Depending on the vehicle, they will consist of:

- seat belt pretensioners;

- front airbags  1 for driver and front passenger.

These systems are designed to act independently or together when the vehicle is subjected to a frontal impact.

Depending on the severity of the impact, the system can trigger:

- seat belt locking2;

- the seat belt pretensioner (which engages to correct seat belt slack);

- the front air bag.

Pretensioners

The pretensioners hold the seat belt against the body, holding the occupant more securely against the seat, thus increasing the seat belt’s efficiency.

With the ignition on, following a significant frontal impact and depending on the severity of the impact, the system may trigger the seat belt pretensioner which instantly retracts the seat belt.

- Have the entire restraint system checked following an accident.

- No operation whatsoever is permitted on any part of the system (pretensioners, air bags, computers, wiring) and the system components must not be reused on any other vehicle, even if identical.

- To avoid incorrect triggering of the system which may cause injury, only qualified personnel from an approved dealer may work on the pretensioner and air bag system.

- The electric trigger system may only be tested by a specially trained technician using special equipment.

- When the vehicle is scrapped, contact an approved dealer for disposal of the pretensioner and air bag gas generators.

Driver and passenger front airbags

They are fitted to the front seats on the driver’s side and, depending on the vehicle, on the passenger’s side as well.

Depending on the vehicle, the presence of this equipment is indicated by the word “airbag” on the steering wheel and dashboard (airbag zone A) and a symbol on the lower section of the windscreen.

Each airbag system consists of:

- an air bag and gas generator fitted on the steering wheel for the driver and in the dashboard for the front passenger;

- an electronic unit for system monitoring which controls the gas generator electrical trigger system;

- a single indicator light å on the instrument panel;

- remote sensors.

Operation

This system is only operational when the ignition is switched on.

In a severe frontal impact, the air bags inflate rapidly, cushioning the impact of the driver’s head and chest against the steering wheel and of the front passenger against the dashboard. The air bags then deflate immediately so that the passengers are not in any way hindered from leaving the vehicle.

Load limiter

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.

The air bag system uses pyrotechnic principles. This explains why, when the air bag 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 air bag is required, it will inflate immediately and this may cause some minor, superficial grazing to the skin or other problems.

The following cases trigger the pretensioners or airbags.

In a frontal impact against a rigid (non-deformable) surface at an impact speed equal to or greater than 16 mph (25 km/h).

In a frontal impact with another vehicle of an equivalent or higher category, with an impact area equal to or greater than 40%, where the speed of both vehicles is equal to or greater than 25 mph (40 km/h).

In a side impact with another vehicle of an equivalent or higher category, at an impact speed equal to or greater than 31 mph (50 km/h).

In the following examples, the pretensioners or the airbags could operate:

- impact under vehicle such as pavement;

- potholes;

- drop or hard landing;

- stones;

-...

In the following examples, there is a risk that pretensioners orairbags may not be triggered:

- rear impact, however severe;

- the vehicle overturning;

-...

- side impact to the front or rear of the vehicle;

- frontal impact, under the tail of a lorry;

- frontal impact against an obstacle with a sharp angle;

-...

All of the warnings below are given so that the air bag 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 air bag inflates.

Warnings concerning the driver’s air bag

- Do not modify the steering wheel or the steering wheel boss.

- Do not cover the steering wheel boss under any circumstances.

- Do not attach any objects (badge, logo, clock, telephone support, etc.) to the steering wheel boss.

- The steering wheel must not be removed (except by qualified personnel from our Network).

- Do not sit too close to the steering wheel when driving: sit with your arms slightly bent (see Section 1 “Adjusting your driving position”). This will allow sufficient space for the airbag to deploy correctly and be fully effective.

Warnings concerning the passenger air bag

- Do not attach or glue any objects (badge, logo, clock, telephone cradle, etc.) to the dashboard in the airbag zone.

- Do not place anything between the dashboard and the passenger (animal, 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 be sustained. As a general rule, keep all body parts (knees, hands, head, etc.) away from the dashboard.

- The devices in addition to the front passenger seat belt should be reactivated as soon as a child seat is removed, to ensure the protection of the passenger in the event of an impact.

A REAR-FACING CHILD SEAT MUST NOT BE FITTED TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT UNLESS THE ADDITIONAL RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, I.E. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG, ARE DEACTIVATED.

(Refer to the information on “Child safety: front passenger airbag deactivation/activation” Section 1).