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Accident statistics have shown properly worn
seat belts to be an effective means of sub-
stantially reducing the risk of injury and im-
proving the chances of survival in a serious
accident. Furthermore, properly worn seat
belts improve the protection provided by air-
bags in the event of an accident. This is why
wearing a seat belt is a legal requirement in
most countries.
Although the vehicle is equipped with air-
bags, the seat belts must be fastened and
worn. For example, the front airbags will be
triggered only in certain types of frontal colli-
sion. The front airbags will not be triggered
during minor frontal collisions, minor side
collisions, rear collisions, rolls or accidents in
which the airbag trigger threshold in the con-
trol unit is not exceeded. The same applies to
the other airbags in the vehicle.
Therefore, always wear your seat belt and en-
sure that your passengers have fastened their
seat belts properly before you drive off.
Using seat belts
Please refer to
at the start of the chap-
ter on page 36.
Checklist
Using the seat belts →
:
✓ Check the condition of all seat belts reg-
ularly.
✓ Keep the seat belts clean.
✓ Avoid allowing any foreign bodies or flu-
ids to get on to the seat belt or latch
plate or into the slot for the seat belt
buckle.
✓ Do not trap or damage the seat belt and
latch plate, for example when closing
the door.
✓ Never remove, modify or repair the seat
belt or any part of the belt fixture sys-
tem.
✓ Always fasten the seat belt correctly be-
fore every journey and keep it fastened
while the vehicle is in motion.
Twisted seat belt
If it is difficult to remove the seat belt from
the belt guide, the seat belt may have be-
come twisted if it was returned too quickly
into the side trim:
— Take hold of the latch plate then slowly
and carefully pull out the seat belt.
— Untwist the seat belt and guide it back
slowly by hand.
Fasten the seat belt even if you are unable to
undo the twist. However, the twist should
not be in part of the seat belt that comes into
direct contact with the body. The twist
should be corrected immediately by a quali-
fied workshop.
WARNING
Using seat belts incorrectly increases the
risk of severe or fatal injuries.
·
Regularly check to see if the seat belt
and its related parts are in perfect condi-
tion.
·
Always keep the seat belt clean.
·
Do not allow the belt webbing to be-
come jammed, damaged or to rub on
any sharp edges.
·
Always keep the latch plate and slot in
the buckle free from foreign bodies and
liquids.
Fastening and unfastening
seat belts
Please refer to
at the start of the chap-
ter on page 36.
If worn properly, seat belts hold the vehicle
occupants in the correct sitting position dur-
ing an accident or braking manoeuvre, pro-
viding maximum protection →
Seat belts
.
41
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