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Adjustments
38
Adjustments
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital con-
tribution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving. The sit-
ting position of the occupants also plays an
important role for passive safety together with
the safety belts and airbags in an accident. To
ensure that the safety systems operate with
optimal efficiency, we strongly urge you to
observe the instructions contained in the fol-
lowing section.
For additional information on transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page 47.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance
between yourself and the airbags. Always
hold the steering wheel by its rim with hands at
the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions, to mini-
mize the risk of injuries to your hands and arms
in the event of airbag deployment. No one and
nothing is to come between the airbags and the
seat occupant. Do not use the cover of the front
airbag on the front passenger side as a storage
area. Make sure that the front passenger is sit-
ting correctly and does not rest feet or legs on
the instrument panel, otherwise leg injuries can
occur if the front airbag is triggered. Never let an
occupant's head rest near or on a side airbag
because the inflating airbag could cause a seri-
ous or fatal injury.<
Even if you adhere to all the instructions, inju-
ries resulting from contact with airbags cannot
be fully excluded, depending on the circum-
stances. The ignition and inflation noise may
provoke a mild hearing loss in extremely sensi-
tive individuals. This effect is usually only tem-
porary.
For airbag locations and additional information
on airbags, refer to page 83.
Safety belt
Before every drive, make sure that safety belts
are being worn at all of the occupied seats.
Airbags complement the safety belt as an addi-
tional safety device, but they do not represent a
substitute.
At all times, occupants should sit upright
and be properly restrained: infants and
small children in appropriate child-restraint sys-
tems; larger children and adults using the safety
belts. Never allow more than one person to
wear a single safety belt. Never allow infants or
small children to ride in a passenger's lap.
Expectant mothers should always wear their
safety belts, taking care to position the lap belt
against the lower hips, where it will not exert
pressure against the abdominal area. Do not
route the belt across your neck, or run it across
sharp edges. Be sure that the belt does not
become caught or jammed. Avoid twisting the
belt while routing it snugly across the hips and
shoulder. Do not allow the belt to rest against
hard or fragile objects. Otherwise, in the event
of a frontal impact, a loose lap belt could slide
over your hips, leading to abdominal injury.
Avoid wearing clothing that prevents the belt
from fitting properly and pull the shoulder belt
periodically to readjust the tension across your
lap in order to avoid a reduction in the retention
effect of the safety belt.<
For instructions on operating safety belts, refer
to page 42.
Seats
Note before adjusting
Never attempt to adjust your seat while
the vehicle is moving. The seat could
respond with unexpected movement, and the
ensuing loss of vehicle control could lead to an
accident. Also on the passenger side, do not
incline the backrest too far to the rear while the
vehicle is being driven, as otherwise there is a
danger in the event of an accident of 'sliding
under' the safety belt, eliminating the protec-
tion normally provided by the belt.<
Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 158 518 - © 09/04 BMW AG
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