These are made up of:

- a side support belt;

- chest force limiters;

- the driver’s airbag.

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:

- the seat belt and side support belt locking;

- the front airbag.

Side support belt

Please see the information on “Seat belts” in Section 1.

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.

Driver’s front airbag

This is fitted in the front seats.

An Airbag marking on the steering wheel informs you of the presence of this equipment.

The airbag system consists of:

- an airbag and its gas generator fitted on the steering wheel;

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

- a single warning light å on the instrument panel.

Operation

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

If a severe frontal impact occurs, the airbag inflates rapidly, cushioning the impact of the driver’s head and chest against the steering wheel; the airbag then deflates immediately after impact so that the vehicle can be exited without hindrance.

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.

- Have the entire restraint system checked following an accident.

- No operation whatsoever is permitted on any part of the system (airbags, electronic control units, wiring) and the system components must not be reused on any other vehicle, even if identical.

- Only qualified personnel from our Network may work on the airbags; otherwise the system may trigger accidentally and cause injury.

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

- When scrapping your vehicle, contact your authorised dealer for disposal of the airbag gas generators.

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.

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).

- 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 air bag to deploy correctly and to be fully effective.