Get Getting to know your vehicle -> Additional Methods of Restraint (Airbags/Pretensioners) Guide for Renault Megane SUV Second Generation (2003-2008)

ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT TO THE FRONT SEAT BELT

These are:

ꢀ buckle pretensioners,

• Have the entire restraint

system checked following

an accident.

ꢀ lap

pretensioners

(5-door

version only),

ꢀ chest force limiters,

• No operation whatsoever is

permitted on any part of the

system (pretensioners, airbags,

computers, wiring) and the

system components must not be

reused on any other vehicle, even

if identical.

ꢀ front passenger and driver's

airbags,

ꢀ anti-submarining airbags (3-door

version only).

These systems are designed to act

independently or together when the

vehicle is subjected to a frontal

impact.

• To avoid premature triggering of

the system which may cause

injury, only qualified RENAULT

Network personnel may work on

the pretensioner and airbag

system.

2

1

Depending on the force of the impact

the system may activate:

- seat belt locking;

- the buckle pretensioner (which is

triggered to take up the seat belt

play);

- the lap belt pretensioner or the

anti-submarining airbag to keep the

occupant in their seat, the front low

volume front airbag and force

limiters;

Pretensioners

With the ignition switched on, if

there is a severe frontal impact and

depending on the severity of the

impact, the system may activate:

- the piston 1 which immediately

retracts the seat belt;

• Testing of the electric trigger

system may only be carried out by

a specially trained technician

using special equipment.

• When the vehicle is scrapped,

contact your RENAULT Dealer for

disposal of the pretensioner and

airbag gas generators.

- piston 2 on the front seats (5-door

version),

or

- the large volume front airbag.

- the anti-submarining airbag (3-door

version only).

The pretensioners hold the seat belt

against the occupant's body, holding

the occupant more securely against

the seat, thus increasing the seat

belt's efficiency.

1.25

ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT TO THE FRONT SEAT BELT (continued)

Force limiter

Driver and passenger airbags

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.

An airbag is fitted for both the driver

and the front passenger seats.

The presence of this equipment is

indicated by the word Airbag on the

steering wheel and the dashboard

(airbag zone A) and a label on the

base of the windscreen.

A

Each airbag system consists of:

- an airbag and gas generator fitted

to the steering wheel for the driver

and in the dashboard for the front

passenger;

- an intelligent computer for both

systems, which includes an

impact sensor and

a

monitor

controlling the electrical trigger

system for the gas generator;

- one single warning light

the instrument panel;

on

- an

advanced

front

sensor

The airbag system uses the

principles of pyrotechnics. This

explains why, when the airbag

inflates, it will generate heat,

produce smoke (this does not mean

that a fire is about to start) and

make a noise upon detonation. In a

situation where an airbag is

completes the system.

required,

it

will

inflate

immediately and this may cause

some minor, superficial grazing to

the skin.

1.26

ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT TO THE FRONT SEAT BELT (continued)

1

Operation

This system is only operational

when the ignition is switched on.

Special feature of the front

airbag

Operating faults

Warning light 1 will light up on the

instrument panel when the ignition

is turned on and then go out after a

few seconds.

Depending on the severity of

impact, the front airbag has two

deployment volumes and an

integral ventilation system to

prevent burns from the exhaust

gases:

- “small volume” airbag, this is the

first stage of operation;

- “large volume” airbag, the airbag

seams rip so that a larger volume

of gas is released into the bag (for

the most severe impacts).

If a severe frontal impact occurs, the

airbags inflate rapidly, cushioning

the impact of the driver's head and

chest against the steering wheel and

the front passenger's head against

the dashboard. The airbags then

deflate immediately so that the

passengers are not impeded in any

way when leaving the vehicle.

If it does not light up when the

ignition is switched on, or comes on

when the engine is running, there is

a fault in the system.

Consult your RENAULT Dealer as

soon as possible. Your protection

will be reduced until this fault is

rectified.

1.27

ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT TO THE FRONT SEAT BELT (continued)

All the following warnings are given so that the airbag is not obstructed in any way when it is inflated and also to prevent

the risk of serious injuries caused by items which may be dislodged when the airbag inflates.

Warnings concerning the driver’s airbag

• Do not modify the steering wheel or the cushion.

• Do not cover the steering wheel cushion.

• Do not attach any objects (badge, logo, clock, telephone holder, etc.) to the steering wheel cushion.

• The steering wheel must not be removed (except by qualified personnel from the RENAULT network).

• When driving, do not sit too close to the steering wheel. Sit with your arms slightly bent (see information on

“Adjusting your driving position” in Section 1). This will allow sufficient space for the airbag to inflate properly and

be fully effective.

