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Rover 45. Instruction - part 2

Seats

REAR SEAT ARMREST*

REAR SEATS

For information on folding the rear seats, refer to ‘FOLDING

THE REAR SEATS’, page 54.

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Pull the loop to fold down the armrest.

Seat Belts

SEAT BELT SAFETY

• In most countries, all occupants are required by law to wear a seat

The seat belts fitted to your vehicle are intended for use by adult sized

belt, unless they have been issued with a medical exemption

occupants. Each belt should be used by one occupant only.

certificate.

• During pregnancy, women should wear the lap belt across the hips

Observe the following precautions:

below the baby, with the diagonal belt passing across the shoulder,

•

DO make sure ALL passengers are securely strapped in at all times

between the breasts and to one side of the baby - if in doubt,

- even for the shortest journeys.

consult a doctor.

•

ALWAYS adjust seat belts to eliminate any slack in the webbing.

DO NOT slacken the webbing by holding the belt away from the

The airbag supplementary restraint system (SRS) is designed to

body - to be fully effective, the seat belt must remain in full contact

add to the overall effectiveness of the seat belts. It does not replace

with the body at all times.

them. SEAT BELTS MUST ALWAYS BE WORN!

•

ALWAYS fit the lap strap as low on the hips as possible (never

across the abdomen), and ensure that the diagonal belt passes across

the shoulder without slipping off or pressing on the neck.

•

DO NOT wear seat belts over hard, sharp or fragile items in

clothing, such as pens, keys, spectacles etc.

•

Always replace a seat belt assembly that has withstood the strain of

a severe vehicle impact, or if the webbing shows signs of fraying.

•

Where possible use the seat belts to secure large items of luggage

that are to be carried on the seats - in the event of an accident,

unsecured items become flying missiles capable of causing serious

injury.

•

DO NOT use a seat belt that is twisted or obstructed in any way

that could impede its smooth operation.

•

DO NOT allow front seat occupants to travel with the seat backs

reclined steeply rearwards. Optimum benefit is obtained from the

seat belt with the seat back angle set to approximately 25° from the

upright (vertical) position.

•

DO NOT allow foreign matter (particularly sugary food and drink

particles) to enter the seat belt locks - such substances can render

the locks inoperative.

Seat Belts

SEAT BELTS

Releasing the belt

Press the red button on the seat belt buckle.

Ensure that all seat belts are worn correctly - an improperly

worn seat belt increases the risk of death or serious injury in the

Adjusting the upper anchorage (front seat belts only)

event of a collision. Read the instructions below and the advice

contained under the heading ‘Seat belt safety’ on the previous page.

Fastening the belt

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HB0141

Pull the seat belt steadily over the shoulder and across the chest

To reduce the likelihood of injury in an accident, the seat belt

and, ensuring the webbing is not twisted, insert the metal tongue

upper anchorage point should be adjusted so that the belt webbing

plate into the buckle nearest the wearer - a ‘click’ indicates that the

crosses the shoulder, MIDWAY BETWEEN THE NECK AND

belt is securely locked.

THE EDGE OF THE SHOULDER.

NOTE: Where possible, rear seat passengers should adjust their position

Adjust the height of the front seat anchorage point, by pressing the

to enable the seat belt webbing to cross the shoulder without pressing on the

button (arrowed in illustration) and sliding the anchor up or down.

neck.

Seat belts are designed to bear upon the bony structure of the body

(pelvis, chest and shoulders) and can only be worn safely with the

seats in a near-upright position; DO NOT allow the front

passenger to travel with the seat steeply reclined (see also ‘Seating

positions’, page 27).

Seat Belts

CENTRE REAR BELT (5 door models)

Adjusting the belt

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To adjust the length of the belt, turn the adjuster at right angles to

the webbing (as shown in the illustration) and then pull the

webbing through the adjuster to the required length.

