Fiat 500 Owner's Handbook Manual page 96

106) In some versions, in the event of a
LED failure (located on the dashboard
panel), the warning light on the
instrument panel turns on and the
passenger side airbags are deactivated.
107) The
warning light indicates the
passenger side airbag protection status. If
the warning light is off, passenger side
protection is active: to deactivate it, use the
Setup Menu (in this case the LED lights
up). When the car is started (ignition key
turned to MAR position), the warning light
turns on for about 8 seconds, provided
that at least 5 seconds have elapsed from
when it was switched off. If not, contact
a Fiat Dealership. If the engine is switched
off/on again in less than 5 seconds the
warning light may remain off. In this case,
to check correct warning light operation,
switch the engine off, wait for at least 5
seconds and switch the engine on again.
The warning light may light up with various
intensity levels depending on the vehicle
conditions. The intensity may also vary
during the same key cycle. When the
ignition key is turned to MAR, the
warning light switches for few seconds,
then if the passenger airbag protection is
active it should switch off.
108) If a child must be carried on the front
seat in a rearward facing child restraint
system, it is compulsory to deactivate the
passenger side front airbag, making sure
that it is deactivated by checking the
dedicated warning light on the instrument
panel. Move the passenger's seat as far
back as possible to avoid contact between
the child restraint system and the
dashboard.
94
109) Malfunction of the
warning light is
indicated by the activation of an airbag
failure symbol and a dedicated message
on the instrument panel display (or, for
versions where provided, by the activation
of a blinking generic failure warning light). In
this case, the warning light may not
indicate failures in the restraint systems.
Contact a Fiat Dealership immediately
to have the system checked.
110) Do not use seatcovers on front seats
featuring side airbags.
111) Do not travel carrying objects in your
lap, in front of your chest or between
your lips (pipe, pencils, etc.): they could
cause severe injury if the airbag is
deployed.
112) If the car has been stolen or in the
case of attempt to steal it, if it has been
subjected to vandalism or floods, have the
airbag system checked by a Fiat
Dealership.
113) The airbags may also be deployed
when the car is not moving, if the key is in
the ignition and turned to MAR-ON or
when the engine is off, if the car is hit by
another moving vehicle. Therefore, even if
the vehicle is stationary, when an active
front passenger airbag is fitted, DO NOT
install rearward facing child restraint
systems on the front passenger seat.
Deployment of the airbag following an
impact could cause fatal injuries to the
child. Therefore, always deactivate the
passenger side airbag when a rearward
facing child restraint system is installed on
the front passenger seat. The front
passenger seat must also be positioned
back as far as possible in order to prevent
the child restraint system from coming
into contact with the dashboard.
Immediately reactivate the passenger
airbag as soon as the child restraint system
has been removed. Also remember that, if
the key is turned to STOP, none of the
safety devices (airbags or pretensioners)
will be deployed in the event of collision.
Non-deployment in such cases does
not indicate a system malfunction.
114) When the ignition key is turned to
MAR, the warning light switches for few
seconds, then if the passenger airbag
protection is active it should switch off.
115) Do not wash the seats with water or
pressurised steam (wash by hand or at
automatic seat washing stations).
116) The airbag deployment threshold is
higher than that of the pretensioners.
For collisions in the range between the two
thresholds, it is normal for only the
pretensioners to be activated.