warning OPEL MERIVA 2009 Owner's Manual

52 Seats, InteriorTo achieve a flat loading surface in the
extended luggage compartment, the
outboard seats can be lowered slightly. We
recommend however only using the seats
as seats in the raised position. Extending
the luggage compartment 353.
Flexible Seat System (FlexSpace)The rear seat row on the Meriva can be
fitted with three seats in Variant 1, or two
seats with maximum seating space in
Variant 2. In Variant 2, the centre seat is
lowered.
The luggage compartment can only be
extended in Variant 1 353.
To extend the luggage compartment, the
outboard seats can be lowered slightly
3 54.
Picture no: 14730s.tif
Variant 1: Three rear seats
Set seat backrest to centre position using
the handle on the outside of the seat 351.
Pull the handle beneath the seat. Slide the
seat all the way forward, then outward
toward the door and then further forward
to the desired position.
Release handle and allow seat to engage
in position.
Raise centre seat 354.
9 Warning
To prevent injuries, always hold back
seat backrest firmly and guide
downward when folding.

54 Seats, Interior
Picture no: 14182s.tif
Grasp the backrest, pull the handle at the
outboard side of the seat and fold the
backrest onto the seat. Release the handle
and engage the backrest.
To raise, pull the handle on the outboard
side of the seat and raise the backrest.
Release the handle and engage.
Insert the seat belt into the belt guide at
backrest.
Picture no: 14728s.tif
Fold the centre seat forward and lower.
House centre seat belt in the holder in the
ceiling 363.
Insert seat belts into recesses in seat
cushion.
Slide centre seat head rest all the way
down 347.
Pull release handle on the back of the
centre seat backrest, see figure. Fold
backrest forward and engage. The entire
seat is lowered.
Picture no: 14716s.tif
Raise centre seat
Pull release handle on the back of the
backrest, erect the ba ckrest and engage,
the outer seats must be in the outer
position, see Variant 1: Three rear seats
3 52.
Lower outboard seats
Push front seat forward and fully lower or
remove head restraints on the rear
outboard seats 347.
Fold outer rear seat backrests onto seat
bases.
To achieve a level loading surface, pull
release handle on back of backrest and
push seat down until it latches into
position.
9 Warning
To prevent injuries, always hold the seat
backrest firmly and guide downward
when folding.
9 Warning
The load must not hinder the operation
of the hand brake or gear lever 358.

58 Seats, Interior
Picture no: 14110s.tif
Notes on loading the vehicle zHeavy objects in the luggage
compartment should be placed as far
forward as possible against the properly
engaged rear seat backrests or, if the
rear seat backrests are folded down,
against the front seat backrests. If
objects are to be stacked, the heavier
objects should be placed at the bottom.
z Secure heavy objects with lashing
straps 3 attached to lashing eyes 357.
z When transporting objects with rear seat
backrests tilted forward, fit the safety net
356. z
Close luggage compartment cover 3
3 55.
z If the backrests are not folded down
when transporting objects in the
luggage compartment, they must be
engaged in an upright position 355.
z Do not allow the load to protrude above
the upper edge of the backrests.
z The warning triangle 3 and first-aid kit
(cushion) 3 must always be freely
accessible.
z Do not place any objects on the luggage
compartment cover 3 or the instrument
panel.
z No objects must be placed in the airbag
inflation area, since they could cause
injury when the systems are triggered.
z Items loaded must not prevent operation
of the pedals, hand brake and gears or
obstruct the freedom of movement of
the driver. Do not place loose objects in
the interior.
z Do not drive with luggage compartment
open when transporting bulky objects,
for example, since toxic exhaust fumes
could penetrate the interior.
z The payload is the difference between
the permitted gross vehicle weight (see
identification plate 3218) and the EC
kerb weight. z
To calculate the EC kerb weight, enter
the data for your vehicle on page 3 226.
z The EC kerb weight includes allowances
for the driver (68 kg), luggage (7 kg) and
all fluids (tank 90 % full).
z Optional equipment and accessories
increase the kerb weight.
z Weights and loads 3226.
z Driving with a roof load increases the
sensitivity of the vehicle to cross-winds
and has a detrimental effect on vehicle
handling due to the vehicle’s higher
centre of gravity. Distribute the load
evenly and secure it properly with
retaining straps. Adjust the tyre pressure
to the load conditions. Do not drive
faster than 120 km/h. Check and re-
tighten the straps frequently. Observe
country-specific regulations.
z The permissible roof load is 100 kg. The
roof load consists of the weight of the
roof rack plus the load carried.

