Depending on the vehicle, they are composed of:

- seat belt pretensioners;

- chest-level load limiters;

- air bags 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 locking;

- the seat belt seat belt pretensioner to hold the occupant in the seat, and the force limiter;

- the front air bag.

The passenger air bag protects the front passenger(s) (depending on whether there is a conventional seat or a bench seat in the front).

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 switched on, if the vehicle is subject to a significant frontal impact the system may, depending on the severity of the impact, trigger a piston which instantly retracts the belt.

Load limiter

Above a certain level of impact force, this mechanism is used to limit the force of the belt against the body so that it is at an acceptable level.

- 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

It is 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, an “air bag” marking on the steering wheel and the dashboard (air bag area A) indicates that this device is fitted.

Each air bag 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 special å tell-tale light;

- remote sensors.

Operation

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

If a severe frontal impact occurs, the air bag(s) inflate rapidly, thus cushioning the impact of the driver’s head and chest on the steering wheel and those of the passenger on the dashboard; the air bag(s) then deflate immediately after the impact to prevent the occupants from being impeded in any way when leaving the vehicle.

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.

All of the warnings below are given so that the air bag is not obstructed in any way when it is deployed and also to prevent the risk of serious injuries caused by items which may be dislodged when the air bag deploys.

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 holder, etc.) to the steering wheel boss.

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

- When driving, do not sit too close to the steering wheel. Sit with your arms slightly bent (see the information on “Adjusting your driving position” in Section 1). This will allow sufficient space for the air bag to deploy correctly and be fully effective.

Warnings concerning the passenger air bag

- Do not attach or glue any objects (badge, logo, clock, telephone holder, etc.) to the dashboard on or near the air bag.

- Do not place anything between the dashboard and the passenger (pet, 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 occur. In general, parts of the body should be kept away from the dashboard (knees, hands, head, etc.).

- 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 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: deactivating/activating the front passenger air bag” in Section 1)