on the front seat. In this case it is absolutely necessary to

check the F warning light to make sure that deactivation has actually taken

place (see paragraph “Front and side air bags” at item “Front passenger’s air

bag”). The front passenger’s seat shall be adjusted in the most backward position

to prevent any contact between child’s seat and dashboard.

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GROUP 0 and 0+

Babies up to 13 kg must be carried facing backwards on a cradle seat,

which, supporting the head, does not induce stress on the neck in the

event of sharp deceleration.

The cradle is restrained by the car seat belts, as shown in the figure and

in turn it must restrain the child with its own belts.

F0I0022m

GROUP 1

Starting from 9 kg to 18 kg in weight, children may be carried facing

forwards, with seats fitted with front cushion, through which the car seat

belt restrains both child and seat.

F0I0023m

Fig

ures are indicative for assembly only. The seat should be

installed following the

WARNING

instructions that must accompany it.

Seats exist which are suitable for covering weight groups 0 and 1 with a rear

connection and their own belts to restrain the child. Due to their size, they can be

dangerous if installed incorrectly fastened to the car belts with a cushion. Carefully

follow the instructions for installation provided with the seat.

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GROUP 2

Starting from 15 kg to 25 kg in weight, children may be restrained

directly by the car belts. The only function of the seat is to position the

child correctly in relation to the belts, so that the diagonal part adheres

to the chest and not to the neck and that the horizontal part clings to the

child’s pelvis and not the abdomen.

F0I0024m

GROUP 3

For children from 22 kg up to 36 kg the size of the child’s chest no longer

requires a support to space the child’s back from the seat back.

The figure shows proper child seat positioning on the rear seat.

Children taller than 1.50 m can wear seat belts like adults.

F0I0025m

The figure is only an example for mounting. Attain to the instructions for fastening

which must be enclosed with the specific child restraint system you are using.

WARNING

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PASSENGER SEAT COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS ON CHILD’S SEAT USE

Fiat Punto complies with the new Directive 2000/3/EC regulating child’s seat assembling on the different car seats

according to the following tables:

Front and rear seat (3 and 5-door versions)

Range of weight

SEAT

Group

Front

passenger

Rear

side

Central

rear

Central

rear

passenger

(with reel)

passenger

(lap)

up to 13 kg

9 - 18 kg

Group 0, 0+

Group 1

U

(*)

15 - 25 kg

22 - 36 kg

Group 2

Group 3

Key:

U = suitable for child restraint systems of the “Universal” category, according to European Standard ECE-R44 for the specified “Groups”.

(*) = in correspondence with the central place of the rear seat with lap belts (without reel), no type of seat can be assembled.

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Below is a summary of the rules of safety to be

followed for carrying children:

❒ Only one child is to be strapped to each retaining

system.

❒ The recommended position for installing child’s seat

is on the rear seat, as it is the most protected in the

case of a crash.

❒ Always check the seat belts do not fit around the

child’s throat.

❒ While travelling, do not let the child sit incorrectly

or release the belts.

❒ If the passenger’s air bag is deactivated always check

the warning light

F

on the cluster to make sure

❒ Passengers should never carry children on their

laps. No-one, however strong they are, can hold a

child in the event of a crash.

that it has actually been deactivated.

❒ Attain to the instructions for fastening the specific

child restraint system which you are using. These

instructions must be provided by the manufacturer.

Keep the child restraint system installation

instructions with the car documents and this

Handbook. Never use a child restraint system

without installation instructions.

❒ In case of an accident, replace the seat with a new

one.

❒ Always check the seat belt is well fastened by pulling

the webbing.

In cars fitted with passenger air bag never place child’s restraint systems on

the front seat since children shall never be seated on the front passenger

seat.

WARNING

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In case of front crash, an electronic control unit, when

required, triggers the inflation of the cushion according

to the severity of the collision. The cushion

immediately inflates, placing itself as a protection

between the body of the front occupants and the

structure that could cause injuries. Immediately after,

the cushion deflates.

FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS

The car is fitted with driver’s air bag. As optional it can

be fitted with passenger’s air bag, side bags and

window bag.

The front air bag (driver and passenger) has been

designed to protect the occupants in the event of

head-on crashes of medium-high severity, by placing

the cushion between the occupant and the steering

wheel or dashboard.

