Get Getting to know your car -> Methods of Restraint (Airbags/Pretensioners) Guide for Renault Megane SUV First Generation (1995-2002)

METHODS OF RESTRAINT IN ADDITION TO THE FRONT AND REAR SIDE SEAT BELTS

These are:

• Following an accident,

O Seat belt pretensioners.

have all the restraint

systems checked.

O Force limiter.

• No operations whatsoever are

O Air bags for driver and front

permitted on any part of the

passenger.

pretensioner system (computer,

wiring).

These systems are provided to act

independently or together when the

• To avoid accidental triggering of

vehicle is subjected to a frontal

the system which may cause

impact.

damage,

only qualified

of the Renault

There are three possibilities,

depending on the force of the

impact:

personnel

1

Network may work on the

pretensioner system.

- Protection is provided by the belt

only;

- The pretensioner is triggered to

rectify belt position and take up

play in the belt;

- Always wear your seat belt when

travelling in your car.

• Electrical testing of the trigger

system may only be carried out

by a specially trained technician

using special equipment.

Seat belt pretensioners

This system is only operational

when the ignition is switched on.

If the vehicle is subject to a severe

• When the vehicle is scrapped,

contact your Renault Dealer for

disposal of the gas generator.

frontal

impact,

piston

1

immediately retracts the seat belt

buckle pulling the seat belt tight

against the body and thereby

improving its efficiency.

O Side air bags

Provided to operate in the event

of a violent side impact.

1.23

METHODS OF RESTRAINT IN ADDITION TO THE FRONT AND REAR SIDE SEAT BELTS (continued)

Force limiter

Above a certain severity of impact,

this mechanism is used to limit the

force of the belt against the body so

that it is at an acceptable level.

Warning relating to the

service life of air bags

and pretensioners

The pyrotechnic systems in air

Airbags for driver and front

bags and pretensioners have a

passenger

limited service life. These

systems must be replaced each

time they are activated but at the

latest after they have been in

service for ten years.The work

must be undertaken by a Renault

Dealer.

An air bag may be provided for both

the driver and the front passenger.

"Air bag" inscriptions on the

steering wheel and dashboard

together with a label on the sun

visor on the passenger side indicate

that the vehicle is equipped with air

bags.

The seat belt pretensioners and

the air bag operate together. If

one of the systems has passed the

date when it is due for renewal, it

will alter the overall safety

protection provided.

1.24

METHODS OF RESTRAINT IN ADDITION TO THE FRONT AND REAR SIDE SEAT BELTS (continued)

Operation

Operating incidents

The system is only operational after

the ignition has been turned on

(ignition key in position M “ignition

on”).

Tell-tale light 1 illuminates on the

instrument panel when the ignition

is turned on and then extinguishes

after a few seconds.

If a severe frontal impact occurs, the

air bag(s) inflate(s) in approximately

30 millisecond(s), cushioning the

impact of the driver’s head against

the steering wheel and the front

passenger’s head against the

dashboard. The air bag then deflates

immediately so that the passengers

are not impeded in any way when

they get out of the vehicle.

If it does not illuminate when the

ignition is turned on or if it flashes,

there is a fault in the system.

Consult your Renault Dealer as soon

as possible. Your protection will be

reduced until this problem is

rectified.

1

The air bag system uses the

principles of pyrotechnics. This

explains why, when the air bag

inflates, it will generate heat,

produce smoke (this does not mean

that a fire is about to start) and make

noise upon detonation. In

situation where an air bag is

required, it must inflate

Airbags for driver and front

passenger (continued)

Each air bag system consists of:

- An air bag and gas generator fitted

on the steering wheel for the

driver and in the dashboard for the

front passenger.

a

- A computer for both systems,

which includes the impact

detector and a monitor controlling

the electrical trigger system for the

gas generator.

immediately and this may cause

some minor, superficial grazing to

the skin.

- One single indicator light on the

instrument panel 1.

