child restraint Alfa Romeo 147 2007 Owner handbook (in English)

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
31
CARRYING CHILDREN SAFELYFor the best level of protection in the event
of a crash, all occupants must travel seated
and secured by suitable restraint systems.
This is even more important for children.
According to 2003/20/EC Directive, this
prescription is compulsory for all European
Community countries.
Compared with adults, a child’s head is pro-
portionately larger and heavier than the rest
of the body, while muscles and bone struc-
ture are not completely developed. There-
fore, in order to restraint them correctly in
the event of a crash, different systems are
needed then adult seat belts.
fig. 42
A0A0388m
SERIOUS DANGER! Never place cradle child’s seats on the
front passenger seats of cars equipped with passenger air
bag since the air bag activation could cause serious injuries, even mortal.
You are advised to carry children always on the rear seat, as this is the
most protected position in the case of a crash. In any case, child’s seats
must absolutely not be positioned on the front seat of car’s with passen-
ger’s air bag, which during inflation could cause serious injury, even mor-
tal, regardless of the seriousness of the crash that triggered it. Children
may placed on the front seat of cars fitted with passenger’s air bag deac-
tivation. In this case, it is absolutely necessary to check the warning light
Fon dial to make sure that deactivation has actually took place (see para-
graph “Front and side air bags“ at item “Front passenger air bag“). The
front passenger seat shall be adjusted in the most backward position to
prevent any contact between the child’s seat and the dashboard.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
32
GROUP 1
Starting from 9 kg to 18 kg in weight, chil-
dren may be carried facing forwards with
seats fitted with front cushion (fig. 44),
through which the car seat belt restrains both
child and seat. The results of research on the best pro-
tection for a child are summarised in Euro-
pean Standard ECE-R44, which in addition
to making them compulsory, subdivides re-
straint systems into five groups:
Group 0 until 10 kg in weight
Group 0+ until 13 kg in weight
Group 1 9-18 kg in weight
Group 2 15-25 kg in weight
Group 3 22-36 kg in weight
As it may be noted, the groups partially
overlap and in fact, in commerce it is pos-
sible to find devices that cover more than
one weight group (fig. 42).
All the restraint devices must bear the ho-
mologation data, together with the control
brand, on a solidly fixed label which must
absolutely not be removed.
Over 1.50 m in height, from the point of
view of restraint systems, children are con-
sidered as adults and wear belts normally.
The Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo includes
seats for each weight group, which are the
recommended choice because they have
been designed and specifically experiment-
ed for Alfa Romeo cars.
GROUP 0 and 0+
Babies up to 13 kg must be carried fac-
ing behind (fig. 43) on a cradle seat,
which, supporting the head, does not induce
strain on the neck in the event of sharp de-
celeration.
The cradle is restrained by the car safety
belts, as illustrated, and it should in turn
restrain the child with the belts incorporat-
ed on it.
fig. 43
A0A0389m
fig. 44
A0A0390m
The illustration is indica-
tive only for assembly. As-
semble the seat according to the
compulsory instructions provided
with it.
WARNING
The illustration is indica-
tive only for assembly. As-
semble the seat according to the
compulsory instructions provided
with it.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
34
PASSENGER SEAT COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS ON CHILD’S SEAT USE
Alfa 147 GTAcomplies with the new EC Directive 2000/3 regulating child’s seat assembling on the different car seats according to
the following table:
Versions rear seats
U
U
U
U U
U
U
U L
L
L
L 0 - 13 kg
9 -18 kg
15 - 25 kg
22 - 36 kg
Group Range of weight SEAT
Front passenger Rear side Rear centre
passenger seat passenger seat
(inertial seat belt with
three anchor points)
Group 0,0+
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Key:
U= suitable for child restraint systems of the “Universal“ category, according to European Standard ECE-R44 for the specified “Groups“
L= suitable for certain child’s restraint systems available at Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo for the specified group