The front air bag (driver and passenger) is not a

replacement of but complementary to the use of belts,

which should always be worn, as specified by law in

Europe and most non-European countries.

Front air bags are designed to protect car’s occupants

in front crashes and therefore non-activation in other

types of collisions (side collisions, rear shunts, roll-

overs, etc.) is not a system malfunction.

In case of crash, a person not wearing the seat belt

moves forward and may come into contact with the

cushion while it is still inflating. Under this

circumstance the protection offered by the air bag is

reduced.

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Front air bag can be activated in the following

situations:

as it offers no additional protection compared with the

seat belts, consequently, it would be pointless.

Therefore, failure to come into action in the above

circumstances does not mean that the system is not

working properly.

❒ in collisions against highly deformable objects not

affecting the vehicle front surface (e.g. bumper

collision against guard rail, etc.);

❒ car wedging under other vehicles or protective

barriers (for example under a truck or guard rail);

Please don’t apply stickers or other objects to the steering wheel, to the air-bag

cover on the passenger's side or on the side roof lining to the upholstery on the

roof side. Don’t place objects on the dashboard passenger’s side (such as mobile

phones) because they could tamper with the correct opening of the passenger’s

air-bag and than cause serious injuries to the vehicle occupants.

WARNING

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DRIVER’S FRONT AIR BAG

It consists of an instant-inflating cushion contained in a special recess in

the centre of the steering wheel.

PASSENGER’S FRONT AIR BAG (where provided)

It consists of an instant-inflating cushion contained in a special recess in

the dashboard; its volume is bigger than the driver’s one.

The driver’s and passenger’s front Air bags have been designed and

calibrated to improve the protection of a person wearing seat belts.

F0I0237m

At their maximum inflation, their volume fills most of the space between

the dashboard and the passenger.

F0I0105m

SERIOUS DANGER: The car is fitted with an air bag on the passenger’s side. Never

WARNING

place cradle child’s seats on the front passenger’s seat of cars fitted with passenger’s

air bag since the air bag activation could cause serious injuries, even mortal.

On cars provided with front passenger's air bag, the air bag shall be deactivated

when placing a child' seat on the front passenger's seat. The front passenger seat

shall be adjusted in the most backward position to prevent any contact between

child’ seat and dashboard. Even if not compulsory by law, you are recommended to

reactivate the air bag immediately as soon as child transport is no longer necessary.

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MANUALLY DEACTIVATING PASSENGER’S FRONT

AIR BAG (where required)

Should it be absolutely necessary to carry a child on the front seat, the

passenger’s air bag on the car can be deactivated.

Deactivation/reactivation takes place with ignition key at STOP and

operating it in the special key switch on the right-hand side of the

dashboard. You can reach the switch only if the door is opened.

When the door is open, the key can be inserted and removed in both

positions.

F0I0064m

IMPORTANT Operate the switch only when the engine is not running

and the ignition key is removed.

The key-operated switch has two positions:

Passenger’s front air bag activated (ON position ): warning light

F

child on the front seat.

❒

P

on instrument cluster off; it is absolutely prohibited to carry a

Passenger’s front air bag deactivated (OFF position

F

by special restraint system on the front seat.

): warning light

F

on instrument cluster on; it is possible to carry a child protected

The warning light

on the cluster stays on permanently until the

F

passenger’s air bag is reactivated.

Deactivation of the passenger’s front air bag does not inhibit operation of

the side air bag.

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SIDE AIR BAGS (Side bag -

Front Window bag) (where provided)

SIDE BAG

They are composed by two types of instant inflation and are housed in

the back rest of the front seats. The task of the side air bags is to

increase protection of the occupants’ chest in the event of a side crash of

medium-high severity.

F0I0106m

FRONT WINDOW BAG

They are “curtain” cushions located behind the side coverings of the roof

and covered by proper finishings such to allow the cushion unfolding

downwards; this solution, studied for the head protection, allows offering

the best protection to the front occupants in the event of side crash.

In minor side crashes (for which the restraining action of the seat belts is

sufficient), the air bags are not deployed.