1.25

METHODS OF RESTRAINT IN ADDITION TO THE FRONT AND REAR SIDE SEAT BELTS (continued)

All the warnings given below are designed to ensure that the air bag can inflate correctly and to prevent serious injuries

caused by items which may be dislodged when the air bag inflates.

The airbag is designed to complement the action of the seat belt. The air bags and seat belts are integral parts of

the same protection system. It is therefore essential that the seat belt is worn at all times. If seat belts are not

worn, it exposes the occupants to the risk of serious injury in the event of an accident. It may also increase the

risk of minor superficial injuries occurring when the air bag is deployed, although such minor injuries are

always possible with air bags.

The air bag does not offer protection against minor and moderately serious frontal impacts, side or rear impacts or if the

vehicle turns over.

Air bags for driver and passenger

• No work or modification whatsoever may be performed on the entire driver and passenger air bag system (computer,

wiring, etc.) except by qualified Renault network personnel.

• To ensure that the system is in good working order and to avoid incorrect triggering of the system which may cause

injury, only qualified Renault Network personnel may work on the air bag system.

• As a safety precaution, have the air bag system checked if your vehicle has been involved in an accident, is stolen or

broken into.

• When selling or lending the vehicle, inform the user of these points and hand over this handbook with the vehicle.

• When scrapping your vehicle, contact your Renault Dealer for disposal of the gas generator(s).

1.26

METHODS OF RESTRAINT IN ADDITION TO THE FRONT AND REAR SIDE SEAT BELTS (continued)

Warnings concerning the driver’s air bag

• Do not modify either the steering wheel or the steering wheel boss.

• Do not cover the steering wheel boss.

1

• Do not attach any objects (pin, logo, clock, telephone support, etc.) to the

steering wheel boss.

• The steering wheel must not be removed (except by qualified personnel

within the Renault network).

• Do not sit too close to the steering wheel. If you sit with your arms slightly

bent (see information on “Adjusting your driving position” in section 1), it

will ensure that there is sufficient space for the air bag to inflate properly

and to be fully effective.

All the warnings given below are

Warnings concerning the passenger air bag: location 1

• Do not attach or affix with adhesive any objects (pin, logo, clock, telephone

support, etc.) on the dashboard near where the air bag is located.

designed to ensure that the air bag

can inflate correctly and to prevent

serious injuries caused by items

which may be dislodged when the

air bag inflates.

• Do not place anything between the dashboard and the passenger (animal,

umbrella, walking stick, parcels, etc.).

• The passenger must not put his or her feet on the dashboard as there is a

risk that serious injuries may be sustained. As a general rule, keep all parts

of the body (knees, hands, heads, etc.) well away from the dashboard.

A REAR-FACING CHILD/BABY SEAT MUST NOT BE FITTED

TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT

IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A PASSENGER AIR BAG.

1.27

METHODS OF RESTRAINT IN ADDITION TO THE FRONT AND REAR SIDE SEAT BELTS (continued)

Warnings concerning the side air bag

• Fitting seat covers: Seats equipped with an air bag require special

covers specifically designed for your vehicle. Consult your Renault

Dealer to find out if these covers may be purchased from Renault

outlets. The use of any covers other than those designed for your vehicle

(and including those designed for another vehicle) may affect the

operation of these air bags and reduce your protection.

• Do not place any accessories, objects or even an animal between the

seatback and the door. This may prevent the air bag from operating

correctly or cause injury if the air bag is deployed.

• No work or modification whatsoever may be performed on the seat except

by qualified Renault network personnel.

1

Side air bags

This air bag may be fitted to the

front seats and is activated at the

sides of the seat (door side) to

protect the occupants in the event of

a severe side impact.

The markings 1 on the windscreen

will remind you of the presence of

this equipment.

This system will only operate if a

severe side impact occurs.

1.28

Getting to know your car -> Methods of Restraint (Airbags/Pretensioners) for Your Renault Megane SUV First Generation (1995-2002)

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