59
Seats, Interior
Three-stage safety system Comprising:
zthree-point seat belts,
z belt tensioners at the front seats,
z airbag systems for the driver and front
passenger seats 3 as well as the
outboard rear seats 3.
The three stages are activated in sequence
depending on the severity of the accident:
z The automatic seat belt locking devices
prevent the belt strap from being pulled
out and thus ensure that the vehicle
occupants are retained in their seats.
z The front seat belts are pulled down at
the belt buckles. This means the belts fit
snugly, the occupants are decelerated
early with the vehicle and the body
loading is reduced.
z The airbag systems are also triggered in
the event of severe accidents and form a
safety cushion for the occupants. Read the instructions supplied with the
child restraint system
Picture no: 18531s.tif
Three-point seat belts The seat belts have an automatic retractor,
so that the belt is spring tensioned and
always lies against the body.
Information on correct seat position
345.
The safety belts lock when the vehicle
accelerates or decelerates rapidly. This
prevents the belt from extending and
keeps the occupant in his or her seat.
9 Warning
The airbag systems serve to supplement
the three-point seat belts and belt
tensioners. The seat belts must therefore
always be worn. Disregard of these
instructions may lead to injuries or
endanger life. Vehicle passengers
should be informed accordingly.

60 Seats, InteriorSeat belt control indicator X 3 82.
Seat belts are only intended for one person.
They are not suitable for anyone under
12 years of age or under 150 cm tall.
For children under the age of 12, we
recommend the Opel ch ild restraint system
3 65.
Belt force limiters
In the front seats, stress on the body is
reduced by dampened release of the
safety belt during a collision. Checking the seat belts
From time to time, ch
eck operation of all
seat belt system components and check for
damage. Have damaged components
replaced. Have seat belts and deployed
belt tensioners replaced by an authorised
workshop after an accident.
Make sure that seat belts are not damaged
or trapped by sharp-edged objects.
Picture no: 14719s.tif
Belt tensioners The front safety belt systems tighten at the
buckles in the event of a front or rear
collision above a specific degree of
severity. This tensions the seat belts.
Actuation of belt tensioners
is indicated by illumination of control
indicator v, see next column.
Triggered belt tensioners must be replaced
by a workshop. Belt tensioners can only be
triggered once.
9 Warning
Fasten your seat belt before each trip.
In the event of an accident, persons not
wearing seat belts endanger their fellow
occupants and themselves.

61
Seats, Interior
Picture no: 17885s.tif
Control indicator v for belt tensioners
The function of the belt tensioners and
airbag systems is monitored electronically
and indicated via control indicator v.
When the ignition is turned on, the control
indicator comes on for about 4 seconds.
If it does not light, does not go out after
4 seconds or comes on during driving,
there is a fault in the belt tensioner or
airbag systems 372.The systems may fail
to deploy in the event of an accident.
Deployment of the belt tensioners is
indicated by continuous illumination of v . The system’s integrated self-diagnostics
allows faults to be quickly remedied.
Important
z
Do not affix or place accessories or other
objects within the deployment zone of
the belt tensioners. Do not make any
modifications to belt tensioner
components as this will invalidate the
vehicle type approval. z
The belt tensioner and airbag system
control electronics can be found in the
centre console area. In order to avoid
malfunctions, do not store magnetic
objects in this area.
z When the rear seats are being used it
must be ensured that the components of
the front seat belts are not damaged by
shoes or other objects. Do not allow dirt
to penetrate the seat belt inertia reels.
z We recommend that you have the seats
removed by a workshop.
z The belt tensioners only deploy once,
which can be detected by illumination of
the control indicator v . Have deployed
belt tensioners replaced by a workshop.
z The applicable safety regulations must
be adhered to when the vehicle is
disposed of. The vehicle should therefore
be disposed of by a recycling company.
9 Warning
Have the cause of the fault remedied
immediately by a workshop.
9 Warning
Incorrect handling (e.g. removal or
fitting of seat belts or belt buckles) can
cause the belt tensioners to deploy, with
risk of injury.

