2010 BMW X3 Owner's Manual - Page 29

Adjustments The ideal sitting position can make a vital contribution to relaxed driving that is as fatigue-free as possible. Together with safety belts, head restraints, and airbags, sitting position plays an important role in an accident. Compliance with the following instructions is important; failure to do so could impair the protective function of the safety systems. For additional information on transporting children safely, refer to page 35. A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the risk of damage to the cervical vertebrae in accidents. Adjust the head restraint so that its middle lies approximately at the height of your ears. Otherwise, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of an accident.< Head restraints, refer to page 29. At a glance Reference Mobility Driving tips Controls Sitting safely Head restraint Safety belts Make sure the safety belts are worn in all occupied seats every time you drive. Although airbags enhance safety by providing added protection, they are not a substitute for safety belts. Your vehicle has five seats that are each equipped with a safety belt. Never allow more than one person to wear a single safety belt. Infants and children must not ride on a lap. Make sure that the belt in the lap area sits low against the hips and does not press against the abdomen. The safety belt must never rest against the throat, rub against sharp edges, pass over hard or fragile objects or be pinched. Fasten the safety belt around your body snugly, making sure that it is pulled taut across your lap and shoulder and that it is not twisted; otherwise, the belt can slide over the hips in the event of a frontal collision and injure your abdomen. Avoid wearing clothing that prevents the belt from fitting properly and pull the shoulder belt upward periodically to readjust the tension across your lap in order to avoid a reduction in the restraining action of the safety belt. If the middle safety belt is used, the larger part of the backrest must be locked in position, refer to page 76; otherwise, the middle safety belt cannot exert any restraining action.< Safety belts, refer to page 32. Airbags Always maintain an adequate distance 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 storage area. Make sure that the passenger sits correctly, e.g. does not rest his feet or legs on the instrument cluster. Otherwise, a triggering of the front airbag could result in leg injuries. Make sure that passengers do not lean their heads against side or head airbags. Otherwise, a triggering of the airbag could result in injuries.< Even if you adhere to all the instructions, injuries resulting from contact with airbags cannot be entirely ruled out, depending 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. 27 Online Edition for Part no. 01 41 2 602 348 - © 02/09 BMW AG