Also in this case it is of vital importance to wear the seat belts since in

case of side crash they guarantee proper positioning of the occupant and

prevent the occupants to be pitched out of the car in case of violent

crashes. Therefore the side bags are not a replacement of but

complementary to the belts, which you are recommended to always

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

F0I0107m

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IMPORTANT In the event of side crash, you can

obtain the best protection by the system keeping a

correct position on the seat, thus allowing correct

front window bag unfolding.

IMPORTANT When the airbag inflates it emits a small

amount of dusts. These dusts are harmless and is not

the beginning of a fire; then the unfold cushion surface

and the car interiors can be covered by a dusty

remains: this dust can irritate skin and eyes. In case of

contact, wash yourself using neutral soap and water.

IMPORTANT The front air bags and/or side bags may

be deployed if the car is subject to heavy knocks or

accidents involving the underbody area, such as for

example violent shocks, against steps, kerbs or low

obstacles, falling of the car in big holes or sags in the

road.

Never rest head, arms and elbows on the door, on the windows and in the front

window bag area to prevent possible injuries during the inflation phase.

WARNING

Never put head, arms and elbows out of window.

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The airbag system has a validity of 14 years for the

pyrotechnic charge and 10 years for the coil contact

(see the plate located in the glove compartment).

Contact Fiat Dealership for replacement as these dates

approach.

If you are having the car scrapped, have the airbag

system deactivated at a Fiat Dealership first. If the car

changes ownership, the new owner must be informed

of the method of use of air bags and the above

warnings and also be given this “Owner handbook”.

IMPORTANT Should an accident occur in which any

of the safety devices is activated, take the car to a Fiat

Dealership to have the devices activated replaced and

to have the system checked.

IMPORTANT The triggering of pretensioners, front

air bags and front and rear side bags is decided in a

differentiated manner by the electronic control unit,

depending on the type of crash.

The failure to deploy one or more of them does not

mean that the system is not working properly.

All control, repair and replacement operations

concerning the air bags must only be carried out c/o

Fiat Dealership.

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GENERAL WARNINGS

If the

¬

warning light does not turn on when turning the ignition key to MAR or if

WARNING

it stays on when travelling, this could indicate a failure in safety retaining systems;

under this condition air bags or pretensioners could not trigger in the event of

collision or, in a restricted number of cases, they could trigger accidentally. Stop

the car and contact Fiat Dealership to have the system checked immediately.

Do not cover the back rest of front seats with trims or covers there are not set for

the use of side bags.

WARNING

Never travel with objects on your lap, in front of your chest or with a pipe, pencil,

etc. between your lips. Injury may result in the event of the air bag being triggered.

Always keep your hands on the steering wheel rim when driving, so that if the air

bag is triggered, it can inflate without meeting any obstacles which could cause

serious harm to you. Do not drive with the body bent forwards, keep the seat back

rest in the erect position and lean your back well against it.

WARNING

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If the car has been stolen or an attempt to steal it has been made, if it has been

subjected to vandals or floods, have the air bag system checked by Fiat

Dealership.

WARNING

Remember that with the key engaged and in the MAR position, even with the

engine not running, the air bags may be triggered on a stationary vehicle if it is

bumped by another moving car. Therefore, never seat children on the front seat

even when the vehicle is stationary. On the other hand, remember that with the

ignition key at STOP no safety device (air bags or pretensioners) will be

triggered in the event of an impact; in these cases, failure to come into action

of the air bags cannot be considered as a sign that the system is not working

properly.

When the ignition key is turned to the MAR position, the warning light F (with

passenger’s front air bag deactivation (where required) switch in the ON position)

turns on and flashes for few seconds to remind that passenger’s air bag will be

deployed in a crash, after which it should go off.

WARNING

Do not wash the seat back rest with pressurised water or steam (by hand or at

automatic seat washing stations).

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The front air bag is triggered for shocks greater in magnitude than the

pretensioners. For impacts between these two thresholds, it is therefore normal

that only the pretensioners are triggered.

WARNING

Do not hook rigid objects to the coat hooks and to the support handles.

The air bag does not substitute the seat belts, but only increases their effectiveness. Moreover,

since the front air bags do not come into operation in the event of front impact at low speed,

side collisions, bumps from behind or overturning, in these circumstances the occupants would

only be protected by the seat belts which must therefore always be fastened.

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SAFETY DEVICES for Your Fiat Punto SUV 1999-2010

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