2008 BMW Z4 M Series Owner's Manual - Page 32

Adjustments Adjustments Safe seating position For relaxed driving with as little fatigue as possible, you should select a seating position that reflects your personal requirements. In combination with the safety belts, the head restraints and the airbags, the seating position has a major influence on your safety in the event of an accident. To ensure that the vehicle's safety systems provide you with optimal protection, we request that you direct your careful attention to the following section. For supplementary information on transporting children refer to page 36. Head restraint A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the risk of neck injury in the event of an accident. Adjust the head restraint in such a way that its center is at approx. ear level. Otherwise, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of an accident.< Head restraints, refer to page 32. Safety belt Make sure every occupant fastens his or her safety belt. As supplemental restraint devices, the airbags are designed to enhance the effectiveness of the safety belts, and not to replace them. Your vehicle offers two sitting positions, each of which is equipped with a safety belt. Never allow more than one person to wear a single safety belt. Never allow infants or small children to ride in a passenger's 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 bulky clothing and regularly pull the belt in the upper-body area taut, otherwise its restraining effect could be impaired.< Safety belts, refer to page 33. Airbags Always maintain an adequate distance between yourself and the airbags. Always grip the steering wheel on the rim, with your hands in the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions, to minimize the risk of injury to the hands or arms in the event of the airbag being triggered off. Never allow any objects, individuals or animals to obstruct the areas between passengers and airbags. Never use the front airbag's cover as a storage tray or support for objects of any kind. Ensure that the passenger is correctly seated, e.g. does not prop feet or legs against the dashboard. Otherwise, leg injury could result if the knee airbag and front airbag suddenly deployed. Make sure that the passenger does not lean his or her head against the side airbag, otherwise serious injuries could result if the airbags suddenly deployed.< Even when all these guidelines are observed, the risk of injury as a result of contact with the airbags cannot entirely be ruled out in some situations. In sensitive individuals, the ignition and inflation noise may induce a mild hearing loss that is temporary in most cases. For airbag locations and additional information on airbags, refer to page 56. 30 Seats Before adjusting your seat, always observe the following precautions Never try to adjust your seat while driving. Otherwise, the seat could respond with unexpected movement, and the ensuing loss of Online Edition for Part no. 01 41 0 014 500 - © 08/07 BMW AG