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Once the belt is fastened, the webbing will be ‘locked’ to the

The central rear seating position is fitted with a lap belt only. It is

length that has been set.

essential that all slack is removed from the webbing and that the

belt fits snugly AS LOW ON THE HIPS AS POSSIBLE. Fit the

CENTRE REAR BELT (4 door models)

tongue plate into the buckle (marked ‘CENTRE’) nearest the

The central rear seating position is fitted with a three point

centre of the seat.

shoulder/lap belt similar to the belts fitted to the other seating

NOTE: The centre belt tongue plate will not latch into either of the outer

positions. Ensure that the shoulder belt passes across the left

seating position buckles.

shoulder and that the metal tongue plate is inserted into the buckle

nearest the wearer.

To unfasten the belt, press the RED button attached to the seat

belt buckle. When not in use, the tongue plate should be clipped

into the socket at the top of the seat (see inset).

Seat Belts

SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONERS

Disposing of vehicles

If you sell your car, be sure to inform the new owner that the

The seat belt pre-tensioners will only be activated once and

vehicle is fitted with pre-tensioners, and make the new owner

then MUST BE REPLACED by an MG Rover dealer.

aware that the pre-tensioners must be examined and replaced by

Failure to replace the pre-tensioners will reduce the efficiency of the

qualified personnel after a period of 15 years.

car's front restraint systems.

If your car is to be scrapped, unactivated pre-tensioners are

The seat belt pre-tensioners activate in conjunction with the airbag

potentially very dangerous and must be safely deployed in a

SRS to provide additional protection in the event of a severe

controlled environment by qualified personnel, before it is

frontal impact on the vehicle (see ‘AIRBAG SUPPLEMENTARY

scrapped.

RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS)’, page 26). The pre-tensioners

automatically retract the seat belts. This reduces any slack in both

the lap and diagonal portions of the belts, thereby reducing

forward movement of the belt wearer in the event of a severe

collision.

NOTE: The seat belt pre-tensioners will NOT be activated by minor

impacts.

The airbag SRS warning light on the instrument panel, will alert

you to any malfunction of the seat belt pre-tensioners (see ‘Airbag

SRS warning light’, page 29).

NOTE: After any impact, always have the seat belts and pre-tensioners

checked and, if necessary, replaced by an MG Rover dealer.

If the pre-tensioners have been activated, the seat belts will still

function as restraints, and must be worn in the event that the

vehicle remains in a driveable condition.

Seat Belts

CARING FOR SEAT BELTS

Always replace a seat belt assembly where the webbing shows

signs of fraying.

Regularly inspect the belt webbing for signs of fraying, cuts and

wear; also pay particular attention to the condition of the fixing

points and adjusters.

Do not bleach or dye the webbing and avoid contaminating the

webbing with polish, oil or chemicals (see ‘Seat belts’, page 150).

Three tests for checking seat belts

1. With the seat belt fastened, give the webbing nearest the

buckle a quick pull - the buckle should remain securely

locked.

2. With the seat belt unfastened, unreel the webbing to the limit

of its travel. Check that unreeling is free from snags and

snatches and further check the webbing for visual signs of

wear or fraying.

Allow the webbing to retract, checking that retraction is

smooth, continuous and complete.

3. With the webbing half unreeled, hold the tongue plate and

give it a quick forward pull - the mechanism must lock

automatically and prevent any further unreeling.

If a seat belt should fail any of these tests, contact your dealer

immediately.

Child Restraints

CHILD SEATS

Children are more likely to receive injuries from inflating airbags

than taller occupants (see ‘AIRBAG SUPPLEMENTARY

RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS)’, page 26). For this reason, it is

recommended that children should always be seated in the rear of

the vehicle, in a child safety seat or restraint system appropriate to

their age and size. The range of safety seats approved for use in

The above symbol affixed to the fascia panel of your car, warns

your car is outlined in the table on the following page and is also

against the use of a REAR FACING child seat in the front

listed in the MG Rover accessories brochure, which is available

passenger seat. This type of child seat could cause serious injury to

from your MG Rover dealer.

your child in the event of an airbag deployment.

