Content .. 1 2 3 ..

Rover 75. Service Manual - part 2

Seats

MANUALLY OPERATED FRONT SEATS*

1. Forward/rearward adjustment

Lift the lever and slide the seat into position. Make sure the seat is

locked in position before driving.

2. Height adjustment (Driver's seat only)

Lift the lever and apply weight to lower the seat rearwards, or

allow the seat to rise forwards, as required.

3. Backrest adjustment

Rotate the handwheel to adjust.

4. Lumbar support adjustment*

Rotate the handwheel to adjust.

HB0230

Seats

POWER-OPERATED FRONT SEATS*

1. Forward/rearward adjustment

Push and hold the switch forwards or rearwards to move the seat.

2. Seat cushion angle (Driver's seat only)

Push the front of the switch up or down to tilt the seat cushion.

3. Seat cushion height (Driver's seat only)

Push the switch up or down to raise or lower the cushion.

4. Backrest adjustment

Twist the switch forward or backwards until the desired angle is

achieved.

5. Lumbar support

Rotate the handwheel to adjust.

Heated seats*

For information on operating the heated front seats, see ‘Heated

seats*’, page 45.

HB0231

Seats

DRIVER'S SEAT MEMORY FACILITY*

To recall a stored position after the seat has been moved by another

driver, open the driver’s door and press the appropriate memory

Before activating the seat memory and lazy seat functions,

pre-set button. The seat will return to the position stored by that

ensure that the area immediately surrounding the seat is clear

memory pre-set, a double chime will sound to confirm that the

of obstructions and that all occupants are clear of moving parts.

operation is complete.

Lazy seats

The lazy seat facility enables the handsets to be used to recall seat

positions, when you unlock the doors.

Press and hold the handset unlock button to move the driver's seat

to the position stored in pre-set 1. An alternative driver's setting

can be programmed using pre-set 2. As before, position the seat

and programme pre-set 2 then, when the spare handset is used to

activate ‘Lazy seats’, the seat position stored in pre-set 2 will be

selected.

H2826a

NOTE: Operation of the lazy seat facility will be cancelled if the driver’s

door is opened.

Your car can memorise three different driver seating positions. To

store the positions in the system memory, the starter switch must

be turned to the first or second position.

Adjust the seat to the required position and store the settings by

pressing and holding the memory store switch (‘M’) and, with the

memory store switch still depressed, press and release one of the

pre-set buttons (‘I’, ‘II’ or ‘III’). Finally, release the memory store

switch; a single chime will sound to confirm that the operation was

successful.

NOTE: If the car is in motion, the pre-set will need to be pressed and held

for the seat to move. This is to prevent inadvertent operation of the memory

pre-sets, which could cause the seat to move into a position in which the

driver is unable to drive safely.

Seat Belts

SEAT BELT SAFETY

• DO NOT allow foreign matter (particularly sugary food and

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

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

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

render the locks inoperative.

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

Observe the following precautions:

seat belt, unless they have been issued with a medical

•

DO make sure ALL passengers are securely strapped in at all

exemption certificate.

times - even for the shortest journeys.

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

•

ALWAYS adjust seat belts to eliminate any slack in the

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

webbing. DO NOT slacken the webbing by holding the belt

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

away from the body - to be fully effective, the seat belt must

doubt, consult a doctor.

remain in full contact with the body at all times.

•

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

The airbag supplementary restraint system (SRS) is designed

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

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

across the shoulder without slipping off or pressing on the neck.

replace them. SEAT BELTS MUST ALWAYS BE WORN!

•

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.

Seat Belts

SEAT BELTS

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

Ensure that all seat belts are worn correctly - an improperly

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

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

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

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

positions’, page 28).

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

Releasing the belt

Fastening the belt

Press the red button on the seat belt buckle.

Upper anchorage height adjustment

To reduce the likelihood of injury in an accident, the height of the

front seat belt upper anchorage adjusts automatically as the seat is

moved either forwards or backwards. The height CANNOT BE

ADJUSTED MANUALLY!

H2731

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

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

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

belt is securely locked.

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

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

neck.

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, rear or side impact on the vehicle (see ‘HOW THE

scrapped.

AIRBAG SRS OPERATES’, page 29). 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 31).

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 ‘CLEANING THE

INTERIOR’, page 211).

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 27). 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

HB0233

their age and size. A table on the following page outlines the

seating positions suitable for use with a child safety seat or restraint

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

system. The range of safety seats approved for use in your car is

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.

DO NOT install a rearward facing child seat in the front

passenger seat - an inflating airbag could impact with the seat.

Failure to follow this advice could result in serious injury, or even

death for the child.

HB0235

When installing and using any infant or child restraint system,

always follow the manufacturer's instructions. Failure to properly

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

secure the child restraint system can endanger the child in a

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

collision or sudden stop and cause injury to other passengers.

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

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

Provided the front seat occupants are correctly seated, with seat

(SRS)

belts properly worn, the airbags will provide additional protection

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

The airbag SRS provides ADDITIONAL protection in a

severe frontal impact, and to the side of the body facing the impact,

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

if a severe side collision occurs.

belt.

