2006 BMW X5 Owner's Manual - Page 43

Sitting safely The ideal sitting position can make a vital contribution to relaxed driving that is as fatigue-free as possible. In conjunction 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 efficiency, we strongly urge you to follow the instructions contained in the section below. For additional information on transporting children safely, refer to page 57. Make sure that the occupants do not rest their heads on side or head airbags, as otherwise injuries can occur if the airbags are triggered.< 43n 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 substitute. Overview Index Data Repairs Maintenance Controls 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 front passenger is correctly seated and does not rest feet or legs on the instrument panel, as otherwise leg injuries can occur if the front airbag is triggered. Even if you adhere to all instructions, injuries resulting from contact with airYour vehicle has five seats that are all bags cannot be fully excluded, dependequipped with a safety belt. ing on the circumstances. The ignition and inflation noise may provoke a mild - At all times, occupants should sit usually temporary - hearing loss in upright and be properly restrained extremely sensitive individuals. - infants and small children in appropriFor airbag locations and additional ate child-restraint systems; larger chilinformation on airbags, refer to dren and adults using the safety belts. page 55. Each safety belt should always be used by only one person; babies and children Head restraint may not ride on the lap of another passenger. A correctly adjusted head restraint In addition, pregnant women should reduces the risk of cervical injuries in always wear a safety belt, making espeaccidents. cially sure that the belt rests low on the hips in the lap area, and does not press Adjust the head restraint so that against the abdomen. its center is approximately at the height of the ears, as otherwise there is Do not route the belt across your neck or run it across sharp edges. Be sure an increased risk of injury in an accithat the belt does not become caught dent.< or jammed. Wear the safety belt without twisting, snugly across the lap and shoulders, as close to the body as possible. Be sure not to route it over solid or breakable objects, otherwise the belt can slip over the hips in the lap area in a Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 159 867 - © 07/05 BMW AG