BMW X5 3.0i SAV 2005 - Manual (Page 43)

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The ideal sitting position can make a
vital contribution to relaxed driving that
is as fatigue-free as possible. In con-
junction with the safety belts, the head
restraints and the airbags, the seat
position also plays an important role
for
the passive safety of the occupants in
an accident. To ensure that the safety
systems operate with optimized effi-
ciency, we strongly urge you to observe
the instructions contained in the follow-
ing section.
For additional information on transport-
ing children safely, refer to page
59 .
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate dis-
tance between yourself and the
airbags. Always hold the steering wheel
by its rim with hands at the 9 o'clock
and 3 o'clock positions to minimize the
risk of injuries to your hands and arms
in the event of airbag deployment.
No one and nothing is to come between
the airbags and the seat occupant.
Do not use the cover of the front airbag
on the front passenger side as a stor-
age area. Make sure that the front pas-
senger is correctly seated and does not
rest feet or legs on the instrument
panel, otherwise leg injuries can occur
if the front airbag is triggered. Never let
an occupant's head rest near or on a
side airbag because the inflating airbag
could cause a serious injury.
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Even if you adhere to all the instructions
injuries resulting from contact with air-
bags cannot be fully excluded, depend-
ing on the circumstances. The ignition
and inflation noise may provoke a mild –
usually temporary – hearing loss in
extremely sensitive individuals.
For airbag locations and additional
information on airbags, refer to
page
57 .
Safety belt
For every trip, use the safety belt on all
occupied seats. Airbags complement
the safety belt as an additional safety
device, but they do not represent a sub-
stitute.
Your vehicle has five seats that are all
equipped with a safety belt.
At all times, occupants should sit
upright and be properly restrained
– infants and small children in appropri-
ate child-restraint systems; larger chil-
dren and adults using the safety belts.
Each safety belt should always be used
by only one person, babies and children
may not ride on the lap of another pas-
senger.
Pregnant women should also always
wear a safety belt and take make espe-
cially sure that the belt rests low on the
hips in the lap area, and does not press
against the abdomen.
Do not route the belt across your neck,
or run it across sharp edges. Be sure
that the belt does not become caught
or jammed. Wear the safety belt without
twisting and tautly across the lap and
shoulders as close to the body as pos-
sible. Be sure not to route it over solid
or breakable objects, as otherwise the
belt can slip over the hips in the lap
area in a frontal impact and injure the
abdomen. Avoid wearing clothing that
prevents the belt from fitting properly
and pull the belt in the upper body area
periodically to readjust the tension, in
order to avoid a reduction in the
restraint of the safety belt.
<
Sitting safely
Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 158 701 - © 10/04 BMW AG