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
35
fig. 47
A0A0487m
fig. 48
A0A0488m
Below is a summary of the safe-
ty rules to be observed when car-
rying children:
1)The recommended position for in-
stalling a child’s seat is on the rear seat, as
it is the most protected in the event of a
crash.
2)If the passenger’s Air bag is deactivat-
edalways, check the warning light
F
on the cluster to make sure that it has ac-
tually been deactivated.
3)Carefully follow the instructions pro-
vided with the child’s seat, which the sup-
plier is obliged to attach. Keep them in the
car together with the documents and this
booklet. Do not use used seats without the
instructions for use.4)Always pull the tape to check that the
belts are buckled.
5)All restraint systems are strictly for one
child only: never use for two children at the
same time.
6)Always make sure that the belts do not
rest on the child’s neck.
7)During the journey, do not allow the
child to stay in abnormal positions or release
the belts.
8)Do not carry children in your arms, not
even small babies. No-one, however strong,
can keep hold of them in a crash.
9)In the case of accidents, replace the
child’s seat with a new one.
FRONT AND SIDE
AIR BAGS
The car is fitted with front Air bags for the
driver (fig. 47), for the passenger (fig.
48), side bags (fig. 49) and window bags
(fig. 50).
If a passenger’s air bag is
installed, children should
never travel on the front seat.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
38
The key-operated switch (fig. 51) has
two positions:
1) Passenger’s front Air bag activated:
(ONposition
P) warning light on instru-
ment cluster off; it is absolutely prohibited
to carry a child on the front seat.
2) Passenger’s front Air bag deactivated:
(OFFposition
F) warning light on in-
strument cluster on; it is possible to carry a
child protected by special restraint systems
on the front seat.
The warning light
Fon the cluster stays
on permanently until the passenger’s Air bag
is reactivated.
Deactivation of the passenger’s front Air
bag does not inhibit operation of the side Air
bag.
When the door is open, the key can be
inserted and removed in both positions.
SIDE AIR BAGS
(SIDE BAG - WINDOW BAG)
The side bag and window bag have the
task of increasing protection of the occu-
pants in the event of a side crash of medi-
um-high severity.
They are formed of an instantaneously-in-
flating cushion:
– the side bag is housed in the back rest
of the front seats; with this solution it is al-
ways possible to have the cushion in the op-
timum position in relation to the passenger,
regardless of the adjustment of the seat;
– the window bags, which are “curtain“
cushions, are housed in the side roof lining
covered by a special trim, which makes it
possible to extend the cushion downwards.
This solution, designed to protect the head,
makes it possible to offer the highest degree
of protection to the front and rear occupants
in the event of side crash, thanks to the wide
cushion inflation surface.
In the event of a side crash, an electronic
control unit processes the signals leading
from a deceleration sensor and activates,
when necessary, inflation of the bags.The bags inflate instantaneously, setting
themselves between the body of the front
passengers and the car door. The bags de-
flate immediately afterwards.
In the event of minor side crashes (for
which the restraining action of the seat belts
is sufficient), the air bags are not deployed.
Also in this case it is of vital importance to
wear the seat belts since in case of side
crash they guarantee proper positioning of
the occupant and prevent the occupant to
be pitched out of the car in case of violent
crashes.
Therefore the side air bags do not replace
but are complementary to the use of belts,
which you are recommended to always
wear, as specified by law in Europe and most
non-European countries.
Operation of the side air bags and window
bags is not disabled by the front air bag de-
activation switch, as described in the previ-
ous paragraphs.
Use the switch only with
the engine off and the ig-
nition key removed.
WARNING

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
178
SAFE DRIVING
In designing your Alfa 147 GTA, Al-
fa Romeo has worked thoroughly to achieve
a vehicle able to offer top levels of safety to
its passengers. However, the behaviour of
the driver is still a decisive factor for road
safety.
Below you will find a few simple rules for
travelling safely under different conditions.
You are certainly familiar with many of them
but it is still helpful to read them all care-
fully.
BEFORE DRIVING OFF
– Make sure the lights and headlights are
working properly.
– Adjust the seat, steering wheel and rear-
view mirrors, in order to obtain a correct po-
sition for driving.
– Carefully adjust the headrests so that
the head and not the neck rests on them.
Check that nothing (mats etc.) can get un-
der the foot pedals.– Make sure that any child restraint sys-
tems (seats, cradles, etc.) are correctly fas-
tened on the rear seat.
– Place any objects in the boot with care
to prevent abrupt braking from throwing
them forwards.
– Avoid heavy meals before a journey. A
light meal will help to keep reflexes ready.
Above all avoid alcohol.
Routinely remember to check:
– tyre pressure and conditions;
– engine oil level;
– engine coolant fluid level and system
conditions;
– brake fluid level;
– power steering oil level;
– windscreen washer fluid level.
WHEN TRAVELLING
– The first rule for safe driving is care.
– Care also means being able to predict
the actions of other road users.
– Strictly respect the traffic regulations in
all countries, especially the speed limits.
– Ensure that both yourself and your pas-
sengers are wearing their seat belts, that
children are carried with the appropriate
seats and that any animals are in appropri-
ate compartments.
– Long distances should be tackled in good
health.
Driving under the influence
of drugs and/or some
medicines is highly dangerous for
oneself and for others.
WARNING

RIGHT HAND DRIVE VERSION
267
FRONT AND SIDE
AIR BAGS
The car is fitted with front Air bags for the
driver (fig. 11), for the passenger (fig. 12)
and side bag (fig. 13) and window bag
(fig. 14).
fig. 11
A0A0311m
fig. 12
A0A0312m
DEACTIVATING THE
PASSENGER’S
FRONT AIR BAG MANUALLY
Should it be absolutely necessary to car-
ry a child on the front seat, the passenger’s
Air bag on the vehicle can be deactivated.
Deactivation takes place using the car ig-
nition key to operate the special switch on
the left hand side of the dashboard
fig. 13
A0A0478m
fig. 14
A0A0479m
(fig. 15). Access to the switch is only pos-
sible with the door open.
The key-operated switch (fig. 15) has
two positions:
1) Passenger’s front Air bag activated:
(ONposition
P) warning light on instru-
ment cluster off; it is absolutely prohibited
to carry a child on the front seat.
2) Passenger’s front Air bag deactivated:
(OFFposition
F) warning light on in-
strument cluster on; it is possible to carry a
child protected by special restraint systems
on the front seat.
The warning light
Fon the cluster stays
on permanently until the passenger’s Air bag
is reactivated.
Deactivation of the passenger’s front Air bag
does not inhibit operation of the side Air bag.
When the door is open, the key can be in-
serted and removed in both positions.
fig. 15
A0A0313m