BMW 316I, Owner'S Handbook Manual

Page: 45 / 177

43
Adjusting
Correct seated position
You have to be comfortably seated in
order to enjoy relaxed, fatigue-free driv-
ing. In conjunction with the seat belts
and the airbags, a correct seating posi-
tion enhances passive safety for the
occupants if the car is involved in an
accident. Comply with the following
instructions in order not to detract from
the protective capabilities of the car's
safety systems.
Additional information on safety for chil-
dren: see page 53.
Correct seated position with
airbags
Keep back from the airbags.
Always hold the steering wheel by
its rim to minimise the risk of injuries to
the hands and arms if the airbag is trig-
gered. Do not interpose any other per-
son, animals or objects between the
airbags and the seated person. Do not
use the cover of the front airbag on the
passenger side as a storage tray, and
do not permit the front-seat passenger
to travel with their feet or legs on this
cover.
<
See page 52 for details of the locations
of the airbags and for other important
information.
Seat belts must sit right
Never restrain more than one per-
son with each seat belt; do not
permit babies and small children to
travel on the lap of another occupant.
The belts should not be twisted and
must be taut across the pelvis and
shoulder, as close as possible to the
body. They should not pass over hard
or fragile objects. The seat belt must
not run across the wearer's neck, nor
should it be trapped or abraded by
coming into contact with sharp edges
or objects. If possible, avoid bulky
clothing and take up slack in the lap
belt frequently by pulling up the diago-
nal (shoulder) section. In the event of a
head-on collision, the lap belt could
otherwise slide over the hips and injure
the lower part of the body. In addition,
the restraining effect is reduced if the
seat belt is slack against the wearer's
body. Pregnant women should also
wear the seat belt, making sure that the
lap strap is well down on the hips and
does not press on the abdominal region
of the body.
<
See page 46 for instructions on operat-
ing the belt buckles.
Seats
Before adjusting
Do not reposition the driver's seat
while the car is in motion. The seat
could move unexpectedly, leading to
the driver losing control of the car, so
that an accident could be caused. Do
not recline the seat back too far when
the car is being driven (this applies in
particular to the front passenger), or
there will be a risk of "submarining"
under the seat belt, so that the belt
loses its full protective effect.
<
Adjusting the seats
>
Mechanically adjustable seats, see
page 44
>
Electrically adjustable seats, see
page 45
>
Head restraints, see page 46.
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handbook.book Page 43 Thursday, December 19, 2002 4:29 PM