Side head impact protection (where fitted) will afford additional

protection to the side of the head facing the impact, in the event

of a severe side collision.

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.

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

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

positioned in the backrest padding on the outward side of both

front seats. The side head impact protection airbags (if fitted) are

situated behind the roof lining and front pillar finishers (where

shown).

DO NOT attach or position items on, or close to the roof

lining or front pillar and ‘B’ post finishers, or to an airbag

cover (steering wheel centre pad or fascia panel), which could

H2797b

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

propelled inside the car causing injury to the occupants.

The airbag SRS incorporates front and side airbags for both the

driver and front seat passenger.

NOTE: Inflation and deflation of the front and side airbags takes place

very quickly and will not protect against the effects of secondary impacts that

may occur.

Airbag SRS

Airbag deployment

Seating positions

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

To minimise the risk of accidental injury from inflating

obstructions are not allowed to intervene between an airbag and

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

the occupant. The following are examples of the type of

addition, both driver and front seat passenger should adjust their

obstructions that could either, impede correct operation of the

seat to provide the maximum practical distance from the front

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

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

deployment:

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

•

Accessories attached to or obscuring an airbag cover, including

the side airbags.

the roof lining, front pillar and ‘B’ post finishers and the part of

the front seat containing the side airbag or the pillar between

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

front and rear doors.

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

•

Items of hand luggage, or other objects placed on an airbag

speed.

cover.

An inflating airbag can cause facial abrasions and other injuries if

•

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

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

or in close proximity to, a front airbag cover.

deployment.

•

Items on the shelf below the front passenger airbag that are

likely to impede airbag operation in the event of an impact.

•

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 airbag or hanging from the grab handle

attached to the roof.

•

Non-approved seat covers fitted over a front seat (in particular,

be aware that seat covers approved for other cars will NOT be

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

Rover dealer.

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),

vary considerably and will affect the rate of acceleration or

H2798a

deceleration accordingly.

Airbag inflation is virtually instantaneous and occurs with

It follows, therefore, that significant superficial damage can occur

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

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

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

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

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

In the case of a severe frontal collision, both front airbags will be

head and upper torso.

deployed. In the case of a severe side collision, only the side airbag

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

and side head impact protection airbag on the impact side of the

touch until they have cooled.

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

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

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

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

indication of a malfunction, however, the powder may cause

of a secondary impact occurring after the initial collision has taken

irritation to the skin and should be thoroughly flushed from the

place.

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

side airbags deflate immediately (side head protection airbags

An inflating airbag can cause facial abrasions and other

deflate slowly). This provides a gradual cushioning effect for the

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

occupant and also ensures that the driver's forward vision is not

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

obscured.

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, non-approved seat covers must

Ensure that a gap is maintained between the upper torso and

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

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

to the front seats be carried out by an MG Rover dealer (see ‘SERVICE

side airbags.

INFORMATION’, page 32).

H2799b

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

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

NOT inflate as a result of frontal or rear impacts 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.

Airbag SRS

Side head impact protection*

Airbag SRS warning light

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

NOTE: For the side head impact airbags to deploy correctly, the roof

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

lining and front pillar trim must be undamaged and fitted correctly. Any

The light will illuminate as a bulb and system check when the

damage or suspect fitting should be referred to an MG Rover dealer for

starter switch is turned to the second position and will extinguish

examination.

after approximately four seconds. The system should always be

Side head impact airbags are designed to protect the head in the

checked by a dealer if any of the following symptoms occur:

event of a severe side impact only. They will NOT inflate as a

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

result of frontal or rear impacts alone.

turned to the second position.

The side head impact protection modules are located behind the

• The warning light fails to extinguish within approximately four

roof lining and front pillar finisher, above the doors. In the event

seconds after the starter switch is turned to the second position.

of a severe side collision, the airbag pushes out from behind the

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

roof lining and front pillar finisher as it inflates. The side head

impact airbag remains inflated for longer than the other airbags, to

provide additional head protection in the event of a secondary

impact.

Airbag SRS

SERVICE INFORMATION

Disposing of the vehicle

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

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

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

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

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

airbag module replacement date.

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

In addition, ALWAYS contact your dealer if;

environment by qualified personnel, before a vehicle is scrapped.

• an airbag inflates.

• the front or side of the vehicle is damaged (even if the

corresponding 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 or 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

3. Pull or push the steering wheel closer to, or further away

from, your body.

DO NOT attempt to adjust the height or angle of the steering

4. Once a comfortable driving position has been selected, pull

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

the locking lever fully up to lock the steering column into its

new position.

H2674a

Adjust the angle and height of the steering column to suit your

driving position:

1. Fully release the locking lever.

2. Hold the steering wheel in both hands and tilt the steering

column up or down to move the wheel into the most

comfortable position.

NOTE: If it is difficult to move the steering column into a new

position, disengage the steering lock by turning the starter switch to

the first position and align the front wheels straight ahead.

Content .. 1 2 3 ..