pretensioners Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2011 Owner handbook (in English)

8
GETTING
TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
Air bag fault (red)
Turning the key to the MAR position illuminates the warn-
ing light, but it should switch off after a few seconds.
The warning light stays on constantly if there is a fault in
the air bag system. A specific message appears on the display.¬
If the warning light ¬does not come on when the
key is turned to MAR or if it stays on with the car
in motion (together with the message on the dis-
play) there could be a fault in the restraint systems; un-
der these circumstances, the air bags or pretensioners may
not be deployed in the event of an impact or, more rarely,
they could be deployed accidentally. Contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services immediately to have the system
checked.
Fault of the warning light ¬is indicated by the
warning light
“(passenger air bag off) flashing
for longer than the normal 4 seconds. In addition,
the air bag system automatically disables the air bags
on the passenger’s side (both front and side air bags, for
versions/markets, where provided). In this case, warning
light
¬may not indicate that there is a fault in the re-
straint systems. Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
immediately to have the system checked.
Passenger air bag/side bags off
(amber)
The“warning light comes on when the front pas-
senger’s air bag and side bag are deactivated. With front
passenger air bag on, when the ignition key is turned to MAR,
the
“warning light comes on steadily for several seconds, it flash-
es for another few seconds and then it should go out.
“
Fault of the warning light “is indicated by warn-
ing light
¬coming on. In addition, the air bag sys-
tem automatically deactivates the air bags on pas-
senger side (both front and side air bags, for versions/
markets, where provided). Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services immediately to have the system checked.

135
GETTING
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SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
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CONTENTS
PRETENSIONERS
The car is equipped with front seat belt pretensioners, which draw
back the seat belts by several centimetres in the event of a strong
frontal impact. This guarantees the perfect adherence of the seat
belts to the occupant’s bodies before the retention action begins.
It is evident that the pretensioners have operated when the belt
withdraws toward the reel.
This car is also equipped with a second pretensioner (in the kick
plate area). Its activation is signalled by the shortening of the met-
al cable.
A small amount of smoke may be produced when the pretension-
ers cut in. This smoke is not toxic and does not indicate a fire.
IMPORTANT To obtain the highest degree of protection from the ac-
tion of the pretensioner, wear the seat belt, keeping it close to
the chest and pelvis.
The pretensioner does not require any maintenance or lubrication.
Anything that modifies its original conditions invalidates its effi-
ciency. If, due to unusual natural events (floods, sea storms, etc.),
the device has been affected by water and mud, it must be re-
placed.
LOAD LIMITERS
To increase protection in case of an accident, the front seat belt
reels are equipped with a device which modulates the force act-
ing on the chest and shoulders during the belt restraining action
in the event of a frontal impact.
The pretensioner can be used only once. Once it
has activated contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices to have it replaced. See the label inside the
glove box to check the expiration date of the device: go
to Alfa Romeo Authorized Services when it is time to re-
place it.
Operations which lead to impacts, vibrations or lo-
calised heating (over 100°C for a maximum of six
hours) in the area around the pretensioners may
damage or deploy them. These devices are not affected
by vibrations caused by uneven road surfaces or low ob-
stacles such as kerbs, etc. Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services to intervene.

137
GETTING
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CONTENTS
Each seat belt should be used by only one person at a time: nev-
er travel with a child sitting on the passenger’s lap with a single
belt to protect them both fig. 98. Do not fasten other objects to
the body.
SEAT BELT MAINTENANCE
❍Always use the seat belts with the belt taut and never twist-
ed; make sure that it is free to run smoothly;
❍replace the belt after a serious accident, even if it does not
appear damaged. Always replace the belt if the pretensioners
were deployed.
❍To clean the seat belts, hand wash with water and neutral soap,
rinse and leave to dry in the shade. Do not use strong deter-
gents, bleach, paints or any other chemicals which could dam-
age the belt fibres.
❍prevent the reels from getting wet: their correct operation is
guaranteed only if water does not get inside;
❍replace the seat belt when it shows significant wear or cuts.
fig. 98A0K0013m
Never disassemble or tamper with the seat belt
or pretensioner components. All operations must
be performed by qualified and authorised per-
sonnel. Always contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
If the belt has been subjected to heavy strain, for
example after an accident, it must changed com-
pletely together with the anchors, anchor fasten-
ing screws and the pretensioner. Even if the belt has no
visible defects, it could have lost its resilience.