Warnings concerning the passenger airbag

• Do not attach or glue any objects (pins, logo, clock, telephone holder, etc.) to the dashboard in the airbag zone.

• Nothing should be placed between the dashboard and the passenger (a pet, umbrella, walking stick, parcels, etc.).

• The passenger must not put his or her feet on the dashboard or seat as there is a risk that serious injuries may occur. As

a general rule, keep all parts of the body (knees, hands, head, etc.) well away from the dashboard.

• The passenger airbags should be reactivated as soon as the child seat is removed, to ensure the protection of the front

passenger in the event of an impact.

A REAR-FACING CHILD/BABY SEAT MUST NOT BE FITTED TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT UNLESS THE

ADDITIONAL RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, I.E. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG, ARE DEACTIVATED. (refer to “Deactivation

of front passenger airbags” in Section 1).

Warnings concerning the anti-submarining airbag

When triggered, the anti-submarining airbag could project objects left on the seat cushion with some force.

1.28

ADDITIONAL SYSTEMS TO THE REAR SEAT BELTS

Depending on the vehicle, they

Force limiter

• Have the entire restraint

system checked following

an accident.

comprise:

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.

ꢀ Seat

belt

pretensioners

incorporated in the seat belt

inertia reels.

• No operation whatsoever is

permitted on any part of the

system (pretensioners, airbags,

computers, wiring) and the

system components must not be

reused on any other vehicle, even

if identical.

ꢀ Force limiter.

These systems are provided to act

independently or together when the

vehicle is subjected to a frontal

impact.

There are two scenarios, depending

on the force of the impact:

- protection is provided by the belt

only;

- the pretensioner is triggered to

take up the slack in the seat belt.

• To avoid premature triggering of

the system which may cause

injury, only qualified RENAULT

Network personnel may work on

the pretensioner and airbag

system.

• Testing of the electric trigger

Rear seat belt pretensioners

This system is only operational

when the ignition is switched on.

system may only be carried out by

a

specially trained technician

using special equipment.

If the vehicle is subjected to a severe

frontal impact, a device retracts the

seat belt, pulling the seat belt tight

against the occupant's body and

thereby improving its efficiency.

• When the vehicle is scrapped,

contact your RENAULT Dealer for

disposal of the pretensioner and

airbag gas generators.

1.29

SIDE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS

Side airbags

Curtain airbags

Warnings concerning the

side airbag

• Fitting seat covers: seats

These are airbags fitted to each front

seat, and the rear side seats in some

countries, which are triggered on

the side of the seat (door side) to

protect the passengers from severe

side impacts.

These are airbags fitted along the

top of the side of the vehicle and

which are triggered along the front

and rear side windows to protect

the passengers in the event of a

severe side impact.

equipped with an airbag

require

special

covers

specifically designed for your

vehicle. Contact 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 the airbags and

reduce your protection.

• Do not place any accessories,

objects or even pets between the

seatback, the door and the

internal fittings. This may

prevent

the

airbag

from

operating correctly or cause

injury as the airbag is deployed.

• No work or modification

whatsoever may be carried out

on the internal fittings, except by

qualified RENAULT Network

personnel.

The sides of the front

seatbacks (door side) and

the gap between the rear

bench seatback and the

interior fittings form the trigger

zone for the airbag, so it is

forbidden to place any objects

there.

A marking on the windscreen

informs you of the presence of

additional means of restraint

(airbags, pretensioners, etc.) in

the passenger compartment.

1.30

ADDITIONAL METHODS OF RESTRAINT

All the warnings below are given so that, if the airbag is activated, it is not obstructed in any way and also to prevent the

risk of serious injuries caused by items which may be dislodged when the airbag inflates.

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

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

occupants of the vehicle are exposed to the risk of serious injury in the event of an accident. The risk of minor

superficial injuries occurring when the airbag is deployed may also increase, although such minor injuries are

always possible with airbags.

If the vehicle should overturn or in the event of a rear impact, however severe, the pretensioners and airbags are not

always triggered. These systems may, however, be triggered by impacts to the vehicle underbody, e.g. from pavements,

potholes, stones, etc.

• It is strictly forbidden to work on or modify any part of the airbag system (computer, wiring, etc.); such work must

only be undertaken by qualified RENAULT Network personnel.

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

injury, only qualified RENAULT Network personnel may work on the airbag system.

• As a safety precaution, have the airbag 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).

1.31

Getting to know your vehicle -> Additional Methods of Restraint (Airbags/Pretensioners) for Your Renault Megane SUV Second Generation (2003-2008)

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