User's Manual

Safe driving 169
Controls Safety Driving tips General maintenance Self-help Technical data
inside. In this case the child would be unable to get out of the
vehicle without help. This could have fatal consequences.
• Never allow children to play in or around the vehicle. Always
close and lock the boot lid and all the doors when you leave the
vehicle.
• Never let passengers ride in the luggage compartment. All
occupants must be properly restrained by the seat belts at all
times ⇒ page 170.
Note
• Air circulation in the vehicle helps reduce fogging of the
windows. Used air escapes through ventilation slots in the rear of
the vehicle. Make sure that these ventilation slots are not
obstructed.
• Suitable belts for securing loads to the fastening rings* are
commercially available.
Applies to vehicles: with fastening rings
Fastening rings
Unsecured loads are a hazard to all vehicle occupants.
There are fastening rings in the luggage compartment
which can be used to secure luggage and other objects
⇒ page 78.
– Use the fastening rings to secure items safely in the
luggage compartment ⇒ in “Loading the luggage
compartment” on page 77.
During a collision or an accident, even small and light objects can
possess so much energy that they can cause very severe injuries.
The amount of this “kinetic energy” depends on the speed of the
vehicle and the weight of the object. The most significant factor,
however, is the speed of the vehicle.
An example: An object weighing 4.5 kg is lying unsecured in the
vehicle. During a frontal collision at a speed of 50 km/h, this object
generates a force corresponding to 20 times its weight. That means
that the effective weight of the object increases to about 90 kg. You
can imagine the severity of the injuries which might be sustained if
this “projectile” strikes an occupant as it flies through the
passenger compartment.
WARNING
If items of luggage or other objects are secured to the fastening
rings with inappropriate or damaged retaining cords, injuries
could result in the event of sudden braking or a collision.
• To prevent pieces of luggage or other objects from flying
forward, always use appropriate retaining cords which are prop-
erly secured to the fastening rings.
• Never secure a child seat on the fastening rings.
WARNING (continued)
document_0900452a8179700c.book Seite 169 Donnerstag, 22. März 2007 10:19 10