Fiat 500 Abarth Owner's Handbook Manual - page 68

67

CORRECT USE OF THE 

CAR

W

ARNING

LIGHTS AND MESSAGES

IN AN

EMERGENCY

CAR

MAINTENANCE

TECHNICAL

SPECIFICA

TIONS

INDEX

YOUR CAR

SAFETY DEVICES

PRETENSIONERS

To increase the efficiency of the seat belts,

the car is fitted with front pretensioners.

These devices, in the event of a violent

crash, rewind the seat belts a few cen-

timetres. In this way they ensure that the

seat belt adheres perfectly to the wearer

before the restraining action begins. The

seat belt locks to indicate that the device

has intervened; the seat belt cannot be

drawn back up even when guiding it man-

ually.

This car is provided with a second pre-

tensioner (in the sill board area). Its acti-

vation is signalled by the shortening of the

metallic cable. 

IMPORTANT To obtain the highest de-

gree of protection from the action of the

pretensioning device, wear the seat belt

keeping it firmly close to the chest and

pelvis.

A small amount of smoke may be pro-

duced. This smoke is in no way toxic and

presents no fire hazard. The pretension-

er does not require any maintenance or

greasing. Anything that modifies its origi-

nal conditions invalidates its efficiency. If

due to unusual natural events (floods, seas

storm, etc.) the device has been affected

by water and mud, it must necessarily be

replaced.

LOAD LIMITERS

To increase passenger’s safety, the reels

contain a load limiter which allows con-

trolled sag in such a way as to dose the

force acting on the chest and shoulders

during the belt restraining action in case

of front crash.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR USING THE SEAT BELTS

The driver is responsible for respecting

and ensuring that all the other occupants

of the car also respect the local laws in

force in relation to the use of seat belts.

Always fasten the seat belts before start-

ing off.

Seat belts must also be used by pregnant

women: risk will be significantly reduced

for both the expectant mother and the

child in the event of an accident. Pregnant

women must position the lower part of

the belt very low down so that it passes

under the abdomen (see fig. 2). 

The pretensioner can only

be used once. Go to a Fiat

Dealership to have it replaced after

is has been deployed. The expiration

date is shown on the label on the

door edge: refer to the Fiat Dealer-

ship when it’s time to replace the de-

vice.

WARNING

Operations which lead to

knocks, vibrations or localised

heating (over 100°C for a

maximum of 6 hours) in the

area around the pretensioners may

cause damage or trigger them. These

devices are not affected by vibrations

caused by irregularities of the road sur-

face or low obstacles such as kerbs, etc.

Contact a Fiat Dealership for any as-

sistance.

065-080 FIAT 500 GBdx  13-11-2007  11:40  Pagina 67