For optimum protection, it is recommended that children

weighing up to 13 kg (or approximately 18 months of age) are

restrained in an MG Rover-approved rear facing child seat in an

outer rear seating position.

All infant and child restraint systems are designed to be secured in

the car by means of a standard seat belt.

When installing and using any infant or child restraint system,

always follow the manufacturer's instructions. Failure to properly

secure the child restraint system can endanger the child in a

collision or sudden stop and cause injury to other passengers.

DO NOT install a rearward facing child seat in the front

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passenger seat if a front passenger airbag is fitted - an inflating

airbag could impact with the seat causing serious injury, or even

If it is necessary for a child to travel in the front, it is essential that

death for the child.

the vehicle seat is set fully rearwards and that the child is seated in

a FRONT FACING child safety seat, which prevents any part of

the child’s head coming into close proximity with the side airbag

(note the warning label shown above).

Child Restraints

Child restraint seating options - 5-door models

Mass Group

Seating Positions

Recommended Child

(As indicated on child safety seat packaging)

Front Passenger

Rear Outboard

Rear Centre

Restraints (L)

0 = Up to 10 kg (0 - 9 months)

Britax Babysure

Britax Rock-a-tot

0+ = Up to 13 kg (0 - 18 months)

Britax Babysure

Britax Rock-a-tot

I = 9 to 18 kg (9 months - 4 years)

Britax Elite

II & III = 15 to 36 kg (4 - 12 years)

Britax Horizon booster

Britax Kid

L = Suitable for particular child restraints, detailed in the table alongside. These restraints may be of the specific

vehicle, ‘restricted’ or ‘semi-universal’ categories.

X = Seat position NOT suitable for children of this mass group.

Child restraint seating options - 4-door models

Mass Group

Seating Positions

(As indicated on child safety seat packaging)

Front Passenger

Rear Outboard

Rear Centre

0 = Up to 10 kg (0 - 9 months)

0+ = Up to 13 kg (0 - 18 months)

I = 9 to 18 kg (9 months - 4 years)

II & III = 15 to 36 kg (4 - 12 years)

U = Suitable for ‘Universal’ category restraints approved for this mass group.

X = Seat position NOT suitable for children of this mass group.

Airbag SRS

AIRBAG SUPPLEMENTARY RESTRAINT SYSTEM

NOTE: Inflation and deflation of the airbags takes place very quickly and

(SRS)

will not protect against the effects of secondary impacts that may occur.

The airbag SRS provides ADDITIONAL protection in a

The front airbags are located in the centre pad of the steering

severe impact only. It does not replace the need to wear a seat

wheel and in the fascia panel above the glovebox. Side airbags are

belt.

positioned in the backrest padding on the outward side of both

front seats.

Do not allow a front seat passenger to obstruct the operation of

the airbag by placing feet, knees or any other part of the person,

or any other objects in contact with, or in close proximity to, an

airbag module.

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The airbag SRS incorporates a driver’s airbag, front passenger

airbag and optional side airbags for both front seats.

Provided the front seat occupants are correctly seated, with seat

belts properly worn, the airbags provide additional protection to

the chest and facial areas in the event of the car receiving a severe

frontal impact, and to the side of the body facing the impact, if a

severe side collision occurs.

Airbag SRS

Airbag deployment

Seating positions

In order to provide optimum protection in the event of a severe

To ensure correct deployment of the airbags, it is essential that

impact, it is necessary for the airbags to deploy with considerable

obstructions are not allowed to intervene between the airbag and

speed.

the occupant. The following are examples of the type of

obstructions that could either impede correct operation of the

An inflating airbag can cause facial abrasions and other injuries if

airbags, or jeopardise personal safety in the event of an airbag

the occupant is too close to the airbag at the time of its

deployment:

deployment.

• Accessories attached to or obscuring an airbag cover, including

To minimise the risk of accidental injury from inflating

the part of a front seat containing a side airbag* or the pillars

airbags, seat belts should be correctly worn at all times. In

between the front and rear doors.

addition, both driver and front seat passenger should adjust their

• Items of hand luggage, or other objects placed over an airbag

seats to provide the maximum practical distance from the front

cover.

airbags, and also ensure that a gap is maintained between the upper

• Feet, knees or any other part of the anatomy in contact with,

torso and the side of the vehicle, to enable unobstructed inflation of

or in close proximity to, a front airbag cover.

the side airbags*.