62 Seats, Interior
Picture no: 14120s.tif
Using the belts Fitting seat belts
The seat belt must not be twisted and must
lie snugly against the body. The backrest
must not be tilted back too far (maximum
approx. 25).
Adjust the height so that the belt lies across
the shoulder. It must not lie across the
throat or upper arm.
Pull the belt out of the reel, guide it across
the body (making certain it is not twisted)
and engage the latch plate in the buckle.
Tension the lap belt frequently whilst
driving by tugging the shoulder belt.
Picture no: 14121s.tif
Loose or bulky clothing prevents the belt
from fitting snugly. Do not place objects
such as handbags or mobile phones
between the belt and your body.
9 Warning
On pregnant women in particular, the
lap belt must be positioned as low as
possible across the pelvis so as not to
put too much pressure on the abdomen.
9 Warning
The belt must not rest against hard or
fragile objects in the pockets of your
clothing.

65
Seats, Interior
Child restraint system
3
Follow the usage instructions for the child
restraint system.
Always comply with local or national
regulations. In some countries, the use of
child restraint systems is forbidden on
certain seats.
Selecting the right system
Your child should be transported facing the
rear in the vehicle for as long as possible.
The very weak cervical vertebrae of a child
will be under less stress in an accident if
your child is facing the rear and semi-
horizontal, than when he is sitting upright.
9 Warning
Child restraint systems must not be
carried on a passenger’s lap. Danger
to life.
Permissible options for fitting a child safety seat
1)
1)For reasons of safety, we recommend that the child safety seat be installed on one of the outer
rear seats.Weight and
age class
2)
2)We recommend the use of each system until the child reaches the upper weight limit.
On front
passenger seat On outboard seats in
the rear seats On centre
rear seat
Group 0:
up to 10 kg
or approx.
10 months
Group 0+:
up to 13 kg
or approx.
2years B
1, +
U, + U, ++
Group I:
9to18 kg
or approx.
8months
to 4 years B2, +
U, + U, ++
Group II:
15 to 25 kg
or approx.
3 to 7 years
Group III:
22 to 36 kg
or approx.
6 to 12 years X U U,
++

68 Seats, Interior
Picture no: 14125s.tif
When triggered, the front airbags inflate in
milliseconds to form a safety cushion for
the driver and front passenger. The
forward movement of the front seat
occupants is checked, thereby
substantially reducing the risk of injury to
the upper body and head.
No impairment of view will occur, because
the airbags inflate and deflate so quickly
that it is often not even noticed in an
accident.
Picture no: 18530s.tif Picture no: 18531s.tif
The front airbag system will not be
triggered in the event of
zthe ignition is switched off,
z minor frontal collisions,
z accidents in which the vehicle overturns,
z collisions involving a side or rear impact,
that is to say, if it would not be of benefit to
the occupants.
9 Warning
Optimum protection is only provided
with the seat in the proper position 345.
Keep the area in which the airbag
inflates clear of obstructions.
Wear the three-point seat belt properly
fastened. The front airbag system is an
additional safety device, not a
replacement for your seat belt.

70 Seats, InteriorException:
Passenger seat with a seat occupancy
recognition system 3. The occupancy
recognition system deactivates the front
and side airbags for the passenger when
the seat is unoccupied or an Opel child
restraint system with transponders 3 is
fitted to the passenger seat. Seat
occupancy recognition 372. Opel child
restraint system with transponders 3 3 73.
Picture no: 14742s.tif
When deployed, the side airbag inflates
within milliseconds to form a safety cushion
for the driver or front passenger in the
respective front door area. This
substantially reduces th e risk of injury to
the upper body and pelvis in the event of a
side-on collision. The side airbags will not be triggered in the
event of
z
the ignition is switched off,
z frontal collisions,
z accidents in which the vehicle overturns,
z collisions involving a rear impact,
z collisions involving a side impact outside
the passenger cell.
In addition, the side airbag system will not
be triggered for the front passenger in
versions with seat occupancy recognition 3
if
z the front passenger seat is unoccupied
z or there is a properly mounted Opel child
restraint system with transponders 3.
Seat occupancy recognition 372. Opel
child restraint system with
transponders 3 373.
9 Warning
Keep the area in which the airbag
inflates clear of obstructions.