Important safety information about front airbags

Observing certain airbag system precautions can considerably reduce the risk of injury!

Fig. 182 Safety distance from the steering wheel

CAUTION!

• It is essential that the driver and front passenger keep a minimum distance of 25 cm from the steering wheel or dashboard => fig. 182. If you do not maintain this minimum distance, the airbag system will not protect you. In addition, airbag deployment can cause injury. Also, the front seats and head restraints must always be adjusted to suit the size of the occupant.
• If you do not fasten your seat belt, if you lean to the side or forward, or if you adopt an incorrect seating position, the risk of injury increases considerably. The risk of injury increases further if you are struck by the airbag as it deploys while you are in such a position.
• Never allow a child to ride in the front passenger seat unrestrained. If the airbag system deploys in an accident, the child may be seriously injured or even killed. See “Child safety”.
• Never install a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat unless the airbag for that seat has first been deactivated. If, in exceptional cases, you must carry a child in the front passenger seat and use a rear-facing child seat, you must first deactivate the front passenger airbag using the key-operated switch* . See “Deactivating the airbags”. The child could be seriously or fatally injured.
• No person, animal or object may be located between the front occupants and the airbag deployment zone.
• The steering wheel padding and the foam surface of the airbag module in the dashboard on the front passenger side must not have stickers or covers applied and must not be modified in any way. These parts should only be cleaned with a dry cloth or one dampened with water. Likewise, no objects such as cup holders or phone mounts may be attached to the airbag module covers.
• Airbag repairs, as well as removal and installation of system components required for other repair work (for example removing the steering wheel), must only be carried out by a specialist workshop.

Note

If necessary, the front passenger airbag can be deactivated using the key-operated switch* . See “Deactivating the airbags”.