• Head, arms or any part of the anatomy in contact with, or in

close proximity to, a side airbag.

• Items of clothing or cushions, draped over the part of the front

seat containing the side airbag.

• Unapproved seat covers fitted over a front seat (in particular, be

aware that seat covers approved for other cars will NOT be

suitable for your car). If in doubt, seek advice from an MG

Rover dealer.

DO NOT attach or position items onto an airbag cover

(steering wheel centre pad or fascia panel) which could interfere

with the inflation of the airbag or, if the airbag inflates, be propelled

inside the car, causing injury to the occupants.

Airbag SRS

HOW THE AIRBAG SRS OPERATES

In the event of a collision, the airbag control unit monitors the rate

of deceleration or acceleration induced by the collision, to

determine whether the airbags should be deployed.

NOTE: The airbag SRS is not designed to operate as a result of rear

collisions, minor frontal or side impacts, or if the car overturns; nor will it

operate as a result of heavy braking or driving over bumps and potholes.

Operation of the airbag SRS is dependent entirely on the rate at

which the car's passenger compartment changes speed as a result of

a collision. The circumstances affecting different collisions (vehicle

speed, angle of impact, type and size of object hit, for example),

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vary considerably and will affect the rate of acceleration or

deceleration accordingly.

Airbag inflation is virtually instantaneous and occurs with

considerable force, accompanied by a loud noise. The inflated bag,

It follows, therefore, that significant superficial damage can occur

together with the seat belt restraint system, limit the movement of

without the airbags deploying or, conversely, that a relatively small

a front seat occupant, thereby reducing the risk of injury to the

amount of structural damage may cause the airbags to be deployed.

head and upper torso.

In the case of a severe frontal collision, both front airbags and seat

NOTE: After inflation, some airbag components are hot - DO NOT

belt pre-tensioners will be deployed. In the case of a severe side

touch until they have cooled.

collision, only the side airbag (if fitted) on the impact side of the

car will inflate. However, there may also be impact conditions

When an airbag inflates, a fine powder is released. This is not an

whereby one set of side and both front airbags deploy at the same

indication of a malfunction, however, the powder may cause

time, or where front and side airbags respond separately as a result

irritation to the skin and should be thoroughly flushed from the

of a secondary impact occurring after the initial collision has taken

eyes and any cuts or abrasions of the skin. After inflation, an airbag

place.

will deflate immediately, providing a gradual cushioning effect for

the occupant and ensuring the driver's forward vision is not

An inflating airbag can cause facial abrasions and other

obscured.

injuries. Minimise the risk of injury by ensuring that front seat

occupants are wearing their seat belts and are seated correctly, with

the seat as far back as is practical.

Airbag SRS

Side airbags*

NOTE: The manufacture and materials of the seat are critical to the

performance of the airbag. For this reason, unapproved seat covers must

NEVER be fitted, and it is recommended that any repair or replacement

to the front seats be carried out by an MG Rover dealer.

Airbag SRS warning light

A warning light, mounted on the instrument panel, will alert you to

any malfunction of the airbag SRS and seat belt pre-tensioners. The

light will illuminate as a bulb and system check when the starter switch

is turned to position ‘II’ and will extinguish after approximately six

seconds. The system should always be checked by a dealer if any of the

following symptoms occur:

• The warning light fails to illuminate when the starter switch is

turned to position ‘II’.

• The warning light fails to extinguish within approximately six

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seconds after the starter switch is turned to position ‘II’.

Side airbags are designed to protect the thorax region of the torso

• The warning light illuminates while the car is being driven.

and will only deploy in the event of a severe side impact. They will

not inflate as a result of a frontal or rear impact only.