149
GETTING
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SAFETY
STARTING
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CONTENTS
WARNINGS
Do not wash the seats with water or pressurised steam (wash by
hand or at automatic seat washing stations).
The front and/or side air bags may activate in the event of sharp
impacts to the underbody of the car (e.g. impact with steps, pave-
ments, potholes or road bumps etc.).
A small amount of dust will be released when the airbags are de-
ployed. This is not harmful and does not indicate a fire. Dust may
irritate your skin and eyes: in this case, wash with mild soap and
water.
All operations on air bags (inspections, repairs and replacement)
must be carried out by Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
If the car is to be scrapped, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices to have the air bags deactivated.
Pretensioners and airbags are deployed according to different log-
ics on the basis of the type of collision. Failure to deploy of one
or more of these devices does not therefore indicate a system fault.Do not hook rigid objects to the clothes hangers or
support handles.
Do not rest your head, arms or elbows on the door,
windows or on the window bag area to avoid in-
juries during inflation.
Never lean your head, arms or elbows out of the
window.

150
GETTING
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YOUR CAR
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STARTING
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IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
If the warning light ¬does not turn on when the key
is turned to MAR, or if it stays on when travelling (to-
gether with the message on the display on some ver-
sions), there could be a failure in the restraint systems. If
this is the case, the air bags or pretensioners may not be de-
ployed in the event of an accident or, less likely, they may
be deployed accidentally. Do not drive the car and contact
a Alfa Romeo Authorised Service Provider to have the sys-
tem checked immediately.
The expiry dates of the pyrotechnic charge and
clock contact are shown in the plate installed in-
side the glove compartment. Go to an Alfa Romeo
Authorised Service Provider when the time to have them
replaced approaches.
Do not travel with objects on your lap, in front of
your chest, or between your lips (e.g. pipes, pen-
cils, etc.): you may be seriously injured in the event
of a crash with air bag deployment.
If someone tries to steal or damage your car, and
in the event of floods, have the air bag system
checked by an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service
Provider.
With the ignition key inserted and turned to MAR,
the air bags can be deployed also with the car at
a standstill, if it is hit by another vehicle even if the
engine is off. For this reason, children must never sit on
the front seat, even if the car is not moving. Remember
that no safety device (airbag or pretensioner) will be de-
ployed in a crash if the key is inserted and turned to the
STOP position. Failure to deploy in such cases must not
be considered a sign of malfunction.
When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the “
warning light turns on (front airbag on passenger’s
side enabled) and will blinks for a few seconds as
a reminder that the passenger airbag will be deployed
in the event of a crash and then go off.
The front air bags are deployed in the event of
more severe collisions than those required for de-
ploying the pretensioners.
For collisions in the range between the two thresholds, it
is normal for only the pretensioners to be activated.

289
GETTING
TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
Pretensioners ......................... 135
Protecting the environment ....... 129
Puddle lights .......................... 84
– bulb replacement ................ 185
Quick tyre repair kit -
“Fix&Go Automatic”............. 169
RAB system ........................... 112
Radio (wiring set-up)............... 122
Radio transmitters and
mobile phones...................... 124
Raising the car ....................... 196
Rear ceiling light ..................... 83
– bulb replacement ................ 182
Rear fog lights
– bulb replacement ................ 180
– control............................... 85
Rear view mirrors .............. 55-56
Rear window washer
– checking liquid – seat belts .......................... 131
SBR system ........................... 133
Scheduled .............................. 200
Seat belts
– load limiters ...................... 135
– maintenance ..................... 137
– pretensioners ..................... 135
– SBR system........................ 133
– using the seat belts ............ 131
Seats ..................................... 50
– adjusting ..................... 50-51
– heating ....................... 51-52
Sensors
– automatic headlights
(dusk sensor) ..................... 74
– parking ............................. 124
– rain................................... 78
Servicing and maintenance199
– demanding use of the car .... 206
– regular checks ................... 206
– scheduled servicing ............. 199 level ..........208-209-210-211
Rear window wiper
– blades .............................. 79
– checking liquid
level ..........208-209-210-211
– control............................... 77
– nozzles ............................ 219
Rev counter ........................... 6
Reverse lights
– bulb replacement ................ 180
Right - hand drive versions281
Rim protector ......................... 233
Roof bars (set-up) ................... 108
Roof rack/ski rack .................. 107
Safe Lock device ..................... 45
Safety................................ 131
– carrying children safely ........ 138
– child safety lock ................. 96
– “Isofix” child seat
(assembly) ....................... 143