In the event of a severe side collision, the airbag on the impact side

of the car breaks through the seat covering, rapidly inflating to

form a cushion between the occupant and the side of the car. The

airbag on the non-impact side of the car will not be deployed.

Note that a part of the outer side of the seat trim (identified by the

woven 'airbag' label) is specially constructed to enable the airbag to

deploy.

Ensure that a gap is maintained between the upper torso and

the side of the car, to enable unobstructed inflation of the side

airbag.

Airbag SRS

SERVICE INFORMATION

Disposing of the vehicle

If you sell your vehicle, be sure to inform the new owner that the

After 15 years from the initial date of registration (or installation

vehicle has an airbag SRS and make the new owner aware of the

date of a replacement airbag SRS), some components will need to

airbag module replacement date, shown in the Service History.

be replaced by an MG Rover dealer, who should stamp and sign

the appropriate page of the Service History section of this book

If the vehicle is to be scrapped; uninflated airbags are potentially

once the work has been completed.

very dangerous and must be safely deployed in a controlled

environment by qualified personnel, before a vehicle is scrapped.

In addition, ALWAYS contact your dealer if;

• an airbag inflates.

• the front of the vehicle is damaged (even if the airbag has not

inflated).

• any part of an airbag module covers show signs of deterioration

or damage.

The components of the airbag SRS are sensitive to electrical and

physical interference; it is recommended that you ALWAYS seek

the assistance of an MG Rover dealer to carry out any of the

following:

• Removal or repair of any wiring or component in the vicinity

of the airbag SRS components, including the steering wheel,

steering column, front seats, fascia and instrument panel.

• Installation of electronic equipment such as a mobile phone,

two-way radio or in-car entertainment system.

• Attachment of accessories to, or modification of, the front or

side of the vehicle.

• Removal, replacement or retrimming of a front seat cover.

DO NOT service, repair, replace, modify or tamper with any

part of the airbag SRS, or wiring in the vicinity of an airbag

SRS component; this could cause the system to activate, resulting in

personal injury.

Steering Column

STEERING COLUMN ADJUSTMENT

DO NOT attempt to adjust the height of the steering column

while the car is in motion. This is extremely dangerous!

HB0589

The angle of the steering column can be adjusted to suit your

driving position:

1. With the car stationary, push the locking lever fully down to

free the steering column.

2. Move the steering wheel (up or down) into a position which

is comfortable, making sure the instrument panel is clearly

visible.

3. When adjustment is complete, pull the locking lever fully up

to lock the steering column in position.

Mirrors

EXTERIOR MIRRORS

Instruction operation

NOTE: Objects viewed in exterior mirrors may appear further away than

they actually are.

Electrical operation

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1. Move the mirror selector switch to the ‘L’ or ‘R’ position (to

Instructionly operated mirrors are adjusted by moving the lever as

adjust either left or right mirror).

shown in the illustration.

2. With the starter switch turned to position ‘II’, press the

appropriate side of the selector switch to tilt the mirror glass

up/down/left or right.

3. When adjustment is complete, return the selector switch to

the OFF position (midway between ‘L’ and ‘R’).

Heating elements

Electrically controlled exterior mirrors have automatic, integral

heating elements for dispersing ice and mist.

Mirrors

Mirror folding

INTERIOR MIRROR

The interior mirror can be dipped to reduce glare from following

vehicles. At night, move the lever at the base of the mirror forward

to ‘dip’ the mirror. Normal visibility is restored, by pulling the

lever back to its original position.

NOTE: In some circumstances, the view reflected in a ‘dipped’ mirror, can

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confuse the driver as to the precise position of following vehicles. Remember

The bodies of both electrically and instructionly controlled mirrors are

to take additional care!

designed to fold rearwards or forwards on impact and can also be

folded back towards the side windows into a ‘park’ position to

VANITY MIRROR

enable the car to negotiate narrow openings.

To use the vanity mirror, pull down the passenger's sun visor.

To avoid possible scorching of the seats by the sun reflected in the

vanity mirror, always return the visor to its stowed position when

not in use.

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